de Boyvile Cap. iii. Non. Aug. an 1330. Edw. R. Angl. ratione temporal Priorat de Wolfrichston in manu sua existen Ioh. de Weston accol pridie Non. Dec. an 1337. D. Rex hac vice Ioh. Grene Pbr. xv Kl. Dec. an 1357. D. Rex c. Will. de Swafeld Cler. iiii Febr. an 1383. Pr. Conv. S. Annae ordinis Carthus juxta Coventre Will. Penreth Cler. xxi Apr. an 1408. Pr. Conv. S. Annae ordinis Carthus juxta Coventre Will. Penreth accol vii Oct. an 1408. Pr. Conv. S. Annae ordinis Carthus juxta Coventre Gregorius Neuport decret bacc 7. Sept. an 1416. Pr. Conv. S. Annae ordinis Carthus juxta Coventre Rob. Helpe Pbr. xvi Oct. an 1421. Pr. Conv. S. Annae ordinis Carthus juxta Coventre Nich Bolton xxi Martii an 1425. Id. Pr. C. Ioh. Norton in decretis bacc x. Febr. an 1452. Id. Pr. C. D. Thomas Walker ix Apr. an 1508. Id. Pr. C. Mag. Rog Carleton .... an 1534. Ioh. Bradburne hac vice ratione concess Pr. Conv. Carthus juxta Coventre Mag. Rob. Baytt in sacra theol bacc iii. Ian. an 1546 Tho. Leigh miles Maior modernus Civitatis London Humfr. Bate in art baccal vi Febr. an 1559. Tho. Leigh miles VVill. Bolton Cler. x. Aug. an 1567. Chr. Hoddesden Gener. hac vice patronus ex concessione Will. Leigh militis Ioh. Sclater in art Mag. xviii Maii an 1612. Long-Lawford THis place as I have said is in the Parish of Church-Lawford In the Conq. time Geffrey VVirce of whom I am to speak in Monkskirby possest it and in the xii year of that Kings reign gave to the Monastery of St. Nicholas at Anglers in France amongst other things two parts of the Tâ—thes of Corn and Cattel and the whole Tyth of the Wool and Cheese arising within the Precincts thereof which were received by the Prior and Covent of Monkskirby before mentioned In that Grant it is written Lellevort but in the Conq. Survey where the same Geffrey is certified to hold five hydes here Lelleford The addition of the first Syllable Longe being of later times used to distinguish it from the other which we now call Church Lawford and doubtless was put thereto in respect that it lyes not so round together as many other towns do That Nigellus de Albany Progenitor to the family of Moubray became possest of all VVirce his lands is apparent whereof I shall speak more largely when I come to Monkskirby which Nigellus or Roger his Son who assumed the name of Moubray enfeoft Robert de Stutville thereof for I find that the said Robert about the beginning of H. 2. time passed it to Iohn de Stuteville his younger brother who for the health of his own soul and of the souls of his father and mother Robert his brother both their childrens souls as also the souls of K. Henry 2. and his Queen bestowed it on the Monks of Pipwell Within the Precinct of this Lordship was a certain Spynney called Black-thyrne whereupon those Monks built a Corn-Mill and a Fulling-Mill which graunts were in the beginning of H. 2. time for by the said Iohn de Stutevile's confirmation he ratified it unto the Monks by the name of Thyrne-Mill with the Floodgates and Damme to the same height and breadth as it was that year in which the said K. Henry returned from Tholose viz. the vi year of his reign All which were confirmed by William the son of the said Robert de Stotevile Iohn and Roger sons of the said Iohn and by Roger de Moubray chief Lord of the Fee as also by Roger Pantolfe nephew and heir to Roger de Stutevile betwixt which Roger and the Monkes of Pipwell there were two agreements concerning Common in the Moor of Long-Lawford digging of Turf for fewell and likewise about fishing in the River of Avon one of these bearing date in xi Ioh. and the other 3. H. 3. as are to be seen at large in the Leiger-Book of that Monastery In 11. E. 1. the Monks of Pipwell had Free warren inter alia granted to them in this Lalleford But there is little else of moment that I have met with concerning this place till after the dissolution of the Monasteries howbeit then viz. in 33 H. 8. did the K. Grant amongst other things to Edward Boughton Esq. and his heirs the graunge of Long-Lawford Thyrn-Mill and divers other lands there which were belonging to Pipwell-Abby And in 7 E. 6. the Mannour unto one Iohn Green of the City of Westminster and Raphe Hall of London Scrivener and their heirs which Iohn in 1 Mariae past away his right therein unto Elizabeth Boughton But I suppose that Hall's part came shortly after to one Thomas VVightman for in 4 Eliz. the said Thomas granted it by the name of the Manour of Lawford which belong'd to the Monks of Pipwell unto Sir Thomas Leigh Kt. and Dame Alice his wife which Sir Thomas dyed seized thereof and at this day Francis Lord Dunsmore his great grand-child by Sir VVilliam Leigh a younger son enjoys it viz. an 1640. I have now done with Long Lawford There is in this Parish of Church-Lawford a place called the Stude situate upon Dunsmore-heath where was antiently a Chappell which with divers Churches and other things became appropriate to the Priory of Coventre in the year of our Lord 1260. 44 H. 3. and as appears by the Grant of K. Philip and Mary an 1. 2. of their reign was an inclosed grove but stands from the town about a mile South-west Wolston FOllowing the stream of Avon the next place I come to is Wolston which is a large Parish and conteins sundry villages and hamlets viz. Merston Stretton upon Dunsmore and Prinsthorpe on the same side the River with Brandon and Bretford on the other In the Conq. days Earl Roger held it by Rainaldus his under-tenant it being then certified to contein five hydes and one virgate of land but in the generall Survey written is Uluricetone in one place and Uluestone in another all under the title of Terra Rogerii Comitis at which time there was a Church and had its appellation originally from some antient possessor thereof in the Saxons time Wulfricus being a name usuall in those days from whence it hath antiently been written Wulfricheston and Wolfrichston though by contraction it be now called Wolston This Rogerius Comes before mentioned is he who was surnamed de Montegomerico by our old Historians being one of the chief Councellours to VVilliam Duke of Normandy for his expedition into England and to second his advice adventured himself in the Battail against K. Harold in which the Duke was victor whereupon as a reward for his fidelity and service he had first the City of Chichester and Castle of Arundell and
of Richard fitz Robert To which William succeeded Thomas who in 55 H. 3. held half a Knights fee in this place and Eton now Nun-Eaton with Sapcote in Leicestershire After which have I not seen any thing considerable relating thereto till 20 E. 3. that William Moton answered for the 8th part of a Knights fee here held of the Honour of Winchester whose title therein divolved as it seems to Richard Grey of Codnoure and Laurence Dutton for in 11 R. 2. the half Knights fee before specified lying here and in Eaton was certified to have been held by them of Henry Lord Ferrers of Groby From which time till 1 Mariae can I discover no more thereof but then was it found that Sir Walter Smyth of whom I have spoken in Shirford dyed seized of the third part of this Mannour As also 300 acres of pasture 60 acres of meadow and 2 s. rent lying here and in Hinkley purchased of Iohn Leeke and Richard Astell leaving Richard his son and heir 22 years of age which Richard in 35 Eliz. being possest of two parts setled them upon William Littleton in marriage with Margaret his daughter in the same manner as he did Shirford whereof I shall speak at large since which it hath accompanyed the possession of that Lordship Burton-Hastings SOuthwards from Stretton and adjoyning thereto lyes Burton antiently called Burton-Hastings by reason that the Hastings were sometime Lords thereof which with other Lands whereof I shall make mention in their due places being part of the possessions belonging to Siunard sirnamed Barn a potent man in England before the Conquest was among other the distributions which William the Conquerour made given to Henry de Fereires one of his Normans Progenitor to that great Family afterwards Earls of Derby and contained then 4 hydes having 2 mills belonging thereto the value of the whole being certified at xl s. But in the general Survey it is written Bortone howbeit in after times Burthon Burhton Burugton Burughton and sometimes Burtone from the old English word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as I guess signifying with the Saxons not onely a place fortified with some warlike rampier or wall but that which had a kind of fence or closure about it or else from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and then may it be colonorum villa In H. 2. time half this Town was given to the Monastery of Nun-Eaton by Geffrey le Abbe and Emme his wife it being of her inheritance with the consent of Raph de Turvill and Richard le Abbe heirs to the said Geffrey and Emme and confirmed to them by the Charter of the same King the residue as it seems coming soon after to the family of Hastings for in 36 H. 3. it was certified that Henry de Hasteng held 1. Kts. fee here and in Shireford of the Earl Ferrers And in 53 H. 3. upon the death of Henry de Hastings amongst other Kts. fees assigned in dowry to Ioane his wife there was one in this Burton which Nich. de Turvile then held How or when Turviles interest passed away I have not seen but in 9 E. 2. Iohn the son of Fouke de Orreby having as by his deed he expresses granted all his Lands which he had in the Village of Borghton to William de Herle and his heirs paying to the said Iohn and his heirs 7 marks of silver yearly at the feasts of Easter and St. Michael the Archangel by equal portions then released to the said William all his title to that Rent of 7 marks reserving 6 marks to be paid by the said William during the life of him the said Iohn which release bears date at Stapleford in Cheshire 9 R. 2. whereupon the same year it was certified that the Prioress of Eton and William de Herle were Lords of this place Which William had issue Sir Robert de Herle Kt. assigned one of the Justices for conservation of the peace in this County in 18 and 19 E. 3. who gave a messuage in Eaton to the Nuns there and in 21 E. 3. departed this life leaving his son Robert then 30 years of age which Robert dyed in 38 H. 3. without issue whereupon Sir Raph Hastings Kt. son of Margaret sister to the said Robert became his next heir which Sir Raph had issue Raph that dyed 21 R. 2. leaving issue Raph Richard and Leonard Of these Raph the eldest being attainted for Treason lost his head 20 Iul. 6 H. 4. for conspiring with Richard Scroop Archb. of Yorke and others against the King but Richâ—rd his younger brother a man of better affectionâ— to the Crown had restitution of his Lands and in 2 H. 5. underwent the Shiriffalty for this County and Leicestershire After which viz. in 9 H. 5. he was retained by Indenture to serve the K. in his wars beyond Sea with 10 Men at Arms and 30 Archers taking 2 s. a day for his own wages 1 s. for every of the said Men at Arms and 6 d. for every Archer In 1 5 and 11. H. 6. he had again the custody of those Counties But in 15 H. 6. dyed leaving Leonard his brother and heir xl years of age Which Leonard being also Shiriff for these Counties in 32 H. 6. departed this world in 34. leaving William his son and heir afterwards Lord Chamberlain to K. Edw. 4. and erected to the degree of a Baron by the same King as also made Master-worker of the K. Moneys both Gold and Silver and Keeper of all manner his eschange and interchange in the Tower of London Ireland and Caleys This is he whom Ric. D. of Glouc. afterwards Kning by the name of Ric. 3. caused to be pull'd from the Councel Table in the Tower and immediatly beheaded upon a peice of Timber within the walls of that place as our Historians do manifest But he had a more honourable burial viz. in the Chapel of St. George at Windsor by the appointment of his last Will and Testament and in a place assigned for that purpose by K. E. 4. in his life time where is a fair Monument erected over him by his Executors for the making whereof he bequeathed an hundred marks To whom succeeded Edward his son and heir stiled Lord Hastings and Hungerford who by his Testament in 22 H. 7. bequeathed his body to be buried in the Colledge at Windsor near his Fathers Tombe and left issue George Lord Hastings which George was afterwards created Earl of Huntington 8 Dec. 21 H. 8. and sold this Mannour to Thomas Harvey Esq a rich Merchant who by his last Will and Testament bequeathed it together with one messuage lying in Wodcote in this County to the use of 3 Priests during xxi years to keep an Obit for his soul. After which time it returned to his four
blood from those great families of Vaux Longvile and Bellers a younger branch of Moubray left issue Everard Fildyng his son and heir Shiriff of this County and Leicestersh in 21. E. 4. and in 2 H. 7. a Commander in the Kings Army at the battail of Stoke juxta Newarke So likewise at Black-heath in Kent in 12 H. 7. which Everard being made Kt. of the Bath at the marriage of Prince Arthur in 15 of that King's reign was Custos Rotulorum in the County of Leic. within two years after And by his Testament bequeathing his body to be buried before the Altar of our blessed Lady in the Black-Fryers at Northampton departed this life in 6 H. 8. leaving issue by Iellis Russell his wife VVill. Fildyng Esq. Shiriff of Rutlandshire in 11 and 12. as also in 18 H. 8. but afterwards Kt. who having been imployed about raising forces out of his Tenants and otherwise for the Wars of France and Scotland in the time of H. 8. as by severall Privy Seals appeareth assisted likewise with no lesse than xvi Horse at his own charges against the Scots as from the Registers sometime belonging to the Councell-table hath been observed As also with ten able persons most Archers and Gunners in that Navall preparation made by the same King under the conduct of the Earl of Southampt for preventing such attempts as might be exercised by the Pope or his Agents whose Supremacy he had abolished And was in such esteem with Q. Iane third wife to the said K. H. that in 29 H. 8. upon her delivery of Prince Edward she sent a Privy-Seal unto him signifying the same with desire of his congratulation and prayers This S r Will. by Eliz. Daughter to S r Thomas Pultney of Misterton K t leaving issue Basill dyed 24 Sept. 2. E. 6. which Basill was Shiriff of this County in 11 Eliz. and took to wife Godith second of the 7 Daughters and coheirs to Will. Willington of Barcheston Esq by whom he had issue William Shiriff of this County also in 31 Eliz. and thrice of Rutland viz. 24 34 and 40 Eliz. who being afterwards a K t by Dorothy the Daughter to S r Raph Lane by a Daughter and coheir to the Lord Parre of Horton had issue Basill Shiriff of this County in 9 Iac. which Basill by Eliz. Daughter to Sir Walter Aston of Tixshall K t had issue William Lord of this place an scil 1640. who being Knighted by K. Iames about the beginning of his reign and after made Custos Rotulorum in this County was in 18 thereof advanced to the dignity of Baron and Vicount Fildyng And in 20 ob generis claritatem nuptias admodum honorandas sed praecipuè ob eximiam virtutem erga nos Coronam nostram fidem as the words of that Charter importâ— created Earl of Denbigh And having been constituted Master of the great Wardrobe and Admirall at Sea in severall expeditions did likewise by his marriage with Susan Sister to George late D. of Buck. not a little enlarge the honour of this Family In another Window of the Parlour In the parlour Window at Newnham Cester-Over THis was antiently a village of many dwellings but long since depopulated so that there remains now no more than the Mannour House and that reduced to so mean a condition as 't is scarce capable of any Inhabitant other than an ordinary Feâ—mour the grounds for the most part being converted to Sheep-pasture Of later times it hath been by the vulgar called Cester-Over which occasioned Mr. Cambden in his Britannia to represent it as a place of great antiquity and no less then a City in the Romans time to which opinion the adjacency of Watlingstreet did as it seems the more encline him But that addition which is by the corrupt pronunciation of the vulgar called Cester â— should in truth be Thester for so 't is antiently written as I shall shew anon and not used neither till a long time after the Conquest for in Domesday-Book it is called Wara where the place now called Church-Over is written Waure as well as Wara and Browns-Over also Waure and Wara as I have already shew'd with the reason thereof As for this addition of Thester for distinction from the other towns before mentioned it is no more than to signify the Eastern situation thereof from Monkskirby in which Parish it is and so by contracting two words into one viz. The Easter or The Eastward for the more brief expression is called and written Th'ester Robertus temp Conq. Robertus de Waure temp H. 2. Will. de Wavere dom de Thester-Waver 3. R. 1. Will. cognom de Blith Rob. de Waver miles Emma filia Rogeri Pantolf cohaeres Will. Pantolf fratris sui Will. de Waver miles 35. H. 3. obiit 56. H. 3. Johanna haeres Rob. de Hayrun dom de Church-Lalleford Will. de Waver 35. E. 1. Alicia filia Rob. Lovet de Neuton 35. E. 1. Robertus de Thestre-Waure 20. 47. E. 3. Ioh. Waver de Thestrewaver 10. H. 6 Christiana filia .... lakes Hen. Waver miles Aldermannus Civit. Lond. obiit 10 E. 4. Joh. Waver Thomas Waver Henr. Waver fil haeres ob 19. E. 4. Will. Brown ar 1 maritus Christiana filia haeres aet 5. an 19 E. 4. ob 37. H. 8. Humfr. Dimock ar 2. maritus Ioh. Browne â—sabella Edw. Browne ar consangu haeres Christianae aet 22. an 37. H. 8â— In the Conq. dayes Geffrey Wirce of whom I have so often made mention possest it at which time being certified to contain 5. Hides and having a Mill it was valued at xl s. one Robert then holdng it of the said Geffrey which Robert was paternall Ancestour as I conceive to the family of Waure written afterwards Waver who assuming their Sirname from hence flourished here till toward the end of E. 3. time as this descent manifesteth But the first of this line touching whom I have found any thing of note is Sir Rob. de Wavere Kt. who wedded Emma one of the two Daughters of Sir Roger Pantolf Kt. Lord of Neubold-Pantolf and coheirs to Will their Brother This Sir Robert was a good benefactor to the Monks of Combe for besides the grant of 2. yard land common for 100. Sheep 24. Beasts and 30. Hoggs for xxii marks of silver he gave them 96. acres of errable land lying in this village with his Body to be buried in that Monastery appointing the like solemnity to be performed for his Obit as for a Monk of that Covent To him succeded Sir William his Son and heir who wedded Iuliana heir to Rob. Hayrun Lord of Church-Lawford Which Sir VVill. in 35. H. 3. founded a Chantry in the Priory of Monkskirby and endowed it with certain lands and Rents lying in Cosford In 38. H.
survey'd by Commissioners from the K. and the Lord Privy-Seal with directions from his Lordship to find all things under the true worth and upon oath of Iurors as well Free-holders as customary tenants which course being held by them are notwithstanding surveyed and returned at 38554 l. 15 s. 0 d. Out of which for Sir ROB. DUDLEY'S contempt there is to be deducted 10000 l. and for the Lady DUDLEYS joynture which is without impeachment of wast whereby she may fell all the woods which by the Survey amount unto 11722 l. The total of the Survey ariseth as followeth In Land 16431 l. 9 s. 0. In Woods 11722 l. 2 s. 0. The Castle 10401 l. 4 s. 0. His Majestie hath herein the mean profits of the Castle and premisses through Sir ROB. DUDLEY'S contempt during his life or his Majesties pardon the reversion in fee being in the Lord Privy-Seal But it was not long afterwards that Prince Henry affecting it as the most noble and magnificent thing in the midland parts of this Realm made overture by special Agents to the said Sir Robert of a desire to obtain his title thereto by way of purchase Whereupon in consideration of 14500 l. to be paid within the compass of a twelve-month unto the said Sir Robert or his Assigns certain Deeds were sealed bearing date 21 Nov. 9 Iac. an scil 1611. and Fines levyed setling the inheritance thereof as also of the Mannour and lands in Kenilworth together with those of Rudfen Balshall and Long-Itchington upon the said Prince and his heirs but with condition that the same Sir Robert should during his life hold and enjoy the Constableship of the said Castle by Patent from the same Prince Howbeit Prince Henry departing this life there was not above 3000 l. of the said sum ever paid as I have heard and that likewise to a Merchant which broke so that it never came to Sir Robert Dudley's hands Nevertheless did Prince Charles as heir to his brother hold the possession thereof and in 19 Iac. obtain'd a special Act of Parl. to enable the Lady Alice wife to the said Sir Rob. in regard she had a joynture therein to alien all her right unto him as if she had been a feme sole which accordingly she did by her Deed bearing date 4 Maii 19 Iac. in consideration of 4000 l. assigned to her out of the Exchequer And being thus come to Pr. Charls as hath been shew'd the custody thereof was by Pat. dated 15 Martii in the first year after he came to the Crown granted to Rob. E. of Monmouth Henry Lord Carey his eldest son and Tho. Carey Esq together with the Park and Chase during their lives and the longer liver of them with the fee of xii d. per diem and an annuity of xl s. per ann for repairing the walls and buildings to be paid by the K. Receiver of this County in whose possession it now rests ann scil 1640. But one thing have I yet further to observe touching the before specified Sir Rob. Dudley and then I shall proceed which is that having thus setled himself in Italy within the Territories of the great D. of Tuscany of whom he had extraordinary esteem he was so much favoured by the Emp. Ferdinand the second as that being a person not onely eminent for his great learning and blood but for sundry rare endowments as is very well known he had by Letters Pat. from his Imperial Majestie bearing date at Uiennaâ— 9 Martii 1620. the title of a Duke given unto him to be used by himself and his heirs throughout all the Dominions of the sacred Empire That which I have further to say of Kenilworth concerns the Church dedicated to S. Nicholas which is that in an 1291. 19 E. 1. it was valued at viii marks and the Vicaridge at one mark But in 26 H. 8. it appears that the Vicar of Kenilworth had onely an yearly stipend of 6 l. 13 s. 4 d. per ann paid by the Prior and Covent which being so small a portion continued thus till 20 Iac. that the Lady Aliza Dudley augmented it with xx l. per ann out of lands in Manceter as in my discourse of that place is manifested Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Henr de Lodbrok Pbr. 5. Id. Nov. 1300. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Galfr. Marmion Pbr. 15. Cal. Iulii 1312. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Rog. Boyvill Cap. prid Id. Martii 1312. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Will. de Stoneley 16. Cal. Martii 1316. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Ioh. de Hinslap Cap. 13. Cal. Feb. 1323. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Henr. de Ansty Cap. 3. Non. Iunii 1346. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Will. de Preston Cap. 9. Cal. Maii 1349. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Ioh. de Calwich Cap. Id. Iunii 1349. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Rad. Rokeby Cap. 6. Id. Aug 1349. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Rog. de Bermicham 12. Cal. Febr. 1351. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Ioh. King Pbr. 8. Cal. Maii 1353. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Will. de Covele Pbr. 7. Id. Sept. 1361. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Ric. atte Birches Pbr. 2. Non. Martii 1373. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Will. Port. Cap. 21. Oct. 1411. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Rob. Loghtburgh Pbr. 1. Maii 1436. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Ric. Lyne Pbr. 4. Octob. 1437. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Ioh. Smyth Pbr. 21. Nov. 1441. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Will. Chapman Pbr. 19. Oct. 1447. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Ric. Braunston 13. Aug. 1454. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Ioh. Audley Pbr. 4. Ian. 1457. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Tho. Rawlynson Pbr. 19. Oct. 1498. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Ioh. Wright Cap. 19. Sept. 1500. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Tho. Westerby alias Barbour Cap. 6. Iunii 1504. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Ioh. Pulteny Cap. penult Dec. 1524. Henr. 8. Rex Tho. Bird in art Bacc. 11. Sept. 1545. Iacobus Rex Ioh. Bust in art Magister 8. Apr. 1611. Rudfen THE first mention that I find of this place is that Geffrey de Clinton son to Geffrey Founder of Kenilworth-Priory gave it unto the Canons of Kenilworth it being there written Wridefen but I rather think that the true name is according to the usuall pronunciation at this time viz. Rudfen in regard it so well agrees with the situation thereof which is in a dirty soil of a red Colour for Rud is Red and Fen in the Saxon or old English signifieth Dirt. Being thus in the hands of those Canons it appears that in 4. H. 7. the Prior of Kenilworth made the Park here and inclosed xl acres of errable-land therein storing it with Deer But after the dissolution of that Monastery it was
2. yard land in demesn and 2. servants holding the residue under particular Rents and performance of servile labour It was then also certified that William Chatere held 8. yard land here of the Prior of Coventre whereof three parts of a yard land he had in demesn Which interest so belonging to the Monks of Coventre here was in right of their Mannour of Priors-Merston that extended into it for no less doth the Record of 9 E. 2. import The substance of which lands so held by Hastings came in tract of time to one Simon de Shukborow and Raph Chatere for in 6 E. 2. It was found that they two held no less than a Knights fee here of the same Iohn de Hastings From which Simon descended Iohn de Shukborow who in 20 E. 3. held of Hasting's heir the third part of a Kts fee in this place And from him Iohn Shuckborough esq who in 10 H. 6. was certified to hold a Mannour here by the 4. part of a Knights fee. But another Mannour there was also and that very antient which belonged to the family of Dive the inheritance whereof in 27 E. 3. Margaret the widow of Richard Hastang daughter and heir to Raâ—â— Dâ—ve and cosiâ— and heir to Iohn Dive of Ducklington in Com. Oxon. granted to Will. Catesbâ— and Iohn his son wherein Emme the Widow of the said Iohn in 13 H. 4. obtained a Charter of Free-warren â— in the behalf of herself and Iohn her son Which Mannour afterwards coming to the hands of Richard Collyng of Wavers-Merston gent. was in 32 H. 8. past from him unto Thomas Shuckborough esq and his heirs Lord of the other Mannour by descent from Thomas his ancestor before specified whose great-grandchild Sir Richard Shuckborough Knight now enjoys it That these Shuckboroughs were very antiently possest of lands here there is no doubt for I find one William de Suckeberge in 3. Ioh. which might be the first assumer of this denomination there being many good and great families whose ancestors â—ixt not their sirnames till afterwards But little have I seen memorable of them in those elder times other than the bare mention of their names neither am I able of a long time after by the advantage of Records to deduce their descent in a lineall succession I shall therefore briefly mention what I have met with as remarkable touching any of them and so pass on to the next In 1 E. 3. I find that Iohn de Shukburgh having been one of the Coroners in this County an office in those days of great account had his Quâ—etus est the Shiriff being commanded to cause another to be chosen in his room But it seems the Kings command was not thereupon pursued because the next year afterâ— he directed another Precept dated from Pontfract 19 Aug. to the same purpose In 6 H. 4. Iohn Shukkeburgh and Thomas Shukkeburgh were with the Shiriff and other Commissioners assigned to collect a Subsidy in this County then granted to the King in Parliament And in 7 H. 5. William Shukburgh of Shukburgh being rank't amongst those Knights and other Esquiers of this County who bore antient Armes from their Ancestors had warning by the Shiriff to appear before the Councell there to receive order for serving the King in his proper person for the defence of the Realm In 6 H. 6. he was one of the Commissioners appointed for the Collecting a subsidy of vi s. viii d. from certain Inhabitants residing within the Cities and Boroughs of this County And departed this life in 11 H. 6. being at that time one of the Coroners for this Shire From whom descended Thomas who was in Commission for conservation of the peace from 18 H. 7. to the end of that Kings raign and for many years in H. 8. time This family do bear for their Armes Sâ—ble a Cheveron betwixt three Mullets argent relating as t is observable to those little stones called Astroites which are very like a Mullet and frequently found in the plowed fields hereabouts The Church dedicated to S. Iohn Baptist being given to the Nuns of Wroxhall as I have already shewed was antiently appropriated to their use and in 26 H. 8 valued at viii li. vi s. viii d. the Procurations and Synodalls yearly payable to the Archdeacon of Coventre for the same being x s. vi d. But here was never any Vicar endowed the Cure having been served by a stipendary Which Rectory after the dissolution of the Monasteryes was granted to Sir Iohn Williams Knight in 32 H. 8. who had license the year following to alien it unto Thomas Shukborough esq from whom it descended to Sir Richard Shuckborough before mentioned Granborough I Now return somewhat neerer to the bank of Leame where I behold Granborough within which parish is Wolscote Walcote and Calcote This is one of those 24. townes that Leofrik Earl of Mercia gave to the Priory of Coventre at his foundation thereof in 1 Edw. Conf. And wherein by the Conq. Surveyâ— that Monastery was certified to hold 8. hides and 1. virgate of land there being then a Mill rated at xvi d. and the value of all recorded at viii li. At the same time it was also found that Richard Forestarius held of the King 2. hides in this place then valued at fifty shillings which before the Conquest were the freehold of one Râ—mdi But in Domesday-book it is written in one place Graneberge and in the other Greneberge whereby it appeares that the name did originally proceed from its situation on a rising ground A great part hereof was in K. H. 1. time given by Laurencâ— then Prior of Coventre the Monks of that House unto Robert the son of Noel which grant K. H. 2. confirmed to Thomas Noel his son who wedded Margaret one of the sisters and coheirs to Raph Strange of Knockin in Shropshire which Margaret held the same land in dower After whose death Alice and Ioan the daughters and heirs of the said Thomas had livery thereof Alice being then the wife of William de Harecurt and Ioan of Thomas Fitz-Eustace It should seem by what hereafter appears that the issue of Alice by William de Harecourt carryed away the whole inheritance here but whether by any grant from Ioan the other sister or that she had no issue I am ignorant For in 36 H. 3. Ric. de Harecurt was certified to hold the same of the Prior of Coventre which Richard dyed in 42 H. 3. leaving William his son and heir who doing his homage had livery of all his fathers lands In 47 H. 3. this William had summons amongst divers other great men to be at Worcester sufficiently furnisht with Horse and Arms on the Feast-day of S. Peter ad vincula commonly called Lammas to resist the power of Lâ—welin Prince of Wales then in Rebellion And the
which unjustifiable act he hasted not to take advantage by reason he was lyable to their action and so upon cool debate betwixâ— them they grew to this conclusion viz. that Mr. Lyle should suffer a Recovery thereof which was accordingly done in 6 H. 8. Richard Hurst and Iohn Forde of Walshall being the persons to whom it was adjudged Which Richard and Iohn soon after made a New feoffment thereof to some other of the Inhabitants to the use of the town and by the like renewing of Feoffments it hath continued to the said uses untill this day Stonythorpe THIS of a small Hamlet is now reduc't to one House and hath its name from the rocky condition of the ground where it stands the word Thorpe in our old English signifying a petty village But it was originally a member of Long-Ichington and held thereof though when first granted away by the Lords of that Mannour I have not seen For before 2 E. 2. I find no mention of it and then one Robert Sampsun possest it Which Robert in 4 E. 2. sold it to Sir William de Bereford Knight chief Justice of the Common pleas reserving an estate for life to himself and Margery his wife From whom it descended to Edmund de Bereford his son who was seized of it in 3 E. 3. and in 20 E. 3. by Fine entailed it upon the heirs of his body By vertue of which entail it came to Iohn de Bereford son of the said Edmund who dyed seized thereof in 30 E. 3. leaving Baldwin his brother and heir 24. years of age Eva his widow having it assigned to her in part of her dower After which it divolved to Ioan grandchild and heir to Ioan the wife of Gilbert de Ellesfield one of the sisters and heirs to the before-specified Edmund de Bereford then wife to Iohn Hore of Childerley in Com. Cantab. as the descent in Langley sheweth which Iohn and Ioan past it away to William Hore of Elmedon in this County in 8 H. 4. whose posterity in the male line enjoy'd it till about the beginning of H. 8. time that Nicholas Hanslap of Aynho in Com. Northampt. had it by marriage with Ioan the daughter and heir to Robert Hore From which Nicholas is lineally descended ..... Hanslap now owner thereof Anno scil 1640. Will. Hore de Elmedon 8 H. 4. Margareta filia Will. Allesley 4. H. 5. Thom. Hore de Elmedon Margar. filia cohaeres Alani Waldeiue Alanus Hore ..... filia Tho. Mollesley de Billesdon in Com. Staff Tho. Hore occisus s. prole Cath. soror haeres ux Joh. Boteler de Solihull Gulielmus Hore de Stonythorp Rob. Hore de Stonythorpe Joh. Hore de Stonythorpe ..... filia Benedicti Medley de Whitnash Thomas Johannes Edmundus objerunt s. p. Bishops-Ichington HAving now done with the Parish of Long-Ichinton below which Ichene falls into Leame I must ascend to the Southwest side of that torrent where the first town I find taking also its appellation from the same brook is divided into two parts Ichington-superior and Ichington-inferior in the later whereof the mother Church antiently stood but was pulled down at its depopulation as I shall further shew anon so that the Chapell of ease in Ichington-superior is since become the Parish-Church that village being not depopulated though the fields were converted to pasture The reason why this is called Bishops-Ichington is in regard it was for a long time the possession of the Bishops of Coventre and Lichfield as I shall shew by and by but the direct time when they first had it I have not seen though that the Monks of Coventre granted it to them be clear enough being one of those xxiv towns which Earl Leofrick upon his foundation of that Monastery in 1. Edwardi Conf. gave thereunto In the Conq. Survey it was certified to be in the hands of those Monks and to contain 5. hides which were then valued at xii li. and so was it in King Stephen's and H. 3. time for I find it particularly mentioned in their Charters of Confirmation made to that Monastery wherein is intimated that the Monks had newly recovered it by the Precept of Pope Eugenius though who it was that disseised them thereof be not exprest But the first Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield that had it for ought appeareth to me was Roger Molend Nephew to King H. 3. and elected to that See by the Monks of Coventre at the earnest desire of Richard E. of Cornwall the Kings brother in 42 H. 3. which makes me guesse that to him the said Monks first past it because I find that the next year following the same King granted him Free-warren here and a Mercate every week upon the wednsday with a Fair yearly to endure 3 days beginning on the Even of S. Peter and Paul commonly called Lammas The extent of what these Bishops had here was in 7 E. 1. certified at 5. carucats of land and a Windmill which they held in demesn having xvi servants who occupyed 25. yard land and a half performing certain servile work in Harvest and x. servants more holding 8. yard land and a half for which they were to Plow Mâ—w and do other service there for the said Bishop They had also xvi Cottagers here holding 17. Cottages each of them paying a certain Rent mowing at sometimes and doing suit of Court twice a year And likewise 8. Freeholders holding 8. yard land and a 4. part who did suit to their 3. weeks Court payd a certain Rent plowed at some times and mowed likewise for the Lord. And besides this had Infangthef with divers other priviledges which in 13 E. 3. were upon their claym allowed and afterwards enjoyed till 1 E. 6. that Richard Sampson the then Bâ—shop past it with the Mannours of Tachebroke Geydon and Chadshunt to one Thomas Fisher esquier for an C li. in ready money and an Annuity of 50 li. per annum reserved to himself and his successors Which grant was confirmed by the Dean and Chapter under their publique Seal 15. Apr. following But this Annuity of 50 li. per annum continued not long For the same Bishop by his Deed of Release bearing date 14 Dec. 2 E. 6. acquitted the said Tho. Fisher and his heirs thereof Which grant of these Mannours and Release so made by the Bishop K. E. 6. by his Letters Pat. dated 20. Apr. 3. of his reign confirmed And moreover granted to the said T. Fisher and his heirs within the precinct of the said Mannours Return of Writs so as the Kings Officers were not to meddle there and that for the future this priviledge should be called The Liberty of Thomas Fisher in the County of Warwick What the reason was that the said Bishop past away this and those other Mannours to the great
from Iohn Carpenter then Bishop of Worcester Besides this goodly Tombe of Earl Richard which in the story of his life I have accurately represented there are in the same Chapell these following Monuments viz. of Ambrose Dudley Earl of Warwick Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester and of Robert his son who dyed young as doe here follow Here under this Tombe lyeth the corps of the Lord Ambrose Duddeley who after the deceasses of his elder brethren without yssue was sonne and heir to John Duke of Northumberland To whom Queen Elizabeth in the first year of her raigne gave the Mannor of Kibworth-Beauchamp in the County of Leyc to be held by the service of being Pantler to the Kings Queens of this realme at their Coronations Which office Mannour his said father other his Ancestours Earles of Warwick held In the second yeare of her raigne the said Queen gave him the office of maister of the Ordinance In the fourth yeare of her said raigne she created him Baron L'â—sle and Earle of Warwick In the same yeare she made him her Lieutenant generall in Normandy and during the time of his service there he was chosen knight of the noble order of the Garter In the twelveth year of her raigne the said Earle and Edward Lord Clinton Lord Admirall of England were made Lieutenants jointly and severally of her Majesties Army in the North parts In the thirteenth year of her raigne the said Qu. bestowed on him the Office of chief Butler of England And in the xv th yeare of her reign was sworn of her privy Councell Who departed this life without issue the xxi th day of February 1589. at Bedford house neer the Citty of London from whence as himself desired his corps was conveyed and interred in this place Neare his brother Robert Earle of Leicester and other his noble ancestors which was accomplished by his last Will and welbeloved wife the Lady Anne Countesse of Warr. who in further testimony of her faithfull love towards him bestowed this Monument as a remembrance of him John Dudley esquire second sonne to John Lord Dudley and knight of the Garter marryed Elizabeth daughter and heire of John Bramshot Esquier and had issue Edmund Duddeley Edmund Duddeley Esquire one of the privy Councell to king Henry the 7 â—h married Elizabeth sister and sole heire of John Grey Viâ—ount L'sle descended as heire of the eldest daughter and coheire of Richard Beauchamp â—â—wl in Warwick and Elizabeth his wife daughter and hèir of the Lord Berkley and heir of the Lord L'ysle and Ties and had issue John Duke of Northumberland John Duke of Northumberland and Earle of Warwick Vicount L'isle and knight of the Garter marryed Jane daughter and heire of Sir Edward Guildford knight and Elianore his wife sister and coheire to Thomas lord la Warre and had issue the said Lord Ambrose The said Lord Ambrose Dudley marryed to his first wife Anne daughter and coheire of William Whorwood esquier Attorney generall to King Henry the eight The said Lord Ambrose married to his second wife Elizabeth daughter of Sir Gilbert Taylbois knight sister and sole heire of George Lord Taylbois The said Lord Ambrose after he was Earl of Warwick marryed to his third wife the Lady Anne daughter to Francis Earle of Bedford Lord Russell and knight of the Garter DEO VIVENTIUM S. SPE CERTA resurgendi in Christo hîc situs est illustrissimus Robertus Dudleyus Johannis Ducis Northumbriae Comitis Warwici Vicecomitis Insulae c. filius quintus Comes Leicestriae Baro Denbighiae Ordinis tum S. Georgii cùm S. Michaelis eques auratus Reginae Elizabethae apud quam singulari gratia florebat Hippocomus Regiae Aulae subindè Seneschallus ab intimis Conciliis Forestarum Parcorum Chacearum c. citra Trentam summus Iusticiarius Exercitus Anglici à dicta Regina Eliz. missi in Belgio ab anno M.Dlxxxv ad annum M.Dlxxxvii Locum tenens Capitaneus generalis Provinciarum confederatarum ibidem Gubernator generalis Praefectus Regnique Angliae Locum tenens contra Philippum ii Hispanum numerosa Classe exercitu Angliam Anno M. Dlxxxviii invadentem Animam Deâ— servatori reddidit Anno Salutis M. Dlxxxviii die quarto Septembris Optimo charissimo marito moestissima uxor Leticia Francisci Knolles Ordinis S. Georgii equitis aurati Regiae Thesaurarii filia amoris conjugalis fidei ergò Posuit It now remains that I take notice of what else I have found worthy of note in relation to this Chapell and not already publiquely known which is that Sir Henry Nevill Kt. son and heir to George Nevill Lord Latimer by Eliz. the third daughter to the noble Earl Richard before remembred who dyed in his fathers life time was here interred at the head of the said Earl as appears by the Testament of the Lady his widow daughter to Sir Iohn Bourchier Lord Berners who also bequeathed her body to be here buried And to the intent that the Dean and Canons of this Coll. Church should devoutly pray for her soul and for the soul of her said husband and all Christen people departed she gave unto them two Gowns of blew Velvet wherewith to make a Vestment and Copes so far as they would reach to be used in the same Colledge one of which gowns belong'd to her said husband And direrected that if those two gowns would not suffice to make a Chesiple two Tunicles a Cope with Altar clothes and frontell that then her Executors should buy as much plain blew Velvet as might compleat the same for to serve to the Altar in the said Chapell And farther appointed that her said Executors should find a Priest to sing in the said Chapell for her soul and the soul of her said husband and all Christen people deceased for the space of three years next ensuing her decease And to this Church she also bequeathed her Crysome gown of fine thred and lawn to be disposed of for a Corporas Other memorable Legacies which she gave by this Testament were these viz. a Ring of gold with a table Diamond to be offered at the Shrine of S. Thomas of Canterbury in the honour of God and that blessed Martyr To her brother Sir Humfrey Bourchier Knight a Ring of gold with a flower de Lyce of Rubyes To her brother Thomas Bourchier an Ouch of gold made like a trunk with a Dyamond two Rubies and two Pearles To Dame Eliz. Lady Wells her sister a flower of gold with a Ruby and two half Pearls To her son the Lord Latimer her wedding Ring To the Parson of S. M. Magd. at old Fish-street end a Cruse of silver and to Thomas Nevill her son her great Primmer Of which Testament she constituted Executors Sir Iohn Bourchier Knight Lord Berners her father Dame Margery his wife her mother Thomas Bourchier her brother and Iohn Bradshaw the same bearing date 2. Octob. Anno 1470. 10 E. 4. and proved the
amounted then to C s. per ann but had a Church-yard and Ecclesiastique sepulture In 22 R. 2. it was appropriated to the said Collegiat Church of our Lady a Pension of iii s. iv d. per ann being thereupon reserved to the Bishop and his successors out of it and in 26 H. 8. valued at iii li. vi s. viii d. per ann which sum the Dean and Canons of the said Collegiat Church then received Patroni Incumbentes c. D. Episc. auctoritate Diocesana Gilb. de Kyneton Cler. 10. Non. Feb. 1282. Canonici Eccl. B.M. Warw. Gilb. de Kington Subdiac 14. Cal. Dec. 1283. D. Episc. Henr. de Olney Cap. 6. Id. Nov. 1322. D. Adam de Herwynton Canon Praeb Eccl. Coll. B. M. Warw. Thom. de Burneby Cler. 9. Kal. Iunii 1325. D. Adam de Herwynton Canon Praeb Eccl. Coll. B. M. Warw. Will. de Walsh accol Non. Oct. 1338. Praebendarius de Comptox Adam Coriate Pbr. ..... 1339. Ioh. de Bokyngham Praeb Ioh. Roer Pbr. 15. Iunii 1357. Praebendarius de Compion Murdak Ric. de Broughton Pbr. 27. Aug. 1380. The Church of S. Iames being originally but a Chapell and founded over the West gate of this town was given to that of our Lady by Roger Earl of Warwick upon the making thereof Collegiate by him in King Henry 1. time as I have already shewed And in 41 E. 3. was presentable by the Dean and Canons of the above recited Colledge but being at that time void as it had been for many years had no more revenue than xx s. per ann belonging to it and neither Church-yard nor Ecclestique sepulture In 6 R. 2. the advouson thereof was bestowed on the Gild of S. George in Warwick whereof I shall speak anon Patroni Incumbentes c. Will. de Bellocampo Comes Warw. Thom. de Beoleg Pbr. 3. Id. Iunii 1294. Thom. de Bellocampo Com. Warw. D. Will de Benynton Pbr. 22. Iunii 1330. Thom. de Bellocampo Com. Warw. Rob. Sotemay Pbr. 27. Iulii 1339. Thom. de Bellocampo Com. Warw. Philippus Bosse Pbr. 18. Maii. 1340. Thom. de Bellocampo Com. Warw. D. Walt. de Ulnehale Cap. 20. Martii 1342. Thom. de Bellocampo Co. Warw. Ioh. de Harwode Pbr. 19. Iunii 1374. Thom. de Bellocampo Co. Warw. Ric. Colet Pbr. 12. Sept. 1374. Thom. de Bellocampo Co. Warw. Hugo de Pykton Cler. ult Dec. 1378. The Priory FRom hence I come to the Priory of S. Sepulchers situate on the North side of this town on a most pleasant ascent the Foundation whereof was begun by Henry de Neuburgh the first Earl of Warwick after the Conquest in K. H. 1. time the occasion thereof being by the recourse of divers Pilgrims in great devotion to the Holy Land the Christians prevailing much about that time who solicited this Earl to erect a Monastery in imitation of those Canons Regular there instituted in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher of our blessed Saviour which Canons used the like habite that other Regular Canons did adding onely a double red Cross upon the brest of their Cope this being the first House of that peculiar Order either in England Wales Scotland or Ireland But after the destruction of Hierusalem again which hapned in Anno 1188. 35 H. 2. almost all the Houses of this Rule began to decay so that then the Religious persons of this Order betook themselves to solicit and implore the aid of good people for help to regain the Holy Land having power to bestow great Indulgences upon those that were bountifull thereto their habite being then chang'd to a gray Cloake and the Prior going with a Pastorall staff howbeit all their endeavours for regaining the Holy Land at last comming to nothing their lands and revenues were transferred to the Order of Friers of the Holy Trinity for redemption of Captives touching the first Institution whereof I have spoke in Thelesford Canonicus Regularis S. Sepulchri The Church of Snitfield given by Hugh fil Ricardi Certain lands lying betwixt Tunstall and Stochull near Warwick by Geffrey de Vinea A stone-house and some particular ground in Warwick by William the son of Gilbert Nutricius Those grounds called Levenhull situate on the Northwest side of Warwick by Robert de Morton in 29 H. 3. One yard land in Lighthorne confirm'd i by Nigell de Mundevill which his father gave when he bequeath'd his body to sepulture here Certain lands in Upton by Thomas de Arden The Church of Hasele confirm'd by Thomas de Cherlecote Lord of Hasele having been given by some of his Ancestors Certain lands in Solihull by Sir William de Odingsells An annuity of 50 s. by Margery de Nerburne given out of Austrey in this shire Certain lands in Claverdon by Ela Longespe Countess of Warwick which she gave for the health of her soul and for the soul of Thomas Earl of Warwick her husband William Earl of Salisbury her father Ela her mother VVilliam and Richard her brothers and Ida her sister sometime wife of VValter fil Roberti Besides all these there belong'd thereto five Mess. one carucat of land and x s. x d. yearely Rent lying within the parish of S. Clements-Danes in the suburbs of London together with the advouson of the said Church of S. Clements all which the Prior and Canons of this House exchanged away unto VValter Stapleton Bishop of Exeter to the use of his Bishoprick for eight acres of land in Snitfield before specified with the advouson of the Church in 17 E. 2. Which Church they had then License to hold appropriate to them and their successors and did accordingly so that it seems the former title they had thereto by the grant of Hugh fil Ricardi either was not good or else they had aliened it away soon after It also seems that much of the lands they had here at Warwick was antiently Common for by an Inquis taken 9 H. 8. I find that they had inclosed foure hundred acres here and depopulated one mess. whereunto eighty acres belonged But over and above these lands had they sundry liberties and priviledges granted to them by King Henry 2. and Richard 1. and confirm'd by King Hen. 3. and Edw. 3. so great an esteem had they of that Order as the Preamble of King Henry 3. Charter implies scil pro reverentia S. Dominici Sepulchri And by the Survey taken in 26 H. 8. it appears that besides the Rectories of Snitfield and Haseley above specified there belong'd to this Monastery the Church of Gretham in Com. Rutl. antiently of the Earl of Warwick's advouson though when given thereto I am not very certain all which with the rest of its possessions lying in Warwick Hatton Claverdon Church-Lawford Austrey Snitfield Pinley Solihull and Fenni-Compton were then rated at no more than
Knightlow-Hundred whereunto I shall adde that 't is probable it might proceed from the Saxon word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifieth the same with Collis the situation thereof upon a little hill savâ—uring this my conceipt But I now come to what I find memorable in relation to this place In 51 H. 3. Barthol de Suthleg being then Lord thereof had a Charter granted to him and his heirs for a Mercate to be kept every Friday weekly here and a Fair annually for three days viz. the Eve of S t Iames the Apostle and two days after And in 7 E. 1. Iohn de Suthley was certiâ—iâ—d to be Lord hereof where it is written Magna Dercet but said to be a member of Suthley as also to be held by him of the King in Câ—pâ—â—e with his Barony by the service of two Knights fees And that he had at that time here Liii servants holding xix yard land and a half paying severall Rents and performing divers servile labours with xxiv Freeholders holding 24. yard land and a half And moreover it there appears that the Chief Chanter of the Church of Lichfield held here at that time a fourth part of one yard land and the Canons of Erdbury two yard land one whereof the Church was endowed with As also that the Templars of Balshall then had xi Tenants here who held four yard land paying severall Rents and performing severall servile labours The Liberties and Priviledges which the said Iohn de Suthley then had in this Lordship were the Mercate and Faire whereof I have already toucht Free-warren Court-Leet Gallows Cuckstool and Pillory with Assize of Bread and Beer All which together with weyfs as also to be quit of Murther and suit to the Hundred and County Court he claimed partly by Prescription and partly by Charter but it being then found that for Murther he used to partake with the Hundred he was amerc't for that undue claim the rest of his Challenge being fully allowed Which Iohn de Sudley became a speciall Benefactor to the Monastery of Erdbury of his Ancestors foundation by the grant of lands and other advantages thereunto out of this place as I shall punctually shew when I come to speak of that Religious House I often find in Record that this town is called Cheping-Derset the reason whereof is because of the Mercate for Cheping with our Ancestors did signify the same that buying and selling doth with us whence it is that Cheping-Norton in Oxford-shire Chepinham in Wilt-shire and Chepstow in Monmouth-shire had their names But the last of the Sudleâ—'s that had to doe here was Sir Iâ—hn de Sudley Knight who dying without issue in 41 E. 3. left Thomas Boteler son of Ioan his eldest sister then dead and Margerie his younger sister his heirs whereby as also by the death of the said Margerie afterwards without issue the said Thomas became possest of this and all the rest of Sudley's lands which Thomas being afterwards a Knight dyed seized of this Mannour jointly with Alice his wife daughter to Sir Iohn Beauchamp of Powyk 21. Sept. 22 R. 2. then leaving Iohn his son and heir xiv years of age who in 8 H. 4. confirmed the estate for life therein which had been granted by certain Feoffees unto the said Alice she being at that time marryed to Sir Iohn Dalyngrugge Knight This Iohn and William his brother were sons to Sir Thomas Boteler by his first wife but both dyed without issue as it seems for upon the death of the abovespecified Alice in 21 H. 6. Sir Raph Boteler Knight was then found to be heir unto her and begotten by the said Sir Thomas being then xl years of age which Sir Raph became a man of great note in H. 6. time as it seems for I find that being Knight for the Body to the King â—e was made his Standard-bearer 28. Martii 17 H. 6. And by Letters Patent dated at Westminster x. Sept. 20 H. 6. created Lord Sudley with the grant of CC. marks per annum to himself and his heirs for the better maintenance of that dignity He was also constituted Lord Treasurer of England 7. Iulii 22 H. 6. which office he held about three years but in 13 E. 4. he departed this life leaving Sir Iohn Norbury Knight and William Belknap his heirs which Sir Iohn Norbury was son of Sir Henry Norbury Knight by Elizabeth and Will. Belknap son of Hamond Belknap by Ioan sisters to the said Raph for he left no issue male Sir Thomas Butler his only son dying in his life time which Sir Iohn Norbury and William Belknap in 16 E. 4. had livery of all the lands descended to them by the death of the abovespecified Sir Raph Boteler The partition whereof was made betwixt the said Sir Iohn and Edward Belknap Esquier son of Henry brother and heir to William Belknap aforesaid in 13 H. 7. whereby this Mannour inter alia became assigned to Belknap for in 2 R. 3. William dyed without issue leaving Henry Belknap his brother and heir 50. years of age which Henry by his Testament dated 25. Iunii anno 1488. 3 H. 7. bequeathed his body to be buried in the Chapell of our Lady at Bekle in Sussex It seemes he lived there for by the same Testament he gave to the high Altar in that Church xx d. in lieu of his Tithes forgotten and not payd and departed this life 10 Iulii following leaving the said Sir Edward his son and heir xvii years of age who became a man of much publique action for in 2 H. 7. he was one of the Commanders in the Kings Army at the Battail of Stoke In 6. a Commissioner of Array in this County In 12. a Commander in the Battail of Blackheath in Kent against the Western Rebells In 17. he had the custody of Warwick-Castle committed to his charge being at that time Squier of the Body to the King And from 8 H. 7. for the most part during all that Kings raign was in Commission for the Peace in this County as appears upon the severall renewings thereof and sometimes for Gaol delivery In consideration of whose acceptable services the said King by a speciall Patent dated 14. Apr. 24. of his raign granted him immunity from being troubled or questioned for that Inclosure and depopulation which he had made in this Lordship contrary to the Statute in the third of his raign He was also Squier of the Body to King H. 8. being in the first of his raign again constituted Constable of Warwick-Castle for he resided at Weston subtus Wethele in this County as it seems by what I have there manifested And in 8. a Knight The Depopulation and Inclosure that he made within this Lordship scil in 14 H. 7. was of xii mess. and CCClx. acres
6. which is that there was then but nine Housholders in it But upon the generall dissolution of the Religious Houses in 30 H. 8. it came to the Crown and was inter alia granted out to Edward Aglionby of Balshall Esquire and Henry Hugford of Solihull Gentleman and their heirs by Letters Patent bearing date 26 Maii 7 E. 6. From which Edward and Henry Clement Throkmorton of Haseley Esquire purchased it and dying seized thereof 13 Dec. 16 Eliz. left it to Iob Throkmorton his son and heir whose grandchild Clement now enjoys it The advouson of the Church dedicated to All Saints hath been long severed from the Mannour for in 16 H. 3. it was granted to Pauline Peyvre and confirmed to Iohn Peyvre son to Pauline as I suppose in 47 H. 3. by Robert de Maneby Prior of S t Iohn's the Hospitalars being then possest of this Lordship But from Peyvre it soon came to the Montforts of Beldesert as appeateth from the Presentations thereto and so to the Frevills and Willughbyes as heirs to Montfort In anno 1291. 19 E. 1. the Rectory here was valued at vi marks and a half and in 14 E. 3. at iv li. vi s. viii d. but in 26 H. 8. at no more than iv li. Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. D. Petrus de Monteforti Petrus de Leycester Cler. die S. Greg. 1274. Exec. Testam D. Will. de Bellocampo Com-Warw ratione custodiae terr c. Ioh. de Monteforti Will. de Dalby Cler. 15. Cal. Apr. 1301. D. Petrus de Monteforti miles Thom. de Compton accol 11. Feb. 1336. D. Petrus de Monteforti miles Thomas atte Moore Pbr. 28. Sept. 1361. D. Petrus de Monteforti miles Rob. Barleston Cler. 9. Iulii 1368. D. Baldewinus Frevile Oliverus Glede penult Apr. 1374. D. Will. Beauchamp miles Rob. Pollesworth 26. Oct. 1388. D. Will. de Bellocampo Dominus de Bergavenny Will. Iokin 5. Oct. 1408. D. Will. de Bellocampo Dominus de Bergavenny Ioh. Colman 22. Ian. 1410. D. Episc. hac vice D. Ioh. Grete Cap. 7. Iulii 1431. D. Rad. Boteler miles Rob. Aston ar Io. Hynde 27. Dec. 1438. Ric. Bingham unus Iustic D. Regis de Banco Margar. ux ejus Thomas Barbour Cap. 14. Nov. 1460. Margareta Bingham â—â—lia haeres Baldw. Frevill mil. D. Phil. Echington Cap. 14. Ian. 1486. Henr. Willughby miles D. Ric. Hawle Cap. 25. Febr. 1512. Ioh. Willughby miles Rog. Freman Cap. 17. Feb. 1533. Ph. M. Rex Regina ratione minoris aet Thomae fil haer Henr. Willughby mil. D. Will. Trentham Pbr. 27. Apr. 1557. Thomas Ellesmere de Burmingham Tanner Henr. Evans Cler. 21. Apr. 1602. Thomas Spenser ar Rob. Sawer Cler. 17. Febr. 1607. Upon a grave-stone in the Church this Epitaph Here lyeth Iohn Randoll by birth a Somersetshire man sometime a Student of the Law regardfull of his own and publique Peace who on the Purification of S. Mary in the yeare of our Redemption dyed 1626. IN this Church there was a Chantrie founded by Peter de Montfort of Beldesert who in 20 E. 2. gave xxx acres of land with â— piece of meadow ground as also v s. vi d. in silver v. strikes of Muncorn and one strike of Oats to be yearly paid by certain Feoffees and their heirs therewith intrusted for the finding of a Priest to celebrate divine service daily at the Altar of our Lady within this parish-Church for the health of his soul and the souls of his Ancestors and successors Haselholt THis if it were ever a place of habitation hath now no appearance thereof being onely certain grounds so called having had its name from the situation Holt in our antient English importing a Grove of Trees standing on high Nor till 50 H. 3. have I found it mentioned but then doth it appear that Peter de Montfort slain a little before in the battail of Evesham as in Beldesert is shewed had four marks of Rent issuing out of this place After whâ—ch viz. in 14 E. 1. it was with Beldesert and divers other Lordships entailed by Peter de Montfort son to the said Peter upon the issue of his son Iohn by Alice the daughter of William de la Plaunche the extent thereof being half a Knights Fee and held of Roger de Moubray But in 13 H. 4. William de Beauchamp Lord Bergavenny dyed seized of it together with the Castle and Mannour of Beldesert whereof it was then reputed a member the reversion of it belonging to William Boteler of Suydley and Baldwin the son of Sir Baldwin Freville Knight as heirs in tail Beldesert ON the East side of the last mentioned brook runneth a Hilly tract bordered with deep Vallies on each part the point whereof maketh a kind of Promontorie whose ascent being somewhat steep gave occasion of the fortifying there at first considering its situation in these wood-land parts where through the oportunity of so much shelter advantage was most like to be taken by the disherited English and their ofspring to make head for their redemption from the Norman yoak 'T is not unlike but that this mountanous ground may be it which we find by the name of Donnele in the Conqueror's Survey for as that is therein recorded to be â—n the Earl of Mellent's possession and ranked next unto Preston before spoken of so doth the name argue no lesse don and dune in our old English signâ—fying a Hill But if it were so this now called Beldesert is of a larger extent than that could be for that was then certified but at one hide having a kind of Parke or inclosure containing halfe a mile in length and as much in breadth all which was valued at xxx s. having been the inheritance of Alwoldus in Edw. the Confessors days Therefore in case it were so it must be concluded that a great part of the before specified Preston was afterwards added to it From this Earl of Mellent most sure it is that the greatest part of what he possest in these parts came soon after to Henry de Newburgh his Brother the first Earl of Warwick of the Norman line who thereof and of divers other fair Lordships enfeoft Thurstane de Montfort his neere kinsman Which Thurstane finding it so capable of Fortification erected thereupon that strong Castle whereunto by reason of its pleasant situation the French name Beldesert was given which continued the chief Seat of his Descendants for divers ages but at length through coheirs coming to such Families whose principall mansions were in other places to prevent the advantage which in the times of civill dissention betwixt the Houses of Yorke and Lancaster might have been taken on either side to the prejudice of its owners as I conceive was either demolished or suffred to go to ruine so that now there is not only any one stone
H. 6. Ioh. de Stanford 15 E. 2. Margeria Matilda 12 R. 2. Ioh. de Stanford obiit s. p. 37 E. 3. Iohanna secundò nupta Thomae dâ— Morâ—hall his Armes Argent upon a Fesse wavy sable three Hares heads cooped Or vith a labell of three points in Chief and by his last Will and Testament bearing date the Tuesday next after the Feast of the Conception of our Lady anno 1428. 7 H. 6 wherein he stiles himself Esquier bequeathing his body to sepulture in the Church of S. Peter here at Wootton and vi li. xiii s. iv d. to the reparation of the great road-way leading betwixt the said town of Wootton and the Heremitage at Sillesburne departed this life the same year leaving issue divers Children of some whereof I shall speak anon in the mean time taking notice of what I have seen in relation to his brother Thomas In 3 H. 5. he was Eschaetor for this County and Leicestershire In 5 c a Justice of Peace for this Countie in which imployment he continued till his death And having been one of those three who with the Shiriff in 7 H. 5. made that return of the names of such gentlemen of note in this Shire which bore antient Armes from their Ancestors and had summons to serve the King in their proper persons for defence of the Realm dyed without issue in 22 H. 6. leaving Thomas son of Roger son of Iohn his brother his next heir But I return to the issue of Iohn elder brother to the said Thomas which were Roger his son and heir that enjoy'd these lands in Wootton Richard who by his Fathers Testament had the Mannour of Shoterich in this County bequeathed to him and lyeth buried before the Altar of S. Andrew the Apostle in the Church of the Holy Trinity at Stratford super Avon William sometime Lord of the Mannour of Stoâ—rton and Iohn that had Whitley Which Roger wedded Agnes the daughter coheir of Sir William Clopton of Clopton in Somersetshire and had issue by her William Harewell who by the death of Ioan daughter and heir to the before specified Richard without issue had the Mannour of Shoterich of his grandfathers inheritance This William was a trusty friend to the House of Lancaster as it seems for upon the regaining of the Kingdom by King H. 6. he had the custody of this Countie and Leicestershire and before the end of that his Shirivealtie fought stoutly on King Henrye's part at Barnet field in which battail being taken prisoner r he was thence carried to Windsor-Castle whereupon also his lands were seized by the King and bestowed on Humphrey Stafford Esquire to hold during the King's pleasure But after a while through the solicitation of his kinsman Iohn Leighton Esquire made with Iohn Talbot then Earl of Shrewsbury he was released of his imprisonment and restored to his lands For which favours the said Earl had first xl li. that the same Iohn Leighton promised to give him for obtaining his enlargment lands and xl marks more which he exacted over and above But after this in 14 E. 4. he was constituted one of the Justices of Peace in this County yet I do not find that upon the next renewing of those Commissions or ever after that he had the like imployment during King Edward's reign howbeit in 2 R. 2. he was appointed one of the Commissioners of Array in this Shire All that I have seen more of him is that in 16 H. 7. he founded a Chantrie in the Friers Preachers at Warwick of which I have particularly spoke in my discourse of that place and that departing this life 2. Dec. the same year he was there buried leaving Iohn his son and heir 30. years of age Which Iohn in 18 H. 7. being constituted one of the Justices of Peace in this County was the same year made Constable of Maxstoke Castle by Edward Duke of Buck. and by his Testament bearing date 8. Apr. Anno 1505. 20 H. 7. gave to the said Duke whom he there calls his Lord his great Dun Horse for a Heriot and by Anne his wife daughter and heir to Richard Midleton had issue two sons and five daughters whereof Thomas the elder dyed without issue before 3 H. 8. and William was a Priest whereupon the sisters came to inherit viz. Elizabeth Anne Brigit and Agnes for Maud the Eldest wife of Iohn Leighton dyed without issue before the partage was made betwixt them Of which Elizabeth first the wife of Anth. Ralegh and afterwards of Leonard Rede had for her share the Mannours of Bear-cracombe and Copland in Somersetshire and vi s. viii d. yearly Rent issuing out of the Mannour of Thongland in that County Anne wife to Iames Clifford of Frampton in Com. Glouc. the Mannours of Knoll and Broseley in the Counties of Somerset and Salop. as also certain lands in Sturmister-Marshall in Dorsetshire and Billingsley in Shropshire with iii s. annuall Rent issuing out of Fentre in Com. Salop. and vi s. per annum out of the Mannour of Thongland in that Countie Brigit the wife of Thomas Aâ—hton of Ashton in Cheshire the Mannours of Ashley Water-Eaton and Longnore in Staffordshire the Mannour of Billingsley in Shropshire and certain lands in Walkeslow before mentioned to the value of ten marks per annum with xxiii s. iv d. yearly Rent issuing out of the said Mannour of Thongland Agnes the wife of Iohn Smyth one of the Barons of the Exchequer for her part this Mannour of Wootton called Lucies Mannour and the Mannour of Shoterich as also certain lands in Stratford super Avon Henley Preston and Edstonia this Shire with divers lands lying in Mickleton in Com. Glouc. the Mannour of Milinchop in Com. Salop Lands in Hungerford Postern magna Postern parva Mounslow and Dydlebery in Shropshire and x s. iv d. yearly Rent issuing out of the before specified Mannour of Thongland the same Partition bearing date 4 Febr. 25 H. 8. From which Baron Smyth by the said Agnes is Sir Charles Smyth Knight since erected to the dignity of Lord Carington and now residing here descended as the Pedegree before inserted sheweth Of whose Family I may not omit here to observe what I have seen attested by Sir William Dethick sometime Garter principall King of Armes and Robert Cooke Clarenceux viz. that the said Iohn Smyth the Baron was grandchild to Iohn Carington and the said Iohn Carington lineally descended from Sir Michaell Carington Knight Standard-bearer to the famous King Richard the first in the Holy Land And of this Iohn Carington as to the occasion that he changed his name to Smyth they do specially certifie from the credit of an antient Manuscript written with the proper hand of him the said Iohn in K. Henry the fourth's time that in his youth he was bred up in
of the possessions of Waga of whom I have spoke in Wootton in Edw. the Confessors days was held by Robert de Stafford in the Conq. time and by the generall Survey then taken wherein it is written Holehale certified to contain one hide the woods being half a mile in length and one furlong in breadth all valued at iv li. From which Robert or his son Nicholas did Roger Earl of Warwick obtain it as it seemes and enfeoft thereof one Roger who residing here assumed the sirname of Ulehale from whom descended certain male branches which continued till Edw. 1. time at the least whereof one viz. Robert grandchild to the said Roger wrote himself Dominus de Holenhale and in 36 H. 3. was certified to hold a fourth part of a Knight's fee here of the Earl of Warwick I suppose by some circumstances that this Mannour first came to the family of Mountfort about King H. 3. time for I find that Peter de Mountfort did then confirm the grant of certain particular parcells of land lying here given by petty Freeholders to the Monks Wootton but the first positive proof that I have which manifesteth Montfort directly to have been Lord thereof is in 32 H. 6. where one Richard Hawnell who was enfeoft thereof by Sir William Mountfort of Colshill Kt. releases his right therein to Humphrey Duke of Buck. and others which Duke with the rest had likewise but an estate in trust thereof for it appears that it came to the Crown in 10 H. 7. by the attainder of Sir Simon Montfort Knight as in Colshill shall be shewed and was by the same King in 12. of his reign granted away with divers other Lordships in this Countie to Gerald Earl of Kildare and Elizabeth S. Iohn then his wife and the heirs male of their two bodyes K. H. 8. in 2. of his reign confirming the same From which Earl it descended to Sir Iames Fitz Gerald Knight one of his sons by the said Eliz. But by his attainder in 28 H. 8. as I have elsewhere shewed returned again to the Crown and in 1 Mariae was by that Queen granted unto Michael Throkmorton Esquire a younger son to Sir Robert Throkmorton of Coughton Knight who died seized thereof 1. Nov. 5 6 Ph. M. leaving Francis his son and heir seven years of age which Francis had issue Iohn Throkmorton of whom it was purchased in our time by Mr. Bolton a Citizen of London Here is a fair Chapell dedicated to the blessed Virgin wherein the Vicars of Wootton for the time being have of antient time used to find a Priest at their own proper charge to celebrate divine service The Epitaph belonging to the Monument represented on the next page Here lieth the body of Francis Throkmorton Esquire borne in the Citie of Mantua in Italy son and heir unto Michaell Throkmorton Esquire and of Agnes Hide of Southamptonshire which Michaell was borne at Coughton-Court in the Countie of Warwick and was youngest brother to Sir George Throkmorton of Coughton aforesaid Knight And after that the said Michaell had lived many years in Italy in good and great reputation with bountifull Hospitalitie entertaining most of the Noble-men and gentlemen of England that had occasion to come that way and did returne into the Realm of England in the very beginning of the reigne of Q. Mary and received of her gift the Maenours of Honiley Blackwell Packhurst Winderton Vllenhall in Ullenhall and others as appeareth by her Majesties Letters Patent bearing date in the first year of her reign And after went into Italy againe where he departed this life and lieth buried in S. Martin's Church in the said Citie of Mantua under a fair Tombe The said Michael married Iudith Tracie daughter of Richard Tracie of Stanway in the Countie of Gloucester Esquire and of Barbara Lucy of Charlecote in the aforesaid County of Warwick and sister to Sir Paul Tracie Baronet and had by her six Children whereof three that is to say Francis Michaell and Iudith are departed this life without issue and the other three are living that is to say Iohn Michaell and Iudith Anno Dom. 1617. anno decimo quinto domini nostri Iacobi Regis Angliae Mors mihi lucrum portus refugium Sic transit gloria Mundi Omnia vana vidi solo mea Christo repono Mors tua Mors Christi fraus Mundi gloria Coeli Et dolor inferni sunt meditanda tibi Botley THis being originally a member of Wootton is not taken notice of in the Conqueror's Survey but the name which is Saxon shews it to be of greater antiquity for Botle was the word which our Ancestors used in the same sense that we do Domus in Latine In H. 2. time Robert de Stadford possessor also of Wootton gave to the Canons of Kenilworth certain lands lying in this place with the homages and services of severall persons as also to Geffrey Malore and his heirs all those lands homages services which he likewise held of him here reserving the payment of a Sparhawk to himself and his heirs by the said Geffrey and his heirs which Geffrey was of those Malories that resided at Tachebroke in this Countie From whom descended Iohn Malore who in 9 E. 3. had Free warren granted to him in all his demesn lands here and at Tachebrooke before specified as also at Walton on the Woulds in Leicestershire and from him another Iohn who with Ankitell Malore his son and heir by their Deed bearing date the Thursday after the Feast of S. Michael th'arch-Angell 22 H. 6. aliened it to Richard Archer Esquire and his heirs whose posteritie have ever since enjoy'd it Sir Simon Archer of Tanworth Knight being the present owner thereof Whitley THis being in the Conqueror's time possest by Robert de Stadford with Wootton and then certified to contain three hides was held of him by one Drogo which name we now call Drew having then a Mill Woods extending to half a mile in length and two furlongs in breadth all which were valued at xl s. and before the Norman Invasion had been the inheritance of three brothers Some have affirmed that this Drogo was a Norman and servant to the said Robert de Stadford and that his posterity assumed the sirname of Whitley in regard of their residence here as also that from this Family of Whitley came the Offords and Fulwoods the one from Robert who seating himself at Offord whereof I shall speak anon left that name to his descendants and the other from Richard who planting at a place in the parish of Tanworth then called Fulwood but now Clea-Hall had also thence that denomination all which from antient evidences is likewise in some sort manifested Of this Family was one Thomas de Witele who had issue Robert which Robert in consideration of x. marks of silver past
nuper ux T. Holt ar D. Thomas Byrde Cler. 25. Maii 1552. Ambr. Cave miles ratione dotis Margeriae ux suae nuper ux T. Holt ar Laur. Blakeway 30. Maii 1561. Thomas Holt de Dudston miles Ioh. Machon Cler. 1. Martii 1603. Thomas Holt de Dudston miles Ric. Dickleg Cler. 1. Maii 1611. Thomas Holt miles bar Ioh. Grent art Magr. 12. Dec. 1621. Erdington's Chantrie IN 27 H. 6. Sir Thomas Erdington Knight founded a Chantrie in this Church for one Priest to celebrate divine service daily at the Altar of the blessed Virgin perpetually for the good estate of King Henry the sixt and of him the said Sir Thomas and Ioyce his wife during their lives in this world and for the health of their soules as also the souls of their Progenitors Parents and Benefactors and all the faithfull deceased The revevenues whereof in 26 H. 8. were certified to be vii li. xix s. ob over and above iii s. iv d. for the Anniversarie of the Founder and xvi s. ob in Rents to the Lord of the Fee Howbeit in 37 H. 8. considering an Annuitie of xl s. granted out of the lands belonging thereto unto Iohn Throkmorton gentleman for life the cleer yearly value amounted to no more than vi li. But after the generall dissolution of the Chantries this with the lands belonging to it was by Letters Patent bearing date 9. Sept. 2 E. 6. inter alia granted to Ric. Pallady gentleman and Francis Foxall Citizen and Mercer of London and their heirs and the next year following another Patent thereof made to Thomas Hawkyns alis Fysher of Warwick and his heirs In the utmost window on the South side towards the West of those that perteine to the body of the Church is this inscription Orate pro bono statu fratrum de Bromwich qui hanc fenestram fieri fecerunt In the next window is this coat of Armes viz. Argent a Cheveron gules between 3. lozâ—nges sable And under it the portraiture of a man kneeling in a surcoat of the same Armes with 4. sonns behind him over whose heads is this in a scroule Mater Dei memento mei Behind them is the portraiture of a woman in a scarlet gown with 4. daughters having a scroule over her head in which is written Fili Dei miserere mei And under them all this Inscriptoin Orate pro bono statu Roberti Massey Elisabethe vxoris sue In the fourth window on the same South side is this coat viz. Argent a Lyon rampant sable Stapleton empaling Massy and under it the following Inscription Orate pro bono statu Roberti Massey Elizabethe ejus vx qui hanc fenestram fieri fecerunt In one of the like windows on the North side are the portraitures of the same Walter Ardern and Alianore his wife kneeling whose monument is in the Chancell and in the same surcoats of Armes as thereupon are exprest Over his head is this scroule Iesu Fili Dei miserere met Over hers Mater Dei memento mei And under them both this written Orate pro bono statu Walteri Arderne armigeri Elianore vxoris ejus On a stone fixed in the North Wall of the Chancell is this Inscription Henry Williams Vicar once of this Church and Parson of Aberfro in Anglicey lyeth here under who died Anno 1603. Febr. 14. Quod sibi quisque serit praesentis tempore vitae Hoc sibi messis erit cum dicitur Ite Venite On another stone in the same Wall Memoriae Sacrum Pientissimi atque optimi juvenis Olliphi Boys ex antiquâ generosa Boysiorum in Cantio stirpe oriundi patre Antonio Boys verbi divini Ministro apud Cullesden in Surria nati in celeberrima Wichamicorum societate Wintoniae primùm deiâ— Oxoniae educati bonis literis egregiè instructi gradu Magisterii in artibus ornati sacrisque ordinibus initiati Qui cum una altera Concione ad populum habitâ magnam apud omnes spem sui expectationem fecissit gravissimis calculi doloribus interceptus ac demum oppressus hic apud affines suos expiravit die 5. Augusti An. D. 1630. aetatis suae 31. Monumentum hoc Dorothea Gilmin mater amantissima L. M. Q. Posuit On the same side of this Chancell there is a very noble Monument for Sir Edward Devereux Kt. and Baronet grandfather to the now Vicount Hereford erected by his Lady who survived him the Figure whereof I have here omitted for the reasons exprest in my Preface but have added the Epitaph Here lyeth Sir Edward Devereux of Castle-Bromwich Knight and Baronet youngest son of Walter Lord Ferrers of Chartley and Viscount Hereford by Margaret his second wife daughter of Robert Garnish of Kenton Hall in Com. Suff. Esquire who married Katherine eldest daughter of Edward Arden of Park-Hall Esquire by whom he had issue five sons and four daughters Sir Walter Knight and Baronet William George Edward and Henry Margaret Anne Howard and Grace Sir Walter married Eliz. daughter and heir of Robert Bayspoole of Aldeby in Com. Norff. Esquire who died without issue Secondly he married Elizabeth second daughter of Thomas Knightley of Broughall in Com. Staff Esquire brother to Sir Richard Knightly of Fausley in Com. Northampt. Kt. George married Blanch daughter and heire of Iohn Ridge in Com. Salop. gent. Henry married Barbara daughter and heir of Robert Smallbrook of Yardley Gent. William and Edward died unmarried Margaret married Sir Hugh Wrottesley of Wrottesley in Com. Staff Kt. Anne married Robert Leighton of Wattelsborow in Com. Salop. Esquire Howard married Thomas son and heir of Sir Thomas Dilke of Maxstoke Castle in Com. Warr. Esquire Grace the youngest Which Sir Edward died the 22 th of Sept. An. D. 1622. Here lieth Lady Katherine wife to Sir Edward Devereux who died the second of November 1627. To whose memorie Sir George Devereux her second son caused this part of this Monument to be erected according to her command Nechells OF this place there is no mention at all in the Conqueror's Survey forasmuch as it was theâ—â—â—voâ—ved with Aston but the name thereof scil Nechels or Echels for it is indifferently 〈◊〉 discovereth it to have been a Wood at first Echel signifying the same in the German language whereof our 〈◊〉 is a branch as Quercus in the Latine I am of opinion that one of the old Barons of Dudley granted it originally unto one of the Family of Parles together with Hanneworth now called Hansworth in Com. Staff For I find that Osbert de Paâ—les had a Bastard son called Reynald de Asseles on whom he conferred the inheritance of all his lands here in Assells or Nechels Osbertus de Parles Reginaldus de Asseles nothus Simon de Asseles Aliva obiit s. prole Rob. de â—andsacre miles ... Agnes Alicia Georgius de Castello mil. Will. de Castello Matilda Georgius de Castello Margeria Which Reynald had issue Simon
Dudston Saltley and Bermiâ—gham which belong'd thereunto seized upon as Chantrie lands and then valued at xiii li. xix d. per annum out of which two Priests officiating in the said Parish Church of Aston had x li. per an betwixt them Dordsley THis being originally a member of Aston and therewith involved at the time of the Conqueror's Survey descended to the Someries Barons of Dudley by the heir female of Paganell as the Castle of Dudley which was part of William fitz Ausculf's possessions together with Aston did yet have I not seen it particularly mentioned in any Record till H. 3. time but then was it certified to be in the Earl of Chester's hands who had obtained the Wardship of the son and heir to William Percival de Someri whose posterity were onely sirnamed Someri And afterwards scil in 1 E. 1. being assigned to Anabill the widow of Roger de Someri as part of her Dower was valued at xviii li. xvii s. v d. q. having a Leet which the Barons of Dudley antiently held here extending into Bromwych parva Bromwych magna Dodeston Saluthley Echells Overton and Erdington as by the Claim of Roger de Someri in 13 E. 1. appears At which time it was also found that three Rodmen of Witton a Hamlet likewise in the same Parish did usually by turnes do suit to the King's Hundred-Court of Hemlingford from three weeks to three weeks for all those Hamlets except Erdington but that all the Freeholders of Erdington did personally perform their suit to the said Hundred from three weeks to three weeks or pay a Fine of xix d. And that all the said Hamlets before specified together with Erdington used to pay for the Shiriffs Aid xxxiv s. To the Leet a mark and for Warthe xi d. q. but that the King was in possession of the Weyfs Which Roger de Someri had issue Roger upon whose death in 19 E. 1. the extent of what he had here was thus certified viz. a certain Grange with an Oxe-house Lxi. acres of land in demesn three Meadows scil one lying here another in Dodeston and the third at Olton as also a certain proportion of pasture ground That he had likewise xvi Customarie Tenants which held in Villenage six yard land and a half with a fourth part and ten Acres paying Lx s. xi d. ob per an And four Freeholders who held in Socage four Messuages and four half yard lands paying yearly xxxvi s. x d. q. doing suit of Court as also giving Heriot and Relief as it should happen And moreover that besides these there were Lxxviii Freeholders that held lands without Houses newly reduced to tillage paying yearly xii li. xv s. iii d. q. and performing two appearances in the year unto the Court held at this place All which being put together amounted to xxvii li. xii s. ii d. per annum whereof iv li. viii s. v d. ob was assigned towards the Dower of Agnes his widow But by the constant possession which the Barons of Dudley had of this Lordship it came at length to be reputed as a member of Dudley and was therefore after the death of Iohn de Someri in 16 E. 2. certified to be held of the King in Capite as part of that Baronie and so came to Ioane one of his two sisters and coheirs then the wife of Thomas de Botetort and by her death in 12 E. 3. to Iohn de Botetourt her son and heir a great Baron in those dayes together with Weoley in Com. Wigorn. a Castle scarce three miles distance from hence built by Rog. de Somerie in H. 3. time which afterwards was his principall seat Howbeit these with the rest of his lands for want of issue male came to Ioyce his grandchild scil daughter unto the said Iohn who brought them in marriage to Sir Hugh Burnell Knight Which Ioice dying without issue 1. Ian. 7. H. 4. Maud and Agnes Botetourt Maurice de Berkley Agnes Wykes and Ioice Wykes became her cosins and heirs of which Maud and Agnes Rotetourt were Nuns the first at Polesworth in this Countie and the second at Elnestow in Bedfordshire viz. Maurice Berkley son of Maurice son of Katherine sister of Iohn Botetourt father of tâ—e said Ioyce Agnes and Ioyce Wikes being daughters of Ioane daughter of Alice the other sister to the said Iohn Botetourt The estate of which coheirs came by purchase in H. 5. time to Ioane Beauchamp Lady Bergavenny as at large may appear by these Records Which Ioane by her last Will setled it upon Iames of Ormund her eldest son by Iames Earl of Oâ—mund her last husband so that by the attainder of the same Iames in 1 E. 4. no being then Earl of Wiltshire it eschaâ—ted to the Kâ—ng who the next year following in consideration of the good and acceptable service which Sir Thomas Erdington Knight had performed to him in his adversitie confer'd it upon the said Sir Thomas and Ioyce his wife to hold during the life of the longer liver of them without any Rent or other thing to be given in lieu thereof And by his Letters Patent bearing date at Westminster 10. Dec. in the sixt year of his reign in consideration of the great and memorable services which Sir Iohn Dudley Knight Lord Dudley had likewise performed granted the reversion thereof to the said Lord Dudley and the heirs male of his body But whether the said Lord Dudley survived them and so became actually possest of it I cannot tell for in 11 H. 7. there was a Fine levied thereof by Edward Bishop of Chichester Sir Thomas Ormund Knight with dives others Plantiff and Sir William Berkley Knight and Anne his wife Deforc by which Fine the inheritance thereof became vested in the before specified Sir Thomas Ormund with Warrantie against the heirs of the same Anne Which Sir Thomas Ormund was brother to Iames Earl of Wiltshire formerly attainted as hath been shewed and left issue two daughters his heirs viz. Margaret the wife of Sir William Bullein and Anne married to Sir Iames St Lâ—ger Knight which Anne in 11 H. 8. wrote her self Domina de Bordesley To whom succeeded Sir Iohn Sâ— Leger Knight her grandson and heir that sold it to Edward Arden of Park-Hall Esquire about the beginning of Queen Elizabeth's time whose posteritie do still enjoy it Heybarnes HAving thus traced down the succession of Bordesley I shall not need to say much of Heybarnes it being only a member of the other and by the Inquis taken after the death of Sir Iohn Botetourt Knight certified to contain one Messuage and three Carucates of land all which hath been and is to this day still possest by the owners of Bordsley Saltley THis place also having been originally a member of Aston is involved therewith in
the year next ensuing In 8 R. 2. he served again in the Parliament at Westminster was also a Commissâ—oner for the assessing a xv th and Tenth then granted to the King and the same year constituted Shiriff for this Countie and Leicestershire but the certain tâ—me of his death I cannot discover After which Elizabeth his widow one of the daughters and heirs to William de la Plaunch by whom he had no issue married to the Lord Clinton as in Maxstoke shall be shewed and held this Lordship of Bermingham in dower till her death which hapned not till 2 H. 6. But before I proceed further it will not be incongruous I hope to say something of Sir Thomas de Bermingham Knight brother to the before mentioned Sir Iohn especially because he had his residence in this Countie and very likely here at Bermingham though he was not Lord of the Mannour In the Parliament held at Westminster 51 E. 3. he was one of the Knights for this Shire The same year and in 1 R. 2. a Commissioner of Array In 2 R. 2. he served again as a Knight for this Shire in the Parliament then held at Gloucester and in another at Westminster In 3 R. 2. he was in Commâ—ssion for arraying of men and for assessing a Subsidie in this Countie and wedded Isabell the daughter of Iohn de Whitacre grandchild and heir to Richard son of Richard son of Simon de Whitacre an antient Family in this Countie as in Whitacre shall be shewed Which Isabell in her widowhood had the custodie of the lands in Wales belonging to Thomas son and heir to Sâ—r Iohn de la Roche Knight deceased committed to her during the minoritie of the said Thomas unto whom she afterwards gave her daughter and heir Elizabeth in marriage Which Elizabeth by the same Thomas de la Roche left issue Elene the wife of Edmund Lord Ferrers of Chartley and Elizabeth of George Longvile Esquire who were found to be Cosins and heirs to the before specified Sir Iohn de Bermingham Howbeit the inheritance of this Lordship was by some Entail as it seems setled upon the heir male of the Family viz. another William de Bermingham son of William son if I mistake not to Iohn uncle to the before mentioned Sir Fouk for it appears that in 20 Ric. 2. he confirm'd unto certain Feoffees to the use of the Lady Elizabeth then the wife of Sir Iohn de Clinton but formerly of Sir Iohn de Bermingham an estate for life in this Mannour saving the reversion to himself and his heâ—rs and yet stiled himself Dominus de Bermingham before her death as is evident by his presentation of a Priest in 4. H. 4. to Clodshales Chantrie in the Church of Saint Martin here at Bermingham And so for ought I know was reputed notwithstanding the interest that Edm. Lord Ferrers of Chartley had therein in right of Elene his wife as by the Inquis taken after his death may seem This VVilliam Burmyncham was not much inferiour to any of his Ancestors for publick employments in this Countie In 1 H. 5. he served as one of the Knights for this Shire in the Parliament then held at Westminster yet afterwards till 17. H. 6. he lived retired as it seems but then he was first put in Commission for conservation of the Peace and the same year had a speciall exemption that no Purveyor or Victualler should take any provision within this his Lordship for the expences of the King's Household in which Patent the King calls him dilectus Armiger noster In this mans time viz. in 19 H. 6. I find it certified that this Lordship of Bermingham was held of Sir Iohn Sutton of Dudley Knight as of his Castle of Dudley by military service scil by Homage Fealtie and Escuage that is to say when Escuage runneth at xl s. so much and when more more and when less less and by suit to his Court at Segesley called Knygton-Court as also by Castleward In â—21 H. 6. he underwent the Office of Shiriff for this Countie and Leicestershire In 27. he was a Knight In 28 he was a Commissioner for assessing a Subsidie then granted to the King in Parliament as also for treating with the people about lending money to the King but after H. 6. time I do not find him made use of for any publick service whereby I conclude that he adhered to the House of Lancaster for he died not till 18 E. 4. leaving VVilliam his son and heir then thirty years of age I am of opinion that Thomas Bermingham whom King H. 6. made one of the Esquires for his Body was Brother to this Sir VVilliam Which Thomas in 24 H. 6. had the grant of an Annuitie of L. marks to receive during life for his daily attendance upon the same King's person as Esquire of his Body and within two years after was made Master of the King's Hawks having a grant of the Mannour called the Mews with the appurtenances in reversion after the death of Sir Raph Cromwell Knight to hold for his life with all the Fees belonging to that Office But passing from him I come to the last Sir William Bermingham of this Family of whom I can say no more than that he wedded Isabell the daughter and heir of William Hilton and by her had issue VVilliam who departed this liâ—e 7 Iunii 15 H. 7. leaving Edward his grandchild and heir not much above three years old whose Wardship being in 17 H. 7. granted by the King to Edw. Lord Dudley together with the custody of the lands of his inheritance viz. the Mannours of Over-Worton Netherworton Moch Tewe Lytil Tewe and Shutford in Com. Oxon. Hogston in Com. Buck. Byllesley in Com. Wigorn and this of Bermyngham â— was purchased it seems by Elizabeth Bermyngham his mother for I find that she afterwards sold it to William Coningsby Sergeant at Law This Edward hapned to be the last of the Family that had to do here For being contemporary with that ambitious man Iohn Dudley afterwards Vicount L'isle more commonly known by those greater titles which he sometime had viz. Earl of Warwick and Duke of Northumberland he was strangely wrested out of this Lordship For the said Iohn having possest himself of Dudley Castle as in Warwick I have shewed and observing Bermingham a fit ornament for so noble a seat but being the principall residence of such a Family as had for some Hundreds of years enjoy'd it not likely to be purchased from the then rightfull owner conspired by a wicked stratagem to work him out of it which he soon put in practise the Story whereof is in substance thus as by tradition from divers discreet persons I have heard viz. that Dudley did set on some of his Agents to lodge in Bermingham and to learn when
to them of Mergate in 〈◊〉 Bedf. and appropriated to that Religious House In anno 1291. 19 E. 1. it was valued at ix marks and the Vicaridge at two marks but in 26 H. 8. the said Vicaridge was estimated at vii 〈◊〉 s. ii d. over and above ix s. vi d. yearly allowed for Procurations and Synodalls Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. Priorissa Conv S. Trin. de Bosco juxtae Merkyate Galfr. de Newnham Cap. D. Alanus de Waverton 7. Cal. Nov. 1320. Priorissa Conv S. Trin. de Bosco juxtae Merkyate Ioh. de Wylmunâ—â—cote 4. Id. Iâ—n 1325. Priorissa Conv S. Trin. de Bosco juxtae Merkyate Ioh. Martin Cap. 15. Cal. Nov. 1330. Priorissa Conv S. Trin. de Bosco juxtae Merkyate Henr. de Umbresley Cap. 4. Noâ— Oct. 1349â— Priorissa Conv S. Trin. de Bosco juxtae Merkyate D. Will. le Warde prid Id Ian. 1358. Priorissa Conv S. Trin. de Bosco juxtae Merkyate Will. atte Gâ—ange Cap. 2. Id. Martii 1362. Priorissa Conv S. Trin. de Bosco juxtae Merkyate Ioh. Spâ—nne Pbr. 19. Maii 1395. Priorissa Conv S. Trin. de Bosco juxtae Merkyate Nich. Burton 28. Ian. 14â—8 Priorissa Conv S. Trin. de Bosco juxtae Merkyate Will. Bichenhull Cap. 3. Iunii 1416. Priorissa Conv S. Trin. de Bosco juxtae Merkyate Will. Erle Pbr. 6. Aug. 1447. Priorissa Conv S. Trin. de Bosco juxtae Merkyate D. Thomas Orme 15. Sept. 1522. Priorissa Conv S. Trin. de Bosco juxtae Merkyate D. Humfr. Robyns 22. Iunii 1537. Eliz. Angl. Regina Thomas Vagham Cler. 3. Dec. 1565. Eliz. Angl. Regina Andr. Dent Cler. 10. Sept. 1582. Clem. Fisher de Pakinton miles Ioh. Keeling Cler. 31. Oct. 1605. Maria Fisher vidua Will. Hytsonne Cler. 20. Nov. 1620. Middle-Bickenhill and Hill Bickenhill THese were antiently reputed but for one Hamlet and called Little-Bikenhill being in King Iohn's time possest by Richard de Kaines which Richard gave it unto his three sisters scil Raâ—ace Ala and Margaret Will. de Kaines their other brother confirming the grant and Henry de Bickenhull releasing to them all his right therein By these sisters it was divided but a good part thereof came afterwards to the Nunns of Henwood and after the generall dissolution was past out of the Crown inter alia to Edward Aglionby of Balshall Esquire and Henry Hugford of Solihull Gentleman and their heirs by the name of a Mâ—nnour with certain lands and Rents in Hill Bickenhill all which were purchased as it seems shortly after by Iohn Fisher of Pakington Esquire for by the Inquisition taken after his death it appears that he died seized of them from whom they are descended to Sir Clement Fysher Baronet his great grandchild who now enjoys them Kington alias Kingsford part in Bickenhill and part in Solihull-Parish THis is a very antient place though now there be little signe thereof for I find that there stood a Church here in the beginning of H. 3. time the â—dvâ—uâ—on whereof was granted in 5 â—â— of that King's reign to the Nunns of Mergate in Bedfordshire by one Henry le Notte But afterwards viz. in 16 E. 2. it had the reputation for no more than a Chapell belonging to Bikenhill In 37 H. 6. it appears that the Mountforts of Colshill were Lords thereof and therefore I am of 〈◊〉 that it came to them by the daughter and 〈◊〉 of â—ecâ—e a Hampton in Arden did For in that year Sir Baldwin son and heir to Sir William Mountfort passed his estate therein unto Sir Humphrey Stafford Knight son and heir to the Duke of Buck. and others which grant was but in trust as it seems for in 7 H. 7. did Sir Simon Montfort Knight son and heir to the said Sir Baldwin demise it by the name of the Mannour of Kingsford unto Henry and Thomas his two younger sons and in 10 H. 7. died seized of it but attainted as in Colshill is shewed whereupon it eschaeting to the Crown was soon granted inter alia to Girald Earl of Kildare and Elâ—z S t Iohn his wife and to the heirs male of their two bodies lawfully begotten by which it came to Sir Iames Fitz Girald Knight son to the said Earl by that Ladie who being attainted in 28 H. 8. as in Dunchurch appeareth it resorted again to the Crown and in 7 E. 6. was with other lands granted unto Thomas Lucy of Cherlecote Esquire and his heirs which Thomas afterwards a Knight sold it unto Thomas Dabridgment Esquire of whom in Langdon I have made mention Waver's Merston OF this place there is no mention at all in the Conqueror's Survey so that I presume it was then involved with Bikenhill because it afterwards appeareth to be of Arden's Fee From one of which Familie I am of opinion that Anketill de Crafte was first enfeoft thereof about King Stephen or H. 2. time for cleer it is that the same Anketil possest it and had his residence here From whom it descended to Roger de Crafte his nephew scil son of Roger his brother which Roger about the beginning of King Ric. 1. time sold it unto William de Waver son of Robert de Waver his kinsman for XL. li. of silver to be held of him the said Roger and his heirs by the sixth part of a Knights Fee whereupon for distinction from the many other Merstons in this Countie it came to be called Waver's-Merston whose grandchild William in 41 H. 3. obtained a Charter of Free warren in all his demesn lands here But taking part with the rebellious Barons in 49 H. 3. for which his lands were seized and this Mannour given to Roger de Someri Lord of Dudley upon his Composition according to the Diclum de Kenilworth he was necessitated to sell it 〈◊〉 to the said Roger for CC. marks of silver Howbeit afterwards either he or his son Robert redeem'd it again for in 35 E. 1 the same Robert entailed it at his son's marriage together with Th'ester-waver and other lands as in my discourse of that place hath been already said In whose â—ine it continued till 6 H. 6. that Iohn Waver of Th'ester-waver Esquire past it unto Iohn Catesby of Lapworth from whom it came to Iohn Catesby oâ— Stowell grandchild to the said Iohn who in 16 E. 4. obtained a Release from Henry Waver of Th'ester-waver Esquire of all his right and title thereto and afterwards though by what direct steps I have not seen unto the descendants of Thomas Catesby a younger son of Sir Will. Catesby Knight whose Pedegree is in Lapworth to be seen one of which viz. Iohn about the beginning of King Iâ—mes his time sold it unto Henry Mayne of Bovington in Hartfordshire in reversion after his own decease by which
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
Armes is affixt in which she bears her paternall coat in the mid'st and the two Noble-men her husbands on the dexter side with the two Knights Bermingham and Russell on the other In whose Testament I finde little memorable farther than that she disposed her body to be buried in the Chancell at Haversham above specified before the Image of our Lady and gave to the Canons here at Maxstoke to pray for her soul and the soul of the Lord Clinton her husband xl s. But in 2 H. 6. she died being more than Lxxx. years of age so that then the possession of this Castle and Mannour returned to her grandson-in Law scil Sir William de Clinton Knight Lord Clinton and Say Which Sir William sate in Parliament with the rest of the Barons from 23 R. 2. till his death as appears by his severall summons In 1 H. 4. he was in Commission for arraying of men in this Countie and in 9 H. 5. retained by Indenture to serve the King in his warrs of France with xl men at Armes viz. himself one Knight and the rest Esquires as also CCC Archers well and sufficiently mounted armed and arrayed taking for himself iv s. per diem for the Knight ii s. and for each other man at Armes i s. with the reward accustomed Neither was he forgetfull of the before mentioned Canons here at Maxstoke for I finde that in 10 H. 4. he bestowed on them x li. yearly Rent issuing out of certain lands lying in Dunton-Basset in Com. Leic. And having married Anne daughter to the Lord Botreaux but widow of Sir Fouk Fitzwarin Knight departed this life in 10 H. 6. leaving Iohn his son and heir xxii years of age Of whom I have little to say considering that within six years after he came to his estate he passed away the inheritance of this Castle and Lordship unto Humphrey Earl Stafford and Anne his wife in exchange for the Mannours of Whishton and Wodeford in Northamptonshire as by the Deed whereunto his Seal of Armes is affixt viz. quarterly Clinton and Say with two Greyhounds supporting the Timbre appeareth which bears date 17. Maii 16 H. 6. After which though he retained some other Lordships in this County yet did he not reside therein so that here I am to leave this branch of that ancient and noble Family from whence the now Earl of Lincolne is lineally descended and trace down the succession of this Castle through such other hands as it hath since fallen into It seems that the before specified Earl had a a very great liking to this Castle for no sooner did he so obtain it but that he plated the Gates all over with Iron and adorn'd them with his own Coat impaled with Nevill his wife being the daughter to Raphe Nevill Earl of Westmerland and supported by two Antelopes in respect that Anne his mother was one of the daughters and coheirs unto Thomas of Woodstoke Duke of Gloucester And in further memorie that these Gates were then so strengthened and beautified he caused the burning Nave and Knot the antient Badges of his Ancestors to be imbossed in the Iron-work thwarting the midst thereof as are yet to be seen This great Earl being created Duke of Buckingham in 23 H. 6. constituted William Draicote his Constable of this Castle for executing which Office he had the Fee of five marks per annum Within the body thereof is a little Chapell in which by speciall dispensation from Reginald Boulers then Bishop of this Diocess was solemnized the marriages of Iohn Talbot son and heir to Iohn Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury and Katherine Stafford one of the daughters of this Duke in 36 H. 6. As also of Iohn Stafford one of his younger sons afterwards created Earl of Wiltshire and Constance the daughter of Henry Greene Esquire To which Duke succeeded Henry his grandson upon whose attainder in 1 Ric. 3. the custodie of it was committed to Walter Grant one of the Gentlemen-Huâ—shers to the Queen The next thing observable thereof is that King Ric. 3. upon his march towards Nottingham in the last year of his reign came from Kenilworth hither and commanded that part of the inner buildings should be taken down and carried to that Castle with all speed but what was done therein I know not for he was soon after slain at Bosworth-field whereupon King Henry his successor constituted William Trussell Eâ—quire his Constable here Howbeit within a short space Edward Duke of Buckingham son and heir to the said Henry reposessing what his Father had in 18 H. 7. made Iohn Harewell of Waxen's-Wotton Esquire Constable thereof But that Duke forfaited all by his attainder in 13 H. 8. Whereupon Commissioners were appointed to enquire what Castles Mannours Lands c. he was at that time seized of with the names of all his Officers and their severall Fees At which time it was certified inter alia that Hugh Mervyn Esquire had the Keepership of the Park here having been admitted thereto by the said Duke at ii d. by the day as also Bayliffe there at ii d. by the day the old Fee having been but a penny William Phipps Porter at xl s. per annum by an old grant from the said Duke for life he being then above Lxxx. years of age and Iohn Archer Constable his Fee Lxvi s. viii d. per annum Which Duke suffred death 17 Maii in the year abovesaid whereupon 20. Octob. following the King granted unto Sir William Compton Knight and to the heirs male of his body this Castle Park and Mannour to be held of the Crown in Capite by Knights service but because there had been a Recovery of them suffred by the said Duke in 5 H. 8. whereby the Recoverers stood seized to the use of himself and his heirs so that it did not eschaet to the King by his said forfaiture therefore to make all sure it was in the Parliamâ—nt of 15 H. 8. enacted that the before specified Duke should stand and be convicted and attainted of High Treason and forfait to the King and his heirs all Honours Castles Mannour c. whereof he or any person to his use were seized in Fee-simple Fee-tail c. the 24 th of Aprâ—l 4. H. 8. or any time since with a speciall Provâ—so that the same Act should not prejudice the Kâ—ng's grant above mentioned made to Sir William Compton Knight in 13. of his reign Which Sir Will. Compton had issue Peter upon whose death in 36 H. 8. the King supposing he had left no issue male so that the inheritance of this Castle had again return'd to the Crown made a grant unto Edward Lord Clinton of the Custodie of it and the Park with the Herbage and paunage thereof as also of the Bathwick of the Lordship for life but when he understood that the said Peter had a son born
after his Father's death as my authoritie saith he then made a new grant of the premisses to the same Lord Clinton during the minority of the heir then his Ward whereupon the said Lord Clinton in consideration of Lxx li. sterling made an assignation of the said Custodie c. unto Iohn Hales Gentleman at that time Clerk of the Hamper and a very active man in the world as in Coventre I have shewed To the posterity of which Sir Will. Compton it continued till that Will. Lord Compton his great grandchild by his Deed bearing date 3. Febr. 39 Eliz. sold it unto Sir Thomas Egerton Kt. then Lord Keeper of the great Seal from whom Thomas Dilke Esquire afterwards Knight purchased it scil 21. Iunii 41 Eliz. whose grandson William now enjoys it The Church dedicated to S. Michael was in anno 1291. 19 E. 1. valued at viii marks In 5 E. 3. Sir William de Clinton Knight purposing to found a Chantrie therein obtained License to bestow the advouson thereof inter alia upon the same with Lands and Rents to the value of xx li. per annum In pursuance whereof he gave to Iohn Lynie Priest Warden of the said Chantrie and his successors a certain piece of land lying then betwixt the road-way leading from Filongley towards Colshill on the one side and the Church-yard of Maxstoke on the other and extending in length from the Lord of Maxstoke's Quarrie to the Pale of his Park together with the advouson of the Church as by his Charter bearing date at Maxstoke on the Feast day of the Annunciation of our Lady 6 E. 3. appeareth And moreover by the same Charter granted unto the said Warden and his successors 8. Messuages six yard land lying in Long-Ichinton as also the Bodies of viii Natives dwelling there with all their Chattells and Off-spring And besides this xx s. yearly Rent payable by one William Snede and Iohn his son out of a Messuage lying in Long-Ichinton aforesaid with the reversion of the same Messuage and one yard land after their deceases and lastly 4. Acres of land lying in the said town of Ichinton together with the advouson of the Church Which endowment being so made he forthwith by the consent of Roger de Northburgh at that time Bishop of this Dioces Iohn Lynie the then Parson whom he constituted Warden as abovesaid Sir Iohn de Clinton Lord of Maxstoke his brother and Parishioner there as also all the other Parishioners of Maxstoke ordained that the said five Priests should thenceforth celebrate divine Servâ—ce daily in the same Church where the Bodies of his Ancestors lay interred for the good estate of him the said Sir William de Clinton Iulian his wife Sir Iohn de Clinton his brother Alice his wife and for the souls of Sir Iohn de Clinton his Father the Lady Ida his Mother as also for the good estate of Edward the third then Kâ—ng of England Laurence de Hastings and for aâ—l the Lords Hastings in time to come And moreover of the said Roger then Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield Henry Prior of Coventre and â—heir succâ—ssors and for the souls of all the Kâ—ngs oâ— England Lords Hastings Bishops of Coventre â—nd Lichfield Priors of Coventre Brethren and sisters Parents and benefactors and all the faithâ—uâ—l deceased Appointing that the said Warden and his successors as aâ—so the Subwarden and his should be always Priests in Orders admitted and instituted by the Bishop or Coventre and Lichfield for the time being and after the decease of him the said Sir William always presented by the said Sâ—r Iohn de Clinton his brother and his heirs having a House convenient for themselves and the other three adjoyning to the Churchyard of Maxstoke afâ—resaid there to inhabâ—te and lodge together And that the said Warden and his succâ—ssâ—rs shâ—uld pâ—â—vâ—de from time to timeâ— Bâ—â—â—ks Vâ—â—â—ments Lâ—ghts as also two Clerks fâ—r the use of himself 〈◊〉 Sub-warden and the other Priests aswell in the Church as in the Houseâ— viz. their Hall and Chamberâ— nâ—ght and day And mâ—reover that he and his said Sub-warden and thâ— othâ—r Priestsâ— shâ—â—â—d wear white Surpliceâ— with black Copes and Sâ—â—les after the manner of the Vicars-Chorall in the Caâ—hedrall of Lichfield whil'st they were about divine Service both in the Church and Quire And that the charge of the Books and Ornaments shâ—uld belong to the Sub-warden whose Office was to direct câ—ncerning the celebration of Masses viz. of whâ—m what howers and in what order by himself and the other Priests they were to be performed And that Bread Wine Water and Lights should be ready for the said Masses and divine exercises but at the charge of the Warden to be provided And further that aswell the Warden when he could fitly be at leisure and Sub-warden as all the Priests except some great occasion did hinder every day after dinner and before Vâ—â—pers should together in the said Church sing the full Office of the Dead viz. Placebo and Dâ—riâ—e except on double Fâ—â—tivalls and the time of Easter in whâ—ch theâ— ought to observe the custome of the Church of Salisbury in saâ—â—ing the said Office Aâ— also 〈…〉 and Canonicall howers with Note â— in the Qâ—â—re of the Church aforesaid admitting the Chaplains and Clerks of the same Church to sing with them if they pleased And likewise that after the Compline they should say the Commenâ—â—â—tion of the Dead â— in â—he said Quire according â—o the course above described And every Holy day in the Quire together the seven Penitentiall Psalmes and the â—v â—radualls with the Letanie and accustomed Prayers unless there were cause exprest by the Warden that they should say them out of the Quâ—re And that both the Warden and Sub-warden all the other Priests should every day celebrate their particular Masses in the said Church or Quire according to appointment except there were a lawfull impediment so that upon every Sunday the Masse of the B. Virgin should be celebrated with Note and the Mass of the day in such sort as was fit And upon every Munday one of them whom the Sub-warden should appoint to celebrate the said Mass of our Lady by Note with the Office for the Dead for the souls of the persons before recited and all the faithfull deceased And after the death of the said Sir William de Clinton and Sir Iohn his brother for their souls also And that another of the said Priests should celebrate the same day the high Mass of S. Michaell th'arch Angell Patron of that Church and of all the holy Angells with Note and the rest throughout the week thus Upon every Tuesday the Mass of S. Thomas sometime Archbishop of Canterbury by Note besides the high Mass of the day by Note also On Wednsday the first Mass of our blessed Ladie by Note and the high Mass of the said day with Note as also a memoriall of S. Katherine the Virgin On
marriage inter alia with Eliz. his daughter unto Walter son and heir of Sir Edward Aston Knight From whom descended Sir Walter Aston Knight of the Bathe who in 1. Caroli or about that time sold it to the Tenants But that whâ—ch the Monks of Burton had here coming to the Crown at the generall dissolution of the Religious Houses in 30 H. 8. was in 33. of that King's reign given to the Collegiate-Church of Burton before specified for King Henry having outed the Monks placed a Dean and secular Canons in their roome But this Collegiate-Church soon following the fate which the Abbies had being likewise dissolved in 37 H. 8. the King by his Letters Patent bearing date 31. Ian. the same yeare granted this Mannour for by that name it is past unto Sir William Paget Knight and his heirs to be held in Capitâ—â— by the xxth part of a Knight's Fee Which Sir William by the name of William Lord Paget of Bendesert for so he had been created by his Deed dated 30. Dec. 1. 2. Ph. M. sold it unto the Lady Elianore Brereton widow sometime wife of Sir William Brereton Knight and to Richard Brereton Esquire her son and heir to the use of them the said Elianore and Richard and the heirs of the said Richard From which Richard it descended to George his son and heir late of Ashley in Cheshire who died seized thereof in 30 Eliz. leaving William his son and heir above xix years of age The Church dedicated to S. Nicholas was in 55 H. 3. given by Osbert de Clinton son of Thomas to the Monks of Burton and in anno 1291. 19 E. 1. valued at xvi marks as also appropriated to that Religious House by Pope Urban the sixt in 2 R. 2. In 26 H. 8. the Vicaridge was rated at viii li. over and above ix s. vi d. allowed for Procurations and Synodalls Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. Thomas de Clinton miles Williel de Cherlecote Philippus de Assellis anno 1248. Abbas Conv. de Burton D. Will. de la Warde 10. Cal. Febr. 1303. Abbas Conv. de Burton Ric. de Staunton Cap. 4. Cal. Iunii 1328. Abbas Conv. de Burton Rog. de Baukewell Cler. 4. Id. Febr. 1330. Henr. de Northwell Patronus hac vice Ioh. de Deping Pbr. 3. Id. Maii 1340. Abbas Conventus de Burton D. Ric. Lucas Pbr. 2. Oct. 1369. Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. Abbas Conventus de Burton Rob. Lucas Pbr. 2. Oct. 1378. Abbas Conventus de Burton Ioh. Ivelyth Cler. 20. Nov. 1404. Abbas Conventus de Burton Will. Batayll Cap. 27. Iunii 1413. Abbas Conventus de Burton Ric. Hasard Pbr. 11. Apr. 1429. Abbas Conventus de Burton Ioh. Alisawndre 9. Febr. 1437. Abbas Conventus de Burton Ric. Parker 3. Iulii 1438. Abbas Conventus de Burton Henr. Fulcock 5. Martii 1501. Abbas Conventus de Burton Will. Darley in art Magr. 12. Febr. 1524. Ric. Coton gen alii ex concess Abb. Conv. de Burton D. Thom. Farmer Cap. 7. Sept. 1542. Sim. Harcot ar Ranulphus Orton 19. Aug. 1567. Humfr. Ferrers ar ex concess Roberti Comitis Leic. Rog. Molde Cler. 8. Oct. 1583. Iacobus Rex Angliae c. Rob. Bostok Cler. 10. Iunii 1619. Iacobus Rex Angliae c. Mich. Bostok Cler. 3. Nov. 1620. Iacobus Rex Angliae c. Ioh. Prior Cler. in art Bac. 7. Nov. 1623. Newton THis seems to have been originally a member of Sekindon as by what I shall say when I come to speak of the Church will appear for there is no mention of it in the Conqueror's Survey and till 5 H. 2. it being in the King's hands was for that respect called Newton-Regis but then granted to Geffrey Sauvage it continued to his Descendants whilst the male line lasted and afterwards to the sisters and coheirs to the last William as the Pedegree in Baginton manifesteth Howbeit the second Geffrey was exposed to a defence of his title thereto in 7 R. 1. against Thomas de Arden the service by which he held it being half a Knight's Fee But by heirs female coming to Ednesoure and Meinill I find that in 13 E. 1. Thomas de Ednesoure and Philippa de Meinill jointly claimed a Court-Leet with Assize of Beer Gallows and Free warren therein by the grant of King H. 2. all which were allowed From which said Thomas son of Thomas by Lucia one of the Sisters and coheirs to the said Will. le Sauvage the one moitie thereof descended to the Herthulls of whom in Baginton I have spoke and from Herthull after divers Descents to Cokain as the Descent in Pooley manifesteth in which Family it continued till Sir Edward Cokain grandfather to Sir Aston Cokain Baronet now living sold it But from the before specified Philippa the second sister and coheir of Sauvage the other moytie came to the Meinills of Derbyshire â— she being the wife of Hugh de Meinill of Langley-Meinill in that Countie where the chief seat was sometime Steward to William de Ferrers Earl of Derby and continued in that line for divers Descents Sir Hugh Meinill great-grandchild to the said Hugh and Philippa having in 24 E. 3. a Charter of Free warren â—inter alia in all his demesn lands here To which Sir Hugh succeeded Sir Richard and to him Sir Raphe who died in 12 R. 2. without issue male whereby his four daughters became heirs to the estate viz. Ioane first married to Iohn Staunton and afterwards to Sir Thomas Clinton Knight Elizabeth to William Crawshawe Margaret and Thomasine betwixt whom Partition being made it was allotted to Elizabeth by which means it came to Sir Raph Shirley of Staunton-Harold in Com. Leic. Knight with Margaret her daughter and heir by the said Iohn and did continue in that Familie till that Sir Thomas Shirley Knight a younger son to Sir George Shirley Baronet within these few years sold it to the Tenants The Church dedicated to the Assumption of the blessed Virgin was in H. 2. time but a Chapell to Sekindon and in an 1291. 19 E. 1. valued at viii marks In 39 E. 3. upon some diâ—â—erence which arose betwixt the Parson of Clifton-Camvile in Com. Staff and the Parson of this Church touching the perception of certain Tithes I find that it was by Robert de Stretton then Bishop of this Diocess thus accorded viz. that of all Calves Colts and Lambâ— belonging to the Inhabitants of Newton and falling within Clifton-Parish as also for the Mâ—lk of the Kine there calving the Parson of Clifton should thenceforth receive according to the Custome of the Countrey id est for a Colt a penny a Lambe a half penny and for a Calf
it was purchased by William Comberford of Tamworth Esquire and Anne his wife 2. Oct. 13. Iac. and is now possessed by Will son to the said William and Anne Glascote THe name of this place I take to be Brittish Glascoit in that language signifying Sylva viridis but of it I have not seen any thing till about the beginning of King H. 2. time that Will. the son of Hugh de Hatton confirmed to the Nunns of Polesworth all those lands lying here which William le Franceis had given them By which confirmation it appears that they were of the inheritance of Maud wife to the said William de Hatton But the next possessor hereof was Raphe Fitz-Raph Lord also of Nether-Whitacre where his seat was Which Raph in 6 Ioh. purchased some lands here of Hugh de Culi From whom descended Giles Fitz-Raph as the Descent in Nether-Whitacre sheweth whose daughter and heir called Isabell brought it to Robert son of Philip Marmion in marriage From which time it past along with Nether-Whitacre before specified as the Records there cited do manifest till after the beginning of Edw. 3. time After which till H. 6. time I finde no mention of any more than six Messuages and one yard-land here belonging to Sir Iohn de Clinton of Maxstoke Knight which are said to be parcell of the Mannour of Piricroft but upon the Death of Sir William Clinton in 10 H. 6. it appears that he was seized of the moitie of a Mannour here Whether his descendants purchased in the residue afterwards or whether there be any other member of a Mannour here saving a fourth part which the Lord Ferrers had together with Nether-Whitacre as may seem by some authorities I cannot say but sure it is that in 29 H. 8. Edw. Lord Clinton lineall heir to the before specified Sir Will. sold it together with Bole-Hall by the name of a Mannour or certain Messuages unto Iames Leveson Merchant of the Staple all which came to Sir Walter Aston Knight in marriage with Elizabeth daughter to the said Iames and since to William Cumberford Esquire in such sort as Bole-Hall did Stretford juxta Tamworth THis is now a depopulated place and had its name originally from the situation thereof upon that great Roman way called Watling-street where it thwarts the River towards Faseley But the first mention that I have seen of it is in 37 H. 3. at which time Iames de la Lande was possest of it and had Free-warren granted to him in all his demesn lands thereof There is no doubt but that it was at first a member of Tamworth and granted by one of the Marmions to the Ancestor of this Iames whose sirname was Tamworth as the Descent in Langdon sheweth In the line of which De la Laundes it continued till 19 E. 3. but shortly after came to the Frevills Lords of Tamworth-Castle for I find that Sir Baldwin Frevill the elder Knight made a Feoffment in trust thereof inter alia unto Sir William de Beauchamp Knight and others and that upon the Partition made betwixt the heirs of Frevill in 31 H. 6. whereof in Tamworth I have spoke it was allotted to Ferrers in which Familie together with Tamworth-Castle it continueth to this day Wilnicote IN Edward the Confessor's days this was the Freehold of one Levenot but after the Conquest it being given unto the Earl of Mellent with a multitude of other Lordships in this Shire by the generall Survey soon after made was certified to contain three hides the Woods extending to one mile in length and half a mile in breadth all which together with the rest were then rated at xxx s. whereof v s. was accounted for an Iron-work here at that time In that Record it is written Wilmundecote whereby it may seem that the name originally sprung from some one that possest it in the Saxons time Howbeit till 6 Ioh. I have not seen any more thereof but then it appears that Robert de Valle of which Family I have spoke in Ludinton was in suit for six yard land here whereof Robert his Father had been wrongfully dispossest by William de Longcamp Bishop of Ely and Chancelour to King Richard the first But from the Earl of Mellent part hereof came as the most of those lands which he had in this Countie did unto the old Earls of Warwick and so to Marmion for it is manifest that Will. de Ludinton held part of a Knight's Fee here of Albreda Marmion which divolved to William de Camvile then Lord of Sekindon in this Hundred being held of those Earls But of another part which afterwards had the reputation of a Mannour were the posteritie of the before specified Robert de Vale seized as by an Autograph that I have seen bearing date in 28 E. 1. is evident and so continued till that Sir Robert de Vale Knight in 18 E. 2. sold away the inheritance thereof in reversion after his Father's death unto Roger de Culi son to Sir Hugh de Culi Knight Which Roger was certified to hold it of Henry Duke of Lancaster unto whom a great part of the Honour of Leicester heretofore belonging to the said Earl of Mellent came by the fourth part of a Knight's Fee When it past from these Culies I have not seen but plain it is that Sir Raph Bracebrigge of Kingsbury Knight died seized thereof in 14 H. 6. From whom it descended to Iane and Margerie daughters of William Bracebrigge as the Descent in Kingsburie sheweth and heirs to Michaell their brother which Iane was the wife of Leonell Skipwith of Calthorpe in Com. Linc. and Margerie of Waldeiffe Willington of Hurley in this Countie Gent. who in 8. Eliz. kept Court here in right of their said wives and after that Thomas Willington son and heir to the said Margerie in 43 Eliz. to whose posteritie this Mannour still doth continue Beside this Mannour last spoke of there is yet another here in Wilnicote whereof Sir William Brabazon Knight now Earl of East-Methe in Ireland is owner This I take to be it which Roger Brabazon purchased partly of Adam de Wellesbergh and Maud his wife in 25 E. 1. and partly of Simon de Bruilli and Ioane his wife within two years after But by the name of a Mannour I have not seen it called in Record till 29 H. 8. The Chapell here being a Prebend belonging to the Collegiate Church of Tamworth was in 14 E. 3. valued at vi marks Kingswood THe antientest mention that I find of this place is in 11 E. 2. where Hugh de Meinill entailes one carucate of land lying therein together with the Mannour of Kings Neuton upon the issue male of his body with severall remainders Which carucate was afterwards accounted as parcell of that Mannour having a Messuage situate thereupon called Wardbernes
GULIELMUS DUGDALE Aetatis 50. A MDCLVI Ovid Nescio qua natale solum dulcedine cunctos Duâ—it et immemores non siâ—iâ— esse sui THE ANTIQUITIES OF WARWICKSHIRE ILLUSTRATED From Records Leiger-Books Manuscripts Charters Evidences Tombes and Armes BEAUTIFIED With Maps Prospects and Portraictures By WILLIAM DVGDALE MANTUAN Cuncta aperit secreta dies ex tempore verum Nascitur veniens aetas abscondita pandit LONDON Printed by Thomas VVarren in the year of our Lord God M.DC.LVI TO MY HONOURED FRIENDS THE GENTRIE OF WARWICK-SHIRE THAT all things perish by Age and time or some unhappy accidents is a thing not to be denied the consideration whereof hath not a little incited me to the undertaking of this present work which after no small cost and pains being thus finished I offer unto you my Noble Countriemen as the most proper Persons to whom it can be presented wherein you will see very much of your worthy Ancestors to whose memory I have erected it as a Monumentall Pillar and to shew in what Honour they lived in those flourishing Ages past In this kind or not much different have divers persons in Forrein parts very learnedly written some whereof I have noted in my Preface And I could wish that there were more that would adventure in the like manner for the rest of the Counties of this Nation considering how acceptable those are which others have already performed though but briefly viz. the Perambulation of Kent by Mr. Lambard The Survey of Cornwall by Mr. Carey of Anthonie The Description of Leicestershie by Mr. Burton and the Antiquities of Canterbury by my speciall friend Mr VVilliam Somner To which I may adde A short view of Staffordshire by Mr. Sampson Erdswike late of Sandon in that Countie not yet publisht a Gentleman whose memorie is very precious in those parts for his great knowledge in Antiquities What I have said of our VVarwick-shire Families is whil'st they have been seated in the Countie and where I could pointing briefly at their extractions for to have gone farther would have been both improper as out of my bounds and impossible for me to effect as may well be deemed by those that understand what a taske it is to find out authorities for the asserting of no more than one Descent Great is the commendation that is justly due to most of you for promoting this publique work by so noble a freedom to me in the sight of your antient Charters and Evidences which have afforded also many notable discoveries in relation to others aswell as your selves Nor is it a little honour you deserve for that pious though due respect shewed to your dead Ancestors by representing to the world a view of their Tombes and in some sort preserving those Monuments from that fate which Time if not contingent mischief might expose them to But principally must I acknowledge the signall furtherance which this Work hath received by my much honoured Friend Sir Simon Archer Knight a person indeed naturally qualified with a great affection to Antiquities and with no small pains and charge a diligent Gatherer and preserver of very many choice Manuscripts and other rarities whereof I have made speciall use as almost every page in the Book will manifest That this my endeavour will have a candid acceptance I no whit doubt my principall ayme having been by setting before you the noble and eminent Actions of your worthy Ancestors to incite the present and future ages to a vertuous imitation of them the continued welfare and lasting honour of your selves and hopefull posterity being the unfeigned wishes of Your most devoted and humble servant William Dugdale TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE CHRISTOPHER LORD HATTON COMPTROLLER OF THE HOUSEHOLD to the late KING CHARLES and one of his Majesties most Honorable Privie-Councell MY LORD IT is little lesse than twenty years since I had the happinesse to be first known to you and to receive your encouragement to go on in the getting of fit materialls for the work I have now at last through God's assistance though with no small difficulty accomplished towards which I had then made some little progress wherein I ever found you so great and constant a favourer of my endeavours not only by the free opening unto me your choise and costly Treasurie of extraordinarie rarities whereof the margents of the Book will declare what great use I have made but by procuring for me both accesse to most of the publique Records in this Nation and affording me the chief support I then had whilst I laboured therein So that besides your great deserts as a principall Mecoenas of learning and more especially of Antiquities wherein your skill and knowledge far surpasses any within the compasse of your own Orbe the Nobility that I know and therefore the more fit to judge thereof the influence that this work hath had from your Lordship doth justly challenge a publique and gratefull acknowledgment which I hope will not be wanting from all persons especially those that it concerns as it hath from me who with abundant thankfulnesse for these high favours do now present it to you Had I been farther happy in your judicious assistance and advice for its fabrick and composure I am sure it would have appeared much more beautifull than now it is but that through your distance from hence by reason of our sad distractions could not be expected Such therefore as it is I humbly offer to your Lordship well knowing that your goodnesse will accept thereof rather as a testimonie of my gratitude than any other merit from Your Lordship's most obliged servant and honourer William Dugdale THE PREFACE THat the prefixing an Introduction to this present work is as essentiall as the Porch to a greater building will not be doubted I shall therefore by way of Preface speak briefly of Historie in generall and then of that which may most properly usher in the following Discourse It is Historie saith an eminent person that hath given us life in our understanding since the World it self had life and beginning even to this day and carried our knowledge over the vast and devouring space of many thousand years having made us acquainted with our dead Ancestors and out of the depth and darknesse of the Earth delivered us their memorie and fame And as this is no little satisfaction to all discreet men so may it be of much advantage in regard that by a serious observance of the Actions that former times have produced with their circumstances and issues a far greater knowledge may be obtained than the longest life can otherwise afford Hence is it that the Antients have bestowed such paines in this kind as hath been long ago noted by an old Writer Anteriores nostri quoth he ab antiquis temporibus labentis seculi excursus prudenter inspexerunt bona seu mala mortalibus contingentia pro cautela hominum notaverunt futuris temporibus semper prodesse volentes scripta scriptis
higher upon the same River In the Conq. time it was rated for 5 hydes and then held by one Rainaldus of Roger Earl of Arundell and Shrewsbury but written Leileford The lands of which Roger in these parts came afterwards to the family of D' Albany But in H. 2. time Roger Hayrun was Lord of this place in whose male line it continued till E. 2. time held of the heirs of the said Earl of Arundell So that 't is without doubt that this Roger Hayrun or his Father was first enfeâ—ffed thereof by one of those Earls And it may be that William Hayrun who lived in the beginning of K. Steph. time was Father of the same Roger. Of this family there were there 3 Rogers successively all Benefactors to the Monastery of Combe whose grants Iohn Fitz-Alan chief Lord of the Fee by descent from D' Albany confirmed The last whereof gave a piece of wast ground called Bromehill lying also within this Lordship to the Abby of Pipwell with a younger son who was admitted Monk of that house upon which those Monks built a sheep-cote and planted trees it being thenceforth called Marham As also his water-mill here with the suit of the town and their heirs thereto together with the seat of a wind-mill and bequeathed his body to be buryed in the Abby of Combe thereupon giving to the Monks in pure and perpetual alms certain lands of good value After which Agnes his widow desiring also sepulture there gave all her goods movable and unmovable with her body to that Religious House But in 36 H. 3. Will. de Waver is stiled Dominus de Lalleford in right of Iuliana his wife questionless for she is called haeres Rogeri Hayrun so also in 3 E. 1. but how this comes to pass Roger Hayrun having two sons viz. William and Iohn as the descent and what I shall say besides doth shew I cannot well imagine both which were Lords of this place successively but dyed without issue William being living in 56 H. 3. and Iohn in 9. E. 2. leaving two sisters but because the inheritance should not be divided and so diminished Iohn gave the same to Robert son to his sister Margerie Which Robert was son of William de Newnham by the said Margerie upon whom the said Iohn designing him to be his heir did by a fine levyed crast Ioh. Bapt. 1. E. 2. settle this Mannour entailing it upon him the said Robert and Eliz. his wife daughter to one Thomas Boydin of Stretton and to the heirs of the same Robert begotten on the said Elizabeth and for default of such issue to Nicholas brother to the said Robert with divers other remainders so that Robert coming thus to the estate was thereupon called Robertus de Lalleford howbeit when Iohn dyed I certainly find not It seems that this Robert de Lalleford became a man of note in his time for in 14 E. 3. he was one of the Knights for this Shire in the Parliament then held but dyed before the 20 E. 3. for in that year Iohn his son and heir released to Iohn Whitwell all his right in this Mannour during VVhitwell's life Which Iohn dyed without issue so that VVilliam his brother became thereupon heir who in 35 E. 3. granted it to VValter VVhythors and Isabell his wife and to the heirs of VValâ—er Will. Hayrun 5 Steph. Rogerus Hayrun temp H. 2. Rog. Hayrun 1 Joh. Rogerus Hayrun 36 H. 3. ... monachus apud Pipwell ... filia Margeria uxor W. de Neunham Robertus dictus de Lalleford 14 E. 2. 35 E. 3. Joh. fil haeres obiit sine prole Will. obiit sine prole Will. Hayrun fil haeres 56 H. 3. obiit sine prole Joh. Hayr 9. E. 2. obiit sine prole From whom descended Sir Raphe VVhythors Kt. who granted it to certain feoffees and their heirs which feoffees passed their title therein to Henry Earl of Derby Guy de Mâ—ne Keeper of the Kings Privy Seal Sir Henry Green Knight Sir Iohn Bagot Kt and others all great men in those daies and their heirs their grant bearing date at Bathkynton in this County the monday after the feast day of St. Dunstan 19 R. 2. What chopping there was with it for the space of xxvi years ensuing appears not to me but in 2 H. 6. I find that Nicholas Parker of Thornbury in Gloucestershire a servant to Humfry Earl Stafford passed it to the said Earl and his heirs whence I ghess that all these feoffments last mentioned were but in trust in those turbulent times for this family of Stafford In which line it continued till the attainder of Edward Duke of Buck. 13 H. 8. and by that means coming to the Crown the K. by his Letters Patents bearing date 29 Martii the same year granted it to Thomas Marquess Dorset for life and afterwards by the like Letters Patents bearing date 27. Iunii 15. of his reign to the said Thomas and to the heirs male of his body But I suppose that it came to the Crown 1. Mariae by the attainder of Henry D. of Suffolk Son to the same Thomas For in the next year the Qu. granted Licence to ... Baylye for aliening thereof unto Thomas Leigh Alderman of London and his Heirs Of whom I shall speak more when I come to Stonley After which it was in xi Eliz. setled by him on Alice his wife during her life the remainder to VVilliam Leigh his younger son and the heirs male of his body whose grand-child Francis Lord Dunsmore of whom I shall make further mention in Neunham-Râ—gis doth now scil an 1640. enjoy it In an 1291. 19. E. 1. the Church dedicated to St ..... was valued at x. marks and in 26. H. 8. at xili xv sol iiii d. the procurations and Synodalls then issuing out of it being viii sol The Patronage of this Church was antiently in the Abbot and Covent of St. Peters super Dinam in France in respect of the Priory of Wolfrichston now Wolston in this County a Cell thereto belonging but afterwards in the Prior and Covent of Carthusians near Coventre as by the Institutions may be seen and as I shall have occasion when I come to Wolston more particularly to manifest yet never appropriated to either of those religious houses Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes temp Instit. Procurator Abb. Conv. S. Petri super Dinam D. Ioh. de Berevill Pbr. in Festo S. Barnab Apostoli an 1300. Idem procurator Thom. le Breton Cleric ix Kl. Ian. an praed D. Rex ratione temporal Abb. S. Petr. super Dinam in manu sua existentium Petruâ— de Medburne accolitus vi Id. Dec. an 1325. Procurator Abb. Conv. S. Petri super Dinam Rob. le Venour Capell vi Kl. Ian. an 1326. Procurator Abb. Conv. S. Petri super Dinam Rog.
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.
for fuell by the space of xv days before Christmass and for viii days before Easter And whereas the said tenants of Copston had wont in consideration of the said common of Pasture and getting of fuell to perform certain services to the same Reginald and his Father viz. plowing twice a year harrowing once mowing and raking once and in Harvest one man from every House to gather up Corn as also from every House a Hen at Christmass and ten Egges at Easter the said Reginald for the health of his soul and the souls of his Father Mother and Ancestors released to them all those services This Reginald seated himself here at Wolvey as by that grant appeareth and had great suites with Will. de Harecurt Thomas de Astley and other Knights that held of the Honour of Leicester for in 11. Ioh. he gave two palfreys that the cause might be heard before the King wherein he got the better as may seem by that Fine of CC. marks payd into the Exchequer by the said Tho. de Astley the year following pro falso clamore But having no Children the issue of his two Sisters became his Heirs viz. Yuo de Dene and Rob. de Leicester Which Yuo had his seat at Dene in the East part of Northampton-shire but was highly devoted to these Monks of Combe as may appear by his large concessions to them first for pasturage for their Horses and Oxen that were imployed in Tillage and likewise for 12. Kine and a Bull in all places within Wolvey where his own Horses Oxen and Kineâ— or his Heirs or others of the same town were to have pasture as also liberty for them to dig turfe yearly with two men for six days And moreover of his Mill here with the Pool below his Mannour-house and course of water thereto excepting all the Fish but Eels whereof the Monks were to have the one half And afterwards in further testimony of his bounty bestowed on them his Mannour-house and whole Lordship of Wolvey with the homage and services of all that held thereof which grants not onely Nich. de Dene son to the said Yuo confirmed but Ric. de Harecurt Superior Lord of the Fee by descent from the before specified Ivo de Harecurt So that now those Monks having a Lordship here which in 20. H. 3. and 20. E. 3. answered for a whole Kts. Fee claimed in 13. E. 1. a Court-Leet and other Priviledges therein whereof they had allowance And in 18. E. 1. obtained a Charter of Free-warren in all their demesn lands here And in 19. E. 2. the like for a Mercate every week upon the Wednesday with a Fair yearly to last for three days viz. the Even of St. Mark the Evang. and two days following But leaving the Monks of Combe thus possest of this Mannour I shall now observe what I find otherwise memorable in Wolvey which is that one Sir Thomas de VVolvey Knight had a fair estate here and left issue Ioan the wife of Sir Henry de Erdington of whom in Erdington I shall speak and Alice of Giles the Son and Heir to Andrew Lord Astley towards the latter end of E. 1. reign upon which Giles and Alice and the Heirs of Alice in 32. E. 1. he setled 37. mess. three carucats with ten yard land and a half lying in Withybroke and this Wulfhey in the County of War Three mess. 1 carucat of Land and 6. s. 6. d. rent in Sixteneby and Olcby in Com. Leic. and 13. mess. and 13. oxgâ—â—gs of land in Scakethorpe and Hothum in Com. Ebor reserving to himself and Alice his wife an estate for term of life in the aforesaid lands paying yearly to the said Giles and Alice a Rose at the Feast of the Nativty of St. Iohn Bapt. for all services But all that I have seen further of him is that being one of the Coroners in this County an Office of great note in those days as in Wolston I have shew'd in 6. E. 2. he was grown so aged and impotent to undergoe the same that he had his Writ of ease And that he bore for his Armes Or a Lyon rampant sable as by his seal and other authorities appeareth which Seal being adorn'd without the compass of the shield with Castles makes me suppose that his paternall ancestours were of the family of Castell residing at Withybroke hard by This Alice the wife to Giles de Astley surviving her Husband was stiled domina de Wolvey as by the institutions to the Chantry may be discerned which Chantry she founded in 17. E. 3. in the Chappel of our Lady within this Parish-Church endowing it with two mess and two yard land lying here in Wolvey for the maintenance of a Priest to sing Mass daily there for ever for the good estate of her self whilst she lived and for the health of her soul after she should depart this life as also for the souls of her ancestors and heirs and all the faithful deceased And left issue Thomas Lord Astley her son and heir of whom being to speak at large in Astley I shall now say no more than what relates to this Lordship which is that he gave 1. mess. and 36. acres of land lying therein to the Prior and Covent of Erdbury and their successors towards the maintenance of a Canon in that Monastery to sing Mass daily for the good estate of him the said Thomas and Eliz. his wife and of the same Alice de VVolvey and Andrew de Astley whilst they lived as also for the health of their souls after their departure hence and for the souls of their heirs and ancestors and all the faithfull deceased To which Thomas succeeded William Lord Astley and Giles a younger son which William in 15. R. 2. gave to the said Giles his Brother and Kath. his wife and to the heirs of their two bodies this Mannour of Wolvey paying to the said William and his heirs a grain of Wheat onely at the Feast of St. Iohn Bapt. yearly for all services Of which Giles all that I find memorable is that in 18. R. 2. which was about three years after he became possest thereof by the consent of the Abbot of Combe he admitted one VVill. de Scregham to the Heremitage upon Wolvey-heath there to live a Heremeticall life in the service of God and to pray for the souls of him the said Giles his ancestours and all the founders and benefactors of the said Monastery of Combe When this Heremitage was first founded appears not but by what is exprest in that Instrument of his admission it seems that it stood in a solitary place upon Wolvey-heath which long before that time had been inhabited by Heremites In 1. H. 5. there was an Award made by Reginald Grey Lord Hastings Weysford and Ruthin and Richard Crosby Prior of Coventre upon certain differences which
heir created Baronet 24 Dec. 16 Iac. whose son and heir Francis advanced to the dignity of Lord Dunsmore 11 Iulii 4 Car. and afterwards to be Earl of Chichester now scil an 1650. enjoyes it The Church dedicated to ..... is not presentative nor hath in it any Arms or Monuments Arley HAving now taken notice of all those places which lye contiguous to the River Avon on its North side till the stream of Sow meet therewith I must in pursuance of my method ascend to the head of that brook which riseth Westwards from Astley as the Map will shew and not far from the skirts of Arley And therefore to dispatch this corner of the Hundred I will begin with Arley whereof there is a member called Sloley though little taken notice of now but because I find that antiently there is mention of it in Records I must not omit it The later sillable of this Towns appellation is very frequently used as we know for terminating the names of sundry Villagesâ— and if we ascend to the British for its original we shall find I le in that language to be the same with locus in the Latine but if to the Saxons ley there signifieth ground untill'd and in that sense we still use the word in relation to such land As for the former viz. Ar 't is British and signifieth the same with super in Latine which very well agreeth with the situation hereof the greatest part of the Parish being high ground in respect of the ascent to it almost every way so that then Ar-lei is by interpretation in effect locus altus In the Conq. time this was possest by one Cristina a great Woman and with her other lands in this County came immediatly to Raph de Limesi a Baron of eminent note whose chief seat was at Wulverle in those dayes a remarkable place though now there is nothing left thereof more than some grounds within the precincts of Solihull bearing the name and that somewhat corrupted by length of time In the general Survey it is recorded for one hyde the woods whereof contained a mile and half in length and half a mile in bredth all being then valued at lx s. and was as it may seem a member of Wolverle but it is there written A Blei in capital letters the Clerk mistaking the R for a B. Of this Raph de Limesi and his posterity I am to speak when I come to Wolverle where I shall insert the descent of that family whereby it will appear that the daughters and heirs thereof were matcht to Lindesei and Odingsels the former a Scot the other a Fleming Which family of Lindesei continued but a while but that of Odingsells remained even till our fathers memory as in Long-Ichington I shall fully shew Touching this Mannour of Arley I find that one Raph de Limesi who lived in K. H. 3. time had it and granted the inheritance thereof to Richard de Limesy his brother and to his heirs which Richard had issue Peter Howbeit whether the above mentioned Raph de Limesi issued from some younger brother of the family of Limesy whose descent I have plac't in Wolverle I am not able to say but I have seen an antient Pedegree of Odingsells which derives him from that family as son to the first Gerard who lived in H. 3. time expressing that he quitted his paternal name and called himself Limesi to preserve the memory of his Grand-mother Basilia de Limesi I presume in that she was so great an heir which was a course usual enough in antient time to do as I have elswhere observed Following therefore the guidance of that descent I have put this Raph and his brother Richard as younger sons to the said Gerard de Odingsells and the rather for that I conceive that the same Gerard was Lord of this Mannour in regard that he and his brother William had a trial at Northampton against Will. de Waverton and Gerard de Lindesei in 28 E. 3. concerning the advouson of this Church though afterwards it did not constantly accompany the possession of the Mannour as most in those elder times did For Will. de Odingsells of Solihull son to the before mentioned William had it in E. 1. time and yet afterwards Peter de Limesy presented as will appear by the Institutions The return therefore to the said Peter son of Richard whom I find thus possest of Arley as abovesaid He had Free-warren granted to him and his heirs here in 4 E. 2. and being a Knight in 5 E. 2. assisted the Earls of Lancaster Hereford and Warwick in the beheading of Piers de Gaveston for which with the rest he had his pardon in 7 of that K. reign In 9 E. 2. he was in Commission for choosing of foot-souldiers in this County for the wars of Scotland and the same year one of the Knights for this Shire in the Parliament then held at Lincoln In which Parliament the Commonalty giving unto the K. a xvi th towards the charge of his wars in Scotland the foot-souldiers elected as aforesaid were released by the K. command this Peter being with others assigned for levying the said sixteenth In 11 E. 2. he was in Commission for enquiry who they were that furnisht themselves with Arms and retained souldiers horse or foot or did confederate themselves by private meetings in this County And the same year being constituted Shiriff of the Counties of Salop. and Staff had the custody of the Castles of Shrewsbury and Bridgenorth committed to his charge In 14 E. 2. he was in Commission for the Goal-delivery at Warwick but afterwards in the rebellion with Thomas Earl of Lancaster for which his lands being forfeited were seized into the K. hands and dyed at Yorke the Monday next before the feast of the Epiphany in 18 E. 2. but whether a natural death or not the Record doth not specifie leaving issue Iohn de Limesy his son and heir then 24 years of age on whom this Mannour was setled by the grant of Ric. de Limesy his Grandfather What became of this Iohn de Limesy or what issue he had I find not but plain it is that in 2 E. 3. Sir Roger Corbet of Caus Kt. and Amicia his wife granted unto Sir VVill. Camvile Kt. son of Thomas Camvile the reversion of this Mannour as also of the Mannour of Sibbesdon in Leic. which Sir Roger had a daughter also called Amicia wife of Iohn de Odingsells as in Long-Itchington appeareth The next mention I meet with of it is in 19 R. 2. where it appears that Sir Roger Corbet of Lygh Kt. dyed seized of a third part thereof leaving Thomas his son and heir aged 23 years But in 5 H. 4. after the death of Sir Iohn Odingsells of Long-Itchington it was found that Sir Raph Rochford Kt. then held it with
ibi jacent Iohannes Edmundus et Henricus filii domini Willielmi de Hastings filii D. Iohannis de Hastings Et Ioh. Huntingfeld filius Will. de Huntingfeld et D. Iohanna consortis suae That this Order of Friers was very much esteem'd and reverenced by all sorts of people is evident enough For whosoever shall take notice of such bequests as by the Testaments of most men and women were made in antient time may find that as they seldome neglected to give more or less to one or other Religious house of this Rule so if they were persons of quality they did frequently make choice of their sepulture in them as I shall have occasion to shew in some part of this work Neither was it the least pollicy of these Friers to obtain from great persons such a disposall of their bodies considering how they were imployed and trusted in making their Testaments as I have already shewed For where ever they sped in that kind they were sure to have a good Legacy from the Testator and not without hope by so fair an example to obtain no less advantage from his posterity So that Tho. de Walsingham speaking of the buriall of Q. Elianore's heart in the Church of the Friers-Minors at London did not without cause complain of them in these words Qui meaning the said Friers sicuti et cuncti fratres reliquorum Ordinum aliquid dâ— corporibus quorumcunque potentium morientium sibâ—met vendicabant more canum cadaveribus assistentium ubi quisque suam particulam avide consumendam expectat you see he writes somewhat passionatly of the poor Friers but consider that he was himself a Monk and the reason may easily be discerned Before the suppression of the Monasteries this City was very famous for the Pageants that were play'd therein upon Corpus-Christi-day which occasioning very great confluence of people thither from far and near was of no small benefit thereto which Pageants being acted with mighty state and reverence by the Friers of this House had Theaters for the severall Scenes very large and high placed upon wheels and drawn to all the eminent parts of the City for the better advantage of Spectators And contain'd the story of the New-Testament composed into old English Rithme as appeareth by an antient M S. intituled Ludus Corporis Christi or Ludus Coventriae I have been told by some old people who in their younger years were eye-witnesses of these Pageants so acted that the yearly confluence of people to see that shew was extraordinary great and yeilded no small advantagâ— to this City The next thing whereof I am to take notice in relation to this Friery is K. H. 8. Survey in 26. of his reign At which time it did apâ—pear that they had no lands or tenâ—â—ents nor other possessions spirituall or temporall but onely a liberty in the Countrey to receive the Charity of good people This being so I expect that some may demand why it was not dissolved in 27 H. 8. when the leâ—ser Houses went to wrack Whereunto I answer that the Act for that purpose extendeth onely unto Monks Channons and Nuns but if it be askt why these were then so sheltred from the first storm the reason I think is apparent viz. there was nothing to be got by their ruin forasmuch as they had no endowment of lands c. though God was as much dishonoured by the lewd lives of the Friers for want of good government as the preamble of that Act imports in case it say true as by any other whose Houses were certified to be of less value then C C. l. per an which favour we see gâ—ve these poor Friers liberty to breath here a while longer in expectation of their ruin viz. till 30 H. 8. that all the great Houses were dissolved they being then forc'd to subscribe an Instrument whereunto their Common-Seal is affixt and in which the error of that Regular câ—urse they had practised is confest whereby they surrendred this House into the said K. hands as the Copy thereof being not ordinary and therefore here inserted doth manifest For as moche as wee the Warden and Freers of the House of Saynt Frances in Coventre commonly callyd the Grey-Freers in Coventre in the County of Warwick doo profoundly consider that the perfection of Christian livinge dothe nott consist in dume Ceremonies werynge of a grey coot disgeasinge our selfe aftur straunge fassions do Kynge noddynge and beckyng in gurdyng our selves wythe a gurdle fulle of knotts and other like Papisticall Ceremonies wherein we hade ben mooste principally practised onâ— misâ—yd in tymes paste but the very tru waye to plese God and to live a tru Christian mon wythe out all ypocrisie and fayned diseimulation is sinceerly declared unto us by our Mr. Christe his Evangelists and Aposteles being myndyd hereaftur to followe the same conformynge our self unto the will and plesure of our Supreme hedde under Gode in erthe the Kynges Majestie and not to folowe henseforth the superstitius traditions of ony forinsecall potentate or peere wythe mutuall assent and consent doo submitt our selves unto the mercy of owre seide Soverayng Lord. And wythe like mutuall assent and consent do surrendre and yelde up into the hondes of the same all our seide House of Saynt Frances in the Cite of Coventre commonly callyd the Grey-Freers in Coventre wythe alle the londs tenements gardens medows waters poâ—diards fedings pastures comens Rents reversions and alle other our interest ryghtes or titles appertaining unto the same Mooste humbly beseechiuge his mooste noble Grace to dispose of us and of the same as beste shall stonde wythe his mooste gracious pleasure And further frely to graunte unto every on of us his license under wreiyng and Seealle to chaunge our habitts into secular fashion and to receve suche maner of livinges as other seculat Priests commonly be preferred unto And we all faithfully shall pray unto Almighty God long to preserve his mooste noble Grace wythe increse of moche felicite and honor And in witnes of alle and singuler the premisses wee the seide Warden and Covent of the Grey-Freeres in Coventre to thes presences have putte our Covent Seealle the fivithe day of Octobâ—â— in the thertythe yere of the raynge of our mooste Soveraynge Lord King Henry the eyghte Per me Iohannem Stafford Gardian Per me Thomam Maller Per me Thomam Sanderson Per me Iohannem Abell Per me Iohannem Woode Per me Rogerum Lilly Per me Thomam Aukock Per me Matheum Walker Per me Robartum Walker Per me Thomam Bangsit Per me Willielmum Gosnelle Which said House or site was in 34 H. 8. granted by the K. inter alia to the Mayor Bayliffs and Commmonalty of this City and their successors for ever NEar unto the ruins of this Friery is there an Hospitall now called the Gray-Frier-Hospitall in respect of its situation touching the Foundation whereof and its successive Benefactors I shall
I not found any thing memorable other than the grant of the moytie of the Mannour of Hastokeshale for so it was written in 40 E. 3. by Alan Lesset and Margaret his wife to Thomas Langhurst and his heirs And as for Hawksbury in regard it is situate within the liberties of the City of Coventre I shall reserve what I have thereof to be there spoken This Church is not Presentative nor is there any Arms therein more than one Escocheon of Peto with his quarterings Withibrooke THE stream of Sow being here augmented by the access of a rivulet which ariseth above Withibrooke I am to take notice of those places that lye adjacent thereunto which are onely Withibrooke and Hopsford as the Map will shew the former taking its name of the brook on the banks whereof antiently as well as now many Willows have grown but of this place is there nothing recorded in Domesday-book so that whether it were then involved with Monkskirby or Hapsford I mean in the continent of hides certified of them in that Survey I am not able directly to affirm for that it was included in one of them there is no doubt in regard that Moubray afterwards had it with those and other the lands which belong'd to Geffrey Wirce then Lord of that place The first and most antient mention that I find thereof is that Richard de Morevill had it of Will. de Rudevill his kinsman in exchange for the village of Lindlei in Leicestersh by which deed it appears that the said Richard had formerly granted it unto the same Will. de Rudevill And that the ancestors of this Richard de Morevill were enfeofft thereof by Nigel de Albani father of Rog. de Moubrai in H. 1. time the certificate made by the said Roger in 12 H. 2. of what fees were held of him de veteri feoffamento doth sufficiently manifest in which it appears that this Ric. de Morevill held 5 Knights fees Which exchange was confirm'd by the said Rog. de Moubray This Ric. de Morevill gave to the Monks of Combe six yard land with the appurtenances lying in this Lordship with his body to be buryed in that Monastery at his decease But how or when it past from Morevill I have not seen so that whether that grant which Ivo de Harecourt made to Rob. Basset whereby he passed unto him totam terram suam de Wllveya de Copston de Withebroch in frank marriage with Beatrice his sister did contain the whole town of Withfbroch or onely some land that Harecourt had therein I cannot determine The next mention I find thereof is that Nicholaus fil Hulf in 7 Ioh. recovered the right of Presentation to the Church against the Abbot of Combe Which Nich. was afterwards called Nicholaus de Withibroe as appears by the Record wherein mention is made what he contributed towards that great sum which Will. de Molbrai gave to K. Iohn for a Fine that he might enjoy his inheritance concerning which Will. de Stutevile impleaded him and whereof I shall have occasion to speak at large in Brinklow Betwixt this Nich. and the Free-holders of Withibroke on the one part and the Monks of Combe on the other was there an Agreement made in 25 H. 3. concerning Common of pasture and other matters at which time he was a Knight To whom succeeded as Lord of this Mannour Will. de Castell in 37 H. 3. which William was a Benefactor to the Monks of Combe by grant to them and exchanges made with them of certain lands in this place and in 41 H. 3. gave a Fine to the King of half a mark in gold for respiting his Knighthood but whether he were son or marryed the daughter and heir of the before specified Nicholas I know not howbeit in allusion to his name he gave a Castle for his Arms as by his Seal appears which Coat his Grandchild William altered taking two bars and putting the Castle into a Canton Hulf Nich. miles de Withibroc 7 Ioh. Will. de Castell dom de Withibroc Nich. de Castello Remem Regis in Scac. 7 E. 1. Will. de Castello miles 35 E. 1. Georgius de Castello miles 4 E. 2. Will. de Castello 1 E. 3. Georgius de Castello 23 E. 3. Rob. de Castello 12 H. 4. Henricus del Chastel de Bromwiz 54 H. 3. In 7 E. 1. Nich. de Castello son to the last mentioned William was the K. Remembrancer in the Exchequer To whom succeeded another William who in 13 E. 1. paid a Fine of xl s. for replevin of his liberties at Withibrok viz. Courtleot and punishing the breakers of the Assize of Bread and Beer Which William was Shiriff of the Counties of Warw. and Leic. 22 E 1. and in 29 E. 1. received command to attend the K. at Berwic upon Twede on the Feast of S. Iohn Bapt. who then making a warlike expedition against the Scots was victorious as our Historians do manifest 'T is like he was made a Knight at that time for the next mention I meet with of him which was in 35 E. 1. shews him so to be He had issue George a Knight in 4 E. 2. but deceased before the 9 of that K. reign for in that year was it found that Alice his widow held this Lordship Which Alice in 1 E. 3. procured a special pardon for Will the son and heir to the above mentioned George touching the sum of 28 l. 7 s. 2 d. of the 58 l. 7 s. 2 d. which was required of him to be paid into the Exchequer for the Kings use as a debt due by VVill. his Grandfather when he was Shiriff of these Counties To the last mentioned VVill. succeeded George who had a Patent in 47 E. 3. to free him from bearing the office of Shiriff Eschaetor c. and in 51 E. 3. was one of the Commissioners for levying the subsidy of 4 d. upon every head commonly called Pole-money but in 5 and 8 R. 2. did bear the office of Eschaetor for this County and Leicestersh notwithstanding his priviledge In the Parliament of 10 R. 2. he served as one of the Knights for this Shire and in 11 R. 2. being in Commission with divers others for the levying of the moytie of a xv and x. in this County at the later end of the same year was constituted Shiriff of this County and Leicestershire After which viz. in 13 and 14 R. 2. he was in Commission for conservation of the peace But the next and last that I meet with of this name is Robert de Castell son of the said George perhaps which Robert was Shiriff of these Countyes in 12 H. 4. Knight for this Shire in Parliament 2 H. 5. one of the Justices of peace in 5 H. 5. In 7 H. 5. in Commission to treat with the people for a loan
to the said Canons liberty to fish with boat and nets one day in every week viz. Thursday in his pool here at Kenilworth But other particulars of him worthy of Note have not I seen any except that false accusation of Treason made against him at Woodstock where K. Henry kept his Easter in 30. of his raign To him succeeded Geffrey his son and heir Lord Chamberlain likewise to the King as his father was and possest of a great estate for by the certificate of William E. of Warwick in 12. H. 2. it appears that he held of him no less than XVII Knights fees de veteri feoffamento Which Geffrey wedded Agnes daughter unto Roger Earl of Warwick with whom he had in marriage ten of those 17. Knights fees id est a discharge from any service for them except in some speciall cases As also Shrivalty of this County to hold to him and his heirs in such sort as he the said Earl had held or might hold it of the King and was a great benefactor to this Monastery of Kenilworth not onely by confirming all his fathers grants thereto but adding these particulars viz. the land at Newton at the buriall of his father The Mannour of Pakinton with the Church and Mill there The greatest part of Leminton with the Church and Mill. The Mill of of Guy-Cliff The Cell of Bretford with lands at Wridfen and Wotton The Churches of Wilmeleghton now called Wormleghton Herberbury Radford and Budbroke all in this County with the Church of Stivecle in Buckingham-shire confirmed to them by William Pipard All which were likewise ratified by Henry de Clinton son to the last specified Geffrey who also gave thereunto the town of Tachebroke with much more land at Wridfen in consideration whereof the before specified Canons allow'd to him every day during his life two manchets such as two of the said Canons used to have and four gallons of their better beer according to wine measure which he was to have whither he were at Kenilworth or not from the time he should enter into a religious life in case he did so do except on those dayes he had entertainment in the said Monastery After whose death Amicia de Bidun his wife released unto these Canons all her right of dowrie which she had in the lands so given by her said husband I will now onely enumerate the principall grants made by divers other persons to this Monastery for as much as of such that were in this County I speak more largely as I discourse of those particular places viz. Brueria now called Hethe near Wotton given by Odo de Turri The Church of Stoneley by K. H. 1. Divers lands in Molington by Iulian de S. Remigio As also the Church of Yftele with a yard land in Couley neer Oxford The Church of Hethe in Oxford-shire by Lescelina daughter to Geffrey the Founder and wife to Norman de Verdon which Bertram de Verdon her son confirmed granting besides a meadow at Asho called Rugenhale and another at Bretford The Churches of Brailes and Wellesburne by Roger Earl of Warwick Of Locksley by Rob. fil Odonis with certain lands also there Of Whitnash by Raph de Mara and Lesceline his wife Of Hampton in Arden and Smite with the Chappell of Brinklow by Roger de Moubray Of Langford in Derby-shire by Nich. de Gresley and Margaret his wife which Margaret in her minority with her whole patrimony was long under the care and tutelage of the before specified Geffrey the Founder Of Chesterton by Will. Croc. Of Fenny-Compton and one hide of land there by Gilbert le Bigoth Of Eatendon with divers lands there by Sewal fil Fulcheri ancestor to the antient family of Shirley yet lords of that Mannour And of Cherlton-Canvile in Com. Somerset by Rich. de Canvile All which with their severall Chappell 's were confirm'd to these Canons by severall Kings and Bishops as I shall have occasion more fully to manifest when I come to each of them Of Broke in Rutland which was a Cell to this Monastery given by Hugh de Ferrers and confirmed by Walcheline his brother Of lands in Newton by Ernald de Bois In Herdwic and Halford by Will. Giffard In Baginton by Hen. de Arden In Ludewell by Manasses Arsic In Tisho by Ric. de Bereford Cecily his wife and Raph de S. Edmundo Of half a yard land in Ricardscote in Com. Staff By Cecily the daughter of Rog. le Wayte Of lands in Herberbury by Henry Malory and others Of fire-wood in Berkswell by Nigel de Mundevill Of lands in Wolston by Rog de Frevill and Sibill his wife And to these were added the Church of Milverton by Walter Espigurnell and Celestina his wife in 16. H. 3. With the greatest part of Locksley Westcote and Morton and the advouson of the Church of Locksley by Peter de Mora about the 38. of H. 3. Afterwards viz. in 19. E. 2. Iohn Lok and Roger de Boyvill had license from the King to grant the Mannour of Patleshull in Stafford-shire to this Monastery In 20. E. 3. Thomas de Hampton to give five mess. with cxii acres of land in Radford thereunto And in 25. of the same K. raign Iohn the son of Iohn de Peto for granting xiv mess. two Carucats and five yard land in Loxley to it Many other small parcells in severall places were at sundry times given to these Canons by common persons the mention whereof I do purposely pass by for brevities sake Of all which the Prior and Covent of this House being thus possest in 12. E. 1. granted away the Churches of Fenny-Compton and Chesterton to the B. of Coventre and Lichfield and his successors for ever And of these their possessions as they had ample confirmations by severall Kings of this Realâ—e so were the priviledges very great which they enjoyed by those Charters viz. power to keep Court-Leet Assise of bread and beer authority to try malefactors within divers of their Lordships and freedom from suite to the County and Hundred-Courts as by the same Charters unto which I have pointed may be seen besides Free-warren in divers of their Mannours as I shall instance when I come to them in particular To these was added by King E. 3. that the Sub-prior and Covent should during the vacancy have the custody of the said House and all the Temporalties appertaining thereunto paying only to the King his heirs and successors for every whole year cxvii li. ii s. viii d. As to the appropriation of the particular Churches before recited to the use and benefit of this Monastery I shall take notice of them when I come to
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
mentioned had Free-warren granted to him in 42 H. 3. And that the said Iohn held the same being half a Knights fee of Thomas de Arden lineall heir to the before specified Siward by the service of a Hawke As also that in 13 E. 1. Theobald de Verdon â— son and heir of the said Iohn claymed a Court-leet Assise of bread and beer Free-warren and weyfs with other priviledges here in Flekenho and the members thereof viz. Nethercote Wolshamcote Sawbridge for these do appear so to be by the antient stile of the Court there kept all which were allowed Which Theobald had issue Theobald and he severall daughters and heirs as in Brandon is shewed whereupon it came by partition to be assigned unto Isabell the wife of Henry de Ferrers of Groby To whose posterity in the direct line it continued untill it was put into the hands of Iohn Stafford Bishop of Bath and Wells Iohn Visc. Beauâ—ont and other feoffees by William the last Lord Ferrers of Groby who by their deed dated 20. Ian. 20 H. 6. setled it upon the said William for terme of life and after his decease upon Thomas his younger son and the heirs male of his body Which Thomas being so seized thereof gave it to Henry Ferrers his younger son to hold during the life of the said Henry but afterward to remain to Thomas Ferrers son and heir of him the said Thomas by Eliz. one of the sisters and heirs to Sir Baldwin Frevill Knight by whom he had the Castle of Tamworth in this County From which Thomas and Eliz. did lineally descend Sir Iohn Ferrers Knight who by his deed bearing date 20. Sept. 12. Iac. gave it with Anne his daughter in Marriage unto Sir Symon Archer Knight and his heirs of whom and his family which hath been of great continuance in this Shire I have spoke in Tanworth where their seat is Nethercote THIS having been antiently called Parva-Flekenho and originally a member of the other was in 10 E. 2. held by Iohn de Coigne of Theobald de Verdon for half a Knights fee And after him viz. in 2 E. 3. by Will. Coyne who wrote himself Dominus de Nethercote To whose posterity it continued till 31 H. 8. that Robert Cuny esquire past it away to Roger Wigston esquire and his heirs whose son and heir William Wigston esq but afterwards Knight levyed a Fine thereof to Eliz. Onely widow in 3 E. 6. But I have heard that Roger Wigston son and heir to the said Sir William sold it to one Thomas Lee which Thomas in 14. Eliz. by the name of Tho. Lee of Clatercote in Com. Oxon. esquire was certified to dye seized thereof leaving William Watson son of Anne Watson one of his sisters his next heir Which William sold it to Tho. Wilcox who passed it to Robert Clerke late owner thereof Sawbridge THIS being written Salebrugge in antient Records makes me imagine that the name was at first occasioned from the Bridge here over Leame and that the syllable Sal which by corrupt pronuntiation is now called Saw proceedeth from the old Brittish word Sal or Salw id est vilis sive parvae estimationis But it was originally a member of Wolfhamcotâ— and continued in the family of Ardern till King Iohn's time that Thomas de Arderne granted it to the Monks of Thorney in Cambrige-shire who in 19 E. 1. were certified to hold in this place one carucate of land rated at xxx s. and iv li. xii s. rent of Assise at which time the value of those customary works due to the Monks from hence were rated at 26 s. 8 d. â—nd the pleas and perquisites 6 s. 8 d. They had then also a Mill of 4 li. per annum and a stock upon the ground worth xx s. by the year The totall viii li. xix s. iv d. This continued in the Crown after the dissolution of the Monasteries til 2 Eliz. that the Q past it away to ...... Gerard and others by the name of the Mannour of Sawbridge How it came again to her hands I know not but in 4. of her raign by her Letters Pat. dated 28. Oct. she granted it to Ranulph Crew esq and Richard Cartwright gent. and their heires together with a water-mill in Ryeton â— to be held in Feeferme paying xx li. yearly into the Exchequer Which Ranulph and Richard by their deed dated the 10. of Nov. following past it to Edward Brook of Flekenho gent. Roger Tibbots of Southam gent. Robert Clâ—rk of Wolfhamcote Yeoman Thomas Chiles of Sawbridge Yeoman and Richard Roberts of Nethercote Yeoman and their heires Shuckborough-superior SOuthwest from Wolfhamcote stands Shuckborough superior part whereof lyes within Kineton-Hundred In the Conq. time the Earl of Mellent held four hides here as appears by the generall Survey then made and Turchill de Warwick half a yard land All which being valued at lv s. were possest by the same Leuvinus before the Norman invasion of whom I have made mention in Monkskirby and Flekenho But in that Record it is written Socheberge whence I conjecture that the originall name was at first composed of a Brittish as well as a Saxon word Swch in that language signifying a Plow and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the other a Hill which is not unsutable to the nature of the ground viz. arable and the situation thereof That the greatest part of the Earl of Mellent's lands and likewise of the before specified â—urchill's came soon after to the antient Earls of Warwick I have often observed yet it when it was or whom that those Earles first enfeoft of this place doth not directly appear but plain it is that Earl Roger who dyed in King Stephen's time gave the Church to the Nunns of Wroxhale and confirmed the grant which Robert then Lord of this Mannour had made of 4. yard land and xx acres of Inclosure to the same Religious house But after this Robert the next that I find to have been Lord of it was Osbert de Lemintone who granted an Oxe-gang of land lying within the precincts thereof to the Abby of Leicester Which Oxe-gang being half a yard land and confirmed by King H. 2. was within a short space given by the Canons of that House to Thomas the son of Oliver de Shukborow and his heires for ix s. yearly rent to be payd to the said Monastery From this Thomas did descend as 't is like that family which long continuing here bore the sirname of Oliver whereof was Thomas Oliver who in 7 E. 1. held 7. yard land in this place viz. 3. yard land and a half of Henry de Berchesdone by the 4. part of a Knights fee which the said Henry held over of the Prior of Coventre and the rest of Iordan de Say by the like service This Thomas Oliver had at that time
Alexander de Savensby Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield temp H. 3. the Vicaridge being then endowed with all the fruits and charged with a Pension of xv marks per annum to those Canons and as much to the Dean and Chapter of Lichfield and their successors In Anno 1291. 19 E. 1. it was valued at x. marks over and above the said Pensions and in 26 H. 8. at xx li. besides 9 s. -6 d. yearly allowed for Procurations and Synodalls Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes temp Inst. Prior Conv. S. Oswaldi de Nostell Nich. de Duneschurch Cap. 7. Id. Ian. 1298. Prior Conv. S. Oswaldi de Nostell Nich. de Hastang Diac. 10. Cal. Iulii 1328. Prior Conv. S. Oswaldi de Nostell Ric. de Dewesbur Pbr. 5. Id. Oct. 1333. Prior Conv. S. Oswaldi de Nostell Will. de Emleye Pbr. Non. Iulii 1337. Prior Conv. S. Oswaldi de Nostell Adam de Haselbech Pbr. 2. Id. Sept. 1349. Prior Conv. S. Oswaldi de Nostell Ric. fil Albini de Nayleston Pbr. 3. Non. Oct. 1352. Prior Conv. S. Oswaldi de Nostell Adam de Penerieh Pbr. 13. Cal. Martii 1377. Prior Conv. S. Oswaldi de Nostell Will. Shirwood Pbr. 2. Martii 1380. Prior Conv. S. Oswaldi de Nostell Ioh. Dalton Pbr. 18. Febr. 1391. Prior Conv. S. Oswaldi de Nostell Henr. Morton Cler. 17. Dec. 1505. Will. Hygden gen ratione concess Pr. C. de Nostell Rob. Holme art Magr. ult Aug. 1558. D. Regina Math. Holme Cler. 18. Iunii 1570. Iana Lock-smyth Vidua Thom. Lever art Bacc. 3. Iulii 1619. In a Window of the Church these Armes Arg. upon a Chief Azure two Mullets Or. Clinton of Marstok Azure a chief gules with a Lyon rampant Or. Hastang Hill THIS place antiently written Hulle hath its name from the high situation thereof and belong'd to the Monks of Abingdon in the Conq. time being given to them by Turchil de Ardene who is commonly called in Domesday-book Turchil de Warwic and confirmed by King William The extent thereof in the said confirmation is said to be two hides and so much doth the generall Survey then made record it to be valuing it at xl s. Nevertheless by another Authority I find that the Conquerour granted four yard land lying in this place to the Abby of Abingdon for service of Castleward to be done at his Castle of Windsor which expresseth that one of the Abbots did enfeoff Henry his servant of all the said four vigrats to perform the above mentioned service of Castleward and that from the said Henry it descended to Hugh his son and heir who sold it to Robert de Hastang But in 2. Ioh. the Abbot of Abingdon recovered the hide of land against Raph the son of Wigan of whom I have spoke in Willoughby Which Raph alledged that King H. 1. gave it to Wigan his Marshall with other lands eschaeted to the Crown by reason that Roger de Causton the owner of it had committed Felony After which viz. in 6. Ioh. the said Abbot levied a Fine thereof to the before mentioned Henry who is therein stiled Henricus filius Pagani To this Henry succeeded Hugh sirnamed de Abendon who in 36 H. 3. was certified to hold the sixt part of a Knights fee here of the said Abbot which was doubtless the same hide before specified and Will. de Curly another 6. part which argueth that the rest of those lands in this place belonging to the said Abby were granted to the Ancestor of the said William de Curly by the like service of Castleward at Windsore for in 18 H. 3. Robert then Abbot of Abendon came to an Agreement with the said William for those services it being then concluded that the same William should pay xl d. ob to the Abbot in lieu thereof This Hugh de Abendon sold all that he had here to Robert de Hastang Lord of Leminton-Hastang as I have there shewed Which Robert wedded one of the daughters and coheirs of the before recited William de Curly whereby he and his posterity enjoyed a great part of Curlye's lands and so consequently this I presume for upon the partition made betwixt Maud and Ioan the the daughters and coheirs of Sir Iohn de Hastang in 49 E. 3. this Mannour of Hull for so it is there called was with Leminton assigned to Maud who marryed to Raph de Stafford as in Leminton I have declared and hath since continued in the family of those Staffords Sir Humfrey Sâ—affâ—rd Knight dying seized thereof 17 Eliz leaving Iohn his son and heir then of full age till with Leminton it came by purchase to Baron Trevor Herdwick THIS was originally a member of Leminton and involved therewith in the Conquerors time as will appear by what I shall say anon But I cannot ascend so high as to shew which of the Hastangs it was that enfoeft him thereof who first assumed his sirname from hence yet I believe it was very antient for in 20 H. 3. I find that Robert de Hastang had suits with VVilliam de Herdewic for certain Customes and services which he claymed from him for the lands he held here And in 21 E. 3. Iohn de Herdewic of Lynleye in Com. Leic. was sued by the Vicar of Leminton for certain lands in this place Howbeit in 12 R. 2. Sir Iohn Salisbury was found to dye seized inter alia in right of Ioan his wife one of the daughters and coheirs of Iohn de Hastang of certain Rents due from the Freeholders and tenants at will in this place which was then as the Record expresseth a Hamlet of Leminton before mentioned But the family of Herdwick who had their principall seat at Lynleye aforesaid continued Lords of this village as long as their male-line lasted as by sundry instances I could manifest and some of them resided here as I guess For Iohn de Herdwik before specified was in 23.26 and 31 E. 3. in Commission with certain other persons of worth for the assessing collecting a x th xv in this shire and in 33 E. 3. had the custody of the Mannour of Warmynton in this County committed to his charge which belonging to the Priory of Toftes was seized into the Kings hands by reason of the warrs with France The same year he was one of the Commissioners for arraying of all men in this County sutable to their estates and degrees according to the Stat. of Winchester in the Kings absence And in 1 R. 2. one of the Justices of Peace for the town of Coventre But of his descendants because they resided in Leicester-shire I have no more to say than that Iohn de Herdwike dying without issue male in H. 8. time and partition being made of his lands 20 H. 8. it appears thereby that this Mannour there called by the
they had of his gift in this place To him succeeded Will. his son and heir who exceeded his father in bounty to those Monks for he bestowed on them above CC acres and half a yard land with pasture for 600 Sheep five Sows with their Pigs one Boar 2 teams of Oxen 5 Kyne with their Calves and one Bull 2 young Heifers with their Calves and his Sheep-cotes on the Hills for their Sheep all in this his Lordship of Rodburne Neither was Michael his son streight-handed to them nor almost any other that had Free-hold in this place as may appear by their particular grants of several parcels of land some of them therewith bequeathing their bodyes to sepulture in that Monastery Which Monks obtained divers priviledges here viz. Court-leet Assize of Bread and Beer Gallows c. as appeareth by their claim in 13 E. 1. whereunto K. E. 1. added his Charter of Free-warren dated at Westm. 18 Febr. 18 of his reign But the posterity of Arden who were Lords of this Mannour having their seat here sometimes called themselves de Rodburne as by divers Records besides these which I have in the margent pointed at might be instanced yet the last of them scil William assumed the name of Arden again and in 43 E. 3. sold all the interest he had here to Iohn the son of Will. Catesby at which time Hugh de Prestwode and Agnes his wife past their whole right therein to the said Iohn by a Fine then levyed with warranty against the heirs of the said Agnes So that it seems she was an heir and probably of the same Will. de Arden Which Catesbyes were of Ashby Legers in Com. Northampt. and afterwards had the Mannour of Lapworth in this Shire where I purpose to speak historically of them In 13 H. 4. after the death of Iohn de Catesby the purchaser I find that Enime his widow and Iohn his son had a Charter of Free-warren granted to them inter alia in alâ— their â—emeâ—n lands here And that in 21 E. 4. the Monks of Combe quittâ—d all their interest here by the name of the Mannour of Rodburne grange to Will. Catesby Esq son and heir of Sir Will. Catesby Kt. for which alâ—enation K. H. 7. granted his pardon to the said Monks in 13 of his reign But this Will. Catesby having been a great Favourite to K. Ric. 3. was attainted in the Parl. of 1 H. 7. whereupon his lands eschaeting to the Crown this was by the K. given away to Sir Iohn Risley Kt. and the heirs male of his body Whether it came again to the Crown for want of issue male by the said Sir Iohn Risley I cannot say but in 2 3 Pâ— M. the Q. granted it to Thom. Wilkes Meâ—chant of the Staple and his heirs whose brother and heir viz. Will. Wilkes dyed seized thereof 27 Sept. 15 Eliz. leaving Robert his son and heir then aged 12 years Which Rob. dyed 26 Iulii 19 Eliz. withouâ— issue whereupon his 3 sisters became his heirs as in Hodnell I have shewed But that part of this place which is called Little-Rodburne did heretofore belong to the Priory of Coventre and coming to the Crown at the general dissoluâ—ion of the Religious Houses was in 6 Eliz. granted by the Q. to Henry Goodere of Polesworth Esq and Clem. Throgmorton Esq and their heirs Which Henry by his Deed bearing date 26 Nov. 8 Eliz. released all his right therein to the said Clement and his heirs who in 15 Eliz. sold the same to Will. Catesby of Ashby-Legers in Com. Northampt. Esq and his heirs After whichâ— viz. in 43 Eliz. Rob. Catesby Thomas Leigh and others all Feoffees in trust of Catesby's lands as it seems by their Deed of bargain and sale past it to Ranulph Crew Esq afterwards Kt. and chief Justice of the K. Bench whose grandchild Iohn Crew son and heir to Sir Clipsby Crew his eldest son in Easter Term ann 1650. sold the same to Sir Iohn Dreyden of Cannons-Ashby before mentioned That the Church was very antiently appropriated to the Nuns of Henwood I have already shewed but how long they took benefit thereof I know not for it appears that the Catesbyes presented thereto as a Rectory and that in 26. H. 8. the Parson received onely iiii l. xvi s. ii d. yearly besides ix s. vi d. for Procurations and Synodals from Ric. Catesby Esq then his Patron whereby it seems that there was no Church then standing but how long it had been down I am not yet certain for our Countryman Rous complains of the depopulation here amongst the rest of the Villages in this County which in his time were ruined by inclosure Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes temp Inst. Ioh. Catesby ar D. Ioh. Steward Cap. 27. Apr. 1417. Ioh. Catesby ar Ioh. Watson Pbr. 22 Nov. 1431. Will. Spenser mil. ratione custodiae gard Ric. Catesby fil haer Georgii Catesby D. Thom. Palmer Cap. 24 Maii 1527. Venerab vir Ric. Catesby ar D. Rob. Holme Cap. 20. Ian. 1540. Henr. Philips ar D. Eliz. Catesby ux ejus Tho. Thackam art Magr. 20 Iulii 1573. Edw. Onley ar Gryffin Lhoyde Cler. 16. Dec. 1573. Ran. Crew miles capit Iustic ad Plac. Tho. Wilbraham jure Eliz. ux ejus Sym. Venables Cler. 6 Martii 1625. Ladbroke ABout 2 miles lower on the Northern bank of the same Torrent stands Ladbroke which I suppose had its name originally from the dirty soyl and clay where the stream runneth Llaid in the old British signifying the same with lâ—â—um and limus but it is frequently written in all antient authorities Lodebroc the a being changed into o. In the Conq. time the E. of Mellent had two hydes here then valued at 50 s. Turchill de Warwick 3 hydes with 4 yard land and better whereof one the Priest held and the other two one William whom I suppose to be progenitor of the family which afterwards assumed this place for their sirname And Hugh de Grentmaisnill three yard land with a Mill of iii s. That Turchill's lands for the most part came to Henry E. of Warwick before the end of the Conq. reign I have in Warwick sufficiently manifested but of what family he was whom the succeeding Earls enfeoft of this place I cannot certainly discover but Will. de Lodbroch the first that I find to have assumed his sirname from hence in 11 H. 2. was certified to hold a Kts. fee of Will then Earl of Warwick de veteri feoffamento that is to say whereof himself or his ancestor was enfeoft in H. 1. time so that I am induced to believe that the brother of this Will became so enfeoft For in the Confirmation which the said Will. made to the Canons of Kenilworth of the Church of Herberbury given originally unto them by G. de Clinton
and suit of harness with all that belong'd thereto To his son Iohn his second coat of Maile Helmet and harness and appointed that all the rest of his Armour Bows and other warlike provision should remain in the Castle of Warwick for his heir constituting these his Executors viz. Alice his Countess Sir Iohn de Hastings Iohn Hamelin Piers le Blund Parson of Hanslape Adam de Herewynton Richard de Brumesgrave Henry de Sidenhale Simon de Sutton Parson of Luffenham William de Wellesburne Parson of Berkeswell with Roger Caumpere Parson of Kibworth and departed this life 12. August next following in his said Castle of Warwick by poison as some thought but had sepulture in Abby of Bordsley before specified Before his death he obtained a grant from the King that his Executors when it should fortune him to depart this life might have the custody of his lands during the minority of his heir being answerable for the value of them to the Exchequer at Michaelmass and Easter every year saving that his Castles of Elmeley and Warwick should not be disposed of to any without the Kings speciall license which grant was confirmed to Iohn Hamelyn and the rest of the Executors in December following his death Neverthelessâ— so much was the K. wrought upon by them whose miscarriages afterwards gave the discontented Nobles opportunity to work his own ruine as that notwithstanding the grant before recited made to those Executors about two years after he passed the custody of them by a new Patent to Hugh le Despenser the elder in satisfaction of a debt of 6770 li. due to him from the said King as was pretended But before I proceed to speak of Thomas Earl of Warwick son and heir to the said Guy I have a word or two to say of the Countess his mother and the rest of her Children which is that she was the daughter of Raph de Tony of Flamsted in Hertford-shire widow of Thomas de Leybourn and at length heir to Robert her brother In November following the Death of her husband she had assigned to her in dowrie the Mannours of Hanslape in Com. Buck. Lygthorne Beausale Haseley Claverdon Berkswell with the third part of the Templars Mannour in Warwick and Shirburne and divers Knights fees all in this County And the next year following gave a Fine of 500. marks for license to marry with William La Zouch of Ashby in Com. Leic. to whom she was accordingly wedded but dyed in 18 E. 2. The other children of Earl Guy were Iohn a martiall Knight Emma the wife of Roul Odingsells Isabell married to ...... Clinton Elizabeth to Thomas Lord Astley and Lucia to Robert de Napton Which Iohn was a man of singular note in his time for in 22 E. 3. the King in consideration of his great services made him a Banneret and gave him Cxl li. per annum out of the Exchequer for his better support In 25 E. 3. he was Governour of Caleis In 26 Iohn Darcy to whom the King had granted the Constableship of the Tower of London for life for the great affection he bore to this Iohn de B. past over his interest in that Office to him which the King also ratified but within two years through the sinister suggestions of some he became much offended with him and put him out of that place constituting Barthol de Burghersh in his stead and after his death Robert de Morley but at the length it appearing to the King that those suggestions were false he received him again into favour and in consideration of his speciall services restored unto him the custody of the said Tower of London by his Letters Patents bearing date 25. Ian. aâ— the town of S. George neer the Castle of Beaufort in France and the same year constituted him Constable of Dovor-Castle Warden of the Cinque-ports for life and Admirall of the Seas for the North and West coasts He was also one of the Founders of that noble Order of the Garter instituted by King E. 3. and departing this life without issue 2. Dec. 34. E. 3. lyeth buryed betwixt two pillars on the South part of the Cathedrall Church of S. Paul in London before the Image of our Lady where he had a fair Monument lately demolisht which was through mistake usually called Duke Humfrey's Tombe I now return to Thomas the succeeding Earl born in Warwick-Castle having to his Godfathers Thomas Earl of Lancaster and Henry his brother with Thomas de Warington Prior of Kenilworth This Thomas was very young at his fathers death but who had the custody and tuition of his person during King Edward 2. reign I find not Most likely it is that Hugh le Despenser the great favourite at that time having a grant of his lands as abovesaid had also the charge of his person but in 1 E. 3. the Castle of Warwick with the rest of his lands were committed to Roger Mortimer of Wigmore till he should arrive to his full age and in 3 E. 3. the King being minded to afford speciall favour to him as the very words of the Writ do importâ— accepted of his homage though he was not then of full age commanding that he should have livery of all his fathers lands and the next year following admitted him to the office of Shiriffalty for Worcester-shire which was of his inheritance as also to that of the Chamberlainshâ—p in the Exchequer with power to appoint whomsoever he should think â—it for the execution of them in such sort as in his Ancestors times had been used 'T is not to be doubted but as this Earl was descended from an antient race of worthy Progenitors and by many noble heirs so were his vertues no less eminent than the chiefest of them for from the time that he came to mans estate even till his death which hapned in 23. of King Edw. 3. raign was he scarce ever cut of some notable and high imployment whereof in order I will briefly make recitall In 5 E. 3. he had the goverment of the Isles of Gernsey Serke and Aureney In 6. he was joyn'd in Commission with Raph Lord Basset and William de Shareshull a great Lawyer and afterwards Chief-Justice for conservation of the peace in this County and Worcestershire In 7. to attend the King in his expedition for Scotland at which time Edward de Baliol King of Scotts did homage to King Edward for the Realm of Scotland with the adjacent Isles In 9. he had the custody of the Marches of Scotland committed to him All which was whilst he lived a batchelour For I find that in 12 E. 3. the King in satisfaction of a great summe of money that he owed to Roger Lord Mortimer for the time that he was his Lieutenant of Ireland
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
the Earl his father he gave his best gold Ring To the Countesse his mother his next gold Ring To Philippa his wife the third To Catherine his daughter then a Nunne at Shouldham in Norff. the fourth and appointed that the Church of Neketon in Norff. of his Patronage should be appropriat to the Monastery of Shouldham before-mentioned for the maintenance of Catherine and Margaret his two daughters during their lives and after their deceases the said House of Shouldham obliged to find a Priest to sing divine service daily for the souls of his father and mother his own and his wifes as also for the souls of the said Catherine and Margaret and all the faithfull departed After which in April following his father then alive he dyed at Uendosme in France and was there interred in a Chapell behind the high Altar towards the East having a fair Monument of Alabaster with his statue thereon finely cut and over his harness a surcoat of Armes upon the verge of which Monument is this Inscription Icy gist Monseigneur Gui de Beauchamp l'eyne Filz de â—resnoble puissant home Monsiéur Thomas de Beauchampe Counte de Warwike Mareschal d' Angleterre qui trespassa le xxviii iour d' Averill l'an M. CCCLI Upon which Monument are the Armes of Beauchamp and Mortimer What became of his daughter Elizabeth I cannot imagine but that such a one there was living ten years after her fathers death appeareth by the Testament of Katherine Countess of Warwick mother to this Guy as I have already shewed It seems that the Lady Philippa his wife was a devout woman and resolving to continue a widow whilst she lived upon the eleventh of August the same year made her solemn vow of Chastity in the Collegiat-Church of Warwick before Reginald Bryan then Bishop of Worcester which vow together with the ceremony thereof I have here inserted as I find it recorded in the Register IX Die mensis Augusti Anno Dom. MCCClx apud Warwyk dictus venerabilis pater altam Missam in Pontificalibus in Ecclesia Collegiata heatae Mariae Warwici antedictae celebrans votum castitatis Philippae nuper uxoris Domini Guidonis de Warwic admisit acceptavit dicta Philippa Votum Castitatis emisit sub hiis verbis En le nom de la Seint Trinite Piere Fitz Seint Espirit jeo Philippe que fu la feme Sire Guy de Warwyk face purement dez queor volontee entierement avow a Dieu Seint Eglise a la benure Virgin Marie a tout le bele compaigne celestine a vous reverent Piere en Dieu sire Reynaud per la grace Dieu Evesque de Wyrcestre que ieo ameneray ma vie en chastitee desore en avant chaste serra de mon corps a tout temps de ma vie The rest of the sons of Earl Thomas were Thomas that succeeded him Reynburne so named doubtless in memory of Reynburne the son to Guy Earl of Warwick in the Saxons time that dyed before the 35 E. 3. which Reynburn had issue one onely daughter called Alianore married to Iohn Knight of Hanslap in Com. Buck. who by her had a daughter named Emme that married to Foster from whom the Fosters of Hanslap derive their descent William the 4. son was Lord Bergavenny as I shall shew when I come to Fillongley where I purpose to speak fully of him Roger the fift son dyed without issue as I guess Some are of opinion that he had two more sons viz. Iohn and Hierome because that amongst those portraitures which were in glass in the North Cross of the Collegiat Church at Warwick there are the pictures of two such as appeareth by their surcotes of Armes and those names on the side of them which as I cannot gainsay so am not I fully convinced thereof in regard that neither I. Rous makes mention of them nor any of those Entailes whereby the said Earl setled the greatest part of his lands upon his issue male But he had ix daughters the portraitures of all which are curiously drawn and set up in the windows on the South side of the Quire of the said Collegiat Church and in the habit of that time as they are here represented Seaven of them were marryed and have their paternall Coat upon their inner garment but on the outer mantle their husbands Armes viz. Maud the wife of Roger Lord Clifford Phillipa of Hugh Earl Stafford Elizabeth Alice potiùs of Iohn Beauchamp of Hach in Somerset-shire Ioan of Raph Lord Basset of Drayton Isallell of Iohn Lord Strange of Blackmere afterwards marryed to William Ufforà Earl of Suff. for which respect her picture is twice drawn there Margaret of Guy de Montfort who was afterwards a Nunne at Shouldham Agnes of ..... Cokesey and afterwards of ...... Bardolf The other two were Iulian and Catherine the former whereof dyed unmarryed and the later being a Nunne at Wroxhall in this County was buryed in S. Thomas Chapell there He had likewise another son and daughter but they were illegitimate the son called Sir Iohn Addurston Knight and Mary the daughter wife to Sir Richard Herthull Knight To this last Earl succeeded Thomas his second son by reason that Guy the eldest dyed in his fathers life time Which Thomas received the dignity of Knighthood in 29 E. 3. with his brother Guy and having had C. marks per annum granted him at that time by the King to be payd out of the Exchequer till there should other provision be made for his support did his Homage 7 Febr. 44 E. 3. for all the lands descended to him by his fathers death whereupon he had livery of them for he was 24. years of age when his father dyed Being of a martiall disposition aswell as his Ancecestors he was in 46 E. 3. retained by Indenture to serve the King in his warrs beyond the Seas for one whole year with C. men at Armes and Clx. Archers of which number himself to be one as also with two Banneretts xxx Knights and Lxxvii Esquiers and for that service to receive for himself and his men at Armes double pay but for the rest according to the ordinary rate the year to begin from the time that they should take shipping and to have half in hand for himself and his men at Armes but for the rest a fourth part which expedition was principally intended for raysing the siege of Rochel but as the Earl of Pembroke sent over for that purpose was worsted by the Spaniard who then came with a great Navy to aid the French so was the King and that power he had raised hindred from getting over thither by contrary winds to the loss of nine hundred thousand pounds expences for no less charge had he been at in order
whether Amfridus de Bereford mentioned in 26. H. 2. were the son of this Hugh I cannot positively affirm howbeit that he was the father of Walter de Bereford is most certain which Walter left issue Henry and a daughter called Dionysia married to ...... de Nasford by whom she had issue Henry de Nasford who became heir to his uncle and so consequently Lord of this Mannour From this family of Bereford did descend as I conceive that male branch who were Lords of Wishaw and Shotswell in this County But in the line of Nasford this Lordship continued not above 4 generations for to Henry de Nasford abovespecifyed succeeded Will. his cosyn and heir who had issue Iohn which was the last of that name as the descent here drawn doth shew Hugo de Bereford 23 H. 2. Amfridus de Bereford 26 H. 2. Walt. de Bereford 9 R. 1. Alicia fil Rembaldi de Cherlcote Henr. fil haeres 6 Ioh. ob s. p. Dionysia 8 H. 3. Dionysia ux ........ de Nasford Henricus de Nasford 10 H. 3. Will. de Nasford junior consanguineus haeres Henrici de Nasford 34 H. 3. Joh. de Nasford 7 E. 2. Of these were Benefactours to the little Monastery of Thelesford hard by viz. Walt. de Bereford and Alice his wife with Henry their son as also Will. de Nasford and Iohn his son which Iohn confirmed what his ancestors had so given and further added that the Canons of that House should have free liberty of Fishing in the river of Avon every day in the week except Sundays viz. from Le Mill to his Mill pool as also Common of pasture for their Cattell in the Common of Bereford In 7. E. 1. upon that Inq. then taken it appears that the said Will. de Nasford was then Lord of this Mannour and that he held it of Theobald de Verdon by the service of half a Kts. fee who held it over of Rob. de Mortimer of Ricards-Castle descended from Osb. fil Ricardi before mentioned as I have elswhere shewed at which time the said Will then had here in demesn two carucats of land a watermill and free fishing in Avon with a Court-Leet and Gallows as also 4 Tenants holding 4 yard land by base service And moreover it is evident that the Kts. Templars then held here of his fee one yard land and the Canons of Thelesford xi five whereof were given to them by Alice the wife of Walter de Bereford In 13. E. 1. the said Will. de Nasford claymed here a Court-Leet Gallows Weyfs with Assize of Bread and Beer by Prescription all which were allowed to whom succeeded Iohn his son and heir who being the last of that family as I have intimated was one of those that did partake with Guy de Beauchamp E. of Warw. and others in the murder of Piers de Gaveston for which offence he had his pardon in 7. E. 2. which Iohn about that time it seems past away this Lordship to the said Earl for in 9 E. 2. Thomas E. of Warw. was certified to be Lord thereof it being then in the Kings hands by reason of his minority And yet afterwards in 14 E. 3. do I find that the same Earl had a grant thereof from William de Clinton Earl Huntingdon unto himself and his heirs with the reversion of certain lands which Iulian his wife held in dower of the Earl of Pembrok's inheritance his Charter bearing date here at Bereford the Sunday next after the Feast day of S. Mathew the Apostle After which time it continued to the succeeding Earls of Warwick as appears by sundry Authorities till all the rest of their possessions came to the Crown as in my discourse of Anne Countess of Warwick is manifested wherein it rested till 1 E. 6. but then together with the Castle of Warwick was granted to Iohn Dudley Earl of Warwick and his heirs upon whose attainder in 1 M. it divolved again to the Crown and was by Queen Eliz. in 4. of her raign together with other lands past to Ambrose Dudley Earl of Warwick and the heirs male of his body whereof fayling it return'd to the Crown Here was also a reputed Mannour within the precincts of this parish belonging to the Collegiate Church of Westbury in Gloucestershire though how or when it came thereto I have not found but after the dissolution viz. in 35. H. 8. the King sold it to Sir Raph Sadler Knight and his heires who it seems past it to Iohn Earl of Warwick for in 6 Eliz. the Qu. granted it to Ambrose Earl of Warwick and the heires male of his body in like sort as the other Mannour whereof I have already spoke The Church dedicated to S. Peter was in K. Iohn's time given by Henry de Bereford to the Canons of Thevelesford but some Release did they make thereof to him again or to his heirs for in 4 E. 1. Will. de Nasford bestowed the Advouson of it on the Monks of Evesham for which grant they made him partaker of all their spirituall benefits In anno 1291. 19 E. 1. it was valued at xi marks and in 26. H. 8. at xii li. having never been appropriated Patroni Ecclesiae Incumb tempt Instit. Abbas Conventus de Evesham M. Ioh. de Norton 14. Cal. Martii 1280. Abbas Conventus de Evesham Will. de Wellesburn .... 1298. Abbas Conventus de Evesham Walt. Roos accolitus 1. Iulii 1339. Abbas Conventus de Evesham Ioh. de Wengrave Pbr. 20. Oct. 1363. Abbas Conventus de Evesham Ioh. Thorp 17. Sept. 1385. Abbas Conventus de Evesham Ioh. Parkere penult Nov. 1395. Abbas Conventus de Evesham D. Rob. Forster Cap. 2. Nov. 1442. Abbas Conventus de Evesham Mr. Henr. Pantry 1. Ian. 1457. Abbas Conventus de Evesham Ric. Hacker Cler. 17. Ian. 1464. Abbas Conventus de Evesham D. Baldw. Hide Cap. 15. Aug. 1466. Abbas Conventus de Evesham D. Ioh. Smyth Cap. 9. Nov. 1468. Abbas Conventus de Evesham D. Will. Ewkeston Cap. 22. Dec. 1470. Abbas Conventus de Evesham D. Rob. Adams in Art Bacc. ...... 1505. Abbas Conventus de Evesham Will. Landisdale Cap. penult Sept. 1524. Abbas Conventus de Evesham D. Rob. Kendale Cap. 21. Oct. 1526. Rog. Barlo gen ratione concess Decan C. de Westbury in Com. Gloucest Ioh. Sewell Cler. 24. Martii 1549. Steph. Hales Civis Lond. gen D. Ric. Michel Cler. 13. Ian. 1558. Edw. Combes gen Iac. Wheler Cler. ult Feb. 1576. Rowley Warde ar Magr. Tho. Warde Cler. 9. Ian. 1623. Wasperton A Little below Barford lyes Wasperton one of the towns 〈◊〉 Earl Leofrik gave to the Monastery of Coventre upon the first Foundation thereof 1 Edw. Conf.
his learning and holiness of life that divers eminent Prelates came to be his assistants at his first Masse in the performance whereof at the Elevation of the Host an Angell cloathed in white appeared before him bearing a Crosse of red and blew upon his brest having also his hands a Crosse layd upon the heads of two slaves that kneeled down by his side From which time God revealed unto him how he would be served in the foundation of a new Religious Order inciting him to leave all his goods to forsake the present world and to retire himself into the Desart which he accordingly did and distributing all that he had to the poor resorted to an holy Anachorite called Foelix de Valois who lived in an Hermitage within the Dioces of Meaux six leagues distant from Paris called Cerfroy in Latine Cervus frigidus in regard that there at the foot of a little hill was a fair clear and cold Fountain within which a white Hart used to come for refreshment Which two devout Hermites began within this solitary place an Order of the holy Trinity for the Redemption of Captives about the year of grace M. CXCIV where they continued for the space of three years living in great austerity from any company of men and being on a day in Prayer were inspired of God to goe to Rome there to declare their intentions to his Holiness and to receive from his hands the Habit and Rule of the Order which they desired to institute for the better effecting whereofâ— they had Letters testimoniall from the Bishop of Paris making mention of the vision which the said Iohn de Matta had at the time that he first celebrated Masse When they came to Rome they were courteously received by Pope Innocent the 3. who forthwith celebrating the holy Masse on the 28. of Ian. being the Octaves of St. Anne did at the time of his elevation of the Host behold the like vision of an Angell cloathed in white as aforesaid with two Captives chain'd whereof the one was a Christian the other a Moore After which he assembled his Cardinalls and made known what he had seen and sent for the Anachorites declaring also to them that the Spirit of God did conduct them to those their designes and that he was the onely Author of the Order they would institute whereupon he gave them white Robes with a Crosse red and blew as on the following page is to be seen declaring to them the mystery of his vision scil the white Robe representing the candour of an innocent life and the purity of conscience The three colours scil of the habite and Crosse signifying the three persons of the holy Trinity the white the Father Eternall the blew which was the traverse of the Cross the Son in his Passion and the red the Charity of the holy Ghost and the two Prisoners bound and fettered had relation to the redemption of Captives appointing that this Institution should be called The Order of the holy Trinity for the Redemption of Captives and that all the possessions which they should enjoy might be equally divided into three parts viz. the one for the entertainment and reception of Religious persons the other to relieve the poor and the third to redeem Christians kept Captive by the Infidells Trinitarianus Having signified thus much as to its Foundation I will now enumerate the severall Benefactors that the Canons of this Priory had beginning with the posterity of the pious Founder whereof Fouk de Lucy his grandchild was the first who gave them leave to inclose a way which interposed betwixt the Church of Teflesford and their habitation To him succeded Sir William de Lucy Knight which William gave them liberty to inclose two acres of land lying neer to their House and joyn them to the Court thereof as also a certain parcell of ground called the Hay lying at the head of those two acres along by the brook called Theulisforbrok so far as the breadth of those two acres extended In Bereford much was given thereto scil by Alice the wife of Walter de Bereford and daughter to Reinbald de Cherlecote five yard land By Philip de Kynton a good proportion which he had purchased of Henry de Bereford and others By Henry de Bereford the Church of Bereford and certain lands within that Lordship By Wâ—ll de Nasford sometime Lord of Bereford the fishing in Avon from Le-Milne to his own Mill poolâ— with liberty to make a Pâ—und upon their land at Bereford to keep in such cattell as should trespass upon them as also three yard land called the Free hide exempr from Warth and Scutage and all secular services and to have free ingress and egress to and from the Câ—mâ—on of pasture at Bereford for their cattell By Richard Malore son to VVilliam Malore of Kirkby in Leicester-shire certain lands in the same Kirkby with the advouson of the Church as also the Chapells of Shilton and Pakinton in that County By VVilliam Putot a yard land with a messuage and 4. acres lying in Ashorne in consideration whereof he and his tenants were to be quitted from paying any small Tithes for their lands in Newbold as also of Chircheset By VVilliam de Odingsells certain lands lying within his Lordship of Solihull at a place called Hundeshale By VVilliam de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick three parcells of errable land the one called Cley-pits the second Morecroft and the third Ferny-furlong with Common thereto belonging when the fields are open By Roger de Cherlecote all his lands and tenements in Hethcote viz. from Godewyneschich above Hethcote along to Newbold brook and from the torrent which runneth through the midst of Hethcote to Newbold brook in bredth unto the way leading from Newbold towards Warwick Divers petty grants of sundry others for brevity I omit Which endowments by severall persons so conferred enlarged the revenues belonging to this Monastery so much as that the Canons built their Church a new about the beginning of Edward 1. time as may seem by the Consecration thereof upon the day of the translation of S. Thomas the Martyr Anno 1285. 13 E. 1. which was solemnly performed by Godfrey Giffard the reverend Bâ— of Worcester who then preacht upon this Text there Domus tua decet c. The Benefactors that it afterwards had were these In 28 E. 3. Thomas Lucy then Lord of Cherlecote and Philippa his wife who gave certain lands in Cherlecote to these Friers that they should celebrate divine service and pray devoutly for the soul of VVilliam de Clinton sometime Earl of Huntingdon as also for the souls of them the said Thomas and Philippa In 18 R. 2. Sir VVilliam Lucy Knight Roger Straunge and Iohn Vicar of the Church of Wellesburne gave unto them one meâ—s xl acres of land and vi acres of meadowâ— lying in Ashorne and Newbold-Pacy and in 7 H.
in Seginho and Richmont in Bedfordsh with remainder to his son Thomas for want of â—ssue male of the said Edmund and departing this life on the 3. of Sept. 1525. 17 H. 8. was buried before the Altars in the Gray-Friers Church before specified which Church is yet standing and now commonly known by the name of Christ-Church near Smithfield in the Suburbs of London but if you look there for his Tombe stone it is not to be found For of Cxiv persons that were buried there whereof Iohn Stow makes mention reciting the name of each that had a Monument amongst which is Margaret daughter to Philip K. of France and wife to K. E. 1. Isabell wife to K. E. 2. Ioan Q. of Scotts daughter to K. E. 2. with divers of the English Nobility and other persons of speciall quality and in particular the name of this Sir T. Lucy there is not now one to be seen And if you desire to know what is become of their Tombes hearken to what the same Author says viz. All these and five times so many more have been buried there whose Monuments are wholy defaced for there were ix Tombes of Alabaster and Marble inviron'd with strikes of iron in the Quire and one Tombe in the body of the Church also coped with iron all pulled down besides Cxl. grave-stones of Marble all sold for fifty pounds or thereabouts by Sir Martin Bows Goldsmyth and Alderman of London Thurstanns de Cherlecote Rog. de Cherlecote 7 R. 1. Thomas de Cherlecote 7. H. 3. Tho. de Cherlecote 51 H. 3. Rob. de Hasâ—le 30 E. 1. Ioh. de Hasele de Whitnash 36 E. 3. Ric. de Hasele 36 E. 3. Henr. de Cherlecote Rog. cogn de Witele Walt. de Cherlecote miles 5. Ioh. Cecilia Ysab. filia Magistri Absolonis de Aldermoneston Will. cogn de Lucy 1 H 3. Matilda soror cohaeres Ioh. Cotele Williel de Lucy 34 H. 3. Amicia filia haeres Will. de Furches Fulco de Lucy obiit 31 E. 1. Domina Petronilla Will. de Lucy miles aet 26. an 31 E. 1. Elizabetha 2 E. 2. Will. de Lucy jun. 15 E. 2. Eliz. relicta 28 E. 3. Thomas de Lucy 25 E. 3. Philippa ux 2. 28 E. 3. Will. de Lucy miles 5 R. 2. Thomas Lucy miles obiit 3 H. 5. Alesia soror haeres Will. Huggeford 1 H. 5. Ric. Archer 2. maritus 3 H. 5. Will. Lucy obiit 6 E. 4. Alianora filia Reginaldi D. Gray de Ruthin Will. Lucy miles obiit 7 H. 7. Alesia ux 2. obiit 10 H. 7. Maria ux Ioh. Densell Will. Lucy 10 H. 7. Edw. Lucy Margareta filia Ioh. Brecknock thesaur Regis H. 6. Edm. Lucy aet 28. an 8 H. 7. Iohanna 9 H. 7. Radegunda Edm. Tho. Lucy miles ob 17 H. 8. Eliz. filia Ric. Empson mil. relicta Georgii Catesby ar Edm. Lucy Thomas Lucy Will. Lucy ar ob 5 E. 6. Anna filia Ric. Farmer ar Edm. Timoth. Will. Ric. Tho. Lucy factus miles 7 Eliz. Jocosa filia haeres Thomae Acton ar Thomas Lucy factus miles 36 Eliz. obiit 1 Iac. Constantia filia haeres Ric. Kingsmill Franc. Lucy Will. Lucy S. Theol. Dr. Ric. Lucy eq aur de Broxburne in Com. Bedf. Tho. Lucy miles obiit 7. Dec. 1640. Alicia filia haeres Thomae Spenser de Claverd ar Fulco Thomas Georgius Ric. Lucy Rob. Lucy Spenser Lucy ob s. p. Const. ux Will. Spenser eq aur Marg. ux Briani Broughton ar Elizab. Maria. Jana Martha Jocosa Anna. Radegunda Barbara Anna 10 H. 7. .... ux Galfr. fil Rob. Lascells Eliz. filia haeres Guidonis filii Roberti 25 E. 3. Galf. de Lucy 48. H. 3. Of William Lucy son and heir to the said Sir Thomas I find that he wedded Anne the daughter of Richard Farmer esquier and dyed ...... 5 E. 6. leaving issue Thomas his son and heir afterwards a Knight Richard William Timothy and Edward and these daughters viz. Alice Mary Iane Martha and Ioyce which Sir Thomas in 1 Eliz. built the House here at Cherlecote of brick as it now stands But of his descendants I shall need to say no more than what the Pedegree here inserted together with their Monumentall Inscriptions do shew That which I have else to take notice of relating to this place is that it is one of the towns whereof our Countreyman Rous temp Edw. 4. complained of for Depopulation And that the Church in H. 1. time being a Chapell of Wellesburne was by Simon Bishop of Worcester then confirmed to the Canons of Kenilworth having been annexed to the said Church of our Lady in Wellesburne by Henry de Newburgh the first Earl of Warwick of the Norman line as appears by the Confirmation thereof made by William Earl of Warwick grandchild to the same Henry in H. 2. time What agreement was made touching it with the said Canons of Kenilworth by the Cherlecotes who were antiently Lords of this Mannour as I have shewed hath not yet appeared to me but some such thing there was for otherwise could not William de Lucy Founder of the Monastery of Thevelesford in H. 3. time have given the advouson thereof as he did to the Canons of that House It seems there was a portion of xx s. per annum then reserved to the Priory of Kenilworth for so much doe I find that they had out of this Chapell in anno 1291. 19 E. 1. In 14 E. 1. it was valued at 4 marks And by a Certificate upon an Inquisition taken in 12 H. 7. it appears that upon the grant thereof to the said House of Thelesford by William de Lucy before specified it was appropriated to that Monastery but that Robert Prior in E. 1. time gave the right of Presentation to the Vicaridge unto Fouk de Lucy then Lord of Cherlecote and his heirs with whom it continued till about the beginning of H. 7. time that Sir Will. Lucy Kt. bestowed the same patronage upon the Canons of Thelesford and their successors Edmund his son and heir confirming the grant At the time of this Inquisition taken the Vicaridge was found to be of xii marks per annum value being endowed with all Oblations and Obventions Tith corne only excepted and that the Vicar there was lyable to find Bread Wine and Wax for the daily Celebration of Divine Offices and in every usuall Visitation to pay xii d. towards the expences of the Ordinary Patroni Vicariae Incumb tempt Instit. Fulco de Lucie Ioh. de Wilee Cler. 18. Kal. Dec. 1268. Fulco de Lucie Ioh. de Wyk Pbr. Id. Iulii 1285. Will. de Lucie Rob. de Syleby Pbr. 2. Id. Iulii 1306. Attornati Baldwini de Bereford mil. D. Rob. Pardu 11. Cal. Ian. 1366. Baldw. de Bereford miles Will. Manning
but nothing was done thrrein as it should seem For in 8 Eliz. the said Sir Valentine dyed seized thereof leaving Richard his son and heir of full age which Richard sold it in Q. Eliz. time to one Raph Blount an antient servant to Sir Valentine which Raph had issue Richard who inclosed all that belong'd to the Mannour and then sold it to Sâ—r William Samuel of Upton in Com. Northampton Knight who gave it to Arthur a younger son that sold it to William Lord Spenser whose younger son Robert is the present owner thereof The Church belonging to the Monks of Coventre and of their patronage as Lords of the Mannour was by Roger Molend Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield appropriated to them in An. 1260. 44 H. 3. being endowed with two carucates of land In Anno 1291. 19 E. 1. it was valued at xxvii marks and the Vicaridge at lx s. but in 26 H. 8. the Vicaridge was rated at xxiii li. xvi s. over and above xxvi s. viii d. yearly payd out thereof to the Monks of Coventre and iv s. for Synodalls Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes Prior Conv. de Coventre Will. de Bourton Pbr. 1. Feb. 1313. Prior Conv. de Coventre Rad. de Suham Diac. 3. Id. Martii 1333. Prior Conv. de Coventre Ioh. Bokervile Cap. xvi Cal. Dec. 1354. Prior Conv. de Coventre Will. de Welneford Cal. Dec. 1363. Prior Conv. de Coventre Ioh. Reynbolt Pbr. 25. Apr. 1384. Prior Conv. de Coventre Ric. Iekell 7. Iulii 1410. Prior Conv. de Coventre Ioh. Frankelene 25. Sept. 1410. Prior Conv. de Coventre Walt. Moell 17. Aug. 1413. Prior Conv. de Coventre Ric. Stayton Cap. 8. Iunii 1423. Prior Conv. de Coventre Ric. Whitelombe Pbr. 5. Dec. 1428. Prior Conv. de Coventre D. Ioh. Hulle Pbr. 22. Oct. 1431. Prior Conv. de Coventre Ioh. Iames Pbr. 19. Oct. 1432. Prior Conv. de Coventre Thomas Pedyne Pbr. 8. Iunii 1433. Prior Conv. de Coventre Ric. Styler 6. Iulii 1433. Prior Conv. de Coventre Robert Lemyng 1. Ian. 1454. Prior Conv. de Coventre Magr. Tho. Iones in utroque jure Bacc. 25. Sept. 1500. Prior Conv. de Coventre Tho. Orton in decret Bac. 8. Oct. 1501. Henr. Waver alià s Over de Civit. Coventriae Grocer D. Thomas Iackson Cler. 20. Ian. 1556. Henr. Waver alià s Over de Civit. Coventriae Grocer Bernardus Massy in art Magr. 25. Oct. 1558. Henr. Waver alià s Over de Civit. Coventriae Grocer Thurstanus Mooseley 26. Maii 1562. Ric. Atkyns hac vice ex concess Ric. Over Leonardus Harison Cler. 24. Iunii 1569. Rob. Spenser miles Baro de Wormleighton Georgius Hale Cler. 3. Sept. 1604. In a window of the Church these Armes 1. Azure a fesse Ermine betwixt 6. Cranes heads erased Arg. Spenser 2. Spenser empaling Kitson viz. Sable 3. Lucies hauriant d'argent with a Lyon rampant ..... betwixt 2. Annulets upon a chief Or. Merston-Priors THis being in the Parish of Herdwick-Priors was with it amongst divers other Lordships given to the Monks of Coventre by Earl Leofrike in Edw. the Confessors days yet is there no particular mention of it in the Conquerors Survey it being there involved with Herdwike Which Monks in 41 H. 3. had a Charter of Free-warren extending to all their demesn lands here as it did to the rest of their Mannours And in 7 E. 1. had xxxviii Tenants who held 23. yard land in this place paying severall Rents and performing divers services scil Plowing Mowing Reaping and the like all which used to do suit to the Priors Court twice in the year After the dissolution of that Monastery it was granted out of the Crown with Herdwick c. to Sir Edmund Knightley Knight and hath ever since passed therewith being now possest by the Lord Spencer The Chapell as a member also of Herdwike was appropriated to the Monks of Coventre Shukborough-Inferior IN the Conquerors time Ric. Forestarius held half a hide here then valued at xx s. afterwards as by an authentique Record appears reputed for three yard land From which Richard who is there called Ric. Cheneu it descended by Margerie his daughter and heir to William Crok and so by Margerie the sister of William son to the said William to Robert de Brok who by a fair Charter with his portraiture in his Seal on Horseback wherein he calls himself Domini Regis Angliae Marescallus gave to Roger Helie alià s de Bentley this land in Succeberge From whom descended Iohn de Bentley who in 28 E. 1. was certified to hold one hide of land here of Richard de Logeâ— lineall heir unto Robert de Broc as in Chesterton is shewed And from him William de Bentley Lord of Bentley in Com. Staff who in 47 E. 3. granted to Iohn the son of William de Catesby and his heirs all his lands in Over-Shukborough and Nether-Shukborough with the Court-Leet But more of this Nether-Shukborough I have not seen till 3. Eliz. that Thomas Shukborough Esquier was found to dye seized thereof from whom it is descended unto Sir Richard Shukborough now living together with Over-Shukborough as I have there shewed Wormleighton IN the Conquerors time part of this town being in the Earl of Mellent's possession viz. one hide and a half which one Gislebertus held of him was valued at iv li. x s. and then written Wimerestone Another part but much greater did Turchill de Warwick then possesse which was certified to contain three hides and rated at x li. one Warinus being at that time his undertenant for it In that place it is written Wimenestone A third portion here did one Wâ—lliam hold at the same time of Goisfrid de Mannevile viz. half a hide and a fourth part valued at xv s. and there it is written Wimelestone which makes me conjecture that the denomination thereof might originally proceed from the name of its owner scil Wimere or some such name Whether it were by King Henry the first immediatly disposed of to Geffrey de Clinton his Chamberlain and Treasurer of whose advancement I have in Kenilworth made mention or to Henry de Newburgh Earl of Warwick and by him granted to the said Geffrey I am not certain howbeit that the said Geffrey enjoy'd it is clear enough from what I shall shortly manifest for Geffrey de Clinton son to that Geffrey gave the Church of this place to the Monastery of Kenilworth and afterwards enfeoft Ric. Walsh in the whole Mannour to hold by the service of a Knights fee which grant Henry de Clinton his son ratified to the said Richard and his heirs in consideration whereof he received viii marks of silver but therein it is written Wilmelathtune This Richard VValsh had issue
the time when this Earl of Mellent who was advanc't to the Earldome of Leicester by King H. 1 enfeoft Raph Boteler in his part of this Lordship yet that he so did is out of doubt for in that confirmation made by the same King to the Canons of Kenilworth of those lands and Churches wherewith their Monastery was endowed the Church of this Cumton is specified and said to be de feodo Radulfi Pincerne de Legrecestria so that it is clear enough that Butler had it in his time The next possessor thereof that I find was Bigot to whom questionlesse the before specified Raph Boteler granted it for in H. 2. time Gilbert le Bigoth his son releasing to those Canons his right in the advouson of this Church acknowledges that it was de elemosina patris given to them by his father At that time also the said Gilb. quit claimed his title and interest to one hide of land lying here which his Ancestors had bestowed on them in consideration whereof he reserved the service of the fift part of a Kts. fee to be performed by the Incumbent in the said Church on behalf of the before specified Canons This Gilbert in 20 H. 2. answered vi li. to the K. for his lands here which as it should seem was by way of composition for his offence in adhering to those that were in Rebellion against the King on the part of young Henry but in that Record he is called Gilbertus Picot In 5 H. 3. there was a Fine levied of the third part of a Kts. fee here betwixt Cecilie the widow of Gilb. Bigot Ric. Bigot she clayming the said third part as her dowrie in which Record it is written Fenni-Cumpton that being the first time I find it distinguishâ— by such addition Of Bigot's portion intending to say more anon I now câ—me to speak of Turchill's share the passages whereof though I cannot by direct steps exactly trace yet am I satisfied in what road it went viz. to the Earl of Warwick as the rest of Turchill's lands did who enfeoft Turchill's posterity thereof to hold of his descendants by half a Knights fee From whom viz. one of the Ardens the Canons of Trentham in Staffordshire having a grant thereof past it to Richard Peche Lord of Wormleighton whereof I last spoke to hold by the same service all which may be inferred from that Inquis taken in 7 E. 1. whereof I shall make further mention by and by though in 20 H. 3. the Record expresses no other than that the said Ric. Peche held it immediatly of the Earl of Warwick Nor that of 36 H. 3. than that the heirs of Ric. Peche held it of Thomas de Arden and he of the Earl without any mention of the Prior of Trentham But about the beginning of E 1. time upon an Agreement made betwixt Richard Prior of Trentham and the Lady Hawisia widow of Richard Peche the title of the Canons of Trentham begins to appear for I thereby find that the said Canons at the especiall request of William Bishop of Norwich Sir Hugh de Arden Knight and other great men granted to the said Hawise the Wardship of these lands at Fenni-Compton and the Relief of Iohn her son when he should accomplish his full age which Iohn in 7 E. 1. was certified to hold this Lordship of the Prior of Trentham by the service of half a Knights fee the said Prior holding it of Thomas de Arden and he of the Earl of Warwick having one carucate of land in demesn and 5. Villains holding three yard land for which they payd severall Rents and performed suit to his Court. At the same time it was likewise found that the Prior of Clatercote held one carucate of land in demesn of the same T. de Arden by the service of the fourth part of a Knights fee and that the said Prior had also 4. Freeholders who held severall other portions I now return to Bigod By this Record doth it also appear that Robert Bigod descended from Gilbert before specified held his part of this town of Raph le Boteler by the service of half a Knights fee and he of the Earl of Leicester and that the said Robert then had xii Freeholders holding severall proportions of land under particular Rents and suit of Court And moreover that the Prior of Clatercote held two carucats of land of him in pure Almes whereof no Scutage was to be payd for more than one virgate which Robert and all his Tenants used to make their appearance at the Earl of Leicester's Court-Leet But after this I find no more mention at all of these Bigots so that I presume that what they had here was by them sold to Peche for in 13 E. 1. Iohn Peche claimed by Prescription a Court-Leet in this his Lordship together with Assize of Bread and Beer which were allowed From which family it went to Montfort by a daughter and heir as in Hampton in Arden where the Descent is drawn may be seen And by the attainder of Sir Simon Montfort 10 H. 7. eschaeted to the Crown out of which it was granted together with Wormleighton unto William Cope Esquier Treasurer of the houshold to the K. 7. Maii 13 H. 7. And past as I think from Cope to Spenser with Wormleighton for in 13 H. 8. Iohn Spenser possest it But in 22 H. 8. a Fine was levyed thereof betwixt Richard Willis gentleman plaintiff and Margery Belingham widow late wife of Sir Robert Belingham Knight daughter and heir to Iohn Beaufitz of Balshall deforciant from which Richard is descended George Willis now Lord thereof an scil 1640. That which the Canons of Clatercote had here was granted out of the Crown in 30 H. 8. unto William Petre D â— of Law and to the heirs male of his body together with the site of that Monastery and Mannour of Clatercote And in 36 H. 8. by another Patent to the same William and his heirs by the name of Sir William Petre Knight But the next year following upon exchange of lands made with the said Sir William Petre the King had it again and by his Letters Patent dated xi Dec. 37 H. 8. granted it inter alia to the Colledge of Christ-Church in Oxford of his own foundation to hold in pure Almes That the Church dedicated to S. Clare was given to the Canons of Kenilworth by Bigot in H. 1. time I have already intimated which grant Richard Peche Bishop of Coventre confirmed temp H. 2. And Geffrey Muschamp Bishop in King Iohn's time assigned xxx s. Pension to them yearly out of the fruits thereof which Alex. de Savensby his successor shortly after confirmed After which till 12 E. 1. the advouson thereof continued to those Canons but then did they passe it to Roger Molend Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield In
anno 1291. 19 E. 1. it was valued at xi marks And in 26 H. 8. at xv li. viii s. ii d. over and above viii s. allowed for Procurations and Synodalls Amongst the Incumbents here 't is worth observation that Aimer brother to King H. 3. by the mothers side was presented to this Church by the Canons of Kenilworth and instituted Parson thereof being afterwards Bishop of Winchester and by Godwyn called Ethelmare Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes Prior Conv. de Kenilw D. Aymer frater Regis uterinus s. dat Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Walt. de Wodehouse Cler. 8. Cal. Maii 1336. Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Thom. Trailly Pbr. 15. Cal. Apr. 1337. Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Thom. Darrell Cler. 8. Id. Oct. 1338. Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Roger. de Saperton Pbr. 4. Cal. Nov. 1349. Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Will. Lampe Cap. 4. Cal. Nov. 1350. Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Ric. Penâ—rich Pbr. 4. Oct. 1378 Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Ioh. Lugger Cap. ult Oct. 1404 Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Tho. Chesterfeild in Decret Bac. 27 Nov. 1425 Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Rog. Walle Cler. 18 Sept. 1444 Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Thom. Lye Cler. 26 Maii 1445 Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Ric. Bowier Pbr. ult Febr. 1448. Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Rob. Baguley Cap. 1 Febr. 1451. D. Rex ratione temporal Cov. Lich. Episc. c. Magr. Ioh. Iolyff Pbr. 7. Dec. 1452. D. Episcopus Ioh. Clone in Decr. Bac. tenere in Comendam 2 Ian. 1455. D. Episcopus Mr. Rolandus Lee Decret Dr. 1. Oct. 1526. D. Rex ratione temporal Cov. Lich. Episc. c. D. Iohn Hopkins Cler. ....... 1533. Edw. Littleton de Pilletnallin Com. Staff ar hac vice ratione concess Cov. Lich. Episc. Mr. Will. Dawson Cler. 28. Iunii 1547. Thomas Fysher Thomas Nicholson 8. Sept. 1575. Ric. Venor Edw. Morcot Rad. Wylding Cler. 16. Aug. 1617. Iac. Horsley gen Randolphus Hancock Cler. 25. Martii 1627. Monumentall inscriptions in the Church Upon a Marble whereon is the portraiture of a man in brasse Of your charite pray for the soul of Richard Willis gentleman lord of the Mannour of Fenny-Compton and one of the Kings Iustices of peace in the County of Warwick And Ione his wife Which Richard deceased the viii â—h day of February in the yeare of our Lord M. D. XXXi Of whose souls Iesu have mercy Amen This Ioane was the daughter to one of the Graunts of Snitterfeild On another Marble Here lyeth buried the body of Ambrose Willis of Fenny-Compton in the County of Warwick Gentleman the son of William Willis who lyeth buried at Priors-Marson which William was the son of Richard Willis Ioane his wife both lying buried under the stone adioyning Which Ambrose had by Amye his wife eight sonnes all deceased in their infancy but one sonne named Richard and one daughter named Anne yet living He deceased the tenth day of Iune Anno Domini Millesimo quingent esimo nonagesimo This Amye was the daughter of Richard Colles of Little-Preston in the County of Northampton Esquier On another Here lyeth buried the body of Richard Willis of Fenny-Compton in the County of Warwick gentilman son of Ambrose Willis deceased Which said Richard had by Hester his wife five children that is to say George William Richard Iudith and Mary all now living who deceased the tenth day of Iune 1597. This Hester was the daughter of George Chambre of Williamscote in the County of Oxford Esquier In the East window of the North I le these Armes Sable a Fesse engrailed betwixt three Helmets Argent Derset I Come next to Derset a parish somewhat â—patious but that part wherein the Church stands is commonly called Burton-Dasset the Hamlets belonging thereto being these viz. Great Dasset Hardwick Knightcote and Northend In the Conquerors time the Earl of Mellent had x. hides within the compasse of this place which was the Freehold of three Thanes before the Norman invasion and then esteemed to be worth x li. but at the generall Survey no more than viii li. and there written Derceto The residue was then certified to contain xv hides which Harold son to Raph Earl of Hereford held and so did in Edward the Confessors dayes at which time it was valued at xvi li. but by the Conquerors Survey at xx li. where it is written Dercetone In each of which parts there was at that time a Priest and in likelyhood some Chapell besides the mother Church yet I presume the Mother-Church then stood where it now doth scil in that part belonging to Harold From this Harold did paternally descend â—he line of Sudley taking their sirname from Sudley in Gloucestershire their principall seat of which family for that they were Founders of the Monastery of Erdbury within the precinct of Chilverscoton in this County I reserve what I have to say historically till I come to Griffe in that parish where they resided It seems that the same part of this town held by the E. of Mellent as abovesaid came also to the Sudley's for it appears by good authorities that they were possest of the whole and so continued till by an heir generall it descended to Boteler as I shall manifest in due place But when it was past from the said Earl of any of his posterity I have not seen neither can I guess at the direct time otherwise than to conclude it to have been somewhat antient and yet do I make a question whether it were before the xx â—h of H. 3. for upon collection of the Aid then levied it is certified that Robert Mauduit held one Knights fee and a half here of the Earl of Warwick unto whom most of the lands and fees which were tâ—e Eaâ—l of Mellent's in this County divolved At whâ—ch time it was aâ—so found that Raph de Suyle answered for a Knights fee in this place But by another Record not above xi years after it appears that Raph de Suthlâ—g accounted for two Knights fees here which proportion the heirs of the said Raph held in 36 H. 3. For the etymologie of the name considering how vaâ—ioâ—sly it hath been written in antient time viz. Derceto Dercetone Derceth and Dorcestre I shall oneâ—y deliver my fancy viz. that being a hilly place â—t was originally a receptacle for Beasts of Chase wherewith this land before it grew pâ—puâ—ous did much abound which kind we knowâ— do much delight in Mountaneus grounds as this is So that I supposeâ— it might by reason thereof at first be called Deorset with the Saxons which betokeneth a place where wild Beasts have their abode but I leave it as a conjecture As for that part of the town called Burton-Dasset it is by way of distinction fâ—om the other of which addition I have exprest my conceipt where I discourse of Burton-Hastings in
they are most proper to be made when I come to speak in particular of the Church I have the rather inserted here because they give some light to the succession of the Mannour whereunto in those times the patronage of the Church was except very rarely belonging But for want of better help whereby a perfect discovery might be had I am constrained to make use of them being not able to manifest so exactly as I would through what paths the succession of it went till the Lucies became Lords thereof In 20 H. 3. William Bonchivalier answered for part of a Knights fee here then certified to be held of the Earl of Warwick and in 36 H. 3. Raph de Wylinton which Raph in that great defection of the Barons towards the later end of H. 3. time was in Armes against the King and of the retinue to Geffrey de Lucie and in 52 H. 3. held this Mannour by the service of a Knights fee of the Earl of Warwick as of the Mannour of Brailes whose Tenants in 7 E. 1. did their suit twice a year at the Court-Leet for Braâ—les To this Raph succeeded Iohn de Wilinton who in 9 E. 2. held a half and a fourth part of a Knights fee here of the said Earl But the next possessor thereof was Sir William de Lucy Knight viz. in 3 E. 3. Since which his posterity of whom I have spoke in Cherlecote have succeeded him therein to this day The Church in anno 1291. 19 E. 1. was valued at viii marks and in 26 H. 8. at xii li. out of which was payd for Synodals and Procurations ix s. v d. ob Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. D. Will. de Lucy miles Rad. de Sileby Pbr. 5. Febr. 1328. D. Will. de Lucy miles Leonardus de Lucy Cler. 29. Apr. 1337. D. Will. de Lucy miles Ioh. le Worner Pbr. 21. Apr. 1338. D. Will. de Lucy miles Ioh. de Geydon Pbr. 28. Maii 1339. D. Will. de Lucy miles Ioh. filius Nich. Gerond 25. Oct. 1348. D. Baldw. de Bereford miles D. Ric. Ernold Pbr. 27. Apr. 1362. D. Baldw. de Bereford miles Ioh. Aspele 26. Apr. 1388. Thomas Lucie miles Rich. Penne 14. Iulii 1413 Thomas Lucie miles Rob. Cramford 17. Iulii 1413. Ric. Archer ar Ric. Hony 9. Oct. 1416. Atturnati Ricardi Comitis Warwici D. Ric. Paris Cap. 16. Ian. 1420. Edw. Lucy ar D. Henr. Amott Cap. 24. Feb. 1467. Will. Lucie ar D. Ioh. Barret Cap. 12. Oct. 1485. Will. Lucie ar D. Ric. Newman Cap. 17. Aug. 1487. Edm. Lucie fil haeres Will. Lucie mil. Magr. Ioh. Verney in art Magr. 4. Oct. 1503. Will. Lucie ar D. Edw. Large Cler. 5. Nov. 1537. Barton on the Heath OF this place the onely mention in the Conquerors Survey is that one Grim held at that time half a hide of land here of Robert de Stadford then valued at xx s. but in that Record it is written Bertone which is a Saxon word signifieth the same that in some places we now call a â—oldyard yet intendeth all such barnes and out-buildings as belong thereto I am of opinion that the E. of Mellent or Turchill de Warwick had something here at the same time though no particular instance be made thereof in Domesday-book in regard that afterwards Thomas de Arden was found to hold part of a Knights fee here of the Earl of Warwick But there is so little light in those elder times from Record touching this place that I can give but a slender account thereof In King Iohn's time one Simon de Barton was impleaded for certain lands here descended to him from Ranulph de Barton his grandfather yet whether the said Ranulph or his Ancestor were enfeoft of the whole Mannour or onely of some lands here by one of the Barons of Stafford I will not take upon me to determine for in 20 H. 3. it is apparent that Thomas de Arden answered for the fourth part of a Knights fee here held of the Earl of Warwick And in 36 H. 3. Robert Mareschall and Ric. le Eyr had the same fourth part of the said Thomas at which time all that was found to be held of the Baron of Stafford here was but the xvi th part of a Knights fee then possest by Richard le Frankleyn To the descendants of which Rob. Marshall it continued till Queen Elizabeth's time one whereof scil Robert past away the advouson of the Church and some lands here to Nicholas Makarell of Carleton in Lindsey com Linc. in 11 E. 2. but afterwards they had it again and wrote their names Marshall alias Bery Of which line without doubt was Edw. Bery who upon the death of his father 5 E. 6. was 26. years of age and past it away to Will. Underhill of Idlicote who dyed seized thereof 31 Martii 12 Eliz. leaving William his son and heir xiv years of age and upwards But in this Family of Underhill it continued not long for clear it is that one of the Berryes had it again of whom it was purchased by Walter Overbury a younger son to Sir Nich Overbury of Bourton on the Hill in Com. Glouc. Knight about the later end of King Iames his time which Walter rebuilt the Mannour-house of stone in such sort as it now is The Church dedicated to S. Laurence in Anno 1291. 19 E. 1. was valued at vii marks and a half and in 26 H. 8. at xiii li. vi s. viii d. over and above viii s. xi d. ob allowed for Procurations and Synodalls Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. Ric. le Marshall de Barton Will. de Preston Subdiac 12. Cal. Martii 1295. D. Nich. Makerell Magr. Ioh. de Hamelden Pbr. 7. Cal. Sept. 1322. D. Nich. Makerell Gilb. de Welleton Cler. 4. Non. Nov. 1323. D. Nich. Makerell D. Henr. de Cokham Cler. 10. Cal. Aug. 1325. .......... Magr. Ioh. de Welton 24 Maii 1354. D. Gilb. de Welton Carleol Episc. D. Henr. de Cokham Pbr. 29. Oct. 1355. Will. Marshall alÃas Bury gen Magr. Thomas Wynchcomb Pbr. 19. Iulii 1471. Will. Marshall alÃas Bury gen D. Rob Beldon Pbr. ult Dec. 1492. Iâ—â— Marshall alÃas Bury Ric. a Prise Cler. 6. Nov. 1500. Iâ—â— Marshall alÃas Bury D. Alex. Nowers 27. Ian. 1524. Iâ—â— Marshall alÃas Bury D. Edm. Marchall 6. Sept. 1525. Thom. Underhill gen ex concess Thomae Turvill Eliz. ux ejus Will. Underhill Cler. 23. Iulii 1579. In the East window of the Chancell these Armes Arg. a Cheveron sable betwixt 3. Squirils gules Bury Upon a Marble Gravestone in the Chancell this Inscription Here lyeth buried the bodies of Edmund Bury and Eliz. his wife which Eliz. was the seventh daughter of Edward Underhill of Nether-Etingdon in the County of Warwick Esquier The
Aleyn Pbr. 7. Aug. 1368. Custos Scholares domus de Merton Will. Chapel Cap 13. Dec. 1375. Custos Scholares domus de Merton Ioh. Ragbroke 1. Iunii 1403. Custos Scholares domus de Merton Ioh. Hereward 22. Dec. 1403. Custos Scholares domus de Merton Rog. Coton 9. Sept. 1412. Custos Scholares domus de Merton Thomas Gale Pbr. 28. Novemb 1436. Custos Scholares domus de Merton Ioh. Yreby Cap. 20. Maii 1439. Custos Scholares domus de Merton D. Ioh. Capellanus 5. Iulii 1448. Custos Scholares domus de Merton D. Ioh. Dun. 14. Martii 1452. Custos Scholares domus de Merton Ioh. Pynk alias Seinbiry Cap. 28. Martii 1452. Custos Scholares domus de Merton D. Will. Wayte Cap. 18. Aug. 1462. Custos Scholares domus de Merton D. Ioh. Hylde Cap. 27. Nov. 1467. Custos Scholares domus de Merton D. Thomas Ley Cap. 20. Oct. 1479. Custos Scholares domus de Merton Magr. Ioh. Molder in art Magr. 8. Dec. 1502. Custos Scholares domus de Merton D. Guido Gourgeyne in art Magr. 8. Feb. 1524. Custos Scholares domus de Merton Ric. Powle in art Magr. 7. Aug. 1544. Custos Scholares domus de Merton Anth. Spurret Cler. 26. Martii 1572. Eliz. Angliae Regina Anth. Spurret Cler. 19. Nov. 1575. Wolford-parva IN the Conquerors time this was part of the Earl of Mellent's possessions and of him then held by one Radulphus at which time being certifyed to contain 4. hides and a half and rated at xl s. I find it written Ulwarda one Aluric having been owner thereof before the Norman invasion From the said Earl of Mellent it came to the Barons of Stafford but the direct time when the family of Ingram which to this day enjoys the greatest part of it were enfeoft thereof by any of them I cannot declare though certain it is that they had it very antiently for I find that in 3. Ioh. Engeram de Wiwarth doubtlesse one of that line levied a Fine of lands here and in 36 H. 3. it appears that the same Ingeram held half a Knights fee here of the Baron of Stafford which proportion his posterity also had as by sundry Inquisitions is evident But the Record of 7 E. 1. expresseth that one Thomas de parva-Woleward was Lord thereof and that he held it of Cecìly de Mucegros and she of Iohn de Boys and he of Elene la Zuche and she of the King which Thomas had at that time two yard land here in demesn with certain Freeholders and Cottiers Neverthelesse were the posterity of the Barons of Stafford reputed Lords of it and in 12 H. 8. did Edward Duke of Buckingham levie a Fine thereof together with the Mannours of great Wolford and Tisho unto Richard Bishop of Winchester and others as in great Wolford I have already intimated yet it seems that the Ingrams had a Mannour here for so it appears after the death of Richard Ingraham Esquier in 5 Eliz. Of which Mannour Hastang Ingram is Lord at this day At present this Village hath not many Inhabitants but antiently it consisted of 43. families Burmington IN the Conquerors Survey this place is written Buâ—dintone through mistake of the m for d and being then possest by Robert de Stadford contained v. hides wherein was a Mill rated at x s. but the value of all was certified at C s. whereof one Godwin was owner before the Norman invasion In 13. Ioh. I find it in the list of those places within this County whereof the Barons of Stafford were Lords and that it answered for one Knights Fee as part of that Honour being held in 36 H. 3. by Adam de Grenevill of Hawisia de Wulleward and by her of the Lord Stafford which Adam bore for his Armes a bend betwixt six Lions rampant and in 52 53 54. and 55 H. 3. was in Commission for taking Assizes of Novell disseisin in this County From whom descended William de Greinvill who for his Rebellion in E. 2. time forfeited this with other Mannours that he had in Wilt-shire Somerset-shire which were thereupon seized yet through the Kings favour he obtained them again and had a grant of this in tail to himself and Lucie his wife and the heirs of their two bodies lawfully begotten but for want of such issue on Iohn the son of Richard de Rodeney and his heirs After this viz. in 12 E. 3. it appears that Iohn de Wolverton and Lucia his wife levied a Fine of this Mannour as also of the Mannour of Suthwyke in Wilt-shire setling them upon Iohn de Greinvill and his heirs whereby it seemes that they were of the inheritance of her the said Lucia in respect of the warrantie against her heirs And in 17 E. 3. did William the son of Edmund de Greinvill release to the said Iohn all his right and interest in these Mannours But in 46 E. 3. I find that Umfrye Stafford of Suthwike possest it in right of his wife daughter and heir to Greinvill as I guesse From which Humfrey descended Sir Hâ—mfrey Stafford Knight who by his Testament dated 5. April 1 H. 5. gave inter alia to the Church here at Burmynton lx s. And from him Sir Humfrey Stafford of Hoke in Dorset-shire 10 H. 6. whose grandchild Humfrey created Lord Stafford of Southwike in 4 E. 4. as also Earl of Devon-shire 〈◊〉 9. of that Kings reign revolting from the King in the Battail of Banbury the same year was cut shorter by the head After whose death having no issue Alianore the wife of Thomas Strangways Esquier one of the daughters of Alice Aunt to the said Earl became a coheir to his inheritance to whom inter alia this Mannour of Burmington was alotted which Thomas had issue by her Sir Giles Strangways Knight who in 32 H. 8. levied a Fine hereof to Henry Annesley Gentleman but to what uses I know not nor through what hands it hath since past Ditchford-Frary BElow Burmington is Stoure augmented by a little stream which having its rise in Worcester-shire passes by Dichford-Frary and Stretton upon Fosse and then joyns therewith In the Conquerors time this being possest by Robert de Stadford contained two hides which one Brion then held of him with a Mill rated at lxviii d. and all valued at iv li. having been the freehold of Leuric in Edward the Confessors days But the first mention I find of it after that time is in 31 H. 2. where it appears that Adam de Standon had a suit with Roger de Dikeford for half a Knights fee here And next that in 16 H. 3. there was a Fine levied betwixt Herveus de Stafford and Vivian de Standon for the customes and services
written Berricestone in one place and Bericestune in another and was of so much note in those antient times that it gave name to one of the Hundreds then in being as I have eslwhere already observed Whether it were any of the descendants of the before recited Iohais that became first enfeoft thereof by the posterity of Corbuceon I cannot affirm but do conclude that he was common Ancestor to the family of Whitacre and thence had first his sirname as in Whitacre-superior I have manifested Of which family was also Simon who likewise assumed his sirname from hence and wrote himself Dominus de Berchestone as in sundry old Records I have seen To whom succeeded Rich. de Barchestone in 6. Ioh. and after him Simon Henry and Alexander Then Richard in E. 2. time whose name in 17. of that Kings raign is in the list amongst those Esquiers which were certified as men at Armes of this County and bore a Crosse engrailed And lastly Thomas and Alexander temp E. 3. all Lords of this Mannour Which Alexander in 26 E. 3. was in Commission with other persons of quality for the levying and collecting of a xv and tenth so also in 34 E. 3. and in 45 Ed. 3. for the assessing a Subsidy of 1061 li. 07. s. in this County But from him can I not clearly discover the successive Lords of this Mannour untill Iohn Durant became owner thereof in 8. H. 6. After which Iohn I find one Thomas Durant in E. 4. time then William in H. 7. but nothing memorable of them other than that they were gentlemen for so is Iohn recorded in 10 H. 6. and VVill. in 12 H. 7. Which VVill. had issue Henry Duâ—â—nt who by his Deed bearing date 14. Sept. 23 H. 7. sold this Mannour to VVilliam VVillington son to Iohn VVillington of Todnam in Gloucester-shire and he of VVilliam VVillington of the same place son of another Iohn descended as 't is probable from that Ralph de VVylinton who lived in E. 1. time of whom I have made mention in Chiriton Betlesworth and Wiginshill of which line I conceive that Iohn de VVylinton and Raph de VVylinton were who in the times of King Edward 3. and R. 2. had successively Summons to Parliament amongst the Barons of this Realm Of this VVill. VVillington I find that being a wealthy Merchant of the Staple and setling himself here at Bercheston he depopulated the town in 24 H. 7. making inclosure of 530. acres of land so that there was no more than 64. acres left for tillage which were used by him as belonging to his Mannour-house there and mannaged with one Plough And that he had a very fair estate in lands in this County as also in Oxford and Gloucester shires but having no issue male advanced his seven daugthers in marriage to divers good familyes viz. Margery to Thomas Holt of Aston juxta Bermingham Esquier and afterwards to Sir Ambrose Cave Knight Godith to Basill Fielding of Newnham Esquier Elizabeth to Edw. Boughton of Lawford Esquier Mary to VVill. Sheldon of Beoley Esquier Margaret to Edw. Grevill of Milcote Esquier Anne to Francis Mountfort of Kingshurst Esquier and Katherine first to Richard Kempe secondly to VVilliam Catesby of Lapworth Esquier and lastly to Anthony Throkmorton a younger son to Sir George Throkmorton Knight And that by his Will which bears date 25. Martii anno 1555. he disposed of his body to be buried here at Bercheston having a fair Monument in the Church as I shall shew by and by But upon the partition betwixt these coheirs this Mannour came to Sheldon as it seems for his posterity of whom I have made some mention in Weston juxta Chiriton doe enjoy it at this day The Church dedicated to S. Martin in anno 1291. 19 E. 1. was valued at xxviii marks but in 26 H. 8. at no more than xiii li. vi s. viii d. Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. Heur de Bercheston Ric. de Bercheston Pbr. 3. Cal. Febr. 1281. Thomas de Bercheston Ioh. de Bercheston Subdiac 10. Cal. Ian. 1296. Thomas de Bercheston Gilb. de Swaleclive Pbr. 12. Cal. Dec. 1333. Alex. de Bercheston Rog. de Chastelion Cler. 20. Apr. 1345. Alex. de Bercheston Nich. de Todenham Pbr. 17. Nov. 1361. Thomas Comes VVarwici Ioh. Asple 7. Martii 1382. Ric. Bromley alii Feoffati de dominio de Bercheston advoc Eccl. VVill. Taylor 26. Apr. 1388. Ric. Bromley alii Feoffati de dominio de Bercheston advoc Eccl. D. Ioh. Stark 28. Dec. 1389. Thomas Erdington ar Sibilla ux ejus D. Ioh. Gunne 18. Nov. 1433. Thomas Erdington ar Sibilla ux ejus Magr. Thoma Oldbury 15. Ian. 1433. Rob. Ardern ar Magr. Thomas Stocton 7. Maii 1439. Rob. Ardern ar D. Thomas Pyjon 5. Maii 1449. Ioh. Hugford ar alii Feoffati Will. Durant D. Hugo Byker Cap. 23. Iulii 1481. Tho. Wellys Ioh. Wellys ex concess Will. Durant D. Ioh. VVellys Cap. 6. Sept. 1498. Rob. Throkmorton miles Magr. Hugo Humfrey 17. Aug. 1503. Georgius Throkmorton miles VVill. Buckmaster S. Theol. Professor 23. Apr. 1530. Georgius Throkmorton miles D. VVill. Lane Cler. 4. Feb. 1545. Rad. Sheldon de Beoley ar VVill. Bullwer Cleric 8. Oct. 1606. Willington IN this village did Robert de Stadford possesse one hide and a half at the time of the Conquerors generall Survey then valued at xx s. and held of him by one Luvein but had been the freehold of Dodo and Leuric before the Norman invasion The residue had Gislebertus de Gand a great man in Lincoln-shire which was all he possest in this County and extended to no more than one hide one virgate and a half and being held of him at that time by one Fulbric together with a Mill was valued at xx s. having been the inheritance of Aluuardus in Edward the Confessor's days In that Record it is written Ullavintone Howbeit after this till 36 H. 3. I do not find a syllable more thereof but then amongst the Fees of the Lord Stafford it is certified that Richard de Bartone payd xxx d. for Scutage here and in 56 H. 3. Robert de Hamme was Lord of it as appears by a Release made by him and Mabell his wife to the Nuns of Sewardslee in Com. Northampt. of such suit of Court as he claimed of them for the lands they held of him and his said wife within this village Which Robert in 7 E. 1. held of the King four yard land here in demesn by the service of the seventh part of a Knights Fee and suit twice a year to his Court at Long Compton for of that Mannour it seems it was then a member and in 15 E. 1. in the possession of Iohn de Hamme son to the
demesn Free-warren Court-Leet Gallows and other priviledges together with xxxix Tenants holding 26. yard land by payment of severall Rents and performance of certain services as also viii Cottiers and iv Freeholders From whom descended Sir Iohn de Mountfort Knight who in E. 3. time wedded Ioan the daughter and heir to Sir Iohn de Clinton of Colshill as by the descent in Beldesert will appear And from him Sir Baldwin who in H. 6. time had great suits with Sir Edmund his brother by the Fathers side touching the title to this Lordship which the same Sir Edmund in disherison of Sir Baldwin endeavoured to hold the Story whereof I have set forth in Colshill in regard that Mannour was then in question upon the same title But the last of the Montforts that possest this Lordship was Sir Symon son and heir to the above specified Sir Baldwin who being attainted in 11 H. 7. as in Colshill I shall also shew the inheritance thereof inter alia eschaeting to the Crown was by the said King 1. Dec. 12 H. 7. bestowed on Sir Reginald Bray Knight a great favourite in those days who dying without issue Margerie the onely child of his brother Iohn wife to Sir William Sands Knight became his next heir Which Sir William afterwards Lord Sandes did his homage for the same in 31 H. 8. But it continued not long in the family of Sandes for Thomas Lord Sandes son and heir to William past it a way to Thomas Andrews Esquire since which time I have seen no more of it The Church dedicated to the blessed Virgin was in anno 1291. 19. E. 1. valued at xxx marks there being at that time a portion of 1. mark issuing out of it to the Monastery of Evesham but in 26 H. 8. at xxx li. out of which the Synodalls and Procurations payd amounted to x s. v d. ob and the yearly Pension to the said Monastery of Evesham vi s. viii d. Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. D. Episc. per lapsum Hugo de Vienna 5. Id. Dec. 1270. D. Ioh. de Monteforti Will. de Monterforti 8. Cal. Apr. 1290. D. Ioh. de Monteforti Henr. de Astede Subdiac 12. Cal. Aug. 1295. D. Ioh. de Monteforti Petrus de Monteforti Cler. 18. Cal. Iulii 1312. D. Petrus de Monteforti miles D. Ioh. Anneys Cap. 3. Non. Oct. 1320. D. Petrus de Monteforti miles D. Ric le Archer Pbr. 8. Cal. Martii 1323. D. Petrus de Monteforti miles D. Ric. de Budeford Pbr. 5. Apr. 1357. D. Petrus de Monteforti miles Will. de Monteforti Cler. 13. Iunii 1368. D. Will. Mountfort miles D. Ioh. Hathewey Pbr. 26. Sept. 1431. D. Will. Mountfort miles Ric. de Mountfort Diac. 13. Oct. 1433. Simon Mountfort miles Ioh. Frysby S. Theol. D. 5. Oct. 1467. Simon Mountfort miles D. Oliverus Alwode ulâ— Martii 1474. Simon Mountfort miles D. Ioh. Menske Pbr. 19. Nov. 1492. Will. Sandys miles D. Margeria ux ejus Nich. Hall Cap. 7. Apr. 1528. Eliz. Angl. Regina Augustinus Walker Cler. 22. Nov. 1586. Compton-Scorfen THis as all other Comptons taking its name from the situation thereof in a deep narrow Valley as I have elswhere observed being possest by Robert de Stadford in the Conquerors time was then certified to contain six hides five whereof Warinus then held which were valued at C s. and the sixt Aluinus then rated at x s. In the generall Survey it is in one place written parva Contone and in the other Contone without any distinction at all Howbeit after this till 36 H. 3. I do not directly find who was owner of it but then did Robert de Haleford answer for half a Knights Fee which he held here of Roger le Poer and he of Ernald de Bois and he of the Lord Stafford in which Record it is called Hethin-Compton After this viz. in 7 E. 1. it had the name of Scorfen added thereto at which time Robertus filius Petri was Lord thereofâ— and held it of Thomas de Stoke Iordan Cathelewe and Felicia his wife by the service of half a Knights Fee de parvo feodo Stafford as the Record hath it having at that time three yard land in demesn and three Tenants holding certain lands by payment of sundry Rents and performance of severall base services I am of opinion that this Peter abovementioned father to the said Robert was sirnamed de Valle for clear it is that the Family of that name whose principall seat was at Lodinton neer Stratford were owners of this place from E. 1. time till 34 E. 3. and that Peter de Valle in this County temp H. 3. who preceded the same Robert had first to do here is also apparent which makes it the more likely Which Robert de Valle possest it in 9 E. 2. being afterwards a Knight and so was Robert his son and heir as in Lodinton is shewed Which Robert the younger having issue Iohn that died childlesse Iohn Burdet of Arrow and Iohn Norrys who were his sisters sons as the descent in Lodinton manifesteth became his heirs But the direct time when partition was made of the lands which descended to these coheirs I have not seen howbeit certain it is that this Mannour was allotted to Burdet for the Entail made by Thomas Burdet Esquier temp E. 4. doth shew that he was solely seized of it After whose attainder Margaret his widow had restitution thereof by force of that entail and so it descended and continued to his posterity till Robert Burdet of Bramcote in this County his great grandson by his Deed bearing date ult Sept. 37 H. 8. in consideration of 1300 li. sold it to William Sheldon of Weston in this County and Robert Palmer of Curton in Com. Glouc. Yeoman Foxcote THis having been antiently a member of Ilmindon and possest therewith by Peter de Montfort in 7 E. 1. before which time I have not seen it named in Record was then held by the same tenure all the Tenants which the said Peter had here being ix in number holding 8. yard land of him by certain Rents and severall base services doing their suit twice a year at the Court-Leet held for the Honour of Leicester In which Family it continued a great while for Sir William Montfort of Colshill possest it in 10 H. 6. but it hath been long depopulated Whitchurch THis containing the Hamlets of Crimscote Wimpston and Broghton was in the Conquerors time reputed for two Mannours and possest by the Earl of Mellent the extent thereof by the generall Survey then made being certified at seven hides where it is written Witecerce having â—wo Mills and a Church and the value of all rated at viii li. x s. That this was part of that which Henry de Newburgh the first Earl of Warwick of the Norman line and
Aspes Pbr. 4. Cal. Oct. 1289. Prior Hospit S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Angl. Nich. de la More Cap. 17. Cal. Iunii 1324. Prior Hospit S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Angl. Ioh. Bakere Pbr. 22. Apr. 1338. Prior Hospit S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Angl. Thomas de Hales Pbr. 28. Aug. 1349. Prior Hospit S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Angl. Philippus de Wolvardinton Pbr. 5. Iulii 1357. Prior Hospit S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Angl. Will. de Harpecote Pbr. 11. Iulii 1357. Prior Hospit S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Angl. Will. de Peek Pbr. 17. Sept. 1370. Prior Hospit S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Angl. Thomas de Kirby Pbr. 8. Nov. 1402. Prior Hospit S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Angl. D. Will. Lawles Pbr. 8. Apr. 1427. Prior Hospit S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Angl. D. Ioh. Cokkes 13. Aug. 1429. Prior Hospit S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Angl. D. Ioh. Hogge Cap. 19. Oct. 1439. Prior Hospit S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Angl. D. Ioh. Ioys Cap. penult Martii 1462. Prior Hospit S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Angl. D. Thomas Hessyl Cap. 2. Febr. 1469. Ioh. Beaufitz ar firmarius domus Praeceptoriae de Balshal sibi dimiss per Will. Torney Priorem Pr. S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Angl. Rich. Enkeston Cap. penult Martii 1475. Prior Hospital S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Anglia D. Ioh. Weston Cap. 7. Apr. 1486. Fulbroke FOllowing the stream of Avon I come next to Fulbroke which perhaps had its name from the depth of the River there In the Conquerors time being possest by the Earl of Mellent it contained two hides having then a Mâ—ll rated at xii s. but the whole was valued at lx s. and held by one Alfled a woman in Edward the Confessors days But as Shirburne last spoke of with divers other lands that the said Earl of Mellent had in this Shire came to Henry de Newburgh his brother so did this of Fulbroke as it seems for in 23 H. 1. Roger Earl of Warwick son to the said Hâ—nry gave to his Collegiate Church at Warwick then newly founded half a hide of land and two parts of the Tithes of his demesn here as also two parts of the Tithes of the Mill and enfeoft Geffrey de Turvill or his father thereof for in 12 H. 2. Eaâ—l William his son certified that the said Geffrey held of him one Knights Fee de veteri feoffamento and in 10 R. 1. I find that William de Turvill possest it After which time till 20 H. 3. I have not met with any more mention of this place and then it appears that Simon de Turvill and Roger de Craft answered for half a Knights Fee here and in Wodecote which half Knights Fee in 36 H. 3. was held by Roger de Craft and Iohn Mâ—ce and in 52 H. 3. by Henry Hubaud How it comes to passe I cannot yet discover but plain it is that this Mannour about the beginning of Edw. 1. time was the inheritance of Isabell wife to William Gernun which William and Isabell in 11 E. 1. sold it to William de Hynkelee and Alice his wife and the heirs of the said William de Hynkelee reserving to themselves and their heirs two Messuages one Mill x s. rent and two yard land as also an annuity of six marks of silver yearly to be payd at the Feast of S. Michael the Arch-Angell together with the service of one Kts. Fee which said service of one Knights Fee and Rent of six marks with the homage and service due from Nicholas de VVarwick and Ioan his wife for the lands that he held in this Lordship the said VVilliam Gernun and Isabell granted to VVilliam de Sutton in 21 E. 1. And the next year following did the same Nicholas de Warwick Ioan his wife obtain the whole Mannour of Alice the widow of VVilliam de Hynkelee before specified in exchange for the Mannour of Stoke in Leicestershire whereof being so possest in 34 E. 1. he purchased of the King a Court-Leet here to himself and his heirs as also Assize of Bread and Beer Infangthef Gallows and Weyfs with other priviledges for all which he was to pay a certain Rent into the Exchequer yearly by the hands of the Shiriff for the time being Of this Nicholas his parentage I am not very certain though I find his name in these parts in the times of H. 2. King Iohn and H. 3. but of himself 't is apparent that he was a man learned in the Laws and Atturney generall to the King In 5 E. 1. he attended VVilliam de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick in his Welch expedition In 24 E. 1. he was one of the Commissioners assigned to enquire after certain malefactors that had trespassed in the Earl of Warwick's Park at Studley in this Shire the said Earl being then in Scotland In 32 E. 1. one of the Justices of Assize and Gaol-delivery so also in 1. and 3. E. 2. and had issue two sons viz. Nicholas and VVill. which Nicholas was he that wedded Elizabeth the daughter and heir of Richard de Loges of Chesterton of whom I find nothing farther memorable than what I have observed in Chesterton except his going into Wales with divers other persons of quality in the Kings service in 15 E. 2. and that in 17 E. 2. he is in the list of thoâ—e Esquiers and men at Armes in this County whose names were then return'd into the Chancery But VVilliam de VVarwick his other son who bore for his Armes Sable 6. guttes Or had this Lordship though he kept it but a while for in 18 E. 2. it appears that Iohn de Hastings Lord Bergavenny died seized of it leaving Laurence his son and heir 5. years of age After which scil the next ensuing year it was inter alia assigned to Iulian then wife of Thomas le Blount as part of her dowrie by the death of the said Iohn de Hastings her former husband being then valued at xix li. xvii s. ii d. ob and in like sort was enjoyed by VVilliam de Clinton Earl of Huntingdon her third husband who held it of the King in Capite by the payment of vi s. ii d. per annum for all services the last of which family viz. of Hastings that enjoy'd it was Iohn de Hastings son and heir to Iohn Earl of Pembroke who dyed seized thereof in 13 R. 2. without issue leaving Reginald Lord Grey of Ruthin his cosin and next heir as the descent in Fillongley sheweth But by the entail of Hasting's lands whereof in Fillongley I have also spoke it came to William Beauchamp Lord Bergavenny a younger brother to the Earl of Warwick for I find that Ioan his Lady built a sumptuous Gatehouse here Hospitium nobilis Domini satis habile ut Duci suo adventu complaceret saith Rous as also a Lodge called by
Wasperton Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. D. Episcopus Wigorniae Magr. Sim. de Balyndon 3. Non. Apr. 1284. D. Episcopus Wigorniae Magr. Nigellus le Waleys Cler. 9. Cal. Iunii 1290. D. Episcopus Wigorniae Hugo de Babington 3. Id. Apr. 1293. D. Episcopus Wigorniae D. Walt. de Morton Subdiac Non. Sept. 1305. D. Episcopus Wigorniae Magr. Rob. de Chigewell Cler. 18. Iunii 1341. D. Episcopus Wigorniae D. Sym. de Geynesburgh 23. Sept. 1346. D. Episcopus Wigorniae Thomas de Mershton 1. Iunii 1356. D. Episcopus Wigorniae Magr. Ric. de Cleanger 9. Maii 1361. Ric. Rex Angl. Ioh. Parkere Cap. 3. Apr. 1382. D. Episc. Wigorn. D. Thomas Fladbury Pbr. 10. Aug. 1389. D. Episc. Wigorn. Ioh. Burbache 17. Sept. 1389. D. Episc. Wigorn. D. Ric. Clifford Pbr. 4. Maii 1402. D. Episc. Wigorn. Ioh. Wareyn Cap. 5. Maii 1414. D. Episc. Wigorn. Magr. Edw. Prentys Cler. 14. Febr. 1425. D. Episc. Wigorn. Henr. Sharpe Legum Doctor 20. Dec. 1460. Magr. Ric. Ewer in S. Theol. Bac. virtute advoc per I. Bel Episc. Wig. T. Heneage mil. aliis concess Magr. Rob. Haldesworth S. Theol. Decret Doctor 9. Nov. 1508. Magr. Ric. Ewer in S. Theol. Bac. virtute advoc per I. Bel Episc. Wig. T. Heneage mil. aliis concess Magr. Ioh. Iolyffe in S. Theol. Bac. 24. Sept. 1556. Thomas Lucy de Cherlecote mil. Ric. Hill Cler. 13. Dec. 1586. Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. Walt. de Morton Rector Adam de Utlicote 8. Cal. Nov. 1308. D. Rob. de Chilwell Rector D. Ric. de Wykingeston Subdiac 17. Cal. Apr. 1342. D. Rob. de Chilwell Rector D. Ric. Toky Pbr. 8. Maii 1342. Rector ejusdem Ecc. Walt. Mullewarde 12. Cal. Aug. 1367. Magr. Ioh. Burbache Rector D. Ric. Ferne Pbr. 11. Apr. 1402. Ioh. Tissebury Rector Ric. de Chelmescote Cap. 22. Oct. 1410. Rector Ejusdem Eccl. D. Ric. Wodehous Cap. 5. Dec. 1416. Hatton super Avon THis had its name originally from the Heath neer which is stood and being a member of Hampton past with it to Iohn Dudley Earl of Warwick and since that to the Lucies of Cherlecote as the Records which I have cited in Hampton will manifest but it hath been antiently depopulated as our Countreyman Rous intimates Hunscote THis is also in the Parish of Hampton super Avon but long since depopulated The first mention I find of it is in 8. Ioh. where it appears that William de Ludinton impleaded VValter fitz Raph for half a hide of land lying therein who very shortly after past away all his interest here unto Thomas de Erdinton of whom in Erdinton I have spoke which Thomas dyed seized thereof in 2 H. 3. whereupon it was committed to the custody of William Marshall Earl of Pembroke From this T. de Erdinton it descended to Henry his great grandchild who in 7 E. 1. was certified to be joint Lord thereof with one William de Bladintone holding it of Margery de Cantilupe of whom in Aven-Drsset I have made mention by the third part of a Knights Fee the said Margery holding it over of Theobald de Verdon and he of the Earl of Warwick It was also then found that the said Henry held at that time one carucate of land here of Will. de Stafford and he of the said Margery c. Which Henry in 23 E. 3. did his homage to the said W. de Stafford then of Bromshull in Com. Staff for the lands lying here so held of him as hath been said viz. 1. mess. and 4. yard land in demesn and two yard land in Villenage acknowledging that he held them of him by the xii th part of a Knights Fee and declaring it to be a member of Amulcote in Stafford-shire having been so granted to his Ancestour Thomas by the before specified Walt. fil Radulfi as above is exprest All which continued in the family of Erdington for divers ages as by severall authorities is manifest but this was not the whole Mannour for in 10 H. 6. it appeareth that Thomas Erdington Esquier had but a part thereof and one Thomas Muston the residue who in that Record is stiled Dominus de Huntescote Both which parts about King E. 4. time as I guesse were purchased by Sir William Lucy of Cherlecote Knight for I find that he dyed seised thereof in 7 H. 7. leaving Edmund his son and heir whose posterity doe still enjoy it Alveston THis lying on the other side the River pertained to the Church of Worcester long before the Norman Conquest for I find that Bishop Oswold granted unto Eadric his God-father three mess. lying in this place to hold for his own life and to two such others as he should assign them unto but after that to return unto the said Church of Worcester In that grant bearing date in the year DCCCLXVI it is written Eanulfestune which shews that the name originally sprung from some antient possessor thereof Eanulfus having been an appellation very frequent in those elder times but after this it was injuriously taken and withheld from the Bishops by certain great men for the space of many years untill that S. Wolstan the venerable Bishop of that See purchased it for a large summe of money of King VVilliam the Conquerour and gave it to the Monks of that place in the third year of King VVilliam Rufus as by his grant appeareth which for the solennity of it I have here inserted Ego Wlstanus gracia Dei Wigorniensis Ecclesiae Pontifex Monasterium S. Dei genitricis Mariae à piae memoriae beato scil Oswaldo praedecessore meo in sede Episcopali constructum majori honore dignitate amplificare cupiens non solùm in Ecclesiae constructione ordinatione verùm etiam Monachorum ibidem Deo famulantium illud locupletare studui augmentatione Quod utrumque Dei omnipotent is miseratio per me servum suum adimplere ex parte dignata est Nam cum à me paulo plus quam xii inventi fuissent fratres usque ad quinquaginta à me ibi congregati sunt in eodem Monasterio Dei mancipati servicio Unde factum est ut sicut numerum fratrum ita etiam ad eorum opus augere opportunum duximus possessiones terrarum Consilio ergo inito cum optimatibus meis terram quandam xv hidarum quae Alfestun ab incolis nominatur multo tempore à quibusdam potentibus hominibus injustè possessam maximo labore pecuniae donatione à Rege Willielmo seniore adquisivi adquisitam verò ad victum eorundem fratrum in eodem Monasterio Deo servientium dedi eamque super Altare S. Dei genitricis Mariae pro remedio animae meae atque ejusdem Regis filiique sui Willielmi similiter Regis in testimonio tam optimatum ejus meorum quà m
afterwards seen any thing thereof till 8 E. 3. that upon the taxation of a Fifteenth and Tenth it was certified to bear somewhat a greater proportion than Alveston yet was it not a distinct Mannour of it self but a member of that and so past from the Crown in 33 H. 8. to the Dean and Chapter of Worcester before specified and is at this day reputed parcell thereof Bridg-town THis place hath its name by reason of the situation thereof so neer to Stratford-bridg but the chiefest thing memorable in it is that there hath been an Heremitage whereunto the Chapell of S. Mary Magdalen in this village belonged which Heremitage was antiently endowed with lands by some of the Powers of Ryen-Clifford for reparation of the before specified Bridg all which were confirmed thereunto by Thomas Power Esquier in 22 H. 6. who constituted one Iohn Rawlyns to be Heremite there during his life appointing that he should yearly celebrate an Obit in the Parish-Church of Stratford before mentioned upon the Eve of Corpus Christi for the souls of the Parents and Ancestors of him the said Thomas Power The donation of which Heremitage upon the grant of Ryen-Clifford from Christopher Power to William Clopton in 5 H. 8. is therewith past to him the said William and his heirs since when and not before that ever I could see this place hath been reputed a Mannour the said William Clopton being certified to dye seized thereof 4. Ian. 1 Eliz. From whom is descended Thomas Clopton of Clopton that hath the like right therein at this day but the site of the Heremitage was in 3. 4. Ph. M. granted to the Hospitall of Savoy in the Suburbs of London Loxley THis place was given by Offa King of the Mercians unto the Church of Worcester about CCC years before the Norman Conquest and continued thereto till the time of King Canutus the Dane but then the whole Realm being burthened with grievous taxes and a Constitution made that if any place did fail in payment by the space of 3. days of what was so exacted he that should deposite the money to the Shiriff might presently possesse himself thereof this with divers other lands whereof Ludington Draiton and Milcote in this County were part was by that crafty advantage most injuriously taken from it Sed Deus hanc sui rapinam absque ultione non dimisit saith the Monk of Worcester nam unusquisque eorum qui huic fraudi operam dederunt digna ultione percussi aut luminibus privati aut paralysi dissoluti aut in insaniam versi sunt plurimi etiam semetipsos interfecerunt But at the Norman invasion one Eatstanus had the greatest part of it as his freehold which by the Conq. was disposed of inter alia to the E. of Mellent as may appear by the generall Survey shortly after made where it is written Locheslei certified to contain 4. hides all which excepting one virgate held by Hugo fil Constantii of Hugh de Grentemaisnill and valued at v s. were rated at iv li. xv s. there being then a Church Another hide by the same Survey may seem to have been here though it be in that place written Lochesham which was then in the Bishop of Worcester's hands and rated at xxv s. But that which the Earl of Mellent had came to his brother Henry de Newburgh Earl of Warwick as it seems with the rest of those lands in this County which the same Henry and his posterity enjoy'd for by what I shall shew anon it will appear to have been of their Fee Whether Robert fil Odonis who lived in H. 2. time was the first that had it by the Earl of Warwick's grant or whether it were his father I am not sure but that the said Robert possest it and made it the place of his residence is out of doubt for in his grant to the Canons of Kenilworth of Cxx. acres of his demesn lands here with a messuage toft and croft and ii s. Rent which for xii marks of silver he sold to them he writes himself Robertus fil Odonis de Lochesleia And besides this so sold by him he gave unto them for the health of his fathers soul whose body lay buried in that Monastery and for the good estate of himself and his posterity pasturage for x. Oxen and C. Sheep in his demesn lands here Which Robert left issue onely 3. daughters his heirs whose matches and descendants I have here inserted Rob. fil Odonis de Locheslei Basilia Petrus de Mora senior ux Rad. le Falconer sive de Mora. Petrus de Mora senior ... ux Rob. de Offeworth ... ux Rob. Balance ... ux Paulini Peyvre ... ux Lenardi .... mil. Agnes ux Will. Trussell Margeria ux Will. Bagod Of Peter de Mora great grandchild to Rob. fil Odonis I find that he was a liberall Benefactor to the Canons of Kenilworth for it appears that about 38 H. 3. he gave them the Mannour-house here at Loxley and all his possessions belonging thereto besides his lands at Westcote and Morton-Bagot with the advouson of that Church Will. Mansell being then high Shiriff of this County and a witnesse thereto which was confirmed to them by Will. Mauduit Earl of Warwick in 47 H. 3. And that the Canons of Kenilworth had here in 19 E. 1. one carucate of land valued at xvi s. in Rent of Assise viii s. and one Mill rated at iv s. at which time the Monks of Worcester had xviii s. Rent of Assize in this Lordship But it seems that the Ancestour of Iohn de Wauton Lord of Walton D'eivile was enfeoft by the Canons of Kenilworth in the greatest part of this Lordship for it appears that the said Iohn held the same of them by Knights service and in 20 E. 3 Baldw. Frevill and William Trussell answered for half a Knights Fee in this place Which Canons having a great share here in 25 E. 3. purchased of Iohn the son of Iohn de Peyto xiv messuages more with two carucates five yard land three acres of meadow and x s. ob Rent in this place All which together with the rest whereof they were possest before coming to the Crown upon the dissolution of that Monastery was 28 Martii 33 H. 8. granted to Thom. Cawarden Esq. and Elizabeth his wife and the heirs of the body of the said Thomas and afterwards coming to Lodowyk Grevill Esquier and Francis Gyll Yeoman was by them sold to Edward Nevill Esquier but continued not long with him for in 12 Eliz. William Underhill dyed seized of it leaving William his son and heir aged xiv years and six months The Church being given to the Monastery of Stone in Staffordshire which was a Cell to the Priory of Kenilworth by Rob. fil Odonis before specified
Jejunia adhuc retinent nomen officii nam communiter Vigiliae non Jejunia nuncupantur The substance of this I have found Englished in an old Manuscript Legend of S. Iohn Baptist as followeth And ye shall understond and know how the Evyns were first found in old time In the beginning of holl Chirche it was so that the pepull cam to the Chirche with candellys brennyng and wold Wake and coome with light toward night to the Chirche in their devocions and aftir they fell to lecherte and songs daunses harping pipingâ— and also to glotony and sinne and so tourned the holinesse to cursydnes wherefore holy faders ordeined the pepull to leve that Waking and to fast the Evyn But hit is callyd Vigilia that is Waking in English and it is callyd the Evyn for at Evyn they were wont to come to Chirche Howbeit the direct time when this prohibition for coming so to Church in the Evening was made hath not as yet appeared to me but I do conclude it to have been very antient for though Simon Islip Archbishop of Canterbury in the year 1362. 36 E. 3. by vertue of that appointment made by Pope Gregory the ninth for observation of some speciall Holy days and leaving the rest thus quas singuli Episcopi in suis Diocaesibus cum Clero Populo duxerint solenniter venerandas comanded that Solennitas Dedicationum Ecclesiarum Parochialium Sanctorum in quorum honore Ecclesiae parochiales dedicantur according to the Canon Law Dist. 1. cap. 16.17 Dist. 3. cap. 1. yet there is no doubt to be made considering what is before exprest but that such solemnities of the Churches Dedication were no lesse antient than the primitive times of Christianity and annually kept for many ages upon the same Saints day to whose memory such dedication was made but in processe of time certain inconveniencies being found in the observance of those very dayes especially such as hapned in Harvest when a little neglect may occasion much losse many of them were by speciall authority from the Bishop for that very reason altered and the solemnity transferred to the next Sunday following or some other Sunday as I have seen for instance of Tadcaster and Bishop-Wilton in Yorkshire where the Churches Festivall of the one being on the 28 of August was in the year MCCC xiv assigned to be kept on the Sunday next ensuing the Feast of the Decollation of S. Iohn Baptist and of the other which fell out on the fifteenth of September to be observed the Sunday ensuing Which alteration forasmuch as it broke the antient course and order perhaps occasioned for uniformities sake that Injunction of King Henry made in the year 1536. 28. of his raign whereby with the common assent and consent of the Prelates and Clergy of this his Realm in Convocation lawfully assâ—mbled amongst other things he decreed ordained and established that the Feast of Dedication of Churches should in all places throughout this Realm be thenceforth celebrated and kept on the first Sunday of the month of October for ever and upon none other day Since which time that Rule hath been observed in divers places as I have particularly taken notice especially where the Saints day unto whom the Church was dedicated hapneth in the Winter time but where it falls out in that time of the year that the weather is warm and proper for merry meetings it is generally seen that the said Festivall is yearly kept on the Sunday next following such day though not by commemoration of the Saint in any particular Church service but by holding up the Custome of Feasting amongst friends and good neighbours with the exercise of dancing and other sports which time is now usually called the Wake through most parts of this Kingdom But returning to Stratford and the successive Bishops that were Lords thereof I find that William de Bleys then being Bishop procured a Charter for another Faire to be kept here on the Eve of S. Augustin and on the day morrow after which Festivall falls yearly on the seventh Cal. of Iune being the 26. of May And within xvi years after Walter de Cantilupe obtained another to be yearly kept on the Eve of the Exaltation of the Holy Crosse the day and two days following viz. 14. Oct. which Charter bears date at Winchester 23. Dec. 24 H. 3. This indeed hath continued till the present times frequented by multitudes that come from far and neer unto it the Toll whereof was very antiently leased for ix s. iv d. and the Toll of the Mercate at xvi s. per annum which Walter sate Bishop for divers years in 39 H. 3. obtained a Charter of Free-warren for himself and his successors in all their demesn lands here bearing date at Merton 2. Apr. Another Faire likewise did Godfrey Giffard when he was Bishop procure in 53 H. 3. to be held for three days viz. the Eve of the Ascension of our Lord commonly called Holy Thursday and upon the day and morow after And moreover the next year following got a new Charter for renewing the Faire again on the Eve of Trinity Sunday so granted by King Iohn as aforesaid and to continue for three days after Touching the revenue which the said Bishop had here in anno 1291. 19 E. 1. I find that it was in Rent of Assize xx li. two carucates of land rated at xx s. one Mill yeilding C s. the pleas and perquisites lx s. and the profits of the store xx s. But it should seem that the said Thursday Mercate grew in time to be neglected for it appears that Walter de Maydenstane made Bishop of Worcester in 2 E. 2. did in the very first year of his consecration obtain a new Charter for one to be kept upon the same day every week and added also another Fair thereto to begin yearly on the Eve of S. Peter and Paul being at the later end of Iune and to hold for xv days Which Charter bears date at Westminstr 4. Martii 2 E. 2. And now that the Mercate became thus setled it was not long ere that the Paving of the town began for in 5 E. 3. did one Robert de Stratford then Parson of the Church of Stratford but afterwards highly advanced as I shall shew by and by procure a Patent for taking Toll for the space of four years upon sundry vendible commodities that should be thither brought for sale towards defraying the charge thereof which Patent being directed Ballivis probis hominibus villae de Stratford super Avone expresseth that it was obtained ad requisitionem dilecti Clerici nostri Roberti de Stratford And was afterwards twice renewed at the request of the said Robert viz. in 8 E. 3. for four years longer and in 10 E. 3. for two years more This Robert de Stratford was afterwards Archdeacon of Canterbury
William This Peter was a most devout man for to the Monks of Bordsley he gave lands in Hilborough To the Knights Templars the Mill here at Stodley and certain lands besides And moreover was the pious Founder of that Monastery for Canons Regular here in Studley whereof together with its particular endowments benefactors and dissolution I shall speak by and by But to him succeeded Peter his son heir who left very little here to his descendants for it 2 Ioh. he sold to his Tenants of this Mannour all his wood called the Haye to the intent that they and their heirs should have Common of Pasture therein for their Cattell saving onely to himself and his heirs the paunage and agistment for Hoggs Besides this it appears that he gave to Henry de Montfort Lord of Beldesert a large proportion of lands here with Emme his daughter in Frank marriage and likewise divers tenements and particular parcells of ground in exchange for that which the said Henry recovered at Hildeburgewerthe now Hilborough in the Kings Court at Westminster by a triall at Law And moreover to Thurstan Montfort son to the said Henry the intire Park of Stodley with severall other tenements So that accounting also the homage and services of certain particular Tenants in this place which together with the advouson and patronage of the Priory he granted to William de Cantilupe I do not find that he left his posterity much more than the bare name of the Mannour for those of the Inhabitants here that held of Cantilupe by reason of the grant to him so made as aforesaid appeared at his Court-Leet for Aston-Cantilupe and did partake with the Tenants of that Mannour in sundry other priviledges Of the particulars which Montfort had here I find this mention in 24 E. 1. Upon the Extent of Iohn de Montfort's lands viz. that he had ix s yearly Rent payable from five Freeholders at the Feasts of S. Michael and the Annunciation of our Lady as also a Park and a certain Meadow held of the Earl of Warwick by the fourth part of a Knights Fee which Park was then in the hands of the said Earl as it seems for that very year did there a Commission issue out to certain persons to enquire who those were that had entred therein and killed his Deer But these came at length to William Beauchamp Lord Bergavenny in such sort as the Castle of Beldesert and town of Henley did As to what the Templars had here the extent thereof upon the death of Guy de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick was signified to be one mess. one carucate of land ten acres of meadow two Mills and xxx s. Rent all which he had seized into his hands and held during his life as superior Lord of the Fee upon the suppression of that Order in 4 E. 2. But it was not long after that the Knights Hospitalars possest the same with the rest of the Templars lands as in Balshall shall be manifested That which the heirs of Cantilupe had here was held of them by the third part of a Knights Fee Iohn the son of William de la Hay to holding it of Iohn de Hastings Lord Bergavenny in 18 E. 2. from whom it came to William Beauchamp before specified with much more of Hastings lands And touching the Mannour the substance of what else I have seen is that Peter Corbison in 29 E. 3. enfeoft the then Vicar of Studley therein together with pasturage for a Horse called a Hackney in a meadow there known by the name of Castle-meadow to be tyed and flitted with an iron chain from the Feast of the Purification of our Lady untill the said meadow should be mowed reserving an yearly Rent of three broad Arrow heads to the chief Lord of the Fee for all services Which Peter Corbison had issue one only daughter and heir called Felicia married to Iohn Barret of Shelfhull unto whom the said Vicar of Studley past the premisses in 9 R. 2. which Iohn and Felicia left also a daughter and heir wedded to ..... Atwood who had onely issue Female one whereof became the wife of ... Hunt in H. 8. time from whom .... Hunt who now possesseth the site of the before specified Castle derives his descent The Church being given to the Canons of Studley upon the Foundation of that Monastery as shall anon be shewed and in anno 1291. 19 E 1. valued at xv marks and a half was very antiently appropriated to the Priory here and in 26 H. 8. the Vicaridge rated at viii li. not in Tithes but a meer stipend payable by the Canons to the Incumbent for the time being Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. Prior Conv. de Stodleg Adam de Hemburi Pbr 4. Id. Iulii 1290. Prior Conv. de Stodleg Adam de Stodley Pbr. 12. Cal. Iulii 1293. Prior Conv. de Stodleg Nich. de la Sale Pbr. 3. Id. Dec. 1338. Prior Conv. de Stodleg Ioh. de Walton Pbr. 3. Dec 1345. Prior Conv. de Stodleg Rob. de Ordelescote 4. Iulii 1354. D. Episcopus Henr. de Geydon Pbr. 14. Dec. 1362. Prior Conventus de Stodleg Thomas Newman Pbr. 6. Martii 1364. Prior Conventus de Stodleg Petrus Dycones Pbr. 13. Ian. 1375. Prior Conventus de Stodleg D. Ioh. Litster alias Tiyhill Pbr. 16. Aug. 1414. D. Episc. per lapsum Ioh. Campion Pbr. 23. Dec. 1437. Prior Conv. de Stodleg Rob. Ekynton Pbr. 14. Nov. 1438. Prior Conv. de Stodleg D. Ioh. Morton Canon 26. Apr. 1458. Prior Conv. de Stodleg D. Milo Sheghe Cap. 2. Iunii 1461. Prior Conv. de Stodleg D. Thomas Dawes Cap. 13. Aug. 1479. D. Episcopus Magr. Rob. Knowles S. Theol. Dr. 6. Aug. 1536. Edm. Knightley miles D. Ric. Kylmar 14. Sept. 1541. Ioh. Knotsford de majori Malvern unus servien D. Regis ad Arma Iana ejus conjux una haered Edm. Knightley mil. D. Ioh Coxetur Pbr. 23. Sept. 1546. Ioh. Knotsford de majori Malvern unus servien D. Regis ad Arma Iana ejus conjux una haered Edm. Knightley mil. Rob. Dowse Cler. 21. Martii 1550. In this Church there hath been a Chantry founded in 7 H. 4. by Thomas Middlemore of Edgbaston for a certain Priest to sing Masse daily at the Altar of the blessed Virgin on the South part of the same Church for the good estate of him the said Thomas during this life and the health of his soul after his departure hence as also for the souls of his Father and mother and all the faithfull deceased Which Chantry was endowed with Lxxx. acres of land x. acres of meadow and xiii s. iv d. yearly Rent lying in Studley above mentioned the revenues whereof in 26 H. 8. were rated
at iv li. xiii s. iv d. which sum in 37 H. 8. was yearly received by the Priest belonging thereto at the hands of M r Robert Midlemore notwithstanding he did not duly attend here but sung in other places at his pleasure The Priory of Studley THis was first founded in King Stephen's time by Peter Corbicon otherwise called Peter de Stodleg in regard of his residence here for Canons Regular of S. Augustin's Order at a place called Wicton neer Wiche in Worcestershire and by him endowed with the Churches of the same Wicton as also of Stodley Cocton now Coughton in this County Salperton in Gloucestershire and all other Churches of his Patronage after the death of the Incumbents that had been presented thereto by him the said Peter or his father and likewise with half the town of Wicton before specified three Houses in Worcester and two Furnaces of Salt at Wiche and the Tithes of all the rest of his Salt there And moreover with half the Tithes of all his demesn lands in Tikenapletre in Com Wigorn. the whole proportion of his essarts there with a Meadow and the oblations called Chirset of that village and likewise of C. acres of his demesn lands in Salperton before specified of the Chapelry of his own House and all thereto belonging with the freedom from Toll Tak and many other exactions Which Canons rested not long at Wicton but were translated hither with an assignation unto them of the Churches above-specified and an addition of the Church of Anedeburne with the Chapell of Dormeston in Gloucestershire and the Chapelry of his own House there as also the grant of divers particular lands viz. one yard land in Stodley situate on the bank of the river Arrow with two curtilages thereunto belonging which I take to be it whereupon the Monastery was built all his lands lying below the high way leading from Bordsley to the bounds of Ipsley a Meadow called Brunham a grove of Alders lying betwixt Stretford and Wasford a Mill that Edwin Brochard held lands which had been belonging to one Aschetill with the wood adjoyning the land of Eluric the Clothier and the wood situate betwixt Alan's land and that of Roger de la Haye with certain other lands which appertained to Robert Meriam And over and above all this he gave them CC. acres of his demesn lands lying in Salperton before specified scil C. acres in the East field and C. acres in the West Confirming likewise his former grant of the said three Houses in Worcester half the Tithes of Tikenapletre with the essarts Meadow and Chircheset before mentioned as also the Tithes of his Salt at Wiche with the two Furnaces there But as the greatnesse of this family much diminished in the time of Peter Corbicon son and heir to Peter the Founder so did also the glory of this Monastery for it appears that at such time as the Patronage thereof was granted by the said Peter unto William de Cantilupe and his heirs the revevenues of it were so wasted by ill guidance and goverment that there were no more than three Canons then left therein Neverthelesse by the pious care and munificence of him and his posterity it soon came to flourish again For besides the grant of those his possessions in Shotswell in this County which he had acquired from Eustace de Mortein and Iohn Wandard with a House and Curtilage he vouchsafed unto them the priviledge that whensoever their House should happen to be vacant by the death of their Prior they should as freely proceed to a new election of another as any Collegiate Church in such cases used to do first only craving the License of him the said William and his heirs and after the election so made then humbly desiring his or their assent thereunto And moreover that whereas by Custome in some Monasteries of England the custody during the vacancy appertained to the Patron he notwithstanding granted unto them for him and his heirs that whensoever any such vacancy should happen the Sub-Prior and Celerer for the time being should in the name of him the said William and his heirs have the custody thereof so that both or one of them did first repair unto him or his heirs to receive the administration thereof at his or their hands but that the Bishop nor any other should have ought to do therewith All which concessions and immunities were ratified by William Wittlesey Bishop of Worcester as his publique Instrument dated here a Stodlegh upon the day of S. Sylvester the Pope Anno 1364. 38 E. 3. doth testify To which William de Cantilupe succeeded Will. his son and heir who followed the steps of his devout father in bounty to these Canons as appears by his grant of lands to them lying in Aston-Cantilupe to the value of x li. per annum for the support and maintenance of a certain Hospitall erected by his father neer the Gate of this Monastery where impotent people might have relief and entertainment Which William likewise bestowed upon them xx s. yearly Rent issuing out of certain lands in Snarkeston in Com. Leic. held of him by Raph de Charnells with pasturage for eight Oxen two Kine and one Horse in his own demesn Pasture of Buchme and the Rene granting them also power to hold a Court for their own Tenants as freely as ever he himself used to do And further added the Church of Hemeston in Devonshire of his patronage as also all those essarts with their appurtenances lying within his Park at Shelfhull as they are bounded with the High-way leading from Spernore towards Aston together with the perpetuall patronage of the Church at Aston as also certain lands situate in the Village of Trente And lastly obtained a Charter from King H. 3. dated at Westminster 22. Dec. 26 H. 3. whereby he granted to them that their woods lying within the Forest of Fekenham might be free to themselves and no Officer of the Kings belonging to the Forest to intermedle therein nor presse upon them for hospitality or entertainment without their own good liking From other Benefactors they had as followeth viz. in Yerdeley Com. Wigorn. 33. acres of land given by William Cumin antiently Lord of that Mannour as also a certain proportion there and in Grete conferred on them by William de Edricheston In Ipsley some quantity by Thomas le Barbour In Aldeswelle by Peter de Asserugge In Wicton by Iohn le Roter A place called the Vineyard here in Stodley by Peter de Montfort All those lands in Wike within the precincts of Coughton by Constance the daughter to William a Parke sometime wife of Sir Simon de Cocton Knight in her widowhood which lands she had in frank marriage of her father's gift and certain lands in Hatton given by Iohn de Stodley and Robert de Freynuse All which are confirmed with divers priviledges as the Charters of
to be Lord of this place id est Lord Paramount and that this was then reputed a Hamlet of Snitfield But farther than the before specified Hugh de Burley I cannot trace the succession of this Mannour in that family of Burley nor do I find when or how it went out of it the next possessor thereof that I have discovered being Will. the son of Nich. de Warwick of whom in Fulbroke I have spoke which Will. in 9 E. 2. sold to one Robert Moryn an Inhabitant of Snitfield Which Robert had issue Iohn who by a Fâ—ne levied in 8 E. 3. setled it upon Margaret his mother and Iohn de Cumpton her second husband for their lives with remainder to himself and his heirs After which time I have not seen any more mention of it the reason whereof is plain enough viz. that it was swallowed up amongst divers petty Freeholders by the purchase of their several Ferms as in many other places it falls out so that the Lords of Snitfield who were Superiour Lords here have of later times been taken for the immediate Lords thereof as in 10 H. 6. Ioan Beauchamp Lady of Bergavenny and in 1 H. 8. the King But now the reputed Lord thereof is the owner of those lands here which were antiently given to the Monks of Bordsley and in 19 E. 1. were estimated at two Carucates Which lands upon the dissolution of that Monastery were in 37 H. 8. inter alia past out of the Crown to Clem. Throkmorton Esquier and Alex Avenon and their heirs by the name of the Mannour Grange or Ferme of Byrley alias Buryley And in 3 E. 6. purchased of the said Clem. Throkmorton c. by Will. Walter From which William it is come to Mr. Fanshaw the now owner of it in such sort as Wasperton and Binton are Silesburne THis is a place lying near the little brook which thwarteth the Road from Henley to Alcester whereupon antiently stood an Hermitage but now there is no habitation near it Wawens-Moore OF this I find no other mention than the very name in 9 E. 2. and 8 H. 8. it being a member of Wootton Wyche NEither of this can I say any more than that it was reputed a member of Beldesert in 2 H. 5. Offorde THere is no more now left here than a Mill which being called Offord Mill preserveth the memory of this place but antiently there was a fair Mannour house the vestigia whereof do appear in those grounds lying about a Bow-shoot Northwards from the Mill in the nature of a round Fortification In the Conqueror's time here was also a Village of divers Inhabitants as appears by the general Survey then taken wherein it is recorded to contain 5 hides with a Mill and Woods of a mile in length and half as much in breadth all which were valued at iii li. besides one carucate of Inclosure rated at x s. and then wholly possest by Rob. de Stadford mentioned in Wootton but before the Norman invasion were the freehold of Waga of whom I have there also spoken To which Rob. de Stadford succeeded Nicholas and to him another Robert who in H. 2. time enfeoft one Robert the son of Matthew and his heirs of all his interest in this Village excepting the lands belonging to three Freeholders there named granting likewise to him all that Wood lying on the left hand the antient way leading from Wootton to Morton-Bagot to hold of him the said Robert de Stafford and his heirs by the service of half a Kts. Fee in consideration of which grant the said Robert received the summe of ten Marks one Palfrey and a labouring Horse and Avice his wife two Bisantines Whereupon this Robert seating himself here assumed his sirname from hence but it seemes he held the fourth part of a Knight's Fee besides this of the said Robert de Stafford for in 12 H. 2. by the Certificate then made it appears that he held 3 parts of a Knights Fee of him whereof he had been enfeoft since the death of K. H. 1. This Robert de Offord wedded Agnes the second of the five daughters and coheirs of Peter de Mâ—ra by Basilia his wife the eldest of the three daughters and coheirs to Rob. fil Odonis Lord of Loxley and Morton now Morton-Bagot yet am I not certain of any issue that he had neither till 25 H. 3. have I seen more of this place but then was Will. de Blancfront impleaded for certain lands here and in 36 H. 3. certified to hold half a Knight's Fee therein of the Lord Stafford Which Will. Blancfront was one of the Coroners for this County in 15 E. 2. and had issue Walter and he Henry who wrote himself Lord of this place in â—1 E. 3. but resided at Potsgrave in Bedfordshire After this it returned again to the Family of Stafford â— but whether by Eschaet or purchase I cannot directly say Humfrey Earl Stafford being owner of it in 10 H. 6. Since which time having been enjoy'd by the possessors of UUootton-wawen and being a depopulated place little notice hath been taken of it so that now it is accounted as part of UUootton Lordship and accordingly held by the Lord Carington at this day Aston Cantlow BEing now past that large parish of UUootton-wawen I come next to Aston-Cantlow situate on the Southern bank of Alne Before the Norman Invasion Algar Earl of Mercia was possest hereof but upon that great distribution then made by King William unto his friends and followers this place with divers lands of a large extent as well here as in other Counties was conferred as I guesse upon one Richard a noble Norman for it appears by the generall Survey begun about the xiiiith year of that King's reign that Osbernus fil Ricardi then enjoy'd it with several other fair Lordships lâ—ing in this Shireâ— as also in the Counties of Worcester Hereford Bedford Salop and Nottingham whose principal seat was as I also conjecture at Ricard's Castle in Herefordshire which being doubtlesse built by the same Richard â— for better a wing of the vanquisht English did afterwards retain his name and continueth it to this day In that authentique Record this place is written Estone by reason of its Eastern site from Alcester I presume which was of a more antient plantation and the value thereof then certified to be vi li. being esteemed at v. hides â—â—ving a Church as also one Mill with Woods of a mile in length and as much in breadth the Descendants of which Osbernus I have put in Farnborough for unto them did it continue but a while Tankervile who was Camerarius Normanniae possessing it in 15 H. 2. yet no otherwise than as a Fermor to the King as appears by some Records But in 6 Ioh. Will. de Cantilupe obtained it with the corn and stock
marrâ—ed to Will Lord Paget and Eliz. to Sir Henry Willoughby of Risley in Derbyshire by partition betwixt them it was allotted to Elizabeth and is by the same Sir Henry accordingly enjoyed the Towns that now owe suit thereto I mean to the Leet being these viz. Berkswell the three Bikenhills Sheldon Edgbaston Curdworth Minworth Kingsbury Hurley â— part of Merston juxta Kingsbury Whateley Holt Slateley half Wilneccote juxta Tamworth the half of Sekindon in Austrey the Mannour sometime belonging to Burton Abby Badsley-Endesoure Ansley Hartshill and Whitacre superior Tame fluv BEing now to speak of the particular places within this Hundred of Hemlingford according to my accustomed method in the â—est I must follow the course of Tame which having its rise from several heads about Dudley and Walshall in Staffordsh glides along with a slow and gentle course whence perhaps it became at first so called as Arrow was by reason of its swiftnesse and entring it at Aston moveth for a while Eastwards but being augmented by divers petty streams in its passage bendeth at length Northwards leaving the same together with the County at Tamworth whereunto as a farewell it giveth that name Aston juxta Bermingham This for distinction from others of that name is now commonly called Aston juxta Bermingham but antiently it was written Estone having originally had that name perhaps from the situation thereof Eastwards from Wedsbury in Staffordshire a town of some note in the Saxons time Before the Norman Conquest Edwine Earl of Mercia was Lord of this place but upon that great distribution made by King William to his friends and followers it with other vast possessions of the disherited English lying in the Counties of Surrey Berks. Buck. Oxon. Northampt. Worcester and Stafford besides much more in this Shire was bestowed on William Fitz Ausculf who had his principall seat at the Castle of Dudley in Staffordshire and by the generall Survey then taken certified to contain viii hides valued at C s. there being at that time a Church with a Mâ—â—l rated at iii. s. as also Woods extending to 3. miles in length and half a mile in breadth all then held of him by one Godmund To which William Fitz Ausculf succeeded in the Barony of Dudley and possession hereof Gervase Paganell who dying without issue left Hawise his sister and heir wife to R. Someri whereby the whole Barony of Dudley divolved to that Family Which R. Someri by her had issue Raph Someri who being possest of this Lordship as a member of the saâ—d Barony gave unto Thomas the son of William de Erdintone and his heirs about the beginning of King Iohn's time his Mannour house here at Estone with all the demesns as also divers Tenements particularly mentioned in his Charter to be held of him the said Raph and his heirs by the service of a pair of gilt Spurs or the price of them viz. vi d. payable at Easter for all services and demands whatsoever Touching which Family of Erdington I shall speak historically in Erdington where I have inserted the Descent and therefore will here take notice of what only concerns them in reference to this place In 2 H. 3. this Mannour together with Erdington was assigned by the King to Roese de Cocfeld the Widow of the before specified T. de Erdington for her present maintenance till her dowry should be set out howbeit the next year following the Shiriff had command though for what reason appears not to deliver possession of it unto Philip de Ascells for the King's use and that he should not permit William Grasse to meddle therewith nor to make any wast or destruction in the land or woods belonging thereto This being the utmost Lordship towards Staffordshire and some dispute growing touching the bounds thereof King H. 3. directed his Precept to the Justices Itinerant in 20. of his reign whereby declaring it to be his royall pleasure that there should be speciall and certain marks set forth for the limits of each Countie about the parts of this Eston in Warwickshire and Hannewurth in Staffordshire he gave command to the Shiriff of Warwickshire to bring into Lichfield upon Sunday next after the Feast of S. Iames the Apostle xii discreet and lawfull Knights there to make and establish such metes and divisions upon their Oaths and the like to the Shiriff of Staffordshire for as many out of that Countie To which Thomas de Erdinton succeeded Giles and unto him Henry which Henry about the beginning of Edw. 1. reign enfeoft Thomas de Maidenhach in this Mannour bounded by the Rivers of Tame and Burne as his Charter manifests who being so possest of it in 13 E. 1. claimed by Prescription Assize of Beer Gallows Infangthef Utfangthef with a Court Leet and Weyfs As also that he and his Tenants should be free from any suit to the Countie or Hundred Courts bounding his claim within the limits of those two Rivers before specified and had allowance of them accordingly After which viz. the next ensuing year did the said Thomas de Maidenhach obtain a Charter of Free-warren for himself and his heirs in all his demesn lands here It seems he was a servant to the King for in that grant the King calls him dilectus Valettus noster our beloved Esquire in 18 E. 1. he impleaded William de Bermingham for fishing in a part of his water called Moylsich to Scraford-bridge within this his Libertie of Aston And in 19 E. 1. was certified to hold this Lordship together with Dudston of Roger de Someri as of his Mannour of Bordesley juxta Burmingham by the Rent of ii s. viii d. payable yearly at the Feast of S. Michael for all services But all that I find farther of this Thomas de Maidenhach is that being to attend the King in his voyage beyond Sea 14 E. 1. he had speciall Letters of protection granted to him as also that he was a Benefactor to the Hospitall of S. Thomas the Apostle in Bermingham by giving thereto ten Acres of Heath lying within this his Lordship of Aston and that he departed this life without issue male for by an Inquis taken after the death of Isabel his widow in 12 E. 2. Ioane Sibill Isabell and Margaret were found to be his daughters and heirs the youngest then being above xxi years of age Of which Ioane shortly after died issulesse so that by Partition made in 12 E. 2. the possessions of the said Thomas were divided betwixt the other three viz. this Mannour of Aston with the Mannours of Gersindon in Oxfordshire Wikes and Sondâ— in Sussex and Bergholtes in Suffolk besides other lands and Rents lying in the Countie of Southampton whereof Sibill then the wife of Adam de Grymesarwe had this Lordship for her share Which Adam and Sibill had issue Iohn unto whom the said Sibill his mother by
domini Regis apud Covintriam viz. Magistro Willielmo de Kilkenny dominis Henrico de Barton Nicholao de Trye scilicet quod praedictus Comes concessit quietum clamavit de se haeredibus suis praedicto Radulfo haeredibus suis praedictam sepem totum Parcum de Draiton infra illam sepem inclusum Et pro hac concessione in pace dimissione quieta clamatione praedictus Radulfus pro se haeredibus suis concessit eidem Comiti haeredibus suis duos Damos idoneos quolibet anno de praedicto Parco captos inter Assumptionem Nativitatem beatae Mariae Virginis scil de utroque Damo quatuor membra Capud corio furcheto ita quod praedictus Radulphus vel haeredes sui per seipsos vel per nuncios suos faciant habere Bailivis praedicti Comitis vel haeredum suorum ad Manerium ipsius Comitis de Sutton praedictos duos Damos sicut praedictum est inter praedicta duo Festa Et sciendum quod praedictum Parcum de Draiton ita clausum erit quod totum erit integrum versus Forestam praedicti Comitis de Colmesfeld sine Bukestall To this Agreement were witnesses Thomas de Erdinton then Shiriff of Staffordshire Geffrey Sauvage Hugh fil Willielmi id est de Hatton Thomas de Ardern Raph de Mutton Will. de Arderne Rob. fil Willielmi Henr. fil Sewalli progenitor to the Shirleys Hugh de Cuilli Henr. de Ullenhale Alex. de Mildecumbe Iordan de Whitacre and dâ—vers other And that the succeeding Earls of Warwick still held it as their free Chase the severall Licenses that they granted to sundry persons in their own peculiar lands and Woods lying within the precincts thereof do sufficiently manifest viz. to Raph de Limesi by Will. de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick to make a Park at Weford of his Wood called Ashehay in 17 E. 1. In 18 E. 1. to Raph Lord Basset to hunt in his Woods at Draiton In 21 E. 1. to Will. de Odingsells to hunt in the Woods and feilds of Weford Thickbrome and Hynts So also to Will. Mergâ—ill and Rob. de la Ward in their lands and Woods at Hynts c. And that this Chase was of high esteem with those great Earls who had here a very goodly Mannour House with fair Pools near unto it is evident as I shall now further manifest In 17 E. 1 the last recited Earl obtained a speciall Patent of the King that during his life he might have free libertie to follow and pursue such of his Deer as being hunted within this Chase fled into the Forest of Kanc and there to kill and bring them away without any disturbance of the said King's Verderers or other Officers of the Forest Nay the Earl was so tender in preserving his game that though he had given libertie to the Lord Basset for hunting in his own Woods at Draiton yet to the end it might appear that he excluded not himself he questioned the same Lord Basset for his Keepers over-boldness in those Woods So that Basset coming to an agreement with him it was concluded that from thenceforth his Forester for Draiton-woodâ— for the time being should make Oath to the said Earl and his heirs for his faithfull custodie of the Venison and to make Attachments and Presentments in the said Earl's Court at Sutton touching the same And that the Ranger to the said Earl and his heirs for the time being should oversee the Keepership of the Deer in those Woods at his own pleasure and make attachments for the same As also that the Earl should have the one half of all Amerciaments and recompence for Trespasses done to the Deer in those Woods to be received by his Baylâ—ff of Sutton Which Accord was made at Sutton on the Eve of Holy Rood day in the presence of Sir Iohn Clinton the younger Kt Thomas Prior of Canwell Anketill de L'isle Rob. de Scheldon Henr. de Mabely Will. de Lee Iohn Russell and others In 21 E. 1. there being a complaint made to the King by the before specified Earl that some misdemeanours had been committed by certain lewd persons in killing of Deer within this Chase a speciall Commission was directed to Roger Lord Strange to 〈…〉 punish them according to 〈…〉 And â—n 25 E. 1. Iohn Lord of Little 〈◊〉 came to an Accord with the before specified Earl for license to inclose his Woods at Little â—â—rre as also to improve them by assarting and for cutting of under-wood there they being within the bounds of this Chase for which libertie so granted he covenanted for himself and his heirs to pay yearly to the said Earl and his heirs six barbed Arrows on the Feast day of St. Michaell at his Mannour of Sutton I now come to the Mannour After the death of Thomas Earl of Warwick in 26 H. 3. it was inter alia assigned to Ela his Countess in dower and in 31 H. 3. upon the Agreement made betwixt Iohn de Plessets who had wedded Margerie Mareschall heir to the Earldome of Warwick as in Warwick is fully shewed and Will. Mauduit and Alice his wife Aunt and afterwards heir to the same Margerie it was accorded that the same Iohn de Plessets in case he survived his said wife should enjoy this inter alia during his naturall life But the Countess Ela was then living and a long time after for in 32 H. 3. Philip Marmiun Lord of Tamworth Castle brought an Assise against her for Common of pasture within this Lordship and in 36 H. 3. had a speciall Charter of Free warren granted to her for life in all her demeâ—n lands here as also in divers other Mannours of her dower After which viz. in 13 E. 1. VVill. de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick then Lord thereof claymed by Prescription a Court Leet here with Assize of Bread and Beer Free Chase Infangthef Tumbrell Thewe VVeyf and Gallows and it being found that he and his ancestors had excercised all these Liberties and Privileges time out of mind they were allowed To the last William succeeded Guy de Beauchamp in the Earldome of Warwick and possession of this Lordship who in 28 E. 1. obtained a Charter for a weekly Mercate here upon the Tuesday and a Faire yearly to begin on the Eve of the holy Trinity and to continue for three days following In the time of which Earl viz. in 35 E. 1. the K. having received information that the free Chase here at Sutton â— had been antiently a Forest sc. in the time of the King's progenitors before it came to the same Earl's Ancestors made Henry de Spigurnell and Will. de Mortimer Commissioners to enquire whether it were so or not and in case it should be found accordingly then to certifie when it was so disafforested by whom and for what reason as also how it past from the Crown And the Shiriff of this Countie and
words of the grant omnibus pertinentiis suis in bosco in plano totam illam partem nemoris sui quae est inter filum aquae de Ebroc filum aquae de Tame cum Insula de Wychesholme usque ad divisas de Erdinton cum pannagio omnibus libertatibus c. Which grant was confirm'd by William and Waleran both Earls of Warwick it being of their Fee as all the rest of Arden's lands were Some small parcells lying also here in Berwood did Thomas de Arden nephew to the said Hugh give likewise to those Canons Here was antiently a Chapell of our Ladie belonging to the said Canons which long since went to decay for in the beginning of H. 4. time upon an extent of what they had in this place there was certified to be onely a Hall with Chambers Buttry Bakehouse and all other necessarie rooms Concerning which Chapell I further find that Sir William de Ardey Knight gave to Robert sometime Abbot of Leicester and his successâ—rs one Mess. one Mill and a large proportion of land lying in Curdworth to find two Canons to celebrate divine service therein for the health of his soul and of the souls of his predecessors and heirs But this together with the Mannour of Berwood as also the Rectory of Curdworth appropriated to the before specified Canons was after the dissolution of the Abbies purchased from the Crown by Thomas Arden of Park Hall and Simon his younger son for the sum of CCLxxii l. x s. and to be held of the King his heirs and successors by the xx th part of a Knight's fee paying the yearly Rent of xxx s. iiii d. into the Exchequer Whereupon the next year following by virtue of a speciall Feoffment made by the above-mentioned Thomas and Simon the inheritance thereof became vested in William Arden eldest son to the said Thomas and the heirs male of his body Dunton THat the high situation of this place did originally occasion its name is plain enough Dun in our antient English signifying a Hill But till 36 H. 3. that Hugh de Mancestre of whose Family I shall speak in Mancestre had a Charter of Free-warren in all his demesn lands here together with those at Mancestre and Drakenege in this Countie I have not found any mentâ—on of it in Record Which Hugh was then possest of certain lands therein but not of the Capitall Messuage for 't is apparent that Philip Luvell in 41 H. 3. had the like grant of Free-warren from whom the Lords of this Mannour do derive their title This Philip is he â—f I mistake not who was one of the King's Clerks in 34 H. 3. being brought into his service by Sir Iohn Mansell his chief Councellor but Math. Paris gives him the Character of a crafty and deceitfull man making particular mention of his corrupt doings for which he was removed from his imployment and in disgrace yet was it not long ere he got into favour again by the intercession of Alexander King of Scotland the King's son in Law whose speech in his behalf our Historian doth relate and was made the King's Tresurer in which Office he continued till for abusing the great favours he had received sc. by wasting the King's Deer in his Forrests he was outed Which disgrace went so near to his Heart that he retired to his Benefice at Hamestable for he was a Clergie man and there died of grief the next year following whereof so soon as the King had notice he commanded all his possessions to be seized on till satisfaction should be made to his own content To whom succeeded Henry Lovell Clerke in the possession of this Lordship who required suit unto his Court here from the Abbot of Leicester for a certain yard land named Monks-field As also an Oath of Fealtie and other services whereupon the Canons of that House whilst the difference was thus depending past away their title therein unto William the son of Ankitell de Bracebrigge of Kingsbury of whom the said Henry required the like service but at the intercession of friends they came to this Agreement viz. that the said William and his heirs should pay unto them xx d. yearly Rent without any suit of Court or other service to the Lords of Dunton for the same After this ere long it appears that Raph de Gorges became Lord of this Mannour though by what title I have not seen who together with Ioane his wife in 22 E. 1. commenced suit against the said William de Bracebrigge concerning those lands before mentioned as also against Iohn Lovell of Tichmersh whereby they required the said Iohn to discharge them of such services as Amice the widow of Hugh de Strelly challenged of them for their estate in Dunton To which Action the said Iohn Lovell appeared but after the Declaration read he departed in contempt of the Court whereupon the Shiriff had command to distrain him and to compell his appearance again To this Raph de Gorges succeeded Hugh his son who obtained License from Guy de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick to inclose that place of Wood lying within this his Mannour of Dunton called Clapshaw and to make such a fence about it as that neither Hart Hinde Buck nor Doe no nor Goat might enter therein with this proviso that if it should not be sufficiently inclosed to keep out the Earls Deer belonging to the Chase of Sutton and that upon warning given by the Earls Bailiffs the same were not made good within xx days thereof that then it should be lawfull for the Earl to lay it open again And that if any of the said Earls Deer being driven by hunting did break into it that the said Earl or his Servants might pursue them into the said Park and there take and carry them away without doing wilfull hurt to any of the Deer belonging to the before specified Raufe And for the better finding of such hunted Deer that the Earls Hounds might likewise enter but no Bow to be brought in with them Which concession being about the 28 E. 1. as I guess for it hath no date was witnessed by Sir Bernard de Brus Sir Iohn de Clinton Sir Iohn de Beauchamp Sir Ric. de Whitacre and others But after this scil in 30 E. 1. the same Sir Raph de Gorges for it seemes he was then a Knight came to a farther Agreement with the said Earl both for cutting down his Woods in Dunton and making improvement of his Wast according to the Assize of the Chase viz. that he and his hâ—irs should have liberty to make a Ditch of three foot and a half large with a Hedge upon it not a foot and a half high in consideration whereof he and his heirs were yearly to pay to the said Earl his heirs or assigâ—eâ— at their Mannour House of Sutton a Soar Sparhawk or six
of Anne the wife of Sir Edward Boteler Kt. brought a Writ of Scire facias against the said Earl of Pembroke traversing that Inquisâ— whereby it was found that Thomas le Despenser had an estate in reversion therein after the death of Sibill the widow of the said Sir Hugh le Despenser but I do not find that he got any thing thereby I suppose that K. E. 4. upon the attainder of the said Iasper in the first year of his reign and for that disaffection that he bore unto young Henry Earl of Richmund son to the before specified Edmund who afterwards fled the Realme seized those Mannours into his hands for about seaven years after he gave them unto Richard Nevill Earl of Warwick after whose attainder whereof in Warwick I have spoke this Mannour was granted viz. 25 Martii 12 E. 4. to George Duke of Clarence for life without rendring any thing for the â—ame and afterwards scil 28 Iulii 14 E. 4. to him the said George and the heirs male of his body But within a short time it eschaeted again to the Crown by reason of his the said Duke's forfaiture so that in 18 E. 4. the King granted the Bailiwick of it to Thomas Boteler one of the Grooms of his Chamber Neither do I find that it was out of the said King's hands nor his successors till 5 H. 8. that Thomas Howard Earl of Surrey for that signall service done against the Scots at Flodden field obtained a Patent dated 1 Febr. whereby he had not only an advancement to the Dukedome of Norfolk but the inheritance of this Lordship with the advouson of the Church and divers more in sundry other Counties bestowed on him with a limitation to the heirs male of his body as also a speciall Augmentation to his Armes To which Duke succeeded Thomas Duke of Norff. his son and heir who by his Deed bearing date ult Nov. 20 H. 8. past a way the inheritance thereof together with Sheldon before mentioned unto Edm. Knightley Esq. and Eustace Kitteley Gent. to the use of Sir George Throkmorton Knight and his heirs From which Sir George it descended to Thomas his grandchild who by his Deed bearing date 16 Maii 2 Iac. in consideration of 1080 l. sold it to Edm. Hawes of Solihull Gent. and Humfrey Coles of the Middle Temple from whom it was purchased by Sam. Marrow of Berkswell Esq. who past it to Sir Ric. Greves of Moseley in Com. Wigorn Kt. Which Sir Richard sold it to Sir Sim. Archer of Tanworth Knight the present owner thereof The Church dedicated to S. Alphage was in an 1291 19 E. 1. valued at xxx marks over and above two marks which were yearly payd out of it to the Priory of Hertford of Limsie's Foundation as I have already shewed But in 26 H. 8. the value thereof over and above the said Pension of two marks per an to the Prior of Hertford xxii d. yearly Rent to the Chantrey here at Solihull and xi s. xd. paid annually to the Bishop and Archdeacon for Synodalls and Procurations was certified to be xxiiii l. xviiâ— s. iâ—ii d. Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. Rad. de Limesi Iohanna de Odingsels ux ejus ratione dotis ejusdem Iohannae Regin de Tykeham an 1286. D. Eustach le Poer Ela de Ordingsels ux ejus ................... D. Ioh. de Grey miles D. Rad. de Hengham Cler. an 1303. Quatuor fil heredes D. Ioh. de Odingsells D. Ioh. de Stanstede Pbr. an 1310. Will. de Bromwich Procurator D. Eust. le Poer Ioh. de Everdon Cler. an 1310. D. Alicia de Caunton domina de Pyriton Ioh. de Sandale subdiac 4 Cal. Nov. 1311. Ioh. de Hothum Elien Episc. Rob. de Beverlaco Pbr. 3 Non. Sept. 1319. Ioh. de Hothum Elien Episc. Will. de Stow Pbr. 5 Cal. Ian. 1329. Ioh. de Hothum fil Ioh. de Hothum mil. Tho. de Glaston Pbr. 10 Cal. Apr. 1336. Ioh. de Hothum fil Ioh. de Hothum mil. Galfr. Scroope Cler. 17 Cal. Dec. 1342. D. Anna le Despenser Ioh. Digg Pbr. 8 Id. Dec. 1362. D. Rad. de Ferrers D. Hug. le Spenser milites Ric. Birches Pbr. 5 Cal. Apr. 1371. Ioh. Trussell Dominus de Solihull jure Aliciae de Hothum ux suae Will. de Newhagh Cler. 6 Dec. 1375. Ioh. Trussell Dominus de Solihull jure Aliciae de Hothum ux suae D. Thom. de Baddeby 4 Febr. 1378. Ioh. Trussell Dominus de Solihull jure Aliciae de Hothum ux suae D. Will. de Newnham Pbr 21 Maii 1379. D. Hugo le Despenser miles Ioh. de Salford Pbr. ult Dec. 1384. D. Hugo le Despenser miles Ioh. Everingham Pbr. 5 Ian. 1394. D. Hugo le Despenser miles Tho. de Collum Cler. 20 Sept. 1399. D. Iac. Fenys Dominus de Say Sele miles Ric. Donyngton Pbr. 28 Martii 1449. Iasper Dux Bedf. Rob. Bryan Decr. Dr. 5 Nov. 1492. Dominus Rex Walter Walmer Clâ—r .... an 1508. Thomas Bleverhayset miles Thomas Bleverhayset 1 Maii 1527. D. Georgius Throkmorton miles Mr. Ioh. Fekenham alias Howman in S. theol Bac. 17 Martii 1544. Rob. Throkmorton de Coughton miles D. Thomas Barnes ult Aug. 1554. Rob. Throkmorton de Coughton miles Will. Hubawd Cler. 16 Iunii 1557. Rob. Throkmorton de Coughton miles Will. Barnes 15 Ian. 1558. Rob. Throkmorton de Coughton miles Magr. Ioh. Bavand Cler. 12 Sept 1560. Will. Bavand ex concess Rob. Throkmorton mil. Henr. Smyth 9 Iunii 1570. Monumentall Inscriptions in the Church Upon a plate of brasse fixt on a marble gravestone lying in the North I le Hic humatur cum parentibus Iohannes botiler olim causidicus Nonis Februarii mundo ademptus Cujus animam suscipiat alti thronus Anno domini MCCCCCxii Amen On an Alabaster stone whereon is the portraiture of a man in his gowne Here lieth the body of Henry Huggeford of Solihull gent. deceased the xiii th of November in the year of our Lork God 1592. To whom the Lord grant a joyfull resurrection Amen Upon a tablet fixed in the North wall of the Church are the portraitures of a man and his wife with 4 sons and 4 daughters and this Inscription 1610. William Hawes aet 80. Ursula Coles aet 76. Here William Hawes and Ursula his wife Their bodyes lye their soules with Christ in life Whose holy Spirit did so direct their wayes That in his Fear they lived to aged dayes In endlesse joy with Christ they now remain By whose blood all salvation do obtain Upon a marble tombe-stone in the body of the Church whereon are portraitures in brasse Of your charity pray for the soules of William Hill gent. and for Isabell and Agnes his wifes Which William deceased the vi day of December in the year of our Lord God MCCCCCxlix On whose soules
and heir of Sir Henry Ferrers and Margaret Hekstall his wife of East Peckham in the County of Kent Knight He died th xxix th day of August 1535. leaving issue Henry Edward George and Nicholas Here also lieth Dame Constance his wife daughter heir to Nicholas Brome Esquire of this Mannour of Badsley-Clinton who died the xxx th day of September 1551. Here also lieth Henry Ferrers their eldest son and heir who married Catherine one of the daughters and coheirs of Sir John Hampden of Hampden in the Countie of Buck. Knight He died Anno D. 1526. leaving issue Edward Ferrers married to Briget daughter to William Lord Windsor of Bradenham 1548 and died Anno Dom. 1564. Ecce hic in pulvere dormimus Hic nostrae residet gloria carnis Disce mori mundo Vivere disce Deo Hodiae nobis Other Monumentall Inscriptions Upon a stone in the midst of the Chancell Here lieth Henry Ferrers Esquire son and heir of Edward Ferrers and Briget Windsor his wife who was sometime Lord of this Mannour and married Jane one of the daughters and coheirs of Henry White son and heir of Sir Thomas White of South-Warnborn He died the x th day of October Anno Dom. 1633. of his age the 84 th leaving issue Edward Ferrers Upon another near the former Here lieth the body of Edward Ferrers Esquire son and heir of Henry Ferrers and Jane White his wife sometimes Lord of this Mannour who married Anne the eldest daughter of William Peto of Chesterton Esquire and Elianor Aston his wife who died March the xx â—h aged 65. Anno à pariente Virgine 1650. leaving issue onely Henry Ferrers Haec mihi lapidea marmorea posita est immo tibi qui hoc legis quisquis es vigila dum vigilas in rem tuam maturè propera horam scit nemo Vale. In the body of the Church Here lieth Anne the eldest daughter of William Peto of Chesterton Esquire and Elianor Aston his wife who was married to Edward Ferrers Esquire Lord of this Mannour of Badsley the xii th day of February Anno Dom. 1611. and died in child-birth the xii th day of September Anno 1618. aetatis suae 33. leaving issue onely Henry Ferrers Inscribed on the South side of the Chancell in stone Edward Ferrers Esquire son and heir of Henry Ferrers and Jane White his wife did new build and reediâ—ie this Chancell at his own proper costs and charges Anno Dom. 1634. Monuments and Monumentall Inscriptions now defaced which were taken notice of by Mr. Henry Ferrers in Queen Elizabeth's time In the Chancell upon a raised Monument Hic jacet Beatrix Brome vidua filia Radulfi Shirley militis quondam uxor Iohannis Brome de Badsley-Clintoâ— armigeri que obiit â— die mensis Iulit anno Domini MCCCClxxxiii cujus anime propitietur Deus Amen Vpon a Marble there whereon was a large Portraiture in Brasse of a man in armour Hic jacet Philippus Purefey armiger filius heres Willielmi Purefey de Shirford in Com. War armigeri qui obiit xviâ— die mensis Septembris anno Domini MCCCClxviâ— cujus anime propitietur Deus In this Chancell there is a large grave-stone whereon is a plaine Cross but no Inscription under it lyeth buried Dorothy sole daughter and heir of Thomas Marrow Sergeant at Law who was first married to Francis Cokeyne of Pooley in this County Esquire and afterwards to Sir Humfrey Ferrers of Tamworth-Castle Under a large marble lying within the Church dore at the very entrance whereupon hath been a faire portraiture in brasse of a man in armour lyeth buried Nicholas Brome sometime Lord of this Mannour And under the next stone lyeth Elizabeth one of his daughters wife to Thomas Hawe of Solihull Under another neare thereto lyeth Edward Brome son of the said Nicholas by Katherine Lampeck his second wife which Edward married Margery the daughter to Iohn Bâ—aufo of Emscote in this County Eâ—quire and dyed Anno 1531. 23 H. 8. Church-Bikenhill REturning now to the stream of Blithe I come next to Church-Bikenhill This containeth four other petty Hamlets viz. Hill-Bikenhill Midle-Bikenhill Kingsford Wavers-Merston Merston-Culy and Lindon of all which Turchill de Warwick was possest in the Conqueror's time but then they were reputed for no more than two Villages the one certified to contain two hides with Woods of four furlongs in length and as much in breadth having been the freehold of Aluuardus before the Norman invasion And the other likewise two hides the Woods belonging thereto being xii furlongs in length and six in breadth all which one Aluric enjoyed in Edw. the Confessor's days In Domesday-book they are both written Bichehelle but afterwards Bychenhulle and Bigenhull wherefore considering therewith the present manner of pronouncing the word I do conâ—clude that the name originally grew from the old English word Biggen which signifieth a Hall on Mannour-House the later syllable shewing that it stood upon an ascent as we see this town doth It should seem that a younger branch of Arden's Familie whereof the said Turchill was the root had that which is now called Church-Bikenhill assigned for his patrimonie for in the Deed made by Henry de Arderne Turchil's grandson and heir of certain lands for the dowrie of Leticia his wife he likewise grants unto her servitium Eustachii de Arderne de Bychenhulla which it appears that he held of him But I am of opinion that the descendants of this Eustace forsook the name of Ardern and in respect of their residence here assumed the name of Bikenhull for in 33 H. 2. and afterwards I find mention of Thomas de Bikenhulle with relation to this place and about the beginning of H. 3. time Alexander de Bykenhull which Alexander bound himself in the summe of â—v marks of silver unto Sir Hugh de Arden of Hampton Knight that he would neither sell or pawn any part of his lands without the consent of the said Sir Hugh and in 19 H. 3. was one of the Justices of Assize in this Countie After which scil in 23 E. 1. Alice de Langley of whom in Wolfhamcote I have spoke wrote her self Domina de Bygenhull perhaps she was widow unto the said Alexander and yet the same year did Thomas whom I conceive to be his son stile himself so likewise But the next possessor of it though how I find not was Walter Parles about the later end of E. 2. time To whom succeeded William Parles who in 1 E. 3. past away his title therein unto Sir Iohn Peche of Hampton in Arden Knight whose grandchild Sir Iohn Peche in 28 E. 3. obtained a Charter of Free warren in all his demesn lands here From which time for want of light I have not discovered any more thereof The Church dedicated to S. Peter though at the first Foundation of the Monasterie of Henwood it was united thereto continued not 〈◊〉 â—o thâ—se Nunns but was transmitted
means it is come to Iohn Mayne now of Elmedon Gentleman grandchild to the said Henry Merston-Culy IN King Edward the Confessor's time this place was possest by one Aluric who after the Norman Conquest sold it with the License of King William unto Robert de Oilgi Of which Robert Robert Venator held it at the time of the generall Survey it being then accounted for two hides having Woods which extended to four furlongs in length and one in breadth all valued at xx s. But from this time till King H. 3. reign that Hugh de Culi was owner thereof I have seen no more of it nor after that till 21 E. 3. that Sâ—r Fouk de Bermingham possest it as appears by a speciall License by him then granted unto one Ranulph Leyecroft to amortize two Mess. two yard land and xii s. Rent lying therein for the maintenance of a Priest to celebrate divine Service here every day in the Chapell of S. Leonard for the health of the soul of him the said Ranulph and of his Ancestors and all the faithfull deceased From which Ranulph who had a good proportion of lands here besides what he had so disposed of descended Robert Leecroft by whom in 22 R. 2. the whole Mannour was purchased from Thomas Roche and Eliz. his wife it being of her inheritance as daughter and heir unto Thomas de Bermingham To the descendants of which Robert it continued till H. 8. time that Anne the daughter and heir to William Lecroft of Colshill was wedded unto Iohn L'isle of Moxhull Esquire whose son and heir scil Nicholas Lâ—isle sold it in 25 H. 8. to Reginald Digby of Colshill Esquire in which line it still continues Lindon THat this Hamlet was originally so called from the situation thereof the name doth plainly manifest Lhin in the Brittish signifying a Lake or Pool and don in the Saxon a Hill for at the foot of an indifferent rising ground it standeth but the first mention I have found of it in any Record is in 34 H. 3. where it appears that Gunilda de Lynden brought an Assize of Novel disseisin against Walter de Bishopesdon and others for lands here yet is it no Mannour of it self but the lands of other Lordships reach into it whereof I shall not need to give instance Little Pakinton OF this place I find no mention in the Conqueror's Survey though it seems to have been part of the Earl of Mellent's possessions at that time for it appears that the antient Earls of Leicester were chief Lords of the Fee But certain it is that in King H. 1. time Robert de Ceraso possest it and after him Gilbert the son of Picot which Gilbert had issue William Picot unto whom Nicholas the son of Richard de Torpe released all his right therein that descended to him by inheâ—iâ—ance from the same Robert de Ceraso his grandfather This Gilbert Picot being a Knight had fair possessions in Leicestershire viz. Barow Segrave Glen c. And in 4 H. 3. was William â—icot his â—on one of the Justices for the Gaol-delivery at Warwick and Leicester both In which line of Picot it continued till about the middle of King H. 3. reign but then by daughters and heirs two parts divolved to Murdac and Ireys and the third to Nicholas Pikot which came shortly after to one Gilb. Petemon betwixt whom there grew suits for their interest here in 27 H. 3. But of these coparceners Sir Henry Murdac was the chief being Shiriff of this County and Leicestershire in 46 H. 3. and one of the Justices for the Gaol-delivery at Warwick in 56 H. 3. Which Sir Henry doing homage to Roger de Quency Earl of Winchester as Lord of the Honour of Leicester for the fourth part of a Knight's Fee that he and the other coheirs held of him here at Pakinton had authoritie given him by the said Earl to receive the homage of Thomas le â—reys and Agnes his wife as also of Nich. Pikot his fellow partners before spoken of at which time he gave to the same Earl xl s. of silver in the behalf of himself and them and his and their heirs to be released from attendance at the three weeks Court a Leicester making their appearances at hâ—â— Leet only To this Sir Henry succeeded Sir William Murdac Knight who bore for his Armes Bendè of ten pâ—â—ces Arg. and Gules and had issue Alice his daughter and heir wedded to Sir Thomas â—oyvile Knight unto whom she brought a fair inheritance of lands in Leicestershire Which Beyviles had their residence at Stokfaston in that Countie But wiâ—hin tâ—e câ—mpasse â—f that time as they had to do hâ—re they obtained one of the two other parts of this Lordshâ—p◠〈…〉 as it seems So that upâ—n the 〈…〉 three daughters and heirs of the last Iâ—hn viz. â—liz the wiâ—e o 〈…〉 Bury Hatley iâ— Com. Herâ—f abâ—â—t the laâ—â—r end 〈…〉 it unto Sâ—r Râ—bâ—rt Brâ—â—â—â—ll of Dene in Com. Northampt. Knight From whom deâ—cendâ—d Thomas Brudâ—elâ— Eâ—quâ—re afâ—erwardsâ— scil 3. Car. created Lord â—ruâ—â—ell a person much to be honoured for his great lâ—aâ—ning prudenceâ— and eminent knowledge in Anâ—â—quities who by his Deed of bargain and sale dated 19 Maii 4. Iac. past it unâ—o Sir Edward Brabazon then of Nether-Whitacre in this Câ—untie Knight whicâ— Sir Eâ—ward diâ—poâ—ed thereof to Siâ— Anthâ—â—y â—rabazon Knight his younger son tâ—e late â—wner thereof Touching that part whâ—ch Ireâ—s had I find that in 13 E. 3. Thomas le â—â—eys passed iâ— awayâ— by the name lâ—kewise of the Mannour of Pakinton-Pigot to Philip de Aâ—leston and 〈…〉 and the heâ—rs of their two 〈◊〉 but for lack of such issue to return unto the râ—gâ—t â—eirs of the said Thomas which makeâ— me 〈◊〉 that the said Kaâ—â—eâ—â—ne was his daughter Aâ—â—er this â—iz in 50 〈…〉 of whom in Maxstoke I shall speak puâ—câ—ased oâ—e third part 〈…〉 Mâ—nnâ—ur 〈…〉 and Ioane his wiâ—e but 〈…〉 were that which Philip de 〈◊〉 above 〈…〉 the othâ—r formâ—râ—y belongiâ—g to Gâ—lbert 〈◊〉 I cannot well discâ—ver Which third part continued to his posteâ—ity tiâ—l the beginniâ—g of H. 7. time though how much longâ—r I know not for in 20 H. 7. Iohn Creâ— Vicount L'isle was found tâ— dye sâ—â—zed 〈◊〉 â— by the name likewise of the Mannâ—ur of Pakinton-Pâ—got which from him divolved to â—homas Mâ—rquess Dorsâ—t his Unclâ—'s son and so consequently to Henry Duke of Suff. After whose attainder in 1 Mariae whereof in Astley I have spoke it eschaeted to the Crown and continued therein till Queen Elizabeth in the second year of her reign granted it to Edward Earl of Lincolne lâ—neaâ—l heir to the Clintons before specified which Earl sold â—t to one Sampson Baker Gentleman 30 Oct. 15 Eliz. who died seized thereof in 26 Eliz.
leaving Iohn Baker his brother and heir L. years of age Which Iohn together with Humphrey Baker then residing at the Charter-House neer Coventre by their Deed bearing date 29 Ian. 33 Eliz. aliened it unto Robert Brudnell of Duddington in Com. Hunt Esquire whose son and heir Thomas now Lord Brudnell past it away together with that other Mannour formerly Boyvile's and by the same Deed unto Sir Edward Brabazon by which means it came to Sir Anthony his younger son before specified There was antiently an Hermitage within the precincts of this Lordship situate neer to the borders of Maxstoke the place bearing that name to this day built by one Hemeric Parson of this Parish in the time of Robert de Ceraso Lord of the Mannour before spoken of and together with the Church of Pakinton given by Gislebert Picot to the Monks of Worcester for the health of his soul as also of his Ancestors and successors in pure Almes which gift William Picot his son confirmed with addition of a large proportion of land lying neer thereto exprest by metes and bounds over and above what his Father before him had granted with it In consideration whereof he received from the said Monks four marks of silver and two bâ—sants of Gold which gâ—ants were confirm'd by Pope Innocent the third 4. Id. Febr. in the 4 th year of Kâ—ng Iâ—hn's reign Some other concessions there were to this Heremitage by ordinarie persons but for brevity I omit them All which lands upon the dissolution of the Monasteries by King H. 8. were in 33. of his reign granted inter alia to the Dean and Chapter of Worcester unto whom they still continue Anno scil 1640. But after the Church was so given to the Monks of Worcester by the said Sir Gilbert Picot and confirm'd by Walter Durdent Bishop of Coventre there grew a dfference betwixt those Monks and the said Gilbert concerning the rights due thereto in so much as they went to suit with him about it howbeit at length they came to a friendly agreement whereupon the same Gilbert was for himself and all his Tenants to pay Tithe Hay and to allow them xii loads of Wood yearly by the oversight of his Woodward as also an habitation for the Priest there officiating and timber with six forâ—s for the building of it and likewise for sustainâ—ng it always in repair together with half an acre of Land and trouse out of his Woods for the continuall fencing thereof In Anno 1291. 19 E. 1. the value of this Church was certified at one Mark but in 26 H. 8. at iii li. over and above iii s. x d. allowed for payment of Procuratioâ—s and Synodals having at that time an annuall Pension of x s. payable by the Prior of Maxstoke Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. Prior Capitulum Eccl. Cath. Wigorn. Ioh. de Albodesle 15. Cal. Dec. 1339. Prior Capitulum Eccl. Cath. Wigorn. Thomas Wray Cler. 3. Id. Nov. 1349. Prior Capitulum Eccl. Cath. Wigorn. Ioh. de Pakinton Cap. 13. Cal. Martii 1351. Prior Capitulum Eccl. Cath. Wigorn. Ioh. Clerk in prima tonsura constitutus 25. Febr. 1397. D. Episc. per lapsum Rad. Worston Pbr. 22. Oct. 1433. Prior Cap. Wigorn Ioh. Rogers Pbr. 6. Decemb. 1442. D. Episc. per lapsum Ioh. Ansteley Pbr. 18. Aug. 1447. Prior Cap. Wigorn Ioh. Wykkyns Pbr. 4. Apr. 1493. Prior Cap. Wigorn D. Râ—c Iorden Cap. 24. Maii 1537. Prior Cap. Wigorn D. Leonardus West Cap. .... 1538. Decan Cap. Wigorn Will. Clarke Cler. 22. Iunii 1566. Decan Cap. Wigorn Georgius Field Cler. 28. Martii 1573. Eliz. Regina per lapsum Ioh. White Cler. 22. Maii 1596. Decan Cap. Wigorn Rob. Greeneough in Aâ—t Magr. 16. Martii 1618. Decan Cap. Wigorn Henr Banks Leg. Bac. 5. Martii 1628. Berkswell THis lying on the other side of Blithe containeth Barston and Morecote-Hall within its parish Before the Norman invasiâ—n one Levenet was owner thereof but upon the Conquest by Duke William it with other vast possessions were conferred upon Robert Earl of Mellent in whose hands they continued till after the generall Survey in which this was rated but for one hide and valued at no more than v s. the reason whereof I conceive to be because the substance of it was then involved with Barston In Domesday book it is written Berchewelle having first had that denomination as I guess from the large Spring which boâ—leth up on the South side of the Church-yard Of those lands belonging to the Earl of Mellent which Henry de Newburgh his brother who obâ—â—ineâ— the Earldome of Warwick had this of Berkswell being part was by him given to Ranulf de Manâ—eville in King H. 1. time as may easily â—e gathered from what I have observed in Lighthorne To which Ranulf succeeded Nigel de Amundevile who in 12 H. 2. was certâ—fied to hold one Knight's fee of the Earl of Warwick de veteri feoffamento which Knight's fee is after manifested to â—ye here and in Lighthorne This Nigel had his â—eat here as I guess for it appears that he had then a Park at this place and that Oliva his wife had the whole Lordship in dower but all that I have observed of him worthy the recitall is that he gave to the Canons of Kenilworth for their fâ—well as much dead wood in his Woods here at Berkswell excepting onely his Park and that called Bernet as two Carts throughout the year Winter and Summer could carry and that because it was his wives dowâ—ie as I have said she had a Palfrey and xl s. in money for her consent To this Nigell succeeded Richard de Mundevill who in 13 H. 3. was suretie for the payment of xx li. for Thomas Earl of Warwick being part of C li. due to the King for his Relief After which he had many publique and eminent imployments in this Countie for in 21 H. 3. I find him one of the Commissioners for assessing a xxxth part of all mens goods for the King's behoof In 20 21. and 22 H. 3. a Justice of Assize In 26 H. 3. in Commission with the Shiriff and Iohn Durvassall for assessing of Armes and conservation of the Peace From 27. till 34 H. 3. a Commissioner for the Gaol-deliverie at Warwick and in 34 H. 3. a Knight After which viz. in 37 H. 3. he had a Charter of Free warren extending to all his demesn lands both here and in Lithtehirne and the same year received an exemption for serving on Juries whence I conclude that he was then grown old And therefore because his son and heir was also called Richard I will now begin to speak of him whose publique Actions were no lesse eminent than his Fathers had been In 41 H. 3. he attended Richard
xviii s. vi d. over and above ix s. vi d. per an allowed for Procurations and Synodalls Of the Vicars here I find that they have antiently been the Rurall-Deanes for this part of the Countrie I mean the Deanrie of Arden containing the Hundred of Hemlingford wherein my present discourse lies Which order of Rurall-Deans was constituted by the Bishop or Arch-Bishop as the learned Spelman observes for the better regulating of Ecclesiasticall affairs concerning whom in a Councell held at London an 1237 21 H. 3. by Otho the Pope's Legate there is this Canon Quod in quodam Concilio statutum invenimus approbantes statuimus ut per quoslibet Decanatus prudentes viri fideles constituantur per Episcopum Confessores quibus Personae minores Clerici confiteri valeant qui Decanis erubescunt confiteri forsitan verentur In Ecclesiis verò Cathedralibus Confessores institui praecipimus generales All that I have farther to observe of this place is that in 4 E. 6. the tall and beautifull Steeple here suffered much hurt by Lightning and Thunder which crackt the West side of the Tower and shattered the upper-part of the Spire for repairing whereof though the Inhabitants sold one of their Bells yet did they shorten it xv foot at the least Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. Priorissa Conv. S. Trin. de Bosco juxta Merkyate Henr. de Waleshale Cap. an 1285. Priorissa Conv. S. Trin. de Bosco juxta Merkyate Alanus de Pollesworth Pb. die Lune post fest transl S. Th. Mart. 1300 Priorissa Conv. S. Trin. de Bosco juxta Merkyate D. Galsr. de Neunham Pb. 7 Cal. Nov. 1320. Priorissa Conv. S. Trin. de Bosco juxta Merkyate Adam de Whitington Pb. 3 Non. Aug. 1350. Priorissa Conv. S. Trin. de Bosco juxta Merkyate Will. de Attleberwe Non. Dec. 1353. Priorissa Conv. S. Trin. de Bosco juxta Merkyate Hugo de Lyndon Pbr. 4. Cal. Aug. 1377. Priorissa Conv. S. Trin. de Bosco juxta Merkyate D. Rob. Cheyne Pbr. 19. Dec. 1396. Priorissa Conv. S. Trin. de Bosco juxta Merkyate Ioh. Wellysed Pbr. 6. Sept. 1441. Priorissa Conv. S. Trin. de Bosco juxta Merkyate Will. Wodehouse Pbr. 4. Aug. 1447. Priorissa Conv. S. Trin. de Bosco juxta Merkyate Will. Abell Cap. 18. Oct. 1455. Priorissa Conv. S. Trin. de Bosco juxta Merkyate Ric. Eliot 15 Iulii 1500. Priorissa Conv. S. Trin. de Bosco juxta Merkyate Mr. Tho. Barker in Decr. bac 6. Apr. 1504. Priorissa Conv. S. Trin. de Bosco juxta Merkyate D. Thomas Mathew Cap. 18 Dec. 1515. Thom. Pye ex consess Pr. C. de Bosco Humfr. Ryddyll D. Ioh. Fenton Cap. 6. Nov. 1538. Thom. Pye ex consess Pr. C. de Bosco Humfr. Ryddyll Simon Digby postea deprivatus 4. Sept. 1566. Ioh. Nevill Rad. Foxe Cler. 23. Iunii 1574. Episc. Cov. Lich. ratione lapsus Rob. Petipher in art Magr. 5 Iulii 1627. Monumentall Inscriptions in the Chancell Hic jacet Dominus Willielmus Abel quondam vicarius istius Ecclesie qui quidem Dominus Willielmus obiit xviii die mensis Maii anno Domini MD. Cujus anime propitietur Deus Amen Here lyeth the body of Sir Iohn Fenton Prest Bachelour of Law sometime Uicar of this Church and Officiall of Coventre who decessed the xvii day of May 1566. Whose soule Ihesus pardon Amen Monumentall Inscriptions in the Church Of your charite pray for the soullis of Grace Strelly aud Iohn hyr sonne Whych Iohn discessyde the xx day of Iune in the year of our Lord MDxi on whos soullys Iesu have mercy Prey for the sol ✚ of Simond Digbe Of your charite pray for the soules of Homfrey Grevill Gentilman and Katherine his wiffe the whiche decessed the day .... of Ianuary the yeare of our Lord MCCCCCxxxiii Here lyeth Isabell Ryddel late the Wife of Humfrey Ryddel Baylie of Colshil the only daughter of Edmund Parker of Hartshill Which Isabel dyed the xxixth day of October the yere of our Lord God MCCCCClxvi whose soul Iesu pardon Amen Here lyeth the bodyes of William Riddel of Blythâ— hall and Ione hys Wife the which William departed this life the last day of August in the yeare of our Lord God MDlviii And the said Ione dyed the xix of August in the yeare of our Lord God MDlvi whose soules Iesu pardon 14. Novembris A. D. 1629 aetatis suae 42. Here resteth the body of Iane late wife of Simon Blyth Gent. who had issue one sonne and 4. daughters whose soule rejoyceth with the Lord. Quam conjux suus amantissimus sic piè deflevit Te faustum non me miserum fleo proh mihi natis Absis Chara conjux religiosa parens Kingshurst THis place did antiently belong to the Mountforts before they were Lords of Colshill for it appears that Peter de Mountfort of Beldesert had it in Edw. 3. time and in 41 of that K's reign by his Testament bequeathed unto Richard his younger son all his goods both moveable and unmoveable there which Richard dwelt here and after his death Roese his widow enfeoft Iohn de Catesby therein who wedded her grandchild as in Lapworth is manifested But Sir Baldw. Mountfort grandchild to the said Peter by Iohn his eldest son getting into possession resided long upon it and so did Sir Will. son and heir to Sir Baldwin as may seem by the License he obtaiin 14 R. 2. from Ric. Scroope Bishop of Cov. and Lich. to have divine Service celebrated in his Chapell here yet at length Iohn de Catesby before-specified brought an Assize of Novel disseisin against the said Sir William but upon the triall lost it So that the said Sir William having thus establisht his title inclosed it laying much of his demesn lands parcell of the Mannour of Colshill thereunto and afterwards gave it unto Sir Edm. Mountfort Kt. his son by a second wife which Sir Edmund made the Parke in 26 H. 6. and resided much here But after him Sir Sim. Mountfort his nephew died seized thereof whose grandchild Simon also dwelt upon it and so did Francis his son betwixt whom and George Digby of Colshull Esq. afterwards Kt. there were great suits for it Which George layd claim thereâ—o as a member of Colshill and so consequently his right by virtue of K. H. 7. grant made to his Ancestor of that Mannour â—s hath been already said So that after much expence of money therein the said Francis was glad to come to an Agreement with him in respect that part of the lands belonging theâ—eto and lying without the Park did not so clearly appear to be parcell of Kingshurst as the other did and gave him a thousand pounds to quit his title and afterwards Sir Edw. Mountfort Kt. grandchild to the said Francis for further confirmation thereof
unto Robert and Edmund Wyethe of Loughborough in Com. Leic. Gentilmen Which Robert and Edmund in 5 H. 8. for the summe of xlviii li. granted it to Iâ—hn Rampton of Atherston Yeoman of whom George Wightman of Elmesthorpe in Com. Leic. Gentilman having purchased it in 1 Eliz. past it in mortgage unto William Glover Citizen and Dyer of London in 34. of the said Queen's reign who in 43. Eliz. obtained a Release from Tho. Wightman of Burbage Gentilman son and heir to the said George of all his right and title therein To which Will. Glover afterwards a Knight and Alderman of London succeeded Sir Thomas Glover of Wilsdon in Com. Midd. Knight his son and heir who together with the Lady Anne his mother sold it in 6 Iac. unto Iames Wightman of Brackman in the said Countie of Leicester which Iames in 10 Iac. past it unto George Ludford of Ansley Gent. descended from the before specified Iohn Ludford who left issue George now owner thereof The Church dedicated to S. Laurence being given to the Nuns of Polesworth in King Iohn's time by VVilliam de Hardredeshull son of Robert and grandchild to Hugh was appropriated to them shortly after and thereupon an assignation made of what the perpetuall Vicar should have for his paines in serving the Cure which being found too little and complaint made to the Bishop there was an augmentation thereof by vertue of a Provinciall Constitution which the Archbishop of Canterbury and the rest of the Bishops within his Province had made to that purpose viz. that whereas the small Tithes and Obventions pertaining to the Altar were valued but at L s. and the Tithe-corn at xxiv marks the Vicar and his successors should thenceforth have the fift sheaf of the Tithe-Corn throughout the whole Parish to be delivered out of the Tithe-Barn belonging to the said Nunns after it should be gathered in by them at their charge This was done by M â— Simon de Balidon Officiall to the B â— of Cov. and Lich. and by authority from the said Bp. on Friday next after the Feast of S. Dennis an 1275. 3 E. 1. In an 1291. 19 E. 1. the Rectorie here was valued at vi marks and the Vicaridge at half a mark but in 26 H. 8. the same Vicaridge was rated at vi li. vi s. viii d. over and above ii s. iv d. allowed for Procurations and Synodalls Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. Abbatissa Conv. de Polesworth Rog. de Eton. Cap. Dominus Nicholaus Abbatissa Conv. de Polesworth D. Rad. de Thamworth Cap. an 1248. Abbatissa Conv. de Polesworth Ioh. fil Ric. de Pollesworth 10 Cal. Martii 1315. D. Philippus de Somervile hac vice Ioh. de VVarton Cap. 3. Cal. Oct. 1349. Abb. Conv. de Pollesworth Henr. Pynson Pbr. 19. Ian. 1430. Abb. Conv. de Pollesworth VVill. Hamond 3. Dec. 1440. Abb. Conv. de Pollesworth VValt Seyrton Pbr. 11. Martii 1444. Tho. Cope de Polesw ratione conces Abb. C. de Polesw D. Edw. Bower 20. Iunii 1543. Philippus M. Rex Regina Thom. Wylson Cler. 7. Nov. 1554. Philippus M. Rex Regina Henr. Hondys Cler. 15. Iulii 1557. Elizabetha Angliae Regina Rob. Coope Cler. 12. Iulii 1561. postea deprivatus Elizabetha Angliae Regina Thom. Arnefeild Cler. 27. Iulii 1574. Elizabetha Angliae Regina Rob. Cope 2. Martii 1575. Elizabetha Angliae Regina Will. Foxe Cler. 22. Dec. 1591. Elizabetha Angliae Regina Iac. Bush Cler. 10. Iunii 1600. Ric. Chamberlain arm Franc. Bacon art Magr. 13. Sept. 1625. Upon a plate of Brass fixed on a Marble grave-stone in this Church Orate pro animabus Iohanne que fuit uxor Roberti Palmer nuper de Stoni-Stanton gentilman unius sororum Willielmi Bret nuper de Ansteley gentilman ac pro animabus Iohannis Elizabeth liberorum dicti Roberti Iohanne que quidem Iohanna obiit ultimo die mensis Octobris anno domini Millesimo CCClxxx quorum animabus propitiotur Deus Amen Nec non pro bono statu cuiusdam Roberti Willielmi Ricardi Henrici Iohanne Iocose Margarete filiorum filiarum predictorum Roberti Iohanne In a window on the North side of the Church is this Inscription Orate pro bono statu Iohannis Ludford Alicie vxoris Bret's-Hall IN this Parish there is a place though but of mean consideration yet noted in the common Maps by the name of Bret's-Hall from a Family of that name sometime owners thereof Of which the first as I thinke was William unto whom Will. de Hardreshull Lord of Ansley in H. 3. time gave certain lands here From Which William descended another William unto whom the Bishop of this Dioces in 34 E. 3. granted license to have divine Service celebrated for the space of two years in a private Oratorie here But from these Brets who possest it till the beginning of H. 4. time which is above two hundred years it came to Nicholas Palmer of Stanton in Com. Leic. and by the daughters and coheirs of William Palmer to ....... Harecourt and William Pouchin Which William Pouchin in 37 H. 8. past away his interest to Iohn Purefey it being then reputed a Mannour Whereupon in 14 Eliz. partition was made betwixt the said Iohn and George Harecourt To which Iohn Purefey succeeded Michaell who sold his part thereof unto Iohn White of Busby in Leicestershire Monwode THis lying on the West side of Ansley and in the same Parish had heretofore the reputation of a Mannour for by that name did Sir Iohn de Hardreshull call it in 39 E. 3. at which time he setled it with Ansley and Hardreshull in the hands of certain Feoffees and so by Records of later time hath it often been termed But as it was originally a member of Ansley so is it now deemed to be no part that I know retaining the name but a piece of Wast-ground lying on the utmost skirt thereof called Monwode-Lee Whitacre superior LOwer on the Northern side of Bourne lyes Whitacre superior and adjoyning to it Whitacre inferior which though they now are and have long been distinct Lordships and Parishes were not originally so In the Conqueror's time severall persons were interessed here Turchill de Warwick had two hides excepting one virgate the Woods belonging whereto extended to one mile in length and half as much in breadth all which being then held of him by one Edwinus was valued at x s. and in Edward the Confessor's days appertained to two Ulrics Half a hide had Hugh Grentemaisnill then held of him by one Walter and valued at ii s. which before the Conquest had been the freehold of one Baldvine And three virgates had Robert de Veci held at that time of him by one Robert and rated at ii s. which
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
to the moytie thereof As for the other moytie I cannot clearly see when or how it past from the said Robert Marmion and Isabell but the next mention I find thereof is in 5 Edw. 3. where it appears to have been entailed by Richard the son of Simon de Whitacre and Amabil his wife on the heirs of their two bodyes lawfully begotten and for default of such issue on the heirs of Sir Richard de Whitacre Knight Which Lord Basset after he had thus gained an interest in this Lordship gave xx li. of Land and Rent lying herein for the endowment of a Chantrie consistâ—ng of three Priests founded by him in the Church of Draiton-Basset as appears by the King's license in 12 Edw. 3. as also of the like License from Sir Baldwin Frevill then superior Lord of the Fee and in 14 Edw. 3. past away all the residue thereof to William de Clinton Earl of Huntindon and his heirs which Earl by his Deed bearing date at Maxstoke the Tuesday next after the translation of S. Thomas the Martyr in 16 Edw. 3. granted away the same in exchange unto Richard de Whitacre and Amabil his wife and their heirs in lieu of their other moytie of their Mannour of Pericroft But from hence for a while I cannot well discern how the succession thereof went howbeit by a Fine levied in 38 Edw. 3. betwixt Sir Fouk de Bermingham Knight Plantiff and Iohn Waryn of Burton Stather in Com. Linc. and Hulma his wife deforc it appeares that the said Iohn and Hulma granted two Messuages and two yard land xvi acres of Pasture and the moytie of one Mess. lying here and in Halughton with the third part of this Mannour and the third part of the Mannour of Pericroft which were the dowrie of the said Hulma unto the same Sir Fouk and his heirs From whom as it seems it descended to Edmund Lord Ferrers of Chartley and George Longville of Little Billington in Com. Northampâ— For in 10 H. 6. the said Edmund and George were certified to be Lords of the whole the residue divolving to them by Isabell the daughter and heir of Iohn de Whitacre and Amice his wife as the Pedegree here inserted and that in Bermingham do shew Steph. fil Radulphi Will fil Radulphi 12 H. 2. Muriel Rad. fil Radulphi 3 Ioh. Limota ux Hug. de Tuâ—villa Nich. fil Raduphi miles 29 H. 3. Egidius filius Radulfi Isabella filia haeres Rob. Marmion miles 13 E. 1. Eustach de Hardreshull Amâ—cia filia haeres Ioh. de Whitacre defunctus 3 E. 3. Isabella filia haeres relicta 9 R. 2. Thomas de Bermingham miles Elizabetha filia haeres Thomas de la Roche Elena ux Edm. Ferreâ—s de Chartley 2 H. 6. Eliz. ux Georgii Longvâ—ll ar Rob. fil Radulphi Of these Longvill's moytie was sold by Arthur Longvill Esquire descended from the before specified George in 34 Hen. 8. to Iohn Cheyney of Chesham-waterside in Com. Buck. Eâ—quire And the other moytie coming by a daughter and heir of Ferrers to Devereux as the Descent in Bromwich sheweth was purchased from Walter Devereux Vic. Hereford Lord Ferrers of Chartley by Edmund Skirning of Erdbury in this County Esquire in 12 Eliz. Which Edmund in 18 Eliz. sold the same to Henry Cheyney son and heir to the before specified Iohn The whole Mannour being thus totally in the said Henry Cheyney was by him conveyed the next year following to Iohn Puresey Gentleman who by his Deed bearing date 24. Febr. 25 Eliz. past it to Laurence Washington of Gray's-Inne in the Countie of Middlesex Gentleman Which Laurence in 31 Eliz. sold it to George Villers of Brokesby in Com. Leic. Esquire from whom about the 40 th of the same Queens reign Sir Edward Brabazon Knight purchased it whose son and heir William Earl of Methe in Ireland 15 Aug. 6 Car. sold it to Sir Iohn King and Sir Robert King his son and heir both Knights which Sir Robert now enjoys it The Church dedicated to S. Giles antiently given and appropriated to the Nunns of Mergate as Lea and Over-Whitacre were was reputed for a Chapell belonging to Colshill But in 32 H. 3. Sir Nicholas Fitz-Raphe then Lord of this Mannour chalenged a title of presenting thereto it being then void and to that end directed his Caveat to the Bishop that he should admit no other Clerk than his In which Church there was never any Vicar endowed but the Nuns of Mergate receiving all the Tithes have provided a Stipendiary to serve the Cure Shustoke ON the other side of Bourne lyes Shustoke which by the Conqueror's Survey is certified to contain four hides having Woods extending to a mile in length and half so much in breadth and valued at xl s. It was then possessed by Geffrey de Wirce of whom in Monks-kirby I have spoke and held of him by one Soâ—us by reason whereof it had the name of Sotus stoke or Sotestoke for so I have seen it antiently written though in that Survey above mentioned it be Scotescote But as the rest of the said Geffrey Wirce his lands came to Nigel de Arbani progenitor to the Family of Moubray so did this Lordship and from Moubray was granted to the Ancestour of Walter de Camvill together with Bentley to hold by the service of one Knight's Fee as may be cleerly inferred from sundry Records being one of those nine Knight's Fees whereof the said Walter in 12 H. 2. certified that his said Ancestour had been so enfeoffed in H. 1. time To which Walter succeeded Roger de Camvill who in 12 Ioh. gave a Fine of xxx marks that it might be certified by Inquisition whether he held those two Knight's Fees and a fouâ—th part of the King for which he had summons to go beyond Sea in the King's seâ—vice or not This Roger gave a Rent of viii s. issuing out of certain lands lying in this Lordship unto the Nuns of Henwood for the health of his Father's Mothers and Ancestours souls and dying without issue left this Mannour with Bentley before specified as also Creke and other fair possessions in Northamptonshire to be divided betwixt his three Sisters and heirs viz. Alice wedded to Robert de Esseby Maud to Thomas de Estley Lord of Astley in this Countie and Petronill to Richard Curson as the Descent in Arrow sheweth Of which lands Robert de Esseby had this Mannour inter alia Whereupon by inheritance from the said Robert and Alice it came at length to William de Esseby who about the 52. of H. 3. being convicted of Felony scil for killing a man maliciously in the Priory of Catesby forfaited all so that this Lordship eschaeting by that means to the Lord Moubray of whom it was held was in 9 E. 2. possest by Iohn de Moubray But long he enjoyed it
the same for that purpose By the Survey made in 26 H. 8. I find that the Priest weekly celebrating divine Service here had a stipend of Liii s. iv d. per annum payd by the Canons of Maxstoke but this was in lieu of the Mill in Shustoke which they had for of the Tenement and half yard land lying in Bentley it doth not appear by that Survey that they were possest Patroni Incumbentes Rad. fil Nicholai ratione custodiae terrae haeredis VVill. de Asseby VValt de Stretton temp H. 3. Nich. de Astley miles Rob. Morlanges ..... 1311. D. Ioh. de Moubray D. Rob. Ireland Cap. 3. Id. Febr. 1331. post mortem Rad. de Oulmor Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ioh. VVillie Cler. 10. Cal. Ian. 1347. Arms in the East window of this Chapell Azure a Cinquefoile Ermine Astley Argent three Eaglets gâ—les L'isle of Moxhull Blithe THis being originally a member of Shustoke and involved therewith in the Conqueror's Survey came to Nigel de Albani out of doubt with Shustoke and by the said Nigel as I guess was disposed of in H. 1. time unto the Ancestor of that Family whose seat being at Th'ester-waver now called Cester-Over assumed that place viz. VVaver for his sirname and to fortifie this conjecture I have these evincing circumstamces whereof wanting better light at so great a distance I presume to make use scil the Tenure thereof from the descendants of the before specified Nigel who took the name of Moubray and that VVilliam a younger son of VVilliam de VVaver seding here in King Iohn's time had his sirname from hence his posteritie bearing the same Coat as VVaver did viz. Argent on a Fesse sable three Escalops Or as by a Pedegree drawn about the beginning of King H. 7. time appeareth Rog. de Blithe 50 H. 3. Will. de Blithe 30 E. 1. Rog. de Blithe 16 E. 3. Will. de Blithe 28 E. 3. Thomas de Blithe Escaetor D. Regis infra Com. Warw. 9 R. 2. Thomas de Blithe 2 H. 4. Margareta una filiarum cohaer ux Will. Bishbury de Bishbury in Com. Staff ar 4 H. 6. Ric. Bishbury Roesia filia haeres ux Ioh. Cleyton de Harwood parva in Com. Lanc. gen relicta 36 H. 8. Roesia filia cohaeres ux Ioh. Grosvenour de Tetnall in Com. Staff .... ux Will Leveson Ioh. Leveson de Bishbury gen 4 Eliz. Alicia altera filiarum cohaer ux Gerardi Râ—ngley de Tubington in Com. Staff Edm. Ringley Barbara filia haeres ux Ric. Lawley 37 H. 8. To which VVilliam de Blithe succeeded Roger who in 50 H. 3. was amongst other persons of good note of the Jury for extending the lands of those in this Hundred that had taken part with the rebellious Barons then newly vanquisht in the battail of Evesham From which Roger I have here drawn the Descent of this Familie so long as the male line that continued possessors hereof lasted and through the heire female till they past away their interest here to the end that its successive owners may the more perspicuously be discoveredâ— By which it appeareth that by the coheirs of Thomas de Blithe in H. 6. time it came to Bishbury and Ringley who making no division of it their posterity became Tenants in common thereto But long they kept it not for in 37 H. 8. did Reginald Bellers purchase that moitie belonging to Richard Lawley and Barbara his wife and in 13 Eliz. the other moytie from Iohn Leveson of Bishbury cosin and heir to Rose the Widow of Iohn de Cleyton as the Pedegree sheweth So that then being possest of the whole by his Deed bearing date 6. Iulii 21 Eliz. he conferred the inheritance thereof upon William his second son which William reserving an estate therein for himself and his wife during their lives sold the reversion to Sir Edward Aston of Tixhall in Com. Staff Knight who by his lâ—st Wilâ— and Testament disposed thereof unto Henry Skipwith of Tugby in Com. Leic. Gent. and Iane his wife and the heirs of their two bodies the said Iane having been his Concubine But of them did Sir Walter Aston Knight of the Bath son and heir to the said Sir Edward purchase it again in 5 Iac. Which Sir Walter afterwards Lord Aston of Forfare in Scotland by his Deed of bargain and sale dated 14. Nov. 1 Car. conveyed it unto the William Dugdale it being the place of my residence and where I compiled this present Work Ousthirne ON the skirts of Shustoke-parish is the confluence of severall Rivers viz. Blithe and Cole Tame and Blithe as also of Tame and Bourne as the Map sheweth in pursuance therefore of my methode I must passe over to the Western bank of Tame whereâ—â— first behold Ousthirne sometime a Grange belonging to Merevale Abby and for that respect still reputed a member thereof but originally the greatest part of it did belong to Shustoke being first given to the Monks of Merevale as I guess by Walter de Camvile in H. 2. timeâ— for at that time was the said Walter Lord of Shustoke as I have shewed and that he gave lanes to that Monasterie King H. the second 's confirmation doth manifest though the particular names thereof are not there exprest But upon the dissolution of Merevale this Grange coming to the Crown was granted with the site of that Monasterie unto Sir Walter Devereux Knight Lord Ferrers of Chartley and by him given as it seems to Sir Edward Devereux Knight and Baronet his son by a second wife whose son and heir Sir Walter hath within these few years sold the site thereof and most of the lands thereto belonging unto Charles Adderley Esquire now Knight Lord of Lea hard by Lea. OF this place there is no mention in the Conqueror's Survey it being then involved with Whitacre of which Constablerie it is till this day and so consequently possest therewith by the Marmions Lords of Tamworth-Castle From one of those Marmions as it seems was the Ancestor of Iames de la Launde enfeoft thereof which Iames lived in H. 3. time and in 37. of that King's reign had a Charter of Free warren in all his demesn lands here From this Iames descended Iohn de la Launde as the Pedegree in Langdon sheweth who manifesting that his Ancestors had enjoyed a Court-Leet here with Assize of Bread and Beere and other Liberties thereto belonging in 3 E. 3. obtained a Charter from the King for confirmation thereof to himself and his heirs with Infangthef Tumbrell and Pillorie and bore for his Armes a Rend Cotized as by his Seal appears To whom succeeded Iames his son and heir the last of this Family that had to do here for in 41 E. 3. he quitted all the interest he had in this Mannour to Alianore his mother which Alianore by her
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
to S. Peter was given to the Nunns of Mergate in Bedfordshire by the first Orbert de Arden about the beginning of King Stephen's time Howbeit till 36 Hen. 3. they did not quietly enjoy it as by what I have observed in my discourse of Sir Raphe â—racâ—brigge and Iohn his son appeareth but the moytie thereof was antiently appropriated to them though the direct time when I have not found In anno 1291. 19 Edw. 1. the said appropriated moytie was valued at xiii marks and the other at xv Which other moytie became afterwards also appropriated to them viz. in 12 Rich. 2. whereupon in a short time scil in anno 1397. 21 Rich. 2. ensued the Ordination of the Vicaridge vi s. viii d. yearly Pension being then reserved to the Bishop and his successors and ii s. to the Arch-Deacon Which Vicaridge in 26 Hen. 8. was valued at viii li. ix s. x d. over and above iii. s. per annum deducted for Synodalls Patroni Medictatis Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. 〈◊〉 Conv. S. Trin. de 〈◊〉 Will. de Staâ—ford 〈◊〉 1248. 〈◊〉 Conv. S. Trin. de 〈◊〉 D. Thomas de 〈◊〉 Pbr. an 1250. 〈◊〉 Conv. S. Trin. de 〈◊〉 Nigellus â—â—us Remundi an 1256. 〈◊〉 Conv. S. Trin. de 〈◊〉 Gilebertus de 〈◊〉 Pbr. â—â—l Iâ—â—ii 1300. 〈◊〉 Conv. S. Trin. de 〈◊〉 Will. de Muneworth Accol 16. â—al Dec. 1310. 〈◊〉 Conv. S. Trin. de 〈◊〉 Thomas de la Grave Pbr. 8. Id. Febr. 1313. 〈◊〉 Conv. S. Trin. de 〈◊〉 Thom. â—aâ—lâ—â—ap 2. Non. Aug. 1349. 〈◊〉 Conv. S. Trin. de 〈◊〉 Râ—c de â—â—ile Cler. 13. Cal. Apr. 1360. 〈◊〉 Conv. S. Trin. de 〈◊〉 D. Ioâ— Clerk Pbr. 5. Febr. 1390. Patroniae Vicariae Huâ—â— Frâ—mâ—â— de Tamworth 〈◊〉 vicc Rad. Heâ—laston Cap. 18. Oct. 1410. Pr. C. E. Trin. de 〈◊〉 Arâ—â—â—â—â—us Thorpe 4. Febr. 1410. Pr. C. â— Trin. de 〈◊〉 Ioh. Freman Cap. 9. Dec. 1411. Pr. C. â— Trin. de 〈◊〉 D. Will. atte Mille 6. Dec. 1421. Pr. C. â— Trin. de 〈◊〉 Ioh. Smyth 8. Apr. 1438. Pr. C. â— Trin. de 〈◊〉 Rob. Trulufe 17. Sept. 1439. Pr. C. S. Trin. de Bosco Thomas Lancashire Pbr. ...... 1439. Pr. C. S. Trin. de Bosco Thomas Wenloke in Decr. Bac 26. Sept. 1499. Pr. C. S. Trin. de Bosco D. Ric. Hutton in Leg. Bac. 3. Martii 1521. D. Regina Magr. Will. Smyth Suceâ—tor Eccl. Cath. Lich. 25. Meii 1554. D. Eliz. Regina Henr. Fletcher Cler. 15. Febr. 1584. D. Eliz. Regina Nich. Rushall Cler. 25. Oct. 1587. D. Eliz. Regina Ioh. Foxe Cler. 1. Martii 1587. Monumentall Inscriptions In the body of the Church Here lyeth the body of Hugh Beresford sometime of Slateley and Elizabeth his wife which Hugh died the xxv th of Iune Anno 1610. In the midst of the Chancell Here lieth the Body of Francis Benet sometime of Dosthill who died the xi th day of Iune anno Dom. 1634. Kimberley-Hall HEere was antiently a Chapell of S. Edmund and in it a Chantrie founded by one of the Bâ—acebriggs of Kingsburie about the beginning of King Edw. 2. time as may seem by the Presentations thereto and called Cantaria de Kynebaldesley By the Survey of 26 H. 8. this Chanâ—â—e is said to be in the Church of Kingsburie which if so then was it not long before removed 〈◊〉 and the value thereof over and above reâ—â—â—s cerâ—â—fied at Cvi s. viii d. But I rather drink that to be a mistake for in 37 H. 8. it is called Cantaria de Hurley forasmuch as 't is situate within the precincts of that Hamlet and then valued at Cxiii s. x d. Hurley OF this place there is no mention in the Conqueror's Survey by reason it was then involved with Kingsburie but I have seen it very antiently written Hurnlei which apparently shews that the name at first grew from its situation hurne or hyrne in the Saxon or old English signifying a nook or corner which rightly agreeth with the position thereof it lying in the utmost corner of Kingsburie Lordship Eastwards As it was a part of Kingsburie heretofore so were the Bracebriggs in those days Lords thereof as appears by a grant of it from Raphe de Bracebrigge about the 25. of H. 3. unto Amicia his mother in name of her dowrie where it is called Manerium de Horleye yet by some other authorities of later time it appears to have been only a member of Kingsburie So also by the Inquisition after the death of Thomas Bracebrigge Esquire in 19 Eliz. But notwithstanding that there is a Mannour within it at least in reputation whereof one Iohn VValdiff Esquire dyed seized in 31 H. 8. which descended to Ioane the sole daughter of Nicholas Nightingale by Ioyce sister and heir to the said Iohn which Ioan was then the wife of Thomas VVillington cosin of VVilliam VVillington Esquire of whom in Barcheston I have spoken the posteritie of which Thomas do still enjoy it It seems that the VValdyve have lived antiently in this place for in 36 H. 6. was Ioane the daughter of VVilliam VValdyve of Hurley marryed unto Robert VVillenhale of Greneburgh in the Chapell here by speciall License from the Bishop directed to the then Vicar of Kingsburie for that purpose Which VVilliam VValdyve was son to Richard a branch of the VValdyves of Alspath Plumpton THis place is now known onely by certain grounds lying on the East side of Kingsburie Parish so called whereof one VValter de Plompton was possest in H. 3. time who held them by a certain weapon called a Danish Axe which being the very Charter whereby the said land was given unto one of his Ancestors hung up for a long time in the Hall of the capitall messuage belonging thereto in testimony of the said tenure untill that the said House was seized upon by Sir Iohn Bracebrigge Knight Lord of Kingsburie in E. 3. time and pulled to the ground After which it remained a great while in the Hall of the mansion belonging to VVilliam de Plompton in Hardreshull about two miles distant being commonly reputed and called the Charter of Plomton What title the said Sir Iohn Bracebrigge had to it I know not but by severall authorities it appears that his posteritie were seized of it by the name of the Mannour of Plomton And in 12 H. 4. did Sir Raphe Bracebrigge Knight â—ell the same the content thereof being C. acres of Land vl acres of Wood and xl acres of Moore then called Plumton fields unto Robert VVaterton Esquire and his heirs All which came afterwards to the hands of one Roger Horton â— who died seized of them â—li H. 5. leaving VVilliam his son and heir xviii years of age But upon the death of
25 E. 1. when the Earls of Hereford and Marshall with other their complices began to blow the Coals of discontent at the present Government and prohibited the Treasurer and Barons of the Exchequer to gather that Subsidie granted to the King in Parliament at St. Edmundsbury which was the eighth part of their moveable goods having allured the Londoners to stand with them for the recovering of their liberties as they termed it thiâ— Iohn fell in to their partie but by the timely care of Prince Edward then Lieutenant here in his Father's stede who was at that time victorious in Scotland the heat of these turbulent Spirits was allayed by a condescension to confirm Magna Charta and that of the Forests as also that thenceforth no Taxe should be imposed upon his Subjects without their consent in Parliament and that the offences of those Earls and their adherents should be pardoned In which pardon this Iohn de Ferrers is particularly named who shortly after grew in such esteem with the King that he had Summons to sit in Parliament amongst the Barons in 27 E. 1. and afterwards in all succeeding Parliaments which favour was continued to his posteritie who thereupon had the title of Lord Ferrers of Chartley that being their principall seat But farther than what I have said I shall not prosecute the Storie of these Baronâ— it being besides my business referring my Reader to the Dâ—scent before inserted whereby the succession of them may beseen a word or two now of William his uncle from whom they of Groby sâ—â—ung and so consequently those of Tamworth and I have done This William being in Armes against the King with the Barons in 48 H. 3. was taken in Northampton the same year at the assault thereoâ— by the Royall Army but in 50 H. 3. conforming himself to obedience had pardon and was received to favour By the gift of Margaret his Mother one of the daughters and coheirs to Roger de Quincie Earl of Winchester he had a grant of the Mannour of Groby in Leicestershire which came to her upon the partition of that inheritance whereupon he payd a Fine of xl marks to the Kingâ— that he might hold it in Capite by the services antiently due and did his Homage for the same bearing for his Armes the Coat of the said Roger de Quinci sc. Gules seven Mascles voided Or which his descendants continued till the male line of the elder House viz. the Lord Ferrers of Chartley became extinct as hath been already observed To which William who was dead in 17 E. 1. succeeded William his son and heir summoned to Parliament amongst the Peers in 25. E. 1. and afterwards during his life by the name of William de Ferrers de Grobi Chivalier being the first that brought the dignity of a Baron to this branch of the Family and to him Henry who married Isabell the daughter and heir of Theobald Lord Verdon Which Henry in consideration of his good and acceptable services performed to King Edward the third as also his chargeable expences and frequent endeavours for the defence of his rights as the words of the Pat. do import had by the consent of the Prelates Earls and Barons assembled in Parliament at Westminster by Letters Pat. bearing date 18 Maii 11 E. 3. a grant from the said King of the Mannours of Risebergh-Comitis in Buckinghamshire Walton in Com. Derb. and Newport in Com. Essex c. to himself and the heirs male of his body some whereof are to this day enjoyed accordingly But forasmuch as the seat of this branch was in Leicestershire I shall not farther pursue the Story of them having already inserted the Descent so far as the male line continued chiefly because I am to discourse of the principall stem now remaining when I come to Tamworth-Castle where to this day it flourisheth And so having already made my Apologie for this long digression I must now step on the Northern side of Anker forasmuch as the Mother-Churches whereunto all those Villages and places of note lying on this side the River do or did antiently belong are situate there Wedington BEfore the Norman invasion this place was possest by one Hereuuarde but after the Conquest Robert Earl of Mellent had it with many other Lordships aswell in this Countie as elsewhere at which time by the generall Survey it was rated for three Hides having Woods that belong'd thereto containing two furlongs in length and one in breadth and all together valued at xxx s. but in that Record it is written Watitune That from this Earl of Mellent it came to Henry de Neuburgh his brother the first Earl of Warwick of the Norman race and that the progenitor of the Astleys had it with Astley and Hill-Morton both in this Countie by grant from the said Earl in K. Henry the first 's time to be held by the service of one Kts. Fee I have in Hill-Morton and Astley already demonstrated I shall now therefore take notice of what I find memorable thereof during it's continuance in that Family and the succession of it since which in brief is as followeth viz. That being seized into the King's hands for the Rebellion of Thomas de Astley slain in the battail of Evesham 49 H. 3. it was given to Warine de Bassingburne with Astley and all other his possessions then forfeited but afterwards upon the Composition made by Andrew de Astley son and heir to the said Thomas according to the Dictum de Kenilworth the said Andrew had a grant thereof back from the same Warine which the King confirmed Which Andrew in 13 E. 1. clayming here by Prescription a Court Leet Gallows Free-warren and Weyfs had allowance thereof To whose Descendants it continued whilst the male line lasted but then together with Astley divolving to Grey was inclosed and for the most part depopulated by Thomas Grey Marquess Dorset in 7 H. 7. who decayed ten Messuages here whereunto belonged CCC acres of land After which his posteritie did not long enjoy it for by the attainder of Henry D. of Suff. his grandson it eschaeted to the Crown and in 4. Eliz. was granted to Henry Earl of Huntingdon and his heirs to be held in Capite by the xxth part of a Knight's Fee of whom it was purchased as I think by Humphrey Adderley Esquire for I find that the said Humphrey died seized of it in 41. Eliz. whose grandchild now enjoys it The Church in an 1291. 19 E. 1. was valued at six marks and in 26 H. 8. at viii l. x s. vi d. over and above ix s. vi d. for Procurations and Synodalls Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes D. Nich. de Astley miles Galfr. de Sutton Cap. 3 Cal. Nov. 1312. D. Thomas de Astley miles Will. Ernald 3. Id. Oct. 1347. D. Thomas de Astley miles Rob. de Shakelthorp
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
burn every night in the Chapter-house here at Polesworth The Chapell of Hoo with a certain proportion of land thereto belonging and set forth by metes and bounds given by Robert de Grendon Lord of Grendon in consideration whereof the said Nunns were to find two Priests to celebrate divine Service therein for the health of his soul and for the soul of William de Bray his grandfather and for all the faithfull deceased In Austrey they had lands given to them by Hugh de Hatton In Nether-Whitacre a yard land by Robert Marmion Lord of that Mannour In Glascote a good proportion by William le Franceis In Sutton by Thomas de Overton In Pakinton by Cecelie de Limsie and Robert de Sumervile In Durands-Thorpe by Geffrey de Bec In Appilby by Margaret Banaster In Snarkeston by Robert de Motun The Church of Eiton scil Church Eiton in Com. Staff given by Robert de Brienton heir to Edelina by the consent of Eve his wife A Rent of two marks per annum issuing out of Coventre given by Ranulph Earl of Chester Five shillings Rent per annum in Shukborough by Isabell de Sumervile A messuage with a yard-land and a Cottage lying in Whichnoure by Robert de Sumervile In Badsley a Messuage with half a yard land given to the Chapell there belonging to those Nunns by Richard de Herthull The Mill at Swepston by VVilliam de Charnells And of later time six Messuages Lx. acres of land and three acres of Meadowâ— lying in Polesworth Dodenhale and Bromcote given by Richard de Dodenhale Merchant of Coventre But sundry other petty parcells in severall other places for brevities sake I omit And that there might be nothing wanting to them aswell for their conveniencies as necessaries they obtained a speciall Charter from King H. 3. for a weekly Mercate here at Polesworth upon the Thursday and a Faire once every year to last for three days beginning on the Eve of S. Margaret scil 13. Kal. Iulii with immunitie for themselves their servants and Tenants from attendance at the Countie or Hundred-Courts as also the Shiriffs Turn with power to hold a Court-Leet for all their Tenants owing suit to the Court at Polesworth and other priviledges All which Lands Rents c. before specified by the Survey made in 26 H. 8. were valued at Cix li. vi s. vi d. Out of which xxvi s. viii d. yearly being deducted for Almes given to the poor on Maunday-Thursday at the washing of their Feet and xxvi s. per annum for three Bushells of Rye at vi d. a Bushell made into Bread and distributed weekly throughout the year to poor people at the Gate of the Monasterie and xxx s. per annum for the Fee of Sir Iohn Willoughby Knight then high Steward thereof and severall other constant payments viz. of Rents wages and Pensions which altogether amounted to xxi li. x s. iii d. left the cleer yearly value as the Commissioners at that time certified no more than Lxxxvii li xvi s. iii d. So that being under CC li. it was by the Statute of 27 H. 8. then lyable to dissolution yet for some respects it was permitted to stand till the generall destruction of all the great Houses in 30 H. 8. at which time the Nunns here being subscribed an Instrument dated ult Ian. 30 H. 8. whereunto their Conventuall Seal was affixt whose names with the Pensions allowed to each of them during life I have here added Alicia Fitz-Herbert Abbatissa xxvi li. xiii s. iv d. Iohanna Penny Liii s. iv d. Margareta Toddye Liii s. iv d. Anna Fremyngham Xl s. Maria Charnells Xl s. Catherina Corbyn Xl s. Alianora Blunt Xl s. Editha VVillynghall Xl s. Eliz. Oteley Xl s. Eliz. VValdyff Xl s. Alicia Ulley Xl s. Katherina VVhitekyrtill Xl s. Gracia Holton Xl s. Benedicta Burton Xl s. Maria Sanders Xl s. Here followeth a Catalogue of so many of the Abbesses as I have seen any authority for Osanna temp H. 1. Muriel temp Regis Ioh. Admissae per Regium assensum Margeria de Apelbi 16. Sept. 21 H. 3. Admissae per Regium assensum Sarra de Mancestre 5. Dec. 54 H. 3. Admissae per Regium assensum Albreda de Camvile 5 5 E. 1. Catherina de Apelbi 22 E. 1. Admissae per Regium assensum Erneburga de Hardreshull 21. Maii 21 E. 1. Admissae per Regium assensum Matilda de Pipe 22. Apr. 15. E. 2. Admissae per Regium assensum Leticia de Hextall 14. Oct. 22 E. 3. Admissae per Regium assensum Agnes de Somervile 13. Oct. 23 E. 3. Admissae per Regium assensum Matilda Bottourt 8. Martii 36 E. 3. Admissae per Regium assensum Cath. de Wyrlegh 24. Dec. 2 H. 4. Admissae per Regium assensum Benedicta Prede 30 Aug. 2 H. 5. Admissae per Regium assensum Margareta Ruskyn â— Apr. 6 E. 4. Admissae per Regium assensum D. Eliz. Bradfeild 24. Iulii 16 H. 7. Admissae per Regium assensum D. Anna Fitz-Herbert 13. Dec. 21 H. 7. Admissae per Regium assensum D. Alicia Fitz-Herbert 12. Dec. 1. H. 8. And now before I proceed farther I shall here make bold to observe what I find signified by the Commissioners who were imployed to take Surrender of the Monasteries in this Shire Anno 29 H. 8. viz. that after strict scrutinie not only by the Fame of the Countrie but by examination of severall persons they found these Nunns Vertuous and Religious Women and of good conversation Alice Fitz-Herbert being then Abbesse having so continued for xxvii years and at that time Lx. years of age And that in this town were then Xliv Tenements and but one Plough the residue of the Inhabitants bâ—ing Artificers who had their livelyhood by this House imploring the mediation of T. Cromwell for to him it was that they wrote that it might not be supprest wherein as they alledg'd he might do a right good and meritorious deed The names of those Commissioners being Iohn Grevill Simon Mountfort Thomas Holt Robert Wygston George Giffard and Roger Burgoin as their Letter dated at Maxstoke-Priorie 28. Iulii testifieth Nevertheless it was not the strict and regular lives of these devout Ladies nor any thing that might be said in the behalf of the Monasteries that could prevent their ruine then approaching so great an aime had the King to make himself thereby glorious and many others no lesse hopes to be inricht in a considerable manner But to the end that such a change should not overwhelm those that might be active therein in regard the People every where had no small esteem of these Houses for their devout and daily exercises in Prayer Almes-deeds Hospitality and the like whereby not only the souls of their deceased Ancestors had much benefit as then was taught
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
whereof Maud the wife of Iohn Charnells died seized in 13 R. 2. leaving Ioane the wife of Robert de Aston and Catherine married to William Rodburne her daughters by Henry Stanidelf a former husband her heirs But the exact succession thereof I cannot discover howbeit I finde that it had the reputation of a Mannour about the later end of H. 6. time as also in H. 8. time and since the Cokains of Pooley possessed it though how much sooner I know not But from that Familie it was past away by Sir Edward Cokain Knight within our memorie Stanidelfe THis lying within the precincts of Wilnecote is a Mannour in reputation and was the seat of Henry the son of Geffrey de Stanidelf in E. 3. time who bore for his Armes a Fesse varrè betwixt six Billets as by his Seal appeareth Which Henry left issue two daughters and heirs Ioane the wife of Robert de Aston and Catherine of Will. Rodburne as in Kingswood appeareth Which Mannour came afterwards to the Ferrers of Tamworth-Castle Sir Iohn Ferrers Knight dying seized thereof in 20 H. 7. but how they parted with it I know not for the next notice that I have taken thereof is a grant made from Q. Eliz. of it for three lives to Sir Christopher Blount Knight husband to Letice Countesse of Leicester Amington OF this place there is no speciall mention in the Conqueror's Survey wherefore I am of opinion that it was then involved with Wilnecote and that by the E. of Mellent or rather his brother the Earl of Warwick who had so large a share of his lands in this Countie Hugo fil Ricardi Founder of Wroxhall-Priorie was enfeoft thereof for that he possest it is cleer from sundry testimonies and that it was held by his heirs of the Earls of Warwick for half a Knights Fee is plain enough Which Hugh gave two yard land with all the Royaltie here on the further part the water as also some other particular parcells unto his Kinsman Alexander the son of Atrop and his heirs covenanting with him that if he should fortune to be impleaded either in the King's Court or in the Countie or Hundred Court or any other Court except that in the Chapell here at Aminton he and his heirs would at their proper costs defend the said Alexander and his heirs therein In consideration of which grant the Rent of two pound of Pepper was reserved to be payd yearly on the Feast-day of S. Edith But notwithstanding this grant the inheritance thereof returned to the heirs of the said Hugh For Osbert de Clinton who wedded Margaret his sister and heir to Hugh granchild to the same Hugh possessed it and so did his posterity for many generations whose Descent in Colshill and Maxstoke are to be seen Of which Iohn de Clinton junior claimed divers Liberties and Priviledges here by Prescription in 13 E. 1. viz. Court-Leet Gallows Infangthef and Weyfs with Assize of Bread and Beer all which were allowed whose son and heir Iohn in 28 E. 1. obtained also a Charter of Free warren in all his demesn lands here but in 1 H. 6. did Sir William Clinton Knight make sale of a large proportion here though the Mannour then past not viz. one Messuage five hundred acres of Land C. acres of Meadow CC. acres of Pasture and fishing in the River of Onkere unto William Repington and his heirs all which particulars had been then lately in the possession of Adam St Clere And in 29 H. 8. did Edward Lord Clinton grant more lands here unto Francis Repington Gentleman lineall heir to the said William But in the first grant as I suppose the Capitall Messuage or Mannour-House did passe for it appears that the said Francis died seized thereof in 4 E. 6. whose great grandchild Sir Iohn Repington Knight now enjoys it But of this Familie I can say no more than what the Descent on the next page inserted expresseth Will. Repington de Aminton temp H. 6. ..... filia .... Thurstan Will. Repington Alicia filia Rog. Acton Ioh. Repington 5 H. 7. Colletta filia cohaer Ioh. Goldsmith de Goldsmith-Grange juxta Melton in Com. Leic. Will. Repington obiit 36 H. 8. Iohanna filia Roberti Stokes de Folkeshull infra libertat Civit. Coventriae Maria ux Ioh. Swinfen de Swinfen gen Editha monialis apud Polesworth Franciscus Repington obiit 4 E. 6. Maria filia Ricardi Cotton de Ridware in CoÌ„ Staff Will. Ric. Thom. Repington ar obiit 14 Dec. 1615. Francisca filia Will. Stanford unius Justic. de Com. Banco Joh. Repington miles obiit 23. Jan. 1625. Margareta filia Edw. Litleton de Pillaton-Hall in Com. Staff eq aur Joh. Repington miles Eliz. filia Edw. Sebright de Besford in Com. Wigorn. Bar. Humfridus obâ— sine prole an 1622. Edw. Maria primo nupta .... Kendall de Smythâ—by postea Clem. Fisher eq aur Kath. ux Rob. Burton de Lindley Anna ux Tho. Corbin The Chapell here id est the Glebe and Tithes thereto belonging was in 14 E. 3. valued at x. marks Piricroft THis hath antiently past by the name of a Mannour though now it be scarce so reputed and was originally a member of Tamworth as I guess for it appears to have been held of that Castle and being therewith possest was by one of the Marmions about King H. 2. time given to the Ancestour of Raphe Fitz-Raphe whose Descent I have put in Nether-Whitacre the succession of which Mannour it attended as by the Records I have there cited may appeare untill that Will. de Clinton E. of Huntendon in 16 E. 3. obtained the moitie of it in exchange for the moytie of the Mannour of Nether-Whitacre from Richard de Whitacre and Amabill his Wife by which means it descended to the posteritie of Sir Iohn de Clinton Knight elder brother to the said Earl in regard of his death without issue as in Maxstoke is shewed Sir Iohn de Clinton Knight dying seized of it in 20 R. 2. Which moytie being granted with Bole-Hall and Glascote to Iames Leveson Merchant of the Staple in 29 H. 8. and by him past to Sir Walter Aston Knight in marriage with Eliz. his daughter as hath been already observed was in 1 Caroli or about that time sold by Sir Walter Aston Knight of the Bath and Baronet grandchild to the said Sir Walter But the residue continuing in the hands of the said Richard de Whitacre descended by an heir female as the Pedegree in Bermingham manifesteth unto Edmund Lord Ferrers of Chartley who in 14 H. 6. died seized thereof but it bore the name of no more than a fourth part of the Mannour and is now possessed scil anno 1640. by the present Earl of Essex as lineall heir to the said Lord Ferrers Soli Deo sit laus gloria a Sr. Walt. Ralegh in the Preface to his Hist. of the World b Ord. vit