Tanfield for the celebration of Divine Service there for the health of his own Soul as also for the Souls of his Father and Mother and all his Ancestors Upon the Coronation of King Henry the Fifth he was advanced to the Office of Constable of England for that solemnity And in 2 H. 5. in consideration of his good services done and to be done had an Annuity of one hundred pounds per annum given him by that King for the term of his life to be received out of the issues and revenues of the County of Lincoln Also upon the Seige of Harfleu the same year he was sent by the Duke of Clarence to treat with those within the Town and being then Lord Chamberlain of the Kings Houshold was imployed to the General Council of Constance in Germany at that time held For which and other his eminent services upon the Attainder of Henry Lord Scrope of Masham he obtained a Grant of all the Lands of the same Lord Scrope lying in Richmondshire to hold during the term they should continue in the Kings hands rendring therefore an accompt according to a reasonable extent and upon the Surrender of that Grant the same year obtained another of the Mannors of Masham Clifton Watlows Thirne Nostrefield Burton Constable Norton Garstone Bellerby Coverham Ainderby with the Stepyll Berningham and Newsom All which did belong to the same Lord Scrope and divolved to the Crown by reason of that forfeiture to hold for term of life And the next ensuing year was retained by Indenture to serve the King in his Wars of France with forty Men at Arms whereof himself with three Knights to be part of the number and eighty Archers In 5 Hen. 5. he was again retained to serve the King in his Wars of France with eighty eight Men at Arms whereof two to be Knights besides himself and two hundred and forty Archers And before the end of that year was joyned in Commission with Iohn de Nevill to assault and take any Castles Towns c. in the Dutchy of Normandy and to reduce them to the Kings obedience In 6 H. 5. he was with the Duke of Exeter at the Siege of Roan and in 9 Hen. 5. being still Lord Chamberlain of the Kings Houshold attended the King again into France It is farther reported of this Henry that he travelled more then once to Ierusalem and likewise beyond it to Grand Cairâ— where the Souldan had his residence and that in his return he fought with the Saracens and Turks as also that by the help of the Knights of Rhodes he built a Castle there called S. Peters Castle By his Testament bearing date upon the Feast day of S. Iohn the Evangelist An. 1424. 3 Hen. 6. this Henry bequeathed his Body to be buried in our Lady Kirk within the Abby of Iorevaulx appointing that in all haste possible after his death it should be carried thither and buried by day light if it came not too late And in case it did then the same night Moreover willing that a thousand Masses should be said for his Soul with all speed constituting Sir William Sir Geffrey and Mr. Robert Fitz-Hugh his Sons with Elizabeth his Wife his Executors Soon after which viz. upon the eleventh of Ianuary next following he departed this life being then seised of the Mannor of Carleton in Lindrik and Kingston in the said Town of Carleton in Com. Nottingh As also of the Mannors of Thringarth Dent Sedbergh Stavel Thorp under-Stane Fremington West Apelgarth Little Leming Lirtlington East Apelgarth the Castle and Mannor of Ravenswath the Mannors of Ayreton in Craven Cleseby Clawelbek Estanfield Mikelton and Cotherston with the Advowson of the Abby of Iorevaulx all in Com. Ebor. Leaving issue by the before mentioned Elizabeth his Wife Daughter and sole Heir of Sir Robert Grey Knight Son of Sir Iohn Grey of Rotherfield Knight and Brother and Heir of Iohn Grey called Lord Marmion one of the Sons of Iohn Lord Grey of Roâ—herfield by Lora his Wife the second Daughter and Coheir to Herbert de S. Quintin eight Sons viz. Sir William Fitz-Hugh Knight his Son and Heir then twenty six years of age Sir Iohn Fitz-Hugh Knight Robert Bishop of London Iohn who died young Henry drowned in the River of Humber Raufe who died in France Herbert and Richard who also died young And five Daughters viz. Elizabeth who died in her infancy Ioane the Wife of Sir Robert de Willoughby Knight Eleanor the Wife of Philip Lord d'Arcy afterwards of Thomas Tunstall Maud the Wife of Sir William de Evre Elizabeth the Wife of Sir Rauf Grey Knight and Lora the Wife of Sir Maurice Berkley of Beverstan Knight Which Sir William in his Fathers life time viz. in 9 Hen 5. attended that King in his expedition then made into France being then retained by Indenture to serve him with ten Men at Arms himself accounted and thirty Archers And upon his Fathers death being of full age doing his Fealty had the same year Livery of his Lands This Sir William in 11 Hen. 6. was joyned in Commission with the Earl of Northumberland and others to treat with the Commissioners of Iames the First King of Scotland at Hamden-stank or some other place touching satisfaction for such injuries as had been done to the English by the Subjects of that Nation And in 13 Hen. 6. upon information that the Scots were preparing to besiege Barwick and the Castles in the Marches was again commissioned with the Earls of Northumberland Westmorland the Lord Clifford Dacres Greistoke and Latimer to raise the power of the Northern Counties for their defence Moreover in 27 Hen. 6. 18 Decemb. he entred into Covenants with Sir Iohn Constable of Halsham Knight that Lora his Daughter should take to Husband Iohn the Son and Heir of the said Iohn upon Munday before Candlemass day next ensuing And having married Margery the Daughter to William Lord Willoughby of Eresâ—p departed this life upon the 22 of October 31 Hen. 6. being then seised of the Mannor of Staunton Quintin in Com. Wiltes Frome Quintin Evershete and Bell in Com. Dorset the moity of the Mannor of Luddington in Comit. Northampt. the Mannor of Berwike in Com. Suss. Wintringham in Com. Linc. Beghton in Com. Derb. Charlton Kingston and Bothumsall in Com. Nottingh Bradley in Com. Berks. Brandes-Burton Westanfield Estanfield Cairethorpe Wathe Leming Magna Mikelton in â—esdaie Cutherston Lertington Clisseby Clowbeke Berewike Leming Parva West Appelgarth Fremington Dent Wodhall Eâ—wardâ—y Thurkelby Maâ—elton and the Castle of Ravenswath in Com. Ebor. As also of the Mannors of Benton Parva and Aldmore in Com. Northumbr Leaving Henry his Son and Heir twenty three years of age and six Daughters viz. Margery the Wife of Sir Iohn Milton Knight Ioane marâ—iâ—d to Iohn Lord Scrope
to him Whence making a triumphant Return he left this Iohn de Segrave behind him as Lieutenant there In 33 E. 3. he obtain'd Licence to Fortifie his Mannor-house at Caludon in Com. Warr. with a Moat and an Embattelled Wall And in 34 E. 1. had further Summons to attend the King at Carlisle well fitted with Horse and Arms thence to march with him into Scotland against Robert Brus then in Arms and assuming the Title of King in that Realm And as his Employments of Power and Trust under King Edward the First were thus great and remarkable so were they no less eminent and honourable in the time of his Son and Successor King Edward the Second For in the first year of his Reign he was constituted Justice of all the Forests from Trent Northwards as also Governour of Notingham-Castle and in 2 E. 2. again made Warden of all Scotland In 3 E. 2. he had a Grant of the Justiceship of the Forests beyond Trent and Government of Notingham-Castle for Life And in 4 E. 2. was again in the Scottish Wars But in 6 E. 2. attending the King into that Realm was taken Prisoner in that unfortunate Battel of Bannocksburne where the English lost the day for whose Redemption above a Twelve-month after one Thomas de Moram a Scot then Prisoner in the Tower of London and divers other of that Nation detain'd in sundry parts of this Realm were delivered to Stephen de Segrave Son and Heir of this Iohn by the King's appointment to be given in exchange for him In 8 E. 2. he had another Summons to fit himself with Horse and Arms and to be at Newcastle upon Tine thence to march into Scotland And in 9 E. 2. obtain'd Licence for a Market every Week upon the Thursday at his Mannor of Fenny Stanton in Com. Hunt as also for one Fair every year on the Eve and Day of the Apostles Peter and Paul and six days following In 10 E. 2. in consideration of his great Services and in recompence of his Imprisonment in Scotland he obtain'd the Grant of a thousand Pounds And in 12 E. 2. had Licence for a Market every Week upon the Tuesday at Alspath in Com. Warr. and a Fair yearly upon the Eve and Day of St. Lawrence and six days following In 18 E. 2. the King having conceived some displeasure towards him for the escape of Roger Lord Mortimer out of the Tower of London sent him together with Edmund Earl of Kent and some others into Gascoine under colour of defending those Parts Where being a great Mortality he departed this Life leaving Iohn his Grandchild his Cousin and next Heir Stephen his eldest Son dying a little time before him having had Summons to Parliament from 24 E. 1. to that Year But of this Iohn I shall respite what I have to say for a while and take notice of that which is memorable of Nicholas de Segrave Brother to the before-specified Iohn as also of the said Stephen In 22 E. 1. this Nicholas was in the King's Service in Gascoine And in 25 E. 1. had Summons to attend Prince Edward at Newcastle upon Tine to march against the Scots as also the next ensuing year to be at Carlisle well appointed with Horse and Arms in order to another Expedition design'd for Scotland at which time he was in the Battel of Faukirke where the English were Victorious In 33 E. 1. this Nicholas whom my Author calls Vnus de praestantioribus Militibus de Regno One of the most Worthy Knights in this Realm being charg'd with Treason by Sir Iohn de Crombwell Knight in defence of his Innocency challeng'd Crombwell to a Duel But that being not permitted he went beyond-Sea without Licence to pursue him At which the King took such offence that he commanded Justice should be done against him Whereupon after three days consultation the Judges declared That he deserved death and that all his Goods should be confiscate yet added That in regard of his Noble Descent as also in respect that he went not out of England in any affront to the King but to be reveng'd on his Accuser he might do well to pardon him To whom the King answered It is in my power to extend Mercy as I please Who hath submitted to my Clemency and suffered for it Let your Sentence be recorded in Writing and it shall stand for Law Hereupon he was committed to Prison for a terror to other Offenders in the like kind but after few days divers of the Nobility interceding for him thirty of his Peers also girt with Swords offering to be bound Body and Goods that he should be forth-coming whensoever the King should require he was set at liberty and restor'd to his Possessions Upon this his Flight to go beyond-Sea with purpose to fight with Crombwell in the Court of France endeavouring to take Shipping at Dobor and being there withstood by the Constable of that Castle he got to another Haven and sailed over for which upon his return he was seiz'd on at Dobor and brought to his Trial as before is observed But after this scil in 34 E. 1. he had another Summons to be at Carlisle in the xv â—s of St. Iohn Baptist's Nativity then to attend the King in his Expedition against Robert Brus. And in 1 E. 2. was constituted Governour of the Castle at Northampton and Marshall of England In 4 E. 2. he obtain'd Licence to make a Castle of his Mannor-house at Barton Segrave in Com. Northampt. and was the same year again in the Scottish Wars Upon this Grant of the Marshalship to him William le Mareschall much stomaching the matter both of them by their Friends and Allies raised strong Parties and resolv'd to come with them in that sort attended to the Parliament which was to begin at London upon Sunday next after the Feast of St. Laurence in 5 E. 2. But the King being advertised thereof prohibited them so to do upon pain of forfeiture of all they had commanding them by his special Precepts that they should not dare to come with Weapons or in any other sort than had been usual in the time of King Edward his Father This is all I have to say of this Nicholas de Segrave other than that he had Summons to Parliament amongst the Barons from 30 E. 1. until 14 E. 2. inclusive and that he departed this Life in 15 E. 2. being then seised of the Mannor of Pesâ—nhale in Com. Suff. Heydon in Com. Essex of the Site of the Castle of Barton in Com. Northt which he had by the Gift of Nicholas his Father as also of the Mannor of Weston in that County leaving Issue Maud
approve themselves Loyal to him and the same year being in the Wars of Scotland was of the Retinue with Raphe Lord Nevill In 28 E. 3. he was constituted one of the Commissioners to Treat with the Scots touching the enlargement of Edward Brus King of Scotland then Prisoner in England and in 29 E. 3. was in the Wars of France So likewise in 33 E. 3. And departed this life upon Sunday next ensuing the Feast of St. Margaret the Virgin without Issue being then seised of the Mannor of Holbeche in Com. Linc. two parts of the Mannor of Dacre in Com. Cumbr. as also of the Mannors of Fyshwyke Halton and Eccleston in Com. Lanc. and of the Mannor of Nether-Tralyng within the Sherifdome of Rokesburgh in Scotland leaving Ranulph de Dacre his Brother then Rector of the Church of Prestecotes his next Heir at that time Forty years of age who doing his Homage had Livery of his Lands Margaret the Mother of the before specified William being then alive but died the same year upon Friday next after the Feast of the Conception of the Blessed Virgin being seised of the Mannor of Holbeche in Com. Linc. Eccleston in Com. Lanc. Bâ—rton Aldelathes Hoffe and Moyty of the Town of Overton in Com. Westmorl As also of the Castle of Naworth and Mannors of Irthington Brampton Burgh upon the Sands Kirk-Oswald Laysingby with the Hamlets of Brakanhill Echesbye Milverton and Northwode in Com. Cumbr. the before specified Ranulph de Dacre Rector of the Church of Prestecotes being then found to be her Son and next Heir Which Ranulph in 39 E. 3. was in the Wars of Scotland and in 45 E. 3. constituted one of the Commissioners for guarding of the West-Marches And having been summon'd to Parliament till 47 E. 3. departed this life upon Friday next after the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin in 49 E. 3. being then seised of the Mannors of Halton Fishwike Quekelette and Moiety of the Mannor of Eccleston in Com. Lanc. Irthington Brampton Kirk-Oswald Laysingby Burgh upon the Sands Dacre Farnham and Irthingrode in Com. Cumbr. leaving Hugh his Brother and Heir Forty years of age Which Hugh in 43 E. 3. was in that Expedition then made into France and of the Retinue with Iohn Duke of Lancaster and in 45 E. 3. being then a Knight having done wrong to the Earl Douglas of Scotland contrary to the Articles of Truce betwixt both Realms to the damage of an hundred pound which Sum Henry Lord Perci thereupon paid to the said Earl Command was given to the Sheriffs of London to apprehend him and to put him in Prison until he should make payment thereof to the Lord Perci In 45 E. 3. he was again in Commission for guarding the West-Marches and in An. 46 E. 3. in the Wars of France Likewise in that Expedition into Flanders in 47 E. 3. In Three Four and Five R. 2. he was again constituted one of the Commissioners for guarding of the West-Marches and having been summon'd to Parliament from 50 E. 3. until 5 R 2. inclusive departed this life upon Thursday preceding Christmas-day in 7 R. 2. being then seised of the Mannor of Overton in Com. Westmor as also of the Castle of Naworth and Mannors of Irthyngton Kirk-Oswald Laysingby Burgh upon the Sands Dacre and Ferntham in Com. Cumbr leaveing William his Son and Heir Twenty six years of age Which William had thereupon Livery of his Lands his Homage being respited in regard he was at that time in the Kings Service at Scotland In 11 R. 2. this William was in the Garrison of Barwick with young Henry Perci then Governor thereof and having been summon'd to Parliament from 7 R. 2. till 22 R. 2. departed this life 20 Iulii the same year leaving Thomas his Son and Heir Twelve years old who making proof of his age in 10 H. 4. had Livery of his Lands Which Thomas in 4 H. 5. was by Indendenture reteined to serve the King in his Fleet at Sea for one quarter of an year with Thirty Men at Arms and Sixty Archers And in 8 H. 5. constituted chief Forester of the Forest of Inglewode in Com. Cumbr. In 2 H 6 he was one of the Commissioners appointed to Treat with Iames the first then King of Scotland for a lasting Peace betwixt both Realms And in 11 H. 6. was again in Commission to Treat with the Scors at Hardenstank touching Satisfaction for such injuries as had been done to the English by some of that Nation In 13 H. 6. he had an eminent Command in that Army raised in the Northern Counties for defence of the Garrison at Barwick then in danger to be assaulted by the Scots And in 30 H. 6. was appointed one of the Commissinoers to Treat with Iames Earl Douglas upon certain Articles which had been signed by him And having been summoned to Parliament from 14 H. 4. until 33 H. 6. departed this Life upon the Fifteenth of Ian. 36 H. 6. Whereupon Ranulph his second Son was found to be his next Heir Male and at that time 26 years of age Thomas the Eldest being dead in his life time which Thomas by ... his Wife Daughter of Richard Bowes Esq left Issue Ioane his sole Daughter and Heir then Married to Sir Richard Fenys Knight Whereupon the King by his Letters Patents bearing date the Seventh day of November declared the same Richard Fenys to be Lord Dacre and one of the Barons of this Realm as also that he should enjoy all pre-eminence belonging to that degree Of which Sir Richard Fenys and his Posterity having spoke at large in my discourse of that Family I return to Ranulph commonly called Lord Dacre of the North. This Ranulph firmly adhering to King Henry the Sixth against those of the House of Yorke then in Arms and foyled in the Battle of Wakefeild in 38 H. 6. in consideration of his eminent services in that War obtain'd a Grant of Forty pounds per annum to be paid out of the Revenues of the Mannor of Plumpton then in the Kings hands by the attainder of Richard Earl of Salisbury Slain in that Battle And had Summons to Parliament in that 38 th year But the Scene soon changing by that absolute and signal Victory obtained by King Edward the Fourth at Towton-Field in which Battle this Ranulph lost his life and had Burial in Saxton-Church-yard with a mean Tombe over his Grave he was by Act of Parliament began at Westminster 4 Nov. 1. E. 4. attaynted and all his possessions forfeited to the Crown viz. the Mannor of Barton and Moiety of the Mannor of Hoffe in Com. Westmorl as also of the Castle of Naworth
Upon the Death of King Edward the Sixth and Proclaiming the Lady Iane Grey Daughter to the Duke of Suffolk to be Queen he was one of the Chief who first appeared for Queen Mary And in 2 Mariae upon that great Insurrection of the Kentish-men and others which was headed by Sir Thomas Wyat in opposition to that Queen's Marriage with King Philip of Spain he was made General of the Forces then rais'd for their suppression Whereupon Wyat being taken suffered death In 4 5 Ph. M. he brought a thousand Horse four thousand Foot and two thousand Pioners to the English Army at the Siege of St. Quintins in Picardy being Captain-General in that Service And upon the Death of Queen Mary was made choice of for one of the Privy-Council to Queen Elizabeth as also great Master of her Houshold But here I shall take notice of a very great mischief which had like to have befallen him about this time Towards the later end of King Edward the Sixths Reign that ambitious and then most powerful man Iohn Dudley Duke of Northumberland being not any way able of himself to pretend so much as a shadow of Right to the Crown yet aimed at confirming the succession thereof in his own Family doubting not to remove those two obstacles the Lady Mary and Lady Elizabeth Daughters to King Henry by questioning their Births And next for the Queen of Scots descended from Margaret the eldest Daughter of King Henry the Seventh he was little solicitous by reason of the continual enmity betwixt the English and that Nation so that a little shew of Reason he thought might put her by specially considering her contract to the French whose insolent Government he was confident would never be brook't by the English And as to Frances the Daughter to Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk by Mary Dowager of France the other Daughter of King Henry the Seventh then Married to Henry Grey Marquess of Dorset afterwards Duke of Suffolk he projected the removal of that rub by matching the Lord Guilford Dudley his fourth Son to the Lady Iane Grey Suffolk's Daughter And because a Right of Inheritance might be pretended whereby the Dutchess of Suffolk her self in reason ought to be preferr'd before her Daughter he imparted his design to Suffolk and undertook to perswade the King not only to disherit his Sisters by Will and Testament but thereby to declare the Lady Iane his next and immediate Successor Suffolk therefore biting at this bait and the next Plot being to draw in the chiefest of the Nobility by contracting Affinity with them and so to procure the general assent of them all upon the very same day that the Lady Iane was thus Married to the Lord Guilford Dudley Northumberland caused the two youngest Daughters of the Duke of Suffolk to be thus Married Katherine to the Lord Henry eldest Son to this William Earl of Pembroke and Mary who was crook-back'd to Martin Keys the King's Groom-Porter And at the same time also Married the Lady Catherine his own eldest Daughter to Henry Lord Hastings eldest Son to the Earl of Huntington But this contrivance had but a sad Issue unto that excellent Lady Iane and her Husband as also to that ambitious Duke himself who had been the original framer thereof Nor prov'd it better to the Duke of Suffolk who was thus drawn in as is very well known to those who are any whit acquainted with the History of that time It seems that at the solemnity of this Marriage betwixt the Lord Henry this Earls Son and the Lady Catherine Grey they were both of them very young and that the consummation thereof was not till some time after Queen Elizabeth began her Reign For amongst those Fragmenta regalia publisht by Sir Robert Naunton Knight pag. 12 13. I find this passage By a Letter written upon his Sons Marriage with the Lady Katherine Grey he had like utterly to have lost himself But at the instant of the consummation as apprehending the unsafety and danger of intermarriage with the Bloud-Royal he fell at the Queens feet where he both acknowledg'd his presumption and projected the Cause and the Divorce together So quick he was at his work that in the time of Repudiation of the said Lady Grey he clapt up a Marriage for his Son the Lord Herbert with Mary Sidney Daughter to Sir Henry Sidney Lord Deputy of Ireland the blow falling on Edward Earl of Hertford who to his cost took up the divorced Lady of whom the Lord Beauchamp was born and William now Earl of Hertford is descended This William Earl of Pembroke is said to have been the first mover of that Marriage of the Duke of Norfolk to the Queen of Scots though without any evil purpose which exposed him also to no little danger It is observed by the same Sir Robert Naunton in his Fragmenta regalia pag. 19. that this Earl and the old Marquess of Winchester William Paâ—let were ever of the King's Religion and over-zealous Professors and that being younger Brothers yet of noble Houses they spent what was left them and came on Trust to the Court where upon the bare stock of their wits they began to traffick for themselves and prospered so well that they got spent and left more than any Subject from the Norman-Conquest to their own times Whereunto hath been prettâ—y replyed that they lived in time of dissolution As for himself he Married two Wives First Anne Daughter to Thomas Lord Parr of Kendal Sister to Katherine Parr sixth Wife to King Henry the Eight as also Sister and Coheir to William Marquess of Northampton by whom he had Issue two Sons Henry who succeeded him in his Honours and Sir Edward Herbert of Poole-Castle for so it was antiently called but afterwards Red-Castle and Powys-Castle in Com. Montgom Knight Likewise one Daughter call'd Anne who became the Wife of Francis Lord Talbot Son and Heir to George the sixth Earl of Shrewsbury His second Wife was Anne Daughter to George the Fourth Earl of Shrewsbury Widdow of Peter Compton Son and Heir to Sir William Compton Knight by whom he had no Issue And departing this life at Hampton-Court 17 Martii an 1569. 12 Eliz. it being his Clymacterical Year was buried on the North-side of the Quire in St. Paul's Cathedral at London where a goodly Monument was afterwards erected to his memory with this Epitaph Guil. Herberto Pembrochiae Comiti Equiti aurato praenobilis Ordinis Anglici Henrico octavo à Cubiculis Edwardo sexto Regi Equitum Magistro Walliae Praefidi Tumultu Occidentali cum Russello Grayo Baronibus paribus auspiciis summo Rerum praeposito Mariae Reginae contra perduelles ac Expeditione ad Augustam Veromanduorum bis totius Exercitus Duci Bis summo in agro Caletum limitum praefecto Elizabethae Reginae Officiorum seu magno Regiae Magistro Pariter dominae
notice that the antient Bounds of that Territory known by the name of Northumberland was the whole Tract of England from the River Humber Northwards to Scotland together with Lancashire Westmerland and Cumberland and so it continued during the time that it was governed by Kings being divided into two parts viz. Deira which is that lying betwixt Humber and the River Teise and Bernicia that betwixt Teise and the River Twede But when it began to be governed by Earls or Consuls their Jurisdiction was for the most part restrained to the Banks of Tine and Derwent towards the South Westmerland and Cumberland towards the West Scotland to the North and the Sea to the East as it is at this day so that few of them had to do beyond those Bounds Admitting therefore for truth what hath been said it must be concluded That those two Earls viz. Brithric or Berth and Offere who ruled here in the time of Egfrid King of Northumberland were Ministerial under him only for the whole extent from Humber to Scotland Of which Earls there is cheifly this memorable First That Brithric being sent by King Egfrid into Ireland with an Army notwithstanding that the Irish then were a harmless people and always Friends to the English Nation he miserably wasted that Countrey but were not long unrevenged for the year ensuing Egfrid invading that part of Scotland then inhabited by the Picts though S. Cutbbert earnestly disswaded him therefrom was slain And that Brithric soon after making another in-road upon the Picts to vindicate King Egberts death lost his life The like fate also had Offere who within few years after made another adventure against them for the same cause ¶ From which time until the year 953. I find no mention of any other Earl but then the people submitting to the Dominion of King Edred the West Saxon Monarch to preserve their Countrey from destruction which he had threatned in regard that contrary to their Faith solemnly made to him they had advanced Eiric a Dane to be King of those Northern Parts Osulph was constituted Which Osulph afterwards in the Reign of King Edgar receiving Oslac to be his Companion in the Rule govern'd all the Countrey on the North of Tine leaving Yorkshire and the rest South thereof to Oslac ¶ To Osulph succeeded Waltheof commonly called Waltheof Senior in whose time scil An. 969. Malcolme King of Scotland Son to Kyneth invading Northumberland with a numerous Army and making great devastation there with Fire and Sword advanced to Durham and laid Siege thereto Aldune then governing that Territory betwixt Tine and Teise which was S. Cuthberts Patrimony as Bishop there This Earl Waltheof making no opposition in regard of his extream age which rendred him unfit for Military Services so that for his own safety he was constrained to shut up himself in Bambrough Castle ¶ But Vchtred the Son of this Earl Waltheof being a Person of an active disposition and very valiant discerning that the Scots had thus wasted that Countrey and besieged Durham and that his Father let them alone raised what power he could out of Northumberland and Yorkshire and therewith though much inferior in number to the Enemy flew the greatest part of them so that the King himself with some few were forced to save themselves by â—light And being thus victorious caused the Heads of the cheif of those bold Invaders to be cut off and carried to Durham where he fet them upon Poles round the Walls of that place Whereupon King Ethelred hearing of this most heroick exploit sent forth with for Vchtred and though his Father Earl Waltheof was then living confeâ—ed upon him this Earldom adding the Couâ—ty of York thereto ¶ But afterwards scil in An. 1013. King Edmund Ironside Reigning Swane King of Denmark invading England this Earl Vchtred gave the first example of defection submitting himself to his power and swearing fealty to him Whereupon all the Northern parts of the Land did the like Howbeit after the death of King Swane Canute his Son entred England again with a very great power and at his Landing sent to this Earl Vchtred knowing him to be a person of no small power and therefore solicited his utmost aid with promises that he should enjoy all his Honors and much more Nevertheless Vchtred refused saying That he had already plighted his Faith to King Ethâ—â—red his Liege Lord and Father in Law of whose gift he had enough already and that he would never betray him At length King Ethelred departing this life Cnute by his power took upon him the Dominion here and sent again to Vchtred requiring his attendance on him as his Leige Lord and King Whereupon Vchtred obtaining safe conduct for his going and return went to the Court but as he was passing towards the King through the wicked contrivance of one â—urebrand sirnamed Hold a great Person in that age divers armed Men who lay secretly behind a Traverse rushed in upon him and murthered him with no less than forty of his Attendants who were then at his heels This Earl Vchtred gave great assistance unto Bishop Aldune in his Building of Durham And first took to Wife Eâ—gfrid Daughter of that Bishop with whom he had these Lordships viz. Bermetune Skirningheim Eltune Carltune Heaclif and Heaseldene upon condition that he should maintain her honorably as his Wife so long as she should live but after his Victory over the Scots he grew so elated that he turned her home to her Father who thereupon entred upon those Lordships again and married Sigen Daughter of a rich Citizen called Styr the Son of Vlf who was given unto him by her Father for that he the said Earl Vchtred had killed Thurebrand before-mentioned an utter Enemy to Styr And after this growing highly in favor with King Ethelred in respect of his Military knowledge he obtained Elgiva Daughter of that King for his third Wife by whom he had a Daughter named Aldgitha given in marriage to Maldred the Son of Crinan an eminent Thein in those days and Progenitor to that Noble Family of the Nevills as I shall farther shew in due place Upon this Earl Vchtred's forsaking of Ecgfrid his first Wife Daughter to Bishop Aldune a Theine of Yorkshire called Kilvert Son of Ligulf married her by whom she had issue a Daughter named Sigrid wedded to Arkil Son of Ecgfrid which Arkil had by her a Son called Cospatric who wedded ... Daughter of Dolfin Son of Turfin and had issue Cospatric who was to have fought against Waltheof Son of Elfi But at length Kilvert forsaking his said Wife her Father Bishop Aldune received her again
his second Son had it then bestowed upon him by King Edward the Confessor whereupon he quitted the Earldom of Essex as I have already shewed It now remains that I say something of this Harold as Earl of the West Saxons Of his raising the East Saxons East Angles with the Power of Huntendon and Cambridgshires in aid of his Father Earl Godwyne upon that bold Insurrection by him made in An. 1051. or of his flight into Ireland and return thence whereupon he again joyned with his Father in those his Rebellious practises whereof in the life of that Earl under the title of Kent I have spoke I need not to say any more in this place I shall therefore descend to his own particular Actions Upon the banishment of Algar Earl of Cheâ—ter whereupon he first got into Ireland after with Eighteen Ships as a Pyrate joyned with Griffin Prince of Wales then invaded Herefordshire and burnt the Cathedral of that City The tidings thereof being brought to King Edward then at Glocester he forthwith raised an Army and made this Harold General thereof who thereupon suddenly advanced against them and pitching his Tents at Snaudune in North Wales so terrified Algar and Prince Griffin that they soon betook themselves to flight Whereupon Harold marching to Hereford fortified it with a deep and large Rampire and strong Gates But at length by means of some who did then mediate there was a Peace concluded betwixt those great Persons After this viz. in An. 1059. all things being in a quiet condition this Earl Harold came to his Lordship of Boseham in Sussex near the Sea Coast where so it hapned that putting out to Sea to solace himself in a Fisher-Boat a sudden Tempest arose and drove the Boat to the Coast of Ponthieu in France where being forced on shore he was made Prisoner by the Inhabitants of those parts upon suspition that he came thither as a Spy Seeing himself therefore in this condition he seriously pondered in his mind how he might obtain his liberty and soon resolving dispatched away a Messenger with promise of good reward unto Duke William of Normandy to let him know that he was privately sent over from King Edward to reveal unto him some great secret but being then detained Prisoner by the Earl of Ponthâ—eu could not come to do his errand Whereupon by command from Duke William being soon set at liberty he came into Normandy and after most honorable reception there was taken with him in that his Military expedition then made into Britaâ—â—y wherein he gave such signal testimonies of his Prudence and Valor as made the Duke not a little in love with him Harold therefore discerning how his subtile insinuations had already wrought that he might heighten the Dukes estimation towards him the more offered that by a solemn Oath he would deliver into his power the Castle of Dover which was his own right and likewise the Kingdom of England after the death of King Edward wherefore for more sure performance thereof Ala a young Daughter of the Dukes with a large Portion was betrothed to him Others relate this story thus viz. That Earl Godwyne Father to this Harold being banished the Kingdom by reason of King Edwards just displeasure towards him for his Rebellious practises and not admitted to return without good security for his future peaceable demeanor Wolnoth one of his younger Sons and Hacun Son to Suane his eldest Son were delivered up as Hostages to the King and sent into Normandy there to be kept by Duke William Bastard-Son to Robert Son of Richard Brother to Emme Mother of King Edward Which Earl dying not long after as I have elswhere shewed this Harold his Son came to the King and befought him that he might have leave to go into Normandy thence to bring back his Brother and Nephew who had been made Hostages upon the occasion before exprest To whom the King replied That he would not of himself do it nevertheless that he might not seem to hinder him he said Go whither thou wilt and try what thou canst do But this I know that thy aim is no other than to do mischeif to this English Nation to thy own dishonor nor am I ignorant that Duke William will deny thy request unless he know that it may be much to his own advantage Hereupon he took shipping for the journey but by reason of a Tempest was forced into the River Maia which brought him into Ponthâ—eu and there made Prisoner until by Duke William unto whom he sent a Messenger that acquainted him with his misfortune he was delivered Being thus come into Normandy the Duke entertained him very honorably using him with all respect for many days and at length opening his mind to him said That King Edward when he was a young man and resided with him in Normandy did assure him upon his Faith That if ever be came to the Crown of England he would transfer the inheritance thereof to him And thereupon said to Harold If thou will be faithful to me herein and deliver unto me the Castle of Dover Clavis Repagulum totius Regni with the Well of Water there as also send thy Sister over unto me to be married by one of my Nobles and moreover promise to take my Daughter to be thy own Wife I will forth with restore unto thee thy Nephew Hacun and when I come to be King of England thou shalt have thy Brother Wolnoth safely given into thy hands And in case I shall happen to be established in that Kingdom by thy help I promise that thou shalt not ask any reasonable thing of me but I will grant it Harold therefore considering in what peril he then stood and knowing not how to get himself out of the hands of Duke William consented Whereupon the Duke brought before him the Relicks of Saints and caused him to swear upon them to make performance accordingly All which being effected Harold returning into England with his Nephew and making a Narrative to the King of what he had done The King replied thus Did not I tell thee that I knew Duke William sufficiently and that by this thy journey much mischeif would come to this Kingdom By this action of thine many calamities will befal this Nation which I pray God may not happen in my days Thus far Sim. Dunelm After this scil in An. 1063. Griffin Prince of Wales making divers mischeivous excursions upon the bordering English Harold was sent with an Army against him Whereupon he retreated with his Forces and betook himself unto the Woods and Mountainous parts of the Countrey so that the English in regard their Armor was heavy could not readily pursue them But this impediment being discerned by Harold he forthwith commanded his Soldiers to make
then reversed And being made Knight of the Bath at the Coronation of King Henry the fourth the same year obtained a Charter for a Market every week upon the Wednesday at his Mannor of Sâ—orghton in Sussex as also three Faires yearly one on the Feast day of St. Philip and Iacob the second on Wednesday in Whitson-week and the third upon St. Martin's day in Winter In 6 Hen. 4. this Thomas married Beatrix an illegitimate Daughter to the King of Portugall upon the morrow after the Feast of St Katherine the Wedding being kept at London where the King and Queen were also present The same year likewise he had by the bounty of King Henry a Grant of the Mannors of Plumpton and Berkomp with the Advouson of those Churches which came to the Crown by the forfeiture of Thomas Lord Bardolf then attainted for Rebellion And in 12 H. 4. was sent with divers men at Armes and Archers to the Duke of Burgundie's aid against the Duke of Orleance Moreover in 1 H. 5. he was made Constable of Dover Castle and Warden of the Cinque-ports as also Lord Treasurer of England But not long after growing infirm by his Testament bearing date 10 Octob. Ann. 1415. 3 Hen. 5. he bequeathed his Body to be buried in the quire of the Collegiate Church of the Holy Trinity at Arundel under a certain Tombe there to be new made for him Also willing that a fair Monument should be erected by his Executors over the Body of his Father Likewise appointing an hundred and thirty pounds six shillings and eight pence to be bestowed at his Funeral and in celebrating of Masses for his Soul Furthermore in regard of a certain vow which he had made to S. Iohn of Bridlington when he was there with King Henry the fifth at such time as he was Prince viz. that he would once every year personally offer to that Saint or send the summe of five marks during his life he directed that his Executors should forthwith pay all the arrearages thereof besides the costs of the Messenger upon that errand And likewise that they should cause a certain Chappel to be built at the Gate called Mary-Gate in Arundell in honor of the Blessed Virgin Appointing also that those Soldiers who were with him at Hareflew in France should have all their arrears Likewise that all those Lands and Tenements in the possession of Robert Pobellowe and Thomas Harling Priests by virtue of his Fathers Feoffement should be amortized for the benefit of the Hospital at Arundell And upon the 13 of October following departed this life without issue being the seised of the Castle and Mannor of Castâ—e-Acre in Com. Norff. as also of the Mannor of Milham and of the Hundreds of Landiche and South-Grenhow in the same County Likewise of the Mannors of High-Rothyng Ovisham Cowyke in Sheringe Yonge Margaret Wolfamston juxta Gykewell and Canefeld parva in Comit. Essex of the Mannor of Berewyke juxta Berkweye in Com. Herâ—f of the Mannors of Clone Oswaldestre Ruton Bokenhall and Clombury in Com. Salop. And in the said County of Salop and Marches of UUales of the Mannors of Doditon Heythe Stretton Lydeleye Conede Acton rounde Wrockcestre Upton Hints Shrawardyn Clongoneford Sonford Osleton with the Castles of Dynas-bran and Leons and Land of Bromfield and Yale In the County of Sussex of the Castle of Arundell the Mannors of East-Dene Sangelton Sanstede Bourne Palyngham Lege Wollavyngton Alnetedesham Coking Leveminster Poling Wepham Ostham Scorteton Preston Eastham Tonet Westham Tonet UUalbedyng Pynkhurst Foer Overfold with the Hundreds of Westburne Singelton Eastbourne Boxe Stokebruge Anesford Bury Rotherbruge West-Estwrith and Poling as also of the Castle and Lordship of Lewes The Mannors of Alington Hundeden Northese Ratemeld Meching Rotingden Brightelmeston Pokeham Clayton â—ymer Pycombe Midleton Dichengre Cokefeld Worthe and Seford in the same County Of the Castle of Riegate with the Mannors of Bechesworthe and Docking in Com. Surr. and the Mannors of Knighton Kynele and Bulkindon in Comit. Wilts leaving Elizabeth Dutchess of Norfolk then the Wife of Sir Gerard Vseflete Knight Ioane Lady Bergavenny and Margaret the Wife of Sir Rowland Lenthale Knight his Sisters and next Heires the said Elizabeth and Ioane being at that time forty yeares of age and upwards and Margaret thirty three Beatrix his wife then also surviving who afterwards became the Wife of Iohn Holland Earl of Huntendon Upon the death of which Thomas Earl of Arundell thus without issue the right of this Earldom by reason of an Entail of the Castle of Arundell and Lands thereto belonging made by Richard Earl of Arundell his Grandfather 21 Edw. 3. resorted to Sir Iohn Fitz-Alan otherwise called Sir Iohn Arundell Knight Cousin and next Heir male to the said Thomas viz. Son and Heir of Iohn Son and Heir of Iohn second Son to the before specified Earl Richard But before I proceed to speak of him I shall say something of Iohn his Father who died in the lifetime of Earl Thomas In 1 R. 2. Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland resigning the Staff of his Office of Marshal of England and retiring this Iohn then called Sir Iohn Arundell Knight having stoutly defended the Town of Southampton against the French was substituted in his stead and in 2 Ric. 2. made one of the Kings Commissioners for giving satisfaction to the Scots in what they had been injured by the English contrary to the Articles of Truce made betwixt both Nations in the time of King Edward the third and David de Bruys King of that Realm and having been summoned to Parliament in 1 2 and 3 Ric. 2. was in the last of those years constituted one of the principal Commanders of those Forces at that time sent beyond Sea in aid of the Duke of Brittany where he did much mischief by plundring not sparing the Nunns He likewise in those his military employments grew so prophane that he took away the Chalices from the Altars for which outrages he and his Companions were Excommunicated But upon his return towards England before the end of that year he perished by Shipwrack with many of his party upon the fifteenth day of December being then seised of the Mannors of Aynho in Com. Northamp Postlyng in Comit. Cantii Byker Ellingham Osberwyke Newstede Wollore also of the moity of the Mannors of Newnham Akyld Newham Caupland Yemrum Trollop Killom Ankirchester Prossen and Palteston in Glendale in Com. ... Likewise of the Mannors of Coklington Stoke Tristre Boyeford Hyneforde and the Baliwick of the Forest of Selewode in Com. Somers of the Mannors of East Morden Worthe Wolcombe Phelpesâ—on Up-Wimborne Frome Whitfield Langton in Purbeck Lodres Wodeton in Mershwoodvale and Lychet Matravers in Com. Dors. Brandon in Com. Warw. Codelawe in Com. Suss. Bockland in Com. Surr. Shernton Codeford Boyton Corton Winterborn-Stoke Cotes
power he could make though he loved that King very well and joyning with the rest of the Northern Barons marched to North-Alverton where the Kings Standard being erected they all Rendevoused upon notice and exhortation from the venerable Thurstan Archbishop of York who had likewise caused all the Clergy of his Diocess to repair personally thither with their Crosses Banners and Relicks of Saints carried before them to defend the Church of Christ against the rage of that barbarous people And beholding the English Army formally drawn up for Battle as also the Priests in their sacred Vestments with their Crosses and Relicks walking about and encouraging the Soldiers being then a very aged person exceeding wealthy likewise of grave deportment and singular elocution he made a Speech to them with great majesty and weight Wherein representing to them that though he was rightfully a Subject to the King of England nevertheless that from his youth he had been a Friend and Familiar to the King of Scots And therefore being an old Soldier and sufficiently skilled in Military Affairs as also not ignorant of the danger impending considering likewise the ancient Friendship betwixt himself and that King and that he stood obliged to him not only by the Band of Friendship but by a kind of necessary fidelity desired leave of his fellow Soldiers to go to him with purpose either to disswade him from fighting or friendly to leave him And accordingly coming into his presence told him That what he had to advise should be honorable to himself and profitable to his Realm adding That the English had been his best Friends and that they had so approved themselves to Duncan and Edgar his Brothers in their greatest exigents instancing in sundry particulars wherein they had obliged him when he stood most in need of their aid demonstrating likewise to him the unavoidable consequences of War viz. Rapine Spoil and Destruction And that though his Army was more numerous yet the English were more valiant and strong and resolved to conquer or loose their lives Which expressions so wrought upon that King that he forthwith brake out into tears and had condescended to a peaceable accord but that William his Nephew a person of extraordinary courage and the cheif instigator of this invasision came in and in great sury charging this Robert de Brus with treachery disswaded the King from hearkning unto him Whereupon returning with sorrow to the English Host preparation was suddenly made for Battle which forthwith ensuing the English obtained a glorious victory To conclude This Robert being a very devout Man gave to the Monks of Whitby in Yorkshire the Church of Midlesburgh with two Carucates and two Bovates of Land in Nehuham upon condition that they should place certain of their Covent there which they accordingly did making it a Cell to that Abby He also gave to the Abby of S. Maries at York his Lordship of Appilton likewise that of Hornby and all the Lands lying betwixt the same and the great Road-way leading from York to Durham which was parcel of his Lordship of Middilton In Sunderland-Wick he moreover gave them two Carucates of Land and a Mill as also the Town of Karkarevill which by the Monks of that House was assigned to their Cell at Wederhal in Cumberland And departing this life 5 Id. Maii Anno 1141. 6 Steph. was buried in the Abby of Giseburne leaving issue by Agnes his Wife Daughter of Fouke Paynell with whom he had the Mannor of Carleton two Sons viz. Adam and Robert and a Daughter called Agatha the Wife of Ralph the Son of Ribald Lord of Middleham in Yorkshire who had in Frank-marriage the Lordship of Ailewick in Hertnes Unto which Robert he gave Anandale to hold of the King of Scotland By reason whereof being Liegeman to that King in a War afterwards hapning betwixt the English and Scots it was his fortune to be taken by his Father fighting courgeously on the behalf of that Nation and sent prisoner to the King of England Whose courtesie was such when he had him so in his power as that he delivered him back into the hands of his own Mother Being thus again with his Parents and telling his Father they had no Wheat Bread in Anandale he gave him the Lordship of Heâ—t and Territory of Hertnes in the Bishoprick of Durham to hold of himself and his heirs Lords of Skelton But this being the younger Brother I shall leave what I have farther to say of him and his Descendants for a while and come to Adam the elder who being a courageous young Man was with his Father in that famous Battle called Bellum de Standardo near North Alverton against the King of Scotland where the English had the glory of the day as hath been already observed From this Adam King Henry the Second took the Castle of Daneby with the Lordship and Forest thereto appertaining and gave him instead thereof the Grange of Micklethwait with the whole Fee of Colingham and Berdesey whereof by violence he had bereft the Monks of Kirkshall in Yorkshire out of displeasure to Roger de Moubray as it is said But all that I have farther seen of him is That having founded the Priory of Hoton in Yorkshire and given to the Knights Templers one toâ—t in Engieby and three at Yarum he died upon the thirteenth Kalend. of April 8 H. 2. and was buried at Giseburne leaving issue by Ivetta the Daughter of William de Arches Widow of R. de Flamvill Adam his Son and Heir commonly called Adam the second Which Adam notwithstanding he did not certifie his Knights Fees in 12 Hen. 2. as other of the Barons did in order to an equal Assessment of the Aid for marrying the Kings Daughter was rated as it seems for two which he then held of the Earl of Chester and for twenty which he held of the King And in 14 Hen. 2. paid so many marks accordingly for them In 18 Hen. 2. he paid fifteen pounds upon levying the Scutage of Ireland and dying 1 Kal. Apr. An. 1185. 21 Hen. 2. was also buried at Giseburne leaving issue Peter his Son and Heir and Isabel a Daughter married to Henry de Percy Which Peter in 10 Rich. 1. paid five hundred marks for his Fathers Lands And most earnestly desiring to repossess the Lordship and Forest of Daneby of his antient Inheritance formerly taken from Adam his Father by King Henry the Second as hath been observed rendred and quit-claimed to King Iohn in the second of His Reign all his interest in the Lordships of Berdesey Colingham and Rington and moreover giving unto him a thousand pounds sterling obtained them accordingly In
a higher pitch of Honour by the Kings special Charter bearing date 6 Martii the same year viz. to the title and dignity of Duke of Lancaster Which being done by the General consent of all the Prelates and Peers then sitting in Parliament at Westminster for his life he was invested therewith by the Cincture of a Sword with power to have a Chancery in the County of Lancaster and to issue out Writs there under his own Seal as well touching Pleas of the Crown as any other relating to the Common Laws of this Realm As also to enjoy all other Liberties and Regalities belonging to a County Palatine in as ample manner as the Earl of Chester was known to have within that County About this time likewise he was constituted Admiral of the Kings whole Fleet from the River of Thames Westward And having the same year obtained License to take a journey into Spruse there to fight against the Infidels the King thereby granted that in case he should depart this life before his return his Executors should retain all his Castles Mannors and Lands into their hands untill his debts were discharged In his journey thither being taken in High Almaine he was constrained to give three hundred Scutes of Gold for his liberty Which surprisal of him was made by the Duke of Brunswikes means as it seems the designe thereof being told him when he lay at Coloine But before he came to Spruse hearing that the Christians and Pagans had made a Truce he returned to Coloine and there relating what he had heard of the Duke of Brunâ—wikes purpose said it did not become such a person to deal so with a Stranger in his journey who had never offended him nor intended any thing of ill towards him and that in case he had a mind to meddle with him he should find him ready to perform a Souldiers part Which being told to the Duke of Brunswick he sent him a Letter of challenge Whereunto he return'd answer That he would meet him upon a day appointed to perform in his own person what might justly be requir'd and accordingly rode to Calais with fifty Knights besides others of his retinue In this his passage coming near Gysnes meeting with Sir Iohn Clermont Marshal of France with a large attendance of Men in Arms he was honourably receiv'd by him in the Quind before Christmas and conducted nobly to Heddyng where Sir Iames de Bourbon met him and attended him to Paris at which place he was also received by the Nobility and all other people with high regard The like reception he had by the King of France who sent for him to his Palace as also by his own Kinsman the King of Navar. Much agitation there was before the day of Battel to reconcile them but in vain Upon that day therefore they entred the Lists and having first taken their Oaths as 't is the custom of Duelists to do mounted their Horses for the Combat But it was observed that before they had thus taken their Oaths no man could appear more valiant and Heroick than the Duke of Brunswick seemed to be and that afterwards his countenance chang'd so that he look'd pale and troubled trembling likewise in such sort as that he could not wield his Sword Shield and Lance his Shield also turning aside three times in his taking it up Which being discerned by his friends they advised him to submit himself to the judgment of the King of France in that Quarrel But this our Duke standing cheerfully in his place expecting the Combat said That before he entred the Lists perhaps he might have been perswaded to an agreement but now that he had mounted his Horse and was ready and that the King with his Nobles with an extraordinary confluence of people were there come together it would be an high dishonour to himself and to the whole English Nation to depart without performing what Truth and Justice did require Adding that he would not go out of the Lists neither with dishonour to his Bloud to the King of England nor to his Countrey Whereupon the Duke of Brunswick wholly quitting the quarrel without reservation of his Honour and submitting himself to the Award of the King of France therein the King of France at a great Feast reconciled them And having so done took this our Duke and shewing him divers delightful things offered to give them to him But of those he accepted onely of a Thorn out of the Crown of our Saviour which he brought away and left as a Relick in the Collegiate Church of our Lady at Leicester After which taking his leave of the King of France he returned into England and came to the King at St. Albans where he was received with much joy and honour the King then keeping his Christmas there In this year viz 26 E. 3. he permitted the Canons of Leicester to inclose their Woods and stored them with Deer out of his own Parks and likewise interceeded with the Pope for appropriating the Churches of Humberston and Hungarton to that Abby About this time also he receiv'd special command from the King to keep a strict Guard upon all the Sea-coasts of Lancashire and to arm all those fourty Lanciers which were then raised in his Territories of Monmouth Grosmunt Whitcastel Kedewy Karwathelan and Iskennyn for the publick service In 28 E. 3. he attended the King into France having intelligence that the King of France would give him Battel at S. Omers but when he came thither he found that the French were retreated Shortly after this there being a Truce with the French until Easter he was sent with the Earl of Arundel and others to the Pope then at Avinion to treat of farther Peace with them But the Duke of Bourbon Earl of Arminiak and others who were sent Ambassadors from the French fell off from what they had formerly agreed to upon the Truce concluded at Calais refusing any farther agreement saying That they were prepared to defend their Countrey against the English Requiring that the King of England should first forbear to quarter the Arms of France and that he should do Homage to the King of France for Gascoin But hereunto this our Duke answered That those Arms of France which he bore by the advice of his Liege-men of France he would not relinquish for any mans pleasure And that the King of England should not do Homage to any person over whom by hereditary right from his Mother he claimed superiority At this time of his coming to Avinion viz. on Christmas-Eve he had two hundred Horse in his Train whereof thirty two were covered with Harness At which place he staid six weeks in great honour the Bishops Nobles Citizens and others to the number of two thousand Horse
of Rycot as also divers other Mannors and Lands left issue six sons William his son and heir Iohn that valiant and expert Soldier of whom I shall say more by and by Edward Governor of Ostend Henry who died of a wound Thomas President of Munster some time Justice of Ireland who died likewise of a wound and Maximilian slain in Britanny Which William was Marshal of Barwick and having married Elizabeth the daughter of Sir Richard Morison of Caysho-bury in Com. Hertf. Knight died in his fathers life time 25 Dec. 22 Eliz. leaving issue Francis his son and heir of the age of one year two moneths and sixteen days upon the 20 th of September following at which time the Inquisition after his death was taken This Francis thus succeeding his Father had Summons to Parliament in 43 Eliz. And in 1 Iac. upon the death of Sir Edward Norris K t his Uncle without issue was found his next heir whereby he inherited the Mannors of Sulhamsted Abbots Sheffeild Uphton Greyshall Arbor Arbor Court Uphton Nermits South-Hinxey and Shiningfeild in Com. Berks. being at that time 29 years of age yet had not possession of the Lands which descended to him by the death of his Father till 4 Iac. nor then of all for it appears that in 9 Iac. he sued out his general Livery At the Creation of Charles Duke of York he was made Knight of the Bath and some years after viz. 18 Iac. 28 Ian. advanc'd to the Titles of Vicount Thame and Earl of Berkshire and to the heirs male of his body But all that I have seen farther memorable of him is that upon the 16 th of February next ensuing the Parliament then sitting standing in the entrance to the Lords House in discourse with some of his servants the passage being narrow the Lord Scroope going by jostled him a little which so moved him that he rudely thrust before him the House being set and the Prince there whereupon he was committed to the Fleet. And that not long after for it was 28 Ian. 20 Iac. being a person of so great a spirit that he could neither bear some Injuries which had made a deep impression upon him nor find out a proper way of remedy he mortally wounded himself in the face and neck with a Cross-Bow in his House at Rycot and died on the Wednesday following leaving issue by Bridget his wife daughter to Edward Earl of Oxford one sole daughter his heir named Elizabeth who became the wife of Edward Wray second son to Sir William Wray of Glentworth in Com. Linc. Knight one of the Groomes of the Bedchamber to King Charles the First Which Edward had issue by her one sole daughter and heir called Bridget first married to Edward second son to Edward Earl of Dorset and afterwards to Mountagu Earl of Lindsey Lord Great Chamberlain of England Which Earl had issue by her three sons viz. Iames now Lord Norris born 10 Maii An. 1653. Edward who died young and Henry and the Lady Mary a daughter ¶ Having now done with the chief branch of this noble Family I may not omit to take notice that Sir Iohn Norris Knight the second son to Henry the first Lord Norris so famous in his time for his valor and military knowledge was first trayned up in those Exercises in the Civil Wars of France under Admiral Coligni next in Ireland under Walter Earl of Essex then served in the Netherlands under Mathias Arch-Duke of Austria as by his Commission bearing date 17 Iulii An. 1579. 21 Eliz. appeareth after that under Iohn Duke of Lorreine as by his Commission dated 17 Apr. An. 1582. 24 Eliz. is to be seen next under Count William of Nassau whose Commission bears date in May next ensuing and another in November And in 27 Eliz. 12 Aug. was by Queen Elizabeth constituted Colonel-General of all the Horse and Foot then to pass out of England for the Relief of Antwerp then Besieged by the Spaniard before the end of which Month he had another Commission from Count Maurice of Nassau And the same year was empowered to Treat with the States-General of the United Provinces for the entertaining of such Bands of English Foot as by the Queens Instructions were appointed to serve in those parts Several Commissions he likewise had from Robert Earl of Leicester after he was constituted General of the English Auxiliaries in those Provinces viz. two in 28 Eliz. and one in 29 Eliz. In 30 Eliz. being then President of the Council in the Province of Munster in Ireland he had a Commission bearing date 11 Oct. giving him authority to constitute such principal Officers as well by Sea as Land as he should thing fit for the withstanding all hostile attempts and for the defence and protection of that Realm In 33 Eliz. 30 Martii he was constituted Captain-General of those English-Auxiliaries which were sent in ayd of King Henry the fourth of France against his Rebellious Subjects in Britanny And having deported himself with great prudence and courage in all those eminent imployments to the no little honor of the English Nation as well as his own name expected that upon the recalling of Sir William Russell Knight afterwards Lord Russel of Thornhaw he should have been Deputy of Ireland but discerning that Thomas Lord Borough was preferred to that command and himself required to continue still in Munster he grew so highly discontented that he thereupon fell sick and died Cecill L. Burleigh E. of Exeter 13 Eliz. OF this Family which derive their descent from Robert Sitsilt an assistant to Robert Fitz-Hamon in the Conquest of Glamorganshire tempore Will. Ruâ—i was Richard Sitfilt alias Cecill of â—tereâ—â—is in that part of Herefordshire called Ewyas Land which Richard had two Sons Phillip from whom those of Altereâ—â—s are sprung and David from whom the present â—arls of Exeter and Salisbury be descended Of this David who seared himself at Stanford in Com. Linc. it appears that in 22 H. 7. he founded a Chantry in one of the Churches of that Town and that in 3 H. 8. he was constituted Water-Baylif of Wittâ—esy-Merr in com Hunt as also keeper of the Swans there and throughout all the Waters and Fens in Hunrington Cambridge Lincolne and Northhampton shires for the term of thirty years Also that in 5 H. 8. he was made one of the Kings Sergeants at Arms and having this imployment at Court obtained for Richard his son and heir the Office of a Page of the Crown which I take to be the same which is now called a Page of the back-stairs Likewise in 8 H. 8. a Grant to them both of the Keepership of Clyff-Park in com North. And lastly that in 15
make mention in regard they preceded his Military Actions in point of Time Howbeit when I consider how gloriously he behav'd himself in that memorable Fight against the Scots near North-Alberton in Yorkshire commonly called the Battel of the Standard which hapned in the year of Christ 1138. 3 Steph. I do no less admire his Valour than his Piety But of that famous Encounter and the Occasion thereof having said something already in the Life of William le Gross Earl of Albemarle I shall here onely take notice of his particular Actings And first That he who is called by R. Hoveden Procerum egregius with Thurstan Archbishop of Yorke did incite all the Noblemen of England living beyond Humber to put themselves in Arms for resistance of the Scots who had then Invaded the North of this Realm with a mighty Host and that being of Stature taller by the Head than all others as also had in great Veneration both for his Age and Wisdom ascending a Device which was made about the Standard he did by an elegant Oration encourage the whole English Army to fight putting them in mind of the famous Exploits which had been done of old by the Valour of their Ancestors in Forein Parts and in particular against the Scottish Nation assuring them That to vindicate the vile Profanations which that barbarous People had made in all Holy Places where they came St. Michael and his Angels and St. Peter with the Apostles whose Churches were by them made Stables would fight yea That the Martyrs with their glorious Company whose Altars they had defiled would lead them on Likewise That the Sacred Virgins would intercede for them by their devout Prayers and That Christ himself would take up his Shield and rise up to their Aid And having ended his Speech turned himself to the Earl of Albemarle and gave him his Hand saying I faithfully promise you That I will Conquer the Scots this day or lose my Life by them Which courageous Expression did put such spirit into all the Noblemen there that each of them made the like Vow to other And to take away all opportunity of Flight sent their Horses to a large distance resolving to fight on foot and conquer or to lose their Lives Whereupon soon ensued a glorious Victory to the English Nor was he meerly a Soldier but Learned in the Laws as it seems for he was a Iustice Itinerant together with Eustace Fitz-Iohn a great Baron in the North shortly after the beginning of King Stephen's Reign In his youthful years he took to Wife a certain Lady nam'd Adeline and by her had a Son callâ—d Walter a comely Person who took such great delight in swift Horses that on a time spurring his Courser to run past his strength he occasioned him to stumble hard by the Stone-cross at Frithby near Kirkham in Yorkshire by means whereof the Horse fell and broke his Rider's Neck to the great grief of this our famous Walter Especk his Father who thus bereâ—t of Issue and in no small care how to dispose of his Estate consulting with William his Uncle then Rector of the Church of Garton was by him advised to make Christ his heir unto part of it Which he accordingly did by Founding those three Monasteries before-mentioned But after this till his Death which hapned in the year 1153. 18 Steph. I have observed no more of him than that two years before he became a Monk in that Abby of Riebaulx so Founded by him as hath been said and that he was there buried upon the seventh Ides of March the same year leaving the Remainder of his Possessions unto his three Sisters viz. Hawise the Wife of William de Buscie Albredae of Nicholas de Trailly and Adeline of Peter de Ros unto which Adeline he especially gave the Patronage of those Abbies of Kirkham and Riebaulx Dunstanvill THe first mention I find of this Family is in the time of King Henry the First Reginald de Dunstanvill then giving the Church of Winterburn in Com. Wiltes to the Monks of Lewes in Com. Suss. After whose death Adelina de L'isle his Wife surviving for the health of the Soul of him the said Reginald her late Husband gave the Lordship of Polton to the Abby of Tewksbury To this Reginald succeeded Robert de Dunstanvill Which Robert in 2 H. 2. had a Grant from the King of the Lordship of Heghtredesbury in Com. Wiltes And in 10 H. 2. was one of the Peers who then undertook that the King should maintain the Laws and Customs of the Realm But all that I have further seen of him is That he gave the Church of Bercham and Chappel of Greteham to the Monks of Lewes in Com. Suss. To him succeeded Walter de Dunstanvill who married Vrsula one of the Daughters and Coheirs to Reginald Earl of Cornwall in whose Right he had the Lordship of Ideshale in Com. Salop. In 2 R. 1. this Walter gave C Marks Fine for Livery of the Mannors of Cumbe Colerne and Wili in Com. Wilts but died in 8 R. 1. or before for in that year Will. de S. Marie-church accounted xxi l. iv s. for xxi Knights Fees and a fifth part which was for his Scutage and in 2 Ioh. Thomas Basset and Alan his Brother offered a Fine to the King of five hundred Marks for the Wardship of his Land and Heir but obtain'd it not as it seems for the next ensuing year Gilbert Basset for six hundred Marks paid to the King had the same Wardship To this Walter succeeded another Walter who in 15 Ioh. attended the King into Pâ—ictou and in 16 Ioh. procured his Charter for a Weekly Market at his Mannor of Hetredesbury in Com. Wilts upon the Wednesdy and a Fair Yearly on the Eve and Day of the Invention of the Holy Cross. This Walter gave his Mannor of Winterburne to Alan Basset Geffrey Fitz-Piers Earl of Essex and Will. Mareschall Earl of Pembroke being Witnesses to the Grant And having been in Arms against King Iohn in 1 H. 3. had Letters of Safe-conduct to come to the King to make his Composition Which being compleated the next ensuing year command was given to the Sheriffs of the Counties of Salop. Cantab. Wiltes and Surr. for restitution of his Lands seised into the King's Hands for that Transgression This Walter gave to the Canons of Wombrugge in Com. Salop. the Mannor of Lens Aynulf in Com. Salop. and two Mills in Ideshale with the Sute which his Tenants of that Mannor did owe thereto and departed this Life in 25 H. 3. Whereupon Walter his Son doing his Homage and giving Security for the Payment of C l. for his Relief had Livery of his Lands And in 41 H. 3. as one of the