Liber albus II: Fols. 221-40

Calendar of the Manuscripts of the Dean and Chapter of Wells: Volume 1. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1907.

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'Liber albus II: Fols. 221-40', in Calendar of the Manuscripts of the Dean and Chapter of Wells: Volume 1, (London, 1907) pp. 421-428. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/wells-mss/vol1/pp421-428 [accessed 19 March 2024]

Fols. 221–40

Quitclaim by William Osegod to Master Stephen de Penpel dean of Wells and the chapter and their successors, of the lordship, rent and services in the lands and tenements of la Hele, and of all lands, services and rights belonging to the lordship, lands and tenements now or heretofore held by Hugh atte Hele or Thomas atte Hele or any the heirs or assigns of the said Hugh in the lordships or manors of Northcory and Knappe. Witnesses: Sir John de Clyvedon, Sir Edmund de Clyvedon, Sir Richard de Acton, Sir Walter de Rodeneye knights, Matthew de Clyvedon, Hugh Causey, Henry Hacch. Dated Wells, Saturday the morrow of St. Katherine 36 Edward III.
R.III. f. 221.

Indenture between Master Thomas de Sudburia dean of Wells and the chapter on the one part and Sir Humphrey Shiliere chaplain on the other, being a lease granted by the dean and chapter of the altarage of the chapel of Stoke St. Gregory within the parish of Northcory, with the houses built for a chaplain to serve the said chapel and the small tithes thereto belonging, for 7 years, as fully as the said Humphrey formerly held the same, at a yearly rent of 100s.; the said Humphrey to serve the chapel aforesaid and bear all charges ordinary and extraordinary, but he may depute an aquebajulus for this service by view and consent of the steward of the dean and chapter; he shall have yearly one load of brushwood for his fuel in the park of Stoke by livery of the moreward, and shall maintain the said houses: if he overlive the said term, the lease shall be renewed for other 7 years, and so from term to term during his life. Dated the chapter house Wells, 26 October 1395.
R.III. f. 221.

Lease indented by Thomas prior of Worspring and the convent to Thomas de Sudburia dean of Wells, the chapter and their successors, of a corrody of one quarter of wheat yearly to be taken of lands of the priory in Welle within the manor of Northcory, formerly of Thomas atte Welle, after the death of Richard Dacton knight, with power to distrain for arrears. Dated the chapter house Worspryng, Saturday after Midsummer 6 Richard II.
R.III. f. 221d.

Lease granted by Walter de Caam lord of Knappe to Richard de la Well, Cecily his wife and Margaret who was wife of Richard Trul of Tanton, of 18 acres of land in Scallard and 2 acres of meadow in Biesteforde between the meadow of William Boscel and that of Gunnilda la Whyte, to wit the land and meadow which Richard Trul formerly held for life of the said Walter, to hold to the said Richard, Cecily and Margaret or the survivor of them during their lives at a yearly rent of 3d., with warranty, in consideration of 12 marks. Sealed by the parties. Witnesses: Thomas de Mere, Robert le Yreis, William Miridon, William Hughet, John de Knappe, Hugh de la Hele, William de la Ferlinge. Dated Knappe, Thursday the morrow of St. James Ap. 30 Edward [I].
R.III. f. 222.

Surrender and quitclaim by Richard le Caam to the dean and chapter of Wells, in their court of Northcory held on Monday after St. Nicholas 10 Edward III, before the treasurer of Wells and Walter de la Walle deputies of the steward, of a messuage and half a virgate of land formerly held by Margery Coteles in the manor of Northcory, granted to the said Richard for life by the dean and chapter. Witnesses: Master Gilbert de Schypton rector of Crych, John atte Sloo, Walter le Eyr, Walter Caucy, Walter de Hacch.
R.III. f. 222.

Gift by Richard Craddoc parson of Corymalet and Nicholas Mancel chaplain to Margery atte Sloo, of a burgage given to them by Walter Portyfer in Newport in the parish of Northcory, to hold to the said Margery her heirs and assigns, with warranty. Witnesses: Peter de Yevelton, Walter de Bullesdon, Henry de Hacche, William Blake, John Abbe. Dated Northcory, 17 March 45 Edward III.
R.III. f. 222d.

Agreement indented, made on Tuesday after the Beheading of St. John Baptist 1311, between John dean of Wells and the chapter on the one part and William Hughet and Emma his daughter on the other, that whereas the said William and Emma had common of pasture upon the moors of the dean and chapter of Northcory, to wit Corymor, Boterlake and Stathmor, for all manner of cattle at all times of the year, they quitclaim such common upon 886 acres of the said moors which the dean and chapter shall enclose and hold in severalty, saving their common upon the residue unenclosed; in consideration whereof the dean and chapter grant and demise to the said William and Emma 4½ acres in their moor of Corymor, to hold of them freely for their lives, with liberty to enclose and hold the same in severalty, at a yearly rent of 2s. 3d. (namely 6d. an acre): moreover the said William and Emma grant that the dean and chapter may enclose and hold in severalty 20 acres of their moor in Stathmor at their choice, outside the portion assigned to the said William and Emma and to others. Dated Wells, Wednesday after the Beheading of St. John Baptist the same year. Witnesses: Sir John de Bello Campo, Sir Henry de Urciaco, Sir John de Erlegh, Sir Gilbert de Bere, Sir Hugh de Popham knights, Nicholas de Moles, Philip de Columbariis, Matthew de Clyvedon, Henry de Urciaco, John de Burton, Walter de Lyf'.
R.III. f. 223.

Agreement indented, made on Tuesday after the Beheading of St. John Baptist 1311, between John dean of Wells and the chapter on the one part and Robert de Ocham on the other, that whereas the said Robert had common of pasture upon the moors of the dean and chapter of Northcory, to wit Corymor, Boterlake and Stathmor, for all manner of cattle at all times of the year, the said Robert quitclaims such common upon 886 acres of the said moors which the dean and chapter shall enclose and hold in severalty by consent of the commoners, saving his common upon the residue unenclosed: in consideration whereof the dean and chapter grant to the said Robert 1 acre of moor in Corymor to hold of them for his life, with liberty to enclose and hold the same in severalty, at a yearly rent of 6d.: moreover the said Robert grants that the dean and chapter may enclose and hold in severalty 20 acres of their moor in Stathmor. Dated Wells, Wednesday after the Beheading of St. John Baptist aforesaid. Witnesses: Sir John de Bello Campo, Sir Henry de Urciaco, Sir John de Erlegh, Sir Gilbert de Bere, Sir Hugh de Popham knights, Nicholas de Moles, Philip de Columbariis, Matthew de Clyvedon, Henry de Urciaco, John de Burton, Walter de Lyf'.
R.III. f. 223.

Letters patent of king Henry [VI], being a pardon to the dean and chapter of Wells for all offences against the statute of liveries of cloth and hats to 7 December last, with general pardon. Tested at Westminster, 20 February 36 Henry [VI.]
R.III. f. 224.

Letters patent of King Henry [VI], being a licence in mortmain to John Storthwait clerk, John Codeford clerk and John Reynald clerk, to give to the dean and chapter three messuages, one toft, four gardens, 100 acres of land, 12 acres of meadow, 7 acres of wood, and 1d. rent in Stokecursy and Edeston county Somerset (extended at 50s. a year by inquisition before William Poulet the escheator, and held of others than the king), to hold as of the value of 4 marks, as part of 40 markates of lands or rents which, by letters patent of 22 November 2 Henry [VI], the dean and chapter had licence in mortmain, by advice and assent of the great council, to acquire of Nicholas then bishop of Bath and Wells or other persons or person, for the soul of the said bishop his parents and benefactors; and to the dean and chapter to take and hold the same. Tested by Humphrey duke of Gloucester guardian of England at Westminster, 20 May 8 Henry [VI]. For 20 marks paid in the hanaper.
R.III. f. 225. See Pat. 2 Hen. VI, Cal. p. 168.

Letters patent of King Edward [IV], being a licence in mortmain to the dean and chapter of Wells to acquire 40 librates of lands or rents, not held of the king in chief, from Thomas bishop of Bath and Wells or others for works of piety. Tested at Wycombe, 8 November 4 Edward [IV]. By writ of privy seal, with authority of parliament, and for 140l. paid in the hanaper.
R.III. f. 226. Pat. Cal. p. 369.

Letters patent of King Edward [IV], being a general pardon to Richard Swan clerk, provost of Wells, canon residentiary of the cathedral church, parson of Yevelton, executor of Thomas de Bekyngton late bishop of Bath and Wells and of Richard Praty late bishop of Chichester, to 30 September 11 Edward [IV]. Tested at Westminster, 17 March 12 Edward [IV].
R.III. ff. 226d., 227.

Letters patent of King Edward [IV], being a general pardon to Hugh Sugar clerk, John Pope clerk and Richard Swan clerk, the executors of Thomas de Bekyntona late bishop of Bath and Wells, to 15 April last (with exceptions, as above: f. 199d., p. 407). Tested at Westminster, 21 August 8 Edward [IV].
R.III. ff. 228–230.

Letters patent of King Edward [IV], being a general pardon to John Pope clerk, prebendary of St. Decuman in the cathedral of Wells and canon residentiary thereof, parson of Shyre, and executor of Thomas de Bekynton late bishop of Bath and Wells, to 30 September last. Tested at Westminster, 12 March 12 Edward [IV].
R.III. ff. 230–1.

Letters patent of King Richard II, tested at Westminster, 1 August 3 Richard II, being an inspeximus and exemplification of a record of proceedings in the King's Bench in Trinity term 1 Richard II (roll 21).

Somerset to wit. A jury of 24 knights etc. of the vicinage of Northcory come to convict of a false oath a jury of twelve, by whom inquisition was taken upon a plea of trespass before Robert Bealknap and others at Ivelchestre, between the dean and chapter of Wells plaintiffs, Henry Hacche of Northcory, Peter de Jevelton and others defendants, upon the plaint of the said Henry and Peter. Complainants appearing (by Thomas de Billesdon their attorney), the dean and chapter (by Stephen del Fall), John Knyght of Cheuton, Walter Fulbroke and Andrew Chilton three of the said jurors in person, (John Longh', John Beyvyn of Henton, John Peny, John Baily of Lopene, Robert Coker, Nicholas Trut, Robert Golde, Walter Milton and Robert Alford do not appear,) crave oyer of the record of the pleas at Bathe before the justices assigned for the purpose on Tuesday before the Beheading of St. John Baptist 50 Edward III, wherein it is stated that Henry Hacche, Peter Jevelton, Walter Walsshe, John Chaumbre, Richard son of Walter Lywere, William Mey chaplain, William Spencer, William atte Hele, Benet Frye and Richard Couk of Nyweport were attached to answer for entering by force of arms the free warren of the dean and chapter on Monday after Michaelmas 36 Edward III, with Hugh Caucy, Thomas Mylys, Thomas Tresawell, William Wodehele, Walter Weel, Roger Pound, Roger Noryce, Richard Templer, John Milleward, Walter Proute, John Dauwe, William Brusshford, John Styward of Kyngesbury, John Ernysshille, John Veel, Hugh Othery, Robert abbot of Athelneye, Richard Fynor, Roger late servant of William Blake, John Webber servant of Peter Jevelton, and John Skynner of Northcory the younger, for hunting therein without leave from the above date to Ascension day 50 Edward III, fishing in their several fishery, taking and carrying away goods to the value of 200l., also hares, conies, pheasants and partridges, grazing and trampling corn and grass there growing to the value of 40l.; and on Monday after the close of Easter 47 Edward III, making a dike and walls upon the soil of the dean and chapter (600 perches in length and one in breadth) in a great pasture called Stathemore, between Corylode and Athelneye, whereby the flow of water was kept from its ancient course and flooded their land, to the loss of their profit from that date to 12 July last (the date of the writ) and the danger of their cattle, assaulting and beating their men and servants, namely Thomas Wylymot, William atte Wode, Richard Chaumbre the elder, Richard Chaumbre, the younger, Thomas Estmere, Thomas Carsbrok, Henry Gardyner hayward, Richard Mileward hayward, Thomas Mere, William Deye and Roger Deye on the date first mentioned, and threatening their men and servants and also John Anger, John Waryn, William Otecombe, Robert Samborne, Richard Carleton and John Stomton (sic) their bailiffs and ministers of Northcory so that they dared not hold the manor courts, namely at Michaelmas and Easter in several years, execute judgments rendered at Easter 37 Edward III, namely to levy 6s. 8d. of Robert Bredare for breach of the assize of bread and ale, 5s. of Thomas Burgoyne, etc., nor collect other profits to their manor belonging, to the loss of 13 years' service; damages 2000l. Most of the defendants (some in person, others by John Janet their attorney) put themselves upon the country; but Henry Hacche and Peter Jevelton take exception to certain alleged contradictions in the writ, and crave judgment whether it must not be quashed: the court refuses to quash the whole writ, but rules against the plaintiffs on these clauses. The said Henry and Peter upon all points save hunting, fishing and grazing, and William Mey on all points, put themselves likewise upon the country: as to hunting (not admitting that the dean and chapter have any warren there) the said Henry and Peter severally say that each holds of the dean and chapter in the town of Northcory a messuage and one carucate of land by fealty for all services, and that they and their predecessors time out of mind have hunted freely by reason of their tenure upon all the lands and wastes of Northcory, and William Mey that he is the said Peter's servant and went with him at his orders; as to fishing likewise, that they and their predecessors have fished without let in every fishery of the said town as in their common fishery; and as to grazing, that they and their predecessors time out of mind have had common of pasture for all their cattle upon all the lands of the dean and chapter in Northcory (namely fallows at all times of the year, and sown lands from the time of reaping to that of sowing again) except certain fields called Barlicroft, Sandforlang, Milleforlang and Goldclyf held by them in severalty, and upon their meadows from hay time to the Purification, except Brodemede and Chirchmore which are held in severalty. Plaintiffs (not acknowledging defendants' tenure in the form above mentioned) say that King Richard [I] was seised of the manor of Northcory, and by charter (produced), dated Canterbury, 27 November 1 Richard [I], granted the said manor, with the advowson and hundred, to the church of St. Andrew Wells, Reginald bishop of Bath and their successors, to hold in almoin as freely as he held the same; that King Edward [I] by charter (produced), dated Winchester, 24 December 8 Edward [I], granted to Robert bishop of Bath and Wells and the dean and chapter free warren in all their demesne lands of Northcory, so that no man should enter to hunt without their leave under forfeiture of 10l., which charter long before defendants' hunting was duly published at Northcory; and King Edward III, by charter (produced), dated Westminster, 11 December 37 Edward III, confirmed the charters of Richard I and Edward I: that the fishery above mentioned is upon their soil and is their several fishery wherein defendants have wrongfully fished, their nets have been taken by the ministers of the dean and chapter and retaken, sometimes they have fished by leave of the said ministers, sometimes by night in their absence, without that that defendants have had the common fishery alleged: that defendants have grazed as well upon the lands and meadows admittedly held in severalty as upon other the lands of the dean and chapter, without that that they have had common as alleged, and crave that this be inquired by the country—and defendants likewise, saying further that the charter of free warren was not duly published. Order to the sheriff to summon a jury at Wells on Wednesday before the Beheading of St. John Baptist: adjourned on successive days to Strete by Glastonbury, Pontyngdon, and Jevelchestre, where on the Saturday the jury find that the charter of free warren was duly published, that the said Henry, Peter and William Mey hunted in the warren aforesaid, that the said fishery is the several fishery of the dean and chapter, and the said Henry and Peter fished therein by force of arms, took and carried away fish, etc. that they grazed and trampled grass as well upon Barlicroft, Saudforlang, Milleforlang, Goldclyf, Brodemede and Chirchemore as upon other places in the said town, without that that they and their predecessors had a common fishery or common of pasture in the places alleged; and further that the said Henry is guilty of all the trespasses in the writ contained whereon issue was joined, the said Peter likewise except beating and threats, Richard son of Walter, William Mey, William atte Hele, and Benedict Fry of all except threats, and Richard Couk of all except beating and threats: damages for hunting and taking game 40 marks, for fishing and taking fish 100 marks, for taking chattels (namely timber and brushwood) 10l., for grazing and trampling corn and grass 10l., for making a dike and walls 100 marks, for beating, wounding and threats 20l: Walter Walsshe, John Chaumbre and William Spencer not guilty: judgment accordingly.

The record having been read, the said Henry Hacche and Peter Jevelton say that the jury made a false oath, for that the charter of free warren was not published in due form, nor before the time of their hunting, likewise for that the fishery was their common fishery, and they and their predecessors had common of fishery therein time out of mind, likewise for that they and their predecessors always had common of pasture upon all the lands of the dean and chapter in the said town (except as above excepted) as belonging to their free tenement therein, and made no trespass upon the land excepted as they were charged with doing, likewise for that they were not guilty of taking timber and brushwood, nor of making a dike and walls, likewise in assessing excessive, damages against them, and put themselves upon the jury of 24, and so do the dean and chapter and the three jurors appearing as aforesaid. Order to the sheriff not to omit because of the bishop's liberty to distrain the jury of 24, and to have their bodies before the king in the octave of Michaelmas, or before Robert Tresehan one of the justices of the King's Bench, and Henry Percehay one of the justices of the Common Pleas or one of them, should they first come to Jevelchestre. At which day before the king at Gloucester the said Henry Hacche and Peter de Jevelton come (by their said attorney), the dean and chapter (by John Bevyn), and Henry Percehay has sent the record of the jury of 24, wherein it is found that before the said justice and William Cogan knight came the dean and chapter (by John de Fitelton), the said three jurors in person, and the complainants (by John Bokerel), and the jury of 24 said upon oath that the first jury made a good oath upon all the articles and all the damages. Judgment against complainants.
R.III. ff. 232–238.

Statute the first of the parliament held at Westminster in the quinzaine of Easter 15 Edward III, confirming (inter alia) the ecclesiastical jurisdictions. (French).
R.III. ff. 238d.—240. See Statutes of the Realm, i. 295–6.

Letters patent of King Edward [II], being a grant to J. bishop of Bath and Wells and to the chapter of Wells of power to collect and retain 500 marks of the next aid or subsidy that shall be granted to the king by the prelates and clergy of the province of Canterbury or by the pope (if that be sufficient), and that John de Sandale the king's clerk and locum tenens of his treasurer, Robert Baignard knight, Anthony Pessaigne, John de Bureford, William Coumartyn, William Trent, William Seruat, William de Donecastre and John Vaune merchants shall then be quit of a bond in 500 marks by them given to the said bishop and chapter at the king's request by recognisance at the Exchequer on 17 July 8 Edward [II]; the bishop and chapter having retained nothing of a tenth afterwards granted by the clergy of the said province under the power granted them by a former patent, but having in the late parliament at Lincoln, like other prelates of the said province, consented that payment of their loan to the king should be deferred; or if the same be not sufficient, of so much as the bishop and chapter shall collect and take. Tested at Langele, 21 March 9 Edward [II].
R.III. f. 240. Pat. Cal. 158, 455: and Parliamentary Writs.