the name of Kenilworth was then in two parts the one called Optone certified to contain three hides being then held immediatly of the King by Albertus Clericus in pure Almes upon which were resident two Priests the woods whereof conteyned half a mile in length and four furlongs in breadth This being that part of Kenilworth which now the Inhabitants call the High-town and situate upon the ascent on the North part of the Church But the other which in the same Record is written Chinewrde and possest by Rich. Forestarius did then contain no more than three virgats besides the woods which were certified to be half a mile in length and four furlongs in breadth Haec duo membra saith Domesday-book jacent ad Stanlei manerium Regis That the name originally did proceed from some antient possessor of it whose habitation was there is not to be doubted the syllable Wrde which should be Wrâ—e id est Worthe and signifieth a mansion or dwelling place manifesting as much but whether his name was Kenelm or Kenulph for antiently it was written Kenilworth or whether it were the above mentioned Rich. Forestarius who had his seat there which Richard in some very antient authorities that I have seen is called Rich. Chineu I cannot positively determine and therefore will not insist longer on conjectures Certain it is that it continued in the Kings hands till H. 1. time and then was given to Geffrey de Clinton a Norman who doubtless had his first abode in England at Clinton now vulgarly called Glinton in Oxford-shire and thence assumed his sirname This Geffrey if we may credit our Countrey-man Rous was grandson to Will. de Tankervile Chamberlain of Normandy and Maud his wife daughter to Will de Arches whose descent is derived from Wevia sister to Gunora Dutchess of Normandy but of the certainty thereof I much doubt considering that an authentique Historian his Contemporary renders him to have been of very mean parentage and meerly raised from the dust by the favour of the said King Henry from whose hands he received large possessions and no small honour being made both Lord Chamberlein and Treasurer to the said King and afterwards Justice of England which great advancements do argue that he was a man of extraordinary parts It seems he took much delight in this place in respect of the spacious woods and that large and pleasant Lake through which divers petty streames do pass lying amongst them for he it was that first built that great and strong Castle here which was the glory of all these parts and for many respects may be ranked in a third place at the least with the most stately Castles of England Neer unto which he also founded at the same timeâ— a goodly Monastery for Black Canons of which Order it will not be amiss to take a brief view before I go on with my discourse of this particular Monastery The most received opinion is that these Canons Regular had their first institution from S. Augustin Bishop of Hippo wherefore I will succinctly deliver the occasion and ground thereof This Augustin was born in the City of Tagaste in Africa and betaking himself to the study of Philosophy in his younger years grew to be an excellent Schollar and a famous Rhetorician for which he became so eminent that being sent for to Millain there to teach Rhetorique by the preaching of S. Ambrose then Bishop of Millain he was reclaimed from the Heresy of Manicheus wherewith he had been tainted And afterwards coming to Hippo at the solicitation of a great person was by Valerius then B. of that place ordayned a Priest in which City he shortly instituted a Covent of Clerks and lived according to the Rule constituted by the holy Apostles instructing them in the Evangelique perfection viz. love of Poverty Obedience and Chastity After which upon the death of Valerius he became B. of Hippo but notwithstanding being desirous to continue his Religious Course of life he founded a Monastery of Clerks within the precincts of his Church Divers sorts of Religious persons have taken him for their Law-giver viz. the Heremites called Augustines Canons Regular c. making all profession under his Rule Their habite as Polyd. Virg. affirmeth is a white coat and a linnen surplis under a black cloak with a hood covering their head and neck which reacheth to the shoulders having under it doublet breeches white stockings and shoos or slippers and when they walk out a black corner'd cap or a broad Hat their Crowns being shaven but not so much as other Monks Thus much as to the Order With this Monastery so founded by the said Geffrey de Clinton I will now proceed in regard it was so signall a Monument of his piety reserving my story of the Castle till anon By his Foundation Charter it appeares that he gave to the Canons of this House for the redemption of his sins as also for the good estate of King Henry whose consent he had thereto and of his own wife and children all the lands and woods of this Kenilworth excepting what he had reserved for the making of his Castle and Park Together with the Mannors of Salford Itlicote and Neunham in this County The Church of Wotton with a hide of land thereto belonging Two hides in Lilenton with the Churches of Clinton in Oxford-shire and Barton in Northhampton-shire Granting further unto them of pasturage viz. that wheresoever his own Cattell Hoggs should be whether within his Park or without there also might theirs have liberty to feed And their tenants Hoggs to have the like freedom in all other except his inclosed woods and Park as his own tenants had Adding by another Charter the gift of a full tenth of whatsoever should be brought to his Castle viz. either to his Cellar Kitchin Larder Granary or Hall-garth as well of all bought or given either in Corn Hay Hoggs Muttons Bacon Venison Cheese Fish Wine Hony Wax Tallow Pepper and Cumin though they had been tithed elswhere before as of his own proper revenue Together with all his Lambskins throughout every his Mannours as well those as should be kill'd to eat as of others that might dy casually Canonicus Regularis S â— Augustini To these large and munificent gifts he added the Mannour of Hichenden in Com. Buck. which he had by the bounty of King Henry and the Church of Stone in Stafford-shire which he procured of one Enisan within whose Lordship it lay by the consent of Nich. de Stafford it being founded in his fee. But that which I call here the Church of Stone was a small Monastery founded in memory of Wolfade and Ruffin slain by King Wolpherus their father in respect that they became Christians being converted from Paganism and baptized by that holy man S. Chad B. of Lichfield near a thousand years since And besides these particulars did he likewise give
although it sufficed not to bear out any bad attempt of his own as my Author observeth yet was it of force to cross the evill purposes of others and therefore speeches were cast out that he caused himself to be proclaimed King in divers Counties and much more layd in charge against him by Northumberland's contrivance who when he came to his tryall was one of his Peers upon which Triall though they acquitted him of Treason yet did they find him guilty of Felony whereupon he had Judgment to be hang'd never remembring to crave the benefit of his Clergy which is by some observ'd to be a just Judgment of God upon him for having so much wronged the Church and all learning and had his head smitten off upon a scaffold on Tower-hill After this 't was not long ere infirmities seized upon the King from whom Northumb. was little absent to ordering the matter that whil'st he languish't Guilford Dudley his 4. son did marry with the Lady Iane Grey eldest daughter to Henry Duke of Suff. by Frances daughter to Mary second sister to King H. 8. and that a Patent was sealed for the said Lady Iane's succession to the Crown for drawing whereof in excâ—uding his two sisters with fair pretences the assistance of the Lord chief Justice Mountagu and Secretary Cecill was used which Letter 's were subscribed by alâ— the Privy Councell the greatest part both for number and power of the Nobility the Kings learned Councell and all the Judges at the Common Law except Sir Iames Hales one of the Justices of the Common Pleas some being guided with particular interest for that they were possest of so much Monastery and Chantry lands which if Religion should be altered through Qu. Maryes coming to the Crown they might be in danger to loose and others by fear of or obligation to the Duke of Northumberland then so potent and almost absolute in government of the State that 't was supposed he could make any title good either by his authority or his sword And having now thus designed to himself the power of a King for no less would he have had if the Lady Iane had been Queen he contrived to get the Lady Mary into his hands causing K. Edw. to write his Letters for her coming to him in his sickness but she being made sensible of the device when she was within half a days journey of London directed her course another way after which the King immediatly dyed whereupon Northumb. causes the Lady Iane to be proclaimed Queen but the tide of the peoples affections bending to Mary the Kings eldest sister she is likewise proclaimed first by the Citizens of Norwich and afterwards in Buck. and Northampton-shires neither was there want of numbers in severall parts that began to put themselves in Armes on her behalf So that 't was no sitting still now Northumberland therefore being Queen Iane's Champion with a Commission under the great Seal marcheth out with 600. Horse to suppress any power that should appear for Queen Mary having a promise from the Lords of more forces to be sent after him but such a change did he perceive in the affections of his own Souldiers whereof many forsook himâ— that to daub up the matter he returns to Cambridge and there without either Herauld or Trumpet accompanyed with the Maior and Marquess of Northampton proclaimes Queen Mary himself in the Market-place and in token of joy threw up his Cap. All which would not now secure him for the very next day the Earl of Arundell coming thithither from the Queen arrested him of Treason whence he was with his three sons Iohn Ambrose and Henry convey'd to the Tower of London and from that place ere long to his arraignment where being condemn'd for a Traitor he suffered death at Tower-hill the 22. of Aug. and was buried in the Tower Church by Iohn Cock then Lancaster-Herauld who having been his old servant was willing to shew some respect to him dead from whom living he had received so much favour and therefore begg'd his Head onely of the Queen that he might bury it in the Tower upon which suit he had his wholy body also granted Our Historians that write of his death do say that at his end he profest the Roman Religion and I have heard that for a witness of his Faith he vouch't Dr. Heath Archbishop of York afterwards Lord Chancelour yet was he so much blinded by ambition that apprehending the alteration of Religion to be the chief means whereby he might accomplish his worldly ends he told Sir Anthony Brown afterward Visc Mountacute when he moved him for restoring the Roman Religion â—hat albeit he knew the same Religion to be true yet seeing a new Religion was begun Run Dog run Devill he would go forwards One thing have I further to observe of him which is that being arrived to such a pitch of honour and greatness he was not content with those vast possessions that he had by the bounty of the K. and his own just acquisition but finding Iohn Lord Dudley grandfather to the last Baron to be a weak man whereby he had exposed himself to some wants and so became entangled within the Usurers bonds made those money-merchants his Instruments to work him out of Dudley-Castle which Usurers accordingly getting a mortgage of part of his lands let in such room for the Duke to put in a foot that he soon justled him out of his Castle and Barony so that the poor Lord being thus turn'd out of dore and left to the Charity of his friends for a subsistence spent the rest of his days in making visits amongst them with whom he usually stayed according as he found welcome being commonly called the Lord Quondam but so soon as Queen Mary had taken off the Dukes head she bestowed the Castle of Dudley and all the lands which belong'd to the quondam Lord upon Edward his son and heir who had wedded Katherine Bridges daughter to Sir Iohn Bridges Knight Lord Chandois one of her maids of Honour During the time that this our Earl of Warwick was so possest of Dudley-Castle it being a place that he thirsted after in regard of his name and for the honourableness of the House and seat from which he was desirous the world should believe he was descended for he had thrust into his titles Dux Northumbriae Comes Warwici Mareschallus Angliae Vâ—cecomes L'isle Baro de Somery Basset Tyase Dominus de Dudley praenobilis Ordinis Garterii miles Magnus Magister Seneschallus Hospitii regis he made great repairs there and built that stately fabrick within the walls thereof on the North part which was called the New work adorn'd the Gate-house tower with the Armes of Malpas Someri and the Lyon rampant by him assumed for Sutton's coat fairly cut in large shields of stone and fixt in the wall just over the Port cullice By Iane daughter and
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
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
H. 7. was granted to Gerald Earl of Kildare and Eliz. S. Iohn then his wife and the heirs male of their two bodyes lawfully begotten After which viz. in 18 H. 7. they obtained a Charter of Free-warren in all their demesn lands here Which Earl leaving issue by the said Eliz. Sir Iames Fitz-Gerald Kt. attainted in 28 H. 8. as in Blackwell I have manifested it eschaeted again to the Crown and was granted to Sir Thomas Palmer Knight a martiall man as it seems for I find that in 38 H. 8. he was imployed in the French Warrs but adhering to the Duke of Morthumberland in 1. Mariae participated of his fate viz. losse of life and estate by attainder After which the Queen in that very year granted it to Michael Throkmorton Esquier and his heirs who dyed seized thereof 1. Nov. 5. 6. Ph. M. leaving Francis his son and heir 7. years of age Neverthelesse I have heard that the same .... Hill of whom in Blackwell I have spoke having obtained a long Lease thereof together with Blackwell from Sir T. Palmer before specified left issue severall sons and that Robert Dudley Earl of Leic. through colour of a title from Francis the yongest of them possest himself thereof but that after the said Earls death Thomas the eldest got into it again and sold his interest to Roger Burgoin late of Wroxhall Esquier In an 1291. 19 E. 1. the Church â—dedicated to S t Iohn Baptist being valued but at 1. mark was not taxed in 14 E. 3. propter paupertatem as the Record expresseth And in 26 H. 6. it appeareth that all the profits belonging thereto were so small as that they sufficed not to maintain a Priest but that the Cure was usually served by some Frier that came from Warwick and received the same with other offrings from the Parishioners Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. D. Ioh. Peche miles Rob. Archard Pbr. prid Id. Aug. 1305. D. Nich. Peche miles Ric. Hanne Cap. Non. Apr. 1354. D. Ioh. Peche miles Ioh. de Ardeley Pbr. Cal. Sept. 1366. D. Episc. per lapsum David Aber. Pbr. 8. Aug. 1387. Kinardus de la Bere miles Ioh. Bowre Pbr .... Maii 1396. Kinardus de la Bere miles Philippus Horspath 25. Iunii 1398. Kinardus de la Bere miles D. Ioh. Glover 8. Apr. 1400. Katherina de la Bere Ioh. Del Dyche 18 Dec. 1410. Katherina de la Bere Will. Chamberleyn 18 Iulii 1411. Henr. Rueth Cap. 25. Ian. 1495. Edw. Hill Thom. Hill Franc. Hill Thom. Abbington Cler. 27. Martii 1574. Wroxhall SOuthwards from Honiley somewhat above a mile stands Wroxhall of which there is no particular mention in the Conquerors Survey neither of Hatton whereof it was originally a member Nor is there probability that they were at that time involved with any other place that lyeth neer them the barrenesse of the soil though woody perhaps giving occasion that they were not then taken notice of But insisting not on probabilities I shall descend to such certain authorities as I have seen to discover the first possessor thereof and therefore because the Monastery of Nuns was very antiently here founded viz. in K. Stephen's time as I shall further shew anon I will here exhibit the substance of what is to be seen in an historicall Manuscript penned about King Edward 4. time by some Priest or Officer belonging to the said Nunnery as I guesse whereby not onely the first Lords and owners of the place will appear but the occasion and circumstances touching that Foundation which though some may think wholy fabulous in respect of the Miracles wherewith it is so much deck't yet setting them aside and well considering the Story a body of Truth is not hard to be discerned therein the substance whereof is as followeth viz. That one Richard shortly after the Norman Conquest holding the Lordship of Hatton and likewise this place of Wroxhall of Henry then Earl of Warwick had issue a son callled Hugh who was a person of great stature and bore the same Armes that the Mountforts of Beldesert near Henley in this County did scil Bende with a fesse gules for his difference being a branch of that Family as was thought Which Hugh going to warfare in the Holy Land was there taken Prisoner and so continued in great hardship there for the space of seven years But at length considering that S. Leonard was the Saint to whom his Parish-Church had been dedicated and the many miracles that God had often wrought by the merits of that his glorious Confessor made his addresses by earnest Prayers to him for deliverance Whereupon S. Leonard appeared to him in his sleep in the habit of a black Monk bidding him arise and go home and found at his Church a House of Nuns of S. Benet's Order But the Knight awaking took this for no other than a dream till that the same Saint appeared to him a second time in like manner Howbeit then with much spirituall gladnesse rejoycing he made a Vow to God and S. Leonard that he would perform his command Which Vow was no sooner made than that he became miraculously carryed thence with his Fetters and set in Wroxhall woods not far distant from his own House yet knew not where he was untill a Shepherd of his own passing through those thickets accidentally found him and after some communication though he was at first not a little affrighted in respect he saw a person so overgrown with hair discovered all unto him Whereupon his Lady and Children having advertisement came forthwith to him but believed not that he was her husband till he shewed her a piece of a Ring that had been broken betwixt them which so soon as she applied to the other part in her own custody closed therewith And shortly after having given solemn thanks to God our Lady and S t Leonard and praying for some divine revelation where he should erect that Monastery so promised by his said vow he had speciall direction where to build it by certain stones picht in the ground in the very place where the Altar was afterwards set After the structure whereof two of his daughters were made Nuns therein a Lady from the Nuns of Wilton being fetcht to direct them in that their Rule of S. Benedict But from this Legend I shall proceed with its endowment with lands c. as I find the same declared in our publique Records or have observed from any private evidence Wherein first I must take notice how munificent the pious Founder himself was Of whom it appears that he gave thereunto totam terram loci de Wrocheshale with a large proportion of lands and woods thereabouts all mentioned either by particular names or by metes and bounds the rehearsall whereof for brevities sake I omit together with the Church of Hatton and whatsoever belonged thereto as also all that land in
and he three daughters that were his heirs with the eldest of whom he gave these lands of Nechels to Sir Robert de Handsacre Knight in frank marriage but she dying without issue they came to Alice her niece then the wife of Sir George de Castell Knight which Alice in her widowhood sc 4 E. 3. in consideration of xl li. of silver past away all her interest in this Mannour unto Simon del Holt of Bermingham and his heirs whose posteritie have continued Lords thereof ever since Sir Thomas Holt now of Aston Knight and Baronet being the present owner thereof Anno scil 1640. But it hath been long since totally depopulated though antiently it was a pretty Village as by severall instances might be shewed for in 34 E. 3. Sir Thomas de Arden Knight had a mansion here as appears by a License granted to him from Robert de Stretron then Bishop of this Dioces to have a private Oratorie or Chapell therein for himself and his own Family It seems that the same Philip de Aylesbury of whom I have made mention in Dudston had also some interest here in R. 2. time for he then wrote himself Dominus de Dudston de Nechells but of what extent it was I cannot say all which was passed by Sir William de Bishopsdon in 2 H. 5. unto Rich. de Clodshale of Saltley and his heirs being said to have sometime belong'd unto the same Philip de Aylesbury In 33. H. 6. there was a Fine levied betwixt Thomas Waldeyve and Williaem Leycroft Plantiffs and Robert Danvers Henry Fillongley and Iohn Holt Esquire deforciants of this Mannour for by that name it then passed by which it seemeth that the inheritance thereof became vested in the before specified Thomas Waldeyve perhaps to the use of the same Iohn Holt and his heirs for in 20 H. 8. Thomas Holt who then wrote himself de medio Templo London generosus was owner thereof which Thomas was grandfather to Sir Thomas above mentioned Dudston OF this Hamlet there is now no more left than the Mannour-house but by the name I should judge it to be a Village of great antiquitie and so called from Dode or Dud whence Dudley doubtlesse had the appellation But till E. 1. time I have not found any mention of it in Record in regard it was involved with Aston and so came to Sir Thomas de Erdington as a member thereof though it be not particularly named for it is evident that Henry de Erdington great grandchild to the said Sir Thomas did his fealtie to Ioane Botetourt Lady of Weoley as coheir to Someri Baron of Dudley on S. Mark 's day 17 E. 2. for this place together with Aston mention being made of their tenure by a pair of gilt Spurs or six pence as in the originall grant of Aston may be seen which Sir Henry for he was afterwards a Knight granted it by the name of Manerium de Dudeston to Thomas de Maidenhache and his heirs about the beginning of E. 1. time who had Free warren in all his demesn lands here together with Aston as by the King's grant thereof in 14 E. 1. appeareth but having severall daughters and heirs as in Aston is shewed this inter alia was allotted as a member of Aston unto Sibill the wife of Adam de Grymesarwe by means whereof it came to Iohn de Grymesarwe their son and heir who sold it unto Iohn atte Holt in 38 E. 3. for xl marks From which Iohn it is descended as the Pedegree in Aston manifesteth unto Sir Thomas Holt now of Aston Knight and Baronet the present Lord thereof and was his principall seat till he had built Aston house But notwithstanding the Mannour thus fixed in the Familie of Holt there was a considerable part of this Village antiently possest by the Aylesburyes of whom I have spoke in Edston for I finde that Roger de Aylesbury stiled himself Dominus de Dodestone in 5 E. 2. so also did Philip de Aylesbury in 10 R. 2. yet when or how it past from Aylesbury I have not seen but in 2 H. 5. Sir William de Bishopsden Knight granted to Richard de Clodshale all the lands and tenements lying here which had formerly belong'd to the before specified Philip de Aylesbury after which I have not met with farther mention of them Deretend THis place antiently written Dury-yatehend though it be within the Parish of Aston is parcell of the Lordship of Bermingham so that of it self there is nothing farther memorable than a certain Chapell erected about the beginning of King Ric. the second 's time wherein by an Agreement made 13. Iunii Anno 1381. 4 R. 2. betwixt the Monks of Tykford in right of their Rectorie of Aston before specified Richard Shobenhale then Vicar of Aston and Sir Iohn Botetort Knight Patron of the said Priorie of Tykford on the one part And Sir Iohn Birmingham Kt. Lord of this Hamlet Geffrey Boteler Robert Greene and others Inhabitants here and in Bordsley on the other part by the consent of Robert de Stretton then Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield the said Inhabitants of these two Hamlets partly in respect of the danger by flouds especially in Winter-time and their great distance from the said mother-Church of Aston and partly that their Children might not want Baptisme in case of necessity there should be a Font in the said Chapell and that they might have libertie to find at their own proper costs a fitting Priest to celebrate divine Service therein as also for Churching of women Provided that the same Inhabitants should repaire to the said Mother-Church of Aston on Easter-day Christmasse-day All-Hallown-day and the days of the Dedication of the said Church scil S. Peter S. Paul hapning next after the Feasts of the Nativity of S. Iohn Baptist and Purification of the blessed Virgin then and there to render and pay to God and the said Parish Church all their Tithes great and small with Oblations in such sort as they had antiently used and were of right to do to the same Church Which Priest so serving in this Chapell was by the before specified Agreement in case the Vicar of Aston for the time being or his Parochiall Priest could not attend it to visit the sicke of these two Hamlets and to administer unto them as also to confesse and absolve them so as they should shrive themselves once a yeare to the said Vicar of Aston or his Parochiall Priest as of right they ought After which viz. in 6 R. 2. did William Geffen Thoms Holden Robert of the Greene Richard â—ene Thomas de Belne and Iohn Smyth obtain License of the King to give certain lands of x. marks yearly value and lying within the said Parish of Aston for the finding of a Priest to celebrate divine Service daily in this Chapell But in 37 H. 8. were the possessions lying in Bordsley
Master Bermingham was to ride out from home which being accordingly done they so contrived their business that one of their plot should ride leisurely before so that they might soon keeping but an ordinary pace overtake him whereupon they watcht an opportunity to strike into Master Bermingham's company as Travailers with whom they soberly rode for a while but being come up to their confederate forthwith set upon him for his Purse so that the villain thus seemingly rob'd makes pursuit after them and likewise after Master Bermingham as one of the pack who being thereupon apprehended and prosecuted apparently saw his danger The business therefore now working according to Dudley's first design there were others imployed to Mr. Bermingham with overture how he might save his Life viz. to make the Vicount L'isle his friend in giving up this Lordship of Bermingham to him which that it might bear the better colour and be the more valid was performed by yeilding it to the King and ratified by a speciall Act of Parliament the tenor whereof was as followeth Where Edward Byrmingham late of Byrmingham in the Countie of Warwick Esquire otherwise callid Edward Byrmingham Esquire ys and standyth lawfully indettid to our sovereing Lord the Kynge in diverse grete summes of money Aud also standyth at the mercy of his Highness for that the same Edward ys at this present convicted of Felony our seide sovereign Lord the Kyng ys contentid and pleased that for and in recompence and satisfaction to his grace of the seyde summes of money to accept and take of the seyde Edwarde the Mannoâ—r and Lordship of Byrmingham otherwise callid Byrmincham with the appurtenances lying and being in the Countie of Warwick and all and singular other lands and tenements reversions Rents Services and hereditaments of the same Edward Byrmingham set lying and beyng in the Countie of Warwick afforeseyde Be yt therefore ordeyned and enacted by the authorite of this present Parliament that our saide sovereine Lord the Kynge shall have hold and enjoy to him his heirs and assignes for ever the seide Mannour and Lordship of Byrmingham c. In which Act there is a reservation of xl l. per an to the said Edward and Elizabeth his wife during their lives Howbeit after this it was no less than nine years ere the grant of it from the Crown to the said Vicount L'isle was made for it bears not date till December 21 37 H. 8. perhaps on purpose so deferred that the world might the less censure him for this hard dealing at which time the inheritance thereof together with the Burgh of Bermingham and patronage of the Rectorie late belonging unto the before specified Edward Bermingham were past unto him with other lands lying in the Counties of Salop Heref. and Worcester But how short a time he enjoy'd it my Story of him as Earl of Warwick will further shew for being attainted and losing his head in 1 M. whereby all that he had eschaâ—ted to the Crown the same Queen in 3. and 4. of her reign by her Letters Pat. dated 9 Apr. granted the inheritance thereof to Thomas Marrow Esq. whose posteritie seated at Berkswell in this Countie continue Lords of it till this day Other particulars memorable relating to this place are as followeth viz. in 35 H. 3. a grant that another Faire should be yearly kept here for three days sc. on the Eve of St. Iohn Bapt. and the two days next following the Shiriff of Worcestershire having then command to proclaim it accordingly throughout his Liberties And that in 12 E. 2. the Inhabitants at the instance of Aâ—domare de Valence Earl of Pembroke obtained a License to take Toll of all vendible commodities brought hither to be sold for the space of three years viz. for every Quarter of Corn a farthing c. towards paving the town But this work was not perfectly compleated within that time nor of xv years after for in 7 E. 3. I find that they had another Pat. to take Toll in like manner for the space of 3. years more The Hospitall of St. Thomas the Apostle THis was situate at that end of the town towards Wolverhampton and on the right hand the road almost opposite to the sign of the Bull but touching the originall Foundation thereof I have not seen any farâ—her testimony than that Certificate made by the Commissioners upon their Survey in 37 H. 8. where it is said they were informed that the Ancestors of the Berminghams Lords of Bermingham erected it for one Priest to sing Mass daylie therein for the souls of the Founders for ever as also that the late Lord of Bermingham viz. Edw. Bermingham Esq. did inter alia grant the patronage of it to one Iohn Prettye for XCIX years which said Iohn past away his title therein to Mr. Clem. Thrâ—kmorton Gentleman And the first mention of it that I find is in 13 E. 1. where it appeareth that Thomas de Maidenhache of whom I have spoke in Aston gave unto it ten acres of Heath in Aston Wiâ—â— de Bermingham x. acres likewise and Ranulph de Rokeby 3. acres of land in Saluteley About that time were divers Cottages and lands lying also in Bermingham and the adjacent Villages given to it by sundry others viz. xxii acres of land and half an acre of meadow by the same Will. de Bermingham and the rest by a number of ordinary persons for all which the Prior and Brethren thereof obtained the King's speciall pardon in 4 E. 2. in regard they had been given thereto after publication of the Statute of Mortmain made in 7 E. 1. In 24 E. 3. Foub de Bermingham and Ric. Spenser gave thereunto two Messuages and an 〈◊〉 â—crces of land lying in Aston and Bermyngham â—o find a Priest to celebrate divine servâ—c◠〈◊〉 at the Altar of our Blessed Lady in the Church of the same Hospitall for the souls of Will. le Mercer and Margerie his wife and of certain others The clear yearly value of all which lands and tenements belonging thereto over and above reprises were in 26 H. 8. certified to be viii l. v s. iii d. at which time Sir Edw. Tofte was Chantrie Priest there but in 37 H. 8. the value above reprises was rated at viii l. viii s. ix d. Patroni Custodes sive Guardiani ejusdem Hospitalis D. Episcopus Frater Rob. Marmion 16. Cal. Oct. 1326. D. Episcopus Ioh Nevill confrater Non. Nov. 1353. D. Fulco de Bermyncham miles Rob. Cappe Cap. 6. Cal. Iunii 1361. D. Fulco de Bermyncham miles Thomas Edmund Pbr. 2 Non. Aug. 1369. D. Ioh. de Clinton miles Ioh. Frotheward Pbr. 15. Nov. 1390. D. Ioh. de Clinton miles Ioh. Cheyne 5. Sept. 1393. Domina Eliz. de Clinton Henr. Bradley Pbr. 22 Oct. 1398. D. Ioh. Russell miles Tho. Salpyn 24 Sept. 1403. D. Eliz. Domina de Clinton Rob. Browe Cap. 7. Martii 1407. D.
Esquier And to manifest that he was a person eminently qualified in 18 E. 2. he served in the Parliament then held at London as one of the Knights for this Shire having ii s. vi d. allowed him per diem for his expences during that imployment But in 1 E. 3. upon a strong suspition of Heresie suggested against him to the King a Commission to Will. de Clinton bearing date 3 Maii was forthwith issued out not only to arrest and take him but to seize on all his lands goods and Chattels of which being advertised he submitted himself to prison and brought in sureties to stand to a lawfull triall therein viz. Raph. de Crophull of Notinghamshire Walt. de Heselarton of Yorkshire Edm. de Shireford David de Caunton Rog. le Pledour and Iohn de Alspath of this County whereupon he was set at liberty and his lands and goods restored to him as by the King 's special Precept bearing date at Notingham 3 Sept. appeareth After which viz. in 5 E. 3. the said Lord Basset received his full accompt for all the time he had served and reâ—eined to him and gave him a generall Acquittance To whom succeeded Iohn who for the lands in Blaggreve which sometime belong'd to Rob. de Blaggreve his grandmothers Father obtained a Release from Sir Baldwin Frevill Knight heir â—o Marmion as to the suit due to his three weeks Court at Stipershull and all other services for that land during his own life and the life of Maud his wife saving to the said Sir Baldwin his homage and a pair of gilt spurs at the Feast of S. Edith yearly This Iohn in 30 E. 3. payd to Sir Iohn de Arden Kt. and Henry his brother Executors to Raph de Arden their father the sum of vi s. viii d. for reasonable Aid due upon the marriage of Sibill his eldest daughter in respect of the lands in Moxhull which he held of him by military service and at the same time xxxiii s. iiii d. for a Relief due to the before specified Raph for those lands and bore for his Armes three Eglets displayed gules as by his Seal and an old Glasse window in Bentley Chapell appeareth which coat or part thereof at least was assumed by Henry his Father for I have seen a Seal of his with one Eglet displaied within the compasse of a roundle and not in a Shield a course very antiently used before they put their Badges into Shields as I have observed in the Families of Beke of Eresby and Darcy the first of which bore their Crosse sarcilè so and the other their Cinquefoile Which Iohn bearing a singular reverence to the Monks of Merevale desired that his body might be there buried as may appear by certain land and Rent that he assigned to some friends in trust for the finding of divers wax Lights to burn every Sunday and Holiday in the Chapell of our Lady adjoyning to the gate of that Abby for which respect he had a special grant from Robert de Atherston Abbot of that House and his Covent under their publick Seal bearing date the Wednsday after Lammas 33 E. 3. of a certain proportion of ground within the said Chapell of our Lady containing seven foot square where he and Maud his wife at the death of each should have sepulture And that upon all great Festivall days aswell as Sundays five waxen Lights should be burning there as also that he the said Iohn and Maud should have liberty to set up Images in the same Chapell in honour of the blessed Virgin Henricus de Insula Will. de Insula 21 H. 3. Margareta Nicholaus de Insula 36 H. 3. Amieâ—a 41 H. 3. Iuliana filia haer Rob. de Blaggreve 1 E. 1. Ankitellus de Insula 22 E. 1. Christiana ux 2 obiit 33 E. 1. Philippus de Insula Rector Eccl. de Wishaw 4 E. 2. Henr. de Insula 4 E. 2. Iohanna 9 E. 2. Philippus de Insula Rector Eccl. de Cavendish 9 E. 3. Henr. de Insula 9 E. 3. Ioh. de Insula 9 E. 3. Matilda relicta 47 E. 3. Idonea 1 R. 2. Ioh. de Insula 6 H. 4. Margeria 13 H. 4. Will. de L'ile ar 29 H. 6. Iuliana filia Rob. Midlemore de Eggebaston Henricus de L'isle ob 20 H. 7. Eliz. filia Will. Morgan Iohannes L'isle obiit 29 H. 8. Anna filia haeres Will. Lecroft de Colshull 12 H. 8. Nich. L'isle obiit 32 H. 8. Anna filia Thomae Swinerton de Hilton in Com. Staff Thomas L'isle ob 23 Aug. 8 Eliz. Anna filia Georgii Masterson una sororum cohaer Thomae Ioh. L'â—sle obiit 24 Ian. 36 Eliz. Dorothea filia Georgii Willoughby filii Hugonis Wiloughby mil. Franciscus L'isle obiit infra aet 38 Eliz. Ioh. L'isle ar Brigitta filia Ioh. Knotsford de Studley Ioh. L'isle Maria filia Mathei Cradock de Caverswall-castro in Com. Staff ar Regin L'isle de quo illi de Bremor in Com. Suthâ— To which Iohn succeeded Iohn his son who in H. 5. time was retained by the Earl of Warwick amongst other of his Esquires to serve him with one Lance and one Archer at the seige of Caleis for which he was to receive xxl per an besides his diet And to him William and to William Henry who gave the Rectorie of Wilmecote with all the Tithes thereto belonging to Thomas Clapton Master of the Gild at Stratford super Avon to the intent that the Priest singing the first Masse every day in the said Gild should say De profundis before the holy Lavatorie for the good estate of him the said Henry and Elizabeth his wife and for their souls after their departure hence as also for the soules of his ancestors and successors Which Henry was Shiriff of this County and Leicestershire in the second and nineteenth years of K. H. 7. reign and by his Testament dated 13 Sept. 20 H. 7. bequeathing his body to be buried within his own proper Chapell in the Church of S. Chad at Wishaw before the Image of Henry the sixth sometime King of England departed this life about that time for the Probate of his Will beareth date the next month following Unto which Henry succeeded Iohn his son and heir who taking to wife Anne the daughter and heir of Will. Lecrofte had with der divers Houses and a great proportion of land lying in Colshill and other places Of this Iohn I find that upon the birth of Elizabeth second daughter to King H. 8. afterwards Qu. of England he received a special Letter from Qu. Anne dated at Greenwich 7 Sept. 25 H. 8. advertising him of the good speed she had in her deliverance and desiring his congratulation unto God for it as also his Prayers for the good health prosperity and continuall preservation of the said young Princesse To whom succeed Nicholas and to him Thomas who wedded
But none of them had better advantages for his faithfull services than the before mentioned Simon for in the first year of that King's reign he obtained the Stewardship of severall Lordships in com Rutl. viz. Upâ—ingham Preston Barowghdon Esenden and Greteham and all the lands in that Countie which had belonged to George D. of Clarence to hold during life and the like Office together with the Receiver-ship for the Mannour of Bedale in Yorkshire And having in the second been a Commander in the King's Army at the battail of Stoke had in consideration of his acceptable services a grant of the Mannour of Ravysbury in the Parish of Micham in Surrey and to the heirs male of his body in which the said King calls him dilectus serviens noster and the next year ensuing bestowed on him the Office of Comptroller of his petty Customes in the Port of London as also the Forestership of Thornewodes in Shirewood formerly conferred upon him by K. Edw. 4 th And in 11 H. 7. this Lordship of Colshill as I have already observed After which viz. in 12 H. 7. I find that he had a Commission to exercise Marshall-Law in the Counties of Devon and Cornwall against divers malefactors and that in 22 H. 7. he was first in Commission for the Peace in this Countie in 23 for the Gaol-deliverie at Warwick and in 1 and 9 H. 8. underwent the Shiriffaltie of this Countie and Leicestershire as also that by his Testament bearing date 22 Aug. 9 H. 8. he bequeathed his body to sepulture in the Chancell here at Colshill under the Tombe made by himself in his life-time which still remaineth and departed this life 24 Feb. 12 H. 8. leaving issue by Alice his wife daughter and heir to Iohn Waleys of Est-Raddon in com Devon Esq. Reginald Digby his son and heir Which Alice by her last Will and Testament bearing date ult Nov. 12 H. 8. gave a messuage here in Colshill of the yearly value of xxxviii s. viii d. and the Rent of vi s. viii d. issuing out of other lands as also one acre of land lying in Colemeadow within the said Mannour of Colshill to the intent that the issues and profits of the same should be distributed after this manner viz. every day in the year immediatly after the sacring of the high Mass in the Church of Colshill and at the end of the same Altar where the said Mass should so happen to be sung to a Child viz. male or female whose parents are Householders dwelling within the Parish and under the age of ix years that can and will before the said sacring kneel down at the said Altars end and say five Pater nosters five Aves and a Creide for the soul of Simon Digby her late husband hers her Childrens and all Christen-souls a peny of silver sterling beginning first at the House next to the Church and so in order passing on from House to House till all be gone through And to the Dean of the said Church for the time being yearly for his labour and diligence in seeing the said Prayers so performed and himself also saying at the said time a Pater noster an Ave and a Creed for the souls abovesaid the yearly summe of vi s. vâ—â—i d. And that the remainder shall be to maintain a solemn Obit in the said Church for the souls abovesaid with the number of three Priests whereof the Vicar of Colshill to be one and the Deacon and the Clerke besides the said Vicar in case he be present to have viii d. And to xii poor people the same time kneeling about the Herse and saying our Ladies Psalâ—er xii d. To the Bell-ringers v. d. For Waxe and Torches burnt then likewise xii d. To the reparation of the House out of which the greatest part of the Rent issueth iii s. iiii d. To the chief Lord of the Fee ii s. And the remainder being viii d. to run on and be kept in store for renewing of this Feoffment as occasion shall be But this bequest being in after times deemed superstitious and the land so given divolving therefore to the Crown the Inhabitants of this Parish obtained it by purchase as I have heard and setled part of the yearly profits thereof for the maintenance of a School there and part for to distribute to such Children viz. pence a piece as abovesaid which repairing to the Church at ten of the clock every morning shall say the Lords-Prayer before the Clerke who for tolling a Bell at that time and hearing the Children to perform that dutie hath also a certain yearly allowance payd unto him Of the before specified Reginald and his descendants I have little more to say till within the compass of this last age considering that their severall matches are expressed in the Pedegree before inserted and that t being Gentlemen of the superior rank they underwent the most publick imployments of note scil Justices of Peace Shiriffs and Commissioners upon all great occasions But in Sir George Digbye's issue grandchild to the said Reginald was there an accession of very much honour to this antient Familie First by the marriage of Sir Rob. Digby Kt. his son and heir with Lettice grandchild and heir female to Gerald Earl of Kildare in Ireland whose son and heir viz. Robert having a fair estate in that Kingdom of his mothers inheritance was by K. Iames created Lord Digby of Geashill his Castle there which Dignitie descends to the heirs male of his body And secondly by Iohn fourth son to the said Sir George who being a person of extraordinary parts and imployed by the same King in that notable Embassie of Spain for a marriage betwixt a daughter of that Kâ—ng and the then Prince of England was created Lord Digby of Shirburne in Dorsetshire 25 Nov. 16 Iac. and about four years after Earl of Bristoll Which Robert Lord Digby in 20 Iac. obtained a a new Charter for a weekly Mercate here upon the Wednesday and two Faires yearly the one upon St. Mark 's day and the other on St. Mathew's in regard the Mercate and Faire granted by K. Iohn as hath been said were discontinued The Church dedicated to St. Peter was very antiently given to the Nuns of Merkyate in Bedfordshire for in H. 3. time it had a Vicar endowed Nevertheless about the beginning of Edw. 1 reign there grew suits betwixt these Nuns and Iohn de Clinton sen. touching the Advouson thereof but at length they came to an accord and gave him C. marks of silver to quit his title thereto which he did by a Fine then levied whereby it appears that the now Churches of Lea Over-Whitacre and Nether-Whitacre were Chapelries antiently belonging thereto In an 1291. 19 E. 1. the Rectorie then appropriated to those Nuns was valued at xviii marks and the Vicaridge at vi marks but in 26 H. 8. at x l.
not for taking part with Thomas Earl of Lancaster in 15 E. 2. he was beheaded at Yorke after which it became soon disposed of by the King together with Creke in Com. Northampt. unto Elianore the wife of Hugh le Despenser the younger to hold during her life to the use and behoof of Gilbert le Despenser son to the said Hugh which I suppose she held accordingly during the remainder of the said King's reign and no longer as may seem by an Inquis then taken and a confirmation made the year following by Iohn de Moubray son and heir to the last mentioned Iohn unto Sir Richard Pesehale Knight of the third part thereof together with the advouson of the Church which Aliva de Moubray mother of the said Iohn of whose dowrie it was had granted to him the said Richard to hold during life But besides this third part it seems that the said Sir Richard obtained an estate in the rest to hold likewise during his own life for in 16 E. 3. when William de Clinton then Earl of Huntendon had began the Foundation of Maxstoke Priorie having a minde to endow it with lands and possessions situate convenient thereto it appears that after he had agreed with the Lord Moubray to have this Lordship in Exchange for the Mannour of Hinton in Cambridgeshire he gave unto the said Sir Richard in lieu of his terme in this the inheritance of the Mannour of Gudlesdon juxta Colshill with leave to take down a new House which he had built here at Shustoke and to remove it whither he should think fit as also all such timber as was then fallen by the said Richard in the Park here at Shustoke and libertie to cut down in the said Park six more Oaks for Timber and six for Fewell the same grant bearing date 5 Ian. 16. E. 3. After which scil the morrow following Ascension day the said Lord Moubray granted the same with the advouson of the Church unto that Earl and his heirs for ever Whereupon he accordingly by his Deed dated the Saturday before the Translation of S t Thomas the Martyr setled it upon the Canons of Maxstoke and their successors who the next year following for their better conveniencie past it away unto Iohn de Clinton nephew to the before specified Earl in exchange for that part of Maxstoke which was afterwards and still is called the Priorie-Lordship Aâ—l which being thus performed the same Iohn de Clinton immediately granted it unto the said Earl his uncle to hold during life who being so seized thereof procured a Charter bearing date 20. Ian. the year ensuing that himself for his life and his said nephew and his heirs for ever should have a Court Leet within this Mannour extending likewise into the Hamlets of Bentley and Blithe within the same Parish together with Assize of Bread and Beer Pillorie Tumbrell as also the Liberties of Infangthef and Outfangthef Gallows and Weyfs rendring for the same to the said King his Heirs and Successors xviii d. yearly by the hands of the Shiriff in augmentation of the ferme of the Countie By which Charter there was farther granted to the said Earl as also to his nephew and his heirs Free warren in all his demesn lands within the precincts aforesaid Upon whose death in 28 E. 3. his said nephew Sir Iohn de Clinton had liverie thereof From whom descended Iohn Lord Clinton and Say whose lands were seized on in 38 H. 6. for adhering to the House of Yorke at which time this Lordship inter alia was given by the King to Sir Edmund Mountfort Knight one of his Kervers in consideration of his faithfull service against the said King's enemies but the deposall and ruine of King Henry hapned so soon after as that the Lord Clinton was not long out of possession thereof in whose line it continued till 31 H. 8. that Edward Lord Clinton and Say sold it unto Iames Leveson of Wolverhampton Esquire a rich Merchant of the Staple as by his Deed bearing date 6. Febr. the same year appeareth Which Iames gave it in marriage in 36 H. 8. unto Walter the son and heir of Sir Edward Aston of Ticksall in Com. Staff Knight whose grandson Sir Walter Aston Knight of the Bathe being plunged into vast debts by supporting himself in that Embassie of Spaine towards the later end of King Iames his time first sold the greatest part of the Fermes to the severall Tenants and soon after the Mannour it self unto Sir George Devereux of Sheldon Knight the now owner thereof The Church dedicated to S. Cuthbert was in anno 1291. 19 E. 1. valued at x. marks and the advouson thereof in 17 E. 3. given by William de Clinton Earl of Huntingdon together with the Mannour unto the Priorie of Maxstoke then newly by him founded whereupon soon ensued its appropriation scil 4. Id. Iulii the same year And in 26 H. 8. the Vicaridge was valued at Cvii s. over and above ix s. vi d. allowed for Procurations and Synodalls Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. D. Rad. fil Nicholai ex conces D. Regis ratione custodiae haeredis D. Will. de Eseby Rad. le Breton Cler. post mortem Gilb. de Camvile ult Rectoris an 1250. D. Ioh. de Moubray miles Ioh. de Acom Pbr. 3. Id. Oct. 1336. post mortem Ric. de Colshull ult Rectoris Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Will. Edithe Cap. Cal. Martii 1343. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Rob. le Spicer Cap. 4. Cal. Martii 1349. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Will. Edithe Cap. 12. Cal. Aug. 1353. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ric. de Linley Pbr. 7. Id. Martii 1365. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ioh. Kytewyld Pbr. 21. Dec. 1390. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ric. Bishop Pbr. 24. Aug. 1398. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ioh. Pryce Diac. 21. Sept. 1425. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Will. Orme Pbr. 5. Martii 1456. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ric. Eliot Cap. 18. Iunii 1494. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Thomas Perkins Pbr. 20. Oct. 1500. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Henr. Sutton Cap. penult Iulii 1501. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke D. Ioh. Robynson Cap. 7. Apr. 1536. D. Edw. 6. Rex Angliae D. Rad. Pykering 13. Febr. 1547. D. Eliz. Angl. Regina Nich. Haighe Cler. 9. Maii 1562. D. Eliz. Angl. Regina Georgius Mutley Cler. 2. Oct. 1576. D. Eliz. Angl. Regina Ric. Warde Cler. 29. Oct. 1594. Iac. Rex Angl. c. Iosepâ—â—s Harison Cler. ..... 1605. Carolus Rex Angl. c. Ioh. Warde in art Magr. 18. Maii 1632. The present fabrick of this Church was erected in King Edw. 2. time as is evident by the picture of Richard de Coâ—â—ull the last Rector which stood within these few years in a South
filia .... domini Say Barth de Sudley defunctus 20 E. 2. Matilda filia Ioh. de Monteforti Ioh. de Sudley defunctus 14 E. 3. Alâ—anora filia Rob. domini de Seales Ioh. de Sudley defunctus â— p. 41 E. 3. Iohanna ux Will. le Boteler mil. defuncta 41 E. 3. Iohanna filia Ioh. Beauchamp de Powyk mil. Thomas Boteler consangu haeres Ioh. de Sudley 41 E. 3. Alicia ux secunda postea nupta Joh. Dalingrugge mil. Ioh. Boteler deâ—unctus s. p. 5 H. 5. Will Boteler 5 H. 5. Rad Boteler miles Thesaur Angl. duxit Aliciam fil haer Will. Deincourt mil obiit 13 E. 4. Thomas Boteler miles duxit Alianorâ—m sororem Joh. Talbot mil. domini L'isle obiit vivo patre Eliz. ux ..... Norburie Henr. Norburie miles Joh. Norburie miles unuâ— consangu haered Rad. Boteler de Sudley mil. 13 E. 4. Anna filia haeres Ric. Haliwell Iana consangu haer Joh. Norburie mil. 15 H. 8. Edmundus Bray miles 15 H. 8. Anna ux ... Coâ—ham Eliz. 1. nupta Ric. Catesby mil. postea Wil. Clerke ar Fridiswida ux Percevalli Hart. mil. Maria ux Rob. Peckham mil Dorothea ux Edw. Domini Chaundos Francisca ux Tho. Lifeild Iohanna ux ..... Belknap Will. Belknap ar ob s. p. 2 R. 3. Henricus Belknap Edw. Belknap miles obiit 12 H. 8. Margeria ux Rob. Massy mil. defuncta â— prole 3 R. 2. pasturage for Cattell in Derset Radway and Chelverscote But after 20 E. 2. I have not found any more mention of him neither of Iohn his grandchild scil son of Bartholmew is there much to be sayd who died in 14 E. 3. leaving Iohn his son and heir little more than a twelve month old which last Iohn departed this world without issue in 41 E. 3. whereupon Thomas Boteler son of Sir Will. Boteler of Wemme by Ioane eldest daughter to the last Bartholmew and Margerie her sister afterwards married to Sir Robert Massy Kt. became his Cosins and next t heirs This Thomas Boteler was a Kt. in 9 R. 2. To whom succeeded as heir to his Mother Sir Raphe Boteler Kt. a man eminently imployed and highly advanced as I shall forthwith shew For having in 8 H. 6. served the King with xx men at Armes and Lx. Archers in his personall expedition for France he was in 20 H. 6. created Baron of Sudley with an Annuitie of CC. marks per an to himself and his heirs for the better support of that dignitie and became soon after Lord Tresurer of England But in that Office he continued not long for in 28 H. 6. he was retained by Indenture to serve the King for five years as Governour of the Cittadell at Calais with .... men at Armes on Horseback xxix men at Armes on foot and xx Archers all able men of war taking for himself ii s. per diem for his men at Arms on foot viii d. and for his Archers vi d. besides the speciall Fee of C s. the quarter for himself And immediatly thereupon being made the King's Lieutenant of that Town covenanted for the defence and saâ—eguard thereof and the Marches adjoyning to keep C. men at Arms over and above the number before specified and DCCCC Archers for a quarter of a year taking for his men at Arms xii d. a man and his Archers vi d. besides the reward accustomed And was in so great esteem with the Canons of Erdburie for his munifence to them in sundry wiâ—e but specially in procuring for them the Appropriation of the Church at Leyth in Lancashire dated 15 Ian. 28 H. 6. that in consideration thereof they did by their publick Instrument ordeign that two of their Covent should every day celebrate divine service in that Monasterie for the health of his soul appointing parâ—icular Masses for each day of the week binding themâ—elves and their successors to observe his Anniversarie after his decease with Placebo Dirige and Masse of Requiem and to spend vi s. viii d. yearly on the day of his said Anniversarie in their Covent by way of Pittance over and above their usuall allowance After which viz. in 30 H. 6. he had a speciall Pardon granted to him for all offences whereby any advantage mâ—ght be taken against him in respect of his great and generall imployments in which pardon his partâ—cular services to King H. 5. aswell as to the said K H. 6. in France and in the Dutchie of Normandieâ— even from his very youth are gâ—atefully â—cknowledg'd For he had been Lord Tresurer and Chamberlain to K. H. 6. and Standard-beaâ—er and chief Butler of England as also Knight of the Garter and Steward of his Household But after this I find no more of him till his death which hapned 2 Maii 13 E. 4. where it appears that Iohn Norburie and Will. Belknap were his câ—sins and heirs for Sir Thomas Boteler his son died before him without issue So that this Mannour came at length inter alia by Partition made 15 Maii 11 H. 7. to Sir Iohn Norburie and so by Iane his grandchild and heir to Sir Edmund Bray which Iane died seized thereof 24 Aug. in the last year of Q. Maries reign leaving severall daughters and heirs as the Descent before inserted sheweth whereof Frances married to Thomas Lifeild who by the name of Thomas Lifeild of Stoke-Dabernon in com Sur. Esq. together with the said Frances his wife did by his Deed of bargain and sale Dated 7 Maii 3 Eliz. in consideration of 1050 l. sell and convey it unto Iohn Giffard of Chillington in com Staff Esq. whose grandchild sc. Peter son of Walter Giffard in our memorie passed the Mannour consisting of a Royaltie and certain chief Rents to Sir Iohn Newdigate of Erdburie Kt. and the Demesns to certain persons in trust for the use of Thomas Lord Coventre late Lord Keeper of the great Seal of England So that at this day the said Mannour is now enjoyed by Ric. Newdigate Sergeant at Law son to the same Sir Iohn and the demesns by the Lord Coventre son and heir to the said Lord Keeper The Priorie of Erdburie WIthin the precincts of Chilverscoton Parish stood the Monasterie of Erdburie built in K. Henry 2. time by Raphe de Sudley for Canons Regular of St. Augustine the Foundation Charter whereof I never saw but do conceive that the substance wherewith he at first endowed it was as followeth viz. the Church of Chelverdescote with two yard land belonging thereto as also six yard land and a Wood there reputed for half a hide ten Acres of land lying in Broadmedow and a place called the Breche at Whitemore with certain messuages and half a VVood called the Hudells And besides this with some lands and a meadow at Sulingfen together with the Church of Dercet and CC. acres of land lying in one of Dercet fields As also ten
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
imploying a speciall Agent to treat with the Abbot of Athelney and to offer him C. marks per annum Pension in case he would surrender which the Abbot refused insisting on a greater summe And the personall endeavours that he used with the Abbot of S. Osithes in Essex as by his Letter to the said Visitor appeareth wâ—erein is signified that he had by great solicitation prevailed with the said Abbot but withall insinuated his desire that his place of Lord Chancelour being very chargeable the King might be moved for an addition of some more profitable Offices unto him Nay I find that this great man the Lord Chancelour hunting eagerly after the Abby of Walden 〈◊〉 Essex out of the ruines whereof afterwards that magnificent Fabrick called by the name of Audley-end was built as an argument the sooner to obtain it did besides his exâ—enuation of its worth alledge that he had in this world sustained great damage and infamy in his serving the King which the grant of that should recompence Amongst the particular Arguments which were used by those that were averse to surrender I finde that the Abbot of Feversham alledg'd the antiquitie of that Monasterie's foundation scil by King Stephen whose body with the bodies of the Queen and Prince lay there interred and for whom were used continuall suffrages and commendations by Prayers yet would it not availe For resolv'd they were to effect what they had begun by one means or other in so much as they procured the Bishop of London to come to the Nunns of Sion with their Confessor to solicite them thereto who after many perswasions took it upon their consciences that they ought to submit unto the King's pleasure therein by God's Law But what could not be effected by such Arguments and fair promises which were not wanting nor unfulfilled as appears by the large Pensions that some active Monks and Canons had in comparison of others even to a fift sixt fold proportion more than ordinarie was by terror and straight dealing brought to pass for under pretence of sufferâ—ng dilapidation in the buildings or negligent administration of their Offices as also for breaking the King's Injunctions they deprived some Abbots and then put others that were more pliant in their rooms From others they took their Covent-Seals to the end they might not by making Leases nor â—ale of their Jeweâ—ls raiâ—e money either for supply of their present wants or payment of their debts and so bâ— necessitated to surrender Nâ—y to some as in particular to the Canons of Leicester the Commâ—ssioners threatned that they would charge them with Adulterie and Buggerie unlesse they would submit And Dâ— London told the Nuns of Godstow that because he found them obstinate he would dissolve the House by vertue of the King's Commission in spite of their teeth And yet all was so managed as that the King was solicited to accept of them not being willing to have it thought they were by terror moved thereto and speciall notice was taken of them as did give out that their Surrenders were by compulsion Which courses after so many through underhand corruption had led the way brought on others apace as appears by their dates which I have observed from the very Instruments themselves in so much as the rest stood amazed not knowing which way to turn them Some therefore thought fit to trie whether money might save their Houses from this dismall fate so neer at hand the Abbot of Peterborough offering 2500. marks to the King and 300 li. to the Visitor Generall for his favour therein Others with great constancy refused to be thus accessorie in violating the donations of their pious Founders but these as they were not many so did they tast of no little severitie For touching the Abbot of Fountaines in Yorkshire I find that being charged by the Commissioners for taking into his private hands some Jewells belonging to that Monasterie which they called Theft and Sacriledge they pronounc't him perjur'd and so deposing him extorted a private resignaâ—ion And it appears that the Monks of Charterhouse in the Suburbs of London were committed to Newgate where with hard and barbarous usage five of them died and five more lay at the point of death as the Commissioners signified but withall alledged that the suppression of that House being of so strict a Rule would occasion great scandall to their doings forasmuch as it stood in the face of the world infinite concourse from all parts coming to that populous City and therefore desired that it might be altered to some other use And lastly that under the like pretence of robbing the Câ—urch wherewith the before specified Aâ—bot of Fountaines was chardged the Abbot of Glastenbury with two of his Monks being condemn'd to death was drawn from Wells upon a Hurdle then hang'd upon the Hill called the Tor near Glastenbury his Head set upon the Abby-gate and his Quarters disposed of to Wells Bath Ilchester and Bridgwater Nor did the Abbots of Colchester and Reading speed much better as they that shall consuâ—t our Storie of that time may see And for farther terror to the restâ— some Priors and other Eccâ—esiastique persons who had spoke against the King's Supremacie a thing then somewhat uncouth being so newly set up were condemn'd as Traytors and executed And now that all this was effected to the end it might not be thought that these things were done by a high hand the King having protested that he would suppress none without consent of Parliament a Parliament being called April 28. Anno 1539. to confirm these Surrenders so made as hath been said there wanted not plausible insinuations to both Houses for drawing on their consent with all smoothness thereto the Nobilitie being promised large shares in the spoile either by free gift from the King easie purchases or most advantagious Exchanges and many of the active Gentrie advancements to honour with increase of their estates all which wee see happened to them accordingly And the better to satisfie the vulgar was it represented to them that by this deluge of wealth the Kingdom should be strenghthened with an Army of 40000 men and that for the future they should never be charged with Subsidies Fifteens Loans or common Aides By which means the Parliament ratifying the before specified surrenders the worke became compleated for the more firme setling whereof a suddain course was taken to pull down and destroy the buildings as had been before upon that dissolution of the smaller Houses whereof I have touch't Next to disperse a great proportion of the lands amongst the Nobility and Gentrie as had been projected which was accordingly done the Visitor Generall having told the King that the more had interest in them the more they would be irrevocable And least any domestique stirs by reason of this great and strange alteration should arise
GULIELMUS DUGDALE Aetatis 50. A MDCLVI Ovid Nescio qua natale solum dulcedine cunctos Duâ—it et immemores non siâ—iâ— esse sui THE ANTIQUITIES OF WARWICKSHIRE ILLUSTRATED From Records Leiger-Books Manuscripts Charters Evidences Tombes and Armes BEAUTIFIED With Maps Prospects and Portraictures By WILLIAM DVGDALE MANTUAN Cuncta aperit secreta dies ex tempore verum Nascitur veniens aetas abscondita pandit LONDON Printed by Thomas VVarren in the year of our Lord God M.DC.LVI TO MY HONOURED FRIENDS THE GENTRIE OF WARWICK-SHIRE THAT all things perish by Age and time or some unhappy accidents is a thing not to be denied the consideration whereof hath not a little incited me to the undertaking of this present work which after no small cost and pains being thus finished I offer unto you my Noble Countriemen as the most proper Persons to whom it can be presented wherein you will see very much of your worthy Ancestors to whose memory I have erected it as a Monumentall Pillar and to shew in what Honour they lived in those flourishing Ages past In this kind or not much different have divers persons in Forrein parts very learnedly written some whereof I have noted in my Preface And I could wish that there were more that would adventure in the like manner for the rest of the Counties of this Nation considering how acceptable those are which others have already performed though but briefly viz. the Perambulation of Kent by Mr. Lambard The Survey of Cornwall by Mr. Carey of Anthonie The Description of Leicestershie by Mr. Burton and the Antiquities of Canterbury by my speciall friend Mr VVilliam Somner To which I may adde A short view of Staffordshire by Mr. Sampson Erdswike late of Sandon in that Countie not yet publisht a Gentleman whose memorie is very precious in those parts for his great knowledge in Antiquities What I have said of our VVarwick-shire Families is whil'st they have been seated in the Countie and where I could pointing briefly at their extractions for to have gone farther would have been both improper as out of my bounds and impossible for me to effect as may well be deemed by those that understand what a taske it is to find out authorities for the asserting of no more than one Descent Great is the commendation that is justly due to most of you for promoting this publique work by so noble a freedom to me in the sight of your antient Charters and Evidences which have afforded also many notable discoveries in relation to others aswell as your selves Nor is it a little honour you deserve for that pious though due respect shewed to your dead Ancestors by representing to the world a view of their Tombes and in some sort preserving those Monuments from that fate which Time if not contingent mischief might expose them to But principally must I acknowledge the signall furtherance which this Work hath received by my much honoured Friend Sir Simon Archer Knight a person indeed naturally qualified with a great affection to Antiquities and with no small pains and charge a diligent Gatherer and preserver of very many choice Manuscripts and other rarities whereof I have made speciall use as almost every page in the Book will manifest That this my endeavour will have a candid acceptance I no whit doubt my principall ayme having been by setting before you the noble and eminent Actions of your worthy Ancestors to incite the present and future ages to a vertuous imitation of them the continued welfare and lasting honour of your selves and hopefull posterity being the unfeigned wishes of Your most devoted and humble servant William Dugdale TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE CHRISTOPHER LORD HATTON COMPTROLLER OF THE HOUSEHOLD to the late KING CHARLES and one of his Majesties most Honorable Privie-Councell MY LORD IT is little lesse than twenty years since I had the happinesse to be first known to you and to receive your encouragement to go on in the getting of fit materialls for the work I have now at last through God's assistance though with no small difficulty accomplished towards which I had then made some little progress wherein I ever found you so great and constant a favourer of my endeavours not only by the free opening unto me your choise and costly Treasurie of extraordinarie rarities whereof the margents of the Book will declare what great use I have made but by procuring for me both accesse to most of the publique Records in this Nation and affording me the chief support I then had whilst I laboured therein So that besides your great deserts as a principall Mecoenas of learning and more especially of Antiquities wherein your skill and knowledge far surpasses any within the compasse of your own Orbe the Nobility that I know and therefore the more fit to judge thereof the influence that this work hath had from your Lordship doth justly challenge a publique and gratefull acknowledgment which I hope will not be wanting from all persons especially those that it concerns as it hath from me who with abundant thankfulnesse for these high favours do now present it to you Had I been farther happy in your judicious assistance and advice for its fabrick and composure I am sure it would have appeared much more beautifull than now it is but that through your distance from hence by reason of our sad distractions could not be expected Such therefore as it is I humbly offer to your Lordship well knowing that your goodnesse will accept thereof rather as a testimonie of my gratitude than any other merit from Your Lordship's most obliged servant and honourer William Dugdale THE PREFACE THat the prefixing an Introduction to this present work is as essentiall as the Porch to a greater building will not be doubted I shall therefore by way of Preface speak briefly of Historie in generall and then of that which may most properly usher in the following Discourse It is Historie saith an eminent person that hath given us life in our understanding since the World it self had life and beginning even to this day and carried our knowledge over the vast and devouring space of many thousand years having made us acquainted with our dead Ancestors and out of the depth and darknesse of the Earth delivered us their memorie and fame And as this is no little satisfaction to all discreet men so may it be of much advantage in regard that by a serious observance of the Actions that former times have produced with their circumstances and issues a far greater knowledge may be obtained than the longest life can otherwise afford Hence is it that the Antients have bestowed such paines in this kind as hath been long ago noted by an old Writer Anteriores nostri quoth he ab antiquis temporibus labentis seculi excursus prudenter inspexerunt bona seu mala mortalibus contingentia pro cautela hominum notaverunt futuris temporibus semper prodesse volentes scripta scriptis
to the King To give some reason why they were called Counties I shall here exhibite the authoritie of an antient MS. which making mention of Osulph Earl of Northumberland hath these words Nec invâ—nâ—ur quod ante pâ—aedictum Osulphum Comitem aliquis fuerat Comes Northumbriae per consequens nec ibi Comitatus quia Comitatus à Comite dicitur id est dignitas Comitis vel tantum spacium terrae quantum ad Comitem pertinet Whereof more to the same effect in the Glossarie of the learned Sir H. Spelman Knight titulo Comitatus is to be seen and that matters of Controversie were heard before the Earl in his Countie-Court or before his substitute whom the Saxons called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Shire-reeve 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying in our old English to part or divide or rather as we yet say to share a thing and Reeve from the Saxon word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Provost or Steward which name is yet used in divers Mannours being attributed to him who is appointed to collect the Lord's Rents Having said thus much of the beginning and occasion of the Hundreds I shall adde a line or two more from the aforesaid Gloss where there is a large and learned discourse upon that word Est autem Hundredus c. The Hundred is a portion of the Countie wherein antiently dwelt an hundred Sureties for the King's peace as a Tithing wherein were ten and therefore a Hundred contained ten Tithings the number of an Hundred being Ten times ten And 't is not a little observable that before the Normans entrance the Bishop sate in the Hundred-Court with the Lord of the Hundred as he did in the Countie-Court with the Earl and in the Shireeves-Turn with the Shireeve Primi igitur sedebant saith Sir H. Spelman in omnibus regni Comitiis tribunalibus Episcopi in Regali quidem palacio cum Regni magnatibus in Comitatu unà cum Comite Justiciario Comitatus In Turno Vicecomitis cum Vicecomite In Hundredo cum Domino Hundredi sic ut in promovenda Justicia usque quaque gladius gladium adjuvaret nihil inconsulto Sacerdote qui velut Saburra in Navi fuit ageretur And so likewise after the Conquest till King William prohibited it as is evident by these ensuing words of his Mandate to the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln Propterea mando regiâ authoritate praecipio ut nullus Episcopus vel Archidiaconus de Legibus Episcopalibus ampliùs in Hundredo placita teneat nec causam quae ad regimen aniniarum pertinet ad judicium secularium hominum adducat sed quicunque secundùm Leges Episcopales de quacunque causa vel culpa interpellatus fuerit ad locum quem ad hoc Episcopus elegerit nominaverit veniat ibique de causa sua respondeat non secundùm Hundredum sed secundùm Canones Episcopales Leges rectum Deo Episcopo suo faciat Howbeit besides this dividing the Kingdom by King Alfred as hath been said it should seem that he made an exact Survey thereof much like that which was afterwards performed by King William the Conqueror Talem Rotulum saith Ingulphus speaking of Doomesday-book multum similem ediderat quondam Rex Alfredus in quo totam terram Angliae per Comitatus Centurias Decurias descripserat sicut praenotatur qui quidem Rotulus Wintoniae vocatus est quia deponebatur apud Wintoniam conservandus which Roll time hath consumed I believe for I could never discern that our greatest Searchers after Antiquities had seen it Yet of that Survey so made by the Conqueror there is still remaining a most perfect and excellent memoriall kept in the Treasurie of the Exchequer at Westminster and intituled by the name of Liber Judiciarius or Doomesday-book by the light whereof I have been guided in discovering the most antient possessors of the principall places in this Shire touching which Survey our Historians do somewhat differ in the time when it began as these Authorities cited in the margent do shew but the Red book manifests that it was in the fourteenth year of that King's reign and that it was not perfected till the xx th the volume it self declareth That this work was performed with great curiositie and strictnesse observe what an eminent and very antient Historian saith Misit autem dehinc Rex potentissimus Justiciarios per unamquamque Scyram id est Provinciam Angliae inquirere fecit per jusjurandum quot Hydae id â—st jugera uni aratro sufficientia per annum essent in unaquaque villa quot animalia Fecit etiam inquiri quid unaquaeque Urbâ— Castellum Vicus Villa Flumen Palus Silva redderet per annum Haec autem omnia in Chartis scripta delata sunt ad Regem inter thesauros deposita usque hodie servantur And to the same purpose Ingulphus Abbot of Crouland a Writer of great credit who lived in that age saying that he himself went up to London and took brief notes of the lands belonging to their Monasterie so surveyed as they were recorded in the before specified Book for his successors better knowledge hath this expression Totam terram descripsit nec erat Hyda in tota Anglia quin valorem ejus possessorem suum scivit nec Lacus nec locus aliquis quin in Regis Rotulo extitit descriptus ac ejus redditus proventus ipsa possessio ejus possessor Regiae notitiae manifestatus juxta taxatorum fidem qui electi de qualibet patria territorium proprium describebant the substance of all which is thus Englished by an old Poet The Kynge William for to wite the worthe of his londe Lete enqwere streytliche thorwm al Engelonde How many Plowmh londe and eke Hiden also Were in eche Schire and what worthe therto And the Rentes of eche Towne and of watres eche one That he wiste the worthe thorwm al Engelonde And lete it wryte in a Boke and sithe put hit I wis In the Tresoure of Westminstre ther as hit mutis So that our Kynges sithen when that they raunsome toke Alredi wist what folke mymt paie they founde in thilke Boke By this Survey is evident to be seen what vast possessions the Conquerour did bestow upon those Normans Britans Anjovins and other French that had assisted him the better to interest them in the keeping of what he had thus by strong-hand got of which I shall have occasion to mention many in the following tract and therefore have spoke the more largely of it And shall further crave leave considering how vast a change this Conquest made to go on a little in taking a breif view of the courses then exercised to make a firm establishment thereof And first for his Crueltie to the native English 't is
evident that he spared not the very Clergie imprisoning Stigand Archbishop of Canterbury till he died with many others degrading divers Abbots wasting the lands of Wolstan Bishop of Worcester Walter Bishop of Hereford and Frethric Abbot of S. Albans compelling many of the Nobilitie and others to forsake the Kingdom forcing divers aswell Priests as Layâ—men driven out of their possessions to betake themselves to Woods and Deserts where they were constrained to live as Savages whereby there was scarce a great man left all sorts of men being reduced to such miserie and servitude that it was held a disgrace to be accounted an Englishman Tantum tunc Anglicos abominati sunt saith Ingulphus ut quantocunque merito pollerent de dignitatibus pellerentur multò minùs habiles alienigenae de quacunque alia natione quae sub coelo est extitissent gratanter assumerentur For which being toucht with compunction when he lay upon his Death-bed he cryed out thus to his Friends Multis ô Amici gravibusque peccatis onustus contremisco mox ad tremendum Dei Judicium rapiendus quid faciam ignoro and so goes on deploring his iniquities and amongst other of his sins that lay heavie upon his conscience he hath this expression Naturales Regni filios plus aequo exosus habui Nobiles vulgares crudeliter vexavi injustè multos exhaereditavi innumeros maximè in pago Eboracensi fame seu ferro mortificavi And of his more particular proceedings against them and advancing his Normans observe this notable relation from a person that lived in the next age Post regni conquisitionem c. After the Conquest of the Realm there was diligent enquiry made who were in Armes at the battail against the King that had saved themselves by flight To these and the heirs of those which were slain therein all hope was shut for obtaining any of their lands or possessions Nay it was thought to be a great favour that they were permitted to live yet those which were required to put themselves in Arms and did not and others that were not in the battail with much and earnest suit had obtained favour from their new Lords though without hope that their Children should succeed therein and at length their sons began to retain those possessions at the will of the Lord but after a while they became odious to them and were driven away every where from their estates neither was there any man that would restore what he had so taken from them So that the Natives being thus despoiled of their substance and hated made a common complaint to the King whereupon advising with his Councell he decreed that what they could obtain from their Lords either in consideration of any merit or service by lawfull agreement they should enjoy to themselves without interruption but by way of descent they should challenge nothing which with what discreet consideration it was provided saith mine Author is manifest enough especially because by this means they were thenceforth for their own sakes bound to studie all obsequiousnesse to their Lords as to the purchasing of their favour for none of this conquer'd Nation saith he did possesse any thing which seemed to be his own by right of Descent but what onely through his deserts or by agreement he could obtain But besides these ways of high oppression he wanted not divers subtile devices to secure his dominion First by building of Castles in sundry parts of the Realme Then to prevent tumults in the Night season not only disarming the native English but causing a Bell to be rung in every Parish at eight of the clock in the evening at the sound whereof every one was to cover their Fire and go to rest Item ut ferociam populi ad otium perduceret omnibus arma ademit saith Polidore statuitque ut quisque paterfamilias vesperi circiter horam octavam post meridiem tecto ciâ—eribus igne dormitum iret ad id signum vicatim dari voluit per campanas id quod etiam nunc servatur Normanicè vulgò dicitur Coverfeu And in that year in which he triumphed saith M. Paris he took with him some of the English Nobility into Normandie and married them to Norman Ladies and in like sort did he marry divers English women to his Normans continually loading the people with heavy Taxes to the end they might have enough adoe in busying themselves how to live rather than to have any leisure to stir up commotions Moreover for the better new-moulding them he introduced hither the Norman fashion in making Conveyances and Grants viz. by Deeds sealed with wax whereas before they were testified with Crosses and subscribed by those which were present causing the Laws of the Land Statutes of the preceding Kings and all Pleadings to be written in the French tongue Nay to the end that the English Language might in time wear out of use he took care that the French should be taught in Schools as also in writing appointed that the French Fashion should be imitated And for the better accomplishment of his designe introduced the termes of Hawking Hunting Tennis-play Dice and other pastimes in that Language Thus came lo Englonde into Normans honde Normans ne cowde speche then but here owen speche But Franche as that did at hoom here children dide also teche So that heize men of this londe that of here blode come Holden al thilke speche that thei of hem nome For if a man can no Franche men telle of hem ryzt like But lo men holdeth English here kynde speche zitâ— I wene in the worlde ne is londe nether Countrie none That he ne holdeth his kinde speche but Engelonde now one But men wote well to conne both good hit is For the more men conne the more thei ben worthi I wis Nay the poor English were so humbled that they were glad to imitate the Normans even in cutting their hair and shaving their beards and to conform themselves to the fashion of their new Masters in their very cups and dishes For the order and methode of this present work I have followed the Rivers as the most sure and lasting marks where they lye proper for my course and sometimes have taken my aime from those great and well-known Roman ways viz. Wâ—tlingstreet and Fosse which thwarting each other upon the borders of this Countie extend themselves many miles through it or as a boundarie thereto And whereas the Hundreds are so few and the Rivers with their branches very many I have taken each Hundred by it self Following which course I first begin with Aâ—on as it enters the Shire at Clifton in the North-East following till it goes out at Sâ—lford in the South-West dividing the Wood-land for so that part of the Countie lying North thereof is called from the Feldon discoursing in order of the Towns as they lye adjacent thereto or
of his body who dying without issue in 31. Eliz. it returned to the Crown whereupon the said Queen by her Pat. dated 28. Oct. 40. Eliz. passed it to Randle Crew of Lincolns-Inne Esq. and Richard Cartwright of London Gent. and their heirs who by their deed of bargain and sale bearing date xxiii Iunii 41. Eliz. granted it to Thomas Dilke Esq. but afterwards Kt. and to his heirs whose Grand-child William Dilke of Maxstoke-Castle now enjoys it The Church here was very antiently given by the Prior of Coventre unto the Cathedrall of Lichfield in the name of a Prebend and in 1291. 19. E. 1. was valued at xv marks but in 26. H. 8. at xi l. vi sol viii d the Procurations and Synodalls being then vi sol viii d. per an and the Curate a stipendary to the Prebend But in it are neither Arms nor Monuments Bobenhull BElow Rieton lyes Bobenhull which in the Conq. time being possest a by Robert de Statford of whom I am to speak in Wotton-wawen and of him held by one Aluric whose freehold it had been before the Norman invasion contained then five hydes whereof the woods were two furlongs in length and two in breadth there being at that time a Mill but the value of all then certified at fifty shillings where it is written Bubenhalle In 13. Ioh. this Mannour answered for the third part of a Knights fee amongst the lands which were of the Honour of Herveus de Stafford And in 36. H. 3. amongst the fees held of the Lord Stafford it was certified that the Earl of Warwick held two parts of a Knights fee here But in 7. E. 1. Iohn Fitzwith being Lord thereof held it of Hugh de Plessets by the third part of a Kts. fee the same Hugh holding it over of the Baron of Stafford which Iohn had at that time here one carucate of land in demesn ten servants that held two yard land and a half seven Freeholders holding ten yard land and eight acres as also eight Cottagers In whose family it continued till the later end of Edw. 3. time but then went away with a Daughter and heir as the descent here inserted will shew Wido filius Roberti 36. H. 3. Ioh. fil Guidonis 7. E. 1. Rob. fil Guidonis miles 3. E. 2. Guido fil Rob. 9. E. 2. Eliz. filia haeres infra aetat 10. E. 2. Thomas de Lucy Joh. le Fitzwith 20. E. 2. Joh. Fitzwith Johan ux 2. postea nupta Will. de Tyrington 15. R. 2. Robertus le Fitzwith dictus le Fitz-Gy 30. E. 3. Agnes filia Will. Catesby Iohanna filia haeres probavit aetatem 49. E. 3. Joh. Beauchamp de Holt Joh. Beauchamp mil. obiit 8. H. 5. Alicia Ioh. Pauncefot 1. maritus Margareta filia haeres Ioh Wysham 2. maritus 1. H. 6. Rob. le Fitzwith I am of opinion that these Fitzwith's had their seat here as I shall further instance anon therefore I purpose here to memorize what I find notable of them Of this Iohn whom I have already mentioned I find that he was the first that assumed the sirname of Fitzwith being the son of one Guido or Guy called Guido filius Roberti as in Shotswell I shall have occasion to shew and in 3. E. 1. one of those who had Commission for the Gaol delivery at Warwick as also that in 5. E. 1. he attended the King in his expedition into Wales at which time the Welch were reduced to subjection their Prince being then content to accept of such termes as K. Edward would afford him And that in 29. E. 1. he was one of those that received the Kings precept to be at Berwick upon Twede sufficiently appointed with Horse and Armes to march against the Scots To whom succeeded Robert called Robertus filius Guidonis who being a Kt. in 3. E. 2. wrote himself of this place which Robert had issue Guy that dyed in 10. E. 2. leaving Elizabeth his Daughter and Heir within age who departed this life without issue as it seems for the inheritance came to Robert le Fitzwith Nephew to the last Guido by Iohn his Brother which Robert having no issue setled part of his lands in his life time upon the said Robert le Fitzwith his Nephew as I shall more fully shew when I come to Bernangre the rest descending to him This last mentioned Robert had two wives Agnes the Daughter of Will. Catesby and Ioane who survived him and marryed to Will. de Tyrington and died in 36. E. 3. leaving issue Ioane his Daughter and heir ward to Sir Richard Penbruge Kt. by the Kings grant which Ioane marryed to Iohn Beauchamp of Holâ— in Worcester-shire and proved her age in 49. E. 3. whereupon her husband and she had livery of her lands This Iohn Beauchamp had the honour to be the first man that ever had creation to the dignity of a Baron in England by Patent which bears date at Wodstoke x. Octobris undecimo R. 2. but he enjoy'd it not long for the same year the rebellious Lords having rais'd a potent army came up to London and there mustering their men in the sight of the Tower where the King then lodg'd forced him to call a Parliament wherein by their power they did what they listed causing Sir Robert Tresilian chief Justice of England and divers others to be attainted of treason of which number this Sir Iohn Beauchamp then Lord Steward of the Kings house-hold being one was thereupon hang'd drawn and quartered But by the Kings writ of Monstraverunt directed to the Justices of the Common Pleas in xv R. 2. upon the allegation of William de Tyrington and Ioane his wife wherein they set forth that the said William and Ioane had recovered the third part of this Mannour in 43. E. 3. as the dowrie of Ioane against the said Iohn Beauchamp and Elizabeth it appears that the said Iohn and Elizabeth long before this attainder viz. the Sunday being the feast day of the exaltation of the Holy cross in 7. R. 2. did demise it unto Iohn Catesby to hold during the said Iohn Catesby his life in consideration of viii l. per an to be payd to the said Iohn Beauchampe and Ioane and their heirs so that by reason of this demise the viii l. Rent per an onely and the reversion after Iohn Catesby his death were seized for the King in regard of the aforesaid attainder And which is not the least notable that his coat of male being then in the hands of one Iohn Reede an Armorer of London was thereupon delivered up unto Henry E. of Derby afterwards King by the name of Henry the 4. by a speciall command But this attainder as all things else done in that Parliament of xi R. 2. held by force being made void in the Parliament of 21. R. 2.
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
are descended as I have already shewed Of which Sir Thomas in respect he had some publique employments of note in this County I shall say something leaving his posterity by Eliz. daughter of Richard Harecourt son of Sir Will. Harecourt Kt. whose cosin and next heire she was seated at Patshull in Staffordshire where they still continue Of which family viz. of Patshull was the famous Iohn de Astley who on the 29. of Aug. Anno 1438. 17. H. 6. maintaining a Duel on Horsback within the street called St. Antoine in Paris against one Peter de Masse a French-man in the presence of Charles the the vii K. of France pierc't the said Peter through the head and had as by the Articles betwixt them was conditioned the Helmet of the said Peter being so vanquish't to present unto his Lady And on the 30. of Ian. 20. H. 6. undertook another fight in Smyth-field within the City of London in the presence of the same K.H. 6. with Sir Philip Boyle an Arragonian Knight who having been in France by the K. his masters command to look out some such hardy person against whom he might try his skill in feats of Armes and missing there of his desires repaired hither After which combate ended being gallantly perform'd on foot with Battail-axes spears swords and daggers he was knighted by the K. and had an annuity of c. marks given him during his life Nay so famous did he grow for his valour that he was elected Knight of the Garter bearing for his Armes the Coats of Astley and Harcourt quarterly with a label of 3. points Ermine as by a very antient MS. book wherein the Ensignes of those Kts. of that honourable order are depicted appeareth But I return to the before specified Sir Will. de Astley eldest son to Thomas founder of the said Coll. Church He was in Commiss for the Peace upon the severall renuings thereof from 17. R. 2. till 6. H. 5. And in 3. H. 4. assigned to enquire concerning the disturbers of the Laws and framers of Lyes In 4. H. 4. for arraying of men In 6. to treat with the people for a loan of money to the K. and left issue one only daughter by whom the inheritance of this great House divolved to the Grey's of Ruthin But before I speak farther thereof I must add a word or two more of this family of the Astley's in reference to them as they were Barons which is that Thomas who was slain in the battail of Evesham is reputed by our Historians so to have been for before 49. H. 3. have we no particular summons to Parliament to distinguish the Barons from other great men But his son Andrew was summoned in 23 24 25 28 32 33 and 34. E. 1. Nicholas in 30. E. 1. as also in 2 and 3. E. 2. And Thomas who founded the Coll. Church in 16.22 and 23. E. 3. as appears by the Records of those times Howbeit William never had summons Which instances do shew that what is now claim'd as due by custome was not so esteem'd in those days To this William succeeded Ioan his daughter and heir first marryed to Thomas Raleigh of Farnborough in this County Which Thomas by his Testament bearing date here at Astley the Wednesday after the feast of St. Luke the Evang. 6. H. 4. bequeath'd his body to be buryed in the Quire of this Coll. Church and ten pounds for performance of his Obit and gave xx marks also to find a Priest to sing Mass for his Soul the space of 3. years He likewise bequeath'd a bowl of silver with a cover to the Lord Astley and to the Lady Ioan his wife a diamond with a silver bowl and cover To every Yeoman servant of that house vi s. viii d. and to every groom iii. s. iiii d. After whose death which hapned at that time as by the Probate of his will appeareth she marryed to Reginald Lord Grey of Ruthin whose posterity by her possest this place for divers generations and were advanced to great honour as I shall shew anon for which respect it will not be amiss to take some notice of this Reginald their common ancestor and whence he sprung He was son of Reginald Lord Grey of Ruthin son of Roger by Elizabeth the Daughter of Iohn Lord Hastings of Bergavenny and Isabel his wife one of the daughters and heirs to Will. Valence Earl of Penbroke by means whereof he became heir to the last Iohn Hastings E. of Penbroke as I shall shew more fully when I come to Fillongley Which Rog. was first summoned to Parliament in 28. E. 1. by the name of Roger de Grey Chivalier but his son Reginald had in all his summons the addition of de Ruthin the Castle of Ruthin being his seat and granted by K. Edw. 1. to Reginald Lord Grey of Wilton his grandfather Betwixt this Reginald who had great possessions in Wales and Owen Glendowr there grew some difference about a Common lying betweeen the Lordship of Ruthin and the Lordship of Glendowr-duy whereof Owen was owner and took his sirname Which Owen during the reign of K. R. 2. was too hard for the Lord Grey being then a servitour in Court to K. Ric. with whom he was at the time of his taking by the D. of Lanc. in the Castle of Flint But after K. Richard's deposall the Lord Grey as better friended than Owen entred upon the Common Whereupon Owen having many friends and followers in his Countrey as those that be great with Princes commonly have put himself in Armes against the Lord Grey whom he meeting in the field overcame and took prisoner spoiling his Lordship of Ruthin so that many resorted to him from all parts of Wales not knowing but that he was in as great favour then as in K. Ric. days others also putting in his head that now the time was come that the Britons by his means might recover again the honour and liberties of their ancestors The Lord Grey therefore thus made priâ—oner was constrain'd to ransom himself at ten thousand marks the King consenting that the Lord Rosse and Willughby with other of his friends and allies should endeavour to raise the said Fine in regard as the Record expresses the King knew him to be a loyal and valiant Kight After which viz. in 9. H. 5. he was retein'd by Indenture to serve the K. in his warrs beyond Sea for half a year with six men at Armesâ— himself accounted one and 18. Archers mounted armed and arrayed according to their severall conditions taking per diem for himself 2. s. and for each of his men at Armes 12. d. with the accustomed reward and 6. d. a piece for his Archers As also to have the benefit of all prisoners they should take excepting Kings Princes or any of the Royall blood and especially Charles the Dauphin of Uiennois or any that murthered
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.
ibi jacent Iohannes Edmundus et Henricus filii domini Willielmi de Hastings filii D. Iohannis de Hastings Et Ioh. Huntingfeld filius Will. de Huntingfeld et D. Iohanna consortis suae That this Order of Friers was very much esteem'd and reverenced by all sorts of people is evident enough For whosoever shall take notice of such bequests as by the Testaments of most men and women were made in antient time may find that as they seldome neglected to give more or less to one or other Religious house of this Rule so if they were persons of quality they did frequently make choice of their sepulture in them as I shall have occasion to shew in some part of this work Neither was it the least pollicy of these Friers to obtain from great persons such a disposall of their bodies considering how they were imployed and trusted in making their Testaments as I have already shewed For where ever they sped in that kind they were sure to have a good Legacy from the Testator and not without hope by so fair an example to obtain no less advantage from his posterity So that Tho. de Walsingham speaking of the buriall of Q. Elianore's heart in the Church of the Friers-Minors at London did not without cause complain of them in these words Qui meaning the said Friers sicuti et cuncti fratres reliquorum Ordinum aliquid dâ— corporibus quorumcunque potentium morientium sibâ—met vendicabant more canum cadaveribus assistentium ubi quisque suam particulam avide consumendam expectat you see he writes somewhat passionatly of the poor Friers but consider that he was himself a Monk and the reason may easily be discerned Before the suppression of the Monasteries this City was very famous for the Pageants that were play'd therein upon Corpus-Christi-day which occasioning very great confluence of people thither from far and near was of no small benefit thereto which Pageants being acted with mighty state and reverence by the Friers of this House had Theaters for the severall Scenes very large and high placed upon wheels and drawn to all the eminent parts of the City for the better advantage of Spectators And contain'd the story of the New-Testament composed into old English Rithme as appeareth by an antient M S. intituled Ludus Corporis Christi or Ludus Coventriae I have been told by some old people who in their younger years were eye-witnesses of these Pageants so acted that the yearly confluence of people to see that shew was extraordinary great and yeilded no small advantagâ— to this City The next thing whereof I am to take notice in relation to this Friery is K. H. 8. Survey in 26. of his reign At which time it did apâ—pear that they had no lands or tenâ—â—ents nor other possessions spirituall or temporall but onely a liberty in the Countrey to receive the Charity of good people This being so I expect that some may demand why it was not dissolved in 27 H. 8. when the leâ—ser Houses went to wrack Whereunto I answer that the Act for that purpose extendeth onely unto Monks Channons and Nuns but if it be askt why these were then so sheltred from the first storm the reason I think is apparent viz. there was nothing to be got by their ruin forasmuch as they had no endowment of lands c. though God was as much dishonoured by the lewd lives of the Friers for want of good government as the preamble of that Act imports in case it say true as by any other whose Houses were certified to be of less value then C C. l. per an which favour we see gâ—ve these poor Friers liberty to breath here a while longer in expectation of their ruin viz. till 30 H. 8. that all the great Houses were dissolved they being then forc'd to subscribe an Instrument whereunto their Common-Seal is affixt and in which the error of that Regular câ—urse they had practised is confest whereby they surrendred this House into the said K. hands as the Copy thereof being not ordinary and therefore here inserted doth manifest For as moche as wee the Warden and Freers of the House of Saynt Frances in Coventre commonly callyd the Grey-Freers in Coventre in the County of Warwick doo profoundly consider that the perfection of Christian livinge dothe nott consist in dume Ceremonies werynge of a grey coot disgeasinge our selfe aftur straunge fassions do Kynge noddynge and beckyng in gurdyng our selves wythe a gurdle fulle of knotts and other like Papisticall Ceremonies wherein we hade ben mooste principally practised onâ— misâ—yd in tymes paste but the very tru waye to plese God and to live a tru Christian mon wythe out all ypocrisie and fayned diseimulation is sinceerly declared unto us by our Mr. Christe his Evangelists and Aposteles being myndyd hereaftur to followe the same conformynge our self unto the will and plesure of our Supreme hedde under Gode in erthe the Kynges Majestie and not to folowe henseforth the superstitius traditions of ony forinsecall potentate or peere wythe mutuall assent and consent doo submitt our selves unto the mercy of owre seide Soverayng Lord. And wythe like mutuall assent and consent do surrendre and yelde up into the hondes of the same all our seide House of Saynt Frances in the Cite of Coventre commonly callyd the Grey-Freers in Coventre wythe alle the londs tenements gardens medows waters poâ—diards fedings pastures comens Rents reversions and alle other our interest ryghtes or titles appertaining unto the same Mooste humbly beseechiuge his mooste noble Grace to dispose of us and of the same as beste shall stonde wythe his mooste gracious pleasure And further frely to graunte unto every on of us his license under wreiyng and Seealle to chaunge our habitts into secular fashion and to receve suche maner of livinges as other seculat Priests commonly be preferred unto And we all faithfully shall pray unto Almighty God long to preserve his mooste noble Grace wythe increse of moche felicite and honor And in witnes of alle and singuler the premisses wee the seide Warden and Covent of the Grey-Freeres in Coventre to thes presences have putte our Covent Seealle the fivithe day of Octobâ—â— in the thertythe yere of the raynge of our mooste Soveraynge Lord King Henry the eyghte Per me Iohannem Stafford Gardian Per me Thomam Maller Per me Thomam Sanderson Per me Iohannem Abell Per me Iohannem Woode Per me Rogerum Lilly Per me Thomam Aukock Per me Matheum Walker Per me Robartum Walker Per me Thomam Bangsit Per me Willielmum Gosnelle Which said House or site was in 34 H. 8. granted by the K. inter alia to the Mayor Bayliffs and Commmonalty of this City and their successors for ever NEar unto the ruins of this Friery is there an Hospitall now called the Gray-Frier-Hospitall in respect of its situation touching the Foundation whereof and its successive Benefactors I shall
particular places where the lands so given did lye These were Stephen de Segrave who gave all his land of Bericote with the Mannour house Geffrey de Langley the Mannour of Staverton Hugh de Arden lands in Rotley Robert de Broc lands in Radway Sir Shomas de Ednesoure Knight all his lands in Hull juxta Wotton Geffrey Savage and Sir Will. Whelâ—on Knight Yartford-miln standing upon the little torrent neer Gate-bridge Richard Trussell 1. mess. in Lorley Thomas de Arden the Church of Rotley Iohn de Mercote lands in the said Rotley and Radway Rob. de Waldene more in Radway In all which the priviledges which these Monks had were very many and great viz. Free-warren Infangthef Outfangthef Weyfs Streys goods of Felons and Fugitives Tumbrell Pillory Sok Sak Toll Theam amerciaments for murders Assise of bread and beer with a Mercate and Faire in the town of Stoneley which Lordship was to answer for xii before the Kings Justices or Coroner and the tenants thereof id est Freeholders to plead the Writ of Right according to the custome of the Mannour having Assise of fresh force against such as should disease them without a Writ And moreover that the Kings officers might not take distresses nor make any attachment within the same without the Bayliff of the Mannour As also that the Lord and his tenants of the same Mannour should be free from payment to the County or Hundred-Courts from Murthers Aid to the Shiriff and coming to his Turne from all common amerciaments of Toll Pontage Passage and Murage throughout England and from payment of the expences to the Knights for the Shire sent to Parliament Which Mercate Faire and Free-warren were granted to them by K. E. 1. as his Charter bearing date at Kaernarvon 27. Maii in the 12. year his raign testifieth viz. the Mercate on Thursday every week and the Faire yearly to last for eight days beginning on the Even of the Nativity of S. Iohn Baptist. But the tenants within the libertyes of Stonley for as much as it was antient demesn of the Crown were to pay Tallage to the Monks as oft as the King had Tallage of the like Mannours the particular summs then due from the Town of Stonley and from the Hamlets antiently belonging thereto being these Stonle 20 s 06 d ob-q Fynham 10 03 o. q. Hull 19 07 o q. Flechamsted 18 09 ob Canle 16 04 ob Melburn 10 s 01 d o. Crulefeld 16 00 o. Hurst 18 05 ob Staverton 19 07 q. The totall-07 li. -09-09 d. -ob Which Aid in 36. H. 3. upon the Kings transfretation into Gascoign the Abbot of Stonie had as appears by the Kings mandate to the Shiriff of this County As for the other memorable passages touching this Monastery or the Abbots and Monks thereof they were these viz. That Will. de Gyldeford the ninth Abbot being a man of singular wisdom and made Penetentiary to Panduph the Popes Legat was afterwards sent with Legatine authority into Wales which occasioned many superior Abbots and others to malign him so that because he countenanc'd a Shepherd belonging to the Monastery to fight a Duell and to hang a Thief that had privately stole away some Cattell of theirs such advantage was taken against him as that being prosecuted for it he was deprived in anno 1235. 15. H. 3. Within ten years after which his deposall the Monks of this House sustained much loss by fire whereby a great part of the Abby was consumed towards the reparation whereof the King allow'd them fourty Oaks out of his Woods at Kenilworth which the Shiriff of this County had command to deliver And not long after this viz. in 43. H. 3. divers of the Monks grew so exorbitant that they fell to wandring insomuch as the King sent forth his Precepts to all Shiriffs and other his Officers to apprehend and deliver them to the Abbot for chastisement according to their demerits and as their Rule required The xvi Abbot viz. Rob. de Hockele though a young man yet being very sage and prudent freed the House from many debts that were owing at the entrance of his goverment and was a great builder for he caused the stalls of the Quire to be all new made as also the carved-work under the steeple with the great East window above the high Altar and the Church to be new dedicated covered with lead all which are now totally demolish't But the Gate-house a fair and strong building and also one of his works still standeth on the front whereof outwards there is remayning yet a large Escocheon of stone whereon three Lyons passant gardant are cut with a Lyon passant gardant upon a Helme set on the corner of the shield according to the fashion of that time wherein he lived Which Badge he fixed here in memory of K. Henry the 2. their Founder But all that I have further to say of them is that in 38. E. 3. there was a Complaint made against Thomas de Pipe the then Abbot viz. that he granted estates to divers persons for lives of severall Fermes and lands without reserving any Rent to be paid to the great pejudice of the Monastery And this was alledged to be for the support of a Concubine that he had called Isabell Beushale and his children by her which were more in number as the Record says than the Monks then in the Covent And it was then also alledged that were it not for these Leases xx might very well have been maintayned therein How he acquitted himself of this scandalous charge I know not but certain it is that the man was a person of notable parts and deserved very well of the House for he composed that excellent Leiger-book being the transcript of their evidences wherein are all things historically entred that concern this Monastery and very many particulars relating to the generall Story of the Kingdom especially of these parts which are not elswhere to be met with whereof I have made much use in this present work and for which his memory will be of good esteem with all that are lovers of History By the Survey taken in 26. H. 8. the revenue of this Abby was certified to be Ch l. iii s. 1 d. ob over and above all reprises Of which the sum of 04 l. -05 s. -04 d. was then reckoned for the charge of 8. quarters of Rye made in bread at 5 s. the quarter 3. quarters of Malt in beer at 4 s. the quarter and 200. Herings at 20 d. the Hundred All which were yearly given in Almes to poor and impotent people upon Maunday-Thursday at the washing of their feet by the decree of a generall Chapter of their Order And moreover Cvii s. viii d. per ann for their charge in relief of poor people viz. three bushels of Rye weekly made in bread being
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
To whose maintenance she charged 29 li. per annum to be payd out of Milburn-grange situat in this parish and thus distributed viz. 52 s. to each of the poor people at the Feasts of S. Iohn Baptist S. Michael the Nativity of our Lord and the Annuntiation of our Lady by even portions vi s. viii d. apiece yearly to the Church-wardens for the time being whom she constituted Supervisors of the said poor people as to their orderly coming to Church every Sunday and Holy day except there were urgent cause to the contrary x s. per annum to the Mayor of Coventry for the time being whom she also appointed to oversee the performance thereof And x s. yearly towards the repair of the Church here at Stonley as also xxii s. viii d. to a Preacher for to preach 4. Sermons there yearly All which Q. Elizabeth by her Letters Pat. bearing date 28. Iunii 19. of her raign confirmed Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes temp Inst. Prior Conv. de Kenilw. Ioh. de Wylmeleighton Diac. Non. Oct. 1307. Prior Conv. de Kenilw. Ioh. de Wylmeleighton Subdiac 19. Maii 1307. Prior Conv. de Kenilw. Ioh. Wake Cap. 17. Cal. Sept. 1337. Prior Conv. de Kenilw. Will. Aleyn de Shulton Pbr. 2. Non. Iunii 1348. Prior Conv. de Kenilw. Io. de Sutham Cap. 17. Cal. Oct. 1349. Prior Conv. de Kenilw. Henr. de Mollington Diac. 3. Cal. Maii 1350. Prior Conv. de Kenilw. Will. Payn Pbr. 5. Cal. Sept. 1361. Prior Conv. de Kenilw. Ioh. Scarburgh Pbr. 8. Iulii 1398. Abbas Convent de Stonley Ioh. de Coventre Monachus 13. Aug. 1401. Prior Conv. de Kenilworh Will. Clifton Cap. 23. Oct. 1417. Prior Conv. de Kenilworh Ioh. Hull Cap. 5. Iunii 1421. Prior Conv. de Kenilworh Ioh. Morecock Cap. 28. Martii 1425. Prior Conv. de Kenilworh Nich. Blake Cap. 19. Iunii 1428. Prior Conv. de Kenilworh Ioh. Westhouse Pbr. 1. Nov. 1442. Prior Conv. de Kenilworh Will. Loveles 5. Novemb. 1445. Prior Conv. de Kenilworh Tho. Canke Pbr. 22. Ian. 1450. Prior Conv. de Kenilworh Ric. Whyngar Pbr. 14. Ian. 1494. Prior Conv. de Kenilworh Will. Wall Pbr. 27. Martii 1494. Prior Conv. de Kenilworh Ric. Mawdesley Cap. 1. Martii 1537. Tho. Reyley Civis Cov. ratione concess Pr. C. de K. Ioh. Hessam Cap. 21. Oct. 1545. Eliz. Regina Henr. Belingham Cler. 23. Ian. 15â—8 Cloud THis being now only known by the Bridge over Avon betwixt Babnell and Starton hath its name from the rock on the Southern side thereof Clude in the Saxon signifying as much In the Conq. time there were two Priests in Stoneley which had each of them a Chappell viz. one at Flechamsted and the other here at Cloud Of these he that served here was called Edmund the Hermite in regard that antiently here had been an Heremitage Unto which Edmund for his maintenance certain parcels of land lying in Starton were given by Will sirnamed Hasteler brother and heir to one Simon Cook to K. H. 1. which Edmund was buried in the Chappell here afterwards burnt by theeves After whose death neither the King nor any Lord of Starton presenting thereto the Prior of Kenilworth as Rector of the Church of Stoneley entred upon the lands belonging to it and appropriated them to the use of that Monastery As for the Bridge before specified it was built by one of the said Heremites out of the Almes bestow'd upon him by good people Which falling in time to decay the Prior of Kenilw. in 26. E. 3. was presented by the Hundred for not amending it for as much as his Predecessors time out of mind had used to repair the same as then was alledged but the Prior proved that no certain person was obliged to repair it in regard it had been built by the Heremite as above said And moreover that there being another Bridge neere at hand there was no necessity to keep up this whereupon he was acquitted Starton A Little below Cloud lyeth Starton taking its name from the Stoure or streame as I guess Which being a member of Stoneley continued therewith in the Crown till K. H. 1. granted it unto his Cook called Simon sirnamed Hasteler de Arderne and his heirs by the service of a soar-Sparhawk yearly From whom it descended to Will his brother who gave to Edmund the Heremite then Priest at Cloude those parcells of land before mentioned To which Will. succeeded Geffrey sirnamed Arderne and to him Rhese who past this mannour to Walter Marescall Earl of Pembroke in exchange for lands in Ireland Which Walter soon convey'd it to Sir Geffrey de Langley Knight of whom I have spoke in Pinley and Maud his wife and the heirs of their two bodyes and for want of such issue to the right heirs of the same Geffrey reserving the said Rent of a Soar-sparhawk to be yearly payd to the King his heirs and successors at the feast of S. Michael the Archangellâ— and to him the said Earl and his heirs a pair of Gloves or a peny for all services King H. 3. by his Charter dated 12. Martii 29. of his raign confirming the grant Soon after which viz. in 30. H. 3. the said Geffrey obtained a Charter of Free-warren in all his demesn lands here but the next year following sc. 31. H. 3. he past away this Mannour to the Monks of Stoneley and their successors in Fee-ferm for xx li. per annum undertaking to pay the Soar-Sparhawk to the K. And afterwards releasing the said xx li. Rent to the Monks obtained the Kings confirmation of his grant the Soar-Sparhawk being afterwards paid by his heir The particulars which the said Monks had here were in 7. E. 1. certified to be two carucats of and and one Water-mill in demesn with six villains and seven Cottagers holding by severall Rents and Services All which with liberty of Free-warren renew'd to them by another Charter in 12. E. 1. they enjoyed till the dissolution of their House in 27. H. 8. But then coming to the Crown it was in 33. of the same Kings raign granted to Charles Brandon D. of Suff. which D. by his deed bearing date the last day of the same month passed it unto Matthew Wrottesley and Anthony Foster who in March 3. E. 6. sold it to Thomas Marrow of Rudfyn Esq. of whose grand-child Samuel it was purchased by Sir Thomas Leigh Knight Citizen and Alderman of London 17. Iunii 7. Eliz. and so continueth to his posterity together with Stoneley unto this day There is a fair Bridge of stone over Avon lying neer Starton now commonly called Starebridge but formerly Kingsbrigge This in 51. H. 3. being in decay the King directed his Precept to the
reciperent necessitatis In this town there was also one Henry Waltham who held one carucat of land and xvii s. yearly rent here by Sergeanty viz. to be the Kings Marshall in the Court of Common-Pleas which Henry in 5. H. 3. payd ten marks for his Relief due for the land above mentioned and formerly belonging to Will. Wigan his Uncle But besides the Mannour so granted by the said Thurstane to that Hospitall was there given thereunto by Peter the son of the same â—hurstan all that he had here which did belong to the before specified Yvo there called Yvo de Shraule for he was also owner of Shrewley in this County As also the advouson of the Church by Gilbert de Segrave so that in 32. H. 3. the Guardian and Brethren of the said Hospitall being possest of such a fair proportion of lands in this place obtained a Charter for a weekly Mercate here on the Tuesday and a Fair once every year to last for 2. days viz. the Munday and Tuesday in Whit-sonweek Neither was this all for it appears that in 53. H. 3. Iohn the son of Peter son to the before mentioned Thurstane gave thereunto one messuage and one carucat of land more lying within the precincts of this Village as also all his right to the patronage of the Church And that in E. 1. time a family â—earing the name of Hamund and here residing were good Benefactors thereto Of which was one Richard Hamund alas Clerk stiled esquier in 23 H. 6. who then held the whole Mannour by Lease of the said Guardian and Brethren But I further find that Will. Wainflete Bishop of Winchester â— having in 26. H. 6. began the foundation of Magdalen College in Oxford in the very place where the same Hospitall stood did in 35. of the same Kings raign obtain from the said Master and Brethren the grant of this Lordship whereunto it hath eversince continued â—eing possest by the Pâ—esident and Fellows thereof at this day yet constantly leased out to the descendants of the said Richard Clerke men of a fair estate here Of which family were Edward and Hierome viz. sons of Henry Clarke the former father to William Clerke of this place deceased Henry Clerke of Rochester in Kent now Sâ—rgâ—ant at the Law as also oâ— Samuel Clerke of Kingsthorpe in Northamptonshire Doctor of Divinity and one of â—he Chaplains in ordinary to King Iames and Kâ—ng Charles who wedded Margarâ—â— one of the daughters to Wâ—lliam Peyto late of Chesterton in this Câ—unty esquire And the later of Iohn Clerke of Gilsborough in Norhamptonshire Counsellour at Law and Bencher of Lincolns-Inne an scil 1640. From which Richard Sir George Clerke of Watford in Com. Northampton Kt. As also Iohn now merchant of London nephew to the same Sir George and tenant to this Mannour from that Colledge are likewise descended Nor may I omit to take notice that of this family was also the famous Sir Iohn Clerke in H. 8. time as constant tradition still affirmeth who having taken the Duke of Longvile prisoner at the battail of Spurs was for that signall service rewarded by the King with an honourary addition to his Armes viz. in the sinister part of the shield a Canton azure with a demi Ram saliant Argent two flower de Luces Or in chief and over all a baston trunked as appeareth on his Monument at Tame in Oxford-shire Which Armes viz. Argent on a bend gules between three pellets as many Swans proper is still born by these Clerk's before mentioned as well as by the immediat descendants to the said Sir Iohn now residing at Weston by Tame beforementioned and at Crowton in Northamtonshire The Church dedicated to S. Nicholas being very antiently appropriated to the sâ—â—d Hospitall of S. Iohn without the Eâ—st gate in Oxford as by the Institutions to the Vicaridge may seem was in an 1291. 19. E. 1. valued at viii marks And in 26. H. 8. the Vicaridge at ix li. iv s. iv d. To this Church did one Iohn Haward in 15 H. 6. give one mess. lying withing the precincts of UUilloughby as also 20. Acres of land situat in Kite-Herdewik and Bradwell for the finding of a Lamp to burn therein for ever Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes Magister Hosp. S. Ioh. Oxon. Henr. Trunket Pbr. 24. Martii 1311. Magister Hosp. S. Ioh. Oxon. Will. de Allespath Cap. 12. Cal. Sept. 1312. Magister Hosp. S. Ioh. Oxon. Will. Pyndâ—re Cap. 3. Cal. Feb. 1348. Magister Hosp. S. Ioh. Oxon. Ioh. de Garsyndon Pbr. 29. April 1388. Magister Hosp. S. Ioh. Oxon. Will. Bartlot Cap. 15. Oct. 1417. Magister Hosp. S. Ioh. Oxon. Michaell Iames 10. Iunii 1431. Magister Hosp. S. Ioh. Oxon. Will. Pygete Pbr. 16. Iunii 1431. Magister Hosp. S. Ioh. Oxon. Ioh. Mervyn Pbr. 2. Apr. 1436. Magister Hosp. S. Ioh. Oxon. Will. Thomesone Pbr. 3. Sept. 1443. Praeses Scholar Col. S.M. Magd. Oxon. Ric. Stokysley 1. Febr. 1505. Praeses Scholar Col. S.M. Magd. Oxon. Will. Humfrey in art Mr. ult Feb. 1521. Praeses Scholar Col. S.M. Magd. Oxon. Tho. Gardiner Cler. 9. Martii 1547. Praeses Scholar Col. S.M. Magd. Oxon. Gedeon Haencock Cler. 23. Iunii 1578. Eliz. Regina Gideon Hancock Cler. 3. Febr. 1585. Praeses Scholar Col. S.M. Magd. Oxon. Rob. Wilton Cler. ult Iunii 1602. Praeses Scholar Col. S.M. Magd. Oxon. Henr. Clerke in art Mr. 15. Maii 1621. Dunchurch I Next come to Dunchurch containing these Hamlets viz. Causton Tofte and Thurlaston the last of which extends it self to the very bank of Leame In the Conquerours time Osbernus fil Ricardi of whom I shall speak in Aston-Cantlow possest it but in Domesday-Book it is written Donecerce and certified to contain five hides valued at C s. of which before the Conquest one Vlmarus was owner As for the originall of the name 't is evident enough Done or Dune signifying in our old English a Hill and Cerce a Church which agrees with the situation thereof In King Stephen's time I find that Hengelramus Clement being Lord of it gave to the Monks of Piâ—well his demesn lands lying in the fields here which grant Will. Clement his son ratified who likewise bestowed the advouson of the Church upon them Richard Peche then Bishop of Coventre confirming the same But whether it was the said Hengelram or his father who became first enfeoffed of this Lordship by the descendants from the before specified Osbernus I cannot directly affirm yet that it was one of them is not to be doubted for as much as by many Records it is evident that the posterity of the said Hengelram held it of the Honour of Ricards-Castle in Hereford-shire which belong'd to the said Osbern and his family who assumed the name of Say by half a Kts. fee. But from the before specified Will.
mentioned had Free-warren granted to him in 42 H. 3. And that the said Iohn held the same being half a Knights fee of Thomas de Arden lineall heir to the before specified Siward by the service of a Hawke As also that in 13 E. 1. Theobald de Verdon â— son and heir of the said Iohn claymed a Court-leet Assise of bread and beer Free-warren and weyfs with other priviledges here in Flekenho and the members thereof viz. Nethercote Wolshamcote Sawbridge for these do appear so to be by the antient stile of the Court there kept all which were allowed Which Theobald had issue Theobald and he severall daughters and heirs as in Brandon is shewed whereupon it came by partition to be assigned unto Isabell the wife of Henry de Ferrers of Groby To whose posterity in the direct line it continued untill it was put into the hands of Iohn Stafford Bishop of Bath and Wells Iohn Visc. Beauâ—ont and other feoffees by William the last Lord Ferrers of Groby who by their deed dated 20. Ian. 20 H. 6. setled it upon the said William for terme of life and after his decease upon Thomas his younger son and the heirs male of his body Which Thomas being so seized thereof gave it to Henry Ferrers his younger son to hold during the life of the said Henry but afterward to remain to Thomas Ferrers son and heir of him the said Thomas by Eliz. one of the sisters and heirs to Sir Baldwin Frevill Knight by whom he had the Castle of Tamworth in this County From which Thomas and Eliz. did lineally descend Sir Iohn Ferrers Knight who by his deed bearing date 20. Sept. 12. Iac. gave it with Anne his daughter in Marriage unto Sir Symon Archer Knight and his heirs of whom and his family which hath been of great continuance in this Shire I have spoke in Tanworth where their seat is Nethercote THIS having been antiently called Parva-Flekenho and originally a member of the other was in 10 E. 2. held by Iohn de Coigne of Theobald de Verdon for half a Knights fee And after him viz. in 2 E. 3. by Will. Coyne who wrote himself Dominus de Nethercote To whose posterity it continued till 31 H. 8. that Robert Cuny esquire past it away to Roger Wigston esquire and his heirs whose son and heir William Wigston esq but afterwards Knight levyed a Fine thereof to Eliz. Onely widow in 3 E. 6. But I have heard that Roger Wigston son and heir to the said Sir William sold it to one Thomas Lee which Thomas in 14. Eliz. by the name of Tho. Lee of Clatercote in Com. Oxon. esquire was certified to dye seized thereof leaving William Watson son of Anne Watson one of his sisters his next heir Which William sold it to Tho. Wilcox who passed it to Robert Clerke late owner thereof Sawbridge THIS being written Salebrugge in antient Records makes me imagine that the name was at first occasioned from the Bridge here over Leame and that the syllable Sal which by corrupt pronuntiation is now called Saw proceedeth from the old Brittish word Sal or Salw id est vilis sive parvae estimationis But it was originally a member of Wolfhamcotâ— and continued in the family of Ardern till King Iohn's time that Thomas de Arderne granted it to the Monks of Thorney in Cambrige-shire who in 19 E. 1. were certified to hold in this place one carucate of land rated at xxx s. and iv li. xii s. rent of Assise at which time the value of those customary works due to the Monks from hence were rated at 26 s. 8 d. â—nd the pleas and perquisites 6 s. 8 d. They had then also a Mill of 4 li. per annum and a stock upon the ground worth xx s. by the year The totall viii li. xix s. iv d. This continued in the Crown after the dissolution of the Monasteries til 2 Eliz. that the Q past it away to ...... Gerard and others by the name of the Mannour of Sawbridge How it came again to her hands I know not but in 4. of her raign by her Letters Pat. dated 28. Oct. she granted it to Ranulph Crew esq and Richard Cartwright gent. and their heires together with a water-mill in Ryeton â— to be held in Feeferme paying xx li. yearly into the Exchequer Which Ranulph and Richard by their deed dated the 10. of Nov. following past it to Edward Brook of Flekenho gent. Roger Tibbots of Southam gent. Robert Clâ—rk of Wolfhamcote Yeoman Thomas Chiles of Sawbridge Yeoman and Richard Roberts of Nethercote Yeoman and their heires Shuckborough-superior SOuthwest from Wolfhamcote stands Shuckborough superior part whereof lyes within Kineton-Hundred In the Conq. time the Earl of Mellent held four hides here as appears by the generall Survey then made and Turchill de Warwick half a yard land All which being valued at lv s. were possest by the same Leuvinus before the Norman invasion of whom I have made mention in Monkskirby and Flekenho But in that Record it is written Socheberge whence I conjecture that the originall name was at first composed of a Brittish as well as a Saxon word Swch in that language signifying a Plow and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the other a Hill which is not unsutable to the nature of the ground viz. arable and the situation thereof That the greatest part of the Earl of Mellent's lands and likewise of the before specified â—urchill's came soon after to the antient Earls of Warwick I have often observed yet it when it was or whom that those Earles first enfeoft of this place doth not directly appear but plain it is that Earl Roger who dyed in King Stephen's time gave the Church to the Nunns of Wroxhale and confirmed the grant which Robert then Lord of this Mannour had made of 4. yard land and xx acres of Inclosure to the same Religious house But after this Robert the next that I find to have been Lord of it was Osbert de Lemintone who granted an Oxe-gang of land lying within the precincts thereof to the Abby of Leicester Which Oxe-gang being half a yard land and confirmed by King H. 2. was within a short space given by the Canons of that House to Thomas the son of Oliver de Shukborow and his heires for ix s. yearly rent to be payd to the said Monastery From this Thomas did descend as 't is like that family which long continuing here bore the sirname of Oliver whereof was Thomas Oliver who in 7 E. 1. held 7. yard land in this place viz. 3. yard land and a half of Henry de Berchesdone by the 4. part of a Knights fee which the said Henry held over of the Prior of Coventre and the rest of Iordan de Say by the like service This Thomas Oliver had at that time
the other two I am not yet able to discover any more Of the Church dedicated to the holy Trinity the moytie antiently belonging to the Monks of Hertford was given unto them by David de Lyndesei and confirmed by Gerard his brother and heir The benefit which they received thereby being two parts of the Tyth-corn throughout all the demesn-lands of this town But the other moytie was granted by the said David to Will. de Odingsels which Will. past it unto Gerard his brother In An. 1291. 19 E. 1. it was valued at xxxiii marks yet how or when the said moytie was granted from the Monks of Hertford to Odingsells I know not but do find that in 13 E. 2. Hugh de Meryngton of Coventre purchased the perpetuall patronage of the whole from Iohn de Odingsells Which Hugh in 1 E. 3. dyed seised thereof leaving Iohn his son and heir 28. years of age who the next year following past it to Sir William de Clinton Knight Which William in 6 E. 3. gave it with 8. mess. six yard land and xx s. Rent in this town to Iohn Lynye Warden of the Chantry at Maxstoke and his successors for the health of his soul and the souls of his ancestors and successors But it was not long after that the said Sir William having begun the foundation of a Priory for Canons-Regular of St. Augustines order at the same place annexed that Chantry with the appurtenances thereunto whereupon the advouson of this Church with the rest of those lands in Ichington were appropriated to the use of the said Canons by R. Northburgh Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield 12. Cal. Martii Anno 1386. 10. E. 3. and a Vicaridge soon after endowed which in 26 H. 8. was valued at vii li. xviii d. over and above 18 d. allowed for Procurations and Synodalls But the said Rectory after the dissolution of that Religious house with the lands before specified coming to the Crown was with the site of that Monastery c. past unto the D. of Suff. as also from him to Traps and from the coheirs of Traps to Anthony Ludford and Thomas Fisher which Anthony and Thomas in 25 Eliz. aliened the said lands by the name of a Mannour with two parts of the Tithes of Corn and Hay c. to Robert Dudley then Earl of Leicester since which time they have attended the possession of that Lordship so sold by Odingsells as hath been said Patroni Ecclesiae Incumb temp Instit. Hugo de Odingsels miles D. Ioh. de Odingsels Cler. An. 1288. D. Will. de Clinton miles Rob. de Wyke Pbr. 4. Cal. Nov. 1329. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Rob. de Maxstoke Cap. 11. Cal. Nov. 1336. Patroni Vicariae Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Adam de Wythibroke Pbr. Cal. Maii 1337. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ric. de Bradwell Cap. 8. Cal. Aug. 1349. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Adam de Colsshull Pbr. .... 1359. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ric. de Caldecote 5. Id. Dec. 1375. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Thom. Nassyngton Cap. 22. Sept. 1407. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ric. Inderay Cap. 28. Feb. 1422. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ioh. D .... get 17. Aug. 1423. D. Episc. per lapsum Will. Sylk decret Dr. Pbr. 2. Aug. 1427. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke D. Ric. Whitelombe 8. Martii 1428. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ioh. Nobull Pbr. 8. Iunii 1439. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Thom. Smyth Cap. 16. Dec. 1529. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke D. Thom. Hopkyns Pbr. 9. Maii 1531. Rich. Bartue ar ac Cath. Ducissa Suff. ux ejus Thom. Odingsels 29. Martii 1569. D. Regina Eliz. Georgius Soden 17. Ian. 1569. Thom. Moulde Clerie ex concess Leticiae Comitissae Leic. Math. Gilbert Cler. 28. Apr. 1606. Rob. Comes Leic. Raphaell Pearce in art Mgr. 18. Sept. 1628. Upon a Marble Gravestone this Inscription in a plate of brass Of your charite pray for the soule of Edward Odingsell late o Long-Ichington in the County of Warwick esquier Geâ—tleman-Usher to King Henry the seventh who died ................ in the year of our Lord M. D. xxii Bascote THIS Hamlet was originally a member of Long-Ichinton yet I hâ—ve not met with any mention of it 〈◊〉 7 R. 1. and then do I find that Robert Briton had lands here but afterwards in King Iohn's time that David the son of David de Lindesei whoâ—e right here came by Elianore his mother one of the coheirs to Iohn de Limesi as in Ichington I have shewed did confirm to Nicâ—olas Briton and his heirs eight yard land lying here and in Ichinton to hold by the 4. part of a Knights fee which lands Roger Briton father of the saith Nicholas formerly held After this viz. in 21 E. 1. Sir Iohn Pinkney Knight having granted unto Sir Hugh de Odingsells all his interest in Long Ichinton gave notice to William le Breton that for the future he should perform those services to the said Sir Hugh and his heirs as were due by the same William to the above named Sir Iohn Pinkney Which William was son to the before recited Nicholas as I guess but what I have seen worth note in relation to him or his descendants I have already mentioned in Wolston for in 7 E. 2. Guy le Bretoun son to the said Will. sold all his lands here to Peter de Lâ—mesi and Alice his wife and the heirs of the said Peter which lands in 18 E. 2. eschaeted to the Crown by reason that he was in the rebellion of Thomas Earl of Lancaster as in Arley I have fully manifested The next possessor thereof of whom I have found any mention was Sir Iohn Rochford Kt. who by his deed dated 8 Oct. 4 H. 4. past it unto Thomas Seyvill which Thomas enjoy'd it in 2 H. 5. But in 9 H. 5. Iohn Morton a Priest conveyed it to Ioh. Lee of Warwick Thomas Wyrth and Richard Smyth who were but Trustees it should seem For 6. Sept. 8 H. 6. the same Iohn Lee did pass to Thomas Molesley and his heirs his whole right therein unto whom also T. Wyrth released his interest so that in 10 H. 6. the said â— Molesley who then wrote himself of Mokkushull in this County was certified to be Lord thereof Which Thomas by his deed of feoffment bearing hate on the day of S. Nicholas 30 H. 6. granted it to Wâ—lliam Lyle and Thomas Magot in trust for the use of the town of Walshall but it so fell out that the Inhabitants being kept from the profits thereof in the beginning of H. 8. time by Iohn Lyle son of Will. Lyle the surviving feoffee who denyed any such trust pretending it to be his own inheritance came to Moxhull and drove away Mr. Lyle's Cattell of
besides all this he conferred upon the said Sir Richard and his heirs all his right in that Chappell But the next mention that I find thereof is in 20. H. 3. where Walter de Daivill owner also of Walton-Daiville answered for the 4. part of a Kts. fee in this place which said 4. part in 36. H. 3. was certifyed to be held by Rob de Dayvill of Will de Cantilupe and that the said Will held it over of the heirs of Geffrey Corbicon whereby it may seem that Peter Corbicon son to that Peter which founded the Priory of Studley at such time as he passed the advouson of that Religious house with other lands and Fees unto Will. de Cantilupe as I shall shew when I come to Stodley granted likewise this 4. part of a Kts Fee here to the said Will for I suppose that the same Geffrey here mentioned was a son to the said Peter After this viz. in the same 36. year of H. 3. had Walt D'eyvill whom I account son of the before mentioned Robert a Charter of Free-warren in all his demesn lands here and other lordships of this County Howbeit in 13. E. 1. Iohn de Hastings as superior Lord of the Fee claymed a Court-Leet Weyfs and other priviledges therein Ioan his mother being one of the sisters and heirs to George de Cantilupe But when or how D'eyvill parted with his interest I have not yet seen nor any more thereof till E. 1. time that Rog de Clifford senior past what he had here which then extended to xx l. lands per ann unto Sir Vrian S. Pere Kt. in exchange for certain lands in Dreyton in Com. Suss. which Sir Vrian for I take it to be he was in 23. E. 1. found to dye seized of a certain Mannour-house with divers lands and tenements situat in this place which he held ioyntly with Margaret his wife of the before recited Iohn de Hastings by the third part of a Kts. Fee leaving Urian his son and heir then xvj years of age but the Record expresseth that the said Mannour-house and lands were purchased by him and the said Margaret of one Ralph de Bure Which last mentioned Sir Vrian for he was a Kt. had issue Iohn who in 8. E. 3. levyed a Fine of this Mannour unto Will the Son of Sir VVilliam Trussell of Cublesdon Kt. but to what uses appears not VVhich VVill. in 20 E. 3. was certifyed to hold the 4. part of a Kts Fee here of the heirs of Hastings notwithstanding all which it should seem that it came by Isabell the daughter of Sir Urian who perhaps was heir to her brother Iohn vnto Sir Walt Cokesey Kt. son and heir of Hugh Cokesey who in 30. E. 3 dyed seized of another Mannour lying in this place both which being thus vnited continued to the heirs of Cokesey for divers generations as I shall shew anon But in the mean time taking a view of such other persons as had to do here I find that in 4. E. 4. Will Cotes dyed seized of a capitall mess and certain lands leaving Iohn his son and heir xv years of age which Will was son and heir vnto Roger who stiles himself Rog fil Silverstri de Honyngham by his deed bearing date in 30. E. 1. and in 9. E. 2. Steward unto Iohn de Warren E. of Sussex and Surrey for all his Courts in these Counties And that in 20 E. 3. Iohn Cotes Will. Blundell and Rog. de Tiringham held here likewise the 4. part of a Knights fee of the Earl of Lancaster and the heirs of Hastings Which 4. part in 44 E. 3. was certified to be held of the E. of Warwick by Iohn de Cotes and Will. Corbizon de Kenilworth In 2 H. 4. it also appears that Edw. Metley held the 4. part of a Knights fee here of the Earl of Warwick And in 10 H. 6. all the principall persons that then had interest in Honyngham are exprest viz. Sir Hugh Cokesey of Worcestershire Knight Iohn Cotes of Honyngham esq Margaret Meâ—ley and Will. Warmyngton of Honyngham husbandman where it is recorded that they held the Mannour of Honyngham with certain lands and tenements there by the 4. part of a Knights fee. Of which family of Cotes I find that some wrote themselves of this place whereby it is manifest that they had their residence here VVherefore having reduced hither all that I have found of them in order of time and with as much certainty in the descent as I have any authority to warrant it withall I shall take notice of what is memorable of them Will. de Cotes obiit 4 E. 3. Ioh. de Cotes fil haeres aet 15. 4 Eâ— 4. Will. Cotes 3. R. 2. Margareta postea nupta Edw. Metley Ioh. Cotes de Honingham 12 H. 6. Iohanna 10 H. 6. Thomas Cotes ar temp E. 4. Râ—c Cotes ar obiit 15. Dec. 20. H. 7. Alicia una filiarum cohaer Ioh. Hugford de Emscote Ioh. Cotes aet 18. 20 H. 7. Anthon. Cotes ar 1. M. In 3 R. 2. Will. Cotes was a Commissioner for levying and assessing a xv then granted to the K. in Parliament And Iohn his son one of those men of note in this County who bearing antient Armes from his Ancestors had command in 7 H. 5. to attend the King in person for defence of the Râ—alm VVhich Iohn in 12 H. 6. was one of the Knights for this Shire in the Parliament then held and that by Indenture certified to the then Lord Chancelour the names of all such persons in the County as were thought fit to make oath that they would perform certain Articles established in the same Parliament And lastly in 20 H. 6. Escheator for Warwick and Leicester-shires But how long this family continued possest of what they had here I am not sure therefore upon these incertainties I shall leave them resolving next to take notice of the Cokeseys who had likewise an interest in this place as I have already intimated though their principall residence was in Worcester-shire The first of which family was Hugh de Cokesey a younger son as I guess to Sir Walter Cokesey of Cokesey in Worcester-shire Kt. for so it may seem by the Testament of the said Sir Walter bearing date 24 E. 1. The same year that the said Hugh de Cokesey departed this life which was 30 E. 3. as I have already shewed Dionysia his widow one of the daughters and heirs of Will. le Botiller vowed chastity in the presence of Reginald Bryan Bishop of Worcester touching the manner and form of which vows I shall speak in Warwick when I come to historify the family of those Earls and their posterity In 39 E. 3. Walter Cokesey son and heir of the said Hugh making proof of his age had livery of his inheritance and being
meat The Church dedicated to All Saints was originally but a Chapell and belonging to Wotton on the other side the River being therewith confirmed to the Canons of Kenilworth by Ric. Peche Bishop of Coventre in H. 2. days and appropriated to them by G. Muschamp his successor in K. Iohn's time In Anno 1291. 19 E. 1. it was valued at vi marks over and above a Pension of xx s. then issuing out of it to the Abby of Malmesbury and the Vicaridge at xx s. But in 26 H. 8. the same Vicaridge was valued at vi li. x s. the Pension of xxxiii s. iv d. added by the Canons of Kenilworth computed Patroni Vicariae Incumb temp Inst. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth D. Henr. de Keton Cap. N. Novemb. 1315. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Tho. de Lemynton Cap. 19. Cal. Feb. 1338. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Mr. Will. de Leycester 18. Cal. Iulii 1348. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Iweyn de Pershore Cap. 8. Id. Maii 1349. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Ioh. de Wytlaxford Cap. Cal. Iulii 1349. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Ioh. de Geydon Cap. Non. Oct. 1349. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Rob. de Morton Pbr. 2. â—al Sept. 1368. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Will. Cras Pbr. 4. Non. Oct. 1370. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Will. Port Cap. penult Sept. 1402. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Ioh. de Swetenham Pbr. 13. Dec. 1408. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Thom. Seborowe Cap. 8. Ianii 1410. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Ioh. Radford Pbr. 29. Maii 1422. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Ioh. Cocks Cap. 28. Martii 1426. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth D. Ric. Benet Cap. penult Ian. 1429. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Ioh. Graunge Pbr. 16. Aug. 1346. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Frater Nich. Clement Ord. Praedicat 12. Dec. 1444. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Will. Pomfret 10. Maii 1446. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Ioh. Twysse in leg Bacc. 27. Oct. 1455. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Thom. Albyn Cap. 4. Maii 1457. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth D. Will. Wheywall ult Iulii 1505. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth D. Ioh. Corney 13. Sept. 1519. Ambrosius Comes Warwici Rich. Astlyn Cler. 20. Iunii 1567. Ambrosius Comes Warwici Hen. Clarkes Cler. 25. Sept. 1574. Newbold-Comin THIS place the originall occasion of whose name is discovered by the later syllable bold which in the Saxon language signifieth a House is one of those depopulated Villages whereof I. Rous in H. 6. time complayned and lyeth on the North side of Leame but in the Parish of Leminton-Priors In Edw. the Conf. time it was the inheritance of one Vluuine who gave it to the Abby of Malmesbury at such time as he was shorn a Monk in that Monastery and by the Conq. Survey is certified to contain 3. hides at which time there was a Mill yielding viii s. per ann the value of the whole being L s. But it was not long after the Norman Conquest that the Monks of Malmesbury enfeoft one Radulphus Vicecomes in this their land at Newbold which Raph had issue Wibert and he a son called Anselme who left one only daughter sc. Ioan within age at her fathers decease and in Ward to the Abbot by whom she was given in marrige to Elias Comyn From which Elias and Ioan descended these Comyns who had their seat here and for distinction from other Newbolds gave the addition of their own name to this place Radulphus Vicecomes Wibertus Anselmus Johanna Filia haeres Elyas Comyn Nich. Comyn Ioh. Comyn obiit s. prole Joh. Comyn haeres Joh. Comyn nepotis sui Ioh. Comyn obiit in Hibernia 16 E. 1. Amabilia 16 E. 1. Ioh. Comyn infra aet 16 E. 1. dom de Newbold 3 E. 2. Milicentia una fil cohaer secundò nupta Ric. Massy del Hogh Will. de Aghton defunctus 20. R. 2. Hugo de Aghton 11 H. 4. Elena ux Iac. Dyngley Iohanna ux Ioh. de Faryngton In 31 H. 3. upon difference that grew betwixt Iohn Comyn and Geffrey de Simely Lord of Radford touching liberty of fishing in the River of Leame they came to an Agreement that the said Iohn should fish as far as his own land extended This Iohn holding Newbold of the Abbot of Malmesbury by the service of xl s. per annum in 7 E. 1. had at that time 1. carucat of land and a Water-mill in demesn and xvi Villains holding of him xii yard land by base services as also a Court-Leet with Assize of bread and beer and left issue Iohn whose name in 17 E. 2. was certyfied amongst the rest of those Esquiers and men at Armes of this County which were then returned into the Chancery After which viz. in 1 E. 3. he served as one of the Knights for this Shire in the Parliament held at Lincoln the morrow after the exaltation of the holy Crosse and in 12 E. 3. was in Commission for the gathering of a xv and Tenth in this County granted to the King in Parliament 11. of his reign So also in 22 E. 3. Which Iohn being Lord of Kinsale in Ireland and of Morton-Vnderhill in Com. Wigorn. departed this life leaving no issue male But it should seem that he had four daughters and heirs betwixt whom this Mannour of Newbold was divided Of Milicent and Elene I find direct mention Milicent taking first to husband Will. de Aghton but afterwards Richard Massy of Hogh and Elene being the wife to Iames Dingly of Worcestershire The third I suppose was Ioan the wife of Iohn de Farington for I find that in 3 H. 4. there was a Fine levied of the 4. part of this Mannour with the 4. part of the Mannour of Morton-Underhill whereby they were entayled upon Christopher Farington son of the said Iohn and Ioan and the heirs male of his body with remainder to Raph brother of Christopher and for default of issue by Raph to Iohn the son of Henry Banastre of Walton in the Dale Com. Lanc. and the heirs male of his body and for default of such issue to Raph the son of Hugh Holcroft and the heirs male of his body and for default of such issue to Ioan the daughter of the above specified Iohn Farington and the heirs of her body with remainder to the right heirs of the said Ioan. Which Iames Dingley and Elene in 9 H. 4. setled the 4. part thereof as also of Morton-Underhill which it seems was the share alotted to the said Elene upon Rouland Dingley and his heirs And Milicent after the death of Richard Massy her husband gave possession of her part in this Mannour to Hugh Aghton her eldest son by her deed dated at Coventre the Tuesday next after the
and suit of harness with all that belong'd thereto To his son Iohn his second coat of Maile Helmet and harness and appointed that all the rest of his Armour Bows and other warlike provision should remain in the Castle of Warwick for his heir constituting these his Executors viz. Alice his Countess Sir Iohn de Hastings Iohn Hamelin Piers le Blund Parson of Hanslape Adam de Herewynton Richard de Brumesgrave Henry de Sidenhale Simon de Sutton Parson of Luffenham William de Wellesburne Parson of Berkeswell with Roger Caumpere Parson of Kibworth and departed this life 12. August next following in his said Castle of Warwick by poison as some thought but had sepulture in Abby of Bordsley before specified Before his death he obtained a grant from the King that his Executors when it should fortune him to depart this life might have the custody of his lands during the minority of his heir being answerable for the value of them to the Exchequer at Michaelmass and Easter every year saving that his Castles of Elmeley and Warwick should not be disposed of to any without the Kings speciall license which grant was confirmed to Iohn Hamelyn and the rest of the Executors in December following his death Neverthelessâ— so much was the K. wrought upon by them whose miscarriages afterwards gave the discontented Nobles opportunity to work his own ruine as that notwithstanding the grant before recited made to those Executors about two years after he passed the custody of them by a new Patent to Hugh le Despenser the elder in satisfaction of a debt of 6770 li. due to him from the said King as was pretended But before I proceed to speak of Thomas Earl of Warwick son and heir to the said Guy I have a word or two to say of the Countess his mother and the rest of her Children which is that she was the daughter of Raph de Tony of Flamsted in Hertford-shire widow of Thomas de Leybourn and at length heir to Robert her brother In November following the Death of her husband she had assigned to her in dowrie the Mannours of Hanslape in Com. Buck. Lygthorne Beausale Haseley Claverdon Berkswell with the third part of the Templars Mannour in Warwick and Shirburne and divers Knights fees all in this County And the next year following gave a Fine of 500. marks for license to marry with William La Zouch of Ashby in Com. Leic. to whom she was accordingly wedded but dyed in 18 E. 2. The other children of Earl Guy were Iohn a martiall Knight Emma the wife of Roul Odingsells Isabell married to ...... Clinton Elizabeth to Thomas Lord Astley and Lucia to Robert de Napton Which Iohn was a man of singular note in his time for in 22 E. 3. the King in consideration of his great services made him a Banneret and gave him Cxl li. per annum out of the Exchequer for his better support In 25 E. 3. he was Governour of Caleis In 26 Iohn Darcy to whom the King had granted the Constableship of the Tower of London for life for the great affection he bore to this Iohn de B. past over his interest in that Office to him which the King also ratified but within two years through the sinister suggestions of some he became much offended with him and put him out of that place constituting Barthol de Burghersh in his stead and after his death Robert de Morley but at the length it appearing to the King that those suggestions were false he received him again into favour and in consideration of his speciall services restored unto him the custody of the said Tower of London by his Letters Patents bearing date 25. Ian. aâ— the town of S. George neer the Castle of Beaufort in France and the same year constituted him Constable of Dovor-Castle Warden of the Cinque-ports for life and Admirall of the Seas for the North and West coasts He was also one of the Founders of that noble Order of the Garter instituted by King E. 3. and departing this life without issue 2. Dec. 34. E. 3. lyeth buryed betwixt two pillars on the South part of the Cathedrall Church of S. Paul in London before the Image of our Lady where he had a fair Monument lately demolisht which was through mistake usually called Duke Humfrey's Tombe I now return to Thomas the succeeding Earl born in Warwick-Castle having to his Godfathers Thomas Earl of Lancaster and Henry his brother with Thomas de Warington Prior of Kenilworth This Thomas was very young at his fathers death but who had the custody and tuition of his person during King Edward 2. reign I find not Most likely it is that Hugh le Despenser the great favourite at that time having a grant of his lands as abovesaid had also the charge of his person but in 1 E. 3. the Castle of Warwick with the rest of his lands were committed to Roger Mortimer of Wigmore till he should arrive to his full age and in 3 E. 3. the King being minded to afford speciall favour to him as the very words of the Writ do importâ— accepted of his homage though he was not then of full age commanding that he should have livery of all his fathers lands and the next year following admitted him to the office of Shiriffalty for Worcester-shire which was of his inheritance as also to that of the Chamberlainshâ—p in the Exchequer with power to appoint whomsoever he should think â—it for the execution of them in such sort as in his Ancestors times had been used 'T is not to be doubted but as this Earl was descended from an antient race of worthy Progenitors and by many noble heirs so were his vertues no less eminent than the chiefest of them for from the time that he came to mans estate even till his death which hapned in 23. of King Edw. 3. raign was he scarce ever cut of some notable and high imployment whereof in order I will briefly make recitall In 5 E. 3. he had the goverment of the Isles of Gernsey Serke and Aureney In 6. he was joyn'd in Commission with Raph Lord Basset and William de Shareshull a great Lawyer and afterwards Chief-Justice for conservation of the peace in this County and Worcestershire In 7. to attend the King in his expedition for Scotland at which time Edward de Baliol King of Scotts did homage to King Edward for the Realm of Scotland with the adjacent Isles In 9. he had the custody of the Marches of Scotland committed to him All which was whilst he lived a batchelour For I find that in 12 E. 3. the King in satisfaction of a great summe of money that he owed to Roger Lord Mortimer for the time that he was his Lieutenant of Ireland
24. dishes and as many Saucers of silver as also two Bacyns and two Ewers with twelve pieces of silver To Isabell his daughter a thousand pounds to her marriage To Margaret his daughter a Nunne at Shouldam in Norff. a Ring and a Cup with a cover as also 40. marks in money To Katherin the daughter to his son Guy a Nunne likewise at Shouldam a gold Ring with xx li. in money and for the charges of his funerall 500. marks Hereunto adding that his Executors should make full satisfaction to every man whom he had in any sort wronged That his son William should have lands of 400. marks per annum value setled upon him and his heirs male That the Testament of his Countesse should be compleatly performed and fulâ—illed out of his goods That his Executors should new build the Quire of the Collegiat-Church in Warwick where he purposed to be buryed That with the residue of his goods his Executors should cause Masses to be sung for his soul and distribute Almes with all speed that might be especially at Bordesley Worcester and Warwick as also in other places of the Countrey unto which he had most relation And that all the vestments of his Chappell should be given to the Collegiat-Church in Warwick where he had chosen his sepulture His Jewells he thus disposed To his daughter Stafforâ— an Ouche called the Eagle which the Prince gave him all his Pearls and a Crosse made of the very wood of our Saviours Crosse a Ring with an Emeraud that his Countesse bequeathed to him another Ring whereof she herself was to make choyse a sett of Beads of gold with the buckles which the Queen gave him and the choyse of one of his Cups of gold with that silver boll which he always used himself as also his best Bed with the whole furniture thereto To his daughter Alice his next best Ouche which his Lady the Countesse gave him with a Cup of gold a set of Beads of gold and a Ring To his daughter Clifford an Ouche called the Eagle which his son Will. had bestow'd on him for a Newyears-gift with a Cup a set of Beads of gold and a Ring To his daughter Isabell a Cup with an Ewer and a Cover to it gilt and the next best Ring after his other daughters before remembred had chosen To the Bishop of Lincoln a Crosse of gold that the Lady Segrave gave him which sometimes was the good King Edwards wherein likewise was part of the very Crosse of Christ and other Reliques To his son William a Casket of gold with a bone of St. George which Thomas Earl of Lanc. bestowed on him at his Christening Touching his death the manner thereof was thus King Edward having called a Parliament at London in 43. of his reign wherein the breach of Peace by the French was discussed sent an Army into that Kingdom about the feast of the Nativity of the blessed Viâ—gin under the conduct of his son Iohn Duke of Lanc. and Humfr. de Boun Earl of Hereford to claim his right therein who being got over sea encampt at a place called the Chalkhull neer Caleys towards whom the French presently advanced but the two English Dukes delaied fighting so long as that their Army grew in want for provisions so that many dyed by famine and the plague pretending they were not strong enough to give them battail without more men In which interim our noble Earl hearing that the French Army was thus drawn out hasted away with some choyse men and sailed toward Caleys whereof the French having notice in great amazement they left their Tents with all their victuall behind them and fled And so soon as he came ashore he highly blamed those that occasioned the English to forbear fighting saying I will goe on and fight before the English bread which we have eaten be digâ—sted and thereupon presently entred the Isle of Caus which he wasted But alas in his return towards Caleys he fell sick of the pestilence and dyed on the 13. of Nov. Parem â—bi in armorum strenuitate Regi Regnique fideliâ—ate superstitem minimè derelinquens saith mine Author After which his body was interred in the midd'st of the Quire of the Collegiat Church at Warwick according to the direction of his Testament where is yet to be seen a goodly Tombe with the statues of hâ—m â—nd his Countess in white marble excellently cut viz. Katherine the daughter of Roger Mortimer before specified created the first Earl of March by King E. 3. a perfect representation whereof I have placed here in my Story of him because there being so many other Monuments in that Church to have put them altogether would not shew gracefull to the work Which noble Lady dyed before him as by what I have said appears yet not many weeks for her Testament bears date 4. Aug. the same year by which she appointed her body to be buried wheresoever the Earl her husband should think fit to whom she bequeathed her Goblet bound with gold and those Buckles of gold which she used to carry as also a Ring having an Emraud in it To Thomas her son she gave her book of Ch. To Will her other son a Tablet of gold To Maud de Clifford her daughter a Cup enameled with Doggs To Philippa de Stafford her daughter a Boll with a cover To her daughter Alice a Cup of silver gilt To Margaret Mountfort her daughter the Cross with the pedestall in her Chapell To Isabell her daughter a Cup. To Elizabeth the daughter of her son Guy a Cup. To the Covent of Friers Preachers in Worcester xx li. To the Friers Preachers of Shrewsbury xx li. To the Friers Minors there xx li. To the Friers Preachers of Northampt. xx li. To the Friers Minors of Coventre xx li. and to the Friers Minors of Lichfield xx li. Divers other Legacyes she gave to her servants and did constitute Isabell de Harley Rauf Tangele and Iohn Falvesle her executors desiring her husband to be assistant unto them in the performance thereof This Noble Earl had divers children of which I will only make a brief mention Guy his eldest son who received the honour of Knighthood in 29 E. 3. with a grant from the King of C li. per annum out of his Exchequer till his fathers inheritance should descend to him or that he could otherwise provide for his support and married Philippa the daughter of Henry Lord Ferrers of Groby by whom he had issue three daughters Elizabeth Katherine and Margaret whereof the two later were Nunns at Shouldham in Com. Norff. This Guy was a stout Souldier and upon his going into France in 33 E. 3. which I conceive was to attend the King in an expedition at that time made declared his Testament at Canterbury on the 26. of Sept. whereby he bequeathed his body to buriall where his parents should think fit To
ever after found yet by his Cote of Arms discovering who he was they might have been buried together the state and lustie of whose equipage in that journey may in some sort be discerned by his Painters bill which I have here from the Original transcribed having with him a peculiar Officer at Arms called Warwick-Herauld who had a grant from him of an Annuity of x. Marks Sterling per annum Thes be the parcels that Will. Seburgh Citizen and Peyntour of London hath delivered in the monthe of Juyll the xv yeer of the reign of Kyng Harry the sixt to John Ray Taillour of the same Citee for the use and stuff of my Lord of Warwyk Ferst CCCC Pencels bete with the Raggidde staffe of silver pris the pece v. d. 08. l. -06 s. -00 Item for the peynting of two Paveys for my Lord the one with a Gryfon stondying in my Lordis Colours rede white and russet pris of the Pavys 00-06-08 Item for the other Pavys peyntid with blak and a Raggid staffe bete with silver occupying all the felde pris 00-03-04 Item one Cote for my Lordis body bete with fine gold pris 01-10-00 Item other two Cotes for Herawdes bete with dymy gold pris the pece xx s. 02-00-00 Item iii. Baners for Trumpetis bete with dymy gold pris the pece xiii s. iiii d. 02-00-00 Item iiii Spere shafts of reed pris the pece xâ—i d. 00-0â—-00 Item one grete Burdon peynted with reed 00-01-02 Item 1. nother Burdon ywrithyn with my Lordis Colours reed white and russet 00-02-00 Item for a grete Stremour for the Ship of xl yerdis length and viii yerdis in brede with a grete Bere and Gryfon holding a Raggid staffe poudrid full of raggid staves And for a grete Crosse of S. George for the lymmyng and portraying 01-06-08 Item a Gyton for the Shippe of viii yerdis longe poudrid full of raggid staves for the lymmyng and workmanship 00-02-00 Item for xviii grete Standards entretailled with the Raggid staffe pris the pece viii d. 00-12-00 Item xviii Standardis of worsted entretailled with the Bere and a Cheyne pris the pece xii d. 00-18-00 Item xvi othir Standardis of worsted entertailled with the Raggid staffe pris the pece xii d. 00-05-04 Item 3. Penons of Satyn entreteylled with Raggid staves for the lymmyng full of raggid staves pris the pece ii s. 00-06-00 Item for the Cote armour bete for George by the commandement of my Lord pris 00-06-08 But he safely arrived though not without much difficulty and continued in that high imployment till his death which hapned about 4. years after as I shall shew anon using this title in his Charters Ric. de Beauchamp Comes de Warrewyk de Aumarle seign L'isle Capitayne de Roven Having thus manifested the chief of his publick imployments I now come to speak of those pious works which for his Souls advantage he either performed himself in his life time or by his Will appointed that his Executors should do Of the first was the foundation of that Chantry at Guy-Cliff in 9. H. 6. whereof I have there spoke at large but the rest being left to his Executors performance viz. to perfect the building at Guyes-Cliff the building of that magnificent Chapel in honour of our Lady adjoyning to the Collegiat Church in Warwick where his Monument now is of which I shall speak more fully there the amortizing of Lands for the maintenance of 4. more Priests and 2. Clerks in the said Collegiat Church over and above the number there before and of Lands to the value of xx Marks per ann to his Colledge at Elmley for the maintenance of one more Priest to be added to the number at that time there By his said last Will and Testam bearing date at Caversham in Oxfordsh 8. Aug. An. 1435. 15. H. 6. which is very memorable he appointed that first and in all haste possible after his decease there should be five thousand Masses said for his Soul Next his debts to be truely and wholly paid Then that untill the Chapel above specified were finisht his body should be laid in a Chest of stone before the Altar on the right hand of his fathers Tomb in the said Collegiat Church of Warw. afterwards removed thither where he ordained 3. Masses every day to be sung as long as the world might endure one of our Lady with Note according to the Ordinale Sarum The 2. without Note of Requiem The 3. also without Note viz. the Sunday of the Trinity the Munday of the Angels the Tuesday of S. Thomas of Canterb. the Wednesday of the Holy-ghost the Thurâ—day of Corpus Christi the Fryday of the Holy Crosse the Saturday of the Annunciation of our Lady for performance of which he appointed xl l. Lands per ann over and above all reprises to be amortized viz. for every of the four Priests above specified x. Marks per ann and for every Clerk v. Marks and x. Marks to be divided amongst the said four Priests and other six Vicars of the Colledge to increase their yearly salary viz. to each of them xiii s. iiii d. And besides this that his Executors should treat with the Abbot and Covent of Tewksbury and agree that in their Monastery his Obit might be yearly kept as also one Masse sung every day there for his Soul which to be the first if it might be if not the last To the Collegiat Church of Warwick he gave an Image of our Lady in pure Gold there to remain for ever in the name of a Heriot and appointed that his Executors should cause four Images of Gold each weighing xx li. to be made like unto himself in his Coat of Arms holding an Anker betwixt his hands and so to be offered and delivered in his name viz. one to the Shrine in the Church of S. Alban to the honour of God our Lady and S. Alban another to the Shrine of S. Thomas at Canterbury the third at Bridlington in Yorksh. and the fourth at the Shrine in the Church of S. Winifride at Shrewsbury And moreover that a goodly Tombe of Marble should be erected in the Abby of Kingswood in Com. Glouc. upon the grave of Eliz. his first wife as also restitution made for any wrong done by him and his servants to be rewarded To Isabell then his wife he gave all the silver vessel bedding and houshold stuffe that he had with her and over and above all that and whatsoever else she had since they were married two dozen of silver dishes xii Chargers of silver xii saucers of silver a pair of Basyns covered silver and gilt four other Basyns of silver four Ewers of silver xii pieces of silver of one sort with his Arms enameled on the bottom of them likewise the great Paytren bought of the Countesse of Suff. sometime belonging to the Earle of Salisbury and to his Son Henry the Cup of Gold with the dance of men and women
King H. 6. In his fathers life time when he was scarce x. years of age being then called by the name of the Lord Despenser he wedded Cecily daughter to Ric. Nevâ—l Earle of Salisbury whose portion was 4700. Maâ—ks which Cecily afterwards sc. 27. H. 6. married to Iohn Lord Tiptoft by whom he left issue one onely daughter called Anne born at Kaerdiff in the moneth of Fâ—br An. 1439. Which Anne being about 2. years old at his death was committed to the tutelage first of Q. Margaret and afterwards of Will. de la Poole D. of Suff. had the title of Countess of Warwick buâ— shâ— did not long survive For I finde that 3. Ian. An. 1449. 27. H. 6. she departed this world at Newelme â—n Oxfordsh a Mannour of the said D 〈◊〉 Suff. and was buried in the Abby of Reading near to the grave of Constance Lady Despenser her great Grand-mother daugther to Edmund of Langley D. of York Whereupon Anne her Aunt born at Caversham in Oxford-shire 3. Id. Iulii An. 1429. 7. H. 6. Sister of the whole bloud to the late D. of Warwick became Heir to the Earldom being at that time the wife of Ric. Nevill Son and Heir to Ric. Nevill Earle of Salisbury before specified having been wedded to him the same year that Henry her brother married Cecily his sister Which Richard by reason of his said marriage and in respect of his special services about the Kings person as also in the Wars of Scotland for so doth the Pat. import had on the 23. of Iuly following the death of his wifes Neice the dignity and title of Earle of Warwick confirm'd and declared to him and his said wife and to her Heirs with all preheminencies that any of their Ancestors before the Creation of Henry D. of Warwick used Shortly after which he with his said Countesse by Fine levied xv Trin. 28. H. 6. entailed the Castle of Warwick with a great number of Lordships in this and xvi other Counties upon the issue of their two bodies lawfully begotten and for default thereof upon the issue of her with remainder to Margaret eldest daughter to Richard Beauchamp Earle of Warwick and her Heirs This is that Ric. Nevill who by our Historians is called the stout Earle of Warwick and well he might be so in regard he bore such bold sway towards the later end of K. H. 6. and part of Edw. 4. Reign having been so prime an Actor in those tragick stirs betwixt the Houses of Lanc. York as they that have but indifferently perused the stories of that time cannot be ignorant About the 30. of H. 6. he took part with Ric. D. of York who at that time put himself in Arms under pretence to reform things amisse in the Kingdom but the D. being not then powerfull enough to go through with his design submitted himself making Oath to be a true and faithfull subject howbeit the next year after having laid a better foundation for his attempts chiefly by the interest he had in this Earle and the Earle of Salisbury his father he broke out again in 33. H. 6. and at S. Albans assailed the Kings forces where our Warwick entring through a garden gave the first onset slew many took the person of the King caused a Parliament to be summoned made himself Protector to the K. and Warwick Capt. of Caleys But by the power of some others who saw what was driven at was at that time hindred in his speed so that the King coming to Coventre in 35. of his Reign there hoped to have reconciled all things and to that end sent for the D. by Letters as also our E. of Warwick and his father who came accordingly but they pretending some ill intentions towards them pack-away York to Wigmore in the Marches of Wales Salisbury to Midleham-Castle in the North and our Warwick to Caleys yet after some ever-tures were content to meet at London so as they might have store followers whereupon they came Warwick bringing with him 600. men apparelled in Red Coats embroidered with white Ragged staves before and behinde This was 36. H. 6. where and at which time all things were peaceably accorded in shew but there hapning not long after sc. 37. H. 6. an affray betwixt a servant of the K. and one of Warwick's followers this gave colour of a report that there was a design to kill the Earle which occasioned him to take his Barge haste to Caleys Thither therefore the young D. of Somerset was sent as Captain but Warwick would not resign maintaining himself there by a great booty he had got at Sea as Admiralâ— no less worth than 10000. l. for he had taken 3. Carricks of Ganon and 2. of Spain laden with rich merchandize after two dayes fight with the losse of about C. men of his own and a thousand of theirs After which sc. 38. H. 6. he brings over a band of stout Souldiers from Caleys and with them a valiant Commander named Andrew Trollop to a general Rendevouz that the Yorkists had at Ludeford in Herefordsh on the Vigil of the translation of S. Edw. the K. where he produc'd certain persons before the people to swear that the K. was deceased causing Masse to be said and Offerings made that they might the lesse dread to take the field But Trollop who had served formerly against the French done notably finding that Warw. the rest had foul intentions towards the K. whereas his preservation and honour was pretended to him got away privatly with a choise sort of men came in to the K. w ch did so much daunt the Yorkists that they presently shifted for themselves Warw. with his father getting difficultly to Caleys Whereupon the K. calls a Parl. at Cov. and attaints him with the rest of high treason From Caleys therefore Warwick sayls speedily into Ireland to the D. of York and being not able to carry on their work in Engl. by main strength they pretend all fidelity and allegiance to the K. which feigned shew did not onely gull the ordinary sort of men but even the Archb. of Cant. himself and many other persons of quality that believed them so that they were permitted to land in Kent and the better to delude the people Warwick openly at the Cross in Canterb. swore that they had ever born true faith and allegiance to King Henry upon which stock he got many to joyn with them giving out that they onely desired admission to the K. for speech with him Neverthelesse when they came to Northampt. where his Army was they put themselves in order to fight the Vantguard being led by our Warwick whereupon a bloudy Battail ensued 9. Iulii in which the K. was taken
14. E. 4. as some say but others that it was on Ship-board when his father fled towards Caleys The younger Richard in the Monastery of Tewksburie An. 1476 who lived scarce a year being poysoned as 't was thought Which Edward being about three years of age at his fathers death was Knighted at York by K. R. 3. in the first year of his Reign with Edw. the onely son to that King but both he his sister were attended with a very hard fate For Edward that bore the title of E. of Warwick onely being at the age of 8. years committed prisoner to the Castle of Shiriff-Hutton in Com. Ebor. by the said K. Rich. 3. where he remained all his Reign was immediatly upon the victory obtained at Bosworth-field by Henry Earl of Richmund thenceforth K by the name of H. 7. by special Warrant removed to the Tower of London and there shut up in a more close and streight condition for no other offence than being the onely male Plantaginet at that time living and so consequently the most rightfull Heir to the Crown and being at length charged with privity of Perkin Warbeck's escape out of the Tower strange inferences were raised by which they made advantage to take away his life whereas the truth is that K. Henry being upon Treaty with Ferdinand K. of Spain for a marriage in the behalf of Prince Arthur his eldest son and the Lady Kath. daughter to the said Ferdinand and finding that the Spaniard thought K. Henrie's title to have no sure foundation whil'st this branch of Plantaginet was extant had a minde to dispatch him out of the world for the fairer effecting whereof a Commission was granted to Iohn Earle of Oxford then high Steward of England to arraign him for that pretended offence which was accordingly done 21. Nov. 15. H. 7. care being taken to perswade him that by confessing himself guilty he should be sure to find mercy from the K. With which fair promises being caught he pleaded as they directed him and so betraying his life into the hands of those that so â—agerly sought it had judgement of death past upon him and accordingly was beheaded on Tower-Hill the 28. day of the same moneth of November After which viz. 25. Ian. 19. H. 7. the better to countenance what was done he was attainted in Parl. so that all the favour he had was that being thus put to death his body should be sent to the Monastery of Bisham and buried with his Ancestors Which cruel dealing we may well think hath been some cause of Gods judgements upon H. 7. posterity as well as upon that noble Lady Katherine who became so sensible thereof when King H. 8. her second husband prosecuted the divorce betwixt them that she expressed as some have said that it was the hand of God for that to clear the way to her marriage the innocent E. of Warwick was put to unworthy death And if it be seriously considered what afterwards befell the said Earle of Oxford and his family we have cause enough to doubt that God was no whit pleased with his activenesse in this bloudy scaene for having within a short time lost the Kings favour and been fined at 30000. li. for a very small offence he spent the rest of his life in discontent and dyed without any lawfull issue After which it was not long that the possessions of that great Earldom became totally wasted and the very Monuments of his noble ancestors in the Abby of Colne torn in pieces in that hideous storm raised by K. H. 8. son and successor of him to whom this Earle had been so obsequious As for the Lands whereof this our Earle of Warwick dyed seized I do not finde that they were any other than the Mannours of Wyke in Com. Midd. Stanford in the Vale of White-horse in Berks. and of Snitterteld in this County Of his sister Margaret born at Farley-Castle in Wilts 14. Aug. An. 1473. 13. E. 4. and married c to Sir Rich. Pool Knight I finde that she had issue Henry Pool Lord Mountagu Reginald Pool Cardinal Geffrey and Arthur with a daughter called Vrsula wife to Henry Lord Stafford Son and Heir to Edw. Duke of Buck. which Marg. in her widowhood sc. An. 1513. 5. H. 8. petitioned in Parliament as Sister and Heir to Edw. Earle of Warwick attainted 19. H. 7. that she might inherit his estate and dignity and so be stiled Countesse of Salisbury which was granted but of her fathers inheritance she had very little that ever I could finde and that also by attainder in Parliament taken away unheard in 31. H. 8. for privity to the conspiracy of Henry Marq. of Exeter as was pretended After which she enjoy'd her life but a short time being barbarously put to death on Tower-Hill 27. Maii 33. H. 8. drag'd to the block by the hair of the head in the lxviii year of her age After the before specified Edward Plantaginet till 1 E. 6. there was no Earl of Warwick but then Iohn Dudley son of Edmund by Eliz. daughter of Edward Grey Visc. L'isle Aunt and heir to Elizabeth Grey Countess of Devon daughter and heir of Sir Iohn Grey Visc. L'isle having been advanced to the dignity of Visc. L'isle 12. Martii 34 H. 8. was through the great favour of King Edward or rather of Edward Duke of Somerset then Lord Protector created Earl of Warwick 16. Febr. 1 E. 6. as descended from Margaret the eldest daughter to Richard Beauchamp sometime E. of Warwick Howbeit before I proceed to speak further of this Iohn I shall crave leave to say something of his parentage That he was the son of Edmund Dudley of whom I shall say more by and by and he the son of one Iohn Dudley is plain enough but as I am not sufficiently satisfied that the said Iohn his grandfather was a younger branch of the Barons of Dudley in Stafford-shire though with his own hand in a descent of those Barons he exprest him so to be viz. second son to Iohn Sutton first of that name that had the title of Lord Dudley so shall I be as tender in affirming that to be true which I have seen under the hand of a very good Genealogist in his time and which he alledgeth to have received from a person of credit id est that the same Iohn his grandfather was a Carpenter and indeed born in the town of Dudley though not of the name other than travailing for his living he hapned to be entertained at the Abby of Lewes in Sussex and was by the Monks called Iohn of Dudley and so growing in favour with the Abbot there marryed and continued Carpenter to the House And that having a son called Edmund who for his pregnancy in learning was taken notice of by the Abbot and
preferred to a Schollars place in the University grew such a proficient that the Monks resolved to make him a Sollicitor for managing their Law-suits and to that purpose from the University placed him at the Inns of Court where he grew so skilfull in his profession that finding King H. 7. politiquely resolving to raise great summs of money by taking the forfaiture of penall Lawes which he conceived would be much more plausible to his subjects than the exacting from them by Loans Subsidies and such other ways of tax as his predecessors had used applyed himself to his service wherein being very officious and bringing store of money to the Kings Coffers he obtained a grant of the Wardship and Marriage of Elizabeth daughter and heir to Edward Grey Visc. L'â—sle before mentioned whom he made his wife That the later part of this Story is true I find testimony enough but that the father of Edmund was a Carpenter is not very likely in regard he marryed so eminently viz. Elizabeth one of the daughters and coheirs to Iohn Bramshot Eâ—quier seized of the Mannours of Gatton Calbourne and Whitwell in the Isle of Weight as also of Bramshot in Hant-shire which Eliz. dyed 12. Oct. 14 H. 7. leaving Edmund her son then 36. years of age the other coheir called Agnes being the wife of Iohn Pakenham whence I conclude that he was a Gentleman as some others of the name of Dudley in severall parts of England are though perhaps not of the Baron of Dudley's line therefore how this formall Story of the Carpenter should rise I cannot well imagine unless the grandfather or great-grandfather of Edm. had been of that trade for it is no wonder to see those that are sprung from as poor Mechanicks by their activeness in the world to get wealth and assume the title of Esquire or Gentlemen without controull yea and be allowed so do Neither do we often find that those which are in truth of right noble extraction will boggle at matching their children with them But I return unto Edmund Dudley He was a man well vers't in the Law and one of the Privy Councell to that prudent Prince King H. 7. chosen in the first year of his raign propter prudentiam singularem fidem gravitatem saith Polydore In 19 H. 7. he was Speaker of the Parliament and should the same year have been made a Sergeant at Law on the 13. of November but for what reason I will not take upon me to assign he desired that he might be discharged from assuming that degree whereupon the King directed his Precept to Will Bishop of London then Lord Keeper of the great Seal commanding his forbearance of making out any Writ to him for that purpose In 22 H. 7. he had the Stewardship of the Rape of Hastings granted to him by Patent and wrote a Book called Arbor Reipublicae Whether he with Richard Empson another Lawyer but a Sive-makers son in Touceter as our Historians affirm discerning King Henry to be of a frugall disposition did project unto him the taking aduantage of such as had transgrest by exacting the forefaitures of penall Statutes or whether the King seeing so fair a gap open for him to rake vast summs of money from his subjects and finding those persons to be sit Instruments for his purpose did put them upon such courses of filling his Coffers 't is hard to say certain it is that these were the men he constituted his Iudices fiscales Dudley being an eminent man and one that could put hatefull business into good language as Sir Fr. Bacon saith and after he had long made use of their service to that end exposed them to those advantages which the discontented people could justly take for their abhominable extortions For their course was to proceed secretly to the Outlary against men and then seize their estates And besides that they had packt Jurors upon all occasions who were sure to them in any verdict which served for their purpose but at last found they a just reward for such their service for King H. 8. in the first year of his raign being desirous of popularity made known by his Proclamations that whosoever had received injury by the unjust oppressions of any should upon complaint to him have redress which liberty did so so animate the vulgar who were sufficiently imbittered against them that nothing then would satisfy but their lives so that the King to appease the multitude gave way that they might be legally proceeded against which accordingly was done Dudley being thereupon arraigned in Guild-Hall London on Munday next after the xv of S. Iohn Baptist 1 H. 8. before Edward Duke of Buck. Henry Earl of Northumberland Thomas Earl of Surrey George Earl of Shrewsbury Thomas Earl of Derby Thomas Prior of S. Iohns of Hierusalem in England Charles Somerset of Herbert Knight Stephen Iennings Knight Mayor of the City of London Iohn Fineux Knight Robert Rede Knight William Hodie Knight Robert Brudnell Humfrey Coningesby Iohn Fisher Knight Iohn Boteler William Grevill Thomas Lovell Knight Edward Poynings Kt. Henry Marney Knight Thomas Englefield Knight and Robert Drury Knight Justices to enquire c. Where the said Edmund being indicted of divers high Treasons was on wednesday next before the Feast of S. Margaret the Virgin attainted in Parliament and had his head cut off on Tower Hill with Empson who was tryed at Northampton through the peoples clamours and for their satisfaction 18. August 2 H. 8. by vertue of the K. speciall Writ for that purpose Having said thus much of the parentage of this Iohn Earl of Warwick I will now go on with my story of him At his fathers death he was scarce eight years old having to his Guardian Edward Guilford Esquire of the Body to the King who by his Petition exhibited in Parliament 3 H. 8. obtained an Act for the repeal of the said Edmund's attainder and the restitution of this Iohn in name blood and degree to enjoy all his said fathers lands Being therefore thus young it was a great while ere he came to appear in any publique employments so that till 24 H. 8. I have not yet seen any farther mention of his name but then I finde he was a Knight though how long he had been so I am not certain After which about ten years he was created Visc. L'isle viz. 12. Martii 34 H. 8. in respect of his descent on the mothers side as I have shewed and the same year made Lord Admirall of England for life Of person he was very comely and of a Spirit highly aspiring saith my Author neither wanted he skill industry nor resolution to attempt great matters In 36 H. 8. he landed the Kings Army at Leith in Scotland with a Fleet of CC. sail on which after they had wasted Edenburgh they also set fire The
same year the King went over Sea in person and took Bolein in France where this new Admirall having scoured the Seas towards Scotland and being upon the Kings return left his Lieutenant through his valour and military skill defended it against the Daulfin and the French Army of 52000. men as they were reputed though the walls at that time were very much shattered And when the Daulfin had entred the base town not without slaughter of divers English by a brave sally he beat out the French again with the loss of above 800. of their men which were esteemed the best souldiers in that Realm The next yeare after when the French had got a great Fleet at Sea for invasion of England being appointed Admirall he presented battaill to them which they refused returning home with the loss of all their cost Hereupon he landed 5000. men in France fired Treport as also divers Villages thereabouts with the loss of one man and was one of the three Comissioners on the King of England's part by whom the Articles of Truce made 7. Iunii 28 H. 8. in the Camp betwixt Ardres and Guines were concluded To say truth for enterprises by Armes quoth Sir Iohn Haward he was the minion of that time so as few things he attempted but he atchieved with honour which made him more proud and ambitious when he had done Generally he always increased both in estimation with the King and authority amongst the Nobility but doubtfull whether by fatall destiny to the State or whether by his vertues or at least by his appearance of vertues as saith the same Author so that King Henry constituted him one of his xvi Executors whereupon finding the Duke of Somerset Protector to Edward 6. to be neither a man of great wisdom or courage ambitiously aimed to have the sway of all and therefore insinuated himself into his friendship whereby he made him a shadow for accomplishing his own ends To which purpose he first obtained an increase of honour being presently created Earl of Warwick and made Lord high Chamberlain of England for life which office he surrendred in 4 E. 6. and soon after got a grant of Warwick-Castle with the Mannour as also of divers other great Lordships and lands in this Shire whereof I shall take notice as they come in my course most of which he exchanged away with the King in 3 E. 6. for the Mannour of Minster-Lovell in Oxford-shire and divers other Lordships in the same County and in Nott. Glouc. Worcester Berks. and York-shires yet by his power got them again the next year following with more in exchange for lands in Northumberland Bishoprick of Durham Hartford-shire and Middlesex Of his particular great employments and actions I shall not stay to make any large relation for as much as they are obvious enough in our Common Chronicles but will onely point at them in brief He was Lieutenant generall in that expedition for Scotland in 1 E. 6. when the Scots were overthrown at Muscleborough where he made many Knights and indeed the principall person for military skill and prowess upon whom the management of that Warr rested In 3 E. 6. he commanded the Forces that were sent against Ket and his fellow Rebells in Norff. of which he slew about 5000. took Ket himself and setled all in quiet again In 4 E. 6. he was made Lord Steward of the Kings houshold and being now elated with these great successes his ambitious mind had no bound for it mattered not whom he ruin'd so it tended in his own opinion to the ends he aimed at First therefore he rayses discontents betwixt the Protector and the Lord Thomas Seymour his brother whereby soon after the said Lord Seymour became attainted by Parliament upon pretence that he had conspired his brothers death and so lost his head Then did he put the Protector upon making alteration both in State and Religion whereupon some of the Bishops that opposed it were committed to prison What vast summs did he make a shift to pocket by despoiling the Church of her Chalices Crosses and an infinite number of consecrated vessells with the like both silver and gold as also by rich Copes and other vestments under colour of bringing them into the Kings Wardrobe for he it was that led the Protector on to those courses as 't is well known as also by the lands given to maintain Lamps and Lights and for other pious uses Which doings with the ruine of the Cloister and Charnell at Paules the Church in the Strand and two Bishops houses there besides the goodly Church of S. Iohns neer Smithfield that were pulled down to build Somerset House brought upon the Protector no little hatred and so hastned his ruine that being it which our Warwick aimed at who spying so fair an oportunity wrought upon xviii of the Privy Councell to joyn with him therein yet such was his cunning that he accomplisht the work by others being least seen in it himself And because he could not win the Earls of Arundell and Southampt to be his Instruments for that purpose he found means to discharge them from the Councell and confine them to their houses as also to fine the Earl of Arundell 12000 li. upon suggestion that he had taken away bolts and locks at Westminster and given away the Kings stuff when he was Lord Chamberlain And now that he might carry the greater sway he did cause himself to be made Lord great Master of the Kings houshold and having been a prime Actor in the Peace made with France he was by way of reward for that service made generall Warden of the North having 1000. marks per ann lands granted unto him and C. Horsemen of the Kings Charge Mr. Herbert his chief Instrument being made President of Wales with a grant of 500 li. per ann And yet all this seemed not enough for within a while after viz. 20. April 5 E. 6. was he made Earl Marshall of England and xi Oct. following Duke of Northumb about which time he got his son Robert afterwards made Earl of Leic. by Q. Eliz. to be sworn one of the six Gentlemen in ordinary which Robert was as saith my Author his fathers true heir both in hatred towards persons of Nobility and cunning to dissemble the same as also for lust and cruelty a Monster of the Court and sure executioner of his hate After whose entertainment into that place of so neer service the King enjoy'd his health but a while And being now inferior to none of the Nobility in titles of honour and superior to all others in authority and power he could not restrain his haughty hopes from aspiring to an absolute command yet before he directly levelled at his marke the Duke of Somerset was thought fit to be taken away whose credit with the Common people
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
anno 1291. 19 E. 1. it was valued at xi marks And in 26 H. 8. at xv li. viii s. ii d. over and above viii s. allowed for Procurations and Synodalls Amongst the Incumbents here 't is worth observation that Aimer brother to King H. 3. by the mothers side was presented to this Church by the Canons of Kenilworth and instituted Parson thereof being afterwards Bishop of Winchester and by Godwyn called Ethelmare Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes Prior Conv. de Kenilw D. Aymer frater Regis uterinus s. dat Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Walt. de Wodehouse Cler. 8. Cal. Maii 1336. Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Thom. Trailly Pbr. 15. Cal. Apr. 1337. Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Thom. Darrell Cler. 8. Id. Oct. 1338. Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Roger. de Saperton Pbr. 4. Cal. Nov. 1349. Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Will. Lampe Cap. 4. Cal. Nov. 1350. Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Ric. Penâ—rich Pbr. 4. Oct. 1378 Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Ioh. Lugger Cap. ult Oct. 1404 Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Tho. Chesterfeild in Decret Bac. 27 Nov. 1425 Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Rog. Walle Cler. 18 Sept. 1444 Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Thom. Lye Cler. 26 Maii 1445 Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Ric. Bowier Pbr. ult Febr. 1448. Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Rob. Baguley Cap. 1 Febr. 1451. D. Rex ratione temporal Cov. Lich. Episc. c. Magr. Ioh. Iolyff Pbr. 7. Dec. 1452. D. Episcopus Ioh. Clone in Decr. Bac. tenere in Comendam 2 Ian. 1455. D. Episcopus Mr. Rolandus Lee Decret Dr. 1. Oct. 1526. D. Rex ratione temporal Cov. Lich. Episc. c. D. Iohn Hopkins Cler. ....... 1533. Edw. Littleton de Pilletnallin Com. Staff ar hac vice ratione concess Cov. Lich. Episc. Mr. Will. Dawson Cler. 28. Iunii 1547. Thomas Fysher Thomas Nicholson 8. Sept. 1575. Ric. Venor Edw. Morcot Rad. Wylding Cler. 16. Aug. 1617. Iac. Horsley gen Randolphus Hancock Cler. 25. Martii 1627. Monumentall inscriptions in the Church Upon a Marble whereon is the portraiture of a man in brasse Of your charite pray for the soul of Richard Willis gentleman lord of the Mannour of Fenny-Compton and one of the Kings Iustices of peace in the County of Warwick And Ione his wife Which Richard deceased the viii â—h day of February in the yeare of our Lord M. D. XXXi Of whose souls Iesu have mercy Amen This Ioane was the daughter to one of the Graunts of Snitterfeild On another Marble Here lyeth buried the body of Ambrose Willis of Fenny-Compton in the County of Warwick Gentleman the son of William Willis who lyeth buried at Priors-Marson which William was the son of Richard Willis Ioane his wife both lying buried under the stone adioyning Which Ambrose had by Amye his wife eight sonnes all deceased in their infancy but one sonne named Richard and one daughter named Anne yet living He deceased the tenth day of Iune Anno Domini Millesimo quingent esimo nonagesimo This Amye was the daughter of Richard Colles of Little-Preston in the County of Northampton Esquier On another Here lyeth buried the body of Richard Willis of Fenny-Compton in the County of Warwick gentilman son of Ambrose Willis deceased Which said Richard had by Hester his wife five children that is to say George William Richard Iudith and Mary all now living who deceased the tenth day of Iune 1597. This Hester was the daughter of George Chambre of Williamscote in the County of Oxford Esquier In the East window of the North I le these Armes Sable a Fesse engrailed betwixt three Helmets Argent Derset I Come next to Derset a parish somewhat â—patious but that part wherein the Church stands is commonly called Burton-Dasset the Hamlets belonging thereto being these viz. Great Dasset Hardwick Knightcote and Northend In the Conquerors time the Earl of Mellent had x. hides within the compasse of this place which was the Freehold of three Thanes before the Norman invasion and then esteemed to be worth x li. but at the generall Survey no more than viii li. and there written Derceto The residue was then certified to contain xv hides which Harold son to Raph Earl of Hereford held and so did in Edward the Confessors dayes at which time it was valued at xvi li. but by the Conquerors Survey at xx li. where it is written Dercetone In each of which parts there was at that time a Priest and in likelyhood some Chapell besides the mother Church yet I presume the Mother-Church then stood where it now doth scil in that part belonging to Harold From this Harold did paternally descend â—he line of Sudley taking their sirname from Sudley in Gloucestershire their principall seat of which family for that they were Founders of the Monastery of Erdbury within the precinct of Chilverscoton in this County I reserve what I have to say historically till I come to Griffe in that parish where they resided It seems that the same part of this town held by the E. of Mellent as abovesaid came also to the Sudley's for it appears by good authorities that they were possest of the whole and so continued till by an heir generall it descended to Boteler as I shall manifest in due place But when it was past from the said Earl of any of his posterity I have not seen neither can I guess at the direct time otherwise than to conclude it to have been somewhat antient and yet do I make a question whether it were before the xx â—h of H. 3. for upon collection of the Aid then levied it is certified that Robert Mauduit held one Knights fee and a half here of the Earl of Warwick unto whom most of the lands and fees which were tâ—e Eaâ—l of Mellent's in this County divolved At whâ—ch time it was aâ—so found that Raph de Suyle answered for a Knights fee in this place But by another Record not above xi years after it appears that Raph de Suthlâ—g accounted for two Knights fees here which proportion the heirs of the said Raph held in 36 H. 3. For the etymologie of the name considering how vaâ—ioâ—sly it hath been written in antient time viz. Derceto Dercetone Derceth and Dorcestre I shall oneâ—y deliver my fancy viz. that being a hilly place â—t was originally a receptacle for Beasts of Chase wherewith this land before it grew pâ—puâ—ous did much abound which kind we knowâ— do much delight in Mountaneus grounds as this is So that I supposeâ— it might by reason thereof at first be called Deorset with the Saxons which betokeneth a place where wild Beasts have their abode but I leave it as a conjecture As for that part of the town called Burton-Dasset it is by way of distinction fâ—om the other of which addition I have exprest my conceipt where I discourse of Burton-Hastings in
Knightlow-Hundred whereunto I shall adde that 't is probable it might proceed from the Saxon word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifieth the same with Collis the situation thereof upon a little hill savâ—uring this my conceipt But I now come to what I find memorable in relation to this place In 51 H. 3. Barthol de Suthleg being then Lord thereof had a Charter granted to him and his heirs for a Mercate to be kept every Friday weekly here and a Fair annually for three days viz. the Eve of S t Iames the Apostle and two days after And in 7 E. 1. Iohn de Suthley was certiâ—iâ—d to be Lord hereof where it is written Magna Dercet but said to be a member of Suthley as also to be held by him of the King in Câ—pâ—â—e with his Barony by the service of two Knights fees And that he had at that time here Liii servants holding xix yard land and a half paying severall Rents and performing divers servile labours with xxiv Freeholders holding 24. yard land and a half And moreover it there appears that the Chief Chanter of the Church of Lichfield held here at that time a fourth part of one yard land and the Canons of Erdbury two yard land one whereof the Church was endowed with As also that the Templars of Balshall then had xi Tenants here who held four yard land paying severall Rents and performing severall servile labours The Liberties and Priviledges which the said Iohn de Suthley then had in this Lordship were the Mercate and Faire whereof I have already toucht Free-warren Court-Leet Gallows Cuckstool and Pillory with Assize of Bread and Beer All which together with weyfs as also to be quit of Murther and suit to the Hundred and County Court he claimed partly by Prescription and partly by Charter but it being then found that for Murther he used to partake with the Hundred he was amerc't for that undue claim the rest of his Challenge being fully allowed Which Iohn de Sudley became a speciall Benefactor to the Monastery of Erdbury of his Ancestors foundation by the grant of lands and other advantages thereunto out of this place as I shall punctually shew when I come to speak of that Religious House I often find in Record that this town is called Cheping-Derset the reason whereof is because of the Mercate for Cheping with our Ancestors did signify the same that buying and selling doth with us whence it is that Cheping-Norton in Oxford-shire Chepinham in Wilt-shire and Chepstow in Monmouth-shire had their names But the last of the Sudleâ—'s that had to doe here was Sir Iâ—hn de Sudley Knight who dying without issue in 41 E. 3. left Thomas Boteler son of Ioan his eldest sister then dead and Margerie his younger sister his heirs whereby as also by the death of the said Margerie afterwards without issue the said Thomas became possest of this and all the rest of Sudley's lands which Thomas being afterwards a Knight dyed seized of this Mannour jointly with Alice his wife daughter to Sir Iohn Beauchamp of Powyk 21. Sept. 22 R. 2. then leaving Iohn his son and heir xiv years of age who in 8 H. 4. confirmed the estate for life therein which had been granted by certain Feoffees unto the said Alice she being at that time marryed to Sir Iohn Dalyngrugge Knight This Iohn and William his brother were sons to Sir Thomas Boteler by his first wife but both dyed without issue as it seems for upon the death of the abovespecified Alice in 21 H. 6. Sir Raph Boteler Knight was then found to be heir unto her and begotten by the said Sir Thomas being then xl years of age which Sir Raph became a man of great note in H. 6. time as it seems for I find that being Knight for the Body to the King â—e was made his Standard-bearer 28. Martii 17 H. 6. And by Letters Patent dated at Westminster x. Sept. 20 H. 6. created Lord Sudley with the grant of CC. marks per annum to himself and his heirs for the better maintenance of that dignity He was also constituted Lord Treasurer of England 7. Iulii 22 H. 6. which office he held about three years but in 13 E. 4. he departed this life leaving Sir Iohn Norbury Knight and William Belknap his heirs which Sir Iohn Norbury was son of Sir Henry Norbury Knight by Elizabeth and Will. Belknap son of Hamond Belknap by Ioan sisters to the said Raph for he left no issue male Sir Thomas Butler his only son dying in his life time which Sir Iohn Norbury and William Belknap in 16 E. 4. had livery of all the lands descended to them by the death of the abovespecified Sir Raph Boteler The partition whereof was made betwixt the said Sir Iohn and Edward Belknap Esquier son of Henry brother and heir to William Belknap aforesaid in 13 H. 7. whereby this Mannour inter alia became assigned to Belknap for in 2 R. 3. William dyed without issue leaving Henry Belknap his brother and heir 50. years of age which Henry by his Testament dated 25. Iunii anno 1488. 3 H. 7. bequeathed his body to be buried in the Chapell of our Lady at Bekle in Sussex It seemes he lived there for by the same Testament he gave to the high Altar in that Church xx d. in lieu of his Tithes forgotten and not payd and departed this life 10 Iulii following leaving the said Sir Edward his son and heir xvii years of age who became a man of much publique action for in 2 H. 7. he was one of the Commanders in the Kings Army at the Battail of Stoke In 6. a Commissioner of Array in this County In 12. a Commander in the Battail of Blackheath in Kent against the Western Rebells In 17. he had the custody of Warwick-Castle committed to his charge being at that time Squier of the Body to the King And from 8 H. 7. for the most part during all that Kings raign was in Commission for the Peace in this County as appears upon the severall renewings thereof and sometimes for Gaol delivery In consideration of whose acceptable services the said King by a speciall Patent dated 14. Apr. 24. of his raign granted him immunity from being troubled or questioned for that Inclosure and depopulation which he had made in this Lordship contrary to the Statute in the third of his raign He was also Squier of the Body to King H. 8. being in the first of his raign again constituted Constable of Warwick-Castle for he resided at Weston subtus Wethele in this County as it seems by what I have there manifested And in 8. a Knight The Depopulation and Inclosure that he made within this Lordship scil in 14 H. 7. was of xii mess. and CCClx. acres
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
one of the two Justices for conservation of the Peace in this Shire as also for putting in execution the Articles contained in the Statute of Winchester In 19 E. 3. he was in Commission for arraying of men in this County and the next year following being of the retinue unto Thomas de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick at such time as the said Earl was in France and got that great honour by his valiant atchievements in the battail of Cressy and elswhere as in my story of him is shewed he bore for his Armes Or frettè sable The time of his death I do not certainly find but to him succeeded Thomas his son and heâ—r who past away his interest in this Mannour in 44 E. 3. to Alice Perers of whom our Historians make much mention in regard she was Concubine to King E. 3. Which Alice being banisht by authority of Parliament in 1 R. 2. and all her estate confiscate it was seized into the Kings hands and committed to the custody of Iohn Spenser But in 3 R. 2. she being then wedded to Sir William Windsor Kt. the King out of the singular respects that he bore towards the said Sir William for his many notable services and especially because he was at that time retained by Indenture to serve him in his Warrs with CC. men at Armes and CC. Archers under the conduct of Thomas de Wodstoke then Earl of Buck. the Kings Uncle for the expedition of Britanny in which the said Earl was to be Generall by his Letters Patent bearing date at Westminster 15. Martii wherein he reciteth that the said Alice whilst she was single purchased the third part of this Mannour in possession and two parts thereof in reversion after the death of Alice the widow of Sir Iohn Murdak Knight granted it unto the same Sir William Windsor and his heirs for ever Which Sir William dying without issue male his daughters became his heirs whereof Ioan the elder marryed to Robert Skerne of Kingston upon Thames in whose right the said Robert became possest thereof and to strengthen his title therein obtained a Release from Arnold Murdak brother and heir of Thomas Murdak son to the above-mentioned Sir Thomas bearing date 10 Febr. 6 H. 4. as was necessary for I find that there had been an Entail thereof made by the said Sir Thomas in in 37 E. 3. Which Robert in 3 H. 6. did his homage to Richard Beauchamp then Earl of Warwick for those lands held by him here of that Earl by Knights service But long it was not that Skerne continued possest thereof though how it came to passe or the direct time when he parted with it I have not seen For certain it is that about 20 H. 6. Richard Verney Esquire afterward Knight possest itâ— and built a great part of the House as it now standeth wherein besides his own Armes with marches he then set up in a fair Canton window towards the upper end of the Hall the Armes of King H. 6. Queen Margaret Hâ—mfrey Earl of Stafford afterwards created Duke of Buck. Henry Beauchamp Duke of Warwick and the Lord Zouch with some others in such sort as they are represented in the foregoing page by which it appeareth that he was one of those that adhered to the House of Lancaster This Richard Verney was the son of Iohn Verney but whence I cannot tell yet I find one Iohn Verney Eschaetor in Worcester-shire 17 H. 6. So also a Robert Verney who held half a Knights fee in great Wolford of the Baron of Stafford in 46 E. 3. and had issue William his son and heir Lâ—kewise Richard Verney of Wolverton Esquier in 12 H. 6. yet am I not sure what relation any of these had to him Most probable it is that these Verneys of Compton are sprung from Simon de Vernai who in K. Richard the first 's time wedded Agnes the sister of Hervey Bagot progenitor to the Barons of Stafford for amongst the evidences of this Family I have seen a grant of certain lands in Bromshull in Com. Staff by the said Hervey Bagot to the above specified Simon with Agnes his sister in Frank marriage but how to trace down the descent from that Simon to the said Richard passes my skill except I had more light from Record or private evidence But till 21 H. 6. I find nothing of this Richard howbeit then it appears that he began to have publique imployment in this County viz. in Commission for conservation of the Peace from that time till 14 E. 4. except for the six first years of E. 4. reign being also a Commissioner of Array in 38 H. 6. and in 39 H. 6. a Knight Which Richard departed this life in 5 H. 7. leaving Edmund his son and heir 49. years of age who had speciall Letters of Protection from Thomas Lord Stanley Steward of the Houshold to King E. 4. dated 3. Nov. 8 E. 4. exempting him from being subject to any seizure for his Corn Beeves Muttons or any thing else for the Kings Houshold provision without payment of ready money for the same and bore the office of Eschaetor for this County and Leicester-shire in 21 E. 4. In 2 R. 3. he was in Commission for arraying of men and by his Testament bearing date 24. Feb. anno 1494. 10 H. 7. bequeathed his body to be buried in the Conventuall Church of the Friers-Preachers at Warwick betwixt the Altar of our Lady and the Altar of S. Dominick on the North part appointing that by the care of his Executors a Lamp should be continually maintained burning in the Chancell of that Church before the Host and dyed 26. Feb. the same year leaving issue Richard his son and heir then 30. years of age Which Richard was in that esteem with King H. 8. that being inform'd of some infirmity in his Head he afforded him a speciall License bearing date at Grenewich 2. Ian. 8. of his reign that he should wear his Bonnet at all times and in all places aswell in the said Kings presence as elswhere according to his own pleasure without the interruption of any man whatsoever And by his Testament bearing date 2. Oct. anno 1526. 18 H. 8. bequeathed his body to be buried in the new Chapell on the North side of the Church here at Compton wherein his Monumentall stone with the portraiture of himself his wife and children in brasse are yet to be seen From whom did lineally descend Sir Grevill Verney late of this place Knight a gentleman accomplisht with singular endowments and of a Noble and courteous disposition who left three sons and one daughter as the Pedegree here inserted doth shew From the second of which viz. Richard a person happily qualified with a most ingenious inclination I have received much assistance for rectifying the Map of this Hundred as
had newly advanced to the degree of a Baron had performed on his behalf 〈◊〉 sundry Battails against K. Henry the 6. and his Complices and particularly against Henry D. of Exeter Iâ—sâ—eâ— Earl of Penbroke and this Iames Earl of Wiltshire in consideration thereof granted it to the 〈◊〉 VValter and the heâ—rs maâ—e of his body together with the Mannour of Sutton-Courtney in Berkshire and other great possessions Howbeit Thomas Brother and heir to the said Earl finding favour with K. Edw. being shortly after restored by Act of Parl. to his lands had it again whereupon it descended to his Daughters and heirs viz. Margaret marryed to Sir VVill. Bullein Kt. and Anne the wife of Sâ—r Iames St. Leger Kt. After which scil temp H. 8. Bullein's moytie was past away unto certain Feoffees to the use of Sir Will. Compton Kt. from whom is lineally descended the now Earl of Northampton as in Compton Winyate is shewed the present owner thereof I now return to that Mannour here which was granted â—o Mâ—â—un in E. 1. time This continued in that line till the reign of H. 4. but then Sir Iohn Mohun Kt. dying without issue male it came by parâ—â—tion to Ric. le Strange son and heir of Iohn le Strange of Knokyn by Maud the youngest of the three Daughters and coheirs of the said Sir Iohn Mohun which Richard dyed seized thereof in 27 H 6. leaving Sir Iohn Strange his son and heir who departing this life without issue male Iâ—an his Daughter and heir by marriage wâ—th Geâ—rge eldest son to Thomas Lâ—rd Stanley afterwards Earl of Derby brought it to that family Edw. Earl of Derby son and heir of Henry proving hâ—s age having every thereof accordingly in 14 Eliz. To which Edw. succeeded his Brother Wâ—â—â— Earl of Derby who in our time sold it as I have heard to VVill. Earl of Northampton Grandfather to the present Earl now owner thereof That the Church here is of no less antiquity than the Britains time I shall vouch the authority of an old Historian whereby it will appear that the payment of Tithes was very antient if his relation have credit with my Reader About the year of our Saviours incaâ—nation DC iiii St. Augustine being arrived in England to preach the Gospell came hither whereupon the Priest of this Parish repaired to him and made a complaint that the Lord of the Town not paying his Tithes though admonished was by him excommunicated and yet stood more obstinate St. Augustine therefore conventing him for that fault demanded the reason of such his refusall Knowest thou not quoth he that they are not thine but Gâ—â—'s To whom the Knight answered Did not I plow and sow the land I will therefore have the tenth sheaf aswell as the nine Whereupon St. Augustine replyed If thou wilt not pay them I will excommunicate thee and so hastâ—â—ng to the Altar publickly saidâ— I command that no excommunicate person be preâ—â—â—t at Masse Which words were no sooner spoke than that a dead man that lay buried at the entrance into the Church immediatly arose out of his Grave went without the compass of the Church yard and there stood still during the time of Mass. Which being finished St. Aug. went to him and said I command thee in the name of God that thou tell me who thou art To whom he made answer I was Patron of thiâ— place in the time of the Britains and though frequently warn'd by the Priest yet never would pay him my Tithes and so dyed excommunicate and was thrust into Heâ—l Which answer occasioned St. Augustine to command him to shew where the Priest was buried that so excommunicated him who being accordingly directed to his Grave said To the end that all men may know that life and death are in the hands of God to whom nothing is impossible Arise in his name for we have need of thee Who thereupon came out of hâ—s Grave and stood befâ—re them To whom St Augustine said Brother dâ—'st thou know this man yes quoth he but I would I had never known him for he was alwaies aâ— Râ—bell to the Church a with holder of his Tâ—â—hes and even to his last a very wâ—cked man which occasioned me to excommunicate him Augustine replyed Brother thou knowest that God is mercifull therefore we must have pity on this miserable creature who is the image of God and redeem'd with his bloud having so long endured the pains of Hell Whereupon delâ—vering to him a scourge he kneeled down and cravâ—ng absolution with tears had â—t granted and so by St. Augustine's command returning to his Grave again was immediatly resolved to dust Then said St. Aug. to the Priest How long hast thou been buried Above an hundred and fifty years quoth he Aug. How hast thou fared hitherto Well quoth the Priest enjoying the delights of eternal Life Aug. Art thou contented that I should pray unto God that thou may'st return again to us and by thy preaching reduce many souls unto him that are deceived by the Devill Far be it from thee O Father quoth the Priest that thou shouldest so disturb my quiet as to bring me back to the troublesome life of this World Aug. Go thy way then and rest in peace praying for me and for the Universall Church of God So accordingly entring his grave he fell also to dust Then turn'd S. Augustine to the Knâ—ght and said Wilt thou now pay thy Tithes to God my son Who trembling and weeping fell at his feet and confessing his Offence craved pardon and shaving himself became a follower of S. Augustine all the days of his life Hoc miraculum saith my Author videbitur illis incredibile qui credunt aliquid Deo esse impossibile Sed nulli dubium est quod nunquam Anglorum duras cervices Christi jugo se submisissent nisi per magna miracula divinitùs sibi ostensa But descending to later times and of more certainty I find that about the beginning of King Steph. reign Geffery Magnavil gave this Chuâ—ch to the Monastery of Walden in Essex which he had newly founded In an 1291 19 E. 1. accounting xii marks per an which the Canons of Walden had out of it as also certain Pensions to the Nuns of Hurley in Berks. and to the Chapell of Plessy it was valued at xxiii mâ—rks and afterwards sc. Non. Dec. an 1316. â—10 â— 2. appropriated to the said Monastery of Wâ—lden by Walt. de Maydenston Bishop of Worcester And in 26 H. 8 the Vâ—caridge rated at xâ—ii l vi s viii â— the Procurations and Synodals then payd out of it being xi s vid. That which the Canons of Walden had here was after the dissolution of that Monastery granted away by the King to Thomas lord Audley Chancellour of England and his heirs by the name of a Mannour together with the Rectory of this place but it came again to the Crown as it seems
Aleyn Pbr. 7. Aug. 1368. Custos Scholares domus de Merton Will. Chapel Cap 13. Dec. 1375. Custos Scholares domus de Merton Ioh. Ragbroke 1. Iunii 1403. Custos Scholares domus de Merton Ioh. Hereward 22. Dec. 1403. Custos Scholares domus de Merton Rog. Coton 9. Sept. 1412. Custos Scholares domus de Merton Thomas Gale Pbr. 28. Novemb 1436. Custos Scholares domus de Merton Ioh. Yreby Cap. 20. Maii 1439. Custos Scholares domus de Merton D. Ioh. Capellanus 5. Iulii 1448. Custos Scholares domus de Merton D. Ioh. Dun. 14. Martii 1452. Custos Scholares domus de Merton Ioh. Pynk alias Seinbiry Cap. 28. Martii 1452. Custos Scholares domus de Merton D. Will. Wayte Cap. 18. Aug. 1462. Custos Scholares domus de Merton D. Ioh. Hylde Cap. 27. Nov. 1467. Custos Scholares domus de Merton D. Thomas Ley Cap. 20. Oct. 1479. Custos Scholares domus de Merton Magr. Ioh. Molder in art Magr. 8. Dec. 1502. Custos Scholares domus de Merton D. Guido Gourgeyne in art Magr. 8. Feb. 1524. Custos Scholares domus de Merton Ric. Powle in art Magr. 7. Aug. 1544. Custos Scholares domus de Merton Anth. Spurret Cler. 26. Martii 1572. Eliz. Angliae Regina Anth. Spurret Cler. 19. Nov. 1575. Wolford-parva IN the Conquerors time this was part of the Earl of Mellent's possessions and of him then held by one Radulphus at which time being certifyed to contain 4. hides and a half and rated at xl s. I find it written Ulwarda one Aluric having been owner thereof before the Norman invasion From the said Earl of Mellent it came to the Barons of Stafford but the direct time when the family of Ingram which to this day enjoys the greatest part of it were enfeoft thereof by any of them I cannot declare though certain it is that they had it very antiently for I find that in 3. Ioh. Engeram de Wiwarth doubtlesse one of that line levied a Fine of lands here and in 36 H. 3. it appears that the same Ingeram held half a Knights fee here of the Baron of Stafford which proportion his posterity also had as by sundry Inquisitions is evident But the Record of 7 E. 1. expresseth that one Thomas de parva-Woleward was Lord thereof and that he held it of Cecìly de Mucegros and she of Iohn de Boys and he of Elene la Zuche and she of the King which Thomas had at that time two yard land here in demesn with certain Freeholders and Cottiers Neverthelesse were the posterity of the Barons of Stafford reputed Lords of it and in 12 H. 8. did Edward Duke of Buckingham levie a Fine thereof together with the Mannours of great Wolford and Tisho unto Richard Bishop of Winchester and others as in great Wolford I have already intimated yet it seems that the Ingrams had a Mannour here for so it appears after the death of Richard Ingraham Esquier in 5 Eliz. Of which Mannour Hastang Ingram is Lord at this day At present this Village hath not many Inhabitants but antiently it consisted of 43. families Burmington IN the Conquerors Survey this place is written Buâ—dintone through mistake of the m for d and being then possest by Robert de Stadford contained v. hides wherein was a Mill rated at x s. but the value of all was certified at C s. whereof one Godwin was owner before the Norman invasion In 13. Ioh. I find it in the list of those places within this County whereof the Barons of Stafford were Lords and that it answered for one Knights Fee as part of that Honour being held in 36 H. 3. by Adam de Grenevill of Hawisia de Wulleward and by her of the Lord Stafford which Adam bore for his Armes a bend betwixt six Lions rampant and in 52 53 54. and 55 H. 3. was in Commission for taking Assizes of Novell disseisin in this County From whom descended William de Greinvill who for his Rebellion in E. 2. time forfeited this with other Mannours that he had in Wilt-shire Somerset-shire which were thereupon seized yet through the Kings favour he obtained them again and had a grant of this in tail to himself and Lucie his wife and the heirs of their two bodies lawfully begotten but for want of such issue on Iohn the son of Richard de Rodeney and his heirs After this viz. in 12 E. 3. it appears that Iohn de Wolverton and Lucia his wife levied a Fine of this Mannour as also of the Mannour of Suthwyke in Wilt-shire setling them upon Iohn de Greinvill and his heirs whereby it seemes that they were of the inheritance of her the said Lucia in respect of the warrantie against her heirs And in 17 E. 3. did William the son of Edmund de Greinvill release to the said Iohn all his right and interest in these Mannours But in 46 E. 3. I find that Umfrye Stafford of Suthwike possest it in right of his wife daughter and heir to Greinvill as I guesse From which Humfrey descended Sir Hâ—mfrey Stafford Knight who by his Testament dated 5. April 1 H. 5. gave inter alia to the Church here at Burmynton lx s. And from him Sir Humfrey Stafford of Hoke in Dorset-shire 10 H. 6. whose grandchild Humfrey created Lord Stafford of Southwike in 4 E. 4. as also Earl of Devon-shire 〈◊〉 9. of that Kings reign revolting from the King in the Battail of Banbury the same year was cut shorter by the head After whose death having no issue Alianore the wife of Thomas Strangways Esquier one of the daughters of Alice Aunt to the said Earl became a coheir to his inheritance to whom inter alia this Mannour of Burmington was alotted which Thomas had issue by her Sir Giles Strangways Knight who in 32 H. 8. levied a Fine hereof to Henry Annesley Gentleman but to what uses I know not nor through what hands it hath since past Ditchford-Frary BElow Burmington is Stoure augmented by a little stream which having its rise in Worcester-shire passes by Dichford-Frary and Stretton upon Fosse and then joyns therewith In the Conquerors time this being possest by Robert de Stadford contained two hides which one Brion then held of him with a Mill rated at lxviii d. and all valued at iv li. having been the freehold of Leuric in Edward the Confessors days But the first mention I find of it after that time is in 31 H. 2. where it appears that Adam de Standon had a suit with Roger de Dikeford for half a Knights fee here And next that in 16 H. 3. there was a Fine levied betwixt Herveus de Stafford and Vivian de Standon for the customes and services
written Berricestone in one place and Bericestune in another and was of so much note in those antient times that it gave name to one of the Hundreds then in being as I have eslwhere already observed Whether it were any of the descendants of the before recited Iohais that became first enfeoft thereof by the posterity of Corbuceon I cannot affirm but do conclude that he was common Ancestor to the family of Whitacre and thence had first his sirname as in Whitacre-superior I have manifested Of which family was also Simon who likewise assumed his sirname from hence and wrote himself Dominus de Berchestone as in sundry old Records I have seen To whom succeeded Rich. de Barchestone in 6. Ioh. and after him Simon Henry and Alexander Then Richard in E. 2. time whose name in 17. of that Kings raign is in the list amongst those Esquiers which were certified as men at Armes of this County and bore a Crosse engrailed And lastly Thomas and Alexander temp E. 3. all Lords of this Mannour Which Alexander in 26 E. 3. was in Commission with other persons of quality for the levying and collecting of a xv and tenth so also in 34 E. 3. and in 45 Ed. 3. for the assessing a Subsidy of 1061 li. 07. s. in this County But from him can I not clearly discover the successive Lords of this Mannour untill Iohn Durant became owner thereof in 8. H. 6. After which Iohn I find one Thomas Durant in E. 4. time then William in H. 7. but nothing memorable of them other than that they were gentlemen for so is Iohn recorded in 10 H. 6. and VVill. in 12 H. 7. Which VVill. had issue Henry Duâ—â—nt who by his Deed bearing date 14. Sept. 23 H. 7. sold this Mannour to VVilliam VVillington son to Iohn VVillington of Todnam in Gloucester-shire and he of VVilliam VVillington of the same place son of another Iohn descended as 't is probable from that Ralph de VVylinton who lived in E. 1. time of whom I have made mention in Chiriton Betlesworth and Wiginshill of which line I conceive that Iohn de VVylinton and Raph de VVylinton were who in the times of King Edward 3. and R. 2. had successively Summons to Parliament amongst the Barons of this Realm Of this VVill. VVillington I find that being a wealthy Merchant of the Staple and setling himself here at Bercheston he depopulated the town in 24 H. 7. making inclosure of 530. acres of land so that there was no more than 64. acres left for tillage which were used by him as belonging to his Mannour-house there and mannaged with one Plough And that he had a very fair estate in lands in this County as also in Oxford and Gloucester shires but having no issue male advanced his seven daugthers in marriage to divers good familyes viz. Margery to Thomas Holt of Aston juxta Bermingham Esquier and afterwards to Sir Ambrose Cave Knight Godith to Basill Fielding of Newnham Esquier Elizabeth to Edw. Boughton of Lawford Esquier Mary to VVill. Sheldon of Beoley Esquier Margaret to Edw. Grevill of Milcote Esquier Anne to Francis Mountfort of Kingshurst Esquier and Katherine first to Richard Kempe secondly to VVilliam Catesby of Lapworth Esquier and lastly to Anthony Throkmorton a younger son to Sir George Throkmorton Knight And that by his Will which bears date 25. Martii anno 1555. he disposed of his body to be buried here at Bercheston having a fair Monument in the Church as I shall shew by and by But upon the partition betwixt these coheirs this Mannour came to Sheldon as it seems for his posterity of whom I have made some mention in Weston juxta Chiriton doe enjoy it at this day The Church dedicated to S. Martin in anno 1291. 19 E. 1. was valued at xxviii marks but in 26 H. 8. at no more than xiii li. vi s. viii d. Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. Heur de Bercheston Ric. de Bercheston Pbr. 3. Cal. Febr. 1281. Thomas de Bercheston Ioh. de Bercheston Subdiac 10. Cal. Ian. 1296. Thomas de Bercheston Gilb. de Swaleclive Pbr. 12. Cal. Dec. 1333. Alex. de Bercheston Rog. de Chastelion Cler. 20. Apr. 1345. Alex. de Bercheston Nich. de Todenham Pbr. 17. Nov. 1361. Thomas Comes VVarwici Ioh. Asple 7. Martii 1382. Ric. Bromley alii Feoffati de dominio de Bercheston advoc Eccl. VVill. Taylor 26. Apr. 1388. Ric. Bromley alii Feoffati de dominio de Bercheston advoc Eccl. D. Ioh. Stark 28. Dec. 1389. Thomas Erdington ar Sibilla ux ejus D. Ioh. Gunne 18. Nov. 1433. Thomas Erdington ar Sibilla ux ejus Magr. Thoma Oldbury 15. Ian. 1433. Rob. Ardern ar Magr. Thomas Stocton 7. Maii 1439. Rob. Ardern ar D. Thomas Pyjon 5. Maii 1449. Ioh. Hugford ar alii Feoffati Will. Durant D. Hugo Byker Cap. 23. Iulii 1481. Tho. Wellys Ioh. Wellys ex concess Will. Durant D. Ioh. VVellys Cap. 6. Sept. 1498. Rob. Throkmorton miles Magr. Hugo Humfrey 17. Aug. 1503. Georgius Throkmorton miles VVill. Buckmaster S. Theol. Professor 23. Apr. 1530. Georgius Throkmorton miles D. VVill. Lane Cler. 4. Feb. 1545. Rad. Sheldon de Beoley ar VVill. Bullwer Cleric 8. Oct. 1606. Willington IN this village did Robert de Stadford possesse one hide and a half at the time of the Conquerors generall Survey then valued at xx s. and held of him by one Luvein but had been the freehold of Dodo and Leuric before the Norman invasion The residue had Gislebertus de Gand a great man in Lincoln-shire which was all he possest in this County and extended to no more than one hide one virgate and a half and being held of him at that time by one Fulbric together with a Mill was valued at xx s. having been the inheritance of Aluuardus in Edward the Confessor's days In that Record it is written Ullavintone Howbeit after this till 36 H. 3. I do not find a syllable more thereof but then amongst the Fees of the Lord Stafford it is certified that Richard de Bartone payd xxx d. for Scutage here and in 56 H. 3. Robert de Hamme was Lord of it as appears by a Release made by him and Mabell his wife to the Nuns of Sewardslee in Com. Northampt. of such suit of Court as he claimed of them for the lands they held of him and his said wife within this village Which Robert in 7 E. 1. held of the King four yard land here in demesn by the service of the seventh part of a Knights Fee and suit twice a year to his Court at Long Compton for of that Mannour it seems it was then a member and in 15 E. 1. in the possession of Iohn de Hamme son to the
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
Newnham in this County to the Canons of Kenilworth in King H. 1. time and gave unto them certain lands in Lillington all which the said King ratifyed To the Priory of Warwick he gave the Church of Snitfeild and to the Nuns of Polesworth confirmed the grant of Oldbury which was of his Fee being bestowed on them by Walt. de Hastings and Hathâ—wis his wife Richardus Hugo fil Richardi cognominatus de Hatton Will. fil Hugonis Matilda Ric. cognom de Saunford obiit s. prole Hugo fil Willielmi 3 Ioh. obiit s. prole Hawisia de Tracy Matilda ux Steph. de Nerbon Margeria de Stivichale 36 H. 3. Ranulphus de Stivichale fil haeres Ioclinus de Stivichale Margeria ux Osberti de Clinton Osbertus de Clinton Thomas de Clinton miles Iacobus de Clinton Osbertus Iohannes de Clinton Thomas de Clinton Ioscelinus fil Hugonis But the issue male of this Family extinguishing as the Descent sheweth and this Lordship thereby coming unto daughters part thereof divolved by Margerie one of the coheirs to the Clintons but the residue the Nuns of Wroxhall and the Canons of Studley had Which part so coming to Clinton was by Sr. Thomas de Clinton Knight grandchild to the before specified Margerie given by the name of his Mannour of Hatton and Beausale unto Iames his younger son and to his heirs reserving to the said Sir Thomas and his heirs a peny to be paid yearly at Christmass for all secular service and demands whatsoever But it should seem that Iames quitted his title therein to Iohn his elder brother's son for in 13 Edw. 1. the said Iohn commenced suit against Will. de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick for the whole Mannour excepting two messuages and two yard land therein in which the said Earl claimed right by virtue of a grant from Hamon le Strange Howbeit the Earl pleading that he held but a third part thereof whereas the other chalenged the whole had by reason of that advantage the better in the suit so that the said Iohn within a short time after came to an Agreement with him and past unto him one mess. 1 Mill 27. acres of land 4 acres of meadow xl acres of wood 7 Rent and the Rent of 2 li. of pepper with two pair of Gloves price iid yearly quitting wholy also all his title and claim that he had to this Mannour To whose posterity it continued till 3 H. 7. that all the lands belonging to that great Earldome were given up to the King by Anne Countesse of Warwick as in Warwick I have more fully shewed Since which I have not seen any more thereof That which belong'd to the Nuns of Wroxhall being in E. 6. time reputed for a Mannour was then in the Kings hand In an 1291 19 E. 1 the Church dedicated to the holy Trinity was valued at five marks and had a portion of iiiiâ— issuing out of it to the Canons of Warwick but in 14 E. 3. at vi l. xiii s. iiii d. being not presentative Shrewley THis Village is in the parish of Hatton and being possest by Hugh de Grentemaisnill in the Conquerors time was then certified to contain three hides valued at xxx s. the woods thereof extending to one mile in length and half a mile in breadth all which before the Norman invasion had been the freehold of one Toli But soon after this Rob. Earl of Leic. the first of that name had it and enfeoft Ernald de Boss thereof as it seems for in a grant which the said Ernald made to the Nuns of Pinley of one carucate of land here in Sravesle for so it was then written he expresses it to be by the consent of Rob. E. of Leic. his Lord which grant the same E. for the health of his own soul and the souls of his father and mother as also of the soul of K. H. 1. confirmed The next mention I find thereof is that in 6 H. 3. Magr. Henry de Waltham had livery of those lands here together with the rest in Wileby which Will. fil Wigani his uncle held of the K. in Capite And in 33 H. 3. I find that Iohn de Screveila held a yard land in this vâ—llage of the King by Sergeantie in Capite which Iohn was Lord of the Mannour as it seems for in 13 E. 1. it appears that Fouk de Lucy had kept a Court-Leet here in prejudice of the said Iohn he holding of the King by Sergeantie and that the said Fouk had without authority erected a Gallows in this Village wherefore it was determined that the said Gallows should be pulled down and that the same Iohn might enjoy his Court-Leet again Neverthelesse upon the death of the said Fouk de Lucy in 31 E. 1. I find that he dyed seized of this Mannour and held it of Maud the daughter and heir of Iohn de Shrevele Will. de Lucy his son and heir being then 26. years of age But the said Will. enjoy'd it not accordingly for Maud the wife of Walt. de Culy whom I conclude to be her that is before exprest having license from the King in respect of the tenure in Sergeantie sold it for CC li. to Iohn de Dufford and his heirs in 1 E. 2. Which Sergeantie was to find one armed man with an Hauberk on Horsback in the Kings service for the space of xl days viz. to ride personally with the K. in his expedition for Wales Which Iohn de Dufford was a Knight in 3 E. 2. and in 6 E. 2. sold it to Philip the son of Philip de Gayton who departed this life in 9 E. 2. leaving his two sisters his heirs sc. Iuliana â— the elder wife to Sir Thomas Murdak Knight and Scolastica the younger wedded to Godfrey de Meaux being also heirs to their brother Theobald Of the moitie whereof the said Scolastica had livery in 10 E. 2. she being then a widow But all that belong'd to Iulian as I can find was but one carucate of land which eschaeted to the Crown by reason of her forfeiture in conspiring with Sir Iohn Vaux Knight to murther her husband for which she was burnt the inheritance whereof was given by the King to Henry Earl of Lanc in 23 E. 3. it then passing by the name of one messuage 26 acres of land and one roode of meadow a pasture called Berry-more and x s. iii d. ob Rent Neither did that which her sister Scolastica had here goe any longer by the name of the moitie of the Mannour for in 27 E. 3. she was found to dye seized of one messuage xx acres of land 3 acres of meadow and viii s. Rent held of the King in Capite by the eighth part of a Knights fee
leaving Sir Iohn de Meaux Knight her son and heir then xl years of age Which Sir Iohn sold the same before the 38 of E. 3. to Nich. Fililode and Will. Fililode his brother passing it by the name of the moitye of the Mannour of Shrevesie Nich. having but an estate for life and the inheritance to Will The custody of which moitye was in 6 R. 2. committed by the King to Iohn Horewode one of the Grooms of his Chamber in respect that Iohn Fililode heir to the said W. was under age which Iohn dyed seized thereof 1 H. 4. leaving Giles Fililode his Uncle his next heir who departed this life in 2 H. 6. Katherine the widow of Iohn Blike being found his sister heir To whom succeeded Ric. Blike her son and heir who had livery thereof in 4 H. 6. and to him Richard and to Ric. Humfrey But the last of the Blikes that had to do here was Iohn Blike Gentleman who sold all his interest to Iohn Oldnale in 4 E. 6. by the name of one mess. CC. acres of land xl acres of meadow C. acres of pasture x. acres of wood and lxxx acres of Heath and Furs part thereof lying in Pinley all which in 4 Eliz. the said Iohn Oldnale conveyed to Thomas and Clement Walford But besides this moytie and the other which so came to the coheirs of Philip de Gayton 't is certain that the Lucies of Cherlecote had a Mannour here for in 16 E. 3. the Lady Eliz. the widow of Sir Will. de Lucy Knight had a grant thereof together with the Mannour of Cherlecote made by Sir Will. de Lucy Knight son to the said Sir Will. to hold during her life in consideration whereof she released her interest in other lands which she had right to have held And it is plain by sundry Records that the posterity of the said Sir Will. Lucy possest it till H. 7. time but how much longer I find not Beausale THis is also in the parish of Hatton and by the Conquerors Survey certified to contain half a hide being at that time possest by Odo Bishop of Baieur the Kings half brother but then held of him by one Wadardus and under him by Geroldus the woods containing two furlongs and the whole valued at xx s. In that Record it is written Beoshelle But very shortly after this it came to the hands of Hugo fil Ricardi also Lord of Hatton as hath been shewed and so by Margerie his grandchild and heir to Osbert de Clinton which Osbert had issue Osbert and he Thomas by whom the inheritance thereof was given together with Hatton to Iames de Clinton his younger son Whether this grant to Iames proved invalid or that he quitted his title therein to Iohn his elder brother's son I know not but certain it is that the said I. pass'd it with Hatton unto W. de Beauchamp E. of Warw. and his heirs And for the better strengthening of their title did Maud Countess of Warwick after the death of the said Earl her husband purchase from Sir Hamon le Strange Knight all his right therein which Hamon had a grant thereof from Sâ—r Thomas de Clinton above specified but I suppose it to have been only as a trust for it continued with Hatton to the succeeding Earls of Warwick as by several instances I could manifest Within the precincts of this Lordship there was antiently a Chapell dedicated to S. Iohn the Evang and endowed with Glebe and Tithes by Margerie de Clinton wife to Osbert de Clinton above specified as is exactly exprest in a special grant made by her thereto and confirmed by Ioh. de Abetoth her 2 husband Amongst the particulars whereof are mentioned the Tithe of the Foul caught in the Park and of the Fishes in the Pool there as also of the Venison viz a shoulder of each with the Tithe of the paunage and pasturage in the same for six beasts seven Hogs one Sow a Mare and Cole with two loads of wood at Christmasse yearly All which were antiently given and united to the Collegiate Church of our Lady in Warwick as it seems after the Mannour of Beausale was so possest by the Earls of Warwick as abovesaid For at the death of Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick who dyed towards the later end of E. 3. time and in R. 2. time did the Canons of that Church enjoy them But this is now included within Wedgnok Park and was of later time called by the name of Cuckow-Church whereof in my discourse of Wedgnock I have alreade spoke Haseley NExt unto Hafton on the other side of that rivulet which cometh fromwards .... standeth Haseley which in the Conquerors time was possest by Hasculf Musard but of him held by Hunfridus progenitor to the Family of Hastang as in Lemington-Hastang appeareth and then certified to contain 3. hides and half a virgate of land there being a Church as also a Mill rated at iiii s. and the woods belonging thereto extending to a mile in length and two furlongs in breadth all valued at xxx s. having been the Freehold of Azur before the Norman Invasion But it continued not long in the Family of Hastang for Aytrope Hastang granchild to the before specified Hunfredus in consideration of lxxx marks of silver sold it to Will Turpin a gentleman of the Kings Bedchamber reserving from the said W. and his heirs to him the said Aytrop and his heirs the like service as was due by him to his Lord for the same viz. the half and the tenth part of a K t s Fee By which grant the said Aitrop also covenanted that every of the heirs to the said W. Turpin should be quit of their Relief for one Besantine From this W. Turpin was it soon after conveyed to Rog. the son of Thurstane de Cherlecote and his heirs By which grant it appeareth that the Knights service due in respect thereof was as much as belong'd to two hides whereof five made the service of one Knights Fee And for the better confirmation thereof did Osbert Turpin brother to the same Will levy a Fine unto Thomas de Cherlecote son to the above mentioned Roger in 7 H. 3. Of which branch of Cherlecote's Family residing here at Haseley and assuming it for their sirname as I shall shew anon I must not omit to mention what I have met with in an historicall way the descent being placed in Cherlecote In 12. H. 3. the King remitted to Thomas de Cherlecote the Scutage then due from him viz. for half a Knights Fee and a fourth part where he is called Thomas de Cherlecote Vadletus Magistri Stephani de Lucy which shewes he was Lucie's servant though in what capacity is hard to say And in 20 H. 3. accepted of 5 marks instead of xx which were due from him unto the Exchequer for
the name of Bergavenny which stood undemolished about the later end of King H. 8. time the said Gate-house being ruin'd long before The next possessor of it that I find was Iohn Duke of Bedford third son to King H. 4. though how he obtained it I have not yet seen who in 10 H. 6. held it by the fourth part of a Knights Fee This Duke first made the Park and built that little Castle of brick and stone within the compasse of it which was such an eye-sore to the Earls of Warwick as Leland affirmeth and dyed seized thereof in 14 H. 6. leaving King H. 6. his nephew his cosin and next heir who in 28. of his raign granted the custody thereof to Iohn Talbot Lord L'isle to hold during life and to make use of the buildings therein for his own proper habitation at all times except when himself should be there Being thus in the Crown I find that K.E. 4. in 2. of his raign gave it unto Richard Nevill Earl of Warwick and his heirs after whose death at Barnet-field the Park was granted to George D. of Clarence to hold during life who shortly after obtained an estate in tail thereof to himself and the heirs male of his body upon the attainder of which Duke in 18 E. 4. it was certified that the before specified Castle of brick was ruinous so likewise the Gate-house of stone and the Lodge as also a Chapell which in times past had been a Parish-Church After this viz. in 2 H. 8. the custody of the Park was granted to Thomas Lucy then one of the Sewers to the King to hold during pleasure But in 1 E. 6. Iohn Dudley Earl of Warwick obtained the inheritance of it together with the Castle of Warwick and divers other great Lordships upon whose attainder which hapned in 1 Mariae as I have elsewhere shewed the Qu. passed it unto Sir Francis Englefield Knight to hold in Capite Since which it is come to the Lucies of Cherlecote by purchase the last Sir Thomas having renewed the Park and by the addition of Hampton woods thereto enlarged it much Touching the Depopulation here I find that it hath been very antient for in 6 H. 6. there were but 4 Inhabitants nay very shortly after our Countrey-man Rous makes this complaint Apud Fulbroke saith he quondam erat Rectoria Ecclesia destruitur Villanis effugatis solùm Manerium remanet residuum imparcatur he means inclosed per Johannem D. Bedfordiae fratrem Regis Henrici quinti qui ibi aedificavit turrim nobilem Castro aequipollentem sed modo quasi nihil est And a little further he goes on thus per talem imparcationem via olim secura modò per sepes palos obtenebrata fit latibulum latronum carcer fidelium locus multiformis supplicii c. Which Castle being ruinous as I have said was pulled down in the beginning of H. 8. time by Sir Will. Compton Knight who had then the custody of the Park and the materialls thereof carried to build his House at Compton-winyate The Church in 14 E. 3. was valued at lx marks but in 26 H. 8. no notice is taken of it having been demolish'd before that time Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. D. Will. de Clinton Comes Huntindon Henr. de Burlyngham Pbr. 30. Apr. 1337. D. Will. de Clinton Comes Huntindon Ioh. Wodecock Pbr. 6. Cal. Oct. 1337. D Sym. Geynesbury Rector Eccles. de Hampton Episc. Sim. le Bakere Pbr. 22. Apr. 1338. D. Iuliana Comitissa Huntind Henr. Spenser ult Ian. 1358. D. Iuliana Comitissa Huntind D. Will. de Stanceby 19. Iulii 1363. Ioh. de Hastings Comes Pembr Ric. Taylour Pbr. 14. Iunii 1370. D. Episc. contemplatione Nich. Lylling mil. D. Ric. de Whashford Pbr. 18. Martii 1383. D. Ric. 2. Rex Angl. ratione terr Ioh. de Hastings Com. Pembr in manu sua c. Thomas Shepey 23. Apr. 1384. D. Ric. 2. Rex Angl. ratione terr Ioh. de Hastings Com. Pembr in manu sua c. Ioh. Harry Cap. penult Mati 1388. D. Ric. 2. Rex Angl. ratione terr Ioh. de Hastings Com. Pembr in manu sua c. D. Henr. Norreys Pbr. 28. Iulii 1389. D. Philippa Comitissa Pembr Thom. Tymburland 1. Oct. 1398. D. Episcopus Edm. Hecker Cler. 24. Oct. 1457. D. Episcopus Rob. Enkbarow Cler. 4. Iulii 1468. D. Episcopus Ric. Newman Cler. 6. Oct. 1470. D. Episcopus Ric. Ewer in Sacra Theol. Bac. 2. Nov. 1543. Hampton super Avon A Little lower upon an ascending ground stands Hampton heretofore called Bishops Hampton for the reasons I shall forthwith shew but of later times Hampton super Avon which being given to the Bishoprick of Worcester in the Saxons time was then involved with Stratford super Avon and by the Conquerors Survey certified to contain xii hides there being then a Church as also a Mill rated at vi s. viii d. and Woods of a mile in length and as much in breadth all which together with three Houses in Warwick as part thereof were at that time valued at xx li. Continuing to the said Bishops it was in 33 H. 3. found to be one of the towns belonging to their Barony and in 39 H. 3. Walt. de Cantilupe the then Bishop obtained a Charter of Free-warren for himself and his successors in all his demesn lands thereof After which viz. in an 1291. 19 E. 1. the value of it is thus set forth scil in Rent of Assize vi li. Three carucates of land at xx s. a carucate One Dovecote at vi s. one Mill at xx s. The Pleas and perquisits xx s. and the profits of the store xx s. But in 3 E. 6. for so long it continued to the succeeding Bishops did Iohn Dudley Earl of Warwick obtain it inter alia in exchange from Nich◠Heath Bishop of Worcester for certain lands in Worcester-shire and the same year parted with it again to the King for a more advantagious bargain of lands lying in Oxford-shire and elsewhere but having a design to repossesse it once more he accomplisht his purpose the next year following in exchange for lands lying in Northumberland and other places howbeit his attainder shortly after ensuing Queen Mary in 3. 4. of her raign granted the inheritance thereof together with the advouson of the Rectory unto Thomas Lucy of Cherlecote esquire whose posterity do enjoy it at this day The Church dedicated to S. Peter ad Vincula was in an 1291. 19 E. 1. valued at xlv marks there being then a Portion of xx s. to the Monks of Coventre issuing out of it But in 26 H. 8. I find it rated at lv li. xiii s. iv d. vi s. viii d. being then allowed for Synodalls and Procurations and iv li. for a Pension to the Vicar of
of them to himself and his successors xii d. for all services at four times in the year viz. at the Feast of S. Michael iii d. the Nativity of our Lord iii d. at Easter iii d. and at the Feast of the Nativity of S. Iohn Baptist iii d. to every of which Burgages he thereby allowed three perches and a half in breadth and twelve perches in length and that they should be free of Toll for ever according to the custome of Bristoll excommunicating all persons that should presume to make violation of those their priviledges All which Maâ—gerius the next Bishop confirmed Next unto whom succeeded Walter Grey who towards the later end of King Iohn's reign obtained a grant for an yearly Faire here beginning on the Even of the holy Trinity and to continue for the two next days ensuing which Charter bears date 29 Oct. 16. Ioh. Touching the originall occasion of which meetings called Faires let us hear what the learned Spelman hath observed Cum autem Christiani ad insignes aliquas celebritates praesertim encoenia dedicationes Ecclesiarum Festa annua peragenda convenirent adesse utique Mercatores solebant sua mercimonia sub ipsis Ecclesiis atque in coemiteriis distracturi And a little below he thus goes on Pariter verò convenisse tum ad merces vendendas tum ad emendas Mercatores quamplurimos atque ita Festum cum Nundinis Nundinas eum Festo miscuisse Tunc enim non solùm advolant ipsi parochiani saith he sed vicini plurimi majorque semper frequentia pro Ecclesiae villae dignitate And further he takes notice that this ill custome in the succeeding ages increast much not onely by the concourse which the Parishioners themselves had thither at that time but even multitudes from the neighbouring Towns and that the meeting was always the greater as the dignitie of the Church and Town became more eminent than ordinary as of S. Peters at Westminster S. Bartholomew's in Smithfield S. Cutberts at Duresme c. Neither saith he is it a hard matter to guesse by the Faire day in case it have been antient to what Saint the Church is dedicated And that this is so we have also an evident testimony here the Church of Stratford being dedicated to the Holy Trinity For the authority usually given by speciall Charter to keep such Faires or meetings he also gives a very good reason Cum verò ex tanta hominum frequentia saith he periculosi saepè tumultus orirentur tenendarum Feriarum praerogativa solius Principis diplomatibus est indulta As for the antiquitie of the word Faire which shews of what great continuance the thing it self hath been it is no lesse then from the Britans Faire in their language which Doctor Iohn Davies in his Britannico-Lat Vocabularie derives from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being the same with merces in Latin signifying as much as Nundinae Forum and Mercatum doth And that such Faires were frequently kept upon the Sunday in former times as this here had used to be is evident by this instance which I shall give In the year of our Lord 1200 being the second of King Iohn's raign the Abbot of Flay a man both devout and learned came into England saith my Author and preaching very zealously in sundry parts amongst other of his pious doctrines he prohibited the keeping of Faires and Mercates on the Lords day Nundinas verò Mercata Dominicae diei adeo interdixit quod omnia ferè quae diebus Dominicis per Angliam fieri consueverant constituerentur in una hebdomada sequentium feriarum Sicque Dominicis diebus fidelis populus divinis solummodo vacans obsequiis omne opus servile penitus abdicavit veruntamen tempore procedente plerique ut canes ad vomitum sunt reversi You see after a while his preaching was quite forgot as appears plainly here for this Charter for a Faire to be kept on Trinity Sunday was about xiv years after those good documents of that holy Abbot Nor indeed do I see that this prophane usage was left till by a Statute law made a long time afterâ— scil 27 H. 6. all such goods or merchandize which should be exposed to sale upon Good-Friday Corpus Christi day Ascension day All Saints day the day of the Assumption of our Lady Whitsunday Trinity Sunday or other Sunday the four Sundays in Harvest excepted were to be forfeited to the Lord of the Libertie or Franchise where such Faire should happen to be kept But the restraint for keeping them in the Church-yards antiently usuall was much elder viz. by the Statute of Winchester 13 E. 1. cap. 6. Having spoken thus much as to the first occasion of Faires viz. the concourse of people to keep the Festivall of the Churches Dedication it will not be amisse I think to say something of the Feast of Dedication it self now vulgarly called the Wake That these Feasts were antient we have the testimony of holy Scripture Facta sunt encoenia id est festa dedicationis in Hierosolimis saith S. John Jesus ambulabat in templo in porticu Solomonis ad confirmationem illius festivitatis And S. Angustin in his Homily upon that Text saith Illum diem quo Templum dedicatum est Iudaei solenniter celebrabant That they were originally kept on the same Saints day annually unto whose memory the Church was dedicated there is no scruple to be made which dutie so performed by Christians was by S. Basil termed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and with all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 id est a worship of God and a reverence to the Martyrs Neither can we judge lesse than that the pious and devout munificence of him that was the Founder and endower of the Church was likewise then gratefully remembred Of the service used in that solemnity I shall not make rehearsall referring my Reader to Durandus where it is particularly described but to the end it may appear how it came to passe that the yearly celebration of that Festivall was and yet is called the Wake I shall briefly make some discovery Antiquitùs in praecipuis festivitatibus saith the same Author duo nocturnalia agebantur officia populus qui ad festa venerat tota nocte in Dei laudibus in Ecclesia vigilabat quod adhuc Romae in plerisque locis in magnis festivitatibus praesertim Sanctorum patronorum Ecclesiarum observatur And in another place he says Et vocabatur Vigilia quia habuit initium à Pastoribus vigilias noctis super greges suas servantibus And he goes on Sed quia lusores Cantores conveniebant turpibus Cantilenis saltationibus commensationibus potationibus fornicationibus intendere ceperunt propter haec multa alia inconvenientia quae fiebant hujusmodi Vigiliae sunt interdictae institutum ut loco earum fiant Jejunia quae
new Knight to the Chapell with much Musick even to the high Altar and there he shall kneel and putting his right hand upon the Altar is to promise to maintain the rights of holy Church during his whole life 17. And then he shall ungirt himself of his Sword and with great devotion to God and holy Church offer it there praying unto God and all his Saints that he may keep that Order which he hath so taken even to the end all which being accomplished he is to take a draught of Wine 18. And at his going out of the Chapell the King 's Master-Cook being ready to take off his Spurs for his own Fee shall say I the King's Master-Cook am come to receive your Spurs for my Fee and if you do any thing contrary to the Order of Knighthood which God forbid I shall hack your Spurs from your heels 19. After this the Knights must conduct him again into the Hall where he shall sit the first at the Knights Table and the Knights about him himself to be served as the others are but he must neither eat nor drink at the Table nor spit nor look about him upwards or downwards more than a Bride And this being done one of his Governours having a Handkerchief in his hand shall hold it before his face whâ—n he is to spit And when the King is risen from his Table and gone into his Chamber then shall the new Knight be conducted with great store of Knights and Minstrells proceeding before him unto his own Chamber and at his entrance the Knights and Minstrells shall take leave of him and go to Dinner 20. And the Knights being thus gone the Chamber dore shall be fastned and the new Knight disrobed of his attire which is to be given to the Kings of Armes in case they be there present and if not then to the other Heraulds if they be there otherwise to the Minstrells together with a mark of silver if he be a Knight Batcheler if a Baron double to that if an Earl or of a superior rank double thereto And the russet Night-cap must be given to the Watch or else a Noble 23. Then is he to be cloathed again with a blew robe the sleives whereof to be streight shaped after the fashion of a Priest 's and upon his left shoulder to have a Lace of white silk hanging And he shall wear that Lace upon all his Garments from that day forwards untill he have gained some honour and renown by Arms and is registred of as high record as the Nobles Knights Esquires and Heraulds of Arms and be renowned for some feats of Arms as aforesaid or that some great Prince or most noble Ladie can cut that Lace from his shoulder saying Sir we have heard so much of the true renown concerning your honour which you have done in divers parts to the great fame of Chivalrie as to your self and of him that made you a Knight that it is meet this Lace be taken from you 21. After Dinner the Knights of honour and Gentlemen must come to the Knight and conduct him into the presence of the King the Esquires Governours going before him where he is to say Right noble and renowned Sir I do in all that I can give you thanks for these honours curtesies and bountie which you have vouchsafed to me and having so said shall take his leave of the King 22. Then are the Esquires Governors to take leave of this their Master saying Sâ—r We have according to the King's command and as we were obliged done what we can but if through negligence we have in ought displeased you or by any thing we have done amiss at this time we desire pardon of you for it And on the other side Sir as right is according to the Customs of the Court and antient Kingdoms we do require our Robes and Fees as the King's Esquires companions to Batchelers and other Lords Having said thus much of this antient and honourable Order I return to the before specified Sir Thomas Cokesey The next year following sc. 2 H. 7. he was made a Banneret for his good service done in the Battail of Stoke and in 4 H. 7. one of the Commissioners for making choice of Archers in this County to be sent into Britanny for releif of that Dutchy The next year was he constituted one of the Justices for Gaol delivery in this County and in 6 H. 7. a Commissioner for arraying of men in defence of this Realm then in danger of an invasion by Charles the ix th King of France being also from the 6 th to the 12h. of H. 7. in Commission of the Peace in this Shire upon the severall renewings thereof But Leland saith that he was a Râ—ffler and slew a Bastard-son of Stafford of Worcestershire notwithstanding the great brag that the Staffords bore in that County This Thomas dyed in 14 H. 7. leaving Rob. Russell and Rob. Winter his Cosins and heirs as the Descent in Wylie sheweth by which it seems that his two sisters above specified had no issue whereupon this Mannour by â—â—â—ce of the entail made in 3 H. 4. resorted to Ioh. Grevill great grandchild to Lodowik second son to the first William which Lodowik took to wife Margaret the daughter and heir of Sir Gilesâ— Ardern Kt. by whom he had the Mannour of Draiton near Banbury in Oxfordshire where he dyed 28 Aug. an 1438. 17 H. 6. and is interred leaving Will. Grevill his son and heir who departed this life within two years after To whâ—ch Will. succeeded .... Grevill who wedded Catherine the sister and coheir to Rob. Pointz by whom he had issue the same Iohn Grevill heir to this Lordship by Sir T. Cokesey 's death without issue maleâ— as abovesaid which Iohn in 15 H. 7. was one of the Justices for the Gaol deâ—ivery at Warwick and in 17. and 18. in Commission of the Peace in this County To whom succeeded Edw. his son and heir first constituted a Justice of Peace in this Shire in 1 H. 8. and shortly after Knighted but dyed in 20. H. 8. without any thing else memorable of him and was buried in St. Annes Chapell in the Church of Weston super Avon according to the appointment of his Will leaving issue Iohn his son and heir and Fouke a younger son of whom and his posterity I shall speak in Beauchamps Courâ— which Iohn was one of the Kts. for this Shire in that Parliament of 30 H. 8. so fatall to the Religious Houses and being Knighted at the Coronation of K. Edw. 6. dyed 25 Nov. the year following leaving Edw. his son and heir 30. years of age who marryed Margaret one of the daughters and heirs to Will. Willington of Bercheston in this County and dyed a Kt. 24 Dec. 2. Eliz. To whom succeeded Lodowik his son and heir then 22 years
those parts except he well brib'd the said Iohn de Somery for protection or yeilded him much assistance towards the building of his Castle and that the said Iohn did use to beset mens Houses in that Country for to murther them as also thereby extorted large summes of money from them this VVill. Trussell with Alan la Zouch were appoin Commissioners by the K. to enquire and certifie the truth therein Whether it were he or his son VVill. I am not sure but I rather suppose it to be him that adhered to Thomas Earl of Lancaster Guy de Beauchamp E. of Warwick and others in the murther of Piers de Gaveston for in 7 E. 2. I find that VVill. Trussell with those Earls and others had his pardon for that offence In 8 E. 2. he was constituted Shiriffe of this County and Leicestershire and wedded Maud the daughter and heir to S r VVarin Manwaring Knight by which means the Mannour of Wermicham and divers other Lordships in Cheshire and elsewhere came to this Family but was dead in 10 E. 2. leaving his wife alive afterwards marryed to Sir Oliver de Burdeaux a neer servant to K. Edw. 2. and 3. sons viz. Iohn VVill. and VVaâ—ine â— all Knights which Oliver had his residence here for in 17 E. 2. I find him in the list of those Kts. and Esquiers of this County whose names were then certifyed into the Chancery But Iohn was of Cublesdon in Staffordshire and in 9 E. 3. gave x li yearly Rent issuing out of his Mannour of Rode in Cheshire to 3. Priests daily celebrating divine service in the Parish Church of Wermicham before mentioned for the health of his own soul as also of his mothers and the souls of all the faithfull departed In 12 E. 3. he had License to make a Castle of his habitation there In 16 E. 3. he wrote himself of Acton and his brother VVill. of Cublesdon and bore for his Armes Or frettè gules with abesant on each joynt of the frettè and for his Crest an Asses head couped issuing out of a Coronet By his first wife he had issue Sir VVill. Trussell of Cublesdon Kt. who in 20 E. 3. being in Gascoign upon the Kings immediate service had a special Patent of protection for all his servants and goods and in 27 E. 3. a pardon for beating of VVill. Musard then Lord of Wolvardington in this County and killing one of his servants In 30 E. 3. he attended Edward the black Prince in his French expedition and behaved himself so valiantly in that memorable battel of Poictiers wherein he was one of those that fought neer unto his person that the said Prince in consideration thereof gave him an annuity of xl li per an during his life to be received out of his Exchequer at Chester and after that another annuitie of xl li more as by his Charters the one bearing date 15 Dec. 37 E. 3. and the other 26 Aug. 40 E. 3. which the K. confirmed doth appear At which time the K. granted to him a License to impark his wood at Shirive-Hales in Shropshire and to make a Castle of his Mannour house there In 33 E. 3. he again attended Edw. Prince of Wales into France and in 1 R. 2. was retained by Indenture to serve the K. in his French warrs with 40 men at Armes of which number himself with two other Knights to be part and the rest to be Esquiers all well and fittingly arrayed for that Voyage wherein Iohn of Gant D. of Lanc. commanded in chief his Army consisting of three thousand men at Armes and 3000 Archers for which service the said Sir Will. was to receive the accustomed wages of War In 3 R. 2. I find him again retained to serve the said King as Governour of the Castle of Calais for the space of one whole year beginning at the Feast of All Saints with 19 men at Armes 20 Archers and 10 Hobelers of which number ten men at Armes and ten Archers were to serve on Horsback and to be well and sufficiently accoutred for the war And for this service to receive for himself ii â— per diem for every of his men at Armes 1 s per diem for his Archers on Horsback ix â— per diem for his Archers on foot vi d and for his Hobelers viiid. But before the expiration of this year he died viz. on Sunday in the first week of Lent leaving Eliz. daughter of Sir Alured Trussell one of the retinue unto T. Beauchamp Earl of Warwick by Catherine his own daughter his next heir not fully 8 years of age which Eliz. was afterwards marryed to Sir Baldwin Frevill Knight and dyed without any issue unto whom Margaret daughter of Sr. Will. Trussell second brother to Sir Iohn before specified was found next heir she being then the wife of S r Fouk Pembruge Knight Which Margaret dying also iâ—â—ulâ—sse on S t Barnabas day 3 H. 4. left a fair inheritance to Will. Trussell son of Laurence son of Sir Warine Trussell Knight the third brother to the above mentioned Sir Iohn As for this Mannour of Billesley it was by Fine levied in 6 R. 2. betwixt Sir Alured Trussell Knight Plantiff and the same Sir Fouk Pembryge Knight and Margaret his wife Deforc. entailed upon the said Sir Alured and the heirs male of his body unto whom it accordingly continued till of late time that it was sold away as I shall shew by and by But of this Sir Alured and his descendants I shall respite what I have to say for a while and take a view of the other branches of this antient family some of which had fair estates in this County though their principall seats were elsewhere And of these I will first begin with S r VVill. Trussell brother to the abovesaid S r Iohn In 7 E. 3. he was constituted Governour of the Castle of Beaumaris in Northwales In 8. E. 3. Shiriff of Anglesey and Governour of the same Castle both for life and in 9 E. 3. Eschaetor for all the Counties from Trent Southwards But I am not sure that any more of the historicall passages wherewith I have met do concern this Sir Will. Trussell being rather of opinion that they belong to Sir Will. the son of Sir Edmund and therefore have I referred them to him of whose line I purpose to speak in the last place and shall now come to Sir Warine and his descendants This Sir Warine held Billesley during his life by Lease from Sir Iohn his elder brother and resided here as it seemes for in 15 E. 3. being then a Knight he had License granted by Wolstan then Bishop of Worcester that himself and Maud his wife might have divine service celebrated by a fitting Priest in a private Chapell here so that it should
certain things to be performed by Iohn Copley his nephew gave it to him the said Iohn and the heirs male of his body Marclive THis place taking its name from the Marly-Cliff or descent which we see on the Southern side of Avon was at first a member of Bidford and therewith past from Baldwin Wake and the before specified Hawisia to Rob. Burnell Bishop of Bathe and Wells in 8 E. 1. but then was it written only Clive and in 9 E. 2. as a Hamlet of Bidford was held by Aliva Burnell in dower It seems that much of it was sold long since by the Burnells to ordinary persons which may well be the cause that there is so little notice taken thereof in Record for I find that in 29 E. 3. Walt. Lenche father of Ioh. Lenche then living had purchased two messuages 1 yard land 1 acre of meadow and xxv s. yearly Rent lying in this place of Alice the widow of Edward Burnell and Nich. Burnell her husband's nephew of some part whereof Iohn Rous of Ragley dyed seized in 20 R. 2. But in 16 H. 7 Will. Harewell of Wotton-Wawen dyed seized of the whole Mannour Bickmersh THis Village is in the Parish of Welford in Gloucestershire but by antient depopulation much shrunk from what it heretofore was Part hereof did K. Edgar in the year of Christ 967 grant to Brithnothus his servant for life which Brithnothus transmitted his right therein to the Monastery of Worcester with his son whom he thither sent to live a religious life In that grant of King Edgar it is written Bicamnersce but it seems that afterwards the Church of Worcester became possest of the whole Village for it appears that Edwin brother to Earl Leofrick in Edw. the Confessor's time unjustly seized upon it yet did not long enjoy the fruits of his rapine being ignominiously slain by Griffin King of the Britans whereupon Wulstan the then Prior hoping to regain it went to Alritune and required the lands belonging to his Monastery but all that he could get was only the meadow lying at Marclive the rest being never restored In the Conquerors Survey it is recorded under the title of Elemosinae Regis and written Bichemerse being there certified to contain 5 hides which were then valued at C s. and held of the K. by one Eddid a woman who was also owner thereof in Edward the Confessors dayes After which till the beginning of King Iohn's time I have not seen any further mention of this place but then doth it appear that Robert Foliot was Lord of it and in minority who in 14 H. 3. had a suit with the Parson of Welneford for the Advouson of the Chapell here at Bikemers-Foliot for so it is written claimed by the said Parson as a Chapell belonging to Welneford in which pleading the Composition under the seal of the said Robert was produced manifesting that the Tithes with the parochiall rights of the Court id est the Mannour house did belong to the said mother-Church of Welneford In 20 H. 3. upon collection of the Aid for marriage of the King's sister to the Rom. Emperour it answered for one Knights Fee being there certified under the Fees of Hugh de Albini and expressed to be held of him by Corbeth But in â—6 H. 3. it is recorded to be of the Earl of Gloucester his Fee and then held by Rob. Foliot What right it was that Corbet had here I know not but it seems that he did not quietly enjoy it for first I find that in 32 H. 3. Roesia Foliot brought an Assize of Novell disseisin against Will. Corbet for lands here and in 45 H. 3. Ioan Foliot an Assize of Mort d'ancester against him for this Mannour which Will. Corbet was of Chadsley-Corbet in Worcestersh I am of opinion that this Ioane Foliot was daughter and heire to the before specified Robert and married to Ric. de Williamescote for by a pleading in 52 H. 3. I find that the said Richard and Ioan his wife had to do here and in 4 E. 1. the said Ric. was presented for withdrawing his suit due to the Hundred Court for this Village To which Richard succeeded Henry de Willemscote that sold this Mannour to Iohn de Bloxam in 35 E. 1. Who in 18 E. 2. past it away to Will. de Bereford which Will. died seized of it in 20 E. 2. Whereupon it was inter alia assigned to Margaret his widow in dower In the family of Bereford whereof I shall speak in Langley it continued for some descents S r Baldw. de Bereford Knight grandchild to the beforespecified Will. having Free-warren granted to him in all his demesn lands here But it seems that this S r Baldw. having no issue male of his body the reversion thereof after the decease of Eliz. his wife was setled upon Thomas the son of Philip St. Clere for upon her death in 1 H. 6. the said Thomas was found to be next heir thereto though what relation he had to him in blood I am not very certain which Thomas in 13 H. 6. dyed seized of it leaving Eliz. Alianore and Edith his daughters and heirs Eliz. being afterwards married to Will. Lovell Alianore to Iohn Gage and Edith to Ric. Harecourt Esquiers But farther as to its succession can I say no more than that it was about the beginning of Q. Eliz. time purchased by the Lady S. Iohn widow to S r Edw. Griffin of Dingley Atturney Generall to Q. Eliz. for S r Ries Griffin her son by the said Sir Edward which Sir Ries left issue Edward his son and heir now owner thereof It should seem that a good proportion of this Hamlet was antiently belonging to the family of Morehall of Morehall juxta Wicksford for in 20 E. 3. Amicia de Morehall with VVill. de Audley were certified to answer for one Knights Fee here held of VVill. Corbet and by him of the Honour of Gloucester â— and so divolving to Clopton as the Mannour of Morehall did was past therewith by S r VVill. Clopton Kt. to Thomas Crewe Esq for life After which Sir Iohn Burgh Kt. held it for life as Tenant by the Curtesie of England being of the inheritance of Ioane his wife daughter and coheir to the said VVill. Clopton which Ioane had likewise severall daughters and heirs as in Morehall is shewed amongst whom this with the rest of her lands wâ—re divided The Chapell here is very antient having been founded by Will. Foliot in H. 2. dayes to whom succeeded Robert before mentioned About the beginning of K. Iohn's time there was one R. Foliot Parson here betwixt whom and the Monks of Tewksbury there growing some dispute as to the right of the Tithes g arising out of the Court or Mannour House an Agreement was made and confirmed by Malgerius then Bishop of
Worcester to this effect viz. that the Monks should thenceforth receive two parts of the Tithe Corn as they had formerly wont to do with the moitie of the small Tithes and that the said R. and his successors should have the third part with the other moitie of the small Tithes as also all the Tithe Hay of the Lord 's demesn together with the Tithe of such land and other goods as Will Foliot â— the pious Founder of the same Chapell did charitably give thereto HAving now past through all those places of note in this Hundred which border upon Avon descending by the banks of that fair stream farther westwards I find it about two miles below Bidford increased by another pleasant River called Arrow which rising near the Lickey Hills in Worcestersh enters this Hundred at Ipsley and so passing Southwards by Alcester at length is united with it near Salford as the Map will shew But touching the original occasion of its name the antiquity of it being so great I shall only make a guesse which is that it might take its first appellation by similitude as that most famous Armenian River Tigris did from the swiftness of its course for an Arrow was by the Medes called Tigris as we find in Strabâ— lib. xi Geograph And that the current of this is very speedy need not to be doubted if we consider from what a lofty ascent the water falls wherewith by every great showre it is always augmented Howbeit before I speak of Ipsley in particular I must not omâ—t to take notice of Hewell-Grange standing in the utmost nook of this Hundred westwards as also of those small Hamlets Tutnell and Cobley situate within the Parish of Tarbick whereof the Chancell is in this Hundred though the body of the Church be in Worcestersh Hewell Grange THis being given to the Monks of Bordsley in Worcestersh near unto which it is situate by Maâ—d the Empresse upon her Foundation of that Monastery and in 19 E. 1. â—ated together with Lee called in the Record Lega at 7 carucates of Land and every carucate at 1 Mark having then a Dovehouse valued at iiii s per anâ— was with the site of the before-specified Monastery and all that belong'd thereto passed to the K. in 30 H. 8. by a Fine which Iohn Biley the then Abbot with the Covent of that House levied to the use of the said K. his heirs and successors and by him together with the whole Abby granted in exchange within 4 years following unto S r Andrew VVindsor K t Lord VVindsor for the Mannour of Stanwell in Câ—m Midd. with its appurtenances lâ—ing in the Counties of Midd. Surr. Buck. Berks. and Southâ—mpt Since which time the successive Lords VVindsor have made it one of their principal seats and some of them had sepulture in the Chancell of Tarbick as their Monuments do testifie a lively representation whereof through the tender respect of the present Lord VVindsor to the memory of his noble ancestors I have here exhibited for as much as the Chancell wherein they stand is in this County though the Church â—e in Worcestershire The Epitaphs upon the preceding Monuments D. O. M. Katherinae Oxoniae filiae Westmerlandiae neptis Staffordiae Bucking hamiensis abneptis Windesoriae conjugis hîc jacent cineres Quae ortu Vero partu clara clarior virtute Edwardo chariss marito Venetiis defuncto aetate forma florens 33. vitae anno Viduam castitatem more prisco incâ—pit usque ad sexagessimum vitae ultimnm sanctè tenuit novo tunc flagrans amore novum quaesivit sponsum in coelis Christum Terrestrem haec terra tenet partem aetheream aether Obiit 17 Ian. 1599. Sed ne exemplar castitatis pudicitiae honore merito Posteri exemplo hîc carerent aviae suae digniss Thomas ex Henrico fâ—lio nepos hoc Monumentum pâ—ni curavit Ex marito quatuor suscepit filios Fredericum Dominum Windesore qui coelebs obiit Henricum dom Windesore è regione sepultum qui Annam cohaeredem Thomae Rivet equitis aurati uxorem duxit Edwardum qui Elizabetham Ardington Andream qui Annam Peccham Quatuor item filias quarum Maria Elizabethae inâ—antili aetate obiere Margareta eximio Iohanni Talbot de Grafton Com. Wigorniensi armig Catherina Roberto Audley de Berechurch Com. Essexiensi armig nupsit Secundùm miserecordiam tuam memento mei tu propter bonitatem tuam Psal. 24. vers 8. HIC IN SPE RESURRECTIONIS OBDORMIT Praenobilis Henricus Baro Windsor de Bradenham filius Edwardi dom Windesor Catherinae filiae Iohannis de Vere Comitis Oxon. Dorotheae Radulphi Nevill Com. Westmerlandiae filiae qui Frederico fratre seniore moriente sine liberis paternam haereditatem honorem adiit titulis verò animi fortitudinem in prosperis in adversis patiertiam adjunxit tà m acquisitione quam procreatione verè nobilis duxit in uxorem Annam cohaeredem Thomae Rivet de Chipenham in Com. Cantab. militis filiam ex Grisilda filia domini Gulielmi Paget Baronis de Beudesert Custodis privati Sigilli Reg. regnantibus Mariâ Elizabethâ ex qua redditus satis amplos liberos connubii benedictionem suscepit bis binos masculos caeteras quinque filias pars major eorum ante ipsos parentes in ipsorum cunabulis inter coelestes cohortes ascripti sunt funebria parentum miseriam hujus mundi gustaturi tres solummodo supervixere Thomas scilicet filius haeres Elizabetha senior nupta Dixeo Hickman de Kew in Com. Surr. armigero Elizabetha junior consanguineo suo Andreae Windesor armig Nobilitatem suam omnibus animi corporis dotibus adornavit Deo debotissimum Principi obsequentissimum uxori amantissimum domesticis liberaelissimum suavissimum omnibus charum semper se praebuit In hoc agro suo Tardebigiensi mansione de Hewell in ipsa camera ubi primò spiravit expiravit magna cum Christiana alacritate fiducia animam in manus Redemptoris placidè quietè commendavit corpus in hac Ecclesia sepelir curavit sexto die Aprilis inter Resurrectionis solemnia post partum virginis MDCv. invictissimi nostri Britanniae monarchae Iacobi 3. Aetatis suae circiter xliii Hoc qualecunque Monumentum Epitaphium meritis suis non satis amplum obsequii amoris ergo patri verè pio verè Catholico Thomas moestâ—ssimus filius haeres multis cum lachrimis scripsit posuit Beati qui in Domino moriuntur Tutnell and Cobley OF these two Hamlets there is very little mention in Record other than the grant of them to the King by that Fine from the Abbot and Covent of Bordsley and their disposall with Hewell to the before specified Lord Windsor as the Patent before cited imports Ipsley THis was possest in the Conquerors time by Osbernus fil Ricardi of whom in Aston-Cantilupe I shall say more and of him then held by one
at iv li. xiii s. iv d. which sum in 37 H. 8. was yearly received by the Priest belonging thereto at the hands of M r Robert Midlemore notwithstanding he did not duly attend here but sung in other places at his pleasure The Priory of Studley THis was first founded in King Stephen's time by Peter Corbicon otherwise called Peter de Stodleg in regard of his residence here for Canons Regular of S. Augustin's Order at a place called Wicton neer Wiche in Worcestershire and by him endowed with the Churches of the same Wicton as also of Stodley Cocton now Coughton in this County Salperton in Gloucestershire and all other Churches of his Patronage after the death of the Incumbents that had been presented thereto by him the said Peter or his father and likewise with half the town of Wicton before specified three Houses in Worcester and two Furnaces of Salt at Wiche and the Tithes of all the rest of his Salt there And moreover with half the Tithes of all his demesn lands in Tikenapletre in Com Wigorn. the whole proportion of his essarts there with a Meadow and the oblations called Chirset of that village and likewise of C. acres of his demesn lands in Salperton before specified of the Chapelry of his own House and all thereto belonging with the freedom from Toll Tak and many other exactions Which Canons rested not long at Wicton but were translated hither with an assignation unto them of the Churches above-specified and an addition of the Church of Anedeburne with the Chapell of Dormeston in Gloucestershire and the Chapelry of his own House there as also the grant of divers particular lands viz. one yard land in Stodley situate on the bank of the river Arrow with two curtilages thereunto belonging which I take to be it whereupon the Monastery was built all his lands lying below the high way leading from Bordsley to the bounds of Ipsley a Meadow called Brunham a grove of Alders lying betwixt Stretford and Wasford a Mill that Edwin Brochard held lands which had been belonging to one Aschetill with the wood adjoyning the land of Eluric the Clothier and the wood situate betwixt Alan's land and that of Roger de la Haye with certain other lands which appertained to Robert Meriam And over and above all this he gave them CC. acres of his demesn lands lying in Salperton before specified scil C. acres in the East field and C. acres in the West Confirming likewise his former grant of the said three Houses in Worcester half the Tithes of Tikenapletre with the essarts Meadow and Chircheset before mentioned as also the Tithes of his Salt at Wiche with the two Furnaces there But as the greatnesse of this family much diminished in the time of Peter Corbicon son and heir to Peter the Founder so did also the glory of this Monastery for it appears that at such time as the Patronage thereof was granted by the said Peter unto William de Cantilupe and his heirs the revevenues of it were so wasted by ill guidance and goverment that there were no more than three Canons then left therein Neverthelesse by the pious care and munificence of him and his posterity it soon came to flourish again For besides the grant of those his possessions in Shotswell in this County which he had acquired from Eustace de Mortein and Iohn Wandard with a House and Curtilage he vouchsafed unto them the priviledge that whensoever their House should happen to be vacant by the death of their Prior they should as freely proceed to a new election of another as any Collegiate Church in such cases used to do first only craving the License of him the said William and his heirs and after the election so made then humbly desiring his or their assent thereunto And moreover that whereas by Custome in some Monasteries of England the custody during the vacancy appertained to the Patron he notwithstanding granted unto them for him and his heirs that whensoever any such vacancy should happen the Sub-Prior and Celerer for the time being should in the name of him the said William and his heirs have the custody thereof so that both or one of them did first repair unto him or his heirs to receive the administration thereof at his or their hands but that the Bishop nor any other should have ought to do therewith All which concessions and immunities were ratified by William Wittlesey Bishop of Worcester as his publique Instrument dated here a Stodlegh upon the day of S. Sylvester the Pope Anno 1364. 38 E. 3. doth testify To which William de Cantilupe succeeded Will. his son and heir who followed the steps of his devout father in bounty to these Canons as appears by his grant of lands to them lying in Aston-Cantilupe to the value of x li. per annum for the support and maintenance of a certain Hospitall erected by his father neer the Gate of this Monastery where impotent people might have relief and entertainment Which William likewise bestowed upon them xx s. yearly Rent issuing out of certain lands in Snarkeston in Com. Leic. held of him by Raph de Charnells with pasturage for eight Oxen two Kine and one Horse in his own demesn Pasture of Buchme and the Rene granting them also power to hold a Court for their own Tenants as freely as ever he himself used to do And further added the Church of Hemeston in Devonshire of his patronage as also all those essarts with their appurtenances lying within his Park at Shelfhull as they are bounded with the High-way leading from Spernore towards Aston together with the perpetuall patronage of the Church at Aston as also certain lands situate in the Village of Trente And lastly obtained a Charter from King H. 3. dated at Westminster 22. Dec. 26 H. 3. whereby he granted to them that their woods lying within the Forest of Fekenham might be free to themselves and no Officer of the Kings belonging to the Forest to intermedle therein nor presse upon them for hospitality or entertainment without their own good liking From other Benefactors they had as followeth viz. in Yerdeley Com. Wigorn. 33. acres of land given by William Cumin antiently Lord of that Mannour as also a certain proportion there and in Grete conferred on them by William de Edricheston In Ipsley some quantity by Thomas le Barbour In Aldeswelle by Peter de Asserugge In Wicton by Iohn le Roter A place called the Vineyard here in Stodley by Peter de Montfort All those lands in Wike within the precincts of Coughton by Constance the daughter to William a Parke sometime wife of Sir Simon de Cocton Knight in her widowhood which lands she had in frank marriage of her father's gift and certain lands in Hatton given by Iohn de Stodley and Robert de Freynuse All which are confirmed with divers priviledges as the Charters of
of the Justices of Peace in this County in 1 R. 2. Upon the Insurrection of the Rebells under the conduct of Iack Straw and Wat. Tiler 5 R. 2. he was joyn'd in Commission with the E. of Warwick and other eminent persons for suppresâ—ing of all unlawfâ—ll Assemblies in this Countie tending to the disturbance of the publick Peace In 6 R. 2. he was again in Commission to the like purpose In 16 R. 2. one of the Kts. for this Shire in the Parl. then held at Winchester So likewise in 17. and 22. R. 2. as also in 1. and 2. H. 4. upon the severall renewing of the Commissions for the Peace one of the number then joyned therein being a person learned in the Laws as it seems for it appears that he was Steward of the Earl of Warwick's Courts for his lands in Northamptonshire about the later end of R. 2. reign and Atturny generall for prosecuting their affairs in the Exchequer in 5 H. 5. Of this Iohn I find that he bore the Armes of Lodbroke scil Azure a cheveron ermine quarterly with his own whereby it should seem that some Ancestour of his married a daughter of that Family through whose right after the issue male was extinct he did it Neither is it unlikely in respect of that entail of Lodbroke upon Will. de Catesby his Father as in my discourse of that place is shewed and that he wedded Emme the daughter and heir of Rob. de Craunford by whom the Lordship of Ashby-Legers in Com. Northampt. came first to this Family Which Emme with Iohn her son for Will. the elder Brother was then dead in 13 H. 4. obtained a Charter of Free-warren to themselves and their heirs in all their demesn lands of Rodburne Lodbroke and Shukborough in this Countie as also of Ashby-Legers Walton and Watford in Northamptonshire This second Iohn was in Commission for conservation of the Peace in this County in 5 H. 5. in 6. for arraying of men being the first of the Family that had to do here in Lapworth as hath been already observed To him succeeded Will. his son and heir constituted Shiriff of Northamptonshire in 21 H. 6. with which office he had the custody of Northampton Castle assigned unto him In 30 H. 6. he came into Commission for conservation of the Peace in this County so continuing for the remainder of that King's reign And being again made Shiriff of Northamptonshire had the like charge of the same Castle I am of opinion that he was Knighted that very year for in the next mention I find of him viz. the year following he is so stiled In 34 H. 6. he became the third time Shiriff of Northamptonshire and Governour of that Castle and having been one of the Sewers to K. H. 6. had two wives first Philippa one of the daughters and heirs to Sir Will. de Bishopsden Kt. and secondly Ioan daughter of Sir Thomas Barre Kt. and Alice his wife Sister of Iohn Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury but widow of Humfrey de la Bere departed this life in An. 1470. 10 E. 4. lying buried at Ashby-Legers before mentioned By which wife he had issue Will. his son and heir and by his second wife Iohn Catesby of Althorp in Northamptonsh as also Thomas Catesby from whom those sometime of Wavers-Merston in this County did descend Which Will. being a great Favourite to K. Ric. 3. was made Squier of the Body to himâ— and in 1 of his reign constituted Chancelour of the Marches for life and one of the Chamberlains of his Exchequer The same year was he also made one of the Justices of Peace in this County and a Commissioner to enquire of any Insurrections here or in Leicestershire and the next year following a Commissioner for the Gaol delivery at Warwick in which he had a grant from the said King bearing date under his Signet at Kenilworth Castle 28 Maii of an hundred Oaks to be taken within the said Ks. old Park of Tanworth and Earl's wood in Tanworth within this County and 500 Trees for Railes in Lodbrokes-Park within the said Lordship of Tanworth for making his new Park here at Lapworth But following the fortune of that King and stoutly fighting for him at Bosworth field he was there taken Prisoner and beheaded at Leicester within 3. days following where before his Execution he made his Testament as followeth This is the Will of William Catesby Esq. made the xxv th of August 1 H. 7. to be executed by my dere and welbeloved wife to whom I have ever be trew of my Body putting my sole trust in her for the execution thereof for the helth of my soul the which I am undoubted she will execute and for my Body when she may to be beryed in the Church of S. Leger in Aâ—sby and to do such memoriall for me as I have apointed byfor and to restore all land that I have wrongfully purchased and to pay the residue of such land as I have bought truly and to demene hit among her children and myne as she thynketh good after her discretion I doubt not the King will be good and gracious Lord to them for he is called a full gracious Prince and I never offended him by my good and free Will for God I take to my Iuge I have ever loved him Item that the Executors of Nich. Couley have the lande ageine in Everâ—oâ—te without they have their Cl. Item in likewise Renet his lande in Buckby Item in likewise that the Coparceners have their part in Roden hall in Suff. if they have right thereto or else to be restored to them that had it before and the lond beside Kymbalton be disposed for my soul and Evertons and so of all other landes that the parte hath righte in Item that all my Faders detts be executed and paied as to the House of Catesby and other Item that my Lady of Buckingham have Cli. to help her children and that she will see my Lordiâ— detts paied and his Will executed and in speciall for such land as shall be amortised to the House of Plashy Item my Lady of Shaftsbury xl mark Item that John Spenser have his Lxli with the olde money that I owe. Item that Thomas Andrews have his xxli And there as I have be Executor I beseech you see the Will executed and that all other bequests in my other Will be executed as my speciall trust is in yow Maisteres Margarete and I heartily cry you mercy if I have delyd uncurteously with yow and ever pray you to live sole all the deys of yowr life to do for my soul. And I pray of Lord of Winchester my Lord of Worcetur my Lord of London to help yow to execute this my Will and they will do somewhat for me and that Richard Frebody have his xxli and Badby xli
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
of the possessions of Waga of whom I have spoke in Wootton in Edw. the Confessors days was held by Robert de Stafford in the Conq. time and by the generall Survey then taken wherein it is written Holehale certified to contain one hide the woods being half a mile in length and one furlong in breadth all valued at iv li. From which Robert or his son Nicholas did Roger Earl of Warwick obtain it as it seemes and enfeoft thereof one Roger who residing here assumed the sirname of Ulehale from whom descended certain male branches which continued till Edw. 1. time at the least whereof one viz. Robert grandchild to the said Roger wrote himself Dominus de Holenhale and in 36 H. 3. was certified to hold a fourth part of a Knight's fee here of the Earl of Warwick I suppose by some circumstances that this Mannour first came to the family of Mountfort about King H. 3. time for I find that Peter de Mountfort did then confirm the grant of certain particular parcells of land lying here given by petty Freeholders to the Monks Wootton but the first positive proof that I have which manifesteth Montfort directly to have been Lord thereof is in 32 H. 6. where one Richard Hawnell who was enfeoft thereof by Sir William Mountfort of Colshill Kt. releases his right therein to Humphrey Duke of Buck. and others which Duke with the rest had likewise but an estate in trust thereof for it appears that it came to the Crown in 10 H. 7. by the attainder of Sir Simon Montfort Knight as in Colshill shall be shewed and was by the same King in 12. of his reign granted away with divers other Lordships in this Countie to Gerald Earl of Kildare and Elizabeth S. Iohn then his wife and the heirs male of their two bodyes K. H. 8. in 2. of his reign confirming the same From which Earl it descended to Sir Iames Fitz Gerald Knight one of his sons by the said Eliz. But by his attainder in 28 H. 8. as I have elsewhere shewed returned again to the Crown and in 1 Mariae was by that Queen granted unto Michael Throkmorton Esquire a younger son to Sir Robert Throkmorton of Coughton Knight who died seized thereof 1. Nov. 5 6 Ph. M. leaving Francis his son and heir seven years of age which Francis had issue Iohn Throkmorton of whom it was purchased in our time by Mr. Bolton a Citizen of London Here is a fair Chapell dedicated to the blessed Virgin wherein the Vicars of Wootton for the time being have of antient time used to find a Priest at their own proper charge to celebrate divine service The Epitaph belonging to the Monument represented on the next page Here lieth the body of Francis Throkmorton Esquire borne in the Citie of Mantua in Italy son and heir unto Michaell Throkmorton Esquire and of Agnes Hide of Southamptonshire which Michaell was borne at Coughton-Court in the Countie of Warwick and was youngest brother to Sir George Throkmorton of Coughton aforesaid Knight And after that the said Michaell had lived many years in Italy in good and great reputation with bountifull Hospitalitie entertaining most of the Noble-men and gentlemen of England that had occasion to come that way and did returne into the Realm of England in the very beginning of the reigne of Q. Mary and received of her gift the Maenours of Honiley Blackwell Packhurst Winderton Vllenhall in Ullenhall and others as appeareth by her Majesties Letters Patent bearing date in the first year of her reign And after went into Italy againe where he departed this life and lieth buried in S. Martin's Church in the said Citie of Mantua under a fair Tombe The said Michael married Iudith Tracie daughter of Richard Tracie of Stanway in the Countie of Gloucester Esquire and of Barbara Lucy of Charlecote in the aforesaid County of Warwick and sister to Sir Paul Tracie Baronet and had by her six Children whereof three that is to say Francis Michaell and Iudith are departed this life without issue and the other three are living that is to say Iohn Michaell and Iudith Anno Dom. 1617. anno decimo quinto domini nostri Iacobi Regis Angliae Mors mihi lucrum portus refugium Sic transit gloria Mundi Omnia vana vidi solo mea Christo repono Mors tua Mors Christi fraus Mundi gloria Coeli Et dolor inferni sunt meditanda tibi Botley THis being originally a member of Wootton is not taken notice of in the Conqueror's Survey but the name which is Saxon shews it to be of greater antiquity for Botle was the word which our Ancestors used in the same sense that we do Domus in Latine In H. 2. time Robert de Stadford possessor also of Wootton gave to the Canons of Kenilworth certain lands lying in this place with the homages and services of severall persons as also to Geffrey Malore and his heirs all those lands homages services which he likewise held of him here reserving the payment of a Sparhawk to himself and his heirs by the said Geffrey and his heirs which Geffrey was of those Malories that resided at Tachebroke in this Countie From whom descended Iohn Malore who in 9 E. 3. had Free warren granted to him in all his demesn lands here and at Tachebrooke before specified as also at Walton on the Woulds in Leicestershire and from him another Iohn who with Ankitell Malore his son and heir by their Deed bearing date the Thursday after the Feast of S. Michael th'arch-Angell 22 H. 6. aliened it to Richard Archer Esquire and his heirs whose posteritie have ever since enjoy'd it Sir Simon Archer of Tanworth Knight being the present owner thereof Whitley THis being in the Conqueror's time possest by Robert de Stadford with Wootton and then certified to contain three hides was held of him by one Drogo which name we now call Drew having then a Mill Woods extending to half a mile in length and two furlongs in breadth all which were valued at xl s. and before the Norman Invasion had been the inheritance of three brothers Some have affirmed that this Drogo was a Norman and servant to the said Robert de Stadford and that his posterity assumed the sirname of Whitley in regard of their residence here as also that from this Family of Whitley came the Offords and Fulwoods the one from Robert who seating himself at Offord whereof I shall speak anon left that name to his descendants and the other from Richard who planting at a place in the parish of Tanworth then called Fulwood but now Clea-Hall had also thence that denomination all which from antient evidences is likewise in some sort manifested Of this Family was one Thomas de Witele who had issue Robert which Robert in consideration of x. marks of silver past
away all his interest in this Lordship to Peter de Montfort in H. 3. time Sir Will. de Bishopesdon Sir Thomas his son and Sir Henry Pipard all Knights being witnesses thereto After which the same Peter sc. of Beldesert granted to Roger the son of Henry de Witele and his heirs all those lands and Rents which he the said Roger held of him within the precincts of this place reserving for the same to himself and his heirs the yearly Rent of two pair of white Gloves at Easter and Michaelmasse for all services and likewise Royall service for one yard land a half with reasonable Aid for the making his and their eldest sons Knights and marriage of their eldest daughters according to the custome of the Realm as also suit of Court viz at the severall Courts to be held after Michaelmasse the Feast of S. Hillary and Hokeday upon reasonable Summons But this Henry de Witele was son to Roger the son of Thurstane de Cherlecote and not of the line of Thomas de Witele and fixing here relinquisht his paternal name assuming his sirname thenceforth from this place as was very usual in those times to do In 13 Ioh. I find that this Lordship then certified as parcell of the Honour of Stafford answered for three parts of a Knight's Fee but in 36 H. 3. for no more than two parts Will. Durovassall and Rog. de VViteleg before mentioned at that time holding it of Peter de Montfort and VVill. de Lucy and they of Rob. de Stafford Which Peter and his posterity were the only known Lords thereof for some descents for in 13 E. 1. the same Peter claimed Free-warren here as in other his Lordships which was allowed and in 24 E. 1. Iohn de Montfort his son and heir died seized thereof at which time there were certified y to be seven Free-holders who yearly paid xxx s ob q. Rent the Pleas and Perquisites being then valued at ii s. per an And yet neverthelesse did Iohn de VVhitely in 38 E. 3. and 5 R. 2. write himself Dominus de Witley but this was as Lord mesne under Montfort as I conceive Which Iohn had issue Ric. de VVhiteley who quitted all the interest that he had here to Ioan Beauchamp Lady of Bergavenny and others Feoffees in trust I suppose on the behalf of Iohn Harewell a younger son to Iohn Harewell of Wootton For in 7 H. 5. this Iohn Harewell wrote himself de VVhitley and in 17 H. 7. Iohn Harewell brother and heir of Nich. Harewell eldest son to the said Iohn past it by the name of the Mannour of Whitley into the hands of Iohn Grevill Thomas Trussell and other Feoffees But in 17 H. 8. Roger Harewell son to the said Iohn in consideration of Lx li. by his deed bearing date 16 Martii absolutely sold it to Iohn Smith which Iohn in 22 H. 8. to strengthen his title the better being at that time one of the Remembrancer's in the Exchequer and afterward a Baron of that Court obtained a Release thereof unto Sir Thomas Dennis Knight and others for the use of himself and his heirs to whom it still together with Wootton continues Forwood THe first mention I find of this place is in 14 E. 1. where it was entailed by Peter de Montfort with Haselholt whereof I have already spoke But I am of opinion that it was originally a member of Whitley From which Peter descended Iohn de Montfort who in 24 E. 1. died seized of a certain messuage here with a small Park having 3 carucates of land in demesn all held of the Lord Stafford by the service of iii s. and suit to his three weeks Court at UUotton but afterwards was it accounted as a member of Beldesert Edston IN the Conqueror's time this being possest by the same Robert de Stadford of whom I have made mention in Wootton divers other places was by the general Survey then certified to contain 5. hides and valued at iii li. having Woods belonging thereto which extended to half a mile in length and half a furlong in breadth but before the Norman invasion it was the freehold of Ailric and Uluuinus As for the name there is no question but that it sprung originally from some antient possessor of it in the Saxons time called Edric that being in those dayes an appellation frequently used for in the before specified Survey it is written Edricestone By the same Robert de Stadford it was given as it seems to the Monks of Conchis in Normandy but afterwards upon confirmation setling all things in Wootton to those Monks reassumed by Robert grandchild to the said Robert in exchange for certain lands in Wootton as in my discourse of the Priory there is manifested How and to whom it was passed from the descendants of this Rob. de Stadford I cannot cleerly see but by all circumstances it should seem that Raph de Ruperiis a Norman obtained it For in 6 Ioh. 't is apparent that the King seized it for his disloialty with divers lands elsewhere which belong'd to other Normans the occasion whereof I have toucht in Ilmingdon and caused its value to be enquired of which was then certified at ivl. whereupon he directed his Precept to the Shiriff commanding him to make livery thereof to the Knights Templars to hold at the same rate at which it was so estimated But it seems that the Templars possest it not long for I find that the said King granted it shortly after to Godfrey de Craucumbe and that by the forfeiture of the same Godfrey it again eschaeted to the Crown as also that in 12 and 13 Ioh. it being then in the said King's hands answered for half a Knights Fee as part of the Honour of Stafford and continued in the Crown till 31. H. 3. About which time Peter de Montfort obtained it as it seems for after that year I do not find that the Shiriff accounted to the Exchequer for the ferm thereof and in 36 H. 3. it is apparent that amongst the Baron of Stafford's Fees collected upon the King's transfretation into Gascoin it answered for half one being then held by Will. de Edricheston of the said Peter de Montfort and by him of the Lord Stafford And in 50 H. 3. after the death of the said Peter slain in the battell of Evesham as in Beldesert I have shewed it became extended with the rest of his lands but certain it is that the said Will de Edrichston actually possest it for in divers evidences he is stiled Lord thereof And yet had the same Peter some other interest here for it appears that he granted to the Monks of Bordsley all his Common of pasture within the precincts of this Lordship viz. for xv beasts two Horses for draught and CC sheep according to the large Hundred which
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
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
it was the Freehold of Leuvinus Doda In that Survey it is written Wilmecote the originall of which appellation did questionlesse proceed from the name of some antient Inhabitant there in the Saxons time But the next mention that I find thereof is not till 6 Ioh. where it is written Wilmundecote and certified to be part of those lands that the Normans had in England which were then seized on for their adhering to the K. of France as in Ilmindon I have already observed one Bricto Camerarius being then Lord thereof and Chamberlain of Normandy as I guesse the value of it then consisting only in rent of Assize amounting to xliis per an and no more After which ere long one Will. de Wilmecote was owner of it who doubtlesse took that sirname from his residence here for in 12 H. 3. it appears that he brought an Assize against Maurice Arch-Deacon of Gloucester touching the advouson of the Chapell belonging to this Village yet in E. 1. I find that Raph de Lodinton had a good proportion here viz. two yard land in demesn with a Water Mill as also 5 yard land in Villenage all which he held of Sir Thomas de Camvill by the fourth part of a Kts fee which fourth part in 25 E. 1. was certified to be held of Edm. Earl of Lancaster the Kings Brother by Robert de Vale of whom in Lodington I have spoken already But about that time was there one Iohn de Wilmecote Lord hereof and shortly after him Henry de L'isle of Moxhull in this Countie who with Ioan his wife in 9 E. 2. were found to hold half a Kts. fee here of the Earl of War which half Kts. fee was of her inheritance she being the heir to the before specified Iohn de Wilmecote To which Henry succeeded Iohn his son and heir who in 10 E. 3. entailed this Mannour with the advouson of the Chapell upon the issue of his body by Maude then his wife with remainder to his right heirs by reason whereof it continued to his posterity whereof I shall speak in Moxhull till 8 H. 7. but then was past away by Henry L'isle Esquire and Eliz. his wife to Will. Purchesse and others in trust as I conceive for Hugh Clopton Alderman of London for I find that the said Hugh dyed seized thereof 15 Sept. 12 H. 7. leaving Will. Clopton his Cosin and next heir as in Clopton is shewed who had livery thereof accordingly in 19 H. 7. The Chapell here dedicated to St. Mary Magd. was given to the Gild of the Holy Cross in Stratford super Avon in E. 4. time by the before mentioned Henry de L'isle and Eliz. his wife one Thomas Clopton being then Master of the same Patroni Capellae Incumbentes c. Matilda de Lyle Ioh. de Walton 21 Martii 1372. Matilda de Lyle Ioh. Cade 18 Ian. 1380. Newnham AS for the name of this place it proceeded originally without doubt from the first habitation fixed thereat whether it were one single House or more the syllable Ham with our Ancestors the Saxons not onely signifying a House but a neighbourhood of divers dwellings as we may observe by the many towns that terminate in Ham so that Neunham imports the same that nova habitatio doth But of this little village I have not seen any mention at all in Record above 9 E. 2. where it is certified as a Hamlet of Aston-Cantelupe of which Mannour it is stâ—ll reputed to be parcell Little Alne THis was also originally a member of Aston-Cantelupe and antiently possest by the Lords of that Mannoâ—r It should seem that a great part of those lands which were given to the Canons of Studley by some of the Cantelupes do lye within the compass of this village though in the grant they are said to be in Aston-Cantelupe for upon the passing them out of the Crown in 1. Mariae they are granted to Anthony Skinner by the name of the Mannour of Little-Alne five Tenements a water Mill with a meadow as parcell of the possessions of the Monastery of Studley which Anthony dyed seized thereof 19 Nov. 1 Eliz. leaving issue George and William which George dying without issue Will. became heir to the estate whose grandchild Anthony now enjoys it Shelfhull THe first mention I find of this place is in H. 3. time upon the grant of a large assart to the Canons of Studley by Will. de Cantilupe the third where it is bounded upon the Park of Scelefhull which Park belonging to the Lords of Aston-Cantelupe doth argue that it was antiently a member thereof And out of all doubt those Woods or the greatest part of them which are mentioned by the Conquerour's Survey to belong unto Aston were imparkt by the Lords of that Mannour for their pleasure in Hunting it being a mountanous ground most proper for Deer an Conies But the extent of Shelfhull was more than this Park for in 6 E. 2. after the death of Iohn de Hastings Lord of Aston before specified it appeareth that Will. le Walsh held the sixth part of a Kts. fee of him lying in this place Howbeit till 14 H. 6. I have not seen it called a Mannour but then upon the death of Ioan Beauchamp Lady Bergavenny it carries that name nevertheless it is reputed as a member of Aston-Cantelupe and therewith belongs to the Lord Bergavenny at this day Haseler SOmewhat lower but yet farther distant from the bank of Alne stands Haseler containing these two petty Hamlets sc. Walcote and Upton which before the Norman invasion was the freehold of Vlviet and Aluric but at the time of the Conquerour's generall Survey possest by Nich. Balistarius being certified to contain 5. hides with a Mill rated at vi s. viii d. as also a Salt House of iiii s. Rent and two quarters of Salt all being valued at vi li. In that Record it is written Haselove the stroke over the v. through the transcribers neglect being omitted for it should be Haselovere That the later part of the name viz. Overe which in our common speech signifies the same with supra agreeth with the situation of the place is evident enough for it stands upon a notable ascent almost every way and if I may take leave to guess at the other part I shall conclude that the same hilly ground whereupon the town stands being originally woody and full of Hasells as much of the Country thereabouts yet is gave occasion thereof How it past from the before specified Nich. Balistaerius or his posterity I find not but in H. 2. time Nicholas de Pole one of the King's Justices was chief Lord here whose descendants enjoy'd it not long for in 20 H. 3. it appertained to W. de Hastings and upon the Aid then gathered answered for half a Kts. fee amongst divers other lands in this Countie then certified to be
held of Hugh de Albinie but in 36 H. 3. being possest by one Rob. de Haselovere is recorded to be held by hâ—m of the said Will de Hastings I am of opinion that this Rob. de Haselovere is the same man who is elswhere called Rob. Lyvet for certain it is that Rob. Lyvet was Lord of this town about that time and it was not unusuall in those dayes for men totally to relinquish their paternall name and assume that of their residence insted thereof or indifferently to use either Which Robert died seized of this Mannour in 9 E. 2. then held as the Record expresses of Will. de Hastings of Thormarton by the service of a pair of white Spurs price ii d. leaving Iohn Lyvet his son and heir of full age It seems that one Iohn de Chiltenham came afterwards to have some interest here perhaps in right of Alianore his wife for I find that in 3 E. 3. the same Iohn and Alianore aliened a third part thereof with the advouson of the Church to Iohn de Trillow and Katherine his wife and the heirs of the said Katherine After which viz. in 7 E. 3. Rob. de Stratford parson of the Church of Stratford purchased the whole from Henry the son of Rob. Lâ—vet and in 10 E. 3. being then Archdeacon of Canterb. obtained all the interest that the before specified Iohn de Chilâ—enham and Alianore his wife had therein together with the advouson of the Church which he kept but a while as it seems for in 20 E. 3. Will. de Meldon accounted for the half Kts. fee by which it was held as hath been said and presented to the Church as Patron about that time But the next possessor thereof concerning whom I have seen any authoritie was Sir Almaric de S. Amand Kt. who to fortifie his title got a Release from Iohn de Perto the elder of all his right therein which bears date at London on Wednesday next after the Feast of the Purification of our Lady 39 E. 3. and within 3. years after a grant or rather confirmation as I thinkâ— from Nich. de Dounamney likewise of what title he had thereto From which Sir Almaric it was conveyed to Will. de Stoke and Thomas de Sekindon Priests who by their deeds dated on the Feast day of St. Clement the Pope 8 R. 2. past it away unto Thomas de Beauchamp then E. of Warwick and others which Earl having the same year obtained the King's License for that purpose by his speciall Charter dated at Warwick 20 Sept. 19 R. 2. bestowed it upon the Canons of his Collegiate Church in Warwick and their successors for ever Notwithstanding which pious gift King R. 2. taking advantage of the attainder shortly after befalling that Earl as in my story of him in Warw. appeareth violated this his grant to those Canons and gave it to Robert Gowsell Esq. to hold during life But the deposall of that K. which followed soon after reverst that gift of his to Gowsell wherby both the Earl himself became restored to aâ—l his possessions and the said Canons to this Mannour which in 26 H. 8. was valued at xix l. vii s. vii d. and in 4 E. 6. after the dissolution of that Colledge passed out of the Crown inter alia to Sir Raph Sadler Kt. then Master of the Wardrobe and Laurence Wenington Gent. and to the heirs of the said Sir Raph. to be held of the Mannour of Est Greenwich in Socage The Church here with the Church-yard was founded by King ..... to the honour of Christ the blessed Virgin St. Laurence and All Saints and originally endowed with a House for the Parson and two yard land lying in the fields of Haselore and UUalcote as also certain pasture grounds to the same belonging with a certain place and croft lying opposite thereunto And afterwards in King H. 2. time augmented with an ample addition which Nich. de Pole one of the King's Justices and then Lord of this Mannour by the consent of Maud his wife with Robert and Raph his sons both Knights gave thereunto in pure Almes viz. xi acres of his woods called UUidecombe Middelgrove and Rowheye with the land adjoyning and Common of pasture for viiâ— Oxen in his pasture called Speries as also for four Kine and a Bullock in the pasture on the Heath for the Summer time Besides which he gave thereunto out of divers yard lands of his demesn vi Bushells of Oats and of an halfyard land 3. Bushels as also a certain number of Cocks and Hens to be delivered on St. Martin's day yearly by the Tenants holding the same lands together with Law-grist of his Mill with the Tithe thereof Toll free and libertie of Fishing on the banks of his water upon Fasting dayes with Shuf-net and Ese and other Engines except draught Nets in liew of the Tithe of the water being in the Lords hands but if it should happen to be let to ferme then the Parson to have Tithe of all the great Fishes taken therein In an 1201. 19 E. 1. this Rectorie was valued at xv marks and in 15 R. 2. the advouson thereof granted by Thomas Beauchamp E. of Warwick to the Dean and Canons of his Collegiate Church in Warwick and their successors and appropriated thereunto by the Abbot of Evesham deputed by Pope Boniface the ix th 22. Oct. 1394. whereupon the Vicaridge was endowed In 26 H. 8. the said Rectory so appropriated was valued at xxi l. per an the Vicar then having an yearly Pension onely of vi l. xiii s. iiii d. payable by the said Canons of Warwick Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. .......... Nich. â—e Buvynton Cap. 5. Cal. Dec. 1282. Rob. Lyvet Nich. Lyvet Cler. 4. Non. Oct. 1297. Will. de Meldon de Langeford Ioh. Guldune Cler ...... 1339 Will. de Meldon de Langeford Will. de Southam Pbr. 19 Apr. 1345. VVill. de Meldon miles Rob. de Overton Pbr. 6. Oct. 1349. Patroni Vicariae Decan Capit. Eccl. Coll. beatae Mariae Warw. Will. Elys Cap. 16. Martii 1464. Decan Capit. Eccl. Coll. beatae Mariae Warw. Ioh. Betley 7 Ian. 1423. Decan Capit. Eccl. Coll. beatae Mariae Warw. D. Thom. Grene Cap. 13. Iulii 1472. Decan Capit. Eccl. Coll. beatae Mariae Warw. D. Edm. Par. alias Kellet 17 Martii 1500. Decan Capit. Eccl. Coll. beatae Mariae Warw. Rog. Palmer Pbr. 9 Iunii 1523. Decan Capit. Eccl. Coll. beatae Mariae Warw. D. Ric. Brugges Cup .... 1530. Thom. King de Aston Cantlow Cler. Mart. Barker ratione concess D. Cap. Warw. D. Thomas Tayler Pbr. 13. Oct. 1545. Eliz. Angl. Regina Regin Broke Cler. 15 Dec. 1576. Iac. Rex Angl. c. Thomas Honthye Cler. 9. Iunii 1609. Walcote OF this small Hamlet being a
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.
sons Iohn and Roger died young so that the inheritance divolved to Thomas who by the death of Maâ—garet wife of Sir Roger de Clarindon Knight without issue came to possesse a fair part of the Barony of Tyllaghlarg in Ireland by righfull descent as the Pedegree before inserted sheweth Which Thomas had issue onely two daughters betwixt whom his lands were divided this Mannour falling to Elene the wife of Sir Edmund Ferrers of Chartley Knight and so descended unto William Lord Ferrers of Chartley her son and heir who died seâ—zed thereof in 28 H. 6. leaving Anne his daughter and heir then the wife of Walter Devereux Esquire which Walter in 2 E. 4. and so afterwards during that King's regn and in 1 R. 3. was summoned to Parliament amongst the Barons by the name of Walter Devereux de Ferrers Chevalier whose grandchild Walter Vicount Hereford setled it upon Edward his son by a second wife and his heires which Edward built a fair House of brick here wherein he resided and being created Baronet 25. Nov. 10â— Iac. departed this life 22. Sept. in 20â— of that King's reign leaving Sir Walter Devereux his son and heir now Lord of this Mannour Anno scil 1640. Park-Hall THis having been the chief seat of the Ardens for neer CCC years last past had in 38 E. 3. the name of Park-Hall being situate in haya de Bromwich the House as it should seem by an antient moat then standing at the top of the hill Southwards from the River But in 2 H. 5. it was called Manerium de Park-Hall As a member of Bromwich it did originally belong to the old Barons of Dudley for so the tenure thereof implies but when it came to the Ardens or was by them impark't I have not yet discovered In 2 H. 8. I find that the Park was enlarged with Cxl. acres of Wood and Pasture as also with x. acres of arable ground by Iohn Arden Esquire by which it seems that the extent of it before was not great And that afterwards scil in 32 H. 8. it was called Manerium de la Logge alias Park-Hall And here should I according to my accustomed methode speak historically of the Ardens but in regard that Curdworth and Minworth have been of their inheritance even from the Norman Conquest I have thought it more proper to refer what I have to say of that antient Family thither Water Orton THis little village hath its name from the situation standing neer the River and upon such an ascent Before 32 H. 6. I have not found it termed a Mannour but then by an Inquisition taken after the death of Raph de Arden it was so reputed coming to the same Raph by the marriage of Eliz. the daughter and heir of Richard de Clodshale to whose posteritie it still continues That it was originally as a member of Aston belonging to the old Barons of Dudley there is no cause to doubt considering that it hath so antiently been within the view of their Leet held at Bordsley for all the Hamlets in Aston parish and that it appears to have been held as Saltley was the grant whereof from Gervase Paganell I have already vouched But that the Ardens had some lands therein long before the match with Clodshale's heir is as evident There is besides this another Mannour at least in reputation within the precincts of this Hamlet concerning which there was a Fine levied betwixt Francis Morgan and others Plantiffs and Richard Tate and others deforc in 6 E. 6. before which time I have not seen any mention of it and whereof in 43 Eliz. Will. Tate son of Barth Tate was possest At which time I find it certified to be held of Ardens Mannour before mentioned The Inhabitants of this Village being within the parish of Aston did antiently use to hear divine Service in the Chapell of Bromwich but in 20 E. 3. having built one of their own they obtained License from Roger Northburgh then Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield for a Priest to performe the like service therein for one year provided that they should not retain any thing of their dues from the Vicar of Aston which License bears date at Heywood 2 Aug. Anno 1346. For the antiquity of the Bridge here I cannot speak positively but in 37 H. 6. I find that Reginald Bowlers then Bishop of this Dioces taking into his consideration that it was out of repair granted a speciall Indulgence of xl days bearing date 24. Sept. to all the Inhabitants of Coventre-Archdeaconry who should within the space of three years next following charitably contribute to the amendment thereof But whether that Bridge was then of stone or not I am not sure for there is a tradition that Iohn Harman alias Vessy Bishop of Exeter in H. 8. time built it and Curdworth bridge at his own Charges causing the stone for that purpose to be brought from the old Mannour-House of Sutton of which Bishop I shall say more when I come to that place Witton THis was the freehold of one Staunchel before the Norman invasion but afterwards being disposed of with Aston to William Fitz Ausculfe the same Staunchel became Tenant to this new Lord as generally the native English were constrain'd to do so that at the time of the Conqueror's Survey it was certified with the rest of Fitz Ausculf's lands in this Countie and containing one hide was valued at xx s. in which Record it is written Witone But the next possessor thereof afterwards that I can yet discover was Andrew de Wicton who held it in 25 H. 3. being the first perhaps that became enfeoft thereof by one of the Batons of Dudley at which time there was some dispute betwixt the same Andrew and William de Pyrie touching the bounds betwixt this Lordship and that of Pyrie in Staffordshire whereupon the King directed his Precept to the Sheriff of this Countie to bring with him twelve discreet and lawfull Knights of Warwickshire having done the like to the Shiriff of Staffordshire so that upon Perambulation made there might be certain metes and bounds exactly set forth betwixt them which were to be certified to the King's Justices at the next Assize and there it is written Wicton which plainly shews that though it be vulgarly pronounced Witton the originall occasion of its name was from the situat on that it hath so near the bent of the River The next mention I find of it is in 19 E. 1. upon the death of Roger de Someri Lord of Dudley where it appears that Iohn the son of Will. Dyxele held it of the same Roger by the eighth part of a Knight's fee. Which Iohn had issue Iohn who wrote himself Dominus de Wicton in 18 E. 2. But in these Dixleys it continued not much longer for in 14 E. 3. did Sarra the widow of the said Iohn de Dixele and
King's License as also of Sir Iohn de Botetourt Lord of Weoley chief Lord of the Fee granted it to Thomas Pipe then Abbot of Stoneley and his successors for ever To which Thomas Pipe succeeded Iohn de Colshull who with the Covent of that House in consideration of CC. marks sold it to Thomas de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick from whom descending to the succeeding Earls it came in 3 H. 7. to the Crown with the rest of their lands as in Warwick I have shewed where it rested till 36 H. 8. and then being past out to Sir Will. Staunford one of the Justices of the King's Bench was by him sold in 37 H. 8. to Iohn Butler a Citizen of London whose widow Catherine afterwards married to Anth. Throgmorton and Ric. Butler son and heir to the said Ioh. Butler aliened it to Edw. Holt Esquire in 11 Eliz. which Edw. sold it to Francis Dimock Esq. whose daughter and heir Anne being married to Sir Walt. Earle joyned with him in the sale of it together with Erdington already spoke of unto Sir Walt. Devereux Kt. and Baronet from whom it was also purchased by Sir Thomas Holt. Within the Precincts of Erdington there hath been a Familie of the Massies descended from those of Cheshire which by marriage of an heir Female of Holden as I have heard first setled here in H. 6. time Of these Iohn was a Justice of Peace in this Countie towards the later end of H. 8. time and had issue Hugh and he Iohn which last Iohn wasting his estate by excess was the last that had to do here Edgbaston BEing past Erdington Tame is enlarged by a Brook called Rhea from the British word Rhe rheawdr or rhedg as I conceive which signifieth to run or flow and seemeth to have its originall from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fluo which torrent hath its rise from the foot of the Lickey hills in Worâ—â—stershire whence passing on with a swift course it enters this Countie here at Edgbaston whereof I am next to take notice In the Conqueror's Survey this is certified to contain two hides having Woods that extended to 3. furlongs in length and half a mile in breadth all which were valued at xxx s. but there it is written Celboldestone which shews that the denomination of it originally grew from some antient possessor thereof in the Saxons time Will. Fitz Ausculf of whom in Aston I have spoke being then the chief Lord of it but one Drew held it immediatly of him Whether this Drew were paternall ancestor to Henry sirnamed de Egbaldeston of whom there is mention in H. 2. time I cannot directly affirm but 't is likely enough that he might so be though Henry was the first that I find who assumed it for his sirname From which Henry descended another Henry who being a Knight in 22 E. 1. gave for his Arms per pale indented Or and Azure as by his Seal and other authorities appeareth Which Coat hath not onely a resemblance in the colours but somewhat in the very charge to the antient Armes of Bermingham as in Bermingham may be seen and therefore was doubtless assumed by the Family of Eggebaston in imitation of the other in respect of their tenure of this Mannour by military service of the Berminghams who held it over of the Barons of Dudley To this Henry de Eggebaston succeeded Râ—chard whom I find intrusted with sundry great imployments viz. in 7. and 19 E. 2. as a Commissioner for assessing and collecting a Fifteenth in this Câ—untie In 11 for choosing of six hundred Foot-souldiers for the wars in Scotland as also a Commissioner for the Gaol-delivery at Warwick In 15 for the choice of 1800 Foot souldiers in this County and Leicestershire and likewise to conduct them to Newcastle upon Tine to march against the Scots and in 7 E. 3. for choosing and arraying of Foot-Souldiers for another Scotch expedition Henr. de Egebaston 30 H. 2. Ric. de Egebaston Ric. de Egebaston miles Will. dominus de Egebaston â— E. 1. Henr. de Egebaston miles 22 E. 1. Henr. de Egebaston Joh. de Egebaston 8 E. 3. Joh. de Egebaston 28 E. 3. Henr. Midlemore 8 E. 3 Iocosa Midlemore Priorissa de Henwode 2 H. 4. Thomas Middlemore defunctus 11 H. 4. Isabella filia haeres 22 R. 2. Ric. Clodshale 2. maritus 3 H. 5. Ioh. Midlemore ar defunctus 25 H. 6. Agnes postea nupta Will. Lucy ar Ric. Midlemore 15 H. 7. Margeria filia Rob. Throkmorton mil. Thomas Mâ—dlemore obiit 9 Dec. 12 H. 8 Anna filia Ric. Litleton de Pillaton in Com. Staff ar Rob. Midlemore Vicecomes Comitar Warw. 9 Eliz. Margeria Ric. Midlemore Anna soror cohaeres Ric. Greswould de Solihullar Rob. Midlemore obiit an 1631. Priscilla filia Joh. Brooke de Madeley in Com. Salop. ar Ric. Midlemore Maria filia Anth. Morgan de Weston in Com. Warw. ar Robertus Midlemore aetat 14 an 1638. Alicia uxor Will. de Edbritton Ric. de Egebaston miles 17 E. 3. Ric. de Egebaston 21 E. 3. Isabella filia haeres 22 R. 2 Sibilla ux Joh. de Parles To him succeeded another Richard who having in 2 R. 2. been imployed together with other persons of qualitie for collecting a Subsidie in this Countie left issue Isabell his daughter and heir by whom this Lordship became transferred to the line of Midlemore wherein it continueth to this day which Family before that time had their seat at Mapleborough in the Parish of Studley whereof I have already spoke Of Thomas who wedded the said Isabell it appears that he founded the Chantrie at Studley in 7 H. 4. as I have there declared and that he bore for his Arms partie per Cheveron Argent and sable two Moor-Cocks in chief proper and for his Crest the like Moor-Cock upon a tuft of Reedy-grass as by his Seal and the Church-windows at Studley appeareth To whom succeeded Iohn who in 12 H. 6. amongst other the chief persons of note in this Countie made Oath for the observance of certain Articles agreed on in the Parliament then held and departing this life in 25 H. 6. was buried in the Church here at Eggebaston leaving Richard his son and heir within age who during such his minoritie was in Ward to Sir Will. Bermingham Kt. which Richard bequeathing his body to be buried in the Church-yard at Eggebaston and six pound of waâ—e in Tapers to be burnt about it on the day of his Funerall left Margerie his wife Executrix of his said Testament who in her widowhood vowing Chastitie built the fair Tower Steeple here as the tradition is and appointing her sepulture in this Church directed that xx l. should be bestowed at her Funerall amongst Priests Clerks and poor people as also that Sir Iohn Baker her own peculiar Priest should sing therein for her
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
domini Regis apud Covintriam viz. Magistro Willielmo de Kilkenny dominis Henrico de Barton Nicholao de Trye scilicet quod praedictus Comes concessit quietum clamavit de se haeredibus suis praedicto Radulfo haeredibus suis praedictam sepem totum Parcum de Draiton infra illam sepem inclusum Et pro hac concessione in pace dimissione quieta clamatione praedictus Radulfus pro se haeredibus suis concessit eidem Comiti haeredibus suis duos Damos idoneos quolibet anno de praedicto Parco captos inter Assumptionem Nativitatem beatae Mariae Virginis scil de utroque Damo quatuor membra Capud corio furcheto ita quod praedictus Radulphus vel haeredes sui per seipsos vel per nuncios suos faciant habere Bailivis praedicti Comitis vel haeredum suorum ad Manerium ipsius Comitis de Sutton praedictos duos Damos sicut praedictum est inter praedicta duo Festa Et sciendum quod praedictum Parcum de Draiton ita clausum erit quod totum erit integrum versus Forestam praedicti Comitis de Colmesfeld sine Bukestall To this Agreement were witnesses Thomas de Erdinton then Shiriff of Staffordshire Geffrey Sauvage Hugh fil Willielmi id est de Hatton Thomas de Ardern Raph de Mutton Will. de Arderne Rob. fil Willielmi Henr. fil Sewalli progenitor to the Shirleys Hugh de Cuilli Henr. de Ullenhale Alex. de Mildecumbe Iordan de Whitacre and dâ—vers other And that the succeeding Earls of Warwick still held it as their free Chase the severall Licenses that they granted to sundry persons in their own peculiar lands and Woods lying within the precincts thereof do sufficiently manifest viz. to Raph de Limesi by Will. de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick to make a Park at Weford of his Wood called Ashehay in 17 E. 1. In 18 E. 1. to Raph Lord Basset to hunt in his Woods at Draiton In 21 E. 1. to Will. de Odingsells to hunt in the Woods and feilds of Weford Thickbrome and Hynts So also to Will. Mergâ—ill and Rob. de la Ward in their lands and Woods at Hynts c. And that this Chase was of high esteem with those great Earls who had here a very goodly Mannour House with fair Pools near unto it is evident as I shall now further manifest In 17 E. 1 the last recited Earl obtained a speciall Patent of the King that during his life he might have free libertie to follow and pursue such of his Deer as being hunted within this Chase fled into the Forest of Kanc and there to kill and bring them away without any disturbance of the said King's Verderers or other Officers of the Forest Nay the Earl was so tender in preserving his game that though he had given libertie to the Lord Basset for hunting in his own Woods at Draiton yet to the end it might appear that he excluded not himself he questioned the same Lord Basset for his Keepers over-boldness in those Woods So that Basset coming to an agreement with him it was concluded that from thenceforth his Forester for Draiton-woodâ— for the time being should make Oath to the said Earl and his heirs for his faithfull custodie of the Venison and to make Attachments and Presentments in the said Earl's Court at Sutton touching the same And that the Ranger to the said Earl and his heirs for the time being should oversee the Keepership of the Deer in those Woods at his own pleasure and make attachments for the same As also that the Earl should have the one half of all Amerciaments and recompence for Trespasses done to the Deer in those Woods to be received by his Baylâ—ff of Sutton Which Accord was made at Sutton on the Eve of Holy Rood day in the presence of Sir Iohn Clinton the younger Kt Thomas Prior of Canwell Anketill de L'isle Rob. de Scheldon Henr. de Mabely Will. de Lee Iohn Russell and others In 21 E. 1. there being a complaint made to the King by the before specified Earl that some misdemeanours had been committed by certain lewd persons in killing of Deer within this Chase a speciall Commission was directed to Roger Lord Strange to 〈…〉 punish them according to 〈…〉 And â—n 25 E. 1. Iohn Lord of Little 〈◊〉 came to an Accord with the before specified Earl for license to inclose his Woods at Little â—â—rre as also to improve them by assarting and for cutting of under-wood there they being within the bounds of this Chase for which libertie so granted he covenanted for himself and his heirs to pay yearly to the said Earl and his heirs six barbed Arrows on the Feast day of St. Michaell at his Mannour of Sutton I now come to the Mannour After the death of Thomas Earl of Warwick in 26 H. 3. it was inter alia assigned to Ela his Countess in dower and in 31 H. 3. upon the Agreement made betwixt Iohn de Plessets who had wedded Margerie Mareschall heir to the Earldome of Warwick as in Warwick is fully shewed and Will. Mauduit and Alice his wife Aunt and afterwards heir to the same Margerie it was accorded that the same Iohn de Plessets in case he survived his said wife should enjoy this inter alia during his naturall life But the Countess Ela was then living and a long time after for in 32 H. 3. Philip Marmiun Lord of Tamworth Castle brought an Assise against her for Common of pasture within this Lordship and in 36 H. 3. had a speciall Charter of Free warren granted to her for life in all her demeâ—n lands here as also in divers other Mannours of her dower After which viz. in 13 E. 1. VVill. de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick then Lord thereof claymed by Prescription a Court Leet here with Assize of Bread and Beer Free Chase Infangthef Tumbrell Thewe VVeyf and Gallows and it being found that he and his ancestors had excercised all these Liberties and Privileges time out of mind they were allowed To the last William succeeded Guy de Beauchamp in the Earldome of Warwick and possession of this Lordship who in 28 E. 1. obtained a Charter for a weekly Mercate here upon the Tuesday and a Faire yearly to begin on the Eve of the holy Trinity and to continue for three days following In the time of which Earl viz. in 35 E. 1. the K. having received information that the free Chase here at Sutton â— had been antiently a Forest sc. in the time of the King's progenitors before it came to the same Earl's Ancestors made Henry de Spigurnell and Will. de Mortimer Commissioners to enquire whether it were so or not and in case it should be found accordingly then to certifie when it was so disafforested by whom and for what reason as also how it past from the Crown And the Shiriff of this Countie and
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
thereby granted unâ—o the said Walter Cooke and Adam Cooke his Father to found and establish a Chantry of one or two Priests to celebrate Divine Service perpetually therein All which being performed he the same Walter the next year following granted unto the Monks of Westminster and their successors the advouson and patronage of this Chantry but still continuing his wonted affections thereto obtained a License in 14 H. 4 that himself together with William Wynnewyk William Hale William Arlecock William Bowedy Thomas Elford and Hugh Ruggeley might found a Fraternitie and Gild in the same Chapell of themselves and others that out of devotion should be content to join with them therein Neither did he rest here but within few years after being advanced to other dignities for he was also Canon of Yorke Salisburie and S. Pauls in London inciting the Lady Eliz. widow of Iohn Lord Clinton to assist him farther in these his pious intentions â—e obtained another License in 4 H. 5. that she the said Eliz. and he or the Executors of both or either of them might in this Chapell found a Colledge of ten Chantriâ—-Priestsâ— to pray for the good estate of them both during this life and for the health of their souls aftâ—r their departure hence as also for the souls of their parents and friends and all the faithfull deceased one of which Priests to be Rector thereof and to have a Common Seal for the transacting of all their publique businesse But I do not find that it was ever endowed with lands and Rents so amply as to maintain half that number of Priests for by the Survey taken in 26 H. 8. it appeareth that there were then but two Chantrie-Priests besides the Rector nor above that number in 37 H. 8. at which time the cleer yearly value of all the lands and Rents thereto belonging besides reprises were certified to be xxii li. iii s. iii d. The lands appertaining to the Gild before specified all lying in severall distant places were then also rated at xxix li. xiv s. vii d. per annum which maintained three Chantrie-Priests for the said Gild daily singing in the said Chapell That a multitude of persons whereof most of good qualitie nay some of the great Nobility in those days had admittance to be of this Gild is very evident all which in some measure were Benefactors thereto but those I suppose the Chief whose Armes or Inscriptions to their memorie do appear in the windows of the same Chapell most of whom were neighbours viz. Brome and Ferrers sometime of Badsley-Clinton hard by Sir William Wigston of Wolston Dabridgcourt of Langdon-Hall the Ailesburies of Edston and Doctor Laurence Eborall of Balshall which last mentioned Familie still continuing hath for many ages had residence there as the Leiger book of Wroxhall manifesteth For there born and Christened at Wroxhall was D r Thomas Eborall Canon of Pauls but afterwards Master of Whitington-Colledge in London of whom Balaeus makes honourable mention amongst the learned Writers of that time viz. temp H. 6. As also his brother Iohn Master of Arts and Parson of Pauley neer Touceter in Northamptonshire men in those dayes of great worship as are the words of that Register In the midst of the Chancell lyeth a very fair Marble but the portraiture of brasse sometime thereon with the circumscription is torn from it so that there is no testimony whose Monument it was farther than tradition id est of Walter Cooke the Founder of this Collegiate Church Not far from this lyeth another Marble whereupon is the portraiture of a man his two wives and xii Children in plates of brasse and at their feet thus written Of your charity pray for the Souls of Mr. Iohn Dabriggcourt Esquire who deceased the xvi day of Iuly An. MDxliiii and for the soules of Katherine and Elizabeth his wives on whose soules Iesus have mercy Amen In an I le on the North part of the Chapell is a Monument with this Epitaph thereon In this Cabinet is layd up the body of Elizabeth late wife of Thomas S t Nicholas of Ashe in the County of Kent Gent. daughter of Henry Crooke of Well-place in the County of Oxon. Esquire who lived a meet helpe with her husband six years and had issue by him four sons deceased March 9 1631. Patroni Custodeâ— Cantariae Prior Westmonasterii D. Ric. Bryan Pbr. 1. Martii 1435. Prior Westmonasterii Ioh. Wryght Cler. 27. Aug. 1500. Abbas Conv. Westmonasterii D. Ioh. Tounsend 3. Maii 1527. Ricard Barnacull sup-Prior Eccles. Cath. Cov. Gilb. Fowler Cler. 22. Febr. 1537. Balshall OF this place there is no mention in the Conqueror's Survey forasmuch as it was then involved with Hampton in Arden and so as a member of it came to Nigell de Albani as all the rest of Wirce his lands in these parts did To which Nigell succeeded Roger his son and heir sirnamed Moubray who being a very devout man amongst other his pious works gave all this Lordship of Balshall to the Knights Templars whereupon erecting a Church fit for their service of God and a House for habitation they sent part of their Fraternity hither and made it a Preceptorie or Cell subordinate to their principall Mansion viz. the Temple in London Unto which Preceptorie were also divers lands of good value afterwards given by sundry persons of qualitie but before I descend to speak in particular thereof I shall here take notice when and upon what occasion this Order first began as also of what I have met with which is most observable in relation to it About the year of our Lord MCxviii certain Gentlemen honoured with Knighthood having betaken themselves to a religious course of life under the Patriarch of Hierusalem after the Rule of Canons Regular began this Order the first of which were Hugh de Paganis and Godfrey de S. Audomare who in the beginning were so poor though they were valiant men as that they had but one Horse to ride on in memorie of which their primitive povertie and to the end they mâ—ght be mindfull of humilitie they had the figure of two men â—iding upon one Horse engraven on their Seal Which two Knights having no certain habitation and seeking for a place of abode were so much favoured by Baldwyn then King of Ierusalem as that he assigned them a piece of ground within his own Paâ—ace siâ—uate on the South part of the Temple of our Lord for thaâ— purpose whereunto the Canons of the Temple added a street adjoyning for erecting of buildings necessary for their use the Patriarch with the King Nobles and Prelates allowing them lands out of their own demesns for support in food and rayment Touching their first profession I find that in order to the remission of their sins they were to their power to defend Pilgrims from spoil and robberie by Theeves in their passage to and from
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
Thursday the first Mass of the Holy Ghost by Note as also the high Mass of the day On Friday the first Mass of the B. Virgin by Note and the high Mass of the holy Cross the same day by Note also On Satturday the first Mass of S. Iohn the Evangelist by Note and the high Mass of the glorious Virgin Mary And that every Priest in his severall Mass should specially pray for him the said Sir William and all the persons before recited both living and dead as also that in his Memento for the living speciall mention being made of them as aforesaid they should pray for the good estate of the Church and Kâ—ngdom and all the Benefactors to the said Chantrie And lastly that after his decease they should in the first place remember him next his Father and Mother Brother and their wives aforesaid and afterwards the rest before expressed with the Benefactors to the saâ—d Chantrie and after them whom they should think fit and then all the faithfull deceased Which Ordination so made bears date at Fulbroke in this Conntie 21 Iunii anno 1332. 6 â— 3. and was ratified by the before specified Bishop the sixt of Iuly following The Priorie BUt as this worthy person became advanced to further honour and riches so was his heart much enlarged for works of pietie for within the space of fâ—ur years next following having obtained Lâ—cense from the Kingâ— for the Foundation of a Monastery of Canons-Regular of S. Augustin's Order and for amortizing of the Churches of Maxstoke and Long-Ichinton thereto with xx li. lands per an of his own proper estate he began the fabrick thereof whereby the Chantrie before mentioned became dissolved and was incorporated to that Religious House And being then newly created Earl of Huntendon procured from the said King a most ample Charter of Liberties and priviledges thereto constituting by his own Charter most solemn and exact Rules for the government of those his Canons In which Charter having declared his Dedication thereof to the honour of the holy and individuall Trinity the blessed Virgin S. Michaell th'arch Angell and all Saints he expresseth his said Foundation and endowment to be for the good estate of himself and Iulian his wife as also of Edw. 3. then K. of England Laurence de Hastings Roger Bishop of Cov. and Lich. Henry Prior of Coventre Richard Dean of Lichfield as also of the Monks of Coventre and Canons of Lichfield during this life and for the health of his soul together with the souls of the said Iulian K. Edward the rest as aforesaid after their departures out of this world the souls of Iohn de Clinton his father Ida his mother Iohn his brother and their children living dead and moreover for the souls of all the Kings of England Lords Hastings Bishops of Cov. and Lich. Priors Deans Monks and Canons of the places before recited his Parents Benefactors and of all the faithfull deceased Appointing that there should be therein an elective Prior with a Covent of xii Canons besides there living religiously and regularly according to the Rule of S â— Augustin wearing both in Summer and Winter for their upper garment a black Cope and Hood with a Surplis under the said Cope and such other garments as all other Regular Canons then used And that upon the death of the Prior the Covent should within five or six days proceed to the election of another without seeking for any License of him his heirs or successors Likewise that none should be admitted as a Canon in this Monastery but a Free-born man and so reputed as also of good conversation competently learned for the state of such a Canonâ— having a fit voice to sing being xviii years old at least and fit to receive the Order of Priesthood when he should come of meet age and at the end of the first year after such his entrance that should read or cause to be read openly in his presence all and singular the things contained in the said Charter of Foundation promising his faithfull observance of them And further declared that whereas he had endowed the said Monastery with Lands and Rents to the value of CC li. per an lying within the precincts of Maxstoke and Long-Ichinton before specified when there should happen to be x. marks yearly increase of that revenue either by himself or any other Benefactor or through the industry of the said Prior and Covent within one month after another Canon might be added to their number and so still more Canons as their revenues should proportionably augment And likewise that no yearly Pension should be granted to any one by the Prior except for the certain advantage of the House whereof the Bishop of the Dioces to be Judge As also that the Accounts of all the Officers belonging to the Monasterie should be yearly exhibited to the Prior and Covent or three persons by them nominated and openly read before the whole Covent to the end that every one might thereby know the true state of the House and by Indenture to be then deposited in their Treasurie And hereunto did he adde that after his departure out of this life his Anniversarie should be yearly celebrated by the said Prior and Covent with Placebo and Dirige as also solemn Mass in the Quire and the whole Office of the Dead for the health of his soul with the souls above specified and all the faithfull deceased And that upon the same day there should be a Dole to an C. poor people viz. of Maxstoke and other places to each a Loaf weighing L s. and every day at dinner time over and above the accustomed Bread allowed to the poor one white Conventuall Loaf and a mess of meat out of the Kitchin together with a flagon of Beer assigned to one of the poorest people in Maxstoke or from some other place according to the discretion of the Prior or his Almoner for the health of the said Founder's soul and the souls of the persons above named and all the faithfull deceased And that the Mass of the blessed Virgin the Chapter-Mass and the Mass of the day should be daily celebrated at the houres and in the places accustomed in other Monasteries so that in all those Masses except on the greatest Festivalls mention should be made of him and of Iulian his wife as also of the said King Edward and the persons before recited during their lives in this world and afterwards in such sort as is usually done for the dead And moreover that every Prior before his installation should cause all the particulars contained in the said Charter of Foundation to be openly read promising his faithfull observance of them to his utmost power And after Mattens of the blessed Virgin finished in the Quire and the Mass of the same and at the end of every houre the Pâ—iest celebrating the Mass and the performer of the Office with the same voice that he
to this Mannour in regard that Sir Baldwyn his Father finding that Sir Edm. Mountfort his half brother before spoken of had backt himself with the countenance of the D. of Buck. a mighty man for the Lancastrian interest made a Feâ—ffment thereof unto this King when he was but Earl of March the better to maintain his title thereto After which viz. in 11 E. 4. he underwent the S. iâ—ffaltie of this Countie and Leicestershire and was retained by the said King to serve him in the wars of France for one whole year with five Spears himseâ—f accounted and Lx. Archers well and sufficiently armed and arrayed taking for himself ii s. per diem for the rest of the said Spears xviii d. and for the Archers vi d. a peice the King to have the third part of all prizes in war taken by him or any of his retinue In 9 E. 4. he had the Lieutenâ—ncie of the Isle of Wight and Castle of Caresbroke under Sir Anth. Widvile Kt. Lord Scales of Nucells and of the said Isle And being made a Kt. Baneret 24 Maii 11 E. 4. served in the wars of Normandie in 15 E. 4. And was in all Commissions of the Peace during the whole reign of that King as also of Array Gaol-deliverie and levying of Subsidies for the most part imployed So also in H. 7. time till the xâ— of his reign being likewise in 4. a Commissioner in this Countie for assigning and choosing of Archers for releif of the Dutchie of Brittanie which imployments do argue that he was a person of great wisdom and courage But such an unhappy fate attended him that by attainder in 10 H. 7. he lost his life whereby his possessions which were very large became confiscate to the utter ruin of his Familie The crime of Treason layd to his charge was this viz. that he sent xxx l. in money by Henry his younger son unto Perkin Warbeck who counterfaiting himself to be one of the murthered sons of K. Edw. 4. did make severall attempts for the obtaining of the Crown In the behalf of which Perkin much hath been said by some arguing that he was really the second son to K. Edward Whether he was so or not I will not stand to dispute but doubtless many did really beleive him so to be of which number this Sir Simon was one having been a stedfast friend to the House of York for it appears that upon his triall in Guild-Hall London the Friday next before Candlemass-day 10 H. 7. in the presence of Edw. D. of Buck. Thom. Marq. Dorset Thom. Earl of Arundell and others Commissioners for that purpose he denied not the charge having thereupon Judgement to be drawn through the midst of the Citie as also hang'd and quartered at Tiburne and being executed accordingly was attainted in the Parl. begun at Westm. 14 Oct. the year following which sad Catastrophe did put a period to the greatness of this antient Familie the line whereof the Pedegree before inserted doth shew till these present times but what I have farther to say thereof is in Kingshurst Upon the confiscation of whose lands this Mannour was soon disposed of by the K unto Simon Digby Deputie to Iohn Earl of Oxford then Constable of the Tower which Simon Digby brought this unhappy Gentleman to the Bar at his said Triall the Patent extending to the heirs male of his body and bearing date at Westminster 23 Dec. 11 H. 7. to whom it still continues Everardus Digby miles coesus in praelio apud Touton 1 E. 4. Everardus Digby mil. a quo Digby de Stokedrye in com Rutl. Sim Digby de Colshill ar ob 12 H. 8. Alicia filia haeres Ioh. Waleys Regin Digby ar ob 25 Apr. 3 E. 6. Anna filia cohaer Ioh. Danvers ar Ioh. Digby ar obiit 15 Nov. ult Mariae Anna filia Georgii Throkmorton de Coughton mil. Georgius Digby factus eques aur in obsid. de Zurphen in Handria per Rob. Comitem Leic. 28 Eliz. obiit 4 Febr. seq Abigal filia Arthuri Heveningham mil. secundò nupta Edw. Cordell ar Rob. Digby factus eq aur apud Dublin in Hibern per Rob. Com. Essexiae an 38 Eliz. obiit .... Maii 16 Iac. Leticia filia haeres Geraldi Fitz-Gerald fil haer Geraldi Comitis de Kildare Robertus Digby erectus in Baronem Digby de Geashill in Hibern per Regem Iac. Sara filia Ric. Boyle Comitis de Corke in Hibernia Catherina Leticia Kildare Baro Digby infra aet an 1640. Ioh. Digby erectus in Baronem Digby de Shiâ—burne Com. Bristoll per Regem Iac. Thomas Digby de Mansfeild-Woodhouse in com Not. Touching the Ancestors of which Simon I find that they having antiently their residence at Tilton in Leicestershire thereupon assumed then sirname from thence in H. 2. time but afterwards fixing at Digby in Lincolnshire were called of that place which ever since hath been the known name of this Family Of which line was Iohn de Digby one of the Commissioners for the Gaol-deliverie at Warwick in 11. 12. 14. 15 32. and 33 E. 1. But I return This Simon was second son to Sir Everard Digby of Tilton Kt. which Sir Everard and three of his Brethren lost their lives at Touton-field in Yorkshire on K. H. 6. part But our Simon after he saw that the House of Yorke prevailed carried himself so obsequiously to Edw. 4 th that in 18 of that King's reign he had a grant of an annuitie of x l. per an issuing out of Retford-Mills in Nottinghamshire in consideration of his faithfull service done and to be done as the Patent doth import And within two years after pro bono commodisero servicio quod idem Simon multimodis laboribus expensis nobis per-antea multipliciter impendit as the King expresseth had the Forestership of Thornwodes in the Southern part of Shirewood bestowed on him for life also with the Fee of iiii d. per diem for the performance of that Office Yet no sooner did the Earl of Richmund appear in England though but with slender forces than that he with his six valiant Brothers viz. Sir Everard Digby of Tilton before specified Iohn Digby of Ketelby Rouland Digby of Welby both in Leicestershire Lybeus Digby of Luffnam in Rutland Thomas and Benjamin not forgetting the Lancastrian interest came in to him and fought stoutly on his part at Bosworth-field against K. Richard After which the said Earl having obtained a glorious victorie and being there crowned King by the name of Henry the vii th advanced Iohn and Thomas to the dignitie of Knighthood making the former also Knight-Marshall of his houshold and the other one of the Gentlemen-Huishers of his Chamber conferring on him the Bailywick of Olney in Buckinghamshire and Keepership of the Park there where he thenceforth made his residence
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
hem in like caas and as they wol answere before the most hygh and mightifull Iuge at the dredfull day of Dome where both they and I shall appere In witnes that this ys my last Will I have set hereto my Sele ywritten in the day and yere aforeseyd I now return to Richard son and heir to the before specified Sir William This Richard was created Earl of Worcester in 8 H. 5. but slain in France within two years after leaving one onely daughter his heir scil Elizabeth married to Sir Edw. Nevill Kt. a younger son to Raph Earl of Westmerland first summoned to Parliament in 29 H. 6. by the name of Edw. Nevill de Bergavenny chivalier From whom is descended as the Pedegree sheweth Iohn Nevill Lord Bergavenny now Lord of this Mannour The Church dedicated to our Lady and All Saints was in an 1291. 19 E. 1. valued at xvi marks the advouson whereof in 19 E. 3. being purchased from Laurence de Hastings Earl of Pembroke by Will. de Clinton Earl of Huntendon was by him given to the Canons of Marstoke the same year whereupon they soon obtained an appropriation thereof And in 26 H. 8. the Vicaridge was rated at viii l. ix s. ix d. over and above x s. allowed for Procurations and Synodals But all that I have farther found relating to this Church is that in H. 3. time viii s. per an was assigned by one Nich. Burbache Clerk out of certain lands lying in this Parish for the maintenance of a Lampe burning in the body thereof to the honour of the blessed Virgin the said anâ—uitie having been appointed to be so disposed of by Sir Thomas de Hastings who for the souls of his Ancestors gave to the same Nicholas those lands out of which it was so charged and upon that condition Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. D. Henr. de Hastings Thom. de Burbache Cler. an 1248. D. Ioh. de Hastings miles Conradus de Howeschill de Alemania Cler. Cal. Nov. 1305 Patroni Vicariae Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Adam de Overton Cap. 2. Non. Sept. 1345. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Hen. de Corley Cap. 2. Non. Ian. 1345. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Will. Prelate Cap. Id. Apr. 1351. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ioh. de Aldestre 2 Cal. Nov. 1351. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Rog. de Aston Cap. 2. Non. Maii 1353. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Galfr de Fitz Cap. 4. Cal. Aug. 1353. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ric. Rymyll Pbr. 2 Dec. 1383. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Rob. Bascote Pbr. 8. Cal. Dec. 1386. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ioh. de Shenyndon Pbr. 11 Feb. 1394. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Rog. Wylkins Pbr. 26. Feb. 1394. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ioh. Heward Cap. 25. Febr. 1399. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke D. Will. Eyre Pbr. 26. Maii 1422. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ioh. â—owper Pbr. 5. Oct. 1434. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ioh. Brackley Pbr. 4. Aug. 1435. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ioh. Bounde Pbr. 6. Maii 1437. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Will. Esteby Pbr. 4. Nov. 1438. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ric. Littleton Cap. 24. Feb. 1450. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Tho. Haddeley Canon de Lilshull 7. Febr. 1452. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Mr. Thom. Palmer in Leg. Bac. 17. Apr. 1529. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke D. Ioh. Nicholson Pbr. 5. Apr. 1531. Georgius Coldwell gen ex coness Pr. C. de Maxstoke D. Thurstanus Morrey Cler. ult Dec. 1556. Nich. Strange ar Thom. Graunger 2. Martii 1581. Iac. Rex Christoph. Forde Cler. 24. Sept. 1608. Old Fillongley OF this place I have but little to say In 13 Edw. 1. the Prior of Coventre claymed a Court Leet and divers other Priviledges here by vertue of King H. 3. Charter which were allowed and in 20 Edw. 3. was certified to hold it of the Lord Hastings by the eighth part of a Knight's Fee this being as he was superior Lord thereof Nor from hence till Hen. 7. time have I seen any more thereof by the light of our publique Records but in 14. of that King's reign Thomas Froxmere Esquire was found to die seized of it leaving Francis his son and heir xiv years of age Which Family of the Froxmeres had it by a daughter and heir of Fillongley if we may credit some mens Notes of which name there were that long since resided at this place as by tradition I have heard whereof I am the more credulous in regard it appears that William de Fillongley had imployment as a Commissioner in some publique affaires of the County in 51 Edw. 3. and 2 Ric. 2. and that Henry de Fillongley Esquire Sergeant of the Scullerie to King H. 4. was one of the Knights for this Shire in the Parliament of 31 H. 6. as also Shiriff of this Countie and Leicestershire in 37. of the said King's reign Metley THis part of Fillongly now called Metley-end lyeth westward from the Church neer two miles but the most antient mention I find of it is in 6 E. 2. Nicholas de Burbache then holding halâ— a Knight's Fee here of the heirs of Henry de Hastings In which line of Burbache it continued till 3 E. 6. that Richard Burbache sold it to Edw. Pâ—e of Maxstoke-Hall Esquire by the name of the Mannour of Metley Ansley BOurne passing on about a mile below Fillongley-Church is enlarged with another torrent that riseth in Ansley of which place I am next to take notice In Edw. the Confessor's time the Countess Godeva of whom I have spoke in Coventre enjoy'd it but after the Norman Invasion being in the King's hands it was together with Coventre and the other lands which belong'd to that Countess ferm'd out to one Nicholas and in the generall Survey then taken where it is written Hanslei is joyned with Hartshill there also recorded by the name of Ardreshille both which were valued at C s. as also from H. 1. time for many ages afterwards possest jointly by a Family of good note whose cheif seat being at Hartshill assumed that place for their sirname But by a daughter and heir of Hardreshull came at length to Culpeper as the Descent in Hartshill doth shew Which Family of Culpeper having their principall seat at Bedgebury in Kent for the most part made little residence in this Country so that in process of time they sold away all their interest here Sir Alexander Culpeper Knight first passing in Fee-ferm unto Iohn Ludford Gentilman his Receiver and Officer for this Mannour and Hartshill much of the demesns in 20 H. 7. And afterwards Iohn Culpeper a younger son to the said Sir Alexander on whom it seems this was setled all the rest together with the Mannour
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
the same for that purpose By the Survey made in 26 H. 8. I find that the Priest weekly celebrating divine Service here had a stipend of Liii s. iv d. per annum payd by the Canons of Maxstoke but this was in lieu of the Mill in Shustoke which they had for of the Tenement and half yard land lying in Bentley it doth not appear by that Survey that they were possest Patroni Incumbentes Rad. fil Nicholai ratione custodiae terrae haeredis VVill. de Asseby VValt de Stretton temp H. 3. Nich. de Astley miles Rob. Morlanges ..... 1311. D. Ioh. de Moubray D. Rob. Ireland Cap. 3. Id. Febr. 1331. post mortem Rad. de Oulmor Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ioh. VVillie Cler. 10. Cal. Ian. 1347. Arms in the East window of this Chapell Azure a Cinquefoile Ermine Astley Argent three Eaglets gâ—les L'isle of Moxhull Blithe THis being originally a member of Shustoke and involved therewith in the Conqueror's Survey came to Nigel de Albani out of doubt with Shustoke and by the said Nigel as I guess was disposed of in H. 1. time unto the Ancestor of that Family whose seat being at Th'ester-waver now called Cester-Over assumed that place viz. VVaver for his sirname and to fortifie this conjecture I have these evincing circumstamces whereof wanting better light at so great a distance I presume to make use scil the Tenure thereof from the descendants of the before specified Nigel who took the name of Moubray and that VVilliam a younger son of VVilliam de VVaver seding here in King Iohn's time had his sirname from hence his posteritie bearing the same Coat as VVaver did viz. Argent on a Fesse sable three Escalops Or as by a Pedegree drawn about the beginning of King H. 7. time appeareth Rog. de Blithe 50 H. 3. Will. de Blithe 30 E. 1. Rog. de Blithe 16 E. 3. Will. de Blithe 28 E. 3. Thomas de Blithe Escaetor D. Regis infra Com. Warw. 9 R. 2. Thomas de Blithe 2 H. 4. Margareta una filiarum cohaer ux Will. Bishbury de Bishbury in Com. Staff ar 4 H. 6. Ric. Bishbury Roesia filia haeres ux Ioh. Cleyton de Harwood parva in Com. Lanc. gen relicta 36 H. 8. Roesia filia cohaeres ux Ioh. Grosvenour de Tetnall in Com. Staff .... ux Will Leveson Ioh. Leveson de Bishbury gen 4 Eliz. Alicia altera filiarum cohaer ux Gerardi Râ—ngley de Tubington in Com. Staff Edm. Ringley Barbara filia haeres ux Ric. Lawley 37 H. 8. To which VVilliam de Blithe succeeded Roger who in 50 H. 3. was amongst other persons of good note of the Jury for extending the lands of those in this Hundred that had taken part with the rebellious Barons then newly vanquisht in the battail of Evesham From which Roger I have here drawn the Descent of this Familie so long as the male line that continued possessors hereof lasted and through the heire female till they past away their interest here to the end that its successive owners may the more perspicuously be discoveredâ— By which it appeareth that by the coheirs of Thomas de Blithe in H. 6. time it came to Bishbury and Ringley who making no division of it their posterity became Tenants in common thereto But long they kept it not for in 37 H. 8. did Reginald Bellers purchase that moitie belonging to Richard Lawley and Barbara his wife and in 13 Eliz. the other moytie from Iohn Leveson of Bishbury cosin and heir to Rose the Widow of Iohn de Cleyton as the Pedegree sheweth So that then being possest of the whole by his Deed bearing date 6. Iulii 21 Eliz. he conferred the inheritance thereof upon William his second son which William reserving an estate therein for himself and his wife during their lives sold the reversion to Sir Edward Aston of Tixhall in Com. Staff Knight who by his lâ—st Wilâ— and Testament disposed thereof unto Henry Skipwith of Tugby in Com. Leic. Gent. and Iane his wife and the heirs of their two bodies the said Iane having been his Concubine But of them did Sir Walter Aston Knight of the Bath son and heir to the said Sir Edward purchase it again in 5 Iac. Which Sir Walter afterwards Lord Aston of Forfare in Scotland by his Deed of bargain and sale dated 14. Nov. 1 Car. conveyed it unto the William Dugdale it being the place of my residence and where I compiled this present Work Ousthirne ON the skirts of Shustoke-parish is the confluence of severall Rivers viz. Blithe and Cole Tame and Blithe as also of Tame and Bourne as the Map sheweth in pursuance therefore of my methode I must passe over to the Western bank of Tame whereâ—â— first behold Ousthirne sometime a Grange belonging to Merevale Abby and for that respect still reputed a member thereof but originally the greatest part of it did belong to Shustoke being first given to the Monks of Merevale as I guess by Walter de Camvile in H. 2. timeâ— for at that time was the said Walter Lord of Shustoke as I have shewed and that he gave lanes to that Monasterie King H. the second 's confirmation doth manifest though the particular names thereof are not there exprest But upon the dissolution of Merevale this Grange coming to the Crown was granted with the site of that Monasterie unto Sir Walter Devereux Knight Lord Ferrers of Chartley and by him given as it seems to Sir Edward Devereux Knight and Baronet his son by a second wife whose son and heir Sir Walter hath within these few years sold the site thereof and most of the lands thereto belonging unto Charles Adderley Esquire now Knight Lord of Lea hard by Lea. OF this place there is no mention in the Conqueror's Survey it being then involved with Whitacre of which Constablerie it is till this day and so consequently possest therewith by the Marmions Lords of Tamworth-Castle From one of those Marmions as it seems was the Ancestor of Iames de la Launde enfeoft thereof which Iames lived in H. 3. time and in 37. of that King's reign had a Charter of Free warren in all his demesn lands here From this Iames descended Iohn de la Launde as the Pedegree in Langdon sheweth who manifesting that his Ancestors had enjoyed a Court-Leet here with Assize of Bread and Beere and other Liberties thereto belonging in 3 E. 3. obtained a Charter from the King for confirmation thereof to himself and his heirs with Infangthef Tumbrell and Pillorie and bore for his Armes a Rend Cotized as by his Seal appears To whom succeeded Iames his son and heir the last of this Family that had to do here for in 41 E. 3. he quitted all the interest he had in this Mannour to Alianore his mother which Alianore by her
Winâ—rida ux Edw. Willoughby Abigal Francisca Hugo Willoughby miles periit in mare glaciali anno 1553. Which Sir Henry being made a Banneret at the battail of Stoke 11. Iunii 2 H. 7. and in 4 H. 7. a Commissioner in this Countie for appointing Archers to the relief of Britanny as also a Knight of the Sepulcher by his Testament bearing date 20 H. 8. bequeathed his body to be buried in the Church of S. Leonard at Wollaton in Com. Nott. and departed this life 11. Maii the same year leaving issue Sir Iohn Willoughby Knight his son and heir that married Anne one of the sisters and coheirs to Edward Grey Viscount L'isle Sir Edward Willoughby Knight his second son and Sir Hugh Willoughby Knight the third famous for his skill in Navigation but unhappy in his adventure in Anno 1553. being then frozen up in the Northern Seas as our Historians relate Which Sir Iohn Willoughby dying without issue Henry son to his brother Edward became heir to the estate who wedded Anne daughter of Thomas Grey Marquess Dorset and departed this life in 3 E. 6. leaving Thomas his son and heir who dying issulesse the estate came to Francis his yonger Brother afterwards a Knight Which Sir Francis built that stately House at Wollaton in Com. Nott. being the most eminent piece of Architecture in all those parts but departing this life 16. Nov. 38 Eliz. without issue male the inheritance of his lands divolved to daughters so that this Mannour of Midleton inter alia being alotted to Briget the eldest Wife to Sir Percivall Willoughby Knight descended from the Willoughbyes of Ersby in Lincolneshire by Sir Thomas Willoughby one of the Justices of the Common Pleas in King H. 8. time a younger son of that House as their Pedegree sheweth whose son and heir Sir Francis Willoughby Knight now enjoys it Of the Church dedicated to S. Iohn Baptist the Advouson was purchased from Sir Philip Marmion by the Dean and Chapter of the Collegiate-Church at Tamworth in 41 H. 3. After which being appropriated thereto it became a Prebend thereof so that the Cure was served be a Stipendiarie Baxterley PAssing the River now to the other side I come to Baxterly situate at the head of a slender torrent which coming by Hurley enters Tame a little above Kingsburie But of this place there is no particular mention in the Conqueror's Survey it being then involved with Grendon and so consequently possest by Henry de Fâ—rrerâ— From whom it came to one of the old Earls of Warwick and so to Harecourt as may seem by the Record of 36 H. 3. where it is plain that Richard de Harecourt held the sixt part of a Knight's Fee here of the Earl of Warwick And from Harecourt to Luvell for about the beginning of King Edw. 1. reign did Iohn Luvell the son of William Luvell grant to Sir Iohn de Chetwynd his kinsman the inheritance thereof paying to him the said Iohn and his heirs or to Richard de Harecurt Chief Lord of the Fee as the Deed expresseth a pound of Pepper yearly at Easter After which scil in 9 E. 1. it was found that the same Sir Iohn de Chetwynd had certain Customary Tenants here who payd unto him C s. per annum Rent and did suit twice a year at his Leet the extent of what he had here being certified at iv yard land but in 17 E. 3. it appears that Sir Iohn de Chetwynd had xvi Messuages vi yard land vi acres of Pasture and two acres of Wood in this place It seems that the Chetwynds did not long after this retain the possession of these lands for in 19 E. 3. the moytie of this Mannour together with the advouson of the Church was given by some Ecclesiastique persons who were Feoffees to one William de Henover unto the Abby of Merevale to find certain Priests to celebrate divine Service in the Chapell of our Ladie near the Gate of the said Monastery for the soul of the said William de Henovere deceased so that 't is like they were about that time purchased of Sir Iohn de Chetwynd for that purpose in regard of their vicinitie to Merevale All which after the dissolution of that House were in 32 H. 8. together with it purchased from the Crown by Sir Walter Devereux Knight Lord Ferrers of Chartley and so descended to Robert Earl of Essex Lord thereof in anno 1640. Within this moytie is a fair mansion called Baxterley Hall built in King Edw. 6. time by Iohn Glâ—ver then a Retainer to the Lord Ferrers as may appear by the Armes and Badges carved upon the timber-work thereof but formerly a Servant to the Abbots of Merevale as by tradition I have heard Unto which House did that famous assertor of the Protestant Religion scil Hugh Latimer sometime Bishop of Worcester resort whose ghostly Instructions so well grounded Robert Glover Brother to the said Iohn that rather than he would recede from them he chose to lay down his life being burnt at Coventre in 5 6 Ph. M. as M r Fox in his Catalogue of Martyrs hath declared Which Robert had issue Hugh who inherited these lands as cosin and heir to his uncle Iohn in whose line they continue till this day As for the other moytie the soonest discoverie that I have made thereof afterwards is in 12 â— 4. where Thomas Litleton at that time one of the Justices of the Common Pleas gave it to Roger Wall then one of the Canons of Lichfield and other his Feoffees for performance of his last Will From whom descended Sir Edward Litleton of Pillaton-Hall in Com. Staff Knight who sold it of late years to George Corbyn â—eorge Ludford and Richard Whitehall Gentlemen Trustees for the Freeholders in whom it now resteth The Church being originally but a Chapell belonging unto Orton on the Hill antiently written Overton subâ—us Arden was with it given to the Monks of Merevale by Robert Earl Ferrers Pope Lucius the third confirming the grant in anno 1185. 32 H. 2. But the patronage thereof after the grant of the moytie of the Mannour together with the Advouson to the Monks of Merevale as formerly hath been said was jointly in the said Monks the heirs of Harecurt superioâ— Lords of the Fee being exercised by turns as the Institutions will manifest In anno 1291. 19 E. 1. it was valued at five marks but in 26 H. 8. at C s. over and above iv s. vi d. allowed for Procurations and Synodalls Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. W. filius Roberti de Henover Will. le Archer Cler. an 1302. Rob. de Stokes per concess D. Ric. de Harecurt Thomas de Boudon Cler. 2. Id. Apr. 1303. Will. de Schulton Rector Eccles. de Ashesho Ioh. de Walton Pbr. 16. Cal. Iulii 1343. D. Will. de Harecurt miles
25 E. 1. when the Earls of Hereford and Marshall with other their complices began to blow the Coals of discontent at the present Government and prohibited the Treasurer and Barons of the Exchequer to gather that Subsidie granted to the King in Parliament at St. Edmundsbury which was the eighth part of their moveable goods having allured the Londoners to stand with them for the recovering of their liberties as they termed it thiâ— Iohn fell in to their partie but by the timely care of Prince Edward then Lieutenant here in his Father's stede who was at that time victorious in Scotland the heat of these turbulent Spirits was allayed by a condescension to confirm Magna Charta and that of the Forests as also that thenceforth no Taxe should be imposed upon his Subjects without their consent in Parliament and that the offences of those Earls and their adherents should be pardoned In which pardon this Iohn de Ferrers is particularly named who shortly after grew in such esteem with the King that he had Summons to sit in Parliament amongst the Barons in 27 E. 1. and afterwards in all succeeding Parliaments which favour was continued to his posteritie who thereupon had the title of Lord Ferrers of Chartley that being their principall seat But farther than what I have said I shall not prosecute the Storie of these Baronâ— it being besides my business referring my Reader to the Dâ—scent before inserted whereby the succession of them may beseen a word or two now of William his uncle from whom they of Groby sâ—â—ung and so consequently those of Tamworth and I have done This William being in Armes against the King with the Barons in 48 H. 3. was taken in Northampton the same year at the assault thereoâ— by the Royall Army but in 50 H. 3. conforming himself to obedience had pardon and was received to favour By the gift of Margaret his Mother one of the daughters and coheirs to Roger de Quincie Earl of Winchester he had a grant of the Mannour of Groby in Leicestershire which came to her upon the partition of that inheritance whereupon he payd a Fine of xl marks to the Kingâ— that he might hold it in Capite by the services antiently due and did his Homage for the same bearing for his Armes the Coat of the said Roger de Quinci sc. Gules seven Mascles voided Or which his descendants continued till the male line of the elder House viz. the Lord Ferrers of Chartley became extinct as hath been already observed To which William who was dead in 17 E. 1. succeeded William his son and heir summoned to Parliament amongst the Peers in 25. E. 1. and afterwards during his life by the name of William de Ferrers de Grobi Chivalier being the first that brought the dignity of a Baron to this branch of the Family and to him Henry who married Isabell the daughter and heir of Theobald Lord Verdon Which Henry in consideration of his good and acceptable services performed to King Edward the third as also his chargeable expences and frequent endeavours for the defence of his rights as the words of the Pat. do import had by the consent of the Prelates Earls and Barons assembled in Parliament at Westminster by Letters Pat. bearing date 18 Maii 11 E. 3. a grant from the said King of the Mannours of Risebergh-Comitis in Buckinghamshire Walton in Com. Derb. and Newport in Com. Essex c. to himself and the heirs male of his body some whereof are to this day enjoyed accordingly But forasmuch as the seat of this branch was in Leicestershire I shall not farther pursue the Story of them having already inserted the Descent so far as the male line continued chiefly because I am to discourse of the principall stem now remaining when I come to Tamworth-Castle where to this day it flourisheth And so having already made my Apologie for this long digression I must now step on the Northern side of Anker forasmuch as the Mother-Churches whereunto all those Villages and places of note lying on this side the River do or did antiently belong are situate there Wedington BEfore the Norman invasion this place was possest by one Hereuuarde but after the Conquest Robert Earl of Mellent had it with many other Lordships aswell in this Countie as elsewhere at which time by the generall Survey it was rated for three Hides having Woods that belong'd thereto containing two furlongs in length and one in breadth and all together valued at xxx s. but in that Record it is written Watitune That from this Earl of Mellent it came to Henry de Neuburgh his brother the first Earl of Warwick of the Norman race and that the progenitor of the Astleys had it with Astley and Hill-Morton both in this Countie by grant from the said Earl in K. Henry the first 's time to be held by the service of one Kts. Fee I have in Hill-Morton and Astley already demonstrated I shall now therefore take notice of what I find memorable thereof during it's continuance in that Family and the succession of it since which in brief is as followeth viz. That being seized into the King's hands for the Rebellion of Thomas de Astley slain in the battail of Evesham 49 H. 3. it was given to Warine de Bassingburne with Astley and all other his possessions then forfeited but afterwards upon the Composition made by Andrew de Astley son and heir to the said Thomas according to the Dictum de Kenilworth the said Andrew had a grant thereof back from the same Warine which the King confirmed Which Andrew in 13 E. 1. clayming here by Prescription a Court Leet Gallows Free-warren and Weyfs had allowance thereof To whose Descendants it continued whilst the male line lasted but then together with Astley divolving to Grey was inclosed and for the most part depopulated by Thomas Grey Marquess Dorset in 7 H. 7. who decayed ten Messuages here whereunto belonged CCC acres of land After which his posteritie did not long enjoy it for by the attainder of Henry D. of Suff. his grandson it eschaeted to the Crown and in 4. Eliz. was granted to Henry Earl of Huntingdon and his heirs to be held in Capite by the xxth part of a Knight's Fee of whom it was purchased as I think by Humphrey Adderley Esquire for I find that the said Humphrey died seized of it in 41. Eliz. whose grandchild now enjoys it The Church in an 1291. 19 E. 1. was valued at six marks and in 26 H. 8. at viii l. x s. vi d. over and above ix s. vi d. for Procurations and Synodalls Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes D. Nich. de Astley miles Galfr. de Sutton Cap. 3 Cal. Nov. 1312. D. Thomas de Astley miles Will. Ernald 3. Id. Oct. 1347. D. Thomas de Astley miles Rob. de Shakelthorp
the Knights for the Body to same King and Shiriff of that Countie in 9 H. 7. as that by means of a counterfeit Letter in the name of Randolf Brereton Esquire delivered on Friday night before the Feast of St. Iohn Baptist's Nativity requesting his meeting with him at Stafford the next morning by five of the Clock being allured out of his House at Ingestrie and passing thitherwards accordingly with no more attendance than his own son and two servants he was way-layed upon Tixhall-Heath by no less than xx persons whereof seven were of the said Sir Humphrey's own Familie some with Bows and other with Spears all armed with Bregandines and Coats of Male who issuing out of a Sheep-coat and a deep dry Pit furiously assaulted him saying that he should die and accordingly killed him the said Sir Humphrey at that time passing by with at least xxiiii persons on Horseback upon pretence of hunting a Deer All which the Petition to the King made by Alice his widow wherein she craves that the same Sir Humphrey and his said servants might answer for it doth manifest But what was done therein I have not seen neither any farther of his Descendants forasmuch as their residence hath been for the most part in that Countie other than what the Pedegree before inserted sheweth The Church dedicated to All Saints was originally but a Chapell and belonging to Overton subt Arden in Com. Leic. now called Orton on the Hill and therewith confirmed to the Monks of Merevale in King H. 2. time by Pope Lucius the third but I do not find that it was ever appropriated to them or that they continued long Patrons thereof the Advouson having been for many ages in the Lords of the Mannour In an 1291. 19 E. 1. it was rated at xvi marks over and above half a mark which the Parson of Overton before specified did receive out of it and in 26 H. 8. at xx l. iii s. iiii d. besides ix s. vi d. allowed for Procurations and Synodalls Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. Rob. de Grendon miles Henr. de Grendon Cler. an 1253. Rad. de Grendon miles Will. de Edrichesley Cler. 10 Cal. Apr. 1300. Rad. de Grendon miles Will. de Edrichesley Cler. 10 Cal. Apr. 1300. Rad. de Grendon miles Will. de Clinton Pbr. 7. Apr. 1330. Rad. de Rocheford Nich. de Ivynho Accol 2 ld Dec. 1349. D. Henr. Dux Lanc. VVill. de Slattebourn Cap. 12 Cal. Dec. 1360. D. Will. Beeke miles Will Chetwynd miles Thomas de Hampton Pbr. 14 Cal. Iunii 1369. Ioh. Dux Lanc. Rob. Attemore Pbr. 7 Cal. Iunii 1369. D. Will. Chetwynd de Iagestre miles Ioh. de Bynbroke Pbr. 26 Apr. 1382. D. Alicia de Chetwynd VValt Bullok 3 Ian. 1401. D. Alicia de Chetwynd Ioh. Abyndon 15 Ian. 1401. Ric. Chetwynd fil haer D Will. Chetwind mil. Ioh. Pulford Cap. 18 Febr. 1404. Mag. Ioh. Stafford Legum Dr. Thes. Angl. Sim. Melburn ult Iulii 1423. Thomas Littilton Iohanna ux ejus VVill. VVore 19 Martii 1447. Thomas Littilton Iohanna ux ejus Ric. Cokket Pbr. 4 Aug. 1449. Thomas Littilton Iohanna ux ejus Rog. VVall. in Decr. Bac. Pbr. 26 Ian. 1449. D. Phil. Draicot miles ex concess Will. Chetwyn ar D. Edm. VVondefende 1 Iulii 1538. Ioh. Chetwyn de Ingestre ar D. VVill. Rowley Cler. 17. Oct. 1558. Ioh. Chetwin Will fil haeres ejus Ioh. Sprotte Cler. 3. Dec. 1578. Will. Chetwyn ar Thomas VValker Cler. 10 Oct. 1579. Will. Chetwyn miles Georgius Kent Cler. 26 Iunii 1607. Whittington THat this petty Village was originally a member of Grendon within which Parish it lyes and therewith involved in the Conqueror's Survey I am fully satisfied for part of it was given to the Monks of Merevale by Robert Earl Ferrers upon his Foundation of that Monasterie but the residue did the Family of Grendon owners of Grendon possesse as a branch of that Lordship which in process of time being granted away by some of the Lords of Grendon came to be reputed a Mannour one Margerie Ribbif in 6 R. 2. holding it for life by that name the inheritance being in Sir Geffrey Fuljambe Knight Which Sir Geffrey left issue Alice his daughter and heir about a year old in 12 R. 2. Howbeit after this I do not find it termed a Mannour for upon the grant thereof from Iohn Heklyng of Lyndeby Esquire and Ioan his wife unto William Repington of Amington in this Countie Esquire in 13 H. 6. it passed by the name of ten Messuages CCCC acres of land xxx acres of meadow and xl acres of pasture from whom is descended Sir Iohn Repington now of Amington Knight the present owner thereof That which the Monks of Merevale had here yeilded Liiii s. yearly Rent of Assize in 26 H. 8. but coming to the Crown by the dissolution of that Abby was in 32 H. 8. granted with the site thereof and a multitude of other lands unto Sir Wâ—lter Devereux Knight Lord Ferrers of Chartley and so consequently divolved to Robert Earl of Essex the present owner thereof an scil 1640. Polesworth NExt below Grendon-Parish is Polesworth situate which containeth within its precincts divers Villages and places of note scil Badsley-Endsor Dordon Freseley Hall-end Dodenhale and Pooley on the South side of the River with Stipershill Waverton and Bramcote on the North. Of this place though there be no particular mention in the Conquerour's Survey as of divers the most antient Towns and Burroughs is not yet for antiquitie and venerable esteem needs it not give precedence to any in this Countie being honoured with the plantation of the first Religious-House therein that was in all these parts founded by King Egbert our first English Monarch But before I farther proceed to speak thereof I resolve here to take notice of what I have seen most considerable touching the antiquitie of a Monastick life practised by women as I have done in Coventre for men wherein I cannot discern till towards the fourth Centurie any thing thereof For though a learned person observeth that Non solùm viri sed Mulieres etiam Apostolorum Christi tempore ministerio Ecclesiae addicebantur yet he saith Verum procedente tempore instituta sunt Collegia seu Monasteria Virginum Deo consecratarum solennibus votis obstrictarum And that Marcella was the first who began it in the Western Church we have the testimonie of St. Hierom Marcella saith he in Occidente circa an CCCXL Virginum Viduarum didicit disciplinam which kind of life was taught her by Athanasius as Baronius affirms But that they excercised it so soon in that solemn manner as in after times hath been used viz. under the threefold Vow of Povertie Obedience and Chastitie cannot be made good For cleer it is from the testimonie
Cal. Nov. 1311. Ioh. Burdeth miles Ioh. de Thurstynton 18. Cal. Maii 1333. Thom. de Bellocampo Com. Warw. Ric. Colet Accol 12. Cal. Oct. 1349. Thom. de Bellocampo Com. Warw. Henr. de Wirley Pbr. 10. Cal. Dec. 1361. D. Thomas Burdet miles Rog. Newbrugg Pbr. penult Sept. 1387. Thom. Mottelow persona Eccl. de Arrow alii Alanus de Thame Cap. 3. Ian. 1410. Thom. Mottelow persona Eccl. de Arrow alii Will. de Erdington 28. Apr. 1411. Thom. Mottelow persona Eccl. de Arrow alii Rob. Evynton Pbr. 13. Martii 1421. D. Thomas Burdet de Arrow miles Nich. Cowper Pbr. 28. Apr. 1439. Thomas Burdet ar Rob. Burton Canon Regularis 10. Martii 1445. Ioh. Burdet ar Ioh. Baker Cap. 13. Febr. 1491. Ioh. Burdet miles D. Thomas Chare 6. Iulii 1521. Thomas Burdet ar D. Will. Lawnslyn 8. Iulii 1530. Thomas Burdet ar Will. Heys Pbr. 5. Aug. 1560. Thomas Burdet ar Ioh. Barwell Cler. 13. Febr. 1577. Tho. Burdet de Bramcote arm Henr. Cowper Cler. 20. Febr. 1617. Thomas Burdet Baronettus Sam. Wollaston ult Iulii 1629. The Church in anno 1291. 19 E. 1. was valued at ...... but in 26 H. 8. at Cxvi s. over and above ix s. vi d. allowed for Procurations and Synodals Shuttenton OF this place there is no particular mention in the Conqueror's Survey it being then involved with Sekindon and of that part as I guesse which the Earl of Mellent then possest from whom or his son Robert sirnamed Bossu Earl of Leicester was William Burdet enfeoft thereof who upon his Foundation of the Monasterie at Aucote on the other side the River gave it wholy thereunto excepting those lands called Coppenhull which he had disposed of to the Nuns of Polesworth At that time it was written Schetynton and continued a pretty Village till about the beginning of King H. 8. time that the Monks of Aucote depopulated six Messuages and two Cotages therein which I take to be a third part thereof After the dissolution of which Monasterie it continued in the Crown till 34 H. 8. but then did the King passe it away unto Thomas Lord Audley Chancelour of England inter alia in exchange for other lands who the next year following sold it together with the site of the said Priorie of Aucote unto Ioane Robinson the widow of George Robinson of London Mercer Since which time it hath past with Aucote to such particular persons as I have there manifested The Church was very antiently appropriated to the Monks of Aucote and in 26 H. 8. valued at Xl s. But upon the grant of the Rectorie together with the site of the Priorie of Aucote unto Thomas Lord Audley in 34 H. 8. there was vi li. per annum reserved for a Curate to serve therein I cannot find that there hath ever been any more than one Presentation to this Church that was by the Prior of great Malvern in anno 1341. Aucote being a Cell subordinate to that Monasterie Which Prior of Malverne presented one Richard then Prior of Aucote thereto who was instituted 14 Cal. Aug. in the year abovesaid Aucote-Priorie THis place being originally a member of Sekindon and with Shuttenton obtained from the Earl of Leicester by William Burdet was in anno 1151. scil 5 H. 2. granted therewith to the Monks of great Malvern in Com. Wigorn. upon condition that they should send two of their Covent to serve in the Church here from the Feast of S. Michaell till that time twelve-month and the next year following to adde unto them two more And moreover that afterwards so soon as the building of the Monasterie here couâ—d be compleated according to the capacitie thereof more Monks to be received therein by the advice of the Abbot of Westminster and other Religious Persons of these parts and the Prior to be constituted always by the Prior of Malverne before specified Unto which agreement so made betwixt the said William Burdet and Roger then Prior of Malverne in the presence of the before mentioned Abbot of Westminster as also the Abbots of S. Albans and Malmesburie Robert Earl of Leicester amongst others was a witness The occasion whereupon this little Monasterie was founded is said to be this viz. that the said William Burdet being both a valiant and devout man made a journey to the Holy Land for subduing of the Infidells in those parts and that his Steward whil'st he was thus absent solicited the Chastitie of his Ladie who resisted those his uncivill attempts with much scorn whereupon he grew so full of envie towards her that so soon as he had advertisement of his Master's arrivall again in England he went to meet him and to shadow his own foul crime complained to him of her loosness with others Which false accusation so enraged her husband that when he came home and that she approacht to receive him with joyfull embraces he forthwith mortally stab'd her and that to expiate the same unhappy Act after he understood the truth he built this Monastery Of this storie though I have nothing but by tradition yet that he was the Founder hereof is most certain from what I have before exprest and doubtless that Monument situate in an Arch of the wall on the North side of the Church here at Aucote is for him which is only a plain Free-stone covering the Coffin wherein his Body resteth curiously embossed with the sculpture of a large Crosse. The Benefactors that this Priorie had were but few that I finde viz. Robert de Bramcote who gave a Meadow called Bramcote-Meadow and William Burdet grandchild to the Founder who having conferred thereunto the Rent of xii d. issuing out of a certain tenement in Aucote for the maintenance of a Lampe to burne before the Altar of our Lady in the Church here of S. Blase when he lay upon his death-bed added the grant of half a yard land and a Water-Mill lying in Radelive in Com. Leic. So that all the revenues belonging thereto were by the Survey made in 26 H. 8. valued at no more than xxxiv li. viii s. Out of which Lx s. being yearly payd to the Priorie of Malverne whereunto it was a Cell xx s. to Sir Humphrey Ferrers Knight then high Steward thereof and other Reprizes which in the whole amounted to vi li. ii s. x d. left the clear yearly value but xxviii li. vi s. ii d. In so much as it being exposed to dissolution by the Statute of 27 H. 8. and so coming to the Crown was granted out in 34 H. 8. together with Shuttenton unto Thomas Lord Audley Lord Chancelour of England and by him to Ioane Robinson widow who died seized thereof in 1 Eliz. leaving William her son and heir Which William had issue Thomas who mortgaged it with Draiton-Basset in Com. Staff to one William
Paramour a Londoner After which it was not long ere that Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester coveting that fair Lordship obtained Paramour's title and so justling out Robinson past this with Shuttenton unto Queen Elizabeth in exchange for other lands so that ever since it hath been in the Crown Tamworth FOllowing the stream of Anker a little lower I come to its confluence with Tame that gives denomination to Tameworth the most eminent Town for situation and antiquitie on this side the Countie of which but the one half including the Castle is in this Shire the Villages of Bole-Hall Glascote Stretford Wilnicote Stanidelf and Amington lying Southwards of the River and Pericroft on the North being members thereof A place this is participating chiefly of the commodities which the Wood-land affordeth being almost inviron'd by it and watered with delightfull Rivers whereby the bordering Meadows are plentifully inricht yet not wanting a spacious Champaine near at hand for farther profit and pleasure so that divers of the Mercian Kings invited doubtless by these advantages had here a Pallace-royall as their severall Charters do manifest Of which Kings the first that I find mentioned was Offa who granting lands in Sapie to the Monks of Worcester concludeth thus Hanc autem praescriptam vicissitudinem terrarum meae donationis pro Domino libertatem ego Offa Rex sedens in regali Palacio in Tamoworthige secundo die Nativitatis Domini in die Festivitatis beati Stephani Martyris concedens donavi Anno ab Incarnatione Christi DCCLXXXI Indictione quarta The next was Coenulf whose Charter thus ends Actae est haec donatio anno DCCCXIV Indict septima in vico celeberimo qui vocatur Tomoworthig c. After him Berthuulf in the year DCCCXLI and lastly Burtherd in the year DCCCLIV And as these authorities do shew that it was by those Kings thus honoured so is there not want of other to manifest the large extent and strength thereof witnesse that vast Ditch to this day called King's Ditch which stretching forth in a streight line from the River Anker somewhat below Bowl-Bridg then making a right angle keepeth on its course paralell to the River for the space of neer four hundred paces and so returning by another right angle runs into Tame below Lady-Bridg whereby the ground within the precincts thereof is of a quandrangular forme Which Ditch though much filled up in most places appears to have been at least xlv foot broad as by measure I have observed But such mischief shortly after did the Danes make by their severall invasions that this place was wasted and continued desolate till that renowned Ladie of the Mercians Ethelfleda daughter to King Alfred and Sister to King Edward the elder after her husband's death scil in the year of Christ DCCCCXIV restored it to its antient strength and splendor raysing a strong Tower upon an artificiall Mount of Earth called the Dungeon for defence against any violent assault thereof upon which Mount that building now called the Castle hath of later times been erected for the body of the old Castle stood below towards the Mercate-place and where the Stables at present are And here it was that the said famous Ethelflede departed this life xix Cal. Iulii anno DCCCCXVIII viz. five years before the death of King Edward her Brother but in the Abbie-Church of S. Peter at Gloucester of hers and her husband's Foundation she had sepulture The next observable thing which in course of time I have met with that concerns this place is that there was a Monasterie here for by the Testament of Wulfric Spot Founder of Burton-Abble in Com. Staff about the year of Christ DCCCCXLIX it appears that he gave thereunto certain lands in Langandune scil Langdon in Com. Staff But whether it was of Monks or Nunns or by whom founded I never could as yet see good testimonie From these antient times therefore whereof so little light by Historie is to be found I shall now descend to those after the Norman Conquest and for my more methodicall discoverie of such things as are most memorable purpose first to speak of the Burrough by it self for by that name it was heretofore called and then of the Castle and its possessors Of the Burrough there is not any particular extent in the Conqueror's Survey nor farther mention of it than that ten Houses therein were at that time belonging to the Mannour of Colshill in this Hundred which was in those days part of the King 's demesn neither can I discover any thing of note for a long time after relating thereto besides the Aid and other advantages which upon sundry occasions it yielded to the King from the beginning of King Stephen's reign that part which is in this Countie answering two marks for an Aide in 15 H. 2. and in 21 H. 3. iv li. xvi s. for the Ferm thereof yet was it antient demesn of the Crown id est belonging thereto in the days of King Edward the Confessor or King William the Conqueror And till about the later end of King H. 3. reign continued in the King 's immediate hand but then was it let to Philip Marmion Lord of the Castle for life at the Rent of xxxiv li. vi s. ix d. per annum Howbeit afterwards the King had it again Whereupon in 11 E. 2. it was granted to Baldwin Frevile during pleasure reserving the old accustomed Ferme viz. iv li. xvi s. Which Lease to Frevile soon determined For the King having the same year given to the Inhabitants thereof License to take Toll of all vendible commodities to be brought thither for the space of three years scil for every Quarter of Corn a half penny c. towards the charge of Paving the Town the next year following made a new grant thereof I mean all this while of that moytie in Warwick-shire unto the Inhabitants of the Burrough their heirs and successors reserving to the Crown the antient Ferme as above is exprest and xx s. yearly increase payable to his Exchequer at the days and termes when the other used to be received as also excepting all Tallages Aids and Customes as had formerly been payd out of it in the times of his Progenitors And in 14. of his reign the time being expired for taking Toll towards the Pavement of the Town by the former Patent renewed it for three years more yet this did not compleat the Pavement as appeares by the sundry other Patents granted to them afterwards aswell by King Edward 3. as this King E. 2. for the same purpose which in the margent I have cited But besides this for Paving did the same Inhabitants obtain a Charter from the King in 10 E. 3. for two yearly Faires here the one upon S. George's day viz. April 23. and three days after the other on the Feast-day of S. Edward and
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
window thereof and therefore that portraiture in one of the North windows of Iohn Lord Moubray kneeling before S. Cuthbert must be of that Iohn that was beheaded at Yorke for his adhering to Thomas Earl of Lancaster which Iohn being doubtlesse a great Benefactor to that new structure and bearing an extra ordinarie respect to S. Cuthbert sometime Bishop of Duresme whose same for sanctitie and miracles was very great in the Northern parts where the said Lord Moubray's estate most lay did upon the rebuilding thereof honour him with the Dedication Bentley THis place though it do lye two miles distant interposed by Whitacre-superior 〈◊〉 Shustoke parish the reason thereof being plain viz. that in antient time being both possest by one and the self same Lord who founded and endowed the Church it was both lawfull and proper that he should dispose of the Tithes thereto arising out of it for the better support of the Incumbent the payment of them being then arbitrarie I mean to what Church any man pleased as in Church-Over I have shâ—wed which custome of payment ever after continuing to Shustoke hath fixt it to be of that Parish By the Conquerour's Survey having Woods of half a mile in length and three furlongs in breadth it was rated for one Hide and is there recorded by the name of Benechelie then being possest by Geffrey deâ— Wirce with Shustoke and valued at Lxiv pence at which time one Ansgot a Priest held it of the said Geffrey in pure Almes but afterwards with Wirce his lands it came to Nigel de Albani by whom as it appears by these authorities which I have cited in Shustoke the Ancestor of Walter de Camvile was first enfeoft thereof Which Camviles had large Woods here part whereof being given by Walter de Camvile in H. 2. dayes to the Monks of Merevale have since that time born the name of Monks-Park and been reputed a member of Merevale Out of the residue antiently imparked I find that King H. 3. gave command to the Shiriff of this Countie in 24. of his reign to deliver unto Alexander de Savensby then Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield six Bucks in which Precept it is said to have belonged unto Maud de Kamvile wife of Thomas de Astley as the Descent in Arrow sheweth by which Maud most of this Lordship upon partition betwixt those coheirs came to the Familie of Astley and was by Sir Thomas de Astley in King H. 3. time granted unto Iohn de Wilnechote of Winecote juxta Stratford super Avon and his heirs excepting the Park and Out-wood and the service of certain persons residing in the said Hamlet of Bentley to be held of him the said Sir Thomas and his heirs by the Rent of five marks of silver yearly payable at the Feast of the Nativity of S. Iohn Baptist and S. Andrew the Apostle by even portions for all services and demands whatsoever which grant was afterwards confirmed by Sir Andrew de Astley Knight son and heir to the before specified Sir Thomas who reduced the Fee-ferm Rent to xl s. per annum to be payd at the termes abovesaid Which Rent in 12 R. 2. did Sir William de Astley Knight lineall heir of the said Sir Andrew give to the Sacrist of the Collegiate-Church at Astley and his successors for ever But of the Park above mentioned had the said Sir Thomas de Astley no more than a moytie for so it appears by the Extent thereof in 50 H. 3. Henry de Curson being seized of the other part by Descent from another coheir of Camvile Which Sir Thomas and Henry being both Rebells the one slain and the other taken Prisoner in that memorable battail of Evesham 49 H. 3. it was extended and valued at i li. vi s. viii d. About the beginning of King Edw. 2. time was this Mannour of Bentley for so I find it then called granted by the before specified Iohn de Wilnecote unto Henry de L'isle and Ioane his wife and the heirs of the said Henry to whom in the male line it still continueth as by the Descent in Moxhull the seat of that Familie it appeareth Here is now but the carcasse of a Chapell dedicated to the Holy Trinity which antiently was of use to the Inhabitants being a Presentative as the Institutions do manifest the Patronage whereof pertaining to the Lords of Shustoke and granted in 17 E. 3. with that Mannour and advouson of the Church by Iohn Lord Moubray unto Will. de Clinton Earl of Huntendon as also by the said Earl soon after to the Canons of Maxstoke became involved in the appropriation with Shustoke as being part of that Parish The endowment it had as by a Certificate to the Bishop in 34 H. 3. appeareth was an Annuitie of four Marks the Rectorie of Shustoke being then valued but at ten Marks which summe of four marks was payable by the heirs of Roger de Camvile viz. three marks and a half out of the Ferm of a Mill lying in Shustoke and the rest out of Ousthirne-grange all which being swallowed up by the Appropriation before specified there doth not appear to have been any more than one Presentation thereto afterwards and that as the words of the Institution do import to a Chantrie there so that how the Cure was served for a long time I have no certaintie Howbeit in 1 H. 5. did Sir William de Clinton Knight then Lord of Maxstoke and Iohn Boteler of Eccleâ—hale juxta Coventre by their Feofment bearing date on Michaelmass-day give a certain Tenement and half a yard land lying here in Bentley unto one Thomas Serjeant of Bentley and others and their heirs for the maintenance of a Priest celebrating divine Service every day in the said Chapell for ever But how or by whom this Priest was presented or placed there I have not seen till 2 R. 3. that the Canons of Maxstoke admitted one VVill. Moore thereto by a speciall Instrument dated 18 Iunii under the Covent Seal enjoyning him to perform divine Service therein onely upon Sundays and double Festivalls and at all other times at least three dayes in the week at the Altar of S. Catherine in the Priorie of Maxstoke in case he should be in bodily health and not otherwise lawfully hindred for the souls of the Founder and Benefactors of the said Chantrie and all the faithfull deceased Which Mill before specified did belong to this Chapell for by a Letter Patent from Iohn Lord Clinton directed to the Prior and Covent of Maxstoke and dated 6. Febr. 2 R. 3. taking notice that it was decayed and the VVater-course thereto filled up for want of clensing as also that the said Prior and Covent had a purpose to repair it for the benefit of this Chapell the said Iohn signified his pleasure that they should have leave so to do by cutting down wood in the antient Water-course and scouring