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.
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
Castle then approaching he could not long hold it stole privatly away and got into France there endeavouring to obtain forces in aid of that rebellious remnant yet unsubdued in England leaving Henry de Hastings Governour hereof in his absence whom he encouraged to hold it out stoutly giving him assurance that within a certain time he should be relieved But when that assistance which the King expected was come to him amongst which was Osbert Geffard who brought the Posse Comitatus of Oxford-shire and Reginald fil Petri the like for this County he set forwards towards Kenilworth with Banners and Ensignes displayed and on the morrow after the feast of the Nativity of S. Iohn Baptist begirt this Castle on every side where taking care to have all fit supply of Victual for his Army he commanded the Shiriff of Norf. to cause 36 tuns of wine to be brought hither from Lenne which were bought for his use by Purveyours there but being desirous to avoyd the spilling of more blood he sent a gratious message to those that held it whose hopes were such either upon young Montfort's promises or dissidence so great knowing what mischiefs they had done that they did not onely slight the Kings offers but maimed the Messenger and with much resolution defended themselves against all the assaults that were made having Engins that cast forth stones of great bigness and making bold and frequent sallies did very much mischief neither could the Sentence of Ottobon the Popes Legate who was there in the Camp nor the K. power any whit daunt them The K. therefore that those whose estates were thus by the Parliament at Winchester utterly confiscate and given away as I have already said should not through desperation betake themselves to such wayes of revenge as might have imbrewed the Kingdome in universal streams of blood for a long time of his gratious disposition advising with his Councel and the said Legat caused a convention of the Clergy and Laity of the Land here at Kenilworth who elected xii persons of the most potent Nobility and prudent Prelates to whom power was given to make a certain determination touching the estates of those that were disherited they being accordingly sworn to what might be most convenient Whereupon the K. with the Clergy and People before mentioned did likewise swear that they would inviolably observe the said Decree The persons thus chosen being Walter Bronescombe B. of Exeter Walter Giffard B. of Bath and Wells Walt. Cantilupe B. of Worcester ..... ..... B. of S. Davids Gilb. de Clare E. of Glouc. Humfrey de Bohun E. of Hereford Philip Basset Iohn Baliol Rob. Walraund Alan la Zouch Rog. de Somery and Waryn de Bassingburne the Articles whereof I shall not need to insert in regard that they are publickly printed but the substance of them was to this effect That every person disherited might redeem his lands by a pecuniary Fine according to the nature of his offence which Fine should be paid unto those that then possest them so that the same were not above 5 years value at the most nor under 2 at the least except the wife and children of the E. of Leicester concerning whom the K. referr'd himself to the K. of France and excepting Rob. Ferrers E. of Derby who was to pay 7 years value of his lands and excepting Henry de Hastings and those that maimed the K. Messenger who were to be imprisoned 7 years or submit to the K. mercy This was that memorable Decree called Dictum de Kenilworth by all our Historians and Records for in the K. Camp at the siege of this Castle was it by Proclamation published Prid. Kal. Nov. an 1266. 51 H. 3. though the persons elected met at Coventre in respect of conveniency for lodging and otherwise that could not be had in the Army And on the morrow after being the Feast of All Saints it was confirmed by all the Prelates of England not onely by their corporal Oaths but under their Seals which they being specially convocated by the Legate before mentioned affixed unto it Which Legate made publick Declaration thereof in the Pulpit of the Collegiat Church in Warwick the very next Sunday following the K. and his Councel with a great auditory of all states and degrees being then present These things being performed the K. forthwith sent special Messengers to the besieged in this Castle and to those that had fled and possest themselves of the Isle of Ely amongst which young Simon Montfort was one tendring them mercy upon the Articles before specified but they all returned answer that they would not submit thereto first because they had no voyce in choosing any of those that were makers of the Decree and secondly for that they held the Decree it self intolerable At which the K. being much moved took a firm resolution to storm the Castle and for that purpose by his special Writ bearing date 20 Nov. commanded the Shiriff of this Shire to bring in all the Masons and other Labourers within his precinct which we now call Pioners with their Hatchets Pick-axes and other Tools to meet at Northampton upon the day of S. Lucia the Virgin viz. 11 Dec. next following to receive his further commands therein but so it fell out that in short space not onely their Victual within the Castle grew very scant but a pestilent disease raged so amongst them that many dyed insomuch as the K. by special providence sending again to them and offering that if they did render it he would receive them to mercy they proposed that in case he were content they might send beyond Sea to Sim Montfort and receive a certain answer whether he could come to releive them by a fixed day or not they were resolved if he did not come accordingly to yeild it up and that in the mean time all acts of hostility on either part should cease Whereunto the K. advising with his Councel assented And the same agreement being proclaimed through his Army Messengers were accordingly dispatcht to Simon but the Fiux and other grievous diseases increased so much amongst those in the Castle that they which were not tainted were loth to hazard the infection and so before the Messengers return delivered the Castle upon Articles to the King viz. that Henry de Hastings then Governour with all the rest that were therein should have 4 dayes time to carry out all their goods and go freely away with Horse Arms and all accoutrements throughout any part of the Kingdome The principal persons that so held it besides the said H. de Hastings were Sir Iohn Hastang Lord of Lemington Ric. Amundevile Lord of Berkswell Sir Iohn de Clinton Lord of Colshill all in this County Sir Iohn de la Ware and Iohn de Eston every of whom with the rest had the K. Letters of safe conduct dated
Penbroke's grandfather upon condition that he should not bestow it upon any but whom he did make his wife And moreover that the D. of Norf. was the principal mover of the said marriage but that the said Earl pretending a fear of the Q. indignation in case it should come to her knowledge made her vow not to reveal it till he gave leave whereupon all her servants were commanded secrecy therein And further was it likewise deposed that within two dayes after the birth of the said Sir Robert Dudley who afterwards was born at Shene and there christned by a Minister sent from Sir Henry Lea having to his Godfathers the Earl of Warwick his Uncle with the same Sir Henry and Godmother the Lady Dacres of the South by their Deputies the said Lady Douglasse received a Letter from the Earl which one Mrs Erisa but then Lady Parker read wherein his Lordship did thank God for the birth of his said son who might be their comfort and staffe of their old age as are the words of the said Letter and subscribed Your loving Husband ROB. LEICESTER As also that the said Lady was after this served in her Chamber as a Countess untill he commanded the contrary for fear the marriage should be disclosed Other depositions there were many by several persons testifying what the said Earl himself had said in relation to this his son as of one Owen Iones who swore that attending upon the said Sir Rob. Dudley at Offington in Sussex when he was but ten years of age and at School the E. of Leic. came thither to see him and said OWEN thou know'st that ROBYN my boy is my lawfull son and as I do and have charg'd thee to keep it secret so I charge thee not to forget it and therefore see thou be carefull of him Divers other expressions from the said Earl testified by sundry credible persons all tending to the same purpose as also of what Ambrose E. of Warwick his brother had uttered in like kind could I adde were it not for brevities sake But that it may appear what was the true cause that the Earl so declining his lawfull wife durst not publickly own this his son I shall observe from the same depositions viz. his marriage with the before specified Lady Lettice in her life-time with whose beauty he became so captivated that he endeavoured to perswade the said Lady Douglasse to disclaim the marriage above mentioned offering her no less than 700 l. per ann in the close Arbour of the Q. Garden at Grenewich in the presence of Sir Iohn Hubaud and George Digby in case she would so do and upon her refusal terrifying her with protestations that he would never come at her and that she should never have peny of him It seems that the said Lady Douglasse had then the custody of her son for I find it deposed that the Earl tendred her 1000 l. to deliver him unto Sir Edw. Horsey Captain of the Isle of Wight to be conveyed into the said Isle there to be brought up by him which she refused And there wants not strong suspicion that being doubtfull lest the life of the same Lady Douglasse might minister discourse of this foul play he designed to dispâ—tch her out of this world for certain it is that she had some ill potions given her so that with the loss of her hair and nails she hardly escap'd death which being discerned to secure her self from the like attempts for the future she contracted marriage with Sir Edw. Stafford Kt. a person of great honour and parts and sometime imploy'd as an Embassadour into France whereof afterwards most sadly repenting she said that she had thereby done the greatest wrong that could be to her self and son Having thus manifested what is observable in reference to Sir Rob. Dudley's legitimacy let us now see the Catastrophe For after these fair hopes in obtaining what he aimed at there was not onely a stop to all further proceedings in the before specified cause but a special Order by the Lords that the Depositions should be sealed up and no Copies taken of them without the Kings special license Which unexpected dealing so astonish'd him that he forthwith resolved to quit the Kingdome and to that purpose obtaining license to travel for 3 years went into Italy whereof his adversaries taking advantage procured his Summons to return by a special Privy Seal unto which not obeying this Castle and all his lands were seized on to the K. use by vertue of the Statute of Fugitives and soon after surveyed as by what I have here added to the end that the greatness and state thereof may the better appear The Castle of Kenilworth situate upon a Rock 1. The circuit thereof within the walls containeth 7 acres upon which the walks are so spacious and fair that two or three persons together may walk upon most places thereof 2. The Castle with the 4 Gate-houses all built of free-stone hewen and cut the walls in many places of xv and x foot thickness some more some less the least 4 foot in thickness square 3. The Castle and 4 Gate-houses all covered with lead whereby it is subject to no other decay than the glass through the extremity of weather 4. The rooms of great state within the same and such as are able to receive his Majestie the Queen and Prince at one time built with as much uniformity and conveniency as any houses of later time and with such stately Cellars all carryed upon pillars and architecture of free-stone carved and wrought as the like are not within this Kingdome and also all other houses for offices answerable 5. There lyeth about the same in Chases and Parks 1200 l. per an 900 l. whereof are grounds for pleasure the rest in meadow and pasture thereto adjoyning Tenants and Free-holders 6. There joyneth upon this ground a Park-like ground called the Kings-wood with xv several Copices lying all together containing 789 acres within the same which in the E. of Leic. time were stored with red Deer since which the Deer strayed but the ground in no sort blemished having great store of timber and other trees of much value upon the same 7. There runneth through the said grounds by the walls of the Castle a fair Pool containing Cxi acres well stored with Fish and Fowl which at pleasure is to be let round about the Castle 8. In timber and woods upon this ground to the value as hath been offered of 20000 l. having a convenient time to remove them which to his Majestie in the Survey are but valued at 11722 l. which proportion in a like measure is held in all the rest upon the other values to his Majestie 9. The circuit of the Castle Mannours Parks and Chase lying round together contain at least xix or xx miles in a pleasant Countrey the like both for strength state and pleasure not being within the realm of England 10. These lands have been
had routed he lost the day and was made their Prisoner But having elsewhere toucht the particulars of this Story I will now go on with what concernes this Peter de Montfort and that it may appear how he was one of the most considerable persons in that Rebellious pack shall give severall instances from the speciall trust and imployment he then had in the sway of the Realm Shortly after this Victory at Lewes so obtain'd they agreed amongst themselves that ix Persons shouâ—d be nominated to exercise Regall power whereof three at least to be constantly resident in Court for disposing of the custody of all Castles and other affaires with the nomination of the Chancelour Justices Treasurer and all other Officers great and small tending to the government of the Kingdom of which number this Peter was one which persons so appointed made use of the great Seal transacting all things touching the state of the Realm in the King's name and amongst other their doings constituted Commissioners to the King of France and the Popes Legate to reforme as they term'd it and settle the Kingdom whose names I shall here recite viz. Henry de Sandwich Bishop of Londonâ— Walter de Cantilupe Bishop of Worcester Iohn of Oxford Bishop of Winchester Hugh Despenser Justice of England Peter de Montfort before specified and Richard de Mepham Archdeacon of Oxford In which Commission bearing date at Canterbury the Saturday after the Feast of the Nativity of our Lady scil 8. Sept. there was a more especiall power given to our Peter than any of the rest that is to say that whatsoever he should swear to do the King must be bound by it Dante 's insuper praefato Petro potestatem jurandi in animam nostram quod nos quicquid ipse in praemissis nomine nostro duxerit faciendum ratum habeamus acceptum for these are the words thereof And after this by another Commission bearing date at Dover 24. of the same month of September was the said Peter singly sent to the before specified Legate to treat with him privately about those things with desire that he might make as quick a return as might be the intent of all this application to the Legate being no other than to daub up their disloyall dealings towards the King with fair and specious pretences to the Pope least he should thunder out his Curses against them But besides these eminent imploymenâ—â— I find that by the same authority of the King 's great Seal he had the custody of Whytenton Castle in Shropshire committed to his charge by a Patent dated at Woodstoke 19. Decembris and the next day following of Hereford Castle to which about the midst of May they removed the King and on the twentieth of that month made out a Precept to Walter de Evereus then Shiriff of Herefordshire for delivering the issues of that Countie to this our Peter for the better strengthning of that Castle And that nothâ—ng for conveniency to him in these his high transactions should be wanting he had by the same authoâ—â—ty a grant of Prince Edward's lodgings at Westminster But loe the instability of earthly greaâ—nessâ— eâ—pecâ—aâ—ly such as is raised by dâ—slâ—yalâ— subâ—ects upon the designed ruine of their rightfull Soveraign for it was not many days after that the 〈◊〉 making his eâ—cape from this Castle of Hereford like a suddain flash of lightning broke through a cloud raised such a powerfull Army that on the day before the Nones of August following he came upon the whole strength of those Rebellious Barons at Evesham in Worcestershire like terrible thunder where obtaining a compleat Victorie this our famous Peter de Montfort with divers more of the principall persons in that Tragedie was slain Whereupon the then Shiriff of this County sc. William Bagot had command to extend this Lordship and the rest of his lands in these parts but propter resistentiam inimicorum as the Record expresseth being not able to do it the K. directed a Commission to the Abbot of Bordesley and Prior of Studley to take notice of the particular number of acres of Land Meadow Wood and Pasture and the value of each as also of those that held in villenage with the Rents and services of the Freeholders and to certifie the same into his Exchequer This Peter wedded Alice the daughter of Henry de Aldithley and left issue Petâ—r William and Robert which William had the Mannour of Uppingham in Ruâ—l of his Fathers gift and Robert other lands in that Countie who notwithstanding his activenesse on the Barons part with his Father was afterwards received into grace with the King Having now done with his Story I can do no lesse than observe that in him was this Family in the Meridian of its glory which thenceforth daily faded for being the fourth in descent from Thurstane who was first inrich't with such fair possessions by his kinsman the Earl of Warwick's gift and honoured with many imployments of speciall trust through the great favour of his soveraign being puft up with blind ambition which prompted him to a confederacy with the Rebellious Barons of that age he became partaker of that deserved destruction which befell them After which the lustre of his descendants though no whit abridg'd of their antient Patrimony in regard af that indulgent Decree called Dictum de Kenilworth which admitted them to grace upon favourable termes began daily to diminish till in the like fourth descent his male line was in a manner extinct much of the antient inheritance with this Castle their principall seat then divolving to other Families by daughters and heirs and the memorie of his name preserved only in an illegitimate ofspring as by the Pedegree is cleerly shewed I now come to Peter his eldest son This man siding with his said Father in those Rebellious actions before specified was with him taken prisoner at Northampton in 48 H. 3. being as it seems the Commander in Chief of the Forces there met for no lesse doth an Historian of that time testifie Horum erat praecipuus Petrus de Monteforti junior saith he qui ad castrum confugerat sed in crastino reddidit se Neverthelesse being enlarged as I have already shewed the next mention I find of him is that he was again taken in the battail of Evesham wherein his Father lost his life and thereupon comitted to Thomas de Clare unto whom his forfeited lands were granted whereof he the said Thomas received the benefit according to the Dictum de Kenilworth before mentioned but shortly after notwithstanding these his demerits was not only admitted to grace and favour with the King who by a speciall Patent dated 28. Ian. 51. of his reign released unto him omnem indignationem animi rancorem ratione turbationis c. for those are the words but besides his
Will. Forster Cap. 5. Maii 1543. Mich. Cameswell ar D. Ric. Branker 9 Sept. 1554. Mich. Cameswell ar D. Nich. Caponhurste 16 Sept. 1557. Nich. Harding Gen. Nic. Frauncys alias Deakyn Cler. 21 Iunii 1571 Margar. Fox Sam. Sanders Exec. Testam Galfr. Iones 19 Apr. 1572. Tho. Sanders defunctiâ— Ioh. Gregorie Basilius Smyth 2 Oct. 1621. Fillongley IN the Conqueror's time this place was rated at two hides and possest by severall persons Half a hide thereof the Bishop of Constance had then held by Leuuinus and valued at xxx s. whereof the Woods extended to two furlongs in length and one in breadth another half the Monks of Coventre possest valued at xxx s. more the Woods belonging whereunto were a quarter of a mile in extent A third half hide one Alsi then enjâ—yed rated likewise at xxx s. whose inheritance it had been before the Norman invasion the Woods amounting to x s. thereof and the fourth half hide did Rob. Dispensator hold which though it was then vaâ—ued but at xx s. had the Church thereâ—n and Woods containing two miles in length and one in breadth But the name of it is variously written in Dâ—mesday Book viz. Filungelei Filingelei Felingelei and Filunger Of these parcells that one half hide appertaining to the Monks of Coventre came afterwards to Gerard de Alspath who held it of them in H. 3. time it being then called Old-Fillongley by the fourth part of a Kts. fee but whether he were the first that was enfeoft thereof I cannot affirm That which Rob. Dispensator held soon after divolved to Marmion Lord of Tamworth Castle and the residue to one of the old Earls of Leicester â— as it should seem from whom Hugh de Hastings or rather Walter whom I take to have been father of Hugh was enfeoft in H. 1. time as by circumstance may be inferred for certain it is that Hugh de Hastings who lived about the later end of H. 1. time possest it which Hugh had issue William and he another William and that these and their posteritie held it of Marmion and the Earl of Leicester I have proof enough Nor do I doubt that this Familie of Hastings had in those elder times their seat here I mean before their marriage with the heir of Cantilupe that they setled at Bergavenny for here are the ruines of two Castles the one North-East of the Church about a quarter of a mile to this day called by the name of the Castle-hills and the other Southwards from the Church scarce half that distance bearing still the name of Castle-yard and which was standing in 18 E. 2. unto which adjoyned a Park of a very large extent and therefore forasmuch as they had other fair possessions in this Countie I think it not amiss to say something here of them historically beginning with Walter Walt. de Hastinges Hadewisa Hugo de Hastings Erneburga neptis haeres Rob. de Flamvile Will. de Hastings 11 H. 2. relicta Will. Cumin 18 Ioh. Will. de Hastings 9 H. 3. Henr. de Hastings obiit 34 H. 3. Ada una sororum cohaer Ioh. Comitis Cestriae Huntend Henr. de Hastings defunctus 53 H. 3. Iohanna soror haeres Georgii de Cantilupe Ioh. de Hastings dominus de Bergavenny defunctus 6 E. 2. Isabella soror cohaer Audomari de Valentia Comitis Pembrochâ—ae Eliz. uxor Rogeri de Grey Regin de Grey de Ruthin Regin de Grey consangu haeres Ioh. de Hastings ult Comitis Pembr aet 28. an 13 R. 2. Ioh. de Hastings D. de Bergav defunctus 18 E. 2. Iuliana filia haeres Tho. de Leyburn secundò nupta Tho. le Blount tertio Will. de Clinton Com. Hunâ— Laur. de Hastings Co. Pembr obiit 22 E. 3. Rog. de Mortimer Comes Marchiae Anna. Ioh. de Hastings Co. Pembr obiit 49 E. 3. Anna filia haeres Walteri Maney mil. Ioh. de Hastings Co. Pembr obiit infra aet 13 R. 2. Philippa filia Edm. Mortimer Co. Marchiae Catherina Thom. de Bello-campo Co. Warw. Will. de Bello-campo miles D. de Bergav 17 R. â— Iohanna filia haeres Ric. Comitis Arund Ric. de Bellocampo Comes Wigorniae Elizabetha filia haeres Edw. Nevill miles filius junior Radulphi Comitis Westmerl Georgius Nevill Dominus de Bergav 3 H. 7. Henricus Ric. de Hastings Rector Eccl. de Barwell This Walter was an especiall benefactor to the Nuns of Polesworth for it appears that he gave them Oldbury with a large portion of land adjoyning which was thenceforth made a Cell to that Monasterie To him succeeded Hugh de Hastingâ— who wedded Erneburga neece and heir to Rob. de Flamvile which Erneburga gave the Church of Barwell to the said Nuns of Polesworth The next was William de Hastings whose lands in this Coâ—ntie â—nâ— Lecestershire were disposed of about the later end of K. Iohn's reign to Will. de Roeley and Elias his Uncle for their support in the said King's service but whether he were then dead or in Armes against that King is not directly manâ—fest from the Record Which William had issue William of whom I have seen lâ—ttle memorable other than his being at the siege of Bitham-Castle with K. H. 3. and that he was dead in 10 H. 3. for in that year did Henry his son and heir give L. marks Fine to have Liverie of the lands descended to him by his Father's death then doing his homage This Henry wedded Ada fourth daughter to David Earl of Huntingdon and of Maud one of the sisters unto Ranulph the last of that name Earl of Chester by which means he came to have a share in that great inheritance I mean the Earl of Chester's lands after the death of Iohn sirnamed Scot his wifes brother and last Earl of that Familie and in 26 H. 3. attending the King into France was taken Prisoner at that great defeat which the English Army had neer Xante but soon released by exchange In 34 H. 3. he went beyond Sea again in the company of Richard Earl of Cornwall and divers of the prime Nobilitie who passed through France in very great state and with a pompous retinue though to what purpose is not manifested Whether hâ— died in that journey I know not but certain it is that it was the same year M. Paris having thereupon this expression Eisdemque dicbus obiit Henricus de Hastingâ— miles egregius Baro opulentus To whom succeeded Henry his son and heir at that time in minoritie of whose Wardship Guy de Luzingman half brother to the King had it seems a grant for in 36 H. 3. the said Guy past it overunto Will. de Cantilupe the Kâ—ng confirming the same which William gave his daughter Ioane in marriage to him as I shall farther observe anon This Henry in 44 H. 3. had Summons amongst
that the contest for those of the Earls of Pembroke sc. Or a Manche gules betwixt Reginald Lord Grey son to the before mentioned Reginald and Edw. Hastings brother and heir to the last mentioned Hugh lasted little less than twenty years in the Court Militarie before the Constable and Marshall of England wherein after much money spent the said Edw. Hastings who chalenged them as heir male of the Familie was not onely condemned in 970 l. 17 s. 10 ob q. costs â—rey swearing that he had spent a thousand Marks more and the Armes adjudged to Grey but imprisoned xvi years for disobeying that Sentence The particular proceedings in which business with the hard measure which the said Edward had for brevities sake I pass by referring my Reader to that learned Comment upon Sir Henry Spelman's discourse of Armes lately published by my worthy friend Edw. Byske Esq. where they are compendiously set forth and return to the before specified Wil. Beauchamp Which William possessing this Lordship of Fillongley â— and the greatest part of the said Earl of Pembroke's lands by virtue of that entail was impleaded for the same by the above mentioned Edw. Hastings and having invited his learned Counsell to his House in Pater Noster Row within the Citie of London amongst whom were Rob. Charlton then a Judge Will. Pinchbeck Will. Brenchesley and Iohn Catesby all learned Lawyers after Dinner went into his Chapell and at his coming out in an angry fashion threw to each of them a piece of Gold saying Sirs I desire you forthwith to tell me whether I have any right and title to Hasting's Lordships and Lands whereupon Pinchbeck stood up the rest being silent fearing that he suspected them and said No man here nor in England dare say that you have any right in them except Hastings do quit his claim therein and should he do it being now under age it would be of no validitie Perhaps there had been some former entail to settle them upon the heir male of the Familie which preceded that before spoken of but what ever it was sure we are that Hastings apprehended the injury done to himself so great as that with extream anguish of mind at his later end he left God's curse and his own upon his Descendants if they should not attempt the vindication thereof Of this Will. de Beauchamp who was a younger son unto Thomas de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick by Catherine Mortimer sister of Agnes mother unto Iohn de Hastings Earl of Pembroke before specified I find that he was in 4 R. 2. retained by Indenture to serve the King in his wars with CCL men at Armes and CCL Archers for a quarter of a year under the command of Edmund de Langley Earl of Cambridge the King's Uncle in the parts of Portugall and Spain in which expedition the said Earl was Generall So also in 6 R. 2. with that warlike Bishop of Norwich sc. Henr. Spenser who was so victorious in the parts of Flanders about that time and should have had 500. marks for the service of himself in particular of which he received part but because he had it not all before-hand he refused to stir from home After which viz. in 7 R. 2. he was constituted Governour of Calais and retained by Indenture for the safe custodie thereof with CXL men at Armes on Horseback whereof himself with nine other Kts. to be part CL. Archers on Horseback C. men at Armes and CLxxxiii Archers on foot and four Esquires on Horseback with condition that xx men at Armes and ten Archers on Horseback as also ten Archers on foot belonging to the Treasurer of Calais should be under his command in relation to that service and in consideration thereof to receive four shillings per diem for his own wages for the rest of the Knights ii s. and men at Armes serving on Horseback xii d. Which retainer was for two years but the next year ensuing the like Covenants were renewed for the terme of three years more and in 11 and 12 R. 2. for each of those years singly In 10 R. 2 he was made Governour of the Castles of Pembroke and Kilgaran In 16 R. 2. first summoned to Parliament with the Barons by the name of Will. Beauchamp de Bergavenny chivalier and made Knight of the Garter being then possest of the Castle of Bergavenny with the other lands which the befâ—re specified Iohn de Hastings Earl of Pembroke had so entailed upon him as hath been said In 1 H. 4. made Justice of South-Wales and frâ—m 2 H. 4. till 8. inclusive was in Commâ—ssion for conservation of the Peace in this Countie But farther of his Militarie or Civill imployments I have not seen nor can I say more of him than that he gave to the Collegiate Church of Warwick for the good estate of K. Ric. 2. and Q. Anne his Câ—nsort as also of himself and Ioan his wife during their lives in this world and for the health of all their souls afterwards the advouson of the Churches of Spellesbury and Chadsley-Corbet in Worcester'shire and that he was in some sort a Benefactor to the Gild of the Holy Trinitie our Ladie and S. Iohn Baptist in Coventre as may seem by his portraiture set up in glass on the East side of St. Mary Hall together with his Ladie in robes of great state which in my discourse of that place are most exactly represented And lâ—stly that by his Testament bearing date at Bergavenny 25 Apr. an 1408. 9 H. 4. he bequeatned hâ—s body to be buried in the Church of the Friers Preachers at Hereford next and beneath the Tombe of the before specified Iohn de Hastings Earl of Pembroke appointing that five Tapers should be hung about his Bodie as soon as mâ—ght be after his death as also that xxiiii men should be cloathed in black each of them hâ—lding a Torch in his hand and to have ii d. a piâ—ce for the same To which place of his burâ—all he bequeathed xx marks or more as his Executors should think fit and over and above what hath been already exprest C l. for the charges of his Funerall directing that ten thousand Masses should be sung for his soul in all the hast that might be after his death by the most honest Priests that could be got as also that four good Priests be found by the space of ten years singing for his soul and for the soul of his Lord Sir Iohn Hastings Earl of Pembroke and for all the souls unto whom he had obligation And moreover to his poor Tenants withâ—n his Lordships C l. To Ioane his wife a pair of Basyns covered and overgylt having the Armes of Warwick and Arundell empaled upon them To Richard his son his best Sword and Harneis to be armed withall aswell for War as Peace as also all his other Harneis for