time amongst which this Mannour of Warmington as also that of Toftes â— with some others was by those Monks of Preaux granted to Lewys Clifford for life with remainder to Lewys his son for life also upon a certain Rent reserved to the King during the continuance of those warrs After which scil in 6 H. 4. the King by his Letters Patent dated 15. Martii granted the said Priory of Toftes with the Mannour of Toftes this of Warmington thereunto belonging to Thom Erpyngham and Iohn Heylles Clerk for the life of the said Thomas which Thomas and Iohn past away all their right therein to the Carthusian Monks at Wytham in Selewood in Com. Somerset 1 H. 5. who not only had the Ks. confirmation thereupon but his grant to hold them after the decease of the said Thomas during the time that the Warrs should last with France As also License to purchase from the said Monks of Preaux all the right and title that they had therein Howbeit such was the poverty of those Monks of Wytham that they were not able to go through with the bargaine before the Parliament held at Leicester in 2 H. 5. wherein there was an Act of Re-assumption made for seizing all the Lands and Possessions of the Priors-Alien into the Kings hand to be possest by him his heirs and successors for ever Which his son viz. King H. 6. being a pious Prince considering and no whit inclining to convert that to Lay-uses which had been formerly dedicated to Gods service as may sufficiently appear by his endowment of the Colledges in Cambridge and Eton with a great part of those lands and disposing of the rest to other Religious Houses not onely remitted to the said Monks of Wytham all the arrears of that annuall Rent reserved to the Crown for this and the other Mannours they so settled but without reservation of any further payment at all granted them to that Mâ—nastery of Wytham to hold and enjoy till he should make a revocation of his Patent And in 19. of his reâ—gn by his Patent dated at Westminster 28. Nov. wherein he recited his former grant out of a most devout affection to the said House of Wytham as being the first of that strict and holy Rule that had been founded in this Kingdom and to the intent that the Monks there serving God should more especially pray for the sâ—uls of his Royall Progenitors as also for his own sâ—ul after his departure out of this life gave unto them and their successors this Mannour of Warmington with that of Toftes and some other to hold and enjoy for ever in pure Almes But that Patent being judg'd invalid after Edward 4. had got the Crown the said Monks of Wytham obtained a new grant of them which bears date at Westminster 20. Iulii in the first year of his reign and held it accordingly till the generall dissolution of the Religious Houses by K.H. 8. whereupon coming to the Crown it was 27. Ian. 35. H. 8. granted unto William Sheldon and Francis Sheldon gentlemen and their heirs but how or when it past from these Sheldons I have not seen nor any more thereof than that in 5 E. 6. Sir Iohn Brown Knight had a License to grant it unto William Byâ—t and others The Church dedicated to S. Michael in anno 1291. 19 E. 1. was valued at xii marks and a half and in 26 H. 8. at xvi li. iii s. x d. Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. Procurator Abb. Conv. de Pratellis Magr. Will. de Bockstones Subdiac 15. Cal. Oct. 1311. Procurator Abb. Conv. de Pratellis Magr. Thomas de Multon Cler. 9. Cal. Apr. 1331. Edw. Rex Angl. ratione Priorat de Warminton in manu sua exist Ioh. de Uppynham Cler. 13. Cal. Iulii 1349. Edw. Rex Angl. ratione Priorat de Warminton in manu sua exist Ioh. de Penerwich 15. Cal. Aug. 1350. Procurator Abb. C. de Pratellis Ioh. Careswell Pbr. 2. Non. Ian. 1361. Procurator Abb. C. de Pratellis Ioh. Bosevill Pbr. 4. Non. Aug. 1364. D. Rex ratione ut supra Ioh. Leech Pbr. 9. Cal. Dec. 1373. D. Rex ratione ut supra Thom. de Pennerudok Aâ—coliâ—us 14. Cal. Maii. 1376. D. Thom. Erpyngham miles Râ—b Lymbourne Cap. 7. Aug. 1404. Prior Conv. de Wytham Ric. Nayler Pbr. 13. Oct. 1429. Prior Conv. de Wytham D. Will. Hull Cap. 12. Iunii 1432. Prior Conv. de Wytham Ioh. Reedhull 10. Ian. 1440. D. Rex D. Sim. Pope Cap. 10. Maii. 1543. Iohan. Crocker de Hoke-Norton in Com. Oxon. ar Ioh. Hawle 10. Sept. 1554. Ric. Petipher de Radway ex conâ—â—ss Ric. Cowper de Warmington Anth. Petipher Cler. fil dicti Rich. 10. ` Dec. 1602. Guliel Hall Edw. Wotton Ric. Wotton in art Magr. 6. Febr. 1628. Arlescote THis little Hamlet standing under Edg-Hill somewhat near the elbow where it turns westwards was in the Conquerors dayes possest by the Earl of Mellent being given unto him with other vast lands in this County by King William upon sharing the Realm amongst his Noâ—mans and at the time of the generall Survey contained five hides and three virgates which five hides were then certified to belong unto the Monks of Preaux in Normandy and valued at 3 li. having been the freehold of one Bovi in Edward the Confessors dayes but the three virgates were then in the hands of the Earl himself and valued at ii s. In that Record it is written Orlavescote which name proceeded as I guess from some antient dweller there in the Danes or Saxons time Here it is that I have resolved to say someâ—hing Historically of the before recited Earl of Mellent in regard that by his pious gift of the 〈◊〉 part of this village to the said Monks of Preaux and his great possessions in this Shire he deserves to be signally memorized He was the son to Roger de Bellomont a person of great esteem with King William the first when he was but Duke of Normandy being one of his prime Councellers by Aâ—elina daughter of Wallâ—ran and sister to Hugh Earl of Mellent after tâ—e death of which Hugh without issue hâ—â— â—bâ—ained the Castle of Mellent from the King of France for a summe of money and succeeded him in the title of Earl Of his speciall valour in that famous Battail with Duke William whereby he got the Crown of England hearken to what Guil. Pictavensis saith Tyro quidam Normannus Rogerii de Bellomonte filius Hugonis de Mellento Comitis ex Adelina sorore nepos haeres praelium illo die primùm experiens egit quod aeternandum esset laude cum legione quam in dextro cornu duxit irruens ac sternens magna cum audatia No mervail therefore then that besides his inheritance in Normandy he obtained
the Counties of Berks. Northampton Stafford Wigorn. Linc. Oxford and Suff. were bestowed by the Conqueror on Robert de Stadford paternally descended from that great and noble Family of Tonei being son as I think to Roger de Tonei totius Normanniae Signifer as also Brother to Raph de Tonei who came into England with Duke William and fought stoutly on his behalf in the battail against King Harold in which I need not make question but that this Robert also was for my Author having mentioned the said Raph and some few others of the highest rank addeth these words aliique quamplures militaris praestantiae fama celebratissimi quorum nomina Historiarum voluminibus inter bellicosissimos commendari deceat In consideration therefore of that notable service I shall conclude that he was rewarded with such vast possessions in the severall Counties before mentioned amongst which this town of Wootton with the rest of Wagen's lands were part but making choise of Stafford for his principall seat where he had a strong Castle as is evident assumed his sirname from thence The extent of this Wootton was then certified to be 7. hides there being at that time a Church and two Mills and the woods belonging â—hereto containing two miles in length and one in breadth which with all the rest were valued at iv li. In the line of which Robert it continued till the death and attainder of Edward Duke of Buck. temp H. 8. But the story of that noble Family I reserve for another work and shall here take notice only of what I find thereof in reference to this place which is no more than that in 13 E. 1. Nich. Lord Stafford obtained a Charter of Free-warren for himself and his heirs in all his demesn lands here And that in 2 Edw. 2. Edmund his son dying seized of this Mannour was certified to hold it together with Tisoe in this Countie and certain lands in Staffordshire of the King in Capite by Barony scil to find three armed men with Horses compleatly harnessed for service in the Warrs of Wales during the space of xl days at his own proper charges After the death of which Duke Thomas Grey Marq. Dorset obtained it inter alia from the King first for life and afterwards to himself and the heirs male of his body Which Thomas had issue Henry Marq. Dorset created Duke of Suff. by King Edw. 6. as in Astley is shewed but attainted in 1 Mariae whereupon this Mannour was granted by that Queen to Sir Iohn Grey Knight and Mary his wife and their heirs 3 Iunii 2 3. Ph. M. From whom Dame Agnes Smyth the Widow of Sir Iohn Smyth Knight one of the Barons of the Exchequer and Francis Smyth son and heir to the said Agnes purchased it 1. Maii 1 Eliz. which Francis died seized of it 3. Sept. 4 Iac. whose grandchild Sir Francis Smyth Knight having in 15 Iac. obtained a Charter of Free-warren in all his demesn lands here left issue Sir Charles Smyth Knight his son and heir now Lord Carington the present owner thereof BEsides this Mannour here in Wootton that continued so long in the line of Stafford there was another which belonged to the Family of Harewell for many descents but had not the reputation of a Mannour for ought I have seen till of later time For the originall of it grew by divers petty purchases of severall parcells of land in the times of King Edw. 1. and E. 2. made by one Richard de Stanford and Idonea his wife which Richard is stiled in most of the deeds that I have seen Magister Ric. de Stanford Clericus and left issue Iohn his son and heir who in 23 E. 3. being one of the Commissioners in this County for assessing and collecting a xv th and x th then granted to the King in Parliament and in 27 E. 3. Coroner in this Shire bore for his Armes a Fesse and upon a Canton in the dexter part of the shield a martlet as by his Seal appears and had issue Iohn as also Maud a daughter married to Roger de Harewell brother to Iohn Harewell Bishop of Bathe and Wells towards the later end of E. 3. and beginning of R. 2. time which Maud became her brother's heir and possest all those his lands whereunto by marriages of severall heirs and otherwise her descendants made so fair an addition as that they were rankt amongst the superior gentry of this Shire therefore having something to say historically of them this being their principall Seat I have inserted the following Pedegree extracted out of the Evidences of the before specified Lord Carington Of Iohn Harewell son and heir to Roger and Maud I find that he being elected one of the Coroners in this Countie in 16 R. 2. upon his complaint to the King that the choise was not according to the tenour of the Statute of 3. E. 1. Cap. 10. which provideth that those to be chosen ought to be sage and wise Knights that might know how to undergo and that would attend the said Office a Precept was directed to the Shiriff to make a new election in his full Countie wherein the form of the said Statute should be exactly observed In 1 H. 5. he was Eschaetor for this County and Leicestershire In 5 o one of the Councell to Richard Beauchamp Earl of Warwick In 7 H. 5. imployed by Commission with other persons of quality to treat with the people here for a loan of money to the King and from 9 H. 5. till his death a Justice of Peace in this Shire He bore for Magr. Ric. de Stanford Clericus 15 E. 1. Idonea 23 E. 1. Ioh. Harewell Ioh. Harewell Bath Wellen. Episc. obiit 10 R. 2. Rog. Harewell de Wootton 42 E. 3. Ric. Harewell canonicus Eccl. de Wells 20 R. 2. Ioh. Harewell obiit 7 H. 6. Ioh. Harewell de Whitley 7. H. 5. Nich. Harewell ob s. prole Ioh. Harewell de Whitley 17 H. 7. Rog. Harewell de Solihull 21 H. 8. Will. Harewell de Stoorton Ric. Harewell de Shoterich ob 17 H. 6. Iohanna filia haeres ob s. p. 29 H. 6. Rog. Harewell 9 H. 6. Agnes filia cohaer Will. Clopton mil. Will. Harewell obiit 16 H. 7. Agnes filia Henrici Wogan Ioh. Harewell obiit 10 Apr. 20 H. 7. Anna filia haeres Ric. Midleton Agnes filia quinta cohaeres Ioh. Smyth Baro Scac. 25 H. 8. Franciscus Smyth ar obiit 3. Sept. 1606. Maria filia haeres Joh. Morton de Ashby-Folvile in Com. Leic. Georgius Smyth Anna filia Thomae Giffard de Chillington mil. Franciscus Smith miles Anna filia Thomae Markham de Merton in Com Nott. ar Carolus Smyth de Wotton miles erectus in Baronem Carington Eliz. filia Ioh. Carrell eq aur Thomas Harewell obiit sine prole Thomas Harewell ob sine prole 22
in 18 E. 3. got License to pass this Mannour away unto the Monks of Merevale but it was not accordingly conveyed for in 7 H. 4. upon seizure of the lands belonging to those forraign Monasteries for the reasons before exprest as a member of the Priorie of Okeburne which was a Cell to Bec before mentioned it was demised to Will. de Brynklow Clerk and Peter Purly Esq. by Iohn the King's son afterwards Duke of Bedford and Thomas Longley Chancelour of England who had the King's grant of all the lands belonging to the said Priorie of Okeburne to hold for xx years at the rate of xl l. per an After which time viz. in 16 H. 6. the Duke of Bedford being then dead the King gave it to Humphrey Earl Stafford for life and within six years after granted the reversion thereof for ever unto the Provost and Scholars of King's Colledge in Cambridge then newly by him founded Heremitanus S â— Augustini Yet of this grant had that Colledge no benefit as it seems for in 31 H. 6. did the said King bestow it upon Edm. Earl of Richmund his half Brother and the heirs of his bodyâ— but that Patent held good no longer than the life of that King for it appears that King Edward 4. in the first year of his reign disposed thereof unto the Carthusian Monks of Montgrace in Yorkshire who accordingly enjoy'd it till the dissolution of that House by King Henry 8. Whereupon coming to the Crown it was granted to Henry Marq. Dorset and Thomas Duport and to the heirs of the said Marquess for ever upon whose attainder in 1. Mariae whereof in Astley I have spoke it returned again to the Crown and in 1 2 Ph. M. was past to William Devereux Esquire and his heirs Which William being afterwards a Knight died seized thereof in 21 Eliz. leaving Margaret the wife of Edward Litleton of Pillaton-Hall in Com. Staff Esquire and Barbara the wife of Edward Hastings his daughters and heirs But since it is come by purchase to Sir Iohn Repington Knight whose son and heir sc. Sir Iohn R. of Amington Knight now enjoys it Within the precincts of this town there was very antiently a Chapell whereunto the Monks of Bec about the beginning of H. 2. time gave xii acres of land viz. six lying on the one side of the town and six on the other Concerning which Chapell the said Monks and the Parson of Manceter then came to this agreement viz. that the Rector of Manceter for the time being should cause Divine service to be celebrated therein three days every week sc. Sunday Wednesday and Friday and if a Holy-day did happen on any other than of these to be accounted for one of them solemn Service being then to be there performed And moreover in case the passion of St. Peter should happen on any of those days that Mass should be there and then celebrated but on all other days omitted all Tithes and Obventions arising out of this Hamlet to be payd to Manceter yet that Buriall and Baptism should be performed here for the Inhabitants of Atherston except any particular person on his death bed should rather desire sepulture at Manceter than in this Chapell-yard which Agreement was ratified by Richard Peche the Bishop of Cov. and Lich. The Friers THis House was founded by Raphe Lord Basset of Draiton in 49 E. 3. for Friers Heremites of St. Augustine over the Gate whereof is yet to be seen his Armes cut in a fair Shield of Stone Touching the originall of this Order there is no absolute certaintie as Polydore affirmeth Some alleadge that St. Augustine Bishop of Hippo retiring into the Wilderness during the rage of the Manichean Hereticks then instituted it gathering together into one Covent those that were disperst in the Desert Others that divers devout persons desiring to imitate the piety and singular learning of St. Augustine even whil'st he lived left all that they had and betook themselves to the Wilderness whereupon they were called Heremites By which of these means it was I shall not farther stand to enquire but Mendicants they were for certain and for their Habite did wear in their Cloister a white garment close girt to them and when they went out a Black over it with a broad lethern Gâ—rdle buckled as on the last page is represented being shorn on the Head as the Dominicans are These first began to propagate in England about the year 1250. 34 H. 3. as did the Carmelites but in this Countie not of a long time after for to this in Atherston which was the onely House of them therein it was the 49 th of Ed. 3. ere the said Lord Basset gave the land sc. xii acres whereupon it stood at which time they begin to build their Church and came to an Agreement with the Parson of Manceter in the presence of the said Lord Basset the Abbot of Leicester Tho. Harecurt Lord of Bosworth and others Iohn Combe being their Precurator or Warden at that time Which was in substance this that for the Tithes of those places whereupon that structure was to be made and for the rest of the lands before specified they should pay to the said Parson and his Successors xx s. per an at the Feast of St. Michaell the Arch-Angell and Easter by even portions in default whereof a distress to be taken and that if they should acquire any more land then to pay Tithe in kind for the same It seems the Church and buildings were not perfected till King Ric. 2. time for it appears that the said Lord Basset by his Testament bearing date at London 12 Sept. an 1383. 7 R. 2. gave them a Legacie of five hundred marks for compleating thereof This is he that was the last Lord Basset of Draiton for he died without issue and lieth magnificently entombed in Lichfield Cathedrall on the South side of St. Chad's Shrine though the place be not now known by that name the Lord Paget's Monument being erected where that Shrine stood But I do not find that they ever had any more lands than what are above exprest for by the Survey taken in 26 H. 8. all that belonged to them was valued but at xxx s. iii d. per an over and above reprises and came to the Crown by the Act of dissolution in 27 H. 8. After which viz. in 35 H. 8. the King granted the site and circuit of the House with a Dove-cote Barn Orchard and two Messuages that stood upon the before specified ground first given thereto unto one Henry Cartwright and his heirs to hold by the xxxth part of a Knight's Fee Which Henry the same year sold it to .... Hill Since which by purchase it came to Sir Iohn Repington Knight who having bought the Mannour as hath been already shewed built a fair House of Brick upon the ruins of this
three days following and in xx H. 6. procured another Patent for taking Toll of all vendible commodities comming hither for the space of four years towards the finishing of the Pavement and repair of Bol-brigge After which I have not seen any thing more of â—t that is considerable till 3 Eliz. that the Queen by her Letters Patent bearing date at Westminster 24 Dec. taking notice that it had been a very antient Mercate-town and that the Inhabitants thereof by the name of the Bailiffs and Commonaltie had not only held it time out of minde of her Royall Progenitors in Fee-Ferme by the Rent of v. li xvi s. per annum but enjoyed divers Jurisdictions and Priviledges aswell by Prescrâ—ption as by severall Charters which Charters as they then suggested had been either burnt or casually lost imploring her Royall favour that she would for the better governing thereof vouchsafe to make it a Corporation did at that time ordâ—in it to be a Burrough Corporate consisting of two Bailiffs the one for that part of the town situate in this Countie and the other for that part lying in Staffordshire granting them libertie to have a Common Seal and assigning Peter Bradoke and Henry Draper the first Bayliffs As also that from thenceforth there should be xxiv of the most substantiall Inhabitants assistants to the said Bayliffs and called the principall Burgesses which said Bayliffs and Burgesses to have power as often as they should think fit to call a Court of themselves or the major part of them there to consult and determine of all things tending to the well goverment of it and to choose two Sergeants at Mace for performance of all Proclamations Arrests c. Which Bayliffs to be Justices of the Peace within the same Burrough And moreover that they should have power to keep a Court of Record upon Munday once in three weeks there to hold Plea c. after the usage of the Citie of London And likewise a Gaole for the imprisonment of Felons and Malefactors As also a weekly Mercate every Saturday and two Faires the one on the Feast-day of S. George the Martyr and four days following and the other on the Feast-day of S. Edward the King and Martyr and four days then likewise next ensuing Granting further unto the said Bayliffs for the time being that they should be Clerks of the Mercate within the precincts of the Burrough and to have a Court-Leet twice in the year scil within the compass of a month after Michaelmass and the like limit of time after Easter as also power to purchase or receive by gift lands to the value of Xl li. per annum notwithstanding the Statute of Mortmain And by another Patent bearing date xo Oct. in 30. of her reignâ— gave the inhabitants of this Burrough immunitie from being returned on Juries except they held lands out of the compasse thereof and likewise to choose a Recorder constituting Robert Devereux Earl of Essex their Steward and granting them another Faire yearly to begin on the Feast-day of S. Swithin and to endure for four days At which time she founded an endowed a Grammar School hereâ— but thereof forasmuch as it is situate on the Staffordshire side it concerns me not to speak Closing up therefore I shall observe that forasmuch as 't is not apparent by any of our publique Records that the Saturday-Mercate was granted by Charter till now it was held before by Prescription and questionlesse from the very time that the Saxon Kings had their residence here whereof I have already touched Nor it is to be doubted but that the Priviledge whâ—ch they had in sending of Burgesses to Parliament was of great antiquitie and used only by the like Prescription in such sort as other the antient Burroughs of this Realm did enjoy The Castle HAving now done with the Burrough I come to the Castle touching the Foundation whereof I have already spoke This being in the hands of King William after his Conquest was by him given towards the end of his reign as I guess unto Robert Marmion as my Story in Polesworth intimateth and as is verified by an antient window of this Church where the same King being depicted in his Robes of State and crowned stretcheth forth his hand to him holding a Charter therein neer the Gate of a faire Castle an exact representation whereof I have in page 822. exhibited Which Robert had issue Robert unto whom King Henry the first by his Charter dated at Canoc in Com. Staff granted Free-warren in all his lands within this Countie as Robert his Father had and by name here at Tamworth This last mentioned Robert was possest of the strong Castle of Fontney in Normandie which Castle Geffrey Earl of Anjou beseiged and razed in 4 o Steph. because he held out Faleis against him and gave the Church of Queinton in Gloucestershire to the Nunns of Polesworth Being a great adversarie to the Earl of Chester in 8. Steph. he entred the Priorie of Coventre neer unto which the said Earl had a Castle as I have elsewhere observed and expelling the Monks fortified it making in the fields adjacent divers deep Ditches lightly covered over to the intent that such as should make approaches thereto might be intrapt but it so hapned that as he rode himself to view the Earl's forces that began to draw neer it he sell into one of them and broke his Thigh so that he was forthwith seized on by a Common Souldier who immediatley cut off his Head To him succeeded Robert his son and heir by whose Certificate in 12 H. 2. it appears that he then held xi Knights Fees whereof his Ancestor was enfeoft in H. 1. time and three which he had obtained since for which in 14 H. 2. he gave vii li. xii s. viii d. Aid upon the marriage of Maud the King's daughter This Robert was a Benefactor to the Knights Templar's as by his grant to them of Barston Mill is manifested as also in 33 H. 2. a Justice Itinerant in this Countie and confirmed to the Nunns of Polesworth his Father's gift of the Church of Queinton But in the beginning of H. 3. time he died leaving two sonns by severall wives as it seems both of them bearing the name of Robert Of which Robert the younger gave the summe of 500 li. to the King in 2 H. 3. for the custodie of this Castle and to have possession of the lands whereof his Father died seized untill matters should be so setled as that Englishmen might peaceably enjoy their lands in Normandie and the Normans theirs in England in regard that the Dukedome of Normandie was seized on by the French about the beginning of King Iohn's time for the murther of Arthur Duke of Brittanie but with this condition too that if Robert Marmion his elder brother should make his peace with the King for it seems he then adhered
of his body who dying without issue in 31. Eliz. it returned to the Crown whereupon the said Queen by her Pat. dated 28. Oct. 40. Eliz. passed it to Randle Crew of Lincolns-Inne Esq. and Richard Cartwright of London Gent. and their heirs who by their deed of bargain and sale bearing date xxiii Iunii 41. Eliz. granted it to Thomas Dilke Esq. but afterwards Kt. and to his heirs whose Grand-child William Dilke of Maxstoke-Castle now enjoys it The Church here was very antiently given by the Prior of Coventre unto the Cathedrall of Lichfield in the name of a Prebend and in 1291. 19. E. 1. was valued at xv marks but in 26. H. 8. at xi l. vi sol viii d the Procurations and Synodalls being then vi sol viii d. per an and the Curate a stipendary to the Prebend But in it are neither Arms nor Monuments Bobenhull BElow Rieton lyes Bobenhull which in the Conq. time being possest a by Robert de Statford of whom I am to speak in Wotton-wawen and of him held by one Aluric whose freehold it had been before the Norman invasion contained then five hydes whereof the woods were two furlongs in length and two in breadth there being at that time a Mill but the value of all then certified at fifty shillings where it is written Bubenhalle In 13. Ioh. this Mannour answered for the third part of a Knights fee amongst the lands which were of the Honour of Herveus de Stafford And in 36. H. 3. amongst the fees held of the Lord Stafford it was certified that the Earl of Warwick held two parts of a Knights fee here But in 7. E. 1. Iohn Fitzwith being Lord thereof held it of Hugh de Plessets by the third part of a Kts. fee the same Hugh holding it over of the Baron of Stafford which Iohn had at that time here one carucate of land in demesn ten servants that held two yard land and a half seven Freeholders holding ten yard land and eight acres as also eight Cottagers In whose family it continued till the later end of Edw. 3. time but then went away with a Daughter and heir as the descent here inserted will shew Wido filius Roberti 36. H. 3. Ioh. fil Guidonis 7. E. 1. Rob. fil Guidonis miles 3. E. 2. Guido fil Rob. 9. E. 2. Eliz. filia haeres infra aetat 10. E. 2. Thomas de Lucy Joh. le Fitzwith 20. E. 2. Joh. Fitzwith Johan ux 2. postea nupta Will. de Tyrington 15. R. 2. Robertus le Fitzwith dictus le Fitz-Gy 30. E. 3. Agnes filia Will. Catesby Iohanna filia haeres probavit aetatem 49. E. 3. Joh. Beauchamp de Holt Joh. Beauchamp mil. obiit 8. H. 5. Alicia Ioh. Pauncefot 1. maritus Margareta filia haeres Ioh Wysham 2. maritus 1. H. 6. Rob. le Fitzwith I am of opinion that these Fitzwith's had their seat here as I shall further instance anon therefore I purpose here to memorize what I find notable of them Of this Iohn whom I have already mentioned I find that he was the first that assumed the sirname of Fitzwith being the son of one Guido or Guy called Guido filius Roberti as in Shotswell I shall have occasion to shew and in 3. E. 1. one of those who had Commission for the Gaol delivery at Warwick as also that in 5. E. 1. he attended the King in his expedition into Wales at which time the Welch were reduced to subjection their Prince being then content to accept of such termes as K. Edward would afford him And that in 29. E. 1. he was one of those that received the Kings precept to be at Berwick upon Twede sufficiently appointed with Horse and Armes to march against the Scots To whom succeeded Robert called Robertus filius Guidonis who being a Kt. in 3. E. 2. wrote himself of this place which Robert had issue Guy that dyed in 10. E. 2. leaving Elizabeth his Daughter and Heir within age who departed this life without issue as it seems for the inheritance came to Robert le Fitzwith Nephew to the last Guido by Iohn his Brother which Robert having no issue setled part of his lands in his life time upon the said Robert le Fitzwith his Nephew as I shall more fully shew when I come to Bernangre the rest descending to him This last mentioned Robert had two wives Agnes the Daughter of Will. Catesby and Ioane who survived him and marryed to Will. de Tyrington and died in 36. E. 3. leaving issue Ioane his Daughter and heir ward to Sir Richard Penbruge Kt. by the Kings grant which Ioane marryed to Iohn Beauchamp of Holâ— in Worcester-shire and proved her age in 49. E. 3. whereupon her husband and she had livery of her lands This Iohn Beauchamp had the honour to be the first man that ever had creation to the dignity of a Baron in England by Patent which bears date at Wodstoke x. Octobris undecimo R. 2. but he enjoy'd it not long for the same year the rebellious Lords having rais'd a potent army came up to London and there mustering their men in the sight of the Tower where the King then lodg'd forced him to call a Parliament wherein by their power they did what they listed causing Sir Robert Tresilian chief Justice of England and divers others to be attainted of treason of which number this Sir Iohn Beauchamp then Lord Steward of the Kings house-hold being one was thereupon hang'd drawn and quartered But by the Kings writ of Monstraverunt directed to the Justices of the Common Pleas in xv R. 2. upon the allegation of William de Tyrington and Ioane his wife wherein they set forth that the said William and Ioane had recovered the third part of this Mannour in 43. E. 3. as the dowrie of Ioane against the said Iohn Beauchamp and Elizabeth it appears that the said Iohn and Elizabeth long before this attainder viz. the Sunday being the feast day of the exaltation of the Holy cross in 7. R. 2. did demise it unto Iohn Catesby to hold during the said Iohn Catesby his life in consideration of viii l. per an to be payd to the said Iohn Beauchampe and Ioane and their heirs so that by reason of this demise the viii l. Rent per an onely and the reversion after Iohn Catesby his death were seized for the King in regard of the aforesaid attainder And which is not the least notable that his coat of male being then in the hands of one Iohn Reede an Armorer of London was thereupon delivered up unto Henry E. of Derby afterwards King by the name of Henry the 4. by a speciall command But this attainder as all things else done in that Parliament of xi R. 2. held by force being made void in the Parliament of 21. R. 2.
Mary's reign it being May 15. 1 Mariae that Sir Walter 's murther so hapned To whom succeeded the before specified Richard his son and heir who was strangely juggled out of a fair inheritance this Lordship being part the manner whereof considering what success hath attended it is not unworthy the relation This Richard having but one onely daughter called Margaret by his first wife and doubting of issue male treated with Sir Iohn Littleton of Frankley in Worcestershire for a marriage betwixt his said daughter and William Littleton third son to the said Sir Iohn In consideration whereof he agreed to settle all his lands in remainder after his own decease without other issue upon the said William and Margaret and the heirs of their two bodies lawfully begotten but for lack of such issue to return to his own right heirs And having Writings drawn accordinglyâ— trusted the said Sir Iohn Littleton to get them ingrossed Which being effected and a day appointed for sealing Mr Smyth came over to Frankley where he found very noble entertainment and some of Sir Iohn's friends to bear him company in whose presence the Writings were brought forth and begun to be read but before they came to the uses stept in Sir Iohn Littleton's keeper in a sweat and told them that there were a brace of Bucks at lare in the Park which carryed a glass in their tails for Mr Smyth's Dogs to look in for he loved coursing well and had his Greyhounds there but if they made not hast those market people which passed through the Park would undoubtedly rouse them Whereupon Sir Iohn Littleton earnestly moved Mr Smyth to seal the Writings without further reading protesting that they were according to the draughts he had seen and without any alteration Which bold asleverations putting him out of all suspicion of sinister dealing caused him forthwith to seal them and to go into the Park Hereupon the two Children for they were not above ix years old a peice were marryed together and lived in the house with Sir Iohn But so it hapned that about six years after the young man dyed by a fall from a Horse insomuch as Mr Smyth considering that his daughter had no issue resolved to take her away and signified as much to Sir Iohn who designing to marry her again to George his second son refused to deliver her till which time Mr Smyth never suspected any thing in the Deed formerly so sealed as hath been said But then upon difference betwixt him and Sir Iohn it appeared that for want of issue by the before specified William and Margaret the lands were to divolve unto the right heirs of the said William which was Gilbert Littleton his eldest brother contrary to the plain agreement at first made To make short therefore VVilliam the youngest son marryed her George the second enjoy'd her and Gilbert the eldest had the estate as heir to his brother Which descending to Iohn his son was kept from Mr Smyth the true heir with whom he had great suits in Law and at length by his attainder for adhering to Robert E. of Essex in 42 Eliz. came to the Crown for he was drawn into that Treason as being a man much respected for his wit and valour by those Conspirators and dyed in Prison After which King Iames at his first coming to the Crown of England being petitioned by Muriel the widow to the said Iohn for restitution of his lands well weighing how popular a man the Earl of Essex was and so consequently all those that took part with him were lookt on by the Vulgar unto whom an Act of Mercy could not but be especially at his first entrance very gratefull yeilded to her request and by his Letters pat made a grant of them to her Whereupon she still doubting more trouble by suits with Mr Smyth sold them away to Sergeant Hele a great Lawyer who likewise considering upon what foundation Littleton's title was at first built to the end that it might the better be defended disposed of them to his 5 sons viz. Sir VVarwick Hele and Sir Francis both Knights Nicholas VValter and George But such is the fate that follows these possessions that for want of a publick adversary these brothers are now at suit amongst themselves for them And as none of the line of Gilbert Littleton before specified to whom they so descended by force of the before specified conveyance doth enjoy a foot of them so is it no less observable that the son and heir of George by the same Margaret so marryed as I have declared viz. Stephen Littleton of Holbeach in Worcestershire was attended with a very hard fate being one of the Gunpowder Conspirators in 3 Iac. for which he lost his life and estate as is very well known Bulkintonâ— SOuthwards from hence lyes Bulkinton which is a large Parish containing these Hamlets viz. Weston in Arden Ryeton Bramcote Wolvershill Merston-Iabet and Bernacle of which in their order In the Conquerours dayes this was certified to be in the possession of the Earl of Mellent and held then by Salo his under-tenant at which time it contained 4 hydes and one virgat of land being valued at xx s. and written Bochintone That Ernald de Boys was Steward to Rob. Bossu E. of Leic. I have already taken notice in Clifton but whether this place descended to him as heir to Robert de Watervill his Uncle or whether he were enfeofft thereof immediatly by the said Earl I cannot say nevertheless that he succeeded Watervill as heir is most probable for it appears that Roger de Watervill brother of Robert gave the Church to the Abby of Leicester upon or near the time of that Monastery its foundation which was in an 1143. 8 Steph. To which Church were then belonging two yard land called the glebe with the Chappels of Bernangle Weston Ryton Merston Schelton Ansty and Bramcote all which except Schelton and Ansty do yet continue of this Parish for in those dayes it was seldome seen that the possession of the Mannour and patronage of the Church were in several hands before such perpetual advousons were given to the Monks Which Ernauld confirmed the said grant of Roger de Watervile so also did his descendants the 3 succeeding Ernalds In 13 E. 1. Iohn de Boys son to the last Ernald claimed a Court-Leet Gallows power to punish the breakers of the Assize of Bread and Ale as also Weyfs and to be discharged of the common amerciaments of the County All these I say he claimed then by prescription in this his Mannour of Bulkinton Weston and Ryton with Free-warren here by grant to Ernald his father which were allowed To whom succeeded William his brother and heir as in Clifton is manifested Which William setled this Mannour with divers other upon himself for life and afterwards upon VVilliam de la Zuche and Maud his wife and the heirs of the same VVilliam
cart load every week by oversight of the said Foresters Other reservations there are but these which I have mentioned are the most memorable In consideration of all which the said Prior and Covent were to pay yearly unto the same Rog. and Cecily and their heires at the mannour-house of Cheylesmore before mentioned c. li. sterling viz. on the Octaves of St. Andrew the Octaves of S. Mary in March the Octaves of S. Iohn B. and the Octaves of S. Michael and x. marks annually for the Nuns of Polesworth at Easter and Michaelmass by even portions under the penalty of x. li. and a clause for distress And besides a Fine levyed in the same 34. year of H. 3. by the said Roger and Cecily for warranty of the premisses so granted did the said Cecily in her widowhood by her deed of Release quit all her interest in the said mannour according to the tenor of the before specified grant As also in the Hospitall and Chappell of Sponne sometime perteining to the Abby of Basingwerk in Flintsh as her said Release imports The next thing which falls out in order of time to be taken notice of in relation to this place is that here it was that those persons elected for the determination upon what terms such as were disherited for their activeness in that notable Rebellion against K. H. 3. should redeem their lands met and resolv'd thereupon Which Decree of theirs is notwithstanding called Dictum de Kenilworth in regard it was then publish't in the K. Camp at that famous six months siege of the Castle as in Kenilworth I have already intimated After this viz. in 3. E. 1. upon the extent of this mannour after the death of Rob. de Montalt son to the before mentioned Roger the mannour-house called Cheylesmore with the Park and Mill in the Park were valued at 5. marks per annum the Rent of Assise belonging thereto 39 li. 09. s. 07. d. and the perquisits of Court 6. s. -8 d. And in 13. E. 1. had the Burgesses and Inhabitants here the K. Letters Pat. bearing date 3. Aug. giving them authority to take Toll of all vendible commodities that should be brought hither for the space of 3. years from Michaelmass next ensuing towards their charge of paving the town viz. for every Hors-load of Corn a half-peny for Every Horse Mare Oxe or Cow a half-peny And likewise upon every thing els which for brevities sake I omit But it seems that xx years afterwards this work of paving was not fully done for in 23. of the same K. reign they had another Pat. to take Toll upon the like Commodities and granted Ballivis probis hominibus de Coventre whereas the other was Burgensibus probis hominibus which shews that the originall of their Bayliffs was betwixt the 13. and 33. E. 1. though the very time when they were constituted be not recorded After which viz. in 9. E. 2. the Prior of Coventre and Rob. de Montalt were certified to be Lords of this place with its members which Rob. being brother and heir to Roger son to the last mentioned Robert with Emme his wife in 1. E. 3. levyed a Fine of all their interest here by the name of the mannour of Cheylesmore with the appurtenances 96. li. 6. s. -8 d. yearly Rent and the services of the Prior of Coventre thereby entayling the same upon the heirs male of his body and for want of such issue on Isabell Q. of England Mother to K. E. 3. during her life and after her decease on Iohn of Eltham brother to the said King and the heirs of his body and for lack of such issue on thâ— said K. Edward and his heirs for ever For setling whereof as abovesaid he had the Kings license dated at Peterborough 8. April Hitherto have I taken notice of the most remarkable passages touching Coventre in generall but now that I am come to the vesting of Cheylesmore in the royall line it will be most proper I conceive to observe what els is notable in relation thereto in order of time reserving what I have further to say of Coventre in generall to be afterwards spoke by it self First then that the situation of this mannour is upon the Southern side of the town the Map to those that know not the place will demonstrate but as to the antiquity of its name can I say little having not met with any mention thereof till 34. H. 3. that Rog. de Montalt and Cecily his wife do in their grant of Coventre to the Monks except it by the name of their mansion or mannour-house of Cheylesmore yet that the seat which the E. of Chester had in that very place was much elder is not to be doubted in regard 't is apparent that their Castle concerning the siege whereof in K. Steph. time by E. Ran. the second I have already spoke stood there For in that ample Charter made by Hugh Keviliok E. of Chester to the Monks of Coventre in H. 2. time in pointing out the boundaryes dividing the Earls part and the Priors asunder he traces the same from S. Mich. -Church-yard and so juxta latam portam mei Castelli are his words Now that this Gate he means was not far off Cheylesmore the place where it stood doth sufficiently testify being at the end of that passage now called Greyfrier-lane entring into the great High-street and retayning the said name of Broad-yale to this day From which testimony may also be observed that the circuit of the outer ward to that Castle was of a large extent considering that it did reach so far North towards the town Having said thus much as to its situation and antiquity I shall proceed with the succession thereof wherein I observe that K. E. 3. having in the Parl. begun at Westm. on the munday next after the feast of S. Matthew the Apostle in xi year of his reign advanced Edward his eldest Son commonly called the Black Prince unto the Dukedom of Cornwall did inter alia for his better support of that honour by his Charter bearing date 1. Oct. the same year settle upon him the reversion of this mannour after the decease of Q. Isabel before specified Iohn of Eltham E. of Cornwall tenant in remainder being then dead without issue to hold to him the said D. and to the eldest sons of him and his heirs Kings of England Dukes of that place successively and not to be severed from the said Dukedom upon the death or not existency of such Dukes to revert unto the Crown together therewith Whereunto the said Q. Isabel by her Letters Pat. dated 10. Dec. in the same year did signify her assent and in regard of her estate therein made attourment After which were there divers great priviledges granted to this place viz. in 18. E. 3. that the tenants to the said Q. should during her life be free from pavage
the ascent whereon it stood Pen in the Brittish language signifying the head top or chief part and I le the same with Locus It should seem that antiently it was a pretty village otherwise there had been no cause for the Chappel but till H. 3. time that Geff. de Langley a man of great note in those days made it his seat I have not seen any thing memorable of it 'T is very like that the neerness of its situation to Coventre invited him to build here for in 22. H. 3. he had a grant from the King of certain timber trees out of Kenilworth-woods for that purpose Of what extraction this family was I know not though they had divers fair Lordships in this County but for as much as this was their chief seat I do here resolve to take notice of what I have found memorable of them Galfr. de Langley temp H. 2. Galfr. de Langley 22. H. 3. obiit 2. E. 1 ....... ux 1. Magr. Rob. de Langley 2. E. 1. Galfr. de Langley 22. H. 3. obiit 2. E. 1 Matilda ux 2. Walt. de Langley defunctus 8. E. 1. ...... ux 1. Ela una fil cohaer Isab. de Hulles 17. E. 2. Joh. de Langley miles 29. E. 1. ..... ux 1. Walterus ob S. p. Ioh. obiit S. prole Magr. Tho. de Langley 4. E. 3. Galfr. de Langley defunctus 10. E. 3. Maria 18. E. 2. Galfr. de Langley 4. E. 3. Ioh. fil Alani de Cherlton militis 33. E. 3. Iohanna filia haeres ob S. p. Ioh. Trillow jun. miles 2. maritus Edm. de Langley 9. E. 2. .... filia Will. de Bereford Iustic Regis Ioh. de Langley Williel de Careswell 2. maritus 4. E. 3. Ioh. de Langley de Atherston super Stour 18. R. 2. Ioh. de Langley Edm. de Langley 9. E. 2. Iohanna ux 1. Ioanna ux Edm. de Chesterton Rog. de Chesterton Eliz. filia haeres Ioh. Barndesley 4. H. 4. Galfr. obiit vita Patris Walt. de Langley defunctus 8. E. 1. Alicia Domina de Bykenhull ux 2. Rob. de Langley 29. E. 1. Alianora filia Rad. de Molington Marg. filia haeres Will. de Peto 47. E. 3. Ioh. de Peto Chivalier Will. de Pâ—to consangu haeres Galf. de Langley 22. R. 2. Galfr. de Langley 15. E. 1. The first mention I have met with of this name and stock is in H. 2. time the K. confirming the grant made by one Geffrey de Langley to the Monks of Combe of lands in Herdebergh now called Harborow-magna in this County 'T is very like that the same Geffrey was the father of this but if there were more than two in a direct line of that Christen name I know not how to distinguish them With Geffrey whom I suppose to be the son of that Geffrey which was a benefactor to Combe I will begin He was first Marshall of the K. Household an office belonging to the E. Marshall of England in fee who by the K. consent appoints a Knight under him to execute the same In which he so behaved himself that the King took great notice of him for a thrifty servant and for that cause afforded him much grace and respect though others con'd him little thank in regard he cut shorr the antient allowance for the Kings own table and lessened the old hospitality of the Court. In 23. H. 3. he obtained a Charter of Free-warren in all his demesn-lands here And in 26. H. 3. attended the King in that expedition of Gascoign wherein the English suffered great loss in which voyage he got such reputation with the King as accelerated it seems his further profit and advancement For in 34. H. 3. he obtained a Patent to his own use dated 29. Dec. of the whole benefit accruing by expeditation of Dogs throughout all the Forests of England And the fourth of March following to be Justice of the Kings Forests from Trent Southwards As also within few days after to be Governour of the Castle and Honour of Rokingham in Northampton-shire The same year likewise upon the return of a Writ of Ad quod dampnum had he license to stop up and inclose a certain High-way which interposed betwixt his House and woods here at Pinley and to impark those woods 'T is not to be doubted but as he managed the business his office of Justice in the Forests was very beneficiall to him but with what credit he did the King that service and inrich't himself let us hear an impartiall relation from an Author of that time Sub eisdem siquidem temporibus c. About these times saith he a certain in Knight called Geffrey de Langley who was a Bayliff to the King and a strict Inquisitor after all trespasses committed in the Forests rode through most parts of England In which Office he behaved himself with that cunning frowardness and violence in extorting vast summs of money especially from the Northern gentry as that the very Auditors themselves were astonisht at such a mass And for the better carrying on this course of oppression he rode with a great company of attendants well armed so that if any of those against whom he thus proceeded did but seem to excuse themselves in a muttering way their enemyes being Judges he presently caused them to be cast into prison Neither did he use any proportion in the punishment sutable to the offence for were it but the killing of a Fawn or a Hare and that crossing the way in a mans passage though he were the greatest Noble-man that did itâ— he would ruin him So that this his cruelty made the memory of his predecessors pretious nay Robert Passelew himself in comparison of him was counted a Saint Which Robert being Justice of the Forests immediatly before had been the man that first brought him into that imployment whose good turn he requited with supplanting him putting out all those under Officers that he had placed and undoing them to boot Whereupon the said Robert considering the instability of these terrestriall things forsook the Court and became a Priest Which ways of oppression and cruelty rendred our Geffrey so odious that the K. within two years thought best in prudence to remove him from that Office least the peoples discontents should reflect upon himself And therefore the better to satisfy the world he sent him away into Scotland there to be one of the Governours unto his daughter the Queen of Scots But the Nobles of that Realm finding of what an insolent Spirit he was would not long endure him there whereupon he betook himself to the service of Prince Edward in which he so managed the business that he raised up many enemyes to the King and Prince as well as to himself For being imployed in Wales by the Prince he so tirannized that in 40. H. 3. the Welch broke out into rebellion which
been granted by Thomas Wygford Prior of Coventre and his Covent to one Will. Allicock for 80. years from the 29. of Sept. 26. H. 8. And that afterwards viz. 32. Eliz. the Q. by her Letters Pat. bearing date 21. Martii conveyed inter alia to Sir Iohn Harington Knight afterwards created Lord Harington of Exton and Iohn Read gentleman this Mannour of Sow so before leased Which said Sir Iohn and Iohn by their deed of bargain and sale bearing date 2. Iunii the same year past away the Mannour house to Edw. Lapworth and his son with divers lands thereto belonging from whom descended Alexander Lapworth the present owner thereof Anno 1640. But the Royalty or Mannour with some lands there being reserved by the said Sir Iohn Harington were by Lucie Countesse of Bedford his daughter and heir bequeath'd by Will as I have heard to Mr. George Purefoy of Belgrave in Leicestersh who still enjoys it I now return to that part which Richardus Forestarius held This as Chesterton in Kineton-Hundred also did went with Margery the daughter and heir of the said Richard unto William Crok which William leaving it to his son William who was hang'd for felony it escheated to the Crown but by the favour of the King was given to Rob. de Brok that had marryed Margery sister to the said William which Robert leaving one onely daughter and heir who was wedded to Hugh de Loges it thereby came to that family and so through Loges his heir generall at length to Peto as will more clearly be discerned by the descent in Chesterton where I have observed what is memorable of all those families I shall therefore here take notice onely of them so far as they had relation to this place and no further And first concerning Croc I find that though by the abovesaid forfeiture his estate here was confiâ—cate and that Loges had his interest by force of the Kings grant yet did the said Loges think fit to strengthen his title by an agreement with the heir of Croc as may appear by a Fine that Gilb. Croc levyed thereof in 1. Ioh. to the use of the said Hugh Loges and Margerie his wife and their heirs the proportion being the same viz. 1. hide as in the Conq. time the before specified Richardus Forestarius held Betwixt which Gilbert and the Prior of Coventre there had been suit concerning some claime that the said Gilbert made here for conclusion whereof the Prior granted to him Husbote and Heybote and the moytie of the third peny which should be made of the paunage in Sow In 7. E. 1. the particulars that Loges possest in this place were certified for two Carucats of land which he kept in demesne with six Freeholders who held two Cottages one yard land a half and fourth part and two acres by certain Rent and particular services and xl acres of out-wood wherein the Freeholders had reasonable estovers together with a Court-Leet all which he held of the King by Sergeanty viz. to be Keeper of the Forest of Cank though he had no originall grant to shew but certifies that it was per antiquam tenuram sine Charta Which words clearly manifesting that grants by Deed or Charter were not frequent in those elder times it will not be amisse I suppose to shew when such concessions first began wherein I shall exhibite the authority of a most authentique Historian I mean Ingulphus Secretary to the Conq. while he was only D. of Normandy and afterwards Abbot of Crouland who being so great a Schollar and withall a strict observer of the most eminent passages in his time deserves much the more credit Nam Chirographorum confectionem Anglicanam saith he quae antea usque ad Edwardi Râ—gis tempora fidelium praesentium subscriptionibus cum crucibus aureis aliisque signaculis firma fuerunt Normanni condemnantes Chirographa Cartas vocabant Chartarum firmitatem cum cerea impressione per uniuscujusque speciale Sigillum sub instillatione trium vel quatuor testium astantium conficere constituebant Conferebantur etiam primò multa praedia nudo verbo absque scripto vel charta tantùm cum Domini gladio vel cornu vel galea vel â—ratera plurima tenementa cum Calcari cum Strigili cum Arcu nonnulla cum Sagitta Sed hac initio regni sui posterioribus annis immutatus est iste modus The first sealed Charter that we have in England being that of King Edward the Confessor upon his foundation of Westminster Abby who having his education in Normandy brought into this Kingdom that and some other of their fashions with him which afterwards came to be imitated by all others though by the inferior sort not of a â—â—ng time as Mr. Lambert out of the History of Battail-Abbey observes where Ric. de Lucy Chief Justice of England in H. 2. time is reported to have blamed a mean subject for that he used a privat Seal when as that apperteyn'd as he said to the King and Nobility only But returning to Loges I finde that he held five tenements in this place of the Earl of Chester by the service of conducting the said Earl towards the Kings Court through the midst of the Forest of Kanck meeting him at Rotford-bridg upon notice of his coming and at Hopwas-bridg upon his return In which Forest the Earl might if he pleased kill a Deer in his going and another at his coming back giving unto Loges at each time he should so attend him a barb'd Arrow After which viz. in H. 3. time it appears that Hugh de Loges granted to Will. Bagot and his heirs all his lands in Sow to hold of him the said Hugh and his heirs by the payment of a pair of white Gloves price 1 d. or 1 d. in money at the feast of St. Michael yearly for all services Howbeit this though confirm'd by the King 16. Febr. 54. H. 3. took not effect For Richard de Loges son of the said Hugh commencing suite for the same land as his inheritance proved that his father was not compos mentis at the time when he sealed that Deed and so recovered it again Whereupon it became assigned by the name of a Mannour inter alia unto Eliz. the widow of the above mentioned Richard in 28. E. 1. upon whose decease in 11. E. 3. it was found that she held in dowrie certain lands here by petty-Sergeanty viz. giving to the King one barb'd Arrow as often and whensoever as he should pass through the road-way in Sow towards Wales to hunt there How this Mannour came by descent from the family of Loges to Peto the Pedegree in Chesterton will fully shew in whose line it hath ever since continued till this present age In this parish are the hamlets of Attoxhale and Woodend with the Mannour of Hanksbury but of the two first have
should seeme In 3. H. 3. there was 150 li. 02 s. 03. d. accounted for building up of a Tower thereof which fell down at Christmass before And in 5. and in 6. H. 3. more money layd out in repaires It seems that the said W. de Cantilupe Shiriff of this County and Leicester-shire from 12. Ioh. till 8. H. 3. resided at this Castle for in 7. H. 3. command was given to those that sold the windefall-trees in the Park that they should allow unto him part of that timber to repair the buildings wherein he dwel't which were ruin'd by the winde And the same year and the next did the said Will account for his charges therein and other repaires But in 8. H. 3. the custody thereof was committed to Iohn Russell In 9. H. 3. Rob. Lupus or Low then the Shiriff accounted for the carriage of five tonns of wine brought from South-hampton and laid in here And in 11. H. 3. Will. de Stutevill for mending the Gaole and other things amiss he having that year the Custody thereof together with the Shiriffalty of these Countyes In 13. H. 3. Stephan de Segrave the then Shiriff accounted for mending the banks of the pool and in 15. for repaires of the Castle It seemes that some Malefactors had wont to be imprisoned here for in 15. H. 3. Will. Basset and others were constituted Justices for the Gaol-delivery thereof In 19. H. 3. the then Shiriff accounted 06 li. 16 s. -04 d. for a fair and beautifull boat to lye neer the dore of the Kings great Chamber here In 21. H. 3. here was another Gaol-delivery In 22. H. 3. Hugh le Poer the then Governour had command to deliver it to Walter Gray Archbishop of Yorke to the use of Ottobone the Popes Legate to whom the King had then committed the custody of it Which Ottobone was afterwards Pope by the name of Adrian 5. the occasion of whose coming into England and the stirrs thereupon our Historians do shew Which Ottobone substituted Ric. de Gray to keep it in his steadâ— for by a Precept of the K. to the same Richard bearing date that year he is stiled Constable thereof In 26. H. 3. much cost in building and repaires was bestowed here viz. in seeling the Chappell with Wainscote and painting it making seats for the King and Queen handsomly adorn'd repairing the Tower where the bells hung making all the walls new on the South-side by the pool which I conceive to be the same without alteration that yet stands beautifying the Q. Chamber with painting and enlarging it the same year Gilb. de Segrave being made Governor thereof who by his Letters Pat. dated at Windsore 7. April doth declare that he was to keep it only during the Kings pleasure and not deliver it into the hands of any one but the King himself so long as he lived and that if the King should dy during his custody thereof to yield it to Queene Elianor for the use of the Kings heirs but in case the said Q. could not come in person that then he would not deliver it to any except to some of her uncles to the use of the Kings heires who were not in league with the King of France And for his observance of these conditions he took a solemn oath upon the holy Bible in the Kings presence Howbeit shortly afterwards viz. in 28. H. 3. the King made Simon Montfort Earl of Leic. Governour thereof And in 32. H. 3. granted the custody of it to Alianore his sister then wife of the said Simon to hold during her life about which time the woods belonging to it lying neer the road betwixt Coventre and Warwick were very thick which now are all gone Wherefore in 34. H. 3. the Constable hereof had command to cut down six acres in breadth of the under-wood there growing for the security of passengers In 38. H. 3. the King granted it to the said Sim. Montfort Earl of Leicester and Elianore his wife during their lives which Earl being of a most haughty and ambitious spirit was the principall ringleader in that great rebellion of the Barons begun in 42. H. 3. at which time they put themselves in armes held a Parliament at Oxford by force and compel'd the Kings assent to their unjust and dishonouble Ordinances Which fire so kindled never ceased flaming more or less till it was quenched with the blood of those conspirators in the battail at Evesham 49. H. 3. as our Historians especially Math. Westm. who hath written most largely thereof manifesteth to whom I refer my Reader for more full satisfaction in regard I must confine my self to what relates chiefly to this County wherein I shall observe that in 48. H. 3. after the King had got Northampton and that good success seemed to attend him having there taken divers eminent prisoners many of the Northern Barons likewise coming into his aid Iohn Gâ—ffard a Knight of much valour but one of the most desperat Rebells was sent by Earle Symon with divers other to this Castle to be Governour thereof which as the same Historian reports the said Earl of Leic. had wonderfully fortified and stored with many kindes of warlike engines till that time never seen nor heard of in England Who being come thither and having suspition that the fidelity of the then Earl of Warwick Will. Mauduit was firm to the King he surprized Warwick-Castle most deceitfully and carrying the said Earl with his wife and family prisoners hither demolished a great part of his Castle at Warwick least it should be of advantage to any of the Royall party as when I come to Warwick I shall more punctually shew The particulars touching the battail of Lewes which hapned shortly after where the Barons prevailing the King and Prince were made prisoners as also of the divisions which grew amongst the Chief of those Rebells after they had got all in their power Of the contrivance how to get the Prince out of the Earl of Leic. hands who had him then with the King a prisoner at Hereford-Castle and of his escape and suddain raysing an Army I must not stay here to relate but hasting on to what concerns this place shall observe that Montfort Earl of Leic. understanding that many came into the Prince and how his power daily increased sent his younger son Simon into the North to hasten away the Barons of that rebellious pack residing in those parts who brought up thence almost 20. Banners with a great multitude of Souldiers to this Castle where they made their station for a while and hence went to Winchester but having spoiled that City made a sudden return to this place again whereof notice being given to the Prince then at Worcester with his Army by Raph de Ardern of this County at that time one of the Rebells party who imploy'd a woman called
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
in all 17. quarters and a half and 6. quarters of Malt made in beer at 4 s. the quarter The yearly fee then to the principall Officers being to Henry Marq. Dorset their high Seward Liii s. iv d. To Robert Caster gent. their generall Receiver xxvi s. viii d. And to Thomas Gregory Auditor xxvi s. viii d. So that being in clear yearly value less than CC li. it was suppressed by Act of Parl. in 27. H. 8. whereupon the Monks were for the most part disposed of to other Religious Houses that then stood undissolved Thomas Tutbury the then Abbot having a Pension of 23 li. per annum assigned to him during his life Catalogus Abbatum 1. Willielmus primus Abbas obiit Id. Dec. anno 1159. 2. Rogerus obiit Non. Feb. anno 1178. 3. Nicholaus obiit Cal. Sept. anno 1188. 4. Henricus obiit 3. Id. Sept. anno 1189. 5 Will. Pershore translatus ad Bordesley 6. Will. de Campden Abbatizavit 8. ann 7. Will. de Tysoe obiit 10. Cal. Aug. an 1217. 8. Ranulphus cessit officio ann 1221. 9. Will. Gyldeford depositus ann 1231. 10. Osbertus de Westwelle renuntiavit officio Non. Sept. ann 1258. 11. Petrus Wyche obiit 9. Cal. Martii 1261. 12. Ric. de Merynton à regimine amotus ann 1272. 13. Tho. de Orlescote translatus ad Bordesle an 1277. 14. Wâ—ll de Heyford assumptus in Abb. de Bordesse an 1293. 15. Ioh. de la Sale depositus post an 16. 2. menses 16. Rob. de Hockele obiit die S. Desiderii Episc. an 1349. 17. Rob. de Atherston renuntiavit officio anno tertio regiminis sui 18. Thomas de Weston alià s dictus Tho. de Pipe successit eidem Roberto 9. Cal. Iunii an 1352. aetate juvenis Rob. Sutton 10. H. 7. Thom. Hodskinson Thom. Tutbury 27. H. 8. After the before-specified dissolution it contitinued not long in the Crown for in 30. H. 8. it was granted to Charles Brandon D. of Suff. and his heirs Which D. had issue Henry and Charles who both dying childless Sir Ric. Cavendish Knight Sir William Sidney Knight Thomas Glemham Esq. Tho. Lovell Esq. Christian Darnell widow Eliz. the wife of Walter Ayscough Esq. and Eliz. the wife of Iohn Trye were found to be their cosins and heirs Betwixt whom partition being made 21. Maii 2. Eliz. the site of this Monastery with part of the lands thereunto belonging was allotted unto William Cavendish Esq. son and heir to the said Sir Richard Which Will. by the name of Will. Cavendish of Trymley St. Martin in Com. Suff. Esq. by his deed bearing date 17. Martii 3. Eliz. sold it unto Sir Rowland Hill and Sir Thomas Leigh Knights Aldermen of London After which upon division made of divers Mannours and Lands joyntly acquired by them the site of this Monastery became allotted to the same Sir Thomas Leigh who purchasing in the greatest part of all other lands lying in Stonley thereabouts and obtain'd in 4. Eliz. a Pat. of confirmation for them all together with the Mannour of Stonley Which Sir Thomas being son to Roger Leigh of Wellington in Shrop-shire descended by a younger branch from that antient family of the Leigh's of High-Leigh in Cheshire as their descent sheweth and bred up under the said Sir Rowland Hill an opulent merchant of London became at length for his skill and diligence his Factor beyond Sea and underwent that trust so well that Sir Rowland having no child match't his neece whom he much affected to him viz. Alice daughter to ...... Barker of Hamon in Shropshire upon whose issue he bestow'd the greatest part of his estate Much might be said of this Sir Thomas Leigh who was Lord Mayor of London in 1 Eliz. but let the Epitaph upon his Monument at Mercers-Chappell where he lyeth buried suffice for he dyed in that City ....... 14. Eliz. leaving issue 3. sons Rouland Thomas and William The eldest of which was largely provided for in Gloucester-shire at Longborow and thereabouts by the said Sir Rouland Hill his Godfather But the second here And the third at Neunham in this County had ample possessions setled upon them by their father and mother she being joyned purchaser in all and lived here at Stonley to a very great age to see her childrens children to the fourth generation where departing this life ..... Ian. an 1603. she was buried at the upper end of the Chancell on the North side The memoriall of which worthy Lady though there be none over the place of her sepulture will continue in that lasting monument of her piety erected in this Town I mean the Hospitall for poor people of which I shall say more anon Thomas the second son Knighted by Q. Eliz. and honoured with the title of Baronet at the first erection of that order scilicet 29. Iunii 9. Iac. wedded Katherine daughter to Sir Iohn Spenser of Wormleighton Knight by whom he had issue Sir Iohn Leigh Knight his son and heir whom he survived And having lived to a great age in much reputation being Custos Rotulorum for this County and in all publique employments of his time one of the superior rank deceased in Febr. 1. Car. leaving Sir Thomas Leigh son to the before specified Sir Iohn his next heir Which Sir Thomas now Lord of this Mannour having been dignified with Knighthood by King Iames wedded Mary daughter and coheir to Sir Thomas Egerton Knight eldest son to Thomas Lord Ellesmere Lord Chancelour of England and firmely adhering to the late King Charles in his greatest distresses was in testimony of his stedfast loyalty advanced to the degree and title of a Baron of this Realm The Church dedicated to our Lady whereunto belonged 8. yard land being given by K. H. 1. to the Canons of Kenilworth shortly after the Foundation of that Monastery was appropriated to them by Geffrey Muschamp Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield in King Iohn's time with a Pension of v. marks out of the Vicaridge and confirmed by Pope Gregory the ix anno 1228. 12. H. 3. And in anno 1291. 19. E. 1. valued at 24. marks the Vicaridge in 26. H. 8. being likewise rated at vi li. -xv s. iv d. over and above xxx s. yearly Pension then payd to the Canons of Kenilw. and 8 s. per annum allowed for Procurations and Synodals Which Vicaridge was by the Lady Aliza Dudley augmented with 20 li. per annum out of lands purchased in Manceter whereof I have there taken notice who also gave three large and faire pieces of gilt plate to remain for the use of the Communicants here for ever The Hospitall before mentioned was founded by the said Lady Alice Leigh for ten poor people viz. five men and five women all of them to be unmarried persons and nominated by her but after her decease by Sir Thomas Leigh her son during his life and his heirs for ever
Justices for the Gaol-delivery at Warwick To whom succeeded Henry his son and heir who in 12. H. 7. made a Park of the one half of this Lordship converting the rest into Pasture whereby 4. of the 5. Messuages there being went to decay In that Park he then also made a pool of certain ground that had formerly been a Medow and in 20. H. 7. obtain'd in exchange from the Abbot of Stonley for other lands all that belong'd to the Monks of that House in this Flechamsted Which Henry left issue Sir Walter Smyth Kt. of whom I have spoke at large in Shirford he Richard he Sir Iohn Smyth Kt. now of Crabet in Sussex the present owner hereof Hurst THis place takes it name from the situation which is upon a dry bank for so the word 〈◊〉 in the Saxon imports The first mention I find hereof is in 1 H. 2. upon translation of the Monks from Radmore to Crulefield being then removed hither Which K. upon the foundation of Stoneley-Abby gave the Monks this place in augmentation of their possessions whereof they afterwards obtain'd K. Iohn's confirmation and out of their essarts here in process of time made a Grange called Bokindene situat about half a mile from hence This Hurst was antiently a pretty Village consisting of 19 houses of which in the beginning of H. 7. time there was no more than one left and is now for the most part possest by the Lord Leigh of Stoneley descended to him from his great-grandfather who purchas'd it in the beginning of Q. Eliz. time Cryfeild THis was antiently written Crulefeld and Croslesfeld the first syllable standing doubtless for his name who possest it in the Saxons time for many of their denominations were such as to us are now very uncouth Before the Norman Conquest the Kings of England had here a House the place where it stood retaining the name of the Bury-stede for a long time after Bury signifying the same with Curia and stede locus In this House whereunto belong'd six carucats of land antiently resided a forreign Earl by the Kings leave Which E. being a great Robber and infesting the Country hereabouts very much was removed by K. H. 2. who upon exchange with the Monks of Radmore for Stoneley brought them hither displacing the Inhabitants and setling them at Hurst But the Monks soon finding how inconvenient the High-wayes were to them chose another where they built their Abby as I have in Stoneley shewed Upon the foundation and endowment whereof the same K. gave them 4 carucats of land in this place which King Iohn confirmed where the Monks had a Grange afterwards burnt by the negligence of those souldiers that quartered therein at the siege of Kenilworth-castle 51 H. 3. In 7 E. 1. it was certified that this Village paid a Stone of Wax yearly for maintenance of the Lights in Stoneley-Abby burning before the Image of the blessed Virgin As also that the Free-holders here did suit to the three weeks Court at Stoneley and came to the Abbots Bederepe as in Stoneley I have at large declared But this place hath also suffered depopulation as well as the neighbouring Villages for of xii Tenements that were antiently here in the beginning of H. 7. time no more than the Grange was then left Which Grange after the dissolution of the Abbyes that the K. past away most of their possessions was 13 Apr. 36 H. 8. granted to Rob. Bocher then a servant in Court and to Eliz. his wife and to the heirs of the same Robert Which Rob. dying seized thereof 31 Maii 3 4 Ph. M. left Rob. Bocher his cosin and heir then 12 years of age Canle THough there be no mention hereof in Record so high as the Conquest yet the name being compounded of two British words viz. Cann which signifieth albus and I le locus doth shew that it hath been of much greater antiquity But of this as involv'd with Stoneley and so coming to that Abby upon the foundation thereof were the Monks dispossest as it seems in H. 3. time For at the time of the siege of Kenilworth-castle in 51 of his reign Ric. de Alcrynton then Abbot of Stoneley commencing his suit against Robert the son of Peter de Canle recovered it and had possession delivered to him by the Shirâ—ff upon the K. command at the Cross in Stoneley on the day of S. Clement the same year whereupon the tenants did their fealty to the said Abbot But after the dissolution the greatest parâ— of it came by the purchase to Sir Tho. Leigh with Hurst and other lands and so is descended to his great grandchild who now enjoys it Hill THis village taking its name from the situation was also a member of Stoneley and involved therewith but antiently written Hulle and sometimes Kings Hulle Here the Monks of Stoneley had a Grange which after the dissolution of their House was in 34 H. 8. granted inter alia to Leonard Chamberleyn Esq and Ric. Andrews Gent. and to the heirs of the said Ric. Andrews but came soon after to Iohn Wade and Tho. Gregory for in 38 H. 8. the said Iohn Wade releas'd his title therein to the said T. Gregory in consideration of the like made to him of lands in Flechamsted Which Tho. dyed seized thereof 16 Martii 16 Eliz. leaving Arthur his son then 34 years of age whose son as I think still enjoys it Helenhull THis was one of the Granges sometime belonging to Stoneley-Abby but the first mention I find of it is a License inter alia granted by Edm. E. of Lanc. 6 E. 1. to the Monks of Stoneley for their quiet enjoyment of what they had improved by inclosure here And I conceive that it came to Tho. Gregory with Kingshull for in 4 Eliz. the said Tho. had License to alien the same unto Will. Phynnis and Arthur Gregory and to the heirs of the said Arthur Which Arthur dyed seized of it with Kingshull above specified 2 Iac. Bokindene THis Grange was built by the Monks of Stoneley upon the essarts which they made at Hurst before mentioned and so passing as a member of Hurst is now scarce taken notice of Milburne-Grange THis standing upon the water which comes from Kenilworth not far from a Mill hath its name thereof burne in the old English signifying a Brook Before the 12 of E. 1. I find nothing of it howbeit then is there mention of it in Charter of Free-warren granted to the Monks of Stoneley and should seem to have been some petty Village for in the beginning of H. 7. time it is reckoned up amongst many other where depopulation had been exercised and in 29 H. 8. was granted inter alia to Iames Cruce of Kenilworth Gent. and his heirs who dyed seized thereof 20 Sept. 1 E. 6.
Thorp-Mundevile Pbr. 6 Cal. Oct. 1346. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Hugo Aleyn Pbr. 7 Id. Dec. 1348. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Thom. Silvestre Cap. 7 Id. Maii 1349. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Will. Haywoll Cap. 17 Cal. Nov. 1349. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Ioh. Blacfordby Cap. 6. Febr. 1401. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Thom. Halford Cap. 7 Oct. 1402. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Tho. Hulle 28 Ian. 1410. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Ioh. Marchall Cap. 4 Oct. 1421. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Walt. Lydom 19 Dec. 1422. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Rog. Wylkins 4 Oct. 1425. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Ioh. Hull Cap. 9 Iun. 1427. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Will. Loweles Pbr. ult Ian. 1428. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Rob. Wells Pbr. 15 Nov. 1437. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Steph. Percivall Pbr. 20. Iunii 1439. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Ioh. Gybbys 24 Ian. 1441. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Ioh. Huggeford Cler. penult Iulii 1444. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Rog. More Cap. 5 Febr. 1450. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Will. Sherdun alias Iordan Cap. 26 Sept. 1454. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Ric. Marten Cap. 4 Maii 1457. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Ric. Alryche alias Lyllyngton Pbr. 23 Febr. 1511. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Rob. Wylliamson Cap. 1. Maii. 1533. Edw. 6. Rex Angl. Magr. Ioh. Olde 22 Martii 1548. Edw. Bowne gen ratione concess Ioh. Hanby ar D. Will. Ludmans 19 Nov. 1554. Anth. Shughburgh gen Ioh. Dasset gen ratione conces Tho. Shughburgh Tho. Gardiner art Magr. 16 Oct. 1557. Benedictus Shukeburgh ar Ioh. Lounde in Leg. Bacc. 20 Febr. 1561. Benedictus Shukeburgh ar Will. Catherall Cler. 27. Oct. 1564. Will. Catherall hac vice ex assign Bened Shukeburgh Rog. Barker Iunii 1569. Bened. Shukeburgh Georgius Burley Cler. 18. Nov. 1572. Bened. Shukeburgh Ric. Marrell 27 Nov. 1581. Will. Lisley de Evenley in Com. North. ar Ioh. Harper Cler. art Mr. 23 Martii 1626. Lillington LOwer yet on the same side of Leame stands Lillinton perhaps so called from the old English word Lytlan which signifies small or little wherein the E. of Mellent held 4 hydes in the Conq. time with a Mill valued at vi s. viii d. and woods of a mile in length and half a mile in bredth all which were valued at xl s. having been the Free-hold of one Edric in Edw. the Conf. dayes Here was also half a hyde more which Rog. de Olgi then held of Turchill de Warwick valued at xx s. There is no question but that the E. of Mellent's part was by K. H. 1. or by the E. of Warwick upon such terms as the K. directed given to Geffr de Clinton Founder of the Castle and Priory of Kenilworth For by the foundation Charter of that Monastery he granted thereunto 2 hydes of land in this place And as for the half hyde which belong'd to Turchil de Warwick I presume that Hugo fil Ricardi of whom I am to speak in Wroxhall and Hatton was enfeofft thereof inter alia by the said Earl who had the most of Turchil's lands For I find that immediatly upon the foundation of the before specified Monastery the Canons of Kenilworth had the same by his grant in consideration whereof they rendred to him the said Hugh the Churches of Snitenfeld and Claverdon which they held of him and gave him over and above a Cloak valued at vi marks of silver and to Margaret his wife a saddle Nag After which K. H. 1. added his Charter of confirmation and so also did Roger E. of Warwick But the other two hydes belonging to the E. of Mellent above mentioned were as I am induced to believe given by the said Geffr de Clinton with his daughter Lescelina in marriage to Norman de Verdon for I find that they were held of the heirs of the said Norman and her by Rob. de Verdon and of him by Peter de Wolvardington by the service of half a Kts. fee. The extent whereof in 7 E. 1. was certified to be one carucat which the said Peter had in demesn and eleven yard land occupyed by ten servants who did manage that carucat for the benefit of the same Pet. This P. de Wolvardington granted to the Monks of Cumbe that his tenants here in Lillington should grind their Corn at their Mill called Blakedon mill Of the successors to the said Peter in this Mannour I cannot give a perfect account but of what I have found from Record relating thereto I will here adde which is that in 20 E. 3. Margaret de VVolvarton and Iohn de VValdgrave answered for half a Kts. fee in this place held of the heirs of Theob de Verdon and that in 10 H. 6. Iohn VValdgrave of the County of Buckingh Gent. and Ric. Beauchamp E. of Warwick held the same by the name of a Mannour by the service of half a Kts. fee. As also that in 10 H. 7. VVill. Grey Esq dyed seized thereof leaving Thomas his son and heir 15 years of age from whom it came to Edw. Grey who in 28 H. 8. was owner of it I now return to that which the Canons of Kenilworth had in this place which in 7 E. 1. was certified to be one carucat of land then held by them in demesn and 16. yard land managed by xx servants who performed divers servile works for the said Canons and payd also certain yearly Rent for the same Here the said Canons had a Court-Leet and other priviledges as appears by their claim in 13 E. 1. But this coming to the Crown at the dissolution of that House was by Q. Eliz. in 2. of her raign granted unto ...... Gerard and others and in 6. to Ambrose Earl of Warwick and the heirs male of his body but in 38 Eliz. being again in the Crown by reason of the death of the said Earl without issue was in consideration of the good faithfull service which Sir Iohn Puckering Knight then Lord Keeper of the great Seal of England had performed as the words of the Patent do import passed by the said Queen together with the advouson of the Church unto William Borne and Iames Orenge esquiers and their heirs Which William and Iames for a certain sum of money to them payd by Thomas Puckering son and heir of the â—aâ—d Sir Iohn then deceased and in performance of a Decree in the Court of Wards made 23. Oct. 38. Elâ—z sold and confirmed the said Mannour to the same Thomas afterwards Knight and Baronet and his heirs by their deed bearing date 27. Iunii 39. Eliz. The Church dedicated to S. Mary Magd. was â—â—igâ—nally belonging to the Canons of Kenilworth from the very foundation of that
entayled this Mannour then called Est-Leminton upon his descendants by Eva his wife left issue Thomas who had the custody of Bishops-Castle in Shropshire committed to his charge in 15 E. 2. and in 18 E. 2. was constituted one of the Commissioners appointed for choosing out Cccc. footmen in this County excepting Warwick and Coventre as also to arme them for defence of the Kingdom In 6 E. 3. he was a Knight and in 12. in Comiss both for conservation of the Peace in this Shire and arraying of men according to the Stat. of Winchester In the time of this Sir Thomas I meet with a Richard Hastang whom being often and eminenâ—ly imployed in this County and his brother as by some circumstances may be deemed I may not pass by In 15 E. 2. he was one of the Knights for this Shire in the Parliament then held and in 17 E. 3. in Comiss. with other persons of quality to find out and arrest such Proctors as were imployed by the two Cardinalls then sent into England for disposing of Ecclesiasticall benefices that were or might become void and to bring them before the King and his Councell Concerning which business the King then wrote an excellent Epistle to Pope Clement the vi Wherein he complaineth of the great in jury done to the Church and Kingdom by those Cardinalls and such as they imployed by authority from his Holiness which with the Popes answer thereunto is well worth the reading In 19. and 20 E. 3. he was in Comiss. for arraying of Archers in this County and in 21. for levying the Subsidy imposed upon Woolls and granted to the King in Parliament for the maintenance of his Warrs in France But I return to Sir Thomas who had issue Sir Iohn Hastang a Knight in his fathers life time which Sir Iohn whilst his father lived bore for his Armes A Lion rampant with a Labell of five points as appeareth by his Seal but afterwards a Chief with a Lion rampant over all And having 2. wives viz. Blanch daughter of ....... and Maud of Sir Waryn Trussell Knight dyed in 39 E. 3. leaving Maud and Ioan his daughters and heirs both within age the Custody of whose lands were by Pat. bearing date 7. Maii 44 E. 3. granted by the King to Iohn de Beauchamp and Iohn Rous who by their Deed dated 20. Oct. 45 E. 3. past the same over to Raph Earl Stafford which perhaps might be the reason that Maud the elder of them was afterwards wedded to Raph de Stafford descended by the Staffords of Sandon and Bromshull in Staffordshire from the antient Barons of Stafford Which Maud in 49 E. 3. had livery of her lands at that time proving her age her said husband then doing fealty for them and had for her part inter alia this Mannour of Lemynton with the Mannour of Grafton in Worcestershire Her sister Ioan wife to Sir Iohn Salisbury having the Mannours of Upton-waryn in Com. Wigorn and Chebsey in Com. Staff for her part To this Raph and Maud succeeded Sir Humfrey Stafford of Grafton Knight their son and heir who being one of the Knights for this Shire in the Parl. begun at Westminster the munday before the Feast of All-Saints 7 R. 2. was in Dec. following constituted Shiriff of Staffordshire which office he also bore in 12 R. 2. This Sir Humfrey marryed Eliz. the daughter to Sir Iohn Burdet of Huncote in Com. Leic. by whom he had a fair inheritance and dyed seized of this Mannour in 7 H. 5. leaving Iohn his son and heir xx years of age afterwards a Knight Which Iohn dyed 10 H. 5. without issue whereupon his brother Sir Humfrey became his heir who underwent the Shiriffalty of Staffordshire in 5 H. 4. as also for this County and Leicestershire in 2.9 and 17 H. 6. In 18 H. 6. he was one of the Knights for this County in the Parliament then held In 21 22. and 23. in Comiss. for conservation of the peace in this shire And having wedded Alianore one of the sisters and heirs to Iohn the son of Sir Thomas Aylesbury Knight by whom the Mannour of Blatherwike in Northamptonsdire came to this family was slain by the Commons of Kent in that insurrection of Iack Cade 28 H. 6. with his brother William the Lady Alianore his wife surviving him who at length became one of the coheirs also to Iohn Cressy and in 16 E. 4. founded a Chantry for one Priest to sing Mass daily at the Altar of our blessed Lady in the Church of Bromesgrove in Com. Wigorn. for the good estate of King E. 4. Eliz. his Queen her self Thomas her son and for the health of the soul of Sir Humfrey Stafford of Grafton her late husband and all the faithfull departed To the last mentioned Sir Humfrey succeeded Sir Humfrey his son and heir who together with Thomas his brother joyned with the Lord Lovell and others in that Insurrection of 1 H. 7. begun in Worcestershire as our Historians doe observe But the Lord Lovell hearing that the King had set out a Proclamation of Pardon mistrusted his men and fled privately into Lancashire which so disheartned these two brothers that despairing of success they took Sanctuary at Colnham neer Abingdon out of which place their priviledge being viewed in the Kings Bench and judged not sufficient they were taken whereupon Humfrey suffered death at Tiburn and was buried in the Chapell of our Lady within the Gray-fryers Church neer New-gate but Thomas as being seduced by him had pardon Shortly after which ensued the attainder in Parliament of the said Humfrey whose lands being so forfeited were given away by the K. Grafton in Com. Wigorn. one of their chief seats with the Mannour of Upton-Waryn in that County to Sir Gilbert Talbot Knight and the heirs male of his body from whom the present Earl of Shrewshury who now enjoys them is descended And this of Leminton to Sir Edward Poynings Knight and to the heires male of his body But Sir Humfrey Stafford Kt. son and heir of this Humfrey being afterwards restored repossest this Lordship and departing this life 37 H. 8. lyeth buried at Blatherwik before specified From whom descended as the Pedegree before inserted sheweth Will. Stafford of Blatherwik esquire who in 5 Car. sold this Lordship to Sir Thomas Trevor Knight then one of the Barons of the Exchequer descended of a very antient family of that name in the County of Denbigh in North-wales where it hath flourished for many ages and still continueth inricht with ample possessions The Church dedicated to All-Saints having been given to the Canons of Nostell by Attrop Hastang in H. 1. time as I have already shewed was appropriated to that Monastery by
de Salford An. 1285. Prior et Conv. de Kenilworth Ioh. Lipener Cap. Cal. Iunii 1308. Prior et Conv. de Kenilworth Henr. de Barewe Pbr. 4. Cal. Aug. 1320. Prior et Conv. de Kenilworth Ioh. de Westbury Cap. 11. Cal. Dec. 1331. Prior et Conv. de Kenilworth Will. de Leycester Cap. 17. Cal. Iulii 1332. Prior et Conv. de Kenilworth Thomas Crowe Pbr. 2. Id. Oct. 1361. Prior et Conv. de Kenilworth Rad. Boy Pbr. 10. Apr. 1379. Prior et Conv. de Kenilworth Walt. Maltelby Cap. penult Oct. 1410. Prior et Conv. de Kenilworth Thomas Boteler Cap. 21. Aug. 1416. Prior et Conv. de Kenilworth Ric. Clare 5. Iunii 1421. Prior et Conv. de Kenilworth Will. Warde Cap. ult Martii 1425. Prior et Conv. de Kenilworth Will. Warde Cap. 28. Sept. 1429. Prior et Conv. de Kenilworth Will. Watson Pbr. 7. Maii 1430. Prior et Conv. de Kenilworth Thomas Prate Pbr. 16. Feb. 1431. Prior et Conv. de Kenilworth Thom. Wylmot 22. Dec. 1436. Prior et Conv. de Kenilworth Will. Parker 8. Iunii 1456. Prior et Conv. de Kenilworth D. Iac. Hynches penult Maii 1521. Prior et Conv. de Kenilworth D. Alex. Acotte penult Maii 1536. Nich. Cooke alii hac vice ex concess Pr. C. de Kenill D. Ric. Badger Cler. 18 Sept. 1550. D. Regina Eliz. Math. Pickering Cler. 8. Dec. 1572. Ric. Wagstaff de Herberbury gener Will. Spycer Cler. 15. Sept. 1612. Idem Ric. Walt. Iackman art Magr. 13. Sept. 1622. Idem Ric. Ric. Watts Cler. 2. Martii 1622. Vfton THis is one of those towns that E. Leofrike gave to the Monastery of Coventre at his foundation thereof 1. Edw. Conf. in whose Charter it is written Ulfetune and in the Conq. time certifyed to contain 4. hides then valued at C s. but in that Survey recorded by the name of Ulchetune However it be thus written as also afterwards I am of opinion that its denomination was originally occasioned from on Ulfe whose seat and possession in the Saxons time it had been But it seems the Monks were disturbed of their enjoyment thereof shortly after though by whom or upon what pretence appears not for I find that in K. Steph. confirmation made to them of this and other Mannours whereof they were possest in the time of K. Edw. the Conf. and K. William his grandfather he mentions this for one and that they had then newly recovered it After which viz. in 41. H. 3. they had Free-warren granted to them in all their demesne lands here which in 7. E. 1. extended to two carucats of land then held in demesn at which time they had xxx servants holding xv yard land who performed divers kindes of servile imployments for those Religious persons And likewise 4 Cottiers that did the like as also six Free-holders who held 4. yard land and a fourth part and moreover a certain wood containing x acres with Court-leet Assize of bread and beer and other priviledges But in that Record it is written Olneweton Oulfton Olufton and Olughton The next observable passage relating thereto is that in 13. E. 1. Rob. de Pinkney commenced suit against the Prior of Coventre for it and layd his claim from Gerard de Limesy his ancestor alleadging that the said Gerard was seized thereof in K. Iohn's time whose descent J have made plain in Long-Ichington But hereunto the Prior answered that E. Leofrik before mentioned by the license of K. Edw the Conf gave it to the Monastery of Coventre and that the said K. Edw confirmed the donation as also K. Will the Coâ—q K. H. 2. and K. H. 3. And yet notwithstanding all this the said Prior was content to make an agreement with him the said Robert who thereupon acknowledged the right of the Monks by a Fine levied Octab. Ioh. Bapt. 14. E. 1. and for so doing was made partaker of all their prayers and devout excercises From which time the Monks peacebly enjoy'd it till the dissolution of their House in 30 H. 8. that it came to the Crown wherein it continued till 37 of that Ks. Reign but then was granted inter alia to Thomas lord Wrio thesley at that time L. Chancelour of England and his Heires who the very same year past it to Will. Stanford Esq and his Heires which Will. the next year following conveyed the Inheritance thereof to Sr. Andrew Flammock Kt. and Eliz. his VVife whose son and heir Francis Flammock Esq in 1 Eliz. sold it to Sr. Iohn Spenser of Althorpe in Com. Northamp Kt. by which means it came to Tho. Spenser late of Clardon in this County Esq a younger son to the said Sr. Iohn The Church dedicated to St. Michael was appropriated to the Priory of Coventre by Rog. de Molend Bpp. of Cov. and Lich. 5. Non. Nov. An. 1260. 44 H. 3. having antiently been endowed with 1 yard land and in An. 1291. 19. E. 1. was valued at xiiii Marks but by the certificate made in 26 H. 8. I find that it belonged to two Prebendaries in the Cath. Church of Lichfeild who provided a stipendiary to serve the Cure unto whom they then allowed certain small Tithes to the value of iiii li. xiii s. iiii d. per an Honingham BElow Ufton there is no other Village situate on the western bank of Ichene so that now I come to observe the next that comes in my way after the conjunction of it with Leam viz. Honingham In the Conq. time Will. fil Corbucionis of whom in Studley I have spoke further held it Osmund and Chetel being his tenants thereto It then contained 3. hides and a half which were valued at iii l. and in Edw. the Conf. time was the freehold of Eneuui and Saulf In Domesday-book it is written Huningeham which name I conceive was first occasioned from some possessor thereof in the Saxons time ham signifying in our old English an habitation or dwelling In the family of Corbicun it did continue till about the beginning of H. 3. reign as I guess for Sir Geffrey Corbicun Kt in K. Iohn's time gave unto Edm. Rector of the Church of Wapenbury and his successors with the allowance and consent of Sir Ric. de Wapenbury the Patron thereof one mess. with half a yard land and a floud-gate lying in this Honyngham but adjoyning to the Miln-holme of Wapenbury with all the Tithes of his Fee there for the maintenance of a Preist to celebrate divine service 3. days in the week in his Chappel here viz. Sunday Wednesday and Fryday and upon all the double Festivalls with Mattens Mass and Vespers Which grant so made by the said Sir Geffrey was in respect of the dangerous passage to the mother Church of Wapenbury at such times as the River Leame exceeded its bounds And
the reason why we have so little left us of the passages in those elder times may be considered For from the days of venerable Bede till the Normans entrance which was full CCCxxx years there was not any Historian in this Kingdom as William Malmesb. testifieth and next that the credit of my Countrey-man Iohn Rous of whom in Guyes-Cliff I have already made mention may carry a fair regard in relation to what I doe vouch him concerning this place considering that having been so diligent a searcher after Antiquities and especially of this County he hath left behinde him divers notable things industriously gathered from many choise manuscrips whereof he had perusal in sundry Monasteries of England Wales which now through the fatal subversion of those houses are for the most part perisht The first building or foundation hereof he attributeth to Gutheline by some called Kimbeline one of the Brittish Kings whose reign was contemporary with the birth of our blessed Saviour affirming that it then had the name of Caerleon from the Brittish word Caer which is the same with Civitas and his own name and so by shortnesse of prâ—nâ—unciation for Caer-Guthleon was called Caerleon As also that Gaâ—derius Son and Successor to Kimbeline much enlarged it with buildings and granted thereto many priviledges And that being afterwards almost destroyed through wars especially by the barbarous Picts Scots it lay rumous till that Caractacus the famous Brittish Prince rebuilâ— it making a Mannour house therein for himself and founding a Church to the honour of S. Iohn Bapt. in the Market place where as my Author saith in his time a Grammar School was kept In the dayes of this Caractacus it was that the Romanes prevailed much here in Brittain under the conduct of P. Ostorius Lieutenant to Claudius the Emp. who to keep what he had won raised divers Forts and Garrisons upon the Rivers of Avon and Severn cinctosque castris Antonam Sabrinam fluviâ—s cohibere parat saith Tacitus whereof we cannot doubt but this was one and hereunto doth Mâ—â— Cambden's opinion incline conceiving that the Town in Brittain called Praesidium by the Romans is this very place But afterwards being again destroyed by wars it lay so wasted till Constantine the Father of Vter-Perdâ—â—gon a Brittish King repaired it and called it Caer-umber whose death for he was slain by a new incursion of the Picts exposed it to another devastation in which ruinous sort it lay till a Brittish Prince named Gwayr rebuilt it and commanded that it should be called Caer-Gwayr which Gwayr was Cosin in the third degree to the renowned K. Arthur About this time it was that the famous Aâ—thgal lived whom my Author reâ—presentâ—th to be one of the Knights of K. Arthur's round Table and the first Earle of Warwick but he saith that the Brittans did not pronounce the g in that name and that Arth or Narth signifieth the same in that language as Vrsus doth in Latine from whence he conjectureth that the same Arthal took the Bear for his ensign which so long continued a badge to the succeeding Earles The next in order of these Brittish Earles doth he reckon Morvidus who being a man of great valour slew a mighty Gyant in a single Duell which Gyant encountred him with a young Tree pull'd up by the root the boughs being snag'd from it In token whereof he and his Successors Earles of Warwick in the time of the Brittans bore a Ragged-staff of silver in a sable sheild for their cognusance To him succeeded Merthurdus of whom there is nothing memorable that I have seen recorded other than that in his dayes S. Dubritius â— a holy man made his Episcopal seat here at Warwick not in the Church of S. Iohn Bapt. before mentioned but in that of All-Saints where afterwards the Castle was built which Bishop also erected divers private Oratories in these parts the chief wherof was that of S. Mary Magd. where the sometime famous Guy bidding farewell to these worldly pleasures lived a Heremites life a while before his death and which from him took the name of Guyes-Cliff howbeit such were the troubles that arose in this Land by the Saxons entrance at the invitation of K. Vortigern that not onely the said Bishop left this place and retired into Wales where he became the first Bishop of Landaff and afterwards Arch-Bish of S. Davids but that by wars it became wasted again and so continued till that K. Warremund from whom the Kings of Mercia did descend rebuilt it and from his own name caused it to be called Warrswyk After which it stood for some time in a flourishing condition but at length was destroyed by the Danes and â—o rested untill the renowned Lady Ethelfled daughter to K. Alfred who had the whole Earldom of Mercia given her by her Father to the Noble Etheldred in marriage repaired its ruins and in the year of Christ Dccccxv. made a strong fortification here called the Doungeon for resistance of the Enemy upon an hill of earth artificially raised near the River side as is yet to be seen on the West part of the Castle which being placed about the midst of his Mercian Tertitories and a Fort so considerable in respect of its natural situation was no doubt of great importance for securing the peace of all these parts by the personal residence thereat of those eminent men whom we repute to have been Earls thereof in those dayes though in truth they were but substitutes or Lieutenants to the Earls of Mercia whose limits extended unto many other shires in this midland part of the Realm or else had the custody of the County to the King 's immediate use Having thus far taken notice of what chiefly concerns this place and finding little else that hath relation thereto till the time of K. Edw. the Conf. I will now go on with the story of those noble persons which were reputed Earls thereof before the Norman Conquest and since that time have really been so making onely a short digression to point at the occasion of that name and dignity as also what power and authority it was that they antiently had And first for the name viz. Consul or Comes in Latine and Earle in our antient English expression I shall deliver Mr. Camden's words Earls called in Latine Comites may seem to have come unto us from our ancestors the Germans saith he for they in times past as C. Tacitus writeth had their Comites who should alwayes give attendance upon their Princes and be at hand in matters of councel and authority but others think that they came from the Romans to us as also to the French for the Emperours when as the Empire was grown to the full strength began to have about them a certain privy Councel which was called Caesaris
and was buried at Warwick but upon the new building of the Quire in E. 3. time whereof I shall elsewhere speak both his Monument and divers more of his Ancestors were removed never set up again After whose death Ela his Widow had by the K. Precept bearing date 29. Iulii following the Mannours of Tanworth Claverdon and Sutton in this County as aâ—so of Hoke-Narthon and Bradam in com Oxon with all the Corn and Hay then being upon them assigned for her dowry And by virtue of another Mandate from the K. to the Archbishop of York and Will. de Cantelupe had an augmentation thereto for I finde that besides all these she was afterwards possest of the Mannours of Hatherop and Chedeworth in Gloucestersh and had of the K. gift also for her better support the Mannour of Dymmock in the same County during her widowhood Wich Mannour upon her marriage with Philip Basset was at the request of Ric. E. of Cornwall the K. brother granted to her by the said King for term of life This Philip Basset being an eminent man in that time was one of the Peers that went to Pope Innocent the fourth in An. 1245. 29. H. 3. then sitting in the Council of Lyons with Letters from the rest of the Nobility and Commons of England representing the great oppressions under which this Realm at that time suffered by the Court of Rome and desiring relief and afterwards faithfully adhering to the said King in that great Rebellion of his Barons was taken prisoner with him in the Battail of Lewes 49. H. 3. in which year he had a grant from Will. Mauduit then E. of Warwick of the Mannours of Sutton-Colfield Claverdon and Tanworth in this County and the third part of the Mannour of Cheddeworth in Gloucester-shire of the dowry belonging to the before specified Ela his wife to hold during his own natural life in case he should survive her which grant was confirmed by a special Charter in 54. H. 3. wherein the said Philip is stiled by the King amicus noster specialis But to return unto Ela. She was a benefactresse to the Monks of Reading to the Canons of Oseney to the Nuns of Godstow and to the Canons of S. Sepulchers in Warwick to which last she gave all those Lands in Claverdon that were granted to her by Sr. Henry Lodbrok Knight and others And so great a friend was she to the University of Oxford that she caused a common Chest to be made and put therein Cxx. Marks out of which such as were poor Schollars might upon security at any time borrow something gratis for supply of their wants In consideration whereof the said University were obliged to celebrate certain solemne Mâ—sses every year in S. Marie's Church which Chest was in being in K. Edw. 4. time and called by the name of Warwick Chest. To the Gray-Friers in London she gave a parcel of Land with the buildings thereupon for the enlargement of their house In 17. E. 1. she released to Will. Beauchamp E. of Warwick all her interest in the Mannours of Tanworth in this County which she held in dower and departing this life very aged in the year M.CCC was buried before the high Altar in the Abby-Church of Oseney at the head of the Tomb of Henry d'Oilly under a fair flat Marble in the habit of a vowesse graven on a Copper plate I now come to Margery Sister and Heir to Earle Thomas who had that Christen-name as I suppose in memory of Margery her Mother Sister Heir to Henry d'Oily before specied This great Lady was first married to Iohn Mareschall brother of Will. Mareschall E. of Pembroke as some say but how long before her brother Thomas his death I cannot affirm Certain it is that he continued her husband but a short time after for he was dead 9. Ian. following as appears by the K. Mandate then dated and directed to the Archb. of York the Bishop of Earleol and Will. de Cantilupe requiring them that if the said Iohn Marshall before his death had not seisin of Warwick-Castle and other the Lands which were of the inheritance of Margery his wife that then they should retain the said Castle and Lands in the K. possession till she the said Margery did perform what she ought to do in respect of them but in case she were already possest of them then to take good security of her that she might not marry to any man without the K. License and also appointed them that they should earnestly perswade with her as from him to take Iohn de Plessets for her husband who was one of his domestick servants and in his special fauour Nay so greatly did the K. desire she should wed this Iohn de Plessets that upon Christmas day before being at Burdeaux in France he sealed a Charter to the said Iohn whereby he granted him the marriage of her in case he could get her good will and if not that then he should have the fine due from her thereupon to the King And by another Precept sent to the said Archb. and Will. de Cantilupe bearing date the 26. of March ensuing reciting that whereas divers Ladies of this Realm neglecting to give such security to the King as in that case by the Laws and Customes thereof they ought to do had match't themselves without the K. consent to the great prejudice and dishonour of himself and his Crown to the intent therefore that the like inconvenience for the time to come might be avoided he gave them the said Archb. and Will. de Cantilupe strict command that forasmuch as the said Margerie sister to the late E. of Warwick being one of the most noble Ladies of England and possest of a Castle extraordinarily strong situate also towards the Marches and that it would be most perillous that she should take to husband any person whatsoever of whose fidelity the King had not as great a confidence as of his own they should forthwith take the said Castle of Warwick and what other Lands of hers they themselves thought fit as a pledge besides the ordinary security due from her that she would not marry to any man living without the K. License so that in case she should be so rash as to do otherwise the same Castle and Lands should be for ever forfeited to him the said King and his Heirs whereupon it seems she gave such security as was satisfactory for I finde that in Iune following she had Livery of the Earldom of Warwick as appears by the K. Precept directed to the Sheriffe of this County commanding him quod illas decem libras quas Thomas quondam Comes Warwici percipere consuevit per annum nomine Comitatus praedicti Margeriae sorori haeredi praedicti Comitis reddi faciat eo modo quo praedicto Comiti priùs reddi consueverit
Exchequer was seized into the Kings hands by reason of some misdemeanour therein committed by one William de Bradecote his Clerke howbeit the King taking into consideration his speciall services before exprest made a quick restitution of it again I find that this Earl had great suits with William de Breause for the dominion of Gowher in Wales wrongfully alienated by King Iohn 4. Ioh. to Will. de Breause great-grandfather of this William whilst Henry Earl of Warwick was in his minority but could not recover it In 15 E. 1. he was again imployed into Wales at which time he beseiged the Castle of Drosselan and had ccxl li. delivered to him by the Bishop of Ely then Treasurer for the defraying his charges in that service At that time the King being in France had constituted Edmund Earl of Cornwall his lieutenant here in England during his absence who taking great care to preserve all things in quiet here whilst the King was away directed his speciall Precept to this Earl of Warwick and other great men requiring them most strictly that they should not ride with armed power in any part of the Kingdom for any respect whatsoever to the terrour of the Kings leige people and disturbance of the Peace but if that any diffâ—rence did arise betwixt them and others they should make it known unto the said E. of Cornwall who would apply a timely remedy thereto In 23 E. 1. being again in Wales with the K. he performed a notable Warlike exploit which was thus Hearing that a great body of the Welch were got together in a plain betwixt two woods and to prevent any danger had fastned their pikes in the ground sloping towards their assailants he marcht thither with a choyse company of Cross-bow-men and Archers and in the night time incompassing them put betwixt every two Horsemen one Crossbow-man who killing many of them that supported those Pikes the Horse charged in suddainly and made so great a slaughter that the like hath seldom been heard The next ensuing year he received command to be at New-castle upon Tine on the first of March furnisht with Horse and Armes for an expedition into Scotland and afterwards was sent with Iohn Earl of Surrey to recover the Castle of Dunbar trecherously gained by the Scots In which action they were constrained to cope with the whole Scotch Army that came to raise the Siege but at length after a sharp dispute obtained a glorious victory wherein the number of slain were supposed to be ten thousand which success made the Castle suddainly to render In 25 E. 1. he had command to be at London upon the Sunday next after the Octaves of S. Iohn Bapt. well provided with Horse and Armes to attend the King into Flanders but it seemes he had other direction to stay behind for I find that he was one of those who were made Governours to Prince Edward then in minority during the Kings absence whom the King had constituted his Lieutenant during that time In the same year he was made Governour of the Castle and Forrest of Rokingham in Com. Northampt. And in Oct. following again appointed to be at New-castle upon Tine on St. Nicholas day to march against the Scotts with Prince Edward But that proved an unhappy business the English Army being for the most part destroyed in attempting to pass the Bridge at Sterling This year it was and on Holy-Rood day being in perfect health that he made his Testament whereby he disposed his body to sepulture in the Quire of the Friers-Minors aâ— Worcester in case he should depart this life within the compass of the four Engâ—ish Seas but if otherwise then in the next House of Friers-Mâ—nors to that place where his death might happen and his Heart wheresoever the Countess his dear consort should resolve to be herself interred To which place when his body was to be buried did he bequeath two great Horses viz. those which at his funerall should carry his Armour for the celebration whereof he gave CC li. which was as much as three thousand in these times For the maintenance of two Souldiers in the Holy-land he gave C li. To Maud his Countess all his silver vessell with his Cross wherein was contained part of the wood that had been of the very Cross whereupon our B. Saviour dyed As also the Vestments belonging to his Chapell to make use of during her life but afterwards the best suit to remain to Guy his eldest son His second suit to his Chapell of Hanslape and the third to his Chapell of Anneley To Guy his son a gold Ring with a Ruby in it together with his blessing To his said Countess a Cup which the B. of Worcester gave him but all his other Cups together with his lesser sort of Jewells and Rings he bequethed unto her to distribute for the health of his soul where she should think fittest And to his two daughters which were Nunns at Shouldham in Com. Norff. a Monastery of their great-grandfather's foundation by the mother side he gave fifty marks He was a benefactor to the Monastery of Thelesford in this County Ratified the grant of Warmington made by Henry de Neuburgh sâ—metime Earl of Warwick to the Monks of Preaux in Normandy bore for his Armes gules semé of Cross-crosslets with a fess Or which Cross-crosslets were by him added to his Coat for his father used them not but whether as a badge of any Pilgrimage that he made unto the Holy-Land or vow so to do I will not take upon me to determine Wedded Maud the eldest of the four sisters and heirs to Richard Fitz-Iohn son of Iohn Fitz-Geffrey Justice of Ireland and widow of Gerard de Furnivall which Maud had for her purpartie of his lâ—nds the Mannours of Chiriel in Com. Wilts Potters-Piri in Com. Northampt. and Querndon in Com. Buck. assigned to her And departed this life either in May or the beginning of Iune Anno 1298. 26 E. 1. leaving Guy his son and heir then 26. years of age who did his homage the 25. of September following and had livery of his fathers lands And 2. Iunii following performed the like homage for the lands descended to him by the death of Maud his mother who dyed the same year This Guy had his Christen name out of doubt in remembrance of the warlike Guy Earl of Warwick in the Saxons time and was a martiall man as well as his Ancestors The same year that his father dyed he had summons with many other great men to be at Carleol on the even of Pentecost well furnisht with Horse and Armes to march into Scotland this being the time that the King made a personall expedition thither and obtained a great victory at Fawkirk in which Battail he behaved himself so gallantly that the King rewarded him with all the Castles
granted unto him the benefit of his marriage whereupon he became wedded to the Lady Kath. his daughter After which was he the same year put again in Commission for conservation of the Peace in this County and Worcestershire and likewise in the County of Oxford and in 17 E. 3. marcht into Scotland with Henry Earl of Lanc. as also many other great persons with a numerous Army for raysing the siege of Louhmaban-Castle whereof William de Boun Earl of Northampt. had the custody In 18 E. 3. he had the Shiriffalty of this County and Leicestershire committed to him for terme of life and in the same year was constituted Marshall of England in which he entailed the Castle of Warwick with divers great Lordships in this and other Countyes upon his issue male mentioning the names of his severall sons then living In the month of Iuly 20 E. 3. he attended the King in his French expedition and arrived with him at Hoggs in Normandy where getting on shore he manifested his valour to admiration by making the first attempt himself in person with one Esquiâ—r and six Archers though he had but a weak Horse under him with which and those few men he encountred with an C. Normans whereof they slew 60. thereby making way for the Army to land And at the same time was he one of the principall Commanders that with the Black-Prince led the van of his Army in that famous battail of Cressy where the English got such lasting honour In 21. E. 3. he was at the siege of Caleis with three Bannerets Knights 61. Esquiers 106. and Archers on Horsback 154. In consideration of which notable services and other his heroik actions the King gave him the summe of 1366 li. 11 s. 08 d. and the next ensuing year assigned unto him a thousand marks per annum during his life partly in recompence of his faithfull services and partly as wages for attendance upon his person with C. men at Armes according to certain Indentures of Covenants betwixt them In 26 E. 3. he recovered the dominion of Gowher in Wales from Iohn Lord Moubray whose title thereto accrued by Aliva his mother daughter and heir to William de Brews to whom King Iohn during the minority of Henry Earl of Warwick Ancestor to this Thomas wrongfully gave the same In which suit I find that Simon Pakeman of Kirby in Com. Leic. did him especiall service 't is like as sollicitor in consideration whereof he gave him the inheritance of all the Lands and Rents he had Over Botyndon in Comâ— Northampt. In 27 E. 3. he was sent with Edw. Prince of Wales Henry D. of Lanc. and Raph Earl Stafford to protect Sir Richard de Willughby and Sir William de Shareshull Justices Itinerant whilst they sate at Chester for fear of any insurrection by the people In 29 E. 3. he attended the said Prince into France this being the time that King Edward hearing that Philip King of France was dead as also that Iohn his eldest son then newly crown'd had given unto Charles the Daulphin of Uiennois the Dukedome of Aquitane whereat being much moved he called the said Prince with divers of his Nobles before him and assigned the said Dukedome of Aquitane unto him but before the revolution of one year after such their arrivall in France hapned that memorable battail of Poictiers in which the K. of France being taken prisoner this Noble Earl gained high renown for his marvailous valor and no small advantage for he had no less than 8000 li. for the redemption of Will. de Melleun Archbishop of Seinz whom he himself took likewise in that fight Nay of so heroik a spirit he was that about 37 E. 3. he travailed into forrain parts and having spent full 3. years in warring against the Pagans at his return brought with him the son to the King of Lituania whom he Christened at London and being his Godfather named him Thomas In 40 E. 3. he was sent upon speciall service by the K. into Flanders having an allowance assigned to him out of the Exchequer of 5. marks per diem for his charges and two marks and a half per diem by way of reward in which year his Commission for Marshall of England was renewed But having now no more to say of his publique imployments saving of that last wherein he dyed and that he was one of the Founders of that Noble Order of the Garter instituted by King E. 3. I will here take notice of his pious works as also of his Testament and then come to his death with the circumstances thereof To the Collegiat-Church of Warwick he gave the advouson of the Church of Pillerton-Hercy in this County To the Canons of Kenilworth two mess. and one yard land lying in Radford-Semeli To the Priory of Clatercote in Com. Oxon. the patronage of the Church of Rotley in this County To the Hospitall of S. Iohn Baptist in Warwick the moity of the Church of Morton-D ' â—ubney in this shire To the Canons of Mâ—xstoke one yard land and one acre lying in Yerdley in Com. Wigorn. with the advouson of the Church To the Collegiat-Church of Astley the advouson of the Church of Long-Stanton in Com. Cantab. And that he was a good Benefactor to the Monks of Abingdon I shall not doubt though I have not seen in what particulars for I find that the Abbot and Covent of that Monastery by their publique Instrument beaâ—ing date 5 Id. Martii Anno 1344. which doth give a generall testimony thereof not only made him a speciall partaker of all their devout exercises but declared that whensoever the tidings of his death did come to their knowledge the like solemn office should be perform'd for him aswell in all the Covents of their Order within this Realm as in their own and not only so but by divers Canons-Regular too as was used to be done for any of their own fraternity friends or benefactors His Testament bears at date Chelchench vulgò Chelsey juxta Westminster on Tuesday 6. Sept. 1369. 43 E. 3. Whereby he bequeathed his body to be buried in the midst of the Quire of the Collegiat Church at Warwick To every Church within each of his Mannours he gave his best Beast which should there be found in satisfaction of his Tithes forgotten to be payd To Thomas his son and heir a Ring and Cup with Cover the best next that which his daughter Stafford should choose with the Sword and Coat of maile sometime belonging to the famous Guy of Warwick appointing that all his harness weapons and such like habiliments aswell for peace as warr should be equally divided betwixt his two sons viz. Thomas and William To his said son William he gave a Ring and a Cup with Cover the best next after his elder brother had chosen with
books of their own language invited him to his Palace and Royally feasting him presented him with three pretious stones of great value besides divers clothes of silk and gold given to his servants where this Baltredam told him privately that he faithfully believed as he did though he durst not discover himself and rehearsed the Articles of the Creed But on the morrow he feasted Sir Baltredams servants and gave them scarlet with other English Cloth which being shewed to Sir Baltredam he returned again to him and said he would wear his livery and be Marshall of his Hall whereupon he gave Sir Baltredam a Gown of black puke furred and had much discourse with him for he was skilfull in sundry languages From Hierusalem he came back to Uenice and was there nobly received Thence travailed he into Russia Lituania Poland Prussiaâ— Westphalia as also some Countreyes of Germany shewing great valour in divers Tourneaments whilst he was in those parts and no sooner returned into England but that he was by Indenture bearing date 2 Oct. 12 H. 4. retained with Henry Prince of Wales afterwards King by the name of H. 5. to serve him aswell in times of Peace as War both in this Realm upon and beyond the Seas for CCL marks per an to be payd out of the Prince his Exchequer at Kaermardyn at Easter and Michaelmass by even portions and whensoever he should be in the said Prince his Court to have 4. Esquiers and 6. Yeomen with him and dyet there for them all Provided that the said Prince in service of Warr should have the third part of what he got in battail and the third of the thirds of what his men at Armes should gain And in case he took any great Commander Fort or Castle the Prince likewise to have them giving him reasonable satisfaction Nay he stood in such high esteem with that heroik Prince that against his Coronation he was for his wisdom and industry as the words of the Charter import constituted high Steward of England for that solemnity And in the second year of his raign when the Sect of Lollards being much increased in all parts of the Realm through the doctrine of Wickliff and others had conspired to seize upon the K. and his brothers with divers other persons of quality and to murther them as my Author affirmeth as also to destroy the Monasteries and Prelates and to share their possessions he forthwith armed himself and gave great assistance to the subduing of them After which he was retained by Indenture bearing date 19. Iunii 3. H. 5. to serve the K. as Captain of Caleys from the 6. day of .......... in 2. H. 5. till Febr. 3. An. 1416. 4. H. 5. to have with him in the time of truce or peace for the safeguard thereof during the time before limited xxx men at Arms sc. Horsmen himself and 3. Knights accounted as part of the number xxx Archers on hors-back CC. foot Souldiers and CC. Archers all of his own retinue besides ten men at Arms and x. Archers on hors-back belonging to the Treasurer of Caleys all which were to be at his command in every thing touching the safe-guard of that place For which service he was himself to receive vi s. viii d. per diem for his Knights ii s. a piece for the rest of his horse xii d. for every Archer on horsback and foot Souldier viii d. and for every Archer on foot vi d. per diem for their wages In which Town there was also to be at the Kings charges xl Cross-bow-men xx Carpenters and v. Masons besides Bowyers with other Officers and Pensioners And in time of war was he to have Cxl. men at Arms on hors-back himself and ix Knights accounted part Cl. Archers on hors-back C. foot Souldiers Clxxxiiii Archers on foot and 4. Scouts on hors-back for his own retinue over and above xx men at Arms and x. Archers on hors-back as also x. Archers on foot belonging to the said Treasurer besides Balisters Carpenters c. Whereupon he soon hasted to Caleys and with the more speed because he heard the French were raising great forces against that place and there was recived with solemne Procession but when he understood that those forces bent another way he resolved to practise some new point of Chevalry causing three Shields to be made and in each of them a Lady painted The first harping at the end of a bedsted with a grate of Gold on her left slieve and her Knight called the green Knight with a black quarterâ— who was ready to just with any Knight of France xii courses having two Shields of purveyance and his Letter sealed with the Seal of his Arms the field silver a manch gules The second Pavice or Shield had a Lady sitting at a covered bord working Pearls and on her sheve a glove of plate â—acâ—ed her Knight being called Chivalier Vâ—rt having his Letter sealed with these Arms the field silver two bars of gules who was to Just xv courses and that should be Saddles of Chains The third Pavice had a Lady sitting in a Garden making a Chaplet and on her slieve a Poleyn with a rivet her Knight being called Chivaliâ—r attendant who with his fellow must run and course with sharp Spears his Letter being sealed with gold and gules quarterly and a border Vert which Letters were sent to the Kings Court of France where 3. French Knights received them and promised their fellows to meet at a day and place assigned whereof the first was a Knight called Sr. Gerard Herbaumes who called himself le Chivalier rouge the 2. a famous Knight named Sir Hugh Launey calling himself le Chivalier blank and the third a Knight named Sir Collard Fines Twelf-day in Christmasse being appointed for the time that they should meet in a Laund called the Park-hedge of Gynes On which day this Earle came into the field with his face covered a plume of ostrich feathers upon his Helm and his Horse trapt with the Lord Toney's Arms one of his Ancestors viz. Arg. a manch gules where first encountring with the Chivalier Rouge at the third course he unhorst him and so return'd with close vizor unknown to his Pavilion whence he sent to the said Knight a good Courset The next day also he came into the field with his Vizor close a Chaplet on his Helm and a Plume of Ostrich feathers aloft his Horse trapt with the Arms of Hanslap viz. silver 2. bars gules where he met with the blank Knight with whom he encountred smote of his Vizor thrice brake his Besagurs and other Harneys and returned victoriously to his Pavilion with all his own habiliments safe and as yet not known to any from whence he sent this blank Knight Sir H. Launey a good Courser But the morrow after viz. the last day of the Justs he came with his face open and his Helmet as the day before save
preferred to a Schollars place in the University grew such a proficient that the Monks resolved to make him a Sollicitor for managing their Law-suits and to that purpose from the University placed him at the Inns of Court where he grew so skilfull in his profession that finding King H. 7. politiquely resolving to raise great summs of money by taking the forfaiture of penall Lawes which he conceived would be much more plausible to his subjects than the exacting from them by Loans Subsidies and such other ways of tax as his predecessors had used applyed himself to his service wherein being very officious and bringing store of money to the Kings Coffers he obtained a grant of the Wardship and Marriage of Elizabeth daughter and heir to Edward Grey Visc. L'â—sle before mentioned whom he made his wife That the later part of this Story is true I find testimony enough but that the father of Edmund was a Carpenter is not very likely in regard he marryed so eminently viz. Elizabeth one of the daughters and coheirs to Iohn Bramshot Eâ—quier seized of the Mannours of Gatton Calbourne and Whitwell in the Isle of Weight as also of Bramshot in Hant-shire which Eliz. dyed 12. Oct. 14 H. 7. leaving Edmund her son then 36. years of age the other coheir called Agnes being the wife of Iohn Pakenham whence I conclude that he was a Gentleman as some others of the name of Dudley in severall parts of England are though perhaps not of the Baron of Dudley's line therefore how this formall Story of the Carpenter should rise I cannot well imagine unless the grandfather or great-grandfather of Edm. had been of that trade for it is no wonder to see those that are sprung from as poor Mechanicks by their activeness in the world to get wealth and assume the title of Esquire or Gentlemen without controull yea and be allowed so do Neither do we often find that those which are in truth of right noble extraction will boggle at matching their children with them But I return unto Edmund Dudley He was a man well vers't in the Law and one of the Privy Councell to that prudent Prince King H. 7. chosen in the first year of his raign propter prudentiam singularem fidem gravitatem saith Polydore In 19 H. 7. he was Speaker of the Parliament and should the same year have been made a Sergeant at Law on the 13. of November but for what reason I will not take upon me to assign he desired that he might be discharged from assuming that degree whereupon the King directed his Precept to Will Bishop of London then Lord Keeper of the great Seal commanding his forbearance of making out any Writ to him for that purpose In 22 H. 7. he had the Stewardship of the Rape of Hastings granted to him by Patent and wrote a Book called Arbor Reipublicae Whether he with Richard Empson another Lawyer but a Sive-makers son in Touceter as our Historians affirm discerning King Henry to be of a frugall disposition did project unto him the taking aduantage of such as had transgrest by exacting the forefaitures of penall Statutes or whether the King seeing so fair a gap open for him to rake vast summs of money from his subjects and finding those persons to be sit Instruments for his purpose did put them upon such courses of filling his Coffers 't is hard to say certain it is that these were the men he constituted his Iudices fiscales Dudley being an eminent man and one that could put hatefull business into good language as Sir Fr. Bacon saith and after he had long made use of their service to that end exposed them to those advantages which the discontented people could justly take for their abhominable extortions For their course was to proceed secretly to the Outlary against men and then seize their estates And besides that they had packt Jurors upon all occasions who were sure to them in any verdict which served for their purpose but at last found they a just reward for such their service for King H. 8. in the first year of his raign being desirous of popularity made known by his Proclamations that whosoever had received injury by the unjust oppressions of any should upon complaint to him have redress which liberty did so so animate the vulgar who were sufficiently imbittered against them that nothing then would satisfy but their lives so that the King to appease the multitude gave way that they might be legally proceeded against which accordingly was done Dudley being thereupon arraigned in Guild-Hall London on Munday next after the xv of S. Iohn Baptist 1 H. 8. before Edward Duke of Buck. Henry Earl of Northumberland Thomas Earl of Surrey George Earl of Shrewsbury Thomas Earl of Derby Thomas Prior of S. Iohns of Hierusalem in England Charles Somerset of Herbert Knight Stephen Iennings Knight Mayor of the City of London Iohn Fineux Knight Robert Rede Knight William Hodie Knight Robert Brudnell Humfrey Coningesby Iohn Fisher Knight Iohn Boteler William Grevill Thomas Lovell Knight Edward Poynings Kt. Henry Marney Knight Thomas Englefield Knight and Robert Drury Knight Justices to enquire c. Where the said Edmund being indicted of divers high Treasons was on wednesday next before the Feast of S. Margaret the Virgin attainted in Parliament and had his head cut off on Tower Hill with Empson who was tryed at Northampton through the peoples clamours and for their satisfaction 18. August 2 H. 8. by vertue of the K. speciall Writ for that purpose Having said thus much of the parentage of this Iohn Earl of Warwick I will now go on with my story of him At his fathers death he was scarce eight years old having to his Guardian Edward Guilford Esquire of the Body to the King who by his Petition exhibited in Parliament 3 H. 8. obtained an Act for the repeal of the said Edmund's attainder and the restitution of this Iohn in name blood and degree to enjoy all his said fathers lands Being therefore thus young it was a great while ere he came to appear in any publique employments so that till 24 H. 8. I have not yet seen any farther mention of his name but then I finde he was a Knight though how long he had been so I am not certain After which about ten years he was created Visc. L'isle viz. 12. Martii 34 H. 8. in respect of his descent on the mothers side as I have shewed and the same year made Lord Admirall of England for life Of person he was very comely and of a Spirit highly aspiring saith my Author neither wanted he skill industry nor resolution to attempt great matters In 36 H. 8. he landed the Kings Army at Leith in Scotland with a Fleet of CC. sail on which after they had wasted Edenburgh they also set fire The
heir to Sir Edward Guilford Knight who had his Wardship as I have said he left issue 8. sons and 5. daughters viz. Henry that dyed at Bolein Iohn who had the title of Earl of Warwick in his fathers life-time as commonly Dukes sons out of curtesie have of some Earldom whereof their fathers have the honour but dyed without issue Ambrose Earl of Warwick by the favour of Queen Elizabeth as I shall shew anon Robert created Earl of Leic. by the said Q. Guilford who suffred death in 1. M. as his father did Henry slain at S. Quintines and Charles that dyed a child His daughters were these Mary the wife of Sir Henry Sidney Knight of the Garter and Lord President of Wales from whom the now Earl of Leic. is descended Kath. wife to Henry Hastings Earl of Huntingdon As also Margaret Temperance and another Katherine who dyed young In the Parliament held 1. M. was the attainder of this Duke and four of his sons confirmed viz. Iohn called Earl of Warwick Sir Ambrose and Sir Guilford both Knights and Henry Dudley Esquire Going on with the succession of these Earls I come next to Sir Ambrose Dudley abovementioned restored in blood by Queen Mary This Sir Ambrose had in 1. Eliz. a grant of the Mannour of Kibworth-Beauchamp in Com. Leic. to be held by the service of being Pantler to the Kings Queens of this Realm at their Coronations which office and Mannour his father and other of his Ancestors Earls of Warwick had In the second year of her raign he was made Master of the Ordinance In the fourth viz. 26 Dec. Baron L'isle and Earl of Warwick and the 6. of April following had a grant from the same Queen of the Castle Mannour and Burrough of Warwick with divers other Lordships in this Shire eschaeted to the Crown by his fathers attainder in which year she made him her Lieutenant generall in Normandy and during the time of his service there caused him to be chosen Knight of the Garter In 12. of her raign this E. with Edward Lord Clinton were made Lieutenants Generall of her Majesties forces in the North parts In 13. he was constituted chief Butler of England and in 15. sworn of her Privy-Councell He had 3. wives viz. Anne daughter and coheir to Will. Whorwood esq Atturney generall to King H. 8. Eliz. x daughter of Sir Gilbert Talboys Knight sister and sole heir of George Lord Talboys and Anne y daughter to Francis Earl of Bedford but departed this life without issue 21. Febr. Anno 1589. 32. Eliz. at Bedford-house in the suburbs of London and was buried in that beautifull Chapell here at Warwick called our Lady Chapell adjoyning to the Collegiat Church where his Monument is yet to be seen The next that had this title of Earl was Robert Lord Rich grandchild to Richard created Lord Rich. of Leeze in Essex 17. Febr. 1 E. 6. and made Chancelour of England 26. Oct. following which family doe derive their descent from Richard Rich one of the Shiriffs of London An. 1441 20 H. 6. This Robert created Earl of Warwick 6. Aug. 16. Iac. had two wives viz. Penelope daughter to Robert Devereux Earl of Essex and Frances daughter to Sâ—r Christopher Wray Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench in Q. Elizabeths time but widow to Sir George St. Paul of Snartford in Com. Linc. Knight and Baronet By the first whereof he had issue Robert Lord Rich his son and heir Sir Henry Rich Knight of the Bath and Capt. of the Guard afterwards created Baron of Kensington Earl of Holland by King Iames and chosen Knight of the Garter Lettice his eldest daughter first marryed to Sir George Cary of Cokington in Com. Devon and after to Sir Arthur Lake Knight And Essex the second to Sir Thomas Cheek of Pirgo in Essex which Earl dyed at Warwick-House in Holburne 24. Martii An. 1618. 15. Iac. and was buryed at Felstede in Essex where his Ancestors do lye To whom succeeded in this Honour Robert his eldest son who wedded Frances daughter and heir to Sir William Newport alias Hatton Knight by whom he hath issue three Sons scil Robert Charles and Henry and three daughters Anne Luce and Frances HAving thus finisht my discourse of the Earles I shall now proceed with the town of Warwick it self whereof as to its first building by Kymbeline a King of the Britans and all other passages relating thereto during the Saxons time I have already in my Introduction and Story of those Earles said as much as I can In the Conquerors time it was a Borough id est habitaculum seu locus munitus and contained CClxi houses whereof Cxxx. were possest by the King Cxii by these his Barons whose names with the particular number held by each of them I have here added viz. The Bishop of Worcester ix The B. of Chester vii The Monks of Coventre xxxvi whereof 4. were wasted for the Castles enlargement The Bishop of Constance i. The E. of Mellent xii Earl Alberic iv Hugh de Grentemaisnill iiii Henry de Ferrers ii Rob. de Stadford vi Rog de Iveri ii Ric. Venator i. Raph de Limesi ix The Monks of Malmsbury i. Will. Bonvallet i. Will. fil Corbucion ii Geffrey de Magnaville i. Geffrey de Wirce i. Gislebert de Gant ii Gislebert Povili i. Nich. Balistar i. Steph. Stirman i. Turchil iiii Harold ii Osbert fil Ricardi i. Cristina i. Luith the Nun. ii All which were belonging to the lands they held in this County and apprized with them and the residue being xix by so many Burgesses which Burgesses enjoy'd them with Soc and Sac and all Customes as they did in Edward the Confessors days In the time of the said King Edward the Shirivalty of this County with the Borough of Warwick and all the Kings Mannours in the Shire answered lxv li. in money and xxxvi Sextars of honey or xxiv li. and viii s. in lieu thereof but at the time of the generall Survey they were rated at Cxlv li. in weight in the ferm of the Kings Mannours xxiii li. for the custome of Dogs xx s. for a Sumpter horse 1 li. for a Hawk and C s. to the Queen for a Fine Besides this they payd also xxiv Sextars of Honey of the greater measure and the Borough vi Sextars viz. xv d. a Sextar whereof the Earl of Mellent had vi Sextars and v. s. The custome of this Borough then was as by the same Survey appears that when ever the King went in person in any expedition by land x. Burgesses thereof attended him in stead of all the rest And if he that was warned to give such his attendance did not go he should pay unto the King C s. but if the King did go by Sea against his enemies the whole Borough was to
7. Sir VVilliam Lucy then Lord of Cherlecote releast to them certain Priviledges which he and his Ancestors had in Thelesford viz. Toll Tack Sâ—allage and Blâ—odhed Other passages as had relation to this House of Thelesford from the Lucyes I shall mention anon when I speak of that family in Cherlecote Upon the Survey taken in 26 H. 8. the value of all that belong'd thereto over and above reprises was certified to be no more than xxiv li. xix s. yet through the Kings favour or rather for that it was of so small consequence the dissolution thereof was forborn in 27 H. 8. when the rest of the lesser Houses went to wrack so that till 30 H. 8. it stood but then following the example of others the poor Friers here by their publique Instrument dated 26. Octob. 30 H. 8. surrendred it up to the Ks. use the names of those that subscribed thereto being Edw. Davie Minister Frater Iacobus Brown Will. Lacie and Nich. Turnar Of which the Prior scil Edward Davie had a Pension of 5 li. per an granted to him during life but the rest nothing After this scil 7 Iulii 35 H. 8. the King in consideration of 648 li. 19 s. 02 d. sold the site thereof together with a thicket of trees neer adjoyning to the House containing seven Acres and called by the name of Thelesford-grove as also certain lands in Cherlecote and Wasperton belonging thereto unto William Whorwood Esquier and William Walter to be held in Capite by the C. part of a Knights fee under severall Rents Since which it is by purchase come again to the Lucies of Cherlecote Ministri Domus de Thelesford Frater Elias 31 H. 3. Robertus temp E. 1. Henricus 2 E. 2 Thomas de Offinton 3 E. 3. Thomas de Cherlecote 28 E. 3. Williel de Clarindon temp R. 2. Iohannes Brokeden 7 H. 7. Edmundus Alceyter 26 H. 8 Edw. Davy 30 H. 8. Charlecote AUon passing on scarce a mile lower leaveth Charlecote upon its Eastern bank whereof one Saxi was possest before the Norman invasion but afterwards the Earl of Mellent By the Conquerors Survey it was certified to contain three hides having two Mills prized at xxi s. the whole being rated at iv li. In that Record it is written Cerlecote and had its appellation originally from some antient possessor thereof in the Saxons time as I guess Ceorle being a name then in use as we find in some antient Authors In those days it was of the parish of Wellesburne hard by as when I speak of the Church shall be shewed and came doubtless to Henry de Newburgh Earl of Warwick with most of those lands which were the said Earl of Mellent's his brother in this Shire whose son and heir viz. Roger Earl of Warwick in 23 H. 1 gave to his Collegiate Church of Warwick then newly by him founded half a hide of land lying here with the Tithe of the whole Lordship and of the two Mills before specified By the same Earl Roger was Thurstane de Montfort a great man in those days enfeof't of large possessions in this County as in Beldesert I shall manifest whose son Henry de Montfort with Alice de Harecourt the widow of Robert de Montfort his elder brother gave to Walter the son of Thurstane de Cherlecote all this Village of Cherlecote which grant King R. 1. by his Letters Patent bearing date at Dovor 6. Decemb. .... confirmed to the same Walter and his heirs adding divers immunities and priviledges thereto all which were ratified l by King Iohn in 5. of his raign 'T is not unlike but that the said Thurstane de Cherlecote was a younger son unto the before specified Thurstane de Montfort for that he was paternally a Montfort the MS. History of Wroxhall importeth and that the same Thurstane was his father not onely the likelyhood in point of time but his Christen name doth very much argue From this Walter de Cherlecote who was a Kt. by Cecily his wife descended William that assumed the sirname of Lucy which makes me think that she was an heir to some branch of that family for it hath antiently been usuall enough with the descendants of great heirs to relinquish their paternall names and take the Mothers as M â— Cambden doth sufficiently manifest Which William had a confirmation of this Lordship made to him by Thurstane de Montfort son and heir of Henry de Montfort above specified whereby it appears that upon the originall grant made to Walter his father the summe of ten pounds of silver was annually reserved from him and his heirs to be payd at the Feasts of St. Michaell and the Annunciation of our Lady by equall poâ—tions at the time of which confirmation made he the said William did his homage for this place This William was in Armes with the Barons against King Iohn but returning to his allegiance in 1 H. 3. had his lands seized upon for that offence restored to him as appears by the Kings Mandate to the Shiriffs of Worcester Gloucester Warwick and Leicester-shires within which Countyes his estate lay In 6 H. 3. he had the Kings Letters Patent of confirmat on made to him of the Hundred of Kinton originally granted to VValter the son of Thurstane de Cherlecote by King H. 2. and ratified by King Iohn but had been seâ—zed upon by King H. 3. with the demesns of the Crown and such Eschaets as had hapned In 18 H. 3. Walter de Lascy a great Baron in that age confer'd upon this William and his heirs the Stewardship of all his laâ—ds that he then had or that he might have in England with two carucats part of the demesn belonging to his Castle of Ludelaw In consideration of which two carucates the said VVilliam and his heirs were to be Constables of that Castle for the safe custody thereof and to maintain for ever a Priest a Poâ—ter and two Centinells there as formerly had been used except at such times as the said VValter de Lascy himself or his heirs should come thither and then he and his heires to remain in the outer ward during their stay there But for the times of hostility it was agreed that the said VValter and his heirs should fortify and defend it themselves at their own costs and the said VVilliam and his heirs to remain in the same outer Ward whilst it should be so fortified And further that the said VVilliam and his heirs might take the like rates taxt upon Bread and Beer in the town of Ludelaw in the absence of the said VValter and his heirs which he had used to have or ought to receive when he was there in person As also that the repair which he and his heirs should make there upon occasion to be by the view of two honest men and at the charge of the
therewith After which viz. in 4 H. 8. Iohn Crofte and Eliz. his wife levied a Fine of the moytie of this Mannour to Simon Rice Citâ—zen and Mercer of London and others but to what uses I know not Neither can I say to what uses that Fine did inure which was levied of this Mannour in 10 H. 8. between Iohn Trevâ—then and others Plantiffs and Margaret Boleyn widow Deforc Howbeit for certain that Fine levied thereof 29 H. 8. betwixt Thomas Pope Eâ—q Pl. and Ricâ— Fermour and others Deforc. was to the use of the said Thomas Pope and his heirs for even to these very times his posterity do enjoy the same together with another Mannour here which appertained to the dissolved Monastery of Studley for by that name it past from the Crown in 31 H. 8. unto the same Thomas and the heirs male of his body he being then a Knight and Treasurer of the Court of Augmentation Touching the Church dedicated to S. Laurence I have already shewed that the advouson thereof was vested in Robert Wandard and his heirs by the Monks of Preaux in Normandy whereupon a Pension of x s. per annum became setled out of the fruits thereof to be payd to the Parson of Warmington and his successors In anno 1291. 19 E. 1. it being valued at viii marks was afterward granted to the Monastery of Lavenden in Com. Buck. about the beginning of E. 3. time as it should seeem by the Presentations thereto but not appropriated till 2 R. 2. and then Pope Urban the 6. by his Bull dated at Rome on the Ides of November granted unto the Canons of that House liberty to take the fruits thereof to their own peculiar use the same year Simon de Sudbury Archbishop of Cant. ordaining the Vicaridge which in 26 H. 8. was valued at Cxiii s. iv d. Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes Rob. de Wandak miles Rob. de Shâ—teswell Cler. ...... 1287. Abbas Conv. de Lavenden Ioh. Steâ—e Clâ—r Id. Iunii 1349. Abbas Conv. de Lavenden Ioh. de Kneton Pbr. 6. Cal. Ian. 1355. Abbas Conv. de Lavenden Ioh. de â—aâ—â—bury Pbr. 14. Cal. Oct. 1367. Patroni Vicariae Abb. Conv. de Lavenden Thomas le Rowe Pbr. 22. Maii 1381. Abb. Conv. de Lavenden Thomas Ieâ—fus Pbr. 4. Martii 1394. Abb. Conv. de Lavenden Thomas Wotton Pbr. 26. Oct. 1438. Abb. Conv. de Lavenden Thom. Wyllingham Canon de Lavenden 9. Apr. 1443. Abb. Conv. de Lavenden Will. â—urvey Canon de Lavenden ult Iulii 1451. D. Thomas Pope miles D. Ioh. Vernam Cler. 22. Iunii 1456. Will. Chancy de Edgcote in Com. Northampt ar ex concess T. Pope mil. D. Will. Rowse Cler. 20. Oct. 1554. Ioh. Pope ar Ric. Key Cler. 7. Feb. 1562. Edw. Grevill gen ex concess Ioh. Pope ar Will. Key Cler. 12. Oct. 1576. Will. Pope de Wroxton mil. de baln Bar. Rob. Petiver in Art Magr. 8. Febr. 1620. Will. Pope de Wroxton mil. de baln Bar. Ric. Hartwell Cler. in art Magr. 19. Maii 1627. Warmington MOre than a mile Northwards on the side of Edg-Hill stands Warmington which in the Conquerors time being possest by the Earl of Mellent contained xv hides and a half two whereof were held by a certain Knight of the said Earl and valued at xx s. and the residue rated at x li. all which had been the Freehold of one Azor before the Norman invasion In that Survey it is written Wermintone in one place and Warmintone in another but I presume that its denomination originally sprung from some antient possessor thereof in the Saxons time perhaps Weremundus for that appellation was then usuall This as most of the lands which the said Earl had in Warwick-shire came to Henry de Newburgh Earl of Warwick brother to the same E. of Mellent but by what Agreement appears not w ch Henry gave it wholy excepting the Hamlets belonging thereto to the Monks of Preaux in Normandy who built a Cell here and sent over part of their Covent to reside therein and to be subordinate to their House of Preaux of which Cell the said Earl Henry is reputed to have been Founder which Religious House stood about the midst of the town as the Inhabitants by tradition do affirm This grant so made to Preaux by Earl Henry was in Edw. 1. time confirmed by William de â—eauchamp then Earl of Warwick it being then found that there were xx Tenants here that held their lands by a servile tenure viz. each one providing a Labourer one day every week for the Lordâ—â— imployment or to give 1 d. ob for every day in the week which would amount to x d. and so in the year to xliii s. iv d. And that every one of them should plow for the Lord thrice in the year or give x s. per annum and mow his meadowing or give xl d. As also that every yard land should find two men for 3. days in Harvestâ— or give for every day in stede of a man ii d. which comes to xxx s. in the year That they should carry the Lords Hay or give xl d. That each man should perform one dayes carriage in Harvest or give xl d. That they should make the Lords Hay or give x d. Rake his corne or give x d. Harrow each of them one day with a single Horse or give x d. And lastly carry once in the year at Warwick or give xl d. Howbeit afterwards I find that this whole town payd only a marke per annum to the Earls of Warwick at two termes viz. Candlemass and Whitsontide for all services But this Mannour so belonging to Preaux grew afterwards reputed to be parcell of the possessions pertaining to the Priory of Toftes in Norfolk which Religious House was founded by those forraign Monks after they had the grant of the Mannour of Toftes by Rob. E. of Mellent before mentioned the Monks here being either recalled into Normandy or transmitted to Toftes And upon the seizure of those lands which the Priors-Alien had in England whereof in Wolston I have fully spoke was in 33 E. 3. committed to the custody of Iohn de Herdewyk Howbeit afterwards the King allowing some favour to the Monks of thoâ—e Cells the Prior of Toftes had permission to ferm it who whilst he was Tenant thereto made much wast here by falling CC. Ashes prized then at xx li. the yearly value thereof being about that time rated at xxix li. xi s. vi d. per annum Certain it is that the frequent seizures of such lands by reason of the Warrs with France made those forrain Monks willing enough to sell their interest in them during those troubles at least as may appear by the passing them away aswell to divers Lay persons as unto some Religious Houses in England about this
from the Conqueror ingentia praedâ—a in Anglia as W. Malmesh observes Amongst which this Village of Arlescote being part he devoutly bestowed it on the Mâ—nks of Preaux before specifiedâ— together with the Mannour of Toftes in Norfolk as also the Church and Tithes of Cherlenton in Com. ...... Of which Monastery at Preaux Humfry de Vetulis grandfather to this Robert began the Foundation whereof Roger de Bellomom his son father to ouâ— Earl of Mellent was so great a lover that he not onely perfected the work but plentifully endowed it and afterwards bidding farewell to the vain pleasures of this transitory world became himself a Monk therein choosing it for his sepulture But I return to Robert Earl of Mellent who was a man of an haughty spirit as it seems for in an 1090. sc. 3. Will. Rufâ— being exceedingly puft up with rewards and promiâ—es by the King he came to Roan and boldly required of Robert Curthose D. of Normandy the Castle of Ivery To whom the Duke anâ—wered that he had gâ—ven to his father the Castle of Brion for it which was an equall exchange whereupon he replyed I allow not of that bargain but what your father gave to my father that will I have otherwise by S. Nichasius I shall do that which will displease you At which words the Duke growing very angry caused him to be layd hold on and imprisoned whereof so soon as the crafty old man his father heard he sent the Duke a Present hasting afterwards himself to him and with fine flattering expressions obtained his sons liberty Being a faithfull adherer to King Henry 1. against his brother Robert Curthose before specified he was thereupon advanced to the Earldom of Leicester in England and had also other rich gifts but how he got that Earldom let us â—ear Ordericus Vitalis tell Vâ—bs Legrecestria quatuor dominos habucrat saith he Regem Epiâ—copum Lancolniae Simonemque Comitem Yvonem Hugonis filium Praefatus autem Consul de Mellâ—nto per partem Yvonis qui municeps erat Vice-Comes firmarius Regis callide intravit auxilio Regis suaq callidiâ—ate totam sibi civitatem mancâ—pavit inde Consul in Angliae factus omnes Regri pâ—oceres divitiis potestate praecessit penè omnes parentes suos transcendit Now what the particulars of this cunning and dâ—ceitfull dealing were I shall briefly here rehearse This Yvo having begun a Rebellion in England wherein he had done much mischief by firing some Houses of his neighbours and being through the Kings excessive indignation towards him fined at a vast summe made his addresses to this Earl of Mellent qui praecipitus erat inter Consiliarios Regis saith my Author hoping by his means to obtain some favour who subtilly advised him to perform a long Pilgrimage for effecting whereof he would help him to 500. marks of silver keeping his lands in pawn for xv years with promise that at the end of that terme they should be wholy restored to Yvo his son and not onely so but that he would give him his brothers daughter viz. Henry Earl of Warwick in marriage For the performance of which Agreement the Earl of Mellent gave his oath the King himself also assenting thereto But in this Pilgrimage Yvo departing the world his son neither enjoy'd the woman as was promised nor any of his paternall inheritance Other particulars I shall for brevity omit winding up my discourse with this Satiricall Character w ch an eminent Author of that time hath of him Fuâ—t igitur Robertus Consul de Mellento in rebus secularibus sapientissimus omnium hìnc usque in Hierusalem degentium Fuit scientia clarus eloquio blâ—ndus astutia perspicax providentia sagax ingenio versipellis prudentia insuperabilis consilio profundus sapientia magnus Possessiones igitur magnas varias quas vulgò vocant Honores urbes Castella Vicos Villas flumina silvas praedictis adquisierat instrumentis Erant autem Honores ejus non solum in Anglia verùm in Normannia in Francia pro libitu igitur suo Reges Francorum Anglorum nunc concordes muniebantur nunc discordes praeliabantur Si adversus aliquem insurgebat contritus humiliabatur si proâ—sse volebat gloriosus exaltabatur Hinc thesauri copia auri scil argenti gemmarum palliorum incredibiliter ei confluxit Cum igitur in summo statu gloriae suae degeret contigit quendam alium Consulem sponsam ei tam factione quam dolosis viribus arripuisse unde in senectuâ—e sua mente turbatus angaria obnubilatus in tenebras moeroris incidit nec usque ad mortem se letum vel ylarem sensit Cum igitur post dies dolori dedicatos in infirmitatem mortis praenuntiam incidisset rogatus est ab Archiepiscopo Sacerdotibus cum ei Confessionis purgatorium impenderent officium ut terras quas vi vel arte multis abstulerat poenitens redderet erratum lacrimis lavaret Quibus respondens aâ—t Si terras quas aggregavi multifariam divisero quid miser filiis meis relinquam Cui contra Ministri Domini Sufficient filiis tuis haereditates pristinae quas juste terras adquisisti caetera redde alioquin animam devovisti Gehennae Respondit autem consul Filiis omnia tradam ipsi pro salute defuncti miserecorditer agant Eo autem defnncto filii ejus magis injustè congregata injustè studuerunt augere quam aliquid pro salute paterna distribuâ—re Liquet igitur summam viri sapientiam in fine quasi laus canitur non solum in summam stulâ—â—tiam sed in coecam devenisse insaniam This great man wedded Ysabell daughter to Hugh Earl of Uermandoys by whom he had issue Robert that succeeded him in the Earldome of Leicester and Walleran Earl of Mellent both twins with another son called Hugh sirnamed Pauper Earl of Bedford and divers daughters one whereof viz. Elizabeth was a Concubine to King H. 1. And departing this life on the Nones of Iune anno 1118. 18 H. 1. lyeth buried in the Monastery of Preaux before mentioned All that now rests in relation to this place is to enquire what became thereof after the generall dissolution in King Hen. 8. time wherein I find that it was inter alia past out of the Crown 17. Iunii 34 H. 8. to Ric. Andrews gentleman and Leonard Chamberlain Esquier and to the heirs of Aâ—drews As for the three virgates in case Werlavescote and this be all one it appears that Geffrey de Clinton had them of the Earl of Warwick's grant and that he bestowed them on the Monks of Stoneley immediatly after the Foundation of that Monastery which was in King Stephens time Ratley FOllowing the ascent of Edg-Hill Westward I come next to Ratley which by the Conquerors Survey is certified to contain five hides
in all his demesn lands here from whom it descended to Sir William Bishopsdon of Alscote in Com. Glouc. Kt. who in 10 H. 6. held it by half a Knights Fee which Sir William in 17 H. 6. entailed it with divers other lands upon his issue by Philippa his wife with remainder to his right heirs After which I have seen no more thereof save that in 18 H. 7 Thomas Nevill Esquier dyed seized thereof leaving William his son and heir 27. years of age and that about the later end of Queen Eliz. raign Iohn Watson of Bretforâ—on in Com. Wigorn. gent. nephew to Iohn Watson Bishop of Winchester possest it whose son sold it to Lewes Hobdy of late years Lambcote OF this place originally a member of Eatendon inferior I do find no mention till 34 H. 8. but then was it past out of the Crown by the name of a Mannour and lately belonging to the dissolved Monastery of Kenilworth unto Richard Andrews Gentleman and Leonard Chamberlain Esquier and to the heirs of Andrews I Must now passe over to the Western side of Stoure to observe the rest of those places which remain in this Hundred to be spoke of and in so doing am to skip over a long and narrow tract of land that is part of Worcestershire and yet wholy environ'd with this County therefore before I go farther it will not be amisse to give some probable reason for apparent proof I have none why this and such parcells so encompassed as is frequenly seen became thus severed from the Counties wherein they lye which in short I conceive to be no more than this viz. that they being originally I mean before the division of Counties was absolutely made and setled belonging to some great person whose residence was far distant and in the old assessments rated there continued always afterwards so taxt and for that respect have beenâ— and are still reputed part of those Shires And that this was the first ground thereof will be evident enough from the instances that might be given therein through sundry parts of this Realm as in this particular here before us where it is cleer that Tredinton with those Hamlets belonging thereto viz. Tidelminton Blackwelle and Darlingscote together with Newbold antiently a member thereof were parcell of the lands heretofore belonging to the Church of Worcester founded before K. Alfred's time that the condition of our Counties as now they are was absolutely setled As also Goldicote and Alder-Marston belonging to the Monastery of Pershore of which place 't is most like they were members long before that antient Abby was erected But all I have now to take notice of in this Hundred is Ilminton Whitchurch and Atherston super Stoure with the small Hamlets belonging to them Ilmington THis containing the Villages of Compton-Scorfen and Forcote and rated at ix hides by the Conquerors Survey whereof eight were at that time possest by the Earl of Mellent and prized at xii li. and the odde hide by Robert de Stadford valued at L. s. is in two places of that Record written Ilmedone and in the third Edelmitone so that whether it had the name originally from the antient owner thereof as the later imports or from the high situation as the former doth seem to imply I cannot well determine but in that part which the Earl of Mellent had there then stood the Church Of this Mannour was the Progenitor of Robert de Harecourt enfeoft as it seems either by the said Earl of Mellent or one of his descendants for in 5. Ioh. it being seized into the Kings hands amongst the rest of those lands which belong'd to the Normans in respect that the Dukedome of Normandy was then recovered out of the possession of King Iohn by Philip sirnamed Augustus King of France xiii li. land thereof was given by the said King to Owen fil Davidis in exchange for his land of Ellesmere In that Record it is written Illamedone but the next year ensuing being extended together with the rest of those lands which had belong'd to the Normans and were then so seized on the Rent of Assize there amounted unto xiv li. seting aside the Lord's Aid and the profits of his Court And it was then certified that there might be maintained four Ploughs of xl Oxen 500. Sheep 4. Kine 3. Horses and 24. Hogs it having been used to be let to ferm for xx li. with the like stock upon it After which seizure King Iohn bestowed it upon Simon de Montfort first of that name Earl of Leicester but he being disherited and banished for adhering to the French Iohn de Harecourt a famous Baron saith my Author with the Archbishop of Roan interceding with King H. 3. in behalf of the Earl and making then his Claim to this Mannour obtain'd it by the consent of the said Earl who had possest it ever since the Normans lost their lands for their subjection to the above specified King of France I suppose that his name was Richard de Harecourt and not Iohn for by the Record of 5 H. 3. it appeareth that Richard de Harecourt making Fine with the King for all the lands in England which belong'd unto the above specified Robert de Harecourt his father and did by inheritance rightly belong to him the said Richard had restitution of this Mannour by the Kings Precept dated from the Tower of London 6. Ian. that very year Howbeit notwithstanding this restitution to Harecourt Simon de Mounâ—fort Earl of Leicester scil the second of that name held the possession as it should seem for I have seen his originall Deed whereby he granted quit claimed Domino Iohanni filio Ricardi de Harecourt Normanni are the words all his right therein with the advouson of the Church reserving to himself his heirs the service of one Knights Fee and the inheritance of the Court-Leet with all other Royalties And another grant of his whereby he passed to Sir Peter de Montfort and his heirs xl li. lands of his demesn here according to an indifferent and lawfull extent together with the Mannour-house and Warren as also all Homages Rents Reliefs and free customes belonging thereunto for the service of one Knights Fee to him the said Earl and his heirs This Peter de Montfort was a great man in this County as when I come to Beldesert shall appear and had issue Peter who in 56 H. 3. obtained of Sir Iohn de Harecourt Knight before specified a full grant of this Mannour to himself and his heirs having possession thereof delivered accordingly in May Anno 1272. the same 56. year of K. H. 3. as also the Kings Charter of confirmation bearing date 10. Iunii following Which Peter in 7 E. 1. held it of the Earl of of Leicester by the service of one Knights Fee having at that time 4. Carucates of land in
of 20 E. 3. howbeit till 6 E. 2. I have not found any mention thereof but then did Iohn de Whitâ—hurch hold lands here to the value of x li. And in 8. E. 3. Sir Robert de Vale Knight possessing it with Compton-Scorfen entailed it upon Iohn his son and heir who had his residence here and dyed seized of it in 36 E. 3. leaving Iohn Burdet and Iohn Norrys his cosins and heirs as in Ludinton may be seen To which family of Burdet it continued till 10 H. 8. that Sir Iohn Burdet Knight past it away to George Throkmorton Esquire and others Atherston super Stoure THis place standing a little lower and on the same side of the Stoure hath that distinction scil from the said River by reason that there is another town called Atherston on the North part of the County And being one of those towns which Odo Bishop of Baieux had of his half brother the Conquerors gift in this Shire was by the generall Survey then taken certified to contain 4. hides and to be held of the said Bishop by one Corbin having a Church as also a Mill which yielded x s. and x. sticks of Eeles but the whole valued at iv li. In that Record it is written Edricestone which shews that it had its originall denomination from one Edricus in the Saxons time It seems that the Ancestor of Raph de Ruperiis was antiently enfeoft thereof and by the K. 't is like in regard of the said Bishop's forfeiture Whether Roger de Ruperiis first enjoy'd it I am not certain though in King Iohn's time he had it but being a Norman he was dispossest thereof by K. H. 3. by reason of his adhering to the K. of France and subjecting himself with what he had in Normandy to his obedience whereupon the King gave it to Godfrey de Craucumbe which Godfrey had also a grant of it from Raph de Ruperiis above-mentioned who thereby reserved to himself and his heirs a pair of gilt Spurs to be paid yearly at Easter for all services which grant the said King confirmed but there it is written Aderichestan and Adrichestone howbeit afterwards scil in 32 H. 3. the King bestowed the inheritance thereof on Geffrey de Langley of whom in Pinley I have spoke in which Charter he calls it Eschaeta nostra de terris Normannorum making also mention that he had it of the said Godfrey in exchange for Staunforham in Northumberland To this Geffrey succeeded Iohn de Langley his grandchild in the possession thereof who in 7 E. 1. held it of the King in Capite by a pair of gilt Spurrs having at that time two carucates of land in demesn and seven Tenants holding seven yard land paying severall Rents and performing sundry servile labours as also a Court-Leet But from this Iohn by some private agreement it seems was it passed to Geffrey de Langley his younger brother for the said Geffrey being possest thereof in 15 E. 1. and impleaded for certain lands here at that time by Fouk de Lucy called his said brother Iohn to warranty Which Geffrey being a devout man became signed with the Crosse for a voyage to the Holy Land in 55 H. 3. In 22 E. 1. he was one of the Knights of the retinue to Edmund Earl of Lancaster upon whom being attending at such time as he agitated a Peace betwixt the then King of France and his brother King Edward of England he was sent with Letters by the said King of France to recall the Constable of that Realm then upon his march into Gascoign with an Army and afterwards returning to England released to the Monks of Stoneley x li. per annum of that annuity of xx li. which had been reserved to Geffrey de Langley his father when he granted to them the Mannour of Staverton in this County whose descendants in the male line enjoyed this Lordship for divers generations Iohn being the last of them that I find who at the death of William his father in 22 E. 4. was about 13. years of age but dyed without issue leaving Alianore his sister and heir as it seems for in 12 H. 7. it appears that Iohn Clanelke and Alianore his wife levied a Fine of this Mannour whereby it was conveyed to Richard Empson and his heirs with warranty against her the said Alianore and her heirs After which it came to Thomas Morton Esquier who in 37 H. 8. past it to Thomas Hunks which T. Hunkâ— dyed seized thereof in 5. 6. Ph. M. leaving Robert his son and heir of full age To whom succeeded Iohn Hunks Gentleman who dying seized of it in 1 Eliz. left Ursula his daughter and heir six years of age afterwards married to Raphe Lidkote The advouson of the Church was given in K. Iohn's time to the Monks of Teuksbury by Roger de Ruperiis but never appropriated to them In an 1291. 19 E. 1. the Rectory was valued at vi marks so likewise in 14 E. 3. but in 26 H. 8. at xiii li. vi s. viii d. out of which was allowed for Procurations and Synodalls xii â— and iv s. yearly Pension to the Monks of Tewksbury Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury Will. de Dalby Accol 6. Id. Ian. 1304. Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury Mr. Rad. Turvill Cler. 11. Cal. Ian. 13â—4 Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury Mr. Rob. de Southam 5. Ian. 1339. Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury D. Will. de Herdewyke Cap. 13. Aug. 1362. Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury Will. Solito 12. Dec. 1364. Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury Ioh. Rose Pbr. 8. Aug. 1392. Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury Ioh. Tymmes 28. Sept. 1410. Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury D. Rob. Osgodby Cap. 3. Apr. 1426. Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury Magr. Will. Vauce 20. Ian. 1446. Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury Thomas Compton Cap. 4. Apr. 1448. Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury D. Rog. Kyningham Cap. 22. Iunii 1469. Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury Ric. Ferâ—hing 24. Dec. 1472. Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury D. Thom. Râ—ttur Cap. 26. Iunii 1489. Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury D. Ric. Sâ—lbrugg Cap. 24. Martii 1505. Ric. Bydle Civis Wigorn ratione concess Ab. Conv. de Tewksbury D. Rob. â—kyres Pbr. 14. Nov. 1545. Ioh. Turner de Atherston gen Magr. Will. Stocke in S. Theol. Bacc. 23. Nov. 1581 Ioh. Turner de Atherston gen Tho. Wilde Cler. 20. Feb. 1583. Ioh. Turner Will Turner ejus filius Ioh. Rogers Cler. 11. Ian. 1608. Ioh. Turner Will Turner ejus filius Magâ—â— Ric. Wright Cler. 16. Sept 1622. Ayleston THis little Village situate in the Parish of Atherston lyeth on the other side the water and in the Conquerors time being possest by
be without prejudice of the mother Church which License was to continue only for two years To him succeeded Laurence his son and heir who by marriage with Maud daughter and heir to Sir Thomas Charnells of Aylmesthorpe in Com. Leic. much increast his estate and amongst other lands of her inheritance had the Mannour of Bilton in this County as in my discourse of that place is shewed Which Laurence had issue by her Sir Will. Trussell Knight who by the death of Margaret the wife of Sir Fouk Pembruge Knight daughter of Sir VVill. Trussell of Acton-Trussell before specifyed and heir not only to her fathers estate but also at length to the lands of Sir Iohn Trussell her Uncle as hath been already shewed became possest of Cublesdon and Acton-Trussell with divers other Lordships lying in the Counties of Staff Salop. Northampt Berks. Norff. and Essex and left issue Sâ—r Thomas and he another Sir VVill. Shiriff of Staffordshire in 6 H. 5. but had his residence in Leicestershire at Aylmesthorpe in H. 6. time Which Sir VVill. Trussell in 11 E. 4. being then the Kings servant in the Office of Valâ—t de Chambre had a grant of the custody of the Kings private Pallace at Westminster for life But afterwards scil in 14 E. 4. he was one of the Kts. for the body to the same K. retained by Indenture to serve him in his French wars for one whole year with six spears himself accounted for one and Lx. Archers well and sufficiently armed and arrayed taking for himself ii s per diem wages xii d per diem for the other Spears and for the Archers vi â— In 15 E. 4. he bore the Office of Shiriff for this County and Leicestershire and dyed 22 Ian. 20 E. 4. seized of the Mâ—â—nours of Acton-Trussell Bedenhale Shiriff-Hales and Thriff-Haly lying in the Counties of Staff and Salopâ— Waburne in Norfolk Shotesbroke in Berks. Aylmesthorpe in Câ—m Leic. Langport Eston-Maâ—duit Merston and Thorp-Malesours in Com. Northampt. Kenington and Wâ—nington in Essex as also of this our Billesâ—ey in Warwickshire but how that comes to passe I doe not apprehend leaving Edw. his son and heir who departed this life 10 Iunii 14 N. 7. Eliz. his daughter and heir being then not much above two years of age whose wardship and marriage in 22 H. 7. was granted by the King to Iohn Vere then Earl of Oxford and to Iohn Vere cosyn of the said Earl which Iohn marryed her and became afterwards Earl of Oxford in whose family most of the lands of her inheritance continued till of late time I now come to Sir Edmund Trussell Kt. second son to Will by Roese the daughter and heir to Will. Pantulf of Cublesdon He marryed Margaret the daughter to Walt. de Osevile and left issue Will. and Edmund which Edmund having to do at Mancestre and other places in this County as shall there be shewed was a man of some note and action as well as his elder brother for I find that he assisted Guy de Beauchamp E. of Warw. and his complices in the murther of Piers de Gaveston It seems that he and his brother had committed some high misdemenour about the 16 of E. 2. for that year did the K. by a speciall Pat. dated at Yorke 20 Sept. appoint Robert de Digby to pursue arrest and seize upon them In 12 E. 3. being â—hen a Knight he founded a Chantry at Hill-Morton as I have there shewed and gave for his Armes argent a Crosse fleurè gules debruised with a bend .... but whether he left any issue or not I cannot determine So likewise was Will. his elder brother a K t in 12 E. 2. and then gave for his Armes Argent a Crosse fleurè gules but his principall seat was at Flore in Northamptonshire though he also possest Morton-Bagot and Nuthurst in this County This is the man that was imployed by the Commons in that wofull convention of theirs in 20 E. 2. called by themselves a Parliament who pronounct the words of Deposition to that unhappy King in this manner as Knighton relates Ego Will. Trussell vice omnium de terra Angliae totius Parliamenti Procurator tibi Edwardo reddo homagium prius tibi factum extunc diffido te privo omni potestate Regia dignitate nequaquam tibi de caet ero tanquam Regi pariturus There are some circumstances that induce me to think that he did repent of this strange fact or at least that he did abhominate that cruell murther of K. E. 2. which so soon followed his said deposal for thouh his lands were seized on as a Rebell by King E. 3. after the beginning of his reign yet upon his submission in the Parl. held at Winchester he was received into favour again having had restitution of them and pardon for his offence which as I conceive was for adhering to Edmund Earl of Kent brother unto the murthered King at that time when being made to believe K. Edw. the second was alive he designed the delivery of him from imprisonment for during that Parliament held at Winchester 1 E. 3. was the said Earl of Kent arrested and lost his life for that buisnesse It seems he was a man of great abilities for immediately upon receipt of his pardon the King made him his Secretary sent him Embassadour to the King of Arragon to treat for a marriage â—etwixt Peter his son and heir and Alianore sister to our K. Edward which took not effect After which I find him imployed as a Commissioner in this County and Leicestershire upon sundry occasions viz. in 6 E. 3. for the Gaol delivery at Warwick In 10 E. 3. for hearing and determining cases of Felony and other misdemeanours In 11 E. 3. for declaring the Kings purposes to the Clergy and Laitie upon their lending money to prevent war betwixt England and France In 12 E. 3. for conservation of the peace in this County as also in the Counties of Worcester and Oxford In 19 E. 3. again for conservation of the peace in this County In which year being of the Kings Councell as the Pat. expresseth he had a grant of xl â—â— per an fee to be received at Michaelmas and Easter yearly out of the Exchequer so long as he should attend that imployment To which Will. succeeded Theobald and to him Iohn of whom and his descendants I shall here say no more than that he was Lord of Solihull in this County about the latter end of E. 3. and beginning of R. 2. time in right of his wife as when I come to that place shall be manifested whose issue male became shortly after extinct so that Sir Alured Trussell Knight his brother became Lord of this Mannour it being setled upon him and the heirs of his
be there buried and of that his Testament constituting Rauf Boteler Lord Sudley then Treasurer of England his Overseer departed this life the same year as appears by the Probate thereof leaving Alianore his wife surviving Thomas his son heir and Iohn a younger son from whom the Throkmortons of Gloucestershire are descended Which Thomas his said mother in 26 H. 6. gave lands of six marks per annum value to the Monks of Evesham for the maintenance of a Priest to sing divine service perpetually at the Altar of our Lady in their Conventuall Church at Evesham for the good estate of King Henry the 6. Q. Margaret his royall consort and of them the said Alianore and Thomas during this life and for the health of their souls after their departure hence as also for the souls of the said King's father and grandfather late Kings of England of Katherine late Queen of England and for the soul of Iohn Throkmorton before specified Thomas his father and Anne his mother with their Ancestors and all the faithfull deceased Which King also in consideration of the good service performed by the said Iohn Throkmorton deceased to himself and to Henry the fourth and fift his father and grandfather late Kings of England in the Office of Chamberlain of the Exchequer gave further license to them the said Thomas and Alianore that they or either of them or the heirs of the longer liver of them might found a Châ—ntry of one Priest to sing divine service every day during the woâ—ld at the Altar of the B. Virgin in the Parish-Church of Fladbury before specified for the good estate of him the said King and of all those above mentioned and to endow the same with lands to the value of x li. per annum Till the time of the said Thomas Throkmorton it seemes that this family was not wholy possest of Coughton but then did Iohn Tracy son and heir of Alice the other daughter and coheir of Sir Guy Spine by his Deed bearing date 29. Maii 27 H. 6. grant unto him the said Thomas and his heirs that moitye thereof by inheritance belonging to him Of which Thomas all that I have seen further memorable is that in 5 E. 4. he underwent the Office of Shiriff for this County and Leicestershire and that he departed this life in 12 E. 4. leaving Robert his son and heir xxi years of age whom I find a Justice of Peace in this County from 2 R. 3. till towards his death as by the renewing of those Comissions at severall times appeareth In 2 H. 7. this Robert made the Park here at Coughton inclosing therewith a certain Common ground called Wike-wood whereunto he afterwards added Samburn-heath and Spiney's-Leys lying within the said Lordship of Samburne and the same year was a Commander in the Kings Army at the battail of Stoke In 5 6 15 17 21 and 23 H. 7. he was in Commission for the Gaol delivery at Warwick In 6 H. 7. for arraying of men against the preparation made by Charles the eight King of France then threatning England with an Invasion In 10 H. 7. he received summons with divers other persons of quality to appear before the King in person upon the Feast day of All Saints the same year to receive the Order of Knighthood upon advancement of Henry the Kings second son to the Dukedome of Yorke and creating him Knight of the Bath in honour whereof these were to be made Knights of that Order yet do not I find by any Comission that he had the title of Knight attributed to him till 17 H. 7. That he was a man of singular piety the sundry bequests contained in his Testament do sufficiently manifest and of no lesse devotion as may seem by his Pilgrimage to the Holy Land which in 10 H. 8. having setled his estate he undertook but dyed beyond Sea in that journey By which Testament bearing date on the Feast day of S. Philip and Iacob anno 1518. 10 H. 8. he bequeathed his body to be buried in the Parish Church here at Coughton under the Tombe in the midst of the Church in case he should dye within this Realm appointing that not above vi li. xiii s. iv d. should be spent at his said buriall and Months mind and that to be given to Priests celebrating thereat nor any entertainment in meat and drink for other than such Priests and Clerks with poor people that lived by Almes And further directed that forthwith after his buriall there should be said for his soul in the Monasteries of Studley and Evesham xxx Masses of Iesu every Priest saying such Masse to have iv d. for his labour And moreover wiâ—led that the East window of the Chancell at Coughton should be glased at the charge of his Executors with the story of the Dome as alâ—o that xx s. should be given to the glasing of the East window of the North I le there with the representation of the seven Sacraments and as much for the East window of the South I le that to be of the seven works of Mercy He also willed that the Image of our Lady should be set on the North side at the end of the Altar in the said South Ile and the Image of the Angell Gabrael on the same side of the I le at the pillar between the I le and the Chancell with a Roll in his hand of greeting looking towards our Lady And at the South end of the said Altar the Image of S. Raphael painted and gilded And that in the North I le at the North end of the Altar the Image of the Trinity to be placed and at the South end the Image of S. Michael all which Images to be richly painted and gilded And besides this he further willed that certain lands to the then value of xvi li. per annum purchased by him of sundry persons there named should be put into the hands of Feoffees to the use of a Priest to sing perpetually in the North I le of Coughton Church for his soul and the souls of his Ancestors and that thenceforth the said Ile should be called the Trinity Chapell and the Priest the Trinity Priest which Priest also to teach a Grammar School freely for all his Tenants Children and to have yearly thereof viii li. and his Chamber but the residue of the said xvi li. to be payd monthly to five poor men dwelling in the Almeshouse here in Coughton viz. every one vii d. a week and his Houâ—-room for ever the residue viz. viii s. viii d. to go to the reparation of the Almeshouse And that the said Priest should every Sunday say a Masse of the Trinity Wednsday Masse of Requiem and Friday Masse of Iesu in case he were disposed and once in the week Dirige for his soul and all Christen souls except the dayes before rehearsed fell upon
Peter Fitz-Herbert and his successors This Peter after he had so obtained the eschaeted moytie as abovesaid grew exasperated for that large Scutage exacted by the King for maintenance of his Army in Poictou 16 Ioh. for which the Barons broke out into Rebellion and therein continued during the life of that King by reason whereof his lands here in Alencester were seized â— and committed to the custody of Will. de Camvill but in 1 H. 3. returning to obedience he had restitution of them again It seems that King H. 3. requiring the arrears of that Scutage in the fift of his reign this Peter was questioned for six marks due thereupon but had his discharge for for the same in regard he produced testimony that he had maintained Souldiers at his own costs in the said Army at that time In which year he had also the Kings Letters mandatory to his Tenants requiring their contribution to himâ— according to the rate of x s. for every Knights Fee towards the defraying of that charge he was at in attendance upon the King at the siege of Bitham Castle In 13 H. 3. he had Letters of protection for a journey beyond Sea wherein he was also to attend the King This Peter confirm'd to the Monks of Alcester whatsoever lands they were possest of in this place granting unto them freedome of paunage for their Hoggs in his Woods here with timber out of the same woods for their necessary occasions and Common of pasture for their Cattell and left issue Herbert commonly called Herbertus fil Petri who in 25 H. 3. came to a composition with Emma the widow of the before specified H. Falconer there called Hamo de Brome for her thirds in this moytie which Herbert shortly after past away all his right in the said moytie to Robert de Chaundoys who held it in 33 H. 3. Howbeit this was not the inheritance as it seemes for that did Walt. the son of Will. de Beauchamp purchase of Reginald son to the same Peter Fitz-Herbert in 56 H. 3. whereupon was reserved the forrein service of half a Knights Fee After which time the posterity of the said Walter enjoy'd it for very many ages having a goodly Mannour-house here whereat frequently making their residence they had sundry eminent imployments relating to this County for which respect purposing to speak historically of them I have inserted the ensuing Genealogie This Walter was brother to William de Beauchamp the first Earl of Warwick of that Family and being signed with the Crosse for a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 53 H. 3. had a Legacy of CC. marks bequeathed to him by his Father towards his better performance of that Holy Voyage In 21 E. 1. he obtained a Charter bearing date at Canterbury 14. Iulii for an yearly Faire to be held at this his Mannour of Alcester for eight days viz. on the Even of S. Giles and seven days following In 26. of the same Kings raign he had Summons amongst other great men to appear at Karleol upon the Even of Pentecost well furnisht with Horse and Armes to march against the Scots and was the same year with the King in that eminent battail of Fawkirk In 28 E. 1. he had Freewarren granted to him in all his demesn lands here at Alcester as also at Powyk and severall other places in Worcestershire at which time he was Steward of the King's Houshold In that memorable Certificate sent unto the Pope by all the Peers of England sitting in the Parliament at Lincoln 12. Febr. 29 E. 1. whereby they asserted King Edward's superiority over the Realm of Scotland the name of this Walter is there subscribed with the addition of Dominus de Alcester whence I guess that he then resided here It seems that the time for the Faire here so obtained as aforesaid was found inconvenient for in 30 E. 1. in exchange thereof the King granted another Charter to him for to translate the same unto the Even of S. Faith the Virgin and to continue seven days following In 31 E. 1. he attended the King again into Scotland as appears by his being in person at that notable siege of Kaerlaverok But of this Sir Walter for he was a Knight I find no farther mention worthy the taking notice of other than that he wedded Alice the daughter of ...... Tony she being allied to him in the fourth degree of consanguâ—nity which marriage was long after ratified and the Children begot betwixt them decreed legitimate by Godfrey Giffard Bishop of Worcester as having authority from the Pope in asmuch as they knew not of the impediments at the time of that contract made And that about the 31. of E. 1. he departed this Will. de Bellocampo 53 H. 3. Isabella soror haeres Will. Mauduit Comitis Warwici Will. de Bellocampo Comes Warwici jure materno Walt. de Bellocampo 53 H. 3. Alicia filia .... Tony. Egid. de Bello-campo 3 E. 3. Katherina Iohanna filia â—oh de Cherleton jun. 25 E. 3 Ioh. de Beauchamp 25 E. 3. Elizabetha 7 H. 4. Will. Beauchamp de Powyke 9 H. 5. Cath. una filiarum cohaer Gerardi Ufflete 9 H. 5. Eliz. ux Thomae Swinford 6 H. 5. Ioh. Beauchamp miles Thesaur Angl. 28 H. 6. Margareta soror Ricardi Ferrers ar condidit Testam 3 H. 7. Ric. Beauchamp 25 H. 6. Eliz. filia Humfr. Stafford mil 25 H. â— Eliz. una filiarum cohaer Rob. Willough by dominus Brook Edw. Willoughby obiit vivo patre Eliz. una consangu cohaer Roberti Willoughby domini Brooke Fulco Grevill miles filius secundus Edw. Grevill mil. Fulco Grevill miles obiit an 1606. Anna filia Rad. Nevill Comitis Westmerl Fulco Grevill miles dominus Brook obiit coelebs anno 1628. Margareta ux Ricardi Verney militis Robertus Grevill Blanchia filia .... Whitney Fulc Grevill obiit ... Augusti 1632. Maria filia Christophori Copley de Sprodborough in Com. Ebor. Robertus Grevill dominus Brook Cath. filia Francisci Russell Comitis Bedfordiae Anna obiit ante nuptias Blanchia ux Francisci D'autrâ—y mil. ob s. pâ—ole Anna uxor Ric. Ligon Margar. uxor Will. Rede Walt. Beauchamp Chivalier 3 H. 5. Ã quo Beauchamp Baro S. Amand. Will. de Bellocampo haeres Walt. Walt. de Bello-campo obiit 2 E. 3. Hawifia 13 E. 2. life leaving the said Alice a widow and three sons viz. Walter William and Giles Which second Walter in 10 E. 2. upon the death of Guy de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick his kinsman had the custody of the lands belonging to Warwick Castle together with the said Castle during the minority of his heir committed to him and the same year was constituted Shiriff of this County and Leicestershire In 13 E. 2. he obtained a Charter for another Faire
Gascoigne under Sir Thomas Nevill in the service of King Ric. 2. and after the decease of an elder brother called Edmund that he returned into England where he was likewise entertained in the said King's service but afterwards upon the deposall of the said King Richard by Henry of Lancaster being constrained to slee into France in regard that he took part with the Earles of Huntingdon Salisbury and Kent c. against the said Henry of Lancaster after one years abode in Paris he travailed with one Robert Arden Esquire his companion into Italy where they served under Iohn Galeas Duke of Millain against the Emperour Rupert and after the death of the said Duke returned into Brabant where they met with two English Friers going to Rome from whom they received tidings that William Curson a younger son of Sir Iohn Curson and cosin Germain to the said Iohn was Abbot of S. Osithes in Essex whereupon he hasted towards England by Amsterdam and arriving at Ipswich Anno 1404. thence presently sped to S. Osithes where changing his name into Smyth but privately making himself known to his kinsman the Abbot was by him curteously entertained who bestowed upon him good means and advanced him in marriage to Milicent the daughter and heir of Robert Laynham by Alice the daughter and heir to Iohn Hend Major of London The Church dedicated to S. Peter was given to the Monks of Conchis in Normandy by Robert de Stadford before spoken of shortly after the Conquest of England by Duke William and appropriated to them by Roger Bishop of Worcester 3. Non. Nov. Anno 1178. 25 H. 2. In Anno 1291. 19 E. 1. it with the Chapells belonging thereto was valued at Lii marks the Vicars portion being at that time seven marks and a half But in 26 H. 8. the Vicaridge was valued at xii li. out of which did yearly issue x s. v d. ob for Procurations and Synodals Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. Procurator Abbatis de Conchis Ioh. de Wotton Diac. Non. Apr. 1306. Prior de Wawens-Wotton Ioh. fil Rob. Sutoris Cap. 3. Id. Sept. 1325. Abbas Conv. de Conchis Frater Ioh. le Tonnelier 26. Iulii 1328. Abbas Conv. de Conchis Ioh. Corpe Pbr. 5. Cal. Iulii 1335. Procurator Abb. Conv. de Conchis Petrus de Loversey Pbr. 4. Oct. 1336. Prior de Wotton Rob. Wykwane 10. Oct. 1367. Ric. Rex Angl. ratione temporal Priorat de Wotton in manu sua c. Ric. Hemery Pbr. 2. Maii 1378. Rolandus Leynthall miles D. Nich. Wedon Cap. 22. Sept. 1425. Rolandus Leynthall miles Will. Saunders Cler. 22. Febr. 1436. Prior Conv. de Wotton-Wawen D. Ioh. Berston Cap. 23. Martii 1445. Prior Conv. de Wotton-Wawen D. Rog. Wheler Cap. 22. Apr. 1446. Praepos Socii Collegii Regal Cantab. D. Ioh. Dalton Cap. 7. Martii 1449. Praepos Socii Collegii Regal Cantab. D. Ioh. Russell Cap. 17. Ian. 1458. Praepos Socii Collegii Regal Cantab. D. Will. Harryes Cap. 9. Feb. 1460. Praepos Socii Collegii Regal Cantab. Rog. Iordan in art Magr. 26. Martii 1468. Praepos Socii Collegii Regal Cantab. Brianus Esthorp in S. Theol. Scholar 3. Iulii 1489. Praepos Socii Collegii Regal Cantab. D. Ioh. Botreye Pbr. 16. Martii 1514. Praepos Socii Collegii Regal Cantab. Thomas Hartwell in S. Theol. Bac. 17. Dec. 1523. Praepos Socii Collegii Regal Cantab. Thomas Goldston in art Magr. 13. Maii 1545. Praepos Socii Collegii Regal Cantab. D. Edw. Alcock Pbr. 17. Febr. 1556. Praepos Socii Collegii Regal Cantab. D. Rad. Olton Pbr. 24. Martii 1557. D. Episc. per lapsum Will. Bolton Cler. 23. Apr. 1579. Praepos Socii ut suprà Ioh. Mascall Cler. 23. Aug. 1580. Monumentall Inscriptions upon Grave stones in the South I le of this Church In brasse upon a Marble Here lyeth the body of Lady Agnes Smyth late wife of Sir Iohn Smyth Knight one of the Barons of the Eschequer daughter of Iohn Harewell Esquier and one of the coheirs of Thomas Harewell Esquier her brother which Agnes dyed the xix â—h of February Anno 1562. Upon one of Alabaster Hic jacet Iohannes Allesbury qui obiit septimo die mensis ................... cujus anime propitietur Deus Amen The Priory I Now come to speak of that little Monastery of Benedictine Monks which sometime stood here and was one of those we call Priories Alien having been a Cell to the Abby of Conchis in Normandy â— Of which kind there were few that had any formall Foundation as in Wolston I have already shewed For the first grant to that forrein Monastery by Rob. de Tonei son doubtless unto Roger who founded Conchis and Nicholas de Stafford his son was no other than verball as it seems by that confirmation thereof which Rob. de Stafford son to the same Nicholas made in H. 2. time wherein he makes mention that his said grandfather and father gave thereunto this Church of Wotton together with the Tithes and oblations of the whole town and one hide of land adjoyning to the same Church as also another hide called Doversele and the lands which the Monks of Conchis had then in tillage here in exchange for the Mannour of Edricston now Edston which at first belong'd to those Monks But I make a question notwithstanding the first grant so made by the before specified Robert de Tonei whether any Monks setled here till after his death for in an Instrument of later time made by the Abbot and Monks of Conchis whereby they constituted a Prior here it is said to be de Fundatione nobilissimi domini Nicholai Stafford which is some argument that he first erected their Mansion here Touching the appropriation of the said Church made in 25 H. 2. to the peculiar benefit of those Monks having already spoke in Wotton I shall now endeavour the discovery of what farther augmentation they had by other Benefactors wherein I find that Robert the son of Herveus de Stafford gave unto them divers particular parcells of land lying in Ullenhale Henry de Montfort the Mill at Henley Robert de Chaucumbe divers Lands in Mockle and Ullenhale Will. de Burley a yard land with a croft and messuage in Burley with all his interest in the Chapell there Geffrey de Pauncefote and Iohn Durvassall certain lands in Buckele juxta Beldesert And to all these had they the addition of the Mannour of Monkenlane in Herefordshire which with severall other lands and Tithes in that Countie were originally granted to the said Monks of Conchis by Raph de Tonei brother to our Robert who in the confirmation of them made by Will. de Vere Bishop of Hereford in H. 2. time is called Radulfus senior de Tonei As to the originall seizures
in generall of the lands belonging to these Priories Alien and the occasion thereof having spoke in Wolston I shall here only take notice of what concerns this place in relation thereto Of which the first mention I find is in 16 E. 3. where the K. by his special Precept directed to the Shiriff of this County reciting that whereas he had committed the custody of it to Iohn the then Prior for a certain ferme to be yearly payd into his Exchequer during his Warrs with France and that the said Prior had neglected payment of that Rent accordingly for which respect it was again seized into his hands he had neverthelesse at the humble request of the said Prior who desired no more than a competent allowance for himself and one Monk then resident with him commanded that the sum of iii s. by the week for himself and xviii d. for his fellow Monk might be duly payd unto him out of the issues thereof during the time that it should continue under that seizure But after this viz. in 48 E. 3. there was another seizure made thereof and the custody of it then committed to Hugh Earl Stafford Iohn Maubert the then Prior and Frier Michael Cheyne Procurator generall to the Abbot of Counches Which Prior Maubert in 3 R. 2. obtained a speciall grant thereof to himself with all the lands belonging to it to hold during the said warrs with France paying XL l. per annum into the Exchequer Perhaps he dyed soon after for within three years following the said ferme was granted to Robert Selby a Priest and Iohn de Burley junior to hold during the continuance of the Warrs before specified paying xlvi li. xiii s. iv d. yearly into the said Exchequer But in 22 R. 2. upon the augmentation made unto the House of Carthusians neer Coventre then newly founded with the grant of severall Priories Alien in sundry Counties of this Realm whereof I have there made mention this of Wootton was one of those that the said King gave thereto though of that grant those Carthusians took little benefit for shortly after K. H. 4. by the deposall of King R. 2. attained the Crown taking into consideration that these Priories-Alien were originally founded to the honour of God and that through the frequent seizures of them into the hands of his Progenitors by reason of the Warrs with France the Monks were driven away and the Houses so wasted that such divine service as had antiently been establish't therein was wholly withdrawn out of his pious care to rectifie the said abuse did by the assent of his Councell in Parliament in the first year of his raign make full restitution unto Iohn Seurayn then newly instituted and inducted Prior here of all the possessions belonging to this House granting it to him and his successors for the like Rent reserved to the Exchequer during the continuance of his Warrs with France as had antiently been paid to the House of Counches in times of Peace upon condition that the same Prior and his successors should thenceforth find and maintaine so many Monks secular Priests and other English Officers therein as by the first Foundation of it were ordained to be and paying all Tenths Fifâ—eens and other Subsidies whatsoever with the Clergie and Commonalty of this Realm as often as there should be occasion Howbeit after this viz. in 4 H. 4. there was a new consideration had in the Parliament then held touching these Priories-Alien viz. that all should be again seized into the King's hands excepting onely those that were Conventuall whereupon the Shiriff of this Countie had command to give warning unto this Prior of Wootton and the rest within his limits to appear in their proper persons at Westminster on the Octaves of S. Hillary and to bring with them all their Charters and Evidences whereby he himself and his Councell might be satisfied whether they had been Priories Conventuall time out of mind or not But notwithstanding this Act they rested not long for whereas the former seizures had been so made onely upon pretence that by transporting part of the revenues belonging to these English Cells to those Houses in France whereunto they were subordinate the King's adversaries at such times as he had Warrs with the French were assisted in the Parliament held at Leicester 2 H. 5. it being considered that though a finall peace should be afterwards made betwixt England and France yet the carrying over such summs of money yearly out of England to those foreingn Monasteries would be prejudiciall to this Kingdom and the people thereof there was an Act then made that all the possessions in England belonging to the said Priories Alien should thenceforth remain to the King and his heirs for ever excepting such whereof there was speciall declaration then made to the contrary al entent saith the Act que divines services en les lieux avant dictz purront plus duement estre fait per gentz Anglois en temps avenir qùe n'ount est é fait devant ces heures en icelles par gentz Francois c. But this Proviso was not very punctually observed for I find that Sir Rouland Lenthale Knight having obtained certain Letters Patent from K. H. 5. by colour of an information that this Priorie was not presentable instituible nor inductible thereupon entred into the possession of it and received the profits so that thenceforth no Divine service was there performed contrary to the purport of that Statute of 1 H. 4. before mentioned as also against the pious intent of the said Founders So that in 16 H. 6. the King a king into his consideration the premisses to the intent that Gods service and all works of Charitie should be there devoutly performed did for the good estate of himself and for the souls of his noble Progenitors his heirs likewise and successors at the humble supplication of Frere Iohn a Monk of the House of Conchis above specified present him the said Monk to the Bishop of Worcester to be instituted and inducted as Prior thereunto And shortly after to give satisfaction unto the said Sir Rouland Lenthale touching that matter granted an anannuity of xx li. to him and his heirs for ever to be received out of the issues and profits of the Countie of Hereford But this new Prior had no long enjoyment thereof for by Letters Patent bearing date at Westminster 12. Dec. in 22. of his reign did the same King bestow it upon the Provost and Scholars of his Royall Colledge in Cambridge then newly by him founded to have and to enjoy to themselves and their successors for ever Which Provost and Scholars about four years after obtained a formall Release from the said Prior by the name of Iohn Conches a Monk of the Order of S. Benet at Conches in Normandy and late Prior of the Priory of Wawens-Wootton in the County of Warwick
as good value in recompence thereof that Charter of confirmation bearing date at Wenloc 26 Maii. Of which noble person I further find that he obtained the Advouson and patronage of the Priory of Studley near this place as I have there shewed from Peter de Corbucon heir to the Founder whereunto he gave a fair portion of lands lying in Shotswell That he also built an Hospitall at the Gates of that Monastery That he bore for his Armes Gules 3 flower de lices Or as by his Seal appeareth within the compasse whereof scil towards the lower part of the Shield there is a Star with a Cressant which is a Badge as hath been observed by judicious Antiquaries of his service in the Holy warrs And that he departed this life 7 Id. Apr. 23 H. 3. being then very aged leaving issue several sons viz. William his son and heir Walter a Priest and imployed by King H. 3. as his Agent to the Court of Rome afterwards elected Bâ—shop of Worcester â— whose story I refer to Godwyn Iohn Lord of Snitfield in this Countie and Nicholas of whom I find no more than the bare mention Which Will. being a martial man as well as his father and accompanying him at raising the seige of Lincolne Castle in 1 H. 3. had in 15 H. 3. much of his father's estate past over to him for which he then did his homage to the King And in 24 H. 3. obtained a special Charter for exempting him from any suit to the County or Hundred Courts Leet Aid to the Shiriff and Hidage for all his lands in England After which viz. in 26 H. 3. he attended the King in that his French expedition which was so unprosperous and having been in 28 H. 3. sent with other of the great Nobilitie to solicite the Prelates for an Aid of money according to the Popes Letters on the King's behalf was the next ensuing year one of those that went Embassiador to the general Councell then held at Lions there to complain of the grievous exactions used here in England by the Court of Rome as well from the Clergie as Laitie and to crave remedie for the same Which William bearing a devout affection to the Canons of Studley before specified gave to the Hospital of his Father's building there lands to the value of x li. per an lying within this Lordship as also certain Rent and pasturage for Cattell in Southernkeston with the Church of Hemeston in Devonshire And having besides all this obtained a special Charter for exempting their Woods situate within the Forest of Fekenham from any view of the King's Foresters and Verderers and been Steward to the King as his Father was as also a most faithfull Councellor left issue by Milisent the daughter of Hugh de Gornay Will. his son and heir Thomas Bishop of Hereford who in 34 E. 1. was canonized for a Saint and Iulian the wife of Sir Rob. de Tregoz and departed this life in 35 H. 3. immediatly whereupon William his eldest son performing his homage and giving security for payment of his Relief which was C li. had livery of his lands Which William in 37 H. 3. obtained a pardon from the King for pulling down the Castle of Penros in Wales belonging to Iohn de Monemuth as also for five marks at which this his Mannour of Aston was amerced for protecting one Rob. de Shelfhill who had been indicted for certain misdemeanors and in 38 H. 3. was constituted Governor of Bovelt Castle in Brecknockshire To the before specified Hospitall built at the Gate of the Priory of Studley he gave the advouson of the Church here at Aston and having wedded Eva one of the daughters aad coheirs to Will. de Braose of Brecknock with whom he had the territory of Upper Went and other lands in England and Wales departed this life in the flower of his youth to the great grief of many leaving issue by her the said Eva George his son and heir and two daughters Of which George being scarce 3. years old at that time I have found very little that is memorableâ— his death hapning before he arrived to years whereby he could be qualified for any great action viz. in 1 Edw. 1. Therefore whether the marriage betwixt him and Margaret the daughter of Edmund de Lacy was ever consummated as their parents had designed when he was scarce two years old I cannot tell but sure I am that he had no issue for Iohn the son of Henry de Hastings and Milicent then the wife of Eudo or Yvo la Zouche were found to be his sisters and heirs Which Henry being in minority in 36 H. 3. and in Ward to Guy de Luzignian the King 's half brother had the benefit of his marriage then disposed of by the said Guy unto Will. de Cantilupe before specified who gave his daughter Ioane thus in wedlock to him Whereupon by partition made betwixt those coheirs the said Milisent had for her share the Castle of Totenesse in Com. Devon the Mannours of Eyton â—n com Bedf. and Haringworth in Northamptonshire â— with other fair possessions in England and Wales as also the advouson of the Priory of Studley in this County And Iohn de Hastings the son of Ioane beforementioned had Bergavenny with the Castle and Honour which were of the inheritance of Eva de Breause his grandmother together with the Castle of Kilgaran in Com. Pembr and amongst other large territories in England and Wales this Mannour of Aston then valued at Lix li. iiii s. i d. per an all which were in the King's hands at the time of the said Partition made by reason of his minority But touching the Family of Hastings I shall speak historically in Fillongley and therefore purpose to make no other mention of them here than what particularly relates to this place In 13 E. 1. this Iohn de Hastings claimed a Court-Leet with Assize of Bread and Beer Weifs Gallows and Free warren within this Mannour by Prescription all which were allowed From which time this Mannour was for divers descents enjoy'd by the posterity of the said Iohn as I could sufficiently demonstrate if need were except for so long as Will. de Clinton Earl of Huntingdon held two parts of it in right of Iulian his wife widow to Iohn de Hastings father of Laurence Earl of Pembroke After the death of which Laurence it appears that it was held of the King in Capite by the service of one Foot souldier in the Warrs of Wales with a Bow without a string and a Helmet for his head by the space of xl dayes at his own proper costs as often as there should be any hostility in Wales From which Family of Hastings it descended not to the Lord Grey of Ruthin
to speak Arrow DEscending lower by the bank of Alne I come forthwith to its conjunction with Arrow which being the more eminent stream carrieth on that name till it meets with Avon The first place of note that presents it self to my view below this confluence is Arrow taking its name from the River on the West side whereof it is seated Before the Norman invasion this having been the freehold of one Leuuinus but by the Conqueror's disposall possest by Odo Bishop of Baieux half Brother to the K. whose under-tenant thereof was one Stefanus was by the Survey then taken found to contain 7. hides and a half having a Mill prized at vi s. viii d. with Woods belonging thereto that extended to a mile in length and two furlongs in breadth all which were valued at iiii l. That this Bishop adhered to Rob. Curthose eldest son to the Conqueror and for that respect was constrain'd to quit England in the time of K. Will. Rufus our Historians do shew at large so that the said King then seizing his lands gave this as 't is probable to Roger Marmion for it appears that the said Roger did possess it and that from him it descended to Robert his grandchild which Rob. past it away to Geffrey Marmion his uncle in consideration whereof the same Geffrey released unto him all his right that he had in the Fee of Manser Marmion aswell in England as in Wales according to the tenor of K. H. 2. Charter To which Geffrey succeeded Albreda his daughter and heir who granted this Lordship of Arewe to Will. de Camvill and his heirs for the service of half a Kts. Fee but afterwards became his wife as it seems The descendants of which Will. during the continuance of the male line made this their principall seat and after them the Burdets by marriage of the heir female of that Family Which Will. de Camvill being a younger son to Ric. de Camvill Founder of Combe Abby in this Countie and by the marriage of the said Albreda invested with Marmion's rightâ— obtained a Release from Raph Boteler of Oversley of all his claim in this Lordship touching which he had been impleaded by him the said Raph and left issue by the same Albreda Geffrey de Camvile his son and heir from whom the Camviles of Clifton in Staffordshire descended whose heir female called Isabell in E. 3. time was wedded to Sir Ric. Stafford Kt. William his second son who had this Mannour as also Sekindon and Thomas a Priest as the Descent sheweth Which last mentioned Will. in 18 Ioh. had a grant of the lands in Alencester belonging to Peter Fitz Herbert to hold during the King's pleasure But this Will incurring the King 's sore indignation for cutting down a Wood of his own here at Arewe it being within the precincts of Fekenham Forest had for that offence part of his lands seized on by the Shiriff howbeit in 12 H. 3. in consideration of L. marks Fine for payment wherof securitie was then given obtained restitution of them again and was received into favour and in 16 H. 3. the better to fortifie his title to this Lordship procured from Maurice le Boteler of Oversley son and heir to the before specified Raph a confirmation thereof for which he gave C s. sterling Bnt all that I further find of him is that in 19 H. 3. he was constituted one of the Justices for the Gaol delivery at Warwick and that about the 25 H. 3. he withdrew his suit for this Mannour from the Countie and Hundred Courts having got a discharge from Philip de Ascells the then Shiriff for his so doing in consideration of half a mark to be yearly payd to him the said Philip and his successors To this Will succeeded Thomas de Camvill betwixt whom and Geffrey de Camvile of Clifton there was some controversie touching the Customs and services which he the said Geffrey required of him for this Mannour whereupon they came to Agreement in 3 E. 1. by which it was concluded that for the time to come the said Thomas and his heirs should pay xx s. for Scutage levied after the rate of xl s. and for more or less according to that proportion as also Homage and Releif when cause required From which Thomas descended Sir Gerard de Camvile Kt. who in 19 E. 1. was imployed into Scotland for the King's service and so likewise in 29 E. 1. having then summons amongst sundry other persons of eminency to attend the K. at Barwick upon Twede well furnisht with Horse and Armes for to march into Scotland Of this Sir Gerard is that fair portraiture yet standing in a South window of the Church here at Arrow in his military habite of that time and a Surcoat of Armes who kneeling before St. George the Souldiers Saint implores his remembrance as the sâ—râ—ul proceeding from his lips viz. Qui fueram Miles recole me G. sancte sheweth which where I speak of the Church is lively exprest But after him I find mention of Henry de Camvill at this place for some few years about the beginning of E. 2. reign though by what title I am not able to say Perhaps that being of the name and a younger branch of this Family he had got Elizabeth daughter and heir to the said Gerard into his power with hopes to make her his wife and thereby gain that fair inheritance belonging to her for it appears that in 33 E. 1. she was under age and that in 6 E. 2. upon a complaint by him made to the King that Robert Burdet Gerard de Sekindon and others had forcibly taken away Elizabeth his wife residing here at Arwe together with his goods and Caâ—â—ell a Commission was issued out unto Henry Spigurnell Nich. de Langelond and Ric. de Châ—seldon to make enquiry thereof by the Oaths of honest and lawfull men and to certifie the truth therein so that it is not improbable that this Eliz. was the daughter and heir to the before specified Geraâ—d de Camvile whom the said Robert Burdet lawfully wedded and through whose right this Lordship and other lands came to his posterity Having thus shewed how the Burdets were first possest of this Mannour where they afterwards seated themselves for divers ages and findâ—ng that they had lands in this Countie long before I shall here take notice of what I have met with in an historicall way relating to them The first of this name of whom I have found mention is Robert Burdet one of the witnesses to that notable Charter made by Geffrey de Wirce to the Monastery of St. Nicholas at Angiers which beareth date at Monkskirby in this Countie in the twelfth year of K. Will. the Conqueror's reign Whether the said Robert was paternall ancestor to those of this Family whereof I am to speak I cannot certainly
doing Scutage to the Earl of Leicester for half a Knights Fee upon occasion As also that within this Mannour of Oversley there was at that time a certain Messuage with a Dove-house two Gardens Cxxvi. acres of land in two fields and six acres of meadow of the Abbot of Evesham's Fee and likewise x. Villains who held ten yaâ—d land paying yearly x. marks xi s. iiii d. And moreover a free Rent service therein of two Arrows with vi Cottagers paying yearly vii s. vi d. and two marks yearly by way of Tallage but doing service to the Abbot of Evesham yearly for the whole vi marks and for four acres lying here to Hugh Aguilon i d. And besides all this that there was of the Abbot of Bordsley's Fee seven yard land a Mess. and xix Cottages with vi s. viii d. being a Rent service from two Freeholders That there was also a Park with two Gardens paying to the said Abbot v s. per an in recompence for Housebote which he had used to have there as belonging to his Mannour of Budiford And lastly of the â—â— of Warwick's Fee a Rent of xx d. issuing yearly out of a certain Mill. Unto which William succeeded Iohn his son and heir then but xvi years of age a grant of whose marriage Walter de Beauchamp of Alcester the same year obtained in the behalf of Elianore his daughter and in case the said Elianore should die before the accomplishment of that intended marriage that then he might marry some other of his daughters And moreover that if the same Iohn should depart this life before such marriage that then the said Walter might have the like benefit of his next heir and so from heir to heir till one of his daughters were wedded to one of those Butlers or in case that such one should take a wife of his own choise otherwise then to have the forfeiture due to the King thereupon But this Iohn died within 3 years following so that whether the said marriage were compleated by him or his brother Gawine who was his heir I make a question so that the inheritance came to Will the third brother as the Descent sheweth Which Will. in 25 E. 1. had Summons with other great men to be at London on Sunday next after the Octaves of S. Iohn Bapt. well furnisht with Horse and Armes to attend the K. in his expedâ—tion beyond the Seas whose service was so gratefull that the next year following the K. in recompence thereof acquitted to him the debt due by his Father for the Scutage of 3 Knights Fees which Scutage ought to have been performed by Maud his grandmother in the service of Wales in the tenth year of the same K. Edward's reign This last mentioned William died in 8 E. 3. leaving Will. his son and heir who in 18 E. 3. by the solicitation of Will. de Clinton then Earl of Huntingdon obtained a special discharge from the K. that he should not be compelled to bear Armes in respect of his impotencie nor to take upon him the Order of Knighthood against his own good will And departed this life in 35 E. 3. leaving Will. his son and heir 32 years of age and another son called William as it seems but whether by one wife or not I cannot affirm Which Will. the younger son I take to be him that married Ioan the sister and coheir of Sir Iohn Sudley Knight from whom the Butlers Barons of Sudley descended as in Griffe is manifested For it is evident that Will. the grandchild to William and Ankaret left issue Eliz. his only daughter and heirâ— who being wedded to Robert de Ferrers a younger son to the Lord Ferrers of Chartley brought this place with Wemme and other lands of a fair extent to her said husband who was thereupon summoned to Parliament by the name of Rob. Ferrers de Wemme Chivalier which Lordships viz. of Oversley and Wemme with other of her inheritance lying in the Counties of Salop. Leicester and Warwick were after her said marriage in 44 E. 3. entailed upon the heirs of the body of them the said Robert and Elizabeth with remainder to her right heirs But in 4 R. 2. this Robert died leaving by the same Eliz. Robert his son and heir 4 years of age which Elizabeth continued not long a widow for I find that the next year following she was the wife of Iohn Say and surviving him afterwards became wedded to Thomas Molinton who wrote himself Baron of Wemme in her right and that by her Testament bearing date 6 Ian. 1410 12 H. 4. whereby she bequeathed her body to be buried in the Church of the Crouched Friers near the Tower of London she stiles her self Elizabetha Ferrers Baronissa de Wemme retaining the name of that husband who was of the greatest dignity a custome which I find that women have long used and not yet left and departed this life the same year leaving Elizabeth the wife of Iohn Greistoke son to Raph Lord Greistoke and Mary the wife of Raph Nevill a younger son to Raph Nevill Earl of Westmerland her cosyns and heirs as saith the Inquis viz. daughters of Robert son to her the said Eliz. But I think it mistaken For the Fine Roll of 13 H. 4. whereby this Mannour of Oversley with Merston-Boteler in this County and the Mannour of Tirley in Com. Staff are assigned to the said Raph Nevill and Mary for her purpart she having at that time issue by him directly calls her una filiarum haeredum praedictae Elizabethae Neither is it very likely that she should be her grandchild as the Inquis imports for Robert the son of Rob. Ferrers by her was but 4 years of age in 4 R. 2. so that had he been then living he could have been but 34 years of age And to fortifie my opinion the Clause Roll of 9 H. 5. expresses as much To which Sir Raph Nevill for he was a Kt. succeeded Iohn Nevill Esq. his son and heir by the same Mary who dyed seized of this Mannour in 22 E. 4. leaving Sr. Will. Gascoin Knight his cosyn and next heir viz. son of Ioane his daughter then 30 years of age Which said Sir Will. being great grandchild to Sir Will. Gascoin who served under the renowned H. 5. King of England in his French Warrs and he son to that sometime famous Lawyer Will. Gascoin of Gauthorpe in Yorkshire chief Justice of the Kings bencâ— temp H. 4. was made K t of the Bath at the Queens Coronation in 1 H. 7. From whom descended S Will. Gascoin jun. of Cussworth in the same County of York who in 29 H. 8 past away the inheritance of this Lordship with all other his lands in Warwickshire to Sir Thomas Cromwell Knight then Lord Cromwell which eschaeting to the Crown by his attainder in 31 H. 8.
at Dublin for his support in his service But I must not here stand to trace down the descent of that Family in Ireland it being besides my business and therefore shall pass it by with this onely note that in 12 E. 2. when Edward de Brus raised a rebellion in those parts and caused himself to be crowned King of Ireland through the singular valour and prudent conduct of Iohn de Bermingham then Commander in chief for the King against those Rebells the said Edw. de Brus with a multitude of his party were slain and the rest routed for which signall service he the said Iohn was created Earl of Loveth whose posteritie do continue there in great honour till this day bearing the antient Armes of this Family before exprest with a Castle in the sinister part of the Shield for a distinction Willielmus Petrus de Bermingham 12 H. 2. Will. de Bermingham Will. de Bermingham occcisus in praelio de Evesham 49 H. 3. Isabella filia Thomae de Estelegh Will. de Bermingham 11 E. 1. Isabella 32 E. 1. Will. de Bermingham 2 E 2. Matilda relicta 1 E 3. Will. de Bermingham miles 5 E. 3. Will. fil Will. Coleson de Walshall 2 maritus Fulco de Bermingham miles 16 E. 3. Eliz 50 E. 3. Iohanna 5 E. 3. Baldw. de Berming 13 R. 2. s. p. Will. de Bermingh miles 40 E. 3. ob s. p. Cath. filia einiscia cohaer Will. de la Planch 30 E. 3. Ioh. de Berming miles 6. R. 2. ob s. p. Eliz. altera fil cohaer Will. de la Planch ob 2 H. 6. Ioh. de Clinton miles 3. maritus Thom. de Berm mil. 2 R. 2. Isabella fil Ioh. fil Ric. de Whitacre Eliz. filia haeres Thomas de la Roche Elena ux Edm. Ferrers domini de Chartley 2 H. 6. Eliz. ux Georgii Longvile ar Ioh. de Bermingham 5 E. 3. Will. de Bermingham Will. de Berm mil. 27. H. 6. duxit Isab. fil haer W. Hilton Will. de Bermingham ob 7 Iunii 15 H. 7. Nich. Bermingham Edw. Bermingham aet 3. an 15 H. 7. Eliz. posteà nupta Will. Ludford de Ansley gen deinde Will. Askeric gen 2. 3. Ph. M. Anna filia haeres ux or Ric. Atkinson Will. Bermingham 14 H. 7. Henr. Bermingham Will. Bermingham obiit 10 Aug. 1 Eliz. Ioh. de Berm mil. 38. H. 6. Eliz. filia haer ux Baldw. fil Ric Bracebrig 19 E. 4. Thomas de Bermingh Arm. pro corp Regis 24 H. 6. Henr. de Bermingmiles 3 E. 3. ob s. p. D. Petrus de Bermingham defunctus 2 E. 2. Ela filia una haer Will. de Odingsells â— E. 2. Ioh. de Bermingham Com. de Lovâ—th in Hibernia 12 E. 2. Petrus de Bermingham 18 H. 3. I now come to Will. de Bermingham son and successor to the last mentioned William In 25 H. 3. he had a suit for certain lands lying in this place with Iohn the son of Robert de Hathewy for determination whereof certain Justices of Assize were then constituted In 34 H. 3. he was by a speciall Pat. exempted from serving on Juries and the next year following had a Charter for a Faire to be annually held here by the space of four days beginning on the Eve of the Ascension commonly called Holy Thursday as also Free warren in his Mannour of Hoggeston in Com. Buck. Not long after this I find that there grew some dispute betwixt Rog. de Someri Baron of Dudley of whose Fee Bermingham was held and this Will. de Bermingham touching the services due by him to the said Roger for this Mannour with the members thereto belonging for which he required that the same Will should perform the service of eight Knights Fees a half and fourth part and also do suit to the Court at Dudley for the Knights fees belonging thereto once every three weeks whereupon they came to an Agreement in 46 H. 3. viz. that the same Will should do service for so many Knights fees as aforesaid and appear at the Court at Dudley onely twice every year scil at that held next after Michaelmass and that likewise after Easter And moreover that whensoever the King 's Writ of Right should be executed there id est that when of necessitie all the Kts. and Peers of the same Court holding by service military were to be called thither to give Judgement in cases of difficultie as also for triall of a Theif upon reasonable Summons he should not neglect to make his appearance Upon which Agreement the before specified Roger de Someri released to him his suit of Court from three weeks to three weeks But the next thing memorable that I find of this Will. de Bermingham is that he sided with his Father in Law Thomas de Astley and the other Barons in that grand Rebellion against King H. 3. and that being slain in the battail of Evesham in 49 H. 3. and his lands extended this his Mannour of Bermingham was rated at xl l. and the inheritance of it given by the K. with divers Lordships more forfeited by others unto Roger de Clifford for his faithfull service Howbeit by vertue of the Dictum de Kenilworth whereof I have there spoke the greatest part of all mens lands so confiscate being liable to Composition this with the rest upon satisfaction made according to the tenor of that Decree was repossest by Will. de Bermingham son and heir to the Rebell who in 11 E. 1. obtained a Charter of Freewarren throughout all his demesn lands here as also within his Mannour of Stokton in Worcestershire Shetteford in Com. Oxon. Maidencote in Berkshire Hoggeston in Com. Buck. and Cristelton in Cheshire which last viz. Cristleton was given by Thomas de Estley with Isabell his daughter in frank Marriage to Will. de Bermingham Father to the present William In 13 E. 1. this Will upon a Quo Warranto brought against him and all others who excercised or claimed any Liberties or Priviledges within their Lordships exhibited K. Henry the 2. Charter for the Thursday Mercate Toll Tem Sak Sok and Infangenthef And for the Faire and Freewarren K. H. 3. Charter pleading Prescription for Weyfâ— Gallows Court Leet with Assize of Bread and Beer all which were allowed The next year following he had Letters of protection upon the King 's purposed transfretation whom he was to attend therein Whether at that time he went bâ—yâ—nd Sea considering it doth not appear by our Historians that the King himself was out of England I am uncertain but in 25 of the same King's reign it is manifest that he was in Gascoin in his service under the conduct of the Earl of Lincolne and Iohn de S. Iohn of Basing a great Baron where intending to relieve Bellagard then besieged by the Count of Arras the said Earl and Baron divided their forces the Lord S. Iohn leading the Van
through a Wood who being presently encountred by the Enemy and the Earl not seconding him was over-powred with numbers and so routed himself with our Sir Will. de Bermingham and eight more Knights besides Esquires very many taken Prisoners and carried in triumph to Paris This Sir Will. de Bermingham died before the 32 of E. 1. for in that year do I find Iohn de Ayleston Clerk presented to the Church of Bermingham by Isabell de Bermingham his widow in whose Seal are 3. Escocheons viz. one with the Bend lozengè another with a Lion rampant and the third a Lion Rampant debruised with a Bend but whose Armes the two last are except I knew the colours is hard to say From which Sir Will. descended another William and Henry a younger son afterwards a Knight who bore for his Armes partie per pale indented Argent and Sable as by his Seal and certain antient Rolls appeareth Touching this last mentioned VVilliam I find that in 2 E. 2. his Bayliffs distrained divers Inhabitants of Bromsgrove and Norton commonly called King's-Norton in Com Wigorn. for Toll in the Mercate here at Bermingham so that there grew a suit betwixt them whereupon producing the Charters of divers King 's as also that of Gervase Paganell formerly mentioned for justification of his Mercate he further alleadged that his Ancestors for so the pleading calls them had a Mercate here before the Norman Conquest But the men of Bromsgrove and Norton to this answered that those Lordships where they so inhabited were of the antient demesn of the Crown of England and that they as all other resident upon the like lands ought to be freed from payment of Toll throughout the Realm for all petty commodities as Victuall and the like except it could appear that they did buy and sell as common Merchants and were acquitted accordingly by the Judgement of the Court having costs awarded them against the said Bailiffs In 11 E. 2. this William was a Kt. but after that finding no more of him by that title I have adventured to conclude the next mentioned William to be his son VVhich VVilliam had many eminent imployments viz. in 18 E. 2. for choosing of 400. Foot-souldiers within this Countie excepting the towns of Warwick and Coventre and arming them for defence of the Realm and likewise the same year for the electing of Knights Esquires and other men at Armes to attend the King into Gascoin The next ensuing year he was a Commissioner appointed to enquire and certifie the names of all those in this Shire that having xl l. lands per an had not received military Armes as also for the arraying of men according to the Statute of Winchester In 20 E. 2. he had the custodie of Dudley Castle with the appurtenances but this was so granted to him by those that then excercised Regall power in the King's name for the King was then a Prisoner and shortly after deposed and murthered The Record says that it was upon the forfeiture of Hugh le Despenser the younger perhaps that upon the death of Iohn de Someri which hapned about 4. years before leaving none but Female heirs the same Hugh had the trust thereof as the King 's speciall Favourite committed to his charge In 1 E. 3. this VVilliam was in Commission with Iohn de Merdak for conservation of the Peace in this Countie as also to put the Statute of Winchester in execution so likewise in 5. E. 3. being at that time a Knight I do not directly find how long he had the custodie of Dudley Castle but in 7 E. 3. 't is evident that it was not out of his hands for by his Patent being to answer for the profits thence arising unto the King's Exchequer and then complaining that the Treasurer and Barons there did refuse to admit of his Accompt whereby he had made defalcation of such wages as had been paid to the Porter and VVatchman of the said Castle and to the Forresters and Keepers of the Chase of Pensened as also of the Parks of Dudley Seggeley and the old Park pertaining to the same Castle there was a speciall Mandamus directed by the King to the said Treasurer and Barons commanding them to let it pass In 9 E. 3. he was in Commission for arraying of men as well Knights as others according to their severall states and degrees in order to the Statute of Winchester to the end that they might be in readiness for the defence of the Realm whensoever they should be called upon In which Commission he is called William de Bermingham senior so also in two others the same year the one for conservation of the Peace and the Statute of Northampton and the other of Array To this last Sir VVilliam succeeded Sir Fouk de Bermingham Knight of whom the first mention that I find is in 16 E. 3. he having then lent 48. marks to Sir Baldw. Frevill of Tamworth Castle for which he had five Mills at Tamworth viz. 3. in Warwickshire and two in Staffordshire in Lease for one year In 20 E. 3. he was retained by Thomas Bishop of Durham to attend the Kâ—ng in his French expedition 'T is probable that in this voyage he used the Coat which Sir Henry de Bermingham hâ—s uncle bore viz. partie per pale indented Arg. and Sable for the next year following it appears that he sealed with it though in 16 E. 3. with the Bend lozengè the antient Coat of his Family and a Label of 5. points In 25 E. 3. â—e was one of the Knights for this Shire in the Parliament then held at Westminster So also in the Parliament of 35 E. 3. The same year was he first a Commissioner for conservation of the Peace in this Countie In 36 he served again in the Parliament then held at Westminster as one of the Knights for this Shire so likewise in 39 and 40 E. 3. In the same 40 th year he was one of the Commissioners of Array in this Countie and likewise in 41 E. 3. and lastly in 47 E. 3. one of the Kts. for the Shire in the Parliament held at Westminster To him succeeded Iohn his son and heir who in 50 E. 3. was a Knight and in 2 R. 2. Shiriff of this Countie and Leicestershire This Iohn bore for his Armes partie per pale Arg. and Sable as his Father last did and in 4 R. 2. served in the Parliament at Northampton as one of the Knights for this Shire being the same year Shiriff for the Counties of Buck. and Bedf. In 5 R. 2. he was again one of the Knights for this Câ—untie in the Parliament then held at Westminster and a Commissioner for raising power against the Rebells id est the followers of Ioâ—n VVicliff So likewise
land lying in Lonkeleye Blackmore and Brockhurst all which are said to be within the territory of Sutton So that hence I conclude that the same Walter or his ancestors first had it from one of the antient Earls of Warwick adding thereto that by a multitude of Inquisitions it appeareth to have been of their Fee But all the farther mention that I find of this Walter is in the Shiriffs Accompt of 23 H. 3. and that in 36 H. 3. he brought an Assise of Novell disseisin against Nich. L'ile for certain Common of pasture in Moxhull To whom succeeded Walter his son and heir and to him Osbert de Bereford who in 2 E. 1. was constituted Shiriff of this Countie and Leicestershire as also the next year ensuing a Commissioner for levying a Fifteenth and in 8 E. 1. Shiriff again of these Counties And to him William his brother for he and his descendants went away with this Langley and certain lands in Wishaw Sutton Curdworth Minworth Midleton and Wigginshill in this Countie as also Stapleford in Leicestershire Which Will. was in 16 E. 1. a Kt. and being learned in the Laws in 2 E. 2. had the Chief-Justiceship of the Common Pleas conferred upon him But about three years after such his advancement to that eminent place there was an high Complaint made against him to the King by Iohn de Someri a great Baron in these parts for words of defamation viz. that he did so domineere in Staffordshire that no man could enjoy the benefit of Law or reason taking upon him more authoritie than a King as also that it was no abiding for any thereabouts unlesse they did bribe him in contributing largely towards the building of his Castle at Dudley And moreover that the said Iohn did use to beset mens Houses in that Countrey threatning to murther them except they gave him what he would demand Whereupon the King issued a Commission to Alan la Zouche and Will. Trussell to enquire thereof and in case the words were proved then to find out whether the before specified Iohn were really guilty of those misdemeanours and to certifie the truth therein How he answered this businesse appears not but in 8 E. 2. I find that he was one of the Justices of Assize in this County so likewise in 13 E. 2. As also a Benefactor to the Canons of Kenilworth by granting to them Lx. acres of land and two acres of meadow lying in Radford-Simelie and that he departed this world in 20 E. 2. leaving Edmund his son and heir 28 years of age who did his homage the same year and had livery of his lands Which Edmund in 1 E. 3. obtained License from the King to fortifie his Mannour House here at Langley with a wall of lime and stone and to embattle it In that Record the K. calls him dilectus Clericus noster yet was he then a Knight for in a Release bearing date at Chaucumbe the same year whereby Henry de Bereford Parson of the Church of Corson gave up unto him all his right in this Mannour as also in Wishaw he is so stiled the sealing whereof was somewhat observabâ—e In cuâ—us râ—i testimonium saith the Parson Sigillum meum apposui Et quia Sigillum meum plurimis est incognitum Sigillum Rogeri Hillari nepotis mei apponi procuravi Whereunto were witnesses Sir Gilbert de Elsefield Sir Sim. de Bereford Sir Miles de Beauchamp Sir Iames de Audley and Sir Iohn de Broughton Kts. Rog. Hillari Iohn Dimock and others Which instance as it shews of what regard Seals were antiently so doth it give me an oportunitie to say something as to the original use of them in this Realm and of the great esteem wherein they have continued ever since That K. Edw. the Confessor was the first here in England that ever put Seal to his Charters is very evident and that he did so in imitation of the Normans amongst whom he had been educated is not to be doubted but till after the Conquest we have no testimony that they were used here by any Subject as Ingulphus manifesteth Nam ChirographoruÌ„ confectionem Anglicanam saith he quae antea usque ad Edv. Regis tempora fidelium praesentium subscriptionibus cum Crucibus aureis aliisque sacris signaculis firma fuerunt Normanni condemnantes Chirographa Cartas vocabant Chartarum firmitatem cum cerea impressione per unius cujusque speciale Sigillum sub instillatione trium vel quatuor testium astantium conficere constituebant Conferebantur enim prim ò multa praedia nudo verbo absque scripto vel Charta tantùm cum Domini Gladio vel Galea vel Cornu vel Cratera plurima tenementa cum Calcari cum Sâ—rigili cum Arcu nonnulli cum Sagitta Sed haec initio Regni sui speaking of Will the Conq. posterioribus annis immutatus est iste modus But that this use of Sealing was of greater antiquity with the French I shall exhibite the testimony of a learned person from whom I have abstracted what follows Karolus deâ— gratia Rex Francorum c. Notum sit omnibus c. qualiter vir illustris Rogerus Comes fidelis noster c. Monasterium c. in loco nuncupato Karrofum c. in pago Pictavense construxit c. Et ut haec praesens auctoritas nostris futuris temporibus inviolata perducare valeat manus nostrae signaculis eam decrevimus roborari de Annulo nostro jussimus Sigillari circa An. D. Dâ—Clxix In nomine domini Dei c. Hludovicus divina ordinante clementia Imperator Augustus Notum sit c. Haec verò authoritas ut nostris futurisque temporibus melius credatur c. manu propria subscripsimus de Annulo nostro subter jussimus Sigillari Dat. c. An. D. DCCCxiiii But I return to England That our Kings and all great persons antiently used their own pictures in the impressions of their Seales is very evident Militarie men allways on Horsback and in the same kind of Armour that they wore which in the elder times was Male for the most part with a Shield on the left Arme and in the right hand a naked Sword upon which Shields 't is rare before K. Ric. 1. time to see any distinct charge at least such as became hereditary but after that it was held a great honour for those whose Ancestors had served in the Holy Warrs to retain in the same Badges and Marks which they there bore so that then they did not only continue them upon their Shields but to be the better known had the like depicted upon surcoats of silke behind and before which they wore over their Male as in those excellent observations made upon Vpton by that learned gentleman and my singular Friend Edw. Bisshe Esq is made most evident and as is farther testified by
was of his Fee and given to them by Geffrey de Clinton Gave to the Canons of Leicester his Mannour of Berwood with an Hermitage there as also one Messuage one Mill two Carucates of land Lx. acres of meadow Lx. acres of pasture CCC acres of Wood and X s. Rent in this Curdworth with the advouson of the Church And confirm'd to the Monks of Canwell that grant made by Cecilie his sister of one yard land lying also in this Lordship with the meadow adjoyning thereto but it doth not appear that he left any issue for Henry his brother succeeded him in the estate Alwinus Vicecomes temp Regis Edw. Conf. Turkillus de Warwic .... ux prima Siwardus de Ardena temp H 1. Cecilia Cecilia Filicia Henr. de Ardena Oliva Leticia ux Galfr. Salvagii Herbertus de Arden Thomas de Arden fil haer 9 Joh. Thomas de Arden 7 H. 3. Eustachia soror Savarici de Malalâ—one Thomas de Arden mil. 35 H. 3. Will. de Arden de Rodburn Tho. de Arden de Draiton 6 Joh. Lucia 1 H. 3. Tho. de Arden de Hanwell miles 5 E. 1. Roisia fil Rad. Vernon Rad. de Arden 19 E. 1. Rad. de Arden 9 E. 2. Isabella filia Anleâ—â—â— de Bromwich 16 E. 2. Ioh. de Arden miles 34 E. 3. Roisia filia haer ux Thomae Pakeâ—on relicta 3 R. 2. Henr. de Arden miles 49 E. 3. Elena 2 H. 4. Rad. de Arden miles ob 8 H. 5. Sibilla 2 H. 5. Rob. de Arden attinctus 30 H. 6. Eliz. filia haeres Ric. Clodshale ar 32 H. 6. Walt. Ardern obiit 17 H. 7. Alianora filia Ioh. Hampden de Hampden in Com. Buck Ioh. Arden arm pro corp Regis H. 7. Alicia filia Ric. Bracebrâ—gg ar Thomas Arden ob 5 Eliz. Maria filia Tho. Andrews de Charwelton ar Will. Arden obiit 7 Iunii 36 H. 8. patre vivo Eliz. filia Edwardi Conway ar Edw Arden aet 30 an 5 Eliz. aâ—tinctus 26 Eliz. Maria filia Rob. Throkmorton de Coughton mil. Rob. Arden ar obiit 27 Febr. 1635. Eliz. filia Regin Corbetunius Iustic ad placita coram Rege obiit ... Martii an 1589. Henr. Arden natus ... Apr 1580 factus Eques aur per Regem Iac. obiit an 1616. Dorothea filia Bafilei Feilding de Newnham ar obiit an 1625. Rob. Arden ob caelebs Oxoniae 22 Aug. 1643. Eliz. ux Will. Pooley de Boxsted in com Suff. eq aur Goditha ux Herb. Price dapiferi M. Reginae Dorethea ux Hervei Bagot fil 2 Herv Bagot Bar. Anna ux Caroli Adderley de Lea. ar postea eq aur Catherina Margareta Muâ—â—el Eliz. Sim. Arden duxit Christianam relictam Thomae Bond de Wardend Margareta ux 1. Ambrosius Arden obiit an 1624. Humfr. de Arden Henr. Arden de Longcroft Hall juxta Yoxhall in Com. Staff Ricardus Edwardus Ioh. Arden 17 H. 8. Martinus Arden Eliz. ux Will. Rugeley de Easton in Com. Oxon. Thomas Rob. Henr. Will. Alicia Margareta Galfridus Will. de Arden Thomas de Arden Johanna ux Joh. Swinford Rob. de Arden de Draiton miles 15 E. 2. Nichola Egidius de Arden mil. 30 E. 3. Egid. de Arden 30 E. 3. Margareta filia haer uxor Ludovici Grevill ar Nichola ux Ric. fil Rad. Basser de Weldon mil. 5 E. 3. Will. de Arden 10 Joh. Avicia fil Rob. de Cestreton Will. de Arden de Rodburn Will. de Ardern sen. 23 E. 3. Will. de Arden jun. 23 E. 3. Galfr. monachu apud Coventre Hugo de Ardena Iosephus Râ—c Osbertus Petrus monachus apud Thorney Radulfus de Hamton Turkillus de Warwic Leverunia Osbertus de Ardena Petrus de Ardena Phillippus Osbertus de Ardena Adeliza ux Sim. de Harcurt ob s. p. Amabilis ux Rob. fil Walteri ob s. p. Amicia ux Petri de Bracebrigg Joh. de Bracebrigg de cujus Progenie vide in Kingsbury Guthmundus Which Henry in 12 H. 2. was certified to hold 5. Knights Fees of Will then Earl of Warwick as his brother Hugh did other five and a third part and gave to the Canons of Kenilworth a meadow in Bathkinton He likewise confirmed to them the Mannour of Pakinton and part of Newton As also to the Monks of Combe what they had in Bilney and to the Monks of Pipwell Causton all which were of his Fee and ratified his Father's grant to the Abby of Thorney adding thereto somwhat more in Riton of his own bounty To this Henry succeeded Thomas as son and heir who gave likewise to the Canons of Leicester certain parcells of land and Woods in Berwood and confirmed to the Monks of Stonley what they had in Rotley of his Uncles gift making some enlargement thereof So likewise to the Monks of Thorney of what his Father and grandfather had beâ—â—â—wed on them and moreover gave them all Salbrigge in this County This Thomas was onâ— of those who met at the Tourneament at Blithe in Notinghamshire contrary to the King's prohibition for which his lands were seized on but in 7 H. 3. he had restitution of them again and having wedded Eustachia the widow of Savaricus de Malaleone a Poictovin one of those Courtiers that much guided the K. and against whom the English Nobility took such high exception departed this life before 17 H. 3. For in that year Avicia de Arden wife to Will. de Arden of Rodburne having made a great complaint to the King that whereas her said husband was gone on Pilgrimage to Ierusalem and not returned and yet there being no certainty at all of his death the before specified Eustachia had not only seized upon those lands which the said Avicia had by her husband's assignation to maintain her self in his absence but taken away her son and heir whereupon the King issued out his Precept to the Shiriff â—f this County requiring him to put her in possession again and restore her son Which last mentioned Thomas had issue Thomas who ratified his Father's concessions to the Abby of Thorney and in 35 H. 3. was a Kt. In 48 H. 3. this Thomas had Summons together with many others of the most eminent men in England to appear at Oxford in Midlent there to adviâ—e with the King and attend him in an expedition designed against Lewellin ap Griâ—â—ith Prince of Wales and his complices then in Rebellion but what good affection he bore to the King may be seen by his after-actions for he presently took part with the rebellious Barons and the next year following participated of their fate being taken prisoner in the battell of Evesham Which unhappy enterprize notwithstanding the Dictum de Kenilworth had made him capable of redeeming his Lands by a tolerable fine was as I guesse the ruine of him For I find that in 9 E. 1. he past away all his lands here in Curdworth and divers other places unto
Ierusalem and that thereupon at the end of nine years they had a certain Rule assigned to them in the Councell of Trecas as also a White habit by Pope Honorius After which they began to multiply very much their possessions being greatly enlarged But in the time of Pope Eugenius they sowed Crosses made of red cloth upon the left shoulder of their Mantles partly to the end that having such a triumphall signe instead of a Buckler they should not flee back from any Infidell whil'st they were armed with so great a protection and partly to the intent they might be distinguished from other Religious persons There are who affirm that the beginners of this Rule were some of the meanest Hospitalars and that they were at first sustained with weapons and food from the reliques of their provisions whether it was so or not I shall not stand to argue but 't is agreed on all parts that they were originally called Knights Templars from having their residence in certain rooms adjoyning to that Temple sometime built by King Solomon As for their Habit the description which William Darrell made thereof to Mâ— Lambard was thus viz. that on their Heads they woâ—e linnen Coâ—fes like to the Sergeants at Law and red Caps close over them on their Bodies shirts of maile and Swords girded unto them with a brod belt over all which they had a White Cloak reachâ—ng to the ground with a red Crosse on the left shoulder as hath been said in such sort as on the next page is represented And that they used to wear their Beards of a great length whereas most other Religious Orders doe shave I shall exhâ—bit the testimony of King Edw. 2. made in the behalf of an eminent servant in his Court Rex c. Cum dilectus valettus noster Petrus Auger exhibitor praesentium nuper voverit quod Barbam suam radi non faciat quousque peregrinationem fecerit in certo lâ—co â—n partibus transmarinis idem Petrus sibi timeat quod aliqui ipsum ratione Barbae sua prolixae fuisse Templarium imponere sibi velini ei inferre impedimenta seu gravamina ex hac causa Nos veritati volentes testimonium perhibere vobis tenore praesentium intimamus quod praedictus Petrus est valetâ—us Camerae nostrae nec unquam fuâ—â— Templarius sed â—arbam suam sic prolixam esse permitâ—it ex causa superius annotata c. Teste Rege c. 17. Febr. Anno c. 4. And touching theâ—r manner of reception into this Order thus I find câ—râ—â—â—â—ed of one of them being examined as to that point Requisitus de modo râ—câ—ptionis dicit quod eraâ— laviger â—â— Templo dum â—raâ— secularis requisiviâ— Magist um ut eum rec perat in Fâ—aâ—â—em Eâ— expositis sib hiis quae regorâ—s sunt in Ordine Templâ— substam talibus Ordinis quâ—aâ—a Obeatentiam â—â—â—stitatem abdicationem pâ—â—prietatis â—uit ducâ—us in Capellam Fraâ—ribus Orainis duntaxat Capellanis Militibus servientibus praesentibus secularibus omnibus exâ—lusis praestito ab eo ad sancta Dei Evangelia juramento quod praedicta tria substantialia dicti Ordinis consueâ—udines bonaâ— laudabâ—les Ordinis Templi servaret negotium terrae Sanctae ultra-marinae pro posse suo â—uvareâ— contrainimicos fidet Christianae Adâ—ecit etiam quod â—uravit quod neminem injuste exhaereditaret â—unc sibi tradebatur Mantellum cum Cruce Pilleum in Capiâ—e The first setling of this Order in England was in that â—â—reet called Holburne in the suburbs of London but there they rested not long for in K. H. 2. â—â—â—e that House which still retaineth the name of the Temple in Fleet-street was erected by them and the 〈…〉 according to the form of the Temple â— Ierusalem dedâ—cated to God and our blessed Ladie by Heraclius Patriarch of Ierusalem in the year 1185. Of the vast possessions they soon obtained in England aswell as other parts of Christendome which at length occasioned their ruine I am not here to speak neither of their Priviledges which were very ampâ—e as by thoâ—e Bulls of Pope Hadrâ—an the 4 â—h and Alexander the third exempâ—ing them from payment of Tithes for their demesn lands and the Charter of Kâ—ng H. 3. affording them divers Liberties and granting unto them extraoâ—â—inarie â—mmunities unto which I refer my Reader Templarius I come now to the speciall Priviledges which they had here in Balshall In 32 H. 3. they obtained a Charter oâ— Free warren in all their demesn lands here In 52 H. 3. a weekly Mercate upon the Thursday with two Faires every year the one on the Eve day and morrow after the Feast of S. Gregory the Martyr and the other on the Eve day and morrow after the Feast of S. Mathias the Apostle And for the surer enjoyment of their interest here in 13 E. 1. they procured a full confirmation from Roger de Moubray heir to Roger the first donour before specified with waâ—rantie of that his Ancestor's Charter for which they made him Partaker of all their Prayers and other spirituall benefits But whether it were really their guilt of such high enormities which through Christendome were layd to their charge or rather their potencie so generally feared which occasioned their ruine I will not here stand to argue certain it is that on Wednsday next after the Feast of the Epiphanie Anno 1307. scil 1 E. 2. by the King 's speciall command and a Bull from the Pope were they generally through England layd hold on and cast into Prison nay througâ— all Christendom as my Author saith and afterwards â—roceeded against in a generall Councell held at London where being convicted of divers great impiâ—ties all their possessions were seized into the Kâ—ng's hands In an antient MS. Chron. which I have seen the cause of their ruine is thus set forth Anno MCCCX. circafestum S. Hillarii omnes Templarii in Anglia in Scotia alii omnes ut dicebantur per totam Christianitatem una hora diei capti sunt propter Heresiae pravitatem necnon propter fraudem quam fecerunt in quodam bello inter Regem Tharsis Paganos in quo tergiverserunt ad Paganos occiderunt praedictum Regem exercitum ejus filium eâ—us unicum ceperunt undè tota Christianitas turbata est valdè But Thom. de Wals. setteth forth other reasons for this severe proceeding against them namely severall grosse and Heathenish yea rather devillish practises unto whom I refer my Reader All which and more were layd to their charge in particular Articles whereupon witnesses being examined they were proceeded against as hath been said the whole series thereof being at large yet to be seen in an antient M S. of that time wherein I have observed that the said Articles do charge them with no lesse than Heresie Idolatrie and most execrable Blasphemie
but very little or nothing at all appeareth to have been proved And so much doth an honest Historian in his Acts of the Archbishops of Yorke declare where speaking of the proceedings against them he saith Quamvis in multis essent accusati nichil tamen inventum est quod de jure videretur statum illorum annullare And that this was truth speaking then of Will. de Grenefeld Archbishop of Yorke at that time he further saith Archiepiscopus Willielmus pietate motus super statu Templariorum suae Diocesit omni auxilio destitutorum eos in diversa suae Diocesis instituit Monasteria eisque suo perpetuo vitae necessaria ministrari praecepit Yet such was their hard fate that having been thus dealt withall their whole Order became shortly after condemned in a genetall Councell at Uienna under Pope Clement the v. Anno 1311. 4 E. 2. So that their possessions being thereupon seized into the King's hands what they had in this Countie and Leicestershire was committed to the custodie of Alexander de Compton who in 6 E. 2. answered Lx li. to the King for the issues thereof But 't is plain that the heirs of the Donours for a while came to enjoy them again and that thereupon Iohn de Moubray had this Mannour of Balshall which he held till his death and attainder for adhering to Thomas Earl of Lancaster in 15 E. 2. as also that it was thereupon committed to the custodie of Iohn Peche of whom in Hampton I have spoke to hold during the King's pleasure Houbeit in this condition they scarce continued one year longer For by a generall Decree of Pope Clement before specified dated at Uienna vi Non. Maii in the seventh year of his Papacie they were annexed and incorporated to the Knights Hospitalars of which Order before I proceed farther I will here as I have done of the Templars give a brief account The first institution of this Order was about the year MXCII. after which ere long they setled in England for in the year MC and beginning of King Henry the first his reign Iordan Briset a wealthy and devout man built then an House in the suburbs of London neer Smithfield which was afterwards called S. Iohns of Ierusalem But these also from a low beginning through the great austeritie of their lives at first obtained vast possessions before what belong'd to the Templars was setled upon them In this Countie they had antiently I mean before the accession of the Templars lands to them lands in Grafton given to them by Henry the son to Bernardus de Grafton and others In Chesterton by William de Croc In Preston-Bagot Whitnash Newbold-Pacie Bilney Rieton super Dunsmore Halford Anstie and other places by the gift of sundry persons And of what great esteem this their Order was within England the Charter of priviledges and Liberties granted to them by King Ric. 1. in 5 0 of his reign doth sufficiently manifest where the generall words â—un thus Conâ—essimus omne sus omne Dominium quod ad nos pertinet pertineat omnem potestatem omnes libertates liberas consuetudines quas Regia potestas conferre potest in omnibus c. But I return to Balshall The next thing most observable in reference to these Knights Hospitalars wherewith I have met is a passage which manifesteth that all their Tenants for the better fruition of the many priviledges belonging to those lands did use to erect Crosses upon their Houses which Custome appears by the seizure of a House and certain grounds thereto belonging that lay in Wishaw into the King's hands in respect that one Chestershire the owner thereof had set a Crosse upon it to the end that he might partake of the Templars priviledges whereas in truth the premisses had not any relation to that Order I do not find that the Hospitalars held this place as a Preceptorie by the residence of any of their Fraternity here as the Templars did but rather the contrary for it appears that in E. 4. time Iohn Beaufitz Esquire was their Fermour of the House called the Preceptorie and resided there which Iohn in 22 H. 6. underwent the Office of Eschaetor for this Countie and Leicestershire as also from 11 E. 4. till 4 H. 7. inclusive was a Justice of Peace in this Shire And moreover that having been in 16 E. 4. Shiriff for both these Counties and in 1. and 2 H. 7. again Eschaetor he dyed in 22 H. 7. as the date and probate of his Testament do manifest by which he bequeathed his body to be buried in the Monasterie of Kenilworth before the Image of the blessed Virgin at the door of the Quiâ—e or where else Iohn Yardley the then Abbot should think more expedient And to the Abbot and Covent of that House gave a Basin and Ewre of silver to serve at the high Altar the same Abbot during his whole life being to pray for him daily in his Masse especially by name and he that should daily say the Chapter Masse to pray for the Soul of Sir Raufe Boteler Lord Sudley and his Lady and him the said Iohn Beaufitz especially by name as the said Abbot and Covent pleased and likewise he that was to sing our Lady Masse To the same Abbot he also gave a gilt piece to the value of ten marks to pray daily for him by name in his Masse and he and his Covent to assoil him in the Chapterhouse This Iohn had also in Fletchamsted an estate by Lease from the Knights Hospitalars and besides this possest a Mannour in Lodbroke called Wynteners as also the Mannour of Wodcote in this Countie and left issue Margerie his daughter and heir afterwards married to Sir Robert Belyngham Knight Little have I seen else worthy the notice touching this place other than the Customes which antiently as is evident by that Account in 31 H. 2. were as followeth viz. that their Tenants were yearly to mow three days in Harvest one at the charge of the House and to plow three days whereof one at the like charge As also to reap one day at which time they should have a Ram from the House or viii d. xxiv loaves and a Cheese of the best in the House together with a pail full of drink And moreover that they might not sell their Horse-Colts if they were foaled upon the land belonging to the Temple without the consent of the Fraternity nor marry their daughters without their License After the dissolution of the Monasteries this Mannour being inter alia assigned for the dowrie of Queen Catherine the last wife of King H. 8. was in 1 E. 6. granted I mean the reversion to Edward Duke of Somerset and his heirs to hold by the xlth part of a Knights fee But he being attainted in 5 E. 6. as our Historians do
Eliz. filia Will. Deincourt militis Wâ—ll de Clinton miles dominus de Clinton de Say Anna filia .... domâ—ni Bâ—treaux relâ—cta Fulâ—onis Fitz Warm militis Iohannes dominus Clinton de Say 10 H. 6. Ric. Clinton ar Thom. Clinton de Amington miles duxit Iohannam fil cohaer ..... Meignill Will. de Clinton Co. Huntend duxit Julianam filiam Thomae de Leyburn mil. relictam Ioh. de Hastings obiit sinc prole 28. E. 3. Which Iohn in 17 Edw. 2. was a Knight and in 3 Edw. 3. constituted one of the Conservators of the Peace in this Countie howbeit shortly after he arrived to far greater advancement by his Brother's means as I guess for in 6 7. 8 E. 3. he was summoned to Parliament amongst the Barons of this Realm but little have I farther seen in relation to him though he lived till the twentieth year of this King 's reign at least other than that he bore for his Armes Argent upon a cheif Azure two Mullets of 6. points Or peirced gules and that he wedded Margerie the daughter to Sir William Corbet of Chadsley in Worcestershire in 18 Edw. 2. by whom he had issue Sir Iohn de Clinton Knight his son and heir but his story I shall respite for a while till I have spoke of William his noble Uncle whose great actions and eminent imployments made no small splendor amongst our English Worthies of that age This William being a Knight in 17 Edw. 2. wedded Iulian the daughter and heir unto Sir Thomas de Leybourn widow of Iohn Lord Hastings of Bergavenny in 3 Edw. 3. Which match was as I guess a great step to his farther advancement For the next year following he was constituted Justice of Chester scil 23. Oct. and within lesse than two months after Constable of Dovor Castle as also Warden of the Cinq-Ports in which high places his prudence grew so conspâ—cuous that he was thought worthy to be rankt amongst the superiour Nobiâ—ity and thereupon had summons to the Parliament held at Westminster in 5 Edw. 3. which advancement to Honour did rather increase his pietie than â—late his minde Fâ—r having that very year obtained License to amorize xx li. per annum Lands and Rents lying here in Maxstoke together with the advowson of the Church for the maintenance of certain Chantry-Priests to celebrate divine Service daily there for the soul of King Edward the third after his departure out of this life and for the souls of his Ancestors as also for his own soul and the soul of Iulian his wife about five months following he setled the number of five Priests for the purposes aforesaid In 7 E. 3. he was constituted Admirall of the Seas on the Western coast of England In 10 Edw. 3. he began the Foundation of a goodly Monastery for Canons Regular of S. Augustin on the South part of this Lordship which he amply endowed as I shall shew by and by And standing high in the King's favour became forthwith advanc't to the Earldome of Huntendon as by his Charter of Creation dated 16. Martii 11 Edw. 3. appeareth having not onely xx li. given him out of the issues of that Countie to be payd by the Shiriff at the Feasts of Easter and Michaelmasse yearly but for his better support of that Honour in consideration of his former acceptable services a grant of a thousand marks per an lands to himself and the heirs male of his bodie for ever And moreover a speciall Precept directed to Rich. de Fâ—riby late Master of the Wardrobe to account and make satisfaction unto him for his Fee and Robes due from the time that he had been retained to serve the said King as a Baneret In 12 Edw. 3. he had another Patent constituting him Constable of Dovor-Castle again So likewise in 15 E. 3. for being Admirall of the Western Seas and in 17 E. 3. for the custodie of all the King's Forests from Trent Southwards Being therefore thus honoured and muchâ— and also advanc't to such places of power and trust in 19 E. 3. he began the Foundation of a fair and strong Castle here in a quadrangular forme for the behoof of his nephew Iohn de Clinton and his heirs having no issue of his own body the Prospect whereof is represented on the next page making a Park of the Out-wood And the next year following he received the summe of 82â— li. 12 s. 04 d. of the King's gift as a remuneration of his services in the Warrs beyond Seas This noble Earl bore for his Armes Argent Crusulè fichè sable upon a Cheif Azure two Mullets Or pierced Gules which Coat differs from that of his elder brothers onely in the Crosslets having not been born by any other of this Family till of late time By his Testament bearing date 23. Aug. 1354. 28 Edw. 1. he bequeathed his body to sâ—pulture in the Priorie-Church here at Maxstoke and departed this life 25. Aug. the same year leaving Sir Iohn de Clinton Knight his brother's son his next heir then 28. years of age Which Sir Iohn from 31 Edw. 3. during all the same King's reign as also of K. Ric. 2. till his death having summons to every Parliament with the rest of the English Barons was likewise imployed in sundry affairs of trust in this County viz. in 41 E. 3. and 15 R. 2. for arraying of men in 3 5 and 6 Ric. 2. for pursuing of the Rebells and in 20 R. 2. upon the attainder and banishment of Tho. de Beauchamp E. Warwick had the Castle of Warwick with all the lands and Mannours thereto belonging committed to his custody By Idonea his first wife one of the sisters and at length coheirs unto William Lord Say he left issue Sir William and Sir Thomas de Clinton both K t s and Edward a younger son Of which Sir Thomas I shall take farther notice when I come to Aminton but Sir William the eldest died before him in 7 R. 2. His second wife was Elizabeth one of the daughters heirs to Will. de la Plaunch of Haversham in Com. Buck. having been first married to Robert Lord Grey of Rotherfâ—eld secondly to Sir Iohn de Bermingham of Bermingham in this Countie thirdly to him and lastly to Sir Iohn Russell Knight But by her having no issue he departed this life in 20 R. 2. leaving William his grandson his next heir and of full age which Lady Elizabeth held this Castle with other lands setled upon her at marriage during her life and having been a great Benefactress to the foundation of the Collegiate-Church at Knoll in 4 H. 5. at length became one of the coheirs to Sir Roger Hillarie Knight as apeareth by her Deed whereunto her Seal of
made in 2 E. 1. betwixt the daughters and heirs of Cantilupe came to Eudo la Zouche with Milisent his wife This Thomas de Clinton was a man of fair possessions for it appears that he held five Kts. fees of the Earl of Warwick In 32 H. 3. I find that he had a great suit with Hugh de Culi touching Common of pasture here in Colshill which the said Hugh claymed as belonging to his lands in Merston-Culi adjacent and that in the same year he was one of the Justices for the Gaol-deliverie at Warwick as also in 35 H. 3. constituted the King's Eschaetor in this Countie in those days an Office of great note for performance whereof he made Oath in the presence of Henry de Wengham afterwards Chancellour of England and the Shiriff of the Shire and had a speciall precept to the same Shiriff to exempt him from serving on Juries by reason of that imployment which held till 37 H. 3. In 38 H. 3. he obtained a Charter of Free-warren in all his demesn-lands here In 45. and 49 H. 3. he was again in Commission for the Gaol-deliverie at Warwick and bore for his Armes onely a Chief which I conceive was Azure the feild being Argent in regard that his posteritie retained the same ordinarie with those colours and wedded Mazera the daughter and heir of Iames de Bisegg Lord of Badsley in this Countie by whom he had issue divers children as the Descent sheweth whereof unto Iohn whom I take to be his second son he gave the inheritance of this Mannour with all his right in the advouson of the Church reserving to himself an C l. sterling during his own life in consideration thereof and the performance of such service to his heirs as to the Chief Lord of the Fee was due and accustomed as also after his own decease 1 d. yearly to be payd at Christmass to his heirs for all services except forrain entailing it upon his other son Osbert and his heirs in case the same Iohn should die without issue which grant was made in 44 H. 3. as appears by the Fine then levied for confirmation thereof This Iohn adhering to the Barons against K. Henr. 3. was one of those that held out Kenilworth-Castle touching the siege whereof I have elsewhere spoke for which offence this Mannour being inter alia seized on was bestowed upon Roger de Clifford but thereof was he not long out of possession through that favourable Decree called Dictum de Kenilworth after which he grew in such esteem for his fidelitie that from 6 E. 1. till 20 of the same King's reign he was sundry times in Commission for the Gaol-deliverie at Warwick and in 25 E. 1. intrusted together with Andrew de Astley a great person in these parts to choose and retain all such Knights and Esquires within this Countie as they should think fit for the service to attend Prince Edward then the King's Lieutenant in England with Horse and Armes at London on the Octaves of S. Mich. to be imployed as he the said Prince and the King's Councell should direct In 13 E. 1. he claimed by Prescription within this his Lordship of Colshill Assize of Bread and Beer Gallows Pillorie Tumbrell a Court-Leet Infangthef â— and Utfangthef Mercate Faire and Free-warren but it being demanded of him how he could justifie the said claim he replied that thereto he was not bound to make answer without the King 's speciall Writ to enquire of his Ancestors being seized thereof whereupon there was no more at that time said and bore for his Armes Argent upon a chief Azure two flower de Lices Or as by his Seal and Monument in an arch of the Wall of Colshill-Church where he lieth in male cross-leg'd is yet to be seen which kind of Buriall was onely used by those that had taken upon them the Cross to serve in the Holy-land as Mr. Cambden observes To him succeeded Iohn de Clinton his son and heir who being afterwards a Kt. and in 28 E. 1. constituted one of the Conservators of the Peace in this Countie the next year following had summons amongst dâ—veâ—â— great men to be at Barwick upon Twede on the Feast of the Nativitie of St. Iohn Bapt. well furnisht with Horse and Armes to attend the King in his Scotch expedition So also in 34 E. 1. to be at Carleol in the quinzime of the Nativitie of St. Iohn Bapt. with the King's Army to march against Robert Brus then in Armes in Scotland and in 16 E. 2. had the custodie of the passage from England towards Scotland from Whitoff haven unto Creshopheved This Sir Iohn bore for his Armes Or three piles Azure and a Canton Ermine as by his Seal and other authorities appeareth and wedded Alice the daughter of Sir Rob. de Grendon Kt. by whom he had issue Iohn his son and heir who in 5 E. 3. was a Kt. and bore for his Armes Argent upon a Chief Azure two flowre de Lices Or as his grandfather did and departing this life in 27 E. 3. left issue by ..... daughter of Sir Roger Hillarie Kt. Ioane his daughter and heir within age who first became the wife of Sir Iohn Mountfort Kt. by which means this Lordship of Colshill divolved to that Family secondly of Sir Iohn Sutton Kt. Lord of Dudley and thirdly of Sir Henry Griffith of Wichnoure Kt. Which Sir Iohn de Montfort was the illegitimate son of Peter de Montfort of Beldesert in this Countie but by reason of his said marriage made his residence here and in 35 E. 3. served in the Parliament at Westminster as one of the Kts. for this Shire In 38 E. 3. he was one of the principall Commanders of those few English forces which having besieged the Castle of Doverey in France encountred Charles de Bloys with neer thrice that number which he routed slew the said Charles with neer a thousand others took Prisoners two Earls 27 Lords besides xv men at Armes and left issue Sir Baldwin de Montfort Kt. But Ioane his widow held this Lordship during her life and in 45 E. 3. being then Sir Henry Griffith's wife entailed it upon his issue by her and for lack of such issue upon Iohn the son of Sir Iohn de Sutton and the heirs of his bodie and for lack of such issue upon Baldwin the son of Sir Iohn de Montfort her first husband with divers other remainders Whence I observe that her husband Griffith though he was the last became the first in her respects and Montfort the first set in the last place But all that I have seen worth observance of this Sir Baldwin is that he was one of the Commissioners of Array in this Countie in 8 R. 2. as also that he attended
of the Churches of the same Manors with their appurtenances parcells members nor any of them nor any parcell of them nor the right title or possession of eny persone or persones having joynt estate in the said Manors or eny of them with the seide Simond nor the right title nor possession of any persone or persones having estate in the seid Manors or any of them to the use of Baldewyn Mountfort Knight fader of the seide Simond nor eny of them nor their heirs nor assignes nor eny of the heires of the seide Baldewin or Simond which Manors bin entailled on the heirs of the body of the seide Baldewyn begotten as openly appeareth by evidens thereof redy to be shewed for the disheryting of which Baldewyn and Symond of the seide Manors Edmond Montfort Kt. Karver to Henry the vi th late K. of England in dede and not of right by the favour and might of the seide late soo King Humfrey late D. of Buck. and James late Earl of Wilteshire be full unconsciously moynes long time laboured as opunly is known to many of the estates and worshipfull peopul of this Royalme to the utterst empoverishing of the same Baldewyn and Simond Which said Sir Baldewyn the better to manifest what unjust and ill dealing had been excercised by the before specified D. of Buck. for the utter disheriting of him and his son made publication thereof to posteritie by a particular Instrument whereunto he set his hand and Seal which for that it discovers so much of the high oppression therein excercised I have here thought sit to transcribe To all true Cristen pepull to whom this present writinge shall come Baldewyn Mountfort Kt. and Prest sendeth greting c. Know ye me the forseyd Baldewyn being in my good heele and good mynd the day of the making hereof at Hampton in Arderne to say testifye and report for trouthe there being present the Priour of Maxstokeâ— with many other that all such Obligations Recoveres Relees or other writings which y made to Humfrey late D. of Buck. Humfrey late Lord of Stafford and James late Erle of Wiltes or to Sir Edm. Mountfort my brother or eny of them for or of the Manours of Coleshull Ilmyndon Rampnam or eny other parcell of my livelode which was late Sir Will. Mountforts my faders hit was done by compulcion of the seid Duke and for fere of my deth and of my son Sir Simond's For in trouth the seid Duke keped me in Coventre xiiii deyes and aftir had me to the Castel of Maxstoke and there kept meâ— And my son Sir Symond was 〈◊〉 in the Castell of Gloucester and we coude never be delivered out till we agreed to certain Articles written in a â—ill anexid to this my writinge which Articles were send bi the seid Duke and Edmond under the Seale of the said Edmond to my seid 〈◊〉 when he was in prison in the seid Castel of Gloucester rehersyng that we should suffer Recâ—verâ—s to be had ayeyne us such as the late Duke 〈◊〉 Stafford and Earl of Wiltshire or Eâ—m Mâ—unâ—fort by the advice of their Councell cowde or would devise for ther pâ—ofet and also to relece all our right which we had in the seid Mannors to the same Duke and other above rehersed and to do other things as but aâ—pâ—reâ—h more plainly in the seid Bill or els 〈◊〉 seid son should never have comen out of Prison nor y should not have abidden in my Cuntry but to have had and to have stonden in the indignacion of the Lordship of the seid Duke and other Lords above rehirsed which in thoo deys had byn too hevy and too importable for me or my seid son to have boren By the which â—ecoveres Relâ—ce and Obligations so had and made by compulcion the said Edmund my brother would disherit me and mine yssue for ever contrarie to right and consciens God knoweth For in trouth where the seid Duke seid that and if eny man would sey and prove that eny of the seid Manors were entailled to me the seid Sir Baldwyn eyther by Dede or by Fyne he wold not be about to disherit me nor myne heires for M l. and my Lady of Buckingham affirmed and seys the same since tho deth of my seid Lord late her husband all that notwithstanding the seid Edmond my brother at the time of the seid Releces or Obligacions made or eny Recoveres had ayeyne me of the seid Manors had in his kepinge all the evidences concerning the seid Manors and he sware himself and caused me to swere and my brother the Parson and Robert before the seid Duke that we saw never Dede of yntaile of the said Manors nor Fyne whereby they should be entayled where that indeed the seid Sir Edmund was forsworn and caused me and my Brether to be forsworn for he had at that time divers Dedes and Fynes in his â—epyng whereby the seid Manors were and are yntailled which byn now redy to shew Wherefore I the seid Sir Baudwyn in my last deyes requier and charge yow that he presente at the making hereof that ye informe in that ye may my seid Lady of Buckingham and my yonge Lord of Buck. and all other Gentilmen and good men of this Countrey that the seid Manors bin entaylled to me both by Dede and by Fyne which Dedes and Fynes I shew you here at this time to the intent that my Children may have their livelode according to the taille and as right and good consciens will so that they be not disherit by the hiding of the seid Dedes and Fynes and the colour and craft of my seid Brother Sir Edmond being about to hurt not onely his own soul but the soules of the seid good Lord late D. of Buck. and H. late Lord of Stafford his son and James late Earle of Wiltes with many other good and well disposid persons labourers in the same mater not understanding what they did God knoweth In witnes c. I have set my Seale and signe manuell at Hampton aboveseid the Thursday next before S. Hillarie's dey xlix th H. 6. and of the taking ayene of his royall power the first yeere This Sir Baldwyn being at length a widower betook himself to a religious course of life and entring into holy Orders in 39 H. 6. demised unto Simon his son and heir the Mannour of Hampton in Arden â— reserving onely for himself another Priest and six Children celebrating divine Service there with a competencie of meat and drink and other necessaries during his life according to their severall degrees stiling himself Knight and Pâ—iest and died in 14 E. 4. leaving the before specified Simon his son and heir who in K. H. 5. time being a servant in Court to Q. Catherine and in 35 H. 6. retained of Councell to Ric. Nevill Earl of Warwick was in 1 E. 4. a Kt. and in 4. had a Release from that King of all his right
of age but was attended with very ill success in that expedition for no sooner did he arrive with his Army at the Port of Rochel but that the Spanish Navie fell suddainly upon them before they could put themselve in order to fight so that few of them escaped death wounds or imprisonment and yet without any considerable loss to the Enemy who forthwith set fire on all the English Ships carrying away the Earle and many gallant Gentlemen as also no less than twenty thousand marks in money sent over by the K. of England to continue the war which unhappy accident fell out on the Eve of St. Iohn Baptist's Nativitie being the Festivall of St. Aetheldred the Virgin and therefore was it censured by many as my Author observeth that God's judgement so followed him as a punishment for the injurie he had done to the Church of that holy Virgin sc. Ely in a cause betwixt the Church of St. Edmundsbury and it before his departure out of England and that the money so lost had no better luck forasmuch as it had been got from the Religious Houses and Clergy But others attributed it to his living an adulterous life being a married man that he also had attempted in Parliament an infringement of the Church its Liberties and that he perswaded the King to lay greater Taxes upon the Clergie than Laitie for support of his wars which practises of pilling and poling the Church however the temporall Lords saith the same Author were pleased yet what success they had not onely England but the whole world hath sufficiently found I now come to speak of his death the circumstances whereof were as followeth viz. that having undergone four years imprisonment in Spain with most inhumane usage he sent to Bertrand Clerkin Constable of France desiring that he would use some means for his enlargement who thereupon interceded for him to the Bastard of Spain that called himself King and obtained his libertie in consideration of part of that money due to himself whereupon he was brought to Paris and a sum of money assigned which he must pay for his redemption but after his coming thâ—ther it was not long ere that he fell mortally sick of Poison as 't was thought given to him by the Spaniards who were reputed to have such a speciall facultie in that Art as that the potion should kill at what distance of time they pleased The French therefore seeing death approaching him being eager to get his ransome money before he died made haste to remove him unto Calais but on his jâ—urney thither he departed this world upon the very day of St. Aetheldred the Virgin which Saint he had so much offended before his coming out of England as hath been said though the Inquis after his death expresseth it to have been the xvi th of Aprill his son and heir Iohn being at that time but two years old and a half and was buried in the Quire of the Friers Preachers at Hereford as by his Testament and what I shall hereafter say may seem But here before I proceed farther I must observe that this Iohn in 43 E. 3. obtaining License for that purpose from the King made a Feoffment unto Walter Amyas and others of all his Castles Lordships Mannours c in England and Wales to certain uses which Feoftment being left sealed up in the hands of the Feoffees to be kept till his return from beyond Seas was upon his death delivered to the King's Councell at Westminster who opening it found that in case he died without issue of his body the town and Castle of Pembroke should come to the King his heirs and successors and the Castle and Lordship of Bergavenny and all other his lands in England and Wales in Fee to his Cosin Will. de Beauchamp viz. his Mother's sisters son provided that he should bear his Armes and endeavour to obtain his title of Earl and in case he neglected so to do that then his Kinsman Will. de Clinton to have them upon the same conditions But I return to his said son and heir of whom I find that at the Coronation of K. Ric. 2. he claimed to carry the great gold Spurs and that though he shewed sufficient evidence for his right so to do yet being under age it was adjudged that the King might appoint another for that time whereupon Edmund Mortimer Earl of March was assigned thereto And moreover that he took to wife whilst he was very young Philippa daughter to the said Edmund Earl of March â— but had no issue by her for being at Wodstoke where the King kept his Christmass in 13 of his reign he tilted with Sir Iohn St. Iohn and by an unfortunate slip was run into the bottome of his Belly so that his bowells breaking out he suddainly died to the great lamentation of many in regard he was a person of so noble a disposition that in bountie and curtesie he exceeded most of his degree So that it is observed that from Aymerie de Valence Earl of Pembroke his lineall ancestor who was one that gave Judgement of death upon Thomas Earl of Lancaster in â— 2. time even unto this Iohn the last Earl of the line none of them ever saw his Father nor any Father of them took delight in the seeing his Child so young were they at their Fathers deaths His body was interred in the Church of the Gray Friers near New-gate in London now called Christ's-Church where he had a fair Monument since with all the rest defaced Dying thus without issue Râ—ginald Lord Grey of Ruthin was by some Inquis found his next heir of the whole blood as descended from Elizabeth sister to Iohn great-grandfather to the said Earl so slain in tilting as hath been said and by other y Inquis Hugh de Hastings son of Hugh son of Hugh son of a second Iohn by Isabell the daughter of Hugh le Despenser as the Pedegree here placed sheweth But so little did Iohn Earl of Will. de Valencia Comes Pembr Andomarus ob â— p. Joanna Isabella Henr de Hastings Joanna de Cantilupe Iohannes de Hastings primus Râ—â—erus de Grey Elizabetha Râ—ginaldus de Grey de Ruthin Reginaldus de Grey Joh. de Hastings secundus Isabella filia Hug. le Despenser Com. Wint. Johannes de Hastings tertius Laurentius de Hastings erectus in Com. Pembr Ioh. Comes Pembr mari captus Ioh. Comes Pembr caesus in hastiludio apud Wodstoke Hugo de Hastings Hugo de Hastings Hugo de Hastings ob s. p. Edwardus de Hastings Pembroke Father to the last Iohn regard his next heir male as it seems and so much hate Reginald Grey father to the last Reginald that he entailed the greatest part of his lands as hath been said on Will. de Beauchamp before mentioned Notwithstanding which settlement 't is observeable that the right of bearing Armes was in those days of such esteem as
marks found sufficient sureties for his future good behaviour viz. Sir Iohn Murdak Knight Simon de Whitacre and Alan de Wodelowe And the next year following being a Justice of Assize in this County bore for his Armes Sable three Lozenges Aâ—gent After which viz. in 1 Edw. 3. he was a Knight and in 11 Edw. 3. one of the three for this County that had speciall summons to attend the King in his great Councell held at Westminster the Friday next after Michaelmass-day The next year following he had the like summons to be aâ— Westminster on the morrow after the Clause of Easter the Kâ—ng being then resolved upon an expedition beyond Sea in which year also he was constituted a Commissioner for conservation of the Peace in this Countie and to see that all persons were sufficiently armed according to the Statute of Winchester In 17 E. 3. he was in Commission to arrest such Proctors as were then imployed here in England as also other Purveyors from the Court of Rome which by vertue of the Pope's Bulls did put in practise divers things derogating from the King 's Royall power In 18 E. 3. again joyned in Commission for conservation of the Peace in this Countie In 19 E. 3. he had summons amongst sundry other persons of note to be well accoutred with Hoâ—se and Armes on the Feast of S t Laurence to attend the King in his French expedition and by Ioane the daughter of Hugh de Culi of Radclive in Leicestershire had issue Richard his son and heir who bore for his Armes Argent upon a bend sable cotized Gules three Lozenges of the first Which Richard in 27 and 28 E. 3. was imployed as a Commissioner for levying and collecting a xvth and xth in this Countie So likewise in 47 and 48 Edw. 3. but farther of him I have not observed any thing memorable other than that he left issue one onely daughter called Ioane wedded to Alan Waldeif of Alspath by whom she had two daughters and heirs viz. Elene married to Richard Walsh of Onelip in Leicestershire and Margaret to Thomas Hore of Elmedon Which Richard Walsh and Thomas Hore were certified to hold this Mannour joyntly in 10 H. 6. but afterwards Hore had it wholy as it seemes and left Alan his son and heir and he Katherine an onely daughter married to Iohn Boteler of Solihull Gentleman Which Iohn and Katherine had issue Iohn Boteler who sold his moytie to Thomas Marow then of Wrydfen Esquire In whose hands it continued but a while for by his Deed bearing date 3. Martii 2 3 Ph. M. in consideration of CCC li. he past away the same unto Richard Kyfe alias Coke and Iohn Miller both of this town Yeomen and to the heirs and assigns of the said Richard Which Richard by his last Will and Testament bearing date about November 5 6 Ph. M. bequeathed all his lands to Katherine Corbet his wifes daughter and the heirs of her body whereby the inheritance thereof came to the posterity of the same Iohn Miller unto whom she was wedded But the other moytie descended from the before specified Richard Walshe and Elene his wife to Thomas Walshe their son and heir and so to Anne the wife of Sir Thomas Pultney Knight cosin and heir to the said Thomas Walshe Which Sir Thomas Pultney had issue Francis and he Gabraell who in Queen Elizabeth's time aliened it to the heirs of the said Iohn Miller most if not all the Fermes as of Marow's moytie before specified and part of the demesns having been sold out before to the particular Tenants The Church here dedicated to S. Leonard was originally but a Chapell belonging to Colshill as may seem by what I have in Colshill already manifested yet did the patronage thereof pass by the name of a Church in 3 Ioh. as appears by the grant then made unto the Nuns of Mergate in Bedfordshire from Iordan de Whitacre the appropriation whereof I have not seen conceiving that it was very antient but the Cure hath been served by a Stipendiarie there being no Vicar endowed Whitacre inferior THis being part of that which in my discourse of Whitacre superior is contained under the name of Witecore without any distinction came totally to the Marmions Lords of Tamworth-Castle as the other did and in King Stephen or beginning of Hen. 2. reign was granted by Robert Marmion to William Fitz Raphe to hold by the service of one Knight's Fee Which William being a very devout man gave to the Nuns of Polesworth all his lands lying in Aldulvestre now called Austrey in this Shire To whom succeeded Raphe also sirnamed Fitz Raphe one of the pledges for Robert Marmion in 2 H. 3. that he should faithfully keep the Castle of Tamworth to the King's use who in 6 H. 3. was one of the Justices of Assize in this Countie and in 20 H. 3. certified to hold this Mannour of the said Robert Marmion by the service of one Knight's Fee whereat both he and his successors for some descents resided as I guess there being the site of a fair Mannour place which had antiently a Park belonging thereto The next of which line was Nich. Fitz-Raphe whom I take to be son and heir to Raphe before specified who being a Knight about the 29. of H. 3. and in 34 H. 3. one of the Justices for Gaol-delivery at Warwick bore for his Armes two Barrs as by his Seal appeareth and had issue Giles whose daughter and heir Isabell took to husband Robert a younger son to Philip Marmion Lord of Tamworth-Castle Which Robert being by that means possest of this Mannour gave to the Nuns of Polesworth a yard land lying therein for the health of his soul and the soul of the said Isabell and by his Deed bearing date at Draiton-Basset the Wednsday next before the Feast of S. Leo the Pope 14 E. 2. in consideration of an annuity of XL li. to be payd during his naturall life past away all his title and right in this Mannour as also in Halughton Pericroft and Glascote unto Raphe Lord Basset of Draiton to hold during that terme unto which Deed his Seal of Arms is affixt viz. three Swords in pale pointing downwards with a Cheif varrè This Robert had issue a daughter called Amice first married to Eustace de Hardreshull as it seems for the said Eustace and she in 14 Edw. 2. covenanted to passe away all their interest and right herein as also in those other before specified unto the said Lord Basset which was done accordingly by a Fine levied xv Mart. the same year But she was afterwards married to Iohn de Whitacre and in 3 Edw. 3. having buried him released to the said Lord Basset all her right only
Deed bearing date at Tamworth in 44 E. 3. past away the same unto Sir Baldwin Frevill Knight and his heirs reserving only an estate for life By which means upon partition made in 31 H. 6. betwixt the three sisters and heirs to the said Sir Baldwin it was allotted to Thomas Ferrers at that time Tenant by the Curtesie of England to all the lands which were of the inheritance of Eliz. his wife deceased eldest of the said three sisters In whose line it continued till Sir Iohn Ferrers Knight about the beginning of King Charles his reign sold it to Charles Adderley Esquiâ—e afterwards an Equerie to the said King and by him Knighted who now enjoys it The Church dedicated to S. Iohn Baptist was antiently given to the Nuns of Mergate in Com. Beaf by one of the De la Launds as I guess But it seems that the title which those Nuns had was not very firme for in 26 H. 3. Iames de la Launde recovered the right of Presentation thereto Howbeit afterwards they grew to Composition with him and gave him 57. marks of silver to quit his claim to it which he did in 36 H. 3. whereupon it became appropriated to them but no Vicar endowed so that the Curate there was provided by those Nunns as a Supendiarie to them Merston juxta Lea and Coton THis place having its name from the flat moorish ground bordering upon it was possest by Turchil de Warwick in the Conqueror's time and then rated at three hides valued at xxx s. which were at that time held of him by one Roger But it was not long I presume ere it came to the Marmions of Tamworth-Castle for in 20 H. 3. Robert Marmion answered for half a Knight's Fee in respect thereof at which time it had the name of Merston-Marmion for distinction from the other Merstons in this Hundred but whether Marmion were any other than superior Lord of the Fee at that time I make a question the Limsies of Maxstoke holding it immediately of them for it appears that in 5 E. 1. Raph de Limesie and Ioane his wife gave to a Chantrie-Priest celebrating Divine Service at Solihull five marks of yearly Rent issuing out of certain lands lying here and in Cotes now called Coton and that the Family of Odingsels who were antiently Lords of Maxstoke by the marriage of Limesie's heir possest it there being xiv Freeholders here and in Cotes which held their Tenements of William de Odingsells in 23 E. 1. paying xxxvi s. viii d. per ann Rent But from Odingsells by an heir female it came to Clinton â— together with Maxstoke and with it being past in Exchange from Sir Iohn Clinton to Humphrey Earl Stafford in 16 H. 6. as the authorities which I have voucht in Maxstoke will manifest hath been reputed as it is a member of that Lordship and so continueth to this day Midleton OF this place there is mention made twice in the Conqueror's Survey first under the title of the lands then belonging to Hugh de Grentemaisnell where it is rated for four hides having a Church as also a Mill esteemed at xx s. which with the rest were all valued at vi li. having been the inheritance of one Pallinus in Edward the Confessor's dayes And next under the title of the lands belonging to Adeliz the wife of the said Hugh where the quantity and value in the grosse summe do not differ but there it is said to have been the freehold of one Turgot before the Norman Invasion After which ere long it was disposed of to one of the Marmions as I guess together with Tamworth-Castle and if we may believe the antient Windows of that Church and some other authorities by the Conqueror himself as in Tamworth I shall more fully shew Neither is it unlikely for by an accompt of the Templars revenues taken in 31 H. 2. it appears that they were then possest of certain lands here that had been bestowed on them by Geffrey Marmion In which Family of Marmion it continued whilst the male line lasted Philip Marmion in 13 E. 1. claiming by Prescription a Court Leet and Gallows here which were allowed as also Free warren within his demesn lands of this place But to this the Jury answered that the Earls of Warwick had free Chase within the same taking forfaitures for all offences done therein and that the said Philip had no Warren except by grant from Ela Countess of Warwick onely for terme of her life whereupon he was a merced for his undue chalenge But this Philip Marmion dying without issue male his lands came to be divided betwixt severall coheirs as the Descent in Tamworth sheweth Of which Alexander Frevill and Ioane his wife Raphe Boteler the elder with Maud his wife and Henry Hillary and Ioane his wife had their particular shares in this Mannour till at the length by purchase Hillarie's part became united to that which Frevill had whereupon Sir Baldwin Frevill Knight procured from Richard Scroope Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield about the 14 th of R. 2. License to have an Oratorie or private Chapell within his Mannour-house here Of the accession of Boteler's part I have not seen any thing but do conclude that it was before the partition made in 31 H. 6. betwixt the Sisters and heirs to the last Sir Baldwin Frevill for thereby it appeareth that Margaret the youngest of them had inter alia this Mannour of Midleton wholy as parcell of her purpart she being then wife to Richard Bingham one of the Justices of the King's Bench and afterwards a Knight Which Sir Richard resided here till he died scil in 15 E. 4. being ioyn'd in all Commissions of the Peace and other matters of importance with the superior Gentlemen of this Countie After whose death she continued a widow even to a very great age as by her Presentation to the Church of Preston-Bagot in 20 H. 7. appears To whom succeeded in the inheritance of this Lordship Sir Henry Willoughby Knight her grandson by Sir Hugh Willoughby of Wollaton in Com. Nott. Knight her first husband as the Pedegree here inserted sheweth Hugo Willoughby de Wollaton in Com. Nott. miles 10 H. 6. Margareta una soror cohaer Baldw. Frevill mil. Ric. Bingham miles unus Justic D. Regis ad plac coram Rege 31 H. 6. Robertus Willoughby Henr. Willoughby miles de S. Sepulchro obiit 20 H. 8. Dorothea ux Anth. Fitz Herbert unius Justic. de Banco 20 H. 8. Ioh. Willoughby miles ob sine prole Edw. Willoughby miles Henr. Willoughby nepos haeres Ioh. Willoughby mil. Anna filia Thomae March Dors. Thomas Willoughby obiit sine prole Franciscus Willoughby miles obiit 37 Eliz. Eliz. filia Ioh. Litleton de Frankley mil. Brigida ux Percev Willoughby eq aur Dorothea ux Henr. Hastings Margar. ux Rob. Spenser de Althorpe
filia .... domini Say Barth de Sudley defunctus 20 E. 2. Matilda filia Ioh. de Monteforti Ioh. de Sudley defunctus 14 E. 3. Alâ—anora filia Rob. domini de Seales Ioh. de Sudley defunctus â— p. 41 E. 3. Iohanna ux Will. le Boteler mil. defuncta 41 E. 3. Iohanna filia Ioh. Beauchamp de Powyk mil. Thomas Boteler consangu haeres Ioh. de Sudley 41 E. 3. Alicia ux secunda postea nupta Joh. Dalingrugge mil. Ioh. Boteler deâ—unctus s. p. 5 H. 5. Will Boteler 5 H. 5. Rad Boteler miles Thesaur Angl. duxit Aliciam fil haer Will. Deincourt mil obiit 13 E. 4. Thomas Boteler miles duxit Alianorâ—m sororem Joh. Talbot mil. domini L'isle obiit vivo patre Eliz. ux ..... Norburie Henr. Norburie miles Joh. Norburie miles unuâ— consangu haered Rad. Boteler de Sudley mil. 13 E. 4. Anna filia haeres Ric. Haliwell Iana consangu haer Joh. Norburie mil. 15 H. 8. Edmundus Bray miles 15 H. 8. Anna ux ... Coâ—ham Eliz. 1. nupta Ric. Catesby mil. postea Wil. Clerke ar Fridiswida ux Percevalli Hart. mil. Maria ux Rob. Peckham mil Dorothea ux Edw. Domini Chaundos Francisca ux Tho. Lifeild Iohanna ux ..... Belknap Will. Belknap ar ob s. p. 2 R. 3. Henricus Belknap Edw. Belknap miles obiit 12 H. 8. Margeria ux Rob. Massy mil. defuncta â— prole 3 R. 2. pasturage for Cattell in Derset Radway and Chelverscote But after 20 E. 2. I have not found any more mention of him neither of Iohn his grandchild scil son of Bartholmew is there much to be sayd who died in 14 E. 3. leaving Iohn his son and heir little more than a twelve month old which last Iohn departed this world without issue in 41 E. 3. whereupon Thomas Boteler son of Sir Will. Boteler of Wemme by Ioane eldest daughter to the last Bartholmew and Margerie her sister afterwards married to Sir Robert Massy Kt. became his Cosins and next t heirs This Thomas Boteler was a Kt. in 9 R. 2. To whom succeeded as heir to his Mother Sir Raphe Boteler Kt. a man eminently imployed and highly advanced as I shall forthwith shew For having in 8 H. 6. served the King with xx men at Armes and Lx. Archers in his personall expedition for France he was in 20 H. 6. created Baron of Sudley with an Annuitie of CC. marks per an to himself and his heirs for the better support of that dignitie and became soon after Lord Tresurer of England But in that Office he continued not long for in 28 H. 6. he was retained by Indenture to serve the King for five years as Governour of the Cittadell at Calais with .... men at Armes on Horseback xxix men at Armes on foot and xx Archers all able men of war taking for himself ii s. per diem for his men at Arms on foot viii d. and for his Archers vi d. besides the speciall Fee of C s. the quarter for himself And immediatly thereupon being made the King's Lieutenant of that Town covenanted for the defence and saâ—eguard thereof and the Marches adjoyning to keep C. men at Arms over and above the number before specified and DCCCC Archers for a quarter of a year taking for his men at Arms xii d. a man and his Archers vi d. besides the reward accustomed And was in so great esteem with the Canons of Erdburie for his munifence to them in sundry wiâ—e but specially in procuring for them the Appropriation of the Church at Leyth in Lancashire dated 15 Ian. 28 H. 6. that in consideration thereof they did by their publick Instrument ordeign that two of their Covent should every day celebrate divine service in that Monasterie for the health of his soul appointing parâ—icular Masses for each day of the week binding themâ—elves and their successors to observe his Anniversarie after his decease with Placebo Dirige and Masse of Requiem and to spend vi s. viii d. yearly on the day of his said Anniversarie in their Covent by way of Pittance over and above their usuall allowance After which viz. in 30 H. 6. he had a speciall Pardon granted to him for all offences whereby any advantage mâ—ght be taken against him in respect of his great and generall imployments in which pardon his partâ—cular services to King H. 5. aswell as to the said K H. 6. in France and in the Dutchie of Normandieâ— even from his very youth are gâ—atefully â—cknowledg'd For he had been Lord Tresurer and Chamberlain to K. H. 6. and Standard-beaâ—er and chief Butler of England as also Knight of the Garter and Steward of his Household But after this I find no more of him till his death which hapned 2 Maii 13 E. 4. where it appears that Iohn Norburie and Will. Belknap were his câ—sins and heirs for Sir Thomas Boteler his son died before him without issue So that this Mannour came at length inter alia by Partition made 15 Maii 11 H. 7. to Sir Iohn Norburie and so by Iane his grandchild and heir to Sir Edmund Bray which Iane died seized thereof 24 Aug. in the last year of Q. Maries reign leaving severall daughters and heirs as the Descent before inserted sheweth whereof Frances married to Thomas Lifeild who by the name of Thomas Lifeild of Stoke-Dabernon in com Sur. Esq. together with the said Frances his wife did by his Deed of bargain and sale Dated 7 Maii 3 Eliz. in consideration of 1050 l. sell and convey it unto Iohn Giffard of Chillington in com Staff Esq. whose grandchild sc. Peter son of Walter Giffard in our memorie passed the Mannour consisting of a Royaltie and certain chief Rents to Sir Iohn Newdigate of Erdburie Kt. and the Demesns to certain persons in trust for the use of Thomas Lord Coventre late Lord Keeper of the great Seal of England So that at this day the said Mannour is now enjoyed by Ric. Newdigate Sergeant at Law son to the same Sir Iohn and the demesns by the Lord Coventre son and heir to the said Lord Keeper The Priorie of Erdburie WIthin the precincts of Chilverscoton Parish stood the Monasterie of Erdburie built in K. Henry 2. time by Raphe de Sudley for Canons Regular of St. Augustine the Foundation Charter whereof I never saw but do conceive that the substance wherewith he at first endowed it was as followeth viz. the Church of Chelverdescote with two yard land belonging thereto as also six yard land and a Wood there reputed for half a hide ten Acres of land lying in Broadmedow and a place called the Breche at Whitemore with certain messuages and half a VVood called the Hudells And besides this with some lands and a meadow at Sulingfen together with the Church of Dercet and CC. acres of land lying in one of Dercet fields As also ten
Earl of Essex attainted in 43 Eliz. Whose son and heir Robert being restored now scil an 1640. possesseth the site thereof and much of the lands Of the Abbots I have not found the names of any more than these three Ioh. Buggeley 12 H. 6. Thomas Arnold 23 H. 8. Will. Arnold 26 H. 8. 30. H. 8. THough I have now done with this Monasterie and should according to my method proceed to Wedington which is next in order to be spoke of yet in respect that the Family of the before specified Robert Earl Ferrers have had for many ages such large possessions in this Countie and that the principall male branch now remayning of it with another fair stemme do flourish here to this day as in Tamworth and Badsley-Clinton is manifested I shall here digress a little in speaking historically thereof The first of them that setled in this Realm was Henry de Feriers son to Gualcheline de Feriers a Norman which Henry having a great proportion of land by the Conqueror's gift lying in the Counties of Berks. Wiltes Northampt. Hereford this of Warwick Leicester Glouc. Nottingham Derby Essex and Stafford seated himself at Tutburie Castle in Staffordshire near unto which he founded a goodly Monastery for Cluniac Monks endowing it with large possessions But there is little else at this distance that I have seen memorable of him saving that he was amongst other of the great Nobilitie one of the witnesses to King William the Conqueror's Charter made to the Monks of St. Edmundsburie in an 1181. 14. of his reign whereby he confirmed the lands and possessions which they had by the grant of former Kings and that he gave to the Monks of Abingdon the Tithes of Laking To which Henry succeeded Robert for it seems that Eugenulfus and William died without issue which Robert was a witness unto the Charter of King Stephen's Laws made in the first year of his reign and having brought in and commanded the Derbyshire men in that famous Battail near North-Alverton in 3. Stephani where the King had a glorious Victorie against David King of Gualchelinus de Ferrariis Normannus Henricus de Ferrariis intravit Angliam cum Will. Conquestore Bertha Eugenulphus Willlelmus Robertus de Ferrariis erectus in Comitem Derbiae 3 Steph. Robertus Comes junior de Fâ—rrariis de Nottingham Fundator Abb. de Miravale â—3 Steph. Will. Comes de Ferrariis Derb 12 H. 2. Margareta filia haeres Will. Peverell de Nottingham Rob. Comes de Ferrariis 19 H. 2. Sibilla filia Will. de Braosa Will. Co. de Ferrariis obiit in obsid. civitatis Acon 2 R. 1. Sibilla Will. Comes de Ferrariis obiit 31 H. 3. Agnes una filiarum cohaer Ranulphi Comitis Cestriae Will. Comes de Ferrariis obiit 38 H. 3. Margareta una filiarum cohaer Rogeri de Quâ—ncâ— Câ—m Wintoniae Will. de Ferraris de Groby 25 E. 1. Henr. de Ferrers obiit 15 Sept. 17 E. 3. Isab. una fil haer Theob de Verdon Margar. una fil haer Rob. de Ufford Comitis Suff. ux 1. Will. de Ferrers obiit 45 E. 3. Margaâ—eâ—a filia Henrici de Peâ—â—i relicta Rob de Unâ—ranvill fiâ—ii Gilb. Com. Aâ—gusiae Will. de Ferrers miles obiit 11 R 2. Johanna filâ—a .... dom ni Poinings Will. Ferrers de Grobi miles obiit 23 H. 6. Henricus Ferrers obiit vivo patre Eliz. consanguinea haeres Will. Ferrers de Grobi mil. ux Edwardi Grey mil. Tho. Ferrers arm quo Ferrers de Tamworth Maria filia Hug. le Brune Comitis Angolesmi ux 1. Robertus de Fâ—râ—ariis ultimuâ— Comes Dâ—rb Alianora Johannes de Ferrariis de Chartley miles 27 E. 1. Hawisia filia haer Rob. de Muscegrosâ— Robertus de Ferrariis miles 16 E. 3. Joh. de Ferrariis miles 30 E. 3. Eliz. relicta Fulconis filii Ioh. â—e Strange Rob. Ferrers miles 12 R. 2. Edmundus Ferrers de Chartley miles 5 H. 6. vide de posteris in Castle-Bromwich Rob. de Ferrers duxit Eliz. filiam haer Will. le Boteler de Wemme Oversley Will. Comes de Ferrariis obiit 38 H. 3 Sibilla una fil haer Will. Marescalli Comitis Pembr ux prima Agnes ux Will. D. Vesci Isabella 1. nupta Gilb. Basâ—eâ— postea Reg. de Mohun Matilda 1 ux Wâ—ll de Kime 2. Will. de Vinonia 3. Emercio de Rupe Canardi Sibilla ux Franc. de Bohun de Midherst Iohanna 1. ux ... Aguilon postea Ioh. de Mohun Agatha ux Hug. de Mortuomaâ—i de Châ—lmarsh Alianora 1. nupta Will. de Vallibus 2 Rog. de Quâ—â—ci Coâ—iti Winton 3. Rog. de Leiburne .... ux Walchelini Maminot Matilda ux Bertrami de Verdon Walchelinus dâ— Ferraiis Hugo de Fâ—rrariis duxit ... fil haer Hugonis de Say obiit s. prole Will. de Ferrariis Ysabella ux ..... de Mortuomari heres Fratri 6 Joh. Scots was for that good service advanced to the Earldome of Derby but died the year following sc. an 1239. leaving issue Robert his son and heir who stiled himself Robertus Comes junior de Ferrariis and likewise Comes junior de Nottingham Which Robert gave the Church of Bredon in Com. Leic. with the Tithes of his Tenants in Tonge Andreskicke and Wivelestone as also the Chapells of Worthington and Stanton and the Tithes of Newbold and Dichesworth of his Fee to the Canons of Nostel in Yorkshire which Church of Bredon became thenceforth a Cell to that House of Nostell And having been also the pious Founder of the before specified Abby of Merevale in 13 Steph. lyeth there buried wrapt in an Oxe hide To whom succeeded William as appears by that Certificate made in 12 H. 2. of the Knight's Fees he then held which amounted to Lxxix And to him another Robert of whom the first mention I find is in 19 H. 2. at which time hearing how the King's territories in France were invaded by the adherents of young Henry who through the assistance of the King of France then brake out into high Rebellion against his Father and of some ill successes which his said Father's forces had in those parts joyning with the Earls of Chester Leicester Norfolk and other great men here in England in the like hostile Actions manned the Castles of Tutburie and Duffeild against his sovereign and not onely so but raysing the power of Leicestershire marcht early in the morning to Nottingham which then was kept for the King by Reginald de Luci and having without any great difficulty entred the town burnt and plundred it slaying and taking Prisoners most part of the Inhabitants But the year following the King having notice of these
outrages in England returned at whose entrance his good Subjects took courage and prevailed over the Rebells in every place against whom Rhese Prince of Wales came also with a great power and besieged Tutburie-Castle whereupon this Robert Earl Ferrers apprehending what danger he was in hastned to the King then at Northampton and to obtain his favour rendred the said Castles of Tutburie and Duffeild giving securitie for his future fidelitie but so little did the King trust him that though he received him to outward favour he caused those Castles to be demolished This Robert was a Benefactor to the Abby of Dore in Herefordshire and by Sibilla his wife daughter to William de Braose left issue another William Earl Ferrers who not onely confirmed to the Monks of Geroldon the inclosed ground at Hethcote and pasture for C. Sheep there which his Father had given to them but added another piece of Inclosure adjoyning thereto with pasturage for CC. sheep more at six score to the Hundred five Kine and a Bull and six Oxen. And in 1 Richard 1. gave to the Monks of St. Denis in France for the health of his soul and the soul of Sibill his wife one Wax Taper yearly price xiii d. as also a Stag and a Boar in their proper seasons to be sent thither annually at the Feast of St. Dennis by the Messengers of him the said Earl and his heirs And likewise to the Monks of Lenton all his right to the Church of Woodham in Essex specially for the health of the souls of those that were with him at the burning of Nottingham which belike was the time that his Father made such spoil there as I have before exprest But this William was outed of his Earldomes of Nottingham and Derby by King Richard 1. in the first year of his reign as it seems for upon the said King's first arrivall in England after his Father's death I find that he bestowed them with divers other upon Iohn Earl of Moreton his brother yet I hardly think that the said William continued long so dispossest of them for it appears that the same year he attended King Richard in the Holy Voiage and died at the siege of Acon an scil 1190 2 R. 1. leaving issue William his son and heir Of the great misfortunes that befell that King in his journey by being taken Prisoner I shall not here stand to tell forasmuch as our Historians speak so fully thereof nor of the advantage which Iohn Earl of Moreton before specified made upon it in seizing divers Castles here into his hands reporting that his Brother was dead whereupon he layd claim to the Crown But shall observe that upon the King's enlargement and return order was given for the siege of those Castles whereupon our William Earl Ferrers joyned with the Earl of Chester in besieging of Nottingham Castle which after a while was rendred and for his fidelity was made choice of by the same King to sit with the rest of the Peers in that great Councell held there on the 30 th of March next ensuing At the second Coronation of which King he was one of the four that carried the rich silken Canopie over his head With the Earls of Clare Chester and others of the great Nobilitie he swore Fealtie to King Iohn in the first year of his reign but conditionally that he should render to each of them his own At the Coronation of that King in the Church of St. Peter at Westminister on Ascension day he was also present and one the seventh of Iune following being solemnly invested Earl of Derby by a speciall Charter then dated at Northampton was girt with the Sword by the said King 's own hands having a grant likewise of the Tertium Denarium de omnibus Placitis confirm'd to him and his heirs In 5 Ioh. he obtained a speciall Mandate to Geffâ—ey Fitz-Piers then Iusticiarius Angliae for livery of those lands in Stapleford in Com. Leic. that belong'd to the Vidame of Chartres and were of his Fee which Vidame died in a voyage to the Holy land and was a Ferrers though he bore for his Armes a Bend betwixt six Martlets This Earl was very loyall to King Iohn even in his greatest distresses for in 14 of his reign when that the Pope had deposed him of his Kingdome and that Pandulfus his Legate came over to treat with him the French King being then upon the Seas with a powerfull Navie threatning an Invasion so that King Iohn's condition was so desperate as that he became necessitated to yeild to what termes he could get he manifested his great affection to him in becomming one of the four that gave his solemn Oath for the King's performance of those Articles whereunto he had submitted which Agreement was made 13 Maii the same year as also a witness to the Charter of K. Iohn dated within two days following whereby he gave up his Realm to the Pope Of whose favour to him I cannot omit to take notice of this singular instance viz. that on the 27 th of Iune following he had a speciall grant to himself and his heirs sitting at Dinner upon all Festivalls in the year when they should solemnly celebrate those days with his Head uncovered and without any Cap having a Garland thereon of the breadth of the said Kâ—ng's little Finger In 16 Ioh. he had the Castle of Hareston in Com. Derb. committed to his charge and the next year following when the Barons put themselves in Armes and seized divers Castles having raised Forces on the said King's behalf he took from them by assault the Castles of Bolesover and Pec in Derbyshire whereupon he had a speciall Patent constituting him Governour of them And upon the death of King Iohn stood so firm to the young King Henry the third as that with the rest of the loyall Nobilitie he not onely assisted at his Coronation on Simon and Iude's day but immediatly after Easter accompanied the famous William Maâ—shall then Governour of the King and Kingdome the Earls of Chester Albamarle and many other gâ—eat men to the siege of Mountsorell Castle in Lecestershire then held out by Henry de Braibâ—oke and ten other stout Knights The same year he was also with those noble persons at raising the siege of Lincoln which the Rebellious Barons with Lewes K. of France whom they brought into the Realm had madâ—â— And having new Patents from the King for the custody of those Castles held the government of them for full six years But in the second year of this King's reign he made a jâ—urney to the Holy Land with Ranulph Earl of Chester and some others appointing his Steward viz. Raphe Fitz-Nicholas to transact aâ—l businesses concerning him which should relate to the Exchequer till his return from
of an authentick Writer that St. Benedict first prescribed that Rule Benedictus cum sorore Scholasticâ primus Regularem vitam certis Legibus ordinibus cum hactenus seorsim liberè Christo inservissent inchoavit which Rule came in time to have that venerable esteem that as Baronius tells us In Liptinensi Concilio in Cameracensi Galliae agro sancitum est ut Monachi ac Nonnae juxta Regulam S. Benedicti Coenobia sua ordinarent The first Monasterie of Nuns which we had here in England was that of Berking in Essex founded by Erkenwald Bishop of London about the year of Christ DCLXVI long before the reception of St. Benet's Rule in this Nation I now come to this of Polesworth and in the first place shall take notice upon what occasion it was founded and then go on to shew the endowment thereof with lands c. King Egbert having one onely son called Arnulph who was a Leper and hearing by a Bishop which came from Ireland that the then King of Connaught had a Nun to his daughter called Modwen that healed all diseased people repairing to her sent his said son at the perswasion of that Bishop into Ireland where he was accordingly cured by the same holy Woman which great favour so pleased King Egbert that he forthwith invited St. Modwen to come into England promising that he would â—ound a Monasterie for her and her Covent Of which tender she soon after accepted forasmuch as the Religious House wherein she resided was by Wars betwixt those petty Kings of Ireland burnt and wasted and brought over with her two of her fellow Nuns Whereupon the King having a great opinion of her sanctitie recommended his daughter Edith unto her to be instructed in Religion after the Rule of St. Benet giving her a dwelling place in the Forest of Ardeâ—â—e then called Trensale where the said Edith together with St. Lyne and St. Osithe lived together in a holy manner and soon after founded a Monasterie for them on the bank of the River Anker at this place called Pollysworth the first syllable Pol importing a deepness of Water and the other scil Worth a dwelling or habitation constituting the said Edith Abbess thereof Ordinis Benedictini monialis I shall not take upon me to censure the truth of this Storie as to the substance of it but in circumstance perhaps there may be some mistakes therein for by an Author who more compendiously speaks thereof it is referr'd to King Ethelwolph son to K. Egbert whose son Alured languishing of a desperate infirmitie was thus cured by S. Modwene whereupon he gave unto her lands in this Realm for the founding of two Monasteries of Nunns one here in Arden at Polesworth wherein as he saith Osithe and Athea two holy Virgins and S. Edith sister to the said King Ethelwolph dwelt and the other at Streneshale But of their going to Oldbury and bringing back hither I shall not make any question though the appartion of S. Edith with her Crosier may be doubted forasmuch as the words of Robert Marmion's Charter and Milisent his wife do import no lesse which I have here transcribed Notum siâ— omnibus me concessisse Osannae Priorissae ad religionem instaurandam Sanctimonialium ibi Ecclesiam S. Edithae de Pollesworda cum pertinentiis it a quod Conventus de Aldeberia ibi sit manens Hence it is as I guess that this Robert Marmion and his wife are by the learned Leland accounted to have been Founders thereof in which repute I shall leave them forasmuch as it also appears that they gave the town of Polesworth totally thereto with their whole demesnes in Waverton all which were confirmed by King Stephen I shall now descend to such other Benefactors as these Nuns had the next and chiefest whereof was Walter de Hastings who gave Oldbury unto them it being a Cell to this Monasterie as I have already observed After which they had by Robert Marmion son to the before-specified Robert and Milisent the Church of Queinton in Gloucestershire which in 12 R. 2. they procured to be appropriate to them As also the Mill at Kingsburie â— called Hemlingford-Mill with certain Meadow-ground and other lands by Robert Fitz-Walter and Amabill his wife one of the coheirs unto Osbert de Arden and moreover a Mill at Hurley given by Alice sister to the said Amabil then wife of Simon de Harecurt both which were confirmed by Raphe de Bracebrigge afterwards Lord of that Mannour In Draiton in Com. Leic. they had a good proportion of land given by Picot Archer in H. 2. time and confirmed by Robert then Earl of Leicester with a farther augmentation by William de Trumpinton In Burdingburie in this Countie certain lands by Edelina sister to Robert Boteler of Ingleby for the souls health of Walter de Somervile her husband The Church of Barwell in Leicestershire by Erneburga the mother of William de Hastings the Church of Ansley in this Countie by William the son of Robert de Hardreshull Certain lands in Bromcote by William Fitz-Walkeline of Bromcote which were confirm'd by Robert his son and heir in consideration that these Nuns allowed him to have a Chantrie in his Chapell at Bromcote Whereunto Robert de Grendon in 32 E. 1. added a yard-land and certain Messuages lying in the same Village All those lands called Coppenhull neer Shuttenton given by William Burdet which Hugh his son confirmed temp H. 2. A yard land in Sirescote by Roger the son of Walter de Sumervile Certain lands in Snarkeston Com. Leic. which William de Appilby gave together with his body to sepulture in this Monasterie which were confirmed by Will. de Charnells and Clementia his wife The Mill of Freseley and a proportion of land there by Robert de Kaily with addition of more by Sir Iordan de Whitacre Knight and Will. Savage which William gave also certain lands in Dodenhale as also all the ground he had in Povele-Wood where the Chapell above S. Edith's Well was built In Bromcote they had an yearly Rent of xx s. given to them by Eustace de Mortein for the health of his soul and the soul of Hillaria his wife upon condition that if they did enjoy those lands in Shotswell whereof he made them a grant that then they should not challenge this Annuitie From Raphe Lord Basset of Draiton they had an annuall Rent of a mark of silver for the enlarging of their Diet upon the day of S. Iohn Baptist's Nativity in honour of that Festivall In Norton now Hoggs-Norton a Carucate of land given by Robert de Gresele and a yard-land by Geffrey de Greseley with certain Rents as also the Homage and services of sundry persons and in Harlaston the Rent of v s. yearly given by William de Vernun for the maintenance of a Lampe to
rumors were spread that Cardinall Poole laboured with divers Princes to procure forces against this Realme and that an Invasion was threatned which seemed the more credible because the Truce concluded betwixt the Emperour and the French King was generally known neither of them wanting pretence to bring an Army hither And this was also seconded by a suddain journey of the King unto the Sea-coast unto divers parts whereof he had sent sundry of the Nobles and expert persons to visit the Ports and places of danger who failed not for their dischargeâ— upon all event to affirme the perill in each place to be so great as one would have thought every place had needed Fortification Besides he forthwith caused his Navy to be in a readiness and Musters to be taken over all the Kingdom All which preparations being made against a danger believed imminent seemed so to excuse this suppression of the Abbyes as that the people willing to spare their own purses began to suffer it easily especially when they saw order taken for building of such Forts But let us look a little upon the success wherein I find that the said Visitor Generall the grand Actor in this tragique buisnesse having contracted upon himself such an Odium from the Nobilitie by reason of his low birth though not long before made Knight of the Garter Earl of Essex and Lord high Chamberlain of England as also from the Catholiques for having thus operated in the dissolution of the Abbies that before the end of the before specified Parl. wherein that was ratified which he had with so much industrie brought to pass the King not having any more use of him gave way to his Enemies accusations whereupon being arrested by the Duke of Norff. at the Councell-Table when he least dream't of it and committed to the Tower he was condemn'd by the same Parliament for Heresie and Treason unheard and little pittied and on xxviii th of Iuly viz. 4. days after the Parliament was dissolved had his Head cut off on Tower-Hill Nor did many of the Reformers speed much better for Fire and Fagot hapned to be their portion even within the same King's time as whosoever looks into the Storie of those days may see And as for the fruit which the people reapt after all their hopes built upon those specious pretences which I have instanc't it was very little For plain it is that Subsidies from the Clergie and Fifteens of all Lay mens goods were soon after exacted And that in Edward 6. time the Commons were constrain'd to supply the King's wants by a new invention viz. Sheep Cloathes Goods Debts c. for three years which Tax grew so heavy that the year following they prayed the King for mitigation thereof Nor is it a little observable that whil'st the Monasteries stood there was no Act for relief of the Poor so amply did those Houses give succour to them that were in want whereas in the next age viz. 39 o Eliz. no lesse than xi Bills were brought into the House of Commons for that purpose But fearing that this digression hath been too tedious I returne These Nunns being thus disposed of and the House demolish'd it was not long ere that the lands were dispersed for in 36 H. 8. the site and demesns with the whole Lordship of Polesworth were sold to Francis Goodere Gentleman which Francis had issue Sir Henry Goodere Knight his son and heir a Gentleman much accomplisht and of eminent note in this Countie whilst he lived having suffred imprisonment in behalf of that magnanimous Ladie Marie Queen of Scotland of whom he was a great honourer who had issue two daughters only scil Frances and Anne the one married to Sir Henry Goodere Knight son and heir to Sir William brother to the before specified Sir Henry the other to Henry Rainsford of Clifford in Com. Glouc. Which last mentioned Sir H. Goodere left four daughters viz. Lucie married to Sir Francis Nethersole Knight a Kentish Gentleman of an antient House sometime Orator for the Universitie of Cambridge and at the time of that his marriage Agent for K. Iames with the Princes of the Union in Germany of whom the King of Bohemia was chief as also Secretarie to the Q. of Bohemia and by them often imployed back again to the Court of England where he was of note by his actings and suffrings in their Majesties service The other viz. Elizabeth to Samuel Roper a Counceller at Law of Lincolns-Inne of whom I have made mention in Monks-Kirby Mary to Samuel Hildersham a worthy Divine Rector of West-Felton in Com Salop and Anne to Iohn Kingston D r of Physick Which Sir Francis at the speciall instance of his said Lady who bore a great affection to this Town in regard it had been possest by her Family from her great-grandfather's time having erected a convenient fabrick of stone therein for a School-House on the front whereof both his own and her Arms are cut with this Inscription Soli Deo Gloria Schola Pauperum Puerorum Puellarum In further accomplishment of her pious desires hath lately enfeoft six gentlemen of the Countrey thereabouts and seven Divines of the impropriate Tithes of Waverton Dordon and Pooley as also of a Rent-chardge of Xl. marks per annum issuing out of Holt-Hall and Freasley and six yard land in Waverton before specified all of the yearly value of Cxl li. per annum at the least which is more than the whole impropriate Tithes of this Parish do amount unto for a liberall maintenance of a Schoolmaster and Schoolmistris to teach the Children of the Parish viz. the Boys to write and read English and the Girles to read and work with the Needle and both to be instructed in the principles of the true Christian Religion And the residue to be imployed to such charitable uses as he may in his life time finde most conducing to advance the knowledge and practise of true Religâ—on and most beneficiall to the Poor of this place and afterwards he shall by his last Will and Testament declare And in default of his so doing that his said Trustees or the major part of them may increase the maintenance of the Vicar of Polesworth for the time being for whom he is now building a fair House there or set up another School to teach the three learned Languages to the Youth of this Parish or relieve poor Widows and Fatherless Children of deceased Ministers that have been learned godly and painfull in their lives or set out poor Apprentices of this Town Or grant exhibitions to the poor Schollars aforesaid towards the sending them to the Universitie of Cambridge and to be there maintained as they shall find most expedient in all or any of these and likely to be continued in perpetuity The Church dedicated to S. Edith was in an 1291. 19 E. 1. rated at xxii marks but the Vicaridge at no more than one mark
Cal. Nov. 1311. Ioh. Burdeth miles Ioh. de Thurstynton 18. Cal. Maii 1333. Thom. de Bellocampo Com. Warw. Ric. Colet Accol 12. Cal. Oct. 1349. Thom. de Bellocampo Com. Warw. Henr. de Wirley Pbr. 10. Cal. Dec. 1361. D. Thomas Burdet miles Rog. Newbrugg Pbr. penult Sept. 1387. Thom. Mottelow persona Eccl. de Arrow alii Alanus de Thame Cap. 3. Ian. 1410. Thom. Mottelow persona Eccl. de Arrow alii Will. de Erdington 28. Apr. 1411. Thom. Mottelow persona Eccl. de Arrow alii Rob. Evynton Pbr. 13. Martii 1421. D. Thomas Burdet de Arrow miles Nich. Cowper Pbr. 28. Apr. 1439. Thomas Burdet ar Rob. Burton Canon Regularis 10. Martii 1445. Ioh. Burdet ar Ioh. Baker Cap. 13. Febr. 1491. Ioh. Burdet miles D. Thomas Chare 6. Iulii 1521. Thomas Burdet ar D. Will. Lawnslyn 8. Iulii 1530. Thomas Burdet ar Will. Heys Pbr. 5. Aug. 1560. Thomas Burdet ar Ioh. Barwell Cler. 13. Febr. 1577. Tho. Burdet de Bramcote arm Henr. Cowper Cler. 20. Febr. 1617. Thomas Burdet Baronettus Sam. Wollaston ult Iulii 1629. The Church in anno 1291. 19 E. 1. was valued at ...... but in 26 H. 8. at Cxvi s. over and above ix s. vi d. allowed for Procurations and Synodals Shuttenton OF this place there is no particular mention in the Conqueror's Survey it being then involved with Sekindon and of that part as I guesse which the Earl of Mellent then possest from whom or his son Robert sirnamed Bossu Earl of Leicester was William Burdet enfeoft thereof who upon his Foundation of the Monasterie at Aucote on the other side the River gave it wholy thereunto excepting those lands called Coppenhull which he had disposed of to the Nuns of Polesworth At that time it was written Schetynton and continued a pretty Village till about the beginning of King H. 8. time that the Monks of Aucote depopulated six Messuages and two Cotages therein which I take to be a third part thereof After the dissolution of which Monasterie it continued in the Crown till 34 H. 8. but then did the King passe it away unto Thomas Lord Audley Chancelour of England inter alia in exchange for other lands who the next year following sold it together with the site of the said Priorie of Aucote unto Ioane Robinson the widow of George Robinson of London Mercer Since which time it hath past with Aucote to such particular persons as I have there manifested The Church was very antiently appropriated to the Monks of Aucote and in 26 H. 8. valued at Xl s. But upon the grant of the Rectorie together with the site of the Priorie of Aucote unto Thomas Lord Audley in 34 H. 8. there was vi li. per annum reserved for a Curate to serve therein I cannot find that there hath ever been any more than one Presentation to this Church that was by the Prior of great Malvern in anno 1341. Aucote being a Cell subordinate to that Monasterie Which Prior of Malverne presented one Richard then Prior of Aucote thereto who was instituted 14 Cal. Aug. in the year abovesaid Aucote-Priorie THis place being originally a member of Sekindon and with Shuttenton obtained from the Earl of Leicester by William Burdet was in anno 1151. scil 5 H. 2. granted therewith to the Monks of great Malvern in Com. Wigorn. upon condition that they should send two of their Covent to serve in the Church here from the Feast of S. Michaell till that time twelve-month and the next year following to adde unto them two more And moreover that afterwards so soon as the building of the Monasterie here couâ—d be compleated according to the capacitie thereof more Monks to be received therein by the advice of the Abbot of Westminster and other Religious Persons of these parts and the Prior to be constituted always by the Prior of Malverne before specified Unto which agreement so made betwixt the said William Burdet and Roger then Prior of Malverne in the presence of the before mentioned Abbot of Westminster as also the Abbots of S. Albans and Malmesburie Robert Earl of Leicester amongst others was a witness The occasion whereupon this little Monasterie was founded is said to be this viz. that the said William Burdet being both a valiant and devout man made a journey to the Holy Land for subduing of the Infidells in those parts and that his Steward whil'st he was thus absent solicited the Chastitie of his Ladie who resisted those his uncivill attempts with much scorn whereupon he grew so full of envie towards her that so soon as he had advertisement of his Master's arrivall again in England he went to meet him and to shadow his own foul crime complained to him of her loosness with others Which false accusation so enraged her husband that when he came home and that she approacht to receive him with joyfull embraces he forthwith mortally stab'd her and that to expiate the same unhappy Act after he understood the truth he built this Monastery Of this storie though I have nothing but by tradition yet that he was the Founder hereof is most certain from what I have before exprest and doubtless that Monument situate in an Arch of the wall on the North side of the Church here at Aucote is for him which is only a plain Free-stone covering the Coffin wherein his Body resteth curiously embossed with the sculpture of a large Crosse. The Benefactors that this Priorie had were but few that I finde viz. Robert de Bramcote who gave a Meadow called Bramcote-Meadow and William Burdet grandchild to the Founder who having conferred thereunto the Rent of xii d. issuing out of a certain tenement in Aucote for the maintenance of a Lampe to burne before the Altar of our Lady in the Church here of S. Blase when he lay upon his death-bed added the grant of half a yard land and a Water-Mill lying in Radelive in Com. Leic. So that all the revenues belonging thereto were by the Survey made in 26 H. 8. valued at no more than xxxiv li. viii s. Out of which Lx s. being yearly payd to the Priorie of Malverne whereunto it was a Cell xx s. to Sir Humphrey Ferrers Knight then high Steward thereof and other Reprizes which in the whole amounted to vi li. ii s. x d. left the clear yearly value but xxviii li. vi s. ii d. In so much as it being exposed to dissolution by the Statute of 27 H. 8. and so coming to the Crown was granted out in 34 H. 8. together with Shuttenton unto Thomas Lord Audley Lord Chancelour of England and by him to Ioane Robinson widow who died seized thereof in 1 Eliz. leaving William her son and heir Which William had issue Thomas who mortgaged it with Draiton-Basset in Com. Staff to one William
thereof jointly with his said wife in 2 E. 3. leaving Baldwin his son and heir xxxvi years of age who after the decease of his mother in 14 E. 3. doing his homage to the King had full possession thereof Which last mentioned Baldwin died in 17 E. 3. leaving Baldwin his son and heir 26. years of age who the next year following did his Homage to the King and had thereupon Liverie of all the lands of his inheritance lying in this Shire as also in the Counties of Hereford Salop. Staff Wigorn. Wiltf Norf. and Suff. In 26 E. 3. he was a Knight and bore for his Armes Or a Crosse fleurè gules and for his Crest upon a Chapeu the Leggs of a man booted spurred and reverst as appeareth by his Seale but not long after this he altered it and bore a Plume of Fethers in stede of the other Of this Sir Baldwin I further find that he was in great esteem with Edward Prince of Wales commonly called the Black-Prince being for his approved fidelitie and service in 38 E. 3. made by him his Steward of Xantoigne in France for life and in 46 E. 3. retained with the same martiall Prince by Indenture to serve Rob. Marmion temp Regis Will. Conq. Robertus Marmion temp H. 1. Milisear Robertus Marmion 12 H. 2. obiit 2 H. 3. Rob. Marmion senior ob 25 H. 3. Maria ux 2. Iohanna primò nupta Thomae Ludlow mil. secundò Henrico Hillarie Philippus Marmion ob 20 E. 1. Iohanna filia cohaer Hug. de Kilpeck 27 H. 3. Iohanna ob 23 E. 1. sine prole Mazera ux Rad. Cromwell Iohanna consangu una haeredum Philippi Marmion 20 E. 1. Alex. Frevile 20 E. 1. Baldw. Frevile obiit 17 E. 3. Elizabetha 3 E. 3. Eliz. soror cohaerâ— Ioh. de Monteforti mil. ux 1. Baldw. Frevile mil. ob 49 E. 3. Iohanna filia â—â—â— Domini Strange 46 â— 3. Baldw. Frevile mil. ob 11 R. 2. Iocosa filia Joh. Botetourt mil. 11 R. 2. Baldw. Frevile miles obiit 2 H. 4. Iohanna filia Thomae Greene mil. 11 R. 2. Baldw. Frevile mil. ob s. prole 7 H. 5. Elizabetha 7 H. 5. Thom. Ferrers filius secundogeniâ—us Will. D. Ferrers de Groby Thomas Ferrers miles obiit 22. Aug. 14 H. 7. Anna filia Leonardi Hastings de Kirby soror Will. Domini Hastings Ioh. Ferrers miles obiit vivente patre Matilda filia Ioh. Stanley de Elford mil. Ioh. Ferrers miles consanguâ— haeres Thomae Ferrers militis 14 H. 7. Dorothea filia Will. Harper de Rushall in Com. Staff ar Margareta filia Thomae Picot servientis ad legem ux 1. Humfr. Ferrers miles obiit 13 Sept. 1. 2. Ph. M. Ioh. Ferrers arm Humfr. Ferrers miles obiit 13 Sept. 1. 2. Ph. M. Dorothea filia cohaer Thomae Marrow serv. ad legem nupta 32 H. 8. Barbara nupta 31 H. 8. Dorothea ux Edw. Holt ar Humfridus Ferrers miles obiit 5 Iac. Anna filia Humfr. Bradburne de Lee in Com. Derb. nupta 5 Eliz. Walt. Thomas Edw. Ioh Ferrers miles obiit .... 1633. Dorothea filia Ioh. Puckering militis Custodis magni Sigilli Angliae Humfr. Ferrers miles obiit ..... Sept. 1633. Anna filia Ioh. Pakington de Ayles borough in Com. Wigorn. equ aur secundo nupta Philippo Comiti de Chesterfield Ioh. Ferrers natus .... anno 1629. Francisca ux Ioh. Pakington eq aur Anna ux Sim. Archer eq aur Iana ux Thom. Rous Bar. Elizabethaâ— Catherina Brigita Susanna Edw. Henr. Thomas Georgius Dorothea filia cohaer Thomae Marrow serv. ad legem nupta 32 H. 8. Franciscus Cokain primus maritus Leonardus Ferrers 12 H. 7. Rad. Ferrers Decanus Eccl. Coll. de Tamworth 12 H. 7. Margareta primò nupta Hug. Willoughby mil. secundò Ric. Bingham mil. Eliz. filia Joh. de Botetourt de Weoley mil. nupta 27 E. 3. ux 1. Iecosa ux Rogeri Aston Ida filia .... Clinton 35 E. 3. Matilda ux Rad. le Boteler 20 E. 1. Robertus Marmion 12 H. 2. obiit 2 H. 3. Philippa 5 H. 3. Rob. Marmion jun. 2 H. 3. Will. Marmion 43 H. 3. Will. Marmion 2 H. 3. Will. Marmion 43 H. 3. him in the warrs of France with six men at Arms viz. three Knights and three Esquires taking xx li. per annum Fee for the Knights and x. marks for the Eâ—quires As also that he had three wives viz. Elizabeth sister and coheir to Sir Iohn Montfoâ—t Kt. of which Family I have spoke in Beldesert Secondly Ida daughter to ..... Clinton a Ladie of Honour to Queen Philippa and thirdly Ioane daughter to the Lord Strange and that he departed this life in 49 E. 3. leaving by the said Elizabeth Baldwin his son and heir xxiv years of age Which Baldwin being a Knight in 1 Ric. 2. exhibited his claim to be the King's Champion on the day of his Coronation and to do the service appertaining to that Office by reason of the tenure of this Castle viz. to ride compleatly armed upon a barb'd Horse into Westminster Hall and there to challenge the Combate with whomsoever that should dare to oppose the King's title to the Crown which service the Marmions antiently Lords thereof had heretofore performed But Sir Iohn Dimock being then his Competitor carryed it from him by Judgment of the Constable and Marshall of England in regard he was possest of the Lordship of Scrivelby in Lincolnshire which by better authorities than Frevile could produce appeared to have been held for divers ages by that service and that the Marmions had the said office as owners thereof and not in right of this Castle it being descended to Dimock with Scrivelby from an heir female of Sir Thomas Ludlow Knight husband of Ioane the yongest daughter to Sir Philip Marmion before spoken of Which Sir Baldwin in 3 R. 2. was also one of the Commissioners for arraying of men in this Shire and in 9 R. 2. upon partition made betwixt him and Sir Thomas Boteler Knight of Mountfort's lands whereunto they were heirs had the Mannour of Ashstede in Com. Surr. with Gunthorpe and Loudham in Com. Nott. assigned to him as also the reversion of the Mannours of Henley Beudesert and Haselholt in this Countie after the decease of William de Beauchamp Lord Bergavenny in whose hands they then were And had two wives both daughters unto Sir Iohn Botetourt of Weoley-Castle in Com. Wigorn. whereof Elizabeth the first was married to him in 27 E. 3. but I suppose she was then very young and died before they lived together in regard it is plain that he afterwards married Ioyce her sister who overlived him and took to her second husband Sir Adam Peshale Knight which Joyce at length became one of the coheirs to Ioyce her Neece daughter and heir to Iohn son
to be yearly kept here for 8. days beginning on the Even of S. Barnabas the Apostle In 1 E. 3. he was constituted Constable of England but dyed the year following whose brother William then found his heir and xl years of age did not enjoy this Lordship of Alcester in regard the said Walter had about xii years before setled it upon Giles de Beauchamp another brother Of which William all that I have seen memorable is that upon the death of Guy de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick who was Shiriff of Worcestershire by inheritance he had the custody of that County committed to him during the minority of his heir But of Giles I find that in 15 E. 2. he was made Shiriff of Caernarvonshire and Governour of the Castle of Beaumaris that in 14 E. 3. he had a Charter to fortify his Mannour-house here at Alcester with a wall of lime and stone and to embattle the same for the use of himself and his heirs and having had summons to the severall Parliaments amongst the other Barons from 20 E. 2. to 9 E. 3. he left issue Iohn of whomâ— I have seen but little other than his founding a Chantry in the Parish-Church here at Alcester in 36 E. 3. whereof I purpose to speak particularly in its proper place and he Sir Will. Lord of this place and Powik and Sir Walt. de Beauchamp a younger son from whom the Beauchamps Barons S. Amand did descend which Walter in 4 H. 4. was retained by Indenture to serve the King in a voyage royall that he intended for France in his proper person with four men at Armes himself accounted for one and xii Archers whereof the third part were to serve on Foot and the rest on Horseback for one whole year taking for himself ii s. per diem For his men at Armes xii d. and for his Archers vi d. And in 3 H. 5. to serve the King for one whole year in a voyage that he made in person into Guienne in which service he was to have four men at Armes and xii Archers all on Horseback and to receive xl marks a piece for his men at Armes and xx marks a piece for each of his Archers But I come now to Sir William the elder brother of whom it appears that in 16 R. 2. he was made Constable of the Castle of Gloucester In 3 H. 4. Shiriff of Worcestershire and in 1 H. 5. of Gloucestershire This Sir William took to wife Catherine one of the daughters and heirs of Gerard Ufflete and left issue Sir Iohn Beauchamp Knight who in 17 H. 6. upon the death of Richard Beauchamp Earl of Warwick was constituted one of the Commissioners unto whom the Guardianship of all his Castles and lands during the minority of Henry his son and heir were granted and in 22 H. 6. purchased of Thomas Botereux the other moytie of this Mannour of Alcester which had continued in that Family for divers descents as I shall shew anon And being now intire Lord of the whole in 25. of the same King's reign obtained a speciall Charter which reciting that he the said Iohn and his Ancestors had time out of mind enjoyed a Court-Leet of all their Tenants and Inhabitants within this town to be kept twice every year viz. once after Easter and once after Michaelmasse as also Weyfs Streys and all other priviledges to a Leet belonging together with a Mercate upon the Tuesday every week and a Faire yearly on the Sunday next after the Feast of S. Fayth the Virgin did confirme them to him and his heirs And moreover in consideration of the good and acceptable services performed unto that King and to King Henry the fift his father had he by the same Charter a grant of sundry other priviledges viz. Return of Writts and all other Mandates Precepts and Attachments belonging to the said King his heirs and successors his Justices Eschaetors or other Commissioners Steward and Marshall of his houshold as also of all Summons of the Exchequer levying of Estreats from the said Exchequer execution of Writts and Attachments c. all which thenceforth to be performed and executed by the said Sir Iohn and his heirs or such Officers as he or they should appoint within this town and precincts of the Mannour so that no Shiriff Coroner Bayliffe or other Officer belonging to the King should have ought to do there To which was further added that the said Sir Iohn and his heirs should have cognisance of all Pleas belonging to any of the King's Courts touching such lands and tenements as are within this town and Mannour of Debts Accompts Trespasses Covenants Contracts and causes of Contracts arising within the limits of them as also of Assizes of Novell disseisin and Mort D'ancestor Iurates and Certificates of all lands and tenements within the same to be held before the Steward to him and his heirs here for the time being And likewise full power and authority of holding hearing and determining before their Stewards without any speciall Writ from the King Pleas of Pie pouders and all other Pleas of Debts Accounts Trespasses Covenants Contracts and other Controversies whatsoever arising within this town and Mannour or their precincts although they exceed the summe of xl s. value and to make out Processe against such persons as shall be lyable to any action or distresse by his and their own Officers and Ministers and to attach theit persons within the said town and Mannour and precincts of them in case they have not goods whereby to be summoned and distreined And moreover that the said Sir Iohn his heirs should have the priviledges of Infangthef and Outfangthef the goods of Felons Fugitives and all such as are condemned put in exigend for Treason or Felony as also the Chattells of persons outlawed whether it be at the Kâ—ng's suit or at the suit of the party with the Chattells of those that are Felones de se or any way confiscated And likewise all Fines and Redemptions Issues Amerciaments and Forfeitures with Fines for license of concord Year Day Strepe and Wast of all his and their Tenants as well resident as not resident within this town and Mannour and their precincts in whatsoever of the King's Court they shall happen c. And that neither the King's Steward Marshall Coroner of his Houshold Clerk of the Mercate for the time being nor any servant or Officer belonging to any of them shall have power to meddle within the same or the precincts thereof nor any Purveyor to take any thing there from him the said Iohn his heirs or any the Inhabitants of this place And further that all the Tenants thereof aswell resident as non-resident should be for ever quit of Toll Stallage Pontage Pavage Murage Kayage and Chiminage in all places as well by Land as Water throughout the whole Realm of England and
elsewhere within the King's dominions And lastly that he and his heirs should have another Faire yearly within this Town beginning on the Even of S. Dunstan and continuing for two dayes following Which ample Charter bears date at Westminster xviii Nov. in the year before specified After which ere long viz. in 28 H. 6. was he made Lord Treasurer of England but in that Office he continued not long as also a Commissioner for conservation of the Peace and assessing of Subsidies in this County but in these I presume he acted little in respect of his other great imployments being a Baron of this Realm and summoned to severall Parliaments in the said King's time By his Testament bearing date ix Apr. An. 1475. 15 E. 4. he bequeathed his body to sepulture in the Church of the Dominican Friers at Worcester in a new Chapell to be made on the North side of the Quire To which House of Friers for his buriall there he bequeathed the value of xx marks to be had in vestments and stuff besides a pair of Organs of his own residing at that time at Chelchith in the County of Midlesex Appointing that a Priest of that Friery should daily say Masse at the Altar within the said Chapell before his Tombe after the Order of a Trentall for his soul and the souls of his Father and Mother Brethren and Sisters his Children and Ancestors souls and especially for the souls of Sir Iohn Fastolf Knight Will. Botreaux and all Christen souls taking by the week for the said Masse so daily to be said viii d. for evermore Which Chapell and Tombe with his statue thereon in Alabaster he did by the said Testament ordein that his Executor should cause to be made and departed this life the same year leaving Sir Ric. Beauchamp Knight his son and heir then 40. years of age who in the private Chapell of this Mannour-house here called by the name of Beauchamps-Court having speciall License from the Bishop of Worcester wedded Eliz. the daughter of Sir Humfrey Stafford Knight by whom he had issue three daughters that were his heirs viz. Eliz. married to Sir Robert Willoughby Lord Brook first summoned to Parl. by that title in 7 H. 7. Anne to Ric. Ligon and Margaret to Will. Rede which Sir Robert had in her right this Mannour of Alcester in partition and dyed seized thereof 10 Nov. 13 H. 8. leaving Eliz. Anne and Blanch his cosins next heirs viz. daughters of Edw. Willoughby his son by the before specified Elizabeth Of which daughters so in minority Eliz. the eldest was committed to the tuition of Sir Edward Grevill of Milcote Knight who obtained her wardship as I have by tradition been informed with purpose to marry her unto Iohn his son and heir but she better affecting Fòuke the younger became his wife to whom she brought this Mannour of Alcester with other lands which Fouke much enlarged his Mannour-house at Beauchamps-Court taking stone and timber from the then newly dissolved Priory at Alcester for that purpose as also his Park with part of the wast belonging to this Lordship and bore the Office of Shiriff for this County and Leicestershire in 34 H. 8. being then a Knight so also in 1 E. 6. and departed this life 10. Nov. Anno 1559. 1 Eliz. leaving issue Fouke his son and heir and Robert a younger son which Fouke was Knighted in 7 Eliz. being then 29 years of age In 12 Eliz. he came first into Commission for conservation of the Peace in this Shire and departing this life in an 1606 4 Iac. left issu by Anne his wife daughter to Raph Nevill E. of Westmerland Fouk his son and heir Which last recited Fouk having been a servant in Court to Q. Eliz. made Under-Treasurer and Chancelour of the Exchequer by K. Iames as also one of the privy Councell and a Gentleman of his Bedchamber in 15. of that King's reign obtained a speciall Charter confirming all such liberties as had been granted to any of his Ancestors in the behalf of this Town upon a new Rent of x s. per annum then reserved to the said K. his heires successors and was created Lord Brook of Beauchamps-Court before mentioned 9. Ian. 18. Iac. with limitation of that Honour for lack of issue male of his own body unto Robert Grevill son of Fouk son of Robert before specified a younger son to the first Sir Fouk This Fouk Lord Brook obtaining the Castle of Warwick from King Iames when it was in a very ruinous condition bestowed so much cost in the repairs thereof beautifying it with most pleasant Gardens and Walks and adorning it with rich furniture that considering its situation no place in this part of England doth compare with it for statelinesse and delight But delaying to reward one Hayward an antient servant that had spent the most of his time in attendance upon him being expostulated with for so doing received a mortall stab on the back by the same man then private with him in his Bed-chamber at Brook-house in London 30. Sept. Anno 1628 5 Car. who to consummate the Tragedy went into another roome and having lock't the dore pierced his own bowells with a sword After which viz. 27. Oct. the said Lord Brook's body being wrapt in Lead brought to Warwick was there solemnly interred in a vault on the North side the Quire of S. Maries Church under that beautifull Monument erected by himself whereof I have there taken notice To whom succeeded in this his Lordship of Alcester and divers other lands of great value the before specified Robert Grevill Lord Brooke by vertue of a speciall grant whereby they were so setled I now come to speak of that Family of Botreaux which possest the other half of this Mannour till 22 H. 6. as I have intimated Robertus Corbet ..... Reginaldus Comes Cornub Regis Henrici primi nothus Henricus Filia cohaeres Henricus fil Herberti Petrus fil Herberti 6. Joh. Herbertus fil Petri 33 H. 3. Regin fil Petri 56 H. 3. Johannes Herbertus Alicia altera filiarum cohaeredum Will. Boterell Will. Boterell 6. Joh. ob s. prole Albreda fil Walteri Waleran Reginaldus de Boterell frater haeres Will. de Botereus 2 E. 1. Will. de Botereus 9 E. 2. Regin de Botereus 4 E. 3. Walt. de Botereaux obiit 41 E. 3. Joh. Botereaux aetat 6. an 41 E. 3. Margeria filia Will. Dunfrell Joh. Botreaux de Wetheley in Com. Warw. gen 10 H. 6. Thomas Botreaux 22 H. 6. Of Will. de Botreaux who married Alice one of the daughters and coheirs to Rob. Corbet I find that he confirmed to the Monks of Alcester all that they there held of his Fee and that he left issue Will. and Reginald which second Will. in 6. Ioh. gave two Horses for the great saddle