Beeston

Thoroton's History of Nottinghamshire: Volume 2, Republished With Large Additions By John Throsby. Originally published by J Throsby, Nottingham, 1790.

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'Beeston', in Thoroton's History of Nottinghamshire: Volume 2, Republished With Large Additions By John Throsby, (Nottingham, 1790) pp. 187-190. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/thoroton-notts/vol2/pp187-190 [accessed 19 March 2024]

In this section

BEESTON.

BESTONE.

In Bestune before the conquest, were three mannors which Alfeg, Alwin, and Ulchel held; who were rated for them to the tax then paid, at three carucats. The land was then certified to be four carucats. There afterwards William Pevrel had in demesne two car. 17 Vill. 1 sochm. having nine car. (fn. 1) There also was meadow 24 acres. The value in the confessours time, and then likewise was 30s. when the conquerours survey was taken.

(fn. 2) This mannor after it was escheated was granted from the crown to a branch of the family of Bellocampo: Miles and Richard paid two marks for one knights fee, in the beginning of the Reign of H. 3. and John de Beauchamp forty shillings another time.

In the year 1241. Richard de Beauchamp gave two bovats in Beston, which Jordan son of Yvo held; together with the said Jordan and all his sequel, to the priory of Lenton. (fn. 3)

Sarra Wawton the wife of Adam de Hockewold, joined with the said Adam in confirming the gift of her Uncle, the said Richard; who it seems was son of Richard de Bellocamp, (fn. 4) who had another son of that name, and one called Hugh, who all died without issue, and left their sisters heirs, viz. Isabell, mother of Robert de Souleby; Matilda, mother of John de Croxton, and Philippa mother of Sarra the wife Adam de Hockewold, who in the right of Sarra his said wife together with the Prior of Wimundley, Robert Daft, and William de Ley, held this town. 21 E. 1. (fn. 5) Robert de Whatton is reckoned with the rest instead of the said Adam and his wife, by Richard Martel, Bailiff of the honour of Peverell, who gave into the Exchequer an account of the knights fees, 7 November, that year; and there Rase Bellocamp is mentioned to have held it in former time.

In the Nom. Vill. 9 E. 2. (fn. 6) Roger de Bellocampo is returned Lord of it. And after him his son Roger, 22 E. 3. as appears by the Inquisition taken the Saturday after the feast of St. Laur. at Nott. before John de Vaus, John de Mustiers, and John del Kerr, Collectors for the aid of 40s. for every knights see, to make the king's son a knight.

William de Beston, Parson of Cotegrave, (fn. 7) held divers lands here of Roger de Bellocamp; whom I take to be son of Roger, son of Ralph, son of Roger de Bellocamp, of whom the forementioned persons held.

William de Beston, otherwise called William de Beckeford, Parson of Cotegrave, (fn. 8) founded a Chauntry in the church of Beston, for his own soul, and the souls of John, his father, and Felice, his mother, and of Alice de Langeton, and of his brothers and sisters, to which he first presented John, son of John de Beston; to which and to his successors, he gave one mess. and two bovats in Beston which Matilda Rotour then lately held. And one mess in the same town, which was Hugh Manistersons, together with the reversion of two bovats of land with the appurnances lying to the said mess. which Margaret Hereward held for term of her life. Likewise one mess. and one bovat which were John de Stretleyes of Nottingham, and the reversion of a place of meadow called Doddesholm, under Lenton; and 12d. yearly rent. He likewise gave to the said John two mess. and thirty-four acres of arable land in Lenton; which he had of John de Tumby of Nottingham, &c. which was confirmed by John Archbishop of Yorke, by his Instrument bearing date at his mannor nigh Westminster, May 19, 1356, and in the fourth year of his translation.

Galfr. Poultrell, son of Robert Poultrell, 3 E. 3. (fn. 9) claimed lands here, which Henry Putrel of Thurmeton, his great grandfather, settled on his grandfather Henry Putrell and Wilimina his wife in the time of E. 1.

(fn. 10) Richard de Willughby had some interest here also, 27 E. 3.

The Mannor of Beeston, late belonging to the Priory of Wymondley, in the County of Hartford, 12 Apr. 29 H. 8. (fn. 11) was granted amongst other things to James Needham gent. paying 69s. 4d. yearly rent. He sold it to William Bolles, from whom coming again to the Crown, Queen Elizabeth passed it in the forty-second year of her Reign, amongst others, to Ben. Harris and Robert Morgan gent, at the extent of 9l. Beauchamps Mannor, seems to go by inheritance from Delves to Sheffeild, as in Chillwell; the Lord Sheffeild hath sold it to divers free-holders, of whom I take Mr. Charleton of Chillwell to be chief.

(fn. 12) The Priory of Lenton got the Rectory appropriated, and the Church to be made as a Chappel only, and Lenton to be the mother Church, by the help of the Popes Alexander the third, and Lucius 3, whose Letters they produced against the Parishioners, and poor Vicar, before John de la Laund and William de Hundon, Rectors of Arnale and Barneburgh, Commissaries especially deputed to determine the cause concerning the repair of the Chancel by the Parish, and the payment of 22s. yearly by the Vicar to that Covent, in the year 1330.

(fn. 13) The Vicarage of Beiston was eight Marks when the Prior of Lenton was Patron. 'Tis now 4l 15s. in the Kings books, and the Earle of Devonshire Patron.

[Throsby] Toueton and Bramcote,

The two preceding places noticed by Thoroton, in this neigbourhood: the former is inconsiderable. Its Lordship is, chiefly, in the hands of Sir John Borlace Warren. The latter is in several hands. It contains 1100 acres, enclosed.

Mr. Serwin has the royalty, and is the biggest proprietor. I am informed he enjoys that portion which was owned by Henry Hanley, Esq. who was a considerable benefactor to the poor of this, and the neighbouring villages. Nottingham, also was benefited by his bounties, which is shewn in the history of that place.

The village consists of 40 or 50 dwellings, and is pleasantly situated.

In a good house lives the Rev. Mr. Bigsby, and in another a Mr. Robinson, in the cotton line.

The Church has a tower with three bells. Near the Altar, John Little, gent. is remembered who died in 1786, aged 98. Rev. Benjamin Cockayne, Vicar of Attenbury, died in 1747, aged 65. Attenborough cum Bramcote, makes about 60l. per annum.— See page 179.

Beeston

Lordship is open fields, but small, and is divided, the Cavendish family have the corn tythe, and I believe nothing else. Here are about 150 dwellings. Many of the inhabitants are in the stocking line.

The Church is dedicated to St. John Baptist, and consists of a nave and side aisle with a tower, and three bells; over the communion table are a few remnants of painted glass. In the chancel are three stalls and the holy-water stock.

Patron, the Duke of Devonshire, Pri Lenton propr. Incumbent, the Rev. Timothy Wylde, Vicar. K. B. 4l. 15s. clear yearly value, 25l. 10s. Archidac. Nottingham. pro. prox. 6s. 8d. Val. in mans. cum gleb. ibid. per ann. 1l. 10s. decim. lan. agn. lac. porc. anc. lin. &c. cum decim. vac. Magnport.

Here let me apologize for a little irregularity, in words, paying a tribute to the memory and worth of one, dear to all who knew her.—The Additions to the two villages, preceding this, small as they are, should have been placed, as usual, after Thoroton's account respectively; but death if it disorder not materially the creation, because as one goeth another cometh; yet it often arrests us, unexpectedly, in our pursuits. While the articles of Toueton and Bramcote were at press, the Additions were neglected. At that juncture, a Daughter of J. T. at the age of 25, on the eve of a matrimonial connection, which promised felicity, was snatched from the affections of her parents, her lover, and her numerous friends. She expired after suffering an illness of a few hours; but with a calmness and serenity of mind, not often experienced by those at a more advanced age. Religion, in the habits of which she had lived from an early age, taught her to meet death with a sweet and pleasing composure: Grieve not for me, she said, Christ is my Comforter! My departure is not loss, but gain. She took leave of her brothers and sisters with an admonition suitable to their years, and to their interests in another life. The youth of her affection, whose life then seemed misery, on approaching her bed of death, she smilingly checked for his apparent sorrow: James, dont weep, we shall meet again. She died, faintly articulating: Jesus I come quickly, Hal-le-lu-jab.

Such was the end of one, beloved by all who knew her. If a parent has indicated weakness, in this feeble attempt to record the worth of an amiable daughter; if some should call it an extraneous effusion, parents of good children, and the religious reader, it is presumed, will readily pardon what may be, in this case, an error; it was done while the object of it was uncoffin'd, and the press waiting for fresh matter.

Footnotes

  • 1. Lib. Dooms.
  • 2. Test. de Nev.
  • 3. Regist. Lent. p. 43.
  • 4. In Bundello, de Esson. Hill. 9 E. 1. ro. 55.
  • 5. Test. de Nev.
  • 6. Nom. vill.
  • 7. Esc. 28 E. 3. n. 39.
  • 8. Regist, de Lenton, p. 178.
  • 9. Pl. de Ju rat. & Ass. apud Not. Mich. 3 E. 3. ro. 13.
  • 10. Esc. 27 E. 3. n. 8.
  • 11. Part. 5. Pat. 29 H. 8.
  • 12. Ex Regift. de Lent. p. 46 & 47
  • 13. Mss. J. M.