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Do not deface books by marks and writing, Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924088434455 The Victoria thistory of the Counties of England EDITED BY WILLIAM PAGE, F.S.A. A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE VOLUME Ill THE VICTORIA HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES OF ENGLAND HERTFORDSHIRE LONDON CONSTABLE AND COMPANY LIMITED + mw This History is issued to Subscribers only by Constable 9 Company Limited and printed by W. H. Smith & Son London INSCRIBED TO THE MEMORY OF HER LATE MAJESTY QUEEN VICTORIA WHO GRACIOUSLY GAVE THE TITLE TO AND ACCEPTED THE DEDICATION OF THIS HISTORY UPM UAL LemTD IY = Bip Ueaf Yithe? PRY b> / yp repr. ye THE VICTORIA HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF HERTFORD EDITED BY WILLIAM PAGE, F.S.A. VOLUME THREE LONDON CONSTABLE AND COMPANY LIMITED IQI2 CONTENTS OF VOLUME THREE Dedication Contents a List of Illustrations . List of Maps . Editorial Note . . Topography . Hitchin Hundred Introduction Hitchin . Ickleford. ss Ippollitts . Kimpton King’s Walden Lilley Offiey Pirton Broadwater Hundred General descriptions and manorial descents compiled under the superintendence of Wittiam Pace, F.S.A., the General Editor ; Heraldic drawings and blazon by the Rev. E. E. Doruinc, M.A., F.S.A. ; Charities from information supplied by J. W. Owstey, 1S.0., late Official Trustee of Charitable Funds Architectural descriprions (Domestic) by A. Wirrrorp Anperson, A.R.I. (except Hitchin Priory by S.C. Karnes ae aay Architectural descrip- tions (Ecclesiastical) by S. C. Kaines-Smrru, M.A. By Lucy M, Sanperson General descriptions and manorial descents by Lucy M. Sanperson a ” ” ” ” ”» ” ” ” » ” ” ” » ” ” ” ” » ” ” ” » ” ” Architectural descriptions (Domestic) by A. Wuttrorp Anoznsox, A.R.LB.A. (except Hatfield House by . C. Kaines-Suitn, M.A). Architectural descrip- area 1) by 8. C. Ki ‘Smiru, M.A. Introduction By Mazez E. Cuarsrie, Hist. Tripos aor Aston General descriptions and manorial descents by Mazen E. Curistiz zi . a . . Ayot St. Lawrence or Great Ayot ee os a. re é Ayot St. Peter . ” . ” ” Baldock . ” ” ” ” Benington . ” ” ” Datchworth ” . ” ” Digswell an ft . Ss Graveley 3% . i # Hatfield or Bishop’s Hatfield ” » ” ” Knebworth ” ” ” » CONTENTS OF VOLUME THREE Topography (continued) — Broadwater Hundred (continue )— Letchworth Great Munden Little Munden Sacombe . Stevenage Totteridge Walkern . Watton-at-Stone Welwyn Weston . Willian Great or Much Wymondtey Little Wymondley Odsey Hundred Introduction Ardeley . Ashwell . Broadiield Bygrave . Caldecote Clothall . Cottered Hinxworth Kelshall . Radwell . Reed. Royston . Rushden . Sandon . Therfield Wallington General descriptions avd manorial descents by Manet E. Curing si ‘ . . ” ” ” . ” ” ” » ” ” ” ” : ” ” » ” ” ” ” ” Architectural descriptions (Domestic and Ecclesiastical) by A. Wutrrorn Anprrsox, A.R.LB.A. (except Ardeley Church by S. C. Kaizs-Smitu, M.A.) By Linian J. Reosross, B.A. General descriptions and manorial descents by Lintan I Revstonr, B.A. General descriptions and manorial descents by C Ciceny Witmor, Oxford Honours School of Modern History General descriptions and manorial descents by Mavup F. Epwanvs, Oxford Honours School of Modern History General dante and manorial descents by I Liniay J. Revstoxr, B.A. General descriptions and manorial descents by Lucy MM. Saxprrson General descriptions and manorial descents by Littan J. Revsrone,BA, ke General descriptions and manorial descents by Maup F. Epwarps Sexe, Gzneral descriptions and manorial descents sey Lian J. Revstene, B.A. General descriptions and manorial descents a by Mavp F. Epwarps General descriptions and manorial descents by Lucy M. SANDERSON . ‘ . ” ” ” ” . General descriptions and manorial descents by Lian J. Repstone, B.A. . . x PAGE CONTENTS OF VOLUME THREE Topography (continued) — Braughing Hundred Introduction. . Bishop’s Stortford Braughing 9. we Eastwick . . . Gilston .* c Hunsdon : cs Sawbridgeworth z F Standon . es . Stanstead Abbots Thorley. . Thundridge . e Ware a . . Westmill . . . Widford . . Hertford Hundred . Introduction Parts of All Saints’ and St. John’s, Hertford, includ- ing the liberties of Brick- endon and Little Amwell Great Amwell . Bayford . . Bengeoo. .e Litue Berkhampstead Broxbourne with Hoddes- don . z F ¢ Cheshunt St. Mary 2. Essendon . . Hertingfordbury a St. Andrew Rural. Stanstead St. Margaret's Stapleford . . . Architectural descriptions by A. Wurrrorp ANDERSON, A.R.LB.A. By Auice Raven General descriptions and manorial descents ee Auice Raven e 2 5 4 : , 7 General descriptions and manorial descents by Cicezy Witmor, Oxford Honours School of Modern History General descriptions and manorial descents oy ALICE Raven a . 7 > General aaa and manorial descents i CiceLy ILMOT A 7 a 3 3 General descriptions and manorial descents by Atice Raven . co . 2 Architectural descriptions except where otherwise stated by A. Wurrrorp Anpersoy, A.R.LB.A. By Liutan J. Revstonr, BAL 2 eee General descriptions and manorial descents ep Lita J. Revsronz, BAL. 3 ” ” ” ” : General descriptions and manorial descents by Mazer E. Curistiz, Hist. Tripos . F a General descriptions and manorial descents by Euzanor Rite Ee eae oe oe General descriptions and manorial descents by Manet E. Curisriz i? 7 5 . General descriptions and manorial descents o Exranor . B. Rew, B.A. Architectural descriptions of Waltham Cross and Theobalds by S.C. Kainss- Smrrn, M.A. General description and manorial descents b ELzanor l B. Resp, B.A. ? @ General descriptions and manorial descents by Maszx E. Curistizg . . 4 General descriptions and manorial descents ae Heten Douctas-Invine, M.A. Architectural descr:ption of Panshanger by Rev. E. E. Doatinc, M.A., FS. General descriptions and manorial descents by Mavp F. Epwaxos, Oxford Honours School of Modern History ” ” ” ” . xi PAGE 472 476 CONTENTS OF VOLUME THREE PAGE Topography (continued) — Hertford Hundred (cortinuea)— Tewin . General descriptions and manorial descents by Maret E. Curistir SE Say nin TBO) Wormley General descriptions and manorial descents by Exeanox ‘ . a : + 487 J. B. Rei, BA. . ; History of Borough and manorial descents by A. F. H. Niemeyer, Oxford Honours School of Modern History. Architectural description of Hertford Castle by A. W. Cuarnam. Domestic Architecture by Jon Quexerr, Ba. . . 490 Hertford Borough LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Ashridge Park from the Bridgewater Monument. By Wittiam Hype Hitchin ; View in Bancroft : i Old Houses in Bancroft L o Church : The Nave looking East ) ‘s The Three Tuns Inn, Tilehouse Street ; Coopers’ Arms Inn, Tilehouse Street i Church ; North Chapel Screen ” » South Chapel Screen } i Plan. , + South Porch " » South Porch Interior » » The Font j ie Minsden Chapel, Ruins Ickleford Church from the South Ippollitts : Little Almshoe : The Wyck By fe ‘ “ West Wing oy Church from the South-east » The South Porch 45 » The Nave looking East ) Kimpton : Stoneheaps Farm 2 Church from the uke ‘ is ie Planyes RA Saw Pee) ie ” » The Nave looking East dv 9 » The South Aisle looking East 5 Old Desk in the Chancel King’s Walden Church : The Nave looking East ; . 3 48 from the North-west . Offley Church from the South-east The Nave looking aie a » The Font. Pirton, Old Hall : Ground Plan » Grange from the South-west High Down from the na Hammond’s Farm: Plan High Down: Ground Plan . » Grange, Ground Plan . Ne ey) ee High Down: Panel with Arms of Sir Thomas Docwra » Grange : East Front » Old Hall yin » Hammond’s Farm showing Porch . xiii PAGE » frontispiece full-page plate, facing Sull-page plate, facing Jull-page plate, facing full-page plate, facing Sult-page plate, facing Sull-page plate, facing 4 4 6 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Pirton Grange: East Porch ace full-page plate, facing 48 .. High Down . The Porc 3 Entrance Gateway. : . f S : . S 2 49) Hammond's Farm, Dovecote . ‘ . 2 . i : E » 50 » Church from the South S . _ ¢ ‘ « — fult-page plate, facing 50 Aston Bury: Ground Plan. 5 ¢ : 2 e E 2 E ‘ E oe a » Attic Plan. . . . s . . = + . 5 . ‘ 54 2 MeleiGallenys «le ee (Sh Se eee Hes SES ce GH eee cH EE SSS 6 , fromthe North-west. - Wer Paes eee ee ns) y The North Porch =. . 8k fallepage plate, fang 56 Aston Church from the South-west. oy eh gO Sy CS ey dh ee 8 Aston Bury: Oak Grill and Staircase =. sees fulepage plate, facing 58 Ayot St. Lawrence Old Church: Plan 5 2 2 : a - 61 i a ny a oF from the South-east . : . 5 . ee Oe: oy Remains of North Chapel and ides , sr a 8 * 15th-century Tomb ips Sud-page plate, facing 62 Baldock Village : eS . . . . . . . . » 66 Comer Read: GidHowe =. 2 @ & © & © « » a & View in Hitchin Street ) full-page plate, faring 68 Old House in White Horse Street ) Church: Phan. hed he ENS Bad ESP Pe GTS ms «The Nave enere East ) Sull-page plate, facing 72 South Chapel Screen) Being Church from the South-east ' The Nave looking East Tomb in the Chancel . : és y r Datchworth ; Whipping Post on the Green) Church : The Nave looking East) f from the South-east e 3 : é z ‘ a 18o, Digewell Church from the North-east. ss www. fale page plate, facing 82 ‘ jesPinn,. #3 <2 Ay aie hee ate ey te 8g A North Aisle : chain Recess with arc) Se) we Sd Mee ee ohn, Pees Graveley : Chesfield Manor House, Ground Plan S . . . . . . . 86 fa , from the North-east A A y : s . as 88 Ginrcnomane Soha nin See ee eet ds ee oe ON 89 > ‘The Chancel ) Ruins of Chesfield Church ) Sali pase plate, fing 90 Hitield Howe i Pla 9608. ew a 8 Old Palace : Plan of Hall House: Ground Floor Plan. we we facing a fe » Fint Floor Plans 2 5 we i « 3 59 South Fagade : : . 3 « full-page plate, facing 100 é i West End of Long Gallery 35 % és 102 Church: The Chancel and Brockett Chapel aie) Salisbury Chapel j Bes Eee aban cate a ae from the South . : 7 S i . . 4 108 ay eS Plan . . . + 10g LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Knebworth House : Ground Plan in 1805 : ” ” West Lodge Arches from the West a ” from the South . » ” West Lodge i » West Lodge, 16th-century Window ) * Church : The Chancel Arch y by »» from the South-east 3 » The Pulpit Letchworth Hall: Ground Plan rm a Part of Stair $5 » West Front + » Part of Screen in Hall) a ts Fireplace on First Floor) ” from the East ibe Church from the North) * Great Munden : Old Farm e 5 Church from the South-east Little Munden : Lordship Farm ‘ss i Church from the North-east es “| Old Cottage at Dane End = 2 Church : Plan Tombs in the Chancel The Nave looking North-east ” ” » ” ” ” Sacombe Church from the South-east Stevenage Bury : Back View it a Front View Chells Farm from the South} an 65 » from the North Main Road, showing 17th-century bess = é 3 d Old House, now Gas Company’s Offices J Church from the North-east) ” ” Walkern : ” Watton Place : ”» ” » The Nave looking East) Plan The Font Rook’s Nest, Ground Plan 7% Bridgefoot Farmhouse, Ground Plan . Rook’s Nest, East Front Old Cottage . a 43 a Bridgefoot Farm from the South-west ) Church : The Nave looking East J Rook’s Nest from the South-west Church: Plan Tomb in South ‘Aisle. from the South-west _ Front View Back View . xv Sull-page plate, facing Sull-page plate, facing full-page plate, facing Sull-page plate, facing full-page plate, facing Sull-page plate, facing full-page plate, facing full-page plate, facing Sull-page plate, facing full-page plate, facing 161 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Watton Church from the North-east ee : J y : te Yillpacetfiting The Nave looking east ) Welwyn Church from the South ) 3 Interior looking South-east ) s He St Weston Church from the South i : 2 Peaee Capital of Impost of South-east Pier of Tower aS ws Interior looking East Willian Church from the South-east . 5 zs . . S 5 * » Chancel Screen. fe uib-pore plate, facing Great Wymondley ; Delamere, Ground Plan s is » Drawing Room Chimney-piece ) Church : South Doorway ) from the North-east... we Ps a ee full-page plate, facing i Delamere : South Front Little Wymondley : Buck’s Head Inn Bury from the Fast Hall: Entrance Doorway *. i. sn from the South-west ) = j Priory from the North-west) 9° 7” Hat bee EN Fee a if » Ground Floor Plan a Bury: Ground Plan . a Priory : North Front. ee » Barn : Church from the North-west } Ardeley Church : The Nave looking East ) The Roof of the Nave ) ‘. re from the North r Ashwe'l: Old House near Church 5 full-page plate, facing View in Village Shere: i High Street, the ‘Rose and Crown” : ‘i 5% P ; House in the Main Street (dated 1681) i r 4 . full-page plate, facing Church: Plan. A 5 ~ from the South-east ) “full-page plate, facing Fa ‘The Nave looking South-west ! Lychgate to Churchyard ies; eo eae Broadfield : Old Oak Entrance Door from Broadfield Hall . . full-page plate, facing Bygrave ; Plan of Parish . F as Church from the North-west Caldecote Church from the North-west x = . . » 5th-century Stoup in South Porch . z 3 « full-page plate, facing Clothat Church from the South-east Cottered Church from the South The Town Houses The Lordship, Ground Plan from the North-west ” ” - Entrance Front ‘ ». Jacobean Chimney. Hinxwerth Place: Ground Plan = 2 ' Sull-page plate, facing in the Dining-room PAGE 164 168 174 176 180 180 182 184 188 & ce 189 190 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Hinxworth Place : Principal Entrance Doorway . from the North-east ) from the South-west ) s es Part of South-west Front Church from the South-east rh Place: Heraldic Glass Window in Dining se Kelshall Church : The Nave looking West from the South-west » ” Locker in North-west Angle of North Aisle Radwell Church from the South-east . Reed Church : Plan ‘ é from the North-east ; » ” » ” Royston Church: 14th-century Effigy in Chancel) High Street, Old Houses Church : The South Arcade) ‘se » The Pulpit s House in the Churchyard Church : Plan 5: Rushden Church from the South-east 4 » The Nave looking East Sandon Church : Easter Sepulchre, North Side of Chancel)” and Cottages from the South-twest ) The Nave looking East ae » Tower and South Porch . Therfield Rectory: Plan. North Window of Kitchen ) South Window, now partly doorway ) Wallington Church : 15th-century Altar Tomb . RS eS from the South-east . 2 Bishop’s Stortford : St. Joseph’s, formerly Wind Hill Hous The White Horse Inn The Black Lion Inn Church : The Naye looking East Waytemorc Castle, South Wall off Keep from Enclosure ” ” Waytemore Castle, Plan F Castle Cottage ” » Piggotts, Back View from the West ” ” » Ground Plan Church from the South-west . ” ” ” Braughing : Rose and Crown The Maltings Upp Hall: Ground Plan ” » Old Barn from the south- west » mo” noon Plan xvii » Cave: Sculptured Figures on Wall below Cornice oe views). 15th-century East < Wing fa the North: -west Suil-page plate, facing Sull-page plate, facing Sull-page plate, facing full-page plate, facing Sull-page plate, facing Sull-page plate, facing full-page plate, facing full-page plate, facing full-page plate, facing LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE Braughing : Upp Hall from the West) nbisiiedep Gia Church from the South ) Monument to John and Charles Brograve ) Eastwick Church : 13th-century Effigy D Gilston Church from the South-east . d ¥ s é z ‘ : eee zi » Piscina and Credence $ 5 a G : . pudl-page piate, facing 422 Hunsdon House : Plan he ty eg ain ain aay zy i 46 from the South-east . 7 é t % . _ a 5 ee 325) 5 from the North-east 326 Church: 17th-century Oak Screen to South Chapel . full-page plite, facing 328 “is yi Plan. . : ry . . a ‘ s ey ARO: .. Tomb of Sir Thomas Foster e. Cane Si full-page plate, facing 330 . » from the North-west ‘ SSE ne: SS aa Sawbridgeworth . Three Mile Pond Farm Ne te Se de ee = Hand asdvCrovnidnities, 3. ow. oho a. Se, Go can So sw 893 “1 ahshick, pity Rie Ge EA. Bh Re eke Se Sah a hase Bursteads : Ground Plan 4 . t : ns a 4 a + 342 i South-west Front . . : ¢ : ‘ : ; + 342 a a Interior of Great Barn. A : . € 4 % + 343 > Church from the South-east. . . . Z . . + 344 4 The Nave looking East » i 1 petOhaneel f Sull-page plate, facing 344 » Tomb of Sir John Leventhorpe and his Wife. ee eee Standon: High Street . : 4 é ‘ : F . ‘ ‘ é a 348 a The School. . 4 ; : 2 si : é : + 349 a Friars Farm: Old Barn. ‘ : z . * é “ 2 . «350 os The Hermitage, Old Hall Green ) : |, St. Edmund’: College, Old Hall Green } gle hake Plater fac tib> 2354 Lordship: West Front... iy Ak we GE the Be if a = . — full-pace plate, facing 376 Thundridge : Wades Mill e i . = . % . a a ‘: - 378 nf Old Church: The Tower) ? Ware Church from the North-east =)” Pee poge plates gacing’ 380. ro os Plant . * 393 of » The Font, East Face ) 5 5 i i sue Wed ace 5 P 4 Mi a e . full-page plate, facing 394 Westmill Church from the South-west Pe Fs 1 The Nave looking West . ‘ Ast xviii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Widford : Old Gateway in Churchyard Wall es Church from the South-east Hertford : Balls Park from the South-east) sl sase plan asi " pose plate, ‘s » The Entrance Front } Great Amwell Church from the South-east 5 é s 2 : a ” ” ey tes » Plan ‘ deo Ge ge i ae Gs ore amie sy. itheNavelobbing tat 5 . full-page plate, facing Bengeo Church fiom the South-east. . » Plan Loe LS ay eae ee vo hice MehiiGeag home Ne Gt Le a. gel baecpiie Bie Little Berkhampstead Church fromthe North 2. 0. eyes Broxbourne Church : The Font ) . Tomb of Sir William Say } so aa » from the North-east Giehunt College ; Older Part ” The Great House, Ground Plan ” any » Basement Plan He ed ae eaitene) full-page plate, facing ” soo ax Waule i . North End of the Hall A Bereets Old House, OATS One eps » Waltham Cros ww www fill: page plate, facing ” Goff’s Oak 5 = . z e ‘i = . : . » Temple Bar at PRON Eine ee eh ee et full-page plate, facing a The Great House from the North-west in oa i y» from the South-west ) nll-page plate, facin Church from the South-east j Jull-page plate, facing Almshouses, Turner’s Hill Busendon Chorch v Wes Tower Hertingfordbury: Old Parsonage ; 5 Church : West Tower St. Andrew Rural . Panshanger House fiom the South-east . - «full-page plate, facing Stanstead St. Margaret’s Church from the South-west . E a o a 5 = a 5 » The Chancel. : c f if ie ey » ” » » Plan Stapleford Church : North Doorway Tewin : Queenhoo Hall from the South-west } e . 5, oh Lose a aeeReen Sull-page plate, facing 3 bs » Ground Plan - Es » First Floor Plan Ag nee ae: Coes » Lead Sundial, formerly at Queenhoo Hall (two views) . «full-page plate, facing a Church: Plan at Sy from the South-east ‘i . Wormley Church from the North-west. z 5 f . full-page plate, facing Hertford; Planofthe Town. =. wee facing "Ou Howe in Ba Pin? caine 3; 17th-century pargeted House in Fore Street A . é ” ” ” xix PAGE 404 405 44 416 418 418 424 426 426 428 436 438 441 442 442 442 445 450 453 454 457 461 463 484 484 485 486 488 490 492 494 Hertford : LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Bayley Hall , full-page plate, facing Cottage at North-east of St, Andrew’s Churchyard ) Christ’s Hospital in 1611 x Fi Castle: The Gatehouse . » Plan eile St. John’s Church : Plan. Tile trom st. John’s Church LIST OF MAPS Index Map to the Hundred of Hitchin s ; Broadwater * 4 Odsey ; : Braughing . Hertford facing EDITORIAL NOTE Tue Editor wishes to thank the following, who have kindly assisted him by reading the proofs of this volume and have otherwise helped in passing the pages through the Press :—the Hon. H. C. Gibbs, M.A., Mr. R. T. Andrews, the Rev. Edwin Burton, D.D., Mr. J. L. Glasscock, Mr. H. R. H. Gosselin-Grimshawe, J.P., Mr. C. E. Johnston, Mr. * William Minet, M.A., F.S.A., J.P., and Major F. Skeet. The assistance thus afforded has added much to the completeness of the various parish histories given in this volume. The Editor desires further to acknowledge the courtesy he has in- variably received from all those to whom he has applied for information. He would more especially mention in this respect the Most Hon. the Marquess of Salisbury, P.C., G.C.V.O., C.B., the Rt. Hon. the Earl of Lytton, the Rev. Lord William Cecil, M.A., Sir Edgar C. Boehm, Bart., Mr. W. F. Andrews, the Rev. H. Athill, M.A., the Rev. H. A. Barker, M.A., the Rev. F. R. Blatch, M.A., the Rev. A. R. Buckland, M.A., Mr. H. G. N. Bushby, J.P., the Rev. L. C. Chalmers-Hunt, M.A., Mr. B. L. Cherry, the Rev. C. W. Clarke, M.A., Miss Cotton- Browne, Mr. Septimus Croft, J.P., Mr. Arthur W. Cross, Mr. R. H. Gamlen, Mr. Charles Gayton, Mr. T. T. Greg, M.A., F.S.A., J.P., Mr. R. T. Gunton, Mr. H. R. Wilton Hall, the Rev. A. C. Headlam, D.D., the Hertford Corporation, the Rev. A. B. Hobart-Hampden, M.A., the late Canon H. Jephson, M.A., the Rev. A. G. Langdon, B.A., the Rev. H. A. Lipscomb, M.A., the Rev. J. Traviss Lockwood, Mr. C. J. Longman, J.P., Mr. C. E. Longmore, the Rev. F. W. Low, M.A., Mr. W. E. Maclean, Mr. V. A. Malcolmson, the Rev. J. Mearns, M.A., Mr. Walter Millard, the Rev. W. Mitchell-Carruthers, M.A., Mr. William Morris, the Rev. R. 5. Mylne, M.A., B.C.L., F.S.A., the Rev. A. Nairne, M.A., Mr. J. Phillips, J.P., Miss Pollard, Mr. J. R. Pulham, Mr. F. C. Puller, J.P., the Rev. J. E. I. Procter, M.A., Mr. J. H. Round, M.A., LL.D., Mr. Thomas U. Sadleir, Mr. Abel H. Smith, M.A., J.P., the Rev. E. A. Smith, M.A., the Rev. S. M. Stanley, M.A., the Rev. W. T. Stubbs, M.A., the Rev. M. S. Swatman, M.A., the Rev. G. Todd, M.A., Mr. J. Allen Tregelles, Mr. C. J. Veasey, M.A., and the Rev. P. M. Wathen, M.A. For illustrations and plans the Editor is indebted to the Marquess of Salisbury, Mr. R. T. Andrews, the Editor of the Architectural Review, the Editor and Proprietors of Country Life (for photographs of Hatfield House, Knebworth House, the Wyck and Balls Park), Mr. V. A, Malcolmson, Major F. Skeet, and Monsignor Bernard Ward. A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE TOPOGRAPHY THE HUNDRED OF HITCHIN CONTAINING THE PARISHES OF HITCHIN KINGS WALDEN! ICKLEFORD LILLEY IPPOLLITTS OFFLEY KIMPTON PIRTON? This hundred was generally called the ‘half hundred of Hiz (Hitchin),’ its Domesday assessment working out at about 40 hides. During the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries it is sometimes referred to as the hundred of Polettes (Ippollitts) .§ All the places above named are mentioned in the hundred in 1086 except Ickleford and Ippollitts; Ickleford was then included in Pirton, and Ippollitts is represented by the manor of Almshoe. The Domesday Survey also places within the hundred Westoning (Bedfordshire), Welei, Wilei, Flesmere, Hexton and Bendish, a hamlet in St. Paul’s Walden.‘ Though Westoning was attached by its tenure to this hundred, its ‘wara’ or place of assessment was in the “hundred of Manshead in Bedfordshire. Welei is possibly Wedelee in Preston, but both this and Welei cannot be identified with certainty.’ Flesmere’ or Flexmere® Hi remains unidentified, also Leglega, where —Invex Mar ro raz Hunprep or Hircuin there was 1 virgate of land (although the latter may possibly be Ley Green to the north of King’s Walden) ; Hexton was transferred to the hundred of Cashio before 1286.’ Bendish was also added to the same hundred soon after the Survey, probably by the Abbot of St. Albans, to whom Cashio belonged.” The hundred of Hitchin appears to have always belonged to the Crown." 1 §t. Paul’s Walden is in the hundred of Cashio. 2 According to Population Returns of 1831. 3 Chan. Ing. p.m. 4 Edw. IV, no. 38 5 (Ser. ii), ix, 67 ; xxxili, 5 ; Ct. of Wards, Feod. Surv. 17. 4 V.C.H. Herts. i, 302, 304, 316. 5 Ibid. 3024. 6 Ibid. 297. 7 Ibid. 3044 8 Ibid. 3382. 9 Ibid. ii, 320. 10 Tbid. 480. 11 Pipe R. 21 Hen. II (Ripe R. Soc.), 77, &c.; Rot. Cur. Reg. (Rec. Com.), i, 1645 Assize R. Herts. 3233 325, m. 18d. ; Hund. R. (Rec. Com), i, 188 et seq. 3 I ry A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE The three-weekly hundred court" was probably originally held at Hitchin, and perhaps later at Ippollitts, judging by the alternative name. There is also record of ‘the full hundred court’ having been held at Kimpton," and a view of frankpledge was held at Oughton’s Head in Pirton in the 14th century." The jurisdiction of the sheriff was limited by the franchises of the lords of various manors within the hundred, including Hitchin,” Lilley,’ Offley St. Ledgers,'? Wells in Offley,"*: Oddingselles in Pirton,” and Dinsley.” In the 17th century a grant of court leet was made to Ralph Radcliffe, lord of Hitchin, in Maidecroft, Ippollitts and Gosmore” and to St. John’s College, Cambridge, in the manor of Ramerick in Ickleford.” A survey was taken of the hundred as part of the king’s possessions in 1651. Within the hundred all waifs, strays, goods of felons and fugitives belonged to the lord if his bailiff seized them first; but if they were first seized by the bailiff of the lord of a manor having a court leet the profits went to such lord. The lord of the hundred also had the return and execution of all writs within the hundred. A three-weekly court was held, and the whole value was £3. 12 Chan. Ing. p.m. 3 Edw. III (1st nos.), no. 7. B Assize R. 340, m. 1; Cul. Pat. 1324-7, p. 135+ 4 Chan. Ing. p.m. 15 Edw. II, no. 4. 8 Plac, de Que. Warr. (Rec. Com.), 288 ; Hund. R. (Rec. Com.), i, 194. 16 Hund. R. (Rec. Com.), i, 188. Pat. 4 Edw. VI, pt. 1x, m. 35. 18 Chan. Ing. p.m. 16 Ric. II, pt. ii, m. 34. 19 Assize R. 325 ; Pat. 29 Hen. VIII, pt. ii, m. 18. 2 Assize R. 323, m. 36, 48; Plac. de Quo. Warr, (Rec. Com.), 281. 2) Pat. 4 Jas. I, pt. xii. Ibid. 15 Jas. I, pt. xviii, no. 12. °3 Parl. Surv. Herts. no. 2. HITCHIN HUNDRED HITCHIN HITCHIN Hicche, Hiz (xi cent.); Hicche (xiii cent.) ; Huthe, Huche, Huchine, Hytchen (xiv cent.) ; Lutchon! (xv cent.). The parish of Hitchin in- cludes besides the town the three extensive hamlets of Walsworth on the north-west covering 1,051 acres, Preston, a straggling village in the south, having an area of 1,118 acres, and Langley still further south, which extends over 1,626 acres.2 The parish of Ippollitts, which was a chapelry to Hitchin, lies between the main portion of Hitchin and the almost detached hamlet of Langley and is inclosed by them on three sides. The parish of Hitchin exclusive of its hamlets covers the upper portion of the basin of the River Hiz, which rises at Well Head just beyond the south-west border of the parish and flows north- east. The River Oughton, rising at Oughton Head on the west, flows north-east, forming the parish boundary and joins the Hiz. The River Purwell, which has its source at Nine Springs in the parish of Great Wymondley, flows across Walsworth Common and joins the Hiz, The surface of the land near these streams is only some 190 ft. above the ordnance datum, but the ground rises to the south, east and west, gradually reaching a height of 300ft. on the north-east border of the parish. The greater part of Preston hamlet is considerably higher and lies on a ridge of the Chilterns. In the centre of this hamlet at its highest part the ground has a height of 507 ft., and from here there is a slight incline towards the south-east which continues through the hamlet of Langley down to a height of 309 ft. The soil is chalk,3 and is mentioned by Norden as a kinde of chalke which they call Hurlocke, a stonie Marle more fit to make lime then to soyle the grounde, yet beeing mixed with a more fragile and gentle Marle, which also aboundeth there, they find it very helpfull to their corne fields.’ * The common fields of Walsworth hamlet were inclosed in 1766-7,° and those of Hitchin called Bury Mead and Cock Mead in 1877 and 1886,° but there are several open fields in Hitchin to this day. In the 16th century a great quantity of malt was made at Hitchin,’ and brewing is still an important industry of the town. Corn is the chief product of the district, and there has been a famous corn market here for more than 300 years.§ Potatoes, pepper- mint, and laverider are also much cultivated. Lavender is grown in the fields to the north of the town and is distilled by two large firms, Messrs. Perks & Llewelyn and Messrs. W. Ransom & Son. Palaeolithic implements have been found in and near Hitchin, and pottery of the late Celtic period has also been found in the neighbourhood. A barrow of pre-Roman date to the south of the Icknield Way was opened and found to contain burnt bones, 1 Cal. Papal Letters, iv, 349- ?In the 16th century it was said ‘Hitchin is a market town and the parish is dispersed in diverse hamelettes 7 Norden, loc. cit. 8 Ibid. fy distant from the parish church 3 miles —™° Ibid. 2 some more, some less’ (Chant. Cert, 11 Ibid, 244. [Augm, Off], 27, no. 17), 1 Add, MS. 1627 3 7.C.H. Herts, i Geol. Map. Ct R. (Gen. 4 Norden, Spece Brit, Pars (1903), 19- © Dep. Keeper 1 Rup. xxvii, App. 2+ ® Blue Bh, Incl. Acvards, 64. H, Herts, i, 228, 230, 234. 36. no, 40. W Exch, Dep. Hil. 45 Eliz. no. 9. 3 a blade of copper, and aclay urn.!!_ Coins of Offa have been discovered and Roman objects have been found. Place-names which occur in records of this parish in the 17th century are Cleypitts, Conigre, Ladder Peece, Pattens, Hyover, Toyes, Saffron Close and Silverstreet Close,!? The original plan of Hitchin followed that usual in country market towns. It stands on an important road and clusters around a large triangular market- place formed by the widening of the road. The market-place originally extended from the south side of Tilehouse Street on the south to Bancroft on the north, and from the east side of Sun Street on the east to the west side of Bucklersbury and High Street on the west. The actual market-place is now restricted to the small middle portion of this area, the remainder as at St. Albans, Berkhampstead and elsewhere having been built over at first by perma- nent stalls and then by shops. These encroachments began probably in the 13th or 14th century, but by 1470 we have evidence of continuous tenure here by the lease of two stalls for forty years.!8 By 1603 the market-place had evidently been built upon for some time,!# the courts being held in one of the so-called ‘stalls.’25 Facing the market-place stood the numerous inns which formerly existed in the town,!® and the houses of the townsfolk with their back premises extending as now to the river on the east side and to Paynes Park and Grammar School Walk on the west. On the east side of the market-place stands the church of St. Mary with its large churchyard. The extension of the town along Bridge Street and Tilehouse Street, and a little later along what is now Queen Street, is of mediaeval date, and was possibly made at the time of the founding of the priory in 1317. The town has been developing rapidly of late years. Houses have been built on the higher land on the east and south sides and near the railway station, which lies about half a mile to the east of the town. Hitchin is fortunate in having retained so many of its ancient houses, though most of them have been refronted and much altered in the 18th and 19th centuries. In Bancroft or Bancroft Street," at the north end of the market-place, are many old houses. On the west side is a house now known as the Croft, which was built early in the 15th century, although since much altered, and was occupied until recently by the Tuke family. A little to the south on the same side is ‘ The Brotherhood,’ probably the hall of the gild of our Lady, founded in 1475. It is a building of the 15th century, covered with rough- cast, with a tiled roof. It was originally rectangular in plan, and the ground floor, which was divided by 6 Parl, Sury, Herts, no, 22. 16 Besides the inns hereafter mentioned the following appear in the Hitchin parish registers: the ‘Vine’ in 1617- 18, the ‘Bull’ in 1645 and the ‘Rose and Crown’ in 1652 (MS. marked 3. Hitchin in Lewis Evans Coll.), Ser.), portf. This name is found as early as the 15th century (Ct. R. [Gen Ser. ], port. 177, 60. 40). 7 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE transverse partitions, is now used for shops, whilst the upper floor, which formed the hall 48 ft. by 17 ft., with a fine open timbered roof, now ceiled, is divided into rooms. Four trusses of this roof still remain in position. They are of oak and have moulded wall-posts with moulded capitals and bases, wall-plates and purlins, cambered tie-beams and ween posts, with curved spandrel pieces and wind- braces. The timbered mullioned windows have apparently been renewed, as has also a great part of the outer walls. At the apex of each of the two gables are terra-cotta figures of a man on horseback, which have been copied from the originals still remaining in one of the shops. On the east side of Bancroft is a large 15th- century house" of timber and plaster, with a tiled three and numbered 86, 87, 88 Bancroft, stands a little tothesouth, It was much altered in the 1gth century, and has now a timber frame filled in different parts with plaster, rough-cast, weather-boardsand brickwork. It is L-shaped in plan with a hall of four bays about 12 ft. each and 20 ft. span, facing the street. The solar wing lies to the north and has an archway with a room over. The upper story projects and has a gable at each end with a modern bay-window between them. At the north end of the hall isa panelled canopy of a dais divided into square pani Is by ogee-moulded ribs with bosses at the junctions which are now lost. There is some 17th-century panelling in the solar, and at the back are some old buildings, probably of the same date as the house. Numbers 89 and go at one time apparently formed iN ‘aus i \\ | l Ail View in Banckorr, Hercutn roof. It is L-shaped in plan with a hall in the main wing facing the street. To the north was a solar wing, beyond which was a high archway. During the latter half of the 16th century an upper story was formed in the hall by the insertion of a floor projecting on the west front and a gable built at the north end, the roof being raised to give additional height, At the same time a chimney-stack was added at the north end. Nothing beyond one tie- beam of the oaken hall roof now remains, with mortise holes for curved angle brackets. A little further south is the ‘ Hermitage,’ now a portion of the residence of Mr. Frederic Seebohm, LL.D., which mainly consisted of two houses converted into one in the 18th century with additions of that time. Another large 15th-century house, now divided into 18 It is now divided into two and numbered 83 and 84. . one house of a similar type, but were very much altered and refronted in the 18th century. Portmill Lane branches off here to Queen Street. A little way down is the ‘Grange,’ a 17th-century house much altered in the next century. Beyond Portmill Lane stands the church. Lower down, on the north- east corner of the market-place, to the south of the church, are the remains of a 1sth-century house of the court-yard plan, now used as a dwelling-houe and shops. The east wing was rebuilt in the 17th century and altered in the 18th centary, but the west wing of the original building remains. The over- hanging gatehouse, with an entrance archway having heavy moulded timbers with curved brackets, still exists. Traces of the north wing have been dis- covered, but the south wing has been entirely destroyed. Sun Street contains on its eastern side several houses of the 17th century and earlier ; they Hircuin Cuurch : Tue Nave Lookin Easr HITCHIN have, however, been mostly refronted in the 18th century, The more important are the Angel Inn, mentioned in 1632,’ which is of two stories of timber and plaster and hasa tiled roof. It has remains of mediaeval work, although its appearance has been much changed by later alterations, It was originally an L-shaped building facing on to the market-place. Tt may have had shops on the ground floor facing the street and a hall and small chamber over them. In the 17th century a staircase was added in the angle between the wings and a small addition made at the back. The upper story projects both in front and at the back. An archway of a type usual in old coaching inns leads into the yard, and is supported on 16th- century brackets carved with birds and flowers, The «gables at the back have carved barge-boards—the one more elaborately carved is of the 15th century, and the other of the early 17th century. There is a good 17th-century staircase with moulded hand-rail and turned balusters, A little southward is the Sun Inn, which was apparently built in the last few years of the 16th century and is of brick and plastered timber with atile roof. It was refronted in the 18th century and later much altered. At the back is a courtyard, which is approached by an archway from the street. Tt was here that the Commissaries’ Court was held in 1639,” when Joseph Wigg of North Mimms refused to remove his hat upon admonition of the judge, saying he would put off his hat if the judge would lend him a cap; ‘he knew where he was: in a place made of wood, stones and other things.’ Wigg’s example was followed by John Clarke. A new assembly room was built at the‘ Sun’ in 1770.7 At this inn, too, the courts of the manor of Portman and Foreign are still held at Michaelmas. Further on, near to Bridge Street, is an old 17th-century brick house with a tile roof. It is rectangular in plan ; the windows on the first floor have wooden mullions and transoms, but those on the ground floor were altered in the 18th century. On the north side is a three-centred arch leading into a yard at the back. On the western side of the market-place there are also many houses of the 17th century or possibly earlier, but here again they have been tefronted in the 18th century. In High Street, formerly known as Cock Street, is the Cock Hotel, built of timber with plaster and brick filling of probably the 16th century. It isan L-shaped building with a large yard at the back. It is mentioned in the Hitchin Registers in 1617. In Bucklersbury, which probably takes its name from a house which is referred to in the 17th century,” is the George Inn, a two- storied building originally built in the 16th century or possibly earlier, but now much changed owing to frequent alterations. It has in the middle facing the street a high archway leading into the yard, with a high overhanging gable above. The upper story Projects. A little further south is the Hart Inn, probably of the last few years of the 16th century. It is of two stories of plastered timber with a tiled roof, and was much altered in the rgth century, It has a projecting upper story and an archway leading 1° Recoy, R. East. 8 Chas. I. Cal. S. P. Dom. 1639, pp. 146, 153. mediaeval times, 41MS. marked Hitchin in Lewis Evans Coll, at Herts. Co, Mus, 4 Recov. R. 21 Jas. I, rot. 12. Evans Coll.). *8 Brick earth is found at Hitchin, and there were probably tile works here in works in the early part of the roth century (MS. marked Hitchin in Lewis HUNDRED HITCHIN into the yard behind, around which are plastered timbered buildings with projecting stories. At the front of this archway is a pair of 17th-century gates. The houses in Bridge Street are mostly of brick, but there are a few timber and plaster buildings. No. 2 is a small 16th-century house covered with rough-cast and having a tiled roof. Its principal interest is two early 16th-century barge-boar's, one with a guilloche pattern and the other with dragons in low relief. On the opposite side Nos. 21 to 23 are interesting old timber and plaster houses with tiled roofs, which may be of about the year 1600. The middle house has a bay window and probably an original door, Nos. 18 and 19 originally formed one 16th-century house of timber and plaster with a tiled roof. On the west side the upper story projects over the river, and on the north over the street. It has a framed archway to the yard behind. At the east end of Bridge Street, looking on to what is called the Triangle, is an interesting timber and plaster house of the 15th century, now much altered and divided into several houses. It is L-shaped in plan with an archway to the yard at the back. The upper story overhangs and had originally an open roof. Nos. 8 to 11 on the south side of Tilehouse* Street were originally one house dating from the early part of the 17th century, but have been much altered. The Three Tuns Inn with the house adjoining it, numbered 11, formed another house of the same date, which has the usual archway leading into a yard. No, 19 is also of the same date and contains some original panelling reset. On the north side is the Coopers’ Arms Inn, said to have been the Tilers’ Gild Hall. It is built of stone with a tiled roof and dates back to the middle of the 15th century. Tt was originally of the courtyard type, but only the south and west wings of it now remain. The south wing, which faces on to the street, contains what remains of the hall, which had an open timbered roof, two trusses of which are still in existence. An additional story, however, was made by the insertion of an upper floor which projected into the street, probably in the 17th century. ‘There is an archway from the street to the yard behind. The old Free School at the west end of Tilehouse Street, now a dwelling-house, was built about 1650," but has been much altered, It is of two stories of plastered timber and brick with a tiled roof. There are many old and interesting houses in Queen Street, formerly Dead Street and later Back Lane, with arched entrances into the yards behind. Amongst them may be specially mentioned No. 6, a small 17th-century house of timber and plaster and tiled roof, with an overhanging gabled front. Nos. 103 and 104 were formerly one house, probably the earliest house now remaining in Hitchin. This was built at the end of the 14th or beginning of the 1sth century, and has masonry foundations with a plaster and timber superstructure and tiled roof. Originally it had a central hall with a kitchen wing on the north side, which, together with a part of the In a MS. marked Hitchin in the Lewis Evans Coll. at the Herts. Co, Mus, it is stated that in the wall of the Free School is a date which seems to be T. Hy 1641. There were brick 5 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE hall, has been destroyed ; and a solar wing of two stories on the south, the outlines of which can still be traced. No early details of the interior remain except parts of two trusses of the hall roof, of the hammer-beam type, 19 ft. span, with moulded wall- plates. The next two houses, which originally formed one house, are of a little later date, being of the 15th century. The hall appears to have been in the upper story which projects over the street. On the overhanging gable above the archway on the south is the date 1729 in the plaster, but the posts supporting the beam of the arch have 15th-century moulded capitals supporting the curved angle brackets. 1851. The new town hall in Brand Street is dated 1go1. This has superseded an older one built in 1840. Among other public buildings may be noticed the Mechanics’ Institute and public subscription library adjoining the old town hall. There is a large infirmary called the North Herts and South Beds Infirmary in the Bedford Road, which was erected in 1840. The Home for girls of weak and defective intelligence, in the Triangle, was built in 1893. The Girls’ Grammar School, which was built at the cost of £13,000, was opened in July 1908. The Boys’ Grammar School is a continuation of the Free School founded by John Mattock in 1650 and removed to new buildings about twenty years ago. Among the past inhabitants of Hitchin was George Chapman the poet. He is best known as trans- lator of Homer's Iiad and Odyssey, but also wrote other poetry and plays. In Euthymiae Raptus, or the Tears of Peace, he alludes to having spent his childhood in the neigh- bourhood of Hitchin.% William Drage, a believer in astrology and witchcraft, and Maurice Johnson, the antiquary, lived here in the 17th century.* The 1gth cen- tury claims Sir Henry Bessemer, the inventor of a new process for making steel, and Robert Bentley, botanist, who was born here, James Hack Tuke, philanthropist, spent a part of his life at Hitchin. Samuel Lucas, a well-known amateur artist, belonged to an old Hitchin family. Good examples of his art are to be seen in the town hall at Hitchin and in the British Museum. Frederick Chap- man, publisher and originator of the Fortnightly Review, was born in Cock Street in a house said to have belonged to his collateral ancestor George Chapman the poet. Hitchin was BOROUGH undoubtedly an im- portant manor and soke before the Conquest, but there is no evidence from the Tue Turee Tons Inx, Tuenouse Srezer To the west of Queen Street, near the River Hiz, are the Biggin Almshouses, built in the early part of the 17th century, They consist of four wings built round a small courtyard, on the west side of which is a wooden colonnade forming a cloister. Each wing contains a small set of rooms on each floor. They are of two stories and an attic and are built of timber and plaster and brickwork. They have been much altered at different dates. There is a Corn Exchange in the town, erected in 6 © The present church dates from this Dice. Nat. Biog. Ibid. rights as it had. period and may indicate a rebuilding when the town acquired such borough 6 entries in the Domesday Survey that it was a borough. It was probably not till the middle of the rath century, when the Baliols were lords, that it developed into an inchoate borough.” This was the time when so many such market towns arose in consequence of the prosperity of the wool trade, which enabled the townspeople to purchase rights from the nobles and other land- owners impoverished by the civil wars. The market at Hitchin was held by prescription, and the right to hold a fair was obtained in 1221,” By 1268 we have evidence that the borough was farmed to the burgesses at a rent of 84 marks.” As we find at the * Fine R. 6 Hen. II, pt. i, m. 9. * Tag. p.m. 53 Hen. IL, no. 43. HITCHIN HUNDRED same time a distinction between tenants of the borough and those of the manor, we may infer there was then the borough or portmote court as well as the manor or foreign court organized in the same manner as we find them later. A reference to a falling mill at this date possibly indicates one source of wealth of the burgesses, but the position of the town on the road to the north may give a more important reason for its prosperity. Hitchin continued to be called a borough in 1375-6, and it appeared before the justices in eyre as other boroughs by twelve jurors apart from the county in 1248," 1287 and 1341." But it was not a fully developed borough, for we find no evi- dence of burgage rents ; it never received a charter of incorporation and never returned a member to Parlia- ment. It was one of those numerous little manorial towns which existed throughout England with vary- ing liberties which bordered upon borough rights. The town was divided into three wards—namely, Bancroft Ward, Bridge Street Ward and Tilehouse Street Ward —and was governed by a bailiff appointed at the lord’s court, and two constables for the town and two for the foreign and two head boroughs for each ward. Besides these there were in 1819 two ale conners, two leather searchers and sealers, one bellman, who was also watchman and town crier. In 1883 the Crown sold its market rights to the local authorities for £4,000, adding the land on which the market was held as a gift.* The market was always celebrated for its corn, and it is said that corn was always free of tolls there.” A fair, as mentioned above, was granted to the lord of Hitchin in 1221. At the beginning of the next century another fair was granted to Robert de Kendale, this fair to be held on the vigil, day and morrow of the Decollation of St. John the Baptist (28-30 August) In 1475 a grant was made to the fraternity or gild here of two fairs, each of three days’ duration, with courts of pie powder. These two fairs were held on Wednesday in Easter week and the feast of the Translation of Edward the Confessor (13 October) and the days immediately preceding and following.” After the Dissolution they were granted to Ranulph Burgh and Robert Beverley. At the end of the 16th century three fairs were held, in Easter week, on St. Edward's Day, and at Michaelmas." These fairs were leased to John Fitz Acherley with the mills.” By 1792 two annual fairs only took place, each lasting one day. The fair days at this time were Easter Tuesday and Whit Tuesday. Fairs are now held on these days and on one day following each. There are also two fairs at Preston held on the first Wednesday in May and on the Wednesday before 29 October." HITCHIN There is record of a water mill in Hitchin in 1248, which was held by William de Lindlegh,® and had been held by William his father. In the 16th century there were two water mills on the demesne lands there.” They were called le Shotting Mill and le Porte Mill, and were leased in 1§94~—5 to John Fitz Acherley for thirty-one years,” and other leases ewere made later."* There are still two mills known by these names. Shotting Mill seems to have been known also as Sheekling Mill. At the beginning of the next century there appears to have been another water mill called ‘le Malt-milne,’ which was granted to Edward Ferrers and Francis Phelipps.™ In 1670 a suit arose on account of a windmill belonging to Sir Edward Papworth in Charlton, built some thirteen or fourteen years before, which was said to take away some of the trade from the king’s two water mills.” This may have been on the site of the mill in Charlton, mentioned as early as 1177, which in 1329 was held by Walter de Nevill.“ In the rgth century there was a mill called Grove Mill, which was previously known as Burnt Mill.° Hitch Wood, in the south of the parish, was once far more extensive than it is at present. By the end of the 16th century the part of this wood near the town had begun to disappear,® but it still extended into Ippollitts, Langley, Minsden and Preston,” and its area must have been very considerable, for the woods and underwoods were then granted to the copyholders for the large sum of £266 16s. The manor of HITCHIN was the MANORS head of the group of Hertfordshire manors held by Earl Harold, to which William I succeeded after the Conquest. These at the time of the Domesday Survey were farmed out together by the sheriff, and treated for some purposes as one integral manor. The manors which belonged toor ‘lay in’ the manor of Hitchin were Wymondley, Mendlesdene (Minsden), Welei, Westone, Waldenei (King’s Walden), Wavedene (Wandon), Cerletone (Charlton), Deneslai (Temple Dinsley), Offey, Welle (Wellbury in Offley), Wilei, Flesmere, Hexton, Lilley, Flexmere, Leglege® (Ley Green in King’s Walden (?]), assessed in all at a total of some 374 hides, Of these manors two were attached to Hitchin by Harold himself. These were Wymondley, which he stole from the nuns of Chatteris, as the shire mote testified," and Hexton.” King’s Walden, Charlton and Offley were attached after the Conquest by Ilbert Sheriff of Hertfordshire, while Dinsley, Wellbury and Welei were attached by Peter de Valoines, his successor. Hitchin itself was assessed at 5 hides only, although there was land for thirty-eight ploughs (including the land belonging to the minster). The total value %®a Ing. p.m. ¢3 Hen. III, no. 43. 80 Thid. 49 Edw. III, no. 75. 3 Agsize R. 318. 3 [hid. 325. Hitchin is omitted in the list of towaship: which appeared separately in 1315-16 (ibid. 333). 8 Thid. 337. 4 Seebohm, Engl. Village Community, Te, 445. Rep. of fare Com. on Markets and Fairs, xii (1), 12 86 Norden, ie Brit. Pars (1903), 4. 37 Seebohm, op. cit. 447. 38 Chart. R. 11 Edw. I, no. 11. 39 Cal. Pat. 1467-775 Ps $42» 4 Pat. 2 Edw. VI, pt. iv, m. 27. 41 Norden, op. cit. 4. * Pat, 37 Eliz. pt. xii, m. 28. 8 Rep. on Markets and Fairs, i, 17% 44 Thid. $5 Assize R. 318, m. 12. “Mins. Accts. 24 Hen. VII- 1 Hen, VIII, no. 61. Pat. 37 Eliz. pt. xii, m. 28, |. 16. . Co. Rec.) ii, 36, §1- 60 Exch. Dep. Bast. 22 Chas. II, no. 24. 5! Pat. 7 Jas. I, pt. xxxiii 84 Exch, Dep. East. 22 Chas. IT, no. 24. 8 Pipe R. 23 Hen. II, m. 2. 7 Chan. Ing. pm. 3 Edw, IIE (ret nos.), no. $3. 89 Seebohm, as cit. - 447 45 56 Norden, op. 57 Chan. Ing. ne (Ger 2), eclviii, 76. 58 Pat. 6 Jas I, pl. xxiii; Seebohm, op. cit. 446 VCH, Herts, i, 292, 3046. ott I. 301A, 302, 303, 304, 334% 3382. 8! Thid, gora. 6 Ibid, © Tid. s0eh 303. % Ibid. 303, 048, 6 Ibid. 3o22. A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE of Hitchin and its appurtenances was £106, whilst the sokes belonging to the manor were worth £40.°° The services known as ‘ avera’ and ‘ inward,’ rendered py some of these manors, as due from the sokemen of the king, point to Hitchin’s having been once ancient demesne.” The services, which were carrying services performed with a horse and cart, are distinctive of the two counties of Hertford and Cambridge, and in « Hertfordshire the inward (inguard) is peculiar to Hitchin and its sub-manors.®* Extents of the manor in the 13th and 14th centuries mention the services as owed by the customary tenants of the manor.'® According to the legend of the foundation of Waltham Abbey, as related in the r2th-century tract “De Inventione sanctae Crucis,’ Hitchin, or a part of Hitchin,” was held with Waltham, co. Essex, in the time of Canute by Tovi ‘Pruda,’ staller to Canute, a man of great importance, ranking second only to the king. He is said to have granted both Waltham and Hitchin to the church he founded at Waltham for the reception of the Holy Cross.”! After the death of Tovi, however, his son Adelstan, who succeeded to the lands his father held as staller, for- feited these possessions, which were granted by King Edward the Confessor to Earl Harold.”? A grant of Waltham was made by Harold to his new foundation there, and confirmed by Edward the Confessor.’”?_ The charter of confirmation mentions Hitchin as also in the possession of the abbey, but whether it was given by Harold at the same time as Waltham is not clear.” No further trace, however, of any connexion with the abbey has been found. It is certain from the Domesday Survey that Earl Harold had held the manor, but in 1086 it was in the hands of William the Conqueror. In the 13th century it was deposed by the jurors of the hundred that Hitchin was granted by William Rufus to Bernard de Baliol.” Noth- ing, however, is known of this Bernard before the reign of Stephen, and it seems more likely that the grant, if made by William II, was to Guy de Baliol, the founder of the English house, who is said to have received lands from William.7° Bernard de Baliol was certainly holding before 1153.77 The Bernard de Baliol, one of the northern barons who raised the Bation Gules a voided scutcheon argent. 8 VCH. Herts. i, 3045, © Assize R. 325. 6 VCH. Herts, i, 269, 271, 273. Cal. Doc. of Scotland, i, 2514 ; Exch. no. 1333; Chan. Ing. 18 Dict. Nat. Biog. 79 Tid, also for Hugh m. t Ric, - 30. 499 505+ 7 It is suggested by Mr, Seebohm G that ‘Hicche,' owned by Tovi, is the 2 “See Pipe R. 6 John, m. 34. Feet of F. Herts. 6 Hen. IIL; Red Bk, of Exch, (Rolls Ser.), 1 See Testa de Nevill (Rec. Com.), 266, 280, 281; Chan. siege of Alnwick and took William the Lion prisoner, was apparently his son.’ ‘The younger Bernard was succeeded by his son Eustace, and Eustace by Hugh, his son.”? Hugh de Baliol mortgaged the manor to Benedict, a Jew of London, about 1204. It descended to his son John de Baliol, who died in 1268,*! after which his widow Devorgilda held it in dower.*? His two elder sons Hugh and Alexander died without issue before 1278, and a younger son John then succeeded to the lands.88 This John was crowned King of Scotland in 1292. He lost the kingdom in 1296, and his lands were forfeited. The manor of Hitchin was shortly afterwards granted by Edward I to Roger I’Estrange, formerly justice of the forest for the south of Trent, for the term of his life.* In 1306 the reversion of the manor was granted to John of Britanny, the king’s nephew, together with the other Baliol lands,® but two years later the reversion was granted to Robert Kendale while John of Britanny was still living.®® Robert Kendale, who was Constable of Dover Castle and Warden of the Cinque Ports,®7 held the manor with his wife Margaret until his death in 1330.°8 His son Edward succeeded to the pro- perty on the death of his mother in 1347.89 Edward Kendale died in January 1372~3,° and was succeeded by his eldest son Edward, who, however, only survived his father by about two years, dying in July 1375.9! Elizabeth his mother and Thomas his brother and heir both died in the follow- ing September.®? Elizabeth widow of Edward, who married Thomas Barre, received dower in one third of two thirds of the manor.% Beatrice wife of Robert Turk was her brother’s heir,®4 but could not inherit Hitchin, as it was held in tail-male. The two thirds of the property therefore reverted to the Crown and were granted to Alice Perrers, the king’s mistress, for her life.® She forfeited in 1377 under an Act of the Good Parliament,% and in 1380 the manor was granted to Hugh de Segrave for life.” In 1382 he further received a grant of an annual payment in compensation for the third still held by Elizabeth widow of Edward Kendale.®% After the death of Hugh de Segrave the manor was granted in 1387 to Edmund Duke of York,® and confirmed to Kenpate. Argent a bend vert and a label gules. ® See ibid. 19 Edw. III (2nd nos.), no. 413 21 Eiw. III, pt. i, no. 193 Abbrev. Rot. Orig. (Rec. Com,), ii, 187 5 Feud. Aids, ii, 437. ® Chan, Ing. p.m. 47 Edw. III (1st nos.), no. 20; Ing. a.q.d. file 340, no. 4. “Chan, Ing. p.m. 49 Edw. II, pt. iy ” Thid, See hides which in 1086 belonged to the ‘monasterium’ of the vill, and which formed the Rectory Manor (q. 11 Cott. MS. Jul. D. vi. 71 Tid, 73 Kemble, Cod. Diph. decexiii. 1 See Huyshe, Royal Mazar of Hitchin, Betseq. 7 Assize R. 323, 225. 7 See Dict. Nat. Biog. s.v. Balliol, 77 See charter, Dugdale, Mon. vii, $20. This charter is witnessed by Eustace son of King Stephen, who died in 1153, Hen. II, no. 43. 5 Hund. R. (Rec. Com), i, 194 ; Exch. Proc. bdle. 144, no. 133. GEC. Peerage, s.v. Balliol ; Fine R. 7 Edw. I, no. 14. “Exch. K.R, Extents, Herts. 396; Feud. Aids, ii, 428. 85 Cal. Pat. 1301-7, p. 470. ®§ Ibid. 1307-13, pp. 79, 133) 139. A grant for life was changed into one in tail-male. 8 Ibid. p. 545. $ Chan. Ing. p.m. 4 Edw. III, no. 26. 8 Inq pm. $3 0 0. 74. no. 75. "Ibid. 4 Ric. II, no. 34. This was due to the fact that the elder Elizabeth out- lived her son Edward, who consequently never held more than two-thirds of the manor, the other third being his mother's o lower. Ibid. 49 Edw. III, no. 75. 0. Ps 304. 6. |. 1385-9, p. 2925 Chart. R. 14 Ric I, m. 13, no. 8 Hircuin : Coopers’ Arms Inn, Tiwenouse Srreer HITCHIN HUNDRED him by Henry IV in 1399." ‘The duke died in 1402, his widow Joan surviving until 1434, when the manor descended to Richard Duke of York, grandson of Edmund,” who was killed at the battle of Wake- Ricnaro Duke of York. FRANCE quartered with ENG- LAND differenced with the same label. gules on each pendant. LU HZ Euizapeta of York, Or a cross gules, for De Boron, quartered with Barry or and azure a chief or with two piles between two azure therein scutchean argent over all, for Mortimer. field in 1460. His son Edward Duke of York was crowned King of England in 1461. In the same year he granted Hitchin to his mother Cicely Duchess of York for life." ‘The reversion was granted by Henry VII to his queen Elizabeth in 1491. In 1509 Henry VIII granted the manor to the Princess Katherine of Arragon on his marriage with her! and in 1534 it formed part of the dower of Queen Anne Boleyn." Ralph Sadleir, gentleman of the King’s Privy Chamber, was appointed steward and bailiff of the lordship in 1539 in place of William Coffyn deceased. In 1603 James I granted the manor to his queen Anne, and in 1619 it was conveyed by the king to trustees for the use of the Prince of Wales." A Parliamentary survey was taken of it in 1650, as having lately belonged to Queen Henrietta Maria.’ From the survey it appears that quit-rents were payable to the manor from tenants in Hitchin, Offey, Walden, Preston and Kimpton. The free- holders paid for relief one year’s quit-rent, but nothing on alienation ; the copyholders paid half a year’s quit- rents on alienation and were admitted for a term of 100 Pat. 1 Hen. IV, pt. iv, m, 27. 101 Chan, Ing. p.m, 12 Hen. VI, no. 43- 103 Pat. 1 Edw. IV, pt. iv, m1. Confirmed by Ric, IIT in 1485 (ibi Ric, III, pt. v, m. 14). bay Ibid. 7 Hen. VII, m. 8 1 L, and P. Hen, VILL, i, 1556 105 Thid, vii, ae mB 3 patent). ds 1 (Augm. Of), G UI See Cal. S. 106 Ibid. xiv (2), g. 780 (42). Wor Add, MS. 6693, fol. 73 (copy ot 13 Pat. 17 Jas. I, pts iy no. 4. 109 Parl. Surv. Herts. no. 22, UO Partic, for sale of estates of Chas. I 9 P, Dom, 1667-8, p. 89. 9 HITCHIN forty years, renewable on the payment of another quit-rent, but owed no heriots. ‘The woods on the manor had been granted in 1619 to trustees to the use of the copyholders for a sum of {266 165, The PICK e@M3 Sou) Anne of Denmark. Hexwerra Mania Or powdered — with of France. Azure three hearts. gules three fours de bar leopards azure having golden crowns. courts baron and leet were kept in one of the stalls in the market-place belonging to the lord of the manor. The common fines, law-day money, head- silver, and tithing silver paid at the Michaelmas leet amounted to £1 155. the fines, &c., from the courts to £6. In the same year the trustees for the sale of the royal lands conveyed the manor to Samuel Chidley." After the Restoration the queen mother resumed possession.” It was held by Catherine, queen of Charles II, and after her death was granted on a lease to Francis Lord Holles for seventy-five years.” Leases of the manor continued to be made down to 1843,"* when the last expired, and Hitchin has since remained in the hands of the Crown. In the 13th century Devorgilda de Baliol claimed assize of bread and ale, but on what grounds was not known, as this privilege had previously always been in the hands of the king." Free warren was granted to Robert de Kendale and his heirs by Edward II in 1318.15 In the survey of 1650 the boundaries of the manor are given as follows : ‘The bounds of Hitchin begin at Altonheade, thence to a place called Burford Ray, thence to a water-mill called Hide Mill, thence to a hill called Welberry Hill, thence to a place called Bosrendell, thence to a water-mill called Purwell Mill, thence to a river called Ippolletts Brook, thence to Maiden Croft Lane, thence to a place called Well- head, thence to Stubborne Bush, thence to Offley Cross, thence to Fiveborrowe Hill, and thence to said Altonheade.’ In the time of Edward the Confessor the manor of DINSLEY (Deneslai, xi cent. ; Dineslea, Dines- lega, xii cent. ; Dunsle, Dynesle, Dinglo, xiii cent. 5 Dyonyse, xvii cent.) was in the possession of Earl Harold, and in 1086 it was held by King William." It was assessed at the time of the Survey at 7 hides. It had been held of Harold by two sokemen as two separate manors, but when it came into King William’s 1? Land Rev, Misc. Bks. cliii, fol. 16, 13 See Clutterbuck, Hist. and Antiz. of Herts. iii, 19; Cussans, Hist. of Herts. Hitchin Hund. 43. M4 Hund. R. (Rec. Com.), i, 194+ Us Chart, R. 11 Edw. I, no. ary m4. NS 7,6,H, Herts. i, 3034 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE hands he gave it to Ilbert his sheriff for his term of office, and he held the two manors as one.""? Each of these two manors rendered the service of 2 ‘ averae’” and 2 ‘inwardi”"$ At the end of this time Ibert refused to find the customary ‘avera’ due from the manor, and it was forcibly taken from him by Peter de Valoines, his successor, and Ralph Taillebois, who laid it to the king’s manor of Hitchin." Dinsley was apparently included in the grant of the manor of Hitchin made to Guy or Bernard de Baliol (see above), for in the reign of Stephen Bernard de Baliol granted 15 librates of land at ‘Wedelee’ (a name used elsewhere for Dinsley), a member of his manor of Hitchin, to the Master and Brothers of the Knights Templars.” Other grants of land were made to this order, and together formed the manor of TEMPLE DINSLEY. A grant of free warren there was made to them in 1253." They also claimed view of frankpledge, assize of bread and ale and gallows there."* In 1309 Ralph de Monchensey and John de Kyreton were appointed to report on the state of the manor '* preparatory to the suppres- sion of the order, which took place shortly after- Tur Ksicnts Hosri- Tatiers. Gules a cross argent, ‘Tre Kyiouts Tem- Pians. Argent a cross gules and a chief sable, wards.'* With the other lands of the Templars it passed to the Knights of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, and in 1330 the prior of that order demised it to William Langford for life.* The priors held the manor of the lords of the manors of Hitchin, Dinsley Furnival and King’s Walden by finding two chaplains annually to celebrate divine service in the chapel of the manor for the souls of the former lords of those manors who had been the feoffors of the Templars.’* At the suppression of the Hospitallers the manor of Temple Dinsley came to the Crown, and was granted to Sir Ralph Sadleir in March 1542.7 He settled the manor on his son Edward Sadleir and Edward’s wife Anne.” Sir Ralph died in 1587, when it descended to Lee son of Edward,!” the latter having died in 1584. Anne, widow of life interest." Lee died in 1588, and was succeeded by his son and heir Thomas," from whom the manor descended to his eldest surviving son Edwin,'? who was created a baronct in 1661." He died in 1672. His son Sir Edwin Sadleir sold the manor in 1712 to Benedict Ithell of Chelsea. His son Benedict died without issue in 1758, when the property passed to his sisters Elizabeth and Martha. The former died in 1766 and Martha one year later. Neither left any chil- dren, and Martha bequeathed Sauzin. Or ion the estate of Temple Dinsley parted fesewite axure and gules, to her steward, Thomas Har- wood, who at his death in 1786 left it to a nephew, Joseph Darton." now the property of Mr. H. G. Fenwick. The manor of MA4IDECROFT (Medcrof, xiii cent. ; Maidecroft, xiv cent.) or DINSLEY FUR- NIVAL was another part of the manor of Dinsley which is said in the 13th century to have been granted by William Rufus to Richard de Loveceft. In 1268 it was in the tenure of Thomas de Furnival, who conveyed to his younger brother Gerard de Furnival two parts of the manor.’ In 1287 Gerard de Furnival son of Gerard de Furnival granted the manor It is to William Hurst, with re- Furnivat. Argenta mainder in default of issue to bend between six martlets Gerard son of William de He Eylesford and of Christine Gerard Furnival’s daughter, then to Loretta daughter of Gerard de Furnival, wife of John de Useflet.? In 1315-16 Gerard son of William de Eylesford* recovered the manor against John son of William Hurst. Soon after this the manor came into the hands of the overlord, Robert Kendale, who in March 1317-18 received a grant of free warren in his demesne lands there,’ and it descended with the manor of Hitchin (q.v.) until the death of Edward Kendale the younger in 1375.° It then passed to his sister Beatrice, wife of Robert Turk, as ap- parently it was not held like Hitchin in tail-male. Beatrice and her husband conveyed the manor in the following year to Sir William Croyser, kt., and Elizabeth his daughter,’ apparently in confirmation of an earlier grant made by Edward Kendale in Edward, who married Ralph Norwich, retained 2 1372. A life interest in the manor was retained by a PCH, Herts. i, 3034. F. Herts. Hil. 13 Eliz. His eldest son other third part was doubtless held as ie aa was Thomas Sadleir, lower, id, 1 Dugdale, Aon. Angl. vi, 819-20; Addison, The Knights Templars, 25. 11 Cal. Chart, R. 1226-57, p. 415. 19 Assize R. 32 ¥3 Pat. 2 Edw. 104 Orig, Mins. I, pt. i,m. 4d. 12 Accts. Herts. bdle. 865. G.E.C, Baronetage, 25 Cal. Pat. 1327-30, ps 531. 2° Dugdale, Afon, vii, 819. 7 L. and P. Hen, VII, xvii, g. 220 1 (48). < ¥S Pat. 13 Eliz. pt. ii, m. 193 Feet of ¥8 Chan. Ing. pam. (Ser. 2), ccxxxvi, 72. Com. Pleas D. Ent. Trin. 35 Eliz, m. 2. 11 Chan, Ing. p.m, (Ser. 2), cexxxvi, 725 Feet of F. Herts. Trin. 8 Jas. I Recov. R. Hil. 1652, rot. 121. 18 Cal. S. P. Dom. 1661-2, p. 845 154 Close, 11 Anne, 135 Cussans, Hist. Herts. 49. 1See Dugdale, Barcnage, i, 263 Feet of F. Div. Co. 53 Hen, III, no. 355. The 2 Feet of F. Herts, East. 15 Edw. I, no. 198 ; Wrottesley, Pedigrees from Plea RB, 8 Wrottesley, Pedigrees from Plea R. Jas. 1. 54. ‘4 Coram Rege R. no. 60, 7 Edw. II (Agard’s MS. Index). * Chart. R. 11 Edw. II, m. 4, no. 115 Ing. p.m. 4 Edw, III, no. 26, © Chan, Ing. p.m, 49 Edw. III, pte i, no. 74. 7 Feet of F. Div. Co. 50 Edw. Il, no. 150, 8 Ibid. 46 Edw. ILI, no. 94 pt. ¥, no. Re Hitchin Hund, pie} HITCHIN HUNDRED Elizabeth widow of Edward Kendale.? In 1379 Sir William Croyser received a grant of free warren." In 1377 Croyser conveyed the reversion of the manor to Reginald Lord Grey of Ruthyn."' In 1391 John Grey and Elizabeth his wife, on whom apparently a settlement had been made by Lord Grey," granted the manor to trustees for conveyance of the reversion after the death of Elizabeth to Sir Thomas Beaufort, kt., who was created Earl of Dorset in 1411 and Duke of Exeter in 1416. He died in 1426, when the manor passed, according to a settlement, to his nephew John Beaufort, created Duke of Somerset HITCHIN Isabella his queen and her daughter the Queen of Scotland.” The reputed manor of CHARLTON alias MORE- MEAD was at the time of the Survey in the possession of King William, Before the Conquest it had been held by two sokemen of Earl Harold, but had been attached by | the sheriff Ibert to Hitchin, in which its soke lay. The history of this manor is scanty,™ but apparently it came into the possession of the Knights ‘Templars, who received a grant of free warren there in 1269.% It was probably held by the Templars and then by the Hospitallers with the manor of Temple Dinsley (q.v.) until the OrO'® Grey of Ruthyn, Barry argent and azure ‘with three roundels gules in the chief. Braurorr. FRANCE and ENGLAND with the difference of a border gobony argent and azure, in 1443.8 The manor descended to his daughter Margaret, wife of Edmund Earl of Richmond, and to her son King Henry VII,'*and thus became vested in the Crown. In 1524 a lease of the manor was made to Morgan Morice" and afterwards to Henry Morice, probably his son.'® In 1544 John Cock (Cokke, Cooke) bought the manor of Maidecroft from the king, and with it a wood called Weyndon (Wendon Wood). John Cock by his will of 1553 left the estate to his two sons William and Thomas. A partition was made after 1558, by which William held the capital messuage and some of the land, while Thomas had the residue of the property, including the manorial rights."® Thomas conveyed his share of the estate in 1606 to Ralph Radcliffe,” who ten years later had a grant of a court leet there.” From this date the manor has descended with that of Hitchin Priory (q.v.). The capital messuage was held by William Cock at his death in 1610, and probably passed to his wife Elizabeth, who survived him, and after her death to her daughter Anne, wife of William Fryer,” but this portion of the estate is not further traceable. In the time of Edward II there was a park at Maidecroft which was visited on one occasion by 9 Anct. D. (P-R.O,), C. 687. 1 Chart, R, 3 Ric. II, m. 8, no. 23 % Pat, 14 Jas. I, pt. xii; Cal. S. Pe Dom, 1611-18, p. 375. uppression of the latter order. The manor subse- quently came to Edward Pulter, who sold it in 1582 to Ralph Radcliffe,” from which time it has descended with Hitchin Priory * (q.v). The manor of MENDLESDEN, MINSDEN, or MINSDENBURY was a member of Hitchin, ‘and passed with that manor from Earl Harold to the Conqueror.” In the 12th century Minsden seems to have been held by Guy de Bovencourt, whose heir (unnamed) forfeited his lands in the reign of John. It was then granted to Hugh de Baliol,® the lord of the manor of Hitchin. After the forfeiture of John de Baliol (see Hitchin) the manor of Hitchin was granted to Robert Kendale, and on the strength of this grant he took possession of Minsden. A suit in Chancery was brought by the king against Edward Kendale, his son (to whom the manor de- scended), who contended that Minsden was not a separate manor but a hamlet within the manor of Hitchin." The result of the suit seems to have been that the king recovered Minsden, for in 1366 the king’s esquire John de Beverle was holding the manor and received a grant of free warren? He held it with his wife Amice until his death in 1380, leaving as heirs his two daughters Anne and Elizabeth." ‘The mother and two daughters appear to have taken one-third of the manor each. Elizabeth married John Dauntesey, who died in January 1404-5." She had died in 1395," leaving a son and heir Walter, then aged twelve, who on reaching his majority received his mother’s third, which had been given by the king after John Dauntesey’s death to John Cockayne.* Anne’s husband, William Langford, who survived her, died in 1411. Their heir was their son Robert.” Amice married as her second husband Robert Bardolf.* Probably Dauntesey sold his share in the manor to Langford, for in 1419 Robert Lang- ford died seised of the whole, and was succeeded by his son Edward.” At his death in 1474 his son 3§ Geo, III, rot. 382; Hil. 5 & 6 Geo, IV, rot. 22, 1 Anct. D. (P.R.O,), C. 828. Bla. beth Kendale also attorned the reversion (ibid. C, 2001), 1 Reginald was the eldest son and heir of Lord Grey. 18 Chan, Ing. p.m. 5 Het yy no. 56. 44 Jbid, 22 Hen. VI, ni 13 L, and P. Hen. (16). 1 Aug. Off. Misc. Bks. ccxxx, fol. sob; L. and P. Hen, VILL, xviii (2), vin, ‘iv, & 213 xix (2), g 340 (21). 18 Chan, Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), cecxxii, 160. 19 Feet of F. Herts. Trin, 4 Jas. 15 Com, Pleas D. Enr. Trin. 4 Jas. i,m, 9. “Chan, Ing. p.m, (Ser, 2), eccxxii, 160. 2 Archacologia, xxv, 462. 3 Y.C,H. Herts i 3034. 2% William son of Gerard de Furnivall was holding land at ‘Suckhade’ in Charlton in the 13th century, See Harl. Chart, 82 H 27. % Chart, R. $3 Hen, III, m. 3 % See Cal, Pat. 1307-13, p. 13%. Cussans, Hist, Herts. “tchin, Hand, 48, who quotes ‘Carta orig. pene: F. P. Delmé Radcliffe, esq” 38 Chan, Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), delxxxiv, 253 Recov. R, Mich, 2 Chas, I, rot. 515 Mich, 10 Geo, 4, rot. 3273 Trin, Il ® VCH, Herts. i, yo2a. 80 Roe. de Oblatis et Fine ities Com.), 2125 Pipe R. 6 Johs, m, 1 Plac. in Canc. no. ne * Chart. R. 39 & 40 Edw. IV, m. 7, no. 18, 38 Chan, Ing, pm. 4 Ric. Il, no. 11, % Ibid, 6 Hen. IV, no. 19. % Tid, 13 Hen. IV, no. 24. % Ibid, The two heiresses each had a third, the remaining third being held by Amice in dower. 8 Tbid. 13 Hen. IV, no. 32. 88 Thid, 4 Hen, V, no. 46. 8 Ibid, 7 Hen. V, no. 3. A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE Thomas inherited the property ” and held it for some twenty years. It passed at his death in 1493" to his son John, who was afterwards knighted. In 1501-2 he and his wife Katherine sold the property to William Lytton, who died in 1517, leaving as heir his son Robert, aged five years. Robert at his death left three daughters, of whom Ellen wife of John Brockett bought up the shares of the other two."* From this date the manor descended with the manor of Almshoe in Ippollitts (q.v.). There was a small religious house in this parish called NEW BIGGING, belonging to the order of St. Gilbert of Sempringham.* This house was founded by Edward de Kendale before 1363, when he obtained licence to divert a grant made by his mother Margaret de Kendale of a rood of land at Orwell, co. Cambridge, and of the advowson of the church there to the warden and chaplains of the chapel of St. Peter within the parish church of Hitchin, for the benefit of the prior and canons of this house. In 1372 two chaplains granted to them, probably on the behalf of Edward de Kendale, certain lands in Willey and Hitchin.© The lands of the priory were valued in 1535 at £13 16s.” After the Dissolution the priory was granted in 1544 to John Cock, together with a messuage called Barkers Dalles Place in Bancroft Street and nineteen messuages in Hitchin.* It apparently descended with his manor of Maidecroft (q.v.), as this is the last mention of it. In the 17th century the manor-house called the Biggin was in the possession of Joseph Kemp, schoolmaster, who in 1654 devised it for charitable purposes (see under Charities). There was also a free chapel at Bigging, of which Robert Turk (lord of the manor of Maidecroft in right of his wife) died seised in 1400. In 1317 the king granted to the Carmelite Friars in frankalmoign a messuage in the parish of Hitchin that they might build a church and house there for their habitation.” Other messuages and lands were given to this order by John de Cobham." They built a small convent there which they dedicated to the Blessed Mary. This they held until the dissolution of their house in 1539." In 1546 a survey was made of the priory and its whole estate. The buildings of the priory comprised a mansion house with a frater and dorter over the cloister, a church, the ‘old hall,’ the prior’s lodging, and two little chambers for the brothers, also a kitchen, barn and other premises. There were also other tenements belonging to it in Bridge Street and Bull Street, which were leased out with the convent garden. Except the mansion-house, which had been repaired since the Dissolution, all the buildings were in a miserable state of dilapidation, being ‘ruinous both in timber and tile,’ and the gardens HITCHIN PRIORY were like yards or waste places of ground. The church too was defaced, the steeple broken down and decayed by the weather, and all the lead, freestone, glass and bells gone. This survey was evidently made preparatory to a grant of the site in the same year to Sir Edward Watson, kt.,* from whom it passed seven years later to rr Ralph Radcliffe,** who died in 1559, leaving his estates to his eldest son Ralph.* He left the property to his nephew Edward, son of his brother Sir Edward Radcliffe, kt.,°” and died without issue in 1621. In 1660 Edward died also without issue and left as heir his nephew Ralph, who was knighted eight years later.” His son Edward succeeded him in 1720, and held the estate until his death in 1727. His three sons, Ralph, Edward, and Arthur, then held it in succession, and after the death of the youngest in 1767 the property was inherited by their nephew John son of John Radcliffe. This John died in 1783, when the priory passed to his eldest sister Penelope, wife of Sir Charles Famaby, bart, of Kippington near Sevenoaks, who assumed the name of Radcliffe. She dicd without issue in 1802. Her sister Anne, who married Charles Clarke of Ockley, co. Surrey, had issue John Clarke, who died in 1801 leaving no children, and Anne Millicent, heir to her aunt Penelope ; she in 1802 married Emilius Henry Delmé, who on his marriage assumed the name of Radcliffe. His eldest son Henry Delmé Radcliffe having predeceased him, the priory devolved at his ca Raveurrs of Hite chin, Argent a croulet gules between two bends engrailed sable with a Jabel azure. Duta. Or an anchor Ravcuirre. Argent sable between two lions a grosiler. gules. Sersacen pasiant gules. three bends engrailed sable a label azure and a quarter sable with @ crosslet or thereon. death in 1832 upon his second son Frederick H. Peter Radcliffe, captain in the Grenadier Guards, who was * Chan. Ing, pam. 14 Edw. IV, no, 38, 4 Ibid, (Ser. 2), ix, 67. 2 Feet of F. Herts. Hil. 17 Hen. VII. © Chan, Ing. p.m, (Ser. 2), xxxiii, 5. #a Ibid. xev, 199; Feet of F. Herts, Mich. 2 & 3 Eliz. ; East. 6 Eliz, 44 The houses of this order were gene- rally dual, but this seems to have been ‘one of the few for canons only. 48 Cal. Pat. 1343-5, p- 569 5 1348-50, p- 93 Pat. 37 Edw. II, pt. i, m. 37. “© Ing. a.gd, file 377, no, 143 see Cal. Papal Letiers, iv, 349. * Valor Eccl, (Rec. Com.), iv, 276. 48L, and P. Hen, VIII, xix (2), 166 (25) 5 xx (2)) & 496 (44)- * Chan, Ing. pm. 2 Hen, IV, no. 36. 80 Cal, Pat. 1313-17, p. 662. The king had obtained the messuage from Adam le Rous of Hitchin. Ing. ag.d. file 303, no. 12 (25 Edw, Hl). 5* Dugdale, Mon. Angl viii, 15715 L. and P. Hen. VIII, w, 751. Ss Rentals and Surv. Herts. port. 8 no. 29, 12 “4 Pat, 38 Hen. VIII, pt. iv, m. 40. $5 Plac, de Banco Hil. 6 & 7 Edw. vi, m. 15. © VCH. Herts. Fam. 1 Herts. Mich. 17 & 18 Eli 57 Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), delxaxiv, Feet of F. 25. 48 Thid. = ee: Herts. Fam, 16. Shaw, Knights of England, ii, 243+ © Burke, Landed oe Recoy. R. Trin. 35 Geo, Il, rot. 382. Hircuin Cuurch : Sours Cuaren Screen HITCHIN HUNDRED succeeded by his fifth but eldest surviving son Hubert Delmé Radcliffe, J.P. He died in 1878, and his brother Mr. Francis Augustus Delmé Radcliffe is the present owner of Hitchin Priory. The present house, which stands on the south side of the town, incorporates part of the old house of White Friars. The original structure appears to have been of flint rubble and clunch, with the priory church on the south. No visible detail, however, is earlier than the 15th century, and the remains are confined to a part of the north, or frater, range of the west range. The house as it stands at present was almost wholly built in 1770-1 by John Radcliffe of plastered brick, and stands about the four sides of a courtyard, which represents the old, small, cloister garth. The roofs are covered with tiles and lead. In the original building the church was probably to the south, the frater to the north, the dorter chapter- house to the east of the garth. The walls of the courtyard have been much renewed, but in the north and west wings are many arches, now blocked, of the original cloister arcade, and part of the inner wall, showing the cloister to have been g ft. wide. The arches are two-centred and continuously moulded, with double ogees and chamfers, but the tracery is gone ; the piers between them are 4 ft. 6 in. wide. One arch remains open, and forms the principal entrance of the house, but three at least are visible inside the wall of the north wing, and two in the west wing, and others are said to be bricked up and plastered. The north cloister is now represented by a loggia with an arcade of the late 17th century, set in place of the bricked-up arcade ofthe 15th century. The cellarage under the north wing represents that under the frater. The space originally occupied by the frater, on the first floor of this wing, is now divided into several bedrooms. The north elevation was completely altered late inthe 17th century. The ground story has an open arcade of five semicircular arches with moulded imposts, and a frieze of rosettes between cable mouldings ; the central arch, which is set in a slight projection, has strapwork in the spandrels, with a shield of the Radcliffe arms, the initials RRs, and the date 1679. The windows above the arcade and the moulded cornice, of which all the detail is of plaster, are of the 18th century. The arcade in the courtyard belongs to the same period of reconstruction as the south elevation. The north elevation is of the late 18th century, and is an elaborate Palladian design ; the south wing was completely rebuilt about this time, and contains the Principal rooms, The east wing, which contains the main staircase, a few rooms and some cellars on the ground level, presents an elevation patched and much repaired, like that of the west wing, which contains the domestic offices, and is much obscured by out- buildings of different dates, There is some early 17th- century panelling in this wing, and in a small north room is a plaster ceiling of the same date, with cable and foliate tears parish church of ST. MARY % ant to Jthe north-east of the market- place and the churchyard is bounded CHURCH © PACH. Herts, Fam. 13-16 ; Archaco- ‘agia (S06: of Antig) xvii, 447-8. S. in Herts, Co. Mus, marked “tein © As late as 1521 to St. Andrew. &% Dimensions : ch by 19 ft. 6in. ; north wide; south chapel, 13 HITCHIN on the east by the River Hiz. The church consists of a chancel,®° nave and aisles, north and south chapels, west tower, north and south porches and charnel. It is built of flint rubble with stone dress- ings and has been heavily cemented. The tower incorporates some re-used Roman bricks, some 16th or 17th-century brick used in repairs, and also some later brickwork, ‘The roofs of aisles, south porch and tower are of lead, those of nave and chancel are slated. The general exterior character of the building is that of the 15th century, all the windows being of that date, and the tower, from which a small lead- covered spire rises, aisles and south porch, north and south chapels and chancel having embattled parapets. The aisles, chapels and chancel are buttressed. The fabric, however, ranges from the 12th to the late 15th century, The nave, and at least the lower stages of the tower, are those of the 12th-century church, which probably consisted of chancel, nave and west tower only, ‘The tower was probably completed about the middle of the 13th century, when the present tower arch was inserted and the stair-turret at the south- east of the tower built. About three-quarters of a century later first the north and then the south aisle was built and the arcades of the nave made. Either at the same time or slightly earlier the chancel was enlarged to about two-thirds of its present length and possibly to its present width. In the following century the chancel was still further enlarged, reaching its present proportions, and the foundation of the 14th-century east wall was made to form the west wall of the charnel, which was constructed at the same time. The whole church underwent a thorough re- handling during the 15th century ; in addition to the enlargement of the chancel and construction of the charnel the north and south chapels were added, and arcades inserted between them and the chancel with a clearstory over. The chancel arch was some- what clumsily raised to a great height, the clearstory of the nave was added and the north porch built, while new windows were inserted throughout the church, which was largely re-roofed. Lastly, the elaborate south porch was added towards the end of the century. Later work on the church is limited to certain 17th and 19th-century repairs, mostly in brick. The church is unusually rich in 1gth and 1gth- century timber and woodwork, which will be described in order of its occurrence. The chancel has a much-restored 15th-century east window of five lights traceried in the head ; the centre light is not crossed by the transoms, of which two divide each pair of side lights. The north and south sides of the chancel are r5th-century arcades of four bays; the easternmost arch of each arcade is slightly wider in span than the rest and is four-centred of two moulded orders, the inner one springing off carved corbels, the outer one continuous. The rest are two-centred, of two moulded orders, and supported on columns with engaged shafis, 74 ft. 6 in, by 22.3 north aisle, 20 ft, wide 5 touth aisle 19 tower, 21 ft, by 20 ft. 6 11 ft. 6 in, by g ft. 6 in,; south porch, 14 ft by 11 ft. the dedication was ancel, 71 ft. chapel, 22 ft. 6 in. 21ft, wide; nave, A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE with foliate capitals and moulded bases. The clear- story above the arcades is of the same date and has four modern windows on each side. The roof trusses rest on sixteen modern richly foliated corbels with embattled miniature parapets. There are some late 15th-century bench-ends in the chapels. The charnel beneath the east bay of the chancel is reached by a winding stair, now replaced by modern brick steps, and is entered through a moulded four-centred door- way in the west end of its north wall; it has been vaulted with brick in modern times, and has two barred mullioned windows and a third which is now a door on the east. ‘The chancel arch is an ugly piece of 15th-century are of the 15th century and have undergone consider- able repair. They have moulded principals, purlins, wall plates, &c., and there are figures of angels at the foot of the principals, some holding shields, In the north chapel the roof is flat. In the south chapel the roof is ridged, with carved bosses at the intersection of the ridge and the principals, which run to the wall plates. The wall plates here rest directly on the moulded and carved half-octagonal corbels. Both north and south chapels have splendid 15th-century wooden screens inclosing them, in the arches leading to the aisles on the west. That of the north chapel has five two-light openings with elaborate tracery, three to the north and two to the “ENTURY ENTURY Prax of Hircuin Cuurcu alteration. The original mid-14th-century arch was supported on half-octagonal jambs, simply moulded at their heads. On these has been erected a high four- centred arch with smaller shafted jambs. The outer order of this is continuous and the inner is stopped by the mean capitals of the shafts. ‘The chapels are separated from the chancel by the remains of 15th-century parclose screens. The north chapel contains the organ ; it hasan original traceried east window of five lights, and the five windows of three lights in the nosth wall are also original. A small 17th-century communion table isin the vestry. In the first column of the arcade is a tall moulded niche of the 15th century, with a low projecting bracket. This chapel also contains a 1§th-century piscina. The roofs of both the north and south chapels south of a four-centred doorway, equal in width to two of the other compartments. The head of this doorway is continued up into an ogee with rich crockets, to the lowest string of the heavy moulded cornice, which has a Tudor-leaf cresting. On either side of the ogee is tracery similar to that in the remaining compartments, which are separated from one another and from the doorway by slender buttresses with crocketed pinnacles. Between the north shaft of the arch filled by the screen and the northernmost buttress of the screen is an extremely narrow space, with tracery at the head, fitted to the contour of the capital of the shaft. The panels below the middle moulding of the compartments have arches upon them with foliated spandrels, and cusped trefoils within the arches, with foliated points 14 HITCHIN HUNDRED to their main cusps, all within a moulded frame. The two-leaved door of the screen reproduces this panelling in its lower, solid portion, but with two panels in each leaf, and has open lights with tracery above the middle moulding. The screen of the south chapel is very much richer. It has two openings of two lights each on either side of a central doorway nearly equal in width to two of the openings. In each compartment the two lights are almost round-headed, containing cusped and foliated trefoils, the foliations being three- and four-petalled flowers with berry centres, The lights have a quatrefoil above and are continued into an ogee with florid crockets and a finial, with tracery of two cinquefoiled lights and a quatrefoil ‘on either side. This scheme is bounded above by a very narrow embattled moulding, on which stands an arcade of three traceried two-light arches separated by extremely slender pinnacled and crocketed but- tresses, and crowned by double ogee canopies with carved groining, each ogee being continued into a tall pinnacle heavily crocketed, with a third pinnacle of similar pattern between each pair, all reaching to the level of the lowest moulding of the cornice. The solid portion of the screen below the middle moulding consists in each compartment of a panel divided into two by a moulded frame, having in each subsidiary panel an ogee containing a re-cusped trefoil with foliated main cusps. The ogees have small cusps and finials, and there is tracery in the spandrels, When the double doors in the centre compartment are closed their appearance is almost exactly that of two compartments of the screen. The four-centred head of the opening slightly interrupts the line of the two ogees, and there are two panels, instead of one, in the solid portion of each leaf of the door ; while above the embattled moulding the small arcade consists of five traceried lights, instead of six, the centre one being slightly wider than the rest. The compartments of the screen are separated by slender pinnacled and crocketed buttresses with moulded bases, which run from the ground to the level of the lowest moulding of the cornice. This cornice has a very wide shallow moulding containing a beautiful frieze of twelve angels, with intercrossed wings, issuing from clouds and holding emblems of the Passion, except those on the north and south, which carry shields. Above them is a simple moulding. There is a small space on the south side between the southernmost buttress of the screen and the shaft of the arch, but this contains no tracery. In both chapels the arches towards the aisles are of two orders with shafted jambs, and the hood moulds have mask stops, The arrangement of the windows in the south chapel is like that of the north chapel, except that the east window has only four lights. Towards the east end of the south wall, between the first and second windows, is a small doorway. The nave is of four bays; the 14th-century two- centred arches with drop mouldings are of two chamfered orders, on octagonal columns with moulded capitals. Over the east respond of the north arcade is a blocked doorway, which formerly led to the rood loft, now destroyed, and over the chancel arch is a window of five lights. The 15th-century 15 HITCHIN clearstory has on each side five windows of three lights. The roof is ot 1§th-century date, much repaired, and has moulded principals, tie-beams, wall plates, &c. Its wall-pieces rest on moulded corbels sculptured with figures of angels, all of modern workmanship. The north aisle has four three-light windows with tracery, and one on the west, all of the 15th century, inserted in the 14th-century wall. The north door- way is of the same date as the wall and is of two chamfered orders. It leads to the north porch, which is of two stories, the upper story being reached by a polygonal stair turret which opens into the aisle by a four-centred door, The exterior entrance door of the porch is two centred, of two moulded orders. ‘The lower story has two three-light windows, one on the east and one on the west, and the window in the north wall of the upper story is also of two lights. There are the remains of a stoup in a pointed recess in this porch. ‘The roof of this aisle, at the western end, is of the 15th century, of the same type as, but plainer than, those already described ; but that of the eastern end is a very fine flat roof of 14th-century work ; its dimensions tend to show that it was originally the roof of the 14th-century chancel, and was moved here during the general reconstruction of the 15th century. The south aisle corresponds exactly in all its arrangement to the north aisle, except for a trifling difference in width, and the south door is of 1§th- century date, contemporary with the south porch, the upper story of which is approached by an octagonal stair turret at the north-east angle. The doorway to the porch still retains its contemporary door with cusped panelling, but its pointed head has been sawn off and fixed, The south porch is of two stories. The entrance arch is of two shafted orders, an arch inclosed in a square, with tracery inclosing foliate sculpture in the spandrels. On either side of the entrance is a deep shafted and cusped niche with a pedestal, and below them are cusped panels inclosing shields, one with a merchant’s mark and another with a coat of arms. Small shafts with capitals at the same level as those of the entrance, but without bases, meet the frame- moulding of the lower compartments of the scheme. On the east and west sides are traceried three-light windows, having an exterior hood mould with a mask stop at the southern extremity, and dying into a buttress on the northern. The ceiling of the entrance story is elaborately groined, and the interior walls are panelled below the windows. A string-course all round the three sides of the porch marks the level of the upper story, which is plain on the east and west, and lighted by a small three-light window on the south, with identical blind lights below, to the level of the string-course. On either side of these are pairs of niches with shafts and capitals sup- porting square heads inclosing pointed arches, with foliation in the spandrels. Moulded pedestals stand in the niches on low plinths rising from the sloping upper surface of the string-course. The whole scheme of windows and niches is inclosed in a square frame supported on six slender shafts with capitals and bases resting on similar plinths. Above is another string running round the three sides of the porch, with grotesques at the south-east and south-west A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE angles, Pairs of gabled buttresses at right angles in two stages run up to the level of the upper string, at the south-west and south-east angles. “Their upper portions are panelled, the gables are cusped, and they have small sculptured demi-figures in their heads. Identical buttresses stand on the cast and west sides of the porch a short distance from the wall of the aisle. The sides of the central crenelle of the battlement on the south side are continued down to the upper string to form a panel with a four-centred head containing sculpture. There is a small shield above, and an iron cross inclosing a pierced stone. Sout Porcu Hircuin Cuurcn : Above the buttresses are pinnacles with crockets and finials, and téte-béche trefoiled panels on the outer faces. The west tower, which is of two stages, is ap- proached from the nave by an arch of three chamfered orders, with half-octagonal responds, and moulded capitals and bases, On the north side is a much- restored 13th-century lancet window. The upper stage is lighted by two pointed windows in each wall, all much restored with brick in the 17th and again in the 1gth century. The west door is of the 13th century and is much decayed. The deep square buttresses, one—to the north—of the same date and four of the 14th century, are built against the remains of 12th-century pilaster buttresses, which were revealed during recent repairs. The stair turret at the south-east angle is also of the 3th century. It is built against the wall, without bond. ing, and rises above the parapet of the tower. The lower part is lighted by small lancets, and the upper part, which with its parapet has been repaired with 16th or 17th-century brick, has cross-loops. The fittings of the church include a richly carved twelve-sided font, with defaced figures of saints under elaborate ogee canopies with crockets and finials, resting on sculptured corbels. There are small pinnacled but- tresses on high moulded plinths between the figures. The tall cover of 15th-century style is modern. The pulpit is an early 16th- century structure considerably restored. The monuments in the chancel include a slab with the indents of a priest and a marginal in- scription with roses at the corners, and the brasses of a merchant of the Staple of Calais, 1452, his wife, four sons and six daughters ; the inscription containing the date is imperfect; there is one illegible shield, the indents of four others, and of four square plates ; a late 15th-century brass of a priest with a brass of a wounded heart, and the indent of another, the indents of two inscriptions and a small plate, which was perhaps a symbol the Holy Trinity ; the brasses of the shrouded figures of a man and his wife, three sons and five daughters ; a shield bears a bend in a border engrailed, and there are the indents of an inscription and four roses; a late 15th- century brass of a woman much worn, with the indents of a man and of an inscription ; and an early 16th-century brass of a civilian and his wife, with the indents of an inscription and scrolls. In the north chapel is a 16th- century slab with the indents of an inscription and a shield, re- used in the 18th century as a gravestone. There is also here an early 15th-century Purbeck marble tomb, with quatrefoiled panels in the sides. In the top slab is the indent of a marginal inscription, and a later brass of John Pulter, with a marginal inscrip- tion and the date 1485. In the floor is a slab of the 14th century with an incised marginal inscription to Sir Robert de Kendale. This is found not to be a floor-slab, having its edges moulded to a hollow chamfer. An indent of William Pulter, 1549, has a brass inscription and a shield. An altar tomb of c. 1500 is of clunch, with panelled sides, having a slab with a contemporary brass of the shrouded 16 NOY SH], ? HOWAHD NIHOLIET MOIALN] HOYOY HLAOG : HOWAHD NIHOLIEL HITCHIN HUNDRED figures of a man and his wife. A late 15th-century altar-tomb has panelled sides with shields inscribed c.a. and. a.,and a slab with the brasses of a civilian and his wife. The mural monuments are those of Edward Docwra, 1610, John Skinner, 1669, and Ralph Skinner, 1697. The south chapel contains a large 17th-century monument to Ralph Radcliffe, 1559, Ralph Radcliffe, 1621, Sir Edward Radcliffe, 1631, and Edward Radcliffe, 1660, as well as other members of the same family. In the floor is the indent with the brass feet remaining of John Pulter, 1421, and his wife Lucia, 1420, with a square plate, worn smooth, a much worn and imperfect inscription, and the indents ‘of two roundels ; the half-figure indent of John Parker, 1578, with a square plate and brass inscrip- tion ; the indents of a civilian and his wife, and inscription brasses of four sons and four daughters of the late 15th century, partly covered by pews ; and the brasses of a shrouded woman with four sons and four daughters, with indents of an inscription and seven scrolls, undated. In the two easternmost window sills of the north aisle are the Purbeck marble effigy of a knight wearing a mail hauberk with a coif, mail chausses and a long surcoat, of mid-13th-century date, and the late 14th- century effigies of a knight and lady, much defaced. At the west end of the nave are the mid-15th- century brasses of a civilian and his wife, and in the tower the indents of a woman and two men, and of a man and a woman, with an inscription, a scroll, and four roses, of the late 15th century, and much worn. There is a ring of eight bells, seven of which are by Joseph Eayre of St. Neots, 1762, and the eighth by Edward Arnold of St. Neots, 1784. The plate includes patens of 1625 and 1634, a salver of 1635, and two cups and two flagons of. 1705. ‘The registers are in eight books. The first book contains baptisms, burials and marriages from 1562 to 1653. The book of the civil register from 1653 does not now exist. The second book contains all entries from 1665 to 1680. On 8 November 1667 William Gibbs, vicar of Hitchin, and nine other persons certified that ‘the registry for Christenings, Marriages and Burials in the Parish of Hitchin . . . through the carelessnes and neglect of former Regesters is wholly lost for the space of seventeen years and upwards last past, from Feb. 1, 1648/9 to Aug. 1, 1665.’ The third book contains all entries from 1679 to 1746, and duplicates the second for about a year. The fourth includes baptisms and burials from 1747 to 1800 and marriages from 1747 to 1753. The fifth has baptisms and burials from 1801 to 1812, the sixth, seventh and eighth contain marriages from 1754 to 1776, 1776 to 1811, and 1811-12 respectively. The church of Hitchin is described in the Domesday Survey as the F minster (monasterium) of Hitchin, and to it belonged as much as 2 hides out of the 5 hides monuments to ADVOWSON VCH, Herts, i, 272, 3024 % Abbrev. Plac, (Rec. Com.), 8 © VCH, Beds. i, 353. ™ Dugdale, Mon. Angl. iii, 413. 7 Tn the 13th century William II was the reputed donor (Assize R. 323,m.46d.). 3 Trin. Coll. Camb. 74 Line. Epis. d. 17 "a Liber Antiquus Hugonis Wells, 28. 7 Information from Senior Bursar of 73 See Inst. Bks. (P. Reg. HITCHIN at which Hitchin was assessed. The exact significance of the term minster is not clear, but it would perhaps seem to imply something more than an ordinary parish church, and the very large amount of glebe attached to it is suggestive of this. There is no evidence that there was here an carly monastery, but there can be little doubt that ecclesiastically, as well as temporally, Hitchin was the head of a large district. Tt was the head of a deancry, and, as appears from later evidence, was the mother church of the two Wymondleys, which formed one chapelry, and of the chapelries of Dinsley and Ippollitts. At the time of the Domesday Survey the church probably belonged, like the manor, to the king.'” In the 12th century the church was said to have been given to the nuns of Elstow by the Countess Judith, niece of William I, founder of that house, and charters to that effect from the countess, William I and William II were produced by the abbess.® The countess’s endowment of the monastery, however, took place before 1086, for the lands in Bedfordshire (Elstow, &c.) which she granted to them are said in the Domesday Survey to be held by the nuns of her grant,®® whereas the church of Hitchin is not men- tioned in connexion with Elstow until the time of Henry II, who by charter confirmed the lands granted by the Countess Judith, and granted also the church of St. Andrew of Hitchin.” The evidence, there- fore, points to the grant by the Countess Judith being fictitious.! The abbey held the advowson till the dissolution of this house. Early in the 13th century a vicarage was ordained, to be supported by the altarage of the high altar, 2 acres of land and a suit- able house. Out of the stipend the vicar was to pay 13 marks to the monks, but they were to entertain the archdeacon, while the vicar paid the synodals. It was said that two chaplains were necessary for the parish at this date.” After the Dissolution Henry VIII granted the advowson and rectory of this church with that of Ippollitts (q-v.) to the Master and Fellows of Trinity College, Cambridge,” and they have held it ever since,’$ In 1301 the belfry of the church was in such a bad state as to be dangerous, and the parishioners were ordered to repair it “* ; sentence was then passed against some persons who appropriated some of the goods left to the church and some of the fabric, which hindered the restoration.” In the 15th and 16th centuries many bequests were made to this church. Thomas Pulter7® and Agnes Lyndesey 7 in 1464, Laurence Bertlott in 1471,* left gifts for prayers to be said for their souls. Agnes Lyndesey also gave 35. 4d. to the great window in the chapel of St. Edmund,’ and Laurence Bertlott desired that cloth should be hung about his sepulchre in the church. John Pulter in 1487 left 26s. 8d. for repairs and lights before the crucifix. He also made the following bequest : ‘I bequeath to the paynting of the Ile of the north side of the seid paroch church of Hicchen which I did doo to make after the deceese of my fader on whoes soule Jhu doo mercy iiijli to 7 Ibid. fol. 166. 7 Wille P.C.C. 8 Godyn, 3 Wattys. 77 Ibid. 6 Godyn. 78 Thid. 3 Wattys, 79 Ibid. 6 Godyn. 80 Thid, 3 Wattys. R.O.). Dalderby, fol. A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE have the sowles of my moder Dame Alice Pulter and Isabel Rych my sister praid for and remembered in the same werke.’ He also Jeft various books to the church.*! The gild of Our Lady was founded in the church by licence of King Edward IV in 1475. It was to consist of a master, two wardens, brethren and sisters, and was to provide two chaplains to celebrate mass for King Edward IV, Queen Elizabeth and the brethren and sisters of the fraternity. At the same time a grant was made to the brotherhood of two annual fairs of three days’ duration each, one to be held on the Wednesday in Easter week and the other on the feast of the Translation of St. Edward the Con- fessor and the days preceding and following each of these. At the time of its dissolution in the reign of Edward VI the gild apparently found two priests, one to serve the chantry and the other to serve the church in conjunction with the curate.S¢ It owned a tenement called le Swanne, five stalls in the market- There was also a chapel at Preston in the manor of Dinsley which is said to have been incladed in the grant of the church of Hitchin (to which it was appurtenant) to the Abbess and convent of Elstow.®t After the manor of Dinsley came into the hands of the Templars an agreement was made by them with the Abbess of Elstow by which the nuns were to find a chaplain to hold service in the chapel on Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday, unless it should happen that feast days fell on other days in the week, when these feast days should count among the three days. The Templars were to continue to pay tithes from any lands cultivated by them from which the church of Hitchin or the chapel of Dinsley had been used to receive them, The duty also of finding two chaplains to celebrate mass for the donors of their lands was obligatory on the Templars by their tenure, and afterwards on the Knights Hospitallers, Among the expenses of the latter enumerated shortly before their suppression is that of wax for a light in the chapel and the wages of a chaplain to celebrate divine service daily. "The obligation of the Abbess of Elstow seems to have been then commuted for a pension of 145. 4¢.%4 In 1540 John Docwra, farmer of the estate, had to find a chaplain to cele- brate in this chapel. After the suppression of the Hospitallers the rectory of Dinsley was granted to Ralph Sadleir with the manor (q.v.). The church of HOLY SAVIOUR" in Radcliffe Road was Ruins oF Minspen Cuaper, Hircuix place, a Brotherhood House and other property, also the Profits of the fairs.°° In 1548 the king granted the gild and Brotherhood House, the Swan and the fairs to Ranulph Burgh and Robert Beverley.*® The chantry house was granted the next year to Thomas Stevens,‘7 In Minsden are the remains of a chapel which has long been in ruins.** The earliest mention of a chapel here is in 1487, when John Pulter left 34. 4d. to the chapel of St. Nicholas.®” The only other record is of 1517, when a like sum was left to this chapel. A marriage is said to have been celebrated in it in 1738.9 built in 1865 after the designs of William Butterfield and at the cost of the late Rev. George Gainsford, the incumbent. A district chapelry formed out of the parish of Hitchin was assigned to it. A'mshouses in the Radcliffe Road, built in 1870, were made in connexion with this chapelry. The Roman Catholic chapel of our Lady Immacu- late and St. Andrew, a plain building of red brick, was built in rgor. The first record of Dissent in Hitchin dates from 1666, when ‘unlawful meetings’ were held in a private house? In 1672 licence was given to Presbyterians to hold their meetings,®* and under the Toleration Act many places were certified for worship & Wills P.C.C. § Godyn, 3 Milles, © Cal. Pas 1467-77, p. 642. 5 at Tr Be 84: ** Chant. Cert. 20, no. 725 27, no. 17. “Ibid, For beg! ‘ok ld aoe the following P.C.C. wills: 46 Milles, 2 Moone, 18 Dogett, 19 Vox, 7 Ayloffe, 13 Marnwaryng, 33 Bodfelde, 31 Hogan, © Pat. 2 Edw. VI, pt. iv, m. 27. S" Ibid. 3 Edw. VI, pt. is) m. 17. 955 V.C.H. Herts. i, 3020. © P.C.C. Will, 3 Milles. Ibid. 31 Holder. © North, Ch. Bells of Hert. 200. 51 Assize R. 323, m. 46d. ® Dugdale, Mon. Angi. vii, 819. ® Mins. Accts, bdle. 865, no. 13. ° CE. Mise Enr. Accts. L.T.R. no. 18, m. st. 18 % Mins. Accts, 31 & 32 Hen, VIII, no. 114, m. 36d. % This perhaps took the name from the Gilbertine Priory of St. Saviour which stood near here (Cal. Papal Letters, ity 3495 Index to Lond. Gaz, 1830-83, pp. 825-6). 5 Sess. R. (Herts. Co. Rec.), i, 183. % Urwick, Nonconfarmity in Herts, 640 5 Cal. S. P, Dom. 1672, p. 292. HITCHIN HUNDRED for various dissenting sects. An Independent chapel was built in Back Street in 1690," which is now represented by one in Queen Street. The Baptists began to meet in Tilehouse Street in 1669, and built a chapel there in 1692,'"* which was rebuilt in 1838." In the middle of the 19th century the Particular Baptists built Mount Sion Chapel in Park Street? and Bethel Chapel in Queen Street. In 1850 a dwelling-house was used by the Baptists, and in 1869 they built a chapel in Walsworth Road.’ About the same time Salem Chapel was built for this same denomination.'” There are other modern churches and chapels in the parish. The first record of Quakers in Hitchin, where they now form an important part of the community, is of 1657. Itissaid that they then held a firm footing in the town." John Bunyan used to preach in Wain Wood, where there is still a dell known by his name, and a service has been yearly held at this spot in commemoration.’ Educational Charities : The Free CHARITIES School founded by John Mattocke and subsidiary endowments," the Girls’ Charity School," the Charity School in Back Street.!? Elizabeth Ann Lucas’s Educational Charity, founded by will proved at London 8 June 1860, consists of £187 145. 5d. Bank stock and £3,156 12s. 6d. India 3 per cent. stock, held by the official trustees, By a scheme of the High Court (Chancery Division) 8 August 1894 the income, amounting to £112 a year, or thereabouts, is applicable in the advancement of the education of children, in exhibi- tions and prizes, in providing evening classes, and in subscriptions for the benefit of a public elementary school. See also under the Eleemosynary Charities. Hailey’s Educational Foundation, founded by will of Elizabeth Hailey proved at London 7 January 1864, consists of 878 Great Western Railway 4} per cent. debenture stock, in the names of trustees, pro- ducing £39 10s. a year, which is applicable for the education of children residing in or near Walsworth. See also under Charities for Nonconformists, In 1894 Robert Curling by a codicil to his will, proved at London 21 March, bequeathed £454 London and North Western Railway 3 per cent. debenture stock (with the official trustees), the dividends amounting to £13 125. 4¢. to be applied in gifts for children attending St. Andrew’s School for good conduct. The Parochial Charities have under a scheme of the Charity Commissioners, 19 June 1908, been consoli- dated under the title of the United Charities. I. The almshouse Branch comprises :— (2) The almshouses, founded by will of John Skynner 4 June 1666, consisting of eight houses in Silver Street, erected on land known as Benn’s Mead given in 1670 by Sir Thomas Byde, and endowed with certain lands producing £80 a year or there- abouts. In 1675 Ralph Skynner gave £82, which was laid HITCHIN out in land known as Benn’s Mead. The official trustees also hold {50 consols. In 1743 Sarah Skynner Byde by deed conveyed to trustees 6a, 2 r. in Hill Grove Field, the rents to be divided between these almshouses and the alms- houses founded by Ralph Skynner. The land is let at £5 a year. In 1768 Richard Tristram by deed gave land in Ippollitts, the rents to be divided between the same two almshouses. ‘The land was sold in 1904 and the proceeds invested in £221 125. 2d. consols. In 1755 John Whitehurst by deed gave land at Hexton, the rents to be divided between the inmates of J. and R. Skynner’s Almshouses and the Girls’ Charity School. The land has been sold and the proceeds invested in £1,617 55. consols, of which one moiety, £808 12x 6d. consols,, belongs to the Girls’ Charity School. In 1788 Hannah Wilson by will bequeathed £100 for the poor of Hitchin, now £100 consols, applied for the benefit of the almshouses of J. and R. Skynner. In 1794 John Davis bequeathed £300 for the augmentation of the same two almshouses, now represented by {450 consols. In 1802 Dame Penelope Farnaby Radcliffe, by will proved in the P.C.C., 24 July, bequeathed £200 for poor widows, now £235 45. consols, applied for the benefit of the same almshouses, In 1824 Elizabeth Whittingstall by will bequeathed £1,000 stock, now £1,000 consols, to be equally divided between John Skynner’s, Ralph Skynner’s, and Daniel Warner’s almshouses. (4) The almshouses, founded by will of Ralph Skynner 19 May 1696, consist of eight almshouses contiguous to John Skynner’s almshouses, and are endowed with 39 acres in Kelshall producing £27 15.. a year. In 1794 John Pierson by will bequeathed £100, now £133 6s. 8d. consols, for these almshouses. In 1795 Joseph Margetts Pierson by deed gave {£100 consols, the dividends to be applied in repairs. For other land and stock given for the joint benefit of John and Ralph Skynner’s almshouses see above. (c) The six almshouses near the churchyard known as Daniel Warner’s almshouses, originally parish houses, were rebuilt in 1761 by Danie] Warner ‘for the warmer and better comfort of the poorer widows or ancient couples of his town.’ These almshouses were endowed by the before-mentioned John Pierson with £200 consols, by Joseph Margetts Pierson with £940 consols, and with £333 6s. 8d. consols under the will of Elizabeth Whittingstall (see above). (@) The scheme further provides that the building known as ‘The Biggin’ (see Joseph Kemp’s Charity below) should, together with two cottages in Tilehouse Street, be used for the residence of almspeople being members of the Church of England. See also Elizabeth Simpson’s almshouses under Charities for Nonconformists. II. The Eleemosynary Branch, &c. :— In 1§91 Simon Warren by will charged two houses in Tilehouse Street with £1 a year. eu Nonconfirmity in Hert 3 Thid Index 19 Lond. Gav, 1830-83, 1 Thid. 637-8. 643 300 Ibid. 649. p. 825. 09 Thid. 641 Si “opi Hands 1908. 105 Sess. R, (Herts. Co, Rec), ii, 460. M0 See article on Schools, V.C.H. la Urwick, op. cit. 646. 12 Index 0 Land. Gas. 1830-83, p. 825. 168 Urwick, op. cit. 855. 19 106 Baptist Handbook, 1908, p. 70. 11 Urwick, Nonconformity in Herts. 855. Herts. ji, 94. Ml Tbid. roo. U2 Ybid. ror. A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE In 1609 Mrs. Elizabeth Radcliffe purchased land for the poor, which now consists of 2 acres at Standhill Common and 2 acres called Cromer’s Close, producing £7 a year, and £61 16s. 2d. consols, representing accumulations of income. In 1613 Thomas Whittamore by will left £20 for the poor, which was laid out in 1619 in the purchase of 2a. 3r. 6p. called Pierwell Field, of which 24p. was sold to the Great Northern Railway Company, and the proceeds invested in £70 45. 44. consols. The land produces £8 135. 6d. yearly. In 1625 Edward Radcliffe gave two houses in Tyler’s Street for the poor. In 1635 James Huckle by will devised his house and land in Winkfield, Berks., for the poor. The trust property now consists of three tenements and pasture land in Winkfield producing £55 a year, and £1,237 25. 11d. consols, representing sale of land in 1867 and accumulations of income. In 1653 William Guyver by his will gave a perpetual annuity of £4 out of land at Hitchin for putting apprentice a poor boy. This charity also possesses £49 145. 7d. consols, representing accumula- tions of income. Joseph Kemp, M.A., schoolmaster, of Hitchin, by his will dated 17 July 1654, devised his manor-house, commonly called ‘The Biggin,’ and his copyhold and freehold land in Hitchin for ten disabled women, apprenticing, and other charitable uses. The trust property now consists of ‘The Biggin’ (directed by the scheme to be used as an almshouse), and 51 acres and cight cottages in Biggin Street, of the annual rental value of £150 or thereabouts, and £959 0s. 6¢. consols, arising in part from sale of land and in part from accumulations of income. In 1660 James Carter by will bequeathed certain leasehold houses in Houndsditch, London, with the rents of which a house and land at Starling’s Bridge were purchased. This property was sold in 1870, and the proceeds with accumulations are represented by £285 75. 6d. consols. In 1673 William Chambers by his will gave two cottages for the poor, now three cottiges in Queen Street, producing £21 yearly. In 1693 Joseph Kinge by his will left £25 for bread for the poor, which was laid out in 1716 in the purchase of 2 acres at Kelshall now let at £1 10s. a year. In 1697 Edward Draper by his will devised a perpetual rent-charge of £5 out of a messuage in Angel Street—now Sun Street—zos. thereof to be paid to the minister for a sermon on Easter Monday in commemoration of benefactors of Hitchin, twenty poor to receive 2s. 6d. each and a 6d. loaf, and 205. for a dinner to the trustees. In 1705 Ralph Skynner Byde by will charged his lands and tenements within the precinct of Walshoe and Walsworth with an annuity of £5 4s. for the poor in bread. In 1713 Sir Ralph Radcliffe by will charged his land in Ippollitts with 40s. a year for bread. In 1716 John Turner charged his messuage in the churchyard with 30s. a year for the poor. In 1729 William Dawes by will charged land in Great Wymondley with an annuity of £5 for poor housekeepers. In 1735 Robert Tristram by his will, proved in the court uf the archdeaconry of Huntingdon, devised Tos. yearly for the poor, payable out of tenements and land at Great Wymondley. In 1739 Mrs. Mary Arriss by will charged land at Hitchin with £5 yearly, to be applied as to £4 for poor housekeepers, 10s. to the minister for a sermon on the day of her death —2 September—and ros. to the trustees. In 1780 Mary Godfrey, testatrix’s niece, by deed gave the lands charged to the poor, which consist of 12 acres or thereabouts, let at £10 185. a year. This charity is also possessed of £493 95. 8d. consols, arising from sale of land in 1900 and accumulations of income. In 1780 Elizabeth Ewisdin left £50 for the poor, which was invested in the purchase of 3 r. 13 p. situate in Burbushes, which is let with the property belonging to the preceding charity. The parish is also in possession of half an acre at the south end of the town let at £3 3s. a year, the donor of which is unknown. In 1813 John Crabb by his will directed his executors to purchase so much Government annuities as would produce £5 a year for fuel for the poor. The legacy is now represented by £105 consols standing in the names of trustees. The official trustees also hold £30 175. 11d, consols arising from accumulations of income of this charity. In or about 1837 Mrs. Frances Leckie by will left a legacy for the poor, now represented by £217 10s. consols, Elizabeth Ann Lucas’s charity for the poor (see also under Educational Charities) consists of £187 144. 54, Bank stock, £3,156 125. 6d. India 3 per cent. stock, and £185 8s. 2d. consols, producing in the aggregate £117 a year or thereabouts. The several sums of stock, unless otherwise stated, are held by the official trustees, The scheme for the United Charities provides, inter alia, that a sum of not !ess than £30 a year out of the income of the charity of Elizabeth Ann Lucas shall be applicd in aid of any dispensary, hospital, or institution; that the yearly income of William Guyver’s charity, and £20 yearly out of the income of Joseph Kemp's charity, shall be applied in apprentic- ing ; that the residue of the income of Lucas’s charity and a yearly sum of £100 shall be provided out of the remaining charities in augmentation of the endow- ments of the almshouses; and that the remaining income (after satisfying the trusts for ecclesiastical purposes) shall be applied for the benefit of the poor generally, including subscriptions to provident clubs, outfits for children, in maintenance of a reading-room or working-men’s club, &c., or in pensions. The almspeople are entitled to receive not less than 5s. per week. In 1720 Jacob Marson conveyed a messuage in the market-place to trustees upon trust that the profits should be applied in putting out poor fatherless boys apprentices to freemen of the City of London. ‘The said messuage, which is now a public-house called the “Rose and Crown,’ is let for £40 a year, and there isa sum of £601 18s. 2d. consols with the official trustees producing £15 os. 8d. a year. The charity is regulated by a scheme of the Charity Commissioners 19 October 1909, whereby the trustees of the United Charities are appointed the trustees. The premiums are to be not less than £10 or more than L255 payable in not less than two portions, 20 HITCHIN HUNDRED Ecclesiastical Charities not included in the United Charities :— In 1696 Ralph Skynner by his will bequeathed £200 in augmentation of the benefice, which sum was invested in a rent-charge of {9 payable out of land in Ickleford. Oliver Clement by his will (date unknown) gave a rent-charge of £6 135. 4d. yearly out of houses in the parish of St. Nicholas, London, in augmentation of the vicarage. The annuity is received from the Clothworkers’ Company. William Joyce gave a rent-charge of £2 tos. charged on a house in Cock Street, Hitchin, to the vicar for preaching six sermons annually in the church on the six Sunday mornings next before the feast of St. Michael. (See also under the United Charities.) In 1901 George Brown Collison by will left £50, the interest to be applied in repair of the churchyard of Hitchin, and the testator expressed a hope that his grave would be maintained in good order. ‘The legacy was invested in {57 145. 4d. consols with the official trustees, producing £1 85. 8¢. yearly. Nonconformist Charities: The almshouses in Biggin Lane, founded in 1773 by Elizabeth Simpson for five poor persons being Protestant Dissenters attending the Independent Meeting House in Back Street, and endowed by the founder's will proved in the P.C.C. 3 January 1795, are endowed as follows :— £448 125. 12. consols, Elizabeth Simpson’s gift. £300 consols, bequeathed in 1815 by will of Nathaniel Field. £400 17s. 6d. India 3 per cent. stock, derived under the will of Mrs. Elizabeth Harley, proved at London 7 January 1864. £450 stock of the Hitchin and District Gas Company, derived in 1876 under the will of Mary Carter. The trustees also hold a sum of £79 9s. 4¢. Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway stock, producing in the aggregate about £55 a year. In 1908 each of the five inmates received £8 10s, and 1 ton of coal. The above-mentioned Elizabeth Simpson likewise bequeathed a sum for the minister of the Meeting House in Back Street and £300 for poor members ICKLEFORD of the congregation. William Crawley likewise by his will dated in 1788 bequeathed {'200 for the minister. ‘The three legacies are now represented by £1,115 7s. 6d. consols in the name of the trustees, the annual dividends of which, amounting to £27 75. 8d., are applied proportionate!y between the minister and the poor of the congregation, ‘The trustees of the Mecting House also hold a sum of £407 115. 2d. India 3 per cent. stock and £80 155. 10d. stock of the Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway Company, derived under the will of Mrs. Elizabeth Harley, proved at London 7 January 1864, the annual income of which, amounting to about £15, is applicable for the minister. The same testatrix bequeathed {150 for the Mecting House and school at Walsworth. The legacy is now represented by £173 145. 3d. India 3 per cent. stock and £34 85. 8d. stock of the same Indian railway, producing £6 10s a year or there- abouts. Any part of the income which in any year is not required towards the expenses of a Meeting House at Walsworth is to be applied for the benefit of the school at Walsworth. The same testatrix further bequeathed £350 for pensions for the poor. The legacy was invested in £307 Great Western Railway 43 per cent. stock, producing £13 16s. 4d. yearly, which is applied in the payment of £1 14s. a quarter to two pensioners. Hitchin St. Saviour’s: The Almshouses and Orphanage was founded by the Rev. George Gains- ford, by deed 14 August 1869, whereby 3 roods of land were conveyed to trustees for the purpose of building thereon almshouses and an orphan home for girls. In 1879 the founder transferred to the official trustees a sum of {£1,000 consols for the support and maintenance of the institution, which was subsequently augmented by gifts of Francis A. D. Radcliffe, Mrs. A. E. Moreton and Mrs. Burbidge and others. The endowment fund now consists of £1,307 16s. 1d. consols, producing £32 135. 8d. yearly. The Orphanage is supported by voluntary con- tributions, which, with the dividends on the stock, amount to about £300 a year, ICKLEFORD Hikleford (xiii cent.) ; Ikelingford, Ikeleford (xiv cent.) ; Icklesford (xvi cent.). Ickleford is a long and narrow parish of 1,036 acres, running northwards from Hitchin, from which parish it is divided by the River Oughton. The average level of the land is only about 180 ft. above the ordnance datum. The parish lies in the valley of the River Hiz, which forms its boundary on the east, parting it from Bedfordshire. The parish is entirely agricultural. In 1905 the arable land was estimated at about 800 acres, permanent grass at about 200 acres, while woodland was only 10 acres! The soil is chalk. In the middle of the village is a triangular green called the Upper Green, to distinguish it from the Lower Green, which lies at the north end. Around the Upper Green stand, on the south-west the parish 1 Statistics from Bd. of Agric. church, to the north some cottages and the school, and on the east Pound Farm with a moat supplied with water from the River Hiz. The village extends to the south-west along the Icknield Way and a road leading south to Bearton Green. At the junction of these roads is Ickleford House, the residence of Mr. David Simson. On the road to Bearton Green, about a quarter of a mile from the church, is an old ,two-storied timber-framed house, on a brick founda- tion, covered with rough-cast and with a tiled roof. At each end are gabled wings only slightly projecting beyond the central part; one wing has an oriel window, over which is the date 1599. ‘The upper story is overhanging. The village continues northward along the west side of the road, the east side being on low land adjoining the Hiz. The Icknield Way runs through the south of the parish. Old Ramerick, a moated manor-house, lies 2 miles to the north of the church, and is a two-storied house A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE of L-shaped plan. The main block is 18th-century work of brick, the wing is of the 17th century, and is built of clunch with brick quoins. The moat has almost disappeared. ; The Bedford branch of the Great Northern rail- way passes through the parish, but the nearest station is at Hitchin. Field-names of the 16th century which occur in this parish are Callouse Peece, Whesell Dytch and Hambridge Pecce. There is no mention of Ickleford in the Domesday Survey. It is evident that it was then included in the manor of Pirton and that the manors which subsequently appear were formed from that manor by subinfeuda- tion.’ The manor of ICKLEFORD was held in the 13th century of the lords of Pirton as a quarter of a knight's fee by the family of Foliot.t Isabel widow of John Foliot appears in 1285 as holding part of the estate of Thomas de la Sale, a felon. In 1287 John Foliot, then a minor and possibly son of Isabel, claimed view of frankpledge in Ickleford? By 1303 this quarter of a fee was in the hands of John Fitz Simon,® and in 1346 Hugh Fitz Simon was holding it with several coparccners. One of these was Simon Francis of London,’ into whose family the manor seems subsequently to have passed. Ralph Francis (Fraunceys) son of William died seised of the manor in March 1532-3, leaving as heir his son William, aged six years. William was holding in 1556.2 In 1585 Richard Francis (of Ticknall, co. Derby), appa- rently his son, mortgaged the mansion or manor-house of Ickleford, together with certain lands, to Thomas Ansell or Aunsell," and two years later Francis released the manor to Ansell,” excepting the manor- house and closes called Conygers, Dovehouse Close, Pennes, the Old Orchard, the New Orchard, Dun- croft and Earles Close and a water mill called Newe Mill (probably because Ansell already held these). Ansell dicd in 1606, leaving three sons, William, Thomas and Edward, between whom, by his will, the estate was divided. Thomas and Alice his wife received the chief part, William, the eldest, having only one messuage, and Edward and his wife Susan a MANORS Francis. Party bend sinssterwise sable and or @ lion countercoloured. 3 See Feud. lids, ii, 428, 439, 449. tenement and the water mill called Westmill.” The manor descended in the family of Thomas Ansell,'* and came to another Thomas Ansell, who was holding in 1714," and apparently to a third Thomas, who suffered a recovery in 1740." His widow Elizabeth was holding in 1763, with reversion to her daughter Mary and her husband Thomas Goostrey,"” who were in possession in 1776.'8 In that year they conveyed the manor to Charles Loundes and John Dashwood King, probably for a sale to Thomas Whitehurst." He in 1788 sold it to Thomas Cockayne, who died in 1809, leaving a son and heir Thomas.” At his death he left an only child Marion Charlotte Emily, who married the Hon. Frederick Dudley Ryder, third son of the first Earl of Harrowby His son, Captain Dudley Ryder, R.N., died in 1898, and the manor was bought by Captain C. J. Fellowes, R.N. After his death it was purchased in December 1910 by Mr. David Simson, who is the present owner.” The manor of RAMERICK (Ranewick, Ramward- wike, Ramardewick, Ramorwyk, xiii cent.; Ran- worthewyk, xiv cent.) was also held of the manor of Pirton as a quarter of a knight’s fee.” The first tenant of whom there is record or tradition is Richard Reincourt, whose daughter Margaret is said to have married Robert Filliot and to have had a son Richard Filliot.* Richard Filliot’s daughter and heir Mar- gery” brought the manor by marriage to her husband Wiscard Ledet.** Wiscard’s daughter and heir Christine married Henry de Braybrok,® by whom she had two sons, Wiscard and John. Wiscard and his son Walter both died before Christine.” Walter left two daughters, Alice and Christine, who married two brothers, William and John Latimer. ‘The ©) manor remained with Chris- tine, who held it by sub- feoffment from her sister.” Braysrox. It descended to her second *even son John” who took his &”** mother’s name of Braybrok and held the property with his wife Joan." Gerard de Braybrok, possibly their son, was assessed for this fee in 1303.% In 1333 a grant was made to Gerard de Braybrok, son of the above Gerard,® of free warren in his demesne lands of Ramerick,* and two years later he (then Sir Gerard) and his wife Isabel] settled the estate on themselves for life,** with remainder to their son Gerard, with a further Argent ‘voided lozenges * He afterwards took the name of 3 Ibid, 428 4 Chan. Ing. p.m. 13 Edw. I, no. 87. ® Assize R. 325. 6 Feud. Aids, ii, 428. 7 Tid. 437. § Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), Ivii, 4. 2 See Feet of F, Herts. Hil. 2 & 3 Phil. and Mary. W0 Visit. Herts. (Harl. Soc. xxii), 55. 1 Com. Pleas D. Enr. Mich. 27 & 28 Eliz. m. 6. 12 [hid. Hil. 29 Eliz. m. 8, 423; Feet of F. Div. Co, East. 29 Eliz. ; Com. Pleas Recov. R. Mich. 28 & 29 Eliz. rot. 42. Chan, Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), cexcvii, 6. 146, See Feet of F. Div. Co. Mich. 22 Jas. 1; Herts. East. 32 Chas I. \ Recov. R. Trin. 13 Anne, rot. 176. © Ibid. Hil. 14 Geo. HI, rot. 166. ¥ See Feet of F. Herts, East. 3 Geo. mm. 1b Ibid, Trin. 16 Geo. IIT. 1 See Cussans, Hist. Herts, Hund, 26. 20 Thid, 2 Inform. from Rev. J. W. Tilt. ” See Feud, Aids, ii, 428. Alan de Limesi, lord of Pirton, gave a mill at ‘Ramordwick’ to the Prior and convent of Hertford (Add, Chart. 15476). 2 Harl, MS. 807, fol. 79. 2 Tid, % See Feet of F. Herts. 13 John, no. 124. Hitchin 22 Furnival (Assize R. 3235 Chan. p.m. 8 Edw. I, no. 37). Cal. Ing. pm. Hen. II], 259, 308- % Chan. Ing. p.m. 8 Edw. I, no. 375 G.E.C. Complete Peerage. 2 Chan. Ing. p.m. 33 Edw. IID (rst nos.), no. 31. 30Assize R. 325 5 Harl. MS. 245, fol. » 22. 31 See Harl, Chart. 46 E, 10 Feud. Aids, ii, 428. 33 Harl, MS. 807, fol. 79. ™ Chart. R. 7 Edw. III, m. 7, no. 33- 3 Feet of F. Div. Co. Trin. g Edw. TIL; Harl. Chart. 47 B. 9. HITCHIN HUNDRED remainder to their second son Henry.** Sir Gerard held till his death in 1359 3” and was succeeded under this settlement by Gerard, his son,3® who married Eleanor de St. Amand. His only son and heir Gerald died in 1428, leaving by his wife Parnel a daughter Elizabeth, 3° who married first Sir William ke to Parli as Lord St. Amand ae January 1448-9),!1 and secondly Roger Toocotes. Her second husband forfeited the estate early in the reign of Richard III as a rebel, and it was granted to Thomas Meryng, one of the king’s servitors,‘? but was restored to Roger Toocotes some seven years later.48 Elizabeth died in 1491 and her husband a year later.48 ‘The manor was husband. Richard was at- tainted in 1483, but restored two years later by Henry VII. He died in June 1508 with- out legitimate issue,*® having who conveyed the manor ino ina border argent 1520-1 to St. John’s College, Cambridge.” " This grant caused some trouble between the college and Geo:ge Brooke, Lord Cobham, who claimed the manor as heir to Richard against Brooke in a Star Chamber suit for having in February 1529-30 incited various persons to come with weapons at three o’clock in the morning to break into the manor of Rame- the house and thus entered it and kept possession, refusing admission to a justice of the peace. Lord Cobham pleaded that he was seised in demesne college. A few years later the dispute was brought to a close by the surrender by Lord Cobham to St. John’s College of his interest in the manor.*! In 1617 the college received a grant of court leet and view of frankpledge in Ickle- ik Sr. Joun’s Cortese, Campripar. The arms of Lady Marcaret Beavrorr, the founder. inherited by Richard Beau- champ, kt. Lord St. Amand, son of Elizabeth by her first bequeathed all his estates to eaueaanay Bord his natural son Anthony — g¢. amand. Gules a Wroughton alias St. Amand, — fesse between six martlets Beauchamp, being descended from Reginald brother of Sir Gerard Braybrok, who married Eleanor de St. Amand.!# The master of the college appeared rick. According to the master, these brought ladders 6 or 7 ft. high and broke the wall of as of fee of the manor and lived there peaceably until unjustly disseised by the 36 Feet of F. Div. Co. Trin. 9 Edw. IIT 5 Harl, Chart. 47 B. 9. ® Chan, Ing. pm. 33 Edw. III (1st nos.), no. a 3 Add. Chart. 15473 ; Feud. Aids, ii, 4 48 Ibid. viii, 96. 4 G.E.C. Complete Peerage. Salmon, Hist. of Herts. 173+ © G.E.C. Peerage. His father Thomas (51 Lord Brooke had also claimed the manor ICKLEFORD ford.5? The manor has remained in their possession until the present day. The priory of Wymondley had lands in Ickleford, by whose grant does not appear. A certain Thomas de la Sale, who was imprisoned for felony in the reign of Edward I, held a messuage and 123 acres of land of the prior.*3 The monastery also had a mill called Hyde Mill, which at the time of the Disso- lution was held by the convent of Elstow, co. Bedford, at arent of 30s, The mill and the rent were granted by Henry VIII to James Nedeham in February 1542-3.5° ‘They descended to John Nedeham, who died seised in 1591, leaving a son and heir George."* Jn 1566 John Brockett and Ellen his wife con- veyed an estate, under the name of the manor of Ickleford, to trustees for a settlement.7 Edward Brockett some years after alienated this to Edmund Knott. A messuage in Ickleford, the residence of Daniel Knott, is mentioned as part of the manor of Ickleford in 1607,°° and Edmund Knott, yeoman, died seised of a capital messuage there in 1618, leaving a son and heir John.% The parish church of STZ’. KATHE- CHURCH RINE, standing in the middle of the village, is of stone, entirely covered with plaster. It consists of a chancel, nave, south aisle and south chapel, north vestry, west tower and south porch.®! The earliest part of the church is the nave, dating from the middle of the 12th century. ‘The chancel and west tower were built early in the following century, and the south porch was added about the middle of the 15th century. In 1859 the church was restored and the south aisle, south chapel and north vestry were added. The chancel windows are all modern except a 13th-century lancet in the north wall. A modern door opens to the north vestry. ‘The piscina, with a broken bowl, is of the 15th century. Above it is some 1$th-century tracery, possibly the remnants of a rood screen. In the north wall of the nave are two windows, one on each side of a blocked 12th-century doorway, which, although it is much decayed and repaired with cement, has a well-preserved cheveron moulding on the rear-arch. The eastern of the two north windows, of the 14th century, is of three cinquefoiled lights with tracery in a square head, and the western, of the 15th century, is of two cinquefoiled lights, also with tracery, in a pointed head. Both are much repaired with cement. At the east end of the wall is a rood- loft staircase. A much broken piscina is of the 15th century, probably moved from its original position. The roof is of the 15th century, supported on grotesque stone corbels. The south arcade and 54 Cf. for a field called La Hide, Harl. Chart. §1 B. 45 and 45 F. 62. 8 Land P, Hen, VILL, xviii (1), 226 St). 8 Chan. Ing. pom. (Ser. 2), cexxxii, 38 Hark Chart. 46 F. 35 5 Feud. Aid, i, 449. 8 Chan. Ing. p.m. 7 Hen. VI, no. 40. 40 Wrottesley, Ped. from Plea R. 345 5 1. Feet of F. Div. Co. East. 16 Hen. V. 1 GEC, Complete Peerage, # Pat, 2 Ric. IL, pt. ili, m. 1. 48 Close, 7 Hen. VII, m. 10d, “ Chan, Inq, p.m. (Ser. 2), vii, 49. (Harl. Chart. 46 H. 49). 4° Star Chamb. Proc. Hen. va bdle. 8, no. 66-7; Harl. Roll C3 wStar Cham’. Proc. Hea. VIII, vii no. 66-7 ; Harl. Roll C31. 51 Feet of F. Herts. Hil. VIII; Harl. Chart. 44 B. 44. Pat. 1g Jas. I, pt. xviii, no. 12. ® Chan. Ing. pm. 13 Edw. I, no. 87. 23 27 Hen, 3. 87 Feet of F. Herts. Trin. 8 Eliz. S8Tbid. Hil. 15 Eliz, ; Pat. 22 Eliz, ts ix, 59 Chan. Inq. p.m. (Ser. 2), cexevii, 146. 8 Ibid. cccixxi, 138. 6 The dimensions are: chancel, r9 ft. y 14 ft. 5 nave, $3 ft. by 17 ft.; tower, Eas 6 in. square, A HISTORY OF clearstory of the nave are modern, the latter having three circular lights with roll-ended cusps, surmounted externally by a moulded roll. The modern south aisle has three pairs of pointed lights, with shafted external jambs and drop mouldings with sculptured stops. In the south wall is a 12th-century doorway with a semicircular arch of three moulded orders, the two shafts on each side having leaf-carved capitals and moulded abaci. The original bases have disappeared, and the doorway has been repaired with cement. This door leads to the south porch, which is em- battled, with a central niche over the two-centred entrance arch of two continuous orders. Above the arch is a much decayed string course. To the west of the south door is a 15th-century two-light window with tracery, much repaired with cement. The west HERTFORDSHIRE with a canopy, dates from the end of the 16th or beginning of the 17th century, and is of foreign workmanship. The bells are five in number: the treble and second are by John Warner & Sons, 1857, the third is by Richard Chandler, 1680, the fourth by Miles Graye, 1650, and the fifth by Thomas Russell of Wootton, 1726. The plate consists of a cup of 1796, presented by Thomas Cockayne in 1807 and modern paten and flagon, the former made from two old silver patens. The registers consisted down to 1830 of three books. Since then the first, containing baptisms, burials and marriages from 1653 to 1748, has disappeared ; the second book contains baptisms and burials from 1749 to 1812 and marriages from 1749 to 1753; ul HN Ape fa Ickterorp Cuurch rrom THE SouTH tower is of two stages with heavy buttresses, those at the north-west and south-west angles being diagonal. ‘The low pyramidal roof is of lead. The tower arch, which is two-centred, and a smal! lancet on the south side, are probably original. The west window and the two-light belfry windows are of the 15th century and are repaired with cement. In the nave is a brass of about 1380 of Thomas Somer and his wife Marjory. The figures are half- length and the inscription is imperfect. There is in the church a 6-in. stone slab measuring 5 ft. by 2 ft. on its upper face and with edges moulded to a large hollow chamfer. An oak chair in the chancel, © See Linc. Epis. Reg. Wells, fol. 10 ; Bokingham, fol. 357, and references given under Pirton, ® Cussans, Hiss, 3h the third book contains marriages from 1756 to 1812. The church of Ickleford was a ADVOWSON chapel to Pirton® (qv.), and the two livings were held together until divided by order of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners in 1847. The advowson was purchased by Thomas Wilson in 1868.5 It was conveyed before 1875 to the Rev. T. I. Walton, and now belongs to the Rev. C. A. Walton, his son. There was also a chapel at Ramerick attached to the church of Pirton in the 13th century, but there seems to be no further trace of it, of Herts, Hitchin Hund, * Linc. Epis, Reg. Wells, fol. 10 ; Add. Chart. 15470. 24 HITCHIN HUNDRED In the 18th century two houses were registered for meetings of Protestant Dissenters, and another was certified in 1824.6 There is now a Wesleyan chapel in Ickleford. In 1657 Edward Ansell by his CHARITIES will gave 40s. a year for the poor charged on 2 acres of land, exchanged under the Ickleford Inclosure Act for a close of IPPOLLITTS 3 acres in Ramerick Farm, now belonging to St. John’s College, Cambridge. In the Parliamentary returns of 1786 it is stated that a donor unknown gave a rent-charge of 205. to poor widows, which is paid out of West Mill in the parish of Shillington (Beds.). The annual sum of 605. is distributed to about thirty recipients, IPPOLLITTS Hippolitts, Polettes Epolites (xvii cent.). * The parish of Ippollitts, which is 2,935 acres in extent, lies to the south of Hitchin and has an average height of some 250 ft. above ordnance datum, but it rises on the south-western border to nearly 500 ft. Ippollitts is (xvi cent.) ; Appolyttes, layers of roofing tiles, only the rectangular panels having brick. The upper story is partly in the roof, which is tiled. The walls were raised some feet and underpinned at the end of the last century. Internally some of the roof trusses and also some ceiling-beams of the ground-floor rooms appear to be original, and not in the Domesday Survey, the earlier settlement having been at Alm- shoe, where is still the site of a church.! When the church of St. Ippollitts was built in the 11th century (see church) it was attached as a chapel to the neigh- bouring church of Hitchin. The little village and church lie to the east of the Hitchin and Hat- field high road, which runs through the parish north and south, A mile to the west of the village is a small group of houses, which constitute the hamlet known as , Gosmore, a name which is found from the 14th century on- wards? There is here an old inn built of brick, dating possibly from the end of the 17th century. A little further on is Maydencroft, a two-storied farm-house of the early 17th century, built of brick and timber. It is L-shaped in plan and was originally surrounded by a moat, which has nearly disappeared. The ceiling beams of the hall (which now has a partition dividing it into two rooms) are supported by a pillar dated 1615. The large barn and stable, of timber and brick, are contemporary with the house, The Wyck, standing about three-quarters of a mile south-east of the church, is a house of 17th-century date, formed ont of five two-roomed cottages. It is timber-built, most of the framing being filled with % Urwick, Nonconfermity in Herts 20 1 This was probably a small church and manor-house settlement formed at a com- paratively late date from Hitchin ; cf. the pre-Conquest tenure. 4 Abbrev. Rot. Orig. (Rec. Com.), iii, 310; Pat. 13 Eliz. pt. ii, m. 193 19 3 2§ Tue Wyck, Litree Armsuor, Ipporuitrs old timber has been used for the framing of some fireplaces, but the doors and windows are modern. Other hamlets in the parish are New England, on the London Road to the north-east ; Ashbrook, about a mile to the north-west ; and St. Ibbs and Little Almshoe to the south. Further south still is Almshoebury and the site of the old chapel. It was at the park here that Isabella wife of Edward II and her daughter are said to have hunted on one occasion. A small stream called Ippollitts Brook, rising near Little Almshoe, flows northwards through a pond in the park. It is joined by another stream called Ashbrook, and further on flows into the River Purwell. There are about Eliz, pt. v, m. 73 Ses. R, (Herts. Cos Rec.), i, 375 Pat. 14 Jan I, pt. xii, m.8. 3 Arch. xxxVy 4620 4 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE 1,600 acres of arable land in Ippollitts, 661 of grass and 19 of woodland.4 The chief wood is Wain Wood, in the south-west of the parish. The main crop grown here is corn, the soil and subsoil being chalk.* Ippollitts Common was inclosed under an Act of 1811.8 Field-names occurring in the 16th century which may be noted are Hermitage and Lampland.’ The main line of the Great Northern railway runs through the extreme north-east of the parish, but the station is at Hitchin, 2 miles away. William Lax, a mathematician and astronomer ot some note, held the living of Ippollitts and built a small observatory there. He died in 1836. At the time of the Survey the Bishop of Bayeux held 1 hide of land in ALMSHOE $ (Almeshou, xi cent. ; Alm- shoe, Almesby, Almeshobury, xiv cent. ; Almyssho, xv cent. ; Almeshoebury a/ias Ansibury, xvii cent. 5 Anstyebury, xix cent.), which before the Conquest had been held by Edmund, a man of Earl Harold. Under the bishop this land was held by Adam Fitz Hubert, brother of Eudo Dapifer.® After the bishop’s forfeiture it was held of the king in chief, and pro- bably passed from Adam to his brother Eudo Dapifer, and after the latter's death in 1120 to his sister Albreda wife of Peter de Valoines.1° Through Gunnora, daughter and heir of Robert de Valoines, grandson of Peter de Valoines, the manor came to the Fitz Walter family.) They sub-enfeoffed early in the 13th century. The overlordship descended to Robert Fitz Walter, who died without male issue in 1431. Elizabeth his daughter and heir married Sir John Radcliffe, and their son John was summoned to Parliament as Lord Fitz Walter. Robert son of John was created Earl of Sussex in 1529.1? His great- MANOR Fitz Watter. Or a fesse berween two cheve- rons gules Ravcurre. Argenta bend engrailed sable, grandson Robert Earl of Sussex died in 1629 without surviving issue.'3 ! Statistics from Bu. of Agric, (1905). ap. ¥ Chan, Inq. p.m. 32 Edw. I, no. 56. Under the Fitz Walters the manor was held in 1241 by Simon Fitz Adam, who settled it on his wife Fyne on their marriage in that year.!4 Simon's heir was his son Sir John Fitz Simon, who was succeeded by his son John. This latter John married Parnel daughter of Henry Graponell'® and had two sons, Edward his heir and Hugh.'® At John’s death in 1303-4 Parnel retained land in Almshoe as her dower and afterwards married John de Benstede.!7 Edward Fitz on apparently died without issue before 1328.18 Hugh survived his mother and was alive in 1346.!8 Edward son of Hugh succeeded, but died without issue, and the manor passed to his brother Nicholas Fitz Simon,” who with his wife Elizabeth granted it in 1398 to John and Ida Cokayn for life,2! with remainder to Edward Fitz Simon, their son, and his wife Cecilia, who was daughter of John and Ida Cokayn.” Elizabeth survived her husband and married John Sapurton, holding a third of the manor in dower. This, however, she quit- claimed in 1400 to John and Ida Cokayn and Cecilia, whose husband Edward was dead,”? having left two daughteis —Elizabeth, who married William Asshe,” and Christine wife of John Muslee.2> They seem to have held one moiety each. Elizabeth and William left an only daughter, Elizabeth °° wife of Thomas Brockett, who inherited her parents’ share of the pro- perty,?? and eventually seems to have become possessed also of Christine’s moiety.?* Thomas Brockett died in 14772 and his wife four years later. The manor passed by will to Thomas’s brother Edward, who died in 1488, having left a moiety to his wife Elizabeth, with remainder to his eldest son John,#! John died in 1532, when the manor became the property of his grandson John,*? subject to the life interest of his uncle Edward Brockett.*# John (knighted in 1547) died seised of the reversion in 1558,* and was succeeded by his son Sir John Brockett, who at his death in 1598 left five daughters —Margaret, Anne, Helen, Mary and Frances—and a grandson John Carleton, son of another daughter Elizabeth, who had died six years previously.2° The portions of Margaret and Anne were severally conveyed to Helen and her husband, Richard Spencer,2* who may also have acquired some of the other shares,” for their property is called the manor of Almeshoe. Sir Richard Spencer at his death in 1624 was suc- ceeded by his son John,** on whom the property had been settled in tail-male with remainder to his brother Brockett. John, who was made a baronet in 1627, held the manor until his death in 1633, when he left an only child Alice,®® so that the property date, and Elizabeth’s holding is called the 8 VCH. Herts, i, Geol. Map © Blue Bk. Incl. Awards, 7 Pat. 19 Eliz. pt. v. 8 VCH. Herts. i, 3088. 9 Ibid. ; V.C.H. Norehanty, i, 363. © Dugdale, Baronage, i, 4415 Monatti- comy iti, 345. " Chan, Ing. pom. 34 Edw. Ino, 107. "GEC. Complore Page f i __' Ibid. See Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), liv, 5, 29. The overlordship is incor. rectly given in Chan. Inq. p.m. 17 Edw. IV, ne. 47, and Chan. Ing pm. (Ser. 2), iv, 30 ™ Cussans (Hist. of Herts. Hitchin Hund. 113) quoting from MSS, in posses- sion of Sir John Spencer of Ofer. 18 Wrottésles, Pedigrees from Plea R. 14. ¥ Thid. 16 Edw. Ili, no. 30. 18 See Cal. Ing. pom. 1-9 Edw. III, 129 (Radwell) ; Feet of F. Div. Co. § Edw. III, no. ror. 19 See Feud. Aids, ii, 436 (Radwell). See Add. MS. 28789; Close, 2 Ric. II, m. 36 d.; Agard, Indexes, vii, fol. 15, no. 27. 11 Feet of F. Herts. 21 Ric. II, no, 185. ® Tid, ® Ibid. 1 Hen. IV, no, 9; 2 Hen. IV, no. 14. % Visit, Essex (Harl, Soc. xiii), 100. * See Feet of F. Herts. 11 Hen. IV, no, 84. % Visit, Essex (Harl. Soc. xiii), 30. ® Feet of F. Herts, 1 Edw. IV, no. 4. * The other half disappears from this 26 manor of Almshoe, % Chan, Ing. p.m. 17 Edw, IV, no. 47. 20 Ibid. 21 Edw. IV, no, 46. (Ser. 2), cxvi, 83. 3 Tbid. cclvii, 42 5 cclviii, 76. 3 Feet of F. Herts. Trin, 41 Eliz. Recov. R. East. 2 Jas. I, rot. 72. ® Frances with’ her husband Dudley Lord North conveyed her share to Sit Rowland Lytton (Chan. Ing. p.m. [Ser 2), ccclix, 114). 8 Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), eccexviii, 95+ ® Feet of F. Herts. East. 5 Chas. 15 Chan, Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), cecclxxiv, 4. ONTAA LSTAA SIOAM IH, “JOHSWTY ATLL ¢ SLIITTOAdT HITCHIN passed to Sir Brockett Spencer.‘? The manor passed Brocxetr. Or a cross paty sable, Spencer. Argent quartered with gules fretty or and a bend sable over all with three fleurs de lis argent thereon. eventually through Brockett’s eldest daughter Elizabeth, HUNDRED IPPOLLITTS In 1616 Ralph Radcliffe, lord of the manor of Hitchin, had a grant of court leet in Ippollitts and Gosmore.‘8 The parish church of ST. HiPPOLY- CHURCH TUS, in the middle of the village, consists ofa chancel, nave, north and south aisles, north and south porches and west tower. _ It is built for the most part of flint with dressings of limestone and clunch. The tower is partly covered with cement, and the south porch is of brick, with a timber south front."7 The original church, of the late vith century, consisted of a chancel and nave, to which north and south aisles were added about 1320, when the chancel was rebuilt. The south aisle was built first and then the north, and the west tower was begun immediately after the completion of the aisles. The 15th-century alterations consisted of the widening of the chancel Tpponuitts Cxurci wife of Sir Humphrey Gore *! (see Offley), to their only child Elizabeth, who married Sir Henry Penrice.‘? They left an only child, Anna Maria wife of Sir ‘Thomas Salusbury. He died in 1773," leaving the Property to his second wife Sarah, who at her death bequeathed the manor to a distant cousin, Sir Robert Salusbury, bart.,@ who entered into possession in 1804 on the death of Sarah.45 The manor has descended from this time with the manor of Offley (qv). Mr. H. G. Salusbury Hughes is the present owner, Almshoebury, which is now a farm, is built on the site of the old manor-house. ® Recov. R. Trin, 10 Chas, I, rot. 475 * Ibid, Com, Pleas D. Enr, Trin. 10 Chas, I, m. 5, “| Feet of F. Herts, Trin. 1 Geo, I. Clutterbuck, Hist. of Herts iii, 97+ “4 G.E.C, Baronetage. 45 Clutterbuck, Herts, ili, 945 Cussans, Hist, of Herts. Hitchin Hund. 114. 46 Pat. 14 Jas. I, pt. xii. FROM THE SouTH-BasT arch and the erection of the north and south porches. In 1879 practically the whole of the church, with the exception of the tower, was taken down and rebuilt from the foundations, but the old materials were replaced with great care, so that the history of the original building can be followed with ease. In the course of this restoration the north aisle was widened from 6 ft. to g ft. ‘The chancel has a modern window in the east wall, one north and two south windows, all of two lights with tracery. They are of the 14th century and have been much repaired. There is a piscina com- bined with a credence of the 14th century, and in the 47 Dimensions : chancel, 26 ft. by 13 ft.5 nave, 29 ft. by 20 ft.; north aisle, 9 ft. wide; south aisle, 6 ft. wide; tower, 15 ft. 6in, by 13 ft. 6in, 27 A HISTORY OF north wall are two lockers. “The modern screen has a central bay of the 15th century. The nave has two 14th-century arches on either side, inserted in the earlier wall, about 4 ft. apart. are of two chamfered orders, of which the springs from carved corbel heads, some of modern. The labels also with their mask stops, and parts of the arches, are modern. A rood-loft door with a four-centred head opens from a stair turret at the former level of the loft. The remains of an original round-headed window built of tufa are visible in the wall above the south arcade. The north aisle has modern windows, but the north doorway is of the early 14th century, restored, and the rear arch is modern. The doorway opens into the north porch, which is of stone, repaired with cement, and has a pointed entrance arch in a square head, with tracery in the spandrels ; on either side of the entrance is a roughly executed niche with a trefoiled head, and a canopied niche of the 15th century is over the centre. In both the north and the south aisles are piscinae of the 14th century. The east and south windows of the south aisle are of the 14th century ; the former is a narrow pointed window of two lights with simple tracery, and the latter a square-headed window of two lights, repaired. The west window is modern. To the west of the south window is the south doorway, dating from about 1320, of moulded clunch, opening into the south porch, which has brick sides and a timber framing. The four-centred entrance arch has two lights on cither side, plain open timber-work in the gable and moulded barge-boards. The timber- work is of the 1sth century and the brick is a 17th-century repair. The west tower is entered from the nave by a plain arch with modern abaci. The west window is of the 14th century and has three lights, with tracery ; it has been slightly repaired. The second stage of the tower is lighted by loops and the bell-chamber has two-light windows, which have been repaired with cement. There is a stair turret at the north-west. The tower is embattled, with a string-course immediately below the battlements, but is otherwise plain. It has square angle buttresses, and the low pyramidal roof is tiled and surmounted by a tall leaded post. The font, an octagonal bowl standing on a stem with engaged shafts, is of 14th-century date The monuments consist of two brasses, one in the north aisle of Robert Poydres and Alice his wife, 1401, with an incomplete inscription, and the other in the chancel of Alice wife of Ryce Hughes, 1594, a single brass bearing kneeling figures of a man, a woman and children, and an inscription ; and of a “8 Dugdale, Mon. Angl. iii, 416, of Trin, Coll, Cam! + Information from the Senior Bursar HERTFORDSHIRE i4th-century recess in the south aisle with the recumbent effigy of a priest. The bells are modern. Among the plate is a silver cup of 1634 and a paten of 1639. ‘The registers are in three books, the first all entries from 1711 to 1750, the second baptisms and burials from 1750 to 1812 and marriages from 1750 to 1753, and the third marriages from 1754 to 1812. The church of Ippollitts was a chapel to Hitchin, and is found with that church in the possession of the nunnery of Elstow, Bedfordshire, at the time of the Dissolution. Both churches were appropriated by the monastery. After the Dissolution the tithes were granted with the rectory of Hitchin (q.v.) to Trinity College, Cambridge. No mention is made of the advowson, so the church was evidently then served from Hitchin, although later the Institution Books show that separate presentations were made for Ippollitts. In March 1685-6 the benefice was united by the Bishop of Lincoln with that of Great Wymondley, another chapelry of Hitchin, of which the college had the patronage.” The joint living is still in the gift of Trinity College, Cambridge. In 1612 Thomas Bibsworth by CHARITIES decd conveyed certain lands and cottages in the parish to trustees, the rents and profits to be applied in the relief of the poor. Upon the inclosure of the common lands under the Act of 1811, 2a. rr. 28 p. in Bow Street Common were allotted in licu of 3a, in the common fields, The property was sold in 1863 and the proceeds invested in £844 195. 7d. India 3 per cent. stock with the official trastees, producing £25 7s. yearly. A sum of 45. yearly is also received by the trustees in respect of a rood of land in a field called Bobwell, Little Wymondley Farm. In 1623 John Welch by his will gave 6s. 8d. yearly to the vicar and ros. to the poor, payable out of Red Coats Farm in Great Wymondley. In 1642 George King by deed gave gos. yearly out of land at Luton for the poor. The annuity is paid by the owner of Luton Hoo estate. These charities are administered together; 147 bread and coal tickets of the value of 35. gd. each were in 1907 distributed to the poor. In 1653 William Guyver by his will devised an annuity of £4 for apprenticing a boy or girl. The rent-charge is paid by the owner of St. Ibs estate and is applied as required. In 1729 William Dawes by his will gave a yearly sum of {£5 out of his property near Hitchin for distribution to the poor on St. Thomas’s Day, The annuity, less land tax, is paid out of land called Lower Brook Field, and distributed in money doles. ADVOWSON i ® Loc, Act, 51 Geo. II], cap. 192 28 Irrontitts Cuurcu : ‘THe Sourn Porcn Ipponnirrs Cuurch : Tue Nave Looking Easr HITCHIN HUNDRED KIMPTON KIMPTON Kamintone (xi cent.); Kymitone, Kymbton, Kumynton (xiv cent.) ; Kympton (xv cent.). Kimpton is a parish of 3,677 acres, lying on the Bedfordshire border, north of the Ayots and west of Codicote. The northern and southern parts reach a height of 450 ft., but the rest is some roo ft. lower. ‘The surface is undulating, and the village lies in the lower parts, being built along a road running east and west. The street has several 17th-century houses and cottages which retain many of their ancient features, It is about a mile long, including the shamlet of Kimpton Bottom. There are many hamlets and outlying farms and cottages in the parish. Skegs- bury Lane lies to the west, Ansells End to the north- west and Percy Green with Peters Green further to the north-west of the parish. Bury Farm, the residence of Mr. John Barker, lies to the east of the village; Kimpton Grange, the residence of Mr. C. F. Parr, lies to the west; Lawrence End House, with extensive grounds, the seat of Mr. George Oakley, J-P., lies in the north- west part of the parish. Stoneheaps Farm, lying a little less than a mile to the south-west of the church, is a two-storied house of the L type, of plastered timber and brick, built early in the 17th century. Tallents Farm, Rumeridge, Kimpton Hall and Kimp- ton Mill Farm are farm-houses in the parish built at about the same date, but they have all undergone much alteration, external as well as internal. The little River Mimram or Maran flows through the north-east of the parish, and adjoining it are osier beds. The soil is chalk. Nearly the whole of the parish is given up to agriculture, 2,506 acres being under the plough ; 682 acres are permanent grass, and some 168 acres are woodland,’ including Cuck- oldscross Wood, Dovehouse Wood, Park Wood and Leggatts Spring. Some Roman and Celtic coins have been found near Prior’s Wood in the south-east. In the 14th century the hundred court of Hitchin was held at Kimpton.’ In the time of King Edward Alveva, MANORS mother of Earl Morcar,held KIMPTON. In 1086 it was assessed for 4 hides and formed part of the possessions of Odo Bishop of Bayeux, of whom it was held by Ralf de Curbespine.* Ralf was of the same family as Gilbert Maminot, Bishop of Lisieux (who was son of Robert de Curbes- pine), and his lands afterwards descended with the Maminots,* of whose Dover-Castleward barony Kimp- ton was held as two knights’ fees.’ Through Alice ' Statistics from Bd. of Agric. (1905). 2 Assize R. 340. 3 V.C.H, Herts, i, 3108. ‘The tenant is given in Domesday as ‘Ralf,’ but the deacent of the manor with the Maminots shows that he was Ralf de Curbespine ; cf, West Fairbourne, Thornham and Waldershare in Kent. no. ‘Possibly Hugh Maminot (temp. Henry 1) was his aon, (Ser. 2), xxxi, 97. 5 Feud, Aids, ii, 429 5 Chan, Inq. pm. S. 7 Close, 19 Hen. III, m. 2d. 8 Feud. Aids, ii, 429 5 Excerpta © Ror, it Foch, Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), file 292, sister and heir of Walkelin de Maminot this barony passed to the family of Geoffrey de Say, her husband, and the overlordship then descended with the barony of Say.* Under the Says Kimpton was held by three sepa- rate tenants as the manors of Hockinghanger, Park- bury and Leggatts. HOCKINGHANGER (Hokenbangre, xiv cent. ; Hokynanger, xvi cent.). As early as 1235-6 Baldwin de Vere, a member of the Northamptonshire family of Vere, was holding this manor and demanding customs there from a certain William de Bikkeworth.’ He was succeeded by another Baldwin, probably his son, who died before 1303, when his widow Matilda was assessed for three-quarters of a fee in Kimpton held of William de Say.’ This descended to John de Vere, probably his son, and his widow Alice was holding in 1346.9 In 1351 Robert de Vere made a settlement of his land, under the name of the manor of Hockinghanger, on himself and his wife Elizabeth in tail."” The manor descended in this family until 1493, when Henry de Vere of Great Addington, co. Northants, died seised, leaving four daughters, Elizabeth, Ann, Constance and Audrey." Eliza- beth married John Lord Mordaunt '*; Ann married Sir Humphrey Browne, kt., of Roding, co. Essex" ; and Audrey married John Browne, a nephew of Sir Humphrey." These three daughters with their husbands each held one-third of the property. In 1556 Audrey, after her husband’s death, conveyed her third to John Lord Mor- daunt."© These two thirds descended to his son John Lord Mordaunt and to the sR latter’s son Lewis Lord Mor- daunt. Sir Humphrey Browne, husband of Ann, died in 1562, leaving the third which had fallen to his wife to his three daughters— Mary, who afterwards married Thomas Wylforde ; Christine, Monpaunt. Argent later the wife of John Tufton, abies between three and Katherine.” Mary and = ‘7* ‘00 Katherine seem to have both conveyed their shares to Christine and John Tufton,'* who in Hilary Term 1581-2 conveyed this portion to Lewis Lord Mordaunt,” who thus acquired the whole, In 1596 Lord Mordaunt sold the manor to Thomas Hoo of &t. Paul’s Walden.” He was succeeded by 15 Feet of F, Herts. Trin, 2 & 3 Phil. and Mary. 38 Ibid. Hil. 24 Eliz. ¥ Chan, Ing. p.m, (Ser. 2), cxxxv, 75 5 Recov. R, East. 5 Eliz, rot. 1068, His ton George died immediately after his own death. 15 Recov. R, Trin, 18 Eliz. rot. 11205 Feet of F. Herts. Trin, 18 Eliz. In 1577 John Tutton had licence to alienate 5 Red Bk. of Exch. (Rolls Ser.), ii, 710, 721, 617. There seems no doubt that the place spelt here Kenintone, Revintone and Kenntune is Kimpton (Kemitone) ; cf, spelling in Feud. Aids, ii, 429. no. 1. 12 Harl. Soc. Publ. xix, 41-2. 18 Visit, Essex (Harl. Soe. xiii), 166. ¥ Tbid. The fourth daughter Constance does not appear again, 29 hie third for the purposes of a settlement (Pat. 20 Eliz. pt. fii, m. 17; Feet of Fy Herts, East. 20 Eliz.) 19 Feet of F, Herts. Hil. 24 Eliz. 2 {bid. East. 38 Eliz. A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE his son William Hoo, on whose death in 1636 the manor descended to his son Thomas.” ‘Thomas died in 1650, his son Thomas having predeceased him, and Hockinghanger passed with Hoo in St. Paul’s Walden to his daughter Susan wife of Sir Jonathan Keate, bart? It descended to their son, Sir Gilbert ss Keare. Argent three Hoo. Quarterly sable cats passant rable. and argent. Hoo-Keate, who was succeeded by his son Sir Henry Hoo-Keate® He sold the manor in 1732 to Mar- garet Brand of the parish of St. James's, Westminster, widow of Thomas Brand," from whom it passed suc- cesively to her son and grandson, both named Thomas.” The son Thomas married in 1771 Gertrude daughter of Henry Roper Lord Teynham, who, on the death of her brother Charles Lord Dacre, became Lady Dacre in her own right. Her son Thomas Brand succeeded his mother as twentieth Lord Dacre, from whom the manor passed in 1851 to his brother Henry Otway, who took the name of Trevor. His two sons Thomas Crosbie William Trevor, Lord Dacre, and Henry Bouverie William Brand, Lord Dacre, created first Viscount a i Rores, Lord Dacre, Six pieces azure and or Hampden. Azure rwo with three hart! heads crossed swords argent or. with their hilts or be- tween three scallops or. 8 Beano, Viscount Hampden in 1884, successively inherited the estate, and it passed from the latter to his eldest son Henry Robert Brand, second Viscount Hampden and twenty- fourth Lord Dacre, the present lord of the manor.” The manor of P4RKBURY was held under the Says in the 14th century by the family of Brok as one half and one half of one quarter of a knight’s fee.” In 1303 Laurence de Brok was assessed for it? He was dead by 1330, when the manor was held by his widow Ellen de Brok for life, with reversion to her son Ralph, and she received a grant of free warren in that year.” Before 1346 the manor had passed to Nigel de Loreng, kt.,°chamberlain to the Black Prince, who had a large estate at Chalgrave in Bedfordshire.*' He was in possession in 1384-5, when he conveyed it to trustees.” Probably the trustees conveyed to John Fray,** who was assessed for the same fee in 1428. In 1436 John Fray and Agnes his wife sold the manor under the name of Parkbury to Richard Hungate and Elizabeth his wife.*® After Richard’s death Elizabeth married John Gunter, and they held it for life with reversion to John Suliard and his wife Agnes daughter and heir of Richard Hungate.” Edward Suliard died seised of the manor in 1516, leaving as heir his son William,” who died in March 1539-40, having settled the property on his brother Eustace. From Eustace it passed to his son Edward, who in Hilary Term 1579-80 conveyed the property to John Knighton and George his son.” John Knighton, of the Inner Temple, died in 1599." His son George must have predeceased his father, for his brother George Knighton of Bayford was his heir.? George was knighted in 1603." He settled the property in 1603 on himself and his wife Lady Susan for life, with remainder to their son John, who succeeded in 1613. At John’s death in 1635 the manor passed to Knighton Ferrers, son of his sister Anne, who had married Sir John Ferrers of Markyate.® His daughter and heir Katherine married Thomas Viscount Fanshawe." In 1665 Basset Cole and his wife Anne“ sold the property to Sir Jonathan Keate, bart.,“ after which it descended with Hockinghanger (q.v.). The manor of LEGGATTS was held in 1303 as half a knight’s fee and one-eighth of a fee of Lord William de Say by Roger Wyscard.” It passed shortly afterwards to the family of Leggatt, from whom it took its name. In 1346 Robert Morlee, a feoffee of John Leggatt, was assessed for it.” John’s son Edward Leggatt, who was in gaol for felony in 1369," died seised of the manor in 1396." The estate consisted of a messuage and garden, a dove-house, 2424 acres of land, 1 acre of meadow, rents of 42s. 2$¢. and a fishery.” His cousin John was his heir.“ John possibly left co-heiresses, for in 1409 a certain John 31 Berry, Herts. Gen. 158 5 Recov. R. East. 13 Chas. I, rot. 5. 2 Recov. R. Mich, 8 Chas. II, rot. 165 ; Hil. 12 Chas. II, rot. 3. See ibid. Trin. 10 Geo. I, rot. 280. 4 Ibid. 6 Geo, II, rot. 191; Clote, 6 Geo, II, pt. xiv, no. 17. ® Recov. R. East. 11 Geo. III, rot. 55. ® Berry, Herts, Gen. 44 et seq. ; G-E.C. Peerage. Y Feud. Aids, ii, 429. ® Ibid. * Chart. R. 4 Edw. II, pt. i, no. 28. © Feut. Aidt ii, 433. 31 Dict. Nat. Biog. * Feet of F. Div. Co. Hil. 8 Ric. I, no. 28. % See Feet of F. Herts, Trin. 10 Hen. IV, no. 74. 4 Feud. Aids, ii, 449. % Feet of F, Herts. Trin. 14 Hen. VI, no. 77. % Close, 37 Hen. VI, m. 31. * Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), xxxi, 97. 58 Ibid. Ixiv, ® Ibid. Lxxxvi, 99. © Feet of F, Herts, Hil, 22 Eliz. Chan, Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), celviii, 77. 41 Tid, * Shaw, Knights of Engl. ii, 116, 30 “Chan, Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), cccaliii, 143. 45 Ibid, eccelxxvi, 129. “© G.E.C. Peerage, s.v. Fanshawe ; see Feet of F. Div. Co. Hil. 1651. * Chauncy calle the wife Lady Amy Mordaunt, and says she had bought the manor, ‘8 Feet of F. Herts, Hil. 16 & 17 Chas, II. 4 Feud. Aids, ii, 429. _ © Ibid. 438. Chan, Ing. p.m. 43 Edw. III, pt. ii (2nd nos.), no. 35. 82 Ibid. 29 Ric. I, no. 34. 8 Ibid. 43 Edw. IM, pt. ii (2nd nos), no. 36. Tid, 20 Ric. H, no. 34 Kimpton : Sronenzars Farm Kimeron Cuurcu rrom THE SourH-west HITCHIN HUNDRED Chertsey conveyed a moiety of the manor to John Fray,* from whom it passed with Parkbury to Hungate,** and the two manors subsequently descended together. Besides the three manors which formed the holding of the Says in Kimpton there was another manor called BIBBESWORTH (Bybesworth, xiv cent.), which was held of the manor of Pirton,” from which it was evidently formed by subinfeudation, It gave its name to, or took its name from, a family of Bibbesworth, who held it under the lords of Pirton.§ In 1277 Walter de Bibbesworth was holding the manor, and received a grant of free warren in January of that year (1276-7). William de Bibbesworth settled it ‘in 1303 on his son Hugh de Bibbesworth and Emma his wife. Later Hugh granted half a hide of his estate to the monastery of St. Albans." He was succeeded by his son John de Bibbesworth,* who died in 1361,® having previously settled the property on his son Hugh and Amice his wife." In 1402 they settled the manor on their son Edmund.® After his death it was held by his widow Goditha,® she outliving her son John, who died in 1448,” leaving a son Thomas, a minor. ‘Thomas entered into the property on attaining his majority in 1467.8 He died without issue in 1485, his heirs being his cousins, Joan wife of Thomas Barlee and John Cotys of Hunningham, co, Warwick.” The manor of Bibbesworth was assigned to Joan and Thomas Barlee.”” At his death in 1524 Thomas left a son Robert,” who was succeeded by his son Francis.” In 1560 the manor was owned by Richard Barlee,”* probably son of Francis. Richard died in 1593, leaving as heir a son Thomas,” who became a lunatic in 1603, but seems to have held the manor till some four years later, when his heirs are returned as his three sisters, Dorothea Osburn, Anna Lady Dacres and Maria Wiseman.”* Apparently, however, he had a daughter Grace (perhaps born after this date), the wife of Cressy Tasburgh, who suffered sequestra- tion as a recusant in 1650, but obtained restoration of his lands in 1651. In 1659 Robert Barlee and William Wiseman, probably their trustees, conveyed to Sir Jonathan Keate,” and the manor remained with his descendants” together with Hockinghanger (q.v.). LITTLE BIBBESWORTH was another estate formed out of the manor of Pirton. John de Limesi, lord of that manor in the latter part of the 12th 55 Feet of F. Herts, Trin, ro Hen. IV, no. 57 Chan. Ing, p.m. 35 Edw. III, no. 44 5 (Ser. 2), ccxli, 107. 58 See Dugdale, Mon. iii, 300, 301. daughter of Thomas Bibbesworth’s father's - 740 sister Joan, and John Cotys son of another 58 Close, 37 Hen. VI, m. 31. sister Agnes. 7 Close, 1 Hen. VII, no. 103. KIMPTON century, granted 8 acres in Bibbesworth to Richard de Puteo, who gave them to the monastery of St. Mary, Hertford (to which Ralph de Limesi [see Pirton] had made a grant of tithes and of pannage in his wood there), to the use of the kitchen.” In 12g the priory had lands valued at £2 135. 8¢. in Kimpton.” After the Dissolution this estate was granted under the name of the manor of Bibbesworth in February 1537-8 to Anthony Denny and Joan his wife.®! They conveyed the manor in 1543 to Nicholas Bristowe and his wife Lucy.” In the inquisition taken on his death in 1584 the manor is called Little Bibbesworth." He was succeeded by his son Nicholas, who died at Ayot St. Lawrence in 1626." His son, also Nicholas, died in July 1634, and Robert his brother inherited the fee simple of the Bristowe estates. After this time it seems to have descended with the advowson (q.v.). A reputed manor called PLUMMERS ® was con- veyed in 1596 by Thomas Hoo to Edward Sibley,” and the next year was acquired from the latter by Thomas Halsey afias Chambers.® The farm of Plummers is now occupied by Mr. Robert Avery. Another reputed manor of LEJGH or LYGH was held by Sir Edward Benstede, kt., at his death in 1518. John Ferrers, his kinsman and heir, succeeded. In 1547 the manor was conveyed by Francis Ferrers to John Brockett and his wife Margaret.” Edward Peade was holding it in 1589, when he alienated it to Thomas Cheyne. The parish church of ST. PETER CHURCH AND ST. PAUL stands at the north end of the village. The church consists of a chancel, nave, south chapel, north and south aisles, west tower of three stages with leaded spire, south porch of two stages with an octagonal north- west stair turret, north vestry and organ chamber.” It is built of flint rubble with freestone dressings. The existing nave is probably of the same plan as that of the original 1ath-century building, which consisted of an aisleless nave and chancel. About 1200 the north and south aisles were added, and at the same time, or perhaps a little later, the chancel was enlarged to its present size. There are traces of 14th-century alterations in the chancel, but it was not until the 15th century that any further addition was made, when the south chapel was built, the south aisle probably partly rebuilt, the clearstory of the nave was made, and the south porch and west ® Chan. Ing. 8 Tid. ceecix, 8 Thid. cceclxxiv, 6. See under advow- .m, (Ser, 2), ccvi, 12. 6 n. 8 For John Plomer or Plummer, who with his wife Agnes, widow of Richard Chart. R, 5 Edw. I, no. 70. © Feet of F. Herts. 32 Edw. I, no, 386 Visit, Essex (Hatl, Soc. xiii), 1. 61 Cott, MSS. Nero, D vii, fol. 92. © Feet of F. Div. Co. Hil. 27 E no. 915 Visit. Essex (Harl. Soc. xiii), 1. ® Chan, Ing. p.m. 35 Edw. III, no. 44. & Feet of F. Div. Co. Hil. 27 Edw. III, no. 496. © Visit, Estex (Harl, Soc. xiii), 1 ; Feet of F. Div. Co. Hil. 3 Hen. IV; Add. Chart. 1990. © Chan, Ing, pm. 5 Edw. IV, no. 22. © Ibid. 27 Hen. VI, no. 35. ® Ibid. 7 Edw. IV, no. 59. Ibid. (Ser. 2), i, 75+ In, Joan was i, Soc. xiii), 13 Court of Wards, cxxix, fol. 207 d. 73 Feet of F. Div. Co. Mich. 2 Eliz. 74 Chan, Ing, p.m, (Ser. 2), ccxli, 107. 75 Ibid. ccxcviii, 72, 82. This is an ing, de lunatico inquirendo, not an ing. p.m. % Cal. Com. for Comp. 2235. 7 Close, 6 Geo. II, pt. xiv, no. 17. 78 See Recov. R. Trin. 10 Geo. I, rot, 280, 79 Dugdale, Mon, iii, 301; Campb. Chart. x 12. 8 Pope Nick, Tax. (Rec. Com.), 5. 81 Pat. 29 Hen. VILI, pt. ii, m. 19. 69D, and P, Hen. VIII, xviii (1), g. 226 (82). 3r Nash, held lands in Kimpton in her right about the same date, and from whose family this manor probably took its name, see Chan, Proc, (Ser, 2), bdle. 286, no. 39- 87 Feet of F. Herts. East. 38 Eliz. 88 Ibid. Mich. 39 & go Eliz, 8 Chan. Inq. p.m. (Ser. 2), xxxiv, 35. 9% Feet of F. Herts. Trin, 1 Edw, VI. 1 Ibid. Mich. 31 & 32 Eliz. ® Dimensions: chancel, 36 ft. _ by 15 ft. ; south chapel, 32 ft, by 14 ft. 6 in.; nave, 64 ft. by 18 ft.; north aisle, 12 ft. 6in, wide; south aisle, 13 ft. 6 in. wide ; west tower, 12 ft. 6 in. by 12 ft.5 south porch, 9 ft. by ro ft. 6 in. A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE tower were added. In 1861 the church was rather drastically restored, the north aisle being completely rebuilt, the windows and doors much repaired and altered and the north vestry and organ chamber added. The chancel has an east window of three lights, in which traces of early 14th-century work remain, but the bulk of it is modern. On either side of it the remains of a 13th-century lancet window are visible with traces of contemporary paintings of figures of angels on the remaining splays. ‘The chapel arcade on the south side is of the 15th century, of three bays with columns of four clustered shafts and moulded arches. Between the chancel and south chapel are parts of a mid-15th-century parclose screen, much repaired, with traceried panels and moulded stiles and cornice. There are six poppy- head bench ends of the 15th century in the chancel, also much restored. The north wall of the chancel is modern. The south chapel has an east window and three century and has a continuous moulding, and a label with grotesque stops. It opens to the south porch, of the same date, which is of two stories, and originally had a window opening into the south aisle from the second stage; this is now blocked. The pointed entrance arch is plain and has a label with carved stops. There are square-headed windows on the east and west. The second stage is approached by an octagonal stair turret rising above the porch, at the north-west, at the angle of junction with the aisle, and is lighted by a two-light traceried window with a pointed head. Both the porch and the turret have embattled parapets above string-courses. The west tower is of two stages with strongly projecting buttresses, an led parapet and a lead d needle spire. At the north-east corner is a project- ing stair turret. The tower arch isof the 15th century, and is four-centred, of two moulded orders with flat jambs. The west door is so much restored as to be practically modern, and the same is true of the window above it. ‘The windows of the upper stage NORTH , i. VFN SSS NN N N 1 SOUTH BB2°cent fi M0 13°Cent ZAN4CEN (SI5°CENT AISLE AISLE [CIMopern Pian or Kr square-headed south windows. The openings are original, but all the tracery is modern, and the south door is much restored. ‘There is here an early 13th- century piscina, which has been reset. The mid- 1sth-century screen at the west of the chapel has a vaulted canopy. It is much restored throughout. The nave has arcades of six bays, of the end of the t2th or early years of the 13th century. The arches are two-centred, and of two moulded orders, with drop labels facing the nave. The columns are circular with moulded bases ; some of the capitals are scalloped and some foliate. The clearstory windows are three on the north and four on the south. They have two lights, and the westernmost on the south side has a wooden head. The north aisle is entirely modern. The south aisle, which is much restored, has four three-light windows, of which the jambs and rear arches only are old. The roof of this aisle is of late 15th or early 16th-century date. It has moulded ridges, purlins and wall-plates and cambered trustes resting on corbels carved as angels. The south doorway is of the 15th 32 Scatc or Feet meton CHURCH of the tower are of two trefoiled lights ; they also are much restored. The earliest monument is an early 15th-century brass in the chancel, with the figure of a woman wear- ing her hair loose, having no inscription. There are mural monuments to Susannah wife of Sir Jonathan Keate, 1673, to Judith Orlebar, 1690, and to Sir Jonathan Keate, 1700. There are six bells: the first and third are by Rober: Oldfeild, 1636; the second is by John Waylett, 1728; the fourth is by John Saunders, and dates from the middle of the 16th century ; the fifth is probably by William Burford, of the middle of the 14th century, and the sixth is by Robert Oldfeild, with the date 1638. The plate includes a cup of 1635. The registers are contained in three books, the first containing baptisms and burials from 1559 to 1777 and marriages from 1559 to 17533 the second contains baptisms and burials from 1777 to 1812, and the third marriages from 1777 to 1812. Kieron Cuurcu: Tue Sourn Aiste Looxinc Easr HITCHIN HUNDRED The advowson of the church of ADVOWSON St. Peter and St. Paul of Kimpton was granted, probably by one of the Says, to the priory of Austin Canons of Merton, in Surrey.®3 A vicarage was ordained there previous to 1291,% and between 1363 and 1397 the vicar and Prior of Hertford (who had a grant of tithes of pannage from Ralph de Limesi, see above) arranged an allotment of tithes.®° In February 1542~3 the king granted the advowson to John Williams and Anthony Stringer,°* who alienated in the same year to Nicholas Bacon and Henry Ashfelde.97 Nicholas Bacon conveyed the property in 1543 to Nicholas Bristowe,°8 who died in 1584, leaving as heir his son Nicholas. Five years later the advowson was granted to Richard Branthwayte and Roger Bromley,}® who were possibly acting as trustees or were merely fishing grantees.” Nicholas son of the above Nicholas came into possession at his father’s death.°! He was suc- ceeded by his son Nicholas,!? who held the property until 1634, when he died, leaving to his daughters Elizabeth and Anne a twenty-one years’ interest in the estate, which was to revert at the end of that time to their uncle Robert Bristowe.!% In 1663 Robert Bristowe and his son Nicholas conveyed the advowson to Sir Jonathan Keate, bart.,!% and it then descended with the manor of Kimpton 1% to Viscount Hampden, the present patron, In the 15th century Edmund atte Hoo left in his will a bequest to the fabric of the church of Kimpton. A letter has been preserved, written by the Prior of Merton to the Bishop of Lincoln, asking permission for the construction of a private oratory without a bell-tower. The request was apparently made on behalf of Lady Ellen, formerly wife of Robert de Vere. The chapel was to be used by her household and guests alone, and the chaplain was to KING’S WALDEN make amends to the vicar of the mother church of Kimpton if he gave the sacrament ; while the vicar could suspend the celebration if the mother church suffered by it.107 The rectory was granted by the king in 1543 to Nicholas Bristowe and Lucy his wife for their lives.18 In 1567 it was regranted to Nicholas Bristowe, their son, on lease for twenty-one years. A grant to Richard Branthwayte and Roger Bromley in 1589 1° was probably in trust for Richard Spencer!" whose son Sir John Spencer of Offley, bart. (so created in 1627), died seised in 1633 under a settlement made by his father"? At Sir John’s death the rectory passed to his brother Brockett Spencer, and after- wards descended in the family of Salusbury 14 with the manor of St. Ledgers in Offley (q.v.). There is a Wesleyan chapel in Kimpton. William Barford, D.D., Preben- CHARITIES dary of Canterbury, Fellow of Eton, and vicar of this parish, by his will proved in the P.C.C. 31 January 1793 bequeathed 205. yearly for the poor. The legacy is now repre- sented by £33 6s. 8d. consols with the official trustees, and the annual dividends amounting to 16s. 8d. are distributed equally among eight poor persons. John Bassill by his will, proved in the P.C.C. 1 February 1816, gave £120 stock, the dividends, subject to keeping in repair the testator’s vault, to be applied every three years as to one-third for dinner to the resident clergyman, one-third among six poor families, and remaining one-third in prize money for games among young people, first deduct- ing 40s. for a dinner for the church ringers and parish clerk. ‘The legacy is now represented by £192 0%. 5d. consols with the official trustees, producing £4 16s. yearly. KING’S WALDEN King’s Walden is a parish 4,392 acres in extent, lying on a spur of the Chilterns at a height of some 450 ft. above the ordnance datum. The surface of the land is slightly undulating, the subsoil chalk,’ on which corn is largely grown. Arable land covers 2,755 acres, while the grass land extends over only about one-quarter of this area, and the woodland 1 37 acres.” The original settlement seems to have been of the Saxon type, having the church of St. Mary adjoining the manor-house of King’s Waldenbury and the village near, the whole being off the road, as is usual in this type of settlement. At a later date the in- habitants migrated to the road, where the market would naturally be held, and eventually deserted the original settlement. Thus the village became established where we find it to-day, nearly a mile from the church and manor-house. It is uncertain when a market was first granted, possibly in the 13th cen- tury, when so many grants of market were made, but in 1795 a market was held here on Saturdays. The village consists of two irregular lines of cottages. Scattered over the parish are many farm-houses and cottages, and there are three small hamlets, Wandon End# and Wandon Green on the western and southern borders of the parish, and Ley Green ° to the north of King’s Waldenbury Park. The Inclosure Act is dated 1796-7,° and the common was inclosed by an award of 1802.7 ® Dugdale, Mon. Angl. vi, 245. 4 Pope Nich. Tax. (Rec. Com.), 42. % Linc, Epis, Reg. Bokingham, fol. 338. %L. and P. Hen. VILL, xviii (1), 226 (79). # Ibid, xviii (1), g. 226 (87). 8 Chan, Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), cevi, 125 Add, Chart. 1991, 1997. % Chan, Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), ccvi, 12. 100 Pat. 3x Eliz, pt. xi, m. 27. "Chan. Ing. pam. (Ser. 2), cccexlin, 66. 10! Tid, U8 Thid, cecclxxiv, 6. 3 1 Recov. R. Mich. 15 Chas, II, rot. 52; Close, 6 Geo. II, pt. xiv, no. 17. 105 See Inst. Bks, (P.R.O.). 108 Wills, Archdeaconry of St. Albans, Stonehaven 31. 107 Cott, MS. Cleop. C vii, 144. 108 Add. Chart. 19973; L. and P, Hen. VIL, xix (1), 644. 109 Pat, 31 Eliz. pt. xi, m. 27. 11 Branthwayte and Spencer were connected by marriage; Branthwaite’s daughter Margaret married Spencer's 33 nephew Thomas. Sce G.E.C. Baronetage, i, 693 ii, 10. 112'Chan. Inq. p-m. (Ser. 2), dxii, 4- 18 Recoy, R. Mich. 15 Chas. I, rot. $6. MS Tid. 45 Geo. III, rot. 17. 1 V.C.H, Herts, i, Geol. map. Statistics from Bd. of Agric. (1905). 3 Verulam MSS. (Hist. MSS. Com.), i, 159 Py. cH, Hert. i, 303@ $ Thid, 3045, 6 Local Acts, 1 Geo. I-37 Geo. III. 1 Blue Bk, Incl. Awards, 5 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE From before the time of the Domesday MANORS Survey two manors were in existence in King’s Walden. Each was estimated at 1 hide, and in the time of Earl Harold both were held of him, one by Leueva, the other by Asgar’s widow. At the time of the Survey the former was in the king’s hands, the latter was still held by Asgar’s widow, of the king.® These two manors, both known by the name of King’s Walden, existed as separate manors till the middle of the 15th century,° when they seem to have become united. One manor of KING’S If’ALDEN, afterwards called DUXW ORTH, was granted at an early date to the family of Delamare,!? who were holding in the neighbouring parish of Offley. Early in the 13th century Robert son of Osbert Delamare ! held King’s Walden by the service of one knight’s fee.” Robert forfeited his lands in 1224 asan ally of Falkes de Breauté, but they were afterwards restored to his wife Alice for herself and her heirs? Her son John inherited his mother’s estate!! and held it till his death about 1276, leaving as heir his grandson John, a minor,!5 who was assessed for the fee in 1303.1° It was then extended at a messuage and 60 acres of land, 2 acres of pasture, 2 of wood and rents of assize. In this year he alienated it to John de Dokesworth or Duxworth,!? who settled it in 1316 on himself and his wife Parnel and their heirs.! John died in 1338, leaving a son William, who held the manor”? till his death in 1362, when he was succeeded by his son Elias.24 He about 1380 alienated King’s Walden to John Bixen and Walter Pulter, who enfeoffed John Wylkyn of the same.2? John Wylkyn was convicted in July 1381 of felony and treason and forfeited his lands, which were granted in fee farm to Hugh Martyn, one of the king’s servitors.”? It would appear that Hugh lost his possessions about 1395 by his outlawry,"! and they reverted to the Crown. The king made a fresh grant of them to Reginald Lord Cobham of Sterborough, who held a court in 1401.75 The manor descended to his son Reginald Lord Cobham, who died in 1446. His granddaughter Margaret (daughter of his eldest son Reginald), who succeeded him,” died without issue about 1460, and her husband Ralph Earl of Westmorland in 1485. The manor came to Anne daughter of Thomas second son of Reginald Lord Cobham, the wife of Sir Edward Burgh, and it descended to their son Thomas Lord Burgh, who died seised of King’s Walden in 1551.28 His son William Lord Burgh? conveyed it in 1576 to Richard Hale? He died in 1621, having settled the property on his second son Richard and his heirs, The estate, however, came eventually to William, the eldest son.3! William Hale died in 1633, leavinga son William, whose heir at his death in 1643 * was his brother Rowland,? from whom the manor passed to his son William.*4 It descended in this family to Paggen Hale, who was holding in 1742.9 He left no issue, so that at his death the property passed to a cousin, William Hale,%° and from him to his son William, who was holding in 1815.57 After the death of Charles Cholmondeley Hale in 1884 the property was pur- chased by Mrs. Hinds, and in 18gt it was bought from her by Mr. Thomas Fenwick Harrison,38 who is the present lord of the manor and lives at King’s Waldenbury. The other manor of KING’S WALDEN men- tioned in the Survey *° extended into the hamlet of Wandon End. It was apparently granted at an early date to the family of Valoines, of which barony it was held as one knight’s fee? On the death (before November 1220) of Gunnora wife of Robert Fitz Walter, daughter and heir of Robert de Valoines, the manor descended to her daughter Christine, who married, first, William de Mandeville Earl of Essex, and, secondly, Raymund de Burgh, and died without issue in 1233. King’s Walden then went to Isabel wife of David Comyn, one of the heirs of Christine.4! In 1310 it was granted by Edmund Comyn to John de Dokesworth,#? lord of the other manor of King’s Walden (q.v.), and the overlordship remained with his successors in that manor.‘8 This fee, together with other lands held of the Delamares’ manor of King’s Walden, was held in the first half of the 13th century by John de Nevill.4 He was succeeded by John de Nevill, who was holding in 1259. He died in 1286, leaving a son John, who with his wife Denise held the estate ‘ till his death in 1313.47 A windmill and a water mill are mentioned in the extent of the manor at this date. Walter, John’s son, succeeded him.*® He obtained a Hace of King's Walden. Azure a cheve- ron or battled on both sidets . 449- W® Testa de Nevill (Rec. Com.), 266. " Red Bk. of Exch. (Rolls Ser.), 499. "3 Testa de Nevill, 279; Red Bh. of Exch. 499. 38 Close, 8 Hen, III, pt. i, m. 20. 4 Excerpta e Rot. Fin. (Rec. Com.) i 186 ; Testa de Nevill, 266, 2726, % Chan, Ing. pm. 4 Edw. J, file 14, no. 3 file 17, mo, 16; Fine R. 4 Edw. I, m. 3. 18 Feud. Aids, ii, 429. ¥ Ing. aq.d. file 42, no. 8; Cal. Par. 1301-7, p. 118. 2 Ing. aged. file 113, no, 82 5 Cal. Par. 1343-17, p. 4815 Feet of P. Herts. 19 Edw. II, no. 242. ® Chan. Ing. p.m. 11 Edw. III, no. 20. » Feud. Aids, ii, 438. 4 Chan. Ing. p.m. 36 Edw. III, no. 33. % Ing. a.g.d. file 397, no. 33 Cal. Pat. 1377-81, pp. 620, 624. ® Pat. 5 Ric. II, pt. ii, m. 7. % Cal. Pat. 1391-6, pp. 202, 560, 25 Add. R. 35932. * Close, 10 Hen. IV, m, 325 Feud. Aids, ii, 449. "See Feet of F. Div. Co. Hil. 33 Hea. VI, no. 53. 25 Chan, Inq. p.m. (Ser. 2), xciii, 105. 39 See Recov. R. Hil. 5 & 6 Edw. VI, rot. §17 5 Add. R. 35989, 35999 35993, 35996. Feet of F. Herts, East, 18 Eliz. 5 Add. R. 35997. 3! Chan, Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), ccclxxxvii, 110; Add. R. 36021. * Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), dxxvi, 148. % Thid. dexeviii, 65 ; Add. R. 36055. 4 Feet of F, Herts, Trin. 8 Anne; Add, R. 36036 5 Burke, Landed Gentry, 34 % Recov. R. Trin. 16 Geo. I, rote 153. 3 Ibid. Mich. 11 Geo. IIT, rot. 185. 5 Ibid. 55 Geo. II, rot. 248; Burke, Landed Gentry. 3% Information from Mr. T. F. Harrison. 89 VCH. Herts. i, 3025. 40 Testa de Nevill (Rec. Com.), 27145 Feud. Aids, ii, 429. 41 See Ancestor, no. xi, 1904. * Cal. Pat, 1307-13, p. 223 5 Feet of F. Herts, 4 Edw. Il, file 54. © Feud, Aids, ii, 437. * Testa de Nevill (Rec. Com.), 271. 45 Feet of F. Herts. Mich. 43 Hen III, no. §14. 461 Chan, Ing. p.m. 14 Edw. I, 10. 9 “See Feet of F. Herts. Mich. 3 Edw. IT, no. 47 5 Add. R. 35925, 35928 ¥ Chan. Ing. p.m. 7 Edw. U, 00. 26. © Chart. R. 12 Edw. IL, m. 17, 0.72. Kimproy Cnvrcu: Oro Desk iy THE CHancen Kino’s Wacven Cuurcu: Tue Nave tooxinc Easr HITCHIN HUNDRED grant of free warren in 1318" and died in 1329, leaving as heir his daughter Agnes,” who married ‘Thomas Fytlyng. They apparently had no issue. The reversion of the third of the manor held by Katherine widow of Walter de Nevill was granted by them in 1356 to Reginald de Cobham, on whom evidently a settlement of the other two parts was also made, for the manor subsequently descended with Duxworth, and the two manors became amalgamated. In 1613 a messuage called WANDE MEADE, probably situated in the hamlet of Wandon End, was held by Thomas Rudd, who died in that year." | His son Thomas, who succeeded him, held it till his death in 1636, when he left a son Thomas, aged four years." "This last Thomas was holding in 1657. + Among the possessions of the Crown enumerated in Domesday Book is ‘ Leglega.’** ‘The extent was I virgate, and it was held by three sokemen.” This estate may possibly be the lands called L2‘E, which in the 15th century were held by the family of Brograve,* and the name may survive in Ley Green. In 1540 there was a RECTORY MANOR in this parish attached to the church which had formed part of the possessions of the priory of Old Malton, Yorkshire.” There is no previous record of this manor, which had probably been granted to this priory by Walter de Nevill with the advowson of the church. After the Dissolution it was granted in 1550 by the king to Ralph Sadleir," and from that date was held with the advowson of the vicarage (q.v.). The parish church of ST. MARY, CHURCH lying to the west of King’s Waldenbury, is faced with flint ; the dressings are of stone. The chancel and north vestry are tiled, and the rest of the church is roofed with lead. The nave and tower have embattled parapets. The church consists of a chancel, nave and aisles, south porch, north vestry and west tower. The original church, dating from the late 11th or early 12th century, probably consisted of a nave and chancel only, now represented by the present walls of the nave, in which the nave arcades were inserted and the aisles added about 1190. The chancel as it now stands probably preserves the plan of that which was built in the 13th century, but has been very much altered. About 1380 the west tower was added, and in the 15th century the clearstory was made and the aisles were partially or wholly rebuilt. The north vestry, of brick, was built early in the 17th century, and the south porch is of the 19th century, when the walls of the whole church were refaced externally and the chancel and aisles were partly rebuilt. All the windows in the chancel have been renewed. There are a few 15th-century stones in the east window and in the west window of the south wall. Both these windows are of three lights with tracery. There are possibly also a few original stones in the east window of the south wall, which is a lancet. In the chancel is a double piscina of the 13th century. ‘The screen is 1sth-century work, with two two-light 49 Chart, R. 12 Edw, II, m. 17, no. 72. Chan, Ing. p.m. 3 Edw. III (rst nos), no. §3- 5 Feud, Aids, ii, 437. % Feet of F, Herts, 23 Edw. Il, Ro, 392 5, 30 Edw. TIL, no, 452. 143. 86 77, 8? Tid. 8©Chan, Ing. pm. (Ser. 2), ccccxi, 84 Ibid. dexxxvi, 98. 88 Add. Chart. 35508. Herts, iy 3040. KING’S WALDEN upper panels with tracery on each side of the central opening. It has a cornice and ‘Tudor-flower’ cresting. The whole screen is much patched and thickly painted. The chancel arch is of the early 14th century, and has two chamfered orders and half-octagonal responds, moulded capitals and halfoctagonal jambs. The nave arcades are of three bays, of late 12th-century date, with two-centred arches of two chamfered orders. The columns are circular and have capitals of scalloped, trefoil and water-leaf designs. The clearstory has three three-light windows with low two- centred heads on cither side, of which the tracery is restored, At the level of the responds of the chancel arch the door to the former rood-loft opens in the east end of the north wall, and is now partly blocked. ‘Two large carved corbels which support the eastern truss of the roof are of the 15th century. The north aisle has three windows—one at each end and one in the north wall. The last is of three lights and has a four-centred head. The west window is a single trefoiled light. Almost the whole of the exterior stonework and the windows themselves have been renewed. The north door, to the west of the north window, is of the 14th century much restored. The difference between the height of the bases of the north and south arcades, and the position of the steps from the doorway, indicate that the floor of this aisle has been lowered. On the east wall, to the north of the east window, is an image bracket, much defaced. On the north wall, at the north-east, is a piscina with a square head. A few 15th-century timbers remain in the roof. The south aisle extends castwards beyond the line of the chancel arch and formerly communicated with the chancel by a doorway at the north, which is now blocked. The east window and the south-east window are of three lights, of the 15th century, much restored, and the south-west window, of the same date, and also much restored, has two lights. The south door is also of the 15th century, and has a four-centred arch in a square head with tracery in the spandrels. It is of two moulded orders. At the east end of the aisle, in the north spur wall, is a locker, with a rebate for a door. There is also a late 14th-century piscina, with a cinquefoiled head, in the south wall at the east end. The roof of the aisle is of the 15th century. The north vestry, of early 17th-century date, has Gothic wooden window frames. It contains a 17th-century oak chest. The west tower is of three stages, with an em- battled parapet and a projecting stair-turret at the south-east corner. It has buttresses, very badly weathered, at the angles, in pairs at the north-west and south-west, and single at the north-east, at the junction with the nave. The tower arch is of the end of the 14th century, and has two chamfered orders. It is two-centred and the jambs are shafted. In the west doorway is an old door. The west window and the four bell-chamber windows are all of 88 Chan, Proc, (Ser. 2), bdle. 155, ni 0. 34 59 Mins. Accts. 31 & 32 Hen, VIII, R. 178, m. 9. © Feet of F. Mich. 43 Hen. III, no, 514. 61 Pat. 4 Edw. VI, pts iv, m, 21. 35: A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE two lights, of the late 14th century, with tracery and pointed heads, and all are repaired. The monuments in the chancel are : a brass, con- sisting of an inscription only, is to Sybil wife of Robert Barber, 1614, and a mural monument in alabaster, dated 1613, to Timothy Sheppard. In the north aisle are two mural tablets, one to Roland Hale, 1688, and one to Richard Hale, 1689. The bells are six in number, and of these three— the first, fourth and fifth—by an unknown founder are dated 1627. ‘The second is dated 1629. The third and sixth are by John Warner & Sons. The plate consists of a silver cup of 1638-9, a modern plated cup, two plated salver-shaped patens, and a tankard of 1736. the advowson of the church to John, Prior of Malton in Yorkshire.®? It remained in the possession of the priory of Malton, who appropriated the church, until the Dissolution."8 In 1550 the king granted the rectory and advowson to Ralph Sadleir,“4 who con- veyed them in 1570 to his brother Edward Sadleir and Anne his wife, reserving a life interest. They held till 1582, when they conveyed them to Richard Hale, in whose family they descended with the manor (q.v.) till 1884, when they were purchased by Mrs. Hinds. She sold in 1891 to Mr. Thomas Fenwick Harrison, the present patron,” In 1506 Thomas Pyrden of King’s Walden left in his will bequests to the High Rood Light and the Low Rood Light, to Our Lady’s Light, St. Thomas's Kixo’s Watpen Cuurcu The registers are contained in four books, of which the first includes baptisms from 1558 to 1720 and burials and marriages from 1559 to 1721; the second contains baptisms and burials from 1722 to 1781 and marriages from 1722 to 17533 the third contains baptisms and burials from 1782 to 1812 and marriages from 1754 to 1796; the fourth contains marriages from 1796 to 1812. In the middle of the 13th century ADVOWSON Walter de Nevill, then holding the manor of King’s Walden, granted © Feet of F, Herts. Mich. 43 Hen. III, no. 514. ias. Acts, Hen. VIII, R. 178, m. 95 Valor Eccl. (Rec. Com.), iv, 277. © Ibid. 13 Eliz. © Ibid. 13 Eliz. pt Eliz, % Pat. 4 Edw, VI, pt. 196 Feet of F, Herts, Mich. 25 & 26 From THE NorrH-west Light and St. Katherine’s Light in the parish church, ® In 1616 Richard Hale, citizen and CHARITIES grocer of London, by his will charged land known as Holland’s Farm at Codicote with an annuity of £5, of which £1 was Payable to the vicar for sermons on certain Sundays and £4 to be distributed amongst the necdiest inhabitants, William Smith—as appears from a deed of appoint- ment of trustees dated in 1771—by his will devised © Information of Mr, T. F, Harrison, © Wills P.C.C, 8 Adeane. 36 HITCHIN HUNDRED to trustees 2 a, 2r. in the parish of Studham in the county of Bedford, the rents thereof to be applied— subject to the payment of §5. to the poor of Studham— for the benefit of the most necessitous and distressed poor of King’s Walden. The land is let at £3 a year. LILLEY These charities are administered together under the provisions of a scheme of the Charity Commis- sioners, 2nd September 1898. In 1910 the sum of £6 7s. 6d. was distributed in money to forty-six recipients, chiefly widows. LILLEY Linlei (xi cent.) ; Linlea, Linlega, Linlegh, Linlee (xiii cent.) ; Lynleye, Lyngeleye (xiv cent.) ; Lylly, Lynley (xv cent.) ; Lyndley alias Lylle (xvi cent.) ; Lilley (xvii cent.). Lilley is a small parish of 1,795 acres on the western border of Hertfordshire, adjoining the county of Bedford. The parish lies on the Chilterns on a slightly inclined plane rising from about 400 ft. above the ordnance datum in the south to 602 ft. at Telegraph Hill in the north. There isa small detached portion of Lilley to the south of the main part of the parish and entirely surrounded by the parish of Offley. The land is now, as at the time of the Domesday Survey, chiefly arable, the soil being chalk. In 1905 there were 1,062 acres of arable land, 201 acres of permanent grass, and no woodland,? but there are a good many trees scattered about the parish. The village lies in the south of the parish, and, including a few outlying cottages in the north, extends about a mile along a branch road here called Lilley Street running north-west from the Luton and Hitchin highway to the Icknield Way, which forms part of the parish boundary in the north. The church of St. Peter lies on the west side of the road, and Lilley Park is on the west side of the village. The parish was inclosed by an Act of 1768,3 but there is still a large open common called Lilley Hoo‘ to the east of the village. In the time of Edward the Confessor the manor of LILLEY was held of Earl Harold by Leueva, and a sokeman, a man of Harold’s, held 34 virgates of land in it for which he rendered a carrying service (avera) in Hitchin or 344. By 1086 Lilley was in the possession of Geoffrey de Bech. We learn also from the Survey that Ilbert as sheriff attached to this manor the manor of Wellbury in Offley.5 At the beginning of the 13th century the manor was in the tenure of William Malet of Gerard- ville, who held it until the separation of England and Normandy, when he remained in Normandy. It then escheated to King John, and was granted in 1204 to Matthew de Lilley.?7 A few years later it was in the possession of Pain de Chaworth,® having been granted to him to hold at the king’s pleasure by the service of one knight.? He was still holding it in 1223,!° but forfeited before 1227, when the MANOR 1 Y.C\H, Herts, iy Geol. Map. 2 Statistics from Bd. of Agric. (1905). ® Blue Bk, Incl, Awards. 4 Exch, Dep. Mich. 5 Geo. II, no. 4. ° VCH, Herts. i, 3044, 3344. © Rot. Norman. 129 ; Wrottesley, Pedi- greg from the Plea R. 490. 490. 10 Close, 8 Hen. III, pt. i, m. 19. U Cal. Chart. R. 1226-57, pp. 57, 85) 0. 55 140. 1 Cal. Close, 1231-4, Pp+ 179) 190-1. 18 Cal, Pat. 1232-47, p. 226. M Wrottesley, Pedigrees from Plea R. 1 Abbrev. Plac, (Rec. Com.), 114. manor with all liberties and customs was granted to Richard de Argentein, to be held by him until the king should restore the lands to the heir of William Malet ‘of his free will or by a peace,’ with the proviso that in that event the [{Xeeafcoe{Cecs) king should make to Richard « ae eee a reasonable exchange in wards or escheats.!! In 1233 the manor was restored to Pain de Chaworth, with all goods and chattels found by inquisi- tion to have been on the property when Richard en- tered itl? In or before 1238 the custody of the manor was granted to John Earl of Lin- coln, who committed it with the king’s consent to his nephews Roger and Geoffrey de Pavilly ®; but in 1241 Roger, being called upon to prove his claim, instead of evidencing the earl’s grant as title, claimed it by hereditary right through his grandmother Theofania, William Malet’s sister. She was said to have held the manor by gift from Geoffrey, her brother, and to have been disscised by Pain de Chaworth, whom she had impleaded, the action however having been stopped by her death. On the king’s side it was stated that William Malet had been in seisin of the manor after Geoffrey’s death, and had forfeited as a Norman, and that Theofania was not his heir because William had left children. The king therefore took the manor as escheat.§ In 1243 an extent of the manor was taken,!° and it was granted to Paul de Peyvre,}7 who held it by the service of half a knight’s fee.18 In his time the manor is said to have been withdrawn from the sheriff’s tourn and the hundred court.!9 ‘The manor descended to Paul de Peyvre’s son John, and to John son of John, who died in 1316. The manor was held for life by his widow Mary, on whose death in 1333 Nicholas, her grandson (son of Paul son of John), was the heir.2! Nicholas con- veyed it in 1359, two years before his death, to Henry Green,” Anne, apparently wife of Nicholas, retaining a third part as dower.°? Henry Green, chivaler, died in 1369. The manor descended in Cuawonrn. argent and gules with an orle of martlets sable. Burelly 30 Tid. ; Chan, Ing. pm. 9 Edw. II, 55 Chan, Ing, p.m, 7 Edw. III, no. 33. 2 Chan. Ing. file 335, no. 65 Chan, Ing. pm. 35 Edw. IIT, pt. ii (ret nos.), no. 42. At this time there was no land in demesne and no manorial site, but 7 Rot, Norman. 129. 8 Red Bk. of Exch, (Rolls Ser.), 176, 499, 804.5 Close, 18 John, pt. i, m. 45 Testa de Nevill (Rec. Com.), 2724, 2796. 9 Testa de Nevill (Rec. Com.) 2656, 2698, 2795, W Cal, Pat, 1232-475 Pp. 392+ W Cal. Chart. R. 1226-57, ps 276+ 18 Hund. R. (Ree. Com), i, 188, 194 5 Feud. Aids, ji, 429. W Assize R. 325, m. 294.5 (Rec, Com.), i, 188. 37 Hund, Ry there was underwood containing about ro acres, the whole residue of the manor being in the hands of tenants, some hold- ing in bondage, some at will, and others in fee. *3 Feet of F, Div. Co. East. 40 Edw. TIL. A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE the family of Green?! to Sir Thomas Green of Boughton and Wood's Norton, co. Northants, who died in 1506, leaving two daughters and co-heirs, Anne, who marricd Nicholas Lord Vaux of Harrowden, AN ~~ Vaux of Harrowden, Gress of Boughton. Cheeky or and gules. Assure three harts passant or. and Matilda wife of Sir Thomas Parr25 In 1512 the manor was settled to the use of Lord Vaux and Anne.2® In 1523, on the death of Lord Vaux,” it passed to their son Thomas Lord Vaux, who conveyed it in 1556 to Thomas Docwra of Temple Dinsley in Hitchin. In 1602 Thomas died, leaving the property to his son Thomas, on whom it had been previously settled.2? He received a grant of free warren in Lilley, Put- teridge, Hockwell and Pirton in 1616. Periam, his son, succeeded him in 1620,"! and held the manor till Th his death in 1642.2 manor passed to Periam’s son Thomas,» who settled it in 1710 on his grandson and heir- apparent Sir George Warburton, bart., of Arley, co. Chester (son of his daughter Martha, who mar- ried Sir Peter Warburton), on his marriage with Diana daughter of William Lord Alington.4 Sir George War- burton sold it in February 1729-30 to the Right Hon, Charles Cavendish.3° In 1738 Lord Charles Cavendish sold it to Sir Benjamin Rawling, kt.3# Since he left no children, the property was divided at his death in 1775 between his relatives and co-heirs, descendants of his father’s sisters Sowersy of Putte- ridge. Barry sable and gules a cheveron between three lions argent with three rings gules on the cheveron. ™ Chan, Ing. p.m. 43 Edw. II, pt. i, no. 485 15 Ric. I, pti, no. 243 Fendt, tidy, iy 443 5 Chan. Ing. p.m. ¢ Hen. V, Feud. Aids, ti, 449 5 Chan. Ing. 122 Eliz, 2 & 3 Phil. and Mary; Mich. 1 & 2 #9 Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), ccclxxxvii, Rebecca Nicholson and Sarah Corney.*? Thirteen years later these co-heirs sold the whole manor to John Sowerby of Hatton Garden, from whom it has descended to the present owner Captain Thomas George Sowerby,®® who resides at Putteridge Park. The parish church of ST. PETER, which stands in the village, was origi- nally built in the 12th century. It was, however, wholly rebuilt in 1871, a few portions of the old church and some fittings being retained in the new building. The chancel arch, of tufa, of the 12th century, has been reset in the north wall of the chancel, and there are some 1$th-century stones in the south doorway, ‘There is a piscina in the chancel, possibly of the 15th century, with a four-centred head and an octagonal bow] and shelf. It is covered with modern paint. The font, of the 15th century, is octagonal and of clunch. There are mural tablets in the porch to Thomas Docwra, 1602, and to Daniel Houghton, 1672. The pulpit is made up of old oak, with linen panels having traceried heads, brought from St. John’s College, Cambridge. ‘There is a ring of three bells ; the treble may be by William Knight of Reading, and is of 1580; the second is by George Chandler, 1703 ; and the tenor by T. Mears, 1821. ‘The plate includes a cup of 1689, paten of 1776-7, a pair of cructs and brass almsdish, The registers are in two books, of which the first contains burials and baptisms from 1711 to 1812 and marriages from 1711 to 1752,and the second marriages from 1754 to 1812. ‘The earliest record of theadvowson of the church of Lilley is in the year 1213, at which date it was in the king’s hands, with other property of the Normans," so that it had probably belonged to the Malets. Soon afterwards it was granted to Paul de Peyvre,"! and descended with the manor (q.v.) until 1730, when Sir George Warburton conveyed it to Lord Charles Cavendish,” who sold it the following year to the Master and Fellows of St. John’s College, Cambridge, who are the present patrons.‘8 Dwelling-houses were certified for worship for Protestant Dissenters from early in the 17th century. There is now a Wesleyan chapel in Lilley. There are no endowed charities in this parish, CHURCH ADVOWSON 8 Close, 12 Geo. II, pt. xvii, no, 23. % Clutterbuck, Hist. and Antig. of Herts, iii, 84; Feet of F. Div. Co, Trin, 19 Geo, IIT; Com. Pleas D. Enr. Trin. 2 Hen. VI, no, 205 2 Edw. IV, 4 Edw, IV, no, 21; Close, 22 Edw. IV, m. 15, * Chan, Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), xlii, 97. ‘Ibid; Feet of F, Hert. Hil. 3 Hen, VIII. ¥ Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), xlii, 97. * Close, 2 & 3 Phil. and Mary, pt. ix, m. 36; Recov. R. Hil. 2 & 3 Phil. snd Mary, rot. 427; Feet of F. Herts, Eust. » Pat. 14 Jas. Ty pte xi, no. 7. ™ Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), cccixxxvii, 122. 32 Tid. duxxvii, 97. ® Ct. of Wards, Feod. Surv. no. 17; Feet of F. Herts. Trin. 21 Chas, II. tin, 8 Anne, no. 75 9 Anne, rot. 1785 Feet of F. Herts, Trin. 9 Anne. ® Close, 3 Geo. II, pt. xvi, no. 8. The purchase is made in the name of William Lord Manners and others. 38 19 Geo. III, m. 167. % Ibid. 28 Geo. III, m. 196. Herts, Fam. 17. it, Pat. (Rec. Com.), iiy 10th, 41 See Assize R. 318, m. 25. # Close, 3 Geo. II, pt. xvi, n0. 9. “ Title-deeds at St. John's Coll, Camb. ; information given by Mr. R. F. Scott, Bursar. Urwick, Nonconformity in Herth 659. HITCHIN HUNDRED OFFLEY OFFLEY Offanleih, Offanlege (x cent.) ; Offelei (xi cent.) ; Mfellei, Offelegh (xiii cent.) ; Offeleg, Doffeleye civ cent.) ; Offeley (xvi cent.). Offley parish covers 5,569 acres. It lies on the thilterns, and has an average height of 400 ft. above he ordnance datum, but drops in the east to 224 ft. “he Icknield Way separates it on the north from the arish of Pirton. There are two distinct villages, alled Great and Little OMey. The latter is about 4 miles to the north-west of Great Offley, which is a the centre of the parish. It is on the main road o Hitchin, the nearest town, which lies 3 miles to he east. Wellbury is about 14 miles to the north f the village. The church of St. Mary Magdalene and Offley ace lie together off the high road, and they with he houses to the south probably formed the site of he original settlement. The part of the village vhich has sprung up along the road from Luton to Jitchin is, we may suppose, of a later date. In the illage are several timber and plaster cottages with iled roofs of the 16th and 17th centuries, and also ome of brick of the latter date. The Green Man nn is a 16th-century house of timber covered with ough-cast. It was originally an L-shaped type of ouse, but has been much altered. Offley Place with s park is the property of Mr. H. G. Salusbury Loghes, J.P. It is a three-storied building of brick. “he north wing is of the 17th century, but the smainder of the house was rebuilt about 1770. 3reat Offley Hall lies to the south and Offley Hoo a ttle further on. Westbury Farm, a quarter of a mile from the hurch, is a plastered timber house, originally of the 4 type, which seems to have been built in the 16th entury. It underwent considerable alteration in the 8th and a wing was added in the 1gth century. The hall, with a chamber above, fills the main block ; he two wings were occupied by the kitchen and he solar respectively. A 17th-century dove-cote, imber framed with brick nogging, stands near the ouse. The house called Little Offiey, lying 2 miles to the orth-west of the church, is a two-storied brick house f the H type, the main block built early in the 7th century, the wings apparently almost a century iter. The date 1695 appears on a rain-water head n the north side. There is a fine carved wooden vermantel in a room on the ground floor. Offley irange is a mile to the north-east. ‘The soil is chalk. There are 3,388 acres of plough- nd, 1,126 acres of permanent grass, and woods and by an award under an Act of 1807.5 The nearest station is at Hitchin, on the Great Northern railway. The manor of Offley, afterwards MANORS known as DELAMERS, was at the time of the Survey of considerable extent, being estimated at 8 hides 8 acres. It had been held before the Conquest by Alestan of Boscumbe; in 1086 it was part of the possessions of William de Ow, and was held under him by William Delamare (de Mara). William de Ow forfeited under Henry 1, and the overlordship then seems to have become attached to the manor of Hitchin (q.v.). The first record of a tenant after 1086 is in 1198, when Geoffrey Delamare was indicted for making a ditch to the injury of the free tenement of Thomas Dela- mare.’ Robert son of Osbert Delamare,’ who held early in the 13th century, forfeited as an ally of Falkes de Breauté in 1224,’ but the king ordered the sheriff to restore Offey to Alice his wife for the main- tenance of herself and his heirs.’ This Robert may be the Robert Delamare who was murdered about 1230." He was apparently succeeded by his son John,” who died seised of Offley about 1276, his grandson John, aged sixteen, being his heir." Peter Delamare, son of John (probably the elder John), seems to have been in possession shortly afterwards. He died seised of the manor in 1292, leaving a son and heir Robert.'* Robert died in 1308. The extent of the manor then included a capital messuage, 620 acres of arable land, 30 acres of wood, but no meadow or pasture."* Peter son of Robert received a grant of free warren in 1318.'° He held the manor until his death in 1349, when it descended to his son Robert, who died in 1382-3." His son Peter, then aged thirteen years, presumably died before his mother Matilda, as he never inherited the property, the manor being held after Matilda’s death by her daughter Wilhelmina wife of Sir John Roches."* She left two heirs, her daughter Elizabeth, wife of Walter de Beauchamp, and John Benton, son of another daughter Joan.” In 1412 Walter Beauchamp and Elizabeth his wife made a conveyance of the manor of Delamers to John Ludewyk, chaplain, and others® either for a settlement or alienation. After this date there is no trace of this manor under the name of Delamers Gules Devamane. revo leopards argent, lantations cover 600 acres.” 1 7.C.H. Herts. i, Geol. Map. 2 Statistics from Bd. of Agric. (1905). 3 Private Act, 47 Geo. III, Sess. 2, p25. 4 V-CH. Herts, i, 3280. 5 Rot, Cur. Reg. (Rec. Com.), i, 157. e also Add. Chart. 35500. soffrey must be the §G.’ son of Amice no gave the advowson (q.v.) to Braden- See Red Bh of Bach (Rolls Ser.), 499. 7 He was one of the The parish was inclosed This - ‘familia’ of Falkes de Breauté who were excom- municated with him, and who after the rebellion accompanied him to North- ampton when he was conducted there by the Archbishop of Canterbury to receive absolution (Caf. Pat. 1216-25, p. 461). 8 Rot, Lit, Claus. (Rec. Com), ii, 38. 9 Cal. Pat. 1216-25, p. 461. 10 Anct. D. (P.R.O.), A ba5n5 Bxcerpea ¢ Rot, Fin. (Rec. Com.), i, 186. "Chan, Ing. pam. file 17, no. 16 (5 Edw. I). 39 until 1740, but it is perhaps the same as the manor 2 Add, Chart. 24062, 24065, 1 Chan, Ing. p.m. 20 Edw. I, no 39 4 Tid. 2 Edw. 1, no. 68, 15 Chart, R. 12 Edw. I, no. 70. Feud. Aids, ii, 4373 Chan. Inq, pm, 23 Edw. If, pts ii, no. 143. 1 Chan. Ing. p.m. § ee TI, no. 40. 38 Thid, 6 Hen. IV, no, 3. 19 Ibid. 12 Hen. IV, no. 38. 20 Feet of F. Herts. Hil. 13 Hen. IV, a0, 98. A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE of WESTBURY alias GREAT OFFLEY,” which at the beginning of the 15th century seems to have been in the possession of Roger de Sapurton, as his daughter and heir Elizabeth Venour, widow of William Venour,” was holding it in 1464,” and in 1468-9 settled it on herself and her second husband Robert Worth.” Robert died seised in 1502, leaving ason and heir Humphrey, aged sixteen.” In 1537 the latter made a conveyance to John Sewster and james Randall, probably in trust for John Bowles, who in 1543 acquired Westbury Wood from George Ackworth,” and in the same year died seised of the manor called Westbury a/ias Great Offey.* His heir was his grandson Thomas, who conveyed the manor in 1564 to Robert Ivory.” William Ivory was holding in 1618,” and in 1642 John Ivory." From this date no further record is found of the manor until 1778, when Thomas Hope Byde was holding the manor of Great Offey ® and at that date suffered a recovery of it® In 1785 it appears he was again dealing with it2* Later it was acquired by Dame Sarah Salusbury from John Hope Byde, and descended with the manor of Offey St. Ledgers* (q.v.) to Mr. Herbert George Salusbury Hughes, M.A., J.P., the present owner. The origin of the manor of OFFLEY ST. LEDGERS is somewhat obscure. It was said in the 14th century to be held of the Mortimers of Wig- more, but this overlordship may only have been assumed at a late date. It seems possible that the manor was originally part of the manor of Delamers. A Geoffrey de St. Ledger had some interest in the church, which was appurtenant to the manor of Delamers (see advowson), and William de St. Ledger, probably his son,” in confirming the title of the Prior of Bradenstoke to the advowson in 1238, calls himself great-grandson and heir of Amice Delamare. In 1265 Geoffrey de St. Ledger, possibly brother of the William mentioned above,” had a grant of free warren in his demesne lands of Offey.* The annals of Dunstable record that in 1267 the steward of the Earl of Gloucester came to Geofirey’s manor at Offley and burnt it, but the reason of this animosity does not appear. In 1301 the grant of free warren was confirmed to his son John and Isabel his wife.'! John, their son, succeeded them, and left at his death in 1326 a daughter Isabel, aged seven.” The extent of the manor at this date included a capital messuage, 320 acres of land, of which 96 lay in severalty and 204 in common, pastures called Le Launde and Sonehull, and 41 acres of wood. Two parts of the manor were taken into the king’s hands during the minority of the heir, the other third being dower of the mother. In 1331 the king confirmed a grant by Roger de Mortimer, overlord of the manor, to Richard de St. Ledger, a younger brother of John, of the custody of the manor during his niece Isabel's minority. — Isabel married Thomas de Hoo, who held the estate in right of his wife.© They settled it in 1342 on their son Thomas, with remainder to his brother William.” Thomas the son died before 1377, when Thomas and Isabel granted the manor to William and his wife Isabel. In 1398 John de Hoo, a brother of William, con- ceded to him all his claim in the estate. William was succeeded by his son Thomas, and he by his son, also Thomas, who married first Elizabeth Wickingham and secondly Eleanor daughter of Leo Welles, kt., on whom he settled the manor in 1445." In 1447 he was created Baron of Hoo and Hastings.” He died without male issue in February 1454-5. His brother of the half-blood, Thomas Hoo, succeeded, but died without issue in 1486 The manor descended to Sir William Boleyn, kt., son of Geoffrey Boleyn and Anne eldest daughter of Lord Hoo and Hastings.** His second son and eventual heir Sir Thomas Boleyn, with Elizabeth his wife, daughter cf Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk," sold the property in 1518 to Richard Fermour (Farmer). Fermour forfeited his lands in the next reign under the Statute of Praemunire, but the grant of Offley was confirmed by King Edward VI in 1550, and again by Queen Mary in 1553, to Richard’s son John.” He conveyed the manor in 1554 to ‘Thomas Spencer and Edward Onley ® to the use of Sir John Spencer of Althorpe, co. Northants, who died scised of it in 1586.” He left it to his fourth son Richard, who was knighted in 1603.% Sir Richard and his wife Helen, daughter and co-heir of Sir John Brockett,” settled the property on their son John on his marriage Sr. Levcer, Asure _fretty argent with a chief or. 41 There must be some continuity in the manors, as Putteridge, which had been held of the Delamares, is said after this date to be held of Westbury. 73 Cal. Pat. 1461-7, p. §12. ® Chan. Ing. p.m. 4 Edw. IV, no, 13. % Feet of F. Div. Co. Hil. 8 Edw. IV, no. 65; Chan. Ing. p.m. 14 Edw. IV, nO. 14. % Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), xvi, 102. %® Feet of F. Herts, East. 29 Hen. VIII. ¥ Ibid. 35 Hen. VIII. * Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), Ixviii, 14. # Recov. R. Mich, 1564, rot. 1541. ® Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), cclerxv | 1445 Feet of F. Herts, Mich. 16 Jas. I. 31 Ct. of Wards, Feod. ™ This manor is at this datz confused with Delamers in Great Wymondley. ® Recov, R. Mich. 19 Geo. Il, rot. 436. 4 Ibid. 25 Geo. II, rot. 256; Feet of F. Herts. Trin. 25 Geo. III. ® Cussans, Hist, of Herts, Hitchin Hund, 100, % Feud. Aids, ii, 428 ; Ing. a.g.d. 20 Edw. Il, no. 233 Feud. Aids, ti, 449. W See Cal, Pat 1241-4, pp. 149, 296. 38 Ibid. p. 149. © Chart. R. 4g Hen. III, m. 4. © Ann, Mon. (Rolls Ser.), iy 246. "Chart. R. 30 Edw. I, no. 50; Cal, Pat, 1388-92, p. 403. © Add. Chart. 28728. $ Chan. Ing. p.m. 20 Edw. II, no. 23. 4 Exch. L.T.R. Enr. Accts. no. 2. © Pat. 5 Edw. III, pt. i, m. 23. * Chan, Ing. p.m. 9 Edw. III, no. 21. 47 Feet of F. Div. Co. Hil 16 Edw. IIL. “Add, Chart. 287243 Feet of F. Herts. 1 Ric. IT, no. 2. * Close, 21 Ric. Il, pt. ii, m. 18d.5 Add. Chart. 28797, : 40 80 Ibid, 287213 Feet of F. Hil 6 Hen, V5 Feud. Aids, ii, 449. ‘\ Feet of F. Div. Co. Mich. 24 Hen. VI; L. and P. Hen. VII, iii (1), 273. 3 G.E.C. Peerage, s.v. Hoo. 8 Chan, Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), fi, 55 G.E.C, Peerage, loc. cit. 4 Visit, Norfolk (Harl. Soc. xxii), $2. ‘9 Feet of F. Herts. Mich. 10 Hen. VIII. % Pat. 4 Edw. VI, pt. ix, m. 35- 57 Ibid. 1 Mary, pt. xi, m. 193 Visit Shrops. (Harl. Soc. xxviii), 183. ‘8 Feet of F. Herts. Mich, 1 & 2 Phil. and Mary. ® Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), coxv, 258 5 see Recov. R. Mich, 30 & 31 Eliz. rot. 77. © Shaw, Knights of Engl. ii, 104. _ Visi, Herts, (Harl. Soc. xaii)y 165. Orriey Cuurcu rrom THE Soura-gasT Orriey Cuurcu: Tue Nave Looxinc Easr HITCHIN HUNDRED with Mary® daughter of Sir Henry Anderson, kt. John and Mary succeeded at Sir Richard’s death in 1624. John was made a baronet in 1627," and died in 1633," leaving a daughter Alice, then fifteen years old. ‘The manor having been settled in tail- male passed to his brother Sir Brockett Spencer, bart. (so created in 1642). He was succeeded by his son Sir Richard Spencer, and Sir Richard by his son Sir John Spencer, who died without issue in 1699. His uncle and heir Sir John Spencer also died without issue in 1712. The manor then descended to Elizabeth daughter of Sir Humphrey Gore of Gilston, co. Herts., and Elizabeth eldest daughter (and the only one having issue) of Sir Brockett Spencer. She married in 1714 Sir Henry Penrice, judge of the High Court of Admiralty. Their daughter and heir Anna Maria, wife of Sir Thomas Salusbury, succeeded to their estates.® She died in 1759. Her husband survived her and died in 1773, leaving the property to his second wife Sarah, with remainder to a distant relative, Sir Robert Salusbury, bart., for life. He entered into possession in 1804 on the death of Sarah. Sir Robert and his son Thomas Robert jointly sold the property in 1806 to the trustees of Sarah’s will, and they conveyed it to the Rev. Lynch Salusbury, a younger brother of Sir Robert, who assumed the name of Burroughs. He left an only child Elizabeth Mary, who could not legally inherit, as the property had been left in tail- male by Sarah Salusbury, but acquired the estate by purchase from the heir male Charles thirteenth Marquess of Winchester. Elizabeth Mary married her cousin Sir Thomas Robert Salusbury, second baronet, R who died in 1835. Having no children, she adopted as her daughter and heir a cousin Anne Salusbury Steward, who married George Edward Hughes, brother of Thomas Hughes the author, who wrote a biography of George Hughes. Mrs, Hughes entered the manor in 1867 on the death of Dame Elizabeth Mary.” The property is now in the hands of Mr. Herbert George Salusbury Hughes, M.A., J.P., who succeeded his father George Edward in 1872,” and is the present lord of the manor. The manor of COCKERNHOE (Qukerno, Cokern- hohalle, Cokernho, xiv cent. ; Kokernhoo, xv cent.) & Hvcuts. Sable a fesse cotised between three lions’ heads razed argent, OFFLEY on the south of the parish is an estate which was held with the manor of Offley by the St. Ledger family. It is mentioned as *an oxhouse called Qukerno’ in an extent of the manor in 1326,” but later docu- ments always call it a manor. Its descent is identical with Offley till 1813 (although it is not always separately mentioned), when, according to Cussans, it was sold to Richard Oakley of Hitchin.” The manor of WELLES (Welle, xi cent.; Welbery, xiii cent.; Wellys, xiv cent.) was held at the time of the Survey by a sokeman of King William and was then assessed at 1 hide. In the time of Earl Harold it had belonged to Leueva. It was attached by Ibert the Sheriff to the manor of Lilley, but after Ilbert was deprived of his office of sheriff Peter de Valoines and Ralf Taillebois took this manor from him and attached it to Hitchin,” to which the overlordship henceforth pertained.”* The early history of this estate is difficult to trace. It may, perhaps, be the hide in ‘ Weelberia’ which Henry de Tilly granted in 1200 to his brother William.” “In 1309 the manor was in the posses- sion of William de Goldington and Margaret his wife. They in that year conveyed it to William Tuchet and Ellen de Danarston.” William died in February 1327-8, his brother Richard being his heir.” Ellen remained seised for life. Shortly after- wards Isabel widow of Richard de Welles brought an action against Ellen de Danarston for a third of the manor which she claimed in dower and of which she recovered seisin.® As Ellen called to warranty John son of William de Goldington, possibly the inquisition quoted above, which gives William’s brother Richard as his heir, is incorrect. ‘The heir, whether Richard or John, apparently conveyed the manor to Giles de Badelesmere, who died seised in 1338, leaving as heirs his four sisters Margery, Maud, Elizabeth and Margaret." Maud and her husband John de Vere Earl of Oxford took this manor. John de Vere died in January 1359-60 and his wife about six years later. Their son Thomas suc- ceeded her.* He died in 1371, leaving as heir his son Robert,® who held the manor till his attainder in February 1387-8. In 1393 the reversion of this manor, after the death of Maud widow of Thomas, was granted to Thomas Duke of Gloucester,” and two years later he granted it to the master, warden and chaplains of the college which he had founded in the church of Pleshey, co. Essex.” It remained with the college until its dissolution and was then granted in 1546 to Sir John Gates.® He was attainted in the next reign as a follower of the © Or Sarah as in Visit. of Herts. Chan. Inq. p.m. (Ser. 2), cccexviii, 95: 8 Cal. . P. Dom. 1627-8, pp. 89) 91+ 6 Chan. Ing. pam, (Ser. 2), cccclxxiv, 14. a See Reco. R. Mich. 15 Chas I, rot. §6. Alice, however, seems to have had some interest in the manor which she probably released to her uncle (Feet of F. Herts. Trin. 12 Anne). & 'G.E.C. Baronetage, ii, 201. See Feet of F. Herts. Trin, 1 Geo. I © See Feet of F. Div. Co. Trin. 25 & 26 Geo. II. 70 G.E.C. Complete Baronetage. 71 Cussans, Hist, of Herts, Hitchin Hund. 98. 3 Herts. Fam 14. . Ing. pm. 20 Edw. II, no. 23. 14 Cussans, Hist, of Herts, Hitchin Hund. 99. 15 VCH, Herts i, 303. 7 Chan. Ing. p.m. 1 Edw. IIT (and nos.), no. 47; 34 Edw. IIT, no, 845 16 Ric. II, pt. ii, no. 34. 7 Chart. Norman, 2 John, no. 33+ 1% cise of F. Herts, Mich. 3 Edw. 1, no. 8 Gan. Ing. p.m. 1 Edw. IIT (2nd nos), no. 47. De Banco R. 277, m, 187. If the judgement given in this action was right and Richard de Welles held the manor, William de Goldington must have acquired it from him, For deeds of 41 the family of Welles see Duchy of Lanc, Anct. D. (P.R.O,), A 369, 377- ®\ Chan, Ing. pm, 12 Edw. III, no. 542. 82 Ibid, 34 Edw. TIT, no. 84. ® Ibid. go Edw. IT (1st nos.), no. 38. 5! See Feet of F, Div, Co. 45 Edw. III, no. 80. 88 Chan, Ing. pm. 45 Edw. II, no. 45. 86 Ibid. 16 Ric. II, pt. ii, no. 34. © Cal. Pat. 1391-6, p. gbz; fect of Fe Herts ic. II, no. 1575 Duchy of Lane. Misc. x, §7 ; Duchy of Lanc. Deed L751. “Pat, 38 Hen. VIL, pt. v3 Hark Soc. Publ. xiv, 574. 6 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE Duke of Northumberland, but a grant of the manor was made to his brother Sir Henry Gates,” who with his wife Lucy in 1557 conveyed it to Richard Spicer (alias Helder). About 1569 John Spicer conveyed the manor to William Crawley,%? and he died seised of it in 1595, having granted the estate to his son Richard and grandson William.°? From this time no record appears of this manor until 1704, when Henry Bolderne the elder and Anne his wife“ and Henry Bolderne their son (all holding in Anne’s right) levied a fine of it° In 1713 Henry Bolderne the younger seems to have conveyed it to Thomas Ansell.%° According to Cussans it was acquired later by Samuel Burroughs, whose daughter and heir Sarah married Sir Thomas Salusbury. With St. Ledgers it descended to the Marquess of Winchester, from whom it was bought in 1840 by Ann Burroughs, second wife of the Rev. Lynch Salusbury, and on her death in 1856 came to her sister Maria, wife of James Newbury of Clapham Rise.” It was sold in 1872 to Mr. Francis Gosling,®’ and is now the seat of Mrs. Gosling. The reputed manor known as H/RSTHALL or HALLEBURY was held in 1625 by Edward House,®? and in 1658 belonged to John Dermer,!® in whose family it was still vested in 1698. A capital messuage called BULLERS was in the 15th century in the possession of John Sholfold, who alienated it to the gild of Holy Trinity of Luton.!° In the reign of Elizabeth it was the subject of a suit in the Court of Requests between Robert Ivory the lessee and Gregory Warren widower of a certain Alice who held it for life! Sir John Spencer acquired this messuage before his death in 1587, and it then descended with the manor of St. Ledgers. The manor of PUTTERIDGE (Potherugge, Poterugg, Pothruge, Pottryggebury, xiv cent. ; Pod- riggebury, xv cent.; Poderiche, xvi cent.) was a mesne manor formed from the manor of Delamers. It was possibly the carucate of land in Putteridge which John de Nevill granted in 1240 to Nicholas de Putteridge for life, but nothing is known of the descendants of Nicholas de Putteridge. By 1303 it had passed into the hands of Hugh le Blunt, who held it of Robert Delamare for half a knight’s fee." He had a grant of free warren in 1305, and died scised in 1361.1 In 1346 the manor was held by Nicholas Peyvre,'™® but apparently only during the minority of John son and heir of Hugh le Blunt, since he was in possession in 1363.1 Thomas le Blunt, who seems to have succeeded John,!!° may perhaps have left heiresses, as in 1391 John Herwe and Christine his wife and John Maps and Joyce his wife conveyed the manor to three feoftees,!"! from whom it was recovered in 1407, after the expiration of a life interest held by Agnes de Havering, by Thomas and Elizabeth Chelrey.!'? After Thomas Chelrey’s death Elizabeth married Thomas de la Pole, and died in 1411, leaving as co-heirs her two daughters, Elizabeth wife of John Kyngeston, and Sybil Chelrey, and her granddaughter, Elizabeth Calston.18 ‘The manor seems to have passed to the latter, who married William Darrell, and joined with him in 1428 in making a settlement of the manor on themselves in tail, with remainder to William’s brother John. On the death of Elizabeth Darrell in 1464 "it passed to her son George, who died in 1474,"7 when the manor was delivercd to @ cn) Thomas Cardinal Archbishop of Canterbury,!!8 apparently during the minority of Edward Darrell, who was only four years old at his father’s death.® Edward settled the manor on himself and_ his wife and his heirs in 1503,!20 and in 1520 he sold it to Docwaa of Putte- Richard Lyster,!"" the king’s T48e., Sable a cheveron solicitor, who conveyed it im free. roundels argent 1525 to John Docwra.!?? — with a pale gules on each He was succeeded by his son roundel, Thomas Docwra,! who in 1556 bought the manor of Lilley (q.v.), since which date the two estates have descended together. The first record of the so-called manor of HOCKWELL alias HOCKWELLBURY (Hoke- welle, Hokewellebury, xv cent.) is of the year 1411, at which date the estate was held by Elizabeth widow of Thomas de la Pole,!?4 who was then holding the manor of Putteridge. The two manors descended together until 1788, after which Hockwell seems to have been amalgamated with Putteridge. The parish church of ST. MARY CHURCH MAGDALENE, situated about half a mile south-east of the village, is built for the most part of flint and stone. The chancel is faced with Portland stone and the north aisle with cement. The tower is built of brick and the roofs are of lead, except that of the north porch, which is of tiles. % Pat, 1 & 2 Phil. and Mary, pt. vis * Ibid. 3 & 4 Phil. and Mary, pt. iv, m. 20; Fect of F. Herts, Trin. 3 & 4 Phil. and Mary. * Fect of F. Herts. Hil. 12 Eliz. A Parcel of the manor, including 300 acres of land, was in 15-7 acquired by Richard Spicer, son of the above Richard, from John and Henry Alwey. He died seised in 1611, leaving a son William (Pat. 20 Eliz, pt. viii, m. 23 5 Chan. Ing, p.m. (Ser. 2], cccxxi, 117). ® Chan. Ing, p.m. (Ser. 2), ecevii, 92. “ Feet of F. Herts, Trin. 3 Anne % Thid. ®* Recov. R. Trin, 13 Anne, rot. 35, 176. * Cussans, Hist. of Herts, Hitchin Hund, 102, » Ibid, ® Recov. R. East. 1 Chas, I, rot. 26. 1 Com. Pleas D. Enr. East. 1658, m. 25. 1) Feet of F. Herts. Trin. 10 Will. II. no, 251, '05 Feud. Aids, ii, 428, 1 Cal. Chart. R. 1300-26, p. 59. ‘7 Chan. Ing. p.m. file 156, no. 13 (35 Edw. III). The manor is called by the name of ‘Huche,’ but seems to be this manor, 18 Feud, Aids, ii, 437. 1 Add, Chart. 24067. 10 See Morant, Hist, of Essex, Tt was held in right of ine and Joyce (Feet of F. Herts. 15 Ric. I, no, 144). 42 14 De Banco R. 583, m. 537d. M8 Chan, Ing. p.m. 13 Hen. IV, no. 34. "4 Ibid. 2 Hen. V, no. 52. 15 Feet of F. Div. Co, Trin. 6 Hen. VI, no. 75. In this year Hugh Blunt was said to be holding the manor (Feud. Aids, ii, 449), but is probably a transcript of an older entry. 46 Chan. Ing. p.m. 4 Edw. IV, n0, 13. M7 Thid, 14 Edw. IV, no. 14. 18 Anct, D. (P.R.O.), C 2872. 8 Chan. Ing. p.m. 14 Edw. IV, no. 144 19 Close, 18 Hen. VII, no. 45. V1 Feet of F. Herts, Mich, 12 Hen. VIII. ™ Clutterbuck, Hist. and Antig. of Herr.. iii, 86, See Recov. R. East. 35 Eliz Tot. 44. +3 Clutterbuck, loc, cit. an, Ing, p.m. 13 Hen. IV, no. 34 Orrtey Cuvrcu : Tue Font HITCHIN HUNDRED ‘The church consists of a chancel, nave and aisles south porch and west tower. : ‘The nave and aisles belong to the original church of c. 1220, which probably consisted of a chancel nave and aisles and west tower, and the south porch contains re-used masonry of that date. The windows and doors belong to various dates in the 14th and tgth centuries. In 1777 the chancel was recased, repaired and refitted, and the west tower was entirely rebuilt in the early part of the Igth century. Various minor repairs have also been executed during the Tgth century, The chancel is apsidal in its interior termination but square outside. It is heavily plastered and has a canopy of plaster drapery over the 18th-century east window of one wide pointed light without "tracery. Over the apse, which is round-headed, is a plaster moulding carried up to a pointed head in- closing Gothic tracery. The chancel is also lighted by a cupola in the roof. The 18th-century chancel arch is round-headed with niches in the flat jambs and plaster panelling in the soffit of the arch. An ancient stone coffin stands in the chancel. The nave has arcades of four bays. ‘The arches are of two chamfered orders, with labels running right down to the abaci of the capitals, and with carved stops, some of which are broken off. They are supported by octagonal pillars, which lean outwards considerably, probably owing to the pressure of an earlier roof. The capitals are foliate and the bases are moulded. The 15th-century clearstory has three windows on either side, two of three lights, and one, the westernmost, of two lights, all much restored. The roof has one 15th-century tie, resting on a broken carved corbel of that date, at the eastern end. The north aisle has a modern east window. The three square-headed windows in the north wall are of two lights, of the 15th century, and are much repaired. A small inscription cut on the east jamb of the easternmost of these windows records the consecration, on the feast of St. Sulpicius, of the side altar below the window. In the middle window are some fragments of 14th-century glass, There is no west window. The north door has a two-centred arch of two orders, and was inserted towards the end of the 14th century. The south aisle has an east window and three south windows, all of two lights. The east window and the western of the two south windows have pointed heads ; that at the eastern end of the south wall is square-headed. All have modern tracery, but the inner jambs are probably of the 15th century. At the east end of the south wall is a 1$th-century piscina, with a shallow pointed niche over it, in which are two tiles, with the lettering in reverse, probably of the 14th century. The south doorway is also of the 15th century, and has a square head. The roof is of the 15th century. The south porch, of brick covered with cement, has some re-used material of the same date as the nave (c. 1220) in its west window. ‘The entrance arch, which is pointed, is heavily defaced by cement repairs. The brick tower has a small low spire and an embattled parapet. It is of two stages. ‘The tower arch is plastered. 185 Cal. Rot. Chart. (Rec. Com), i, 170. W6 Feet of F, Herts, 22 Hen. II, no, 241, Papal Letters, vi, 154+ 43 1 Cal. Pat. 1405-8, p- 2905 Cah OFFLEY The font is octagonal, of Totternhoe stone. Each side contains the head of a heavily crucketed ogee with a finial, inclosing tracery of various designs ; pinnacles with heavy finials are carved at the angles, and rosettes fill the spaces between them and the finials of the ogees. The bowl rests on a low stem with eight engaged half-octagonal shafts on plinths, with four-leaved flowers between them. The date of the font is the middle of the 14th century, The wooden cover is of the early 17th century. There is some late 15th-century seating in the nave and aisles westward of the gangway. On the north wall of the north aisle is a brass of John Samuel, his two wives and one son, Another brass with no inscription is that of a man, his three wives and nine sons; it is plainly by the same engraver as that of John Samuel. On the floor of the aisle are the indents of the brasses in two slabs. On the west wall of the south aisle is a monument to John Spencer, 1699, with elaborately sculptured figures. The bells are six: the treble, by Robert Oldfeild, of 1632; the second, of 1618, the fourth of 1619, and the fifth, of 1618, by Thomas Bartlett ; while the third is by John Dyer, 1583, and the tenor by John Briant, 1803. The plate, all presented by Eliza Chamber in 1730, consists of two cups, two patens, flagon and almsdish, of the same date. There is also a large plated shield, bearing the sacred monogram, the origin and purpose of which are unknown, The registers are contained in six books, the first having all entries from 1653 to 1734, the second baptisms and burials from 1732 to 1812 and marriages from 1732 to 1753, the third, fourth, fifth and sixth marriages from 1754 to 1764, 1764 to 1802, 1802 to 1810, and 1811 to 1812, respectively. The advowson of the church of ADVOWSON Offtey was granted probably about the middle of the 12th century by Amice Delamare and her son Geoffrey (see Delamers Manor) to the church of St. Mary, Bradenstoke, co. Wilts. Geoffrey de St. Ledger (see manor of St. Ledgers) also confirmed the grant before 1207,!"5 and in 1237-8 William de St. Ledger, great-grandson of Amice, made a further release of the title to Simon, Prior of Bradenstoke."* At the beginning of the 14th century the convent apparently alienated it, for in 1406 it was held by the executors of the will of Robert Braybrook, Bishop of London, who in that year obtained licence to endow with it a chantry in the church of Chalgrave, co. Bedford, for the souls of Robert Braybrook and Sir Nigel Loreng (for whom see Kimpton). Licence was also given for the master and chaplains of the chantry to appropriate the church, maintaining the endowment for the vicarage already made." At the dissolution of chantries in the reign of Edward VI the advowson came to the Crown, and in 1599 Queen Elizabeth granted it to Henry Best and John Hallywell,’” probably in trust for Luke Norton, who presented in 1603, 1606, 1608 and 1614. His son Graveley Norton presented in 1661. Luke son of Graveley sold the adyowson to 128 Cal. Papal Letters, viy 164 12 Pat, 42 Eliz, pt, xxiii, m. 28. A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE William Angell, and his son William conveyed it in 1698 to Richard Spicer alias Holder, who presented in 1699. Before this date, however, the Spencers (lords of the manor of St. Ledgers) seem to have had or claimed some interest in the advowson,!#! and in 1719 Sir Henry Penrice and his wife Elizabeth (see St. Ledgers) presented. From this date the advowson has descended with the manor of St. Ledgers '*? (q.v.). : , The rectory was leased by Queen Elizabeth in 1575 to George Bredyman for twenty-one years.}85 The fee simple was acquired by George Graveley, who died seised in 1600, leaving as heir his daughter Lettice wife of Luke Norton.!*! They held it together 5 till 1630, when Luke died. After Lettice’s death it descended to their son Graveley, who married Helen daughter of William Angell of London." Graveley Norton was succeeded by his son Luke, from whom it passed with the advowson to William Angell, and in 1698 to Richard Holder (see above). After this date there is no further descent of the rectory, but conveyances of tithes with the lands to which they were appurtenant are common in the 18th century.!37 Between 1691 and 1831 there were registered in Offey eight places for Protestant Dissenters, one for Anabaptists and one for Quakers.!8% There is now a Wesleyan chapel in the parish. Mrs, Alice Pigott in her lifetime CHARITIES directed that a sum of £20 per annum should be paid out of her estate for augmenting the vicarage of Ofley and £10 per annum for apprenticing two boys or girls. ‘This intention was carried into effect by Granado Pigott, her son, who by deed 18 July 1724 charged his share of the manor of Symonside in Bishop’s Hatfield with the two annuities, which are now paid by the Marquess of Salisbury, and are duly applied. The Charity School of Dame Sarah Salusbury and the Rev. Lynch Burroughs: Dame Sarah Salusbury, by a codicil to her will dated in 1795, gave £500 for the poor, and by another codicil a further sum of £500, to be at the disposal of the Rev. Lynch Burroughs, then vicar. The school was in 1841 endowed by deed (enrolled) with five cottages and land, producing about £50 a year. It has a further endowment of £2,467 15. 8d. consols, producing £61 13. 6d. yearly. ‘The charity is regulated by a scheme of the Court of Chancery, dated 14 June 1858. PIRTON The parish of Pirton lies on low ground in the north-west of Hertfordshire at the edge of the Bed- fordshire plain. ‘The greater part of it is only about 200 ft. above the ordnance datum, but the ground rises considerably, and in the north-west, where it meets the Chilterns, it has a height of 400 ft. In the south of the parish the little River Oughton takes its rise, and this part of Pirton is known as Oughton’s Head (formerly Altonishevyd).! The Icknield Way forms part of the southern boundary of the parish. The population is entirely agricultural, the chalk land being particularly adapted for the growth of corn. The arable land covers 1,865 acres, while pasture comprises only 331 acres and woodland 65 acres.? An inclosure award was made for the parish in 1814 under an Act of 1811.74 The village lies in the middle of the parish, and is of particular interest, as it was at an early date, possibly before the Conquest, fortified by a ditch. ‘The area inclosed, about 10 acres, was utilized later for a mount and bailey castle, the mount or * motte’ standing about 25 ft. high above the bottom of the surrounding ditch in the north-west corner of the inclosure, and the remainder of the area divided into three baileys, the largest stretching along the north side and including the church and the other two on the south. The ditches are well marked, and there is still at times a good deal of water in parts of them. This castle, unfortunately, has no history. It was probably made in the 12th century, perhaps during the anarchy of Stephen’s reign, by Alan or Gerard de defended by masonry walls, On the mount probably stood a timber tower, approached by a steep narrow bridge of timber from the bailey below over the ditch or moat which surrounds it. Timber palisades may have defended the surrounding outer banks of the baileys. We can only conjecture that it was dis- mantled by Henry II as an adulterine or unlicensed castle, hundreds of which he is said to have destroyed. When the site was abandoned by the Limesis the mount was probably used as a look-out and meeting- place of the villagers, and so came to be called Toot ill. The village is now outside this inclosure, princi- pally on the north-west side. At the south end of the village is what remains of the Old Hall, a house (OUND PLAN Tay PirTON, OLD HALL (nowpupuc: House) ‘Porter ieee ‘Scale of feet “FWindows over &2 172 Cenrumy the doorway (B36 93 Cent. of the Docwras, which has been turned into an inn. It is a rectangular two-storied block, 46 ft. by 20 fty Limesi. There is little probability that it was ever 18) Irs, Bks. (P.R.O.); Close, 10 38! Inst. Bs. (P.R.O. Wii HI, pt. viii, no. 45 Cussans, Hiss. 2 yn of Herts, Hitchin’ Hund. 11. Cussans gives the name of the last patron as Robert Holder. 81 Chan, Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), eceelxxiv, 45 Com. Pleas D. Enr. Trin. 10 Chas. I, m. 5. 189 Pat. 17 Eliz. pt. xiii, m. 37. 1| Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), dvii, 47- 1 Feet of F. Herts, Mich. 43 & 44 Eliz. 125 Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), cecclxv, 385 Recov. R, Trin. 1 Chas. J, rot. 49 ; Inst. Bks 44 17 Feet of F. Mich. 13 Geo. 15 10 Geo, II; East. 19 Geo. HI; Hil. 21 Geo, III. 1 Urwick, Nonconformity in Hert © Chan, Ing, p.m. 28 Edw. IIL, no. 43- * Statistics from Bd. of Agric. (1905) % Loc, Act, §1 Geo. IV, cap. 96 Pirton Grance From THE SovTH-wesT Pirton : Hich Down rrom 1He Easr HITCHIN having a panel on the west front of the arms of Docwra and the date 1609. There are indications o's FARM ATi sg PIRTON Hammon: Celfars GROUND PLAN ac ro @ a ‘Seale_of feet Bare 0B Century 3 7BCentury EIMopERN that a wing, only about 12 ft. less than the width of the main block, projected from the back of the house, HUNDRED The Rectory Farm, the residence of Mr, Ernest R. Davis, lies a little more than a quarter of a mile to the west of the church, and was apparently once the manor-house of the rectory manor. It is an early 17th-century timber-framed house of the L type, altered and faced with brick in the 18th and tgth centuries. The main building, running east and west, contains the parlour ; from the eastern end of it a wing projects southward, containing the porch, lobby and kitchen. On the north side is a small staircase wing. A moat surrounds the house, and what appear to be traces of an outer moat can be seen on the north-east side. The tithe barn, 135 ft. by 37 ft., seems to be of the 16th century. It is of timber on a foundation of masonry. The Grange, the property of Mr. W. Hanscombe, on the western edge of the parish, is a moated PIRTON Mornin) | RB om Store Staircase Drawing Room Hicn Down, Pirton. GRounD_PLan 9 10 20 Seale of feet but this has been entirely removed. The flint and brick walls are plastered, the roof is tiled. Hammond’s Farm lies a quarter of a mile to the north of the church, and takes its name from the family of Hammond. In the 17th century a John Hammond held about 150 acres, and was succeeded by another John Hammond, from whom it has de- scended to Mr. William Hanscombe.? It is a house of the L type, of about 1600, built in two stories, the lower of brick, the upper of timber with tiled roof, The parlour is in the main wing, running east and west; in the south-east wing are the kitchen and offices ; the porch with its lobby is in the angle formed by the wings. On the north is a smaller wing containing the staircase. ‘The rooms in the upper story are panelled and have arabesque friezes of early 17th-century work. One of them has a fine chimney-piece. There is a plastered timber 17th-century dove-cote near the house, * Chan, Proc. (Ser. 2), bile, 92, no. $3. 5) 17 Centurr C2] Mopern Brew House Stable Court Yard Stables Coach House timber-framed farm-house of early date, but restored and modernized, have been originally of H type, but has been much 17th-century It seems to altered. The house, which faces eastward, has an L-shaped south wing, whose upper story formerly Projected. The kitchen in the north wing has the PIRTON GRANGE Grounp PLan = YP Cerem—€)—p ; ate Sitting Room emscenrr | 10 20. 2p S cale oF fear A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE remains of a large t7th-century fireplace ; its chimney corners are now hidden by cupboards. There is an old timber bake-house on the north side of the house, and a contemporary bridge-house of timber and plaster spans the moat. : Pirton Hall, a large red brick house, built in 1879, lies about 2 miles to the north-west of the village ; attached to it is a park. It is now the property of Mr. W. Hanscombe. High Down, the property of Mr. F. A. Delmé Radcliffe, and now occupied by Mrs. Pollard, stands on high ground about three-quarters of a mile south-west of the village. It was apparently the manor-house of the manor of Pirton, and was probably begun about 1599 by Thomas Docwra, lord of the manor, whose arms with the date 1599 appear on the south side of the house. His arms with his name and that of Jane Periam and date 1613 are also over the entrance gateway to the stables. The house is of two stories with basement, and is built of plastered flint and clunch. The main wing forms the south side of a courtyard, and is entered by a gabled porch projecting from its south front and rising the whole height of the house. On the eastern side of the entrance passage is the hall (now the dining-room) ; on the west are the pantry and some small rooms, with a staircase beyond leading to the floor above. North of the entrance passage is the staircase hall, out of which the morning- room opens to the west and the drawing-room to the east. The drawing-room continuing northward forms the short arm of the L. The kitchens are in the Pave with Aras or Sin Tuomas Docwra at Hicu Dowy basement under the drawing and the dining rooms, A range of out-buildings forms the western boundary ‘Chan. Ing. + Add. Chart. 15 2), cexevii, 146, 3 Edw. I, no.-33 Solihull). erley in Solihull, co, Warwick. The place scarcely survives even in name ‘now, but the site of their castle is marked by a moat and banks (Dugdale, Baronage, i, 413, and Dugdale, Warmicéshire, sv. 5 See Dugdale, Mon. Angl. iii, dale, Mon. Angl. ili, 300; Wrottesley, Pedigrees from Plea R435 * Wrottesley, Pedigrees from Plea R. 4795 Dugdate, Barcnage, i, 413. of the courtyard ; on the north side are the stables, In the north-east gable of the stables a stone panel has been inserted with a shield of the Docwra arms, the date 1504 and the name of ‘Thomas Docwra Miles,’ who was prior of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. The shield has a chief of the arms of the Hospitallers and below is the inscription * sane boro,’ apparently for ‘sane baro,’ a motto which occurs elsewhere in connection with the Hospitallers, and probably refers to the claim of the priors to be the first barons of England. Near the stables is an old square brick dwve-house. A mill called Oughton Mill or Westmill, which was bequeathed by Thomas Ansell in 1607 to his son Edward,‘ may probably be dated to the 13th century, when a mill formed the subject of dispute between the Prior and convent of Hertford and Wiscard, lord of Ramerick. The mill was said to have been given to the priory by Alan de Limesi.* In the 14th century, however, it is found in the tenure of the Oddingselles. It was said in 1353 to be so much out of repair that no one would rent it.’ At the time of the Domesday Survey MANORS PIRTON was assessed at 10 hides, of which 2 hides were in demesne, and on the manor there were an English knight and three sokemen. Before the Conquest the manor had been held by Archbishop Stigand. In 1086 it was part of the possessions of Ralph de Limesi, and the estate was held by the family of Limesi in chief as part of their barony of Ulverley? until the end of the 12th century. From Ralph it descended to his son Alan de Limesi and from Gerard, son of Alan, to John de Limesi, son of Gerard,® after whose death in the reign of Richard I the lands of the Limesi barony were divided between his sisters, Basilia wife of Hugh Oddingselles, or d’Odingseles, and Eleanor wife of David de Lindsey.® David had a son David de Lindsey," who left no issue. Gerard his brother succeeded and on his death his property passed to his sister Alice wife of Robert de Pinkney of Weedon Pinkney." The manor remained with the descendants of Hugh Odding- selles, who held it in sub-fee from the Pinkneys. Henry de Pinkney, who died about 1276," was succeeded by his son Robert, and Pirton was held of Robert until his death in 1296-7." His brother Henry, who succeeded, granted the reversion of his estates to the Crown in 1301," from which time Pirton was held of the king in chief. After the division of the manor (see below) the half of William Oddingselles and his descendants was held in socage and owed the rent of a pair of gilt spurs and payment of 2s. 6d. at the view of frank- pledge at Oughton’s Head (Altonis Hevyd),"* and Pinkney of Weedon. Argent a ferse indented gules. 1 See Assize R. 325, m. 294, 1) Dugdale, Buronage, i, 76. 4 Cal. Pat. 1272-81, pp. 162, 169. See Chan. Ing. p.m. 23 Edw. ], ho. 130. 4 G.E.C. Peerage, sv, Pinkney 1 Chan. Ing. p.m, 15 Edw, H, no. 43 1> Edw. III (2nd nos.), no. 15. 46 Sa] ae Pirton Grancg: East Front Pirton Otp Hats 47 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE as the manor was divided between two of Edmund's the other half was held by Hugh Oddingselles and his Ida was wife of John de descendants by knight service as parcel of the barony of Ulverley. Basilia and Hugh Odding- selles, the immediate ten- ants of the manor, left two sons, William and Hugh,” WW who divided the property and so formed two manors. William Oddingselles, who was lord of the manor of Soli- hull in Warwickshire, took sisters, Ida and Alice.” Clinton, first Lord Clinton, Alice was the wife of Thomas de Caunton.” Ida was succeeded by her son and then by her grandson, both named John de Clinton.” ‘Alice died in 1322 and was succeeded by her son David.” David and Joan his wife settled the property on them-. “ eae selves and their heirs with remainder to William de Clinton Earl of Huntingdon, 2 younger son of John and Ida de Clinton.* David died before 1343 and Joan married as her second husband Laurence de Ayot.* They held the manor jointly until Joan died in 1354, leaving a daughter Elizabeth,* who married a certain Maurice who is called son of John son of Nichol.” Elizabeth died without issue in 1364,” and the manor passed by the settle- ment to John de Clinton (nephew and heir of William de Clinton Earl of Huntingdon), to whom William de Caunton, heir of Elizabeth, released all his right. He received an annual pension from the earl of £20 out of the manor for life.** Thus both moieties of the manor were united in the hands of John de Clinton. Edward de Clinton son of John de Clinton died seised of the manor in 1399-1400 and was suc- ceeded by his nephew William," who granted the manor to certain feoffees, hy whom it was conveyed to Richard Clitheroe. His son Roger died in 1455 and left a daughter Eleanor wife of John Norreys.” John survived his wife and died in 1485; his son and heir Edmund was then aged seven. His second wife Isabel afterwards married Henry Marney2® In January 1507-8 Edmund Norreys conveyed the manor to Alice Say, widow, and John Lech, her son. According to Chauncy, in the reign of Elizabeth it was in the possession of Samuel Maron of Berks- well, co. Warwick,* and was sold by his son Edward in 1611 to Thomas Docwra of Putteridge. But this can scarcely be correct, for the inquisition on Thomas Docwra quotes a settlement made by his father Thomas Docwra on himself (the son), on his marriage with that half which was afterwards known as the manor of PIR- TON." Hugh's moiety of Custon. Argent six crowlets ftchy table and a chief acure with revo molets or pierced gules therein, Ovpineseturs. Argent a fesse gules with fred. molets gules in the chief. the property became the manor of Oddingselles (q.v.). William Oddingselles died in 1295, leaving as heir his son Edmund,” who probably died without issue, Hamaonps Farm, Pirtox, SHowixc Pore 16 Chan. Ing. p.m, 20 Edw. III, no. 13. V drch: xxxvitiy 272. * Chan. Ing. p.m. 23 Edw. I, no. 130; Assize R. 323. e igreas 1 Chan. Ing. pom. 23 Edw. I, no.130. on % Arch, xxviii, 272, William Odding- 31 Chan. Inq. p.m, 1 Hen. IV, pte iy no. 16; 2 Hen. VI, no. 36. ud ® [bid. 33 Hen. VI, no, 293 Close, © Chan. Ing. pm. 28 Edw, WI, 21 Hea. VI, m 38 Exch. Inq. 1 AS: -m. (Ser. file 2¢ ¥ Abbrev. Rot. Orig. (Rec. Com.), ii, pan Ge shee ae ene (Cal, Pat. 1313- 2335 Fine R. 156 moty 14, st eiose, 23 Hen. VII, ptf m0. 28. Tye fagh of whom Tia wav eles %'Chan. Ing, pm. 42 Edw. HI (1st 35 He was the son of Thomas Maron nos.), no. 21. of Hoxton, co. Middlesex, and Alice bis ® Nicholas, Historical Peerage. *9 Ibid, we. ™ Chan, Taq. p.m. 15 Edw. Il, no. 4. ida2e dw. 11 18.393 % De Banco R. 433, m. 1. 48 wife. The dates will hardly allow of this Alice being identical with Alice Say- Hich Dowy, Tue Porcu Pirton : East Porcu Pirron GrancE : HITCHIN HUNDRED Jane Periam in 1599.5 So the manor must have come into the family at an earlier date than that given by Chauncy. Thomas received a grant of free warren at Pirton in 1616.57 He died in 1620,*8 leaving as heir his son Periam. On the death of Periam in 1642 it descended to his son Thomas,*? whose only child Martha married Sir Peter Warburton of Arley (co. Ches.). In 1726, after the death of Martha, Thomas Warburton, Sir George Warburton, bart, son of Sir Peter and Martha, and Periam Docwra joined in a conveyance to Ralph Radcliffe. It has since des- cended in the family of Radcliffe,*! and is now in the possession of Mr. F. A. * Delmé-Radcliffe of the Priory, Hitchin -V.). eh manor of ODDINGSELLES (Doddingseles, Odyngseles, xiv cent.), often called also ‘half the manor of Pirton,’ was that part of the manor of Pirton which on the death of Basilia Oddingselles fell to the share of Hugh her son. Hugh died seised of it in 1304-5, leaving as heir his son John.? He and his wife Emma obtained licence in 1316 to grant the manor to Thomas de Wassyngeles for a settle ment on them and their heirs.8 In 1337 John and Emma granted the manor to William Corbet for life, with reversion to their son Thomas.** After the death of John, Emma married William Corbet, who died in 1346.4 She survived until the next year.‘6 Her son John Oddingselles succeeded to the manor, and died abroad in 1352, leaving a son John, then aged sixteen.‘ It descended in 1380 to his son Sir PIRTON The grant by which Ralph de RECTORY Limesi gave to the priory of St. Mary, MANOR Hertford, the church of Pirton (see below) included also 24 hides of land there and a mill After the Dissolution this estate His Hi A John, and in 1404 to Edward son of John ® (during whose minority the Property was entrusted to John Cokayn,*® his father-in-law), to Edward’s son Gerald, and finally to Edward son of Gerald. In 1505 Gerald @’Oddingselles granted the manor to feoffees,®! who released it to Richard Decons.2 He sold it shortly afterwards through trustees to Roger Lupton, clerk, Provost of St. Mary's College, Eton.'* Eton College held the manor till 15 February 1800, when it was purchased by Penelope widow of Sir Charles Farnaby Radcliffe,» from whom it has descended to Mr. F. A. Delmé-Radcliffe, the present owner, 8 se aiso a8 to the date of the build- ing of High Down under the ipti ink ge Heh Down under the description 5 Pat, 14 Jas. I, pt, xi xi, ® Chan, Ing, p.m. (Ser. 2), ccclxexvii, raz, Cal. 240, no. Pat. 1334-8, p- 485; Ing. 4 45 Chan. Ing. p.m. 20 Edw. III, no. 13 5 1346-9, p. 7 Hicu Down, Pirron: Entrance Gateway was granted in 1538, under the name of Pirton, to Anthony Denny and Joan Champernowne, who were then about to marry.®> Anthony Denny was succeeded by his son Edward Denny of Waltham Holy Crosr.88 His son Sir Edward Denny, kt. died in February 1600-1," leaving a son and heir Arthur, a minor, whose mother Margaret Lady Denny held one-third of the property in dower.°® In 1609 Arthur Denny, with his wife Elizabeth and _ his mother, conveyed the property to Sir John Davies, kt.,5° and he died seised of the manor and rectory in 1626, Ing. agd. 7 Hen. VIII, file 301, 25 Feud. Aids, ii, no. 8; L. and P, Hen, VILL, ii (1)y 146. H Deeds of F. A. Delmé-Radcliffe (quoted by Cussans in Hist, of Herts, Ct, of Wards, Feod. Surv. no. 17 Chan, Ing. pam, (Ser. 2), dexeviy gy. “Recov. R, Mich. 13 Geo. I, rot. 3825 Feet of F. Herts, Hil. 13 Geo. I. “'Recov. R. Trin. 35 Geo. Il, 3825 Hil § & 6 Geo. IV, rot. 22. chan. Ing. pm. 33 Edw. I, no. Cal. Pa 1313-17, p. 456; Inq. agd. file 113, no, 14; Feet of F. Div. Co, Trin, 9 & 10 Edw. II, no. 135, 3 4 46 Ing. p.m, 21 Edw. IIT, no, 30. 47 Ibid, 27 Edw. III (1st nos.}, no. 60 5 Abbrev. Rot. Orig, (Rec. Com.), ii, 186, 230. ¥ Chan. Ing. p.m. 5 Hen, IV, no. 19. 9 Cal, Pat. 1401-5, p. 374+ 59 Pedigree in Dugdale’s Warwickshire, Ps 343. ol Feet of F, Herts. Mich. 21 Hen. VII. % Clutterbuck, Hist, and Antig, of Herts. iti, 123. 49 Hitchin Hund, 19); see Recov. R. Hil. 5 & 6 Geo. IV, rot. 22. 88 L. and P, Hen. VIL, xiii (1), 384 (47). 56 See Com, Pleas D. Enr. East. 1575 5 Trin. 19 Eliz. 57 Chan, Ing, p.m. (Ser. 2), cclxv, 69. 58 Ct. of Wards, Extents and Attach. ments, 618. 89 Feet of F. Herts, East. 7 Jas. [. 7 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE having settled the manor on his daughter Lucy on her marriage (at the age of ten) with Ferdinand Lord Hastings, son of Henry Earl of Huntingdon.® In 1628 the Crown seized this property in payment of debts incurred by Arthur Denny, but it was appa- rently regranted to Lucy and her husband Ferdinand Lord Hastings, who were in possession in 1634.5? Previous to this, however, Sir Archibald Douglas, who had married Eleanor widow of Sir John Davies, had sold the rectory and manor for a term of sixty years to Francis Poulton. In 1642 Lucy Lady Hastings appeared on behalf of her mother to claim the rectory, alleging that Sir Archibald was insane and Eleanor was in prison when he sold the pro- perty,®? and that her mother was in great distress owing to Sir Archibald having appropriated all the profits Anthony Deane, kt., in 1686.° Morgan Deane, grandson of Sir Anthony, left the property to his trustees for sale,®” and in 1736 it was bought by Robert second Lord Raymond," from whom it passed by his father’s will to Benesham Filmer, son of Sir Robert Filmer, bart., of East Sutton, co. Kent. He died unmarried in 1763, when it came to his nephew Sir John Filmer, bart. Sir Edmund gi) three hart on oid Filmer, great-grandson of Sir three cingucfals or in the Edmund, brother and ultimate chief. heir of Sir John, sold the manor in 1870 to Messrs. Paine & Brettel of Chertsey, solicitors (since Firmen, baronet, Dove-core at Hamaonps Farm, Pirton Of this sale, and to the loss of her dower in Ireland which was in the hands of rebels. Lady Hastings remarked that she was unable to help her mother, as Lord Hastings had lost the greater part of his estate in the Irish Rebellion. The Poultons, howeres remained in possession, and the manor was sold in 1656 by William Poulton, son of Francis, to Thomas White, whose executors conveyed it to which date most of the tenants have been enfranchised), and the rectory farm and about 41§ acres of land to Mr. Daniel Davis of Hexton, farmer. Tt is now occupied by Mr. E. R. Davis. The manor of Ramerick in Ickleford extended into this parish, and this part of it is sometimes referred to as the manor of Pirton.’? The parish church of CHURCH ST. MARY, standing in the middle of the village, is built of flint rubble with stone dress- ings. The chancel roof is tiled, and that of the nave is covered with lead, The church consists of a chancel, central tower, nave and south porch.71 The original church, consisting of a chancel, nave and central tower, was built in the r2th century. The chancel was much altered in the 14th century, when a south transept, now demolished, was built on the south side of the tower. New windows were inserted in the nave in the 14th and 15th cen- turies,”? and the south doorway was altered about 1380, when the south porch was built, In the 17th century several small alterations were made, notably to the east window, and in 1883 the whole church was restored and the tower rebuilt from the founda- tions. The chancel, of which the walls are Probably part of the original church, now shows no detail earlier than c, 1330. The east window, which was originally of the 14th century, is now much defaced by 17th-century alterations. ‘The remaining windows are all of the 15th century. One on the north side and one on the south have two lights, cinquefoiled and with tracery. In the south wall there is also a three-light window of three cinque- Cy Ff to, Chae Ina. pm. (Ser. 2), ccecexsvii, & Feet of F. Herts. Mich. 2 Jas, II, 71 Dimensions: chancel, 24 ft. by Spat deka Hikeser ies ne Cussans, Hist, of Herts, Hitchin Hund. 18 ft.; central tower, 17 ft. by 16ft5 2 ii, no. 13. . 4» 56 ft. by 26 ft. Com. Pleas D. Enr. Trin. 10 Chas. I, © See Recov. R. Trin. 13 Geo. Il, am i 1486 John Dayell (Druall) made rot. 346. a bequest to the work of the church, and m.2. Hist. MSS. Com. Rep. vy App. 6 25, « See Cal. Pat. Chan. Ing. p.m. 7 Hen, VII, m, 9. © Tid, 25, ® Recov. R. Mich. 8 Chas. II, rot. 167, ® Ibid. 24 Geo. III, 1476-85, p. 4785 (Ser. 2), vii, 49; Close, Toa. rot. 45. the year following another bequest was made by Walter Browne (P.C.C. 1 Milley 22 Godyn), 50 Pirton Cuurch From THE SourH HITCHIN HUNDRED foiled lights in a square head. A doorway, also on the south side, has a two-centred arch. In the chancel, under the easternmost window on the south side, is a 14th-century double piscina with a central pillar. The east and west arches of the central tower are semicircular, of about 1130, and several of the stones are ornamented with a diaper pattern. The capitals and abaci are plain, and have been reset and retooled. On the north side is a doorway, of about 1330, with a lancet head and a simple continuous moulding. It now leads to a modern wooden vestry built against the north side of the tower. On the south side is a wide archway, now bricked up, with a low modern two-centred head. This originally opened into a south transept. The nave is lighted on the north side by two windows, the easternmost of three lights with tracery above, of the 15th century. The lower part of this window is blocked up, the sill being 2 ft. 8 in. below the bottom of the lights. The westernmost window is of two cinquefoiled ogee-headed lights, with a quatre- foil above, and has a high two-centred head. In this window are fragments of 14th-century glass. Between the two windows is visible on the interior side only a 1ath-century round-headed window, now blocked. The r4th-century north doorway, to the west of both windows, is blocked, but on the outside its two- centred head and single-splayed jambs are visible, and the door, which is much defaced, is probably contem- porary. On this wall are remains of painting, now quite undecipherable, which were discovered in 1883. The south wall of the nave has two windows similar, and similarly arranged, to those on the north side, but the jambs of the easternmost window are of the 14th century, and the lower part is not blocked, while the lights of the westernmost window are trefoiled, and simple arches instead of ogees. In the easternmost window are fragments of 1$th-century glass with the arms of Lindsay. There are between the windows the remains, consisting of the eastern jamb and half the head, of a 12th-century window like that in the north wall. The south doorway, of about 1330, has a two- centred head. The jambs are plain on the interior but moulded on the exterior side. The door is probably contemporary. To the west is the doorway, with a two-centred head, of the stairs to the upper floor of the porch. The west window has three ogee cinque- foiled lights, with tracery above, in a two-centred head. It has been repaired with cement, and is now blocked. The south porch is of two stages, the ceiling of the lower stage having been removed, so that the porch is now open to the roof. There is a stone seat in the west side of the porch ; the east and west windows have been blocked up. There is a small recess over the two-centred entrance arch, and the two-light window of the upper stage above the recess is original, but the dividing mullion is missing. The upper stage of the tower is reached by a newel in the north-west angle, approached by a door on the outside. The bell chamber is lighted by three two- light traceried windows on the east, north and south, with two-centred heads, and on the west by a square- headed loop. There is a two-light window on the 7 Dugdale, Mon. Angi. iii, 299, 3005 7 Valor Eccl. (Rec. Cal, Rot. Chart, (Rec. Com.), i, 95+ 7 See Linc, Epis. Reg. Wells, 1209-35- gu 76 See list of patrons given by Cussane, Hist. of Hert, Hitchin Hund. 23-4. PIRTON north side of the lower stage. ‘The tower has an embattled parapet and a needle spire. The buttresses at the north-west, south-east and south-west are original, as are those of the nave, but the large diagonal buttress at the north-east angle is modern. The only monument to be noted is that of Jane wife of Thomas Docwra, 1645, a mural tablet with arms and inscription, on the south wall of the nave. There is a chest, probably of the 17th century, in the chancel. The bells are five in number : the treble by John Briant, 1781; the second and third by Joseph Eayre of St. Neots, 1763 and 1756 respectively ; the fourth by Thomas Russell of Wootton, 1731; and the tenor by Robert Oldfeild, 1634. The plate includes two cups and two patens of Sheffield plate. The registers are in four books, the first containing baptisms from 1562 to 1776, burials from 1558 to 1776 and marriages from 1560 to 1753 ; the second baptisms and burials from 1774 to 1812; the third marriages from 1754 to 1773; and the fourth marriages from 1774 to 1812. In the r1th or early 12th century ADVOWSON Ralph de Limesi gave the church of Pirton with the tithes of his lands there” to the priory of St. Mary, Hertford, which he founded as a cell to St. Albans. A vicarage was ordained before the beginning of the 13th century.” The advowson remained with the priory till the Dissolution.’> It was then granted to Sir Anthony Denny, and descended with the rectory (q.v.) until about the middle of the 17th century. In 1670 presentation was made by the king; in 1682 by Dorothy, widow of Samuel Howe ; in 1732 by the Bishop of Lincoln ; in 1735 by Isaac Coleman, the late incumbent ; in 1748 by James Colt Ducarel ; in 1773 by Charles Peers; in 1835 by Susanna Thirlwall ; and in 1847 and 1851 by Ralph Lindsay.” In 1870 the advowson was conveyed by the repre- sentatives of the late Ralph Lindsay to the Dean and Chapter of Ely,” the present owners. For a very long period before 1851 there had been no resident incumbent. A parsonage-house was then built by Mr. Ralph Lindsay, the rector. In 1507 Thomas Pyrton left 40s. ‘to make an image of the Blessed Mary and a tabernacle to stand in the church there.’ 78 There are a Wesleyan chapel and a Baptist chapel in Pirton at the present time. In 1641 John Hammond by his CHARITIES will directed that a sum of £100 should be laid out in the purchase of land, the rent thereof to be applied in binding out one apprentice or more to an honest trade. The trust estate consists of two allotments at Punches Cross, containing 6a. 3 r. 23 p., awarded on the inclosure in 1811 in lieu of land originally purchased. The testator further devised two cottages, to be occupied by poor families rent free. The charity is regulated by a scheme of the Charity Commissioners, 3 May 1904. A premium of £12 Ios. is usually paid, and the cottages, rebuilt by the Hanscombe family, are used as almshouses. 7 Lond, Gaz. 29 5404. 78 P.C.C. Wills, 31 Adeane, Com,), iv, 276. Nov. 1870, p. THE HUNDRED OF BROADWATER CONTAINING THE PARISHES OF ASTON HATFIELD or AYOT ST. LAWRENCE AYOT ST. PETER KNEBWORTH BALDOCK LETCHWORTH BENINGTON GREAT MUNDEN DATCHWORTH LITTLE MUNDEN DIGSWELL SACOMBE GRAVELEY STEVENAGE BISHOP’S HATFIELD TOTTERIDGE WALKERN WATTON-AT-STONE WELWYN WESTON WILLIAN GREAT WYMONDLEY LITTLE WYMONDLEY The hundred of Broadwater takes its name from a little hamlet on the boundary line between the parishes of Kneb Invex Mar to THe Hunorep or Broabwarer the Domesday Survey : Baldock, which wa. ' Almshoebury y is mentioned as_pertainin, ; Herts. no. 1). P g to Broadwati f2 worth and Shephall, at a point about two miles south of Stevenage where the main road from Hertford and a road from Aston join the Great North Road. At the time of the Domes- day Survey Broadwater Hun- dred included Shephall, which is situated in the centre of the hundred, but was in the 13th century attached to Cashio Hundred as a possession of St. Alban’s Abbey ; Norton on the northern boundary and Codi- cote (with Oxewiche) on the west, which were at the same time detached for the like reason ; Langley with Minsden, and Almshoe! (in Ippollitts), which were afterwards attached to Hitchin Hundred ; and part of Tewin, now in Hertford Hundred, which was probably attached to Broadwater because it belonged to the Abbot of Westminster, one of whose principal manors in Hertford- shire was at Stevenage. Two places now in this hundred are not mentioned in sin the rath century formed er Hundred as late as 1651 (Parl. Surv. BROADWATER HUNDRED t of Weston, and Totteridge, which was a detached part of the parish of atfield about twelve miles south of its mother-church. Two places mentioned in the Domesday Survey have not been identified : Tollenwick (Wlwenewiche),’ which was probably a portion of Stevenage ish lying between Wymondley and Burleigh, and which is mentioned as te as 1381,° and Rodenhanger (Rodehangre, Rodenehangre), which evidently ljoined Norton, with which it was given to St. Alban’s Abbey by King thelred in 1007.4 Broadwater has always been a royal hundred.’ The hundred court is said have been sometimes held at Stevenage with the county court, but in the 4th century the sheriff’s tourn was held at Broadwater at Easter and fichaelmas.* In 1651 the value of the hundred, with profits, perquisites ad privileges, was £5 10s. yearly. The total of rents and royalties due to ie lord of the hundred amounted to £10 145.7. In 1651 payments amount- 1g to 215. 4d. for frankpledge were due to the lord of the hundred from Velwyn, Knebworth, Bardolfhall (Watton), Little Munden, Letchworth nd Wymondley. Rents of assize paid to the sheriff’s aid at the same time ‘om various places amounted to £3, and certainty money from freeholders t the sheriff’s tourn to 12s. 14.8 The waifs, strays, deodands, goods of slons and fugitives, &c., within the hundred belonged to the lord if the ailiff of the hundred seized them first, but if any bailiff belonging to a lord fa manor who had leet within the hundred seized them before the bailiff f the hundred, then that lord in whose leet they were seized commonly had ae profit and benefit thereof.’ The lords of all the more important manors in the hundred appear > have had right of view of frankpledge.” The lords of Aston, Ayot St. sawrence, Baldock, Benington, Hatfield, Stevenage, Walkern and Weston ad also gallows and tumbrel; those of Datchworth, Knebworth, Great “lunden and Sacombe had gallows. * See V.C.H. Herts. i, 297. 5 Chan. Ing. p.m. 4 Ric. II, no. 110. * Anecdota Oxoniensa (Med. and Mod. Ser.), pt. vii, 24, 133. ® Assize R. 325 ; Chauncy, Hist. of Herts. 304 ; Clutterbuck, Hist, Heres: ii, 244. ao Ing. p.m. file 403, no. 38; Cal. Pat. 1385- “pr P. 68. Parl. Surv. Herts. no. 1. i Assize R. 325, m. 26 d.; Rot. Hund. (Rec. Say i, 192 ; Plac. de Quo Warr. (Rec. Com.), 279, 289 at. 12 Jas. I, pt. xxii, m. 18 ; Cal. Pat. 1385-9, p. 68 5 "Pat. 5 Edw. VI, pt. iv, m. 27. 53 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE ASTON Easttun, Estone (xi cent.) ; Aschton, Estona (xiii cent.). The parish of Aston has an acreage of 2,070 acres, of which 1,007$ are arable land, 6483 acres permanent grass and 122} acres wood.' The height of the parish above the ordnance datum is for the most part from 200 ft. to 300 ft., but rises in the centre to over 300 ft., the highest point (315 ft.) being by the church. The River Beane forms the eastern boundary of the parish and separates it from Benington. A branch road from the Great North Road to Benington passes across the centre of the parish and through the village, where a network of is the residence of the present lord of the manor, Mr. Vernon A. Malcolmson, and his wife, the Hon. Mrs. Malcolmson. The house is built of brick. Thin 2-in. bricks, rising about 104 in to every four courses, are used throughout; the north front, however, up to the string over the windows of the ground floor, and parts of the back, are faced with flints, no stone being visible except a built-up arch on the outside, next the hall fireplace. In plan it isa parallelogram, 114 ft. long by 32 ft. wide, running east and west. On the north front is the main entrance, and on the south front are two projecting wings, one near either end and each con- Drawing Room Kitchen i \ Separate Dwe! ling Grouxpd = -— PLAN Cupboard | A___pel._.f 102 CrntuRY CI Moprran East Staircase Grouxp ano Artic Pian or Aston Bury lanes branch off to north and south. The village lies in the centre of the parish, with the church of St. Mary and the manor-house on the west. In the north of the parish is the hamlet of Aston End. In the south-east is Frogmore Hall, a modern red brick house surrounded by a park, the property of Mr. G. B. Hudson, M.A., D.L., J.P., formerly M.P. for the Hitchin division of Hertfordshire, and now the residence of Major H. F, Low. Aston House, with a small park, is the residence of Mr. F, W, Imbert- Terry, and Barelegh that of Lady Jane van Koughnet. Aston Bury, the ancient moated manor-house, is supposed to have been built by Sir Philip Boteler about 1540-3. Until recently it has been used as a farm-house, but has now been restored and 1 Scat s: ce from Bd. of Agric. (1905). taining a fine oak staircase. All the window openings and angle quoins are of brick. Above the upper floor windows on the north front runs a heavy moulded brick cornice, cut off abruptly without returns at each end of the building. Above the cornice is the long tiled roof, broken by four curved gables, in which are windows which light the attic room. The ends of the main building have curved gables, broken by a pait of chimneys on either side of each gable. One pair of chimneys has been twice rebuilt, once in the 18th century and again recently, this time in exact imitation of the other three, which are fine examples of cut and moulded brickwork, having octagonal moulded bases, circular shafts, richly diapered oF twisted, and octagonal capitals at the top. A large attic window occupies the upper part of each gable, and in the west gable are two tiny windows at 54 BROADWATER HUNDRED the first-floor level, lighting the spaces between the projecting chimney breasts inside the rooms and the flank walls, The projecting staircase wings at the back are carried up to the same height as the main walls, and between them are two groups of chimneys similar to those already described, one having three shafts, the other four. ‘The main entrance is in the centre of the north front, and has a moulded square-headed doorway, with a massive oak moulded door frame, and iron-studded door. The front windows are recessed in moulded brickwork. The ground-floor windows have square brick heads, having a very slight camber ; but, as the bricks are not radiated to a centre, the weight seems to be taken by the stout oak window frame and mullions. The upper floor windows have flat “arches with properly radiating joints, pointing probably to a somewhat later date. Internally the building has a ground floor, with basement under, an upper floor and one long apart- ment in the roof. A chapel which stood at the east end of the building was pulled down many years ago. The hall would measure about 36 ft. by 25 ft., having a large four- centred arched fireplace 8 ft. wide in the centre of the south wall. Beside the fire- place is a doorway leading into the east staircase. East of the hall is another large apartment. ‘The hall and the room to the east take up the eastern half of the building, and the western half contains a panelled room with a large open fire- place and the original kitchen with an old iron-studded door. The doorway near the west end of the north front is modern, and occupies the position of a built-up window ; the porch is made up of old wood- work, The doorway between the hall and the east stair- case has a wooden frame with moulded capitals and bases, over which is a four-centred arch with carved spandrels, the carving being of the usual flat 16th- century type. In two of the spandrels, however, are shields of arms ; on the east side are the arms of the Botelers and on the west side are the arms of Drury (Argent on a chief vert a tau cross between two molets or). ‘These arms also appear on a brass in Watton Church. Sir Philip Boteler of Woodhall married Elizabeth daughter of Sir Robert Drury, kt., of Halstead, and, as is shown in the descent of the manor, acquired Aston in 1540 and died in 1545. The basement cellars are not of much interest ; they are only partly below ground and have had windows on both the north and south sides. ‘The massive timbers of the ground floor may be seen, as there is no vaulting or ceiling. There are a few original partitions on the first floor, into which some 16th-century panelling has been in- troduced. But the room in the attic story is worthy of 55 i) Mi ASTON notice. It is almost wholly in the roof and is a long apartment running the full length of the building. It measures 108 ft. long by 17 ft. wide. It is lighted at each end by a large mullioned window in the gable, and has besides four windows on the north front set in the curved brick gables before described. These windows are deeply recessed from the room, On the south side of the apartment are two built-up fireplaces with moulded and stopped jambs, the inner moulding being carried over the opening with a flat four-centred arch, the outer moulding running square over it. It is almost identical with the fireplaces at Mackerye End, Hammond’s Farm, Pirton, and other old houses in the county. The ceiling of this apartment is of plaster, almost semicircular, and a moulded cornice of oak, presumably the roof purlin, is carried the whole length of each side at the springing level of the arch. Advantage has been taken of the slope of the roof to form a series of cupboards on the south side, entered from the window recesses. Access is gained to the room by short passages from both east and west staircases. | ih i ul Aston Bury: Artic Gattery The two fine oak staircases are the principal internal features of the house, that on the east, which is entered directly from the hall, being the richer of the two. In each case there are straight flights of steps on three sides of the staircase, with landings at the angles, the fourth side having landings at each floor. Both stairs rise from the ground floor to the attics, and the east stair is continued down to the basement. The parish lies on a subsoil of chalk. There are three chalk-pits in the north of the parish. The nearest railway station is Knebworth, on the Great Northern main line, about three miles to the south- west. The inclosure award, made in 1858, is in the custody of the clerk of the peace.” Previous to the Norman Conquest the MANOR manor of ASTON was held by three of the men of Stigand Archbishop of Can- terbury, whose names are not known. After the 9 Blue Bk, Incl Awards, 63. A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE Conguest it formed part of the demesne lands of Odo Bishop of Bayeux, and was assessed at 10 hides.’ Odo forfeited in 1088 and Aston remained for some time in the possession of the Crown, until Henry I gave it to his queen Adelaide. After his death Adelaide, who married secondly William de Albini Earl of Arundel in 1138,* gave the manor of Aston to the Abbot and monks of St. Mary of Reading for the good of the soul of King Henry her husband.* This grant was afterwards confirmed by Henry II,° Richard I, John, and Henry III,’ and the abbey of Reading continued to hold it ‘ by service of praying for the King, his progenitors and successors’® until the Dissolution. After the attainder of Hugh Cooke, the last abbot, all the possessions of the monastery were seized by the king, Nicholas Bristowe being possessions of Wolsey." In 1537 he was present at the christening of Prince Edward," afterwards Edward VI, and in 1539-40 was among the knights ap- pointed to meet Anne of Cleves,'® on which occasion he was one of those who ‘stood Lit from the park pales upon the im heath (Blackheath) to the meeting-place’ (at Shooter's Hill)."® In 1544 his name was enrolled as supplying men for the rearguard in the army against France,” and later in the same year he was ap- pointed to levy recruits." He Botater of Wood- hall. Gulesa fesse chechy argent and sable berween six erosslens or, appointed steward in 1540.’ In the same year the manor of Aston was granted to Sir Philip Boteler of Watton Woodhall, to be held in chief for the tenth part of a knight’s fee and rent of 77s, 114," This Sir Philip had been one of the Knights of the Body to King Henry VIII in 1516," and was Sheriff of Hertfordshire in 1524-6, 1530, 1532 and 1538-40." In 1530 he was one of the commis- sioners for H dshire to inquire c ing the 3 -C.H, Herts. i, yoga. GEC. Complete Peerage. 1 5 Dugdale, Mon. iv, 293 Add. Chars 19586; Assize R. 323, m. 51d. 6 Add. Chart. 19503, 1 Assee R323) ah 514 ‘al. Chote, 1337-9, p. § 3 Le , Hou Vitae itt SSA ae Fe 6 5 (2), p. 223. 196 5 (2)y p. 223, Astow Bury rrom tHe Norru-west ° L. and P. Hen, VIL, xvi, g. 379 (62) © Thid. xv, @. 942 (78). ey 1 Ibid. ii, 2735. MW Ibid. iv, “819, 1795, 2672, 67215 ts 1598 (10); sili (2), 9673 xiv (x), vy 6516. ™ Tid. xii (2), grn. died in 1545. From this date Aston descended in the same manner as Watton Woodhall (q.v.)_ until 1778, when John Palmer Boteler sold Aston to Sir Thomas Rumbold.” The latter died in 1791, and in 1794 the manor was sold by trustees to Paul Bendfield,” who in turn sold it to Edmund Darby in 1801.” After the death of Edmund Darby in 1831 Aston was sold to Ann Walmsley of Hoddesdon, who left it by will to her great-nephew Donat John 46 Ibid, xiv (2), p. 2086 18 Tbid, xv, p. §- W Ybid. xviii (1), 273) 276. 6 Ibid. (2), 452. 3® Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), 2 Clutterbuck, Hist, of Hert, 71 Thid, ® Ibid. 56 Asron Bury: Tue Nortu (Recently removed) Porcu © ® : 3 t me BROADWATER HUNDRED Hoste O’Brien, who was lord of the manor in 1877." His successor, Captain William Edward Freeman Wee, Sr. Aunan's Anazy, Nopxs of Shephall, Asure a saltire or. Sable a pile argent with three trefoils sable there» on, O’Brien, sold Aston in 1907 to Mr. Vernon A. Malcolmson and his wife the Hon. Mrs. Malcolmson, granddaughter of the ASTON The parish church of ST. MARY CHURCH THE V'IRGIN,™ consisting of a chancel, nave, west tower, north aisle, north vestry and south porch, stands on high ground to the west of the village. It is built of flint with stone dressings and the roofs are covered with lead. The tower and nave have embattled parapets. ‘The chancel and nave date from about 1230, and probably represent the whole of the original church. It was not until the end of the 14th or the beginning of the 15th century that the west tower was added. Towards the end of the 15th century new windows were inserted, the church was re-roofed and various repairs were executed, Further alterations took place in the 16th century, and in 1850 the church was restored. Finally, in 1883, restoration again took place, and the north vestry, north aisle and south porch were added. The chancel has a modern east window of three second Earl of Leicester." In 1287 the Abbot of Reading claimed view of frankpledge and free warren in Aston,® but in the reign of Edward I he claimed in addi- tion, in all his Hert- fordshire lands, sac and soc, toll and team, infangentheof, utfangentheof, gallows, tumbrel, and chattels of felons and fugitives, also freedom from suit at the hun- dred court, from paying danegeld, shiregeld and other dues**; so doubtless these privileges applied to Aston. Certain lands in Aston were granted before 1065 by Wulf, ‘a certain Dane, a very powerful mini- ster’ of King Edward the Confessor, to St. Alban’s Abbey.” After the Dissolution the lands of St. Alban’s Abbey in Aston were granted with the manor of Shephall to George Nodes.* In 1570 they were in the possession of Charles Nodes,” his nephew,” and presumably descended with the manor of Shephall, Tn 1564 a messuage in Aston, at the church gate, and a cottage called the Almshouse, with land called Hoobarnetts Croft, Grynsie Croft and Gallowfield, part of the manor of Aston, were granted by Sir John Boteler to John Kent in free socage.” The latter died in 1592 and was succeeded by his son Thomas,”? who died in 1635, leaving a son also named Thomas. Aston * Cussans, Hist, of Herts, Broadwater Hurd. 194. Ser.), viy 32. *Taformation kindly supplied by Mr. 7 V..A, Malcolmson. (96 % Assize R. 325, m. 26 4, % Plac, de Quo Warr, (Rec. Com.),282-3- @ Matt. Paris, Crom Maj. (Rolls ‘L. and P, Hen. VIII, xviiy 220 98). ® Pat. 13 Eliz. pt. xi, m. 29. 30 Visit, Herts. (Hatl. Soc, xxii), Bo. Cuurcn FRoM THE SouTH-WEsT lights, trefoiled, with tracery above. In the north wall, which is pierced by a wide opening into the modern north vestry, are the jambs and rear arch of a 13th-century lancet window. There is also on this side, at the west, a modern single light with a four-centred head. On the south side are two square-headed 16th-century two-light windows, much restored and repaired with cement ; between them is a modern door with a two-centred head. At the south-east end of the wall is a large double piscina with a single drain and divided by a central pillar. The heads are trefoiled, and the date is early in the 13th century, 31 Chan. Ing. pam. (Ser. 2), ecclxxi, 137 % Tid, 7 Dimensions: chancel, 28 ft. 6 in. by 134. 6in.; nave, 45 ft. by 22 ft.5 tower, 16 ft. 6in. equare, 3 57 8 A HISTORY OF ‘The roof of the chancel, as also that of the nave, is of the 15th century, low pitched, with moulded trusses, with carved bosses at the intersections of the trusses with the purlins. The screen is a good example of early 16th-century woodwork, with tracery in the heads. The capitals of the chancel arch have been much mutilated to admit of the fitting of the screen, and the arch probably dates from the first years of the 16th century. In the nave very few original details can be traced ; the north arcade is of course contemporary with the building of the aisle in 1833, and the south windows are also modern. The walls, however, are probably of the 13th century. A lofty four-centred arch opens from the nave to the tower, and is original. The west window is also original, and is of three lights, with tracery above, much restored, and repaired with cement. In this window is a little white and gold 15th-century glass. The modern south porch is approached by a two-centred doorway, and has east and west windows of two lights in square heads. lis entrance arch is two-centred with shafted jambs ; it is faced with flint and stone in quarries, and has a gable with a stone coping and cross. The tower is of two stages with diagonal buttresses, and has a 15th-century west door, much repaired. The bell-chamber is lighted by four louvres with two-centred heads. ‘The communion table is of the 17th century, and the pulpit is octagonal, of panelled oak, of about 1630. There is a brass on the floor of the nave of John Kent and his wife, with an inscription and the date 1592. The bells number six, and include a second and third by Miles Graye, dated 1629. The fifth is also of 1629, but recast in 1840. The plate includes a cup, a cover paten and a paten of 1571, and a cup of 1612. The registers are in two books: (i) baptisms and burials from 1558 to 1812,and marriages from 1558 to 17533 (ii) marriages from 1754 to 1812. In 1505 Sir John Smith, the parson of Aston, left 265, 8d. towards the making of a tabernacle for the image of St. Margaret in the church,® and in 1524 John Kent left 40s. for the same purpose.® An altar of St. Katherine is mentioned, with that of the Blessed Virgin, in 1484.7 The invocation of Aston Church seems to have been changed about the end of the 15th century, for in 1430 and apparently in 1490 it is referred to as St. James,* but in 1505 and after as our Lady.” ADVOH SON * P.C.C. 41 Holgrave. HERTFORDSHIRE The presentation to the church scems to have always belonged to the lord of the manor. _It was confirmed to the monastery of Reading by William Earl of Arundel, Queen Adelaide’s husband, and by Henry II“ and Edward IIL. The church was never appropriated, and the living is a rectory. The abbey continued to hold the advowson until the Dissolution.* In 1540 it was granted together with the manor to Sir Philip Boteler,“* and followed the same descent until 1801, when it was sold after the death of Paul Bendfield to Alexander Ellice of Bath,* who presented to the living in 1804.4 His son William Ellice presented in 1809. John Corfield made presentation in 1815, and was still patron in 1822%; but this was probably only an alienation for a term of years, as the Rev. James Ellice presented in 1829.°' The latter held the advowson until 1849, when the Rev. George Augustus Oddie became patron,” and remained so until 1890, For the next five years the presentation was held by Mr. John Oddie and five others, who were succeeded in 1895 by the Rev. George Venables Oddie, the present patron and incumbent. A portion of the tithes, granted in 1253 to the abbey of Colchester, is recorded in the Taxation of Pope Nicholas in 1291, and in the assessment for a feudal aid in 1428. In both these entries the portion of Reading is valued at £1, and that of Colchester at £2 65. 8d. A terrier of the parsonage made in 1638 states that there was then ‘a dwelling house with an orchard, a garden, a courtyard : and an outyeard with 2 barnes, 2 stables, one hayhouse, a Cart house, a Dove coate, 2 smal garners: a woodhouse, a woodyard, a hen- house, with an old outhouse.’ * A _meeting-place for Protestant Dissenters was certified at Aston at various dates between 1697 and 1834.°? ‘There is now an undenominational mission- room. It appears from the parliamentary returns of 1786 that a sum of £80 was given for the poor by a donor unknown. The gift, with accumulations, is now represented by £104 155. consols with the official trustees. The annual dividends, amounting to £2 125, 4d.,are applied in the distribution of fuel or clothing by the rector and churchwardens. The official trustees also hold a sum of £65 125. 44. consols, arising from the sale of the Calvinistic Baptist chapel at Aston End. The annual dividends, amount- ing to £1 12s. 8¢., are applied towards the support and maintenance of the chapel at Stevenage. CHARITIES * Cal. Close, 1337-9, p. 5. 4 Ibid % Ibid, 17 Bosfelde. © See L. and P. Hen. VILL, vi rey Li y ”. Hen. VIII, vi, 1569. 5 Clergy Litt, ¥ Wills, Archd. of St. Albans, W 4s. “ Pat. 32 Hen. VII, pt, vill m> Fe tide P.C.C. Stoneham 16; Wills, Archd. 45 Clutterbuck, o 5 Ibid. of St. Albans, W 58d. *° P.C.C, 41 Holgrave ; 17 Bodfelde ; Bacon, Liber Regis. 4° Add Chart. 19586, " Ibid. 19593. 8 In bi © Clerical Guide, © Inst. Be. (PLR. ¥ Clutterbuck, loc. cit. st. Bs. (P.R.O.). id. p. cit. ii, 248, 0.). * Cal. Chart. R. 1226-57, p. 424. 58 Pope Nick. Tax. (Rec. Com.), 3 & Feud. Aids, ii, 463. 88 Herts. Gen. and Antig. ii, 70. © Urwick, Nonconf. in Herts. 662 -3+ 7a i) eA ; Bi @ aa \ w alll at os at AYOT ST. LAWRENCE BROADWATER HUNDRED _ & crear avor AYOT ST. LAWRENCE or GREAT AYOT Aiete (xiii cent.) ; Ayete (xiv cent.) ; Eyott (xvi cent.). The parish of Ayot St. Lawrence has an area of 750 acres, of which about three-fifths are arable, about 200 acres grass, and over 100 acres wood.! The greater part of the parish is about 300 ft. above the ordnance datum, but rises to 400 ft. towards the north-west, where the manor-house and park are situated. The new church of St. Lawrence lies on the western side of the park. The little River Mimram or Maran forms the eastern boundary. The subsoil is chalk and gravel, and the surface soil is chalk. There is an old chalk-pit to the south of the village and a disused gravel-pit to the east. The road from Wheathampstead to Codicote forms the south-eastern boundary of the parish, but the village of Ayot St. Lawrence is situated about a mile to the north, and is reached by three branch roads, of which the central one passes by Hill Farm. The village lies on the southern side of a winding road, upon which stand the schoolhouse, a timber and piaster house of the 17th century, and the post office, a 16th or 17th-century brick and timber cottage. The rectory, a modern house, contains in a staircase window some 17th-century glass said to have been taken from the old church. The glass is heraldic, and shows shields of France modern quarter- ing England with a label of three points argent ; Bristowe ; and Bristowe impaling Bibbesworth and Barley quartering possibly Skipwith (Gules three bars or in chief a running greyhound argent). On the opposite side of the road are the ruined church and the grounds of Ayot House, the property of Mrs. A. C. Ames, and now the residence of Mr. Roger Cunliffe, J.P. In the park of Ayot House is the old manor-house, a red brick building, the lower part of which is probably of the 16th century. The manor of AYOT ST.LAWRENCE MANOR was given by Alwin of Godtone or Gottun, in the time of King Edward the Con- fessor, to the abbey of Westminster, and was con- firmed to the abbey by that king about 1062.1" Alwin continued to hold Ayot assub-tenant of the abbey during Edward’s reign, but in 1086 it was held of Westminster by Geoffrey de Mandeville, and assessed at 24 hides.’ A portion of g acres in Ayot, which had been held by Siward, a man of Alwin of Godtone, was in 1086 held of the king by the reeve of the hundred.? The lordship of Westmi parently lapsed, for direct possession seems to have been obtained by the Mandevilles, who sub-enfeoffed a tenant before the end of the 13th century. Geoffrey de Mande- ville’s lands descended through his son William to his grandson Geoffrey de Mandeville, created first Earl of Essex in 1140.4 The latter died in 1144, and his eldest son Ernulf being outlawed soon after, his 1 Statistics from Bd. of Agric. (1905). 18 Cott. Chart. vi 2. ? CH, Herts, i, 313. Ing. p.m, 28 Edw. Edw. Ill, no. 2: 8. 2 Tid. 343. which is seemingly an error. 4 Round, Geoffrey de Mandeville, 37,49. 8 GE. 5 Ibid. 232, 242. P. II, no. mn, 21 5 G.E.C. Complete Peerage. 9 Ybid. Hen. T Ibid. ; Feud. Aids, ii, 436; Chan, d In 1277-8 it was said to be held of the honour of Boulogne, . Complete Peerage ; Chan. Inq. 29. ', file 11, no, 28, 1 G.E.C. Complete Peerage, 59 earldom and estates were conferred upon his second son Geoffrey, who died childless in 1166. His brother William, who suc- ceeded him, also died without issue in 1189, his nearest heirs being the descendants of his aunt Beatrice, the sister of Geoffrey first Earl of Essex.5 This Beatrice, who had married William de Say, had two sons William and Geoffrey, the elder of whom predeceased his father, and left two daughters Beatrice and Mand.® The earldom of Essex was eventually conferred upon Beatrice’s. husband F Geoffrey Fitz Piers, and was held in turn by their two sons Geoffrey and William, who both took the name of Mandeville and died childless before 1227. ‘Their sister Maud, to whom their title and estates then passed, married Henry de Bohun sixth Earl of Hereford, and Ayot St. Lawrence was held of that earldom until its extinction on the death of Humphrey de Bohun, twelfth earl, in 1373.7 His lands then passed to his elder daughter Eleanor, wife of Thomas of Woodstock, who was murdered in 1397.5 Eleanor died in 1399,° and the overlordship of Ayot St. Lawrence passed to her sister Mary, the wife of Henry Duke of Lancaster, who in the same year became king as Henry 1V,1° and hence his lands were merged in the Crown. In 1489 Ayot St. Lawrence was said to be held of the king as of the honour of Mandeville, parcel of the duchy of Lancaster, by service of a sparrow-hawk at the feast of St. Peter ad Vincula yearly, or pay- ment of 25,1! The first sub-tenant of the manor to be recorded is William de Ayot, who is mentioned in 1253 as the son of Roger de Ayot,!? and was certainly lord of the manor in 1257.” He held the office of king’s steward,'4 and appears among the witnesses of many documents up to the year 1291. In 1303 the manor, consisting of half a knight’s fee, was held by his heirs, who were under age, and in 1346 by Lawrence de Ayot'® and Joan his wife, who in 1347 granted it to Thomas, parson of the church of Ayot, for a settlement.” Lawrence died in 1353 and was succeeded by his son William, who was in prison for felony in the Bishop of Winchester’s Manpevitte, Earl of Essex. Quarterly or and gules. Azure a Bonun. bend argent between co- tises and six lions or. II, no. 455 49 4 Cal. Ing, Hen. VIL, i, 215. Feet of F. Herts. 37 Hen, III, no. 425. 18'Cal. Chart. R. 1226-57, p. 474. ¥ Thid. 1257-1300, p. 496. 8 Feud, Aids, ii, 429." Ibid. 436. ¥ Feet of F. Div. Co. Hil. 21 Edw. 11], no. 8. A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE gaol.'* He conveyed the manor in 1363 to Richard de Pembrugge."® ‘i here was also a conveyance to Richard in the same year by William de Wotton and Margaret his wife,” but the nature of their interest is not clear. Richard de Pembrugge and his son Henry both died in 1375," and the manor passed to his nephews Richard de Beurlee, son of his sister Amice, and Thomas Barre, son of his sister Hawise. Richard de Beurlee apparently died soon after or quitclaimed his moiety, for in 1383 the whole manor was settled on Thomas Barre and Elizabeth his wife. Thomas Barre was appointed justice of the peace for Herefordshire in 1384, and surveyor of the king’s hay in that county in the same year." At this time he also recived a grant for life of 4o marks yearly from the issues of the county, instead of from the Exchequer, from whence it had previously becn drawn.® In 1397 this was augmented by an allow- ance of 3 tuns of red wine yearly.” He was J.P. for Herefordshire again in 1385% and for Hertfordshire in 1401."* In 1393 he was appointed with others to deal with Walter Bent ‘and other sons of iniquity’ for preaching false doctrines in the diocese of Hereford.” Early in 1394 he received protection for half a year to go to Ireland on the king’s service,” which was later extended for another six months, to remain there in the king’s company.” In 1404 he was exempted for life, on account of his great age, ‘from being charged with being sheriff, escheator, collector or other officer of the king, and from all labours in person, provided that he find a competent person to serve the king in his plice and to ride with the king when required’ * ; nevertheless he served as justice of the peace for Hertfordshire in 1406 and 1407.4 He survived his wife and his son Thomas and died in 1420, being succeeded by his grandson John Barre. John’s. daughter Isabel married first Humphrey Stafford Earl of Devon, who was beheaded in 1469," and upon her fither’s death in 1482 or 1483 Ayot St. Lawrence passed to her and her second husband Thomas Bourchier,” who survived her and died in 14912% Isabel died in 1489. Tab and Thomas Bourchier had a daughter Isabel, but she predeceased them, and upon the death 48 Chan, Ing, p.m. 28 Edw. III, no. 45. % bid, 682. of Thomas the heirs were declared to be three cousins, viz. Richard Delabere son of Joan sister of John Barre, Thomas Cornwall great-grandson of Elizabeth, a second sister, and Edward Hanmer grandson of Ancret, a third sister of John Barre.” These three each re- ceived a third part of the manor.” In 1505 Edward Hanmer granted his share to Sir William Say, Thomas Cornwall did the same in 1506, and finally in 1508 Richard Delabere released his portion,“ so that in that year Sir William Say was scised of the whole. From Sir William Say the manor descended to his daughter and co-heir Elizabeth, wife of William Blount, fourth Lord Mountjoy, and to their daughter Gertrude, who married Henry Courtenay Earl of Devon, in 1525 created Marquess of Exeter.” Henry Courtenay was attainted for treason and beheaded in 1539, and his wife being attainted in the same year her lands were forfeited to the Crown. In 1543 Ayot St. Lawrence was granted to John Brockett, John Alway and Nicholas Bristowe.“ Nicholas Bristowe held the manor in 1572 and made his title secure against possible heirs of Sir William Say.© He died in 1585, leaving a widow Lucy, and the manor descended succes- sively to his son Nicholas and his grandson Nicholas, the latter inheriting in 1616. In 1661 the manor was held by Robert Bristowe, accord- ing to Cussans the brother of a fourth Nicholas.” He was ‘ succeeded by William Bristowe, his third butt eldest surviving son, whose widow was lady of the manor in 1700." She sold it in 1714 to Thomas \Lewis," who died in 1718; and five years later his estates were sold by ‘Thomas Lewis and Henly and Margaret Hensleigh to Cornelius Lyde.® Rachel, the daughter of Cornelius, with her cousin and husband Lionel Lyde™ conveyed half the manor and advowson in 1749 to her mother Rachel widow of Cornelius. It perhaps reverted to the daughter Rachel and her husband before 1758, for Lionel Lyde then presented to the church. This Lionel pasar OVY Baistows of Ayot St. Lawrence, Ermine a fesse cotised sable with three crescents or thereon. granting it to him when riding by it with © Feet of F. Div. Co. 37 Edw. II, ® Ibid. Herts, 37 Edw. III, no. 5 n Chan. Ing. p.m. 49 Edw. III, pt. ii, 28 » Feet of F. Herts. 6 Ric. II, no. 56. Cal. Par. 1381-5, pe 348. 4 Ibid. p. 408. 3 Ibid. p. 477. % Ibid. ¥ Ibid. 1385-9, p. 80. ® Ibid. 1399-1401, p. 559. ® Ibid. 1391-6, pp. 354-5- ® Ibid. p. 472. ST Ibid. p. 5 ® Ibid, 31 Tbr, © Anct. D. (P.R.O.), B 257, 258, 259. 4 Thid. B 254, reread eae "GEC. Complete Pecrage ; L. and P, Hen. VIL, ix, 481. 8 G.E.C. Complete Peerage. “L, and P. Hen. VII, xviii (1), g. 981 (95). Mr. Round points out that they bought the manor for twenty yeors? purchase, and that Nicholas Bristowe, clerk of the jewel-house, was made steward of Reading Abbey in 1540 (sce under Aston). To ‘The Monarchs of Englond’ exhibition at the Grafton Gallery (in 1902) there were lent by Mrs. Ames the hat of Henry VIII and the shoes of Anne Boleyn, which, accord- ing to the catalogue, were given to Nicholas Bristowe by the king aa the title-deeds of Ayot St. Lawrence, and ‘have since always gone with the estate.’ Mr. Round points out that Anne Boleyn was put to death seven years before Bristowe and his partners acquired the estate, and that the story of the king 60 Anne must be wholly false. 45 Add, Chart, 1994. “Chan, Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), ceclaiii, 204 (2). Chan. Decree R. no. 77 (14). ‘© Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), ccclxiii, 204 (2). * Cussans, op. cit. Broadwater Hund, 236. Nicholas died in 1626, sce ML. * Chauncy, Hist, of Herts. 324. There is a fine of 1697 in the name of her daughter Elizabeth and husband Charles Wilson, conveying half the manor to Robert Raworth, but this was probably only a settlement ; Feet of F. Herts. Hil. 8 Will. III. 5) Feet of F. Herts, Trin. 1 Geo. 15 Com, Pleas Recov, R. 1 Geo. I, m. 45 Recoy. R. Herts. Trin. 13 Anne. 52 Tombstone at Ayot St. Lawrence. 59 Feet of F. Herts, Mich. 10 Geo, Ij Salmon, Hist. of Herts, (1728), 226. 4 Salmon, op. cit. 253. 55 Feet of F. Herts. Hil. 23 Geo. I. % Inst, Bks. (P.R.O.). BROADWATER ismantled the old church of Ayot St. Lawrence and muilt a new one.” : Lionel Lyde, who was created a baronet in 1772, died in 1791 and was succeeded by samuel Lyde, his brother, who presented to the rectory in 1799," after which it passed to his nephew Lionel Poole, who assumed the surname of Lyde. From this Sir Lionel it passed through his sister ‘Anna Maria, the wife of Levi ‘Ames, to their son Lionel,® who assumed the surname of Lyde and died unmarried in 1851. He had five brothers, through whom it descended to the youngest George Henry, whose grandson Lionel Neville Frederick also assumed the surname of Lyde. He died in 1883 and Ayot St. Lawrence passed to his brother Lieut.-Col. Gerard Vivian Ames, who died in 1899,# leaving a son and heir Lionel Gerard Ames. A fair was granted to William de Ayot in 1257, to be held on the vigil, day and morrow of St. Lawrence® (9-11 August). It is mentioned in 1617," but has since been discontinued. Free warren was also granted to William de Ayot in 1257 A park is mentioned in 1268 when the same William sued Henry, son of Thomas de la Leye, for trespass in it At the present day it has an area of 200 acres. In 1274-5 the lord of the manor claimed view of frankpledge, amendment of the assize of bread and ale, and gallows,” and in 1277-8 a tumbrel in addition. \n 1278-9 he is said to have claimed a trebuschet, the meaning of which is doubtful.” A water mill is mentioned at Ayot Si. Lawrence in 1354, when it was said to be in a bad state”; it was ruinous in 1375," and probably fell into disuse, as itis not again mentioned. The old church of CHURCHES ST. LAWRENCE,” which stands to the west of the village, is built of flint with stone dressings. It has now fallen into dis- repair, having been somewhat unneces- sarily superseded in 1779 by the present parish church. It consisted originally of a chancel and nave built probably in the 12th century. Early in the 13th Ames. Argent a bend cotised between 1200 rings sable witha quatre~ fail between two roses argent on the bend. AYOT ST. LAWRENCE HUNDRED ox Great avoT width of the nave, and a tower was added at the north-west. P The church is now roofless, with the exception of the tower, which retains the flooring of the upper stage, with moulded wall plates. The walls are being torn to pieces by ivy, and the north wall of the chancel is badly out of the perpendicular. ‘The chancel, of which the south and east walls are now almost completely destroyed, has at the south-west the western jambs of an internal wall recess and of @ window set in it. ‘The chancel opens into the north chapel by a two-centred chamfered arch of the early 14th century with shafted jambs and moulded abaci, which is now leaning badly. ‘The chancel arch, now destroyed, was of the same character and date. ‘The shafted jambs remain. The north chapel has an east window of three lights, and in the north wall are two two-light pointed windows with hollow-moulded jambs ; very little of the tracery remains in the heads. The south wall is mainly occupied by the opening of the arch into the chancel already described. On the west the chapel communicates with the north aisle through a 13th- century arch, reset, which was formerly one of the arches of the north arcade. he arch, which is of two moulded orders, is very badly out of true. The responds consist of circular shafts with foliate capitals. A small much defaced figure is inserted in the wall over the north jamb of the arch, and at the north- east of the chapel are a large moulded image bracket and an ogee-headed piscina now blocked. At the north-west is a rough recess, with what appear to be the remains of a flue. The nave is not separated structurally from the aisle, and the north-western bay is covered by the tower. The windows, two in the south wall and one in the west wall, are all 15th-century insertions, and CHANCEL DESTROYED G12 centZ14"c 4M 13 cent IS 50 i century a north aisle was added, with an arcade of two bays. A century later the nave was partly rebuilt, the chancel was rebuilt from the foundations, and a north chapel was added. At the beginning of the 15th century the north arcade was destroyed, and one of its arches was reset in the west end of the chapel. The aisle was rebuilt a Estle further to the north, increasing the 57 See below. 58 Inst. Bks. (P.R.O.). 59 Clutterbuck, op. cit. ii, 253. © Recov, R. Mich. 2 Will, IV, m. 53. Levi Ames was an alderman of Bristol, 51 Burke, Landed Gentry ; Clutterbuck, op. cit. ii, 252, 204 (: & © Assize R. 323. 61 SCALE OF FEET % Walford, County Families (1907). 69 Cal. Chart. R. 1226-57, : + : % Chan, Ing. p.m. ( 2). Cal. Chart. R. 1226-57, p. 4746 % Abbrev. Plac. (Rec. Com.), 163. ® Rot. Hund, (Rec, Com.), i, 192. ©) Mopern Pian or Ayor St. Lawrence Orp Cuurcn very little of their tracery and none of the mullions remain. The south door retains work of the 12th century in the lower part of the internal jambs, but the rest of it is of the 14th century. There is a blocked door at the west end. The aisle has one 8 Thid. 3240, m. 25. 74s 7 Chan, Ing. pm. 28 Edw. Ser. 2), ccclxiii, no. 45. SOR eae ye 7 Thid, gg Edw. II, no, 28. 7 Dimensions : chancel, 30 ft, 6 in. by 16 ft. 6 in.; north chapel, 30 ft. 6 in. by 14 ft, 6 in. ; nave, 29 ft. by 18 ft. 5 aisle, 1g ft. by 15 ft. ; tower, 12 ft, square, A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE window in the north wall, of the 15th century, with scanty remains of tracery. The tower, which is of three stages and embattled, opens to the aisle on the east and to the nave on the south side by early 1sth-century high two-centred arches of three chamfered orders with shafted jambs. On the north are a small door and a two-light window, both of the 15th century, and on the west a window, now blocked, which was apparently the west window of the aisle before its widening ; and at the south-west are traces of a stair-turret, which has been de- stroyed. The windows of the bell chamber are, in common with the rest of the tower, of early 15th- century date, and are much mutilate]. They are of two trefoiled lights with a quatrefoil over, in a two- centred head. The tower contains one bell. The font, which is very much broken, is of early and burials from 1800 to 1812; (iv) marriages from 1756 to 1810, p The modern church of ST. LAWRENCE in Ayot Park was built in 1778 by Sir Lionel Lyde, bart., and consecrated in 1779. Itwas designed by Nicholas Revert in the classical style, and consists of an apsidal chancel and nave with a gallery at the west end. The church of Ayot St. Law- rence is first mentioned in the Taxation made by Pope Nicholas IV in 1291." The advowson is found pertaining to the manor in 1383. when it was conveyed to Thomas Barre,” and, from lack of contrary evidence, it may be presumed that it had always passed with the lordship of the manor. After this date the advowson followed the descent of the manor, except in 1429, when the presentation was made by the ADVOWSON yy Ayor Sr. Lawrence Orp Cuurch from THE SourH-gasT tsth-century date, and has an octagonal panelled bowl. In the north-west corner of the tower is an altar tomb with panelled sides and the mutilated and defaced remains of the efigies of a knight and lady. The work is of early 1sth-century date. In the recess of the blocked window in the tower is a defaced mural monument of 1626 to Nicholas Bristowe, with small kneeling effigies of alabaster. The plate, now used in the new church, includes a cup of 1659 and a paten of 1696, The registers are contained in four books: (j) all entries from 1566 to 1720 ; (ii) baptisms from 1720 to 1799, burials from 1718 to 1799, with a hiatus from 1727 to 1731, and marriages from 1716 to 1754, with a hiatus from 1728 to 1738; (iii) baptisms 3 Pope Nick, Tax. (Rec. Com.), 37. ™ Feet of F. Herts. 6 Ric. IT, no. Cal, Pat, 1422-9, p. 533. F 7 Anct. D. (P.R.O.), B. 257, 258, rs 77 Ibid. B. 254, 255, 275. 62 king.” In 15053, when the manor was divided between three heirs, the advowson was held in turn,* but the whole came to Sir William Say in 1508.” In 1697 presentation was made by George Halsey, who appears with Elizabeth Bristowe, lady of the manor, in a recovery of 1714. Since then it has followed the descent of the manor to the present day, Mr. L. G. Ames being the present patron. A terrier of 1638 states that the parsonage was surrounded by a close of two acres, with ‘one litle Pikle and a spot of ground cald the Orchyarde.” The glebe lands then consisted of 14} acres besides the churchyard, half an acre lying in Sandridge, and included closes called Hyemares and Kingsland.” In 1693 the parsonage-house was said to be ‘new 78 Recov. R. Trin. 13 Anne. 79 Herts. Gen, and Antig. ily 70» Ayor Sr. Lawrence Orp Cuurcu: Remains or North Cuaret anp AIsLe Ayor Sr. Lawrence Oro Cuurch: 15ra-cenrury Toms BROADWATER HUNDRED ailt,” and gardens and orchards lately planted. ‘he half-acre or 3 roods in Sandridge was then rown as Penly Park.®? ‘The school, referred to in deeds of 11 May 1837 and 26 March 1872, HARITIES was erected by Lionel Lyde, and en- AYOT ST. PETER dowed by the Rev. John Olive, who died in 1851, with £1,000 consols, which is now held by the official trustees. The annual dividend, amounting to £25, is applicable in the instruction of children of the Sunday and day school in the doctrines of the Church of England. AYOT ST. PETER Little Ayot or Ayot Montfichet, Aiete (xi cent.) ; ‘ate, Hayate (xiii cent.) ; Ayete (xv cent.) ; Eyott evi cent.). The parish of Ayot St. Peter has an area of ,093 acres, of which 666 acres are under cultivation, ‘40 are grass and 2} wood.! The elevation of the rarish above the ordnance datum is from 300 ft. to 00 ft., rising to just over 400 ft. about the centre, vhere the church and rectory are situated. The owest point is on the north, where the little River Miimram forms the boundary for some distance. The subsoil is chalk and gravel and the surface soil chalk; there are several chalk-pits in the parish. The manor-house, church of St. Peter and the rectory are situated on a branch road, half a mile north-west of the village, which is on the main road at Ayot Green. Ayot Place, now a farm-house, was probably built by Sir George Perient, lord of the manor, as it bears his arms and the date 1615. It is a 17th- century house of timber and plaster (now partly vased with brick) with a tiled roof and is of the ~ plan, though much repaired in the 19th century. Che wing facing north contains the entrance with taircase and living rooms, the wing facing east com- rrises the hall with a gallery now used as the kitchen. Dna frieze in the hall are five shields bearing the ms of Perient, Brockett and Boteler quartering Silpee and the date 1615 in the middle. ‘There are wo chimney stacks with twisted shafts and moulded apitals. Ayot Bury, the seat of Sir Alfred James ‘eynolds, J.P., is an old house, much altered and alarged, standing in a small park. There is a railway station at Ayot, opened in 1877, a the Luton and Hatfield branch of the Great lorthern railway. The main road between Hitchin ad London passes through Ayot Green, and forms te boundary at the south-east corner of the parish. arge farms in this parish are Linces Farm, Ryefield arm and Ayot Place Farm. Placenames occurring in the 16th century are yncesfeld or Fincheleyfeld, Smythescroft, Dryvers id Okkelmede.'# ‘There was a great flood in the parish in February 795, owing to the overflow of the Lea and Mimram.? King Edward the Confessor granted the manor of 4YOT' ST. PETER or AYOT MONTFITCHET to two of his ANORS » Herts, Gen, and Antig. ii, 71. ' Statistics from Bd. of Agric. (1905). Roger de Lancaster, Alice wife of Walter de Huntercombe and Maud wife of Hugh thegns, but after the Conquest it formed part of the lands of Robert Gernon, and was held as 24 hides by William his man, who is said to have taken it ‘by encroach- ment to the king’s wrong, but he called on his lord as warrantor.’’ The estates of Robert Gernon were granted in the reign of Henry I to William de Montfitcher,! in whose family Ayot St. Peter descended in the same manner as Letch- worth (q.v.), and came to Richard Montfitchet, who died without issue about 1258. His heirs were his three sisters —Margery, who married Hugh de Bolebek, Avelina the wife of William de Forti- bus, last Earl of Albemarle, A ili i ONTFITCHET. See Te mamas ap les tre cheverns or Ayot St. Peter fell to the share of Margery and Hugh de Bolebek, and upon the partition between their four daughters® to the second, Margery, the wife of Nicholas Corbet, who held the manor in 1277-8.’ Nicholas died in 1280,8 and the king took Ayot St. Peter into his hands with the other Corbet lands, but Margery received Ayot back in the following year upon the plea that the Montfitchet lands were her own in- heritance.9 Margery married secondly Ralph Fitz William, and they in 1286 conveyed the manor to Robert Burnell, Bishop of Bath and Wells," a quitclaim having previously being made to him by John de Zelaund,” whom they had enfeoffed of the manor.!3 The bishop probably conveyed the manor to Robert de Lacy, for Amice de Lacy his widow was assessed for it in 1303.14 In 1307 an action was brought by John de Lancaster, the son of Margery Fitz William’s eldest sister Philippa, who claimed that Ralph and Margery had exceeded their rights in granting more than half the manor to John de Zclaund,! but there is no evidence that he made good his claim to the other half. Upon the death of Amice or Avice de Lacy 1 the manor was divided between her daughters Joan and Amice. The name of Ayot Montfitchet was kept by the moiety which fell to Amice the second daughter, who married John Poleyn. He is referred to as lord Feud. Aids, ii, 430; Chan. Inq. pm. 35 Edw. I, no. 25. In the inquisi- '2 Add. R. 35325-35330. "Cussans, op. cit. Broadwater Hund. > SV.CH. Herts. i, 3230. ‘VCH, Essex, i, 347. ‘Wrottesley, Ped. from the Plea R. 2. ‘Close, 52 Hen. Til, m. 8. ‘al, Ing. pam. Edw. [ 508; Assize 323. The other three daughters of gh de Bolebek were Philippa wife of de la Valle. 8 Cal. Ing. pom. Edw. I, 508. 9 Ibid. 5 Cal. Close, 1279-88, p. 88. 10 Abbrev. Plac. (Rec. Com), 303+ 1 Feet of F. Div. Co. 14 Edw. I, no. 31. W'Ibid. 13 Edw. I, no. 14. 1 Ibid. 10 Edw. I, no. 475 Laned. Chart. 93. 63 from the Plea R. 328. tion she is called Advitia (Avice) widow of Robert de Lacy. 18 Abbrev, Plac. (Rec. Com.), 303. 6 She is also called Matilda in the pedigree given in De Banco R. Hen. VI, m. 124; see Wrottesley, Ped. She married secondly William Baudewyn according to this pedigree. A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE of the manor in 1323.17 Amice died seised in 1349, when her moiety passed to her son John,'* who is said to have died without issuc.!® In 1359 it was held by Katharine Poleyn,2? who was perhaps his widow. It is said to have descended to Rose wife of John Fish as daughter of John son of Michael son of Agnes daughter of Amice Poleyn.?! Rose Fish granted it for life to Christine Poleyn, who was probably her mother.”? After the death of Christine William Sakevyle, who had teen enfeoffed of the manor, granted it in 1414 to Rose and John Fish her husband,” from whom it passed to another John Fish, who died in 1494, his wife Katherine Wotton being attainted and imprisoned at Norwich Castle for the wilful murder of her husband.2* Ayot Mont- fitchet was inherited by his brother, presumably the William Fish who died seised of it in 1531. He was succeeded by his son Thomas,*> who held the manor until his death in 1553.°° Thomas's son George Fish held Ayot jointly with his mother Elizabeth,” who marrie secondly William Perient, whence it came to her son George Perient,?> who was holding it in 1614.2 George Perient’s daughter Mary married Nicholas Trott, who in 1623 conveved the half- manor to William Hale* of King’s Walden,?! and in 1624 they both granted it to Michael Grigge,? who in 1632 con- veyed it to Rowland Hale, son of William.°? From him it passed to his son William Hale, whose widow Elizabeth was the holder in 1700.5 It remained in the Hale family until 1832,°5 when it is said to have been sold to Viscount Melbourne, the holder of the Westington moiety (q..). The so-called manor of WESTINGTON consisted of the moiety of the original manor of Ayot St. Peter which fell to Joan the elder daugh:er of Amice de Lacy, and took the name of Westington a little later from the family which held it. Joan de Lacy may be identical with Joan the wife of Ralph de Bredon, who in 1332 granted the half-manor to James de Bredon,*® probably in trust. In 1349 it was held by John de Westwycombe,:? who was probably the son of Joan.38 From John it came to his daughter Margaret, the wife of William Westington,*® who gave his name Haze. Aurea cheveron or battled on both sides. 7 Ing, a.g.d. 16 Edw. II, no. 100. Add. Chart. 35379, to this moiety, which extended into the neighbouring parish of Welwyn. Margaret was apparently unjustly disseised by John and Rose Fish, the holders of Ayot St. Peter or Montfitchet, for in 1426 there was a suit between them for its recovery, in which the former was evidently successful in establishing her title.“° Margaret Westington married secondly Thomas Galyon, and upon her death the manor came to her daughter Margery, who married Thomas Foxlee. Their daughter Elizabeth conveyed it by marriage to Thomas Uvedale, who was scised of it with his son and heir Henry, who predeceased his father in 1469. Thomas died in 1474 and was succeeded by his second son William Uvedale.*! By 1487 Westington had come into the possession of Thomas Rogers, probably by purchase, and upon his death in the following year it came to his daughter Elizabeth, the wife of William Essex,‘? who in 1508 conveyed it to Sir William Say.4° The estates of Sir William Say descended through his daughter Elizabeth to Gertrude Marchioness of Exeter,“4 who was attainted in 1539, when her lands were forfeited to the Crown.*® In 1546 they were granted to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton,® who sold Westington with other manorsto Sir John Brockett of Brockett Hall in 1555.47 He was succeeded by his son and his grandson John, the latter’s heirs being five daughters.*# Helen wife of Sir Richard Spencer is found in possession of a quarter of the manor in 1599,‘ but eventually the whole came to the fifth daughter Mary. She conveyed it in marriage to Sir Thomas Reade, who was holding it in 1615.5 They had ason Thomas,*! probably the father of Sir John Reade, who presented to the church in 1686.% Sir James Reade, his son, was holding it in 1700,°% and in 1728 it was in the possession of Sir James’s La youngest daughter Love, who Melbourne. married Sir Thomas Wym- ington.! The latter died in 1746, and Westington was sold after his death to Sir Matthew Lamb,** who in 1768 was succeeded by his son Peniston Lamb, first Viscount Melbourne. His son William Lord Melbourne *® was the first Prime Minister of Queen Victoria, and succeeded to mp, Viscount Sablea fesse erminsis between three cing foils argent with two molets sable on the fesse. it, a8 it was regranted before Gertrude’s 18 Chan, Ing. p.m. 23 Edw. III (2nd not.) m0. 14: 19 Wrottesley, Ped. from che Plea R. 328. ” Chan. Ing. pom. 33 Edw. III (1st nos.), 0. 39. 3'De Banco R. 4 Hen. VI, m. 124. * Ibid, % Ibid, * Cal. Ing. pum. Hen. VIL, i, 459. * Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), naa 15. ® MI. in church of Ayot St. Peter. ® Feet of F. Herts. Mich. 6 & 7 Eliz, * Visit. of Hert. (Harl. Soc. xxii), 157 3 Feet of F. Herts. Hil. 3 Jas. L 49 Pat. 12 Jas. I, pt. 22. % Feet of F. Herts. Hil. 21 Jas. I. 31 Visit. of Herts, (Harl. Soc. xxii), 157. “Ibid. Trin. 22 Jas. 15 Add. Chart. 35377, 35378. ® Visit, of Herts, (Harl. Soc. xxii), 62 ; 35380; Feet of F. Herts. Trin. 8 Chas. I. 34 Chauncy, Hist. of Herts. (1700), ii, 35 3 Salmon, op. cit. 2075 Cussane, op. cit. Broadwater Hund. 245. % Feet of F. Herts. 6 Edw. ILI, no, 99. * Chan. Ing. p.m. 23 Edw. IIT (2nd nos.), no. 142. 38 See Wrottesley, Ped. from the Plea R328. ® Ibid. *° De Banco R. 4 Hen. VI, m. 124. © Chan, Ing. p.m. 14 Edw. IV, no. 26. * Ibid. (Ser. 2), iv, 29. © Feet of F. Herts. East. 23 Hen. VII. Lady Anne Bourchier, a8 appears by her inquisition, but she can never have held 64 death (ibid, clvii, 82). 46 Pat. 38 Hen. VIII, pt. viliy m. 39. 4 Pat. 1 & 2 Phil. and Mary, pt. ij Feet of F. Herts. East. + & 2 Phil. and Mary ; Add. Chart. 35327-35330. 48 Visit. of Herts, (Harl. Soc. xxii), 32. * Feet of F. Div. Co. Trin. 41 Eliz © Pat. 13 Jas. I, pt. xviii. of Hiris, (Harl. Soc. xxii), 162+ 5 Inst. Bks. (P.R.O.). 8 Chauncy, op. cit. (1700), iis 35 5 Exch, Dep. Trin. 6 Anne, no. 7. 4 Salmon, op. cit. (1728,, 207 5 Adé. Chart. 35375. 5 Clutterbuck, op. cit. ii, 361. A certain Henrietta, wife of Samuel Masham, apparently had some interest in the manor which she quitclaimed in 1746 to Heory Hoare (Feet of F. . Mich. 20 Geo. II). G.E.C, Complete Peerage. BROADWATER HUNDRED his father’s estates in 1828, He acquired from William Hale in 1832 the other moiety of the manor,” known as Ayot St. Peter or Ayot Montfitchet, and thus the whole of the original manor was once again united in the same hands, Upon his death in 1848 his estates passed to his brother Frederick James,* and from him through his sister Amelia, who married Peter Leopold fifth Earl Cowper, to their son George Augustus in 1853. In 1856 Ayot St. Peter came to Francis Thomas de Grey Cowper, the last earl, who died in 1905. The manor then passed to the younger of his two sisters, Lady Amabel Kerr, who died in 1906, when it came to her husband, Admiral Lord Walter Kerr.” In 1277-8 Nicholas Corbett owed suit at the county court and aid to the sheriff of 5s. a year." In 1349 this suit was said to be owed every month with the same aid, and suit at the hundred court every three weeks.® George Perient obtained a grant of court leet and view of frankpledge twice a year in Ayot Montfitchet in 1614.8 Nicholas Throckmorton apparently re- ceived the same rights in Westington when he obtained that manor in 1546." Free warren was granted to Sir Thomas Reade in Westington in 1615.8 Ayot Montfitchet was fined in 1653 for having lacked stocks for a twelyemonth past.‘ The church of ST. PETER has been rebuilt more than once. At the latter part of the 17th century considerable alterations were made in the church then existing, and in the middle of the 18th century the church was re- built. The church then erected was an octagonal brick building with a detached belfry forming the entrance to the churchyard. This church was rebuilt in a little more appropriate style in 1862. On To July 1874 this building was struck by lightning and burnt to the ground. As the church was some distance from the village the new building was erected on its present site. The new church was built from contributions principally from Earl Cowper and Mr. George Robinson of Ayot Bury, from designs Cowrrr, Earl Cow- per. Argent three mart lets gules and a chief engrailed gules with three rings or therein, CHURCH BALDOCK . P, Seddon. It is a red brick building with Pan stone dressings and a tiled roof, and consists ee an apsidal chancel with organ chamber on the sout! i e, north porch and tower. ee ae ix ball by Warner of London, 1875, the gift of Dr. Jephson of Leamington. ‘The plate includes a silver chalice and paten of the time of Charles I. eal The registers are in three books: (i) baptisms and burials 1668 to 1773, marriages 1668 to 1753 3 (ii) baptisms and burials 1773 to 1812 5 (iii) arriages 1 to 1812, Beate The advowson of Ayot St. Peter ADVOWSON Church seems to have belonged to the lords of the manor from the earliest times, for it is mentioned as belonging to the lord as early as 1282.7 When the manor was divided between the daughters of Amice de Lacy the advowson went to the elder branch,® but by 1488 it was apparently held alternately, for Thomas Rogers ® and later Sir William Say were only possessed of half. A short time previous to 1728 the advowson was sold to Ralph Freeman and his heirs,” in whose family it descended until Katherine, the daughter of William Freeman, conveyed it in marriage to the Hon. Charles Yorke, whose son Philip became Earl of Hardwicke in 1790” and presented to the rectory in 1804." From him it passed to his eldest daughter Anne, the wife of John Earl of Mexborough.” Lord Mexborough held the advowson until 1843, after which his widow presented until 1852, when it was sold to the Rev. Edwin Prodgers. On the death of the latter in 1861 the advowson came to his son Edwin Prodgers, who nominated himself to the rectory, but later relinquished Holy Orders.” ‘The presenta- tion remained in his hands until 1906, when it was acquired by Miss Wilshere, who is the present patron, John Henry Peacock, by will, CHARITIES proved in the P.C.C. in December 1849, bequeathed so much stock as would produce £10 a year for education and Lloa year for the poor in clothing, blankets and fuel on Christmas Day. The legacies are represented by £333 65. 8d. consols and £333 65. 8d. consols, now producing £8 6s. 8¢, for each purpose. The sums of stock are held by the official trustees 3 the charity for education is regulated by a scheme of the Board of Education, 4 May 1905. BALDOCK Baudac (xii cent) ; Baldac (xiii cent.) ; Baldoke xvicent,). The parish of Baldock has’ an area ct 63 acres, of which 1 acres ate arable land, 64 acres permanent grass, and 4 acres wood! Und 2¢ provisions of the Divided Parishes Act, 1876 ortions of neighbouring parishes have been aided 57 See above. 8 G.E.C. Complete Peerage, 5 Burke, Peerage (1907). ® Information from the Rev. Canon H 60 * Assize R. 323. % Ibid. 13 Jas. I, Add. R. 35380 ® Feet of F. Div. 7 Hen. V, a 3 ; has Pm. 23 Edw III (2nd 4 Edw. IV. nooe?? +) NO. 142. 69 : : Pat 12 Jes 1, pt nly no 18, x0 ee pe "a 38 Hen. VII, pt vii m. 39. 71 Satmon, op. cit. (1728), 207, 3 65 pts xviii, Co, 10 Edw. I, no. 47, © Feet of F. Herts, 6 Edw, Ill, no. 9, Herts, East. 23 Hen. VIL, Baldock for civil purposes at various times.? small portions of the Parish on the west and the ecclesiastical parish of Willian the civil district of Baldock) were First’ Garden City Pioneer Co., Baldock is about 200 ft. a part of (now included in acquired by the Ltd., in 1903. above the ordnance datum. ® GEC. Complete Peerage 8 Inst. Bhs, (2.00). RGEC, Complete Peerage ® Cussans, op. cit, we sand AERO 8 St (0897), Bradeo | Statistics from Bd. of Agric. (1905). » Portions of Bygrave, Clothall, Norton, Weston and Willian were added by Lon Govt. Bd. Order 13027, Chan. Ing. pm. iv, 29. 9 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE The subsoil of the parish is chalk. Baldock station, on the Cambridge branch of the Great Northern railway, is in the extreme north of the parish. , Part of the hamlet of Clothall End is included in the north-east of the parish, Elmwood Manor isa large house surrounded by a park, situated to the south of that end of the town known as Pembroke End, and is the residence of the Jord of the manor of Baldock. ‘At the time of the Domesday Survey BOROUGH BALDOCK was a part of Weston (q.v.) and consequently then belonged to William de Ow. A little before the middle of the 12th century Gilbert de Clare Earl of Pembroke, who died in 1148, granted 10 librates of land from road from Stevenage This would indicate that the ordinary route here from south to north was along the Stevenage road through the High Street, Baldock, at the northern end of which it turned almost at a right angle down what is now White Horse Strcet and so into the Roman road. The borough was established at the angle formed by the High Street and White Horse Street, the church of St. Mary being built on the west side of the angle and the market- place apparently extending originally up both streets. Here also the fairs were held. Besides the two principal streets High Street and White Horse Street, Church Street, Norton Street, and Hitchin Street® probably mark mediaeval lines. There are a few interesting houses in these streets, Batvock his manor of Weston to the Knights Templars with ample liberties.‘ ‘These 10 librates became the parish of Baldock, and here the Templars, probably about 1199 when they received a grant of market and fair (see below),® ¢ built a certain borough which is called Baldock.’ This was a period for the founding and developing of towns with primitive borough rights, and Baldock, being on one of the principal lines of traffic to the north, formed a very eligible site for a market town. It may be noticed that Baldock is not actually on the Roman road which followed the line of Pesthouse Lane to the east, but lies on the main 3 E.C.H, Herts i, * Dugdale, Mon. vii, 820. 5 Chart. R. r John, pt. ii, m. 3, n0. 3- © There ie reterence to the following inns and other houses in Baldock : The “Crown ' (1561) (Feet of F. Herts. Mich. 3 & 4 Eliz.); ‘George’ (Chan. Proc. (Ser. 2.], bdie. 282, no. 28) ; the Swan" (1557) (Feet of F. Herts, Trin. 3 & 4 Phil, and Mary); the ‘Tabard’ (1537) Vitiace In High Strect are Wynne’s almshouses built in 1621, consisting of a row of six red brick houses with tiled roofs, Each house is of two stories with a mullioned window below and a dormer window above and a porch. There are modern shafts to the three ancient chimney stacks. Above the mullioned windows is the date anno pomint 1621, and in the middle there is the following inscription on a stone: ‘Theis almes howeses are the gieft of Mr. John Wynne cittezen and mercer of London Jatelye deceased who hath left a yearely stipend to everey poore of either howses to the worldes end September Anno Domini 1620.’ On the (L. and P. Hen, VIII, xii [2], 12475 Floryes in Brede Street (Early Chan. Proc. bdle. 41, no. 44); le Cokestret 1533 (Add. MS. 36349). 66 BROADWATER HUNDRED south side are the arms of the Merchant Adventurers, and on the north a shield of the Mercers’ Company. Southward a little lower down is a modern house with a wing on the south side having an overhanging upper story, In this wing is a gateway with a pair of 15th-century panelled oak gates which are supposed to have belonged to the hospital of St. Mary Magdalene of Clothall, and were placed in their present position in the rgthcentury. “T'wo houses on thesouth sideof White Horse Street, formerly occupied by the postmaster, are ancient. That on the west has a modern front of brick, but the back is a red brick building of two stories with an attic probably of the middle ofthe 16thcentury. The house is rectangular in plan with a central chimney stack. A window of three lights with chamfered brick jambs, mullions and lintel has recently been discovered on the ground floor on the west side of the house. There is an original BALDOCK Although described as a borough in the charter of William Marshal Earl of Pembroke (1189-1219), Baldock was never anything but a prosperous market town. No evidence of burgage tenure has been found, nor did Baldock ever send members to Par- liament. The inhabitants had apparently no separate jurisdiction, but in 1307 there were two bailiffs who were officers of the lord’s court.’ The Gild of Jesus. was founded in 1459,° and, as appears from wills, all the principal men and women of the town were enrolled among its members. It was of con- siderable wealth, and after its dissolution its possessions were sold in 1550 for £860," a very large sum for that time. This fraternity probably took over some of the town organizations, as similar gilds did else- where. Like many other towns, Baldock is described in 1550 asa market town much decayed, wherein there OW qt Ov House, Cemerzry Roap, Batvock stone fireplace in the attic. The house to the east has been much repaired, but was originally built at the beginning of the 17th century. The back part is of half-timber. ‘There are original fireplaces anda chimney stack. The houses in Church Street and Norton Street are mostly of the 17th century, many of them, including the Bull Inn, with overhanging stories. A house at the corner of Church Street, now divided into cottages, is a timber-framed house of the early part of the 17th century. Carved brackets support the projecting upper story, and in the south front is a large gateway which has apparently been heightened in the 18th century to permit the coaches es underneath. It has two original chimney stacks, ? Dugdale, Mon, vi, 820, ® Cal, Pat. 1307-13, p. 535. > L, and P. Hen, VILL, xvi, g. §78 (28). See Wills, Archdeaconry of St. Albans, Stoneham 1154.3; Wallingford 34. 4 5 Bennett, &c. to John Cock. P.C.C. 30 Blamyr 5 35 Holder 5 7 Porch 5 0 Pat. 4 Edw. VI, pt. ili, m. 7. were only about 400 ‘housling people’ or com- municants."" The town evidently regained its pros- perity shortly afterwards, judging from the increased number and importance of its fairs. In 1199 King John granted to the Templars the right of holding a yearly fair at Baldock on St. Matthew’s Day and for four days following " (21-25 September), and this grant was confirmed in 1227 by Henry III.* In’ 1492 two fairs were granted to the Hospitallers at Baldock, one on the vigil and feast of St. Matthew (20-21 September), and the other on the vigil, feast and morrow of St. James the Apostle” (24-26 July). In 1566 there was another alteration, three fairs being granted to Thomas Revett on the feasts of St. James, Chart, Ro x John, pt. ii, m. 35 no. 3. Grant 18 Cal. Chart. R. 1226-57, p. 5+ M4 Pat. 7 Hen. VII, m. 19, " Chant. Cert. 20, no. 70 5 27, no. 14. 67 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE St. Andrew and St. Matthew * (25 July, 30 Novem- ber and 21 September). Evidently, however, the fair was extended beyond the actual feast of St. Matthew, rightfully or not, for in 1661 Samuel Pepys visited Baldock on 23 September and records that there was a fair held on that day, and adds ‘we put in and eat a mouthfull of pork which they made us pay 144. for, which vexed us much.’"* Two years later he visited the town on September 21, and noted that the fair was ‘a great one for cheese and other such commodities.’ '7 The fairs seem to have been altered again, as in 1792 there were five fairs every year,” horse fairs being held on 7 March, the last Thursday in May, 5 August, 11 December, and a horse and pleasure fair on 2 October. These are still con- tinued."® In the 14th century the fairs seem to have been the scene of considerable disturbance. In 1312 it is recorded that when Geoffrey de la Lee, the king’s custodian, approached the town of Baldock to collect the tolls and other profits of the fair, various persons “at night assaulted him and his men and servants and took and carried away his goods.’ Again in 1343 complaint was mide that in Herts. ‘there are con- federacies of disturbers of the peace, assaulting, muti- lating and imprisoning men in fairs and markets and other places, and that these lately coming to Baldock prevented the men and servants of Walter de Mauny from collecting the tolls and other profits of his fair, assaulted them so that their life was despaired of, and wickedly killed William de Myners, the king’s serjeant- at-arms, whom the king had sent to keep his peace at the fair and arrest any evil-doer found there.’ A fair was also granted to the ‘Leprous Brothers’ of St. Mary Magdalene at Baldock in 1226 until the king should come of age. It was held on the vigil and feast of St. Bartholomew” (23-24 August). As Henry III declared himself of age in 1227, when he reached his twentieth year, the fair presumably lapsed in that year. There is no evidence of its renewal. A market at Baldock was granted to the Knights ‘Templars in 1199,” and con- firmed in 1227 with certain liberties, namely, ‘that they shall have three deer and the feet of the deer every year; and they can take them where they wish either in Essex or in Windsor Forest by the view of the Foresters. And all their horses are to be quit from tolls or passage money. And they are not to be dis- Tare Knicats Temetars. Argent a turbed under penalty of erou gules and o thigt ble £102" In 1492 the market, sable to be held on Friday, was con- firmed to the Knights Hospitallers.* By the grant to Thomas Revett in 1566 the day was altered to Saturday.* In 1792 the market was held on 1s Pat, 8 Eliz, pt. iv. * Chart. R. 11 Hen III, pt. i, m. 29, ® * Diary (ed. Wheatley), ii, 107. no. 226, ¥ Isid. iii, 285, ® Pat. 7 Hen. VII, m. 19. 18 Rep. of Ray. Com. on Markets and ® Ibid. 8 Eliz. pt. iv. Talis, i, 170.” Thid, xiii (2), 232. 7 Rep. on Markets and Tolli, i, 170. % Cal, Pat. 1307-13, p. 541. * Ibid. xiii (2), 233. % Plac. * Close, 10 Hen. II, m. 19. 231 % Ch: thet by . TID it was held on Wednesday. 89 Ibid, 814. fe Quo Warr. (Rec. Com.), 9. m. 33; # Dugdale, Mon, vi, 820. Cal. Pat. 1327-135 p. $35. ® Dugdale, Mn, vii, 820. Thursday,” but before 1888 was changed to Friday.™ It is not now held. The Master of the Templars in 1287 claimed in Baldock view of frankpledge and freedom from shire and hundred courts for all pleas. He also claimed to have his own gaol ‘from time immemorial,’ with gallows, tumbrel, pillory, infangentheof and amend. ment of the assize of bread and ale.” Earl Gilbert, when he gave them land on which to build Baldock, granted them the right of judgement by fire and water and by battle.” It is recorded in 1312 that when Gcoffrey de la Lee, custodian of the Templars’ lands, * approached the town to hold a view of Frankpledge there, as was customary, and had attached by Robert Legat and John atte Water, known bailiffs, measures and weights found in the town to examine them at the view, various persons resisted the attachment and forcibly carried off the weights and measures from the bailiffs,’ *" Baldock is now governed by an urban district council. The chief industries of the town are malting and brewing. Gilbert de Clare’s grant was confirmed to the Knights Templars at the beginning of the 13th century by William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke, the husband of Gilbert’s grand- daughter Isabel. The Templars continued to hold Baldock until the dissolution of their order in 1309, when their lands fell to the Crown.” They were first committed to the custody of William Inge," and a few years afterwards to Geoffrey de la Lee, who was custodian in 1312¥ Shortly afterwards Baldock was acquired with the other lands of the ‘Templars by the Knights Hospitallers. In 1335 the Hospitallers granted the ‘Court’ of Bal- dock to John de Blomvill for ten years, and he in 1343 granted it for two years to Walter de Mauny.® The Hospitallers continued to hold Baldock until 1540, when it again came into the king’s hands by the dissolution of their order, and it was granted in 1542 to John Bowles upon his surrender of a lease of twenty-one years from the Hospitallers, dating from 1522. He scems, how- ever, to have immediately conveyed it back to the Crown, for he died in 1543 seised of only a small portion of it.” The manor was granted in 1544 to John Allen and others as security for money lent to the king to be repaid in one year. Later in the same year it was granted to Sir John Aleyn, Sir John Champneys, and Ralph Aleyn, aldermen of London. In 1556 Sir John Champneys conveyed Baldock to MANOR T Kwicats Hosrrraciuns. Gules a cross argent, 4 Cal. Pat. 1307-135 pe 13% 35 Ibid. p. 535+ % Chan, Misc. bdle. 62, file 1, 00.75 Cal, Pat. 1343-5, p- 179» 7 Pat. 7 Hen. VII, m. 193 Mins Accts. 31 & 32 Hen, VIII, no, 114. 38 L. and P. Hen, VILL, xvii, 703. Chan, Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), lxvil, 14. LL. and P. Hen. Vill, xix (ty 81. “0 Ibid. (2), g. 166 (44)- 68 Batpock: View in Hircuin Sreeer Barvock : Oro House in Wurte Horse Srreer BROADWATER HUNDRED "Thomas Bowles,!2 grandson and heir of the above- mentioned John Bowles, who sold the manor in 1558 to Thomas Revett.#? Soon after this Justinian Champ- neys claimed the manor on the grounds that Thomas Bowles had assured it to him in payment of a debt,“ but he does not seem to have been successful, for Sir Thomas Revett kept Baldock and it descended about 1583 to his daughter Anne, who married Henry Lord Windsor of Stanwell.4® Anne sold the manor in 1606 to James Jeve and John Hurst,*® and in 1614 James conveyed his moiety to John Hurst,’? who died seised of the whole manor in 1635 and was succeeded by his son John.® John Hurst son of the latter died in 1684, his heir being his brother William, who died in 1699.4? William’s son John sold Baldock to Pierce Cleaver, who was lord of the manor in 1700.59 Pierce gave it to Charles, son of Sir Charles Cleaver, his brother, who held it in 1728, but died young.” Pierce Cleaver is then said to have devised it by will to Edward Chester, Cussr: chief sable with a griffon pastant argent therein. MreTKerne. Gules ewo crossed swords or their points down wards, er. Ermine a son of Robert Chester,5? and Edward sold the manor in 1755 to Adolphus Meetkerke, whose son Adolphus was possessed of it in 1821.5 His son Mr. Adolphus Meetkerke of Julians sold Baldock Manor in 1870 to Mr. Thomas Pryor, who died in 1899. It was purchased after his death by Mr. Asplan Beldam, who is the present lord of the manor.® The parish church * of $7, MARY CHURCH THE VIRGIN, which stands in the centre of the town, is built of flint rubble with stone dressings. The tower is coated with Roman cement. Pieces of moulding and columns of an earlier building are used in the walls. The roofs of the north chapel and north aisle are of slate, and those of the rest of the church of lead. ‘The church consists of a chancel, north and south chapels, nave, north and south aisles, west tower, and north and south porches. The whole of the church and the tower have embattled parapets, and the tower is surmounted by a leaden spire on an octagonal drum. The east end of the chancel is of the 13th century, “2 Pat. 3 & 4 Phil. and Mary, pt. iv, m. 39. #8 Chan. Ing. p.m, “0 Tbid. 4 & 5 Phil. and Mary, pt. xi, 18 ; Feet of F. Div. Co. East. 4 & § Phil. and Mary. 4 Chan, Proc, (Ser. 2), bile. 152, no. 8. * Chan, Ing. p.m, (Ser. 2), ceil, 154 5 132. “9 Chauncy, op. cit. 51 Salmon, op. ci 8 Harl. Soc. Publ. This Robert was 4 Ibid. Trin, 12 Jas, 1. 1 BALDOCK but the remainder of the chancel, the north chapel, the nave, north and south aisles, west tower, and probably the lower part of the south porch were built about 1330. ‘The south chapel was begun in the last part of the same century and completed in the early 15th century; the clearstory was made in the 15th century, and the parvise was added at the same time, when the church was re-roofed. The north porch was built in the rgth century, when the whole building was repaired, and the north aisle and north chapel were re-roofed. ‘The belfry stage of the tower has been recently restored. ‘The eastern and earlier portion of the chancel has an east window of five lights, with tracery above in a high two-centred head wholly modern ; under this window on the outside is a 14th-century niche with a trefoiled head, having a rebated edge, and the re- mains of iron hinges. The south window is of three lights with restored tracery. Between it and the south-east corner is a double piscina of the 13th century. The flat head is probably modern. ‘There are traces visible externally on the east and north walls of windows probably dating from the early part of the 13th century. A break in the thickness of the north wall of the chancel marks the junction of the 14th-century work with that of the preceding century, and to the west of this each side of the chancel consists of two bays of an arcade which con- tinues.in an unbroken line from the chancel to the nave, These two bays have two-centred arches of two chamfered orders with moulded labels on both sides, and carved heads as stops at the points of junction. They rest on clustered columns of four shafts, with rolls between, and moulded capitals and bases. The chancel screen, which is in the same line with those of the chapels, is a fine one in carved oak of three bays, and two half bays at the north and south ends. Each complete bay on either side of the central entrance has four lights above solid lower panels with tracery in a lofty two-centred head, the central mullion being much slenderer than those at the sides. The entrance has a low crocketed ogee within the two-centred arch, and the original doors are open, with mullions, The half bays at the sides simply bisect the design of the complete bays. The spandrels are solid and are filled with blind tracery. The cornice is modern. The 15th-century roof of the chancel has moulded wall plates and ties, trusses, with tracery in the spandrels. The wall plates rest on corbels with carved heads. The north chapel has a modern east window of five lights, containing fragments of coloured glass, probably ofearly 15th-century date. Thetwo windows, each of three lights, in the north wall, are of the 15th century, with repaired tracery. The outside labels are of the 14th century, re-used. A finely carved string-course of the 14th century runs across the east wall. A small modern porch on the north- 54 Clutterbuck, op.cit. ii, 2695 R. Herts. Hil. 26 Geo. II, rot 58 Information kindly supplied A. Beldam. 56 Dimensicns : chancel, so ft. 6 in. by 22 ft; north chapel, 36 ft. by 22 ft. ; south chapel, 28 ft. 6 in. by 19 ft. 5 nave, sce Recov. 186, (Ser. 2), cccclxxy, 8 by Mi 382, Ibid. 78. ii, 66. the son of Robert G.E.C. Complete Peerage; Chan. Proc. Chester, first husband of Frances Goffe, 71 ft. 6in. by 22 ft.; north aisle, 72 ft, Bliss Bb 1925. $ who later married Sir Charles Cleaver, by 22 ft.; south aisle, 71 ft. 6in. by Feet of F. Herts, Hil. 3 Jas. I. brother of Pierce (Berry, Herts. Gen. St). «8 it. } west tower, 16 ft. 6 in. by 16 ft, 69 (M13'Cent A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE west replaces the former rood-loft staircase, but the upper doorway, which is blocked, and part of the lower doorway remain, the latter in the aisle, just outside the screen. At the north-cast corner of the chapel is an elaborately carved niche of the 14th century, which must have been moved to its present position in the 15th century, when the wide east window was inserted and the north wall was recessed. On the south side is a 14th-century piscina with an ogee cinquefoiled head and a label with crockets and a foliated finial. No bowl is visible, and a modern slab has been inserted atthe back. The screen of the chapel consists of a central doorway with four narrow bays on either side ; all have solid lower panels with blind tracery and four-centred cingquefoiled recusped lights, with tracery above carried right up to the line NORTH SOUTH ZZA\4"CENTe | AISLE AISLE and resting on plainly moulded corbels. The floor of this chapel seems to have been lowered, and while the lower part of the walls is of the 14th the upper part is ofthe 15th century. ‘The east window, which is of five lights in a wide four-centred head, and the two south windows of three lights are of the 15th century, but the tracery is modern. Under the south-east window is a double piscina of the 14th century with an ogee trefoiled head, which projects from the wall and has foliated crockets. In range with it, and also beneath the window, are two sedilia with similar heads; the division is repaired with cement, and the western seat is lower than the eastern; all are much mutilated. Over the first pillar on the north side is an early 15th-century carved bracket. SCALE OF FEET Puan or Batpock Cuurcu of the cornice. The doors are repaired, and the doorway is cinquefoiled in a four-centred head, with tracery above similar to that in the side bays. It is of the same date as the screen of the chancel and the south chapel. The latter is, however, very much richer, and is designed without a door. It has three bays on either side of the doorway with elaborately cusped ogee lights above traceried panels Pinnacles are introduced into the tracery, which is ina four- centred head. The screen is elaborately canopied with imitation of vaulting, and immediately below the cresting the cornice is adorned with a beautiful running vine-pattern. The doorway opening is sept- foiled and recusped and has a twisted stem moulding running round the outside, from which the crockets spring. The roof of this chapel is of the 15th century, similar to that of the chancel, but plainer The communion table in this chapel is of the 17th century. _The nave, of which the arcades are continuous with those of the western portion of the chancel, has six bays of the 14th century, in excellent preservation. They are slightly different from the two bays of the chancel, the two easternmost being rather lower than the rest. The bases, clustered shafts, capitals and moulded labels with mask stops, however, are exactly similar. In the north wall is another rood- loft door, now blocked. The 15th-century clear- story, which runs continuously above the arcades in both nave and chancel, has seven windows on each side with two-centred heads. The roof, also of the 15th century, is precisely like that of the chancel and rests on corbels carved with heads. The easternmost wall plate is close to the westernmost 70 BROADWATER HUNDRED of the chancel roof, between two windows of the clearstory. The north aisle has three 1sth-century windows of three lights with restored tracery, and a modern north door to the west of them, in the north wall. This door opens to the north porch, which is also modern. The west window of three lights has for the most part modern stonework, but a few old stones remain. The south aisle has three 15th-century windows in the south wall and one in the west wall, all of three lights with repaired tracery. The south doorway of the 14th century is to the west of the three windows, and to the west of it is a small 15th-century doorway, formerly leading to the staircase of the parvise. The oak door of this doorway is of the 15th century with a scutcheon for a ring. The south doorway has a two-centred head. It is chamfered internally, and has a fine quadruple suite of mouldings on the exterior side. The south porch has two-light windows on the east and west. The north-west angle stair turret and the floor of the parvise have been removed, and the porch is now open to the roof. A break in the line of the south wall probably indicates the junction with a former transept. The west tower has a two-centred 14th-century arch of four moulded orders opening to the nave. The west window of three lights is also of the 14th century, with a two-centred rear arch, but the tracery has been much restored in cement, as have the belfry windows also. The font is of the 13th century, and has an octagonal bowl with beaded edges and a circular stem flanked by octagonal shafts with moulded bases. Near the pulpit is a strong mediaeval iron-bound chest. In the north chapel is a Purbeck marble coffin lid of the 13th century, with a cross in relief. On the north wall of the chapel is a brass of a man and his wife, of about 1400; the man is dressed as a forester, and the lower part of his figure, and the dog at his feet, together with the inscription, are missing. On the floor is the brass of a man and his wife, of about 1470. On the north wall are two, one with shrouded figures of a man and his wife, of c. 1520, the other an inscription to Margaret Benet, dated 1587. At the west end of the nave is a brass with a three- quarter figure of a nun of about 1400. The inscrip- tion plate is gone and in its place is an inscription to a rector of Baldock of the date 1807. On the floor is also a slab with an indent for a floreated cross. Near the doorway of the north aisle is a slab with an inscription in Gothic capitals, of the 14th century. In the south aisle are the indents of a man and his two wives, of the 15th century. Outside the church in the wall of the north aisle is a 14th-century recess with an ogee arch, of which the jambs are restored. Set in the recess is a 14th- century coffin lid with a cross in relief. Also outside in the wall of the south aisle are two recesses, probably of the 15th century, of which the stonework has been renewed, ‘There is a peal of eight bells : (1), (2), (3), (4), (6 and (7) by Taylor of Laighbaroagh Ween 5 Cal. Pat, 1307-13, p. 79. *8 Chan. Misc, ble. 62, file 1, no. 7. d. P- 825 1436-41, p. BALDOCK inscription ‘Miles Graye made me, 1650’; and (8) ‘Laudo Deum verum plebem voco, convoco clerum defunctos ploro nuptus colo festa docoro. Wm. Goodwyn Jam. Manison ch{urch] wards 1711. "The plate includes a cup and cover paten of 1629. The registers are in six books: (i) all entries from 1558 to 1709 ; (ii) baptisms and burials from 1710 to 1792 and marriages from 1710 to 17533 (iii) baptisms and burials from 1793 to 1812 ; (iv) (v) and (vi) marriages from 1754 to 1788, 1788 to 1804, and 1804 to 1812, respectively. ‘he advowson of the church of ADVOWSON St. Mary at Baldock belonged to the Knights Templars, who built the church, and it continued in their possession until their suppression in 1309.57 It was then granted, together with the manor of Baldock, to the Knights Hospitallers, who in 1335 granted the advowson for ten years to John de Blomvill.** The latter in 1343 granted it for two years to Walter de Mauny,® after which it presumably reverted to the Hospitallers. In 1359 it was claimed by the Crown as parcel of the church of Weston.°° There seems no reason why the king should have claimed either church at that time, for both belonged to the Hospitallers ; however, his claim seems to have been allowed, for the Crown presented to the church in 1383,°! and apparently continued to do so until after 1822.8? The patronage was transferred before 1829 to the Lord Chancellor. The latter held it until 1865, when it was transferred to the Bishop of Rochester,* who presented until 1877, when it was acquired by the Bishop of St. Albans, Since 1902 the presenta- tion has been in the hands of the bishop and the Marquess of Salisbury alternately. A terrier of 1638 states that the rectory ‘Ioyneth the churchyard against the west end,’ and that it included ‘Five lower roomes, a bakeing or brewhouse, a hall, two little butteries and a parlour. A loft over the bakehouse, a chamber over the parlour, a studdie and a little loft at the staires head.’ The outhouses included a barn and a woodhouse, ‘both are thatched and soe is the one side of the bakehouse and the rest is tyled.” % The Fraternity or Gild of Jesus in the church of Baldock was founded, as already stated, in 1459, and the charter confirmed in 1533.7 At that date it had a master, wardens, brethren and sisters,®° and found a priest who helped the parson of the church in his duties. At the inquiry of 1548 William Tybie was the brotherhood priest, and he assisted the parson of Baldock in serving his cure. In 1550 it was granted, with the lands belonging, to John Cock,” Modern Dissent is represented in Baldock by the Congregational chapel in Whitehorse Street, built in 1826, the Wesleyan chapel also in Whitehorse Street, the Primitive Methodist chapel in Norton Street, and the Friends’ meeting-house in Meeting House Lane, and that of the Plymouth Brethren in Orchard Street. Fox visited Baldock in 1655 and 4935 1467-77, °6 Herts, Gen. and. Antiz. ii, 106. P- 4403 1476-85, pp. 54, 4653 Inst. TL. and P. Hen, VILL, vi, Se Bks. (P.R.O.) ; Bacon, Liber Regis. 6 rhia m VIL, vi, $78 (28). id. no. 8, © Clerical Guide. ® . 8 Cal, Pat, 1381-5 p. 321 Lond, Gaze Indes, 88, mo fants Cet 205n0.70 5 a7,n0, 14. © Ibid. 1401-5, pp. 345,486; 1422-9, © Clergy Linn 71 1 Pat. 4 Edw. VI, pt. iii, m, 7. A HISTORY OF there is mention of Quakers here from 1660. Certificates for meeting-places of Protestant Dissenters were granted at various dates between 1689 and 1819.7 Wynne’s Almshouses.—In 1617 CHARITIES John Wynne, citizen and mercer of London, by his will bequeathed £1,000 for the purchasing and building of six alms- houses for six poor old folk and 4os. a year, to be paid to either of the said poor folk unto the world’s end. The devise was carried into effect by a deed of feoffment, bearing date 11 July 1623, made ‘n pursuance of a decree of the Court of Chancery. Augmentations were subsequently made to the revenues both of land and stock. The trust properties now consist of the alms- houses, occupied by twelve widows, and 5 a. 3 r. 14 p. in Weston let at £5 16s. a year, and cottage and premises in Whitehorse Street, Baldock, producing £9 2s. yearly, and £4,050 75. gd. consols with the official trustees, producing £101 ss. a year, which includes £1,133 75. 1d. stock arising from sales of land, and the legacies and gifts following, namely :— £278 165. 7d. stock, under wills of Grace Mitchell, 1757, and Mary Hill, 1805 ; £600, will of William Baldock, 1792 ; £200, Mary Hindley, deed, 1837 ; £97 195. 2d., Cornelius Pateman Herbert, will, 1834; £100, Mrs. Mary Cecil Cowell, will, 1830 ; £1088%., John Pryor, will proved 1853 ; £606 45. 104., Henricus Octavus Roe, will proved 18543; £100, Lawrence Trustram, will proved 1837; £108 135. 11d., John Izzard Pryor, will proved 1861; £216 45. 4d., John Pendred, will proved 1873; £105 25. 6d, Mrs. Juliana Pryor, will proved 1837; and £395 115., Emma Pryor, will proved 1885. This trust also receives £15 a year from the Fifteen Houses Charity in respect of a loan of £300. The charity estates belonging to the town, called the Fifteen Houses Charity, for the payment of fifteenths and other purposes, originated under deed of feoffment, 30 October 1575, whereby Anthony Fage and James Fage granted to feoffees certain properties upon trust to apply the rents and profits thereof for the support and reparation of the parish church, as also for the bearing and paying of the fifteenths and other taxes of the inhabitants, and also for sustaining the burdens and charges of warriors and soldiers of the inhabitants in or at war for the defence of the kingdom of England. The trust Properties now consist of houses and cottages in Baldock, 10 a. of land in Weston, 2 a. 2 r. or there- abouts in Clothall, and 3 r. 16 p. in the parish of Bygrave, producing together about (60 a year, £477 35. 3d. consols arising from sale of 1a. Br in Bygrave to the Great Northern railway, and £1,476 75. 11d. consols arising from sale of 204. 2 1. in the parish of Willian, producing -48 16s, 8d. a year, The sums of stock are held by the official trustees, who further hold a sum of £1,000 consols, the dividends of which are being accumulated to replace amount expended on the restoration of the parish church, and a sum of £300 borrowed from Wynne’s almshouses charity. The income of this charity is now applied in the repairs and other church expenses. John Parker of Radwell by deed, 6 January "2 Urwick, Nonconf. in Herts, 568-70, HERTFORDSHIRE 1604-5, and by his will dated 8 March in the same year, charged his manor of Radwell with an annuity of £10 for the distribution of bread among poor frequenting the church. In 1797 Miss Jane Brooks by her will, proved in the Archdeaconry Court of Huntingdon 24 January, bequeathed £160 for providing bread in this parish and Hinxworth, and in Biggleswade and Stotfold in the county of Bedford. ‘The legacy was laid out in 7a. 34. 18 p.,situate at Stocking Pelham. The share of the rent in 1907 amounted to £1 25. 3¢., which is being accumulated. Poors Money consists of £2 a year, included in the Fifteen Houses Charity. In 1692 John Crosse by deed granted an annuity of £3, issuing out of a messuage in Baldock called «The George,’ for the rector, in consideration of the donor taking a certain quantity of ground from the churchyard. On the inclosure of the parish of Weston in 1798 an allotment of 1a. 11. 37 p. was awarded to the rector. By the same Act 1 r. 25 p. was awarded for the sexton, who receives £2 115. 6d. from the Fifteen Houses Charity. Charities founded by Henricus Octavus Roe.—In 1841 this donor by deed gave £463 155. consols, the annual dividends, amounting to £11 115. 8¢., to be applied in the distribution of loaves to.the poor every Sunday (after divine service) who attend church regularly. In 1849 the same donor by deed gave {600 consols, the annual dividends, amounting to £15, to be applied in the distribution of bread, fuel, clothing and small sums of money. ‘The same donor gave £200 consols for the National school. The several sums of stock are held by the official trustees, who also hold a sum of £1,051 15 2d, consols, known as Roc’s Almshouse Foundation, pro- ducing £26 55. 4d. yearly, to be distributed half- yearly between two married couples of not ‘less than fifty years of age, poor members of the Established Church, who occupy two almshouses founded by the donor in 1851. The last-mentioned charity was augmented by £98 175. gd. consols (also with the official trustees), producing £2 9s. 4d. yearly, derived under the will of Mrs. Emma Pryor, proved at London 21 September 1885. Henricus Octavus Roe, likewise by his will, proved in 1854, bequeathed £606 4s. 10d. consols as a further endowment of Wynne’s almshouses. See above. In 1834 Cornelius Pateman Herbert by his will, proved in the P.C.C., bequeathed £97 3s. 44. consols, the annual dividends, amounting to £2 85. 4d., to be applied with money usually collected at the sacrament among poor who regularly attend church and lead good lives. In 1838 William Clarkson by will, proved in the P.C.C., left £102 35. 3d. consols, the annual dividends of £2 115. to be applied in the repair of the founder’s tomb, £1 to the rector for a sermon on 18 February yearly and 35. to the singers. In 1839 Robert Pryor by his will, proved in the P.C.C., bequeathed £213 125. 44. consols, producing £5 6s. 8d. yearly, to be applied for the benefit of the poor. 72 Batpock Cuurcu: Tue Nave nookina East Batvock Cuurcu : Sourn Cuapet Screen BROADWATER HUNDRED In 1856 Kitty Cooch by her will, proved in the >.CC., left £47 74. 44. consols, the annual dividends, imounting to £1 3s 8¢., to be distributed on 3t. Thomas’s Day in flannel, warm clothing, or fuel o four poor widows who (if able) habitually attend livine service. In 1870 the Rey. John Smith by his will, proved at London, bequeathed {£100 consols, the annual jividends of £2 10s. to be paid to the rector for a ‘ermon to be preached on 26 March each year, or the Sunday following, on certain texts, and a certain Psalm or hymn to be sung, as prescribed in the will. The several sums of stock are held by the official BENINGTON trustees, who also hold a sum of £193 95. 5d. consols, arising under the will of Thomas Vcascy, the annual dividends, amounting to £4 16s. 8¢., to be applied for the benefit of all almshouses existing in the parish. The National school, comprised in deed 1834, was in 1909 possessed of the following endowments, namely :—f£103 7s. 2d. consols, by will of Mrs. Elizabeth Pryor; £100 consols, being a gift by Mrs. Hindley ; £22 3s. 7d. consols, under will of Mrs. Emma Pryor ; and £60 consols, arising from accumulations of income. Also £200 consols, from a gift of Henricus Octavus Roe, above mentioned. Most of the consols have now been sold out to meet the cost of the recent enlargement of the school. BENINGTON Belintone (xi cent.) ; Beninton (xii cent.) ; Beniton (xiv cent.). The parish of Benington has an area of 3,060 acres, of which 1,769 acres are arable land, 8384 acres permanent grass, and 129} acres wood.! ‘The greater part of the parish is over 300 ft. above the ordnance datum, and rises at two points in the north at the upper end of the village, and in the east where Benington Lodge is situated, to over 400 ft. The River Beane forms the western boundary of the parish and the road from Walkern to Watton runs parallel to it. The road from Aston to Benington crosses this, and in the centre of the latter village divides, turning north to meet another branch from the Walkern road, and south towards Hebing End and Whempstead. No railway passes through the parish, the nearest station being Knebworth, 44 miles south-west. The subsoil is chalk and clay. There are many chalk-pits in the parish, six of which are still in use, and two gravel-pits in the south- west. The village stands upon a hill, with St. Peter's Church, the manor-house called the Lordship, and the remains of the castle surrounded by a moat stand- ing in a park on the western side of the road. On the south side of the village green is a row of 16th- century timber and plaster and tiled cottages. One of them, known as the Priest’s House, has the timber work exposed. The rectory, which stands to the north of the church, is an interesting brick house of two stories with attics. Over the main entrance is the date 1637, which probably indicates the date of building. Towards the end of the 17th century a wing was added at the back and further additions have been made in more recent years. It contains original staircases with square newels and turned balusters and some good 18th-century panelling. Attached to the tooms on the first floor are ‘ powder closets.” Beyond the village to the north the road rises to Box Hall, with Cabbage Green a short distance to the zast. Along the road turning south-east from the centre of the village is Benington Place, surrounded oy a large park, the residence of Mr. Richard Har- sreaves, J.P., and south of it the hamlet of Hebing End, in which is Benington House, the residence of Mrs. Parker, widow of the late Rev. James Dunne Parker, LL.D., D.C.L. To the west of Hebing End is Burn’s Green, and to the south Cutting Hill, Great Brookfield Common, Lamsden Com- mon, and Leatherfield Common lie in the south of the parish, with Small Hopes Wood and Stocking Spring to the north of the last. Moon Leys Spring is on the south-eastern border. Slipes Farm is situated a little to the west of the Lordship Park. The inclosure award made in 1858 is in the custody of the rector.” Field-names mentioned in 1638 are Dane Field, Peate Croft, Puckellshedge Field, Great and Little Brooke Field, Lether Field, Popp-hill Field, Badd- meads, Paddocks Penn, Ox Shott Hill, Stocking Corner Shot, Chisill Hill, Beaddales Bush, Langdale Shott, Stowdale and Rowdale Shott.? Nothing is known of the history of CASTLE BENINGTON CASTLE. The earth- works may have been thrown up by Peter de Valognes, when Benington became the head of the Valognes barony. They were in all probability defended in the usual way by a timber tower on top of the mound or ‘motte,’ which was surrounded by a moat. There was a bailey to the east and within an outer ward on the south the church may have been included.> Roger de Valognes, son of Peter, was a partisan of Geoffrey de Mandeville during the period of anarchy in Stephen’s reign. He was present with Mandeville at Stephen’s celebrated Easter court in 1136, and died in 1141 ori1g2. It was this Roger who probably built the masonry works of the castle, upon the earthworks possibly thrown up by his father, for had the earthworks been made in his time they would not have settled sufficiently to carry the masonry walls in Stephen’s reign. The keep (/urris) of the castle was destroyed by Henry II as an adulterine or unlicensed castle in 1177, the charge for the 100 picks used in its demolition being rendered in the Exchequer accounts.§ The castle, which as a masonry building can only have had an existence for some forty years, was never rebuilt.? The ruins, which yet remain above the ground, consist of the bottom courses of the 12th-century keep, destroyed 1 Statistics from Bd. of Agric, (1908). ? Blue Bk, Incl. Awards, 63. {ias9) 3 Herts, Gen, and Antig, ii, 108-9. “See Assize R. 3233 Plac. de Quo Var, (Rec, Com.), 290. 3 5 For an account of the earthworks of the castle see W.C.H. Herts. ii, 112. 5 Pipe R. 23 Hen. Il, m. 9. 7 In the extents of the manor in the 14th and 15th centuries there is v0 refer- 73 ence to the castle, only a capital messuage is returned (Inq. p.m. 17 » no. 433 11 Hen. VI, no, 383 11 Few, IV, no. 57). To A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE in 1177, rising only to a height of about 2 ft. 6 in. above the ground. It measures about 44 ft. by 41 ft. externally, the walls, which are of flint rubble with ashlar dressings, being from 7 ft. to 8 ft. in thickness with two pilaster buttresses about 4 ft. wide projecting 2 ft. at each angle and one in the middle of each wall. The bailey was surrounded by a curtain wall, fragments of which have been found. Although the castle was abandoned, the lords of Benington continued to have a residence here probably on the site of the existing house. BENINGTON was the head of a Saxon lordship of some importance, which ex- tended apparently into Sacombe, Layston, Ashwell, Hinxworth and Radwell.* It was held in the time of Edward the Confessor by Elmar or Ethel- mar, and before him possibly by /Elfric of Ben- ington.’ William the Conqueror granted the lands of Elmar to Peter de Valognes, who was sheriff of the county in 1086, Peter de Valognes, as successor to Elmar, made Benington the head of the Valognes barony, which was sometimes styled later the honour of Benington. Here we find he had 64 hides in demesne and a park for beasts of the chase, and here either Peter or his son Roger" built the castle.” Roger, who probably died in 1141 or 1142," had two sons, Peter, who dic about 1158,"*and whose wife’s name was Gundrea,'* and Robert, who held the barony of Valognes during the reign of Henry II,"® and who died about 1194.7 Robert de Valognes was succeeded by Gunnora, his daughter. She io, married Robert Fitz Walter, but kept the name of Valognes,"" and died before 1238. The estates next came to Christiana de Valognes, Gunnora’s daughter,” who married William de Mandeville. Christiana died without issue in 1233,” when her estates were divided between three heiresses —Lora, who married Henry de Balliol, Christiana the wife of Peter de Maugne,™ and Isabel, who married David Comyn.” Benington was apportioned to Lora and her husband,” who died some time before 1272," and whose son Alexander de Balliol held it in 1278.78 MANOR Vatocnes. Paly wary argent and gules. SICH, Herts iy 276. ° Ibid. 276 n, Ancestor (nov xi) in 1904. showed that the three co-heirs were the In 1303 Alexander de Balliol conveyed the manor to John de Benstede and his heirs.” This John was king's clerk at the time of the grant, and in 1307 keeper of the wardrobe.” In 1309 he was appointed one of the six justices for the Common Bench, and held this appointment until 1320.% In 1311 he received leave of absence to go to Rome on the king’s business.” In 1315 he was again sent abroad with Thomas de Cantebrugge to carry the king’s instructions to Almaric de Craon, Seneschal of Gascony, Amaneus Lord of Lebret, and other officials in Gascony and Aqui- taine.” In 1317 he was appointed one of the two commissioners of array for Hertfordshire." In 1319 he was again sent ‘beyond seas,” and died in 1323. His widow Parnel held Benington in dower during her life,“ outliving their son Edmund, who apparently died about 1338, her own death occur- ting before April 1342.°° ‘The custody of John, her grandson, Edmund’s son and heir, aged ‘ten, was granted to Walter de Mauny.” John died in 1359," OEP & Gules Moyne. Aurea fesse dancetty between six crosslets argent. Bexsrepe. three gim:l bars or. his widow Parnel retaining a third of the manor in dower until her death in 1378." The remainder of the manor passed meanwhile from John’s eldest son John, who died in 1376, to his brother Edward,” to whom Parnel’s portion reverted after her death in 1378." The manor was held at this time as a third of two knights’ fees.” Edward died in 1432," and Benington was held by his widow Joan during her life, the reversion being settled on their son Edmund.” Edmund died in 1439, his heir being his grandson John,* to whom the whole manor reverted on the death of Joan in 1449." John’s son William, who succeeded his father in 1471, being then a minor,” He there 81 Thid. 1317-21, p. 96. ¥ Tid. p. 317. 10 Ibid. 3365. 4 Dugdale, Mon. iii, 343. 1 See above. 13 Round, Geoffrey de Mandeville, 172. M Red BR, Exch, (Rolls Set.), ii, p. exciv. 18 Thid. i, 362. 6 Plac, de Quo Warr. (Rec. Com.), 281. Y Genealogist, vi, 20 W Ibid. ; Excerpea e Rot. Fin. (Rec. Com.), i, 317. © Clutterbuck, op. cit. ii, 278, quoting Register Priorati de Binham (Cott. MSS. Claud. D. xiii, 183); G.E.C. Complece Peerage. © Genealogist, vi, 2. _ See Excerpra e R:t, Fin, (Ree, Com.) i, 317 # Tt was not known whose daughters these heiresses were, and the whole history ofthe Valognes barony was in much con fusion till Mr, Round put it right in the daughters of Gunnora’s first cousin, Philip de Valognes of Panmure, Chamberlain of Scotland, who died in 1219. He con- sidered Christiana wife of Peter de Maugne to be the youngest. He also showed that Gunnora was not the mother (as stated by Dugdale) of Robert Fitz Walter, so that the two baronies did not descend together. % Testa de Nevill (Rec. Com.), 281. * G.E.C. Complete Peerage. % Plac, de Quo Warr. (Rec. Com.), 2815 Assize R. 323, 325; Feud. Aids, ii, 4 " 3 Cal, Pat. 1301-7, p. 165 (licence for alienation) ; Chart. R. 32 Edw. I, m. 6 (confirmation of grant). ¥ Cal. Close, 1307-13, p. 26. * Ibid, p. 231 5 1317-21, p. 508. ? Tid. 1307-13, p. 321. 8 Tbid. 1313-18, pp. 103, 303, 328. 74 ® Chan. Ing. p.m, 17 Edw, I, no. 43+ Cal. Close, 1324-7, p> 2965 Chan. Ing, pam, 16 Edw. TIT, no. 30. % Cal. Close, 1341-3 p- 432. %6 Thid. ; Chan. Ing, p.m. 16 Edw, Ill, no. 30. 5° Cal. Clore, 1341-34 pe 432 % Chane Inge pine ae Edw, Tf (2nd nos.), no. 110, % Tbid, 2 Ric. I, no, 113 for court held by her see Ct. R. portf. 177, n0. 8. 4 Chan. Ing. p.m. 50 Edw. TIT (1st nos.), no. 9. 4'Close, 2 Ric. II, m, 22. Feud. Aids, ii, 443. ® Chan. Ing. p.m. 11 Hen, VI, no. 38 “Cal. Pat. 1429-36, p. 2513 Clot 11 Hen, VI, m. 3. “ Chan, Ing. p.m. 17 Hen, VI, no. 43+ 46 Ibid. 27 Hen, VI, no. 27. Thid. 11 Edw. IV, no. 57+ Benincton Cuurcn rrom THE Souru-East Benineron Cuurcu: Tus Nave tooxinc East BROADWATER HUNDRED evidently fought on the Yorkist side against Henry VII, for he received a pardon ‘for all offences’ in 1485." Before this he had sold the reversion of the manor, provided that he died without issue, to Edward Iv 3 but after the change of dynasty he conveyed it to trustees to uses unspecified in his inquisition. In 1485 he died childless and his aunt and heir Ellen succeeded.” One Edmund or Edward Benstede, pre- sumably the nearest male heir, claimed the manor, having seized the deed of entail, which was locked in a chest at the time of William’s death.” Joyce daughter of Sir Edmund Dudley also put in a claim, stating that William Benstede had left the manor to her for life by will, with remainder to Edward Benstede, but the trustees of William Benstede refused to surrender the manor to her.'' In 1486 Edward Benstede released all his right in the manor to Sir William Say.” Next year Ellen Benstede, who was actually in possession, conveyed the manor to Sir William Say, who, on account of William Benstede’s sale of the reversion, had to obtain a pardon for acquiring the manor in 1488.“ In 1486, the year previous to the actual conveyance of the manor, Ellen Benstede and Sir William Say seem to have held alternate courts there, probably because the transaction was in progress. In 1506 Sir William Say settled Benington on William Blount Lord Mountjoy,* the husband of his daughter Elizabeth, but Sir William outlived them, and upon his death in 1530 the manor passed to Henry Earl of Essex, the husband of his second daughter Mary. In 1539 it was delivered to their daughter Anne and her husband, Sir William Parr,’ from whom she was divorced in 1543. In 1553 Sir William Parr Marquess of Northampton was attainted for doing homage to Lady Jane Grey and his lands were forfeited to the Crown ® ; however, as the manor had been settled on him with remainder to his wife, Anne’s interests“ were safeguarded by a grant made to Robert Rochester and Edward Walgrave for a term of forty years.” After her death in January 1570-1 Benington was granted to Walter Viscount Hereford,* who became Earl of Essex in 1572, and was her cousin and nearest heir. Walter died in 1576, bequeathing the manor as a jointure to his wife Lettice,* who afterwards married Sir Christopher Blount. She out- lived Robert, her son, whose widow Frances married Richard Earl of Clanricarde ™ and seems to have held the manor in dower.® She joined with her son Robert Earl of Essex in conveying it to Sir Charles Adelmare or Caesar in 1614. Charles was the third BENINGTON son of Sir Julius Caesar, who took the surname of Caesar from his father Cacsare Adclmare, an Italian physician of ‘Treviso, near Venice, who settled in Eng- —— land about 1550.” Sir Charles ays Caesar and his eldest son Julius PEA WEY both died of smallpox in 1642, and the manor passed to the second son Henry,” who was succeeded by his son Charles.” Charles died in 1694,” and his son Charles in 1741," after whose death the manor was sold by trustees to Sir John Chesshyre in 1744. From him it passed to his nephew John Chesshyre, who held it in 17747 and was succeeded by his son,’ also named John, before 1786. In 1826 the last John Ches- shyre sold Benington to George Proctor, who was succeeded by his son Leonard in 1840.” Leonard was still holding it in 1894, but before 1899 was suc- ceeded by Arthur Procter Pickering, who died in 1902. In 1g05 Mr. Arthur F. Bott, the present lord of the manor, acquired it by purchase from Mr. Pickering’s successor.“ In 1278 Alexander de Balliol claimed in his manor of Benington sac and soc, toll, team and infangentheof, gallows, tumbrel, view of frankpledge, free warren, and amendment of the assize of bread and ale.” View of frankpledge in the 15th century was held on the Monday in Pentecost week. In 1304 John de Benstede was granted a weekly market on Wednesday and a yearly fair on the vigil, feast and morrow of St. Peter and St. Paul. This grant was confirmed by Richard II in 1380,‘ and again by Henry VIII in 1531, the original grant having been lost.® The market has long been dis- continued. The fair is still held on 10 July, the festival of St. Peter before the alteration of the calendar.* Gules a Cansan. chief argent with six roses countercoloured, The parish church ” of ST. PETER, CHURCH which stands to the west of the village, is built of flint with stone dressings. The nave, which is covered with ivy, is plastered externally. The chancel and south porch are roofed with tiles and the nave with lead. The tower, which is of two stages, has an embattled parapet and a pyramidal roof. The present church, which dates from the end of the 13th or the beginning of the 14th century, Cal. Pat, 1476-85, p. 543+ * Cal. Ing. p.m. Hen. VII, i, 28, 2 Early Chan, Proc, bdle. 76, no. 33. "Ibid. no. 124. 8 Anct. D. (P.R.O.), A 4673. This Edward died childless in 1518 holding lands in Benington of Sir William Say. Hia heir was John Ferrers (Chan. Ing. pm. [Ser. 2], xxxiv, 35). Anct. D. (P.R.O.), B 356. 5 Pat. 4 Hen. VII, m. 7. 5 Ct R. port. 177, no. 11 ® Close, 21 Hen. VII, pt. ii. &” Chan. Ing. p.m, (Ser. 2), li, 50, Ct, of Wards, Misc. Bks. dixxviii, fol, 372d. "GEC. Complete Peerage. © Ibid. ‘See Chan. Proc. (Ser. 2), bdles. 8, Mo. 97; 12, no. 45; 22, no, 24; Chan. Decree R. 36, no, 28, © Pat, 3 & 4 Phil. and Mary, pt. xii, m. 42 * G.E.C, Complete Peerage. Pat, 12 Eliz, pt. iv, m, 18. 3 Ibid. ® W. and L. Ing, pm. xviii, 39. 5 G.E.C. Complete Peerage ; Feet of F. Herts, East. 37 Eliz. 3 Feet of F. Div. Co. Mich. 1 Jas. 15 Mich, 11 Jas. 1; Feet of F. Herts. Mich. I Ibid. Herts. Hil, 11 Jas. I; Recov. . Hil, 11 Jas. I, rot. 56. 19 Dict, Nat. Biog. 7 Chan, Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), declxxiv, 20. 72 Chauncy, op. cit. 80. 73 Tid. 74 Clutterbuck, op. ci 15 Ibid. ; Dict, Nat. Biog. 75 286-7. 76 Com, Pleas Recov.R.Hil. 14 Geo.III, m, 38. 77 Clutterbuck, op. cit. ii, 287. 1 Ibid. 286-7 ; Recov, R, Trin. 20 Geo. III, rot. 363. 79 Custans, op. cit. Broadwater Hund. 128 28. % Information supplied by Mr. A. F. ott. 8 Plac. de Quo Warr. (Rec. Com.), 281; Assize R. 325. %@ Chan, Ing. p.m. 11 Hen. VI, no. 38. ® Chart, R. 33 Edw. I, no. 75. Pat, 3 Ric. II, pt. ji, m. 92. * L, and P. Hen, VIL, v, &. §59 (29). % Information from Rev. W. Mills. * Dimensions: chancel, 33 ft. by 17 ft. 6in.; north chapel, 33 ft. by 13 ft. Gin, ; nave, 48 ft. 6 in. by 26 ft. 5 weet tower, 14 1t. square. A HISTORY OF originally consisted of a chancel and nave only, built, it would appear from the shields of arms that decorate them, by Sir John de Benstede (ob. 1323). The north chapel and the south porch were added about 1330, apparently by his widow, Parnel Moyne, and early in the 15th century the west tower was built by Edward Benstede (ob. 1432), and an addi- tional arch was inserted with his monument below it between the chancel and the north chapel. The raising of the clearstory dates from somewhat later in the 15thcentury. The modern work upon the fabric consists of the rebuilding in 1889 of the south and east walls of the chancel and the recent restoration of the tower. The chancel has a modern east window of five lights with tracery in a high two-centred head. In the south wall are three windows. The easternmost has three cinquefoiled lights in a square external head of the 15th century, but mostly of new stonework, only a few old stones remaining. The middle window in the south wall, also of the 1gth century, has a four- centred head, and is of three cinquefoiled lights with tracery above. The stonework is all modern. The westernmost window is modern, of three trefoiled lights with ‘geometric’ tracery. Between the two easternmost windows is a small doorway of the late 13th century, having a slightly ogee-shaped, straight-sided arch moulded externally. The jambs are renewed, but there are a few of the original arch stones remaining. The north wall of the chancel is pierced by three arches, the two westernmost dating from the erection of the north chapel and the easternmost from about 1430. This last is four-centred, under a square head, with tracery and shields in thespandrels. The soffit and the inner faces of the jambs are panelled, and in the apex of the soffit is carved an angel holding small figures of a knight and a lady, of whose altar- tomb the arch forms the canopy. The middle and western arches on the north side are of extremely rich 14th-century detail. The middle pier and the responds have engaged shafts with rolls between, and moulded bases and capitals. The arches are of a single order, slightly ogee-shaped and very richly moulded. Both have labels with mask or grotesque stops on the chancel side, that in the centre being the bust of a knight wearing ailettes, The,eastern of these two arches has the added enrich- ment of very closely set and luxuriant crockets on the label, a heavy finial at the apex, and flanking pinnacles, panelled, crocketed and furnished with finials. The gables of the pinnacles are supported by minute mask stops, and that at the east side descends to an independent mask side by side with that at the termination of the label. The two- centred chancel arch was widened and rebuilt early in the 15th century. The responds are cut back to admit a screen. The present screen is modern. Under the easternmost window of the south wall of the chancel are three sedilia with detached shafts in the jambs. They are of the 13th century, but the two-centred heads and labels date from about 1330. To the east of them is a piscina of the 14th century, with a head similar to, but at a slightly higher level than, those of the sedilia; the sill is modern, The north chapel has a 15th-century east window of three cinquefviled lights in a depressed two-centred head. The stonework is original. There are two HERTFORDSHIRE single-light 14th-century windows, trefoiled, with tracery above in a two-centred head, with labels and mask stops. One is in the north and one in the west wall. There is also a small 15th-century door- way in the north wall, with a four-centred head. It is moulded externally, and has a much mutilated external label with stops. Behind the organ in this chapel is a communion table of the late 17th century. A piscina of the 14th century in the south end of the east wall has an ogee cinquefoiled head, with a crocketed label, much broken. The sill is also broken and decayed. The nave is lighted by two two-light windows on either side, of early 14th-century date. They have two-centred heads with tracery, and internal and external labels with carved stops. The clearstory windows, three on each side, are large, of two cinque- foiled lights in a four-centred head. They are of the 15th century, and the stonework is much decayed. In the north-east corner of the nave, where the window recess is brought down to the ground for half its width, is a doorway to the rood-loft stair, with a four-centred head. At the head of the stair is a similar door facing diagonally to the south-west and opening to the former rood-loft ata high level. The 14th-century north doorway of the nave is blocked and the outer stonework is defaced. The south door- way leading to the south porch is of the late 14th century, and has a pointed arch in a square head. The oak door is of the 15th century. The porch has a similar entrance archway, with shafted jambs and foliated capitals, and in a canopied niche over the archway is a mutilated figure of St. George and the Dragon. On the east and west sides of the porch are windows of two cinquefoiled lights under a square dripstone, and to the east of the inner doorway isa broken stoup. The tower arch opening to the nave is of the 15th century, and has been restored, It is two-centred with chamfered jambs. The windows and doorway of the tower are modern. In the north-west buttress of the tower is a niche with a shield bearing the arms of Benstede and Moyne. The truss roof of the nave is of the 15th century, and rests upon carved mask corbels of that date. At the intersection of some of the beams are bosses bearing the arms of Benstede and Moyne. In the east jamb of the south-east window of the nave is a bracket carved with angels, roses, a shield with horseshoes impaling a bell. ‘To the west of the same window is another bracket carved with a grotesque figure. There is a plain piscina with a trefoiled head under the window. In the south-east corner of the nave behind the pulpit are the remains of a niche. The canopied head has been broken away, but the carved bracket remains. The monuments in the chancel include two fine altar tombs under the two eastern arches of the north arcade. hat under the middle 14th-century arch is evidently to John de Benstede (d. 1323) and Parnel Moyne, his second wife. It represents the recumbent effigies of a knight and a lady, their heads resting on cushions and their feet upon lions. The knight wears armour of the time of Edward I, and has a long surcoat with a narrow girdle. His legs are crossed below the knee. The lady wears a long head veil and close-fitting dress. The hands of both are broken off at the wrist. In the gable-hcaded cusped panels, which have shields between them with the 76 Benincton Cuurcn: ‘Tome in tue Cuancen BROADWATER HUNDRED arms of Benstede and Moyne, are small figures of “weepers” all defaced. A much mutilated battle- ment runs round the edge of the tomb. ‘The altar tomb under the 15th-century eastern- most arch also has recumbent figures of a knight and 2 lady, possibly Edward de Benstede (d. 1432) and Joan Thornbury his wife, who survived him. The knight, whose feet rest on a lion facing outwards, is clad in plate armour with a finely enriched basinet. The elbow and knee-cops are fluted. He wears plate gauntlets and has a misericorde attached to an enriched baldric on the right side. His head rests on a helm crested with a wolf’s head. The sides of the tomb have a series of niches with ogee-shaped crocketed heads with foliated finials and a small battlement around the edge. The niches are all empty. In the wall between the two arches is a brass, the upper half of a figure of a priest in a cope, probably of the 15th century. In the nave on the east wall, to the north of the chancel arch, are two brasses, with inscriptions to William Clarke, 1591, and John Clarke, 1604. The font has a mid-14th-century octagonal bowl of Barnack stone, the alternate sides having engaged shafts resting on carved heads, which have been defaced. The stem is of the rth century and has panelled sides and base. There are a few fragments of ancient glass. In the window over the sedilia are three shields: the first is Benstede impaling Or a lion azure with two bends gules over all, for Thornbury ; the second is now plain glass ; the third is Benstede. In the nave windows are shields of Benstede and Moyne. Part of the seating of the nave consists of 16th-century benches, and there is a chair in the sanctuary of about 1600, There are eight bells: (1), (2) and (4) by Mears, 1853 ; (3) by John Briant of Hertford, 1792 ; (5) by Miles Graye, 1630; (6) by Pack & Chapman, 1777; (7) by an unknown founder, dated 1626; (8) by John Waylett, 1724. The plate includes a cup and paten of 1639. The registers are in three books: (i) all entries from 1538 to 1722; (ii) baptisms and burials from 1723 to 1812 and marriages from 1725 to 17523 (iii) marriages from 1754 to 1812. A priest is mentioned at Ben- ington in the Domesday Survey,$® so there was probably a church there before the Conquest. The advowson of the church follows the descent of the manor until the time of Charles Caesar, junior.” In 1718 the king pre- ADVOWSON 88 VCH, Herts i, 336). ® Pat. 31 Edw. 1, m. 85 Chan. Ing. pan. 17 Edw. Ty no. 434 Cal. Close, 323-7, p. 296; Chan. Ing. p.m. 50 Kaw. Itt (ist non), no. 95 1 Heme Vi, no. 435 27 Hen. VI, nto, 27 ; Anct. D. (PRO), A 4673; Pat. 12 Bliz. pt. iv, rot. 162. ® Clerical Guide. 98 ath m. 18; Feet of F, Herts. Hil. 11 Jas. 15 Recov. R. East. 7 Will, and Mary, % Inst. Bks. (P.R.O.). 9 Bacon, Liber Regis. Recov. R. Hil. 14 Geo. ITI, rot. BENINGTON sented, in 1719 Charles Caesar, in 1736 Rebecca Knight, widow, and in 1755 Edward Page for one turn,°! though he still held the advowson in 1817. J. Clarke and others presented in 1822, but the advowson apparently continued to belong to the lord of the manor”? until John Chesshyre sold it to George Proctor some time before 1836. ‘The latter presented until 1850, after which it was. held by the Rev. F. B, Pryor ®® until 1864, after which it passed to the Rev. John Eade Pryor, who continued patron until 1881, Since then it has been in the gift of the trustees of the Rev. William Mills, the present rector.°° In 1638 the following closes belonged to and adjoined the rectory: Barne Close, Stable Croft, Washers’ Close, Dockcroft, ‘the Woode’ and ‘the litle Spring.’®” Various places of meeting for Protestant Dissenters were certified in Benington between 1810 and 1851.°3 There is now a Primitive Methodist chapel in the parish. The eleemosynary charities are regulated by scheme of the Charity ‘commissioners 8 May 1891. They comprise the charities of :— 1. George Clerke, will dated in 1556, being a rent-charge of £2 10s. issuing out of Boxbury Tithe, Walkern, now vested in Mrs. Brand. z. Hugh Dodd and others, consisting of two closes called Moor’s Closes, containing 10 acres, let at £12 a year, purchased with £140 previous to 1681 ; and {41 16s, 2d. consols, with the official trustees, producing {1 os. 8d. arising from sale of timber in 1814. 3. Rev. Nathaniel Dodd, a former rector, con- sisting of 2 acres known as Creedman’s Mead, devised by a codicil to will dated in 1661, and let at £4 a year, 4. John Kent, consisting of £20 175. 4d. consols, with the official trustees, producing tos. 4d. yearly, representing a legacy by will about 1665. In 1909 clothing to the value of 2s. 6d, was dis- tributed among ten widows, and the balance in bonuses to depositors of the coal club. Henry Dixon, by his will dated in 1693, devised certain lands and hereditaments in Benington and Munden in the county of Hertford, and at Enfield in Middlesex and in St. Mildred’s, London, to the Drapers’ Company, the rents and profits to be applied in apprenticing (among others) poor boys of Benington. A sum of {20 is given annually by the Drapers’ Company for an apprenticeship under the terms of his will. CHARITIES 327-8; Feet of F, Herts, East. 26 Geo. II; Clerical Guide. 4 Clerical Guide. % Clergy List. % Information from the Rey. W. Mills. ® Herts, Gen. and Antiy. ii, 107-8. % Urwick, Nonconf. in Herts. §73. A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE DATCHWORTH Decawrthe (x cent.) ; Deccewyrthe, Daceworde (xi cent.) ; Tachwird, Tacheworth, Thatcheworth (xiii cent.) ; Dachesworth, Daccheworthe (xiv cent.). The parish of Datchworth has an area of 2,018 acres, of which about three-quarters is arable land, the remainder, with the exception of about 18 acres of wood, being permanent grass! It is long and narrow in shape, sloping upwards from just over 200 ft. in the north to over 400 ft. in the south. The road from Aston to Bramfield winds down the centre of the parish and is crossed in the north of the parish by the main road from Stevenage to Watton; the hamlet of Bragbury End lies at the cross-roads with the house and park of Bragbury, the residence of Mr. Samuel S. Berger, J.P. The park has an extent of about 50 acres and is watered by the River Beane. In the south the central road is crossed by the road from Woolmer Green to Watton, the hamlet of Datch- worth Green being situated at this junction. ‘The village of Datchworth is on the west side of the main road where a lane turns off south-west towards the rectory. The site of the manor-house with the remains of a moat is situated in the angle thus formed and the church of All Saints is a little further south. On the north side of the green is a late 17th-century building of timber and plaster and brick with a tiled roof now divided into two cottages. The initials w# » and date 1694 are placed in plaster over three gabled windows. Near by on the green is the whipping-post, to which the handcuffs are still attached. About half a mile south of the village is Hoppers Hall, a timber and plaster house with tiled roof of mid-17th-century date. It is gabled and has asmall porch. Two of the rooms still have their original fireplaces, over one of which is a paint- ing of a hunting scene, probably of the date of the house. The staircase has turned balusters and square newels with ball heads and is probably original, A little further on is Cherry Tree Farm, a 17th-century brick house plastered, with a tiled roof. There are several hamlets in the parish. In the south is Painter’s Green, where the road forks to Datchworth Green and Hawkin’s Hall. In the extreme south of the parish are the hamlets of Bull’s Green, where there are the remains of a moat, and Burnham Green, partly in Digswell parish. By the Divided Parishes Act of 1882 Swangley Farm and Cottages in the north west were attached to Datch- worth instead of Knebworth for civil purposes. Oak's Cross, on the road from Stevenage to Watton, marks the north-eastern angle of the parish. The Great Northern main line touches the parish in the north-west, the nearest station being Kneb- worth, a mile and a half from Datchworth village. The subsoil is London Clay in the centre, surrounded by Woolwich and Reading’ beds, and giving place to rom Bd, of Agric. (1905) 7 Ibid. 3050. (Rec. Com.), 219. # Tid. 3362. Pt. vii, no, 1 Ibid. 3362. 2 Will, and Mary, pt. vii, nv. 235 6 Geo. I, pt. vii, no. 2. chalk in the north, where there are two disused chalk-pits. There are also two small chalk-pits in the south-west and a large gravel-pit west of the village. Place-names mentioned in the 13th century are Godbyry, Chippeden, Pesecroft, Baronesfeld, and Baronesgrave.!* The first three of these survive in the early 18th century as Godbury, Chibden, and Peascroft.2 Others which occur in the 17th and early 18th centuries are Candell, the Great Lawne, Foldingshott, Cunden Field, Clubden Field, Rockleys, Collewood or Colewood, Datts or Jacks, Lethmore, Feeks Shott Pitle, Shoulder of Mutton Field, Hitch- field, Rush Grounds Field, and Pakesgrove.3 King Edgar, who reigned from 959 to 975, gave land in Datchworth to the church of St. Peter of Westminster, which was confirmed to that abbey by Edward the Confessor as 4 hides and 1 virgate.’ The abbot himself held 3 hides and 1 virgate®; the other hide was held of him by Aluric Blac before the Conquest. With regard to other lands Aluric was the man of Archbishop Stigand, and his successor Lanfranc made this an excuse for seizing Aluric’s hide in Datchworth, and was thus in possession of it in 1086.7 Besides the 4} hides in Datchworth originally belonging to Westminster there were 3 virgates, of which previous to the Conquest 2$ vir- gates were held by three sokemen of King Edward,* and half a virgate by Alstan, a man of Almar of Benington.? In 1086 the 2} virgates were held by two knights of Geoffrey de Bech,! and the half virgate by Robert of Peter de Valognes.! These portions are not heard of again, so presumably they became absorbed in the manor. The overlordship of Datchworth remained in the hands of the Abbots of West- minster.!? When the abbey was converted into the seat of a bishop in 1540 Datchworth was confirmed to the see.'$ The bishopric of Westminster was abolished in 1556, but in 1554 Datchworth was granted by the queen to the Bishop of London and his successors to hold in free alms," and an in- terest in the manor remained to the see as late as 1693, when the manor was still charged with an annual rent of £3 to the bishop.15 The earliest recorded sub-tenant is Hugh de Bocland, who was lord of the manor in 1192.'° His daughter Hawise married William de Lanvaley, and apparently received Datchworth as a marriage por- tion,” for it does not seem to have passed to Hugh's MANORS Sex or Lonpon. Gala tro swords of St. Paul crossed saltirewite. * Ibid. 3330. M Pat. 1 Mary, pt. iv, m. 1 W Tid. 3530. 6. 15 Close, 5 Will. and Mary, pt. Vily no. 23. 2» Feet of F, Herts. 4 Ric, I, no. 1. 4 Cart, Mon. St. John Bapt. de Colchester (Roxburghe Club), 202 ; Excerpta ¢ Ret. Fin, (Rec. Com.), i, 246. 78 Darcuwortu Cuurch: Tae Nayz rooxinc East BROADWATER HUNDRED son William de Bocland. In 1215 the manor was granted to Nicholas de Joland, and is described as having belonged to Geoffrey de Bocland,'’® who was perhaps a predecessor of Hugh. In 1217, however, the custody of the lands of William de Lanvaley was granted to Robert Delamare and Thomas de Winton.” This suggests that William had forfeited ; eventually, however, Datchworth returned to the Lanvaleys and descended to Hawise’s granddaughter Hawise, who married John de Burgh,” son of the famous Hubert de Burgh." John and Hawise de Burgh conveyed the manor in 1240 to Gilbert de Wauton, for the rent of a pair of gilt spurs or 6d. at Easter.* Gilbert de Wauton was suc- ceeded before 1287 by his son John de Wauton,” but by 1302 Datchworth had passed into the hands of William de Melksop,™ and in 1346 was held by Henry Melksop.® Some time after this it was acquired by John de la Lee, from whom it passed upon his death in 1370 to his son Walter de la Lee,** who held it in 1376.” Walter’s heirs were his two sisters, Margery the wife of Robert Newport and Joan wife of John Barley. These two sisters in 1406 conveyed their moieties to John Coke, who was succeeded by Thomas Coke after 1410” and before 1428.3! Who were the heirs of Thomas Coke is not recorded, but it seems as if the manor was divided between two daughters. One of these may have been Joan the wife of John Shawarden, who died in 1479 seised of half the manor of Datchworth.” She left a son John, to whom her moiety descended, and who died in 1555. By his will the rent of the half-manor was to be used to raise portions for his daughters Ellen and Susan and his younger sons Thomas and Laurence.” The moiety descended to his eldest son John Shawarden, who in 1572-3 sold it to Richard Foster. The history of the other moiety of Datchworth after the death of Thomas Coke is more obscure. In 1533 a portion, which from subsequent evidence would appear to be a half, was conveyed by Robert and Alice Darkenoll to John Covert and others and the heirs of John.* In 1559 the moiety was held by Richard Covert,® presumably the son of John, and was later purchased from him by Thomas Johnson.” By his will of 1569 Thomas Johnson bequeathed his lands to his wife Grace for life with remainder to Margaret wife of Thomas Appowell, who seems most probably to have been his niece. The half-manor 45 3 Morant, Exiexy ii, 625. DATCHWORTH passed to Margaret and Thomas, but a few years later was claimed by Richard Fuller, nephew of Grace Johnson, on the ground that Thomas John:on had promised to convey it to him failing his own issue. His claim, however, was not allowed, and in 1571! the moiety was conveyed by ‘Thomas and Margaret Appowell to Richard Foster, who a year or two later became possessed of the other moiety. ‘Thus Datch- worth was again united in the same hands. Richard Foster was succeeded before 1614 by Thomas Foster," who in 1620 conveyed the manor to John Gamon."' Datchworth remained in the Gamon family? until 1693, when it was sold by Richard and Mary Gamon to William Wallis. In 1719 it was purchased from the latter by Edward Harrison,“ upon whose death in 1732 the manor passed to his daughter Audrey, who married Charles third Viscount Townshend. She survived her husband and died in 1788. Her will provided that part of the Datchworth estate should go to her grandson John Townshend, but the manor was to be sold to provide an annuity for her granddaughter Anne Wilson.® Anne and her husband Richard Wilson seem, however, to have kept the manor,” for they were in possession of it in 1791," and sold it about ten years later to Samuel Smith of Watton Woodhall, with which manor it has since descended. In 1275 it was found that the Abbot of Westminster had been holding view of frankpledge illegally in Datchworth for the past forty years and had neglected to attend the sheriff’s tourn, for which offence he was fined.” Apparently, however, he continued to hold it, sometimes as appurtenant to his main manor of Stevenage. Free warren was granted by Henry III to Gilbert de Wauton in 1253,” and there is a reference to free fishery in the manor in 1719. The reputed manor of HAWKIN’S HALL ot HAWKYNS first appears in 1564, when it was in the possession of the younger branch of the Bardolf family, who held the manor of Crowborough in Watton-at- Stone until 1564. Hawkin’s Hall seems to have extended into Watton parish, so it probably joined their lands there. In 1564 Edmund Bardolf settled the manor of Hawkin’s Hall on Elizabeth Bardolf, widow, presumably his mother, for her life, with annual rents to be paid to Edward, Ralph, and Richard Bardolf, with remainder to himself and his heirs.* Lands in Tewin and elsewhere were con- veyed with the manor. In 1591 the estate was It is stated Recov. R. Mich, 22 Chas. I, rot. © Close, 17 John, m. 5. W Cal. Pat. 1216-25, p. 98. 0 Excerpta « Rot, Fin. (Rec. Com.), i, 6. 269. 4 Burke, Dormant and Extinct Peerages, % Feet of F, Herts, 24 Hen. III, no. 289. The mesne overlordship of the Burghs seems to have soon fallen into abeyance, for it is not mentioned after 1303 (Feud. Aids, ii, 429), when the manor was said to be held of Robert Fitz Walter in right of his wife, the granddaughter of John de Burgh. % Assize R. 325. ™ Chart. R. 30 Edw. I, no. 17; Feud. Aids, ji, 429. 5 Feud. Aids, ii, 436. 3 Chan. Ing. p.m. 44 Edw. III (1st nos.), no. 37. 1 Close, 50 Edw. IU, pt. ii, m. 13d. % Feet of F. Herts, 8 Hen. IV, no. here that there was a third sister, Alice, wife of Thomas Morewell, but she docs not appear in this descent, ® Feet of F. Herts. 8 Hea. IV, no. 45. 8 Ibid, 12 Hen. IV, no. 88. % Feud. Aids, ji, 448, ® Chan, Ing. p.m. 20 Edw. IV, 0. 77. Thid, (Ser. 2), ov, 36. 4 Feet of F. Herts. East. 15 Eliz.; Recov. R. Hil. 1572, rot. 443- % Feet_of F. Div. Co, Hen, VIII. ® Recov. R. Trin. 1559, rot. 124. % Chan. Proc. (Ser. 2) bale, Genin 9 Thid, Mich. 25 % Recov. R. Trin. 13 Eliz, rot. 848 ; Feet of F. Herts, Trin. 13 Eliz. © Feet of F. Herts, Trin, 12 Jas, [. “1 bid, Mich. 18 Jas. 79 100 ; Feet of F, Herts, Trin. 24 Chas, 11 ; East. 2 Jas, I. “Ibid. Mich, 5 Will. and Mary; Close, § Will. and Mary, pt. vii, no. 23. Ibid, 6 Geo, I, pt. vii, no. 2. “© G.E.C, Complete Peerage, & PCC. 160 Calvert. Salmon, op. cit. 215, says that Richard Wilson bought itofthe Towashend trustees, ‘®Recov, R, East, 31 Geo, III, rot. 160. © Clutterbuck, op. cit. ii, 315. 8 Hund. R. (Rec. Com.), i, 192. 51 Ct. R. port. 178, no. 47, 53 62. & Pat, 37 & 38 Hen. III, pti, no. 77, m. 123 Assize R, 325. 8 Close, 6 Geo. I, pt. vii, no. 2. Feet of F. Herts, 5 Ti A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE sold by Francis and John Symonde and John and Elizabeth Clerse to Edward Fitz John.* | In 1657 it was in the possession of Ralph Pennyfather,” who in 1673 sold it to Edmund Knight." After this date there is no further record of the manor. Hawkin’s Hall, now a farm-house, is situated a little east of Datchworth Green on the road to Watton. BRAGBUR? (Bragborrowes, Brackberrie, xvii cent.) was owned at the end of the 16th century by Thomas Michell, son of John Michell, who held it of the manor of Friars in Standon in socage by fealty. He settled it in 1602 on his son Thomas, who was about to marry Martha Bussye, and who succeeded his father in 1610. Bragbury is now in the possession of Mr. Samuel S. Berger, J-P. of the 17th century, and none of the original work can now be traced. The south porch is probably of the same date as the alteration of the chancel. The top stage of the tower was rebuilt in 1875 when the church was restored ; the north vestry is modern. The chancel has an cast window, and two in the south wall, of about 1600. The east window has a four-centred head which has been blocked, and the three cinquefoiled lights in a square top are modern, The two south windows are of two lights. On the north a modern two-centred doorway Icads to the vestry. The roof, of the late 16th or early 17th century, is of the collar beam type, with plaster. The nave has a north arcade of four bays, which is now much out of the perpendicular, and a truss has been thrown across the aisle, against it, with a buttress outside the aisle wall to sup- port it. The arches are two-centred, of two hollow- chamfered orders, and rest on octagonal columns with moulded capitals and bases. ‘The responds have modern detached shafts of Purbeck marble with crudely foliated capitals, which support the inner order only, the outer hollow chamfer descending without interruption to the ground. In the south wall are two windows, one on each side of the south door. That on the east, of about 1360, is two-centred within, but externally shows two cinque- foiled lights in a square head. That on the west is also of two cinquefoiled lights much repaired. The heads are wholly modern, but the jambs are old. The south doorway is modern, with detached shafts on the outside. The 17th- century south porch has a four-centred entrance arch and four narrow blocked loops, two in the east and two in the west wall, DarcuwortH CuvrcH From THe SouTH-gasT The parish church of ALL SAINTS™ CHURCH consists of a chancel, nave, north aisle, north vestry, west tower and south porch, Tt is built of flint rubble with stone dressings, and the roofs are tiled. Th> whole building is plastered externally. The nave is probably of the 12th century. Late in the 13th century the north aisle was added, and the lower part of the tower dates from the rqth century. The chancel arch is of late 15th- century date, but the rest of the chancel was wholly remodelled at the end of the 16th or the beginning % Feet of F. Herts, © Recoy. R. East. 1 8 Feet of F. Hert L. 34 Eliz. 5 Chan. Ing. pm. (Ser. 2), ecexxvii, 107. © Dimensions : chancel, 23 ft. by 14 fts 80 The roof of the nave is of the 15th century and is plastered. The north aisle has a 15th-century window of two cinquefoiled lights in a square head at the eastern end of the north wall. The jambs only are old. The east and west windows and the western of the two in the north wall are modern, of two lights, with rear arches of the late 14th century. Over the east window of the aisle are the remains of three small niches, The tower arch is lofty, and, in common with the whole of the lower stage of the tower, is of about 1380, The west doorway is blocked and the nave, 38 ft. by r9ft.; north aisle, 39 ft. by roft. Bin; tower, 11ft. by Tost. 6 in. BROADWATE tracery in the west window is modern, The upper stage of the tower and the tiled octagonal spire with dormers is modern, The windows of the upper stage are of two cinquefoiled lights, with a quatrefoil over, in a two-centred head. A recess under the south-east window of the nave, with a chamfered two-centred arch of the 14th century, contains a stone slab with a floreated cross. There is a brass in the chancel to William Paine, with a symbolical device. The date is about 1600. The font, standing at the south entrance, has an octagonal bowl with trefoiled panelled sides and an embattled edge, on a moulded octagonal stem and base. A chair in the chancel and an oak chest with three locks in the vestry are of the 17th century, to which century also the poor box may probably be referred. A bequest to the altar of St. Dunstan occurs in 1512 "There are six bells, of which the last four are by Anthony Chandler, with the date 1673. The plate includes a cup and cover paten of 1569. The registers are in four books: (i) all entries 1570 to 17003; (ii) baptisms and burials 1710 to 1783 and marriages 1710 to 1753 ; (iii) baptisms and burials 1784 to 1812; (iv) marriages 1754 to 1812. The advowson of the church of ADVOWSON All Saints (or All Hallows) at Datch- worth belonged to the lords of that manor at an early date. In 1192 the Abbot of Westminster made an agreement with Hugh de Bocland, then lord of the manor, that he should pay 20s. to the abbot on each institution.” In 1240, however, John de Burgh, who was lord of Datchworth and Walkern, granted the manor of Datchworth to Gilbert de Wauton, but kept the advowson of that parish with his manor of Walken.* From that date Datchworth advowson followed the same descent as the manor of Walkern until 1725, when William Capell, third Earl of Essex, sold it to the Rev. William Hawtayne. ‘The latter a few months later sold it to William Greaves, fellow of Clare College, Cambridge, and he shortly afterwards conveyed it to his college,” in whose hands it has since remained, R HUNDRED A terrier of the reign of Charles I gives a very detailed description of the rectory-house and lands, The house is described as aed ith ti chiefest part of the building whereof is epee prih and sous and io 18 broade east and west, which is devided into two stories conteyning 10 roomes, whercof 5 are upon the ground viz. one little lodgeing chamber, one teller, one hall, one parlor, one buttery. And 5 roomes over these, viz. one chamber over the seller and little chamber, one chamber over the hall with a closet or studye belongeing to it, and one chamber over the parlor, with a studye over it over ye buttery. One other part or parcell of the said dwellinge house adjoyning unto the forenamed part and is 35 ft. longe east and west and 14 ft. broad, which containeth 4 roomes, viz. one kitchen and a brewhouse on the ground and 2 chambers and boarded over the kitchen, ‘There was also near by another * parcell of buildinge’ covered with thatch, 44 ft. by 15 ft., with ‘three severall roomes upon the ground, and one roome at the west end hath a chamber boarded over it.’ Another similar structure but smaller contained three rooms, and there was also a great barn 94 ft. long, with six bays, and a small barn 34 ft. long. These buildings were surrounded by a garden, an orchard, and various yards. The glebe lands then extended over about 15 acres." Places of meeting for Protestant Dissenters were certified in Datchworth from 1719 to 1809.” There is now a Baptist chapel at Datchworth Green. In 1685 Richard and Mary Gamon CHARITIES granted an annuity of 4os. charged upon an estate called Datchworth Bury Farm, for the use of the poor, to be distributed at Christmas. In 1881 Mrs. Elizabeth Bunting by her will, proved at London 30 November, bequeathed £500, which was invested in £500 115. consols, the annual dividends, amounting to £12 105, to be applied in support of the Sunday school and day school held in the National schoolroom. In 1899 the Rev. John Wardale, the rector, by deed gave the sum of £22 London, Brighton and South Coast Railway § per cent. stock, the annual dividends of £1 2s. to be paid to the parish clerk for the winding up of the church clock. The sums of stock are held by the official trustees. DIGSWELL DIGSWELL Dicheleswell (xi cent.) ; Digeneswell, Dikneswell (xiii cent.) ; Digoneswell (xiv cent.) ; "Dikkeswell, Dixwell (xvi cent.) ; Diggeswell (xvii cent.). The parish of Digswell has an area of 1,673 acres, of which 746} acres are arable land, 4653 acres permanent grass, and 18} acres wood! ‘The land reaches an elevation of over 400 ft. in the south, where the rectory and Sherrard’s Park Wood are situated, but is lower in the north, sloping down to the River Mimram, which crosses the parish in that Part, The northern part of the parish is divided from the southern by an irregular strip of the parish 5 P.C.C. 10 Fetiplace, Cal, Pat. 1476-85, of Welwyn, It lies at an altitude of from 300 ft. to 4oo ft. The larger part of it has been developed by a syndicate, and is now covered with houses ; its western boundary takes in a small portion of the hamlet of Burnham Green. A detached portion of Welwyn parish was added to Digswell for ratable purposes under the Divided Parishes Act of 1882, The village of Digswell is situated in the valley of the Mimram, in an open space surrounded by the park, the church and manor-house, the seat of Mr. Alfred Dyke Acland, lying at the south-western end. From these a long avenue called the ‘Monk’s © Fectof F Hertw 4 Ris. not, Reet! P 334 Feet of F. 66 Ibid, pt. vi, no. 2, A 4 a . Te se it, 21 Hen. VII; in, 7 i i Ibid, Mich. 24 Hen. IIT, “no, Bis § Chan, Ing, pom. (Ser a ae igs Guaranty op. eit. Broadwater Hund q Ser. 2}, ccexevi, 148; Feet of F. Di ; i 2 ) i, ect of F. Div, 88 B, os ee ste. poet Wyiets7s Co. Mich, 5 Chas, Ty Gal. com. fr (PRO) y Clrgy Lise cs) eee } Pat. 1313-17, p. 2745 Chan, Ing. Comp. ili, ta323 Tash Og ire 908) pam. 3 Ric, I n0.47 5 4 Hen. V, n0. 49; Baca, Liter Begin Bhs (PRO); 8 Hert, Gen. and Antig iy 251-3. § Hen, VI, no, 52521 Hen, VI, no, 3 385 81 * Close, 12 Geo. I, pt. iv, no. 5, 7 Urwick, No mnconf. in Herts. 570, 1 Statistics fr ‘A 5 7 ‘om Bd. of Agric. (1g0s). Il A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE Walk’ leads to the rectory and Sherrard’s Park Wood. In the east of the parish, on the main road from Welwyn to Hertford, is the hamlet of Digswell Water, now recognized as the village of Digswell, though some way from the church, It was probably here that the market was held. The Great Northern railway passes through the pacish, crossing the valley of the Mimram by a viaduct. The nearest station is Welwyn, half a mile north-east. The subsoil is chalk in the north, and London Clay and Reading and Woolwich beds in the south, There are two disused chalk-pits in Digswell Park, another near Digswell Lodge Farm, and a fourth in the north-east. A large gravel-pit is still worked south of Digswell Water, and there are several disused ones further down the road. The following place-names occur in the middle of the 17th century: the Malmes, Dockclose, the Scrubbs, Cowmead, Henley hill, Conduck hill, Tyle- kill field, Piggott hill, Estoll hill, and Hatches wood.!* Before the Conquest D/GSWELL formed part of the lands of Asgar the Staller, and was subsequently granted to Geoffrey de Mandeville, being then assessed at 2 hides.? One hide, which had been held by Topi, a man of Almar, Pp bly 4lmar of Beni was in 1086 in the possession of Peter de Valognes.? This hide, which was held by a certain Roger, probably became absorbed in the manor, as it is not heard of again ; half the multure of one of the two mills at Digswell belonged to this estate in 1086.4 The lands of Geoffrey de Mandeville descended to his grandson Geoffrey, first Earl of Essex,® and remaining with the holders of that earldom* came to Maud the heiress of the Mandevilles, who married Henry de Bohun Earl of Hereford and died in 1236.7 The Earls of Hereford and Essex continued to hold Digswell® until their lands were divided between the daughters of Eleanor, daughter and co-heir of Henry de Bohun, and King Henry V, who represented her sister Mary.® Digswell thus came into the possession of the Crown, and was thenceforward held of the king, of the duchy of Lancaster, as of his manor of Hertford by fealty and the rent of 6¢, or one pound of pepper, to be paid yearly at Christmas.1° In the time of Edward the Confessor and in 1086 the sub-tenant of Digswell was Torchil !! 3 he was one of the Domesday jurors for Broadwater Hundred,'? but nothing is known of his descendants. Between 1167 and 1189 the manor was granted by MANOR ‘a Herts, Gen. and Antiz. ii, 296 ; Close, was surety for the 1656, pt. xxxv, no. 40 7.0, son of William de St. Michael after the William de Mandeville to William son of Benedict of London,'? who seems to have been also known as William de St. Michael.'4 In 1223 Laurence de St. Michael, son and heir of William de St. Michael, did homage for lands in Nottingham,!® and in 1248 this Laurence is called son of William son of Benedict.6 Laurence died some time previous to 1268, for in that year his widow Ada complained that malefactors had lately come to her manor of Digswell and taken her goods and chattels to the value of 100 marks and more.” The manor passed before 1274 to another Laurence de St. Michael,”* presum- ably her son, who died about 1283, leaving a son Laurence !° and a widow Margaret. This Laurence obtained a licence in 1285 to stop a path through his wood of Slirigge, leading from Digswell to Bishop's Hatfield (where he held the manor of Ludwick), on condition that he made another path on the east side of the wood.?!_ In 1291-2 he closed a path running through the middle of ‘Chirchegrave,’ and made another which, he averred, would be much more useful.?? ‘The manor was shortly afterwards acquired by William de Melksop, who received a grant of free warren in his lands in Digswell in 1301-28 These lands were probably not the manor, for the latter was not conveyed to him by Laurence de St. Michael until 1305.74 This William had been assessor for a subsidy in Surrey in 1297%°; in 1298 he was appointed attorney for two years to Stephen, Prior of Holy Trinity, London.?* In 1300 he and John de la Leye were commissioned to survey the obstruc- tions in the river leading from Ware to the Thames.” In 1304 William de Melksop was keeper of the manor of Clopton, formerly part of the possessions of Edmund Earl of Cornwall,?8 and about the same time he bought from the executors of the same Edmund the custody of the lands of Hamo de Gatton, which in 1305 he sold to John de Northwode.® In 1313 and again in 1315 he received licence to go ‘beyond seas’ with Aymer de Valence.” He died about 1317, having been for some time previous to his death farmer of the king’s castle and manor of Hertford, where he had executed extensive repairs.!! He had a son William,®? who in 1318 received a pardon for killing William de Ponton at a tournament at Luton.3? Henry de Melksop is mentioned as of Digswell in 1323,%4 but apparently the manor was alienated soon afterwards, for by 134.6% it had come into the possession of William de Ludwick, from relief of Laurence % Ibid. 1301-7, p. 240. % Thid. p. 339. 14 Edw. IV, no. 29 ; (Ser. 2), Ixiii, 61; Lxxiii, 89 ; celxxxviii, 145 ; Duchy of Lane. Decrees, file 28, WLC, Hertz. i, 330. 12 Cott. MSS. Tib. A. vi, fol. 38. 18 Duchy of Lane. Misc, Bks, xxv, 15 d. “The change in name was possibly to distinguish him from a William son of Benedict, presumably his brother, who latter's death (Excerpta e Rot. Fin, [Rec. Com.}, i, 100). \ Ibid. iiy 41, The father is here called Benedict son of William, but this seems to be an error for William son of Benedict. ¥ Abbrev. Plac. (Rec. Com.), 171. 18 Hund. R. (Rec. Com.), i, 188 ; Assize 323, m. god. 1 Chan. Ing. p.m. 11 Edw. I, no. 13. ® Cal. Pat, 1288-96, p. 117. % Ibid, 1281-92, p. 214. # Chan. Ing. p.m, 20 Edw. I, no. 151. * Chart. R. 30 Edw. I, no. 17. * Feet of F. Herts, 33 Edw. I, no. 396. % Cal. Pat. 1292-1301, p, 298, 36 Ibid, p. 341. ¥ Ibid. p. 547. 82 % bid. 1307-13) pe 815 1313-17, p- 282, 31 Cal, Close, 1313-18, p. 515+ ® Thid. p. 616. % Cal. Pat. 1317-21, p» 124. 4 Tbid. 1321-4, p. 383- de Bakewell in thi Bakewell was assei (ibid. 430). But at this date the manor seems to have been in the possession of Laurence de St. Michael (see above). There is, however, some uncertainty + to the date at which William de Melksop obtained it, and the quitclaim by Laurence de St. Michael in 1305 may have relation to some previous transac- tions of which we have no record. Dicswett Cuurcn rrom tae Norru-gast BROADWATER HUNDRED whom it passed to his son John de Ludwick before 13777 In 1414 it was conveyed by Ludwick’s feoffees to John Perient,* who according to the monu- ment to him in the church died in the following year. He was succeeded by his son John, from whom it passed in 1432 to his son John,3? who died in 1442.40 He was suc- ceeded by Edmund Perient, who died in 1474, when Digswell came to his son Thomas.? In 1539 Thomas Perient the younger suc- ceeded,#? and died in 1545, leaving four daughters, Mary the wife of Affabell or Amphabell Rowlett, Dorothy, Anne, and Elizabeth.*8 Digswell came to Mary, the eldest daughter, whose first husband died in 1546,“ and who married secondly George Horsey, and held the manor until her death in 1551. Itwasthen divided between her sisters Dorothy, who had married George Burgoyne, and Anne the wife of Anthony Carleton “*; Elizabeth had presumably died in the mean time. In 1552 Anne and Anthony Carleton conveyed their moiety back to George Horsey,” who had just married Anne Sadler,*® and in 1557 he acquired the second half from George and Dorothy Burgoyne.*? Ralph Horsey succeeded his father before 1591,°! and in 1599 conveyed Digswell to John Sedley and Nicholas Hyde.5? John Sedley died in 1605 seised of half the manor, which passed to his brother William.53 Apparently the moiety held by Nicholas Hyde also came to him, for in 1656 he sold the whole manor to Humphrey Shall- cross,*4 The latter died in Pertent. Gules three crescents argent. 1665,55 and was succeeded by his son Francis Shallcross,®é and his grandson Francis Boteler Shallcross in 1681.57 The last-named died without issue in 1693,°8 and Digswell passed to his uncle Henry Shallcross, who died in 1696. Henry’s son Thomas Suatzcxoss, Gules is mentioned as lord of the @ saltire between four manor in 1728 % and 1729,8 = "#"B# or and William Shallcross in 1757. He was succeeded by another Thomas Shallcross, who died in 1770% and left Digswell DIGSWELL to Richard Willis, the husband of his niece.’ Elizabeth Willis, their daughter, sold the manor in 1786 to Henry Cowper.®* The latter occupied the position of guardian to the young Earl Cowper, and the sale was in reality to his ward, for the earl was in possession of the manor in 1821." Digswell remained in the possession of the Earls Cowper uncl the death in 1905 of the seventh and last earl, whose trustees are at present lords of the manor. The manor of Digswell possessed two mills as early as 1086, at which time a half mill was held by Roger of Peter de Valognes.® Two mills, together with a carucate of land, were the subject of a fine in 1233 between Simon Fitz Simon and Henry Sifriwast,” to one of whom they had doubtless been leased by the lord of the manor. They are mentioned as late as 1786,"! but only one exists now. Laurence de St. Michael in 1274 had free warren on one side of the river, and claimed it on the other side.” He also claimed at the same time view of kpledge, gallows, and of the assize of bread and ale.” William de Melksop received a fresh grant of free warren in 1301-2.74 In 1278 Laurence de St. Michael claimed by charter of Henry III a weekly market on Thursdays and « fair every year for ten days.”> Neither now survives. They probably died out owing to decrease in the population, caused presumably by the Black Death, for in 1428 Digswell only possessed six householders.7® The parish church of ST. JOHN 7 is CHURCH covered with cement outside and plastered inside, and consists of a chancel, nave, north chapel and north aisle, north-west tower, and south porch, The original church, probably consisting of a chancel and nave, was built in the 12th century, and to that date the present chancel and nave may probably be referred. The north aisle was built about 1300, with a chantry chapel added at its east end a quarter of a century later, but the arcade no longer exists. In the first decade of the 16th century the present north chapel was built, replacing the smaller chantry, for the erection of which John Perient left £200 at his death in 1324 for the souls of himself, his wife and parents, and John Ludwick and John Derham.’8 At the same period the north-west tower was added to the west of the aisle, its north and west walls being continuous with those of the aisle and nave. The south porch seems to belong to the end of the 17th or the beginning of the 18th century. The church 3 See manor of Ludwick in Hatfield ; Chan, Ing, p.m, 21 Ric. II, no. 29, % Close, 1 Hen. V, m. 6 . (see also ibid. q Hen. IV, m. 11d.) ; Feud. Aids, ii, 449. Chan, Ing, p.m. 10 Hen. VI, no. 1. Gibbons, Early Linc. Wills, 1705 monumental inscription. * Chan, Ing. pm. 14 Edw. IV, no. 29 5 Ct. R. portf. 72, no. 893. * Chan, Ing, pam, (Ser. 2), Lili, 61. # Ibid. Lexiii, 89. “PLCC. 22 Alen; Herts, Gen. and Antig. ii, 128. “ Feet of F, Herts, Hil. 4 Edw. VI5 Chan. Inq. p.m, (Ser. 2), xciii, 104. 46 Thid. # Feet of F, Herts, Mich. 6 Edw. VI. “8 Visit, of Herts. (Harl, Soc. xxii), 114. “9 Feet of F. Herts. Trin. 3 & 4 Phil. and Mary. 59 Visit. of Herts, (Harl. Soc. xxii), 114. 81 Feet of F. Herts. Trin. 33 Eliz. 8 Ibid. East, 41 Eliz. ® Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), celxxxviii, 145 ; Recov. R. Hil. 1655, rot. 55. + Close, 1656, pt. xxxv, no. 40. 8 Monum, Inscr. 86 Thid. 5 Thid, 5 Chauncy, op. cit. 316. 59 Ibid. © Monum. Insc. © Salmon, op. cit, 208. © Inst, Bks. (P.R.O,). 8 Ibid, * Monum, Inscr. 6 Clutterbuck, op. cit. ii, 323. 83 66 Feet of F. Herts. Hil. 26 Geo. III. % Sess, Re (Herts. Co, Rec), ii, 167. ® Clutterbuck, op. cit. ii, 320. VCH. Herts, i, 336. 7 Feet of F. Herts. 17 Hen. III, no. 164. 1 Ybid. Hil. 26 Geo. IIL. 7 Hund, R. (Rec. Com.), i, 192. 1 Ybid.; Plac. de Quo Warr, (Rec. Com.), 287; Assize R. 325. 74 Chart. R. 30 Edw. I, no, 17. 78 Assize R. 323, m. 40d. 18 Feud. Aids, ii, 454. 7 Dimensions: chancel, 22 ft. by 20 ft.; nave, 31 ft. by 22 ft.; north chapel, 21 ft. 6 in. by 9 ft.6 in.; north aisle, 25 ft. by 7 ft. 6 in. ; tower, 7 ft. 6 in, square. 78 P.C.C. 15 Luffenam. A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE was extensively altered in 1811, and was restored in 1874. : The chancel has a modern east window of three lights in a two-centred head. On the north side is 1050 19 20 Wreet aa ———${\an Organ North Chapel Pian of Dicswett Cuurch an arch of about 1200 opening into the north chapel. ‘The face towards the chancel is modern. The arch is two-centred of a single chamfered order ; to the east of it is a deep recess with a four-centred head, of the 15th century, which may have been originally open on both sides. In the south wall at the east is a modern three-light window with a square head. At the west end of this wall is a lofty segmental-headed window, probably of the 13th century, now blocked. To the east of the easternmost window in the south wall is a double piscina of the 13th century with two high two-centred chamfered heads and a central shaft, of which the base is old. Between the chancel and the chapel is a screen of the carly 16th century, of which the lower part has been destroyed. A similar screen, formerly the rood screen, with the lower part also destroyed, divides the chapel from the aisle. The north chapel has two early 16th-century win- dows, that in the east wall having three trefoiled lights in a four - centred head, and the north window two cinquefoiled lights in a square head. At the north- east corner is a small door with a two-centred head, leading to the churchyard. On each side of the east win- dow is a stone bracket, moulded and curved with shields of Perient, three cres- cents quartering a cross paty. It is possible that these may have been originally in John Perient’s chantry. The roof of the chapel is low pitched, of panelled oak, and dates from the early 16th-century remodelling. The nave walls are proba bly of the 12th century, but there is no detail of an earlier date than the 15th Dicswett Cuvrcu : century. There were three windows in the south wall, but the middle one of three lights is blocked by the east wall of the porch ; the other two contain some 15th-century stones and are of two cinquefoiled lights with tracery above in a two-centred head, The west window is of three lights with tracery above in a two-centred head. The roof has tsth- century tie-beams. The south door opens to the cemented and embattled porch, which has a small light in the east and west walls. The north aisle opens to the nave by a single modern arch, which replaces the original arcade of two bays. In the north wall are two two-light cinquefoiled windows of the same date as those of the chapel, and obviously inserted when the chapel was rebuilt. Between them is a remarkable recess with a richly moulded two-centred arch, containing tracery of the end of the 13th century. The lower part of the recess is destroyed, but the tracery is intact and consists of four high trefoiled heads, supported on three corbels with the heads of a priest, a woman and a bishop, and having above them two trefoils sur- mounted by a quatrefoil, the space in the middle being filled by the dove, the symbol of the Holy Ghost. The lower part of the label of the arch, with returns, is modern. The north-west tower has a north wall of the same thickness as that of the nave. It is open only to the aisle by a four-centred plastered arch, The oak doors in this arch, of early 16th-century work, were probably originally those of the rood screen. They have traceried and moulded panels and a four- centred cusped and foliated head. The west window of the tower is of a single light, of the 16th century. It is unglazed and closed by a door. The four bell- chamber windows are also of the 16th century, of two cinguefoiled lights under a square head. In the chapel are mural monuments to William Sedley, 1658, Eliza Shallcross, 1677, and Francis Shallcross, 1681, and some 17th-century floor-slabs Nortu Arsiz, sHowinc Recess with TRAacerY 84 BROADWATER HUNDRED to members of the Shallcross family. There is in the chancel a brass of John Perient, standard-bearer to Richard II, Henry IV, and Henry V, and his wife Joan Risain, who died in 1415. The figures are 5 ft. long. The man is in armour, and the arms and part of the inscription remain. Another brass of a knight in armour, with two symbols of the Evangelists, is most probably that of his son John Perient, who died in 1432. On the same slab is an inscription to Thomas Robynson and his wife, 1495. A brass of Thomas Hoore, 1495, his wife, four sons and eight daughters, has an inscription and four shields with a double-headed eagle, the arms of Hoore, the Mercers’ Company and a defaced coat. There are also in the chancel brasses of William Robert, auditor of the Bishop of Winchester, 14— (the date has not been filled in), his wife, 1484, and two sons; the figures are shrouded and there are two shields and an in- scription: of John Perient, a small, undated in- scription ; of Robert Battyl, 1552, his wife, four sons and six daughters; and of two daughters of Sir Alexander Cave, 1637. ‘The bells are three in number, the first and second by Robert Oldfeild, 1605. The plate includes an engraved cup of 1563, a paten of 1673 and a flagon of 1672. The registers are in three books: (i) all entries from 1538 to 1731; (ii) baptisms and burials from 1731 to 1812 and marriages from 1731 to 1753; (iii) marriages from 1758 to 1812. Book i has been recovered since the return of 1830. The church was given to the ADVOWSON abbey of Walden, in Essex, by Geoffrey de Mandeville, first Earl of Essex, the founder of that monastery ” and lord of the manor of Digswell. The grant was confirmed by Alice de Vere,” said to have been the sister or half-sister of William de Mandeville, the third earl. Geoffrey Fitz Piers, who was Earl of Essex from 1199 to 1213," laid claim to the advowson, and litigation arose between him and the Abbot of Walden. It was decided that the earl and his son Geoffrey should present to the church during their lives, and that GRAVELEY after their decease it should return to the abbot for ever. ‘The advowson then remained to Walden Abbey until the surrender of the abbot in 1533. The church was never appropriated, and the living was always a rectory. In 1538 the abbey, at the earnest suit of Thomas Audley, then Lord Chan- cellor,® was granted to him with all its possessions, * among which, however, Digswell advowson is not mentioned.” Although there is no record of any grant, the advowson seems to have been acquired by the lords of the manor, for John Sedley was seised of half of it at his death in 1605. After that date it descended with the manor until 1786," when it was sold by Elizabeth Willis to Jane Pearce,” who left it by will to her nephew the Rev. Nathaniel May,” the patron in 1811. In that year, however, he sold it to Joshua Watson, to hold in trust for the use of his brother the Rev. John James Watson and his heirs. In 1829 the advowson was sold by Dr. Watson to S. Everard,°® who again sold it late in 1836 to William Willoughby Prescott.* The latter died in the same year, leaving it by will to his fourth son, the Rev. George Edward Prescott, who was patron and incumbent until 1888.” His trustees held the presentation from that date until 1900, when it was acquired by Miss Wilshere ® of the Frythe, Welwyn, who is the present patron. In 1638 the parsonage of Digswell was said to be ‘sufficient and commodious for habitation.’ Adjoining there was ‘one large nue barne thatched and bourded on the outside, of length five bayes, also one hay barne and stable nue built contein- ing both fower bayes covered with tiles being all under one roofe.’ The glebe lands amounted to 40 acres.” The parliamentary returns of 1786 CHARITIES mention certain tenements and land held by the parish under a gift of Thomas Shallcross and of a donor unknown, situated respectively at Burnham Green and at Harmer Green. Questions arose, however, as to the title of the parish to the property at Burnham Green, but three small tenements at Harmer Green were inhabited by three poor families rent free, GRAVELEY Gravelai (xi cent.) ; Gravele (xiv cent.). The parish of Graveley has an area of 1,837 acres, of which 5814 are arable land, 2973 acres permanent grass and 853 acres wood.! The elevation of the parish is greatest in the east, where it attains a height of over 460 ft. It slopes down towards the west, but the level of the entire parish is over 300 ft., with the exception of a small portion in the extreme south-west. The village of Graveley is on the west side of the ™ Dugdale, Mon, i fe 3697, fol. 1, iv, 133 5 Harl, MS. © Ibid. fol. 21 d, tion taken at his pm. (Ser. 2], Ixx, 3) 88 In the survey of parish and is situated between Stevenage and Baldock on the Great North Road, which forms a part of the western boundary of the parish. The church of St. Mary lies a little way off the high road on the east side, and just to the west of it is Graveley Hall, a 17th-century house refaced with brick, but having its original chimney stacks. A little to the south of the church is Graveley Bury, a 17th-century farm-house with pargeted walls and tiled roof. ‘The village has death (Chan. Ing. Com, Pleas D. Ent. 52 Geo. III, f m. 72. the property of the ® Inst. Bks. (P.R.O, a 2 GEC. Complete Peerage 8 Duchy of Lane. D. Box A, no. 11 SL. and P. Hes, VIM, xii (1), $75. Dict Nat, Bio. L. and P. Hen, VII, xiii (1), 75. BR pubes as Nor ie it mentioned inthe inquisi- abbey taken in 1535 Digswell is not mentioned (Valor Eccl, [Rec. Com.], vi). Hence it may have already been alienated, 89 Ibid, cclxxxviii, 145. Bacon, Liber Regis. 5 Com, Pleas D, Enr. Hil. 2 Geo. III, m, 725 P.C.C. $7 Kenyon. 85 )- % Com, Pleas D.Enr. Hil. 52 Geo.III, m. 72. % Clerita: Guide; Cussans, op. cit, Broadwater Hund. 263. % Cussans, loc. cit. ; Clerical Guide, Clergy List, 8 Thid % Herts. Gen. and Antig. ii, 296. } Statistics from Bd. of Agric. (1905). A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE at some time migrated to the main road. About a mile east is the hamlet of Chesfield with its ruined church or chapel of St. Etheldreda, adjoining which is Chesfield Manor House, now a farm-house. The existing building is only a portion of the old house which has been considerably modernized. What is left dates from the beginning of the 17th century. The house consists of what was apparently the old hall, having a projection at the back or north side containing the staircase and a long wing, in which are the kitchen offices, projecting northwards and con- nected now to the main block at one corner only. The hall has been subdivided into a drawing room and dining room, each having a modern fireplace, the old fireplace on the north side of the hall having been built up, though the original chimney still exists. The dining room contains some old moulded panelling. The old entrance door has disappeared, but it was with moulded mullions and frame of oak, the casements being glazed with the old diamond panes in lead, It is the only original window left in the building. Chesfield Park, the seat of Mr. Charles Poyntz Stewart, J.P., was erected towards the end of the 17th century. It is a plain building, with very little architectural pretension. The front is of brickwork, with painted stone or cement moulded architraves round the windows. The house has recently been con- siderably added to at the back. The park lies partly in this parish and partly in that of Stevenage. In the extreme east of the parish is the hamlet of Botany Bay. Corey’s Mill is situated on the south-western boundary of the parish. The subsoil, like that of the surrounding country, is chalk, with a surface soil of gravel and clay. There are some old chalk-pits in the neighbourhood of J f Gatenay CHESFIELD MANorR House ° Dining 0s 5 B73 Kitchen Coats Scullery 17D Century £2] Moprrn | oo probably on the south side, as the old boundary walls and gate piers still remain on that side of the house. On the north side of the old hall a modern passage has been formed giving access to the staircase and tothe present entrance door. The stair is the original one and is of the type known as ‘dog-legged,’ having two straight flights without a wall between them. The stair is all of oak, with square newels finished with moulded tops, the balusters are of the usual pattern, 3 in. square at top and bottom, the centre part being turned and moulded. The main block consists of two stories and attics, but there is very little of interest internally. Externally, the chief feature is the brick chimney stack at the back, which consists of a row of three square chimney shafts set diagonally on a heavy mass of brickwork, all of a plain character. The bricks are 2} in. thick, rising about 11 in. to four courses, but much of the work has been refaced. The south and west of the kitchen wing are of brick, but the other two sides are timber-framed and plastered. In the west wall is a long low window of five lights, Grounp PLAN 4 1 je of feer Chesfield Church, and others, stil] in use, to the west of that village. There is a gravel-pit beside the road in the south of the parish and a disused one to the north of Graveley village. No railway passes through the parish; the nearest station is Stevenage, a mile and a half south. Place-names mentioned in the early 17th centary are ‘Ja Holt,’ Rainehill and Annicks.’* The manor of GRAVELEY was held in the time of King Edward by Swen, one of Earl Harold’s men, and ws granted by William the Conqueror to Goisbert of Beauvais. At this time it was assessed at 2 hides. Half a hide, formerly held by two men of Godwin of Bendfield, was held in 1086 by William of Robert Gernon,? The manor of Goisbert of Beauvais seems to have been granted with Great Wymondley (q.v.) t MANORS 4s Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), cecxxii, 162; Herts, Gen. ond Antig. iii, 56. VCH, Herts. i, 335) 308) 323- 86 BROADWATER HUNDRED Reginald de Argentein early in the 2th century. The estate of Robert Gernon in Little Wymondley was held in the 13th century by the Argenteins, so it is probable that here the two estates of 1086 became amalgamated. The overlordship of this manor, therefore, follows the descent of Great Wymondley.* ‘The early sub-tenants of the manor under the lords of Great Wymondley are obscure. Early in the reign of Richard I and in 1198 there is mention of William de Graveley,‘ and in the latter year of John de Graveley and Beatrice his wife,’ who were ultimately succeeded (if they held the manor) by Robert de Graveley, who died about 1311.° Robert’s wife Beatrice outlived him by many years,’ and also survived their son John, who was seised of the manor and died without issue before 1321.° In that year Pagana de Merdele sued Beatrice for the manor on the ground that John’s heir was his aunt Alice, the mother of Pagana. Beatrice stated in defence that John had quitclaimed all his right in the manor to her and her husband and her heirs? The result of the suit is not recorded. Beatrice died about 1337." In the same year Thomas Fitz Eustace conveyed the manor to John de Blomvile," lord of the manor of Chesfield. He died in the same year,” and was suc- ceeded by his son John, and he after 1351 by his son, also John de Blomvile,"* after whose death the manor came into the possession of John Barrington“ and Margaret his wife, who issaid to have been the daughter and heir of John de Blomvile the third.’* After the death of her husband Margaret granted Graveley to Edmund Barrington,® who held it in 1428.7 He was succeeded by Thomas Barrington, who died in 1472, when the manor passed to his son Humphrey,'*as Edmund, his eldest son, had died without issue. Nicholas Barrington, the next holder, died in 1505 and was succeeded by his son of the same name.’ Nicholas the younger died in 1515, and the manor passed to his son John,” who was succeeded by Thomas Barrington. Thomas alienated the manor in 1565-6 to Thomas Bedell, who conveyed it a few months later to William Clarke." He was succeeded by his son William,” whose daughter Elizabeth married George Throckmorton, who held the manor in right of his wife and died in 1696.% His son John suc- ceeded him,” and sold the manor in 1704 to Edward Lawndy of Baldock. The latter is said to have bequeathed it to his grandson, Edward Sparhawke, who held it in 1728, and died without issue in 1741.” The manor passed to his nephews Lawndy and Edward Sparhawke," who, however, both died ® Feud. Aids, ii, 429, 436, 443, Feet of F. 4485; Chan, Ing. pm. 12 Edw, II, no. 43. * Rot. Cur Reg. (Pipe R. Soc. xiv), Cussans, op. 27. 8 Feet of F. (Pipe R. Soc. xxiv), §3 5 Rot. Cur. Reg, (Rec. Com.), i, 1753 Feet of F. (Pipe R. Soc. xxiv), 45. § Harl. Chart. 51 D. 26; Harl. MS. Herts, 25 Edw. Ill, no. 387. “Close, 2 Ric. I, m. 35 4. cit, Broadwater Hund. 64. 6 Close, 6 Ric. II, pt. i, m. 15 d. U Feud. Aids, ii, 448, Chan, Ing. pm. 14 Edw. IV, GRAVELEY without issue, and their lands passed in 1778” to William Parkins, son of their sister Katherine, who held Graveley in 1821." Both William and_ his brother and heir Edward Parkins died without issue, an aia ata at and the manor was divided between Captain Obert, son of their sister Margaret, and Richard Lack, son of their younger sister Catherine. In 1858 Richard Lack sold his moiety to Lieut.-Col. Robert Hindley Wilkinson, who married Caroline sister of Captain Obert.” Lieut.-Col. Wilkinson died in 1888, and his widow continued to hold the manor until December 1894, the other moiety also having come to her. She was succeeded by her daughter Caroline Elizabeth, wife of Mr. Charles Poyntz-Stewart, M.A., J.P., who is the present lord of the manor in right of his wife.” CHESFIELD or CHISFIELD (Chevesfeld, xiii cent.; Chenesfeld, Chiffield, Chelsfield, xiv cent. ; Chenyfeld, xvi cent.). This manor may be identified by its subsequent history with the holdings of Peter de Valognes in 1086. Two hides and 14 virgates in Graveley which formed a manor before the Conquest had been held by lmar or Zithelmar of Benington. Another virgate had been held by Alestan of Boscombe, and belonged to Weston ; half a virgate had been held by Lepsi, a sokeman of King Edward, and 8 acres and a toft lying in Stevenage by the Abbot of Westminster, by gift of King Edward. In 1086 the ‘manorial’ portion was held by Godfrey of Peter de Valognes the sheriff" The virgate and a half was held by Peter de Valognes of William de Ow, and the 8 acres and a toft, apparently reclaimed from Westminster, were in the hands of Roger, Peter’s bailiff" Probably Peter de Valognes also acquired the 14 hides 10 acres which Adam Fitz Hubert held of the Bishop of Bayeux in 1086," through his marriage with Albreda, sister of Eudo Dapifer, brother and heir of Adam Fitz Hubert. The manor thus formed was held of Benington Manor as of the barony of Valognes,** and the overlordship follows the descent of Benington. In the 13th century the manor of Chesfield was held of the barony of Valognes by the family of La Haye. The first of them mentioned in connexion Wirxinson, — Gules a fesse vair between three unicorns passant argent. % Feet of F, Herts. Hil. 2 Anne. 26 Salmon, op. cit. 186. 7 Clutterbuck, op. cit. 230. 8 Recov. R. Hil. 2 Geo. III, rot. 30. % Clutterbuck, op. eit. ii, 3, quoting monumental inscription, 2 Ibid. 330. 5 Cussans, op. cit. Broadwater Hund 64-5. Burke, Landed Gentry (1907). In- formation kindly supplied by Mr. C. no. 35. 5836, fol. 147. io Thid. 24 Hen. VIL, no. 72, ; Cal, Clore, 1307-13, p. 317+ % Har. MS, 756, fol. 381 Chan. De Banco R. Mich. 15 Edw. Il, Ing. pum, (Ser. 2), xxx) 147. m. 18, A Feet of ° Tid. 10 Cal. Close, 1337-9, ps 18. 0 Feet of F. Herts. Trin, 11 Edw, IIT, no, 184. 1 Cal. Close, 1337-9, p. 263. F. Herts, East. 7 Eliz; Mich. 8 & 9 Eliz. ® Visit. of Herts, (Harl. Soc, xxii), 425 Recov. R. Mich, 18 Jas. I, rot. 73. % Chauncy, op. cit. 368. 4 Ibid, 87 Poyntz-Stewart. ® CH. Herts. i, 336. 27. % Thid. 308, 58 Testa de Newill (Rec. Com.), 2715 Feud. Aids, ii, 430; Chan. Ing. p.m. 17 Edw. II, no. 43. A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE with Graveley are Ralph and Robert de la Haye, who held one fee there early in the 13th century.” Robert de la Haye is again mentioned in 1232 and 1248," but some time between the latter date and 1255 the manor seems to have been acquired by John de Blomvile and Joan his wife.” Blomvile, apparently their son, held it in 1303,“ and Immediately before his death he became lord of the manor of Graveley, which passed to his son, and Chesfield has descended with that manor until the present day.® A windmill in Chesfield was leased to the lord of the manor of Great Wymondley in 1318." In 1328 the site is described as land where there was lately a died in 1337." John de AL COLLINS Cuzsrretp Manor House rrom tHe Norri-gast mill.“ There is now a windmill on Jack’s Hill in the north of the parish. This manor of GRAVELEY HALL was formed * Testa de Nevill (Rec. Com.), 271; Cur, Reg. R. 110, m. 6. #8 Maitland, Bracton's Note BR. ii, 6715 Feet of F, Herts. 32 Hen. III, no. 362; Harl. Chart. 51 D, 26; Harl. MS. 5836, fol. 147. % Feet of F. Herts. 39 Hen. II, no. 469; Harl. Chart. 46 E. 28, 10 Feud. Aids, ii, 430. 41 Cal, Close, 1337-95 p» 18. “9 Feet of F. Hert. Trin. 11 Edw. III, vo. 184. from the lands in Graveley which belonged to Sopwell Nunnery, St. Albans. Ic i unfortunately impossible to ascertain from what donor the nunnery received them, and hence the overlordship is un- known. In 1528 the Prioress of Sopwell leased them to Agnes Gascoigne for a term of twenty years,“ and in 1538 the king renewed the lease for twenty-one years Gascoigne, widow, and John It is Gravecty of Graveley, Sable across pointed argent with a molet argent in the to Agnes quarter. Graveley. The reversion and rent were granted later in the same year to James Needham of Wymondley Priory," who in 1541 obtained a licence to alienate them to John Graveley and his heirs John Graveley was succeeded by his son Thomas, who bought up other lands in Graveley from John Brockett and John Graveley of Hitchin,” and thus consolidated his estate. He died in 1583 and bequeathed his lands in Graveley to his wife for the education of his four children, with remainder to Francis, his eldest son. Francis became lord of the manor, bi died in 1584, and was followed successively by his brothers Thomas," who died unmarried in 1587,” and Rowland, his youngest brother, who lived until 1610. Rowland Graveley’s eldest son John died on the day after his father, so that the reversion of the manor after the death of Rowland Graveley’s widow, the life-tenant, passed to the second son Thomas, a minor in wardship of his mother Anne." Thomas Graveley and Winifred his wife sold the manor in 1627 to Richard Nixon,” and he in 1637 to Eustace Needham.” Graveley Hall thus returned to the family of its early owners and seems to have remained in that family. Almost a hundred yeans later the Needham co-heirs were holding the manor,® after which itseems to have followed the descent of Wymondley Priory Manor.” Sir Henry Holmes or Helmes, the occupier during the ownership of Richard Nixon,"* was granted court Close, z Ric. HI, m. 35 d.; Chan, Ing, p.m. 14 Edw. IV, no. 35; (Ser. 2), xxx, 1475 Chan. Proc. (Ser. 2), bile. 22 no. 585 Feet of F. Herts, East. 7 Eliz. ; Recov. R. Hil. 2 Geo. III, rot. 30. “4 Chan. Ing, p.m. 12 Edw. II, n0. 43. 4 Thid. 49 Edw. IL, pt. ii, no. 17. 4 Dugdale, Mon. iii, 364. © Land P. Hen. VII, xiii (1), g. 887 (13). # Tid. xvi, g. 780 (6). * Com. Pleas D. Enr. Mich. 6 & 7 Eliz. ; Hil 7 Eliz. m. 6. 88 leet and view of frankpledge there in 1616." ® Chan. Ing, p.m. (Ser. 2), cov, 192. 31 Ibid. cevi, 42. * Thid. cexvi, 104. Ibid. cecxii, 162. Feet of F, Herts, Mich. 3 Chas L *5 Com. Pleas D, Ear. Hil 12 Chas. 1. % Feet of F, Herts, East. 13 Geo. 1; Mich. 2 Geo, IL. * Ibid. Mich. 7 Geo. IL; Recor. R. East. to Geo. IIL, rot. 311. “ Com, Pleas D. Enr. Hil. 12 Chas. I. © Pat. 14 Jas. I, pt. xxv, no. 21. BROADWATER HUNDRED The parish church of ST. MARY is built of flint rubble with stone dressings ; the chancel is roofed with tiles and the nave with lead. The church consists of a chancel, nave, north aisle, north vestry, west tower and south porch.® The nave is the oldest part of the present structure and probably dates from the 12th century. In the 13th century the chancel was either enlarged or wholly rebuilt. The west tower was added about 1480, and the south porch probably in the 18th century. The north aisle and north vestry date from 1887, when the church was restored throughout, The original 13th-century roll-moulded east win- dows of the chancel are replaced by a window of about 1500 of three cinquefoiled lights ; but the interior jambs with part of the arch are still visible on either side of the existing window. In the north wall are two windows, probably of the 13th century, with a CHURCHES GRAVELEY The nave has a window of about 1330 in the south wall with two cinquefoiled lights and a quatre- foil in a two-centred head, and a 15th-century two- light window, with similar tracery in a four-centred head. Between them is the south doorway leading to the south porch. The roof of the nave is low- pitched, of 1s5th-century date, but most of the carving is modern. At the north-east, beside the chancel arch, is a tall shallow niche of the r5th century, with a two-centred arch in a moulded rectangular frame. The north arcade with the north aisle is modern, but a r14th-century window has been reset in the north wall. The west tower, of two stages with an embattled parapet, has a late 15th-century arch towards the nave. The west doorway is of the same date. The west window has modern stonework, and the two- light windows of the bell chamber are repaired with cement, modern window be- tween them. The doorway in the north wall is of the 12th century, moved to its present position from the north wall when the north aisle was built. In the south wall the easternmost window isa plain single light of the 13th century, and the westernmost is of about 1500 of three cinquefoiled lights in a low two- centred head. Be- tween them a door- way and window aboveit, both blocked and only visible in- ternally, are of the 13th century. The piscina in the south- east corner is of the 13th century ; it is double and has two detached shafts and a central pillar with moulded bases and capitals supporting two richly moulded half-arches and an intersecting arch, all semicircular. It is surrounded by a square moulded setting. The drains are very deep ; the eastern is eight-foiled and the western a quatrefoil. All the work is original and in excellent condition. ‘The chancel arch is of the late 15th century, of two orders, the inner order supported on half- octagonal pilasters with moulded capitals extending round the three complete faces only. A 15th. century oak rood screen stands in the archway with plain lower panels and three open bays of two cinque- foiled lights with tracery above on either side of the four-centred entrance, which has open tracery in the spandrels and no doors. The cornice has an embattled cresting, and the foot of the cross remains over the doorway. © Dimensions : chancel, 31 it. by 16 ft; nave, 30 ft, by 19 ft. ; west tower, 11 ft, by Toft. 3 89 Gravetzy CuurcH From THE SouTH-zasT The font, of limestone, is octagonal, of the 15th century. The pulpit is modern. A piece of wood tracery of the 14th century is worked into the reading desk. In the nave is a floor slab with an incised marginal inscription, «.... . Elienora conjux virgo simulata (Xpus meus?) ora quod sit beatis sociata,’ which probably refers to a vow of celibacy in wedlock.’ In the slab are also the indents of brass shields and an inscription plate. The bells, of which there are six, include a third of 1605 by Robert Oldfeild and a fifth of 1589 by John Dyer. The plate belonging to the church of St. Mary, Graveley, is modern, and consists of a cup and paten and a small plated flagon. The registers are in four books: (i) baptisms from 1555 to 1748, burials from 1551 to 1751 and f%— Referred to by Salmon (1728) and Cussans, op. cit. 12 A HISTORY OF marriages from 1555 to 1750 ; (ii) baptisms from 1749 to 1812, burials from 1751 to 1812 and marriages from 1751 to 17§3 ; (iii) and (iv) marriages from 1754 to 1812 and from 1792 to 1812 respectively. The ruined church of ST. ETHELDREDA® at Chesfield stands on rising ground about a mile to the east of the village. It consists of a chancel, nave and south-east chapel, and is built of flint roughly plas- tered, with stone dressings. The whole building dates from the middle of the 14th century, The side walls are about 14 ft. high, and the west walls of the nave and chapel are gabled. There are no roofs, and the east end of the south wall has entirely disappeared, while the east wall can only be traced by the foundations. The condition of the remains is very bad, the walls being heavily covered with ivy, the buttresses defaced, and the floor overgrown with grass and weeds. The chancel and nave form a continuous rect- angular building. At the west end of the north wall is 2 doorway with chamfered jambs and a two-centred head. A scroll moulded label with return ends is partly broken away, and the rear arch is missing. To the east of the doorway is a two-light window opening, of which only the sill and the west jamb remain. Near the east end a large break in the wall probably indicates the position of a third window. In the south wall is a doorway with a two-centred chamfered arch of two orders, with only one piece of label remaining ; and to the east of it, at the angle formed by the south wall and the west wall of the chapel, is a two-light window, of which only the west jamb and the sill, much thrust out of position, remain. In the west wall is a traceried window of two trefoiled lights, of which only the jambs and head remain at all complete; the sill is partly broken away, and the mullion and most of the tracery are gone. Only the west wall and part of the south wall of the chapel remain. In the former is a doorway of the same detail as those in the nave, with its north jamb broken away. In the south wall is a single cinquefoiled light of the 14th century very much defaced. In the chancel is a hole containing a stone coffin, [here are traces of colour on the internal plaster of the walls. In 1225 the advowson of Graveley was the subject of a dispute between John, Ralph and Adam, the sons of William Fitz Simon," formerly patron. Adam Fitz Simon appears to have obtained it.” This family ADVOH'SON 1 Chancel and nave 50 ft. by 18 ft. 6 in. © Maitland, Bracton's Note Bk. ii, 69. 543° % Thid, a ® Cur, Reg. R. 110, m. 6, 6 Ibid, © Feet of F. Div. Co. Mich. 5 Edw. III, 70 Thid, no. 101; Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), iv, 71 Ibid. 305 Recov. R. East. 17 Hen. VIII, rot. 410; Feet of F. Div. Co. Trin. 41 Eliz. ; Inst. Bks. (P.R.O.). 73 Thid. 7 Ibid. Cussans, op. cit. Broadwater Hund, 7 Cur, Reg. R. 110, m. 6 HERTFORDSHIRE were lords of the manor of Symondshyde in Hatfield (q.-v.), with which the advowson of Graveley de- scended™ until 1818, when Sir Thomas Salusbury sold it to John Green of Great Amwell. From John Green it descended to his grandson the Rev. George Dewe Green, after whose death in 1871 ® jt passed to the Rev. G. Dunn,’ who held it until 1880.8 From this date until 1899 it was in the hands of the trustees of the Rev. J. Pardoe.®® In that year it came into the possession of the Rev, George Clennell Rivett-Carnac, from whom it passed in 1900 to Mrs. M. F. Chesshyre-Walker,” and in 1902 to the Rev. Roland E. Chesshyre-Walker,” who is the present patron and incumbent. The church or chapel of Chesfield is first men- tioned in 1232, when the advowson belonged to the patron of the church of Graveley.”? It scems to have usually had a separate incumbent from Graveley, though occasionally the same parson served both.? Early in the 13th century a certain Thomas, who held both livings, seems to have alienated the advow- son collusively to the lord of the manor of Chesfield,” and in consequence of this the lords claimed half of it throughout that century. This first occurred in 1232, when Robert de la Haye claimed it against Adam Fitz William.”® In 1248 he again claimed it against Simon Fitz Adam, and was worsted." John de Blomvile did the same in 125,77 but finally in 1331 Parnel widow of John de Benstede, lady of the manor of Benington, of which Chesfield was held, confirmed the advowson to Hugh Fitz Simon.7¢ From this time it continued to be held with the manors of Symondshyde in Hatfield and Almshoe in Ippollitts in the same manner as Graveley advowson. There was evidently considerable rivalry between the two incumbents, and on one occasion it attained such proportions that John Smyth, the parson of Graveley, killed Robert Schorthale, the parson of Chesficld, for which offence he obtained a pardon in 1384.7” The two churches were united in the 15th century ; Salmon gives the date as 1445. That of Chesfield was dismantled in 1750, under a licence from the Bishop of Lincoln. The two churchyards were still in use in 1686. The glebe lands then consisted of about 68 acres.8! A dwelling-house in Graveley was registered in 1799 as a meeting-place for Protestant Dissenters.” There is a Wesleyan chapel in the parish. In 1626 Edmund Jordane by his CHARITIES will charged an acre of land in Graveley Bottom with 4s. a year for the poor, payable at the feast of St. John the Baptist. % Tid. 70 Feet of F, Herts. 32 Hen, Il, Clergy List Ibid. 1. 39 Hen. III, no. 469. v. Co. § Edw. III, no, 10%, 79 Cal. Pat, 1381-5, p- 444+ Salmon, op. cit. 186. ® Herts, Gen. and Antig. ily $76 % Urwick, Nonconf. in Herts, 581. 10. 362. 7 Thid. Hil 78 Ibid, go Gravetsy Cuurcn . Tue Cuancet Gaavetey : Ruims or Cuesrrenn Cuurca HATFIELD on BROADWATER HUNDRED | gisuor’s HATFIELD HATFIELD or BISHOP'S HATFIELD Haetfeld (x cent.) ; Hetfelle (xi cent.) ; Hatfeud (aiv cent.) ; Cecil Hatfield (xvii cent.). The parish of Hatfield has an area of 12,884 acres, of which 3,895% acres are arable land, 4,941} permanent grass and 1,6683 wood.! From the great extent of the parish and from documentary evidences it is clear that Hatfield was originally forest land, of which Hatfield Park is the survival. The greater part of the parish lies at an elevation of between 200 ft. and 300 ft., but rises to 300 ft. in the north, at Handside and Brockett Park. South-east of Hatfield Park, which lies in the centre of the parish, the * ground rises considerably, the highest points, 419 ft., being south and east of Woodhill. The River Lea enters the parish at Brockett Park, crosses it diagonally from east to west, passes through the north of the Home Park, and forms a portion of the parish boundary in the direction of Holwell. The Great North Road runs through the centre of the parish, and is crossed by the main road from St. Albans to Hertford. The town of Hatfield is situated a short distance south of the cross roads. The church of St. Etheldreda lies a little way off the main road, and adjoining it are the remains of old Hatfield House, now used as stables. Between the church and the main road is Fore Street, formerly the principal part of the town, where the market was held. There are here several interesting houses, notably one of the 17th century of timber and plaster with an overhanging story and tiled roof, now converted into two shops, and some late 18th and early rgth-century red brick houses, including the old Salisbury Arms. Park Street branches off to the north, and in it is the Eight Bells Inn, an early 17th-century plastered timber house of one story, with an attic having dormer windows. The town has now extended northward of Fore Street along the main road and around the railway station in the direction of the road to St. Albans. Facing the station yard immediately outside the park gates of Hatfield House is a bronze statue of Robert third Marquess of Salisbury, designed by Sir George J. Frampton, and erected by subscription by the Marquess’s Hertfordshire friends and neigh- bours in 1906. The Great Northern railway has a station at Hatfield, which is also a junction for the branch lines to St. Albans, Luton, Dunstable and Hertford. In the extreme north of : hamlet of Handsie, emsford at its southern i ‘i Cromer Hyde, extremity. These, with Lemsford. Brockett Hall was Lamb in the middle of the by James Paine. * Statietice from Bd, of Agric, (1905) gl * Freeman, Old Engl, Hise. 178, beautiful,’ Lord Melbourne died at Brockett in 1848. Lord Palmerston resided for some years at Bekett and died there in 1865. It is now the property 0 Admiral Lord Walter Kerr, but has been occupied for many years by Lord Mountstephen, who has on several occasions entertained royalty. The little village of Stanborough lies on the North Road a little further south. To the west are the village of Cromer Hyde, Symondshyde Farm, with Symondshyde Great Wood, and Astwick Manor. To the east is the village of Hatfield Hyde, with Woodhall Farm, Ludwick Hall and Holwell Manor, and Camfield Place (for which see Essendon), the residence of Mr. Frederick Vavasour McConnell. A little distance west of the town of Hatfield are New Town, where is the union workhouse, and Roe Green. Pope’s Farm is on the west side of Hatfield Park, and Bush Hall (the residence of Mr. A. L. Stride, J.P.) on the north. Beyond the parks the parish extends to the east in a long narrow strip. Here are situated Woodside, Lower Woodside, Wood- hill, the property of Canon Jones, and also Woodside Place, the residence of Sir William S. Church, M.D., and Warrenwood, the residence of Captain Butler. In the extreme east is the village of Newgate Street, with the manor of Tolmers, the residence of Mr. J. H. Johnson, and Ponsbourne Park, the house of which, erected about 1761 and added to later, is now the property of Col. Edward Hildred Carlile, M.P., J.P. In this part of the parish there are several old clay- pits and a gravel-pit which is still worked. There is also a large gravel-pit north of the Home Park. In the north-east of the parish are a number of old chalk-pits, The greater part of the parish lies on a subsoil of chalk, but south-east of the town there is a belt of Woolwich and Reading beds, and beyond that a stretch of London Clay. In the reign of King Edgar HAT- MANORS FIELD wasin the possession of ‘a certain powerful man’ named Oedmaer, whose daughter Athelflaed was King Edgar's wife? Oedmaer and his wife falde demised the 40 hides of Hatfeld tothe king, probably for the purposes of a benefaction, and in order that, by passing through the king’s hands, it might become ‘ bocland.’ Edgar transferred it to the monks of Ely, being under a promise to endow that abbey, the large quantity of wood it contained, making it specially valuable for building purposes. During Edgar's: lifetime the monaster enjoyed it without disturbance, but after his d th in 975 their claim was disputed. An alderm, or earl named Agelwin and his brothers declared that their father vailed, and the mon Hatfield, giving them Hemingford and land title was made secure} * Liber Eliemis (Impensis Soc), i, 11 5. A HISTORY OF The grant of Edgar to the church of Ely was confirmed by Ethelred and Edward the Confessor. In the Great Survey of 1086, and in the Inguisitio Eliensis taken about the same time, Hatfield was still assessed at 40 hides, of which half was demesne land and a large proportion forest. It continued in the possession of the abbots until 1109,° when it was transferred to the Bishops of Ely. HATFIELD HOUSE. The Bishops of Ely, from an early date, had a house at Hatfield, which they frequent! visited,” and at which they often entertained royal visitors. King John passed through Hatfield in March 1211, and Edward I spent a few days there in February 1303.2 Edward II visited it in July 1309," and Edward III was six times there, including the Christmas of 1336.1! In 1514, probably on the nomination of Henry VIII, Hannibal Zenzano, the king’s farrier, was made lessee of the manor and keeper of the parks,!? and from this time the king seems to have made use of Hatfield House almost as if it belonged to him, although it did not really come into his possession until 1538. In 1517 Lady Frances Brandon, daughter of the Duke of Suffolk and mother of Lady Jane Grey, was born and christened there.!* Henry VIII visited it in November 1522,!4 the same month in 1524,!° and August 1525.1° In June 1528 he removed to Hatfield from Hertford “because of the sweat.” The Marquess of Exeter and his wife were ill and the master of the horse ‘com- plained of his head ; nevertheless,’ says Henneage, ‘the King is merry and takes no conceit."” Princess Mary resided at Hatfield with a household suitable to her state as Princess Royal until Henry’s divorce from Katherine of Aragon in 1533. In December of that year her household was diminished, and the infant Princess Elizabeth was also conveyed there.!® A little later Mary’s household was entirely dissolved and she remained at Hatfield as a mere lady-in- waiting to the infant Elizabeth.” In March 1534, when the young Elizabeth was removed from Hatfield to Hunsdon, Mary refused to accompany her, but she was put by force by a certain gentleman into a litter with the queen’s aunt and thus compelled to make court to Elizabeth. She afterwards made a public protest.2? In 1538 the manor of Hatfield was conveyed by Thomas Bishop of Ely to Henry VIII, in exchange for the site of the dissolved monastery of Ickleton, the possessions of the dissolved priory of Swaffham Bulbeck, a single parish, and various lands in Essex.?! The Princess Elizabeth and the young Edward seem to have passed much of their childhood at Gules See of Exy. three crowns ore * Cart. Antig. B12. 80H, Herts, i, 411by Eliensis (ed, Hamilton), 125. ® Dugdale, Mon. i, 462. 7 p. F, Robinson, Vetruvius Britannicuy, Inguisitio geet seq. ¥ Ibid. 4429. STtin, of King John,’ Rot, Li Paz 8 Ibid. vi, 1528, (Rec. Com.). W Ibid. vii, 38. ® Cal. Pat. 1301-7, pp. 116-17. 1 bid. 1307-13, pp. 175-6. N Tbid. 1330-4, p. 2503 1334-8, pp: 86, 345, 3795 1338-40, p. 695 1348-50, p. 225. 2 Thid. 393. 30 Hen. VIII, pt. 12 Mins. Acts. bdle. 6, no. 4. 18 St. Albans Arch. Soc. 1901-2, 338. ¥ Ibid. iii, 2694. 1D, of purchase and exchange, 148 5 L, and P. Hen, VIII, xiii (2), g04 3 Pat. 2D, of purchate and exchange, 96. HERTFORDSHIRE Hatfield, and Elizabeth, although removed from there at the death of her father, had returned there by 1548, when she received the ambitious attentions of ‘Thomas Seymour Lord Sudeley. In 1549 Edward VI granted the manor of Hatfield to John Earl of Warwick,” but Princess Elizabeth had become so attached to it that she petitioned against its loss, in consequence of which the Earl of Warwick returned it to the king in 1550,2% and with the consent of the Privy Council it was conveyed to Elizabeth herself, who gave other lands in exchange to the Earl of Warwick.?+ At the accession of Queen Mary Elizabeth left Hatfield, but in 1555 was permitted to return there under the supervision of Sir Thomas Pope, and devoted herself to study. There Elizabeth refused proposals of marriage from Philibert Duke of Savoy and Prince Eric, son of Gustavus Vasa of Sweden. She was there in November 1558 when the news of Mary’s death was brought to her; this news she received, according to tradition, seated under an oak tree in the park, which still exists. Her first three councils were held at the house before she quitted it for London. Hatfield was still maintained as a royal palace and Elizabeth paid frequent visits to it. After her death in 1603 it was granted in dower to Anne of Denmark, the queen of James 125 James, however, in the same year visited the Earl of Salisbury at his manor of Theobalds, and was so pleased with it that he entered into negotiations with the earl for the exchange of that manor with Hatfield.2° The transfer was effected in 1607, Robert Earl of Salisbury receiving the grant of the lordship and manor of Hatfield, with the three parks, and all appurte- nances, to hold in socage.27_ In 1611 he obtained a licence, for himself and his heirs, to alienate lands and tenements in Hatfield ‘ notwith- standing the statute of Quia Emptores terrarum, or any other statutes.’28 As soon as he had entered upon possession of Hatfield Lord Salisbury appears to have set about pulling down half the old palace and build- ing the present house.” (For description of both see below Immediately after Lord Salisbury had settled at Hatfield he initiated a scheme for the relief of the poor there by means of the establishment of a weaving industry, and in December 1608 he made an agrec- ment with one Walter Morrall, by which Morrall was to teach his art to fifty persons to be chosen by the carl in the parish of Hatfield.2°% sey i 1 se L BT Creu, Marquess of Salisbury. Barry of ton pieces argent and azure six seutcheons sable with a lion argent on cach with the differenceof a crescent. 8 Ibid. 98. 4 Acts of P.C. 1550-2, p. 52+ % Pat. Jas. 1, pt. xx, m. 5. 2% See under Theobalds; Cal. S. P Dom. 1603-10, p. 354+ ¥ Pat. § Jas. I, pt. xix, m. 29 * Cal. S. Dom, 1611-18) 10g. 2 Sp, Albans and Herts, Archit: end Arch, Soe. Trans. i (4), 348-9 3038 Cal, S, P. Dim. 1623-10, p- 4785 St, Albans and Herts, Archit. and Arch Soc. Trans. i (4), 350» ili, no. 30. g2 SSN SS, Bil Pran or Hatrienp House in 1608 in THE Possession or THE Marquess oF SatisBuRY (Adapted from the Inventory of the Historical Monuments of Herffrdshire with the permission of the Royal Commission and the consent of the Controller of His Majesty’ s Stationery Office) BROADWATER HUNDRED Robert Earl of Salisbury died in 1612, and was succeeded by his son William, who took the side of the Parliament in the Civil War, and subsequently sat in Cromwell’s Lower House, though he had received a ‘marquessate? by vote.!® Charles I, while in the custody of the army, was at Hatfield House at the end of June 1647.5 The Earl of Salisbury was, however, reconciled to the king at the Restoration, and was appointed high steward of St. Albans m 1663.°° He died at Hatfield in December 1668, leaving as his heir his grandson James, the son of his younger son Charles Viscount Cranborne and Diana daughter and co-heir of James Earl of Dirletoun.*® The third Earl of Salisbury died in 1683 and was succeeded by his son and namesake, who became a Roman Catholic and was made high steward of Hertford by James II in 1688.57 In the following year he was impeached, but was discharged after two years’ imprisonment. He died in 1713,5* leaving as his heir his son James, who died in 1728 and was succeeded by his son of the same name, the sixth earl. With the seventh earl, a fifth James who succeeded his father in 1780,° began a revival of the political traditions of the family. He had been M.P. for Great Bedwyn for six years (1774-80) and was elected for Launceston, when his father’s death trans- ferred him to the House of Lords*°; in the same year he was made treasurer of the household and a privy councillor. He was Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire from 1771 to 1823," and from 1773 to 1815 Colonel of the county Militia. In this double capacity he entertained King George III on the occasion of a great review in June 1800.4 ‘Their Majesties ina post-chaise and four, and their Royal Highnesses the Princess Augusta, the Princess Elizabeth and the Princess Mary in a post-coach and four, attended by the Countess of Harrington, arrived at Hatfield at ten minutes before nine’ in the morning on 13 June and ‘breakfasted in the summer dining-room.’ The review was held immediately after breakfast, and “His Majesty and Their Royal Highnesses passed the highest encomiums on the appearance of the troops.’ # Afterwards they ‘walked on the lawn, and saw the different corps march into the square where the tables were laid for their reception’ and ‘then adjourned to the library and waited there until dinner was ready ; when “The Roast Beef of Old England” was played as they passed through the gallery.’ #4 The seventh Earl of Salisbury was created Marquess 24 August 1789 and four years later was elected K.G° He married in 1773 Mary Emilia Hill, daughter of the Earl of Downshire, a sportswoman whose fame is still remembered.” She played a conspicuous part in the meetings of the Archery Society4? and was for many years Master of the Hat- field Hounds, only resigning when, at the age of seventy-eight, she found it wiser to go through gates 2 VCH, Hertfordshire Families, 114, issued by Lord Salisbury (ibid,), « prece- HATFIELD or BISHOP’S HATFIELD than to jump them *; it is recorded of her that even then she considered herself well able to hunt with the harriers. She survived her husband and perished in the great fire which burned the west wing of Hatfield in 1835.1 James Brownlow William second Marquess of Salisbury, who had taken by royal licence the sur- name of Gascoyne before that of Cecil, on his marriage to Miss Frances Mary Gascoyne of Childwall Hall, Lancashire, in 1821," succeeded his father in 1823." He had already been in Parliament ten years, as a mem- ber for Weymouth from 1813 to 1817 and for Hert- ford from 1817 to 1823. From 1818 to 1827 he was a commissioner for Indian affairs and was elected K.G. in April 1842.59 He was visited at Hatfield in 1846 by the Queen and Prince Consort, in honour of whose visit he placed new entrance gates of elaborate French metal work to the park." He was Lord Privy Seal in 1852 and President of the Council 1858-9." He died in April 1868 and was buried at Hatfield. Robert Arthur Talbot, his younger but eldest sur- viving son, succeeded him as third marques. He had already achieved some political distinction, having been M.P. for Stamford in four Parliaments (185 3-68) and Secretary of State for India 1866-7," an office which he resumed on the return of the Conservatives to power in 1874. He was ambassador in 1876 to the C at inople and joint ambassad to the Congress at Berlin in 1878 ; on his return from this mission he received the order of the Garter. In this year also he entered on that distinguished adminis- tration of the Foreign Office which will always remain his chief title to fame. In 1885 he became Prime Minister, continuing as Foreign Secretary until 1886, when he became First Lord of the Treasury. In the following year, however, he resumed his work at the Foreign Office, where he remained until the Conser- vatives lost power in 1892; and on the return of his party in 1895 he again became Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary, continuing in both offices until 1900, when he gave up the latter for the less arduous duties of Lord Privy Seal. During this period Hatfield became the scene of ‘great official garden parties with their strange congeries of Eastern statesmen, Indian chiefs and Negro kings; warriors and diplomatists ; the great world of London ; the little world of the country ; Tory members whom it was a duty to invite and Radical members who were delighted to be asked.’®® One of the most important of these took place in July 1887, when Queen Victoria and many distinguished foreign visitors, who had come to England for her Jubilee, were present. The weather on this occasion was beautiful, but the Hatfield garden parties were not always fortunate in this respect, for the first visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Crown Prince and Princess of Germany in 1885 °* and that of the Shah of Persia in 1889 were overshadowed by ‘sullen and menacing’ or ‘positively weeping skies.’ # Thid, 60 Ibid. 122. 4 Cal. S. P. Dom. 1645-7; p. 5640 86 Hertfordshire Families, 115. 99 Thid, 121. 40 Tid. 4 Tid, * Lewis Evans Collection of Pamph- lets, 3B, ‘Tickets granting admission to Hatfield Park during the review were dent which was followed by his grandson in favour of the Hatfield schoo! children and their elders on the occasion of Queen Victoria’s visit in her first Jubilee year (Daily Telegraph, 14 July 1887). “ : ewis Evans Collection, ut mupra. b “7, 0 Ibid, 7 Home Cos. Mag. ii, 13. * VCH, Hersfordshire Families, 112. 93 Hertfordshire Families, 121. 51 Tid, * Ibid. #8 Ibid. 5 Daily Telegraph, 9 July 1889. 8 CH. we fediie Familiy toc, it, 58 Tid. 57 Tid. 123. 88 The Times, 24 Aug. 1903. 58 Daily Telegraph, 14 July 1887. 8a The Graphic, 25 July 1885. 88 Daily Telegraph, 9 July 1889, A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE The last of these great garden parties was held in the coronation year of King Edward VII, in which year Lord Salisbury resigned. He died 22 August 1903, 1334 40 37Y0S Cecin, Marquess of Salisbury and was succeeded by his son James Edward Hubert, the present marquess, In 1292 the house at Hat- HATFIELD HOUSE field, already clearly of some ARCHITECTURAL _ size, was being enlarged, the DESCRIPTION Bishop of Ely then being given permission to divert a pathway from the churchyard to a field called Osmundescroft to enlarge his courtyard.” This Yf fixes the site of the enlargement as being the same as that of the present stables, which themselves constitute the only remains of the palace in the form in which it was rebuilt by John de Morton, Bishop of Y Ely, about 1480. Nothing of earlier date than these stables now remains, but of the palace of which they formed the western wing a complete plan survives, made only a few years before the demolition of the palace. This plan, which is in the possession of the present Marquess of Salisbury, shows an imposing building of quadrangular form, with stair towers in the internal angles of the central court and a principal entrance in the centre of the outer eastern face. The great hall, solar, kitchen and butteries were in the west wing, now surviving. The state apartments were probably in the south wing. It was a building not only of some size, but also of considerable elaborateness, for Morton was a great builder, and when he became Archbishop of Canterbury in 1486 did much building in Canterbury, Maidstone, Lambeth and Croydon, besides rebuilding Wisbech Castle. In 1538 in a survey of the building, then in the tenancy of Hannibal Zenzano, the king’s master of the horse, the palace is described as ‘a very goodly and stately manor place . . . constructed alle of © Ing, pm. 20 Edw. I, no. 69. In 1342-7 Bp. Bek of Lincoln granted licence to consecrate an altar in the chapel of the manor of Bishop's Hatfield (Linc. Epis. Reg. Mem. Bp. Bek, no. 7). a Adapted by permission from plan in Rep. of Roy. Com. on Hist, Monum, of Herts, hi 94 Puax or Hatt or tHe Oxo Patace, Hatrierp™* BROADWATER brykke, having in the same very stately lodgynges with romes and offices to the same very necessary and expedient, albeit in some places it ys oute of teparaciones,” There can be no doubt, however, that the necessary ‘reparaciones’ were made for its royal occupancy, and that when James I handed it over to the Earl of Salisbury it was in good repair. This, however, did not save it from destruction, The fashion of archi- tecture had changed with the great national changes entailed in the coming of the Tudors and the passing of mediaeval life and thought, and accordingly Hatfield Palace gave place to Hatfield House. The remnant of the old palace consists of one long range, facing east and west, and a gate-house to the north-west. Both are of brick, and the former is roofed with tiles. The position of the destroyed north, south and east wings can be traced in the sunk garden, between the present forecourt and the remaining old west wing. The roof of this west wing, which is of open timber construction, runs in one range over the hall and the great chamber over the kitchen and butteries, but the divisions of the latter have been removed, and between the solar and the kitchen the building is open from floor to roof and is fitted as stables. The kitchen has been divided into harness rooms and a laundry, but at the other end the solar remains, though the rooms beneath it have been sub- divided by partitions. The eastern exterior has suffered much from restora- tion and alteration. Its two extremities, which were originally interior to the north and south wings, were refaced in the 17th century, when those wings were destroyed. The windows are practically new, and the buttresses, nine in number on this, as on the west, side, are rgth-century additions. The central projecting porch, which forms a small tower of three stages, still retains its original doorway, which is moulded and has a four-centred head, but it is disused, and the floors of the stages have been removed. The west side is in somewhat better condition, but here also the windows are completely restored, and the elevation of the hall is denuded of the projecting bays of a window and a fireplace shown in the old plan. Straight joints in the wall indicate their exact position. The central porch forms a tower, as on the east side, but here it is more massive. It has thicker walls, bold angle buttresses and a four-centred doorway of two moulded orders, The tower is of three stages and is decorated with patterns of black bricks, a brick corbel-table, and a plain parapet carried on a small arcade of semicircular arches, above which rise octagonal chimney-shafts from the fireplaces in each stage. The rooms are in good preservation and are lighted by small brick window openings with four-centred heads under square labels. In the north-east angle, formed by the tower and the wall of the wing, is a newel-turret showing three sides of an octagon. The north and south ends of the west side are both gabled. The gable at the kitchen end appears to have been rebuilt, and all the windows are either modern or restored, but at the south, or solar, end little modification has taken place. The gable here is stepped and coped and terminates in a twisted chimney shaft. The ground floor door and windows appear to be a medley of old material reset and altogether new work. The first floor windows are 95 HUNDRED _ 3isHop original, though restored, the middle one being a three-light window with pointed heads under a four- centred main head having two orders and a label, all in moulded brick. This window is flanked by single lights like those of the porch. ee The south end wall of the wing is blind. The north end has a stepped gable, and is marked by the small extension through which runs the archway, formerly to the kitchen court. This arch is four- centred, of two moulded orders, and the windows are like those of the rest of the building, The roof ridge is rather lower than that of the main building. Internally the chief feature of the building is the continuous open timber roof of eleven bays, without variation of detail, which covers that portion of the wing formerly occupied by the hall and great upper chamber. The trusses rest on carved stone corbels, probably early 19th-century imitations of the originals, and have moulded arched braces and short cambered collars, with cross-trussing above them. The wall- plates and purlins are moulded, and from them rise short nearly vertical struts to each rafter. Between the trusses are ogee-shaped wind-braces, rising from immediately above the meeting level of the small struts with the rafters. The gate-house, standing at the north-west of the west front, indicates the position of the north-west angle of the old west forecourt. It now faces into the High Street, and is a rectangular building of brick with an archway running through it near the north end. ‘The porter’s small room is to the north of this archway, but to the south of the entrance the gate- house has been converted into two cottages, which have undergone much repair. On the east side is a long shallow projection containing stairs and offices. A few original windows still exist. They are of two pointed lights, in moulded brick, but many, particularly on the west side, have 17th-century wooden casement frames ; some are modern. On the inner side the entrance archway was altered from a four-centred toa three-centred form. On the east side the wood lintel is original. It is cambered, and has carved angle brackets, so that the actual opening is four-centred. Over the archway is a room on the walls of which is a late 16th-century tempera painting, representing a lion hunt. The present house stands on the west side of the park on a gentle eminence close to the church and to the east of the previous house. It is built of red brick with stone dressings, and the roofs are partly of lead and partly tiled. It is a particularly fine and complete example of early 17th-century domestic architecture, and its proportions, rather those of a palace than a country house, afford scope for the successful use of comparatively severe detail and symmetrical massing to achieve a dignity only toned to homeliness by the warm colouring of the material. Constant care has been exercised to preserve the character of the building, which, as originally erected, presented the same homogeneous aspect as at present. It was begun by the Earl of Salisbury immediately after the exchange of Theobalds with King James I had been effected (see above), and was completed in 1611, Although it has since undergone frequent repairs and some internal alterations, and although in 1835 the west wing from the chapel wall to the south end was completely gutted by fire, the general appearance of the building remains unaltered, and in many cases old ‘§ HATFIELD A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE material has been re-used in repairs, making it a matter of extreme difficulty to distinguish between old and new. In 1846 the cloister was glazed, and from 1868 to 1869 considerable interior alterations were made in the third stage. The forecourt on the north front was enlarged in the latter year, and the modern walls which surround it are pierced in imitation of the parapet of the house. The present gardens are apparently modern. The great hall was redecorated, and its ceiling painted, in 1878. Though the design as it now stands is sufficiently imposing, it is not so magnificent as it was originally intended to be. A much more ambitious scheme was originally projected, and the State Papers Domestic of James I contain many detailed references to the saving of expense by the curtailing of ornament. The Earl of Salisbury does not appear to have employed an architect, and probably the design was largely his own. Thomas Wilson, his servant, seems to have made the plans ; this Wilson was afterwards knighted and made Keeper of the State Papers. He had the assistance at Hatfield of William Basill, Surveyor of the King’s Works. A very large part of the respon- sibility appears, from the correspondence in the State Papers Domestic, to have fallen on the shoulders of Robert Lemming, who was clerk of the works and who was entrusted with the actual designing of much of the detail. The joiners’ work and wainscoting and the designing of the chimney-pieces were in the hands of one Jenever, a Dutchman living in London. Hoocker of St. Martin’s Lane, who made the turners’ work, would seem from his name to have been of the same nationality. A French engineer devised an elaborate system of water supply, and French gardeners laid out and maintained the gardens. The house consists of a north main wing with east and west wings projecting southwards and inclosing a courtyard, and may be described as E shaped, the serif of the E being represented only by the very slight projection of the central south entrance. Its principal interior features are the great hall, in the north wing, with its screen and gallery, the grand staircase immediately to the east of the hall, and the long gallery on the first floor of the north wing and running the whole length of its south side. Below it the cloisters now form a second inclosed gallery on the ground floor. The north wing is exactly regular, having a central entrance porch of three stages, of slight pro- jection on the north or exterior face, which opens to the screens. The doorway is of stone, much restored, and has a semicircular head ; it is flanked by pairs of stone columns with a complete Doric order, and above it a curvilinear pierced cresting of stone. The screens continue through the building to the cloisters, into which they open exactly opposite the central entrance on the courtyard side. On either side of the north entrance are three windows of three lights, those to the east being the windows of the hall, Flanking them to east and west are two bay windows, the eastern being the last window of the hall and the western that of the steward’s room. The east and west extremities of the north face are the plain butts 2 These were originally projected to have had columns in front of them ( P. Dom. Jas. I, xlv, 69). ‘If front of gallery be built with pilasters as it is begun, and leave out the columns, he may deduct £120,’ cations of the original design are to be traced in the same place, and in ibid. c. 84, where estimates of reduction of ex- penses are set out in full. of the cast and west wings, each with a central pro- jecting bay with lights of four stories, containing stairs, and a six-light window carried up to the full height next the central portion of the north side, The east and west wings are irregular in plan on both their sides, but almost exactly correspond to one another. On the east face the summer drawing room, occupying the north-east angle, has two bay windows, one of three and the other of five sides, this latter being answered by a flat six-light window in the west wing and constituting almost the only external difference between the two wings. The yew room, with a single oriel, balances the northern of the two drawing room windows. The face of the wing is then set back somewhat, and in the recess rises the oriel of the morning room. The study, with an external door in its out-set north wall, has a square projecting window in the east face, and at the corner of the room beyond it to the south stands a turret rising above the parapet—one of four finishing the southern extremities of the east and west wings, In the west wing the upper part of the kitchen answers the drawing room of the east wing, the maple room corresponds to the yew room and the chapel to the morning room. On each inner face of these wings is a central doorway from the courtyard, with flat pilasters supporting a complete Doric orden. over, an archway, flanked on either side by a sar windo! rising to the full height of the first two stages. Above this the third stage is set back behind a flat cornice and is crested with a pierced parapet concealing the roof and stopped at the ends by the third stage of the north-east and north-west blocks and by the angle turrets at the south. The most ornate portion of the exterior is the south face of the centre wing. It is of two principal stages of stone with an open parapet, and behind it a third stage, set back with four stepped and curved gables, masking the stacks of the north side of the wing and connected by a second pierced parapet. These gables are set in pairs on either side of the third stage of the central compartment containing the prin- cipal south entrance-porch. This third stage is blind and forms a screen for the display of the full achieve- ment of the Earl of Salisbury. Behind this screen rises a wooden clock-tower of three stages, the first two with pairs of columns at the angles on each face supporting an entablature; the lowest order is Doric, with arches between. In the second stage is the clock face, between Ionic columns, and above the second entablature the third stage rises, from a square balustrade with figures at the angles, in the form of an octagonal rusticated arcade surmounted by a cornice and cupola with a vane. The ground stage of the south front is occupied wholly by the arcade of the cloister and the central porch, the whole consisting of nine bays. The arcade has semicircular arches, four on each side of the porch, forming par: of a Doric arcade, with flat pilasters enriched with arabesques and fluted, between the responds, and elaborate carving in the spandrels. The metopes of the frieze are set with ox-skulls alternating with carbuncles. Above the Many other modifi- by W. Page in the Trans, St, Albans and Herts, Arch. Soc. 1901-2, i (4) (new ter.), 334, in which the correspondence regarding the building of the house iv See article printed, 96 is Majesty's Stationery Office) BROADWATER HUNDRED frieze a deep cornice, mitred and broken out over the pilasters, forms the basis of the second stage (the exterior of the long gallery), which has eight rect- angular windows of two lights with a transom, four on each side of the central bay, and separated by flat Ionic pilasters on flat plinths to the sill level, the plinths being sculptured with trophies of arms, including both classical and later forms, even fire- arms. The continuous frieze is of flowers, fruit and grotesques. Above the cornice of this stage is the openwork parapet, the strapwork piercing being interrupted above the pilasters of the lower stages and at midway intervals between those points by flat balusters, from which, above the coping, rise figures. The central bay, containing the porch, resembles the rest, but projects some 5 ft. from the wall face. On either side of the entrance archway are pairs of round Doric columns, over which the entablature breaks out. Similarly on the first stage pairs of Ionic columns flank the central three-light rectangular window with two transoms of the long gallery, and the Cecil achievement in the third stage (mentioned above) has on either side of it a pair of slender coupled Corinthian columns, with a frieze like that of the second stage. Above the cornice of this stage is a solid parapet with the date 1611 in large raised figures, and on it above the coupled columns are four lions carrying shields, “The centre of the parapet is surmounted by the Cecil crest in open stonework. The screens, entered from the north porch, have on the west side a stone arcading of three Doric bays, either wholly modern or much restored. On the south a doorway with pilasters and a pediment opens to the cloister, and has over it the Cecil arms and quarterings in painted wood, with the date 1575, possibly brought from Theobalds. On the east side is the oak screen of the hall in five bays. On the screens side the posts form a plain Doric arcade, the arches filled with large moulded panels and pierced lunettes, The frieze is of pierced strapwork, which HATFIELD or BISHOP’S HATFIELD that of the rest of this arcade. The sight-holes open into the ante-room of the winter dining room on the first floor. At the east end of the hall is a gallery of similar design to that of the screen, supported on grotesque brackets. The coved soffit is plastered, and was painted in 1878. The front forms an open arcade of twelve bays, with grotesque pilasters and a cornice and a balustrade of pierced strapwork. In the centre at the top is an achievement of the Cecil arms. The screen and the gallery have both undergone much restoration, but the constructional parts, with their decoration, are all original. The panelling of the hall, divided into bays by Doric pilasters, is either modern or very much restored. The fireplace and mantel on the south are modern. The south wall above the panelling is covered with 17th-century tapestry. Below the gallery are two doorways with round heads and square stone architraves ; one of them has one of the few original doors in the house ; it has small oblong and oval panels and moulded styles and rails. The hall ceiling is plastered and decorated with bands of ornament in low relief, these bands inclosing flat panels, which were filled with paintings in 1878 ; the ceiling is coved, and is divided into four bays by moulded principals with pendants, and decorated with scroll work. These descend to carved lions holding shields, and resting on the moulded wall-plate. The lunette spaces inclosed in the line of the coved ceiling at each end of the hall have a low-relief filling of flat arabesques. ‘There was no dais in the original con- struction of the floor, which is in squares of black and white marble. Among the furniture are two long tables of early 17th-century date,®! with pierced square baluster legs. The cloister, entered from the south end of the screens, is altered in character by the filling of the arcade with pierced stonework containing glazing, of h appears to be modern. The central bay contains the doorway to the hall. On the side facing the hall this screen is elaborately carved and decorated. The posts are carved as grotesque caryatides, and the panels, four in each bay, are filled with large oval cartouches and scroll-work. The lunettes above are carved as shells, and above them are bold carved brackets with grotesque work and heads supporting the upper stage, which overhangs and may originally have been an open balcony. It is divided into five bays by flat carved pilasters rising from breaks in the cornice above the brackets, with blind-pierced designs between in the side bays, and in the centre two panels containing scrolled cartouches of the Cecil arms with quarterings. Above these panels, and divided by grotesque pilasters with heads below the capitals, is an arcade with carved spandrels and flatly ornamented panels, obviously a later addition, in the four side bays, while the centre bay contains two small arched sight-holes with carved spandrels between, and over them a panel with two putti supporting the Cecil crest and an earl’s coronet of the Caroline form, which must therefore necessarily be of later date than the original building.®> It is set in an arch like 60S. P. Dom. Jas. I, xiii, 88 (1). 17 May 16113 ©The hall is fully joined with tables and forms fitting to it, the lower part of the screen is set up and up’ finished by the carpenters and carvers, and the upper part of the screen is framed and carved and is now fitting ‘This cannot refer to the filling of 3 97 a b pattern, converting it from an exterior to an interior feature. It is now paved with squares of black and white marble, and has on the north wall four 17th-century panels of tapestry, and on both sides are stands of armour, mostly of the late 16th century, but a good deal restored, and including some pieces of doubtful antiquity. At each end of the cloister three steps lead up to the wings. The ceiling is modern, plastered with an arabesque design in low relief. The grand staircase, at the east end of the hall, is of open newel construction, and has quarter- landings at every six steps. The moulded balusters are square-raked, are herm-shaped with Ionic capitals in the place of heads, and have between them arches with carved spandrels, and the balusters and newels are carved in high relief with trophies and grotesque designs. The newels rise to some height above the moulded rail in herm shape, and are surmounted by nude amorini holding various objects, and lions supporting shields, The soffits and string are orna- mented with strapwork and pendants. Against the wall is a similar balustrade with newels and figures, and on the first landing is a pair of carved dog. gates. the upper arcade as at present, but may quite well refer to the arcade minut its fillin 81 See note Gob above, 13 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE At the foot of this stair is the doorway to the summer drawing room, with the original stone archi- trave and semicircular head. The moulded abaci and stopped jambs are semi-classical in type. The summer drawing room retains its original panelling, which is elaborately mitred, and divided into bays by fluted Doric pilasters, supporting a heavy cornice and a frieze of a small order of Ionic pilasters. The panels contain inlaid and * planted” arabesque work. The mantelpiece is a marble copy of the oak original, which is now in King James’s bedroom. The ceiling is either completely restored or modern. In the morning room is a large mantelpiece of 17th-century date, of various coloured marbles with caryatides and herms on either side, and some carvings of figure subjects in high relief brought from else- where, The remaining five rooms in the wing are modern, but have mantelpieces made up of pieces of 16th and 17th-century carving, probably Dutch. The Poplar staircase is modern. In the west wing the Adam and Eve staircase, which takes its name from a picture hanging on its wall, is either wholly remodelled or so restored as to present scarcely any original feature. It has turned balusters and a moulded rail. At the head of the stairs is a doorway leading to the west ante-room of the long gallery, with two wooden Corinthian columns attached to pilasters on either side, of carly 18th- century work. ‘The walls of the staircase are panelled with made-up old material. In the chapel the bay window on to the court forms the sanctuary, and is glazed with 17th-century glass with Biblical subjects ; this glass seems to be of French, Flemish and Dutch workmanship."* It was certainly made expressly for these windows. The walls are covered to the soffit of the gallery with panelling, original but much restored ; the front of the gallery has a carved arcade with closed panels below ; the openings are round- headed, the pilasters between them are carved, and the cornice is moulded. ‘The ceiling is coved, and is set with carved grotesque brackets of late 16th-century date, which were brought here from Hoddesdon, where they formed part of the old Market House. The ceiling and gallery have been painted in modern times. The old seating ® has been replaced by modern, and the west screen is also modern. The floor is paved with marble.** The long gallery, running the whole length of the north wing above the cloister, has its walls covered with paneling divided into bays by fluted Tonic pilasters. For these pilasters square columns are substituted at either end, where the gallery opens to the ante-rooms. The cornice has a considerable projection, and is much enriched, and above it is a small Corinthian order with detached columns and adentil cornice. The upper part of the panelling in the bays of the lower arcade consists of rusticated arcading, ith arabesque decoration, all worked in thin applied planking. The panels of the upper order and the lower part of the bays of the lower order are filled with extremely elaborate mitred and moulded panels, of the fitted L and square type, This panelling is of the original design, and contains a large proportion of original material, though it is said to have been entirely renewed early in the 19th century. The ceiling is original though much restored, and is flat, richly decorated with pendants and a flat arabesque pattern.** The mantelpieces are not original, The ante-rooms at cach end, and that of the winter dining-room, have modern decoration copied from that of the gallery. The door on the north side of the west ante-room of the gallery opens on to the Adam and Eve staircase through the Corinthian portico described with the staircase. In the library, which also opens off this ante-room, is no decoration of original date except the mantel piece, which is of large size in black and white marble, It is of two orders, Doric and Ionic, with detached circular columns. In a central panel is a mosaic portrait of Sir Robert Cecil, 1608. The summer dining room is lined with panelling, either modern or wholly re-worked, and contains 2 large marble mantelpiece with figures in high relief and an achievement of the Cecil arms. This mantel- piece is made up of portions of two 17th-century mantelpieces. King James’s bedroom, facing outwards in the middle of the east wing, contains the original oak mantelpiece which was formerly in the summer drawing room. ‘This has square baluster columns, moulded and enriched with carving, supporting a heavy mantelshelf. Above this are three small Lonic columns, and between them moulded panels contain- ing arabesques surmounted by a deep cornice with elaborate enrichment. ‘There is some late 17th- century furniture in this room. It is completely covered with yellow damask, which is glued to the woodwork. The Wellington room, on the opposite side of the same wing, contains some 17th-century tapestry panels. King James’s drawing room, which occupies the whole of the north-east angle of the first stage, con- tains a massive original mantelpiece of black, white and veined marble. The lower part has in the angles black fluted Doric columns, with architrave and metope. Above is the shelf, supported where it pro- jects in the centre by a fluted bracket flanked by modillions. The upper portion consists of four black Corinthian columns on pilasters with scrolled cartouches, forming part of an order with a heavy modillioned cornice, above which are panels, those at the sides containing circles inclosing profiles in low relief in black marble, and the central one a rectan- gular black slab. The two side bays between the columns have panels of veined marble, and the cen- tral bay contains a semi-domed niche, in which stands a statue of King James I, painted to represent bronze. The ceiling of this room has elaborate arabesques aS. P. Dom, Jas. I, Ivili, 9. «Mon- tague Jenings . .”. intreats him to tell Mr. Bowle that he will bring a just mould of the light of the chapel windows according to the proportion concluded of between them, at his next return to “Wb Ibid, Ixy, 3.0 1 July 1611. Chappell. ‘The closett. chimney peece and hang'nges chaires and stooles tutable readie (wanteth good andirons). The chappell, the frise and pulpit to be don uppon Thursdaie.” Tbid, Ixili, 88 (1), The chapel is now “17 May 1611. a-paving by the mason. Sta Ibid. (17 May 1611, The frett ceiling in the gallery will be fully finished with the whitening of it on ‘Tuesday, the gallery will then be reacy 98 for the joinery work which is framed at ondon.' ‘1 ‘The Gallerie. WALNUT LIBRARY 's Stationery Office) _~BROADWATER HUNDRED and pendants, which are modern, The walls, of which the lower part is panelled, are covered with portraits. The Abbots of Ely claimed in Hatfield the com- prehensive franchises granted to them by successive royal charters. These included exemption from suit at the shire and hundred courts, and freedom for the abbot’s men from toll throughout England.°* In 1251 a grant of free warren was obtained from Henry III. In 1534 the freedom of the bishop’s men from tolls in all markets and fairs in England was again claimed and confirmed.” A fair was granted to the Bishop of Ely in Hatfield in 1226. It was to be held annually for four days, on the vigil and feast of St. John the Baptist and two days following (23-6 June). In 1318 the date was changed to the vigil and feast of St. Etheldreda the Virgin and two days following * (16-19 October). In 1466 it was restricted to three days, the vigil, feast and morrow of St. Etheldreda.” In 1538 the fairs were held on the feasts of St. Luke the Evangelist (18 October) and St. George (23 April), but there is no charter recording the alteration until the manor was granted to the Earl of Warwick in 1550. The right to hold a court of pie powder is mentioned in this grant. The two fairs are still held; that on 18 October is for toys. The right of holding a weekly market on Thursday was granted to the bishop in 1226." The day was altered to Tuesday in 1318,’ and to Wednesday in 1466," but before 1538 was changed back to Thursday,” and was confirmed on that day in 1550.”* A market was held in 1792, but was discontinued before 1888.7 Hatfield possessed four mills in 1086,” of which three survive, all on the River Lea: Lemsford Mills at the southern extremity of Brockett Park, Cecil Mill at the north-eastern corner of the Home Park, and the third, which gives its name to Mill Green, a little north of the park. In 1277 the bishop had two mills ‘under one roof.’ ® The free fishery of the bishop in the River Lea extended in 1277 from Hatfield Mills, which would probably be Cecil Mill, to the bridge of Stanberue (Stanborough), and from there to the mill of Simon Fitz Adam (Lemsford Mill), where the latter had joint rights of fishery with the bishop. Beyond this the bishop’s right extended to Stonenbrig” (later Stoken Bridge). The same extent of fishery is mentioned in 1538." In 1391 the Bishop of Lincoln granted to the Bishop of Ely licence to confirm, elect and celebrate orders, prove wills and consecrate oil in his manor of Hatfield.” In the account of the manor of Hatfield given in HATFIELD or BISHOP’S HATFIELD the Domesday Survey there is no mention of parks, but the domain is said to possess woods sufficient to feed 2,000 swine,” which indicates a large area of forest. In fact, the manor was given to the monks of Ely by King Edgar in order that they might have wood for their building.” In the 13th century at least two parks had already been inclosed. The Great Park, or Hatfield Wood, had an area of about 1,000 acres, and provided pasture for the horses and cattle and pannage for the swine of the tenants in chief of the bishop, all of whom had rights of common and ‘woderight’ in it in 1277.% In 1538 all free- holders and copyholders holding within ¢ Bukamwyke- hide’ had rights of common feeding in it. Lanes and highways passing through it were common to all inhabitants of the lordship indifferently. It was in the custody of a bailiff in the 14th century,” who later became keeper or master of the game. This office was held in 1538 and later by Sir Anthony Denny, the king’s servant." At this time the Great Park contained 10,000 oaks and beeches, valued at 8d. each.” It seems to have extended over the south- eastern projection of the parish, which lies between Essendon and Northaw, and probably stretched from Woodside eastward to the hamlet of Newgate Street, for in the reign of Henry VIII a house was pur- chased there to form one of its lodges.” At this time it had a circuit of 7 miles, and extended from ‘a place called Fisshes Grove to Hansmeregate.’ There were within it eighteen deer of antlers and sixty-two raskells." The breed of deer kept there was evidently a good one, for in 1621 the king requested the Earl of Salisbury to spare him a brace of bucks from his park to bestow on the men of Northaw, his own stock of deer being ‘much wasted.’ ? The Middle Park had an extent of 350 acres, and in 1277 was stated to be the private property of the lord of the manor, the tenants having no rights in it.’ In 1538 it contained 2,000 oaks and beeches. The pasture was scant but sufficient for the deer, of which there were seventy-three raskells and seven deer of antlers. At that date it is recorded that the little lodge was not thoroughly repaired,” and about this time payments are recorded for build- ing a new house there, with a frame-house and new kitchen.® It was probably this park which in 1252 was the scene of an outrage by William de Valence, after- wards lord of the manor of Gacelyns. It is re- counted by Matthew Paris that William came from his castle of Hertford and violently and against the decree of the king entered the park of the Bishop of Ely near his manor of Hatfield and hunted therein without the licence of anyone, and afterwards he went to the bishop's house, and because they would % Cott. MSS. Claud, C xi. %» Plac. de Quo Warr, (Rec. Com.), 279. 8 Assize R. 325; Charter quoted in Dugdale, Mon, i, 486. Anct. D. (P.R.O.), B 3764, & Chae, 10 Hens Th meat 6 Chart. R. 12 Edw. I, m. 16, no, 58, ® Ibid, 5-7 Edw, IV, no. 12. ® Land Rev, Misc. Bks. ccavi, ® Pat. 4 Edw. VI, pt. viii, m. 8 7 Rep. on Markets and Tolls i, 170. 1 Close, 10 Hen, II, m. 17. 7 Chart. R. 12 Edw. II, m. 16, n0. 58, Ibid. 5-7 Edw. IV, no. 12. 14 Land Rev. Misc. Bks, ccxvi. 75 Pat. 4 Edw. VI, pt. viii, m. 8. 78 Rep. on Markets and Tolls, iy 170 1 VCH. Herts. i, 3116, 78 Cott. MSS. Claud. cxi. 79 Ibid. ® Land Rev, Misc, Bks. cexvi. 8 Tid, ® Linc. Epis. Reg. Mem. Bp. Bucking- ham, fol. 376. 8 °V.C.H. Herts, i, 3116. % Liber Eliensis (impensis Soc.), i, 115. 99 *% Land Rev. Misc. Bks. ccxvi. & Feet of F. Herts. 17 Edw. IT, no. 384. 8 L. and P. Hen. VILL, xvii, 692. ® Rentals and Surv. R. Herts. 276. * Land Rev. Misc. Bks. xvi (6). 91 Ibid. cexvi ; Exch. Spec. Com, Eliz. no. 1026. * Cal, 8. P. Dom. 1619-2 % Cott. MSS. Claud, C xi % Land Rev. Misc. Bks. ccxvi ; Rentals and Surv, R. Herts, 276. % Land Rev. Misc. Bks. xvi (6). . 278. A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE not give him any drink but ale he broke down the door of the buttery, making a great tumult, swearing and using evil language. He drew out the taps from the casks, spilling a great quantity of choice wine, and when he had drunk enough distributed the same amongst his grooms, as if it had been water or common ale. Having drunk their fill they departed with ribald laughter and derision. When these things were related to the bishop, he said with a serene countenance, ‘Ut quid necesse fuit rapere et praedari, quae satis civiliter sponte et abundanter postulantibus distribuuntur ? Maledicti igitur tot in uno regno reges, sed tiranni.’ % ‘The Innings Park, a little park of 100 acres, seems to be of later origin than the two former, as it is not mentioned in the register of 1277. There was, how- ever, at that date a grove of oaks of 5 acres,®7 which was perhaps the nucleus of the 10 acres of great oaks included in the Innings Park in the time of Henry VIIL® This park Jay near the manor-house on the north-east, and in 1538 contained five deer of antlers and thirty-five raskells, There were then 8 acres of great timber in two places, which could not be spared for the shadowing of the deer. There was also a warren of coneys conveniently stored with game, and most part of the game black.” The pas- ture was then said to be very bare and mossy, and scarcely enough to feed the deer, and in 1578 it was found to be so much overgrown with moss that the deer ‘had been corrupted and wanted sufficient feeding whereby many had died.’ It was recom- mended that, in order to remedy this, portions of the park should from time to time be inclosed, ploughed and sown with corn, and afterwards thrown open again. But the queen’s hunting was not to be im- paired nor her walks in the said park, ‘wherein she took great pleasure.’ Either the proposed remedy was successful or the Cecils found some other means of providing pasture, for deer were not only kept as late as 1735, but seem to have been in a flourishing condition, as the Earl of Salisbury sent a supply of red deer from his own woods to Windsor Forest in that year.! Hatfield Park was improved by the first Earl of Salisbury after the manor of Hatfield had been granted to him by James I in exchange for Theobalds. He apparently formed it from part of the Great Wood, for he was designated in a local epitaph «Not Robin Goodfellow, nor Robin Hood, But Robin the encloser of Hatfield Wood.’ ? In 1611 the cottagers consented to the ‘improve- ment’ of Hatfield Wood.? In a letter* of George Garrard describing a house party at Hatfield in July 1636 we read of Lord Salisbury killing a deer in his woods, but Lord Cottington, who had attracted 6 Mate “Rath Chron, Majora (Rolls Ser.), ¥ #7 Cote: MSS. Claud. C ai. 8 Rentals and Surv. R. Herts. 276. % Land Rev. Misc. Bks, ccxvi. 1 Exch. Spec. Com. Eliz. no. 1026. * Lord Burghley had made John Gerarde superintendent of his gardens in the Strand and at Theobalds, and to him Gerarde dedicated his Herbal’ in 1597. It is not clear if Gerarde was ever at Hatfield, though he lived until 1612 5 he attention on his arrival by ‘his white beaver with a studded hatband,’ was at first less fortunate. When a bow was placed in his hands he bungled and shot thrice before he killed, all the ladies standing by. The Hatfield parks no longer retain the old names, Hatfield Park, which surrounds the house and is of the greatest extent, is very finely timbered, and includes Coombe Wood. ‘This wood is mentioned in the Survey of 1538 as having an extent of 21 acres, and as having been replenished with oak, hornbeam, sallow and hazel,® but is not said to be within a park. North of this is the Home Park, much more thickly wooded, at the edge of which stands the oak under which Queen Elizabeth is said to have been seated when she received the news of her acces- sion. This was the Innings Park and includes the warren, which is separated from it by the River Lea, in this part artificially widened. On either side of the water is a vineyard, which was planted by the first earl,” who, like his father,® took a keen interest in plant cultivation, This vineyard was considered by John Evelyn, who saw it in 1643, ‘the most considerable rarity next to the house.’® This was an expert’s enthusiasm ; his fellow diarist Pepys, who visited Hatfield in 1659, was more delighted by ‘the gardens, such as I never saw in all my life ; nor so good flowers, nor so great gouscburys, as big as nut- megs.’” Probably ‘Mr. Looker my Lord’s gardener * would have found Evelyn a more interesting if less lively visitor ; he certainly seems to have been a safer one, for Pepys’ second visit is thus recorded : ‘At Hatfield we bayted and walked into the great house ; and I would fain have stolen a pretty dog that fol- lowed me, but could not, which troubled me.’ "! South of the main park, and extending from it to the Great North Road, is a large wood, traversed by many paths, This is the old ‘ Middle Park,’ which was later called ‘Miller’s Park,’? and so became *Millward’s,”’ by which name it is known at the present day. The manor of ASTWICK (Alswyk, Halewyk, xiii cent. ; Alstwyk, xvi cent.) was held of the Bishop of Ely as of his manor of Hatfield by military service,!3 and afterwards of the Earls of Salisbury when Hatfield came into their possession. The lords of the manor had the right of feeding their pigs in the Great Park of Hatfield, belonging to the Bishop of Ely,'4 as tenants in chief of the bishop. Together with the manor of Woodhall it was assessed at one knight’s fee, and was held from an early date by the family of Bassingburn. The first actual mention of the manor occurs in 1274,!5 but as early as 1198 a John de Bassingburn held Woodhall,'® so it is possible that he held Astwick also at that date. In 1274 John de Bassingburn and Agnes his wife made a amazed us exceedingly . . . a shining cloud in the air in shape resembling 2 sword, the point reaching to the noi ie was a8 bright as the moon, the rest of the sky being very serene. It began about eleven at night and vanished not until above one. 1 Cal. Treas. Bas. 1725-38, pe 112. 2 G.E.C. Complete Peerage. 3 Cal. S. P. Dom. 1611-18, p. 32 “Tid. 1636-7, pe 75+ $ Ibid. § Land Rev. Mise. Bks. ccavi. Beauties of Engl. and IN'a'es, is described as Herbarist to the king in 1605, in which year he granted to Lord Salisbury his interest in a garden near Somerset House (Cal. S. P. Dom. 1603~10, P- 141). "Diary and Correspondence of John Evelyn (ed. Bray), i, 39. Evelyn records on the same date the appearance of ‘what 100 Pepys? Dies (ed. Wheatley), ii, 69. 1 Ibid YP. F. Robinioa, Vervoias Brites nicus, 16. '2'Cott. MSS. Claud. C xi Ibid. 1 Feet of F. Herts. 2 Edw. I, no. 27. 16 hid. g Ric. I, no. 21. davSvyy HLMog : asnopy aTaaLy a BROADWATER HUNDRED settlement of the manor on themselves.” John died in 1276." In 1277 his lands were held by Albreda de Bassingburn."® She was succeeded by Stephen de Bassingburn,” whose son John received a grant of free warren in 1300” and was holding in 1303.” He was followed by his son Stephen before 1333, Joan his widow keeping a third of Astwick as dower.” Stephen was still holding the manor in 1347 and was followed by Thomas de Bassingburn, who was Sheriff of Hertfordshire in 1370." In 1428 Edward Tyrell was returned as holding the ha'f fee of John de Bassingburn ** (who succeeded his father Thomas before 1397),” but he was possibly a feoffee, for the inquisition taken at his death in 1442 states that he held no lands in Hertfordshire.” In 1493 the manor was held by Thomas Bassingburn, and according to Clutterbuck had been held by his father John.” Thomas married Katherine, the sister of Sir William Say, and in the year mentioned settled the manors of Astwick and Woodhall to her use for life, with remainder to himself and his heirs, Thomas Earl of Surrey being the trustee.” After her death Astwick came to her son John Bassingburn,” who some years before this had ‘entered into her house and wounded her contrary to right, and attacked her servants,” denying his father’s settlement and claiming the manor by right of a fine levied to him by his father.** He died in 1535, leaving as his heirs two daughters, Katharine the wife of Nicholas Hare and Anne wife of Thomas Gawdy.* The manor of Astwick was apportioned to Katharine Hare, who held it with her mother Etheldreda Bassingburn.* Nicholas and Katharine Hare both died in 1557. The manor was held by their eldest son Michael Hare® in 1607.¥ He died without issue, and in 1614 it was conveyed by trustees to Ralph Thrale” He and Mary his wife, together with a certain William Grimwyne and his wife Elizabeth, joined in 1625 in a conveyance to William Deyes.* In 1656 it was held by John Deyes,® from whom it came to Sir Henry Tulse,” who is said to have married Deyes’s daughter." Sir Henry was Sheriff of London and Middlesex in 1673," Lord Mayor of London in 1684 and Lieutenant of the City in 1690. He had a daughter and heir Elizabeth, who brought his lands in marriage to Sir Richard Onslow, created Lord Onslow in 1716." In 1712 he sold Astwick to Sidney Lord Godolphin, whose son and heir Francis married Henrietta, eldest daughter and co-heir of John Churchill, first Duke of Marlborough. — Astwick passed with the other Marlborough lands to her nephew Charles, third Earl of Sunderland, who became in 1733 Duke of Marlborough.” He was i Feet of F, Herts. 2 Edw. I, no 27 lutterbuck, op. eit. i uotin Plac. Hil. § ee Leta Cott. MSS. Claud. C xi. ® Abbrev. Plac. (Ret. Com.), 270. 3 Chart, R. 28 Edw. I, m. 10, " Fud, ids, ii, 428; Cal. Pat % Dict. Nat. Biog. 271. ® Ct. of Reg. bdle. 13, no. 84. ® Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), Ixii, 64. 4 Feet of F. Herts, Mich.28 Hen.VIII, Cussans, loc. ait % Cussans, op. cit. Broadwater Hund. HATFIELD oz BISHOP’S HATFIELD eded in 1758 by his son George, who died in 18t7 Geeie fifth duke, sold Astwick in 1819 to John Lloyd, from whom it passed to his son John, who died in 1875, then to the latter’s son John Lloyd of | Abbey Gate, St. Albans.” The manor now belongs to Mr. John Lloyd, J.P. BROCKETT HALL, WATERSHIPS or DURANTSHIDE was held of the manor of Hatfield for the service of half a knight's fee. It seems to have been formed by the union in the same hands of several tene- ments. In 1234-5 Adam Fitz William held rent in ‘Watershepe’ from Robert and Alice de Crane- mere, to whom he paid 1d. rent." In 1413 John Mortimer held Waterships of Philip Asshe and John and Christine Muslee (heirs of the Fitz Simons of Symondshyde and Almshoe), and in that year granted it to the Bishop of Winchester and others, apparently to the use of his wife Eleanor.* In 1277 Simon Fitz Adam (see Almshoe) held Durantshide of the Bishop of Ely for a rent of 60s.,8 and in 1477 Thomas Brockett held both Waterships and Durants- hide ; so we may conclude that the latter descended in the same manner as Symondshyde in the interval. The term ‘manor’ does not actually occur until 1532. After 1477 Brockett Hall continued in the family from which it took its name until the death of Sir John Brockett in 1598. His heirs were his five daughters and a grandson, the child of his sixth daughter.* Ultimately the whole came to the fifth Liorp Vert a cheveron between three wolves’ heads raned ar- gente Brockett. Or across paby sable, Rravr, saltire — between sheaves or. Gules a four daughter Mary and her husband Sir Thomas Reade before 1637. The manor since that date has followed “© G.E.C, Complete Peerage. hid, ‘ Clutterbuck, op. cit. ie 353. ® Chan, Ing. p.m. 17 Edw. TV, no. 4735 (Ser. 2), cclvii, 42. Sl Feet of F. Herts. 19 Hen. Hil, 1307-13, p. 472 ® Feet of F. Div. Co, 7 Edw. IIT. 3 De Banco R. 350, m. 3d. S PRO, List of Sheriffs, 43. " Feud. Aids, it, 449. 4 See Hoddesdon, % Chan. Inq. p.m. 21 Hen. VI, no. 58. > Clutterbuck, op. cit. ii, 344. © Close, 9 Hen. VIL, no. 34-6. * Ct. of Reg, bale. 13, no. 84; Recov. R. Hil, 17 Hea, VILL, rot. 347. © Feet of F. Herts, Mich, 12 Jas. 1. % Recov, R. East, 1 Chas. I,m. 2. ® Ibid, Trin. 1656, rot. 164. © Feet of F, Div. Co, Mich. 28 Chas. Il, Cussansg, loc. cit. Cal. S. P. Dom. 1673-5, p. 410. ®iTbid: 1689-90, p- oer “ GEC, Complete Peerage. “ Feet of F. Herts, Trin. 11 Anne; Salmon, op. cit. 212, states that Sarah Duchess of Marlborough, Henrietta’s mother, was holding Astwick in r721, Iol no, 218. % Sce Almshoe in Ippollitts, Hitcl Hundred, adie ® Chan, Ing. p.m. 2 Hen. VI, ao. 1 & Cott. MSS. Claud. C xi. 4 Chan. Inq. p.m. 17 Edw.1V, no. 47. 5 Ibid, (Ser. 2), liii, 29. a & Ybid. celvii, 42. * Sce Feet of P. Midd. and Herts. Trin. 10 Jas. 15 Div. Co, Trin. 41 Eliz. , Recov. R, East. 11 Jas. I, rot. go. Feet of F. Div. Co, Mich. 13 Chas, I. A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE the same descent as that of Westingtons (in Ayot St. Peter, q.v.). Brockett Hall passed on the death of the seventh and last Lord Cowper to his sister Lady Amabel Kerr, and at her death to her husband, the late Admiral Lord Walter Kerr. Sir Thomas Reade obtained a grant of free warren in 1615.” The manor of BLOUNTS is first mentioned, together with the manor of Hornbeamgate, in 1370, when it was granted by John de Louth to Nicholas and Robert his uncles." It descended with the latter manor, and with it was granted by Robert Louth to Nicholas Britte and Nicholas Leventhorpe in 1468." These were apparently trustees for Sir John Say, who was in possession in 1468." After this there is no further record of the manor.™ CHEIJELLS (Chivalls, xvi and xvii cent.) was a small reputed manor situated in Cromerhyde and held of the manor of Hatfield. It is not called a manor until the 15th century,” but is first mentioned in the reign of Henry III, when Nigel son of Richard de Chewell held land in this district.” In the register of 1277 Nigel de Chewell is entered as holding two parts of a fee.* Shortly afterwards it came into the possession of John de Queye or Coye, who held it in 1303 and in 1317-18 conveyed it to John Benstede,” lord of the manor of Benington, who died seised of it in 1324.”' From this date Chewells follows the descent of the manor of Benington until the end of the 15th century.” Sir John Benstede possessed it at his death in 1471, but his son and heir William evidently sold it, for he died in 1485 seised of Benington only. In the reign of Henry VIII the owner was named Blake,” but by 1555 it had been acquired by John Brockett of Brockett Hall and Symondshyde, and continued in his family, following the same descent as Symondshyde$ (q.v.) and presumably becoming merged in it. ‘The only trace of it now remaining is Benstead’s Wood, which lies a little south of the village of Cromerhyde. CROMERHYDE (Creymore Hyde, xvi cent.) is situated between the estates of Symondshyde and Brockett Hall. There is no early mention of the manor ; it first appears in the possession of Sir John Brockett,”® lord of both the above manors, who probably acquired it as a connecting link between his two estates. After this date Cromerhyde followed the descent of the manor of Symondshyde” (q.v.). ‘The manor of GACEL?V'NS (Gastlyn, Gasselyns) was held partly of the manor of Hatfield and partly of the manor of Bayford,” and took its name from Geoffrey Gacelin, who held land in Hatfield in 1255.” In 1268 Geoffrey Gacelin and his wife Joan conveyed it as a messuage and 2 carucates of land to William de Valence Earl of Pembroke,” from whom it passed to his son Aylmer de Valence." The latter died in 1323 without issue seised of ‘a tenement called Gacelines,’ his three heirs being John de Hastings, son of his sister Isabel,” and Elizabeth Comyn and Joan, wife of the Earl of Atholl, daughters of his sister Joan." Gacelyns, under the name of the manor of Bishop’s Hatfield, was apportioned to Joan and David de Strathbolgi,” the latter of whom died in 1327." His son and heir David complained in 1332 that the portion of the lands of Aylmer de Valence assigned to his parents had not been delivered, and procured an order for their proper delivery. The manor was shortly after granted for a fixed rent of £6, and at the death of this David in 1335 was in the occupation of Ralph de Blithe, a citizen of London.” The rent remained in the king’s hands owing to the minority of David’s heir, and was granted to Adam de Walton. Next year, however, the £6 rent from these lands was granted as dower to Katherine, widow of David de Strathbolgi, who gave it back to the king in exchange for lands in Northumberland.” Robert de Blithe possibly alienated the manor to Sir Simon de Lek of Cottam, co. Nottingham, for in 1377 he enfeoffed of it William Batesford, Richard Halle, Roger Assheburn- ham and Edmund del Clay, who released their right to Walter Frost and others.” In 1387 Walter Frost with other feoffees conveyed the manor to Solomon Fresthorp." This may possibly have been in trust for Walter Marewe, or Fresthorp may have alienated to Marewe, for in 1429 John Marewe son and heir of Walter remitted his right in the manor to John and Elizabeth Kirkeby.* In 1432-3 John Kirkeby granted back rents in the manor to John Marewe.” Kirkeby, however, seems to have held the manor (through feoffees) at the time of his death in 1441." He left a daughter Alice, aged four. In 1447-8 a certain Richard Clynt and his wife Elena, whose connexion with the manor is not clear, conveyed it to John Fortescue," who about five years later obtained a release from Elizabeth wife of John London, daughter and heir of John Marewe.” This is the last record of the manor, and it perhaps became absorbed in the Ponsbourne estate. The park of Gacelyns is first mentioned in 1300, when Aylmer de Valence complained that while he © Pat. 13 Jas. I, pt. xviii. 8 Anct. D. (P.R.O.), B 4213. © Feet of F. Herts. 6 Edw. IV, no. 14. Rentals and Surv. R. Herts. 269. For transactions between Brite and Leventhorpe and Sir John Say see Anct. D. (P.R.O.), B 1443. 6 Te is a curious coincidence that there was a manor of Blounts which descended in the Leventhorpe family. There seems no doubt, however, that this manor was in Sawbridgeworth (Braughing Hundred) and that in the case of Blounts in Hat- field Leventhorpe was not buying for himself. © Chan. Ing. p-m.17 Edw, Il, no. 43 5 Rentals and Surv. R. Herts. 2765 Cott. MSS. Claud. C x ® Chan. Ing. p.m. 11 Edw. IV, no. $7. % Harl, Chart. 54 C. 30. Cott. MSS. Claud. C xi, © Feud. Aids, ti, 428. 70 Feet of F, Herts. 11 Edw. II, no. 270, 71 Chan. Ing. p.m. 17 Edw. II, no. 43. 7 Tbid. at Hen. VI, no, 38; 11 Edw. IV, no. 573 Add. R. (B.M.), 28767. #3 Rentals and Surv, R. Herts. 276. 14 Feet of F. Herts. East. 1 & 2 Phil. and Ma % Chan, Ing, pam, (Ser. 2), celvii, 425 Recov. R. Trin. ro Chas. I, rot. 475 East. 3 Anne, rot. 31. 76 Feet of F. Herts. Hil. 26 Eliz. 7 Chan. Ing, p.m. (Ser. 2), celvii, 42 5 Recov. R. Trin. 10 Chas. I, rot. 475 East. 3 Anne, rot. 31 ; Mich. 43 Geo. IIT, rot. 17. 75 Chan. Ing, pm. 17 Edw. II, no. 75 5 1 Edw. TI, 79 Feet of F. Herts, Hil. 39 Hen. IIT, no. 458. 102 ® Ibid. Trin. 52 Hen. III, no, 9%, 8 G.E.C. Complete Peerage, bid. % tei Chan, Ing. p.m. 17 Bw. q, no. of bat. Close, 1323-7, p. ® Chan. Ing. p.m. 1 aw tt, no. 85, % Cal. Close, 1330-3, pr 456+ * Chan. Ing. p.m. 11 Edw, IIL (10 not), no. 46. Cal. Pat. 1334-8, p. 258. * Cal. Close, 1337-9, pp. 27, 166. She held no lands in Herts. at her death. % Close, 51 Edw. III, m. 14. % Ibid. 11 Ric. HL, pt. A m. 17 d. Ibid. 7 Hen. VI, m. 6. % Ibid. 11 Hen. VI, m 5. ™ Chan. Ing. p.m, 22 Hen. VI, no, 26. % Feet of F. Herts, 26 Hea VI, no. 140. % Ibid. 33 Hen. VI, no. 168. West enp or Lona GaLLery Harriecp House: BROADWATER HUNDRED was in Scotland on the king’s service certain persons broke into his park at Hatfield, hunted therein and carried away deer.! Apparently he failed to obtain immediate justice, for in 1312 he again advanced his complaint of this offence,? and in 1313 was at length awarded damages.’ In 1323 the extent of the park was 60 acres, the wood being valued at 8s. a year.‘ Free warren was granted to Aylmer de Valence in his demesne lands at Hatfield in 1309.° The name of LITTLE HOLEW’ELL was given to certain tenements in Holewell or Holwell which first appear in the possession of Aylmer de Valence, when they were valued at 235. 14¢.° They were held of the manor of Symondshyde.® Little Holewell passed in the same manner as Gacelyns to Joan and David de Strathbolgi, the latter of whom died seised of it in ° 1327, holding it of Hugh Fitz Simon of Symondshyde.? It is still mentioned in connexion with Gacelyns in 14368 and 1377,2 but disappears after this date, HANDSIDE (Haneshyde, xiii cent.) is now repre- sented by a hamlet in the extreme north of the parish. Tt was held of the Bishop of Ely by service of a quarter of a knight’s fee.!°_ It seems to have had its origin in the lands held by John Polayn in Hatfield in 1324.1! John son and heir of John Polayn also held lands in this parish previous to 1351.1? Both were lords of the manor of Ayot Montfitchet (Ayot St. Peter, qv.), which manor passed at the death of the second John to the Fish family. The ‘manor of Handside’ first appears in the possession of a member of the Fish family in the reign of Henry VIII" A little later it was held by Thomas Fish.4 Elizabeth widow of Thomas Fish married secondly William Perient, and continued to hold Handside.15 Some time between 1558 and 1579 Edward Brockett brought an action against her, stating that Edward and George, the sons of Thomas Fish, had granted him the reversion of the manor after her death, and protesting because he had heard that she and her husband intended to cut down the wood on the estate, which was valued at 1,000 marks.!® Edward Brockett died seised of Handside in 1599, his heir being his son John.l”7 After this there is no further mention of the manor ; probably it became absorbed in the Brockett estates. A HERONS was a small reputed manor situated in Cromerhyde, and seems to have been held of Symondshyde.8 Its origin is uncertain, but as early as the reign of Henry IIL one Simon le Heron held land in this district: At this time 4 acres of land granted to Nigel de Chewell are described as lying “between the land of Simon le Heyrun and the way which leads across Croymer,’!° which proves that Simon’s land lay in a locality corresponding with the later manor of Herons. In 1293 Gcofftey le Heron 7 Pat, 1292-1301, p. 352. id. 1307-13, p. 542, +i see Ps $42 Pm. 17 Edw, II, no. 75. if 2 Edw. II, no, 23. Chan. Ing. p.m. 17 Edw. I, no. 75 5 Cal. Close, 1323~7, p. 446, ** Chan, Ing, p.m. 1 Edw. III, no, 85. TIbid, jo. 15 Ibi ® Chart, R. 16 18 Rentals and Suiv. R. 276. 4 Chan, Proc. (Ser. 2), bile. 8, no. ¥ Chan. Ing. pm. (Ser. 2), dvii, 48. 38 Ibid, 11 Hen. VI, no. 38. 19 Harl, Chart. 54 C. 30. 2 Assize R. 1298, m. 71. HATFIELD or BISHOP’S HATFIELD received damages from John de Bassingburn and others because they had broken down 10 ft. of his hedge.2” In 1315-16 there was a conveyance from Simon Heron to John Benstede of the reversion of a messuage, 240 acres of arable land, rent of moncy and rent of three clove gillyflowers, one goose, two fowls and five sheep and rights of pasture in Hatfield,’ these tenements being probably coincident with the manor. This John de Benstede died in 1359 seised of land in Hatfield called Chewells, some of which was held of the Bishop of Ely and the rest of Hugh Fitz Simon ® (of Symondshyde). As Chewells was held of the bishop only, and Herons at a later date is said to be held of Symondshyde, it seems as if ‘the rest” here was synonymous with Herons, Edward Benstede was certainly possessed of it at his death in 1432,28 so it is probable that it followed the descent of the manor of Benington from an earlier date. After this it is not again separated from Chewells. POPES or HOLBEACHES (Holbeches, Holbeckes, Holbaches) was held of the manor of Hatfield by fealty and free socage.%*_ In 1330 John de Hotham, Bishop of Ely, granted to Robert de Holbeaches and Emma his wife in tail-male a messuage and lands in Hatfield for the rent of one rose yearly at the Nativity of St. John Baptist.24 Emma, after the death of Robert de Holbeaches, married John Molyn, the king’s envoy, and in 1351 granted these same lands to John de Berland of Prittlewell to hold during her life.?* In the reign of Edward III the manor is said to have been held by William Stalworth,”* from whom it descended successively to his son John and his grandson William, the latter of whom left two daughters, Elizabeth and Jane, between whom the manor was divided. Elizabeth is said to have married Richard Hall, and her moiety to have descended to two grand- daughters, Elizabeth the wife of Laurence Woodhall, who had a son Fulk, and Alice, who married John (James ?) ap Jenkyn. Jane, the second daughter of William Stalworth, is said to have married Charles Blount, and her moiety to have come to her daughter Margaret, who married Thomas Woodhall.?” In 1542 Thomas Woodhall and Margaret his wife conveyed the ‘manor of Popes Park,’ which was pre- sumably the name given to their moiety, to Fulk Woodhall,?® who thus became possessed of three- quarters of the original manor, which he held in 154529 In 1529 James ap Jenkyns and Alice his wife sold a quarter of the manor of Popes to Roger Belamy.*” This quarter came to William Belamy, son and heir of Richard Belamy, in 1538,°1 who sold it in 1548 to William Tooke,” auditor-general of the Court of Wards and Liveries. Chauncy says that Fulk Woodhall afterwards joined with William Belamy in a conveyance to William 28 Cal. Close, 1349-54, P- 360+ t. 310. 2 Chauncy, op. cit. 2 Tid. 310-11. The pedigree is to far unsupported by documentary evidence, but if authentic explains the existing documents which follow. % Feet of F. Div. Co. Hen. VIII. 2 Ibid. Herts. Mich. 37 Hen. VIII. Mich. 34 8 Cal, Pat. 1334-8, p. 258. ® Close, 51 Edw. II, m. 14. 2 Rentals and Surv. R. 276. 1 Feet of F, Herts, Trin. 17 Edw. I, no. 384. WAdd, Chart. 1988. 2 Feet of F, Herts. 9 Edw. II, no. 229. * Chan, Ing, p.m. 33 Edw. IIT (znd nos.), no, 110. 28 Ibid. 11 Hen. VI, no. a Ibid, (Ser. 2), ccexviii, 163. *4 Feet of F, Herts. 4 Edw. IIT, no. $7. 103 8. 80 Ibid. East. 21 Hen. VIII 81 Ct, of Wards Misc. Bks. dixxviii, fol. 330+ 82 Plac. de Banco, Trin. 2 Edw. VI, m. 6d.; Feet of F, Herts, Trin, 2 Edw. VI. A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE Tooke," who appears in. possession of the manor in 1548.4 His son Walter died seised of it in 1609,°% and was succeeded by his son Ralph, who died un- married in 1635.°° George, his brother, inherited the manor, but died also without heirs, and the manor came to his brother Thomas. Thomas Tooke sold Holbeaches in 1664 to Stephen Ewer and Joshua Lomax,** who sold it in the following year to ‘Thomas Shatterden,3? who possessed it as late as 1696. Before 1705 it came into the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir David Mitchell,*! who died there in 1710, leaving the manor to his nephew David Cooke, who took the surname of Mitchell.43 The latter was succeeded by his son David Mitchell," who sold Holbeaches in 1744 to William Hulls.*® Thence it passed to Rebecca Assheton, daughter of William Hulls,*® and to her son William Assheton,‘7 who in 1817 sold it to James Marquess of Salisbury,*® and it thus became united to Hatfeld. The manor-house was burnt down in January 1745-6, and a farm-house now occupies the site. The manor of HOLWELL alias HOLWELL GRAV was held of the Bishop of Ely in chief for half a fee,** and later of the Earls of Salisbury as of the manor of Hatfield,®? but a mesne lordship vested in the Peyvre family (of Willian) is mentioned in the 14th century.®! The first sub-tenant mentioned is John de Grey, who held the manor in 1265, for in that year his manor-house there was broken into.S? He was suc- ceeded by his son Reginald,5? who held the half fee in 1303. His son John succeeded him in 1308." In 1309 he complained ‘that certain men entered his manor at Holwell, broke into the houses thereof, carried away his goods, felled trees in his wood of Frythewood, and with nets snared rabbits in his free warren.’*® John de Grey died about 1324.57 He had settled Holwell on his second son Roger,** and the latter obtained a release of the manor from his elder brother Henry in 1328.5° He was succeeded by his son Sir Reginald Grey of Ruthy: Reginald died in 1388"; his widow Eleanor continued to hold the manor until her death in 1396.5! Holwell then passed to their son Grey of Ruthyn. Barry argent and azure swith three roundels gules in the chief. Reginald? Early in the next century it came into the possession of John Perient, who held it in 1428,%9 and who also held the manors of Digswell and Ludwick. From this date Holwell followed the descent of Ludwick Manor until 1642, when it was held by Frances Weld," but it does not seem to have passed with Ludwick to the Shallcross family, and it is lost sight of until the beginning of the next century. Some time previous to 1728 Thomas Goddard inherited Holwell from his mother and mortgaged it to Charles Clarke. Thomas died intestate, and Charles Clarke entered as mortgagee and was in possession in the year mentioned.” In 1743 William Clarke and Mary his wife and Anna Clarke, widow, sold the manor to John Edwards.®® Later it was held by Sir Thomas Cave and Sarah his wife,® and passed from them to their daughter Sarah, the wife of Henry Otway, who possessed it as late as 1794.7° After this there is no further record of the manor. HORNBEAMGATE (Hermebemgate, xiv cent.) was a small manor held from an early date by the family of Louth or de Luda, This family held land in Hatfield carly in the 14th century,”? when Roger de Louth and Joan his wife were living. In 1366 Roger, possibly son of the first-named Roger, and Margery de Louth are mentioned. ‘They possessed a messuage and curtilage in ‘Herinbencgatestrat,” which may possibly be the same as Hornbeamgate.”# The first actual mention of the manor of Horn- beamgate is in 1370, when John son and heir of Roger de Louth granted it to Nicholas and Robert, his uncles.78 Nicholas died some time before 1392," and the manor apparently continued to descend in the Louth family. John son of Roger was still living in 137275; another Robert de Louth appears in 1420.78 In 1466 Robert Louth and Edith his wife conveyed the manor of Hornbeamgate to Nicholas Leventhorpe and Nicholas Brite,” apparently in trust for Sir John Say, who was in possession in 1468.75 ‘There seems to be no further trace of it. The manor of LUDWICK (Lodewyk, xiv and xv cent.) was held successively of the Bishops of Ely, the king and the Earls of Salisbury 7 as of the manor of Hatfield. It seems to have belonged early in the 13th century to a family of the name of Ludwick. The first mentioned is Roger de Ludwick, whose name occurs in a document of 1220.8 William de Ludwick is mentioned in 12488! and Adam de Feet of F. Herts, East. 30 Eliz. ; Ct. of 3) Chauncy, op. cit, 310-11. Chant. Cert. 27, mo. § 5 see a'to Inq. quoted in next note. 8 Chan, Ing, p.m. (Ser. 2), cecxviii, 163. 38 Tid, cecclxxx, 103. ¥ Dict, Nat. Biog. 88 Feet of F. Herts. Trin. 16 Chas. II. 29 Close, 17 Chas. Il, pt. iv, m. 26. © Feet of F. Herts. East, 4 Will. and Mary ; Mich. 8 Will IIT. aU Ibid. East. 4 Anne. © Dict, Nat. Biog. 4 Salmon, op. 12, i Recon Re Mich. 11 Geo. Il, rot. 328; Clutterbuck, op. cit. ii, 352. © Rec R. Trin. 17 & 18 Geo. I, ro) “ Cried op. cit. ii, 352. * Recov. R. Mich. 53 Geo. rot. 265. © Cussans, op. cit. Broadwater Hund, mm, 223) * Cott, MSS. Claud. C xij Anct. Extents, no. a (1); Chan. Ing. p.m. 1 Edw. WI, » Tid, (Ser, 2), cecciiy 132. 5) Feud. Als ii, 428 5 Chan. Ing. p.m. 12 Ric. I, no. 23. Abbrev. Plae, (Rec. Com.), 158. 5 Wrottesley, Ped. from the Plea R. 14. "oa Feud. Aidy, ii, 428. © Chan. Ing. p.m. 1 Hie, oe no. 54. % Cal. Pat. 1307-13, p- °7 Chan, Ing. pm. 17 Dav Ts 745 ‘Anct, Extents, no. 78 (1), 85 Feet of F. Herts, 5 Edw. II, no. ror. £ Cal. Close, 1327-30, p. 399- Chan. Ing. p.m. 12 Ric. II, no. 23. 61 Close, 19 Rie. Il, m. 4 3 Chan, Ing. pm. 19 Rie. II, no. 30. * Tid, © Feud. Aids, ii, 449, Chan. Ing. p.m. 14 Edw. IV, no. 29 5 (Ser. 2), Ixil, 61 3 Iuxili, 89; Recov. R. Hil. 1566, rot. 643 ; Trin. 1573, rot. 633 5 104 Wards, Feod. Surv. 17. % Recov. R. Trin, 18 Chas. I, rot. 47. Salmon, op. cit. 213. 7 Ibid, * Feet of F. Herts. Hil. 17 Geo, Il. © Clutterbuck, op. cit. ii, 359. 1 Recov. R. Hil. 34 Geo. III. 7 Chan. Ing. p.m. 4 Edw. III, no. 94. 7 Anct. D. (P.R.O.), B 4098. 7 Thid, B 4213. ” Chae Ing. pm. 16 Rie. II, pti, no. iW Anct. D. (PRO. ), B 421s. ‘8 Thid, D 894. 77 Feet of Fr Hers: Trin. 6 Edw. IV, no. 14. 75 Rentals and Surv. R. 269. 7 Chan. Ing. p.m. 14 Edw. IV, no. 295 (Ser. 2), lxxiti, 89; Feod. Surv. Ct. of Wards, 17. Cal. Pat. 1216-25, p. 263. 8) Assize R. 318, m. 5. BROADWATER HUNDRED Ludwick in 1284.% In 1294 John de Ludwick conveyed ‘the manor of Ludewyk’ to William de Melksop, who held the manor of Digswell. After the death of William de Melksop, however, the manor apparently returned to the Ludwicks, as the family seems to have been settled at Hatfield through- out the 14th century. In 1316 William de Ludwick went ‘ beyond seas” on the king’s service with Aylmer de Valence,® and in 1332 accompanied his neighbour Hugh Fitz Simon on a pilgrimage to Santiago. In 2 there is an order for the arrest of William de Ludwick and his brother John,® upon what charge is not stated. He seems, however, to have been a some- what turbulent neighbour, for in 1348 Stephen de Bassingburn of Woodhall complained that William «and his sons John and Thomas ‘broke his close and house in Bishop’s Hatfield, entered his free warren, carried away his goods and hares, rabbits, pheasants and partridges from the warren, and assaulted his servant.’ John de Ludwick succeeded his father at some date before 1377, and in that year, and for many years up to 1406, was justice of the peace for Hertfordshire. In 1413 John Ludwick and Alice his wife held Ludwick with John Deram, Philip Thornbury and Nicholas Rys,® and in 1413—14 it was released to John Peryan or Perient of Digswell.” In 14212 John Bassingburn and Alice Countess of Oxford and John Mortimer her husband released to him some interest which they had in the estate.’! Ludwick descended in the Perient family in the same manner as Digswell® until it came to ‘Thomas Perient, who died in 1545.% His heirs were four daughters, but his brother John, being the nearest male heir, held Ludwick™ until his death without male issue, when this manor was apportioned to Anne the third daughter of Thomas Perient and the wife of Anthony Carleton,*® who held it in 1566,% and sold it before 1569 to Edward Denton.” Edward and Joyce Denton conveyed it in 1575 to John Lacy.™ The latter sold Ludwick in 1588 to Humphrey Weld,* who died possessed of it in 1610 and was succeeded by his son John.” In 1622 it came to his son Humphrey, a minor,! who held the reversion of the manor after the death of his mother Frances, who survived until after 1642.7 Some time before 1716 Ludwick came into the possession of ‘Thomas Shallcross,’ who held it then, and in 1720 sold it to Jeremy Hale of King’s Walden,* who held it in 1728,° and in whose family Ludwick descended * until 1819, © Assize R. 1256, m. 8 Feet of F. Herts. 22 Edw. I, no, 306. 100 Chan. Ing. % Cal. Pat. 1313-17, p. 573 173 % Ibid. 1330-4, p. 136. 8 Thid. 1340-3, p. 442. & Ibid. 1348-50, p. 248. 8 Ibid. 1377-81, p. 385 1405-8, p- 492. rot. 60 5 ® Close, 14 Hen. 1%, m, 11 ® Ibid. 1 Hen, V, m2. 5! Ibid. g Hen. V, m. 24. "Feet of F. Here 23 Hen. VI, fo, 122; Chan. Ing. p.m. 14 Edw. IV, no, 29 5 (Ser. 2), lili no. 61. 8 Tid, Ixxiii, no. 89. ™ Recov, R. Mich. 4 Edw. VI, rot. 546. °% Visit. of Herts, (Harl. Soc. xxii), 157. % Feet of F. Herts, Trin, 3 Eliz. ; Recov. R, Hil, 1566, rot. 643. ® Feet of F, Herts. Trin. 11 Eliz. ; see Recov. R. Trin, 1572, rot. 7 Geo. I, pt. xi. 5 Salmon, op. c 10 Assize R. 1256, m. ¥ Thid. 1307-13) p. 2 Ibid. East. 30 Eliz. pom, (Ser. 2), ceexxii, 90. 2 J. ccecii, 1325 m. 73 Recov. R. Tr Trin. 18 Chas. I, rot. 47. 3 Thid, 2 Geo. I, rot. 15. «Tid. Mich, 7 Geo. I, rot. 135 Close, 6 Recov. R Mich. 11 Geo, II, rot. 1855 Hil. 55 Geo. IIT, rot. 248. T Cussans, op. cit. Broadwater Hund. 273. 8 Chart. R. 30 Edw. I, no. 17. Exe! #,Chan Ing: pm, (Ser. 2) ei 126. 1 Gal, Close, 2288-96, p- 318. HATFIELD or BISHOP’S HATFIELD when William Hale gave it to the Earl of Salisbury in exchange for Quickswood in the same county,’ and it thus became united to the main manor. William de Melksop obtained a grant of. free warren in this manor in 1301~-2.° PONSBOURNE (Pomelesborne, Ponnysbourne, xvi cent.) was held of the manor of Hatfield.’ There is no early mention of it by name, but as members of the family called Ponsbourne held lands in Hatfield in the 13th and 14th centuries it seems likely that they were the early possessors. The first of these to be mentioned is William de Ponsbourne in 1281. The name of John de Ponsbourne occurs in 1293,!! and of Robert the son of William de Ponsbourne in 1308." In 1346 the heir of Robert de Ponsbourne is mentioned," after which there is no further record of the family, but in 1441 John Kirkeby died seised of lands formerly of Robert Ponsbourne.'* It probably was acquired with Gacelyns by Sir John Fortescue, the chief justice. He forfeited in 1462, when Lord Wenlock was granted his lands."® John Fortescue, who ultimately succeeded, was sheriff in 1481 and 1485; he died in 1499-1500 and was succeeded by his son John. This John Fortescue died seised of the manor of Ponsbourne in 1517.” His son and heir Henry Fortescue next held it. He leased Ponsbourne to Sir William Cavendish for eighty years and sold the reversion in 1538 to Sir Thomas Seymour, Lord Admiral of England, who conveyed it to the Crown in exchange for other lands."® In 1553 Ponsbourne was granted by Edward VI to Sir John Cock,'® who died in 1558 and was succeeded by his son Henry.” In 1622 the manor was held by Sir Edmund Lucy, the husband of Elizabeth daughter of Henry Cock.! He conveyed it in that year to Edward Sheldon, who in 1630 sold Ponsbourne to Sir John Ferrers,” who died seised of the manor and disparked park called Ponsbourne Park in 1640." Sir John’s eldest son Knighton Ferrers predeceased him, leaving a widow Katharine and an infant daughter of the same name.* In 1649 Ponsbourne was in the possession of Thomas Viscount Fanshawe of Dromore and Katharine his wife, the daughter and heir of Knighton Ferrers,” who in 1655 conveyed the manor to Stephen Ewer.” In 1660 Stephen Ewer repaired the chapel at Ponsbourne,” and in 1672 obtained a licence as a Presbyterian, presumably to hold services in his house.” In 1674 he sold the manor to John Woollastou,” “Chan. Ing. pm, 22 Hen, VI, 1 Cal, Pat, 1461-7, 192. 16 Chan, Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), xv, 3. ¥ Ibid, xxxiti, 126, 18 Feet of F. Herts. 29 Hen. VIII, no. 3; Aug. Off. Proc, xxvii, fol. 65. 1 Pat. 7 Edw. VI, pt. ve 20 Chan, Ing. p.m, (Ser. 2), ili, 82. "| Feet of F. Herts. Tria. 20 Jas. 1; Cussans, op. cit. Broadwater Hund. 270. * Feet of F. Herts. Mich, 6 Chas. I. * Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), cccexciv, Feod. Surv. Ct. in. 15 Chas. I, . 15 Chas. I, 1 3 Harl, MS. 411, p. 146 ; Chan. Ing. pom, (Ser. 2), cccexciv, 59. .E.C. Complete Peerage ; Feet of F. Div. 49- 2 Recov, R. East. 1655, rot. 192+ 3 Sessions R, (Hertford Co. Rec.), i, $45 Chan. Ing. °8 Feet of F. Herts, Mich. 17 & 18 Eliz. J 3 pm. 1 Edw. IHL, ne. 85. 18 Cal, Close, 1346-9) pe 142+ 105 13 3% cal, 8. P. Dom. 1672, p- 402- 29 Feet of F, Herts, Mich, 26 Chas. IT. 14 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE who sold it again to Paris Slaughter, whose son Paris succeeded in 1693.” His daughter and heir married a Mr. Clarke, whose son William Clarke *! sold Ponsbourne to Samuel Strode, who was lord of the manor in 1728." He was succeeded by his son William, who died in 1756, and by his grandson William, who in 1761 conveyed the manor to Lawrence Sullivan.5§ From Lawrence it passed to his son Stephen, who sold it ' in 1811 or 1812 to William Busk,# from whom it was purchased in 1819 by his brother Jacob Hans Busk. In 1836 the manor was again sold to Mr. Wynn Ellis, who disposed of it in 1875 to Mr. James William Carlile.3> The latter is the present lord of the manor, and resides at Ponsbourne Park. Pons- bourne Manor House is the residence of Colonel Sir E. Hildred Carlile, M.P. for Mid-Hert The manor of SYMONDSHYDE was held of the manor of Hatfield for the service of half a knight’s fee and suit of court every three weeks.3® In the Inguisitio Eliensis, compiled about 1086, Adam is stated to hold 2 hides of the abbot, which may represent Symondshyde.*” Adam is the only tenant mentioned as holding as much as 2 hides, which was the quantity held by the Fitz Simons in 1277.3 Moreover, Adam Fitz Hubert was the Domesday holder of Almshoe, and this manor and Symondshyde appear later in the hands of the same sub-tenants, the Fitz Simons. At the beginning of the 13th century William Fitz Simon was holding half a knight’s fee in Hatfeld, and in 1237 Adam Fitz William was a party to a conveyance of land there.3* The manor then follows the same descent ‘° as Almshoe (Hitchin Hundred) until 1805, when Symondshyde was sold by Sir Robert Salusbury to John Fordham.4! John Fordham was succeeded by his son John Edward Fordham, who in 1852 sold the manor to the Mar- quess of Salisbury,'? after which it became merged in the main manor of Hatfield. TOLMERS or NEWGATE STREET was held of the Bishop of Ely and later of the Crown. Its early history is very obscure; the name Tolmers suggests that it was formerly in the possession of a family of that name. In the register of the lands of Ely, compiled in 1277, a certain Walter de Tolymer was entered as holding land of the bishop in Hatfield, Canute, Or a cross paty gules and a chief gules with a saltire or therein. » Chauncy, op. cit. 310. 16 Hen. VI, no, together with the right as a tenant in chief of pasturing his cattle in the Great Park of Hatfield belonging to the bishop. In 1308 John the son of William Tolymer released the lands in Hatfield which he had acquired from his brother William to John le Hay- ward.4® These lands were probably the manor of Tolmers, but there is no record of their descent for two centuries following. The first actual mention of the manor of Tolmers occurs in 1516, when Edmund Chyvall and Alice his wife, in whose right he held the manor, conveyed it to William Tattorn.‘® Thirteen years later Sir William Say, the holder of many Hertfordshire manors, died seised of it.” Tolmers then descended with the manor of Benington * (q.v.), and in 1566 the reversion was granted to Robert Earl of Leicester.“ He died without heirs in 1588, and his lands reverted to the Crown. In 1608 Tolmers was granted to Sir Henry Goodere or Goodyer, to be held of the king as of his manor of East Greenwich by fealty and free socage.®! Sir Henry was perpetually in straits for want of money, and was much given to composing flattering poems, psrhers with a view to bettering his fortunes. In 1619 he wrote an ode to the M: and Marchi of Buckingh on the occasion of their marriage,)? and in 1623, when Prince Charles made his journey to Spain in search of a bride, he addressed poems to him both on his departure and his return.5* In 1626 he petitioned to be admitted a Gentleman Usher of the Queen's Privy Chamber, saying that he ‘desired only meat, drink and lodging, with some dignity, in that place where he had spent most of his time and estate.’ It is not recorded whether he was successful, but he died in the following year, and his son-in-law Francis Nethersole was granted £1,000 in consideration of his own and his father-in-law’s services. He left four daughters, Lucy the wife of Francis Nethersole, Elizabeth, Mary and Anne,®* but the manor passed to another Sir Henry Goodere and Etheldreda his wife,®? who was succeeded by his son Francis before 1638. In 1649 Francis Goodere sold Tolmers to Robert Shiers of the Inner Temple‘? ; he was succeeded by his son George Shiers,® who is said to have died in 1685, and devised his estates to charitable uses. In 1714 Hugh Shortridge, S.T.P., was lord of the manor. In 1715 he conveyed Tolmers to Sir Francis Vincent and other trustees to hold to his own use for life, with remainder to the trustees to carry out his charitable bequests, among which was an annual payment of {£220 to Exeter College, 88; 15 Edw. IV, 46 Feet of F, Herts. Hil. 33 Hen, VIII. 31 Feet of F. Herts. Trin. 9 Anne. 34 Salmon, op. cit. 212. $3 Clutterbuck, op. cit. ii, 348. M bid. ; Feet of F. Herts. Mich. 52 Geo. III. 8 Dice, Nat. Biog.; Cussans op. cit. Broadwater Hund. 270. % Chan, Ing. pm. 32 Edw. I, no. 56 5 Feud. Aids, ii, 428; Chan, Ing. p.m. 17 Edw. IV, no. 475 (Ser. 2), iv 305 lili, 29. 3 Tquisicio Elienss (ed. Hamilton), 125. % Cott. MSS. Claud. C xi. % Feet of F. Herts. no. 228, 4 Feud. Aids, ji, 428; Feet of F. Div. Co. § Edw, III, no, 101; Add. R. 28799 5 Feud. Aids, ii, 450; Feet of F. Herts, 21 Hen. UI, no. 42; Chan. Ing. pm. 21 Edw. IV, no. 46; (Ser. 2), cxvi, no. 83; Feet of F. Div. Co, Trin. 41 Eliz.; 10 Jas. 15 Recov. R. East. 11 Jas. I, rot. 303 Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), ceclxxiv, 45 Recov. R. Trin. 10 Chas. I, rot. 473 East. 3 Anne, rot. 313 Feet of F. Herts. Trin. 12 Anne; Recov. R. Mich. 4 Geo. III, rot. 1 "1 Clutterbuck, op. cit. ii, 357. “1 Cussans, op. cit. Broadwater Hund. 27 "S chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), li, Pat. 5 Jas. I, pt. xviii. “" Coit. MSS. Claud. Cai, © Close, 1 Edw. I, m. “© Feet of F. Herts. Trin. 4 Hen. VIII. 4 Chan, Ing. pm. (Ser. 2), li, 50. 106 505 49 Pat. 8 Eliz. pt. vii, m. 26. 9 GEC. Complete Peerage. 51 Pat, § Jas. I, pt. xviii. 82 Cal. 5.'P, Dom. 1619-23, ps $56. 59 Ibid. p. 585 5 1623-5, p. 105. 4 Ibid, 1625-6, p. 403. % Ibid. 1627-8, p. 432. 8 Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), cecexliv, 93 i Peet of F. Herts. Mich, 3 Chas. I. 88 Ibid. 14 Chas 15 Visit. of Hern. (Harl. Soe. xxii), 58. 59 Close, 1649, pt. xlvi, m. 22 © Feet of F. Herts. East. 35 Chas. 11 1 Cussans, op. cit. Dacorum Hund. 292. This may be a confusion with the next owner. ® Recov. R. Mich. t Geo. I, rot. 64. Hatrtecp Cuurcu : Tue Cuancet and Brocxerr Cuapet Hartrieno Cuurcu: Sauispury Capen FIEL! *; D or BROADWATER HUNDRED HAT eps HATFIELD Oxford." In 1802 Sir William Geary and others, who seem to have been the trustees succeeding Sir Francis Vincent and the others, sold Tolmers to Garnet Terry.“ In 1827 it was sold by Margaret wife of Charles Mousley, who may have been the daughter of Garnet Terry, to Charles John Dimsdale. He sold it in 1834 to Samuel Mills, who died in 1847, and was succeeded by his son Thomas Mills,” from whom it passed to his brother John Remington Mills, who was lord of the manor in 1 877.8 He died in 1879,° and his eldest son John Remington Mills having predeceased him in 1865, his estates passed to his two granddaughters, who were co-heiresses.” One of them was lady of the manor in 1880, It now belongs to Mr. J. Henry Johnson. WOODHALL was held of the manor of Hatfield for the service of one knight’s fee.” The earliest mention of the manor occurs in 1198, when it was held by John de Bassingburn and Albreda his wife, and leased to Hamelin de Andeville and Alice for her life”? Albreda was still living in 1248." Woodhall descended in the Bassingburn family in the same way as the manor of Astwick** until the death of John Bassingburn in 1535, when Woodhall passed under asettlement to Thomas Gawdy, the son of Anne, second daughter of John Bassingburn.” In 1564 Thomas Gawdy and Honor his wife conveyed the manor to Sir John Boteler of Watton Woodhall.” Sir John’s eldest son Philip sold Hatfield Woodhall to his brother Henry, who died in 1609 seised of it jointly with his son John.” Sir John Boteler the younger died in 1637," and his two elder sons Henry and Philip having died without issue the manor came to his third son William, an idiot,’”? who died in 1665. His next heirs were his five sisters, two of whose husbands, Francis Lord Dunmore and Endymion Porter, had been his guardians. The manor, however, was held in tail-male, so that it passed to Francis son of Ralph Boteler, the third of Sir John Boteler’s eight half-brothers.© Francis Boteler died in 1690 and was succeeded by his daughter Juliana, the wife of Francis Shallcross." She died in 1726 and Woodhall passed by will to her sister Isabel, the wife of Charles Hutchinson,” who died in 1728. Their son Julius Hutchinson suc- ceeded ® and was followed by his son Thomas, who died in 1774. Woodhall then passed to his nephew, the Rey. Julius Hutchinson, son of his brother Norton, and in 1792 was sold to the Earl of Salisbury, and thus became merged in the manor of Hatfeld.* Free warren was granted to the lord of the manor in 1300." The parish church of ST, ETHEL- CHURCH DREDA,* standing on high ground on the east side of the town, is built for the most part of flint rubble with stone dressings. The roof are tiled and the tall spire is shingled. ae Com, Pleas D, Enr. Hil. 43 Geo. III, * Thid. % Feet of F, Herts, East. 8 Geo. IV. Cussans, loc. cit, Tid, * Thid, s Burke, Landed Gentry (1882). 7 Rentals and Surv. R. 2763 Chan. ng, pum. (Ser. 2), Ini, 64 ; eceviti, 113. Feet of F, Herts. 9 Ric, I, no. 21, ae 1 Astize R. 318, m. 5. cee ™ Abbrev. Plac. (Rec. Com.), 270; Feet of F. Div. Co. 7 Edw. III; Close, 9 Hen. VII, no. 36; Feet of F. Herts. East. 14 Hen, VII; East. 20 Hen. VIL; 75 Chan, Ing. p.m. (5 76 Feet of F. Herts, Le 7 Chan. Ing. pam. (Ser. 2), cccviii, 8 Tid, dyxix, 56. 79 Tid, cecelexxi, 150. 5! Chauncy, op. cit. 309. north and south chapels, estern chapels, nave h angle buttresses, d north and south It consists of a chancel, north and south transepts with w west tower of four stages wit embattled parapet and tall spire an wooden porches. The original appears to have been crucil 0 of which evidence remains in : Th of the nave and a flying arch on the north side. The chancel and transepts appear to have formed part of this church, and the north wall of the nave probably stands on the foundations of the nave wall of the 13th century, Late in the same century the small chapels on the west side of the transepts were built and a south chapel was added; this chapel was widened late in the 15th century. In the 15th century also the nave was widened to the south, when the central tower was destroyed and the pre- sent west tower built. The north chapel, known as the Salisbury chapel, was added about 1600-10. In the rgth century the walls of the nave were rebuilt, the porches were added, and all the window tracery and most of the external stonework were renewed. The chancel has a two-centred east window of three lights with tracery above. The shafted inner jambs with foliated capitals are of the 13th century. The north arcade, built about 1610, is of three bays of semicircular arches on Roman Doric columns. The soffits are richly decorated and the arches have modillion-shaped keystones. On the south side are a two-light window and an arcade of two bays of the 15th century. The central pillar and responds are of clustered shafts with ogee rolls between, and there are angels bearing shields in the capitals on the north and south sides. The middle shield on the central pier has the arms of Fortescue, Azure a bend engrailed argent cotised or on the bend in chief a molet sable. The two-centred chancel arch is modern, and has detached shafts with capitals carved with lilies and a label with mask stops. Under the south-east window is a piscina of the 13th century, with a modern arch. An iron screen of the 18th century separates the chancel from the north chapel, which has three three-light windows—one at the east and two in the north wall—all of about 1610. On the west two modern arches, supported on responds and a central pillar, open to the north transept. The walls of the chapel are richly decorated with modern coloured mosaics and marble work, and the panelled and painted roof is also modern. The south chapel has an east window of five lights and two south windows of four lights each, probably of the late 15th century, all with much restored tracery, and a small south doorway under the western- most of the two south windows. The windows and church of the early 13th century form with a central tower, the thickened east wall Salmon, op. cit. 211, © Recov, R. Trin. 2 & 3 Geo. II. ™ Cussans, op. cit. Broadwater Hund, 270. Recov. R. Hil. 17 Hen, VIII, rot. 347.) ® Thi, 2); lxil, 64. % Ibid, lies © Chart. R. 28 Edw. I, m. 10, ® Dimensions : chancel, 40 ft. by 26 ft. 6 ins north chapel, 40 ft. by 21 ft; south chapel, 25 ft. by 17 ft.3 nave, X00 ft. by 29 ft.; north transept, 24 ft. by 15 ft. in. south transept, 21 fe by 15 ft. Gin. ; tower, 16 ft. tquare. 107 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE doors all have four-centred heads. The two-centred arch at the west end, opening into the south transept, is of the 13th century, of three continuous chamfered orders, and immediately to the south of it is a plain narrow doorway of the 15th century, also leading to the south transept, which was inserted when the chapel was widened. In the east wall of the chapel are two brackets, each carved with an angel bearing a shield, one on each side of the east window. The roof retains much of its late 15th-century woodwork. The nave, of which the axial line is about 6 ft. south of that of the chancel, has a 13th-century arch at the north-east and south-east, opening into the chapels west of the transepts. Both bases and capitals of the arch on the south side are modern, but on the north side the bases are old. The responds are The chapel, which opens to the transept through the semi-arch, has a modern west window of two lights. The south transept retains older detai) than any other part of the church. In the east wall is a lancet window of the 13th century, now blocked, and to the north of it is a large trefoiled recess of the same period. Both are set high in the wall, and the latter is cut into on the north side by the arch leading to the south chapel. The archway which opens to the chapel west of the transept is a fine example of the work of about 1240, and shows traces of having been rebuilt in the position it now occupies. The arch is of two orders, deeply moulded with richly under- cut rolls and hollows. The two innermost rolls have fillets and the rest are plain. The responds have their engaged round shafts with dog-tooth ornament Harrieto Cuurcn half-octagonal, and the arches are two-centred, of three chamfered orders. There are three two- centred modern windows of three lights, with tracery of three quatrefoils, in the north and in the south walls. The north door, which is much re- paired, is of the 15th century, and the south doorway is modern. To the north of the chancel arch is a moulded piscina of the late 14th century. In the roof are six small modern dormer lights. The north transept has a north window of four trefoiled lights with tracery above ; it is possibly of the 1sth century, but has been wholly restored. Below it is a doorway with a two-centred head. In the west wall is a 15th-century doorway leading to the vestry, which is modern, with a two-light window in the north wall and an exterior doorway and another two-light window in the west wall. To the south of the doorway from the transept is a semi-arch or flying buttress of the 13th century. FROM THE SOUTH between them, which has been much restored. The capitals are foliated and the bases are modern. The south window of the transept is wholly renewed, and is of four trefoiled lights with geometri- cal tracery in a two-centred head. The chapel has modern south and west windows, both of two trefoiled lights with a quatrefoil over, in a two- centred head. The roof of the south transept is largely of late 15th-century date, and is ornamented with modern colour; the wall plates rest on modern foliated corbels. The lofty tower arch is of about 1440, and is of three weakly moulded orders, It is two-centred and has a label with return stops. The west doorway has a two-centred arch in a square head, with tracery in the spandrels, Both it and the window above it are original work of the 15th century. At the south- west angle of the tower a door gives access to a turret 108 HOWAHD GTaLY}] 40 NVIG | dasnval: invowo |H NYICOW [] INDO, SIRY —=a,.LN99,, 21 2] LN 99, ©1000 TadVHO igaeates Dias aou el | Metss<+? K S i fo LIA3Gd sO alvos i t 09 og ov og og ot o 9 O 109 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE stairway leading to the upper stages of the tower, built in the thickness of the wall, and not projecting externally. This turret rises very slightly above the parapet of the tower. ‘The top stage of the tower is lighted by four windows of two cinquefoiled lights, with a quatrefoil in a two-centred head. They are arranged in pairs on the north and south sides. The oldest monument in the church is now in the north chapel, and consists of a small coffin-lid with the figure in low relief of a knight in armour of about 1160. The body is almost wholly covered by a large heater shield. Also in the north chapel, to the south of the coffin- lid, is the large and elaborate marble altar tomb with the effigy of Robert first Earl of Salisbury, the founder of the chapel, who died in 1612. The altar slab, with the recumbent effigy of the earl wearing an armet with the visor open and the collar of the Garter, and holding a staff in his right hand, is sup- ported by four finely-sculptured kneeling figures hold- ing a sword, vases, broken columns and a skull. Beneath the slab, and between the four figures, is the representation of a skeleton, Immediately to the south of this tomb is one with a life-size recumbent effigy, of about 1560, said to be that of Sir Richard Kyrle. A brass in the chancel commemorates Fulk Onslow, 1602, and his wife, with a shield of arms and an in- scription. There is another brass with inscription to Fulk Onslow in the tower. In the south chapel is a large monument between the south windows to Dame Elizabeth Saunders, 1612, and Dame Agnes Saunders, 1588. It consists of an altar-tomb with marble panelled sides, with the effigies of the two ladies, half-recumbent, with their heads to the west, lying, one on the tomb itself and the other behind it raised upon a step. Behind them a recess is formed by a semicircular arch resting on modillions, with Renaissance foliation in the flat spandrels. This recess contains the inscription on a rectangular slab. On the cresting of the cornice are two shields and a lozenge in the centre. The left-hand shield bears Moore : Argenta fesse dancetty gobony gules and sable between three molets sable. ‘The right-hand shield has the arms of Saunders : Party cheveronwise sable and argent three elephants’ heads razed and counter- coloured, and on the lozenge is Moore impaling Barry ermine and gules, for Hussey. There is also in the south chapel a tomb of John Brockett, 1598, with shields of Brockett impaling and quartering other coats. In the tower is an iron-bound chest dated 1692. There are eight bells: 1, 2, 3, 4, § and 7 by John Briant of Hertford, 1786; 6 by Thomas Mears, London, 1841; and 8 with the names of Charles Pratchell and William Woodards, churchwardens. The plate consists of a silver gilt chalice, paten, flagon and almsdish, each inscribed ‘The parish church of Bishop’s Hatfield in ye county of Hertford 1685,’ two other silver chalices and patens, and another silver flagon. The registers are in eight books ; (i) baptisms 1653 to 1713, burials 1653 to 1690, marriages 1653 to 1740; (ii) burials 1678 to 1713 5 (iii) burials 1695 to 1750; (iv) baptisms 1713 to 1782, marriages 1741 to 17533 (v) baptisms 1783 to 1812; (vi) burials 1751 to 1812; (vii) marriages 1754 to 1772; (viii) 1772 to 1812. The chantry at the altar of St. Anne in the parish church of Hatfield was founded in 1330 by Roger de Louth, ‘for the good estate of himself and his wife Joan in life, for their souls after death, and for the souls of Thomas de Louth, late treasurer of the Church of St. Mary, Lincoln, John Hayward and Katharine his wife.’*® He gave ten messuages, 40 acres of land and 10s. rent in Hatfield to the Prior and convent of Wymondley for a chaplain to celebrate daily service. In 1392 John de Wendelyngburgh and others, apparently trustees of Nicholas de Louth, added two messuages, 33 acres of land, 2 acres of meadow and 2 acres of wood for the benefit of the soul of Nicholas de Louth *! (or Luda). The advow- son was held by the Louth family, In the report made to Edward VI in 1548 the revenue from the tenements was reckoned at {9 81. 8d. James Shawe, the incumbent, was ‘an impotent man of the age of seventy years.’ After its suppression the lands were granted in the same year to Ralph Burgh and Robert Beverley.% A chapel connected with the lords of the manor of Ponsbourne existed in the parish church of Hatfield, and was situated next to that of the Blessed Mary of Ludwick." In 1518 John Fortescue left provision for ‘an honest clerk’ to celebrate mass there annually for the souls of himself and his ancestors."* In 1660 the ‘Chapel of Ponsbourne ’ adjoining the church was repaired by Stephen Ewer, who had refused to pay the assessment for the repair of the parish church unless his own chapel was also repaired.” The image of the Blessed Mary of Ludwick in Hatfeld Church is mentioned in 1470, also the images of the Blessed Mary of Pity (de Pete), St. Anne, St. Etheldreda and the Holy Trinity.% There are references in the 16th century to a Gild or Fraternity of St. John the Baptist. In 1510 a bequest was made to it by John Lowen ™ and others, in 1514 by Nicholas Lanam,! and in 1520 by William Clarke? In 1538 a tenement in Woodside yielding a yearly rent of 4s. belonged to ‘a brother- hood,’* and in 1545 a Fraternity is entered as paying 6d, towards a subsidy.* After this it disappears. Lemsford, in the north of the parish, was formed into a separate ecclesiastical parish in 1858,5 and the church of ST. JOHN, LEMSFORD, was erected in that year by the Dowager Countess Cowper of Brockett Hall and her children as a memorial to her husband, the sixth earl. The church of ST. MARY, NEWGATE STREET, was built in 1847 by Thomas Mills of Tolmers. The living is a perpetual curacy. ST. MARK’S chapel of ease at Woodhill was built in 1852 by the Marquess of Salisbury. ® Cal. Par. 1330-4) p. ™ Chan, Inq. p.m. (Ser, 2), xxxi 1 Wattys. Pee Chan, Ing. ae 4 Edw. I, 126, 36 Bennett, % Ibid. ‘Ibid. 5 Holder. no. wba Pan 1391-6, p. 177 ; Chan. Ing, pm. 16 Ric. IT, pt. i, no. 71. 7 Chant. Cert. 27, no. 5. © Pac 2 Edw, VI, pt. iv, m. 27, % Ibid, 34 Vox. sae R. (Herts, 134- % wil, P.C.C. 1 Wattys. 7 Wills, Archd. of St. Albans, 1520. ® Land Rev. Misc. Bks. ccxvi. “Hert Gen, and Antig. i, 324. ® Lond. Gaz. Index, 996. Co. Rec), iy 110 BROADWATER HUNDRED The chapel of ease at Hatfield Hyde was erected in 1882, also by the Marquess of Salisbury. The advowson of the church of St. Etheldreda at Hatfield ® belonged from the earliest times to the Abbots and Bishops of Ely,’ and remained in their hands until it was conveyed with the manor to King Henry VIII in 1538.8 The church was never appropriated, and the living has always been a rectory. Jt remained in the hands of the sovereign until 1549, when it was granted to the Earl of Warwick.® It must have been conveyed with the manor to Elizabeth, for she granted it in free socage to Thomas Poyner and William Wolriche in 1563,)° from whom it is said to have been purchased in the same year by Richard Onslow.!! About 1570 the latter gave the rectory as a lay estate to his brother, for his own and his wife’s life? Richard Onslow was Speaker of the House of Commons and Solicitor- General in 1566.3 In 1574 the advowson was held by Fulk Onslow, and in 1604 by Edward Onslow,!5 who in that year conveyed it to Goddard Pemberton.!6 The latter is said to have sold it to the Earl of Salisbury in 1607! ; it was certainly in the hands of the second earl,!® and has remained in the possession of the same family since.!® In 1534 a survey of the parsonage was made by command of Thomas Cromwell for purposes of repair. It then consisted of a hall and parlour with chambers over, an entry between the hall and kitchen, a kitchen, bake-house, malt-house, oat barn, ox-house, sheep- house, cart-house and hen-house,”? so it must have been a considerable establishment. In 1307 the parson of Hatfield was granted free warren in the lands belonging to the church,?! In 1538 there was a church-house called the ‘common church-house,’ which was used for bridal feasts, and was let at other times to provide funds for its maintenance.” The advowson of St. John’s, Lemsford, belongs to Countess Cowper, that of St. Mary, Newgate Street, to Mr. Joseph Trueman Mills of Leighton Buzzard. ADVOWSON KNEBWORTH Various meeting-places for Protestant Dissenters were certified in Hatfield from 1694 onwards.” There is a Union chapel in Park Street, built in 1823, and a Wesleyan chapel. ‘The Roman Catholic Church of the Blessed Sacrament was completed in 1910. In 1678 Sir Francis Boteler and CHARITIES Dame Elizabeth Boteler his wife by deed conveyed to trustees a messuage and farm called Clarke’s Farm, situate at Ludwick in this parish, the rents and profits thereof to be applied for such purposes as the said Dame Elizabeth Boteler should direct. The said Dame Elizabeth by her will, dated in 1681, directed that the objects of the bounty should be five widows, four to be chosen from the inhabitants of Bishop’s Hatfield and one an inhabitant of the parish of Tewin. The trust property now consists of £2,397 45. 1d. consols held by the official trustees, arising from sales of land and accumulations of income, and producing £59 185. 44. yearly. In 1667 Thomas Tooke by deed charged his manor of Wormley with an annuity of £3 to be distributed on St. Thomas’s Day to the six poorest and most aged men and women, and in 1720 Mrs. Julia Shallcross by a codicil to her will directed £9 a year to be paid out of her estate of Hatfield Woodhall to three widows of the parish for ever. It appears that the payment of these charges is now in abeyance. Edward Smith’s charity, being an annual charge of £2, is received (less tax) from the agent of Earl Cowper, the owner of Place Farm, which lies in the parishes of Wheathampstead”’ and Sandridge. In 1733 Ann Countess of Salisbury by deed gave a fee-farm rent of £50 (subject to deduction of £10 for land tax) towards clothing and teaching twenty girls, The fec-farm rent is understood to be vested in the Corporation of Southampton, and is duly paid. In 1807 Mrs. Mary Ross by her will, proved in the P.C.C. 12 March, charged certain land and heredita- ments at Bather Dell with an annuity of £3 to be applied on St. Thomas’s Day in clothing for six old and poor widows. KNEBWORTH Chenepeworde (xi cent.) ; Cnebbeworth, Knebbes- wrth (xiii cent.) ; Knybbeworth (xiv cent.) ; Knecb- worth, Knebbeworth. The parish of Knebworth has an area of 2,677 acres. The north-eastern part is over 400 ft. above the ordnance datum, and rises to a height of 461 ft. From this point the ground slopes downwards to the south and more gradually to the east; south of the village it rises again to 426 ft. The greater part of the parish is arable land, which covers 1,284. acres ; 6612 acres are permanent grass and 277 acres are wood.! The main road from Hitchin to London passes through the centre of the parish. A road turns off 6 P.C.C. 1 Wattys ; 36 Bennett. 7 Cal. Pat. 1225-32, p. 2343 Cott. MSS. Claud. C xi. 8 Close, 30 Hen. VILL, pt. i, no. 61. 2 Deeds of purchase and exchange, 473. B Ybid, 96. 16 Tid. 10 Pat. 5 Eliz. pt. ii, 11 Clutterbuck, op. ¢ 1 Hist, MSS. Com. Rep. xiv, App. ixy 4 Feet of F. Herts. East. 16 Elize ¥ Tid. Trin. 2 Jas. 1 Clutterbuck, op. cit. ii, 362. 1 Recov. R. Mich. 20 Jas. I, rot. gos from it to the west and forks, one branch going north to St. Paul’s Walden and the other south past Three Houses. Another road turns east from the Hitchin road, runs along the south of Knebworth Park and turns north, forming its eastern border. The village is situated on this road on the opposite side from the park. Knebworth House is a building of two stories, and the whole of the external detail is of a florid late Gothic type, executed in stucco during the early part of the 19th century. The original 16th-century house inclosed a courtyard, but in 1811 the north, south and east sides were pulled down, and the west Inst. Bks. (P.R.O.). 2 L, and P, Hen. VIL, vii, 1551. 21 Chart. R. 35 Edw. I, no. 11, m. 5. 2 Land Rev. Misc. Bks. ccxvi. 1 *aUrwick, op. cit. 586-7. % See under Wheathampstead, 1”.C.H. Herts. ii, 31 1 Statistics from Bd, of Agric. (1905). Ir A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE wing which remained was altered and added to and completely renewed externally. From plans!* and sketches of the old building prior to its demolition it would appear that the house must have been altered during the 17th and perhaps 18th century, but the entrance gateway in the centre of the east side of the courtyard, now partly incorporated in the West Lodge referred to below, appears to have been untouched, and was the last portion to be pulled down. The old plan of the west wing, as it existed before 1811, can still be traced in the present build- ing, though no detail of the 16th century now remains except a plain tablet fixed in the entrance porch, which bears the arms of Sir Rowland Lytton and the date 1563. In the centre of the east front was the porch entering directly into the screens, on two stories, underwent considerable alterations during the 17th century. It has a coved ceil- ing with moulded oak principals, ribs and cornice and carved brackets. The spaces between the timbers are plastered. It was probably put up under the original open-timber roof early in the 17th cen- tury. The screen belongs to the same period, and behind it, over the screens, is the musicians’ gallery. The oak screen is in three bays with semicircular arched openings. The central opening, which is the entrance, is flanked by caryatides formed of demi- human figures on tapering pedestals, the panels of which are carved. The spandrels of the arches are filled with pierced ornament. Above the arches is a bold entablature with moulded cornice and carved frieze and brackets, surmounted by the oak front to the gallery, which is carved with PIO 2 0 YY DY Lo an open arabesque pattern. Each akg lat side arch is partly filled with solid F: panelling surmounted by a broken pedi with moulded cornice ; ie Lbs i! It] in each panel is a cartouche con- Safest ay bul | Fl) taining arms of the Lytton and | Diack Fell) allied families. | oe Ktkhen re T The other three sides of the hall are covered with deal panel- ling, the design of which is attributed to Inigo Jones, and which may date from about 1650. ergants i i Ng Court ; et" | The north end is an elaborate design with detached fluted Corinthian columns dividing the end of the hall into three bays, with an enriched entablature with moulded cornice; this is broken over the middle bay by a round- arched pediment with moulded cornice and panelled soffit; in the side bays are doors opening into the drawing room, formerly the dining parlour of the old house. The east and west sides of the hall Pla Gaertn fo the right was the hall, which still remains, and on the west side of the hall was the library, now occupied by a modern stair, and at the north-west corner was the main staircase, now the library ; this portion of the building was probably a later addition to the 16th- century house, At the north end of the hall was the dining parlour, now a modernized drawing room. The south end of the wing was occupied by the domestic offices, but all that portion facing the west has been formed into a long picture gallery ; a back staircase at the south-east angle still retains its old position, but the stair is modern. A modern south wing has been added. The hall, which is of the same extent as formerly, and which is carried up ‘Excursion from Camerton to London and thence into Herts.’ Add, MS. 33641, fol. 202 ; Gent, Mag. Nov. 1790. Bees led from an illustration fo Excasion from and thenez into Herts (Drit Mus. Add. M, SOA f202, Grounp Prawn of Kxeswortu House in 1805 are panelled in a more simple manner, with fluted Corinthian pilasters as divisions ; in the centre of the west side is a plain fireplace with a large picture panel over, surmounted by a moulded cornice and pediment. ‘The whole of the woodwork, both oak and deal, has been recently scraped and cleaned and left in its natural colour. The hall is lighted by windows in the east wall only. The drawing room has been completely modernized, There is a quantity of old panelling, chiefly of the 17th century, in some of the rooms on the upper floor, most of which appears to have been hrought from clsewhere. Part of the original gateway of the old house, which was pulled down in 1811, was incorporated in the West Lodge of the park on the Hitchin road, and the fact is recorded on a tablet, dated 1816, on the walls. The lodge is in two parts, connected by the old arches which span the drive. Two old windows and a turret doorway have also been reset in the walls of the lodge, which have been partly built with old thin bricks at the back. All the old work, which is of clunch, belongs to about the Lit BROADWATER HUNDRED middle of the 16th century. The two four-centred arches which span the drive are of two double-ogee continuously moulded orders, a good deal restored and with cement panelled bases. The windows are of two lights with four-centred arches under square moulded labels ; the jambs and mullions are moulded. The turret doorway has a moulded four-centred arch with carved spandrels under a square head; one spandrel is carved with foliage, the other with a tun or barrel and vine leaves and fruit. The ornamental iron gates under the eastern arch and the fencing to the windows next the park are of 18th-century work. From the centre of the village a road runs east- ward to Deard’s End, where there is an interesting late 16th-century farm-house of timber and brick nogging and a tiled roof. The church of St. Mary KNEBWORTH is a gravel-pit at Deard’s End and another near Three Houses. There is a railway station on the Great Northern main line, situated in the extreme east of the parish near Deard’s End. ‘The inclosure award was made in 1819, the authorizing Act being passed in 1810.7 In 1882 a portion of the parish on the east, including Swangley’s Farm, was transferred to Datch- worth.$ Place-names mentioned in 1638 are Courtfield, Blackhouse Ground, Coxe, Black Pitt, Neze Field, Blackwell Field and Wellfield.* The manor of KNEBWORTH was MANORS held in the time of Edward the Con- fessor by Aschil, a thegn of the king. In 1086 it formed part of the lands of Eudo Dapifer, Kwenworta House: Wesr Lopce Arches rrom THE West is situated in the park which surrounds Knebworth House, and lies a short distance north-west from the village. Rustling End is a hamlet in the north-west of the parish, with Crouch Green about half a mile south. Little Rustling End Farm is a 17th-century timber and brick and timber and plaster house. Part of the hamlet of Broadwater lies on the north-eastern boundary of the parish. ‘There are two tumuli in Graffridge Wood, somewhat damaged. The subsoil of the parish is chalk. There are chalk-pits beside the railway and disused ones in Knebworth Park and west of Rustling End. There 2 Blue Bk Inch Awardy 63-4. 4 Divided Parishes Act, 1882, 4 Herts. Gen and Antig. iii, 185. 3 VCH. Hern i, 3288. 8 Black Bk. Exch (ed. Hearne), i, 237-9; Red Bk, Exch, (Rolls Ser.), i, 38. T GEC. Complete Peerage. brother of the elder Warine, held the son of Hubert de Ryes, and was assessed at 8} hides.® About the middle of the 12th century the ‘honour of Eudo Dapifer’ was in the hands of Warine Fitz Gerold.6 This honour evidently included Knebworth, for it is found in the possesion of Margery or Margaret daughter and heir of Warine son of Warine Fitz Gerold, who married Baldwin de Redvers Earl of Devon, after whose death in 12167 she received Knebworth in dower.8 She married secondly Falkes de Breauté, who held the manor in right of his wife, but was banished in 1224, when his lands were taken into the king’s honour in 1166. The younger Warine was chamberlain early in the 13th century (Red Bh. of Exch. iy 945 175) 3565 iiy 461)e 8 Abbrev, Plac. (Rec, Com.), 160. Henry, 3 113 15 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE hands.® Certain timber which Falkes had felled at Knebworth was then granted by the king to William Earl Marshal for building purposes.!° The manor was restored to Margaret, being part of her own inheritance. Baldwin, Earl of Devon, her son, died in February 1244-3, and his son Baldwin in 1262,!! leaving no issue. In 1267 there was a process con- cerning Knebworth between Margaret his widow and her sister-in-law Isabel, the wife of William de Fortibus Earl of Albemarle and heir of Baldwin.!? Isabel died without surviving issue in 1293,!° where- upon the descendants of Warine Fitz Gerold became extinct. The overlordship of Knebworth then passed to the descendants of Henry Fitz Gerold, brother of Warine. Henry’s daughter and heir Alice, wife of Robert Lisle, had two sons, Robert and Gerard.!4 Robert Lisle, the grandson of the elder son Robert, therefore became heir of the Fitz Gerold property in 1293.18 He was summoned to Parliament as Lord Lisle of Rougemont from 1311.18 He was succeeded by his son John,” of whom Knebworth was held in 1346.18 He died in 1356, and was succeeded by his son Robert Lord Lisle,!® who probably died without issue about 1399,2° when Knebworth presumably passed to Thomas Lord Berkeley, husband of Margaret, a descendant of Gerald Lisle, younger son of Alice Fitz Gerold and Robert Lisle?! The overlordship of Knebworth would thus pass through Elizabeth daughter of Thomas Lord Berkeley and wife of Richard Earl of War- wick to her daughter Mar- garet Countess of Shrewsbury, whose son John Talbot was created Lord and Baron of tule and died in 1453. and heir Elizabeth Talbot married Sir Edward Grey, who was also created Lord Lisle,2? and Knebworth was held of him in 1482.3 His son John died in 1504 without male heirs, when the overlordship escheated to the Crown, for in 1517 and after it was held of the king as of the duchy of Lancaster, of the fee of Lisle, by knight’s service and suit of court of the duchy at Walbrook.*4 The sub-tenant Lise leopard argent with a crown or, Gules a QO O Gary, Lord Lisle. Barry argent and axure with three roundels gulet in the chief and a label argent, of Knebworth in 1086 was 2 Fine R. 8 Hen. III, m, 2, 1 Rot. Lit. Claus. (Rec. Com.), i, 6115, " GE.C. Complete Peerage. W Ibid. (Ser. 2), Wards, Feod. Surv. bdle. 17. 38 VCH. Herts. i, 3286. Humphrey d’Ansleville * or Andevill, whose imme. diate heir is not known. Thomas de Andevill held lands of Eudo Dapifer’s fief in 1166,%* and Richard son of Thomas de Andevill seems to have been lord of the manor of Knebworth in 1214.7 This Richard held the lands in Cambridgeshire which belonged to Humphrey d’Ansleville in 1086, and so was apparently his descendant. In 1214-15 Richard settled the advowson of the church on Hamelin de Andevill.% In 1215 20 librates of land in Knebworth, ‘which were of Hamon de Ablevill,’ were granted to Hugh of Bath, clerk, to hold as long as the king pleased.%° ‘This was possibly owing to a forfeiture, for Richard de Andevill was holding Knebworth before 1224, and received seisin of it again in that year, with corn and timber, &c., for a payment of £50, after the king had taken it into his hands at the banishment of Falkes de Breauté.§! The successor of this Richard is not known, and Knebworth next appears in 1292 in the possession of Robert de Hoo,*? who scems to have held the Andevill lands in Cambridgeshire as well. He was still holding Knebworth in 1303,8% but died before 1316, when his widow Beatrice conveyed the manor to Richard and Joan de Perers, who were to pay her 50 marks annually during her life, and after- wards a rose at Midsummer to her heirs. Failing the heirs of Richard and Joan de Perers, the manor was to return to Beatrice de Hoo and her heirs.* Richard and Joan, who appears to have been Beatrice’s daughter," had a son Richard, who died before 1346, leaving a son Edmund, who enfeoffed Walter de Mauny and his heirs of the manor and died without issue° In 1346 Knebworth was said to be held by Walter de Mauny and Thomas de Hoo® (grandson of Robert and Beatrice),°® who possibly had a life interest. The heirs of Edmund de Perers were his three sisters, Isabel, Margaret wife of John de la Ryvers, and Joan,? and in 1348 they confirmed Knebworth to Walter de Mauny,‘? who died seised of it in 1372.4! After his death it seems to have been acquired by Guy de Bryan, who in 1388 conveyed it to Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick.“? The latter forfeited his lands in 1397, about which time Knebworth was conveyed by his brother Sir William Beauchamp * and others to Richard Forster, who held it jointly with Thomas Thorneburgh, John Onyng and John Shordich. In 1398 an action was brought against Richard Forster by William de Hoo, who stated that he was son of Thomas grandson of Beatrice de Hoo, and claimed the manor by the terms of the fine of 1316 (see above), by which Beatrice had conveyed Kneb- worth to Richard and Joan de Perers, with reversion on failure of their heirs. Edmund de Perers and his three sisters, the grandchildren of Richard and Joan, 5 Feud. Aidt, iiy % Wrottesley, Ped, from the Plea R. 212-13, xaaili, 5; Ct of 1 Tbid.; Abbrev. Plac. (Rec. Com. ) 160. 8 GELC, Complete Peerage. Ibid, 15 Chan. Ing. pm. 3 Edw. I, no. 60. 18 G.E.C. Complece Peerage. ¥ Tid. cud. Aids, ii, 437. 19 G.E.C. Complete Peerage ; Chan. Ing. pm, 42 Edw. III (2nd act no. $35 46 Edw. III (rst nos.), no. 38. 2 See G.E,C. Complete Prag ui Tid. i Chan. Ing. pecieae IV, no. 39. % Red Bk. Exch, (Rolls Ser.), i, 355. 1 Feet of F. Herts. 16 John, no, 131. % Testa de Nevill (Rec. Com.), 273. 2 Feet of F. Herts. 16 John, no, 131, Rot. Lit. Claus. (Rec. oa Jy i, 24.25, 31 Fine R. 8 Hen, III, % Chart. R. 20 Edw. ue moira 8 Feud, Aids, iy 430. Feet of F. Herts. 9 Edw. II, no, 221, % De Banco R. East. 21 Ric. Il, m, 279. % Thid, ll4 as be Banco R. East. 21 Ric. Il, a Feet of Fe Her. 22 Eee ul, no. 3505; De Banco R. 355, m. a a) Jey pam 46 Baw TH (1 nos.), no. ‘yee: OFF. Hert. 12 Ric Ii, no. 105. Guy was an executor of this earl’s father, who died in 1369 (Dugdale, Baronage i, 234). © Tid. 238. * De Banco R. 21 Ric. IT, m. 279 HLNOG AHL Wovd asnopy HLWOMEANY BROADWATER HUNDRED had all died childless. William de Hoo was their cousin and heir, but he also claimed that their father had had two sisters, Margaret and Rose, and that Margaret’s grandson Richard Fitz Herbert, or Twy- crosse, and Rose’s great-grandson Walter Touneford should have been the rightful heirs, but were also dead without issue, and that the line being extinct the manor reverted to him. Richard Forster denied the existence of Rose de Perers and the descent of Richard Fitz Herbert, and apparently based his claim on the various conveyances of the manor since the death of Walter de Mauny. Judgement was given for Richard Forster,® and William de Hoo finally surrendered his claim to him in 1401-2.4 In 1407 Richard conveyed Knebworth to Robert Brome,” who released it to William Askham and others in 1411-12," apparently for the purpose of a convey- ance to John Hotoft, who KNEBWORTH and was living in 1519.°* William Lytton died in 1517, leaving an infant son Robert, the custody of whom was granted to Sir Richard pay By py Weston,®® then a knight of the body to King Henry VIII. In 1518 Sir Richard was made a Knight of the Bath, and next year was one of the ‘sad and ancient knights put into the king’s privy cham- ber’! In 1520 he accom- panied the king to the Field of the Cloth of Gold, and in the following year sat on the jury which condemned Edward Stafford, third Duke of Buckingham. In Lytron of Kneb- worth, Ermine a chief indented azure with three crowns or therein. was in possession of the manor soon afterwards. In 1426 a claim to the manor was made by William Beleverge, who also declared himself to be a descendant of Beatrice de Hoo, and based his claim on the fine of 1316, The pedi- gree he gave claimed that Beatrice had had a son James, whose daughter Margaret had a son William Beleverge, whose son Stephen was the father of the claimant. The descent, however, seems to have been entirely spurious, and his claim was unsuccess- ful.49 John Hotoft was holding Knebworth in 1428, and in 1430-1 received a release of all right in the manor from William Perers.5! In 1440 he settled it on himself for life, with remainder to his daughter Idonia, wife of Sir John Barre, and her heirs.5? Sir John Barre died in 1483, and was succeeded by his daughter Isabel, widow of Humphrey Stafford Earl of Devon, who married secondly Thomas Bourghchier.5 Isabel and Thomas settled Kneb- worth on themselves in the same year, and again in 1491, and afterwards sold the reversion to Robert om Lytton,® to whose son William Lytton two-thirds of the manor came upon Thomas Bourghchier’s death in 1492,°¥ one-third being claimed by Anne, Thomas’s second wife, who survived him Kwneswortx House ; West Lopce 1525 he was made Treasurer of Calais and in 1528 Under-Treasurer of England. In 1533-4 his & Ybid, vii, 3. 8 L. and P. Hen, VIL, ii, 154. 59 Ct. of Wards, Bks. of Liveries, liv, fol. 872. © Dice, Nat. Biog. © bid. quoting Hall's Chronicle. © Diet, Nat, Biog. # De Banco R. 21 Ric. II, m. 279 Close, 3 Hen. IV, pt. i, m. 6. * Feet of F. Herts. 9 Hen. IV, no. 62, 4 Close, 13 Hen. IV, m. 41, 31, 30. 8 Wrottesiey, Ped. from the Plea R. 329. © Feud. Aids, ii, 449, 9! Close, 9 Hen. VI, m. 10, & Feet of F. Herts. Trin, 18 Hen. VI, no, tor. 5 Chan. Ing. p.m. 22 Edw. IV, no. 39. ot Feet of F. Div. Co. Mich. 1 Ric. III, no. 1, $5 Ibid. Herts. Hil. 6 Hen, VII. * Chan, Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), xxiii, 5. 11s A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE connexion with Knebworth ceased, for in that year Robert Lytton came of age and received his in- heritance.* Upon Robert’s death without male heirs Knebworth passed by will to his brother Rowland, whose son Rowland inherited it in 1582. 4 1472. There is still a deer park of 156 acres, which is finely wooded and surrounds the house. A fair was granted to Robert de Hoo in 1292, to be held annually on the vigil, day and morrow of the Decol- lation of St. John the Baptist ’ (28-30 August). It William Lytton, son of the second Rowlan: d to Knebworth at his father’s death in 1615, and held it until 1660, when he was succeeded by his son, another Rowland.” William son of Sir Rowland Lytton inherited the manor in 1674, and died in 1705 without issue, when Knebworth passed to Lytton Strode, grandson of William’s sister Judith and son of George Strode and Mary Robinson.® He assumed the surname of Lytton, which was also taken by his cousin William Robinson, who succeeded him in 1710, but had no Lytton descent. John Robinson-Lytton inherited the manor from his father in 1732, but died without issue in 1762, when his nephew Richard Warburton succeeded and took the name of Lytton. His daughter Elizabeth Barbara Warburton-Lytton married William hoe uivlulis opus Lytton, Earl of Lytton Earle Bulwer, and upon inheriting Knebworth in 1810 assamed the surname of Lytton in addition. She died in 1843, leaving Knebworth to her third son Edward George, the famous novelist, who became Lord Lytton of Knebworth in 1866 and died in 1873. His son Edward Robert was created Earl of Lytton, and was succeeded in 1891 by his third but eldest surviving son Victor Alexander George Robert Lytton, second earl, who is the present lord of the manor.® The great park of Knebworth is mentioned in © Ct. of Ward Bks. clxxiii, fol. 73. 6 Thid, Chan, Ing. pam. (Ser. 2), xcv, 99. Robert had three daughters, Ellen, Eliza- beth and Anne. 7 Harl. Roll, H_ 13. 7 Chart. R. 20 Edw. I, m, 5, no. 34. 72 Pat. 1 Edw. VI, pt. ii, m. 47. was confirmed in 1547,’? but was discontinued before the end of the 18th century. Free warren was granted and confirmed at the same time as the fair and was also confirmed to Richard de Perers in 1317” and to William Lytton in 1616." A mill is mentioned in Knebworth in 1086" and in 1611, but does not appear to exist now. In 1274-5 the lord of the manor held view of frank- pledge, gallows and the assize of bread and ale; he paid 17s. 4d. yearly to the sheriff’s tourn.” Court leet was granted to William Lytton in 1616.” The manor of THREHOUS (Trehus, le Trehouse, Treyhouse) is first mentioned in 1303.” It seems to have been a part of the manor of Knebworth and was perhaps the two messuages, 160 acres of land and 100 acres of wood which were excepted in the fine of 1316, settling Knebworth on Richard and Joan de Perers. This estate was conveyed by William de Beauchamp to Richard Forster and others, but owing to its omission from the fine could not be claimed by William de Hoo in 1398." It followed the same descent as the manor of Knebworth," and presumably became eventually merged in it. The manor of Threhous is last mentioned separately in 1616.3 It lay in the western part of the parish, and the locality is still marked by a tenement called Three Houses. The parish church of ST. MAR) CHURCH AND ST. THOMAS OF CANTER- BURY ™ stands to the north-east of Knebworth House in the park. It is built of flint rubble, with clunch dressings and the roofs are tiled. It consists of a chancel and nave, north chapel, west tower, south porch and north vestry. ‘The nave was built about the middle of the 12th century and the chancel is probably of the same date. The west tower dates from about 1420, the north chapel from a century later, and the south porch from about 1600. The nave was re-roofed in the 15th century and the north chapel was rebuilt about 1700. In the 19th century the chancel was almost entirely rebuilt and the north vestry was added. The chancel, which is almost wholly modern, still has in the north wall a blocked window with an edge- roll moulding of about 1150, and below it is an arched recess of the early 16th century. To the west of the recess and of the same date is the arch which opens into the north chapel. It has been much repaired and has half-octagonal responds supporting the inner order. The round chancel arch, of about 1150, has engaged shafts with rudely scalloped capitals. On the south side of the chancel under the easternmost window is a 14th-century piscina, with an ogee © De Banco R. East. 21 Ric m, 279. ‘1 Thid, © Close, 13 Hen. 1V, m. 41; Feet of © Ibid. excix, 89 ; Ct. of Wards, Feod. 8 Chart. R. 10 Edw. Il, no, 28, F. Herts. 18 Hen. VI, no. 101; Hil. Surv. bdle. 17; Recov. R. Trin. 30 Eliz, = m.13. 6 Hen. VII; Chan. Ing. p.m, (Ser. 2), rot. 21; Hil. g Jas. I, rot. 99. 4 Pat. 14 Jas. I, pt. xvii, no. 9. Vii, 3 5 xaxiil, 5 5 xev, 99. © Chan. Ing, p.m. (Ser. 2), ccelix, 114 5 78 VCH. Herts. i, 3288. Pat. 14 Jas. I, pt. xvii, no. 9. Recoy. R. Hil. 6 Chas. I, rot. 53. 7 Recov. R. Hil. ™ Dimensions: chancel, 27 ft. 6 in. cea of Herts. (Hatl. Soc. xxii), 73. © TC.H. Herts. Families, where a de , tailed descent is given, 1 Feud, Aids, ii, by 13 ft. 6 in. ; north chapel, 27 ft. 6 in. by 12 ft; nave, 57ft. 6 in, by 20ft; tower, 12 ft. square, 116 Kwxesworta House: West Longe: 16rH-century Winpow Knesworth Cuurcu: Tue Cuancet Arcu BROADWATER HUNDRED cinquefoiled head. The sill is modern. The chancel roof has an oak-panelled wagon ceiling. ‘The north chapel has two square-headed windows, at the east and north, of about 1700, with wooden frames. An elaborate ironwork screen of the same date, set in the arch on the south side, separates the chapel from the chancel. The flat plaster ceiling is of about the same date also. ‘The nave is approached from the north chapel by a square-headed skew doorway emerging at the north- east corner of the nave. Beside it, in the north wall, is a single-light window with modern tracery. Im- mediately above this window is the upper doorway of the rood-loft stair, and the blocked lower doorway with a moulded two-centred arch is visible to the west of the window. ‘To the west of this is a much — repaired two-centred arch, which now leads to a vestry, and west of this is a wide single-light window, KNEBWORTH head. There are shields in the spandrels, one of which bears the arms of Hotoft : Sable three dragons’ heads erect and razed argent. ‘On the north and south sides of the second stage are narrow loops, and in the bell chamber are four windows of two cinquefoiled lights with a quatrefoil over. " The nave is seated throughout with a complete set of 1th-century oak seats, moulded and having rich tracery in the end panels. At the north-east is a high pew with pinnacles at the comers and a pierced cresting. ‘The pulpit is of richly carved 16th-century Flemish panelling, made up in the 18th century. One of the panels is dated 1567. ‘There is similar panelling on the east wall of the nave behind the pulpit. ; The font is octagonal, of limestone and plainly moulded. It dates from about 1480. Knesworth Cuurcu a modern insertion, which probably marks the position of an earlier two-light window. On the south side are a modern single-light window, a square-headed window of three lights with much restored tracery of about 1350, and a two- light window of the 15th century, which is also much restored. ‘To the west of these is the south doorway, of about 1380. It has a two-centred arch, much repaired, leading to the south porch, which is heavily covered with ivy and shows only traces of the original windows. The entrance archway is four- centred and coated with cement. To the west of the south doorway is a window of about 1500, from which the central mullion is gone. The tower arch, of about 1420, is of two moulded orders with engaged shafts. The tracery of the west window is modern, but the window itself is original with grotesque heads on the stops of the labels, The west doorway has a two-centred arch in a square FRoM THE SouTH-EAsT In the chancel is a brass of Simon Bache, 1414, a priest in eucharistic vestments, with figures of saints on his cope, and an inscription ; under the archway between the chancel and the chapel and partly covered by the iron grille another, to John Hotoft, of about 1470, with an inscription on six strips of brass, and three shields of arms. The brass is said to have been on an altar tomb and is not now on its original slab. On the chancel wall is a slab to Judith Lytton, wife of Nicholas Strode, 1662 ; and a floor slab is to John Ham, clericus, 1684. The monuments in the chapel are mostly to various members of the Lytton family. There are a brass of Rowland Lytton and his two wives, 182, with arms and an inscription; a monument, 1601, to Anna the wife of Rowland Lytton, with arms ; a tomb of Sir William Lytton, 1704-5, with a recumbent marble figure under an elaborate canopy with the arms and quarterings of Lytton. There are floor 117 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE slabs to Judith the wife of Rowland Lytton, 1659 ; to Sir William Lytton, 1660 ; Sir Rowland Lytton, 1674 ; Judith (Lytton) wife of Sir Thomas Barring- ton, 1657, with arms, and to the son of Giles Strangways, 1646. In the nave, on the west splay of the north window, is a defaced inscription, said to be to John de Hall, rector, with the date of birth, 1395. There are five bells: (1) by John Waylett, 1716 ; (2) and (3) by Edward Hall, 1730 and 17323 (4) dated 1697 ; and (5) by J. Briant, 1812. The plate includes a 17th-century cup, with the date erased, and a paten of 1668. The registers are contained in four books . (i) all entries 1606 to 1702 ; (ii) baptisms and burials 1703 to 1812, marriages 1703 to 1753 ; (iii) baptisms and burials 1709 to 1812, marriages 1709 to 1753 3 (iv) marriages 1754 to 1812. The advowson of the church has always belonged to the lord of the manor. In 1214~-15 it was granted by Richard de Andevill to Hamelin de Andevill and his heirs (see manor). The Earl of Lytton is the present patron. ADVOWSON A terrier of 1638 describes the parsonage as ‘con- tayning a hall, two parlours, a kitchin, a larder and buttery below stayres and seaven several] roomes above stayres.” There were also ‘a milke house and bolting house, a barne contayning five bayes, a garner, a stable, an hayhouse, a carthouse, a little stable, hogscoate and hennhouse ; 2 garden and oar- chard.’ The glebe lands consisted of 51 acres, with acottage ‘tyled contayning three rooms below and one above.’ © There seems to be no record of early Dissent in Knebworth, but a Congregational chapel was erected in 1887. In 1811 William Johnson by his CHARITIES will bequeathed £100 consols, the annual dividends, amounting to £2 10s. to be distributed among eight poor house- keepers, with a preference to those attending divine worship. The stock is held by the official trustees. In 1836 Mrs. Elizabeth Barbara Bulwer Lytton erected five almshouses on the Codicote road for old and deserving people of the parish, supported by the Earl of Lytton. LETCHWORTH The parish of Letchworth, containing about 888 acres of land, lies between Walsworth and Willian ; its northern boundary is formed by the Icknield Way, the southern by the main road between Great Wymondley and Baldock. The detached part of the parish surrounding Burleigh Farm, 8 miles south of the town of Letchworth, was transferred to Knebworth by a Local Government Board Order of 1907. By the same order Norton and Willian were amalgamated with Letchworth for civil purposes, but by a further order of 1908 the latter was made a civil parish. ‘The town of Letchworth stands on the borders of Bedfordshire. It has a station on the Hitchin and Cambridge branch of the Great Northern railway. The grounds of Letchworth Hall, now an hotel belonging to the Garden City, adjoin the churchyard on the south side. It is said to have been built by Sir William Lytton about the year 1620, on the site of an earlier house, and all the old parts of the existing building are Jacobean in character. In plan it resembles the letter T, the hall and some rooms to the southward forming the vertical portion, while a wing on the west containing the dining room, &c., and another on the east, occupied by the kitchen offices, form the upper part of the T. A large block of buildings was erected on the north side by the Rev. John Alington before 1846. He also built some detached stables to the southof the hall. The old part of the building is of thin z-in. bricks. Some blocks of clunch and flint in a small disused porch at the extreme south end may be a portion of the former building. The eaves of the central hall are low, but rooms are formed in the roof, lighted by dormer windows at the back, and on the front by a window in a brick gable which seems to be a much later addition or a re- building. The principal entrance is by a porch, with a room over, on the east side of the hall. This porch ® Feet of F. Herts. 16 John, no. 131. has a low entrance of brick with a flat three-centred arch. Each of the gables has a brick coping, with an octagonal terminal at the apex, but the top of the finial at the apex has disappeared. All the roofs are tiled. At the back or west side of the hall is a boldly projecting chimney, with offsets above the roof, and finished on the top with two square detached shafts set diagonally. All the older windows have oak mullions, but many of the others are more modern in construction. On the south wall of the west wing are three stone panels; the central one, which has been rebuilt into a modern bay window, bears a shield with the following arms: Quarterly of 4: (1) Erminea chief indented with three crowns therein, for Lytton; (z) Three boars’ heads, for Booth ; (3) A fesse between six acorns with three oak leaves on the fesse for Ogden ; (4) Ermine a cross with five escallops thereon. The shield on the right bears the arms of Lytton impaling St. John. ‘The panel on the right is carved with two birds holding a ring between them, with the inscription above : ‘Sic nos junxit amor.’ Beyond the porch is a passage running the full width of the hall, under what was, until Alington’s time, the musicians’ gallery, now built up and thrown into a bedroom. A small modern stair at the end of the passage no doubt occupies the position of the old gallery stair. Some old balusters and newels have been re-used on this stair. The oak screen next the hall is a very fine and highly enriched piece of work of the time of James I. It is in a perfect condition, though one section of it has been moved about 2 ft. forward to give more room for the stair behind, and the upper part has been removed. There are two openings in the centre, each about 4 ft. wide, with flat arches over, the openings being separated by a circular column with Doric capital. The remainder of the screen is filled in with diagonal % Herts. Gen, and Antig, iii, 184-5. 118 Tue Porrir Kygewortu Cuurcn : BROADWATER HUNDRED panelling. The spandrels of the arches and the mouldings are carved. Above is the cornice which formerly supported the front of the gallery. It projects about 2 ft. On the frieze is a row of small squares and circles alternating, with leaves carved in them. There are carved consoles at intervals along the cornice. On the small brackets carrying the outer ends of the arches thistles are carved. The hall is a large apartment 47 ft. by 21 ft. It has windows on each side and is flat ceiled with plaster. There is a large fireplace 6 ft. wide with splayed three-centred arch on the west side near the screen. Over the fire- place a carved stone shield has been inserted, bearing LETCHWORTH crowned by a cornice. All the work is elaborately carved. The upper floor of the main building, including over the hall, is subdivided into a number of rooms, most of them small, and containing little of interest. There is a fine fireplace, however, over that in the dining room, but owing to the formation of new rooms it is now in a passage. The lower part is of clunch, having a four-centred arch with mouldings similar to that in the dining room; on either side are half female figures undraped, on carved pedestals, supporting the projecting portion of the entablature, which has a moulded cornice, with dentil enrichment, moulded architrave, and carved frieze Modern Additions =, PLA Dining Room . Seullery Larder YS” The fe ignat Ongar and has ecm peril burp Modern Eourtyard the arms of Alington, which are Sable a bend engrailed between six billets argent. On the other side there is a brick seat along part of the wall, which, how- ever, appears to be modern. The floor is paved with modern bricks. At the north end of the hall is the modern entrance to the additions of last century. The dining room, about 37 ft. by 16 ft. extends to the west of the hall. The old doorway, now built up, still remains. A modern doorway has been opened into the dining room, which contains a good stone fireplace and carved oak chimneypiece. The fireplace is of the usual early 17th-century type with four-centred arch with the outer moulding carried square above it. The overmantel is carried up to the ceiling, and is divided into two panelled compartments flanked by human demi-figures and LETCHWORTH HALL (Now HOTEL) GROUND PLAN 20 of feer 19 2 19 Scale 172 CenTuRY MoDERN with consoles at intervals. All this work appears to be Jacobean, but above it is a large pane] reaching to the ceiling containing four figures in high relief, representing the Judgment of Paris, which is probably of late 17th-century date. It is executed in plaster and the figures are only slightly draped. Paris stands in the centre offering the apple to Venus, who has a Cupid clinging to her knees ; beside her are Juno with a peacock at her feet and Minerva with a helmet. North of the church is a timber-framed house now divided into cottages ; it is of early 17th-century date with a projecting porch. The post-office is a house of the same age and style of construction, now L-shaped, a south wing having apparently been removed, Little Rustling End Farm, a mile and a half west of Knebworth Church and now in that parish, is a 11g A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE ied timber-framed house of the 17th century. The construction, with brick filling below and plaster above, is only seen at the back of the house, the front being cemented. The kitchen has an open timber roof supported bya beam. At the back of the house is a small staircase wing. The Garden City Pioneer Company are now the sole landowners in Letchworth parish, which is being laid out by them for residential and business pur- poses ; it is said that over g miles of new roads have been made. The soil is sandy loam, in some parts clay with beds of sand and gravel ; the subsoil is chalk. y lar two-sti Larcuworth Hatt: Parr or Stain LETCHWORTH (HANCHETS or MANORS MONTFITCHETS).—Before the Norman Conquest Letchworth was held by Godwin of Souberie (Soulbury), a thegn of 1 PCH. Herts. i, 3236. 2 VCH. Eucx, i, 347. 3 Dugdale, Mov. ii, 229. 5 Ibid. ¥, 586-7. 5. Grimaldi, Rot. de Dominabus, 45. 1 Tid. ® Dugdale, Mon. v, 586-7; Red Bh Exch, (Rolls Ser.), i, 349, 3 9 Dugdale, Mon. iv, 231. W Ibid, ; Red Bk, Exch, (Rolls Ser-), ii, 730 ‘Thid. —Ser.), ii, 585. BTbid, 644. 1 Ibid. iii, 22. © Tid. iv, 362. no. 283. 1 Dugdale, Mon. iv, 231. Matt. Paris, Chron, Majora (Rolle 6 Feet of F. Hert. 24 Hen. Il, ¥ Banks, Dormant and Extinct Pecrages, i, 140. 18 Close, 52 Hen, III, m. 8; G.E.C King Edward the Confessor. In 1086 it formed part of the domain of Robert Gernon, and was assessed at 10 hides.! Robert Gernon’s estates were acquired early in the reign of Henry I by William de Montfitchet,? who with his wife Rohais seems to have been holding Letchworth at the beginning of the 12th century. His son William* succeeded him before 1135 and married Margaret * the daughter of Gilbert Fitz Richard de Clare.* His wife outlived him and was still holding some of the Montfitchet lands in 1185.7 The rest of William's lands seem to have passed about 1167 to his son Gilbert,’ whose wife’s name was Avelina.? Gilbert was succeeded by his son Richard about 1190,!° whose son, also named Richard," was one of the confederate barons of 1215 who demanded the Charter of Liberties from King John.!? He was among those excommunicated by Pope Innocent III in 1216," and was taken prisoner by Henry III at Lincoln in 1217.44 In 1244 he was one of the barons’ deputies chosen to consider the king’s demand for a subsidy.15 He ap- pears in connexion with Letch- worth in 1240.16 He died without issue about 1258,” his heirs being his three sisters : Margery wife of Hugh de Bolbek, Aveline wife of William de Fortibus Earl of Albe- marle, and Philippa wife of Hugh de Pleyz.!8 The third of his in- heritance, including the portion held by his widow Joyce in dower until 1274, was assigned to the children of Margery de Bolbek, the eldest sister, and was divided between her daughters Philippa de Lancaster, Margery Corbett and Maud de Ja Val,!® Letch- worth being apportioned to the second daughter Margery and her husband Nicholas Corbett.2 Margery afterwards married Ralph Fitz William.” She is known to have conveyed her lands in Ayot St. Peter to Robert Burnell, Bishop of Bath and Wells and chancellor of Edward I, and as Philip Burnell, Robert’s nephew and heir,” died seised of Letch- worth in 1294,” it seems probable that Margery conveyed Letchworth also to Philip’s uncle. In 1295 Letchworth was assigned to Philip’s widow Maud in dower, and passed after her death to her son Edward, who died childless in 1315, and Complete Peerage ; Wrottesley, Ped, the PleaRn 8 ith fre W Close, 52 Hen. TIL, m. 8 Alice de Huntercombe, a fourth daughter, had presumably died between 1268 and 1274. Cal, Clase, 1272-9, p. 83. 4 Abbrev. Plac. (Rec. Com.) 403. " Diet. Nat, Big. ™ Chan. Ing. p-m. 22 Edw, 1, no. 45. ™ Cal, Clore, 1288-96, p. 463. 120 BROADWATER HUNDRED subsequently to his sister Maud, the wife of John Handlo.%* Nicholas son of Maud and John assumed the surname of Burnell ; he was holding Letchworth in 1346% and died in 1382, when he was succeeded by his son Hugh2” Hugh Burnell died in 1420 seised of the Montfitchet lands on the Essex border, which may have included Letchworth, though it is not mentioned by name. His heirs were his three granddaughters Joyce Erdington (who died childless), Katherine Ratcliffe and Margaret Hungerford?” Edmund Hungerford, husband of Margaret, was seised of the Montfitchet lands in Essex, but the over- lordship of Letchworth cannot be definitely traced any further. Very little is known of the early sub-tenants of Letchworth. In 1086 William of Letchworth, a Norman and one of the Domesday jurors for Broad- water Hundred,*° held the manor of Robert Gernon.?! LETCHWORTH holding it as late as 1314.97; in 1346 it was held by another Richard Montfitchet,*® Edmund Barrington was assessed for it in 1428,° but it is not clear whether he acquired it from the Mont- fitchets. About the middle of the 1sth century it came into the possession of Thomas Hanchet of Bedford, who was holding it in 1474.40 He was succeeded by William Hanchet, who died seised of it in 1515, leaving a son Andrew.4! Andrew, however, died in the following year and his lands passed to’ his brother John, an infant of two.? Letchworth had been W Sa Swacce of Letch- worth, Argent three pheons sable. settled to the use of Lercuworta Hatt: Wast Front Later the sub-tenancy seems to have been acquired by a younger branch of the Montfitchet family. In 1274, when Margery and Nicholas Corbett acquired the manor, the sub-tenant was a John Muschet,? whose name is probably a corrupt form of Mont- fitchet.48 In 1295 Letchworth is said to have been held of Maud Burnell by ‘the heirs of Richard de Montfitchet,’ and a Richard de Montftchet claimed the advowson in 1302.35 In 1303 Custancia Mont- fitchet was assessed for the fee,*° and seems to have been ® GEC, Complete Peerage; Feud. John’s mother Margery for her life‘8 John attained his majority in _1535,"4 and together with Bridget his wife sold Letchworth in 1547 to Thomas Snagge.** Thomas was succeeded at Letchworth by his second son Robert Snagge,!® who was lord of the manor in 1574.7 His brother and successor William Snagge‘® died before 1596, leaving a widow Margaret, who by that time had married William Walford, and a son William. William Snagge, jun., soon after conveyed the manor to Sir Rowland Lytton Aids, ti, 430. 3 Feud. Aids, ji, 436. The name of Burnell is here ascribed to John as well ae Nicholas. ® GEC. Complete Peerage. 2 Chan, Ing. pm. 8 Hen. V, no. 116, 1 G.E.C. Complete Peerage. 30 7 i Ibid, 3235. © Cal. Cloie, 1272-9, p. 82. 3 3 Cf the spelling in Feud. Aids, ii, 930. 4 Cal. Close, 1288-96, p. 463. % Abbrev. Plac. (Ree. Com.), 246. % Feud. Aids, ii, 430. 37 She was then assessed for property in Letchworth (Lay Subs. R. bdle. 120, no. 9). 38 Feud. Aids, ii, 436. % Tid. 448. See also Montfitchets in Wallington. “© Chan, Inq. pm. 14 Edw. IV, no. 35. 121 41 Thid, (Ser. 2), xxxi, 57. Exch. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), file 301, no. 6 ; L.and P, Hen, VIUL, iv, g. 297 (21). 48 Ct, of Wards, Misc. Bks. dixxviii, fol. 272 4, “Thid. * Feet of F. Herts, Mich. 1 Edw. VI. “ Visit. of Herts, (Harl, Soc. xxii), 22. # Recov. R. Mich. 1574, rot. 1304. 48 Visit, of Herts. (Harl. Soc. xxii), 22, “© Chan. Proc. (Ser. 2), bile. 291, no. 5. 16 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE of Knebworth,” who died seised of it in 1615." Letchworth then followed the descent of Knebworth Manor until 1811, but a few years later it was sold to John Williamson of Baldock, who possessed it in 1821.4 He died in 1830 and left Letchworth to his grandson the Rev. John Alington, son of his daughter Sarah, who died in 1863.° The manor then passed successively to John Alington’s second but eldest surviving son William, who died childless in 1874, and to his youngest son the Rev. Julius Alington of Little Barford.* The latter possessed Letchworth until 1903, when the First Garden City Pioneer Company acquired the whole parish by purchase.” William Lytton was granted court leet and free warren in Letchworth in 1616. Half a fee in Letchworth was held by the Knights Templars in the 13th century, and 120 acres in addition were granted to them by Richard de Mont- fitchet for a term of fifty years.” Nothing more is known of the descent of this half fee. NEVELLS or NEVILLS was a small manor which was held of the manor of Letchworth.” It is not called a manor until 1324. In 1198 John de Nevill claimed 4 virgates of land in Letchworth as his inheritance from Alban his grandfather, who was seised of it.” A John de Nevill appears again in 1247-8, and in 1324 Walter de Nevill, son of this or another John, conveyed the reversion of the manor, which another Walter de Nevill held for life, to John de Blomvile,* lord of the manor of Chesfeld in Graveley. Following the descent of this manor“ (q.v.) it passed to the Barringtons,* and remained in that family until it came to John son of Nicholas Barrington in 1515. In 1524 the wardship of John Barrington was granted to Henry Earl of Essex,” but John seems to have attained his majority in the following year. Soon after this the Barringtons must have conveyed Nevells to the Snagge family, who acquired Letchworth in 1547, for in 1596 William Snagge and his mother conveyed Nevells to Sir Rowland Lytton.® Sir Rowland died in 1615 seised of the reversion of the ‘capital messuage called Nevill’ after the death of Margaret Walford (William Snagge’s mother), and was possessed of the residue of the manor.” He already held Letchworth, and from that date Nevells and Letchworth followed the same descent and were presumably amalgamated. BURLEIGH or BURLEY (Borneleye, Boureleghe, xiii cent. ; Borleye, xiv cent.; Burlee, xv cent.) is now represented by Burleigh Farm in a detached portion of Letchworth parish between Stevenage and Knebworth, situated about 8 miles south of Letch- worth. In the 14th century it appears held with Wollenwich as a quarter of a knight’s fee, so it is possible that in 1086 it was included in the half hide and half virgate in Wollenwich (Wlwenewiche) held of Robert Gernon by the William who held Letch- worth.” The overlordship of Burleigh appears in the same hands as that of Letchworth (q.v.), passing from the Montfitchets (the successors of Robert Gernon) to the Burnells. Philip Burnell died seised of a quarter fee in Burleigh in 1294,” and in 1303 a quarter fee in Burleigh and Wollenwich was held of the heirs of Philip Burnell by Laurence de Brok.” The family of Brok had probably been holding the fee in sub-tenancy for some time previous to this, for a Laurence de Brok, who died about 1275, appears as grantee in conveyances of land in Wollenwich.” He had a son Hugh, who was the father of the Laurence of 1303.° This Laurence” was holding Burleigh in 1294,” and died before 1330, leaving a widow Ellen,’* after whose death his lands passed to their son Ralph.”® Ralph’s heirs, who were holding Burleigh in 1346," were his three daughters, Joan, who died childless, Ellen and Agnes.” There is no evidence to show which of the two latter inherited Burleigh, but Agnes is known to have had a daughter Joan and a granddaughter Katrine, whose daughter was named Cecily.” Possibly the Thomas Vinter who was holding the property in 1428" was the husband of Katrine or Cecily, in which case Burleigh would have descended to one of Cecily’s granddaughters, Joan Alington, Elizabeth Taillard and Margaret Langley, who claimed some of the Brok lands in 1468. Early in the 16th century Burleigh came into the hands of Ralph Fraunces, son of William Fraunces, from whom he perhaps inherited it. Ralph died seised of it in 1533, leaving an infant son William, who was placed in the wardship of Sir Henry Sacheverell.* In 1557 William Fraunces and Elizabeth his wife conveyed the property to John Godfrey or Cowper. The latter died in 1565, leaving Burleigh to his younger son Francis, then under age.” The latter died in 1631, leaving «Burley Ground and the Hault’ to be divided between his three sons Edward, William and John,® after which all records of the estate cease, but it seems to % Feet of F. Herts. Trin. 39 Eliz, St Chan, ng. pm. (Ser a) ceeliny 14, 2 R Chas. I, rot. 53 5 - 385 5 Salmon, op. cit. . Trin. 21 Geo. II, rot. 273. 88 Ibid. Hil. 51 Geo. III, rot. 41, 4 Clutterbuck, op. cit. ii, 385. SS Burke, Landed Gentry. Ibid. 5 Prospectus First Garden City Co., Ltd. 59 Pat. 14 Jas I, pt. xvii. 8 Assize R. 323, m. 40d. © Chan. Ing. p.m. 14 Edw. IV, no. 35 5 (Ser. 2), Ixxx, 135 L. and P. Hen. VIII, iv, 297 (21 © Rot. Cur. Reg. ee: Com), i, 166, © Assize R. 318, m. 17. © Feet of Fs Herts, East 17 Edw. Il, no. 375: & Feet of F. 25 Edw. III, no. 387. © Tbid. 12 Ric. I, no. 103 ; Feud. Aids, ii 1485 Chan, Ing. p.m. 14 Edw. IV, isa (Ser. 2), Ixxx, 13. © L, and P. Hen. VII, iv, 297 (21). ® Ct. of Wards, Misc. Bks, cxxix, fol. 36. Feet of F. Herts, Mich, 38 & 39 iz 7 Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), ceclix, 114. VCH. Herts. i, 323. There were also 14 virgates in Wiwenewiche held by a certain Roger of Peter de Valognes (ibid. 3365). 7 Chan. Ing. pam. 22 Edw. I, no. 45. 73 Feud. Aids, ii, 430. ™ See Add. Chart. 15467 Chart. 45 B. 1. 78 See Brooks in Stevenage. This seems to be the last mention of Wollen- wich in connexion with this holding, so that the Wollenwich held by Robert Gemon in 1086 is probably coincident 122 and Harl, with the later Burleigh. There was, how- ever, other land at Wollenwich attached to the Argenteins’ manor of Wymondley (see Chan. Ing. p.m. 4 Ric, II, no. 110). ‘The name seems to be now lost. 78 See Add. Chart. 977. 7 Chan. Ing. p.m. 22 Edw. I, no. 45d. 7 Chart. R. 4 Edw. IIT, m. 14, no. 28. Wrottesley, Ped. from the Plea Se ici sale: © Feud. Aids, ii, 4 * " Weotteley, Ped. out the Plea R. 428, e Aan Aids, iiy 448. * Wrottesley, Ped. fren ite Plea R. 428. * Chan, Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), Ivii, 4. * Feet of E Hone Trin. 3 & 4 Phil. and Mary. 3 Chane Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), cli, 575 Chan. Proc. (Ser. 2), bdle, 210, no. 25. Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), cecelxiv, 50. MOOTY Isat NO FOVTETHIY : TIVE] HLYOMHIaT TIV]] NI NSAUDg 4O JAY : TIVE] HOME] BROADWATER HUNDRED have subsequently come into the possession of the Lyttons of Knebworth, whose estates it adjoined. The parish church, the dedication of CHURCH which is unknown, stands to the north of Letchworth Hall and about half a mile to the south of the village. It is buile of flint rubble with freestone dressings, and the roof is tiled. It consists of a chancel and nave, with a south porch, and has a bellcote at the west end.” The original church of the 12th century is represented by the nave, while the chancel of the 13th century appears to have been rebuilt, as it leans to the south, In the 15th century the south porch was added and the church was re-roofed, About 1500 windows were inserted in the nave, and the bellcote appears to date from about the same time, though it has been altered ex- ternally. The church was repaired in the 1gth century. The east wall of the chancel appears to have been rebuilt in the 16th or early in the 17th century, and the east window of three lights under a square head is of that date. In the north wall is a 13th- century lancet window, and there is a low-side window of about 1350 in the west end of the north wall. In the south wall are similar windows and a 14th- century doorway, which has been blocked and can only be seen on the outside. The chancel arch has very coarse mouldings, and appears to have been rebuilt in the 16th century. The roof is plastered, but the rsth-century trusses and wind-braces are visible. The nave has two single-light windows in the north wall, of about 1500, with tracery in four- centred heads. The easternmost of these contains 15th-century glass, with a shield of Montfitchet : Gules three cheverons or and a label azure. There is also in this wall a blocked doorway, apparently of 14th-century date. At the north-east angle a thickening of the wall probably indicates the position of the rood-loft stair, of which the foundations have recently been discovered. At the same angle is an early 15th-century niche for an image. The head is partly buried ‘in the north wall, and the south jamb has been cut back. The windows in the south wall are modern, of two lights, in 13th-century style. The west window, of two cinquefoiled lights, is of about 1500, and contains some fragments of mediaeval glass. The ceiling of the nave is plastered, but the beams and wall cornices of the 15th-century roof are still in position. The south doorway, of two moulded orders, with a four-centred head, is of the same date, and on the door is some ironwork of the 13th century. ‘The south porch has a two-centred entrance arch of two moulded orders, with shields in the spandrels ; the western shield is carved with lozenges, the other is illegible. There is the base of a stoup in the north-east corner. The bellcote, which is cemented externally, has north and south windows with two-centred heads, and is supported on a four- centred wooden arch, now painted, which spans the nave at the west end. Its roof is pyramidal and tiled. It contains a bell, probably of the 14th century, by an unknown founder, with the inscription “Ave Maria Dracia (sic) Plena.’ # Tateemation kindly supplied by Mr. EB. % Dineleae’ chancel, 19 ft. by 14 ft; nave, 32 ft, by 16 ft. 6 in NCH, Herts i, 3236 % Dugdale, Mon, ii, 229, 232. a % Biog. Universelle, viii, 654. * Cal. Papal Letters, i, $97. % Cal. Pat. 1301-7, po 404 1317-21, 446. %© Abbrev, Plac. (Rec. Com.), 246+ 9 Dugdale, Mon. ii, 207. LETCHWORTH The bowl of the font is probably of the 14th century, and there are some 15th-century benches with broken ends in the nave. A remarkable monument on the sill of the north-east window of the nave is a miniature recumbent effigy (2 ft. 2 in. long by 1 ft. wide) in chain armour and a long surcoat, holding a heart in his hands. ‘The figure is of about 1300 and is much defaced. In the chancel is a brass of a priest in eucharistic vestments, with an inscription and the date 1475. In the nave is a brass with the half-length figures of a man and his wife, with a fragmentary inscription which records the name of the wife, Isabelle ; the man is said to be William Overbury, and the date is about 1470. The plate includes a cup and cover paten of late 16th-century style, but without hall-marks. The registers are in four volumes: (i) 1695 to 1748; (ii) baptisms 1749 to 1806, marriages 1749 to 1754, burials 1749 to 1804 ; (iii) baptisms and burials 1807 to 1812; (iv) marriages 1754 to 1805. ; There is mention of a priest at ADVOWSON Letchworth in 1086." Thechurch of Letchworth was granted, with all appurtenances and 12 acres of land in the parish, to the monastery of St. Albans by William de Montfitchet and Rohais his wife and William their son at the beginning of the 12th century.” The living was not appropriated and is still a rectory. About 1297 John de Ulscby, rector of Letchworth, was deprived of his living for his connexion with Cardinal James Colonna, who was excommunicated by Boniface VIII for his opposition to that pope’s election. The Abbot of St. Albans then presented Robert de Donnebrugge, but the Bishop of Lincoln refused to institute him ; in 1301, however, Pope Boniface VIII sent a mandate to his successor commanding the institution. In 1302 and in 1320 the king presented by reason of the voidance of St. Albans; on the first occasion Richard Montfitchet claimed the right, but his claim was not allowed. The advowson remained to the monastery of St, Albans until its surrender at the end of 1539,” after which it was presumably held for a while by the Crown. Some time before 1610 it was granted to Sir Henry Cock, who died possessed of it in that year, and was succeeded by his grandson Henry Lucy, son of his elder daughter Frances and Edmund Lucy.” Soon after this the advowson was acquired by the Lytton family, William Lytton presenting in 1676,” and after this it followed the descent of the manor until 1903, when it was sold to Mr. Walter Plimpton, Mr. Henry William Hill and Major Gilbert E. W. Malet, who form a syndicate." In 1544, after the dissolution of St. Albans Abbey, a pension of 13s. from Letchworth rectory was granted to George Nodes! of Shephall, and apparently remained in his family, for in 1643 a George Nodes died possessed of ‘rent from the rectory of Letchworth,’ leaving a son Charles.’ In 1638 the parsonage contained ‘one hall, one pallor, one kichin, two buttries, one milkhouse, one %8 Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), cccxvi, 29. %9 Inst. Bks. (P.R.O 40 Tnformation kindly supplied by Mr. E, B. Lindsell 1 L. and P. Hen, VIL, xix (1), 278 (2). * Chan, Ing. p.m, (Ser. 2), dcclaxi, 91, 123 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE larder, five chambers with a study.’ then consisted of about 45 acres.’ The mission church of ST. MICHAEL in Norton Way was built before 1910. A Roman Catholic church dedicated in honour of St. Hugh was built in Pixmore Way in 1908 ; the Presbytery adjoins it. There is a meeting of the Society of Friends at Howgills, Sollershott; the Wesleyan Methodists hold services in the Pixmore Institute, and the Salvation Army in the Co-operative Hall. There is also a Free Church in Norton Way, which was built in 1905 and enlarged in 1907. A chapel existed at Burleigh at the beginning of the 13th century, and is mentioned in 1218 as attached to the church of Letchworth, and therefore as belonging to St. Alban’s Abbey. In 1311 licence was given to the Broks, lords of Burleigh, for a chantry in the chapel of Burleigh,’ and the whole The glebe lands seems to have been subsequently known as Brook's Chapel or Burleigh’s Chapel. It seems to have soon decayed, for in 1548 it possessed no plate, ornaments, goods or chattels beyond the tithes of the land attached. The incumbent was then William ap Rise.* Upon its dissolution the site and lands pertaining were granted in 1553 to John and William Dodington and their heirs,’ but seem to have come not long after into the possession of John Godfrey or Cowper, who held the manor of Burleigh (q.v.) and died in 1565. He held the ‘tithe called Brokes Chappell or Burleyes Chappell’ of the queen as of her manor of East Greenwich in socage,® and left it to his younger son Francis, who died in 1631 seised of ‘ Burley Ground, le Hault, and Brooks Chappell,’ which he had settled on his younger sons William and John.’ There are no endowed charities, The children attend the school at Willian. GREAT MUNDEN Mundene(xicent.); Mundun, Mundon (xiii cent.). The parish of Great Munden has an area of 3,758 acres, of which 1,895$ acres are arable land, 9274 permanent grass and 97 wood.' The elevation of the parish is for the most part well over 300 ft., and in the north-west and along the eastern border of the parish it is over 400 ft. The village of Great Munden lies on the road which branches off west- wards from Ermine Street at Puckeridge ; the road from Little Munden to Westmill crosses it in the centre of the village, and passes through the hamlet of Nasty to the north of it. The church of St. Nicholas, with Munden Bury adjoining, is at the west end of the village, and the rectory about three-quarters of a mile further along the road to the south. The old rectory, with the remains of a moat, is about the same distance due west of the village. In 1606 itis described as a house consisting of eleven bays built of timber and covered all (excepting one bay) with tile, ‘five bayes being chambred over and boorded, these five bayes being contrived into two heights or stories and the whole building disposed into 17 roomes vizt. the halle, buttrey, parlour, three bedchambers below and six chambers above (the dayrie having a cornloft over it boorded), kitchin and three other roomes adioyning.” ‘There was also a dove-house within the moat and a bridge with a gate of timber and boards over the moat. The glebe lands consisted of about 53 acres.” Near the old rectory is an early 17th-century cottage, with weather-boarded timber framing and thatched roof. Brockholds Farm, with the remains of a moat, is on the eastern boundary of the parish, a short distance north-east of Levens Green. There are remains of homestead moats also at Mill Farm and Rush Green. Rowney Priory, with the site of the small house for Benedictine nuns, founded in 1164 by Conan Duke of Britanny, is in the extreme south. The present house is modern, but there is a wall within it 2° Ibid. cceelxiv, so. 1 Statistics from Bd ? Herts. Gen. and A) . Bp. Dalderby, ® Chant. Cert. 20, no. 645 27, no. 9. 7 Pat. 6 Edw. VI, pt. v, m. 10, 8 Chan, Ing, p.m. (Ser. 2), cli, 57. |. of Agric. (1905). ° Blue Bk, Incl. Awards, 64. 4 Local Govt, Bd. Order 22217. about 3 ft. 6 in, thick, faced with flint, which may have been a part of the priory. In the grounds a stone coffin and a stone mortar with two handles have been found. Potter's Green is a little to the north. About a mile and a half south of the village is High ‘Trees Farm, an early 17th-century timber and plaster house of two stories with later additions, It still retains its original brick chimney stacks. Within, the hall is now divided into two rooms, the south end being cut off by an oak panelled screen. Much original oak panelling, an oak staircase and an old kitchen fireplace still remain. The nearest station is Braughing, 24 miles east, on the Buntingford branch of the Great Kastern railway. The parish lies on a subsoil of chalk, and there are chalk-pits in use west of the old parsonage and west of Levens Green. The inclosure award was made in 1852, with an amendment in 1858. Both are in the custody of the clerk of the peace.® In 1888 a detached portion of Little Munden was added to this parish. In the time of King Edmund GREAT MANORS MUNDENor MUNDEN FURNIVALL belonged to one Ethelgifu, who by her will of 9446 demised it to one Elfwold for his life- time.’ Immediately before the Norman Conquest it was held by Eddeva the Fair.’ William the Conqueror gave it to Count Alan of Britanny, in whose time it was assessed at 7 hides and half a virgate.’ The overlordship of Munden Furnivall remained in the hands of the subsequent holders of the honour and earldom of Richmond.® The earliest sub-tenant recorded is Gerard de Furnivall, who died in Jerusalem at the beginning of the reign of Henry III. The manor came into the king’s hands by his death, presumably owing to the minority of the heir, and was granted, saving the dower of Gerard's widow, to Lady Nichola de Haye, 5 Thorpe, Dipl Angl. Aeve Sax. 497; Matt. Paris, Chron. Majora (Rolls Ser.), vi, 13. ° VCH, Herts. i, 319 7 Tid, $ Assize R. 318, m. 224.5 Chan. Ing. pm. 9 Edw. II, no. 7; (Ser. 2), li, 50. ntig. iii, 297-9. 124 Lercuworth Hatt rrom rue East Lercuworra Cuurch rrom rue Norra BROADWATER HUNDRED who had been an ardent supporter of King John against the barons, ‘for her support in our castle of Lin- coln, for as long as it pleases us.’® Later in the same reign Munden was again in the possession of the Furnivalls, and in 1242 Christiana, widow of another Gerard de Furnivall, was granted the custody of his heir."” Chris- tiana’s son Gerard lived until almost the end of the century, dying some time between 1290 and 1302." He had two daughters, Christiana de Aylesford and Lora or Fournivatt. Argent a bend becwween six martlets gules, GREAT MUNDEN had the title of Lord Furnivall and was descended from Thomas de Furnivall, brother of Gerard de Furnivall and uncle of Lora and Christiana.’ In 1461 it was held by John Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury and Lord Furnivali,"* who had married the heiress of the Furnivalls, and the manor continued to be held of his heirs, in socage, for the rent of a pair of gloves.”” In 1285 Gerard de Furnivall had created a further sub-tenancy by conveying the manor to John de Kirkeby, Bishop of Ely, for the yearly rent of a pair of gilt spurs or 6d." John died in 1290, and was succeeded by his brother William de Kirkeby,"* who lived until 1302. At this time a third of the manor was in the hands of Mathania, the second wife of John de Cobham,” but the remainder passed on the division of William’s inheritance between his sisters q gi RNs pees * fs Great Munven ; Oro Farm Loretta, widow of John de Ulvesflete,"* the manor of Munden Furnivail being apportioned to the younger.* Both Lora and Christiana had descendants, Gerard de Ulvesflete descendant of the former, and John de Aylesford, a minor, descendant of the latter, both being alive about 1362."" During the hundred years following, however, both lines apparently died out, for by 1461 this mesne lordship of Great Munden had passed to another branch of the family, who ® Close, 3 Hen. IIL, m. 93 Dugdale, Baronage, i, 598. W Cal. Chart, R. 1226-57, p. 268. 1M Rot, Hund. (Rec. Com.), i, 188 5 Cal. Pat. 1281-92, p. 943 Chan. Ing. p.m. 18 Edw. I, no, 375 30 Edw. I, no. 31. 18 Wrottesley, Ped. from the Plea R. 84. 18 Chan. Ing. p.m. 30 Edw. I, no. 31- WW -Wrottesley, Ped. from che Plea R. 84. 15 G.E.C. Complete Peerage. 1 ¥ Chan, Inq, p-m. 1 Edw. IV, no. 28. W Tid. 18 Edw. IV, no. 45. n +8 Feet of F. Herts, 13 Edw. I, no. 157. 19 Chan, Ing, p.m. 18 Edw. I, no. 37. ® Ibid, 30 Edw. I, no. 31. apparently a right of dower. to Margaret, wife of Walter de Osevill,” with the reversion of Mathania’s third and the third held in dower by Christine de Kirkeby, William’s widow.” In 1304 Walter and Margaret de Osevill settled Munden Furnivall upon their sons John and Henry and the heirs of Henry.” Henry de Osevill died before 1334,% when his widow Alice held one third and his brother John, who survived him until 1335, held the other two thirds.” Eventually the whole 2) Abbrev. Rot. Orig. (Rec. Com.), ii, 23. * Feet of F. Herts, 32 Edw. I, 0. 388, "Ibid. ; Wrottesley, Ped. from the Plea R. 14) 399. 4 Cal. Pat. 1330-4, p. 578. % Chan. Ing, p.m. 9 Edw. ITI, no. 7. ‘This was 125 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE came to John son of Henry de Osevill. Cecily his daughter and heiress married Guy de Boys,* who was holding the manor in right of his wife in 1350.” He died before 1370, in which year Cecily was holding it alone.” After her death Munden Furnivall seems to have been held by John and Agnes Durham,” who conveyed it in 1389 to Margaret, daughter of Cecily and Guy de Boys, and her husband Robert Dykeswell.° | Margaret married secondly Henry Hayward," and thirdly, before 1419, Walter Pejon or Pegeon.*? She was succeeded by Thomas Hayward or Howard, her son by her second husband.” ‘Thomas died shortly before 1447, when the manor of Great Munden was conveyed by trustees to Sir John Fray, chief baron of the Ex- chequer.* He also made himself secure against the claims of various heirs of Thomas Howard.* In 1460, however, he was obliged to sue Simon Rode and Joan his wife for illegal entry by force into the manor. Joan claimed that she was the heir of Mabel Grimbaud, one of the sisters of Walter de Osevill, upon whom the manor had been entailed failing the heirs of Henry de Osevill.* The claim was not successful, for Sir John Fray died seised of Great Munden in the following year.” His widow Agnes, who married secondly Sir John Say, held the manor until her death in 1478, when it passed by grant of the trustees to her second daughter Mar- garet, the wife of John Leynham or Plomer. Some years later Munden Furnivall came into the possession of Sir William Say (son of Sir John Say by an earlier wife), who had married Margaret Lynham’s elder sister Elizabeth, then the widow of Sir Thomas Waldegrave. Though he is said to have acquired it by purchase,” it is thus possible that it came to him by failure of Margaret’s heirs. He died seised of it in 1529,® and it descended in the same manner as his other lands (v.s. Benington) in Hertfordshire until it came to the Crown upon the death of Lady Anne Parr." In 1572 the manor was leased by the Crown to William Lord Burghley for a term of thirty-one years from 1595," which lease was renewed to Sir Robert Cecil in 1600 for twenty-one years." The latter died in 1612, bequeathing the lease of Great Munden to William, Earl of Cranbourne, with remainder to James Lord Stanley and his wife and Robert Stanley, his brother.“ It reverted to the Crown on the expiration of the fease, and is said to have been granted to Charles Prince of Wales in 1620, but the grant does not seem to be extant." In 1628 it was granted to Edward Ditchfield and others,** and is said to have been sold later to Edward % Wrottesley, Ped. from the Plea R. 399. ¥ Ct. R. portf. 178, no. 7. % Ibid, no. 8. % Ibid. no. 10; Early Chan. Proc. “ Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. ‘Ct. of Wards, Misc. Bks. 578, fol. 37245 Feet of F. Herts. Hil. 33 Hen. VIII; Pat. 3 & 4 Phil. and Mary, pt. xii. Arris.” Thomas Arris, his son, sold the manor in 1700 to Robert Hadsley,” whose son Robert sold it to Sir John Jennings in 1723.” In 1789 it was purchased from his son George Jennings by William Baker of Bayford- bury,) in whose family it descended * until it was pur- chased by Messrs, Paine, Brettell & Porter, solicitors, in 1900. The park of Great Munden is first mentioned in 1283, when Gerard de Furnivall complained that certain per- sons had repeatedly broken his park at Munden Furnivall, hunted therein and carried away deer. In 1302 the park is described as having an area of 40 acres*; later it seems to have been called Fludgate Park, and was leased with the manor to the Cecils under that name. This name occurs again in 1723 and also the form Flutgate Park, which does not occur elsewhere. It seems to have been subsequently disparked. In 1275 Gerard de Furnivall is said to have appropriated free warren to himself in Munden where he ought not to have had it”; in 1295, how- ever, William de Kirkeby received a grant of free warren in due form.%* The grant was renewed in 1320 to John and Henry de Osevill and their heirs.” In 1397 one John Potter was fined 20d. because he «dug the land of the lord in the free warren of the lord and put nets in the warren and took there conies and carried them away to the damage of the lord.’ ‘The warren is mentioned again in 1723." In 1275 the lord of the manor of Munden Furnivall possessed view of frankpledge, gallows and amendment of the assize of bread and ale.” John de Kirkeby, Bishop of Ely, claimed there in 1287 pillory, tumbrel, infangentheof and outfangentheof in addition.* His brother held view of frankpledge at Whitsuntide and courts every three weeks.* View of frankpledge is mentioned in connexion with the manor in a deed of 1723. False imprisonment in the stocks was complained of against the bailiff of Sir William Say early in the reign of Henry VIII. The lord also possessed the liberty of a pinfold for sheep.” There was a mill in Great Munden in 1086.% A windmill is mentioned in 1290 and after. There is still a windmill in the south of the parish, a little to the east of the road from Little Munden. Bass of Bayford- bury. Party ermine and gulesa greyhound running bereveen two ‘vecked with two quatre- foils inthe chief and ‘anocher in the foot all countercoloured. pars in- ° Pat. 15 Eliz. pt. is 7 Jas. I, pt. iii. % Close, 10 Geo. I, pt. xi, no. 21. 5 Rot. Hund, (Rec. Com.), i, 188. * Chart. R. 24 Edw. I, no. 23, m. 3. 2), li, go. bile. 5, no. 109. % Close, 12 Rie. I, m. 164. 1 Cal. Par, 1422-9, p. 250. = tag cae oa, pm. 7 Hen. V, no. 4 Hen. IV, no. 6. s Woltestey, Ped fen ed pie R399. ™ Anct. D. (P.R.O.), D ee of F. Herts. of: Vea. vi, no. 38. 7 Wrottesley, Ped. from the Plea R. 399. 2 Chan. Ing. pom. 1 Edw. IV, no. 28, 8 Ibid, 18 Edw. IV, no. ® Cussans, op. cit. Broadwater Hund. 140. ° Cal. Pat. 1281-92, p. 94. “8 Tid. 15 Eliz, pt. i. © Cal. S. P. Dom. 1598-1601, p. 380. “ P.C.C. 49 Fenner. © Chauncy, op. cit. 341. “6 Pat. 4 Chas. I, pt. xxv, B, m. 16. & Chauncy, loc. cit. ® hh “ Fectof F. Herts. Mich. 12 Will. IIT. t.ii, 392 5 Cussans, cit. Broadwater Hund. 140. * Chan. Ing, p.m. 30 Edw. I, 0. 32. 126 28, pt. Tbid. 13 Edw. I, no. 16. © Ct. R. portf. 178, no. 11, * Close, 10 Geo. I, pt. xi, no. 21. ° Ror, Hund. (Rec. Com.), i, 192. 9 Assize R. 325, m. 26d. © Chan. Ing, pam. sae 4 no. 31. Close, 10 Geo. I, pt. Star Chamb, Proc. Hen. ‘VuIL, , bal. 5 m0. 108, at. 15 Eliz. pt. i; Close, 10 Geo. I, xi, no. 21. 8 VCH, Herts i, 3196. ® Chan, Ing. p.m, ELE I, no. 37. 1 Ibid. 30 Edw, I, no. 31. BROADWATER HUNDRED BROKHOLES or BROCKHOLDS was a small manor, held of the manor of Great Munden”; in 1550 it was said to be held in socage for a rent of 36s. It owed suit of court to Great Munden.” A Geoffrey de Brokhole occurs in a Watton fine of 1258-9," but the earliest to be mentioned in Great Munden is the Geoffrey de Brokhole who in 1327 represented Hertfordshire in Parliament.” In 1338 one Thomas de Burnham was summoned to answer an indictment ‘that he took Alice, wife of Geoffrey de Brokhole, and her goods at Munden Furnivall and carried them away.’ Geoffrey seems to have been succeeded by another Geoffrey Brokhole, who was Sheriff of Essex and Herts. in 1385, and is mentioned in 1397. His widow Ellen died in 1419, leaving as her heirs a daughter Joan, widow of Thomas Aspall, and a grandson John Sumpter, son of her second daughter Mary,” between whom the manor was divided. John Sumpter’s moiety passed at his death in 1420 to his sisters Christine and Ellen,” of whom the elder died without issue.” Ellen, who thus became possessed of the half-manor, married James Bellewe or Bellers,® and later, about 1439, Ralph Holt," in whose family the moiety descended. Joan, the widow of Thomas Aspall, to whom the other half was apportioned, married Robert Arme- burgh,® and lived until 1443. Robert survived her and continued to hold the half-manor, with remainder to John Palmer, Joan sister of John Palmer, and Philip Thornbury.® Before 1452 it had come to Philip Thornbury, for in that year he and Reginald Armeburgh made an arrangement with Ralph Holt, to whom they owed £100," which seems to have been the final step in the transfer of the estate to the latter. Ralph Holt thus became possessed of the whole manor, which descended in his family until 1543, when ‘Thomas Holt conveyed it to John Gardiner” John died in 1550, leaving a son Thomas,® after which Brokholes descended in the Gardiner family until 1742, when it was sold by John Gardiner to Francis Welles.® Eventually it seems to have become merged in the main manor. The moated farm-house called kholds probably rep the house, GARNONS or HENRY-AT-DANES, of which no trace now remains, probably took its name from the family who originally held it, for a John Garnon appears in a list of the tenants of Great Munden manor in 1346.” In 1417 there is mention of Henry atte Dane in Great Munden,® who seems to have been succeeded by Robert atte Dane.” In 1473 Garnons was merely called a tenement ; it was then GREAT MUNDEN in the possession of John Humberston.” In 1526 John Humberston, perhaps the son of the last-named John, conveyed Garnons, then called a manor, to William Hamond and others.% Sixty years later another William Hamond was holding it,®! and sold it about 1600 or later to Sir John Watts.* The latter died seised of it in 1616, leaving a son John,” and it apparently remained in his family, for in 1665 Garnons was held by Richard Watts,” who had married Catherine Werden.” His daughter Katharine, to whom the manor descended, married Charles first Earl of Dunmore,” who in 1709 conveyed it to Sir John Werden, his wife’s uncle." Sir John’s heir was his son John, who died without male heirs in 1758.! In that year Garnons was sold by William and Caroline Louisa Kerr to Francis Fryer,” which suggests that it had either been previously sold to the Kerrs or that they were Sir John Werden’s executors. Next year Francis Fryer sold it to Roteit Ireland,’ who died soon after, leaving a widow Anne and three sons, the eldest of whom was William Ireland, upon whom Garnons was settled after the death of his mother.‘ After this settlement in 1786 there is no further record of Garnons. In 1551 the buildings and lands of the dissolved priory of ROWNEY were granted to Thomas Bill,* who is said to have devised them to his daughter Margaret and her husband Michael Harris,° but if so they cannot have held them long, for before 1566 they had been acquired by Richard Smythe.’ In that year he sold the chapel and lands for £20 to John Ruse, who sold them for £25 to Cyrus Ruse. In 1569 the last-named complained that Richard Smythe refused to give up the documents connected with the lands, Richard Smythe replied that the bargain had never been completed, and that Cyrus had entered into the premises and destroyed his grass.° Later Rowney is said to have been sold to John Fleming.” In 1641 Thomas and Richard Fleming brought a suit against Henry Birchenhead, ‘by whose unconscionable practices they had been deprived of the chantry house in Rowney and other property.’ ” In the following year, however, Thomas Fleming sold Rowney to Henry Birchenhesd,” in whose family it descended for a while. It is said to have been con- veyed to Thomas Jenner, whose daughter Anne married Francis Browne," who possessed it in 1700." Their son Thomas Browne is said to have devised it to Charles and Robert Jenner, of whom the latter conveyed the whole to Thomas Marlborough, whose second daughter Elizabeth possessed it in 1821. She was married to James Cecil Graves of Baldock, and 71 Chan, Ing. pam. 7 Hen. V, no. 19; 4 Hen. VI, no. 6; 22 Hen. VI, no. 28 5 (Ser. 2), xciii, 107. 7 Ct, R. portf. 178, no. 11. 7 Feet of F. Herts, 43 Hen, II, no, 502. 74 Salmon, op. cit. 359, % Cal. Pat. 1338-40, p. 84. 7 Ct. R. portf. 178, no. 11. 7 Chan. Ing. pam. 7 Hen. V, no. 19. 78 Ibid. 4 Hen. VI, no. 6. 79 Morant, Hist. of Essex, ii, 536. ® Feet of F. Div. Co. Trin, 15 Hea. VI. 81 Early Chan. Proc. bdle. 9, no. 356. ® Morant, loc. cit. ; Feet of F. Div. Co. 22 Hen, VI, no. 13. Chan, Ing, pm. 22 Hen. VI, 8. no. 28, 4 Close, 31 Hen. VI, m. 4d. 8 Feet of F. Herts. Mich. 35 Hen, VIII. 8 Chan. Inq, p.m. (Ser. 2), xciii, 107, 87 Chan. Proc. (Ser. 2), bdle. 74, no. 6 ; Feet of F. Herts, Mich. 33 Chas. IT; Mich. 4 Geo. I. 88 Ibid. East. 15 Geo. II. ® Rental and Surv. Herts. R, 280, ” Ct, R, portf, 178, no. 14, " Thid, *2 Thid, no. 288. ®8 Feet of F. Herts, East. 18 Hen. VIII. % Thid, Mich. 28 & 29 Eliz. % Chan, Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), eccliv, % Ibid, & Feet of F. Herts, Trin. 17 Chas, II. % Douglas’ Scots Peerage (ed. Paul), ii, 384-5. ® ibid. 127 100 Ybid.; Feet of F. Herts, Trin. Anne. 1 Burke, Extinct Baronetage, ? Feet of F. Herts, Mich. 32 Geo. II. 4 Ibid. Hil. 32 Geo, II. ‘Close, 26 Geo. III, pt. xxii, no. 9 5 Feet of F. Herts, Hil. 26 Geo. IIT; Recov. R. Hil. 26 Geo. III, rot. 354. ® Pat. 5 Edw. VI, pt. vi § Clutterbuck, op. cit. ii, 393. ‘They held the rectorial tithes in 1581 and as late 3s 1596. Chan. Proc. (Ser. 2), bdle. 149, no. 48. ne (Ser. 2), 494 no. 4! 9 Clutterbuck, op. cit. ii, 393. 10 Hist. MSS. Com. Rep. iv, App. i, 212. 1 Close, 18 Chas, J, pt. xx, no. 17. 1 Clutterbuck, op. cit. ii, 393. 18 Chauncy, op. cit. 342 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE had a daughter Mary." The subsequent owners arc not known. Michael William Balfe, the Irish com- poser, is said to have resided at Rowney for a while, and to have died there in 1870." It is now the residence of Mr. James Henry Dugdale, J.P. The parish church of ST. NICHOLAS lies to the west of the village, and con- sists of a chancel, nave, south aisle, south porch and west tower.'® It is built of flint rubble with stone dressings ; pudding-stone occurs in the foundations. The tower is plastered and the roofs are tiled. The nave and chancel were built in the 12th century and the south aisle in the middle of the 14th CHURCH with cement. In the south wall is a 14th-century doorway with a pointed head, almost wholly Feared. and to the west of it a two-light square-headed window of the 1sth century. The wagon roof is modern. The chancel arch is four-centred and flat, and is supported on the north side by the respond of the original 12th-century arch, which dates from about 1120 and has circular angle-shafts on the east and west sides and a rudely voluted capital with a square abacus and a moulded base. On the south side the chancel arch dies into the south wall of the chancel, and thus is considerably southward of the axis of the chancel and nave. In the north wall of the nave are three three-light 1gth-century windows ; the first has a f tred head, the second is similar but with tracery, and the third has a segmental head. All are much repaired. Between the two easternmost windows is an image niche of the 15th century with an ogee crocketed head, and retain- ing traces of decoration in blue, red and gold. The north doorway, which is now blocked, stands between the two westernmost windows, and is of the 12th century, with a round head. Exter- nally it has a large edge-roll supported by engaged shafts with cushion capitals en- riched with incised ornament. The abaci are splayed and the bases moulded. The nave arcade is modern, with a few old stones. The west respond is of the first half of the 14th century. At the west end is a 14th-century door opening into the tower. The roof of the nave is of the late 15th century sup- ported on carved corbels, The east window of the south aisle is original ; it is of three lights with flowing Great Munven Cuurch From THE Sot century. The tower dates from the latter part of the 15th century, and at the same time, or it may be in the first years of the 16th century, the chancel arch was widened southwards. The porch is modern, and the repairs of the 19th century include con- siderable restoration of the south arcade. The east window of the chancel is modern, of three lights, with flowing tracery in a pointed head. In the north wall is a narrow single-light window of original r2th-century date, having a round head and widely splayed jambs, It is much repaired externally 4 Clutterbuck, op. eit. ii, 393. '© Dimensions : 'S Cussans, op. cit. Broadwater Hund. res 21ft. gin.5 south I by 18 ft. 7in.3 mave, tracery. Beneath it stands a stone reredos discovered during repairs in 1865 ; it consists of a central trefoil- headed panel, with a smaller one on either side. The head of the central panel has been cut down, destroying the Proportions of the design. A piscina of the 14th century is in the south wall at the east end, with an ogee trefoiled head. Occupying nearly the whole length of the south wall between the piscina and the south doorway are two moulded ogee-headed recesses of about 1350. Above them is a three-light window with a four-centred head, and there is a similar one to the west of the south door ; all but the jambs of these windows is modern, )UTH-EAST chancel, 22 ft. Bin. 11 ft. 3in.5 south porch, 7 ft. 6in. by 7 ft. ; and tower, 11 ft. 6 in. square. ia aisle, 46 ft 5 in. by 28 BROADWATER HUNDRED The south door, which is two-centred of two moulded orders, is original. The west window, which is much restored, also dates from the middle of the 14th century, The tower is of three receding stages, and is sur- mounted by an embattled parapet and a small needle spire. The string below the parapet has grotesque gargoyles, much defaced, at the angles. The west window appears to be modern. There is an original single light on the south side of the second stage. In the north face of the bell-chamber is a two-light window with a quatrefoil in the head. The windows in the west and south faces are similar but much decayed. There is an early 17th-century oak pulpit of hexagonal shape, carved with two stages of arcading and enriched with strap ornament. The base is modern. In the chancel are early 16th-century stalls and bench ends, some of them carved with the initials R. K. In the churchyard is the octagonal base of an old churchyard cross. OF the six bells, the treble is by John Warner & Sons, 1882 ; the second, inscribed “Jesus be our spede,’ 1621, with a shield inclosing an arrow between the letters R.O.; the third, ‘Praise the Lord,’ 1621; the fourth, ‘God save the King,’ 1621; the fifth, ‘Sonoro sono meo sono deo,’ 1621, all by Robert Oldfeild ; and the sixth, by John Warner & Sons, 1881. The plate includes a cup of 1696. The registers are contained in four books : (i) all entries 1558 to 1682; (ii) baptisms 1678 to 1787, burials 1678 to 1787, marriages 1687 to 1753; (iii) baptisms 1788 to 1812, burials 1788 to 1812 ; (iv) marriages 1788 to 1812. The advowson of the church was ADVOWSON from the earliest times in the pos- session of the lords of the manor. LITTLE MUNDEN In 1285 it was conveyed with the manor to John de Kirkeby,!7 and followed the descent of the manor until it came to the Crown at the death of Lady Anne Parr.!8 In 1604 it was granted for one turn to Thomas Nicholson,!® and in 1688 to John and George Churchill and Thomas Docwray.? With the exception of these two cases the Crown has presented down to the present date.?! In 1581 and as late as 1596 the tithes of sheaves, grain and hay were held by Michael and Margaret Harris.22 A hundred years later it appeared that only a few of the lands paid tithe, and that some had been commuted for money.” In 1723 and 1789 some of them at any rate were held by the lord of the manor.*4 A certificate for a meeting-place of Protestant Dissenters in Great Munden was taken out in 1700.” There is now a Gospel Hall at Levens Green. In the parliamentary returns of 1786 it is stated that a donor un- known gave a rent-charge of £5 45. to twelve poor persons. The annuity was redeemed in 1904 by the transfer to the official trustees of £208 consols, the dividends of which are applied in pursuance of a scheme 19 May 1905 for aged and deserving poor resident in the parish, with a preference for widows. In the same returns it is also stated that a donor unknown gave land for bread for the poor, in respect of which the parish is in possession of 13a. 1f. 34 p., producing about £11 a year, which is applied in the distribution of sheets and towels to about fifty cottagers. In 1902 Anne Dawson, by will proved at London 14 June, left £160 155. consols, the annual dividends, amounting to £4 0s. 4d., to be applied for the benefit of poor widows at Christmas. The stock is held by the official trustees. CHARITIES LITTLE MUNDEN Mundane (xi cent.). The parish of Little Munden has an area of 1,774 acres, of which nearly three quarters are arable land, 400 or 500 acres being permanent grass, and over 100 acres wood.' The elevation of the parish is for the most part over 300 ft., except a diagonal strip from north-west to south-east where a slight depres- sion is caused by the Old Bourne, at the south-eastern end of which is situated the hamlet of Dane End. Little Munden Church and School, with the Lordship Farm and one or two cottages, are situated halfway between Dane End and Green End, of which the latter is about half a mile north-west of the church. The road from Watton to Great Munden passes across the parish; at Dane End it is joined by the road from Sacombe, and further on roads turn off eastwards to Potter’s Green and Levens Green in Great Munden, and northwards to Haultwick, a hamlet in the north of Little Munden parish. Libury Hall, now a German Industrial Home, is U Feet of F. no. 157. 18 See references under manor. ¥ Cal. S. P. Dom. 1603-10, p. 131+ 2 Inst. Bks. (P.R.O.). “Tid. ; Cal S. P. Dom 1660-1, p. 673 1661-2, p. 630; 1675-6, Herts. 13 Edw. I, 34 Chas, II, no. 1. 3 129 p- 429; Bacon, Liber Regis; Clergy List 1908). ® Feet of F. Herts. Mich. 23 & 24 Eliz. ; Div. Co. East. 38 Eliz, B Exch. Dep. Herts situated in a north-eastern projection of the parish. The rectory is some distance west of Dane End. The parish lies on a subsoil of chalk; there is a chalk-pit near Lordship’s Farm, and a disused one in the west of the parish. The nearest station is Standon, 4 miles east, on the Buntingford branch of the Great Eastern railway. The inclosure award was combined with that of Great Munden.'* The following field-names occur in the 14th century: Newelond, Attresfeld, Wykefeld, Brache, Wydiwellefeld and Dymaunfeld?; and in the rsth century Cumbes Wood, Lynleyze, Hapsele, Pond- feld, Reyneres Croft, Chosescroft, Cuttedenestrate, Crowedenefeld and Velawesfeld.* Previous to the Norman Conquest MANORS LITTLE MUNDEN or MUNDEN FREVILL was held by Lewin, a man of Earl Harold. Before 1086 it was granted to Walter the Fleming, and was then assessed at 5 hides and 1 Close, 10 Geo. I, pt. ii, no. 215 Feet of F. Herts. Mich. 29 Geo. III. % Urwick, op. cit. 598. 1 Statistics from Bd. of Agric. (1905). 1a Blue Bk. Incl. Awards, 64. * Cal. Pat, 1338-40, p. 154. 3 Anct. D. (P.R.O.), D 109, 110. 17 Hil. 33 & A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE 1 virgate.’ The descendants of Walter the Fleming held the manor of Wahull or Odell in Bedfordshire, from which they took their name.’ The overlordship of Little Munden remained in this family.® In 1304 it was held for the service of a knight’s fee and 6s. paid to the warden of Rockingham Castle ; in 1385 the payment was 105.7 The manor was granted by the Wahulls to the family of Scales, though at what date is not known. William de Scales was lord of the manor in 1181,° and is mentioned again in 1189.2? He was succeeded by his son Richard de Scales before 1208." Richard died about 1231, leaving a daughter Lucy, whose wardship was purchased for 200 marks by Baldwin de Frevill, who afterwards married her." From this family the manor took its name of Munden Frevill. Baldwin was succeeded before 1278 by Richard de Frevill,'? whose son John inherited the Thomas Beaufort, admiral towards the north and east, on the safe-custody of the sea.” In 1448 one Richard Whitwik was ‘witholden to serve Sir Philip Thornbury and dame Margret his wife in the offices of lardyner, catour and cook,’ during their lives. He was to receive 20s. yearly with clothing, and a tenement at Pottersgrene called ‘ Bathis,” for which he was to yield them yearly a ‘roseflour’ and suit of court. He was also to have reasonable fuel in the east park, ‘except for bakyng or brewyng to chepe.’” Sir Philip Thornbury died about 1457," leaving a Tnoanaury. Party fessewise or and argent @ lion acure with two bends gules arkwart him, Lorpsnie Farm, manor in 1299."% John de Frevill died in 1312, leaving a son John," who died before 1377. In that year his widow Ellen sold the manor to Philip Wyndok and William and Joan Hosell,'* who in 1379-80 conveyed it to Sir John Thornbury.'* Sir John died about 1396, having settled the manor on his son Philip,” and left a widow Nanerina, Philip settled Little Munden on himself and his wife Margaret. In 1404 he went to sea on the king’s service ‘in the company of the king’s brother Lirtte Munpen daughter Margaret, who was married to Nicholas Appleyard.” The manor was settled on Margaret’s daughter Elizabeth, wife of William Bastard, with remainder to Thomas and John, sons of Richard Thornbury.* In 1481 Elizabeth Bastard released the manor to trustees, and in 1486 John Thornbury did the same,” apparently for the purpose of a con- veyance to Sir William Say, into whose possession Little Munden came. He died seised of it in 1529,” after which it descended to his heirs in the same 4 TCH, Herts. i, 3286. > G.E.C. Complete Peerage. © Chan. Ing. p.m. 27 Edw. I, no. 165 32 Edw. I, no. 45 3 6 Edw. I, no. 545 Close, 6 Edw. a, m, 22; Chan. Ing. pom, (Ser. 2), li, 59. ? Chan, Ing. a 8 Re HL, no. 144. * Pipe R, a7 Hen. HI, * Tid, '© Ror, de Oblat, et Fin. (Rec, Com), 426, 4 Banks, Dormant and Extinet Peerages, ii, 477. 19 Assize R. 323. 13 Chan, Ing. p.m. 27 Edw. J, no. 16. ¥ Ibid. 6 Eiw. IT, no. 54. © Anct. D. (P.R.O.), B 2572, 16 Thid. B 2576. ¥ Thid. B 2574. 18 Ibid. B 2567, 2569, 2570, 257% ¥ Cal. Pat. 1401-5, p. 39. * Anct. D. (P. RO) D er 130 2375+ 2 Will, P.C.C. 11 Stokton. ” Feet of F. Herts. 35 Hen. VI, 4 Anct. D. (P.R.O.), A 5236. * Ibid. D 439 and 795. In the last of these documents Philip Thornbury is called the grandfather of John. ‘This probably should be great-uncle, as there is no record that Philip had a son. * Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), li, 50. BROADWATER HUNDRED manner as Benington” (q.v.), and came with that manor to the Crown. It was leased to Thomas Crompton in 1594-5 for twenty-one years.” In 1602 Thomas Crompton conveyed his lease to Michael Woodcock,” who is said to have settled it upon his son Michael on his marriage with Dorothy Woodhall.” He was holding it in 1606,*' but sold it in 1607 to Peter Vaulore,* who conveyed it in 1614 to his son- in-law Sir Charles Caesar and his daughter Anne.* The title, however, was defective, probably because only the twenty-one years’ lease of the manor had been sold by Thomas Crompton, which term would run out about this time. Finally the manor was bought by Edmund Woodhall, brother of Dorothy Woodcock. He died seised of it in 1639, leaving two sons Edmund and John. Edmund died without issue, and in 1675 Little Munden was held by his brother i LITTLE MUNDEN Robert Thornton Heysham," and his grandson of the same name," who in 1816 sold the manor to Nathaniel Snell Chauncy.” In 1844 the latter conveyed it to his brother Charles, from whom it passed upon his death in 1866 to his daughter Elizabeth and her husband Henry Edward Surtees. Twas acquired about 1895 by Mrs. Edwin Prodgers, the present owner. . Previous to 1385 the tenants of Little Munden did suit at the sheriff’s tourn held at Broadwater at Easter and Michaelmas ; in that year, however, view of frankpledge was granted to John de Thornbury," for which he was to pay 20s. yearly.” This grant was confirmed in 1439," and the view is mentioned as late as 1816.7 : LIBURY (Stuterehela, Sutreshela, xi cent. 5 Leigh- bury, Lyebery, xv cent.).—Before the Conquest and S AN em i. eet Litre Munpen Cuurch rrom THE Norru-gasr John,** from whom it passed to his youngest sister Mary Thornton, She had two daughters Mary and Jane, who possessed the manor in 1700,” and who both in succession married Robert Heysham. Robert and Jane had a son Robert, who died unmarried in 1734, bequeathing Little Munden to his kinsman Giles Thornton on condition of his assuming the name of Heysham. He was succeeded by his son at the time of the Domesday Survey Stuterehele, as Libury was then called, was a large estate of almost 10 hides, but was very much divided up in owner- ship, In the time of King Edward Lewin held about 24 hides“ ; two sokemen held of him 1 hide 1 vir- gate 10 acres, rendering an avera (a carrying service) or 54d. yearly to the king’s sheriff ; Torchil held ofhim 1 hide and half a virgate, and Walter 11 acres.” 7 Pat, a9 Eliz. pt. vii. + pts Xe erts, Hil. 44 Eliz. 30 Cussans, op. cit. Broadwarer Hund. 149. Herts, Gers and Antig. ili, 606 8 Feet of F, Herts, Trin. 5 Jas. L, 33 Ibid, East. 12 Jas. I. 81 Cussans, op. cit. Broadzvater Hund. 149. ® Chan. Ing. pam. (Ser. 2), ceeclex, 75. 3 Recov, R. Trin, 27 Chas, II, rot. 160, ¥ Chauncy, op. cit. 330. % Cussans, loc. cit. 89 Will, P.C.C, 148 Ockham, 40 Thid. Clutterbuck, op. cit. ti, 997 ; Reco. R. Trin. 8 Geo. II, rot. 50; Mich. 31 Geo. II, rot. 21. # Feet of F. Herts, East. 56 Geo. III. © Cussans, op. cit. Broadwater Hund. 150. 131 4 Chan, Ing. no. 38 ; Cal. Pat. 1385-9, p. 68. © Chart. R, 9 & 10 Ric. II, m. 14, Uy, file 403, 68, no, 20. "© Cal, Pat. 1436-41, p. 350 7 Feet of F. Herts, East, 56 Geo, III, 48 Half a hide was also held by a man of Lewin Scoua, who was probably the same. 8 V.CH. Herts, i, yoga. 80 Tid. 328), A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE Asgar the staller had 2 hides, which were held by Almar, rendering 2 averae or 8, to the king's sheriff." Elmer of Benington possessed 1 hide 34 virgates, of which Leueron held a hide, Alwin 3 virgates, paying } avera or 3d. to the sheriff, and “a certain woman’ held half a virgate.” Archbishop Stigand had 1 hide 3 virgates 22 acres, three of his men holding all of it save 13 acres,° 11 of which were held by Alward* and 2 acres by ‘an English- man’ in mortgage. There were also 25 acres held by a sokeman of King Edward, who rendered avera or td. By, 1086 the land had entirely changed hands with the exception of the Englishman’s 2 acres, which he continued to hold of Lanfranc, Stigand’s successor.” Three virgates were held by Derman, and belonged to his manor of Watton.* Peter de Valognes had obtained all Elmer of Benington’s land,** and had taken in addition the 25 acres of the sokeman of King Edward on the ground that he had not dis- charged the king’s geld, but the men of the shire moot testified that the land was free of geld. This part of Libury doubtless became absorbed in Peter’s manor of Benington. Walter the Fleming was in posession of 1 hide 4 virgate and 11 acres, formerly held of Lewin by Torchil and Walter.*' The rest of Lewin’s land had been acquired by the Bishop of Bayeux, and was held of him by Peter.? The bishop also had the half hide of Lewin Scoua and the whole of Stigand’s land, with the exception of the 2 acres already mentioned ; he also had the z hides of Asgar the staller, which were held of him by urstin his holding therefore amounted to 5} hides. The fee of Walter the Fleming is the only one which can be traced. His descendants took the name of Wahull or Odell from their chief manor in Bedfordshire, and the over- lordship of the manor of Libury remained in their hands. In 1304 it was held for a quarter fee of Thomas de Wahull and paid 187. to Rock- ingham Castle (Northants). John de Grey was the sub- tenant of the manor under the Wahulls in 1243, and was still holding it in 1265.7 He was the second son of Henry Grey of Grays Thurrock, Essex, and was some time Steward of Gascony and Governor of the castles of North- ampton, Shrewsbury, Dover and Hereford.* He was succeeded by his son Reginald,® who became Wanutt, Or three crescents gules. Herts. i, 3096. 374. 1 Ibid. 5 Com. Pleas Hen. VIL, m. 11. 74 Will, P.C 75 Feet of F. wm. 32 Edw. I, no. 455 Hau . HT (1st nos), no. Hil. 5 Jas. I & Abbrev, Plac, (Rec. Com.), 158. G.E.C. Complete Peerage. 6 Ibid, ; Ror Hund. (Rees Com. si, 188. ELC, Complete Peerage. 3 Chan, Ing. p.m. 16 Edw. IIT (1st nos), no. 455 44 Edw. + 30 Close, 12 Hen. VII, no. 3135 of F. Herts. Hil, 12 Hen. VII. 78 Ibid. Hil, 24 Eliz. 7 Chan. Ing. pam. (Ser. 2), cexcvi 75 Feet of F. Herts. Mich. 6 Jas. 79 Close, 6 Jas. I, pt. v, no. 26. Lord Grey de Wilton about 1295.” From this date the manor of Libury descended in the family of Grey of Wilton”! until it came to John Grey of Wilton, who in 1496 sold it to Richard Hill.” Richard settled the manor to the use of his wife Elizabeth for her life, with reversion to Ralph Latham. Elizabeth married secondly Anthony Poyntz, and in 1506 leased the manor to Ralph for a yearly rent of £75.” Ralph Latham died about 1520, leaving Libury to his son William and Elizabeth his wife, after the death of his mother.“ By 1580 it had come to another William Latham and Susan his wife, who in that year sold it to Richard Brokeman.” The latter conveyed it in 1582 to Rowland Beresford,”* who died seised of it in 1605, leaving a son Rowland,” who inherited the manor.” In 1608, however, he sold Libury to Robert Spence,’’ from whom it passed to his son Robert in 1618,” who was still holding it in 1648." He is said to have had two sons— William, who died without issue, and John,*? who with Edith his wife was holding it in 1682 and whose son John was lord of the manor in 1700“ and as late as 1713.% The son of the latter, Charles, was holding Libury i in 1779." and was daughter Graciana before 1821. Graciana died in 1858, her nearest heirs being Henry Lowry Jearrad and Harriet Lister. A parti- tion of the property was made in 1864, when Libury was apportioned to the former. Mr. Jearrad was still holding it in 1899, alter which it was acquired by Baron Schrider, Baron Bruno Schréder and Mr. C. A. Bingel. It has been converted into a German In- dustrial and Farm Colony to provide work and shelter for German-speaking unemployed and destitute, under the management of these three trustecs. The manor of Libury possessed two mills in 1086." Mills are mentioned in 1608,” but do not appear to belong to it now, the estate having been much reduced. John de Grey received a grant of free warren in 1243" In 1370 the lord of the manor held a court every three weeks and view of frankpledge.”” The manor of GIFFORDS is first heard of in 1473, when it was held by Ralph Ashley." In the 16th century (or perhaps in the late 15th century) ‘certain lands and tenements in Much and Little Munden called Giffords’? were held by William Srance. Sablea fesse battled argent, "© Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), ccclexx, 109. I Feet of F. Div. Co. Hil, 23 Chas. I. * Chauncy, op. cit. 340. & Feet of F. Div. C Chauncy, loc. «i % Recov. R. Mich. 12 Anne, rot. 74. in, 34 Chas. II. WE (1st Feet Tid. Hil, 9 Ges, Ill, rot. 255 Clutterbuck, op. 4075 D. Enr. East. 21 5 Clutterbuck, since ei * Cussans, op. cit. Broadwater Hund, 151. "VCH, Herts, i, 3094 and b. ® Chan. Ing, pam a4 kde, TIT (ust noe); a 10+ 30 % Rentals and Surv. R. Herts. 288, 132 BROADWATER HUNDRED Andrewe." It was probably no more than a freehold held of the manor of Great Munden.® Andrewe’s Possession of the estate was disputed by Thomas Ashley, and it was decided by arbitrators that William Andrewe should keep it for life upon payment of £8, with remainder to Thomas Ashley and his heirs. After the death of William a fresh suit took place, Giffords being claimed by George Carleton, who stated that he had purchased ‘Thomas Ashley’s interest in the estate, and was therefore the rightful owner, but that John Andrewe, William’s son, and John Lane would not allow him possession. John Andrewe denied Thomas Ashley’s title to Giffords, and said that the arbitrators decided that it LITTLE MUNDEN south-west tower, north and south porches and south vestry.° Although the original 11th-century church has been almost wholly obscured by later alterations and additions, it seems certain that in the latter half of that century it consisted of a chancel, nave and north aisle, with an arcade of three bays. The 14th-century alterations consisted of building the western portion of the present north chapel about 1340, and about 1360 replacing the two eastern bays of the nave arcade by those now in existence; at the same time the aisle may have been widened. In the 15th century the north chapel was extended eastwards to was to remain to William and his heirs. He also said that the deeds connected with the matter had been stolen by William’s wife Anne and delivered to John Lane, who claimed the estate by just conveyance. The result of the suit is not recorded, and Giffords had passed by 1580 into the possession of Matthew Lowe, who apparently held it in right of his wife Anne.” It was then called a manor. Soon after it came into the hands of William Kinge, who sold it to his brother- in-law Robert Brisco. Robert died seised of it in 1616, holding it of the king in free socage as of the manor of Great Munden, by fealty and free rent of Jos. yearly, He left it by will to his wife Ellen, after whose death it presumably passed to his nephew and heir Edward Brisco.” In the following century it had passed into the hands of the Spence family, lords of the manor of Libury, in which manor it presumably became merged. ‘Two parks are mentioned in Little Munden in 1299.1 One of them, however, seems to have been disparked before the 15th century, for in 1480 and again in 1594 only ‘Munden Park” is mentioned? It does not now remain, unless Lord- ship’s Wood is a survival of it. The church of ALL SAINTS, stand- ing on high ground about the centre of the parish, is built of flint rubble with stone dressings and the roofs are tiled. It con- sists of a chancel, north chapel, nave and north aisle, CHURCH % Ct, of Req. bdle. 3, no. 335, ° Chan, Ing. p.m, (Ser. 2), ecclix, 133. * Ct. of Req. bdle. 3, no, 335. 5 Feet of F. Herts, Mich. 22 & 23 Fliz,; Trin, 24 Eliz. % Chan. Inq. p.m. (Ser. 2), ccclix, 133. 9% Ibid. Tot. 25. Eliz, pt. x. 100 Recov. R. Herts. Hil. 19 Geo. IH, 1 Chan. Ing, p.m. 27 Edw. I, no. 16, ? Anct. D. (P.R.O.,B 2562; Pat. 37 Lirtiz Mowpven : Oro Corrace at Dane Eno its present size, new windows were inserted almost throughout the church, a rood turret was built, and the aisle was probably rebuilt and towards the end of the century the west tower was built. In the 1gth century the church was restored, the western arch of the nave was replaced by a two-centred arch and the south vestry and north and south porches were added. 8 Dimensions : chancel, 21 fe. 6 in. by 16 ft. 6in.; north chapel, 21 ft. 6 in. by 12 ft. Gin. nave, quit. by arit. 6in.s north aisle, 10ft, wide; west tower, 1nft, square, 133 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE ‘The east window of the chancel is of three cinque- foiled lights with tracery above in a two-centred head, and has been almost entirely restored. In the south wall is a similar window of two trefoiled lights which has been wholly restored. In the north wall are two arches, the easternmost being of the early 1sth century. It is four-centred, and has a panelled coffit and a carved figure of an angel holding a shield in the apex ; an ogee label, with a finial and crockets, piercing a square outer label, surmounts it, and in the spandrels of the outer label are shields, while a rose fills the space above the apex of the arch. ‘This arch forms a canopy for a tomb to be described below. ‘The westernmost arch is two-centred, of about 1340, and is of two moulded orders with shafted jambs. In the south wall is a doorway of the 12th century, but almost wholly restored. It was formerly external, but now leads into the modern vestry. To the east of the window in the south wall is a piscina of the late 14th century with a trefoiled head. The chancel arch is 15th-century work, and is of two moulded orders with shafted jambs and a label with north side of the western pier of the arcade is a small bracket. The rood-loft door pierces the north wall at the eastern end, its sill being at the level of the abacus of the eastern respond. In the south wall at the eastern end is a window of three lights, of the 15th century, with modern tracery. ‘The rear arch is original and is ogeed at the head. ‘The south door- way is of the 14th century, and is of two continuously moulded orders, unrestored. The south porch is modern. At the west end of the nave a two-centred archway opens into the west tower, which is of three stages, with an embattled parapet and a small leaded spire. ‘The west doorway, with a pointed arch in a square head and tracery in the spandrels, the west window above, and the four bell-chamber lights are all of the late 15th century, the date of the tower itself, The vaulting of the ground stage is modern. The north aisle has at the north-east angle a newel stair to the rood-loft, approached by a 15th-century doorway with a four-centred head and continuously moulded, and opening at the upper end by a plain splayed four-centred archway. The two three-light windows in the north wall are of the late 15th century, with a i? Century Zo 50 40 —cinguefoiled heads, and are very 14!°Century much restored, A two-light 3915” Cont. | Jeg of Feet window in the west wall is Co Modern LES (UZ probably a little carlier, but is J also restored. The north door- Pian of Lirrte Muspen Cuurcn return ends. The openings of the windows of the north chapel are of the 15th century, but the windows are otherwise modern. Of the low two-centred arch leading to the aisle only the north jamb is original, It is filled by a screen of the late rsth century, of three bays, with open upper panels with tracery and solid lower panels. The roof of the chapel is an early 16th-century king-post roof, much repaired. The nave has a north arcade of three bays, of which the two eastern arches are of about 1360, of two chamfered orders and supported on an octagonal column and half-octagonal responds, of which the western abuts on a jamb of the 11th century, one of the two of that date which support a modern two-centred arch, the third of the arcade. These jambs have abaci roughly cable-moulded, and the eastern is set in pink mortar, which does not appear elsewhere in the church. In the easternmost respond of the arcade are three niches, those at the side higher than that in the centre and trefoiled, while the centre one is cinquefoiled ; all three have crocketed labels and small pinnacles at the sides. In that on the north side is a portion of a small female figure. On the way is of the 15th century, and has a four-centred head con- tinuously moulded with the jambs. The north porch is modern. ‘The tomb under the eastern arch in the north wall of the chancel is that of a knight and his lady, with recumbent effigies on an altar tomb with panelled sides, of about 1440. The knight is in full plate armour, with a finely carved girdle and collar, and wears a rich and heavy orle on his uncovered head, which rests on his great helm. His fect rest on a lion. The lady, whose arms are broken away, wears a square headdress. The tomb is probably that of Philip Thornbury, who died about 1457. Under the western arch of the same wall is another altar tomb of the late 14th century, probably that of Sir John Thornbury, who died about 1396. It has large shields in square quatrefoiled panels, alternating with niches contain- ing small figures. One of the shields bears the arms of Thornbury. The effigies are those of a knight and lady. The former wears plate armour with a pointed basinet and a camail. The head rests on the great helm and the feet on a lion, while the head of the lady, who wears a honeycombed headdress, is supported by figures, now broken away, and her feet rest on a lap-dog. The figures are in very bad con- dition, the arms of both being gone, and many names being scratched upon them, but there are traces of gilding on the effigy of the knight. In the north wall of the north chapel is a tomb-recess of the 15th century. There are six bells: (1) by Miles Graye, 1629 ; (2) a mid-15th-century bell, inscribed ‘Sancte Petre 134 Litrte Munpen Cuurcn : Tomas in tue Cuancen BROADWATER HUNDRED ora pro nobis” and maker's mark D. I. (John Danyell) ; (3) by J. Briant, 1816 ; (4) amid-15th-century bell, with inscription ‘Sit nomen Domini benedictum’ and the royal arms, which is probably also by John Danyell; (5) by Warner & Sons, 1859; and (6) modern. The plate consists of a silver chalice and a silver paten ; there is also a flagon. The registers begin in 1680, and are contained in two books : (i) baptisms 1610 to 1812, burials 1680 to 1812, marriages 1680 to 1753; (ji) marriages 1754 to 1812. The advowson of the church be- longed to the lords of the manor until about 1818, when it was sold to Francis Riddel Reynolds, who presented in 1819.5 He sold it about 1830 to the Rey. C. Jollands,® who continued to hold it until 1867, when it was acquired ADVOI'SON LITTLE MUNDEN Meeting-places for Protestant Dissenters in Little unden were registered from 1709 onwards. In 1809 a chapel was registcred,! but there is now no Nonconformist place of worship in the parish. his parish was in possession of CHARITIES detached pieces of land and cottages which were supposed to have been derived under a devise by will of Ralph Fordham, dated in 1591. The land and two cottages were sold in 1886, and the proceeds invested in £399 55. consols with the official trustees, producing £9 19s. 4d. yearly. In the parliamentary returns of 1786 it is stated that donations amounting to £60, being the gifts of Thomas Hall, 1643, John Kent, 1665, and others, were made for bread to the poor. These gifts are now represented by £69 9s. 4d. consols with the official trustees, producing {1 14s. 8d. yearly. In 1883 George Pooley by his will, proved at Lirtte Munpen Cuurcu: Tue Nave rooxinc Norta-asr by Lieut.-Col. Loyd.’ The latter died about 1891, when the advowson passed to his wife, who held it until 1900.8 It continued in the hands of her trustees for the next two years, after which it came into the possession of Mr, Llewellyn Loyd, the present patron.® Early in the 13th century a vicarage seems to have been endowed, for upon the presentation of Andrew de Scales by William de Scales, which must have occurred shortly before 1209, a vicarage was reserved to William de Standon. This vicarage consisted of 1 acre of land, the tithes of the whole parish, and of the vill of Haultwick.!° This arrangement seems to have been only temporary. In 1335 William de Munden had licence for an oratory in his manor in the parish of Munden Frevill."" +See refe. under manor; Inst. Bks. © Ibid. (P.R.O.) ; Bacon, Liber Regis. 7 Clergy List 5 Clerical Guides 9 Ibid. London 29 June, bequeathed £1,000, the income to be applied towards the maintenance and support of the poor under the title of ‘The George and Mary Ann Pooley Trust.’ The legacy was invested in £984 0s. 2d. consols with the official trustees, producing £24 12s. yearly. The income of these charities was in 1908 applied mainly in bonuses to members of coal and clothing clubs, interest on children’s bank, and in temporary relief in money. In 1906 Joseph Singleton by will, proved 25 June, left a legacy, represented by £269 125. 8d. consols with the official trustees, the annual dividends, amount- ing to £6 14s. 8d, to be applied in bread (or in such way as minister approves) for poor of sixty years of age and upwards on 1 January yearly. 0 Rot, Hug. Wells (Cant. and York Soc.), Linc. Epis, Reg. Burghersh. 8 Ibid. i, 94. © Urwick, op. cit. 600, 135 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE SACOMBE Suevecampe, Sevechampe, Stuochampe (xi cent.) ; Savecampe, Sawecampe, Sevechaumpe (xiii cent.) ; Savecampe (xiv cent.) ; Savecome, Sawcompe (xv cent.). The parish of Sacombe has an area of 1,534 acres, of which 4054 acres are arable land, 683} acres permanent grass, and 1234 acres wood.' The general elevation of the parish is a little over 200 ft., sinking to below 200 ft. along the banks of a small stream which runs through the centre of the parish into the River Beane. In the north-west Sacombe Hill rises to over 300 ft., and in the north-east at Sacombe Green the land reaches a height of 362 ft. In the west the parish takes in a large portion of Woodhall Park, and the River Beane flowing out of this passes through the south of Sacombe parish for a short distance. The road from Benington to Ware runs through the parish from north-west to south- east, having Woodhall Park on its western side. About the centre of the parish a branch road turns off from it and runs north-east to Little Munden, passing through Sacombe Pound. A road turns east from Sacombe Pound, Icading up the hill to the hamlet of Sacombe Green and branching off to Sacombe Church, rectory, and school, which com- pose all the village that there is. Sacombe House, surrounded by a park of 150 acres, lies south-east from the church. It was rebuilt by Mr. George Caswall early in the rgth century, and was recently the scene of a destructive fire. urr’s Green is a hamlet in the south of the parish. The subsoil of the parish is chalk in the west and north and Woolwich and Reading Beds in the east. There is a chalk-pit beside the road to Sacombe Green, a disused one north of Woodhall Park, and another disused one, with an old kiln, on the west side of Sacombe Park. The nearest stations are Hertford, 4 miles south, and Ware, the same distance south- east, both on a branch line of the Great Eastern railway. The inclosure award was made in 1852, and is in the custody of the clerk of the peace.? Place-names which occur in the parish are Reddinges, Blindman’s Hill, Crossefield, Great Emdell Field, Emden Spring, Charden, and Mobsden. In the time of Edward the Confessor there were two manors in Sacombe. The larger, held by Elmer of Benington, was te at 4 hides. Besides the manor there were MANOR hide and 1 virgate held by four of Almer’s sokemen, data 5 virgates held by a certain woman under Anschil of Ware, one of which was mortgaged to Elmer. The othe,” manor, consisting of 1 hide 3 virgates, was held by Lewin, a thegn of King Harold. Both these | Statistics from Bd. of Agric. (1905). ? Blue Bk, Incl. Awards, 63. 3 VCH, Herts. iy 3374. 4 Ibid. 3054, 3 Ibid. 3438 © Chan. Ing. p.m. 37 Hen. III, no. 45 5 Plac. de Quo Warr. (Rec. Com.), 281. * Chan. Ing. p.m. tr Edw. I, no. 49. ni > Cal. Pat. 1281-92, p. 603 Assize R. 325. no. 1 Clutterbuck, op. cit. ii, 422. 13 Chan. Ing. p.m. 8 Edw. II, no. 18, M Cal. Close, 1313-18, p. 121. % Chan, Ing. pm, 7 Edw. HII (1st bid. 14 Edw. IL, no. 25. bid. 4 Edw. III (2nd nos.), no. 323 — nos.), no. 43. manors were granted by William the Conqueror to Peter de Valognes, who held them as one manor assessed at 8 hides,! the assessment having seemingly increased half a hide. Half a virgate held by Aluric Blac of Stigand, and in 1086 by Anschil of Stigand’s successor,‘ and another half-virgate held in 1086 and before by a sokeman of the king* were probably absorbed in the manor of Sacombe. The manor, held of the king in chief by knight service, passed to the descendants of Peter de Valognes in the same way as his chief manor of Benington (q.v.) until the death of Christiane de Valognes and her husband William de Mandeville. The Valognes’ estates were then divided between the three heirs : Lora, the wife of Henry de Balliol, Christiane, wife of Peter de Maune, and Isabel, who was married to David Comyn. Sacombe was apportioned to Isabel, the youngest, and passed upon her death, about 1253, to her son William Comyn.® William died about 1283, and his son John being a minor, custody of two thirds of the manor was granted to Matthew de Columbars, and shortly after, at the request of the latter, to John de Gisorz, citizen of London, for four years.’ In 1284 the remaining third was confirmed to William Comyn’s widow Eufemia in dower, on her taking an oath not to marry again without the king’s licence? She broke her oath, however, and the king took the third part of the manor back into his hands before her death, which occurred about 1289."" Her son John Comyn came of age in 1286-7,"' and probably held the manor, but he died soon after and Sacombe passed to Edmund Comyn, said to have been his brother,'? who died seised of it about 1314. The latter left two infant daughters and a widow Mary, who held a third of the manor in dower. She afterwards forfeited it."* Sacombe was eventually divided between the two daughters, the elder of whom, Eufemia, was holding it in 1320 (then aged fourteen years), at which time she was the wife of William de la Beche.!® The moiety was settled in 1330 on William and Eufemia for their lives and the heirs of Eufemia.”” William died in 1333, leaving a son John.” Eufemia continued to hold the moiety, and in 1334 received licence to have an oratory in her house at Sacombe.” She married secondly John de Walkefare, who died abroad in 1345, leaving a son John.™ Apparently, however, both these sons died young, for upon Eufemia’s death in 1361 her lands passed to her daughter Elizabeth, the wife of Roger de Elmerugge (Elmbridge).” Eufemia’s sister. Mary Comyn, who received the other moiety of Sacombe Manor, was married by licence of the king to Edmund de Pakenham while Cal, Pat. 1430 4, p43 5 Feet of F. Div, Co. Trin. § Edw. HII, no. 83. Chan. Ing. p.m. 7 Edw. HT (1st nos.), no. 34. Gal, Clue, AR pu ea Tints Epis. Rep: Buguari, 29 Chan Ing. p.m. 1g Edw. II, no. 24 5 Cal. Clore, 1346-9, p. 9 i | Chan. Ing. pm. 3§ Edw. UI (1st 136 BROADWATER HUNDRED she was still under age. He died in 1351,” leaving a son Thomas. Mary conveyed her moiety of the manor to her sister Eufemia in 1355,” so that the whole manor came to Eufemia’s daughter Elizabeth and Roger de Elmerugge in 1361." Roger died in 1375,” and in the next year Elizabeth sold Sacombe to John de Holt and Alice his wife.” Sir John Holt was involved on the king’s side in the rebellion of 1387, when the royal army under Robert Duke of Ireland was defeated. He was among the five judges sentenced by Parliament to be hanged, but, the sentence being remitted, he with the rest was banished to Ireland and his estates forfeited.” Sacombe thus came into the king’s hands in 1388." Upon Sir John Holt’s death, however, in 1419, or perhaps before, it was restored to his son Hugh.” Hugh Holt died in 1420 and Sacombe passed to his brother Richard,” who sold it in the same year to Robert Babthorpe."! The manor-house at that time contained a hall, ‘five chambers high and low, and a house for the making of tiles.’** Robert Babthorpe died in 1436, and the manor came to his son Ralph. From Ralph Babthorpe it passed to his son Robert in 1455," and to Robert’s son Ralph in 1466. Ralph died in 1490, leaving a daughter Isabel, who was married to Sir John Hastings," and died in 1495.” Her heir was her ‘kinswoman’ Isabel Plompton, daughter of Robert Babthorpe, who seems most pro- bably to have been her first cousin, but was possibly her aunt.* This Isabel was married to William Plompton, and was holding the manor as his widow in 15472° She died in 1552," and Sacombe passed to her grandson William Plompton, who in 1593 conveyed the manor to Sir Philip Boteler of Watton Woodhall." At Sir Philip’s death in 1607 Sacombe came to his widow Jane,” and after her death to his grandson Robert Boteler," from whom it passed in 1623 to his daughter Jane,“ who married John, after- wards Lord Belasyse of Worlaby.® The latter is said to have sold Sacombe, owing to pecuniary embarrassment, to Sir John Gore,** who seems to have been in possession of it in 1669. In 1688 it was purchased from him with the manor of Temple Chelsin by Sir Thomas Rolt,# formerly president of the East India Company and Governor of Bombay, from whom it passed to his son Edward“ in 1710, Edward Rolt, who was M.P. for Chippen- SACOMBE ham, was succeeded by his son Thomas, who was holding the manor in 1728* and died in 1754, leaving a son Thomas, of the 1st Guards, who was killed in action in 1758, when Sacombe seems to have come to his youngest sister Mary Constantia Rolt,? who married Timothy Caswall of the Guards, Rown, Argenta bend sable with three dolphins argent thereon having golden crowns. Caswatt, Argent three gine! bars table MP. for Brackley. He was a personal friend of Pitt, who used to visit him at Sacombe, and was there with Dundas, his Home Secretary, at the critical time when Lord Gower, ambassador in Paris, fleeing from the French Revolution, hastened to them (2 Septem- ber 1792), before proceeding to the king. The bust of Pitt presented to Mr. Caswall is now in possession of his great-great-grandson, Mr. J. Round, LL.D. He died in 1802 and was succeeded by his son George Caswall, after whose death in 1825 the manor was sold to Samuel Smith of Watton Woodhall, with which manor it has since descended, In 1275 the lord of Sacombe was said to have view of frankpledge, gallows and assize of bread and ale. In 1278 William Comyn claimed in his manor of Sacombe all liberties formerly pertaining to the Valognes’ lands, viz. soc and sac, toll, team and infangentheof by charter of Henry I, and view of frankpledge, tumbrel and amendment of the assize of bread and ale ‘of ancient custom.’ ” In 1287 gallows and free warren were claimed in addition.® In 1361 court leet was held at Whitsuntide.” Free fishery in the River Benwith (Beane) was said to pertain to the manor in 1590, 1609" and 1688, Sacombe possessed a water mill in 1086," which is Chan, Ing. pm. 25 Edw. III (ret nos.), no. 36 5 Cal. Closey 1349-545 P- 449+ % Feet of F. Herts. 29 Edw. no. 442 5 Chan, Ing. p.m, 29 Edw. III (2nd nos.), 1 % hid. 55 Baw. MITT (1st nos.), m0. 43 5 Abbrev. Rot. Orig. (Rec. Com.), ii, 263 5 Feet of F. Div. Co, 36 Edw. III, no. 99. 25 Chan. Ing. pm. 49 Edw. IE (1st nos.), no. 43. ® Feet of F. Herts. 50 Edw. III, no. 669 ; Abbrev. Rot. Orig. (Rec. Com.), ii, 347- * Cussans, op. cit. Broadwater Hund. 1593 Cal. Pat. 1385-9, p. 548. ® See Cal, Pat, 1388-92, p. 80. ® Chan. Ing, p.m, 6 Hen. V, no. 43. 80 Ibid, 8 Hen. V, no, 103. 3 Cal. Pat 1422-9, p. 65; Chan. Ing, p.m. 15 Hen, VI, no. 2. 3 Chan, Ing. p.m. 15 Hen, VI, no. 2 38 Ibid, no. 60. 4 Ibid, 33 Hen. VI, no. 40. % Ibid, 6 Edw. IV, no. 37. 36 Thid, (Ser. 2), vi, 47+ 3 Tid, Ixxix, 277. % Ralph Babthorpe, father of Isabel Hastings, was twenty-two at his father’s (Robert's) death in 1466, at which time Isabel Plompton was three, thus making rather a large difference in age if she was hissister. It, therefore, seems more pro- bable that her father Robert was Ralph's younger brother, who might have married at sixteen or seventeen, % Recov. R. Herts. Hil. 1 Edw. VI, rot. 157. 4 Chan, Ing, p.m. (Ser. 2), xevi, 8. 4 Reet of F. Herts. Hil. 35 Eliz. 4 Ibid. Mich. 10 Jas. I. 4 Chan, Ing, p.m. (Ser. 2), cexcvii, 149. “ Thid. ceccii, 144 ; Ct. of Wards, Feod. Surv. 17; Privy Seal Dake ak xij Recor. Ry Herts, East. 14 rot. 5. 5 G.E.C. Complete Pag “ Riser op. cit. 336. Harl, MS. 5801, fol. 36. * Close, 4 Jas. Il, pt. v, no. 10, Sir John Gore wished to have the bargain rescinded, but the House of Lords decided 137 against him (His, MSS, Com. Rep. vi, App. 353-4). 9 Geealgi, Jans 90%, ps 148, 80 Mon. Ins 51 Salmon, Se elt. 225 3 see also Recov. R. Herts. Mich. 29 Geo. II, rot. 47. 2 Ibid. East. 32 Geo. I, rot. 361. His elder sister Cecilia lived until 1761, but apparently did not inherit, as Mary was in possession in 1759. 8a Hist, MSS. Com. Rep. vy App. 307, 309- 5 Clutterbuck, op. cit. ii, 426 ; Recov. R, Herts. Mich. 43 Geo. IH, rot. 7. 4 Mon. Inscr. 5 Cussans, op. cit, Broadwater Hund. 160. Rot. Hund, (Rec. Com.), i, 192. 57 Plac, de Quo Warr. (Rec, Com.), 281. & Assize R. 325. Clase Jee pom. 35 Edw. IIT (st nos.), 0. Pat. 3 “Bliz, pt. i ® Chan. Ing, p.m. (Ser. 2), cccix, 164. © Close, 4 Jas. I, pt. ¥, no. 10. VCH, Herts. iy 3370. 18 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE frequently mentioned in connexion with the manor,“ and was presumably situated on the River Beane at Mill End In the 13th century the Knights Templars held some lands in Sacombe, Rocelin, master of the order, receiving a grant of free warren there in 1253.° A reminiscence of their holding is found, perhaps, in 1698, when Sir Thomas Holt, lord of the manor, was presented for not keeping the ‘Temple pound’ in order.* There was a hide in Sacombe held before the Conquest by three sokemen, two of them men of Anschil of Ware and the third a man of Aluric Blac. This land in 1086 belonged to Hardwin de Scales,” and was perhaps later annexed to Little Munden. Half a virgate held in 1086 by Derman, and formerly belonging to Alwin Horne,* would naturally become atsorbed in Derman’s neighbouring manor of Watton. All the doors and windows of the chancel and nave are modern, They have two-centred heads, the cast and west windows being of three and the north and south windows of two lights with ‘deco- rated’ tracery, The responds of the chancel arch are of the 14th century with wave mouldings on both sides. The sub-arches are also original. In the chancel is a piscina with a modern recess, with a cinquefoiled ogee head and a sexfoiled bowl, probably of the 14th century. In the chancel are brasses of Eleanor Dodington, 1537, and John Dodington, her husband, 1544, which consist of inscriptions only. On the north wall of the chancel is a monument to the Rev. John Meriton, vicar, who died in 1669 ; and on the west wall of the vestry is a reset tablet to Sir Thomas Rolt, ‘ Agent of Persia and President of India,’ 1710, and his wife, 1716. There is also in the vestry a 17th-century hour-glass stand of iron. There are three bells, of which the first is by John Sacompe CHurcH FROM THE SOUTH-EAST The church of ST. CATHERINE stands on high ground in the middle of the parish. The walls are faced with flint and the roofs are tiled. The church consists of a chancel, nave, north vestry and south tower. The original plan of the 1 4th-century church was the same as that of the present building, and the chancel and nave are of that date. The tower was rebuilt in 1855-6, and the north vestry was added at the same time, when the whole church was restored, faced with flint and re-roofed, A great part of the stonework of this church was brought from the demolished church of Thundridge. CHURCH © Chan. Ing. p.m. 37 Hen. IIT, no. 45 5 11 Edw. I, no. 495 8 Edw. II,’ no. 18; 7 Edw. II (rst nos.), no. 34; 8 Hen, V, no. 103 ; (Ser. 2), cccix, 164. Ses. R. (Her bid. 3428. 8 Cal. Chart, R. 1226-57) p. 415. 1 Herts. iy 4388 Waylett, dated 1722, and the third by James Bartlett, 1683. The plate includes a cup of 1688 and a flagon of 1715. The registers begin in 1726 and are contained in four books : (i) baptisms 1726 to 1773, burials 1726 to 1773, marriages 1726 to 17543 (ii) baptisms 1773 to 18125 (iii) burials 1773 to 1812; (iv) marriages 1754 to 1811. In 1086 there was a clerk among ADVOWSON the tenants of the manor,” so that there was probably then a church there. The advowson has always belonged to the 6 Dimensions : chancel, 24 ft. 6 in. by 16 ft.; nave, 43 ft. 6 in. by 21 ft. 3 in. 5 tower, 11 ft. square. 0 VCH, Herts. iy 3378. Co. Ree), i, 4316 138 BROADWATER HUNDRED lord of the manor.” The church is now generally known as the church of St. Catherine, but the carlier invocation seems to have been St. Mary.” In 1638 the rectory possessed two barns, a yard, orchard and garden adjoining the house, and about 15 acres of glebe.” In 1819 a dwelling-house was registered for Protestant Dissenters under the Toleration Act.” The charity of Rev. John Meriton, a former vicar, for apprenticing, now consists of £260 65. 7d. consols, and £251 15s. 7d. Natal 34 per cent. stock with the official trustees, arising respectively from the sale in CHARITIES STEVENAGE 1906 of land purchased in 1699 with {100 given by the donor and from accumulations of income, and pro- ducing £15 6s. 4d. in annual dividends. The charity is regulated by schemes of the Charity Commissioners, 1881 and 1g10. By an order of 9 March 1905 made under the Board of Education Act the stock arising from accumulations of income and all net income not applied within the year for apprenticing under clause 23 of the principal scheme constitute the Meriton educational founda- tion. The Parish Clerk’s land consists of 3 r. 26 p. of the annual letting value of $5. STEVENAGE Stithenaece, Stigenace (xi cent.) ; Stitenache, Styvenach, Stiveneth (xiii cent.) ; Stivenhatch, Stevenach (xiv to xvi cent.). The parish of Stevenage has an area of 4,545 acres, of which 3,200 acres are arable land, 916 acres permanent grass and 325% acres wood." The parish is for the most part a little over 300 ft, above the ordnance datum, a slight depression in the south being the only part below this level. In the north-east the ground rises to 470 ft., and reaches an altitude of just over 400 ft. in two isolated points on the western border of the parish. The Great North Road runs through the centre of the parish. About three-quarters of a mile south of Stevenage, lying beside the road, are six tumuli, known as the Six Hills, which point to the antiquity of this road. The Great North Road forms the main street of the town. At the northern end of the town it forks, one branch going slightly westwards to Hitchin and the other northwards to Graveley and Baldock. At the same point Julian’s Road turns west to Fisher’s Green. The church of the Holy Trinity is situated at the south end of the High Street ; a road running behind it in a north- easterly direction leads to the older church of St. Nicholas and passes on to Chesfield Park, a branch road from it turning east up Almond’s Hill to the hamlet of Pin Green. From the church of St. Nicholas a road runs west into the Baldock Road, passing the Bury, the Rectory and Woodfield, the residence of Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Butler Fellowes, K.C.B., je. Stevenage Bury adjoins the north side of the churchyard. For a long time it was used as a farm- house, but is now occupied asa private residence by Mr. Algernon Gipps. It has undergone considerable alterations at different times, and a porch and ground- floor extension has been added to the front. The old part of the building is timber framed, covered with plaster externally, the plasterwork still showing traces of flush panels filled with curved basketwork pattern. There are two short wings flanking the back and a small projecting staircase between them. So far as can be traced now, the old entrance faced the super- structure of the chimney, a small lobby being formed as at other old early 17th-century houses in the county, the hall, now the dining-room, being in the centre of the building to the left of the entrance and 11 See references given under manor. Also Rot. Hug. Wells (Cant. and York Soc.), i, 66; Inst. Bks. (P.R.O,); Bacon, Liber Regis ; Clergy List (1907). 7 See East Herts. Arch. Soc, Trans, 1,86. It is so called in the early 13th century (Rot. Hug. Wells, i, 66). the drawing-room or parlour in the wing to the right. The kitchen offices occupy the other wing. There is a built-up window, with oak mullions, in a room over the drawing room, but all the other windows are modern. In a cellar under the kitchen parts of the walls are of flint and parts of thin bricks. Adjoining the house is a square timber-framed build- ing of two stories, with a tiled pyramidal roof, which may at one time have been a dove-house. Part of Chesfield Park, the residence of Mr. Poyntz- Stewart, is included in the north of the parish. The hamlet of Fisher’s Green lies in the north-west, with Symond’s Green about three-quarters of a mile south. Broomin Green is a short distance west of the south end of the town, with Norton Green still farther south. Almost opposite Broomin Green, on the other side of the Great North Road, is Bedwell Plash. In the extreme east of the parish is Chells, with Chells Green on the borders of Walkern parish. The old manor-house is now used as a farm-house and has been much restored, but the fabric of the building dates from the early 17th century. It is a timber-framed house resting on brick foundations, and in plan resembles the letter H. The principal front, which extends to about 62 ft., faces the south-west and is flanked by steep gables overhanging at the level of the first floor and again at the eaves. The wings extend out at the back of the house. The roof is tiled and the walls are now plastered externally, and all the chimneys, doors and windows are comparatively modern. The entrance doorway on the south-west side now opens into the drawing room, which haslately been extended, but it formerly opened into the hall, which occupied the whole of the central part of the building and which had a large fireplace at the end. This fire- place has recently been transformed into an inglenook and the old arch removed. The hall, now the dining room, has been further reduced by forming a passage-way at the back of the house. The old back- doorway to the courtyard still remains with its old plank door, but both are quite plain, As this doorway faces the wide mass of brickwork inclosing the hall fire- place, it would not enter the hall direct, but would have the usual small lobby. At the back of the hall fireplace is a very narrow stair, evidently original, leading to the upper floor. This is lighted by a very small window in the front. Access is gained to °S Herts, Gen, and Antig. iti 74 Urwick, op. cit. 602. 2 Statistics from Bd. of Agric. (1905). 334+ 139 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE this stair both from the hall and from the north-west wing, and there is no indication of any larger stair having existed, though a modern one has been placed in the other wing beside a modern entrance. The kitchen still retains its old fireplace, but it is quite plain. On the side of the upper room next the courtyard are the remains of an old three-light window having moulded oak mullions. This window is now blocked up. Most of the rooms on the upper floor still retain their original wide oak flooring. Pin Green lies rather more than a mile west from Chells, Sishes, near Pin Green, is the residence of Mr. Julius Bertram. Whitney Wood, on the Hitchin road, is the residence of Mrs. Barclay. In q names of streets such as ‘ Pilgryms,’? and a little later «Lycchenstret,’ ‘ Baldokstret,’* * Laschmerstret,’ and «Pavylane,’* which indicates a town of some size. It is clear from the number of presentments relating to innkeepers on the manor rolls that by the beginning of the 15th century it had become the resort of travellers on the Great North Road. Possibly on account of this prosperity and the increasing size of the town we find that about 1405 a number of London tradesmen purchased, probably as building speculations, small plots of land here. Richard Foster of London® had a messuage and 6 acres of land ; John Sylam, citizen and pewterer of London, had 4 acres ‘built upon’; William Rendre of London Whomerley Wood are slight remains of a h moat. had land in Churchfield called ‘ Pyedelacre’ ; William Waldern, citizen and grocer, John Hamond, citizen = oy oe Bere i3) Stevenace Bury: Back View Stevenage is a good example of the development of the Teutonic type of settlement which is so frequently met with in Hertfordshire. The old church of St. Nicholas and the ‘Bury,’ with a few cottages lying about half a mile off the Great North Road, evidently formed the site of the original Saxon village, consisting of an agricultural community which desired to be in the midst of its territories. Probably before the Conquest, but at all events before the grant of a market and fair in 1281, a settlement on the road-side was established, where at the fork of the road was the natural position for the market. The road-side settlement seems to have prospered, and by the end of the 14th century we have the 7 Ct. R. (Gen. Ser.), port 178, aus 54. 3 Ibid, no. 56. 4 Ibid. no. 57. + Ibid. and barber, William Marchford, citizen and mercer, Edward Grymston, citizen and vintner, and others, all of London, purchased small freeholds.’? There is, however, no evidence that Stevenage was ever anything more than a manorial market town, though the gild of the Holy Trinity, established probably in the early part of the 15th century with a gildhall or brother- hood house, may have had some powers in the management of the affairs of the town. Early in the 16th century we can tell from the evidence of architectural remains that the road-side town extended from the point where the Great North Road forks, or a little northward, to the old work- house, an interesting timber and plaster building, 140 Srevenace Bury: Front View Srevenace: Cuetrs Farm rrom THe Souru BROADWATER HUNDRED originally a dwelling-house, which stands opposite the modern church of Holy Trinity. Although a great part of the town was burnt in a fire which occurred on 10 July 1807,® there still remain many interesting specimens of 17th-century timber and plaster houses with tiled roofs, principally in the High Street. The grammar school, the history of which will be found elsewhere,’ stands at the north end of the bowling green. It was enlarged and considerably altered in 1905, but there survives a small rectangular building consisting of one room, probably of the foundation of 1561. It was originally of timber and brick, but is now largely refaced with brick. On the east side of the High Street opposite the green is a 17th-century timber and brick house refronted, with an original chimney stack ; a little southward are a 17th-century inn and cottages. STEVENAGE renewed in brick. In the yard of the latter are the remains of a 16th-century building with a projecting upper story. South of the ‘Red Lion’ isa 17th-century house, partly used as a shop. It has a gable at each end and a dormer window between ; the upper part is of pargeted timber and the lower of brick, plastered. It has an octagonal brick shaft on a moulded base. The main line of the Great Northern railway runs through the parish parallel to the Great North Road. The subsoil of the parish is chalk, and there are many chalk-pits in various parts. : The inclosure award was made in 1854, and is in the custody of the clerk of the peace.’ The manor of STEVENAGE was MANORS granted to the abbey of St. Peter at Westminster by Edward the Confessor about 1062,1 and was entered among the possessions Cuetts Farm rrom THe Norru Towards the south end of the street is a two-storied gabled shop, the upper story of which is covered with basket-work pargeting in panels. The Castle Inn, with the cottage adjoining, originally formed one building, probably of the latter part of the 16th century. They have basket-work pargeting in the upper story and gables. On the west side of the street are several other instances of the use of basket- work pargeting in 17th-century houses; many of them, however, are now refaced in front with brick. The inns called the ‘White Lion’ and the ‘Red Lion’ have timber coach entrances, but much of the old 17th-century timber and plaster work has been 8 Lewis Evans Coll. (Herts. Co, Mus), MS. marked Hitchin. 9 VCH, Hern. ii, 69-71. 10 Blue Bk. Incl. Awards, O44 1 Cott. MS. vi, 2. VCH. Herts. i, 3 Assize R. 323, Acts. 31-2 Hen, VII 4 Dugdale, fon. i, 18 Ibid, 141 of the abbot in 1086, when it was assessed at 8 hides.!? Stevenage Manor remained in the hands of the Abbots of Westminster until January 1539-40, when the -y and its p i were dered to the Crown. At the end of 1540, however, the bishopric of Westminster was created and endowed with the lands which had belonged to the monastery,!® and Stevenage pertained to the bishopric !® until its surrender to Edward VI in 1550,!” when this manor was presumably given to Bishop Ridley of London, together with the greater part of the Westminster lands.'8 It was confirmed to the bishopric of London by Mary in 1554,! and then remained in the 12d, m. 51d.; Mins, T, no. 113. 280, 16 L. and P, Hen. VIL, xvi, &. 503 (33) 5 Ct. R. (Gen. Ser.), portf. 178, no. 62. 7 D. of Purch, and Exch. 18y. 18 Dugdale, Mon. i, 281. ¥ Pat. 1 Mary, pt. iv, m. 16. A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE possession of the Bishops of London® until the Commonwealth. Upon the sale of lands pertaining to bishoprics it was bought in 1649 by Thomas Ayres.21 The latter was still holding it in 1657-9.2? At the Resto- ration Stevenage was restored to the bishopric of London, and remained in the possession of that see until 1868, when it was transferred to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners,2? who are the present lords of the manor. A fair was granted to the Abbot of Westminster at Stevenage in 1281, to be held on the vigil, feast, and morrow of St. John the Baptist (23-25 June), and was confirmed by Henry VI in 1448.8 In 1624 the Bishop of London Westminster Aaney, Gules Sr, Peter's keys or with St, Edward's ring or in the chief. A warren is mentioned as belonging to the lord of the manor in 1393, when John Wheler and others were accused of hunting in it and taking partridges and pheasants. It is mentioned again in 1408, when William Rendre of London was granted the ‘custody and profit of the warren for hunting and chasing hares and rabbits.’ 3 r In 1287 the Abbot of Westminster claimed in Stevenage view of frankpledge, return of writs, amend- ment of the assize of bread and ale, infangentheof, utfangentheof, gallows, tumbrel and pillory.*” The view of frankpledge extended into the tithings of Holwell, Cadewell, Watton, Datchworth, Tewin and Stevenage.3® In the 13th century and early 14th century the abbot held five courts yearly for Stevenage and its dependencies—two in the autumn, two in early spring, and one in summer. In 1271-2 the profits amounted to 43s. 3¢., and in 1320-1 to 691. 20.39 four yearly courts seem to have been usual. From the middle of the 14th century These Matw Roan, Stevenage, siowinc 17TH-cenTuRY House was granted three fairs, to be held on Ascension Day, St. Swithun’s Day (15 July), and on the Friday following.** In 1792 fairs were held for nine days before Easter, nine days before Whit Sunday, and on the first Friday in September.” In 1821 the Sep- tember fair was held on the 22nd of that month,?* and it is now held on the 22nd and 23rd.2% A market was granted to the abbot in 1281, to be held on Mondays,** and was confirmed in 1448.3 In 1624 the day was altered to Friday,®? on which day it was held as late as 1792.3* In 1821 it is said to have been held on Wednesday,™ but it has since been discontinued. ® Cal. S. P Dom. 1623-5, p. 6. ¥ Add. MS. 9049, ps 15 5 Close, 1649, i, pt. xlvi, no. 41. ® Rep, of Roy. Com.on Markets and Toll, i 28 Clutterbuck, op. O- Rep. on Markets and Tolls, were at first held at the feasts of St. Andrew (30 November), St. Denis (g October), St. Matthew (21 September), and at Pentecost, but a little later the first two were changed to St. Lucy (13 December) and the Annunciation (25 March), At the end of the 14th or beginning of the 15th century the number of courts varied, one being held at the feast of the Conception (8 December). The average value of the courts in the 14th century seems to have been about £3, but it dropped during the next century, the Profits in 1499-1500 only amounting to 28s. 74.40 In 1409 it was presented at the view of frankpledge that the lord was bound to have within his liberty a Clutterbuck, op. cit. ii, 440. 44 % Ct. R. portf, 178, no. 54. (2). 3% Thid. no. 56. * Cx, R. (Gen. Ser.), portf. 178, no. 64. ® Cussans, op, cit. Broadwater Hund. $3. * Chart. R. 9 Edw. I, m. 7, no. 45. * Pat. 26 Hen. VI, pt. i, m. 10, 38 Tid. 22 Jas. L, pt. xvii, Cal, Chart. R. 1257-1300, p. 252. 3! Pat. 26 Hen. VI, pt. i, m. 10. * Tid. 22 Jas. I, pt. xvii. * Chauncy, op. cit.; Rep. on Market and Tolls, iy 171. 142 97 Assize R. 325, m. 26d. % Ct. R. portf. 178, no. 56. * Doc. at Westm. Herts. no. 26340-4. “ Tid. 26366-82 5 Ct. R. port. 178, a0. 48-60. Srevenace : Matn Roan Srevenace : Orv House now Gas Company’s Orrices BROADWATE pillory and a cucking-stool and that they were not there to the damage of the community, The bailiff was therefore ordered to supply them. In 1542 it was ordered that the stocks should be amended and “Je kucking-stole and le pillarye’ newly made.” In 1310 the king had a prison at Stevenage within the liberty of the Abbot of Westminster. In that year an order was issued for the justices of gaol delivery to release from the prison one Andrew Baron ‘and to lead him back to the church of Stevenage whither he had fled for sanctuary for larceny, certain malefactors having withdrawn him from the church and taken him to the said prison.’ * The manor of HALFHIDE, of which the overlord- ship is not known, first appears in 1408-9, when it was held by John Chertsey of Broxbourne, who in that year released his right in it to William Skrene,“ probably for the purpose of a settlement. Edmund Chertsey, son or grandson of John Chertsey, “died before 1475, leaving a son William“; Eleanor his widow, however, conveyed the manor to John Northwood and others, probably trustees in a sale, in 1478-9." In the first half of the next century Halfhide came into the possession of Matthew Ward and Alice his wife, who in 1553 conveyed it to John Lord Mordaunt.® The latter was succeeded in 1561 by his son John, whose son and heir Lewis inherited Halfhide with the rest of his father’s estates in 1571,° and sold the manor in 1601 to Rowland Lytton and Sir Henry Wallop.” Sir Henry Wallop conveyed his moiety to Rowland Lytton in 1610, and it descended in his family in the same way as the manor of Knebworth. Free warren in Halfhide was granted to William Lytton in 1616 * and is mentioned with free fishery in 1811, The present farm-house called Halfhide lies in the neighbouring parish of Shephall. The manor of HOMELETS probably took its name from the family of Ivo de Homeley (Homlie), who held land in Stevenage in 1275, 140 acres of which were then held of him by Laurence de Brok. It appears to have been held of the Abbot of Westminster of the manor of Stevenage. In 1305 Robert de Depedene, who was holding the manor in right of his wife Isabel, conveyed it to William de Chilterne.® In the reign of Edward III it seems to have been held by Alice Homeley, whose predecessor had been Robert de Sutton.” Probably it was among the possessions of John Chertsey of Broxbourne at the beginning of the 15th century, for his successor Edmund Chertsey gave Homeleys to Thomas Skrene, with remainder in tail to William Skrene, brother of Thomas, with “Ct, R. port. 78, no. 55. © Ibid, no. 62. 48 Cal. Close, 1307-13, p. 292+ 4 Chan, Ing, p.m. 55 Doc. at Westm. no. 26386. R HUNDRED STEVENAGE remainder to the heirs of Edmund Chertsey.” Upon the death of Thomas Skrene without issue in 1466 the manor passed to John Skrene, grandson of his brother William. John died in 1474 without heirs, whereupon Homeleys reverted to William son and heir of Edmund Chertsey.” After this date Homeleys followed the same descent as the manor of Halfhide.” Free warren in Homeleys was granted to William Lytton in 1616." The manor or tenement of BROMESEND was held of the Abbot of Westminster of his manor of Stevenage for rent and suit of court.* It seems to have taken its name from the family of Brome, who appear in Stevenage in the 14th century. Roger atte Brome held a messuage and half virgate in the reign of Edward II, and was living in 1325," after which he was succeeded by Robert atte Brome, who held it in the time of Edward III. Anabill Brome, who had held 2 acres in Chalkdellfeld before Robert’s time,®* was doubtless one of the same family. In the 15th century Bromesend came into the possession of the Chertseys, and was given by Edmund Chertsey to Thomas Skrene,® together with the manor of Home- leys, with which it subsequently descended.” Free warren in Bromesend was granted to William Lytton in 1616.8 CHELLS.—In the reign of Edward the Confessor a hide and a half in ‘ Escelveia,’ which had once belonged to Welwyn, were held by Alwin, with the exception of 10 acres and a toft which belonged to Alwin Dode, a man of Aluric the Little.* Half a hide in ‘ Scelva’ was held by Aluric, a man of Aluric of Benington,” and a half virgate belonged to Aluric Busch, who at that time was one of Swen’s men and of King Edward’s soke." By 1086 Alwin’s hide and a half had come into the hands of Peter de Valognes, of whom they were held by Godfrey.” The half hide was held of Robert Gernon by the William who held Letchworth and other lands,” while the half virgate had been retained by Aluric Busch, but was held of Geoffrey de Bech. The Scelva or Escelveia of these holdings has been identified with Chells (Chelse, xv and xvi cent.), a manor in this parish.” ‘The overlordship of Chells, however, does not seem to have been held by the descendants of any of these three, for in 1295 the manor was held for a sixth of a fee of Roger le Strange. This Roger, who was the son of Hamon le Strange, married Maud widow of Roger Mowbray and co- heiress of William de Beauchamp,” so that this fee may have been previously held by any of the three families of Le Strange, Mowbray, or Beauchamp. 3 Edw. I, no. 10. 4 Ibid, ; Cal. Pat, 1324~7, p. 91. |. Herts. Stevenage, % Doc. at Westm. Herts, Stevenage, no. 26386, 4 Close, 10 Hen. IV, m. 31. 4 Ibid. 9 Hen. VI, m. 3,45 Feet of F. Herts. 6 Hen. V, no. 38. 4® Chan. Ing, p.m. 14 Edw. IV, no. 42. # Close, 18 Edw. IV, m. 14. # Recov. R. East. 7 Edw. VI, rot. 1005 Feet of F. Herts. Trin. 7 Edw. VI. #8 G.E.C. Complete Peerage, 50 Feet of F. Herts. Hil, 43 Eliz, 81 Ibid. 7 Jas. I. Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), ccclix, 1145 Feet of F. Div. Co. Trin. 13 Chas. II; Recov. R. Hil. 51 Geo. II, rot. 413 Cussans, op. cit. Broadwater Hund. 90. * Pat, 14 Jas. I, pt. xvii, 20. 9 56 Feet of F. Herts. 34 Edw. I, no. 412, 5 Doc. at Westm, Herts. Stevenage, no. 26386. 55 Chan, Ing. p.m. 14 Edw. 6 Edw. IV, no. 25. 59 6 Chan, Ing. 14 Edw. IV, no. 42. ® Recov. R. East. 7 Edw. VI, rot. 100; Mich. 2 Eliz. rot. 7105 Mich. 42 Eliz. rot. 55; Feet of F. Herts. Hil. 43. Eliz; Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), ceclix, 114; Feet of F. Div. Co. Trin. 13 Chas, IT Recov, R. Hil, 51 Geo. III, rot. 41. 6 Pat. 14 Jas. I, pt. xvii, no. 9. ® Doc. at’ Westm. Herts. Stevenage, no, 26386. IV, no. 42 5 Ibid. 143 % Chan, Ing. p.m. 14 Edw. IV, no. 42. 7 Recov. R, East. 7 Edw. VI, rot. 100; Mich. 2 Eliz, rot. 710; Mich. 42 Eliz. rot. 55; Feet of F. Herts. Hil, 43 Eliz. ; Hil. 7 Jas. 1; Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser.-2), ececlix. 6 Pat, 14 Jas. I, pt. xvii, no. 9. © VCH. Herts. i, 336. 1 Thi 1 Ybid. 3334. 78 Thid. 3364, 78 Thid. 3235, 14 Yoid. 333. 18 Thid. 297. 7 Chan. Ing. p.m. 24 Edw. I, no. 66. G.E.C. Complete Peerage. A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE It Chells was assigned to Alice and Thomas Wake, who in 1373 conveyed it to their son Thomas and his wife Maud. Maud survived her husband and held the manor until her death in 1425, when it passed to her grandson Thomas Wake.'? There is then a gap in the records of the manor. This Thomas is known to have died in 1458 and to have been succeeded by his son Thomas.% It was perhaps the latter who conveyed Chells to John Norreys, who died seised of it in 1521.8 John Norreys was also lord of the manor of Boxbury, which manor his son and successor John Norreys sold to Philip Boteler in 1526.% Probably Chells was conveyed to the Botelers about the same time, for it was settled by Sir Philip on his son John,®! and appears in his possession in 1562.° After that date it fol- lows the same descent as the manor of Boxbury ® in Walkern, with which it was henceforward associated. The manor of BROOKS (Brokes, Brokys) took its name from the family of Brok, who held land in Steven- ageinthe 13th century. Laurence de Brok, sonof Adam de Brok,™ died about 1275 seised of considerable posses- sions in Stevenage, of which 300 acres with a capital messuage were held of the Abbot of St. Albans, 200 acres with a windmill of the Abbot of West- minster, 140 acres of Ivo de Homeley and 100 acres of Robert de Graveley.% Some or all of these por- tions were probably known as ‘ Brooks,’ for the manor is mentioned by that name in a deed of the same year by which it was conveyed to Laurence’s son and heir Hugh.°* Hugh de Brok was succeeded before 1294 by his son, another Laurence,®” whose widow Ellen was holding his lands in 1330, with reversion to her son Ralph.®® Ralph’s heirs, who succeeded before 1346, were his three daughters Joan, Ellen and Agnes, the eldest of whom died without issue. His lands were therefore divided between Ellen and Agnes. Agnes had a daughter Joan,! who was per- haps identical with Joan the wife of Robert Corbet, who was holding Brooks with her husband in 1400.! There is no further record of the manor until towards the end of the 15th century, by which time it had come into the possession of Edmund Node.? His wife Joan survived him, and enfeoffed her second son William to the use of herself and her heirs, with the condition that he made an estate to his elder brother, who was also called William. He, however, refused to do this, and between 1493 and 1500 his mother brought a suit against him to compel him to give up rr the manor.3 William Node was holding Brooks in 1521,* and seems to have been suc- ceeded by another William, who in 1564 sold the manor to Robert Ivory. The latter conveyed it in the same year to John Bagshawe.® In 1608 it was purchased from Edmund Bagshawe, probably the son of John, by William Field,’ who in 1614 sold it in his turn to Ralph Radcliffe of Hitchin Priory ® (q.v.). Brooks has since descended in the Radcliffe family,? and is now in the possession of Mr. Francis A. Delmé-Radcliffe, J.P. Ellen widow of Laurence de Brok was granted free warren in her lands in Stevenage in 1330.1 CANNIX, CANWYKES, or BROXBOURNES, was named from its early tenants, and was held of the manor of Stevenage by military service. It seems to have been identical with the messuage and virgate held of the Abbot of Westminster in 1315 by John de Broxbourne.!? His son Richard held the Ravcuirre of Hitchin. Argenta crosslet gules “between ‘evo bends engrailed sable with a label azure over I. 78 G.E.C. Complece Peerage. 7 Ibid. ; Chan. Ing. p.m. 33 E>. IIT (1st nos), no. 40. Dict. Nat. Biog. 81 Wrottesley, Ped. from the Plea R. 74. ® Ibid, § Chan. Ing. pm. 24 Edw. I, no. 66. S Wrottesley, Ped. from 85 Chan. Ing. p.m. 33 nos.), no. 49. Feet of F. Div. Co. 47 Edw. Ill, no. 100. © Chan, Ing. p.m. 3 Hen. VI, no. 20, 37 Hen. Vi, no. 19. 1. (Ser. 2), xexviii, 34. % Feet of F. Herts, East. 18 Hen. VIII. 1 Chan, Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), elxxiii, 72. Feet of F. Herts. East. 4 Eliz. Edw. TT (1st ® Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), ceccii, no. 144; Privy Seal Docket Bk. xi; Cal. S. P. Dom. 1637-8, p. 19; Feet of F. Herts, Mich. 33 Chas. IT; Recov. R. Mich, 1 Geo, Hf, rot. 223 Mich. 11 Geo. II, rot. 185; Hil. 55 Geo. III, rot. 248. ™ Excerpta e Rot, Fin. (Rec. Com. 6. ® Chan. Ing. pm. 3 Edw. I, no. 10. % Harl, Chart. 46 F. 45. re Add. Chart. 977; Harl. Chart. 46 +e © Wrottesley, Ped. from the Plea R. 428; Chart R. 4 Edw. III, m. 14, no, 28. Feud. Aidt, ii, 436. 100 Wrottesley, Ped. fron the Plea R. 428, 144 1 Feet of F. Herts. Trin. +» Hen. IV, no. 1. ? Early Chan, Proc. bdle, 216, no. 19. 3 Ibid. 4 Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), xxxvi, 76. 5 Feet of F. Herts, East, 6 Eliz.; Recov. R. East. 6 Eliz, rot. 153+ ® Close, 7 Eliz. pt. xviii, m. 2. 7 Ibid. 6 Jas. I, pt. xxiv, no. 7. ® Ibid. 12 Jas. I, pt. xxiv, no. 29. Chan. Ing. p.m. Misc. dxviii, 25; Recov. R. Mich. 13 Chas I, rot. 83 5 10 Geo. I, rot. 327. 1 Chart. R. 4 Edw. IIT, m. 14, no. 28. "Mins, Acct, 1 & 2 Hen. VIII, no. 20. '2 MSS. quoted by Clutterbuck, op. cit. ii, App. p. tq; Line. Epis. Reg. Burghersh. Srevenace CuurcH From THE NorrH-East Srevenace Cuurcu: Tur Nave tooxinc East BROADWATER HUNDRED property during the reign of Edward III. It is then described as being at ‘Srewentenwode.’ The same Richard also held a third of a fee in ‘ Kechenbrech” which had formerly belonged to Laurence de Brok, and for which he paid 245." Nothing more is heard of the estate until about 1509, when William Canwyke paid a relief of 40s. for certain land in Stevenage called ‘ Broxborne’ which he had received from Petronilla his mother.“ In 1510 Samuel and Clemence Canwyke sold the ‘manor’ to William Lytton of Knebworth, who died seised of it in 1517." At the death of his son Robert Lytton in 1550 it was divided among his three daughters, Ellen the wife of John Brockett, Elizabeth wife of Thomas Lyttel, and Anne, who married John Burlace.'* It seems to have been divided later among the five daughters of Ellen and John Brockett, for a fifth of Cannix was held in 1599 and 1623 by Sir Richard Spencer and Helen daughter of Ellen and John Brockett,” and in 1604 another fifth appears in the possession of Alexander Cave and Anne, another daughter."® Eventually, however, the whole returned to the male line of the Lyttons and descended in the same manner as Knebworth” (q.v.). It is men- tioned in 1811,” after which its identity was probably lost among the other lands held by the Lyttons in Stevenage. Cannocks Wood in the south- west of the parish perhaps preserves its name. In 1308 John de Broxbourn obtained a licence for an oratory in his ‘manor of Stevenage,’”! probably at Cannix. The parish church of ST. NICHO- CHURCH LAS consists of a chancel, nave, north and south aisles, and north and south chapels in line with the aisles, west tower, north vestry, south transept and south porch.” It is probably built of flint, but the walls are covered with cement. The flat roofs are covered with lead, and the tower has a tall octagonal leaded spire. The tower, nave and chancel and aisles have embattled parapets. The earliest portion of the existing church is the tower, which was built in the first half of the 12th century, and appears to have formed the tower and west porch combined of the original church, which probably consisted of a chancel, nave and tower. Early in the 13th century it is probable that the whole church except the tower was rebuilt and aisles added. The present nave is of this date. The chancel now standing was built about 1330, and the aisles were widened to their present dimensions at the same time. A doorway in the east wall of the tower above the low-pitched roof seems to indicate that the roof of the 14th century was of a pitch high enough to inclose it. The present roof with the clearstory is of the 15th century, when the nave arcades were rebuilt from the capitals upwards, the pillars with their bases being of the earlier date. The bell chamber of the tower was also added or rebuilt in the 15th century, The south porch, if % Doc. at Westm. Herts. Stevenage, no. 26386. Mins, Acts, 1 & 2 Hen. VIII, W Ibid. Trin. qx ni 0. 20. ¥ Chan. Ing. pm. (Ser. 2), xxxii a 1 Chauncy, op. cit. 16 Feet of F. Herts, East. 1 & 2 Phil. 20 Recov, R. Hil. and Mary; Mich. 4 & § Phil. and Mary; 41 Mich. 2 & 3 Eliz. ; East. 7 Eliz. 3 Trin, 21 Jas. I, rot. 55. 18 Tid. East. 2 Jas, of Herts, (Harl. Soc. xxii), 32. 145 STEVENAGE not actually modern, has been wholly restored, and the south transept is modern. The chancel has a modern east window of four lights with tracery in 15th-century style. In the north wall is a window of the 14th century, now blocked up, with three lights under a square head. ‘The inner jambs have an edge-roll and the low rear arch is two-centred with an internal hood mou'd. The south window is like it, but is open and has been repaired externally with cement. ‘The arcades between the chancel and the north and south chapels are of two bays and are of the 14th century. The middle pillar on each side is octagonal, but, while the responds of the north arcade are semi-octagonal, those of the south arcade are semicircular. The bases and capitals of both pillars and all the responds are moulded. The two-centred arches are of two chamfered orders. In the chancel is a piscina now cemented over which may be old ; against the east wall behind the altar is the upper part of a 1sth-century traceried screen, painted over, of which the lower part stands at the entrance to the chancel. The three scdilia on the south side, of cement, are modern, There is no chancel arch, ‘The north chapel has an east window of four lights with tracery of the 14th century. It has an inner edge-roll like those in the chancel, and has been much repaired with cement. The north wall has two 14th-century windows of two lights with pointed heads and labels, and a third window which is modern but a copy of the other two. The first window is blocked externally, but the tracery is visible inside. The second is altogether blocked, only the outline being visible externally. The south chapel has an east window and two south windows like those in the north chapel and of the same date. Those in the south wall differ from the rest in having their inner jambs and arches moulded with an undercut edge-roll and in having moulded labels ; they are repaired with cement externally. Between the two windows is a pointed doorway also of the 14th century. There is a piscina in this chapel, probably contemporary, which has a cinquefoiled head and a trefoiled basin. The nave has north and south arcades of four bays, with octagonal pillars and moulded bases of the 13th century, but the capitals and pointed arches of two hollow-chamfered orders were inserted early in the 15th century. The bases, and the labels of the western bays, are mutilated, the latter for the fitting of a gallery. The clearstory of the 15th century has square-headed windows from which the tracery is gone. The north aisle has three windows in the north wall, the easternmost being of four lights in a square head. It is probably a 15th-century insertion, but the tracery is modern ; the second is a two-light window, with tracery in a pointed head, and is probably of the 14th century, but here again the tracery is modern, Eliz.; Recov. R. Linc, Epis. Reg. Mem. Bp. Dalderby, 117. ® Dimensions : chancel, 39 ft. by 17 ft-5 north chapel, 25 ft. by 13 ft.; south chapel, 25 ft. by 12 ft.5 nave, 43 ft. by 16(t.; north aisle, 13 ft. 6in. wide; south aisle, 12 ft. 6 in. wide; west tower, 16 ft. by 15 ft. I, rot. 725 Visit. 358. 51 Geo, III, rot. 19 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE The third is similar, of the 14th century, and is repaired externally. Close to the west extremity of the wall is a doorway of 14th-century date, restored. The west window is modern. The south aisle has a modern archway in the south, opening into the transept, and west of it a 14th- century window of two lights, like those in the south chapel ; near the west wall is a pointed doorway of the 14th century, which has been repaired ; the west window is modern. The west tower opens to the nave by a 1ath-century arch with shafted jambs on the west side, roughly carved capitals, and a semicircular head with an edge- roll. The east side of the arch is plain. The tower is of two stages without external division. It is of the 12th century, but the diagonal angle buttresses were added probably in the 15th century. It has an embattled parapet and a leaded spire. The west doorway is of the 12th century, but has been much Nortu JUTH me ext 1 C152. | ee Zi rnr || ie E3"Cest E316°CiNt CO Mopern | oe AISLE has been repaired. At the feet of the principal cross-ribs of the chancel roof are carved angels ; the other parts of the church have wood corbels, some of them carved. The font is of early 13th-century date, and has a square bowl, carved with foliage, and standing on a circular stem with small round detached angle-shafts having moulded bases and capitals. There are three stalls in the chancel, and three in the tower, with carved misericordes, dating from the end of the 14th or the beginning of the 1 sth century. In the chancel is a brass of Stephen Hellard, rector, of about 1500, with the figure of the priest in a cope, and an inscription. The date is not filled in, but he died in 1506. In the north aisle are the indents of a man and his two wives, with their sons and daughters, and of an inscription, of mid-15th-century type 5 and in the nave is a slab with the indent of a floreated cross, apparently of the 14th century. Nortil CHAPEL SOUTH CHAPEL Scare or Feer 10 20 30 59 Pian oF SrevenaGeE CHURCH repaired with cement. The jambs have shafts with rude bases, capitals and abaci. The arch, which is semicircular, is of tgvo orders, the outer having an edge-roll. The north and south walls have small round-headed windows of original date, high up, and above the tower arch is a round-headed doorway which formerly gave access to the 1ath-century roof. Over this again is a pointed doorway, which from its position would seem to have opened to the 14th- century roof, but is now outside, above the present roof. On each side of this doorway is a small circular opening in the bell-chamber wall. The three re- maining sides at this level have repaired 15th-century windows of two lights in a pointed head, No date can be assigned to the south porch, owing to its complete restoration. The roofs of the chancel and nave are of the 15th century, of a low pitch, with traceried trusses. The lean-to roofs of the nave and aisles, which are of the same date, are nearly flat; that of the north aisle In the north aisle is a (formerly) recumbent effigy ofa lady. Her hands are raised in prayer, and an angel and a priest support her elbows. The date appears to be late 13th or early 14th century. The effigy is much mutilated, the part below the knees being wanting, and the fragment is now set upright, to the east of the north door. In the chancel is a mural monument to William Pratt, 1629. There are six bells: the treble by John Briant, 1797, the second dated 1670, by an unknown founder, and the remainder by John Briant, dated 1783, 1795, 1783, and 1783 respectively. The fifth bell has been recast. ‘The plate consists of a silver cup and cover paten of 1634 and a paten and flagon of 1683. The registers, beginning in 1564, are contained in seven books, as follows : (i) baptisms 1542 to 1599, burials 1545 to 1598, marriages 1539 to 1598 ; (ii) baptisms 1565 to 1649 ; (iii) baptisms 1653 to 1726, burials 1653 to 1726, marriages 1661 to 1726; (iv) 146 Srevenace Cuurcu: Tue Font BROADWATER HUNDRED baptisms 1726 to 1761, burials 1726 to 1755, marriages 1726 to 1753 ; (v) baptisms 1762 to 1812, burials 1756 to 1812 ; (vi) marriages 1754 to 1765 ; (vii) marriages 1766 to 1812. The adyowson of the church be- longed to the Abbot of Westminster. In the 13th century the incumbent paid a pension of sos. to the abbey.” The church belonged subsequently to the Bishop of Westminster until the ‘surrender of that bishopric to Edward VI in 1550.% In that year the advowson and rectory were granted by the king to Sir William Herbert, K.G.,® who was created Earl of Pembroke in 1551 and died in March 1569-70." Hisson Henry sold the advowson in 1575 to Edward Wilson,” who is said to have conveyed it in the same year to Thomas Clerke. Thomas had a son John, to whom he conveyed the advowson in 1589, John having previously obtained a release of the same from Edward and William Clerke,® perhaps his brothers. He died in 1595, leaving four sons, of whom Thomas was the eldest.” The advowson is said to have been subsequently acquired by the families of Smith and Chester.” In 1664. presentation was made by Francis Flexmere and Allan Read, merchant tailors, and in 1678 by James Goulston,™ who perhaps obtained it for one turn from Stafford Leventhorpe, who owned the rectory about that time. Thomas Duckett presented in 1689,* about which time the advowson and rectory came into the hands of Joseph Bentham, D.D., who presented in 1719.” The latter sold the advowson in 1720 to Charles Baron,’ who presented with George Whorton and Jacob Jefferey in 1723,” and is said to have sold the rectory and advowson to Nicholas Cholwell in 1724. The latter presented in 1725, and he or his son, with Rowland Ingram, in 1733." Ann Ingram, widow, presented in 1737,” probably for one turn, after which Nicholas Cholwell the younger is said to have sold the rectory and advowson in 1761 to William Baker," who possessed the advowson in 1762," and whose son was holding it in 1821. His grandson William Robert Baker sold it in 1869 to John Allen,*® who held it until 1899, when it was acquired by the Rev. Canon Allen. It was transferred to the Bishop of St. Albans in 1906.7 A fraternity of the Holy Trinity in the church of St. Nicholas at Stevenage is mentioned in 1446.8 Bequests were also made to it in 1483 and 1497." In 1558 the Brotherhood House with 6 acres of ground belonging was granted to Sir George Howard. There was a light to the Virgin in the church mentioned in 1512. The church of the HOLY TRINITY, which was erected in 1861, is served from that of St. Nicholas. Meeting-places for Protestant Dissenters in ADVOWSON STEVENAGE Stevenage were certified from 1698. In 1814 a chapel was opened in connexion with the Academy at Wymondley (q.v.). At the present time there are in the parish chapels of the Wesleyans, Baptists and Strict Baptists. Educational Charities.—For the CHARITIES grammar school, endowed by will of the Rev. Thomas Alleyn, 1558, and the English or Pettits School, founded in 1562, see article on ¢ Schools,’ * The National school, comprised in deed, 1834, is endowed with £106 7s. 8d. consols, by will of Miss Charlotte Amelia Hinde Whittington, proved in 1867; £21 105. 4d. consols, by will of Miss Susanna Smyth, proved in 1867 ; and £321 5s. 9d. consols, by will of George Smyth, proved in 1868. The several sums of stock are held by the official trustees, producing in the aggregate £11 45. 4d. yearly. The Consolidated Charities are regulated by a scheme of the Charity Commissioners, 26 March 1909, as varied by scheme of 26 April 1910. They comprise the charities of — 1. The almshouses founded by Stephen Hellard, priest and rector, by deed, 20 November, 17 Henry VIL (1501), whereby certain lands and a newly-built messuage, to be called ‘All Christian Souls’ House,’ were conveyed to the uses of donor’s last will, bearing date 20 December 1501. The trust property now consists of eight almshouses in Back Lane and 13a. 31. 13p. of land with messuage let at £14 a year. 2, George Clerke, will, 1556, being a rent-charge of £2 105, issuing out of Boxbury Tithe, parish of Walkern. 3. Robert Gynne, by will, 1604, consisting of a rent- charge of £1 issuing out of Ditchmore Mead, another rent-charge of £1 10s. out of Maidenhead in Stevenage, £13 145. 8d. consols, and the right of the poor to receive 10 bushels of good grain (commonly called Misleyne or Maslin) charged on Fisher’s Green Farm. 4. John Elmer, will, 1622, formerly consisting of a messuage or inn in Ware, called the ‘Black Swan,’ which has been sold, the share of Stevenage being represented by £414 75. 3d. consols. 5. Edward Swallow, will, 1629, being a rent- charge of £1 issuing out of land at Cottered. 6. Rev. Richard Cholwell, a former rector, by deed, 1773, formerly a poor- house, now occupied by the premises of the Stevenage Gas Company at a rental of £18 a year. 7. Miss Charlotte Amelia Hinde Whittington, for poor, by will proved 1867, trust fund, £319 35. consols. 8. Susanna Smyth, for poor, by will proved 1868, trust fund, £162 35. 3¢. consols ; and 44 Feet of F, Herts. Trin. 2 Geo. III. 35 Exch. Depos. 24 & 25 Chas. II, % Rot. Hug, Wells (Cant. and York — ¥ Ibid. Soc.), i, 21. 2 Cal. Pat. 106, 486; Hil. no. 1330-4) PP. Dugdale, Mon. i, 281. % Pat. 4 Edw. VI, pt. ix, m. 41. % G.E.C. Complete Peerage. ® Clutterbuck, op. cit. ii, 441, quoting evidences of William Baker. 38 Chan, Inq. p.m. (Ser. 2), cexliii, 83. % Feet of F. Herts. Hil. 31 Eliz. %0 Pat. 27 Eliz. pt. xvii, m. 38. 34 Chan. Inq. p.m. (Ser. 2), ccxliii, 83. * Clutterbuck, op i 44 % Inst. Bks. (P.R.O.). 2 2a 36 Inst. Bks. (P.R.O 37 Clutterbuck, op. cit. ii 441 5 Exch. Depos. 5 Anne, East. no. 8 ; Bacon, Liber Regis. 38 Clutterbuck, loc. cit. dences of William Baker. 39 Inst. Bks. (P-R.O.). 4 Clutterbuck, op. ci 4 Tost. Bks. (P.R.O.). # Thid, Clutterbuck, loc. cit. 147 quoting evi- 4 Clutterbuck, loc. cit. 46 Cussans, op. cit. Broadwater Hund. 98. 7 Clergy Lists; information kindly supplied by Rev. W. Jow “8 Archd, of St. Albans Wills, Stoneham, 50a © Ibid. 44.5 P-C.C. 15 Horne. 8 Pat. 5 & 6 Phil. and Mary, pt 1 Archd, of St. Albans Wills, W. ford, 119. 51 Urwick, op. cit, 8 VCH. Herts. 605-6, » 69 et seq, A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE g. George Smyth, for poor, by will proved 1871, rust fund, £762 18s. 10d. consuls. ‘The several sums of stock, amounting in the aggre- gate to £1,672 7s. consols, are held by the official trustees, producing an annual income of £41 16s. ‘The scheme provides that the full number of alms- people shall be eight in number and that every alms- person shall be in receipt of a properly secured income of not less than 5s, a week, either from the charities or other sources, a yearly sum of not more than £58 10s. out of the net income of the charities to be applied for this purpose. The residue of the income is directed to be applied for the benefit of the poor generally, including donations to a dispensary, hospital, &c,, or any provident club; also in contributions towards the provision of nurses, and also to the extent of £10 a year in the distribution of articles in kind and in medical aid in sickness. Charity of Rev. Thomas Alleyn for four poor men.*'—The sum of £5 6s. 8d. is received from Trinity College, Cambridge, and duly applied. In 1668 the Rev. Thomas Chapman by his will devised certain and lands in Be, subject to the payment of £8 per annum, to buy cloth and bread for the poor of this parish, Ashwell, St. Paul’s Warden and Norton. The property charged has been sold, and, being difficult of identification, the payments have ceased to be made. “The Eadon Fund’ consists of £113 95. 64. Tasmanian Government 3 per cent. inscribed stock, arising under the will of Elinor Maria Frederica Eadon, proved at London 4 January 1902. The stock is held by the official trustees, and the annual dividend, amounting to £3 8s., is in pursuance of a scheme, 30 November 1909, applicable in apprenticing a boy who is a baptized member of the Church of England, the income to accumulate until sufficient for the purpose, TOTTERIDGE Taterugg, Titerege (xiii and xiv cent.) ; Tate- ryche, Thariges, Taregh (xv and xvi cent.) ; Tatte- ridge (xvii cent.). The parish of Totteridge is entirely separate from the rest of the hundred, and lies about 10 miles south of Hatfield. It was till 1892 a detached chapelry of Hatfield parish, being an outlying part of the possessions of the Bishops of Ely, lords of the manor of Hatfield. It adjoins the parish of Arkley on the north, and on the south, east and west is surrounded by the neighbouring parishes of Middlesex. The Dollis Brook forms the eastern boundary. The parish has an area of 1,603 acres, of which 20 acres are arable land, 1,424 acres permanent grass and 2 acres wood.! The subsoil is London Clay. The land attains a height of 400 ft. in the centre of the parish, from which it falls towards the north and south to a little under 300 ft., and in the east, towards the Dollis Brook, to about 230 ft. The road from Whetstone to Mill Hill runs through the parish from east to west along the central ridge, and the long and straggling village of Totteridge follows its course. At the eastern end is Totteridge Green, which runs south from the road, towards Laurel Farm. A short distance further up the hill westwards is the church of St. Andrew, on the north side of the road, and Copped Hall, with an extensive park, on the opposite side. Near the hall is a 17th-century timber barn with a tiled roof, and a similar barn is near the church. Further west along the village street are the Grange, the property of Sir Char'es Nicholson, and Totteridge Park, on the site of the old manor-house, the residence of ‘Mr, A. Barratt. Poynter's Hall (formerly when in the possession of the Paget family called Poynter's Grove) is the residence of Mrs. Harmsworth ; the old house called the Priory that of Miss Fo.s. Richard Baxter, the Nonconformist divine and author, lived for a time at Totteridge after his dis- 428. quoting Ing. of 12773 Feud. duds, ii, 8 "De Banco R. 11, § Feud. Aids, ii, 444, 449. charge from prison in the reign of Charles IT. Rachel Lady Russell also had a house in this parish whee she sometimes resided after the execution of Lord Russell. The nearest railway station is that of Totteridge and Whetstone, a short distance beyond the eastern boundary of the parish, on the High Barnet branch of the Great Northern railway. TOTTERIDGE is not mentioned in the Domesday Survey. The first record of it scems to be in 1248, when Hugh Bishop of Ely received licence ‘that during any vacancy of the see four chaplains appointed by the said bishop to celebrate mass daily for the souls of the king and queen, his ancestors and successors, and for the souls of the bishop, his predecessors and suc- cessors, shall receive yearly from the issues of the manors of Totteridge and Brumford, which the said bishop bought for that purpose, 20 marks by the hands of the keepers of the said manors, 10 marks at Michaelmas at the Exchequer of Ely and 10 marks at Lady Day.’ It seems probable that the bishop had bought out the under-tenant and that the manor had always been an outlying member of Hatfield, for as parochially Totteridge was a chapelry of Hatfeld there must have been some ancient connexion between the two places, and in 1277 it was returned as “accustomed to return half a knight’s fee in the manor of Hatfield.’ In the second half of the 13th century the manor seems to have been held by Laurence de Brok for life, for in 1275 Matilda widow of Laurence claimed a third of the manor in dower from Bishop Hugh and had it duly delivered.* Possibly Laurence de Brok was the tenant who sold the manor to the Bishop of Ely. The Bishops of Ely continued to hold the manor ® until 1561, being allowed to keep it when the manor of Hatfield was sold to the king in 1538.° In 1561, however, Totteridge was acquired by Queen Elizabeth in exchange for a pension to the bishop.’ Before MANORS SL. and P. Hen VIII, xiii (2), 904. m. 70d. 7 Gibbons, Ely Bpis, Records, 12; Pat. 4 Eliz. pt. i, m. 12. 148 BROADWATER HUNDRED this a lease of the manor had been granted by the Bishop of Ely to John Brockett, who sold it some time later to Richard Peacock for {1,100.5 In 1579-80 Elizabeth granted the court leet and view of frankpledge and the profits of the manor to John Moore for twenty-one years,” and in 1590 she granted the manor to John Cage, to hold for one- twentieth ofa knight’s fee, of the honour of Hampton Court.” About 1603 John Cage and Richard Peacock had a prolonged iawsuit for the possession of the manor." John and Katherine Cage and Richard their son and heir released their right in 1607," apparently in favour of the Peacocks, for it seems to have descended to another Richard Peacock, who married Rechard Grigge, who was holding the manor in 1678'* and died before 1689. Rechard had fourteen children, and, surviving her husband and all her sons, sold Totteridge in that year to Sir Francis Pemberton and Isaac Foxcroft.!*’ They apparently conveyed it to Sir Paul Whichcote, who was lord of the manor in 1700.© The latter sold Totteridge in 1720-1 to James Duke of Chandos,” from whom it passed to his son Henry in 1744.8 Henry Duke of Chandos conveyed it in 1748 to Sir William Lee, Lord Chief Justice of the King’s Bench," who was succeeded by his son William,” and before 1786 by his grandson, also Sir William Lee, who took the additional surname of Antonie.” Sir William Lee Antonie died in 1815, when Totteridge passed to his nephew John, the son of his sister Harriet and John Fiott. This John, who was a scientist and collector of antiquities, assumed the surname of Lec, and was holding the manor in 1821.” Upon his death without children in 1866 Totteridge was inherited by his brother the Rev. Nicholas Fiott, who also took the name of Lee.* Sir Samuel Boulton, bart., is the present lord of the manor.* Free warren was granted to the Bishop of Ely at Totzeridge in 1250-1. About 1580 the office of keeper of the pheasants and partridges was surren- dered by Augustine Sparks and was granted to John Pratt, with a fee of 4d. a day and {1 6s. 84. for a yearly livery coat. In 1611 the reversion of this office was granted in survivorship to Alban Coxe and John his son.” A new windmill is mentioned at Totteridge in 1277. Totteridge seems to have had courts of its own separate from the manor of Hatfield,” although view of frankpledge is not mentioned in connexion with it until 1580, when court leet and view of frank- pledge were granted by Elizabeth to John Moore for twenty-one years, for a rent of 35. 4d." The 8 Chan. Proc. (Ser. 2), bile. 228, no. 2 Be 9 Pat, 22 Eliz, pt. vii 10 Ibid. 32 Eliz. pt. vii, m. 21. 4 Lansd. MS. 161, fol. 145. 1 Feet of F. Herts. Hil. 4 Jas. I. 13 Recoy, R. Hil. 30 & 31 Chas, II, rot, 121. 14 Chauncy, op. cit. 305. 15 Close, 1 Will. and Mary, pt. vi, 3 Feet of F. Herts. East. 1 *4 Information Smith. 16 Chauncy, loc. cit. ¥ Feet of F. Herts. Hil. 7 Geo. 1; Add. MS. 9434, p. 58- 18 G.E.C. Complete Peerage ; Recov. R. East. 19 Geo. II, rot, 229. 181 19 Add, MS. 9434) p- 58 20 Thid, 4 Thid, ; Recov. R. Trin, 26 Geo, III, rot. 257. 2 Clutterbuck, op. cit. ii, 449- 2 Dict, Nat, Biog. from Rev. »8 Chart. R. 35 Hen. III, m. 2. % Cal. 8. P. Dom, 1580-1625, p. 18. 1 Ybid. 1611-18, p. 57. % Clutterbuck, op. cit. ii, App. 16. 15 2 Mins. Accts. bdle. 1132, no. 10. 8 Pat. 22 Eliz, pt. vii. 81 Assize R. 325, m. 26d. ® Chan. Ing. pam. (Ser. 2), ccexliii, TOTTERIDGE rights of the Bishops of Ely in Hatfield probably extended to Totteridge as a member of that manor.* A capital messuage, held of the manor of Totteridge by knight’s service, was purchased from the trustees of John Cage at the beginning of the 17th century by Hugh Hare and his brother John, who were jointly seised of it.” John Hare died in 1613, leaving his house in Totteridge to his honest bailiff Richard Hare and his wife for their lives,® after which it seems to have passed to his son Hugh, who in 1625 was created Lord Coleraine.* The latter died Hane, Lord Cole- and was buried at Totteridge rane. Gules two bars in 1667, and was succeeded and a chief indented or. by his son Henry, second Lord Coleraine, who died in 1708. At the death of Henry Hare, grandson of the second baron, in 1749 the peerage became extinct. The house is said to have been afterwards the residence of Sir Robert Atkyns, K.B., Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer, but it was pulled down shortly before 1821 and another house built on its site by John Fiott,** lord of the manor of Totteridge. COPPED HALL in this parish is perhaps iden- tical with a capital messuage held in the 16th century by one John Copwood, who died scised of it in 1543, leaving a daughter Sophia.” It seems to have passed soon afterwards into the possession of the family of Clyffe. Richard Clyfe held a ‘manor or capital messuage’ in Totteridge at his death in 1566, leaving it to his illegitimate son William Clyffe or Smyth, with remainder to Richard’s brother Geofirey and his son Richard.* In the following century it was held by Edward Clyffe, who died about 1635, leaving two sons, William, on whom the property was settled, and Edward.” Copped Hall was for some time owned by William Manning, father of Henry Edward, Cardinal Manning, who was korn there in 1808. Since 1875 it has been occupied by Sir Samuel Bagster Boulton, bart., A.LC.E., F.R.GS., J.P., D.L., who has enlarged the house. SERLESFIELD, which is mentioned in 1277," was in the 16th century in the tenure of Richard Snowe, who between 1544 and 1549 conveyed ‘land called Serlys’ to William Blakewe]l and Margaret his wife.* It appears at the same time in connexion with ‘ Beauchampfeld’ or ‘ Beauchampsted,’ which was also conveyed by Snowe to William Bakewell." By 1689 Serlys, then called Searles, had become united with AANA 88 Will, P.C.C. 66 Capel. 4 G.E.C. Complete Peerage. His son Nicholas had presumably died in the E. A. 8 Thid, dxxii, 50. # Dict, Nat Biog, Clutterbuck, op. cit. ii, App. 6 16. “Com, Pleas D. Enr. Mich. 36 Hen. VIII, m. 22d. ; East. 37 Hen. VIII, m, 16 ; East. 1 Edw. VI, m, 5, 6 d. 3 Fast. 3 Edw. VI, m. 13. 48 Ibid. 149 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE the main manor.“ A close or croft called ‘ Dyngleys’ was conveyed by John Snowe, perhaps the son of Richard, to the Blakewells in 1555. “Gladwyns lands,’ apparently frecholds of the manor, were in the possession of William Gladwyn, husbandman, in the 15th century."® After the death of his son John there was an action in Chancery in 1481-2 between John’s widow and executrix Juliana and Joan wife of John Osborne and Agnes Gladwyn, the two daughters of John Gladwyn,® to whom the lands probably descended. In 1548 the estate was conveyed by William Copwood to William and Margaret Blakewell.° The parish church of ST. ANDREW, CHURCH which stands on a hill in the middle of the village, consists of a chancel with apsidal termination, north vestries, south organ chamber, nave, and west porch. The material is red brick. The present church dates wholly from the 18th and rgth centuries, but is on the old site, and in the churchyard is a yew tree 27 ft. in circumference. A church is known to have existed here at least from the end of the 13th century. In 1702 « wooden tower and spire were built to the then existing church, which from an engraving of 1730 would appear to have been not older than the preceding century, and to have had wooden casement windows. In 1790 the present nave was built. The west porch was added in 1845, when the parapets were removed. In 1869 the east wall was taken down and the present chancel built, and at the same time the spire was removed, the smaller vestry and the organ chamber were built, stone windows were inserted, an open timber roof was erected over the nave, and a west gallery was demolished. The larger north vestry was built in 1897. On the north wall of the nave is a monument from the old church to Dorothy Taylor, 1673, and Susanna Turner, 1672, daughters of Richard Turner. The pulpit, of early 17th-century workmanship, was brought here from Hatfield parish church. There are two bells in the gable which are inacces- sible. One is by John Waylett, 1727, and the other by Samuel Newton, 1707. The plate includes a silver gilt cup of 1599; there is also a cup of 1876 and a flagon of 1867, besides two patens of recent date. ‘The registers, beginning in 1570, are in five books as follows: (i) all entries 1570 to 1720; (ii) all entries 1723 to 1746"; (iii) baptisms and burials 1746 to1812 and marriages 1746 to 1753; (iv) mar- tiages 1747 to 1753 3 (v) marriages 1754 to 1789.” he church of St. Andrew at Totteridge has changed its invocation since the 16th century,*! when it was dedicated in honour of St. Etheldreda or Audrey, an invocation evidently borrowed from Ely.? It is suggested that St. Andrew is a corruption of St. Audrey. ADVOISON “ Cate, 1 Will, no. wid. Mich. 2 & 3 Phil. and Mary, and Mary, pt. vi, and Q. iv, 136). ly Chan. Proc, bile, 62, no. 291. 1790 to 1812 (ibid.). € ote 51 Bacon, Liber Regis. © Com, Pleas D. Enr. Trin.2 Edw. VI, ® P.C.C. m. 44. Horne. An entry states ‘no Registers kept from 1720 to 1723 in Mr, Charles Osbald’s time’ (Midd. and Herts. » There should bea Book vi, marriages C. 8 Cromwell; 19 and 22 5 Salmon, op. cit. 59. Feud. Aids, ii, 4575 Pav. Totteridge remained a chapelry of Hatfield, from which it is about 8 miles distant, until 1892, a curate being appointed by the rector of Hatfield (q.v.), In 18g2 it was made a vicarage in the gift of the same rector. In 1650 the commissioners recommended that it should be made a separate parish. In 1638 and 1693 the curate’s house at Totteridge had pertaining to it ‘one orchard garden with a litell Backside contayning by estimacon 2 roods,’ and 74 acres of pasture land.” In 1307 the parson of Hatfield obtained a grant of free warren in the demesne lands of his church in Totteridge.* In 1471 John Sugden, rector of Hatfield, left a torch to the chapel of Totteridge.” Various meeting-places for Protestant Dissenters were certified in Totteridge from 1823. In 1827 a chapel was built, which was still in existence in 1884,°° but there is now no Nonconformist place of worship in Totteridge. The following trusts for the direct CHARITIES benefit of the poor are regulated by a scheme of the Charity Commissioners, namely, the charities of — William Sheppey, founded by will, 1808, trust fund, £2,105 55. 3d. consols. Sukey Richardson, will, 1828, trust fund, £48 35.7¢. consols. Martha Barrett, being an annual sum of £1 135. 4d. received from the Haberdashers’ Company, London. William Campion, will, 1720, being an annual sum of £2 payable out of copyhold lands at Tottenham Court. Waste Lands Charity, being £66 135. 4d. consols, set aside in 1799 by William Manning in considera- tion of permission to inclose certain land. William Manning, being £100 consols, established in 1810 in of fiftieth ‘y of King George III. Volunteer Corps, £36 35. 9d. consols, representing balance in hand on dissolution of corps in 1810. Sir Alexander Maitland, consisting of £73 115. 4d. consols, representing a legacy received in 1820. Louisa Arrowsmith for poor, trust fund, £89 135.74. consols, The several sums of stock are held by the official trustees, producing £62 19s. 8d. in annual dividends, which with the income of Barrett’s and Campion’s charities are applied in the distribution of fuel. In 1789 Mrs. Elizabeth Williams by her will bequeathed £400, the interest to be applied—subject to keeping in repair her husband’s tomb—towards the support of her Sunday school. The legacy is now represented by {539 8s. Id. consols with the official trustees, producing £13 9s. 8¢. yearly, who also hold a farther sum of £234 4s. consols, pro- ducing £5 175. yearly, known as the Louisa Arrow- smith’s Education charity. N. pt ii, m. 305 Fect of F. East. 16 Eliz. ; Bacon, Liber Regis. % Clergy List, 1912. 5a Urwick, op. cit. 607. 8 Herts. Gen. and Antiz. iii, 57 59. 5 Chart. R. 35 Edw. I, m. 5, no. 11. 2 P.C.C, + Wattys. S Eliz. — % Urwick, op. cit. 610-11. 150 BROADWATER HUNDRED WALKERN WALKERN Walchra (xi cent.) ; Walkre, Waukre, Wauker (xiii cent.) "The parish of Walkern has an area of 2,992 acres, of which 1,7274 acres are arable land, 6864 acres permanent grass, and 138 acres woods and planta- tions.! Nearly all the western half is over 300 ft. in height ; the valley of the little River Beane causes a slight depression down the centre of the parish, but the land rises again in the east, and at three points, Walkern Hall, Bassus Green, and Walkern Park, reaches a height of over 400 ft. The village lies off the main road in the valley of the Beane on the road to Watton. It is fairly large and somewhat straggling, the church, rectory and school, and Walkern Place, a 17th-century farm-house of timber and plaster, refaced in the 18th century, Rooks’ Nest WALKERN GrRounp_ PLAN 10 ° 10 20 Smrtiie ct tet Bed the left. In both these rooms the old fireplaces have been built up and modern grates substituted. A south entrance door formerly existed from the dining room. The staircase opens directly into the dining room, and the arrangement of the stair is very similar to that at Queen Hoo Hall, Tewin, and is an intermediate stage between the newel and the open stair ; but in this instance the stair winds round three sides only of the timber-framed newel, which is 2 ft. 3 in. wide, and is lined up to the first floor level with old oak panelling. ‘The panels are moulded, and inside each isa lozenge-shaped inner panel. This is the only old panelling left in the house. At the landing above are some flat-moulded balusters, cut out of 3 in. by 1 in. oak. The kitchen has an old fireplace g ft. 6 in. wide, with a plain lintel, which is partly occupied by a modern range. There is a small parlour between the kitchen entrance and the dining room. The whole of the kitchen wing is formed of timber framing, the timbers being placed close together and filled in between with thin bricks. The chimney over the main building has a group of four square shafts set diagonally on a massive square base; the chimney over the kitchen wing is of wide brickwork, with a plain sunk panel in its width. The roofs are tiled. All the windows on the east front have moulded mullions and transoms formed in cement, and over each is a brick dripstone with returned ends. All the windows on the south front have been modernized. They formerly had oak mullions and diamond-shaped lead lights. Bridgefoot Farm, an interesting and picturesque timber-framed house, stands a little to the south-west of the church, and was probably erected about the Dining Room lying at the north end. There are severale 17th- century cottages in the village, and the White Lion Inn, although much altered, is probably of that date. At the south end of the village are the mill on the River Beane and the early 17th-century farm-house called Rook’s Nest. It is chiefly built of the narrow z-inch red bricks, and is of two stories and attics. It is L-shaped on plan, though a long brew-house projects northward from the kitchen wing. The main building faces east, and has the usual two-storied gabled porch nearly in the centre of the front. At the back is a boldly projecting staircase carried well above the eaves of the main building and finished with a gable. A long kitchen wing facing the south projects from the main building. The main building is divided internally into two nearly equal parts by the massive substructure of the central chimney, the drawing-room or old parlour being on the right of the entrance, and the hall, now the dining room, on 4 Statistics from Bd, of Agric. (1905). of the 17th century. It has been very little altered externally, and internally the old arrange- ment of the plan is still quite clear, though a few partitions have been added and the rooms modernized. The plan is L-shaped and the principal entrance is on the north side, and formerly opened directly into the common living room or hall, but this has been subdivided into a sitting-room, dairy and passage to the kitchen at the back. The beams over the hall are 17 in. wide, and the soffits are carved with a flat geometrical ornament consisting of alternate rows of four circles and four rectangular figures all connected together by fillets. There is no other carved work in the house. The old wide square-headed fireplace of the hall still remains in the sitting room, but a modern grate has been inserted and the sides filled with cupboards. To the right of the hall is the old parlour, with a wide slightly projecting bay window, which is carried up to the floor above and finished with a gable, very similar to those at Wymondley Hall and Egerton House, Great Berkhampstead. Between the parlour and the north front is a small outhouse, evidently part of the original plan. Beyond the hall, and forming the wing of the building, is the kitchen, which still retains its old fireplace, ro ft. 6 in. in width, although it is partly occupied by a modern range. The old seats have given way to cupboards, but the small niches for flagons still remain, as at Upp Hall, Braughing. A small gabled staircase occupies the angle of the L between the old hall and 151 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE the kitchen, but the stair itself is very plain. All the external walls are timber-framed, lathed and plastered on the outside, the plaster being ornamented with the usual large flush pancls filled with some roughly scratched pattern, The roof are steep and covered with tiles and all terminate in plain gables. There is an overhanging upper story on the east side. Some of the windows retain their oak mullions and transoms. The two old chimneys are groups of plain shafts of bricks 2 in. in thickness. Three roads branching to the east run into the road to Ardeley, on the east side of which is Walkern Bury, now a modern farm-house. Adjoining it on the south is a small castle of the mount and bailey type, thrown up possibly by Hamo de St. Clare in the reign of Stephen.? Hamo was, we know, an adherent of the turbulent Geoffrey de Mandeville, and was with him at Stephen’s celebrated Easter Court in BripcEroot Farm-House ‘WALKERN c, | GRouND Scullery | RSise! LAN Kitchen Drawing ‘Cop? {wash House 1136. Although the castle stands fairly high, being about 400 ft. above the ordnance datum, it does not seem to have commanded any large extent of country, and would appear to have been built at Walkern as a manorial stronghold, because that was the head of the St. Clare barony in Hertfordshire. It never apparently had any masonry works, the earthworks being defended by a wooden keep on the mound and timber stockades on the outer defences. The castle was probably destroyed, with numerous other adul- terine or unlicensed castles, in the reign of Henry II. At Clay End a road branches off still further east to Walkern Park, the residence of Mrs. Cotton Browne. Boxbury Farm and Box Wood are in the west of the parish. The parish lies on a subsoil of chalk ; there are many chalk-pits and gravel-pits, especially between Walkern and the Ardeley road. ? See V.C.H. Herts. ii, 118. in 3424 . St. Join Bapt. de Colcestr. lub), i, 28. Herts. iy 286 0. 8 Cart, Mon. St. John Bapt. de Colcestr. (Roxburghe Club), i, 3 Wrottesley, Ped. from the Plea R. 486, ” Information from Mr. J. H. Round. "Ibid. ; Cart. Mon. St. John Bapt, de Colcestr. (Roxburghe Club), i, 147. 2 Ibid. 2c0, 202. 13 Excerpta ¢ Rot. Fin, (Rec. Com.), i, 246, “ Cart, Mon. St. John Bapt. de Colcestr. In 1403 a commission was granted to John Couper of Walkern, John Matmakere of Watton, Thomas Barbour and William Templicr of Walkern ‘to search for certain treasure of no small amount, which the King understands to be hidden in a pit in the field of Walkern called “ Marlepitte,” and to bring it when found before the King and Council with all speed.’ The nearest railway station is Stevenage, on the Great Northern main line, 5 miles west. The inclosure award is dated 1850, and is in the custody of the clerk of the peace.* Place-names that occur in Walkern are Tristrammes Grove, Cheney Hall and Tonecrofts. In the time of Edward the Confessor MANORS W’ALKERN was held by Alwin Horne, one of the king’s thegns. After the Con- quest it was granted to Derman, a thegn of William the Conqueror, at which period it was assessed at 10 hides.6 Derman was succeeded in the manor of Walkern, as in Watton, by his brother Leofstan,® but the two manors did not continue in the same hands. It seems probable that Walkern was the “manor of Derman, which Leofstan his brother held,’ given by William Rufus to Eudo Dapifer, for he seems to have possessed the tithes of Walkern, and the manor appears to have been subsequently held by his successor Hamo de St. Clare,’ who gave the mill of Walkern to the church of St. Mary for the souls of King Henry and Queen Maud and Eudo Dapifer.* ‘The manor passed from him and his wife Gunnora to their son Hubert de St. Clare,® who was living in the reign of Stephen, and who died in 1155.1” Hubert’s daughter and heir Gunnora married William de Lanvaley,!! whose son William married Hawise daughter of Hugh de Bocland,!? and was one of the barons appointed to impose the observance of Magna Charta. Hawise survived William and died before 1233,!% her son William de Lanvaley™ having apparently predeceased her, for his daughter Hawise, the wife of John de Burgh, secms to have succeeded her grand- mother.6 John de Burgh’s son John predeceased his father about 1278, when John de Burgh, senior, was said to be holding the manor by courtesy as of the barony of Lanvaley, of the heirs of John his son.’ In 1281 John granted to Ralph de Hauville, for his service and for 100 marks, 14 acres of the demesne land ‘lying between the croft that belonged to Warin de Waukre and the Greneweye and the Heldeburweye, together with Richard de Boxe, Ralph de Boxe, William de Boxe, William Aumfrey, Godahuge, Stephen de Boxe, Geoffrey son of Adam, Mila atte Holm, Isabella Ruald, Basilia Wlmer, John son of the beadle, and Walter de Boxe, formerly John’s bondmen, with all their issue, chattels and tenements held by them of John in Walkern, rendering therefor two barbed arrows fledged with peacock feathers yearly at Midsummer.’ 8 John de Burgh died shortly afterwards, leaving as his heirs his two granddaughters Hawise widow of Robert (Roxburghe Club), i, 201 ; Rot. de Oblat. et Fin, (Rec. Com.), 372. 8 Burke, Dorm, and Extinct Peerages. 18 Excerpta e Rot. Fin, (Rec. Com.), iy 269; Assize R. 323. "Burke, Dorm. and Extinct Peerages j Assize R. 3235 Feet of F. Div. Co. Edw. I, no. 12, ¥ Cul. Close, 1279-88, pp. 128-9. 152 Bom i aes. Roox’s Nest, Warxsan : East Fronr Oxp Corrace, Warkexn 3 153 20 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE Grelle, and Devorgill the wife of Robert Fitz Walter, and Walkern was assigned to the latter in 1282.19 In 1294 Robert Fitz Walter went to Gascony on the king’s service and let the manor to farm in the mean time to Reginald de Silverle.?° Devorgill died in 1284. In 1313 a purparty of her lands was assigned to her daughter and co-heir Christine,?! who granted her reversion of this moiety to her father,2? then holding the manor for life ‘by the courtesy of England’ of the inheritance of his wife.5 Two years later Robert Fitz Walter granted the re- version of the manor after the death of a life-tenant, John Bensted, to John Lord Mar- shal,4 of Hingham, co. Norfolk.25 Upon his death without issue in 1316-17 it passed to his sister Hawise, the wife of Robert, second Lord Morley. Robert died in 1360, leaving a son William, the third lord, who in 1379 was succeeded by his son Thomas, fourth Lord Morley,” his widow Cecilia holding a third of the manor in dower until her death in 1386.28 The fourth lord, who was Marshal of Ireland and a Knight of the Garter, died in 1416, being succeeded by his grandson Thomas. Anne widow of Thomas, fourth Lord Morley, married secondly Sir Hugh Hastings, and held the whole manor until her death in 1426.5! Thomas, fifth Lord Morley, was succeeded in 1435 by his son Robert,2? who died in 1442, leaving an only daughter Eleanor, at that time only forty-two weeks old.%? She subsequently married William Lovel, who was thereupon summoned as Lord Morley. They both died within a month of each other in 1476.34 The custody of their son Henry during his minority, to- gether with his marriage, was granted to Richard, Bishop of Salisbury, and Peter Courteney.** He died without issue in 1489, his lands passing to his sister Alice,?® who married first William Parker, and secondly Sir Edward Howard,*7 afterwards Lord High Admiral. Shortly after 15063 Alice and Sir Edward Howard sold the manor of Walkern to Sir William Capell, Lord Mayor of London, who died seised of it in 1515,39 and whose descendant Arthur Lord Capell of Hadham was created Earl of Essex Montey, Lord Mor- ley. Argent a lion sable crowned or. after the Restoration.40 Walkern has descended in this family,‘! and is now held by the seventh earl. & Og @ yor® S ORGS Capztt, Earl of Essex Walkern Park is first mentioned in 1360.42 In 1373 John Basset was keeper.’ His name perhaps and that of his family survives in Bassus Green, called by Cussans Bassett’s Green.!4 In 1379 the park had an arca of 398 acres,*° and in 1435 the ‘ agistment’ was stated to be worth 26s. 8¢. beyond the sustenta- tion of the wild animals.4® John Hotoft was keeper in 1427 and John Humberston in 1428.7 It is now of the extent of 30 acres and surrounds Walkern Hall. Walkern Mill was given to the church of St. Mary of Walkern by Hamo de St. Clare in the reign of Henry 148 (see above). In 1313 a water mill was pertaining to the manor," and in 1360 a windmill is mentioned.” There is still a water mill. View of frankpledge, amendment of the assize of bread and ale, gallows, tumbrel, infangentheof and free warren were claimed by Robert Fitz Walter in 1287.51 In 1360 the court leet was held on Tuesday in Whitsun week. The manor of BOXBURY or BOXE in Walkern and Stevenage was assessed in the 11th century at W Cal. Close, 1279-88, p. 1865 Alidy iy 430 Cal. Pat. 1292-1301, pr 85. 4 Cal. Close, 1307-13, p- $235 Chan, Ing. p.m. 6 Edw. II, no. 58. B Cal. Pat. 1307-13, p. 528. Christine is referred to as Devorgill’s co-heir and as being of full age, which implies that there was another daughter then under age. As there is no record of any transaction between Robert Fitz Walter and the latter and yet he seems to have had the reversion of the whole manor, it seems probable that she died whilst still a minor. 28 Cal. Close, 1307-13, p. 523 4 Ing. a.q.d. file 106, no. 4; Fect of Feud, F. Herts. 8 Edw. Ul, no. 1675 Cal. Pat. 1313-17, ps 274. 2 G.E.C. Complete Peerage. % Ibid, * Chan. Inq. pm. 34 Edw. IIT (1st nos.), no. 81. * Ibid, 2 Rie, Hl, no. 34 ® Ibid. ro Ric. I, no. 27. ® Chan. Ing. p.m. 4 Hen. V, no. 49. The manor is said to be held as parcel of the barony of Rye. This barony came to the Morleys by inheritance from the Marshals, and to them through the marriage of John Marshal, ancestor of John Lord Marshal, with Aliva daughter of Hubert de Rye (G.E.C. Peerage, s.v. Marshal), 81 Chan. Ing. p.m. 5 Hen. VI, no. 525 Cal. Pat, 1422-9, p. 391 2 Chan: Ing. pm. 14 Hen, VI, no. 32 Thid. a1 Hea. VI, no. 38. % Thid. 16 Pde IV, no. aa Cal. Pat. 1467-77, p- 603. Thid, earn p48. 36 Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), v, 48. 87 Feet of F. Herts. Hil. 21 Hen, VII. * Ibid. East. 21 Hen. VII. 154 3 Chan. Ing. pam. (Ser. ab, Xxx, 25. ” V.C.H. Herts, Families, 96. “1 Feet of F. Trin. 42 Eliz.; Chan. Ing. pam. (Ser. 2), ecexcvi, 148 ceeclv, 545 Feet of F. Div. Co. Hil. 3 Will. and Mary ; Mich. 5 Geo. I. “?Chan. Ing. p.m. nos.), no. 81. Tid. no. 27. Cussans, op. cit, Broadwater Hund. 34 Edw. HI (1st 1 47 Edw. IT (2nd nos.), 73. 4 Chan. Ing. pm. 2 Ric. I, no. 344 “ @ Ibid. 14 Hen. VI, no. 20, 6 eo rt, Mon. St. John Pare de Coleestr. (Roxburghe Cb) i, 156. “Chan. Ing. p.m. 6 Edw. II, no. 58, ® Ibid. 34 Edw. III (1st nos.), no. 81. ‘1 Assize R. 325, m. 26 % Chan. Ing. p.m. 34 Edw. II (1st not.), no, 81, Warxern : Bripceroor Farm From THE SourH-wesr Warxern Cuurch : Tue Nave rooxinc East BROADWATER HUNDRED 5 hides. In the time of Edward the Confessor 2 hides and 3 virgates were held by Alward, a man of Alestan of Boscombe,® and half a hide by Samar, a man of Alnod.™ A hide and 3 virgates also in Boxe belonged to Benington.* By 1086 Alward’s 2 hides had been acquired by William de Ow, and were held of him by Peter de Valognes,** who had gained possession of the Benington portion,” and Samar’s half-hide was held by Osbern of the Bishop of Bayeux.® These holdings may have become amalgamated, for the only manor of which later there is any evidence descended in the family of Valognes with their principal manor of Benington.® It was held as half a knight’s fee. The first sub-tenant of Boxbury to be mentioned is William de Boxe, who held one knight’s fee in Hert- fordshire of Robert de Valognes in 1166.% Almaric de Boxe was holding land in Walkern in 1200," and his son William sued Richard de Boxe for a tene- ment in Stevenage in 1229.% Richard de Boxe obtained a grant of free warren in his demesne lands of Boxe in 1253.% He appears to have been succeeded by a John le Sarmonner or Sum- moner (see Boxe’s manor of Hoddesdon in Hertford Hun- dred). The heirs of this John were assessed for Boxe in 1303. These heirs seem to have been Thomas de Langton and Richard de St. Edmund (probably sons of his daughters). Richard de St. Edmund apparently left an heiress Margery, who married Ralph de Foxton (see Hoddesdon), and in 1346 Margery de Foxton, with John de Broxbourne, Thomas Ty and John de Blom- vile, was assessed for the half-fee in Boxe. After this date the history of this manor is for a long time obscure. It reappears as the manor of Boxbury in 1521, in which year John Norreys died seised of the manor, which was settled on himself and his wife Katherine.” His son John, who succeeded him, sold Boxbury in 1526 to Philip Boteler,* in whose family it descended in the same manner as Watton Woodhall ® (q.v.) until the death of Robert Boteler in 1622.” Boxbury then came to his daughter Jane, who married John Lord Belasyse " and sold the manor some time after 1638 to Sir John Gore of Sacombe.” The latter con- veyed it in 1681 to Thomas Ashby,” who was still holding it in 1727. Subsequently it came into the possession of William Hale of King’s Walden, who was lord of the manor in 1771,” and in whose family it descended.”* Rook’s 88 VCH, Herts. i, 327). ® Cal. Chart, R. 1226-57, p. 4160 WALKERN~ Christiana de Valognes and her descendants claimed in Boxe the same privileges which they held in their main manor of Benington ” (q.v.). LANGTONS, a manor of which scanty records remain, was probably that part of Boxe which descended to the second heir of John le Sarmonner, Thomas de Langton (cf. Langtons in Hoddesdon). Later it came into the same hands as Boxbury. John Norreys died seised of it in 1521,” and it apparently came with that manor to Philip Boteler in 1526, for Sir John Boteler was holding it in 1562.” It probably became merged with Boxbury. The church of ST. MARY THE CHURCH VIRGIN stands to the north-east of the village on the east bank of the River Beane. It is built of flint rubble with dressings of Barnack stone and clunch, and consists of a chancel, nave and aisles, west tower, south porch and modern north and south chapels.” The original church consisted probably of a chancel and nave. The former has been wholly rebuilt, and the earliest part of the existing church is the nave, Nest, WaLKERN, FROM THE SouTH-wesr which dates from the r1th century and is probably part of the pre-Conquest church, as the walls are only 2 ft. 3 in. thick, and over the position of the former south door is a piece of sculpture of pre-Conquest date described in detail below. The south aisle was added early in the 12th century. In the following century the chancel was rebuilt and the north aisle added. The tower was built in the middle of the 14th century. In the early part of the 15th century the south porch was added, and at the end of the same century new windows were inserted in both aisles, while early in the 16th century the clearstory was built. The north and south chapels were added 14 Recov. R. Mich. 1 Geo, II, rot. 22. % Ibid, Mich, 11 Geo. III, rot. 185. 7 Ibid. Hil. 55 Geo. III, rot. Cussans, op. cit. Broadwater Hund. 4 Ibid. 309a, 55 Ibid. 3365, Feud. Aids, ii, 430. 58 Ibid. 3272, ® Cf. ibid. 430, 433- 5 Thid, 3368, Ibid. 436. 8 Ibid. 3092 59 Red Bk, Exch, (Rolls Ser.), i, 361 5 Plac. de Quo Warr. (Rec. Com.), 2815 Feud. Aids, ii, 430, 436 5 Chan. Ing, p.m. (Ser. 2), xxviii, 34. % Red Bk. Exch. (Rolle Ser.), i, 361. 8 Rot, Cur, Reg, (Rec. Com.), ti, 275+ © Cal, Pat. 1225-32, p. 309. ® Chan. Ing. pam. (Ser. 2), xxxviii, 34. 68 Feet of F, Herts, East. 18 Hen. VIII. © Tbid. East. 4 Eliz, Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), cecii, 14h. “1 Privy Seal Docket Bk. xi. 7 Recov. R. East. 14 Chas. I, rot. 5. 79 Feet of F, Herts, Mich, 33 Chas. II. 155 1 Plac, de Quo Warr, (Rec. Com. 78 Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), xxv 79 Feet of F. Herts. East. 4 Eliz. % Dimensions: chancel, 2g ft. 6 in, by 16 ft. 6 in.; nave, 37 ft. 6 in. by 20 ft. 6 in. ; north aisle, 7 ft. wide ; souch aisle, g ft. 6 in. wide ; west tower, 11 it, square ; south porch, 11 ft. by 8 ft. A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE and the chancel was completely restored during the tgth century. Thus the church as a whole presents a complete series of examples of architecture from the earliest to the latest of the English styles. The east windows of the chancel are three modern lancets. The arches opening into the chapels are also modern, In the north wall is a modern single lancet, and in the south wall is a 13th-century piscina with shafted jambs, and to the west of it three sedilia of the same date separated by detached shafts. Both the piscina and sedilia are much restored. The material of the two-centred chancel arch is of 13th-century date, but it has been rebuilt late in the 14th century. The nave has a north arcade of the 13th century of three bays, with two-centred arches of two chamfered orders. The columns, with their moulded capitals and bases, are octagonal. The bases are much mutilated. At the east and west ends the inner orders rest on corbels on the faces of the responds. The easternmost capital was either recut or inserted in the 15th century. The south arcade is of the 12th century, and is of two bays with semi- @s:century SS lights similar to that in the south wall, and traces are visible in the wall above the modern doorway in the east wall of another window of like date and detail. The south doorway is of the 12th century, and has been much restored. It has a semicircular head and shafted external jambs, the outer order being con- tinuous. The south porch is of two stages, of early 15th-century date, and has an entrance archway with a two-centred head, the inner order supported on semi-octagonal responds and the outer continuous. The ground stage has a two-light window with a quatrefoil in a pointed head in the east and west walls, The vaulting is on the original springers, but is modern. The upper stage is approached by a stair from the aisle, its lower doorway opening to the west of the south door. The stair turret projects externally in the angle of the aisle and porch as one side and a half of an octagon. The upper stage of the porch has one two-light window in a square head in the south wall. Immediately above the doorway to the parvise stair in the aisle is one jamb and part of the rear arch of a semicircular-headed 12th-century window. In a wide recess with a dropped two-centred head and simple continuous moulding is a fine recumbent effigy in Pur- beck marble of about 1220, possibly that of William de Lanvaley, who married Hawise de Bocland. The legs are crossed and the hands are clasped on the hilt of a great sword, The figure is clad in a fine mail hauberk, with a coif and chausses without knee-cops. The long surcoat is parted above the knees, and on the left arm is a long kite-shaped shield reaching from the shoulder to below the knee. (Giszcentury Cmopcrn Pian or Watkren Cuurcn circular arches of one square order. The abaci are plain with one exception, which is cable-moulded. The clearstory windows, three on each side, do not correspond with the bays of the arcades. They are each of two four-centred lights with a dropped two- centred rear arch and square external head. The north aisle has two windows of three lights in the north wall and a similar window of two lights in the west wall. All are of late 15th-century date and are much restored. The pointed north doorway, which is to the west of both the north windows, is of late 14th-century date, and is of two continuously moulded orders. The south aisle has in its east wall a modern doorway to the south chapel, and in the south wall is a late 1sth-century four-light window in a four-centred head. The entrance to the rood stair is from a splay in the north-east angle of the south aisle by a doorway some height from the ground. The stair is intact, and the upper doorway to the rood loft is visible from the interior of the stair, but is quite hidden by plaster on the nave side. In the west wall of the south aisle is a window of three The left leg is broken, but the fragment is undamaged. ‘The figure wears a flat-topped helm with a wide eye-slit and per- forations. On the south side of the south wall of the nave, rather westward of the middle and above the arcade, and so now included in the south aisle, are the remains of a rood of very early date, about 4 ft. 6 in. high, carved in chalk. It probably indicates the position of the original south doorway of the nave, over which it stood, and affords additional evidence of the pre-Conquest date assigned to the nave. The west tower is of three stages with an embattled parapet and spire. The tower arch is original work of the 14th century. The west window is also of the 14th century, and has net tracery in a pointed head, The bell-chamber has single-light windows of the 15th century. On the plinths of the tower are several consecration crosses worked in scappled flints and chalk. The roofs of the nave and aisles are 15th-century work, almost entirely plain. The font is of the late 14th century and is made of clunch, octagonal in shape and roughly moulded. It has plain sides and angle shafts. 156 Warkern Cuurcy: Toma in Sourn Arse BROADWATER HUNDRED In the chancel are the brasses of William Chapman, 1621, and his wife, 1636, with an inscription. On the north side of the nave is a brass of the late 15th century of a civilian and his wife, with a shield of arms of Humberstone ; at the west end isa brass of Edward Humberstone, 1583, and his wife, which is said to be a palimpsest ; it has an inscription. In the north aisle is an inscription only to William Bramfeilde, 1596 ; in the vestry a brass, with an imperfect inscription, to John Humberstone, 1590, and an inscription to Rychard Humberstone, 1581, which is a palimpsest on an inscription to John Lovekyn, 1370. Besides these brasses and the 13th-century monu- ment described above there are two 17th-century mural monuments, the one in the south wall of the chancel to Daniel Gorsuch and his wife, 1638, aclassical composition with kneeling figures, and the other on the south side of the nave to Giles Humberstone, 1627, and his wife, having kneeling figures, arms and an inscription. The small oak pulpit is of the early 16th century. Tt is octagonal, with plain panelled sides. WALKERN William de Lanvaley, the second husband of Hawise de Bocland, gave the church to the monastery of St. John the Baptist at Colchester,” and in 1204 the abbot and monks were ‘canonically instituted and inducted ’ as rectors, saving the vicarage of Geoffrey de Bocland for his life, on condition that he paid them 1 mark yearly.** No more is heard of the vicarage, so that probably after the death of Geoffrey de Bocland the monastery either served the church by one of their own monks or put in a stipendiary. The living was a rectory at the Disso- lution.** In 1546 the advowson was granted to Sir Philip Hobby and his heirs.” After this the descent lacks documentary evidence for more than a century. It is said to have come into the possession of John Cock of Broxbourne, whose son Henry Cock conveyed it in 1560 to Henry Willan of Kelshall, who sold it in 1564 to George Brende of London. In 1587 George Brende sold it to Edward Horne, then rector, who conyeyed it in 1604 to Conant Prowse, and in The chancel screen of five bays is of the 1sth century. ‘The upper panels of the side bays are open and traceried, and the lower are close. The centre is occupied by the doorway. There are five bells, the first being dated 1626, by an unknown founder; the second is by Thomas Mears, 1833 ; and the third, fourth and fifth of 1713, by John Wayletr. The plate consists of a silver chalice and paten and almsdish, the gift of Ben- jamin Heath, rector, 1782. The registers begin in 1680, and are contained in one book : baptisms 1680 to 1812, burials 1680 to 1812, marriages 1680 to 1812." Boxe is said to have anciently been a parish possessing a church. In 1700 the foundations of the church are said to have been visible in a field called the Church-yard, near Boxe Wood.” There is no mention of Boxe Church in the Taxation of Pope Nicholas or the Valor Ecclesi- asticus of Henry VIII, but it is worthy of note that at an early date the tithes of Boxbury were in different hands from those of Walkern. certain Hamo, brother of ADVOWSON Robert de Villiers, possibly a lord of the manor, gave two parts of the tithes of Walkern and a bordar with 2 acres to the monastery of St. John at Colchester. 5 This book hae all the entries written, no new marriage register of the form prescribed by Hardwicke’s Act of 1753 having been obtained (Midd. and Herts, NV. and Q. iv, 137). ® Chauncy, Hist, of Herts, 470. 8 Cal. Chart: R. 1226-57, p. 424. % Cart. Mon. St, John Bapt. de Colcestr. (Roxburghe Club), i, 200. 8 Ibid. 126. 86 Valor Eccl. (Rec. Com.) iv,278. A grant of the rectory in Robert Tyrwhitt at the price of one year’s purchase may have lasted until the time when the advowson was disposed of Warkern Cuurcu From THE SourH-wesr 1609 the latter sold it to Agnes Wardley, widow. Five months later she conveyed it to William Hum- berstone of Digswell, who sold it before 1632 to Daniel Gorsuch. It was afterwards purchased by Andrew Gardiner, who conveyed it in 1669 to the Rev, Samuel Gardiner," who presented in 1686." It was purchased from him in 1702 by King’s Col- lege, Cambridge,” the present patrons.” The tithes of Boxbury belonged to St. Alban’s Abbey before the Dissolution, and were leased in 1518 to William and Alice Day for forty years from July 1531. William and Alice sold their interests in 1519 to John Norreys, after whose death they were to come 1545 to. Sir 30 88 Inst. Bks. (P.R.O.). 8 Close, 1 Anne, pt. ix, no. 5. % See Inst. Bks. (P. 157 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE to Robert Hocknell. The latter complained that two years after this George Clarke of Walkern purchased the tithes and took them by force while Hocknell was away in France, and continued to do so.” Hock- nell’s suit appears to have been successful, for he is mentioned as holding them later.* The abbey leased them in 1539 to John Rotherham,™ but Henry VIII granted them in 1544 to Richard Bowle, barber- surgeon, and John Howe, grocer, of London.* In the 17th century the tithes seem to have been paid partly to Walkern and partly to Stevenage, presumably according to the parish in which the lands lay. In 1671 the tithes of Boxwood, held by John or Thomas Harvey, were paid to Walkern,” and in 1728 tithes from part of Boxbury, owned by Thomas Adams, were paid to Stevenage.” Mary Adams was holding this land in 1748.% In 1783 tithes in the manor of Boxbury were conveyed by Rose and Mary Nicolls to Richard Down.” Meeting-places of Protestant Dissenters in Wal- kern were certified from 1699. A Congregational chapel was built in 1810, which still exists, and there is also a Baptist and a Wesleyan chapel in the parish. The charities subsisting in this CHARITIES parish have by a scheme of the harity Commissioners, 8 March 1907, been consolidated and placed under the administration of one body of trustees. They comprise the charities of :— An unknown donor No. 1, mentioned in the Par- liamentary returns of 1786, consisting of 3a. Ir. 31 p., known as Cadcroft Field, and 1 a. known as Brockwell Shot, in Walkern, of the annual rental value of £6. Unknown donor No. 2, consisting of 1a. 2 r. 20 p. in Yardley, let at £3 a year, known as Leycroft, comprised in deed of 24 January 1707. Unknown donor No. 3, being a rent-charge of 6s. 84. for the poor, vested in the rector of Walkern ; and the charity of John Izard Pryor, being £108 115. consols, with the official trustees, derived from will proved at London 13 July 1861, producing £2 145. yearly. The scheme provides that the yearly income of the charities shall be applied for the benefit of the poor in such way as the trustees may consider most conducive tothe ion of provi abits, including di i to any dispensary, infirmary, provident club, provision of nurses, &c., or in distribution of articles in kind. WATTON-AT-STONE Wodtone, Wattune (xi cent.). The parish of Watton has an area of 3,585 acres, of which 1,912} acres are arable land and 670 acres permanent grass.' It attains a height of over 300 ft. in the north, slopes downwards towards the south, but rises again to 300 ft. in the south-west. The River Beane flows through the parish from the north-west, and through Woodhall Park, where it is artificially widened. The church stands a little to the west of the road from Stevenage to Hertford, but the village lies along the road. There are in this part one or two late 16th-century houses, notably a timber and plaster house in the middle of the village on the north side of the road, now much repaired, but still retaining an oak door frame and some original beams. On the south side of the road are some 17th-century timber and plaster cottages with overhanging upper stories, one of which is thatched. Watton Place, now a farm-house, stands beside the main road at the north end of the village. It consists of a main building of two stories and a low kitchen wing, forming an L-shaped plan. ‘The front part of the main building, above the ground floor, is timber- framed, and overhangs the wall below, the upper part being divided into three equal gables. All the other walls are of brickwork, the old bricks being two inches thick. The building has been much altered both outside and inside, so that not many features of architectural interest remain. It was probably erected towards the close of the 16th century. There are some good brick chimneys on the main building consisting of a row of three shafts, a fourth, which was no doubt formerly there, having disappeared. The front shaft is circular with a large moulded twist, the * Ct. of Req. bile. 12, no. 67. 8 [. and P. Hen. VII, xix (1), 1035 (23) * Convent, Leases, Herts, 16. % L. and P. Hen (25). % Exch. Dep. 23 Chas. % Salmon, Mist, of He capital consisting of triangular projections corbelled out; the second shaft is octagonal with moulded capital ; the third is missing ; the fourth is circular, with a moulded octagonal capital: the upper part of the shaft is covered with raised mouldings forming a honeycomb pattern, the lower part is twisted. The interior of the house has been so much altered that it is not possible to trace the original plan. Most of the work appears to be of the 18th century or later. A part of the old cellar still exists under the main building. It is approached from a doorway outside. Immediately opposite the door and only a few feet from it, over the stair, is a small shallow niche with arched head, and in the cellar itself are a number of similar niches in the walls. These are about 14 in. wide by 1 ft. ¢in. high, and 7 in. deep, and have four-centred arches of brick plastered. There are thirteen or fourteen of these niches, all about 2 ft. 8 in. from the lor. There is besides a large square-headed aumbry 2 ft. wide and 1 ft. 9 in. deep, with an oak frame round the opening and oak lining inside. The door has disappeared. These niches are very similar in shape and size to those in the cellars at Wymondley Bury and Delamere, Broom Hall is a late 16th-century farm-house in the north-west of the parish. It is a rectangular building of brick in two stories, and with a small porch. The windows of the first floor have brick mullions. At Watton Green, and a little south of the Green, and at Well Wood, are homestead moats, and in Chapel Wood there are some defensive earthworks. Bardolphs, the ancient manor, with Bardolphspark Wood, is situated east of the village, a short distance north of Woodhall Park, which is in the south-east of VIL, xix (1), 1035 % Recov. R. Mich. 22 Geo. II, rot. 168. ® Feet of F. Herts, Hil. 23 Geo. III. 1 Urwick, op. cit. 615-16. 1 Statistics from Bd. of Agric. (1905), I, East. no. 24. 92. 158 BROADWATER the parish. The hainlet of Whempstead lies in the north-east, about half-way between Watton and Little Munden. Watkins Hall, in the south of the parish, has been rebuilt, but an old beam over the entrance bears the inscription ‘Watton Hall a/ias Watkins Hall LM. 1636. The parish lies on a subsoil of chalk. There is a chalk-pit south of Watkins Hall, and two now disused north of the village. No railway passes through the parish, the nearest station being Knebworth, 34 miles to the west. Watton was anciently Crown land, and was of the extent of about 10 hides. Of these, 44 hides were granted to the abbey of Westminster by King Edgar,!* and confirmed to that monastery by Edward the Confessor? (vide infra). During the reign of the latter the remaining 5 hides, which apparently formed the manor of MANORS Warton Pace: WATTON, were held by Alwin Horne, one of the king’s thegns.’ In 1086 it was held of the king by two thegns named Derman and Alward.' The service by which the manor wassubsequently held was the petty serjeanty of sending one foot-soldier equipped with bow and arrows to the army of the king in Wales for forty days’ In 1394 the service is said to be for fifteen HUNDRED | warron-at-sronE days in Scotland, or 13s. 4. rent and 25. a year payable at the two sheriffs’ tourns in the hundred of Broadwater.® In the 15th century it was held for a quarter of a knight’s fee’; it continued to be held of the king in chief by fealty and rent.* Of the two sub-tenants of Watton in 1086, Alward apparently died without heirs, for the whole manor was held by the descendants of Derman. Derman’s heir was his brother Leoftan,? whose son Ailwin or Elwyn was the father of Henry, first Mayor of London" and lord of the manor of Watton." Henry is first mentioned in 1 164-5,’ Acuriox, Gules @ flour de lis argent. Front View and died in 1212.'" His nearest heir was a grand- daughter, the daughter of his eldest son, who was first married to Ralph le Parmenter and afterwards (§ October 1212) to William Aguillon," whose son * Robert became lord of the manor before 1248.1 Robert Aguillon died about 1286, leaving as his heir his daughter Isabel, who was betrothed to la Dugdale, Mon. i, 292. 2 Cott. Chart. vi, 2. 3 VCH, Herts. i, 3426 4 Ibid. 3 Red Bh, Exch, (Rolls Set.), ii, 507 5 Testa de Nevill (Rec. Com.), 266, 2705 Assize R. 323; Chan. Ing. p.m. 14 Edw. I, no. 16, m. 135 32 Edw. I, no. 64 5 17 Edw. II, no, 39. ® Fine R. 18 Ric. 11; Chan, Ing. pm, 18 Ric. II, no. 7. 7 Chan, Ing, p.m. 4 Hen. IV, a0. 39 5 Fead, Aids, iiy 443 8 Chan, Ing, pom. 25 Hen, VI, no. 29 5 4 Edw, IV, no, 303 Harl, MS. 756, fol. 19; Pat. 13 Hen, VIII, pt. i. 2 VCH. Herts, i, 286.0. 10 Pipe R. 11 Hen. If (Pipe R. Soc.), 18. He and his brother Alan then gave 20 marks on succeeding to Elwyn’s lands. Mr, Round, who has devoted much attention to the first Mayor of London, points out that these lands were probably at Watton, but that 1164-5 is late for the death of a Domesday tenant's nephew, though not actually impossible. 1S9 Mr. Round’s paper on ‘The first Mayor of London’ will be found in the Anti- quary, xv (1887). W Red Bk, Exch. (Rolls Ser.) ii, 507 5 Testa de Nevill (Rec, Com.) 2705 Liber Albus (Rolls Ser.), i, 21, 319. 1 Pipe R. 11 Hen, IE (Pipe R. Soc.), 18. 18 Dict. Nat, Biog. ™ Round, The King’s Serjeants, 245-6. 18 Wrottesley, Ped. from the Plea R. 49. 6 Cal. Chart. R. 1226-57, pe 3293 Assize R. 318, m. 2. A HISTORY OF Hugh Bardolf."” The manor was granted to Margaret, Robert Aguillon's widow, until the regular assignment of dower was made by the king," but in 1287 it was held by Hugh Bardolf in right of his wife.” He was warden of Arundel Castle in 1272,” and, having been summoned to Parliament as Lord Bardolf from 1299 to 1302, died in 1304." Isabel having quit- claimed her right in the manor upon her husband’s death, it was re-granted to her for life, Barpvotr, Lord with reversion to her son Bardolf. -dzure three William,” but in 1318 it was “gfoils or. entailed on Thomas Bardolf, the elder son. Isabel died about 1324," and Thomas, who had succeeded as second Lord Bardolf in 1304, became lord of the manor. He died in 1329," and his widow Agnes held Watton in dower until her death, which occurred in 1357,” when she was succeeded by her son John, third Lord Bardolf of Wormegay.” William, fourth Lord Bardolf, son of John, became lord of the manor in 1363.” He granted Watton to Robert Bardolf for life, in exchange for the manor of Stow Bardolph in Norfolk,” and died in January 1385-6." Upon the death of Robert Bardolf in 1394 the manor reverted to Thomas, fifth Lord Bardolf, son and heir of William, the fourth lord,” after the death in 1403 * of his mother Agnes, to whom it had been granted in dower by Richard II. Thomas, the fifth lord, joined Northumberland’s rebellion in 1405, and died of wounds received at the battle of Bramham Moor in 1408,” leaving two daughters, Anne, who married, first, William Clifford, and secondly Reginald Cobham, and Joan the wife of Sir William Phelip.* The manor was divided between the two sisters. Sir William Phelip, who was a Knight of the Garter, and was in 1437 created Lord Bardolf, had served at the battle of Agincourt in 1415, being afterwards made Captain of Harfleur. Later he occupied the post of Treasurer of the Household to Henry V, and that of Privy Councillor and Chamberlain to Henry VI.* He died in 1441,” his wife Joan surviving until 1447, when the half- manor of Watton passed to her grandson William, second but eldest surviving son of her daughter Elizabeth and John Viscount Beaumont.* William Viscount Beaumont and Lord Bardolf married Joan daughter of Humphrey Duke of Buckingham, HERTFORDSHIRE survived him. Upon the death of Anne Cobham, his great-aunt, in 1454 he became possessed of the whole of Watton Manor, her moiety passing to him as the next heir, but he was at- tainted after the battle of Towton Field in 1461“ and his lands forfeited. Watton was granted in the following year to his wife Joan, with Thomas Archbishop of Can- terbury and George Bishop of Exeter as trustees, and with remainder to William Beau- mont,” who was still under attainder. Joan was still living in the reign of Richard III, but in 1467 the manor was granted to Roger Ree, one of the ushers of the king’s chamber, for his good services to the king’s father. Roger died in 1476," leaving a son and heir William. William Viscount Beaumont was, however, restored to his honours in 1470. He was again attainted in 1471, but was finally restored in 1485. He lost his reason in 1487, and was placed under the custody of John Earl of Oxford” until his death in 1507, when he was seised of the manor of Watton. His nearest heir should have been Francis Lord Lovell, son of his sister Joan, but he was under attainder ; the remaining heirs were John Norreis, son of his niece Frideswide, and Bryan Stapleton, son of his niece Joan. The Crown, however, seems to have taken possession of the manor owing to Lord Lovell’s attainder,® and it was granted in 1509 to John Earl of Oxford,*' who had married Elizabeth widow of William Beaumont, to whom it was confirmed for life by Act of Parliament after her husband’s death.” ‘The reversion of the manor was granted in 1521 to Sir Wistan Brown, Knight of the Body," and Watton, or Bardolf Hall as it was now called, came to his son John,“ and from him descended to his son and heir George Brown in 1550. In that year, probably for assurance of title, Edward VI granted the manor to Sir Thomas Darcy, Lord Darcy of Chich ; George Brown seems to have remained in possession, for in 1552 he conveyed the manor to Matthias Bradbury. In 1576 Thomas Bradbury sold the manor of Bardolfs to Philip Boteler,” after which it followed the descent of Watton Woodhall Manor until 1801, when it was sold, after the bankruptcy of Paul Bendfeld, to Edward Lord Ellenborough, Aaure powdered with fleurt de lis or and a lion ors Bravnont. from whom he was divorced’ before 1477,” but who ” cis Ing. p.m. 14 Edw. I, no. 16, 8 Gal, Cl me 1379 88, p. 385. WY Assize R. 1 Excerprae Ric. Fi, (Rec. Com.), ii, 575+ 4 Chan. Ing. p.m. 32 Edw. I, no. 64. 2 Chart. Ro 33 Edw. 1, mo. 775 ma 12. J, Pat. 1317-21, pe 1355, Ing. a.q.! file 134, no. 7. This gave rise to confusion in later inguisitions which state that Thomas was the son of William ; but that Thomas was the son of Hugh is sup- nord by Wrottesley, Ped. from the Plea R, 103) 352+ # Gan. Ing. pom. 17 Edw. II, no. 39. % hid. 3 Eiw. III, no. 66. * Cal, Clots, 1330-3, p. 85 Abbrev. Rot, Orig. (Rec. Com.) ii, 44. * G.E.C. Peerage. % Abbrev. Rot. Orig. (Rec. Com.), ii, 170. * Chan, Ing. pom. 45 Edw. HII (18t no.) No. 3 Cal. Pat. 1377-81, p. 207. 31 Chan. Ing. p.m. 13 Ric. II, no. 6. 32 Thid, 18 Rie. II, no. 7. 38 Ibid. ¢ Hen. IV, no. 39. 4 G.E.C. Complete Peerage. 3 Chan. Ing. p.m. 9 Hen. IV, no. 31. 6 G.E.C. Complete Peerage. ¥ Chan, Ing. p.m. 19 Hen. VI, no. 30. 38 Ibid. 25 Hen. VI, no. 29, 30. 38 G.E.C. Complete Peerage. 4° Chan. Ing. p.m. 32 Hen. VI, no. 26. “Ibid. 3 Edw. IV, no, 303 G.E.C. Complete Peerage. * Cal. Pat. 1461-7, p. 179. 160 Lord Chief Justice of the King’s Bench. The latter © G.E.C. Complete Peerage, “Cal. Pat. 1467-77, p. 22» A grant was made to him in liew of this one in 1475 during Lord Beaumont’s second attainder (ibid. pp. 530-1). Chan, Ing. p.m. 15 Edw. IV, no. 33. “o E.C. Complete Peerage. 47 Ibid. #8 Chan, Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), xxiv, 62. “9 Thid. ; Harl. MS. 756, fol. 19. ©, and P. Hen. VII, iii (1), 1379 (26). it Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), xciii, 80. Pat. 13 Hen. VIII, pt. i, m. 20. 58 Ibid. 54 Ibid. 5 Edw. VI, pt. iv, m. 27. %Thid.; Chan, Ing. pm. (Ser. 2), xcili, 80. 86 Feet of F. Herts. Mich, 6 Edw. VI. 5 Ibid. Trin. 18 Eliz. BROADWATER HUNDRED | warron-at-sToNnE conveyed it in 1813 to Samuel Smith, lord of the manor of Woodhall, with which manor it has since been united.* The manor of Watton possessed a mill in 1086, which in 1324 was valued at 13s. 4d. It is men- tioned in a conveyance in 1651," and is still working. Robert Aguillon obtained a grant of free warren in 1248." The right to hold a fair yearly on the vigil, feast and morrow of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin (7-9 September) was granted to Robert Aguillon in 1248.5 King Edgar gave 44 hides in Watton to the abbey of Westminster,* which grant was Alexander de Balliol, lord of Benington, claimed liberties in his manor of Watton.” In the 12th century the sub-tenants of the manor appear to have been a family of Watton, There was a Ralph de Watton, whose son Robert succeeded, and settled his ‘vill of Wattun’ on his wife Katherine in dower, some time before 1158." ‘Selidus’ de Watton is mentioned in 11667 and Gilbert de Watton in 1207,” both of whom were perhaps sub- tenants. After this the manor passed to John de Tuwe or Teu, who was holding it in 1248, and was in that year accused of obstructing a way in Watton confirmed by Edward the Con- fessor.* Of this land, which is reckoned in the Domesday Book as 5 hides, 1 hide was held by the abbot himself® ; 2 hides were held of the abbot by Aluric Blac, together with half a hide held by Almar, a man of Aluric (which was perhaps the added half-hide)®; and 14 hides were held by Goduin of the abbot. Before 1086 this West- minster estate had become broken up. The hide held by the abbot remained in his possession, and was afterwards united to the manor of Stevenage,” the chief manor of the Abbot of Westminster in Hert- fordshire. Goduin’s 14 hides should have reverted to the abbey after his death, but his widow put herself by force under Eddeva the Fair, who was in possession of the land ‘on the day when King Edward was living and died.’ It was granted by William the Conqueror to Count Alan,” who was also lord of Great Munden, and hence seems to have become permanently attached to that manor.” Aluric Blac, al- though he held his land in Watton of the Abbot of Westminster, was at the same time the man of Archbishop Stigand, and hence it happened, as in Datchworth, that Archbishop Lanfranc annexed his 24 hides in Watton and was hold- ing them in 1086, with Anschitil de Ros as tenant under him.’ It seems impossible to trace any connexion between these holdings and the manor of WOODHALL. This seems to have been held of the lords of the neighbouring manor of Benington “ (q.v.). In 1278 8 Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), ccxcvii, 149; ccccli, 1445 Ct of Wards, Feod. Surv. 17; Close, 1 Anne, pt. ix, no. 8; Recov. R. Mich. 1 Anne, rot. 120; Hil. 15 Geo. III, rot. 387 ; Mich. 20Geo. II, 7" rot. 487. 8 CH. Herts. i, 342. © Chan. Ing. p.m. 17 Edw. I, no. 39 5 * Ibid. 3054. © Ibid. 313. 6 VCH, Herts. i, 313. 7 Ct. R. portf. 178, no. 53. VCH, Herts. i, 319. 7 Ct. R. portf. 178, no. 8, 9, 10, 17 8 VGH. Herts, i, 305. Watton Prace: Back View ditch where the road was accus- Ey by making a He was succeeded before 1303 tomed to % Doc. at Westminster, press 17, shelf 4, box 85, no. 4737. Peter and Robert de Valognes (see Benington) are witnesses to this document, which points to the ‘vill’ mentioned being the manor later known as Woodhall. It is not dated, but this Peterde Valognes died about 1158 ® Ibid. 319. sec ibid. 14 Edw. I, no, 16; 3 Edw. II, no. 66. 4 Recov. R, East. 1651, no, 66. © Cal. Chart, R. 1226-57, ps 32% 8 Ibid. Dugdale, Mon. i, 292. 5 Tid, 294 5 Cott. Chart. vi, 2. 3 74 Feud. Aids, ji, 429, 436 ; Chan. Ing. pm. 18 Edw. II, no. 624 Cal. Clore, 1323-7, p. 296; Chan, Ing. p.m. 8 Hen. V, no. 785 13 Hen. VI, no. 115 31 Hen. VI, no. 27; (Ser. 2), coxcvii, 149 3 cecil, 1445 H.C.H. Herts. i, 305. ™8 Plac, de Quo Warr, (Rec. Com.), 281. 161 and was succeeded by his brother Robert. 7 Pipe R. 12 Hex. II (Pipe R. Soc.),127. %8 Abbrev. Plac. (Rec. Com.), 56. 79 Assize R. 318, m. 2; Testa de Neill (Rec. Com.), 271. Mr. Round states that John de Tuwe was holding as early as 1236. ar A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE Borerer of Wood- hall. Gules a fesse checky argent and sable berwween six crosslets or. Ssrra of Woodhall. Or a cheveron cotised between three griffons sable. by Mabel de Tuwe,® probably his daughter. In 1346," and died in 1361.*? Philip is said to have Boteler (by whom she had a Bardolf and his wife Kathe- (el ie was ‘claimed by Elizabeth there seems to have been a the son of Katherine. In sheriff, escheator, or other minister of the king against son Philip,* who came of age in 1435. Philip died him until her death, when it came to her son John succeeded by his son John in 1545.” From John’s who died during his father’s lifetime.» Robert died ceeded,® and the lord of the named Philip died in 1712 of his great-uncle John.” Palmer Boteler,* who sold it emi- Woodhall was purchased in 1308 she conveyed the reversion of the manor to Philip de Peletot,' who was still holding it in had a daughter Katherine, who married, first, Ralph le son Philip), and secondly as “e 2 Edmund Bardolf." Edmund i rine were holding Woodhall in 1372, when the manor Peletot, as daughter of Adomar, son of Philip de Peletot,” but defect in her title, as the manor passed to Philip Boteler, 1382 Philip received an exemption for life from being put on juries, &c., and from being made mayor, his will.” He died in 1420, and hiseldest son Edward dying a few weeks after, Woodhall came to his second in 1453, and his widow Elizabeth immediately married Laurence Cheyney and held the manor with Boteler.® John was succeeded by Philip Boieler, presumably ‘his son, in 1514," who in turn was son, Sir Philip, Woodhall passed in 1607 to his grandson Robert Boteler, son of an intervening Philip in 1622, leaving a daughter Jane and a brother Sir John." John Boteler suc- manor in 1700 was Philip Boteler,® his son. The last- without issue, and his estates passed to John Boteler, the son From John Boteler Woodhall came to his grandson John to Sir Thomas Rumbold. After the death of the latter 1793 by Paul Bendficld, after whose bankruptcy it was sold, and acquired in 1801 © Feud. Aids, ii, 429. S. P. Dom. 16313, pe by Samuel Smith,” who died in 1834.'" His great grandson Mr. Abel Henry Smith is the present lord of the manor. CROM’BOROUGH (Croubery, Crobberewe, xiii cent. ; Crobbergh, Crowbergh, Crebborogh, xv cent. ; Crowbury, xvii cent.) was held of the lords of the manor of Benington for the service of a quarter of a knight’s fee. Alexander de Balliol claimed liberties there as at Woodhall in 1278.’ In 1266 the sub- tenant of Crowborough was Alice de Rivers, who in that year settled it on herself for life, with remainder to her daughter Christine? In 1270 Christine de Rivers conveyed the remainder of the manor after her death to Robert de Graveley,? who had a grant of free warren in 1292‘ and was holding it in 1303.° He died before 1311, his lands passing to his widow Beatrice de Graveley,’ who in 1329 conveyed Crowborough to Thomas Bardolf,’ who seems to have joined it to his manor of Watton and paid Beatrice an annuity of 66s. 84.5 He was succeeded by his son John Bardolf, who in 1340 granted the manor of Crowborough to his brother Edmund for life.’ Edmund was still holding it in 1346," but after his death it reverted to the heirs of John Bardolf, being held by his son William." After the death of Agnes, widow of William Bardolf, in 1403? Crowborough passed to a younger branch of the family ; probably William Bardolf settled it on a younger son, for in 1384-5 he had granted it to trustees, from whom his widow Agnes held it in dower."* In 1405 it was held by another William Bardolf, and in 1428 by Edmund Bardolf.'* Edmund Bardolf, apparently grandson and successor of the latter," died about 1472, bequeathing to his wife Margery ‘certain rooms at his manor of Crowborough where she can bake bread and brew ale.’ He left a son Henry and a grandson George, the son of Henry.” In 1562 Edmund Bardolf, perhaps a son or grandson of the last-named George, conveyed the manor to Sir John Boteler ® of Watton Woodhall, after which date Crowborough followed the descent of that manor."’ In 1702 Philip Boteler exchanged the siteof Crowborough Hall (which is still marked by the moats near Watton Green) for the old rectory-house® (sce advowson). Apparently, however, the manor was kept by Philip Boteler, for it appears in the Boteler family as late as 1780." It apparently passed later to Mrs. Abel Smith (sce advowson). WATTON HALL, or WATKIN’S HALL, is an estate which first appears about 154c. The first recorded owner is Thomas Munden, whose 78; Recov. Re © Cal. Clase, 1307-13, pe 317» 6. 7 Feet of F. Her 9. 51 Feet of F. Herts. 1 Edw, II, no. to, © Feud. -tids, ii, 436. S Monum, Inscr. Clutterbuck, Hist. of Heres. ii, 473. $8 Wrottesley, Ped. from the Plea R. 107. “Ibid. Cal. Pat. 1381-5, p. 149. § Chan, Ing. p.m. 8 Hen. V, no. 78. * Ibid. ry Hen. VI, no. 493 13 Hen. VI, no. 11, The Feud. did: of 1438 (ii, 448) give John Cheyney as the ° Chan, Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), Lxxiii, 88, 8 Ibid. cexevii, 149. %4 Ibid. ceecii, 144. % Chan. Proc. Eliz. Bb 5, no. 115 Recov. R. Hil. 21 Jas I, rot. 193 Cah Mich. 16 Chas. II, rot. 5 © Chauncy, Hist. of Herts. 332. ® Salmon, Hist. of Herts. 218. ® Recov. R. Mich. 20 Geo. III, rot. 487. ® Clutterbuck, Hist of Herts. ii, 475. 100 Cussans, Hist. of Herts, Broadwater Hund. 181. 1 Plac. de Quo Warr. (Rec. Com.), 2813 Ct. R. portf. 177, no. 8-11; Chan. Ing. pm. 4 Hen. IV, no. 39. of 1303 and 1346 (ii, 429 and 436) give Hugo and John de Bibbesworth as the overlords, As this family belonged to Kimp- ton it would seem that this is an error. ? Feet of F. Herts. 50 Hen. II, no. 582, 584. Ibid. 54 Hen. III, no. 627. ‘Cal. Chart, R. 1257-1300, p. 421. 5 Feud. Aids, ii, 429. 162 ts. 3 Edw. III, no. 31, ® Chan, Ing. p.m. 3 Edw. III, no. 66. 8 Cal, Pat. 1340-3, ps 17+ W Feud. Aidsy ii, 436. 4 Close, 8 Ric. II, m. 324. 12 Chan. Inq. pm. 4 Hen. IV, no. 39. 18 Ibid. ; Close, & Ric, I, m, 32d. ¥ Cal, Pat. 1405-8, p. 89. 15 Feud. Aids, ii, 448. 16 Early Chan. Proc. bdle. 41, no. 27. 7 Will, P.C.C. 6 Wattys, 1 Feet of F, Herts. Mich. 4 & § Eliz 8 Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), cexcvii, 149 5 ceccii, 144; Com. Pleas D. Enr. Mich. 15 Chas. f,m. 8; Recov. R. Mich. 1 Anne, rot. 120, ® Priv, Act, 4 & 5 Anne, cap. 5. Recov. R. Hil. 15 Geo. ITI, rot. 3875 Mich, 20 Geo, III, rot. 487. BROADWATER daughter and heir Elizabeth married Robert Burgoyn.” ‘The latter is mentioned in 1540," and was holding Watton Hall, with his wife Elizabeth, in 1543." In 1547, his son and heir Robert being a minor, the custody of his lands was granted to Lord Rich. In 1615 the ‘manor’ was held by Robert’s son, Roger Burgoyn,”” who was succeeded before 1626 by his son John Burgoyn.” John was living in 1634, and had three sons," but by 1636 from a date and initials 1M. on an old beam inserted in the present house it would appear to have passed to the Miles family, as it was in the possession of John Miles in 1719.” From John Miles it went to William Miles before 1731." In 1788 it was held by Samuel Rogers and Jane his wife." It is now a farm-house. A water mill ? and free fishery * are mentioned as pertaining to this estate. The church of ST. ANDREW AND CHURCH ST. MARY stands on rising ground to the south-west of the village, and is built of flint rubble with stone dressings. It consists of a chancel, north chapel, nave, north and south aisles and porches and a west tower, all of a 15th- century rebuilding. In 1851 the church was restored throughout by the late Mr. Abel Smith."! The original church was entirely obliterated by the rsth-century rebuilding. The east window of the chancel and the two windows in the south wall are each of three lights with tracery in a two-centred head, but very few of the stones are old. A door between them is modern, as are also the chancel arch and the arcade of three bays opening to the modern north chapel. Below the eastern of the two south windows is a 15th-century piscina, in one range with three sedilia of the 15th century, with cinquefoiled canopies and cusped spandrels. All are much restored, ‘The nave arcades are of the 13th century and are of four bays with two-centred arches of two moulded orders, supported on piers of four shafts separated by hollows and having moulded capitals and bases. The two arcades are almost exactly alike in detail. At the north-east and south-east angles are stair turrets to the roof, which also served as rood-stairs ; only that on the south side is accessible from the nave. Above on each side are the doors opening from the stairs to the rood loft. The turrets are carried up beyond the nave parapet in an octagonal form, and that on the south is embattled, while the northern one is plain. The clearstory has on each side four much restored two-light windows of the 15th century. The north aisle has a modern arch at the east end opening into the north chapel, in the north wall three three-light traceried windows, and in the west wall a two-light window, all much restored. The north door and another small door to the east of it are both modern. The north porch, of two stages, is of the 1th century, but all the detail is renewed, and the straight stair and the parvise are also modern. The south aisle has an east window of three lights, and the remaining windows are like those of the north aisle. The south doorway, with a two-centred arch of two wave- 2 Visit. Beds. (Hatl. Soc. xix), 87-8. % 1, and P. Hen. VIL, xvi, 865 xvii, ® Visis. Beds, (Hatl. 13. % Feet of F, Herts. 24 Feet of F. Metts, East. 35 Hen. VII. 9 Recov. R. Hil. 35 Pat. x Edw. VI, pt. i, m. 29. 290. 2 Feet of F. Herts, Trin. 13 Jas, 41 Ibid. Trin, 28 Gel 163 ® Recov. R. Mich. 2 Chas. I, rot. 98. HUNDRED | warron-at-sTone moulded orders, is of the 15th century. The south porch was wholly rebuilt in the rgth century. The west tower opens to the nave by a 15th- century arch of three moulded orders. The tower is of three stages with an embattled parapet ; it has a stair turret at the south-west and two square buttresses at each angle. The turret is carried up above the parapet and is itself embattled. At the foot are an interior and an exterior doorway, both with four-centred heads. The west doorway and the three-light window above it are so much restored as to be almost wholly modern. The bell-chamber windows, which are of two lights, are also much restored. There is a brass in the chancel of a priest in a quire cope of mid-15th-century date. In the north chapel is a brass of a knight in armour under an ogee-shaped canopy, with a marginal inscription «+ icy gist Philip Peletoot chevaler qe morust le xu | jour de Aust lan de | Grace mill ccctxy |” Above the canopy are two shields, the dexter paly and a chief indented. The other shield is plain, a modern restoration. The upper part of the figure and the inscription were restored in 1851. Also in the north chapel are the following brasses: a knight in armour, said to be John Boteler, who died in 1514, with five shields of arms ; Boteler quartering Kilpeck (twice), and Boteler impaling Tyrrel, Acton and (2) Belknap, his three wives ; a civilian of late 15th- century date ; and one to Richard Boteler of Staple- ford, 1614, with Anna his wife, daughter of John Mynne of Hertingfordbury, 1619, and their only daughter Elizabeth wife of Rowland Graveley of Graveley, 1600. This brass has an inscription and two shields of Boteler and Graveley. A third shield of Mynne is lost. Atthe east end of the nave is a much mutilated brass of a lady with the lower part of the figure missing ; there are indents of her husband, sons and daughters, and two brass shields, the one of Drury, and the other Kilpeck quartering Boteler. ‘The frag- ment of the inscription reads ‘. . . . Knyght, late Lorde of Wodhall whyche deceassed th... .” In the north aisle is a brass with the headless figure of a civilian of the late 15th century, and the indents of two figures and of a marginal inscription. In the south aisle is a brass of a lady with a shield of Bardolf. This is only a portion of the brass of Sir Edmund Bardolf (1438) and Edmund Bardolf his kinsman and Joan wife of Edmund. In the chapel are also a monumental slab with a marginal inscription in French to Sir Robert de Graveley of r4th-century date, and an alabaster slab, 8 ft. 2 in. long, incised and inlaid with figures of Sir John Boteler of Woodhall, in armour (the date of his death not filled in), his two wives, Elizabeth, who died in 1471, and Constance, who died in 14—, his eight children, and an inscription and three shields of the arms of Boteler, Kilpeck, and Downhall> In the chancel is a floor slab to John Saywell, rector, died 1693, and in the north aisle is a 14th-century floor slab to Roger de Larebi, 8 Feet of F. Herts. East. 35 Hen, VIII. ® Recoy. R, Mich. 2 Chas. I, rot. 98. ™ The internal dimensions are: chan- cel, 38 ft. 6 in. by 22 ft. 6 in.; nave, 54 ft. Gin, by 22 ft. ; aisles, 9 ft. wide § and tower, 14 ft. by 13 ft. Soc. xix), 87-8. Hil. 5 Geo. I. 4 Geo. II, rot. 0. TIL, rot. 1476 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE There are a few important monuments of more recent date. In the chancel chapel is one to Sir Thomas Rumbold, formerly Governor of Fort St. George, who for his eminent services under the East India Company was created a baronet. He died 11 November 1791. There are also tablets to his two sons Thomas Henry and Anwaer Henry Rum- bold ; to their mother Joanna, daughter of Bishop Law of Carlisle; and to Captain William Richard Rumbold, who carried the Pondicherry dispatches and the colours of the fortress to the king. He died 14 June 1786. In the manor chapel are many monuments to the Smiths of Woodhall with their arms. In the south aisle is the monument of Philip Boteler, only son of Sir John Boteler, kt., who died 7 May 1712, aged thirty-one, and of his cousin and heir John Boteler of Woodhall, who died 17 July 1774, aged ninety. Above is a shield of Boteler impaling Ettrick, Argent a lion and a chief gules, for Philip Boteler and his wife Elizabeth Crane Ettrick, who died childless. In the chapel is preserved a large iron-bound chest of late 16th or early 17th-century date. The bells are six in number, the treble being by J. Briant, 1785 ; the second by George Chandler, 1682 ; the third by the same maker and of the same date was recast by Bowell in 1907; the fourth by J. Briant, 1785 ; the fifth by C. & J. Mears, 1852 ; and the sixth by Thomas Mears, 1841. The plate consists of two chalices and two patens of 1865 and a flagon of 1860. The registers date from 1560 and are contained in four books: (i) baptisms, burials, and marriages from 1560 to 1737; (ii) baptisms and burials from 1737 to 1812, marriages from 1737 to 1753 ; (iii) marriages from 1754 to 1806 ; (iv) marriages from 1807 to 1812. The advowson is first mentioned in 1304, when it was in the hands of Mabel de Tuwe,* who in 1308 conveyed it with the manor of Woodhall to Philip de Peletot.% The living is a rectory. It continued to descend with the manor of Watton Woodhall until the rgth century.” After the death of Paul Bendfield in 1801 it was sold separately from the manor to Alexander Ellice,* who presented in 1804." His son William Ellice presented in 1809, and John Corfield for one turn in 1814," after which the advowson was acquired by Abel Smith, lord of the manor of Woodhall, and has since remained with the manor. In 1702 the parsonage and certain of the glebe lands were exchanged with Philip Boteler for Crowborough Hall and the premises and lands per- taining. The old house lay east of the River Beane. The glebe still forms part of the Woodhall Park estate and is called the Springs or the Rector’s Springs. The new site, which adjoined the church- yard, was more convenient, as before, *when the waters are out and overflow the banks of the river ADVOWSON % Linc, Epis. Reg. Mem. Bp. Dalderby, * Cusans, Hist. of Hert, Broadwater there, which runs between the parsonage and the church aforesaid, the minister cannot pass over the same to go to the church.’ The second rectory, which stood about 100 yards north-west of the church, was pulled down about the middle of the 19th century and a new rectory built close by. ‘This house, which is called by the old name of Crowbury (Crow- borough), was bought in 1898 by the trustees of the Woodhall estate, and is now the residence of Mrs. Abel Smith. The present rectory was built with part of the proceeds of the sale.“ In 1423 the advowson was in the king’s gift by reason of the minority of Sir Philip Boteler’s heir,“ and again in 1635-6." Dr. Halsey, the incumbent by this presentation, in 1638 brought a suit against Sir John Boteler, concerning which the king wrote to the Master of the Court of Wards: ‘We were informed that the church suffered much by the indirect courses held by the Botelers, patrons, in obtaining leases of the parsonage house, glebe and tithes, at an undervalue of the incumbents whom they presented, and therefore we resolved to redeem the church from that pressure, and when the church became void determined to bestow the same on Dr. Halsey divers months before our presentation passed. This being the case you are first to preserve the rules and orders of your Court for our better service, and next if you still find that such indirect courses have been held by patrons, if any advan- tage has thereby happened to us, you are not to remit it.’ © In 1644~5 the inhabitants of Watton petitioned Sir John Boteler not to bestow the living on the curate, ‘who is not a quiet and peaceable man, and who will neither bury or christen or administer the Sacrament.’ Sir John was, however, at that time imprisoned at Peterhouse for malignancy.” In 1734 Hamond Cross presented for one turn, and in 1781 John Stockwell.” Edward Bickersteth, who was instituted by Mr. Abel Smith in 1830, was the com- piler of the Christian Psalmody, on the basis of which his son, the Rev. E. H. Bickersteth, formed the collec- tion of hymns known as the Hymnal Companion. There was a church house connected with the church of Watton, of which mention is made in 1504, when a chamber in it was provided by Sir John Boteler for a priest. Whempstead Chantry or Free Chapel, dedicated in honour of the Blessed Mary, was founded by Henry Mayor of London late in the 12th or early in the 13th century. He endowed it with a carucate of land of the value of 4os. yearly.’ There are references to a chapel in the parish of Watton in the episcopal registers during the 13th and 14th cen- turies, the incumbent of which was called a warden, who also served the parish church. In 1261 this chapel was said to be without cure of souls.* Sir Robert Aguillon by his will (?1286) left a tenter- ground in London to the chapel in his fief of Watton, # Tid, 1638-9, p. fol. 235d. Hund. p. © Hist, MSS. C Bee is Feet of Fe Herts, East. 1 Edw. Il, Tat. Bes, (PRO). as ne tt ABs no. 10, © Tid, © B, Sas ¥ Close, 14 Ric. II, m. 8d.; Chan. 1 Ibid. (PRO). Eitan Regis: (dnets Bis Ing. pm. 13 Hen. VI, no. 115 (Ser. 2), * Ibid. 8 Tb: luli, 88; Recov. R. Hil. 2x Jas. f, rot. 19; Mich. 1 Anne, rot. 120; Hil. 15 Geo. IIL, rot. 387; Mich, 20 Geo. III, rot. 487 ; Clergy List, 1908. * Priv. Act, 4 & § Anne, cap. 5. a Information from Me AH. Smith Cal. Pat, 1422-9, p. sla Lin © Cal. S. P. Dom. aes 252 (2). % Will, P.C.C. 17 Holgrave. 8 Rot, Hund. (Ree. Com.) i, 192. . Reg. Buckingham Mem. ibid. Gravesend, 164 Warron Cuurcu From tHE Norril-East Warton Cuurcu: Tue Nave rooxinc Easr BROADWATER HUNDRED in relief of the poor. It is uncertain if reference was made to this chapel in the licence, dated 1390, to build a chapel in a place called ‘la Lowe,’ in the parish of Watton, to the honour of the Blessed Virgin. The advowson of the chantry remained vested in the lords of the manor of Bardolf until the forfeiture of that manor by William Viscount Beaumont in 1461, when it escheated to the Crown. In 1521 it was granted, together with the reversion of the manor, to Sir Wistan Brown.™ The chapel was, however, allowed to fall into disuse by Sir Wistan’s son and successor. The last incum- bent, one Goldingham, a layman, died about 1547, “after whose decease John Brown being patron of the said chapel did enter and the profit thereof took and enjoyed to his own use, and between Michaelmas and Hollomas hath felled and sold ten acres of wood.’ By the time of the survey of 1548 the chantry was ‘utterlie decayed,’ and was farmed out with its lands and appurtenances to Joan Curtes, a widow, for the rent of £4 8s. 4d.° Upon the dissolution of the chantry in the same year the site and lands, including the woods of ‘Bushey Layes and Comes wood,’ were granted to William Twisden and John Brown and their heirs. In 1584 Whempstead, still called the ‘free chapel,’ was conveyed by Edward Walgrave to John Harvey,” who died seised of it in 1606." He left a widow Clemence, who enjoyed the profits during her lifetime, after which Whemp- stead came to William Harvey, his second son, upon whom it was entailed. William died in 1621, leaving it to his third son William, with remainder in equal division to his four remaining children.” William Harvey the younger died without issue in 1626," and his estates were in consequence divided between his brothers John and Thomas Harvey and his sisters Mary Storer and Elizabeth Harvey. Thomas Harvey and William Storer conveyed their fourths to Sir John Boteler.* WELWYN A capital messuage called Whempstead appears in 1592 in the possession of John Scroggs, who died seised of it in that year. He left a son Edward. A portion of the estate belonging to Whempstead Chapel, called Olivers, was apparently kept by the Botelers after the dissolution of the chantry and did not go with the rest of the lands.“ It presumably became absorbed in the manor of Watton. A portion of the buildings formerly belonging to the chantry was remaining in 1877, but has since been pulled down. Near the site is Lowfield Grove (see the name La Lowe above) and adjoining this was a field called Lowfield.® Meeting-places for Protestant Dissenters were registered in Watton from 1697. In 1820 a Wesleyan chapel was certified,” and there is at the present time a Wesleyan chapel in the parish. The Free School, founded in 1662 CHARITIES by Maurice Thompson and Sir William Thompson, kt. and aug- mented by will of Abraham Crosland, 1703 (see article on Schools).** This foundation is now regulated by scheme of the Board of Education, 30 April 1906. The endowments now consist of 8 a. 31. 22 p. of the annual rental value of £11 10s.and £688 55. 104. consols, invested in 1857 with the official trustees and producing £17 45. yearly. The scheme includes appointment of trustees, and provides for the application of the income in prizes for boys and girls at or leaving public elementary schools, a payment of not more than {5 a year in provision of books for a school library, and for exhibitions at a secondary school, and in the main- tenance of bursaries, also for the instruction of children in the theory and practice of gardening. In 1867 Lady Susan Smith erected almshouses for the use of three aged widows and as many widowers, which were supported by Mr. Abel Smith. WELWYN Welge (xi cent.) ; Wyluwes, Welewes, Weluen (xiv cent.). The parish of Welwyn has an area of 3,064 acres, of which 1,028 acres are arable land, 1,160 acres permanent grass and 6134 acres wood.! It is divided into two by the River Mimram or Maran, which flows through it from north-west to south-east. The height of the parish above the ordnance datum is from 200 ft. to 250 ft. in the centre, where the village is situated ; to the north, east and south-west of the village are three hills occupied by the estates of Danesbury, Lockleys, and the Frythe. The highest ground is on the south-west, where an altitude of over 400 ft. is reached. The most northern part of the parish, near Knebworth station, is called the Gun. 2 Information from Mr. J. H. Round, °7 Feet of F. Herts. East. 26 Eliz. The town of Welwyn is situated on the Great North Road, 44 miles north of Hatfield. At the north of the village the road divides, one branch running north-west through Codicote to Hitchin, and the other north-east to Stevenage. The church of St. Mary is situated at the north end of the town. At the south-east of the churchyard is a 17th-century two- storied building, probably originally the church house, afterwards used as the poor-house and now as the police station. It is partly of timber and plaster, with an overhanging upper story. Under the projection of this story is the large parish fire-hook formerly used for tearing off the thatch of cottages in case of fire. The houses in the town are for the most part of brick of the 18th and rgth centuries. ‘The settlement here is early, as a rich burial of the late Celtic period has Feod. Surv. 17 ; Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), 5% Chan. Ing. p.m. 13 Fine R. 18 Ric. If; Chan. 4 Hen. IV, no. 39. $8 Cal, Pat, 1461-7, p- 223 5 1467-775 p- 176. Pat. 13 Hen. VIII, pt. i, m. 20 § Chant. Cert. 17, no. 8. 5 Pat. 2 Edw. VI, pt. iv. 88 Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), cecvi, fa. % Ibid. ceclxxxvii, 113. 1 Thid. decxlvii, 135. ® Com. Pleas D. Enr. East 8 Chas. I, m. 113 Trin. 12 Chas, I, m. 3. as Ing. p.m. (er. 2), eel, 695 Ibid. cece, 1445 Cte of Wards 165 cexevii, 149. © Cussans, Hist, of Hert Broadwater Hund. 1 6 Information from Mr. Abel Smith * Urwick, op. 8 CH, ee ii, Loo. VInformation from Bd. (1905). of Agric. A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE been discovered near to Lockleys and a Roman villa in the garden of the rectory. Danesbury is the property of Colonel A. M. Blake, C.B., D.L., J.P., and is situated in a park of about 200 acres. Lockleys is an 18th-century red brick house with a park, the property and residence of Mrs. Neall. The Frythe, a modern brick gabled house with extensive grounds, is the residence of the Misses Wilshere. Sherrard’s House, to the south of the Frythe, is the residence of Mr. Robert D. Balfour. In the north of the parish is the hamlet of Woolmer Green, with Mardleybury to the east and Mardley Heath to the west. Welch’s Farm lies about a mile south, Harmer Green is situated in an eastern extension of the parish, and part of Burnham Green is included in a detached part of Welwyn parish about a mile north-east. There was a chalybeate spring in the parish, referred to by Camden as being in the corner of the old rectory garden.? An attempt was made in the 18th century under the auspices of Dr. Young to make Welwyn a watering-place. Assembly rooms were built, which enjoyed a short vogue, and which still survive as tenements.” The spring has been covered over, the garden having been converted into a timber-yard, but is believed still to exist.? The main line of the Great Northern railway runs through the parish ; the railway station is situated rather more than a mile to the south-east of the town. In 1882 a detached portion of the parish was transferred to Digswell for civil purposes.! “The sub- soil of the parish is chalk, except for a small district in the east, where it gives way to Woolwich and Read- ing Beds. ‘There are a number of chalk-pits in the north of the parish and some gravel-pits in the centre. The inclosure award was made in 1819, the Authorizing Act being dated 1810, Both are in the custody of the clerk of the peace.® In the time of Edward the Confessor MANORS WELWYN was held of the king in frankalmoign by the priest of the vill, and belonged to the church of Welwyn. The same man held it in 1086 ‘in alms’ of King William, when it was assessed at 1 hide. It was stated at that time that William Blach, a man of the Bishop of Bayeux, occupied 12 acres to the king’s injury.” The manor of Welwyn has been held ever since by the rector of the parish.” The rector becomes lord of the manor upon his institution to the living.” In 1275 the parson claimed view of frankpledge, gallows, and amendment of the assize of bread andale."® Manorial courts are still occasionally held. A water mill pertained to the manor in 1461, and in 1469 Thomas Dene of Ayot Montfitchet broke and entered it to the rector’s damage." In 1471 Thomas Payn the miller was fined for obstructing the course of the mill-stream and causing it to overflow the king’s highway.” In 1463 John Porter, chaplain, and Thomas son of William Fyssh of Welwyn were presented as ‘common fishers’ for taking fish on the banks of the river and carrying them away without licence. In the following year the same chaplain was presented for making an ‘unjust footpath” through Diggesmede.'* In 1475 various people in the manor were fined for playing at dice and cards." In addition to this rectory manor there were others in Welwyn of which the early history is obscure. Mr. Round points out that in 1235-6 Geoffrey de Beauchamp held half a fee in ‘ Welewe’ of Robert “de Hirbeygin’ (of Cainhoe) and that in 1346 both the quarter fees in Welwyn (one of which was Lockleys) are entered as held ‘de baronie de Kaynho.’ This holding he takes back to 1183, when “Robert de Albeneio’ gave 24 marks that Baldwin “Wach’ might be summoned to warrant his wife ‘de terra de Welewe.’ "* The manor of LOCKLEYS (Lockele, Lokkelebery, Lokley) was held in 1303 asa quarter fee of Agnes de Valence,’ daughter of William and sister of Aylmer de Valence, Earl of Pembroke, to whom the over- lordship came at her death about 1309." After Aylmer’s death in 1324,” Lockleys was granted in dower to his widow Mary, who obtained possession in 1325."" Aylmer’s heirs were his nephew John de Hastings and his two nieces Elizabeth Talbot and Joan the wife of David de Strathbolgi.” Lockleys was assigned to Joan and David,”' but it so happened that neither they nor their heirs obtained possession, for Mary de Valence lived until 1377, while David de Strathbolgi, grandson and heir of David and Joan, died without male issue in 1375." The overlordship is found later vested in John of Gaunt, Duke of Lan- caster, of whom Lockleys was held as of his manor of Hertingfordbury.” He wassuccecded in 1399 by his son Henry, who in the same year became king as Henry IV," and the overlordship of Lockleys with his other possessions thus came to the Crown, and the manor was subsequently held of the king.?* The first sub-tenant of Lockleys to be mentioned is Adam de Mandeville, who was connected with Welwyn in 1288,” and certainly held the quarter fee in 1303" and in 1325.” He scems to have been succeeded by William de Mandeville, whose son William conveyed the manor in 1340 to Sir Walter de Crek and his brother Master John de Crek, with 2 Camden, Bris. (ed. Gough), i, 343. 3 Information from Rev. A. C. Head- lam, D.D. References to the assembly rooms occur in Lord Chesterfield’s letters. 8 Information supplied by the Rev. P.M. Wathen. 4 Divided Parishes Act, 1882. 8 Blue Bk. Incl. Awards, 63. 8 VCH. Hers. i, 3434. 7 Ibid. § Court Rolls from Edward I to the pre- sent day in the possession of Mr. A. C. Davidson, steward of the manor; Abbrev, Plac. (Ree. Com.), 45. It seems possible that some of the other estates mentioned in 1086 (VCH, Herts. i, 3118, 3242, 3278, 3332) became attached to it, as it is otherwise difficult to account for them. © Information supplied by Mr. A.C. Dayidson. 1 Rut, Hund, (Rec. Com.), i, 192. 1 Gt. R. penes Mr. A, C. Davideon. 12 Thid, 3 Ibid, ¥ Ibid, ¥a Pipe R. 27 Hen. II (Pipe R. Soc.), 125. ® Feud. Aids, ii, 429. In the 13th century Christiana de Mandeville, daughter of Gunnora de Valognes, and Robert Fitz Walter held certain fees in the honour of Valognes in Lockeley,’ but this seems probably not to have been Lockleys in war (Testa de Nevill [Rec. Com. ], 2714). 26 Chan, Inq, p.m. 3 Edw. Il, no. 37. 166 GEC. Complete Peerage. 18 Cal. Close, 1323-7, p- 267+ VY G.E.C. Complete Paris ® Chan. Ing, pam. 14 Rie. Il, no. 139b- 1 G.E.C. Complete Peerage. In 1346 Lathe is said in Feud. Aids, ii, 436, to have been held of the barony of Cainhoe, but this is evidently a confusion with another quarter fee in Welwyn (see above). Duchy of Lane. Misc, Bks. fol. goes Chan. Ing. p.m. 14 iy yl, no. Gee. Complete Peerage. Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), Ixiii, 615 Laiii, 89. % Cal. Close, 1279-88, p. 548. ® Feud. Aidt, ii, 429. ® Cal. Close, 1323-7, p. 267. BROADWATER HUNDRED remainder to the heirs of Walter.°8 Sir Walter was holding it in 1346,2 after which it passed to John Haggeford, son of Walter de Crek’s sister Joan and Walter de Haggeford, who held in tail-male.8? At this time the capital messuage was ruined and worth nothing and the land in a poor state.*! John Haggeford died childless in 1373,? and the manor was granted by Edward III to his ‘kinsman’ and heir Edmund de Vauncy, who was the illegitimate son of Edmund de Vauncy, husband of Joan daughter of William de Crek, brother of Walter and John. As he was a minor the custody of his lands was granted in 1374 to Robert de Bolthorp,*4 and later to John Pusy, who died before 1387, when he and his executors were charged with having committed waste in the manor and having diminished the build- ings, woods and men thereon.3> Edmund died in 1390 and was succeeded by his half-sister Joan daughter of Edmund de Vauncy the elder and wife of Thomas Prior.3° Joan seems to have married secondly John Hore of Cambridge, who together with his wife conveyed Lockleys in 1415 to John Perient §7 of Digswell, in whose family it descended * in the same manner as Digswell (q.v.). Upon the death of Thomas Perient in 1545 3 Lockleys was divided between his second and third daughters, Dorothy the wife of George Burgoyne, and Anne, who married Anthony Carleton.“? In 1557 George and Dorothy Burgoyne conveyed their moiety of the manor to William Perient,* Dorothy’s uncle,” who acquired the other half from Anthony and Anne Carleton in 1559,** and thus became possessed of the whole manor. William Perient sold Lockleys in 1564 to Henry Walter, who in 1566 conveyed it to George Horsey, husband of Mary Perient, the elder sister of Dorothy and Anne. George Horsey died in 1587, and was succeeded by his son Ralph,” from whom the manor apparently passed to his brother Jasper Horsey,!# for he, together with his wife and son and Eustace Needham, conveyed Lockleys in 1624 to Edward Wingate. The latter was succeeded by his son Edward before 1675,° whose son Ralph Wixcate of Lock- leys. Sable a bend ermine cotited or berween six martlets or. WELWYN Wingate®! was lord of the manor in 1698," and sold H eee it in 1715 to Edward Searle. ; Elizabeth daughter and heir of Edward Searle married Charles Gardincr, whose son Charles was lord of the manor in 1815, but sold it soon after to Sir George Shee, bart, who possessed it in 1821. Sir George died in 1825," his widow holding Lockleys until her death in 1838, when the manor passed to her daughter Letitia the wife of Robert Der- ing.5® Their son Mr. George Edward Dering succeeded his father in 1859 ® and died in 1911, when he was succeeded by his daughter Mrs. Neall, who is now lady of the manor, In the time of Edward the Confessor MARDLEY or MARDLEYBURY (Merdelai, xi cent. ; Mardeleye, xiii to xiv cent. ; Magdaleynbury, Mawdleynbury, xvi to xix cent.) was held by Alward, who was still holding it in 1086 of Robert Gernon. It was then assessed at 1 hide.6 Robert Gernon also held the neighbouring manor of Ayot St. Peter, and the over- lordship of Mardley presumably followed the descent of that manor ® (q.v.). The mesne overlordship belonged to the sub- tenants of Ayot St. Peter, Mardley being held of them for the service of 205. and suit of court twice a year. It seems to have followed the descent of the moiety of Ayot St. Peter known as Ayot Montfitchet.® Early in the 14th century lands forming part of the manor were held of the Abbot of Reading and of Henry Melksop of Datchworth." Alward de Mardley, sub-tenant of the manor in 1086, was one of the Domesday inquisitors for Broadwater Hundred.® There is no record of his family and no further mention of a sub-tenant until 1288, when the manor was held by Philip de Mardley, perhaps a descendant of Alward. In that year Philip released his right in his lands in Welwyn to Robert Burnell,®” lord of Ayot St. Peter. Philip had a daughter Pagana de Mardley,® but probably the manor did not come to her, for it was held soon afterwards by Adam de Twynham. He died seised of it about 1307. His son Walter being a minor, the custody of his lands was granted to Denno. Argent a fesse azure with three roundels gules in the chief. % Cal. Close, 1339-41, p. 487. ® Feud, Aids, ji, 436. % Chan. Ing. pam. 13 Ric. II, no. 29. 31 Toi . 13 Ric. II, no. 29, 3 Duchy of Lane. Mise, Bks. xiii, fol. od. 3 Cal. Pat. 1385-9, p. 320. 8 Chan. Ing. p.m. 14 Ric. If, no. 51. ¥ Feet of F. Herts. Trin. 3 Hen. V. no. 18. 5 Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), Ixiii, 61, % Tid, Lexi, 8 4 Ibid. 5 is 157. 1 Feet of F, Herts, Trin, 2 & 3 Phil. Mary. 9. . Herts. (Hatl, Soc. xxii, Hf and * Cussans, Hist. of Herts, Broadwater Hund. 253. “8 Feet of F. Herts, East. 1 Eliz, “ Ibid, Trin. 6 Eliz.; Pat. 7 Eliz. pt. ii, bid. 48 Edw. IIT (1st nos.), no. 34. * Pat. 8 Eliz. pt. iv, m. 17; Feet of F. Herts. Hil. 9 Eliz. “© Visit, Herts. (Hatl. Soc. xxii), 157. Ibid. 114; Com. Pleas D. Ear. Mich, 33 & 34 Eliz. 8 Visit. Herts. (Harl. Soc. xxii), 114. 49 Feet of F. Herts. Hil. 21 Jas. I, 8 Visit, Herts. (Harl. Soc. xxii), 105 5 Feet of F. Herts. East. 27 Chas, II 51 Salmon, Hist. of Herts. 204, 5? Feet of F. Herts. Mich. to Will, TL, o Ibid. Mich, 2 Geo. I. Clutterbuck, Hist, of Herts. ii, 497. 55 Feet of F, Herts. Me 55 Geo tit Clutterbuck, Hist of Herts iy 497. ® GEC, Complete Baronetage, 58 Burke, Landed Gentry. ® Cussans, His, of Herts. Broadcvater Hund. 210, © VCH, Hertu i, 3230. See Cal. Close, 1279-88, p, 35 Abbrev. Plac. (Ree. Com), 214 3 167 ® Chan. Ing. pam. 35 Edw. I, no. 25 5 an. Ing. a.gd. 16 Edw. II, no. 100. A manor of ‘Welwys’ or Welwyn appears among the possessions of the Ayot St. Peter heiresses in 1419 and 1428 (Feet of F. Herts. 7 Hen. V, no. 393 De Banco R. Trin. 4 Hen. VI, m. 124). . 15 Edw. I, m. 18, © Chan. Ing, p.m. 35 Edw. I, no. 25, A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE William Bacon, king’s yeoman, in 1308. In 1316 Walter de Twynham granted to Roger de Luda or Louth one robe at the price of £1, to be paid yearly from the manor.” In 1318 he conveyed Mardley to Adam de Eglesfeld, who, however, died twelve weeks later and was succeeded by his brother John. John de Eglesfeld confirmed Walter’s grant to Roger de Louth, and afterwards sold the manor to John de Sandale, who increased Roger’s payment to 40s. John de Sandale was succeeded about 1320 by his kinsman and heir John de Sandale, who immediately conveyed Mardley to Bartho- lomew de Badlesmere.” Bartholomew was attainted for rebellion and hanged in 1322, but his widow Mar- garet, after having been im- prisoned for a time in the Tower, was released and dower assigned to her.”* This grant apparently included part of Mardley, for in 1332 Beatrice widow of John de Eglesfeld claimed from Mar- garet one third of the manor in dower." The result of the claim is not recorded, nor is there evidence to show whether Beatrice had been holding the third since the death of her husband. Giles de Badlesmere, son of Bartholomew, obtained a reversal of his father's attainder in 132g and livery of his lands in 1333; he, however, died without issue in 1338, at which time the 40s. granted to Roger de Luda was still charged on the manor.’ Giles’s widow Elizabeth, who married secondly Hugh le Despenser, and thirdly, after 1349, Guy de Bryen, held Mardley until her death in 1359.” The manor was then assigned to Margaret youngest sister of Giles de Badlesmere and her husband John,” second Lord Tiptoft. Her eldest son John died in 1359. His heir was his brother Robert,” whose widow Margaret, after his death in 1372, held a third of Mardley in dower, and marricd secondly John Cheyney.” In 1374 John and Margaret Cheyney granted their third of the manor to Geoffrey Sightere,"" but who was holding the remaining two-thirds at that time does not appear. Robert Tiptoft left three daughters— Margaret the wife of Roger Lord Scrope, Millicent wife of Stephen Scrope, and Elizabeth, who married Philip le Despenser,"* but, as Mardley does not appear in the possession of either of these or of their descendants, it seems probable that there was a sale. No further tenant is recorded until the second half Baptssmere. Argent a fesse between two gimel bars gules 1 Pat. 1 Edw. II, pt. ii, m. 19. 1 Chan. Ing. Edw. II, no. 100, © Early Chan. Proc. bile. 49, no. 23. % Ibid. bdle. 32, no. 1 of the 15th century, when Mardley was held by one William ‘Voppesfeld, who left it by will to his wife Jane for life (according to her own testimony), the rever- sion to be settled by her upon one of their children. Jane settled it upon her younger son Ralph, but the manor was claimed about 1470-3 by William Toppesfeld, her grandson, son of her elder son Thomas.* Complaint had been made shortly before by Ralph’s two daughters and heirs, Margaret Bernard and Jane Toppesfeld, that this cousin William had ‘ by subtle means’ entered the said manor.“ Eventually, either as a result of this claim or upon the death of Margaret and Jane, the manor came to William Toppesfeld, for it was held by his daughter Elizabeth, who married Richard Garneys of Mendlesham.* Richard and Elizabeth conveyed Mardley in 1507 to Sir William Say, among whose heirs it descended in the same manner as Westington in Ayot St. Peter (q.v.), was forfeited to the Crown in 1539, and was granted together with the above manor to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton in 1546." The latter sold Mardley, or Magdaleynbury as it was then called, to Thomas Nicholls, a mercer of London, in 1555, who sold it in the following year to John Forster.” John died seised of Mardley in 1558 and was succeeded, after the death of his widow Margery, by their son Humphrey,” who in 1563 conveyed the manor to Jasper and Antonia Warren.” The latter sold it in 1567 to John and Joan Spencer. John Spencer settled Mardley on his wife Joan for her life, with remainder to their youngest son Henry Spencer, to whom it came upon Joan’s death in 1599, although his elder brothers Robert and William seem to have retained yortions of the estate." Presumably Henry died without issue, for in 1616-17 his eldest brother Robert Spencer was seised of the ‘liberty’ of Mardley,” and his son Robert held parcels of the manor in 1632-3." John Spencer was lord of the manor in 1697-8,” almost immediately after which it seems to have been sold to Sir William Lytton of Knebworth, who possessed it in 1700. Mardleybury has since descended with the manor of Knebworth,” Lord Lytton being the present lord of the manor. View of frankpledge is to the manor in 1614. William Lytton obtained a grant of free warren there in 161 The FRYTHE formed part of the possessions of Holywell Priory, Shoreditch, and it therefore seems probable that it was given to that monastery, together with the advowson of Welwyn Church, by Gunnora daughter of Robert de Valognes. In 1523 William Wilshere (Wiltshire) obtained a sixty years’ lease from Holywell Priory of the Frythe, and F. Herts. Trin. 12 Eliz. The manor appears in the Inquisition of Lady Anne 7 hid. 73 G.E.C. Complete Peerage. 74 De Banco R. 292, m. 276d. 75 G.E.C. Complete Peerage. 7 Chan. Ing. p.m. 2 Edw. III (2nd nos.) no. 23. Cal. Clore 1337-9 pp. 498-9 5 Clutterbuck, Hie. of Hers. i, » 498 3 Cal. Close, 1341-35 p- 1 79 G.E.C. Complete Peeves Chan. Ing. pam. 33 Edw. TIT (1st nos.), no. 39. 8 G.E.C. Complete Peerage. 5 Feet of F. Herts. no. 656. © G.E.C. Complete Peerage. 48 Edw. III, 8 Burke, Commoners, iv, 564. *6 Feet of F. Herts. Mich. 23 Hen. VII. ® Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), Ixxiii, 93. & Pat. 38 Hen. VIII, pt. viii, m. 39. © Ibid. 1 & 2 Phil. and Mary, pt. i; Feet of F. Herts. East. 1 & 2 Phil. and ® Peet of F. Herts. Hil. 2 & 3. Phil. and Mary; Pat. 2 & 3 Phil. and Mary, pti; De Banco R. East. & 3 Phil. and Mary. oT Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), exviii, 64. 2 Bee of F. Herts. Trin. 5 Eliz. ; Pat. Eliz. Tb. 9 Eliz. ptiv, m. 315 Feet of 168 Bourchier in 1570, heir of Gertrude Courteney (one of the heirs of Sir William Say), who forfeited it in 1539; but there is no other indication that she ever held it {Ser 2}, clvii, 88). 151. % Fine R14 Te I, pt. ii, no. 24. Ibid. 8 Chai, peoii, no. 18. 7 Pipe R. g Will. III. 88 Chauncy, Hist. of Herts. 30. % Recov. R. Trin. 21 Geo. II, rot. 273 § Hil. 51 Geo. III, rot. 41. “Chan, Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), cecxlviii, 151. ' Pat. 14 Jas. I, pt. xvii. Wetwyn Cuurcu From THE SouTi Weiwyn Cuurca : Inrerior Looxtnc SourH-zasr BROADWATER HUNDRED a messuage called the Boarshead.? After the dissolu- tion of Holywell in 1539* these two tenements, with 50} acres of land, were granted in March 1539-40 to Sir John Gostwick and Joan his wife.‘ Sir John died in April 1545, and at his in- quisition in October 1546 it was stated that Wilshere had collected the profits of the estate during the interval,® so that it seems probable that he had remained as occupier of the Frythe. Sir John Gost- wick’s heir was his son William, who, however, died almost immediately after his father, his lands passing to his uncle William, Sir John’s brother.’ William Gostwick the elder sold the Frythe in 1546 to William Wilshere,’ who alienated it to his son Thomas in 1549° and died in 1558.2 From Thomas Wilshere, who died in 1570, the Frythe descended to his son Thomas, who was a minor at his father’s death,"! and whose son John Wilshere inherited the estate in March 1620-1." This John granted the Frythe to his eldest son John, who, however, predeceased him "8; Thomas Wilshere the second son therefore succeeded his father at his death in February 1646-7." ‘Thomas died in 1666 or 1667, and his eldest son Thomas shortly afterwards, when the Frythe came to the second son John, who was succeeded by his only surviving son William in 1721, William Wilshere, Gosrwick. Argenta bend cotised gules between six Cornish choughs, Wiusuere of the Frythe son of the last William, inherited the property in 1786, and his son, also named William, in 1798. ? Aug. Off. Convent. Leases, Midd. 37. 5 Dugdale, Mon, iv, 392. 4 L. and P. Hen, VILL, xv, g. 436 (9)- 5 Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), Ixxili, 95. © VCH. Herts. Families, 245. 7 Pat. 37 Hen, VIII, pt. vi, m. 12. * VCH. Herts, Families, 245. WELWYN This third William died in 1824, having settled the Frythe in tail-male upon the children of his youngest brother Thomas Wilshere. William the eldest son succeeded his uncle, but died unmarried in 1867, when the Frythe came to his brother Charles Willes Wilshere, who died in 1906, leaving three daughters, the eldest of whom, Miss Edith Elizabeth Marie Wilshere, inherited this estate. The Frythe is now the residence of the three Misses Wilshere. The farm of HELCHES was held in the first half of the 15th century by Richard Welch (Walsh), whose son and heir Edward Welch conveyed it in 1454~5 to John Fortescue, chief justice, to the use of John Barry and his heirs." In the following century it came into the possession of John Warde, citizen and grocer of London, who with his wife Mary and his son William conveyed it in 1596 to Edward Fitz John,” who died seised of it in 1610, holding it of the king as of the honour of Richmond. He settled the reversion of Welches in 1602 on his nephew Edward Pennyfather, to whom it came at his uncle’s death.'® Welch’s Farm is now the property of Col. A. M. Blake. The parish church of ST. MARY stands to the north of the village, and is built partly of flint rubble and partly of modern brick, with stone dressings. It consists of a chancel, nave, north and south aisles, north organ chamber, south chapel, south porch, and south-west tower. Of these, the north aisle, organ chamber, chapel, and tower are modern. The plan of the nave is probably that of a 12th-century nave, and the chancel dates from a late 13th-century enlargement. The south aisle, which was probably built about the same time as the chancel, was rebuilt, probably in the 15th century when the south porch was added. In 1663! a heavy storm did great damage, destroying the tower, which had stood on the north side of the church, and laying open that side and the vestry ; the whole building was at this time tied and strengthened at a cost of about £2,000. In 1910 considerable alterations were carried out and the tower was rebuilt,'"4 There is hardly any original detail left in the chancel, the only old work being a blocked lancet in the north wall, of late 13th-century date ; the high, pointed chancel arch, which is of two chamfered orders, with octagonal responds, and moulded capitals ; and a much restored double piscina with ogee-shaped trefoiled heads, and a thin jamb between the two bowls, which are set eastward of the centres of the recesses. The sedilia are modern, and the rest of the south side is taken up by a modern arcade of two bays opening to the south chapel. The east window is of three grouped lancets, and there is a wide single light in the north wall, and also a door to the vestry. All these are modern. The south arcade of the nave is of four bays of late 13th-century work, much restored. The arches are pointed and of two chamfered orders, resting on octagonal columns with plain moulded bell-capitals. The bases are modern. The north arcade, which is CHURCHES 18 Close, 33 Hen. VI, m. 15, 216 1 Feet of F. Herts, Trin. 38 Eliz. 18 Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), dexly, 51. 1 Sess, R. (Herts. Co, Rec.), i, 158. 18a By Mr. Charles Blomfield, R.LB.A., at the sole cost of the Misses Wilshere, of the Frythe. 3 169 22 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE modern, repeats the design formerly in brick and cement, but rebuilt in 1910, when the gallery was removed. This arcade, with the north aisle and gallery, dates from the early part of the 1gth century. ‘The west window has original jambs and arch, but the filling is modern. The south aisle has been much altered at various times, and the south wall, which was formerly very irregular externally, was wholly rebuilt in 1910. The windows and door are modern. In the south wall is a much restored piscina with a modern head, and on either side of the modern arch- way at the east, opening into the south chapel, are image brackets with carved heads of late 13th-century date. The south porch, which was of late 15th- century date, with a plain two-centred archway of two chamfered orders, was replaced by the present struc- ture in 1910. Till 1910 there stood in the arch opening to the organ chamber an oak screen of good 1§th-century work, of three bays with a central doorway. The heads of the compartments are ogee-shaped and the upper portions are elaborately traceried. It is now restored to its original position under the chancel arch. There is one bell, by Joseph Eayre, 1760, inscribed “Prosperity to the Established Church, and no en- couragement to Enthusiasm.’ !% The plate consists of a flagon of 1750, a cup of 1666, and a paten of 1678. The registers date from 1558, and are contained in six books: (i) baptisms from 1559 to 1703, burials from 1558 to 1703, marriages from 1559 to 1701; (i) baptisms from 1704 to 1779, burials. from 1704 to 1783, marriages from 1704 to 1741 (ii8) baptisms from 1780 to 1783225 (iii) tavaeas from 1780 to 1812, burials from 1784 to 1812 ; (iv) marriages from 1754 to 1781; (v) marriages from 1781 to 1812. ‘The church of ST. MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS at Woolmer Green was built in 1900, and is served from the parish church, The advowson seems to have early ADVOWSON belonged to the family of Valognes, for it appears in the possession of Robert Fitz Walter, husband of Gunnora de Valognes, in 1198.7! In 1235 it was granted by Gunnora to the convent of Holyw i firmed to it by Pope Clement in 1238.23 The living was not appropriated, but the rector was to pay 5 marks of silver annually to the convent.* The right of the Prioress of Holywell to the advowson was also confirmed in 1240 by the three Valognes heiresses and their husbands.’5 It remained in the possession of Holywell Priory until the Dissolution,”® and was granted in 1540 to John Gostwick.2”7 John Gostwick died seised of the advowson in 145,28 and his son William sold itin 1549 to William Wilshere,?% in whose family it descended in the same manner as the Frythe * until Thomas Wilshere sold it in 1616 to All Souls College, Oxford,#! in whose po.session it has since remained.*? 1% «Enthusiasm’ was the technical name of Wesleyanism at this date. % Feet of F. Herts. no. 295. 2 Dugdale, Mon. iv, 39. The site of the rectory has been changed, the old building having been cut up into cottages and the garden converted into a timber-yard.** Dr. Young, the author of ‘Night Thoughts,’ was for some time rector of Welwyn and lived at the house named Guessens.*4 He was buried at Welwyn in 1765. Places of worship for Protestant Dissenters at Welwyn were registered under the Toleration Act at various dates from 1691.°° In 1834 Ebenezer Chapel was certified. At the present time there is a Wesleyan chapel and a chapel of Lady Huntingdon’s Connexion in the parish. The Educational Foundation of the Rev. Edward Young, LL.D., a former rector, was founded by deed 15 April 1760 (enrolled), whereby the donor trans- ferred a sum of £1,500 Old South Sea Annuities to trustees to be applicd towards the maintenance of a charity school—subsequently combined with the National school—and for clothing and apprenticing the scholars. By an order of the Charity Commissioners 24 No- vember 1905 it was directed that the residuary rents and profits of the endowment should be applied for such other charitable uses and purposes, being educa- tional and including instruction in the principles and duties of the Christian religion as laid down in the catechism of the Church of England, as the trustees should judge to be most for the real benefit and utility of the poor inhabitants. The endowment now consists of £1,918 175. 2d. consols with the official trustees, who also hold a further sum of £180 consols representing a legacy by the will of Daniel Spurgeon, dated 1807, in augmentation of Dr. Young’s charity, producing £52 9s. 4d. annually. The remaining charities in the parish are regulated by a scheme of the Charity Commissioners of 5 November 1909 under the title of the United Charities. ‘They comprise the charities of :— Anthony Charleton, founded by will dated in 1568, now consisting of a house used as a police station, let at {12 a year. John Bexfield, founded by deed 1570, trust fund, £1,729 28. 2d. consols arising from sale in 1865 of allotment in the parish of Caddington, producing yearly £43 45. 4d. — Denny, willdated 1707, trust fund, £835 115. 7. consols, arising from sale in 1872 of old workhouse building, producing yearly £20 175. 8d. Thomas Kentish, will in or about 1712, being a rent-charge of ros, issuing out of a farm known as Cisaferns in Welwyn and Codicote. Josias Berners, mentioned in the table of bene- factions as founded by will (date not mentioned), consisting of a rent-charge of {£5 issuing out of Wormley Bury estate in Cheshunt and applicable in apprenticing. Unknown donors’ charities, mentioned in the table of benefactions as consisting of a rent-charge of £1 CHARITIES 25 Hen. II, 3 Clutterbuck, Hist. of Herts. ii, 497 5 Inst. Bks. (P.R. Only the first few pages of book iid " 2 Inst. Bks. & R.O.) ; Bacon, Later have beea used. © Land P. Hen. Villy xv g 436° Regin, 518 5 Clergy List, 1912. ‘ "Rot, Cur. Reg. (Rec. Com.), i, (9). 8 Information from the Rev. P. M. x65, Chan, Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), bxxiii, Wathen, # Cal. Chart. R. 1226-57, p. 201. 95: 4 Information from the Rev. A. C. % Harl, Chart. 43 A. 37- 2 VCH, Herts. Families, 245. Headlam, D. 4 Ibid, % Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), clv, 157- % Urwick, Nonconf. in Herts. 625. 170 BROADWATER HUNDRED and another of 8s. for the poor, which were redeemed in 1878 and 1879 by the transfer to the official trustees of £47 §s. consols, producing £1 35. 4d. yearly. Daniel Spurgeon, for bread, will dated in 1807, trust fund, £195 55. 8d. consols, yearly income £4 175. 8d. The several sums of stock are held by the official trustees. It is provided by the scheme that the yearly income of Josias Berners’ charity should be applied WESTON primarily in putting out as apprentices deserving «poor boys bona fide resident in the ancient parish at a premium of not less than £10 or more than £20, the income to be accumulated for the purpose. ‘The yearly income of the remaining charities to be applied in such way as the trustees thereby appointed may consider most conducive to the formation of provident habits, including donations to any dispensary, hospital or convalescent home, or to a provident club or society. Also contributions towards the provision of nurses or in the distribution of articles in kind. WESTON Westone (xi cent.). The parish of Weston has an area of 4,539 acres. Almost the whole of it lies considerably over 400 ft. above the ordnance datum, and in the centre of the village the ground reaches a height of 484 ft. The land slopes down along the north-west border of the parish and in the extreme south ; there is also a de- pression in the east. There are 3,2014 acres of arable land in the parish, 967 acres of permanent grass and 2184 acres of wood.! The road from Baldock to Walkern forms the eastern boundary of the parish and the Great North Road part of the western boundary. The village of Weston is situated in the highest part of the parish, on the road from Stevenage to Clothall, which crosses the centre of the parish. ‘Two roads turn westwards from the village to join the Great North Road, the most southerly passing Lannock Farm. Another road runs east from the village, and after passing the church of the Holy Trinity turns in a southerly direction through Hall’s Green towards Howell’s Farm and Dane End, The manor-house and park, the residence of Mr. M. R. Pryor, lie at the south end of the village. There was possibly a Toothill or meeting-place in the village, as reference is found to a presentment of the vicar for not scouring his ditch lying in ‘le Cherchelane next Totehyll’ in 1528? and jin 1611 to a little way called ‘Tottylle Lane.’ * The hamlet of Warren’s Green is situated in the south of the parish, with Hall’s Green about half a mile east. The subsoil is chalk, and there are many chalk- pits in various parts of the parish. There are two disused gravel-pits near Lannock Farm and some old clay-pits north-west of the village. ‘There is a cave in a field near Welbury Farm, in the north of the parish. The nearest railway station is Baldock, 3 miles north-west, on the Cambridge branch of the Great Northern railway. The inclosure award was made in 1801, the Authorizing Act being granted in 1797.* In 1881 a portion of the parish in the north was transferred to Baldock.* The following place-names occur in court rolls : Doddeswyke, Irelonde Green, Kittes atte Dane (later 1 Statistics from Bd, of Agric. (1905). 2 Add. MS. 36346. 3 Ibid. 36372. 4 Blue Bk, Incl. Awards, 64.3 Private Aacts of Parl, Inner Temple Cal. § Divided Parishes Act (1876). 6 Herts. Gen. and Antic 7 VGH. Herts, i, 3275. ® Genealogist (new ser.), xviii, 167. “Ibid, 23° Hen Complete Peerage, 6 G.E.C. Complete 9 Pipe R. 3c—31 Hen. I. 1 Genealogist, Jan. 1M G.E.C. Complete Peerage. 18 Pipe R. 16 Her. II (Pige R. Soc.), 105 5 17 Hen. Il, 119. 18S, Grimaldi, Rot, de Dominabus, 35. Kyttysdane), Heryngsdelle, Horells, Marches (xiv-xv cent.) ; ‘le Vyneyerde’ (1485 and 1531) ; Bernewyks- valey, Hykksgravefeld, Vecchecroft, Hoggescroft, Redyngcroft, Notislane, Parkestretc, Danccroft, Dane- way, Whitemansfeld, Rolls Lane, Dame Hawes-grene, le Freerstokyng, le Jubitt Hyll, Warymede, Fleggys pitell, Dernewelleland, Sewell Cross (xvi cent.) ; Cum- berloes or Round Pightell, Brendwick, Rolles Croft, Fontley Field and Fontley Pound (xvii cent.). In the 17th century there was a tile kiln in the possession of the Humberstone family, possibly near to the existing Tilekiln Wood and Tilekiln Farm, in the south of the parish. In the time of Edward the Confessor MANORS WESTON was held by Alestan de Bos- cumbe, a thegn of King Edward, but by 1086 formed part of the lands of William de Ow, at which time it was assessed at 10 hides.’ After the forfeiture of William de Ow his lands were granted by Henry I to Walter son of Richard de Clare,® who is known to have held lands in Hertfordshire in 1130." At his death his estates passed to his nephew Gilbert de Clare,” who was created first Earl of Pembroke by King Stephen and died in 1148." His son Richard Strongbow inherited the manor of Weston,!* which was held by his widow Eva, daughter of Dermot King of Leinster, after his death in 1176." She was still living in 1185, when she was re- ferred to as ‘Countess of Marsnat, Earl of Ireland,’ her marriage being Pembroke. Party or in the gift of the king. Her "4 vera Hon gules. daughter and heir Isabel married William Marshal Earl of Pembroke, whose lands passed to his eldest son William in 219.” The latter held Weston and died in 1231,” the manor remaining for life to his widow Eleanor, sister of Henry III, who, notwithstanding her vow of chastity, married secondly Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester.” She lived until 1275." 1 Ibid, 5 Cal. Close, 1227-31, p. 489. 48 Chan. Ing. p.m. 40 Edw. In tend nos.), no. §3. ™'The inquisition above quoted is wrong in stating that it was Alice who married Simon de Montfort. Alice de Bethune was the first wife of William Marshal and died before 1219 (G.E.C. Complete Peerage). 1902. 19 Ibid, I, 149; G.E.C. Peerage. 171 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE In the mean time the estates of the earldom of Pem- broke had passed through the hands of William’s four brothers, and in 1245 were divided among his fivesisters and their heirs. The office of Marshal of England was inherited by the eldest sister Maud wife of Hugh le Bigod Earl of Norfolk, and descended to her son Roger, and in 1270 to her great-nephew Roger le Bigod.” At the death of the Countess of Pembroke the manor of Weston was assigned by the king to this Roger le Bigod, who in 1279 made an agreement with the king by which the reversion was to fall to the Crown if he died without issue.” The manor thus came into the king’s hands in 1306,” and was granted in 1312, together with the earldom of Norfolk and the marshalship, to Thomas of Brotherton, fifth son of Edward 1. Weston was delivered to his widow Mary in dower in 1338," and at her death in 1362” was assigned to her eldest daughter Margaret, then the wife of Sir Walter de Mauny.* From her it passed to her grandson Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolk,” whose son Thomas inherited it in 1399." The latter was involved in the Scrope conspiracy and was beheaded in 1405,” when Weston was granted to John Cornwall for life’ In 1406 it was granted to the queen consort." However, as there had been no trial or attainder of Thomas Mowbray, the manor was recovered in dower by his widow Con- stance, who married secondly Sir John Grey,” and held the manor until her death in 1437, when it passed to Thomas's brother and heir John Mowbray Duke of Norfolk.” Weston descended to John Mowbray’s son John Duke of Norfolk, who died in 1461," and to John, son of the latter, a minor at his father’s death.%* Weston was settled upon his wife Elizabeth as part of her jointure, and she was allowed to hold it during her husband’s minority.* John left an only daughter and heir Anne, aged four at her father’s death in 1476." She was married soon after to Richard Duke of York, the younger of the two sons of Edward IV, but she died in 1480, her boy husband being murdered in 1483.°% Anne’s heirs were her cousins John Lord Howard (son of Margaret sister of Anne's great-grandfather) and William, second Lord Berkeley, of the creation of 1421, called ‘the Wast all” son of Isabel, her great-grandfather’s other sister. Upon Anne’s marriage with Richard Duke of York Lord Berkeley released his right to the 29 G.E.C. Complete Peerage. 4 G.E.C. Complete reversion of half her estates to King Edward IV and his male issue, in exchange for the discharge of his debts to the amount of £34,000. The king’s male issue, however, became extinct by the murder of his two sons in the Tower in 1483, and Richard III conferred the moiety of Anne’s estates, including Weston, on Lord Berkeley, together with the title of Earl Marshal.® He died without issue in 1491-2 and Weston lapsed to the Crown.” In 1519 Henry VIII granted the manor to Sir William Fitz William for the lives of himself, his wife Elizabeth and their eldest son, but in 1531 Sir William surrendered it again in payment of a debt to the king.” In the following year, when Anne Boleyn was created Marchioness of Pembroke, Weston was granted to her together with that dignity." She became queen in the same year, but was exe- cuted in 1536. Weston was then conferred on Queen Jane Seymour, who, however, died in the following year.© The manor then seems to have remained in the king’s hands until it was granted to Queen Katharine Parr in 1544.7 After the death of Henry VIII, Edward VI granted the reversion of Weston after Katharine’s death “ to Sir William Herbert,” who had been a gentleman of the Privy Biaeislgtaeta ny, Nee Chamber to Henry VIII, and was created Earl of Pembroke eis ott in 1551.” At the accession of Mary in 1553 it was dis- covered by an inquisition that Burxetey. Gules a cheveron between ten crosses formy argent, as William Lord Berkeley, who died in 1491-2, had settled the reversion of the manor on Henry VII and his heirs male, with remainder to heirs of William, the manor now rightly belonged to that heir, viz. Henry Lord Berkeley, grandson of William’s brother Maurice,*' the male heirs of Henry VII being extinct with Edward VI. Henry Lord Berkeley had special livery of his lands, although under age, in 1554.7 In 1572 Henry Berkeley sold the manor to George Burgoyne, whose son ‘Thomas succeeded him in 1588 “and sold Weston in 1593 to Sir John Pucker- ing,** who died seised of it about 1596. Sir John’s son Thomas Puckering was holding the manor in Peerage. co-heir of the Norfolk eutates with Cal. Close, 1272-9) Pp. 535, 5695 Feet of F. Div. Co. 7 Edw. I, no. 11. ® Chan. Ing. p.m. 35 Edw. I, no. 46. %3 G.E.C. Complere Parag Chan. Ing. -m. 5 Edw. HI, no. 46 *4 Cal. Close, 1337- 5 Chan. pa: pm. 36 ee ‘i, pt ii (18t nos.), no. 9. ® Abbrev. Rot. Orig. (Rec. Com.}, ii, act Chan. Ing. p.m. 46 Edw. IIT (1st 3 ® bid. 1 Hen. IV, no. 71. Ibid. ™ GEC. Gandia Peerage ; Chan. Ing. pm. 8 Hen. IV, no. 76. 31 Ibid. p. 1 % Chan, Ing. p.m, 2 Hen. VI, no. 27. S Ibid. 16 Hen. VI, no. 603 Close, 22 Hen. VI, m. 16. u re Ing. p-m. « Edw. IV, ss] so. 46. 6 Cat “Pat. 1461-7) pau ¥ Chan. Ing. p.m. 17 Edw. IV, no. 58. Her mother Elizabeth Duchess of Norfolk had settled Weston on herself for life in 1477 (Feet of F. Div. Co. Hil. 16 Edw. IV, no. 117 ; Close, 16 Edw. IV, m. 10). 39 G.E.C. Complete Peerage; Fect of F. Co. Hil. 5 Hen. VII. William Lord Berkeley had a brother Maurice, but he d:sinherited him (G.E.C. Complete Peerage; L. and P. Hen. VIII, i, G24, 55685 Ads. R. 36162, 36171). and P. Hen. Vill, iti (1), p. 209. a ia wR 3ts, er (23), p 634. “ thi Hi(typ. 608 f AGI R. 36202, 3620! *°L. and P. Hen, VU, xii (2), pp 974-5 “ Tbid, xvi, g. 878 (56); Add, R. 36206-7. WL ond P. Hen, Vth xix (1), g. (65) ; Add. R. 36214. Both Anne Boleyn and Katharine Howard were great-grand- daughters of John Howard, who was 192 William Lord Berkeley. “8 Add. R. 36217. ® Pat. 1 Edw. VI, pt. vii, m. 38. 1549 John Cock held the mani court there (Add. R. 36218). He was possibly a lessee or steward of the manor. See also note 52. © G.E.C. Complete Peerage. 5 Chan, Inq. p.m, (Ser. 2), ci, 108. £2 G.E.C. Complete Peerage ; sce Add. R. 36230-7. A licence for William Earl of Pembroke to alienate Weston to Henry Cock of Broxbourne in 1557 is not altogether easy to explain (Pat. 4 & 5 Phil. and Mary, pt. ii, m. 25). Perhaps the Earl of Pembroke had refused to surrender his title, or this may be a formal quitclaim in trust for Lord Berkeley. 5 Recov. R. Mich. 14 Eliz. rot. 159; Feet of F. Herts. Trin. 14 Eliz. 54 Harl. MS. 757, fol. 268. % Feet of F. Herts. Mich. 35 & 36 Eliz. * Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), ccxlvi, 125 BROADWATER HUNDRED 1638." He was succeeded before 1652 by his nephew Henry Puckering or Newton, son of his sister Catherine Newton, * who seems to have sold the manor in 1654 to Sir RK —~ | John Hale.” The latter left (_ an only daughter and heir Rose, who married Sir John Austen." Their son Sir Robert SSF Soe Austen, bart., sold Weston in 1703 to Robert Heysham," lord of the manor of Little Munden (q.v.), in whose family Weston descended® until Pryor, Argent three bars wavy azure and a chief gules with a saltire argent therein charged with a ring gules. 1852, when it was sold to Samuel Adams, who in the next year sold it to Robert Pryor,® whose son Mr. Marl- borough Robert Pryor is the present owner. Weston possessed a mill in 1086. In 1201 Jurdan the miller was fined for ‘filling up the mill- pond,’® probably so that it overflowed its banks, but it seems to have been later disused in favour of a windmill, which is first mentioned in 1275." There is still a windmill in the parish situated on Lannock Hill. The park of Weston is first mentioned in 1231, when Ranulf Briton claimed therefrom fifteen deer and five stags which he stated that Earl William Marshal had given him before he died and which had not been delivered.” In 1306 and later it is referred to as ‘a park called Yppegrave.’® Two parks are men- tioned in 1366, but not again.” In 1384 Margaret Countess of Norfolk granted the custody of her park, warren and game to her butler John Ethom, with ‘clothing’ of the suit of her esquires, or 13s. 4d. yearly in lieu thereof, and ros. yearly rent from the issues of the manor.” This grant was confirmed to John Ethom in 1399" at Margaret’s death. In 1405, Weston being in the king’s hands by reason of the insurrection of the Earl Marshal, the office of parker was granted during good behaviour to the king’s esquire Robert Scot.” In 1437 the park was stated to be worth nothing beyond the profit of the deer. John Duke of Norfolk granted the custody of the park ‘with the custody of the coneys in it’ WESTON to the king’s esjuire Laurence Fairclough ; the office was confirmed to him in 1476 after the duke’s death, by which time Fairclough had become one of the marshals of the king’s hall.” In 1515, when the park was again in the king’s hands, John Sharpe and James Druel were appointed keepers of it in sur- vivorship in place of Ralph Pudsey. It seems to have been disparked before 1541, for in that year a messuage called the Lodge and certain lands ‘parcel of the late park of the manor of Weston’ were leased to Edmund Kympton.” The park is not again referred to, but Weston Wood with a warren is mentioned in 15577 and the wood in 1703.” ‘There is now a park surrounding the manor-house. View of frankpledge was claimed in the manor of Weston in 1287.” The rolls for the court and leet held there in 1397 and later are extant. In 1287 Roger le Bigod claimed, in addition to frank- pledge, amendment of the assize of bread and ale, tumbrel, gallows, infangentheof and free warren." The manor of WESTON ARGENTEIN was held of the manor of Weston for the service of half a knight’s fee.” It is first referred to as a manor in 1381. In 1205—6 Roger son of Nicholas conveyed 2 carucates of land in Weston to Richard de Argentein,™ which land was doubtless the manor of Weston Argentein. Richard was lord of Great Wymondley, and Weston Argentein descended with that manor until William Alington and Elizabeth his wife, heiress of the Argenteins, conveyed their manor in Weston to Peter Paule and others, apparently trustees, in 1440." These feoffees con- veyed the manor to others in 1452," from whom it seems to have come to Laurence Harreys, who held it in 1489," and afterwards to Thomas Harreys and Agnes his wife, who sold it in 1514 to Sir William Say.® The latter died seised of it in 1529, and afterwards it came to the Crown in the same manner as his other lands" (see Benington). In 1556 it was leased for forty years to Sir Robert Rochester and Edward Walgrave.* At the end of that term it reverted to the Crown and was granted to Edward Vaughan and Thomas Ellys, probably in trust for Sir John Puckering, as he died seised of it in 1596. John Puckering was lord of the manor of Weston, with which Weston Argentein descended from that date, 5 Feet of F. Div, Co. Hil. 13 Chas, see also Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), ccccviii, 118 ; Add. R. 36290. 89 Visit, of Herts, (Harl, Soc. xxii), Recov. R. Mich, 1652, rot. 228. , 1605 ) NO, 21. © Recov. R. Trin. 8 Geo. II, rot. 50; Feet of F. Div. Co. Mich. 25 Geo. III; Recov. R. Mich, 31 Geo. IIL, rot. 21; Feet of F, Herts. Hil, 45 Geo. III; Mich. 3 & 4 Will. IV. ®3 Cussans, op. cit. Broadwater Hund, 4t | SCH. Herts, i, 3275, ® Abbrev. Plac. (Rec. Com.), 33. ® Chan. Ing. p.m. 40 Edw. III (2nd 6. nos.), no. $35 35 Edw. I, no. 41 oC, 3 1 Cal, Pat. 1381-5, p. 482. 11 Ibid. 1399-r401, p. 77. % Tbid. 1405-8, p. 24. 78 Chan, Ing. p.m, 16 Hen. VI, no, 60, 14 Cal. Pat. 1467-77, p. $99- 15 L, and P. Hen. VI, ii, 621. % Ibid. xvi, g. 878 (56). 7 Pat. 4 & 5 Phil. and Mary, pt. xi, m. 25. % Close, 2 Anne, pt, viii, no, 21. 79 Assize R. 325, m. 26d, ® Add. R. 36086. There are a great number of Court Rolls of this manor extant, both in the British Museum and in the possession of the lord of the manor. 5! Assize R. 325, m. 26d, 173 no. 1105 Feet of F. Div, Co. Mich. 5 Ric. Il, no. 57; Chan. Ing. pm. 6 Hen. V, no. 133 2 Hen, VI, no. 27; 53 & Feet of F. Herts. Mich. 19 Hen. VI, no, 104 3 Close, 19 Hen. VI, m. 36, 38, 8 Ibid. 30 Hen. VI, m. 18. 98 Add, R. 36138. ® Feet of F. Herts, East. 6 Hen. VIII. % Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), li, 50. Ct, of Wards, Misc. Bks, dlxxviii, fol. 37243 Feet of F. Herts, Hil. 33 Hen. VII. ® Pat. 3 & 4 Phil. and Mary, pt. xii, m. 42. % Chan, Ing, p.m. (Ser. 2), ecxlvi, 125 % Feet of F. Div. Co, Hil. 13 Chas. 1; Recov. R. Mich. 1652, rot. 228; Trin. 1654, tot. 144; 4 Will. and Mary, rot. 185 5 11 Will. ITI, rot. 211 5 Close, 2 Anne, pt. vii, no. 145 pt. viii, no. 213 Recov, R. Geo, II, rot. 503 Mich. 31 Geo, III, rot, 21; Feet of F. Div. Co, Mich. 25 Geo. III; Herts, Hil. 45 Geo. IN; 50 Geo. II; Mich, 3 & 4 Will, IV. A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE and passed with it into the hands of Mr. Robert Pryor in 1857, his son Mr. M. R. Pryor being the present lord.®* Court rolls are not extant for Weston Argentein until alate date. The existing rolls show that court baron was held there in 1489% and court leet in 1536." ‘The manor of LA4NNOCK (Langenache, xiii cent.; Langenoke, xiv cent. ; Langnock), which originally formed part of the manor of Weston, was given to the Knights Templars by Gilbert de Clare, first Earl of Pembroke, who died in 1148, and was confirmed to them by William Marshal, husband of Gilbert’s granddaughter and heir Isabel.” It remained in the possession of the Templars until the suppression of their order in 1309," after which it was granted with the other lands of the Templars to the Knights Hospitallers.' In 1353 the Prior of the Hospitallers seems to have been embroiled with Mary widow of Thomas of Brotherton Earl of Norfolk (who was lady of the manor of Weston), for she came with a number of others and ‘broke his close and house, drove away 40 horses, 30 oxen, 12 bullocks, 10 cows and 800 sheep of his, worth £300, carried away his goods, impounded without reasonable cause ten other of his horses, kept them impounded so long that two of the ten, worth 1oos., died, and so threatened his men an servants deputed to preserve his liberties and till his lands and make his other profits there, that they dared not stay there for this, whereby he lost their service and the profit of the manor.”? About 1540 Lannock came into the king’s hands owing to the dissolution of the Hospitallers,* and remained in his possession until 1544," when it was granted to Sir Michael Dormer.’ Sir Michael Dormer is said to have died in 1545°5 John and William Dormer were holding the manor in 1552,’ and Katrine Dormer, widow of one of them, was lady of the manor in 1560.° Soon afterwards it came into the possession of George Burgoyne of Quicks- wood,’ who in 1577-8 alienated it to his second son George.” After his father’s death George joined with his mother Dorothy and his younger brother Ralph in 1590 in conveying Lannock to James Spurling." The next year they made a similar con- veyance to Arthur Aty.” The nature of these trans- actions is not clear; possibly Spurling and Aty were mortgagees. In 1594 Spurling and Burgoyne both ® Information kindly supplied by Mr. M. R. Pryor. 1 Feet of F. % Add. R. 36138. Pat. 20 Eliz. ® Chan, Proc. (Ser. 2), bale. jo no, ert pe sigs a1 cae appear as deforciants in a fine levied of the manor." Ultimately James Spurling acquired it, for he held courts there from 1600 to 1619." In 1621 James Spurling sold Lannock to William Hale of King’s Walden,"* who died seised of it in 1633, when it passed to his son William,'* who died without issue in 1641." His sister Dionisia, wife of Sir Thomas Williamson, then held Lannock for a while,'* but in 1683 shortly before her death it was in the possession of her nephew William Hale, son of her brother Rowland.” ‘This William, who was M.P. for Hertfordshire, was suc- ceeded by his son Richard in 1688, who, however, dicd in ‘the following year, leaving a son William under age.” The latter died in 1717, leaving two sons." The elder, William, died without issue in 1741 and was succeeded by his brother Paggen Hale, after whose death the manor passed to his second cousin William, son of Bernard Hale and nephew of Paggen’s grandfather Richard Hale. William’s son William inherited Lannock in 1793 * and was followed by his son, a third William, in 1829." Charles Cholmeley Hale, son of the last named, succeeded his father and was lord of the manor in 1877. In 108 Lannock was acquired from the trustees of Mr. C. C. Hale by Mr. M. R. Pryor, lord of the manor of Waton: and has thus become united with that manor.” It is now a farm. View of frankpledge and manorial courts were held at Lannock in 1476 and later.” ‘They seem to have been held yearly at Easter in the 15th century and later at Whitsuntide. Court Rolls are extant up to 1685.” Free warren was appurtenant to Lannock Manor in 1480,when one William Munde, a labourer, entered the warren and took rabbits with ferrets and nets without licence,” The manor of NEWBERRY (Le Neucbery, xiv cent.), which lay partly in Weston and partly in Graveley, was held of the lords of the manor of Weston for the service of half a knight’s fee.) In 1522 it is said to have been held of Sir William Say as of his manor of Weston Argentein,” but this was perhaps the result of a confusion with the manor of Chesfield, which was held by the lord of Newberry of Sir William Say. ve was apparently the manor of Newberry which was granted at an early date to Hubert de St. Clare, son of Hamo de St. Clare (see Walkern), and which in 1185 was held by his young widow Clementia, 20 Berry, op. cit. 35 ; Chauncy, op. cit. Trin. 8 Anne, rot. 198. Hil. a ae 36199. G.E.C. Complete Peerage. am Drele Man, vii, 820. wo bid. S145 Cale Par. HOP~" Ss, pe 131. VAdd, R. 36329-33, 36 2 Cal, Pat. 1350-4, P. 5 3 Dugdale, Mon. vii, 799-800. 4 Add. R. 36354-6. "The farm of the manor had been granted in 1511 to Joha Boller for a term of seventy years and passed to his son Laurence before 1560 (Mins. Accts. 31 & 32 Hen, VILL, no. 1145 Chan. Proc. [Ser. 2], bdle. 3, no. 18). § Land P. Hen, UTIL, xix (2), g. 166 3471 36350 (51). © Clutterbuck, op. cit. i, an * Feet of erts. Mis * Add. R. 36360. Cambs. (Harl. Soe. xli), 26. 1 Pat. 32 Eliz. pt. xxii, m. 35 5 Feet of F. Herts. Mich. 32 & 33 Eliz. ; Recov. R. Mich. 32 Eliz, rot. 11 12 Pat. 33 Eliz. pt. vi, m. 28 ; F. Herts. Mich. 33 & 34 Eliz. \S Ibid. East. 36 Eliz. In 1591-2 there was a grant of the manor to William Typper and Robert Dawe. These were the well-known fishing grantees (Pat. 34 Eliz. pt. vii, B). 14 Add. R. 36372, 36375-83. 5 Feet of F. Herts. Trin. 19 '6 Chan, Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), ee 8. Feet of ta 18 Add 15h R. Hil. 35 & 36 Chas. II, rot. a ‘Berry, op. cit. 35. 174 Y Berry, Here, Gen. 34. 6397- 183. Pap | Revove. RLOTE % Berry, op. cit. 38 ; Recov. R. Mich. 11 Geo. III, rot. 185. WTbid. Hil, 55 Geo. III, rot. 248 ; Clutterbuck, op. cit. ii, 518; Berry, op. cit. 38. * Berry, op. cit. 38. ® Cussans, op. cit. Broadwater Hund, 43. % Information kindly supplied by Mr. M. R. Pryor. % Add. Chart, 36325-7, 36329-42, 36346-56, 36360; Mins, Accts. 31 & 32 Hen, VIII, no. 114. ® Add. Chart, 36372-83, 36397-8. meses 36372-83, 36397 0 Feud. Aidi, i #430 4485 m, 2 Edw, H, 32 Ibid. (Ser. sa ae 13. Chan. Ing. IMO], 40 YAlg ISVE-HINOg 4O LsodW] JO IVLIdVD) : HOUNHD NOISE HLNOG FHL WOWd HOUNHD NOLS BROADWATER HUNDRED under the guardianship of the king." Her grandson William son of William de Lanvaley held this half fee,“ after which it descended to John de Burgh,* husband of Hawise de Lanvaley, and to Robert Fitz Walter, husband of Devorgill de Burgh, in the same manner as Walkern (q.v.). After this the mesne overlordship seems to have died out. William de Lanvaley the second, who died before 1233, granted ‘all his lands in Weston’ to Eustace de Rochester,” apparently identical with Eustace de Merk of Newsells, from whom the property passed to William de Rochester, son of his nephew Ralph (see Royston), who sub-enfeoffed Henry de Roches- ter. William died about 1248, leaving Peter de Rochester his brother and heir.” At the end of the 13th century the sub-tenant of Newberry was Robert Walerand, who died in 1272, the manor being assigned in dower to his widow Matilda." As Robert and Matilda had no children their nearest heirs were their nephews Robert and John Walerand.” Robert was apparently the elder and died unmarried before March 1308 ; John, who married Isabel, died in 1308 ® soon after his brother. Both of them were idiots.‘ The heirs of John Walerand were Alan de Plokenet, grandson of his aunt Alice de Odworthe ; John son of Alice de Odworthe ; Alice daughter of his second aunt Cecilia de Everingham ; Bevis de Knovile, son of Cecilia’s daughter Joan; Matilda widow of Richard le Bret and Cecilia wife of Peter de Heluin, daughters of Cecilia daughter of Cecilia de Everingham. There is nothing to show to which of these heirs Newberry was apportioned ; probably it was eventually sold, as in 1346 it was in the possession of John de Blomvile,*® lord of the manor of Graveley, with which manor it descended until the end of the 16thcentury.” It was sold with Graveley to Thomas Bedell in 1565, but it is not clear whether the whole estate passed with that manor to William Clarke in the following year, but the portion of it lying in Graveley parish evidently did so. It appears at this date or after to have been divided. That part of it which lay in the parish of Weston was acquired by Thomas Puckering, lord of the manor of Weston, before 1620," and followed the descent of that manor,” eventually becoming absorbed in it.” It is mentioned separately as late as 1810."' There is still a wood known as Newberry Grove in the south of the parish. The portion of Newberry lying in Graveley parish seems to have continued in the possession of the lords of that manor * until 1877,” after which it presum- ably became absorbed in that manor or in Weston. WESTON The reputed manor of HOWELLS or HAWVY ae is mentioned in 1543 as being held of the ananoe ol Weston by fealty, suit of court and rent. John Bowles, who died seised of it in that year, left a grandson Thomas Bowles, son of his son Richard, who was a boy of thirteen. The manor con- sequently fell into the king’s hands and an annuity from it, with the wardship and marriage of the heir, were granted to John Sewester, Attorney of the Court of Wards. In 1609 it appears in the possession of George Kympton, who died in that year, leaving a son and heir George,” after which there is no further mention of it. Howell’s Farm and Wood still survive, and are situated in the south- east of the parish. The tenement known as FAIRCLOUGH HALL, FAIRCLOTH HALL, and now as HALLS GREEN FARM, is about a mile to the south-east of the village. It is a 17th-century building of timber and plaster with a tiled roof and a central chimney stack. It takes its name from a family of Fairclough who resided here certainly as early as 1461 and probably before. A Sir Ralph Fairclough is mentioned as the father or grandfather of the possessor in that year,” and at the same date Laurence Fairclough and Elizabeth his wife settled their possessions in Weston on themselves for life with remainder to their son John for life, and afterwards to his brother Ralph and his heirs.® Laurence and Elizabeth were still living in 1469, when Ralph’s son Laurence is mentioned.” Ralph is again mentioned in 1497." Fairclough Hall descended in the family without a break to Thomas Fairclough, who was living in 1634, soon after which his son John sold Fair- clough Hall to William Hale,* lord of the manor of Weston, in which it presumably became absorbed. The parish church of the HOLY CHURCH TRINITY stands to the south-east of the village on high ground, and is built of flint and coursed ironstone rubble ; the quoins and dresings generally are of oolite and clunch. The roof is slated. The church consists of a chancel, nave with clearstory, north transept, central tower, south aisle and south porch and vestry. The original cruciform church of the 12th century is now represented by the north transept, central tower and nave, and there are traces of a north chapel to the east of the transept. The south aisle, south porch and clearstory were added in the 15th century, and new windows were inserted. ‘The original south transept was at the same time rebuilt so as to incorporate it in the aisle as its easternmost 5S, Grimaldi, Ror. de Dominabus, 35. 4 Harl. Chart. 52 I. 37. % Cal. Close, 1339-41, p. 363 Cal. Ing. Hen. IIL, 38. ® Feud, Aids, iy 430. ST Harl. Chart. 52 I. 37. ® Cal. Ing. Hen. IIT, 38. % Tbid. See Newsells in Barkway, Edwinstree Hundred. “ Chan. Ing, p.m. 1 Edw. I, no. 6. ‘1 Cal, Close, 1272-9, p. 67. #8 Ibid. 5 1307-13, p. 293. “ Chan. Ing. p.m, 2 Edw. II, no. 80. 4 Feud. Aids, ii, 430. © Chan. Ing. p.m. 2 Edw. II, no. 80. 4 Feud. Aids, ii, 436. Chan, Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), xXx, 147 5 Ixxx, 13 5 Ct. of Wards, Bks. clxxix, fol. 36; Feet of F, Herts, East. 7 Eliz. Com. Pleas D. Enr. Hil.17 Jas-I,m.g. © Feet of F. Div. Co. Hil. 13 Chas. 15 Recov. R. Mich. 1652, rot. 228; Trin. 1654, rot. 144; 4 Will. and Mary, rot. 185; 11 Will. III, rot. 2113 Close, 2 Anne, pt. vii, no. 145 pt. viii, no. 21; Recov. R. Trin, 8 Geo. II, rot. 50; Mich, 3x Geo, III, rot. 21; Feet of F. Herts. Hil. 45 Geo. III. % Information kindly supplied by Mr. M. R. Pryor. ‘1 Feet of F. Herts. Hil. 50 Geo. III. ® Recov, R. Hil. 2 Geo. ITI, rot. 30. 53 Cussans, op. cit. Broadwater Hund, 44. ' Chan. Ing. p.m. (Sere 2), Ixviii, 14 3 cceviii, 11 5 Thid, Lxvili, 14. ®L. and P. Hen. VII, xviii (2), &- 449 (67). 175 5 Chan, Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), ccevini, 118 88 Visit. of Herts. (Harl, Soc. xxii), 52. Chauncy (Hist. of Heres. 375) gives both the father and grandfather of Laurence as Ralph, also Richard as father of the elder Ralph and Laurence as his grand- father, 59 Add, R. 36100. Thid, 36108, ® Tbid, 361q1. Visit. of Herts, (Harl. Soc. xxii), 52-3. Chauncy, op. cit. 375. Dimensions: chancel, 32 ft. by 17 ft. 6 in, ; tower, 13 ft. 6 in. square 3 north transept, 14 ft. by 12 ft. ; nave, 44 ft. 6 in. by 21 ft. 6 in. ; south aisle, cast bay, 14 ft. 6 in, wide, remainder 12 ft. wide ; south porch, 12 ft. by 10 ft. A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE bay. The modern work includes the rebuilding of the chancel early in the 1gth century and the upper portion of the central tower in 1867, besides exten- sive and somewhat drastic restoration between this date and 1880, when the vestry was added. The modern chancel is of red brick, coated with stucco, a treatment also applied to the north transept. The crossing arches of the tower are semicircular and unmoulded, and rest on abaci of unusual type, deeply moulded and divided into upper and lower portions. In the north transept a blocked and partly de- stroyed semicircular arch in the east wall indicates the position of an opening to the destroyed north chapel. In the north and west walls are small single round-headed lights of the 12th century with deep internal splays. The character of the south transept has been much disguised by the 15th-century altera- portion (14 ft. 6in. wide) is 1 ft. 6in, wider than the later portion. In the aisle isa piscina of the 15th century, with a plain pointed head. The south doorway is original, of the same date as the windows, and the south porch, also of the 15th century, has an entrance archway of two moulded orders with shafted jambs. The nave roof is of the 15th century, and rests on original grotesque corbels, ‘he font is of the 15th century also, and is octagonal. The sides of the bowl, which is moulded, have quatrefoiled panels, and the stem is also moulded and panelled. On the chancel wall is a small mural monument to John Fairclough, 1630, with shields. In the nave is a small carved chest of 17th-century date. Weston Cuurcu, Interior Looxinc East tions, and it will be described as part of the south aisle. ‘The nave has two windows in the north wall, both of the 15th century, the eastern of two and the western of three lights with tracery. Between them isa blocked north door of similar date. The south arcade, of three bays, has two-centred arches of two hollow-chamfered orders with hollows between, sup- ported on octagonal columns with moulded capitals and bases; all are of 15th-century date, though much recut, scraped and otherwise defaced. Above the arcade are four square openings, probably the original clearstory windows. At present, however, owing to the raising of the aisle roof, they are internal, and probably tracery has been removed from them. The south aisle, which includes the south transept, has an cast window of three traceried lights and three two-light south windows, all of the 15th century, and very like those of the nave. The transept There are five bells: the treble by John Waylett, 1716; the second and third by Miles Graye, 1634 ; the fourth by Warner & Sons, 1867 ; and the tenor by R. Chandler, 1682. The plate consists of a cup of 1638, a large paten of 1661, a small paten, undated (no hall-mark), a modern cup and a modern plated flagon. The registers, beginning in 1539, are included in four books : (i) baptisms 1539 to 1759, burials 15 39 to 1760, marriages 1539 to 1753; (ii) baptisms 1761 to 1794, burials 1761 to 1794 ; (iii) baptisms 1795 to 1812, burials 1795 to 1812; (iv) marriages 1754 to 1812. The church of the Holy Trinity at Weston was given to the Knights Templars by Gilbert de Clare Earl of Pembroke at some date previous to 1148 and was confirmed to them by William Marshal Earl of ADVOWSON 176 BROADWATER HUNDRED Pembroke, one of his successors. The living was appropriated and a vicar appointed, the vicarage to consist of small tithes and offerings from the soil of Weston, with a suitable manse, and the vicar to pay synodals. The rectory and advowson follow the descent of the manor of Lannock® (q.v.), except that the rectory and advowson were acquired from James Spurling before 1616 by Richard Hale,® father of the William Hale who purchased Lannock from the former in 1621. It was bought from the executors of Charles Cholmeley Hale in 1885 by Thomas Pryor of Baldock, who in 188g sold it to Mr. Marlborough Robert Pryor, the present patron.” In 1481 the inhabitants of Weston complained that their vicar John Hawthorn was ¢a common player, and daily played le Penyprykke” and Bowles’; he was duly warned to amend his ways under penalty of a fine of 12d." Certificates were granted for meeting-places of Protestant Dissenters in Weston from 1696. In 1723 the congregation were described as Quakers. A chapel was registered in 1802. At the present WILLIAN time there are a Wesleyan chapel and a Catholic Apostolic church in the parish. In 1841 Henricus Octavus Roe CHARITIES erected an almshouse known as the hurch Almshouses for widows or married couples and endowed the same with £519 155. 74. consols, producing £12 19s 8d. a year. ‘The same donor likewise gave £463 155. consols, the annual dividends, amounting to £11 115. 8¢., to be applied in the distribution of sixteen loaves every Sunday after divine service to sixteen poor married men most constant in attendance at church. The same donor also endowed the National school with £200 consols, producing £5 a year. In 1839 Robert Pryor by his will, proved in the P.C.C. 16 April, left a legacy for the poor, now represented by £106 15s. 8d. consols, producing 2 135. 4d. yearly. i 4 The scree sks of stock are held by the official trustees, the dividends of which are applied in accord- ance with the respective trusts. WILLIAN Wilie (xi cent.) ; Wilya, Wylye (xiii cent.) ; Wylien (xiv cent.) ; Wickley (xvii cent.).—The parish of Willian has an area of 1,864 acres, of which 1,372 acres are arable land, 3083 acres permanent grass, and 192 woodland! The greater part of the parish stands over 300 ft. above ordnance datum, but slopes down slightly on the north and in the south-west, where the village and manor-house are situated. It is bounded on the north by the Icknield Way, and for some distance on the west by the main north road. The road between Hitchin and Baldock passes through the northern part of the parish, and this and another road parallel to it form the main streets of the village. The village pond is on the north side of the main road, opposite the Fox Inn ; a little further along is a 16th-century thatched and timbered cottage, known as the Old Vicarage. It is of two stories, the upper of which projects at the back, The church and rectory stand on a hill rising on the south side of the road, with the schools just below them. Punch- arden Hall, the residence of Mr. Ivor Tuckett, M.D., lies at the north end of the village opposite the church. It is a 17th-century house of timber and plaster, the front of which was refaced with brick in the 18th century. It is an L-shaped building with a central chimney stack of brick with octagonal shafts and moulded capitals and bases. On the ground floor there is an original fireplace, the grate of which bears the arms of the Merchant Taylors’ Company. The subsoil is chalk and boulder clay. There is a chalk-pit on the south-east, close to the boundary road, a disused one further south, and a sand-pit just north of the village. There is no railway station in the parish, the nearest being Letchworth, a mile and ahalf away. Farms in the parish are Norman’s Farm and Pixmore. The part of the parish lying north of the road which forms the village street and runs on ta Baldock, comprising more than half of the whole, was acquired by the First Garden City Co. in 1903. portion of the parish was annexed to Baldock for civil purposes in 1881.'2 The manor of WILLIAN was held in the time of Edward the Confessor by Lewric, a house-carl of Earl Lewin. Half a hide also was held by a sokeman, Elmar of Benington, and half a hide all but ro acres of Godwin of Letchworth (Godwin of Souberie) by a certain widow. By 1086 the whole had come into the possession of Geoffrey de Bech, and was assessed at §4 hides? Nothing is known of the descendants of Geoffrey de Bech. At the beginning of the 13th century the manor was held by William Malet de Graville,? who, it is said, was son of Matthew de Graville, son o! William de Rue.‘ William Malet, being a Norman, lost his English lands upon the separation of Normandy, and in 1204 Willian was granted in farm to Matthew de Lilley.© In 1216 King John granted the manoi to Pain de Chaworth or Chaurces,® and he was still holding in 1223.” In 1227, however, Pain apparently MANORS % Dugdale, Mon, vii, 820; Chan. Inq. pm. 35 Edw. I, no. 46. © Liber Antiquus Hug. Wells, 28. Feet of F. Herts. East. 40 Eliz. 5 Recov. R. Trin. 44 Eliz. rot. 93. % Chan, Ing. pm. (Ser. 2), ecclxxxvii, 1103 Inet. Bks. (P.R.O.) ; Bacon, Liber Regis ; Clergy List. Information kindly supplied by Mr. M. R. Pryor. 10 Penny-Pricke consisted in throwing with a piece of iron at pence, which were placed on pieces of stick called holes, It 3 was a common game in the 15th century, and is reproved by a religious writer of that period’ (J. Strutt, Sports and Pastimes, 312). 1 Add, Chart. 36326. 78 Urwick, Nonconf. in Herts. 626-7. 2 Statistics from Bd. of Agric. (r905). 4a Divided Parishes Act. 2 CH, Herts. iy 333. ® Wrottesley, Ped. from the Plea R. 490. 4 Cur. Reg. R. 120, m. 14; see Red Bk of Exch. (Rolls Ser.), ii, 731. A Robert Malet is later referred to as having held Willian (Assize R. 325, m. 185 u77 Abbrev. Rot. Orig. [Rec. Com.], i, 12) ‘The name is probably an error for William Mr. Round points out that a Mathew de Graville (Gerardi villa) was holding : knight's fee in capite in Hertfordshire ir 1166 (Red Bk, Exch, [Rolls Ser.], i, 362) and that this may have been Williax Malet’s father. 5 Rot, Norman, 129. © Close, 18 John, pt. i, m. 4. Possibly this is _a confirmation (see Red Bh. 9 Exch. [Rolls Ser.}, ii, 804). * Close, 8 Hep, IIT, m. 19. 23 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE forfeited,” and the manor was held by Richard de Argentein®? until 1232, when it was returned to Pain.” About 1237 it was committed by the king to John Earl of Lincoln ‘during pleasure ’ and granted by him in 1238 to his nephew Thomas de Pavilly." In 1241, however, the king brought a suit against him and disputed his title to the lands." Thomas claimed to be great-nephew and heir of William Malet the Norman through his grandmother Theofania, sister of William, who was said to have had the manor granted to her by Geoffrey Malet, younger brother of William. Theofania was said to have sued Pain de Chaworth for the manor, but to have died before the suit was settled. Thomas de Pavilly’s claim, however, broke down on the ground that it was William the elder brother of Geoffrey who held the manor, and that he was a Norman and had moreover left children. The king therefore took the manor into his own hands,* In 1243 Willian was granted to Paul Peyvre and heirs ‘until the land of England and Normandy be ne,’ in which event Paul was to have a reasonable exchange, {10 from lands in Willian, which the king had given to Hugh de Botyun his yeoman for life, were excepted from the grant. Probably this portion was identical with the 10 librates of land granted to Paul in 1249-50."* In 1272 the manor was held by John Peyvre, grandson of Paul, a minor in the custody of Queen Eleanor.'* John died in 1316 and was succeeded by his son Paul,” who granted Willian in 1321 to his brother John and Margaret his wife for their lives.'* Margaret outlived her husband and married secondly John Mallore, who was holding the manor in right of his wife in 1346." At Margaret’s death in 1348 it passed to her nephew Nicholas Peyvre, son of Paul.” Nicholas died in 1361 and was succeeded by his son Thomas,” his widow Avice, who married secondly William de Clopton, keeping a third of the manor in dower.” Thomas settled Willian on himself and his wife Margaret in tail in 1375-80" and died in 1429, when the manor passed to his grandson John Broughton, son of his only daughter Mary. Robert Broughton, grandson of John, inherited it in 1489 % and was succeeded by his son John in 1506,” who granted the manor to Edward Cornwall and Elizabeth his wife for their lives, with reversion to the heirs of John Broughton. ‘The latter died in 1518, leaving a son” and two daughters. The son John, who was aged six at his father’s death, died about 1529. 5 See Abbrev. Plac. (Rec. Com.), 114: “Pagan de Chahurz was disseised for Ibid. 35 Edw. Willian was then divided between his two sisters Anne and Katherine.* Katherine, who was the first wife of Thomas Lord Howard of Effingham, diced without male issue in 1535,” when her moiety of the manor apparently reverted to her sister Anne, who had married Sir Thomas Cheney, K.G., Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports,” for the whole manor came to their son Henry Cheney, afterwards Lord Cheney of Toddington.” Henry Cheney and his wife Joan conveyed Willian in 1563 to William Totnam,% who in the following year received a pardon for acquiring it without licence.® Towards the end of 1564 he sold it to Edward Wilson,* who granted it to his son Edward in 1574.¥ Edward Wilson, junior, settled the manor upon his second wife Joan Grey, who afterwards married Edward Lacon," and after whose death in 1624 % it passed to Edward Wilson, son of Edward Wilson, junior, by his first wife.’ Ralph Wilson, son of the third Edward, died in 1637 during his father’s life- time, leaving two young sons,” Edward, who died in 1639,” and Thomas, who died in 1656." After the death of the latter the manor seems to have been divided, for another Thomas Wilson appears in possession of a moiety of Willian in 1672." After this the manor is said to have been divided between three sisters, Frances, Elizabeth and Mary Adams, daughters and co-heiresses of Mary Adams, widow, one of whom must have died soon after, for Mary was hold- ing a moiety in 1728. The second sister is said to have sold her moiety to Richard Way, who sold it to Sir John Dimsdale, from whom it passed to his nephew John Dimsdale, the possessor in 1728." John left it to his cousin Thomas, who acquired the other half of the manor by purchase in 1767 from Elizabeth Marshall, to whom Mary Adams had left it by will. Thomas Dimsdale inoculated the Empress Catherine and various Russian princes for the small- pox and was created a Baron of the Russian Empire in 1769. He died in 1800.8 Willian continued in the Dimsdale family until 1867, when it was sold to Charles Frederick Hancock,"® from whom Dimspare. Argent a fesse dancety azure between three molets sable with three bezants on the (fesse and an augmenta- tion of a scutcheon or with an cagle’s. wing sable thereon. II, pt. ii (ret nos,), 4 Feet of F. Herts. Mich. 6 & 7 Eliz. 3 Chan. Ing. pam. (Ser. 2), cxcix, 88 5 war. ° Cal. Chart. R. 1226-57, pp. 57, 85) 140. 10 Cal. Close, 1231-45 pp 190-1. 11 Cal. Pat. 1232-47, p. 226. 42 Wrottesley, Ped. from the Plea R. 490. *D Abbrev. Plac (Rec, Com.), 114. M Cal. Chart. R. 1226-57, p. 276. 18 Abbrev, Rot. Orig, (Rec. Com.), i, 12. 8 Abbrev. Plac. (Rec. Com.), 1805 Ausize R325, m. 18 ; Feud. Aids, li, 430. ¥ Chan. Ing. p.m.'9 Edw. II, no. 55. ¥ Cal, Pat 1317-21, p. $793 Chan. Ing. pm. 7 Edw. IIT, no. 33. ' Feet of F. Herts. 18 Edw. II, no. 296 5 Feud. Aids, ii, 436. ® Chan. Ing. p.m. 7 Edw. ITI, no. 33 5 23 Edw. III, pt. ii (1st.nos.), no. 41. pt ii ( ag y no. 42. ” Feet of F, Div. Co. East. 40 Edw. III, 0. 226 B Abbrev. Rot. Orig. (Rec. Com.), ii 341; Chan. Ing. p.m. 49 Edw. ILL, pt. if (2nd nos.), no. 27; Pat. 4 Ric. II, pt. i, Ing. vi, no, 21. 25 Tid. (Ser. 2), v, 131. % bid. 23 Hen. VII, no. 67. # Tid. (Ser. 2), xxxiv, 110. Ct. of Wards, Misc. Bks. dlxxviii, fol. 178.4., 187d. 2 G.E.C. Complete Peerage. ™ Ibid. 2 Ibid. % Feet of F. Div. Co. East. 5 Eliz.; Recov. R. Hil. § Eliz. % Pat. 6 Eliz. pt. 178 Pat. 27 Eliz. pt. viii, m. 39. 36 Chan, Decree R. no. 57; Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), cexeviii, 80. scr. %8 Visit. of Herts. (Harl. Soc. xxii), 105 ; Feet of F. Herts. Mich. 22 Jas. I. 8” Chan. Ing. pam. (Ser. 2), cceclxxxi, 199; Ct. of Wards, Feod. Surv. 17. “9 Chan, Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), cccexc, 41 Monum. Inser. Recov. R. Trin. 24 Chas. II, rot. 128. “ Salmon, op. cit. 177. “4 Clutterbuck, op. cit. ii, 530. 45 Berry, Herts. Gen, 2123 see Recov. R. Mich. 13 Geo. III, rot. 12. 2 Cussans, op. cit. Broadwater Hund. 28, BROADWATER HUNDRED it passed to his son Col. Mortimer Hancock, In 1go1 the manor came to Capt. Mortimer Pawson Hancock, who in 1903 sold a large part of his estate to the Garden City Pioneer Company Limited.* Captain Hancock holds the remainder of the property. BRAYS or BRAIES Manor, of which no trace now remains, belonged to Bigging Priory at Hitchin, and was leased by that house to Richard Yerdeley in 1521, together with a messuage called le Pounde- house. After the Dissolution it was granted with “le Poundhouse’ to John Cock in 1545.° By 1564 Brayes had come into the possession of James Needham of Wymondley Priory and was conveyed by him in that year to Thomas Rivett*! of Baldock, from whom it descended about 1583 to his daughter and co-heiress Anne Lady Windsor,” who held it in 1606." For almost a century there is no further record of the manor, but before 1692 it was acquired by Richard Way, patron of Willian rectory. In that year he conveyed it to Knightley Holled, clerk," who held it in 1730. In 1746 it was the subject of a fine between various members of the Priest family,®* after which no more is heard of it. Two and a half hides in ‘ Wilga’ were held before the Conquest by Alestan of Boscumbe, and in 1086 by William de Ow. They belonged to the neigh- bouring manor of Weston.” In the time of Edward the Confessor 1 hide of this land was held of Alestan de Boscumbe by Alviet, and in 1086 this hide and another were held of William de Ow by William de Mare. Later the tithes of ‘Wilia’ were given to the monastery of St. Albans by Thurstan, brother of William de Mare, and ‘Robert de Mare gave his tithe likewise’® In 1086 (as Mr. Round points out) there were also 14 hides in ¢Welga’ held by Robert de Pontcardon (Puncharden) of Robert Gernon.” It seems possible that there has been some confusion between ‘ Wilga’ and ‘Wilei’” (Welwyn and Willian) here, and that both these holdings lay in Willian. Certainly the estate after- wards known as PUNCHARDEN was in this parish. The Punchardon family appear to have been tenants of some importance in Willian in the 13th century. Gilbert de Tany gave a virgate and a half in Willian to St. Albans® about the time of Stephen or Henry II; this grant was confirmed by Gilbert’s son Walter,” and by Ralph de Punchardon,” probably his overlord. Roger de Punchardon was holding land in Willian in 1202.% In 1247-8 Richard de Pun- chardon called himself ‘lord of Wylye,’“ and a Wygan Delamere appears as owing him homage. During the abbacy of Roger de Norton, who was Abbot of St. Albans from 1263 to 1301, William son of Geoffrey Punchardon quitclaimed his right in a tenement in Willian to St. Albans. After this the history of the estate is lost until a ‘capital messuage called Puncherd ” with lands belonging, appears 4 Walford, County Families (1907). 18 Prospectus, First Garden City Lid. r 49 Mins, Accts. 32 & 33 Hen. VIII, no. 71. 8 L, and P. Hen. VUL, xx (2), & 496 (44). 51 Feet of F. Herts. Hil. 6 Eliz. 8 Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), ccii, 154.5 G.E.C. Complete Peerage. %8 Recov. R. Mich. 4 Jas. I, rot. 10. 4 Feet of F, Herts. Trin, 4 Will. and Mary. Weston). 1 Ibid, % Recov. R. East. 3 Geo. II, rot. 29. 5 Feet of F. Herts, M.ch. 20 Geo. II. 97 VCH. Herts, i, 3276. ing may be the manor of Lockleys in ‘Welwyn, which in 1303 was held of the heir of the Earl of Pembroke (cf, 88 Dugdale, Mon. ii, 220. VCH. Herts, i, 3270. © Cott. MS. Otho, D iii, fol. 167. WILLIAN in 1625 in the possession of Edward Wilson, lord of the manor of Willian.” He settled it on his son Ralph Wilson, who held it during the lifetime of his father. Ralph died in 1637 and Punchardens passed to hisson Edward who died in 1639. His brother and heir Thomas succeeded his grandfather as lord of the manor of Willian, and Puncharden presumably continued with that manor. The parish church of ALL SAINTS," CHURGH standing to the south of the village, is built of flint, mixed in places with freestone, and consists of a chancel, nave, west tower and south porch. The chancel and nave date from the earlier part of the t2th century. About 1430 the west tower was added, outside the west wall of the nave; this wall was then taken down and the nave lengthened about 4 ft. to join the tower, the east diagonal buttresses of the tower being built against the quoins of the nave. A south porch was added in the 15th century, and the chancel was remodelled and probably lengthened in the early part of the rgth century. In the east wall of the chancel is reset a 15th-century window of three lights containing 17th-century glass with heraldic panels. In the south wall are a doorway with a 12th-century rear-arch and modern external stonework and a late 14th-century two-light window with a square head. The chancel arch is of about 1430 and is of two moulded orders with shafted jambs. On the outside of the south wall of the chancel is a 14th-century tomb recess, very much repaired with cement. The north wall of the nave has two windows, the easternmost being of the 15th century, of two lights with tracery over, in a dropped two-centred head. The westernmost is modern, and cuts into the arch of the blocked north doorway. There is only one window in the south wall, of the 15th century, and of similar type to that in the north wall, but of three lights. The south doorway, which is of 14th- century character, has been almost wholly restored in cement. The tower arch is of similar character to the chancel arch and is also of about 1430. The west tower, into which it opens, is of two stages, with diagonal buttresses, and has a stair turret on the north-east and an embattled parapet. The west doorway has a pointed arch inclosed in a square head, with shields in the spandrels, one bearing the instruments of the Passion and the other a bend in an engrailed border. There is an oak lintel which is possibly old. Above the door is a window of three cinquefoiled lights with tracery in a two-centred head. In each face of the belfry stage is a two-light window, with cinquefoiled lights and a quatrefoil over in a two-centred head and a label with grotesque stops. Below the parapet is a © Ibid. ; Dugdale, Mon. ii, 229. 6 Feet of F. Herts. 4 John, no. 38. 6 Assize R. 318, m. 4. % Dugdale, Mon. ii, 194. % Cott. MS. Otho, D iii, fol. 167. § Ct. of Wards, Feod. Surv. 17. % Chan. Ing. pm. (Ser. 2), cocclxxxi, ‘This hold- 199. 65 Tid. cecexe, 65. a Dimensions : chancel, 26 ft. 6 in. by 13 ft. 6 in. ; nave, 38 ft. by 18 ft. 6in.; tower, 11 ft, Gin. square, 179 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE string with grotesques at the angles and in the centre of each face of the tower. The stair-turret rises above the parapet and is also embattled. The south porch is old, probably of the 15th century, and has a dropped two-centred entrance archway of two orders. The walls of the nave externally show the uncut small flints, in wide-jointed courses, of 12th-century work, Some of the courses are set in herring-bone pattern, and mixed with the flint are some large blocks of freestone, one of them being a piece of 12th-century moulding re-used in the 15th century when the walls were raised, The masonry of the tower is also small, and has been much faced with cement. There are the remains, in the chancel archway, of a rood screen of the 15th century, which has been Quarterly (1) and (6) : Quarterly fessewise indented ermine and [azure], for Lacon ; (2) Three cheverons in a border engrailed ; (3) A ragged cross; (4) A bend cotised, for Harley; (5) Three buckles, for Remevill. On the south wall of the chancel is a large murai monument, with bustsand inscription below, of Thomas Wilson, 1656, and Lucia his wife. Above is a shield of the arms : Sable a leaping wolf or and in the chief three stars or; with the crest of a demi-wolf or. On the same wall are monuments to John Chapman, vicar of the parish, 1624, and his wife Anne, 1633, and to Matthew Thorley, 1634 ; the former having small kneeling figures in a circular head niche and the latter being simply a tablet. In the east window are three pieces of heraldic glass which are said to be 17th-century work. These Wittian Ciurc From THE SouTH-EAST restored with plaster, It is of three bays, the centre being the entrance way, with a four-centred arch, and the side bays similar but traceried. The central doors have been removed to the porch. Set against the south chancel wall are the remains of another similar screen restored with plaster. The stalls in the chancel are good work of the late 15th century, with carved standards, one being an elephant’s head, and one the head of St. John the Baptist in a charger. On the north wall of the chancel is a brass of Richard Golden, 1446, with the figure of a priest in eucharistic vestments ; the inscription is broken. On the same wall is a mural monument of Edward Lacon of Willey in Shropshire, 1625, and Joan his wife, 1624, with kneeling figures of the man in armour, his wife and three children. Below is a Latin inscription and above is the shield of Lacon, are shields of the arms of Chester impaling Berry of Toddington, Cheney of Sherland quartered with Shottesbroke, and Engayne impaling an unknown coat. The shield of Cheney is surrounded by a garter and appears to refer to John Lord Cheney, who died in 1496. On the chancel floor are slabs to Richard Way, vicar, 1673, and to Alice his wife, 1662. There are three bells ; the treble by Joseph Eayre, *pe and the second and third by Miles Graye, I 2. The plate consists of a cup and cover paten of 1718 and a pewter flagon. The registers begin in 1558 and are contained in three books: (i) all entries 1687 to 17383 (ii) baptisms 1739 to 1812, burials 1739 to 1812, marriages 1739 to 1751; (iii) marriages 1754 to 1812. 180 Wittian Cuurcu : Cuancet Screen BROADWATER HUNDRED The advowson belonged to the ADVOWSON ord of the manor, and is first men- tioned in 1239, when ‘Thomas and Roger de Pavilly established their claim to it against the Prior of Envermeu,” on the ground that their grandfather Matthew de Graville presented to the church. The prior stated that William de Rue, father of Matthew, gave the church of Willian to Envermeu, but the claim was not allowed.” Paul Peyvre held it in 1247-8,” and in the time of his grandson John the king presented owing to his minority. On this occasion the Prior of Bec Hellouin, to which Envermeu was a cell, is mentioned as having contested the king’s claim to the advowson.’* At the Taxation by Pope Nicholas in 1291 the church was valued at £13 6s. 8d., in addition to a portion of 26s. 8d. belonging to the Prior of St. Neots’; this payment was evidently long retained by that priory, for as late as 1428 the same sum was paid to it.”* The advowson continued in the Peyvre family until about 1384,” in which year Nigel Loring received a pardon for acquiring it from Thomas Peyvre,” his son-in-law. In the year following, Nigel Loring granted it to Robert Braybrook, Bishop of London, and others,” who in 1394, or a little before, conveyed it to the king.” In that year Richard IT gave it to the Prioress and convent of Dartford, on condition that they should appropriate it to the use and profit of the Friars Preachers at Langley.” The grant was confirmed in 1399," 1424° and 1466, and the advowson remained in the possession of the Friars until the Dissolution. The rectory was appropriated by the nuns of Dartford and a vicarage ordained between 1399 and 1405." In 1544 the rectory and advowson of the vicarage of Willian were granted by Henry VIII to Thomas Calton, a gold- smith of London, and Margaret his wife."* Margaret survived her husband, and she and William their eldest son settled them in 1570 on George and Henry GREAT or MUCH WYMONDLEY the younger sons, with the remainder to William and his son Thomas. Margaret died in 1571. Henry Calton was in pou af h 1583, and by 1589 had apparently eae for in that jar be conveyed the whole rectory and advowson to John Phillips.” Elizabeth widow of John Phillips held them until her death in 100 when they came to her granddaughter Elizabeth Johnson.” At this date the rectory consisted only oO! an annual rent of 20 marks issuing from the vicarage. After this there is some obscurity in the descent. Richard Way presented in 1673 and died in that year,” so that the Richard Way who presented in 1676 must have been his heir. In 1725 presenta~ tion was made by Stephen Ashby, and in 1739 by Anne Rooke,” widow of John Rooke, who died in 1755." According to Clutterbuck the advowson had been sold previous to this to Henry Kingsley, whose granddaughter Elizabeth married William Pym. Their son Francis Pym presented to the vicarage in 1792, 1804 and 1816," and the rectory and advowson continued in the Pym family until 1893, when they were acquired by Mr. Joseph Chalmers-Hunt. They are now in the possession of the Rev. Leonard Chalmers Chalmers-Hunt, M.A. ‘A dwelling-house was certified as a meeting-place of Protestant Dissenters in Willian in 1714.” : In a terrier, dated in 1788, it is stated that ‘there are two acres of inclosed pasture given by the late Rev. Mr. Ward, vicar, and by John Izard, to be fed by cows of the poor people of Willian.’ The land is let at £2 2s. a year, which is distributed in money. In 1880 James Smyth, by his will, proved at London 28 February, left £400, now represented by £413 8% 3d. India 3 per cent. stock, the annual dividends, amounting to £12 8s., to be distributed in meat and coal at Christmas. The stock is held by the official trustees. is moiety in become sole CHARITIES GREAT or MUCH WYMONDLEY Wimundeslai (xi cent.); Wilmundele (xiv and xv cent.) ; Wimley. The parish of Great Wymondley has an area of 1,490 acres, of which 1,397$ acres are arable land, 348} acres permanent grass and gz acres wood.’ Two portions of the parish are detached. The first portion, lying a mile south of Great Wymondley proper and separated from it by Little Wymondley, contains the hamlet of Titmore Green, which lies between Redcoats Green and Todd’s Green, each of which gives its name to a few cottages. The second detached portion lies still further south, on the 7The Priory of St. Lawrence of Envermen in Seine Inférieure, 18 Cal. Pat. 1385-9, p. 64. 71 Cur. Reg. R. 120,m.14. According _—*7° Ibid, 1391~6, p- 373+ to the descent given under the manor —® Ibid. Matthew de Graville would have been I Ibid. 1399-1401) P- 59 7 Pat, 7 Ric, IL, pt. ii, m. 5. borders of Stevenage parish, and has no houses within its area, but contains part of Lucas’s Wood. The elevation of the parish in the east is between 300 ft. and 400 ft., but it slopes downwards towards the River Purwell on the western boundary. This river turns the mill of the same name which was leased by the lord of the manor of Great Wymondley from Hitchin.’ Near to the mill the foundations of a Roman house were found in 1884. A little distance from the toundary, in a meadow beside the road from Hitchin, are the ‘ Nine Springs’ from which rises a brook flowing into the Purwell. ® Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), elx, 9. ® Feet of F. Div. Co. East. 25 Eliz, ® Ibid. Mich. 31 & 32 Eliz. ® Chan, Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), ccexlvii, 6, -R.O,). great-grandfather of Thomas and Roger de Pavilly. 7 Assize R. Herts. 318. 18 Thid. 1220, m. 2. ™4 Pope Nich. Tax. (Rec. Com.), 33+ % Feud. Aids, ii, 463. 7 Chan. Inq. p.m. 9 Edw. II, no. 55 5 Cal. Pat. 1317-21, ps $79 3 Abbrev. Rot. Orig, (Rec. Com.), ii, 3415 Pat. 4 Ric. Hy pei, m. 41. © Thid. 1422-9, p- 264+ & Tbid. 1461-7, P- $56- Linc. Epis. Reg- Mem. Bp. Beaumont, fol. 31d. &°L, and P. Hen. VILL, xix (2), 6. 5275 (8). Under this grant a fee of 2s. is annually paid to the Crown by the owner of the impropriate rectory. Information from Rev. L. C. Chalmers-Hunt. 181 Inst. Bks. (P. MAL ® Inst. Bks. (P.R.O.). % Ibid. ; Bacon, Liber Regis. “MAL % Clutterbuck, op. cit. (1821), ii, 532. % Inst. Bs. (PRO), ei Urwick, op. cit. 629. 1 Statistics from Bd. of Agric. (1905). ? Chan, Ing. p.m, 12 Edw. I, no. 43. A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE In the southern part of the parish, where the roads from Hitchin to Graveley and trom Little Wymondley to Willian cross, lies the village, at the east end of which is thechurch. Inthe village are the former Green Man Inn, a picturesque little thatched house, and one or two late 16th-century or early 17th-century timber and plaster cottages. On the east side of the road from Willian to Little Wymondley are three ponds. Adjoining the churchyard on the east side are the remains of a mount and bailey type of castle. Like the other smaller castles of Hertfordshire it was probably only in use for a short time, and was defended merely by a timber keep on the mount and stockades around the bailey. There is no evidence of any masonry works. It may have been thrown up by John de Argentein, an adherent of King Stephen, in the time of the anarchy as a manorial stronghold, Wymondley being the head of the Argentein barony in Herts. It was probably destroyed as an adulterine or unlicensed castle in the reign of Henry II. Adjoining are indications of Roman occupation? The Manor Farm is a 16th-century three-gabled and plastered house situated at the left-hand corner where the road from Hitchin enters the village. There is a tradition that James I once slept there. It has a fine yew hedge of great age penetrated by arches. The house is a rectangular building, with a central porch, the inner doorway to which has the original oak frame and door. ‘There are also one or two original fireplaces in the house. Delamere House, now a farm-house, the residence of Mr. Hailey, stands a little south of the village. Only the central part of the old building remains, flanked on either side by modern additions. No part of it appears to be earlier than the end of the 16th or beginning of the 17thcentury. It measures about 44ft. in length by 33 ft. in width. The south or garden front is built of red brick 2 in. thick, and CENT DDERN Devamere .GREAT WYMONDLEY E36 Grow Peace the building consists of two stories and attics. All the windows have mullions, and the lower have transoms as well. There is a modern doorway in the centre, not apparently part of the original design. Over the first floor windows is a brick moulded cornice with dentil course running the whole length of the building, above which are two brick gables, the upper parts of which are semicircular, and resemble those at Rawdon House, Hoddesdon, a building erected in 1622. The north front seems to have been built at 3 Mr. F. Seebohm thinks that the in- closure with the site of the Roman occupation represents a Roman holding of about 25 jugera munities, 431). a somewhat later period, but probably before the middle of the 17th century. There are two gables on this front also, of different sizes, both being straight and steep, the smaller having kneclers at its springing. The windows, which are placed irregularly, have all stone mullions, the upper having a small moulded cornice over them. The entrance doorway has splayed stone jambs and lintel, and a small fanlight over. The oak door is original and is studded with iron nails. This entrance adjoins the old main stair, which is an unusual position, but the plan may have been governed by the arrangement of the previous building. Under the stair is an old built-up door- way with a four-centred arch, which gave access to the cellars which were under the old west wing, now destroyed. A part of the original wall still exists in the modern cellar, in whieh is a little shallow niche about g in. wide, with arched head. Similar niches exist in the old cellars at Watton Place and Little Wymondley Bury. The drawing room is panelled with old oak up to the ceiling, and has a good oak chimney-piece. The lower part of this, together with the fireplace, is modern, but the upper part has two arched panels, with the nail-head ornament, the panels being flanked and separated by Ionic columns which support the projecting entablature. The architrave and cornice are moulded and the fricze is carved with a flat pattern, which is carried round the frieze of the room. The arrangement is very similar to the panelling at Turner’s Hall, Harpenden, and Hammond’s Farm, Pirton. The brickwork of the chimney is of considerable thickness, and affords space for a small closet between the chimney breast and the outer south wall. This closet is lighted by a large window in the south wall, and there is a small bricked-up window in the west wall, which seems to show that the west wing did not project southwards, although old foundations have been dug up to the south. In an old house, now pulled down, in the hamlet of Redcoats Green resided James Lucas, the ‘ hermit of Hertfordshire.” His mother’s death in 1849, by which he inherited the family estate at Redcoats Green, seems to have greatly accentuated his eccen- tricities. He barricaded his house and henceforth lived in the kitchen, where he slept on a bed of cinders and clothed himself in a blanket. He pro- tected himself by an iron grille from unwelcome visitors, but was fond of children, to whom he would give sweets. He died of apoplexy in 1874, having hoarded a considerable sum of money in his living room.* The inclosure award, dated 1814, is in the custody of the clerk of the peace. The Authorizing Act was passed in 1811.5 The subsoil of the parish is chalk, with a thick de- posit of boulder clay above it. On the surface clay is mixed with gravel, penctrated by occasional bosses of chalk. There is an old chalk-pit near the Purwell. The chief crops are wheat, barley and oats alternating with clover, sainfoin, turnips, mangolds and beans. In the time of King Edward the Con- MANOR fessor 8 hidesin GREAT WYMONDLEY were held by the church of St. Mary of Chatteris, Cambs., but three years before King (Engl. Village Com- 4 Diet. Nat. Biog. 5 Blue Bk. Incl. Awards, 182 A MAS goonies eon eer] a as NARI ashy Great Wymonptey Cuurch: Sour Doorway Great Wymonpiry : Drramere, Drawinc-room CHIMNEY-PIECE BROADWATER HUNDRED Edward’s death, i.e. about 1063, the manor was taken away from that church by Karl Harold, after- wards king, and attached by him to his neighbouring manor of Hitchin.’ Three and a-quarter hides, probably in this parish also,’ were held before the Conquest by Swen, one of Earl Harold’s men.* In 1086 King William held the 8 hides,” while the other 3} hides had been granted to Goisbert de Beauvais." William I or William Rufus gave the whole estate as an escheat to Reginald de Argentein, as appears from the evidence of his grandson." The manor was held of the king in chief by grand serjeanty for the service of rendering the king a silver-gilt cup at his coronation feast.'* This service was performed by the lords of the manor until the coronation of George IV. Since that date the state banquet has been dispensed with, and the lords of the manor have been exempt from their service, ‘The manor was confirmed to John, son of Reginald de Argentein, by King Stephen,'® and he was still living in 1166." Reginald de Argentein, p bly the son REAT on MUCH WYMONDLEY died about 1318, leaving an infant 200 Joh eae i 0 peg et feerwards married * 3 She Wymondley in ever afeited his lands in 1327, d in Mortimer’s rebellion, but ‘Atsome time, possibly Agnes was the wife of Great Wymondley a ing and in 1346 John de to her by the king," and in 1346 J je John de Nerford.” restored Hebe at Maltravers was holding it ! died in 1375, when Wymondley passed to Joxs te Argentein, her son by her first husband,” w. 0 Ps ie formed his office of cupbearer at the coronation at Richard IL.” In 1381 he obtained alicence to entail the manor on his son William and his: wife Isabel, but upon the death of John it was claimed in 1383 by his daughter Matilda and her husband Ivo Fitz Warin, and his grandson Baldwin St. George, son of another daughter Elizabeth.” These made complaint ‘that whereas the said John [de Argentein] delivered certain muniments concerning his lands in a chest under lock and seal to the Prior of [Little] Wylmondesle for safe custody, certain evildoers seized of John, since he was grand- son of the elder Reginald,’* is mentioned in 1194,'° and was Sheriff of Hertfordshire in 1196." He was succeeded by Richard de Argentein, who seems to have forfeited, for in 1203 he received a pardon at the petition of the Earl of Albemarle from King John, and had his patrimony re- stored.® Part of it he delivered to Isabel de Argentein in dower in the same year.” In 1224 Richard de Argentein was Sheriff of Hertfordshire and Essex,” and in 1225 and 1226 custodian of Hertford Castle." He was also the founder of Little Wymondley Priory, and in 1228 is spoken of as ‘a noble and one strenuous in arms’ who had already been on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.* He returned there later as a Crusader and was killed in an engagement in 1246." His son and successor Giles* was engaged in the war against Prince Llewellyn during his father’s lifetime, and in 1231 was taken prisoner by the Welsh. Reginald de Argentein, son of Giles, inherited Wymondley in 1283,” and was still holding in 1303." His son John, who succeeded in 1307,” Ancenteix. Gules three covered cupsargent, 8 V.C.H, Herts. i, 301. 7 The holdings ia Great and Little Wymondley are difficult to distinguish, as they are both called Wymondley. 8 VCH. Herts, i, 3356, 9 Ibid. zor. 1 Ibid. 3350. 1 Rot, Cur. Reg. (Rec. Com.), i, 391-2. Ibid. 1625 Testa de Nevill (Rec. Ser.), iii, 164. Hen, II, no. 16. "1 Rot, Lit. Claus. (Rec. Com.), ii, 88, 139. # Dugdale, Mon, vi, 555. ® Matt. Paris, Chron. Maj. (Rolls 4 Tid. iv, 587 5 Chan. Ing. pam, 31 the prior at Neumarkethethe as he was coming to Hallesworth, co. Suffolk to celebrate the obsequies of the said John, patron of his priory, forced him to send for the deeds and deliver them to one William Dargentein and afterwards assaulted the said Ivo and Margaret wife of the said John and their friends at Hallesworth, so that they could not do what was honorably due in oblations, etc., for his decent burial.’ This strange tale seems to support the statement of Cussans that William was an illegitimate son. William, however, on the strength of the settlement of 1381, made good his claim, and the manor was delivered to him," In 1400 he obtained aconfirmation of Stephen’s charter to his ancestor John de Argentein.” He died in 1419, leaving an infant grandson John and a widow Margaret, who held a third of the manor in dower until her death in 1427.4 The young John died in 1420, leaving as his heirs his two sisters Elizabeth and Joan, between whom the manor was divided. Joan, who had married Robert Alington, died childless in 1429, and her moiety passed to her sister Elizabeth, wife of William Alington,® who thus became possessed of the whole manor. William Alington, who held Wymondley in right of his wife, died in 1460, leaving a son John,” who held it until 1480, when he was succeeded by his son William Alington.® The % Feud. Aids, ii, 436. % Chan, Ing. p.m. 49 Edw. HI, pt. ii, no. 17. Close, 1 Ric. I, m. 45. %8 Cal. Pat. 1381-5, p. 20; Chan. Inq. pom. 4 Ric. HI, no. 110. 8 John de Argentein also had a third Com.), 270; Assize R. 318, 323) 325 5 Gol Pa cqhi=6; po 207 Cae Be Da. 1660-1, p. 385; Coron, Rolls ; Round, The Kings Seren, al. Pat. 1399-1401, p- 293+ ™ Pipe R. § Hen If (Pipe R Soc), 6; Red Bi, of Exch, (Rolls Ser.), i, 332. Abbrev, Plac. (Rec, Com.), 8. 4 Rot. Cur, Reg. (Rec. Com.}, 106, 162, YW V.GH, Herts, Families, 281. 18 Rot. Lit, Pat. (Rec. Com.), 25. W Feet of F. Div. Co, § John, no. 35. 2 P.C.H, Herts, Families, 281. 4% Assize R. 318, 323 5 Excerpta e Rot. Fin. (Rec. Com,), ii, 5. % Matt. Paris, Chron. Maj. (Rolle i Ser.) ili, 203. G.E.C. Complete Peerage; Abbrev. Rot. Orig. (Rec. Com.), i, 433 Assize R. 325. % Feud. Aids, ii, 429. 8 G.E.C. Complete Peerage. 80 Chan, Ing. p.m. 12 Edw. II, no. 43- 31 Cal, Clore, 1318-23, p- 50- 9 Exch. Enr. Accts. (L.T.R.), no. 2. 3 Cal. Pat. 1330-4; P- 84+ 4 Ibid. 5 Com.), ii, 52. 183 ‘Abbrev. Rot. Orig. (Rec. and eldest daughter Joan, whose daughter Margaret wife of Robert de Bokenham was a third heir (Close, 7 Ric. Hm. 5 d.). 40 Cal. Pat, 1381-5, p. 260. "Close, 7 Ric. HI, m. 5.3 Coron. Roll, Hen. IV. 42 Cal. Pat. 1399-1401, Ps 293 5 Feud Aids, ii, 443+ 43’Chan. Ing. p.m. 6 Hen. V, no. 13. 4 Thid, 6 Hen. VI, no. 53+ 46 Thid. 2 Hen. VI, no. 27. 4 Ibid. 7 Hen. VI, no. 8. 47 Tbid. 38 & 39 Hen. VI, no. 42. 48 [bid, 20 Edw. IV, no. 58 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE latter was killed at the battle of Bosworth Field in 1485, his son Giles, who was only two years old, succeeding him.” Giles Alington held Wymondley until 1521,” after which it was held by his widow Mary in dower until her death in 1540, when it passed to their son Giles. Sir Giles outlived his son Robert and his grandson Giles and was succeeded in 1586 by his great-grandson, also named Giles, then aged fourteen. Auinoton, Argenta At the coronation of James 1 berd engrailed berucen both Giles Alington and his 9% °¥** 140% mother Margaret Elrington claimed the service.“ From the younger Giles the manor descended in 1638 to his son William, on whom he had settled it in 1631 on the occasion of the latter’s marriage with Elizabeth Tollemache.** In 1642 William was created first Lord Alington of Killard in Ireland and died in 1648.% His son Giles held Wymondley until 1659," when he died a minor and unmarried, and his brother William succeeded. He inherited the Irish title, and in 1682 was also created Lord Alington of Wymondley.* He died in 1684, leaving an infant son Giles, for whom his mother Diana (Verney) claimed the service at the coronations of James II and William and Mary. As she was a woman, however, the service was per- formed in 1685 by Giles’s uncle Hildebrand Alington, and in 1689 by John Jacob, stated to be the nearest relation.” Upon the death of Giles Lord Alington without issue in 1691 the barony of Alington of Wymondley became extinct, while the Irish title passed to Hilde- brand Alington, uncle of Giles and brother of William Alington."' Hildebrand claimed the English estates also, but Wymondley was sold upon a decree passed in Chancery to Elizabeth Hamilton or Hambleton, widow,” daughter of John Lord Colepeper, who claimed to perform the service at the coronation of Anne and was allowed, William Hamilton her son executing the office.® Hildebrand, Lord Alington, bought back Wymondley from Mrs. Hamilton in 1704, but died childless in 1722-3," leaving the manor by will to his three nieces, daughters of William Alington and sisters of Giles.* These three ladies were Juliana Viscountess Howe, Diana wife of Sir George Warburton and Catherine wife of Sir Nathaniel Napier ; at the coronation of George II the service was claimed by Juliana Howe, Sir Richard Chan. Ing. p.m, (Ser. 2), i, 34- % Feet of F. Trin. 8 Hen, VIII; L. and P, Hen. VIS ii, 28755; Chan. Ing, pam. (Ser 2), xxxvi, Wards, Mize, Mary. Bks. dlexviii, fol. 4 GEC. Complete Peerage; Recov. R. East. 24 Chas. II, rot. 8. © Coron, Rolls, Jas. II and Will. and Tez, Complete Peerage. ® Chauncy, op. cit. ii, 1155 Feet of Grosvenor, husband of Diana’s daughter Diana,” and Nathaniel Napicr, widower of Catherine.* It seems to have been performed by Sir Richard, to whom Diana Warburton had conveyed her third of the manor upon his marriage, and to whom the other two thirds subsequently came. He died childless in 1732, and his brother and heir Thomas in the following year. The next brother, Sir Robert Grosvenor, who thus inherited the estates,” is said to have acquired Wymondley from Sir Richard in 1730,” two years before he would otherwise have obtained it. His son Sir Richard Grosvenor, who succeeded him in 1755,'?sold the manor in 1767 to the Hon. Mordaunt Cracherode,” from whom it descended in 1773 to his son Clayton Mordaunt Cracherode, the well-known collector of books and prints.“ He is said to have been of such a retiring disposition that his dread lest he should at any time be called upon to undertake the service of cupbearer embittered his whole life.” Upon his death in 1799 his lands passed to his sister Anne,’* who left Wymondley by will to Shute Barrington, Bishop of Durham, in trust for sale.” The latter sold the manor in 1806 to William Wilshere of the Frythe, Welwyn, who performed his service at the coronation of George IV,” the last occasion upon which it has been necessary, William Wilshere was succeeded in 1824 by his nephew William Wilshere, who died in 1867.” Charles Willes Wilshere, brother and heir of the latter,” lived until 1906, and was survived by three daughters, the eldest of whom, Miss Edith Marie Wilshere, is the present lady of the manor. Sac and soc, toll, team and infangentheof were granted to John de Argentein by King Stephen, and confirmed to William de Argentein in 1400." In 1278 Giles de Argentein claimed view of frankpledge and amendment of the assize of bread and ale." The manor of DELAMERE (Lammers, xv cent.; Delamers, xvii cent.), now Delamere House, was held of Great Wymondley,® and evidently took its name from the family of Delamare ; John Delamare is mentioned as living in Great Wymondley in 1308." The manor is first mentioned in 1487, when John Pulter died seised of it. He was succeeded by his son William, who held it by service of 40s. yearly, and it remained in the Pulter family. In 1600 Edward Pulter, whose father Edward held it before him,” settled it on his son Litton, on the Awurea Grosvenor. garb or. " 2 G.EC. Complete Baronetage ‘oron. Roll, Geo, IV ; Com. Pleas . 8 Geo. TH, m. 114. . Nat. Biog. 16 Tid. ; Coron. Roll, Geo. IV. ast i and P, Hen VIL, xvi, 1056 (54)- $8 Chan. Ing. p.m, (Ser, 2), ccxi, 163. # Coron. Roll, Jas. 15 Cal, S. P. Dom. 1603-10, p. 24. 5 Chan, Ing, pom. (Ser. 2), eccexci, 9. 5 G.E.C. Complete Peerage. 5 Thid. | Feet of F. Div, Co. 1656. GEC. Complete Peerage; Coron. Roll, Chas. II; Cal S. P. Dem. 1660-1, pe 585. Mich. F, Div. Co. Mich, 10 Will. III. ® Coron, Rolls Anne and Geo. I. & Ibid, Geo, I G.E.C, Complete Peerage ® Salmon, op. cit. © GEC. Complete Borne. ® Coron. Roll, Geo. 69 G.E.C. Complete Bapoae 70 Feet of F. Div. Co. Trin. 26 & 27 Geo. II. 71 Cussans, op. cit. Broadwater Hund. 52. 184 7 Will, P.C.C. 603 Kenyon, 8 Coron, Roll, Geo, IV. 79 V.C.H. Herts. Families, 250. ® Ibid. 251. 1 Cal. Pat. 1399-1401, p. 293+ ® Assize R. 323, 325. Chan. Ing. pam. (Ser. 2), iii, 745 Ct. of Wards, Feod, Surv. 17. “Cal. Pat, 1307-13, po &. * Chan, Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), iii, 74. % Visit. of Herts, (Harl. Soc. Grear Wymonpiey Cuurcu rrom tHe Norru-zast BROADWATER HUNDRED Occasion of his marriage with Penelope Capell.87 Litton Pulter died in 1608 and his father in 1629, after whose death the manor descended to Litton’s son Arthur.§8 The next evidence of this manor is a recovery suffered in 1740 by Pulter Forester,®* sug- gesting that an heiress of the Pulters conveyed the manor to the Forester family. In 1779 it was conveyed by Benjamin Palmer and Sarah his wife to Clayton Mordaunt Cracherode," lord of the manor of Wymondley, and probably it became merged in that manor. The parish church of ST. MARY, CHURCH which stands at the east end of the village, is built of flint with stone dressings. The nave walls are of wide jointed courses of uncut pebbles, with a few Roman tiles GREAT ork MUCH WYMONDLEY been set in the jambs and rear-arch of a lathecent window. In the south wall are a 13th-century ences and a low-side window probably also of the a century, All these windows have undergone ue es repair. The early 12th-ceniury chancel arc! * ue good preservation. It is semicircular, and sn Hy engaged shafts with voluted capitals and_ scallop f bases. In the chancel is a 13th-century piscina Wit angle shafts and a modern square head, ‘The a also modern, and the capitals of the shafts are restore There is an aumbry in the south-west corner of the chancel, recessed in the east jamb for a door. The nave is lighted on the north by a two-light window of the 14th century, with a quatrefoil in a two- centred head, very much repaired, and by two late 1sth-century three-light windows, which have been ALL. COLLINS Detamere, Great Wymoxptey: Sour Front interspersed. The chancel is tiled and the nave roof is of lead.% The church consists of a chancel, nave, west tower, north vestry and south porch. ‘The first two are of the 12th century, the west tower was built in the 15th century and the vestry and porch are modern. In 1883-4 the building was restored throughout and the stonework to a great extent renewed. Windows were inserted in the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries. The chancel is apsidal, with a 14th-century east window of three lights, with tracery in a square head. In the north wall a 13th-century lancet has Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), ceccl, 94. * Ibid. 5 Ct. of Wards, Feod. Surv. 17. ® Recoy. R13 & 14 Geo, II, rot 238. m. 17. a 185 ® Feet of F. Herts, East. 19 Geo. HI; Com, Pleas D. Enr. repaired and their cusps cut away. The north door- way, possibly retaining remnants of 14th-century work, now opens to the vestry, The south doorway is of about 1120, but has been greatly repaired. It has a round arch with an edge roll and star orna- ment on the tympanum. The jambs are of two orders, with abaci, on which the star ornament is repeated on each face. The shafts of the outer order have capitals carved with human faces and inverted cushion bases. On the north side of the chancel arch is a low squint of the 1§th century into the chancel. Above it is a corbel, probably originally under the rood- a Dimensions: chancer, 20 ft, by 16 ft.5 nave, 45 ft. by 19 It. 6 in. 3 tower, 11 ft. quare. Trin. 19 Geo. II, 24 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE loft, the stairs to which remain on the north-ea-t in the thickness of the wall. The upper and lower door- ways are also still in existence, but their stonework has been entirely renewed. ‘The nave roof is of the 15th century and rests on large grotesque corbels. The tower arch is four-centred and of two moulded orders, the inner resting upon the shafts of the jambs and the outer continuous. The work is of late 15th- century type. The tower is of three stages, marked externally by strings, and has diagonal buttresses. The parapet is embattled and the roof is pyramidal and tiled. The west doorway is two-centred, of two moulded orders, and has been greatly repaired. The west window above it is old, but the tracery is wholly modern. In the belfry stage there is a window of two lights in each face; all of these are much re- paired. The string below the parapet has a gargoyle in the middle of each face, and at the north-west corner the stair-turret rises above the parapet. In the north-east corner of the nave is an image niche with a trefoiled head. The font, which is oct- agonal and quite plain, is of the late 15th or early 16th century. At the west end of the nave are several late 15th or early 16th-century benches, repaired. In the nave, at the north-east, is a floor slab, inscribed ‘ Henry Barnewell 1638.’ On the outside of the south wall is an imperfect incised sundial. There are six bells, of which the third is by Joseph Eayre, 1760, and the fifth by John Dyer, 1595. The remainder are by Mears & Stainbank, 1908. The plate is modern. The registers begin in 1561, and are contained in three books : (i) all entries 1561 to 1690 ; (ii) baptisms 1710 to 1812, burials 1710 to 1812, marriages 1710 to 1755 (iil) marriages 1755 to 1811. The church of Great Wymondley seems to have been originally a chapel to Hitchin.? In 1199 it was the subject of a suit between Reginald de Argentein and the Abbess of Elstow.’? The abbess maintained that Judith niece of William the Conqueror, who founded the abbey of Elstow, gave to the nuns the vill of Hitchin with its church and the chapel of Wymondley pertaining to it, and she ADVOWSON produced the charter aud confirmations by William I and Henry I and II, also the testimonials of the arch- deacon and the bishop who dedicated the church, and of Henry the king. Regina'd on the other hand said that the church of Wymondley had never pertained to that of Hitchin, and that in the time of William I a certain Alfled made presentation to that church, and that afterwards it was given to his grand- father Reginald together with the manor, and there- fore he now claimed the advowson, as two present- ments had already been made by his family. In 1208-9 Richard de Argentein, the son of Reginald, acknowledged the right of the Abbess of Elstow to the advowson on condition that she would ‘receive him into all benefits and prayers which were made in the church of Elstow.’ % About this time Elstow appropriated the church, and a vicarage was ordained by Hugh Wells, Bishop of Lincoln, whose episcopacy lasted from 1209 to 1235.% Elstow kept the church until the Dissolution, after which the tithes were included in the grant of Hitchin rectory to Trinity College, Cambridge, by Hemy VIII. The church was evidently still a chapel to Hitchin and the advowson is not mentioned in the grant.°° The few presentations of which there are record were made by Trinity College except in 1663 and 1675, when the Bishop of Lincoln presented by lapse. ‘The benefice was united with that of St. Ippolitts by an instrument dated 15 March 1685,%7 and the vicar resides in the latter parish. Meeting-places for Protestant Dissenters in Great Wymondley were registered at various dates from 1776 to 1814. In 1623 John Welch by will charged his estate of Redcoats in this parish with an annuity of £4, of which £1 10s. was payable to the vicar and £2 to the poor for bread and 105. to Little Wymondicy. In 1735 Robert Tristram by his will devised 10s. a year for bread for the poor of this parish. In 1821 James Lucas by deed gave £150 consols, the annual dividends, amounting to £3 155., to be applied as to two-thirds for the relief and assistance of the poor of this parish and one-third for the poor of Little Wymondley. The charities are duly applicd. CHARITIES LITTLE WYMONDLEY This parish has an area of 1,006 acres, of which 599 acres are arable land, 2264 acres permanent grass and 6} acres wood.!_ ‘Two portions of the parish are detached. One of very small area lies west of Red- coats Green and the other is situated south of Titmore Green and contains a few cottages which are called Lower Titmore Green. The parish slopes downward in a south-westerly direction from an elevation of nearly 400 ft. The Great Northern railway passes through the village, but the nearest stations are Stevenage, 2 miles south-east, aud Hitchin, 24 miles . Tax. (Rec. Com.), 36. (Rec. Com.), 8 5 Ror Cur. Reg. (Rec. Com.), i, 391-2. "3 Feet of F. John, no. 120. The Alfled who is mentioned as an eariy patron was lord of Little Wymondley before the Conquest. It was perhaps he who granted Great Wymundley to St. Mary of Chat- teris, with a reservation of the advowsoy. Liber Antiquus (ed, Gibbons), 28. 8 Information kindly supplied by the Bursar of Trinity Coll. north-west. The village lies on the road from Hitchin to Stevenage. Near its centre a road branches off northwards to Great Wymondley, passing the site of the former priory. The Great North Road runs along the north-east boundary of the parish. The subsoil is chalk with a layer of boulder clay ; the sur- face soil is clay and gravel with occasional chalk. There is a chalk-pit south of the village and a gravel-pit in a field east of the vicarage. The village has many old and picturesque cottages. The Buck’s Head Inn is an early 17th-century timber and plaster house, with % Inst. Bks. (P.R.O.). Information kindly supplied by the Bursar of Trinity Coll. “> Urwick, op. cit. 631. ' Statistica from Bd. of Agric. (1905) 186 Buce’s Heap Inn, Litrtz Wymonpiey J va a ieee ree NS Mi A hi) : i 2 Lirtte Wymonpizy Bury From tHe East 187 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE an overhanging gable at each end, and the ‘Plume of Feathers’ is an old red brisk house on the opposite side of the road. Wymondley Hall, now a farm-house, the residence of Mr. M. H. Foster, is a picturesque many-gabled building, standing close to the railway where it crosses the main road to Hitchin. There is nothing of architectural interest inside the building, and modern subdivisions of the rooms have destroyed all traces of the original plan. The house appears to have been erected during the early part of the 17th century, and is built of thin 2-in. bricks, with a good deal of timber-framed work covered with plaster on the upper headed, the mouldings having ornamental stops out- side. Many of the features of this front, such as the moulded door frame and the subsidiary, gables over the oriels and bays immediately underneath the main gables, bear a close resemblance to those on the front of Egerton House, Berkhampstead. The back of the house is chiefly remarkable for the picturesque dis- position of the chimneys. There are two stacks of hi parated by a small projecting gable. The Priory farm-house, the property of Col. Heathcote of Shephallbury and residence of Mrs. Charles Sworder, stands about half a mile north of the church on the site of part of the old Priory buildings, some parts of which are incorporated in the present house. Chauncy, writing about the year 1700, mentions the cloisters and chapel which existed in his time, but these have now almost dis- appeared. The plan of the house is not on the usual lines, duc to the positions of the old walls ; indeed, it seems that the builder of the dwelling-house merely surrounded a part of the aisleless nave of the priory church with an external wall. The old thick 13th-century walling has been a good deal cut about in order to afford passages to the different apartments, and some arches which are said to exist in the wall next the drawing room and pantry, probably part of the arcade of the north wall of the cloister, have been built up. The only arch now remaining is a por- tion of one of the south windows of the church over a doorway to the bedroom above the drawing room, and it appears to be in its original position. The opening is 4 ft. Sn. wide, and has a pointed arch of 13th-century date, with arch mould consisting of two rolls with a deep hollow between, resting on a de- tached shaft with moulded capital. It is of soft limestone or clunch, and a portion of one side is hidden by a later wall. The oldest portion of the external wall is at the back or east side of the house. It is built Littte Wrymonpiey Hatt: Entrance Doorway story. The principal front, which faces west, has six gables, the two northernmost, however, being modern additions. Of the two middle gables, one has a bay window its whole height, the other having merely a slightly projecting oriel on the upper story with an entrance porch under. The south gable has a projecting upper story, timber framed and plastered, below which is a bay window, and up in the gable is an oriel window finished with a small gable under the main gable. The corresponding large gable at the north end has a projecting bay continued up the two stories and finished with a similar small gable. All the roofs are tiled. The entrance door and frame are original. The frame is moulded and square- mainly of clunch, and in the wall is a doorway, now built up, with splayed four-centred arch. This wall may belong to the latter part of the 16th century. All the rest of the external walling is of brick, a good deal of it refaced in modern times, but the older parts, chiefly on the north side, are faced with the original thin bricks rising about 9} in. to four courses, On the north side are three equal gables, the windows still retaining their old oak mullions and transoms. Elsewhere the windows have been modernized. The old chimneys consist of square shafts of brick set diagonally, and probably belong to the early part of the 17th century. The west front has been much modernized. Internally many of the rooms are lined with oak moulded panelling of early 17th-century date, and there is a small plain old stair in the north-east 188 Litre WyMonpiey Hatt From THE SouTH-wesT Litrte Wymonpiey Priory From Tue Norra-wesr BROADWATER HUNDRED corner of the building. The old front entrance door is now used in the doorway to the store adjoining the pantry. To the east of the Louse is the old garden, which still retains part of the old brick inclosere wall, at one point in which is a small niche with circular arched head of stone. ‘There are traces of coloured ornament in the niche. South of the house is a large tithe barn of nine bays, with weather-boarded sides and tiled roof. It measures externally about 102 ft. by 39 ft. The remains of a moat are still visible, partly surrounding the house, garden and barn. Beyond the moat, to the south-east of the house, is the old orchard completely encircled by a grove of very old box trees, about 20 ft. in height. To the north-west of the house is the old dove-house, now converted into a cottage. In a field some few hundred yards north-east of the house are the remains of the old conduit head, from which water was brought to turn the spit in the kitchen, being used for that purpose until the middle of the 1gth century. The conduit head is a small shallow basin sunk below the floor of a small building, some of the old floor tiles being still in their places. The walls of the building have lately been partly rebuilt, but, as no record of the old building could be found, the new work was copied from another old building elsewhere. The old stone doorway with its four-centred arch still remains, Wymondley Bury, the residence of Mr. Henry Parkes, stands in a moated inclosure adjoining the south side of the church, a little to the south-east of the village. The moat contains water on the north-west and north-east sides of the house, but has been filled up on the other sides. The prin- cipal, or north-east, front of the house is approached Scutlery Grounp PLAN ra ‘Scale of feet 3 Late 167Cent, E3MovERN Kifehen by a modern bridge over the moat. The present house, which is probably only a portion of the late 16th-century house, is L-shaped, and has been much added to in the 17th century and modernized both wutside and inside. All the brick facing, except to ‘* Chan, Ing. p.m. 2 Hen. VI, no, 27, * Ibid. 6 Hen. VI, no. 53. LITTLE WYMONDLEY and all the windows have been renewed. I] retains the old door of two thicknesses of oak planks fastened with iron studs. The dining room, to the right of the entrance, as a very interesting fireplace. ‘The old moulded oak beam ans) Lrrtue WYMONDLEY THe PRIORY Ground Floor 1 — = sf Breiner Ge 0 138'Cenrury ~<€Pearc 1600. C=IMoprrn. ha the chimneys, ‘ The principal entrance sti Store "Warder Lobby Kitehen na Med floor} Pian Nt Seenion ‘Conourr Heap NE or House over the ingle-nook is 13 ft. 4 in. in length, and the depth of the opening is 5 ft., but its width has now been much reduced by inserting new oak jambs moulded to match the lintel. This room was probably the hall of the old manor-house. Beside the dining room is a small room used asa study, below which is an old cellar, in the walls of which are eight or nine small niches with arched heads formed in brickwork. They are placed from 3 ft. 6in. to 4ft. above the floor, and are from gin. to 11 in. wide and gin. in depth. Their average height is about 12 in. They were probably used to hold wine flasks. None of them appear to have had a door. There is a very similar series of niches in the cellar at Watton Place. Close to the house on the north is the old brick dove- house which still contains some 300 nests. A little to the south-east of the house stands a fine Spanish chestnut evidently of great age but still flourishing. Gilpin refers to it in his ¢ Forest Scenery’ about the year 1789. The main trunk is badly split, rendering any measurements misleading. The old manor-house of Great and Little Wymondley was pro! ably on the same site," but no trace of it now remains, It is descrited as ‘a hall with chambers, chapels and rooms annexcd,”’ and was called ‘Somerhalle.’# Wymondley House, a square modern residence, is now the residence of Mr. James W. Courtenay From 1799 to 1832 it was used as an academy jor training young men for the Nonconformist ministry, This had been founded by Dr. Doddridge at North. ampton about 1738, and in 1832 was removed to London. The inclosure award is included in that of Great Wymondley. Vefore the Norman Conquest LITT, MANORS WYMONDLEY (Wymundestai ae ; , held by one Alflet of Robert Fitz Wimarc.? After the Conquest it was divided between two owners, 1 hide being held in 1086 by William of Robert Gernon,‘ and a hide and a quarter by SCH, Herts. i, 309, 323. * Tbid. 3235, 189 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE Adam Fitz Hubert of the Bishop of Bayeux.* The lands of Adam Fitz Hubert, brother of Eudo Dapifer, went in other Hertfordshire cases to the Valognes family, but there is nothing to show what happened to them here. The Gernon lands forming the manor of Little Wymondley came to the Montfitchet family (see Letch- worth), and were divided about 1258 between the three sisters and heirs of Richard de Montfitchet, to the second of whom, Aveline, Little Wymondley was apportioned. This Aveline married William de Fortibus Earl of Albemarle,° who was starved to death in the Levant in 1241, and who was succeeded by his son William. The latter died in 1256 and his two children died during the lifetime of their mother.’ The earldom of Albemarle being thus extinct, Little Wymondley was thenceforward held of the king in chief of the honour of Albemarle for 20s, rent yearly to be rendered at the ward of Craven Castle. By 1419 the service was reduced to 65. 84.° with the reversion of all the lands belonging to the priory, was granted to James Necdham, ‘accountant, surveyor-general and clerk of the king’s works,’'? to be held of the king in chief by the service of a tenth part of a knight’s fee." James obtained a licence to entail the manor on his son John," who suc- ceeded his father in 1545." George Needham, son of John, settled the manor on his son Eustace on his marriage in 1615, and in 1623 it was settled on George the son of Eustace. George Needham the first died in 1626." George the younger died in 1669 and was succeeded by another George,” his son, who Nerpwam. Argent a bend engrailed azure between two harts’ heads caboshed sable, Liitte Wrmonptey Priory: Nortu Front Before the end of the 13th century the manor of Lite Wymondley was held in sub-tenancy by the Argentein family ; it is first mentioned in the pos- s.ssion of that family upon the delivery of the lands of Giles to his son and heir Reginald in 1282-3." From that date it has followed the same descent as the manor of Great Wymondley (q.v.). WYMONDLEY PRIOR? was founded during the reign of Henry III by Richard de Argentein, lord of the manor of Great Wymondley, some time previous to 1218." It was suppressed in 1537 and the sitc, 5 1.C.H. Herts. i, 3090 SG.ELC. Complete Peerage; Testa de 10 Abbrew. Rot. Orig. (Rec. Com.), i, died without male issue in 1725.'° His heirs were his daughters, Barbara, who married John Sherwin, and Martha the wife of Thomas Browne," the eminent Jand surveyor, who for a while resided at his wife's manor in Little Wymondley. In 1733 the manor was sold to Samuel Vanderplank,” from whom it is said to have descended," through his daughter Anna, who married Gilbert Joddrell, to Anna Joddrell,” the wife of Christopher Clitherow of Essendon, who sold it in 1806 to Samuel Heathcote. In 1812 it came by the will of the latter to his grandson ™ Recov. R. Trin. 5 Will. and Mary, rot. 91 3 Trin. 8 Anne, rot. 94. Newil! (Rec. Com.), 280. TG.E.C, Complete Peerage. 8 Chan, Ing, pam. 12 Edw. II, no. 435 49 Edw. III (2nd nos.), n0.17 5 Cal. Pat. 1381-5, p. 20, ® Chan. Ing. pm, 6 Hen. V, no. 135 7 Hen, VI, no. 8; 38 & 19 Hen. VI, no. 425 20 Edw. IV, no. 58. 43: 4 Dugdale, Mon, vi, 555. 12 Dice, Nat. Biog. 13L. and P, Hen. VILL, xiii, p. 5893 Aug. Off. Dec. ii, R. 57. 1. and P. Hen, VIII, xvi, 780. Chan. Ing. pm. (Ser. 2), vii, 112, 18 Thid. cecexxx, 161. 190 18 Salmon, op. cit. (1728), 189. ¥ Dict. Nat, Biog. a % Fect of F. Herts. Mich. 7 Geo. IL. 7 Cuseams, op. cit. Broatwater Hund. 59- ™ Recov, R. East. 10 Geo, III, rot. gu. ASUM-HIYON FHL WO¥d HOUNHD ASTGNOWA AA ALLL] NYVG | AVORIG ATTGNOWA A FTLIIT BROADWATER HUNDRED Samuel Heathcote Unwin, who took the additional surname of Heathcote, and died in 1862. The manor descended to his son Col. Unwin Unwin- Heathcote,4 who is the present holder. The capital messuage called WYMONDLEY BURY, which belonged in the 16th century to Wymondley Priory (q.v.), was sold after the dis- solution of that house by an indenture of 1544 to John Pigott and Margaret Grainger, whom he ‘was about to marry.2® John Pigott died in 1558, but the messuage remained in the possession of his widow, who married John Palmer. Upon her death in 1581 it passed to her son Maurice Pigott.28 ‘The latter was succeeded by Thomas Pigott, who in 1609 settled the estate upon himself and Elizabeth his wife for their lives, with remainder to his daughter Elizabeth and her husband. Thomas died in 1611, his heirs being his daughters, Rebecca wife of Henry Bull of Hertford and Elizabeth wife of Beckingham Butler, upon whom it was settled.27 Beckingham Butler became lord of the manor of Tewin (q.v.) in 1620, and Wymondley Bury descended with that manor until at least 1746,°> when it was held by Edmund Bull. The parish church of ST. MARY stands by itself on rising ground about a quarter of a mile from the village, and is built of flint rubble cemented over, with stone dressings and a tiled roof. It consists of a chancel, nave, north aisle, north vestry, south porch and west tower.?8* The chancel, nave and tower are of the 1th cen- tury, probably late, but the restoration in the 19th century, when the chancel was lengthened and the aisle, vestry and porch were added, has obscured the history of the building. The east and north windows of the chancel and the chancel arch are modern. In the south wall are two single lights, probably of the 1sth century, but greatly repaired with cement. The western of the two is set low in the wall. In the east wall is reset a 1$th-century piscina. The nave has a modern north arcade. On the south side the wall is thickened towards the east by nearly a foot, probably for the rood-stair, as one of the doors to the rood-loft was discovered during a repair. In the south wall are two windows, possibly of the 15th century, but much defaced with cement. That near the east is of two lights and the other of a single light. Between them is the south doorway, also of the 15th century ; it is two-centred and of two wave- moulded orders. The modern porch is of brick. The tower arch is of 1sth-century date. It is two- centred, of two chamfered orders, and has shafted jambs with clumsy capitals. The tower, of two receding stages, has a brick parapet, probably modern, ‘The CHURCH LITTLE WYMONDLEY west window is of two lights with tracery in a four- centred head, and is much repaired with cement; the belfry stage windows, in the north and west faces, are of two lights in a square head and are in very bad condition. ne On the north wall of the chancel is a brass, consisting of an inscription to James Needham, who came into the county in 1536, and his son, with arms. The plate was set up in 1605 by the grandson of the former and son of the latter to record his erection of a monument to them. There are three bells: the first bears the in- scription ‘Prosperity to the Church of England, and no encouragement to Enthusiasm,’ 1760; the second is by John Dyer and dated 1595; the third is without marks. The plate for the church of Little Wymondley is modern and consists only of a silver communion cup, a silver paten and a flagon. The registers begin in 1577, and are contained in three books, of which the first and second are frag- mentary : (i) baptisms 1577 to 1727, burials 1628 to 1629, marriages 1629 *° ; (ii) baptisms 1750 to 1812, burials 1750 to 1812, marriages 1750 to 17533 (iii) marriages 1756 to 1811. It is uncertain at what date Little ADVOWSON Wymondley becamea parish. There is no evidence of a church in 1086, and the living is not mentioned in the Taxario of 1291. In 1218, however, the master of the hospital of Little Wymondley was inducted into the church, and a vicarage was ordained before 1235.5! After the Dissolution in 1537 the rectory was granted to James Needham.*? After this the rectory follows the descent of the Priory manor, and presumably the lords of this manor presented to the church, but the advowson seems to be only once mentioned among the records of the manor.38 The living is now a vicarage in the gift of Colonel Heathcote, who holds the Priory manor. ‘There appears to have been a chantry chapel attached to the manor-house of Little Wymondley,* the advowson of which always belonged to the lord of that manor and Great Wymondley. It is not heard of after 1485, and had disappeared before the survey taken by Edward VI. The annual sum of Jos. is received CHARITIES from the parish of Great Wymondley and applied in the distribution of bread in respect of the charity of John Welch. The sum of £1 §5., being one-third of the dividends on £150 consols, is also received from the parish of Great Wymondley in respect of the charity of James Lucas. In 1668 Thomas Chapman by his will charged a cottage and yard in Stevenage with 5s. a year for the poor, to be distributed in bread on St. Andrew's Day. 33 Clutterbuck, op. cit. ii, 550. % Cussans, loc. cit. % Chan, Ing. p.m, (Ser. 2), cecxviii, % Thid, cxciii, 54. 53. # Thid. ccexvii 153+ % Feet of F. Div. Co. Trin. 3 Jas. II; Herts. Hil. 7 Will. III; Will, P.C.C. 149 Price; Feet of F. Div. Co. Trin. 19 & 20 Geo. II, %a Dimensions: chancel, 31 ft. by 14 ft. 6 in; nave, 31 ft. by 18 ft. 6 in. 5 tower, 9 ft. square. 29 This book has only two marriages. 2 Dugdale, Mon. vi, 1555 n. % Liber Antiquus (ed. Gibbons), 28. 21, and P. Hen. VIL, xiii (1), 887 (13); Aug. Of Dec. ii, 57. The *par- sonage of Great Wymondley’ here is 191 evidently an error for the parsonage of Little Wymondley. 8 Feet of F. Herts. Mich. 17 & 18 Eliz. There are no institutions to this church in the Inst. Bks. (P.R,O.). #4 Chan. Ing. p.m. 4 Ric. I, no. 110 2 Hen, VI, no. 27 ; 6 Hen. VI, no. 53; 38 & 39 Hen. VI, no. 42; (Ser. 2), i, 3+ THE HUNDRED OF ODSEY CONTAINING THE PARISHES! OF ARDELEY CALDECOTE KELSHALL RUSHDEN ASHWELL CLOTHALL RADWELL SANDON BROADFIELD COTTERED REED THERFIELD BYGRAVE HINXWORTIT ROYSTON WALLINGTON The area of jurisdiction of this hundred extended over a large portion of the ‘champaign country,’ which forms the distinctive feature of the Hertfordshire chalk hills. The two great roads from Londen to the north roughly form its boundaries east and west, and its northern limit is the border between Hertfordshire and the counties of Bedford and Cambridge, 4 cruenrieww: following in part the line of the Bae aay, Icknield Way. hee : The parishes of Hinxworth, Ashwell, Caldecote, Bygrave and Rad- well form with Newnham a tongue of land projecting northwards between the counties of Bedford and Cambridge. In 1086 Newnham was within the hundred of Odsey*; but the Abbots of St. Albans, who were lords of the manor, had transferred the suit of their tenants to Cashio Hundred before 1286.5 Since this time Newn- Isvex Mar 10 Tie Huworep or Opsey ham has formed a detached portion of Cashio Hundred within the hundred of Odsey.*. With this exception there has been little change in the geographical extent of the hundred since the time of the Domesday Survey. it is probable that the Survey records under Odsey Hundred the assessment of Offley, now in Hitchin Hundred, merely through the omission of a sub-heading.® The holding of Count Alan in Anstey was placed under the heading ‘Odsey Hundred’ in 1086,’ but the lands of Harduin de Scales there are mentioned under Edwinstree Hundred,’ in which Anstey was included in the 13th and following centuries.® The Survey also includes under Odsey Hundred the unidentified lands of Ralf de Limesy at ‘ This list represents the extent of the hundred in 1831 (Pop. Ret. 1831). * I.C.H. Herts. i, 3158. ® Assize R. 325, m. 34d. “V.C.H. Herts. ii, 320. * Tbid. i, 301 et seq. * Ibid. 328 5 cf. foot-note. * Ibid. 3214. * Ibid. 340. ° Hund. R. (Rec. Com.), i, 193 5 Feud. Aids, ii, 431, 439, 453. 192 ODSEY HUNDRED ‘Hainstone.’" Royston, not specifically mentioned in 1086, was only partly in Therfield; the nucleus of the town lay within the parish of Barkway in Edwinstree Hundred, or across the Cambridgeshire borders in Arningford Hundred.” The inclusion of certain manors within ecclesiastical liberties greatly reduced the royal jurisdiction in this hundred. Before 1278 the tenants of the Abbot of Westminster at Ashwell, of the Bishop of Ely at Kelshall, of the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul’s at Ardeley and Sandon, of the Abbot of Ramsey at Therfield, and those of the Prior of Royston and the Knights Templars had withdrawn their suit and aid from the hundred in accordance with royal charters granted to their respective lords? In 1275 it was stated that Caldecote had not rendered aid since the siege of Bedford Castle (June 1224). The men of West Reed in Therfield had also withdrawn from the sheriffs’ tourns; the aid due from the holding formerly of Theobald ‘de Mora’ in Wallington had been withheld for sixteen years by the bailiff of the honour of Richmond; and Richard de Ewell had withdrawn the aid for ‘ Blayneham’ in Ashwell.* Nevertheless, the farm of the hundred had recently increased from 100s. to £12." Odsey Hundred was vested in the Crown until the beginning of the 17th century, and was farmed out together with the neighbouring hundred of Edwinstree.* Thus about 1314 Edmund de Ayete received a grant of the bailiwick of these two hundreds during the king’s pleasure.” In March 1612-13 the hundred was alienated to William Whitmore, esquire, and Jonas Verdon, gentleman, and to their heirs in perpetuity.* They sold within a few days to Sir Julius Adelmare, otherwise Caesar, kt., then chancellor and under-treasurer of the Exchequer.” He granted the hundred in 1633 to his son Sir John Adelmare, otherwise Caesar, kt., whose son John sold it in March 1662-3 to Arthur Earl of Essex.° The hundred has thenceforward remained with the successive Earls of Essex.” The meeting-place for the hundred court is unknown. The name Odsey survives in Odsey Grange and manor in the parish of Guilden Morden, co. Cambs. The Grange now lies without the county boundary, but in the first half of the 16th century the lands of the manor extended into Hertford- shire, and Speed’s map of the county published in 1611 shows Odsey Grange within the county boundary and in the hundred of Odsey.” The Grange was the property of the Abbot of Warden,” who withdrew from the hundred of Odsey the suit and service of his lands and tenements in that hundred. °° V.C.H. Herts. i, 325. " See the account of Royston ; cf. Pop. Ret. 1831 ; Parl. Papers, 1895, iv, 543. ” Hund. R. (Rec. Com.), i, 193 5 Plac. de Quo Warr, (Rec. Com.), 276, 291. 8 Hund. R. loc. cit. ; cf. V.C.H. Beds. ii, 28. ™ Hund. R. loc. cit. Assize R. 323, m. 45. Hund, R. loc. cit. ; cf. Cal, Pat. 1321-4, p. 61. " Abbrev, Rot, Orig. (Rec. Com.), i, 202. ¥ Pat. 10 Jas, I, pt. xxi, no. 7. % Chart. penes Earl of Essex quoted by Chauncy, Hist. Antig. of Herts. 28. % Ibid. ; cf. Recov. R. East. 15 Chas. II, m. 135. " Chauncy, loc. cit. ; Recov. R. East. 39 Geo. Iil, m. 33; Cussans, Hist, of Herts. Odiey Hurd, 5, 7 L. and P. Hen. VIII, xviii (2), g. 327 (19) 3 Speed, Theatre of Great Britain (cd. 1676), 39. 3 Dugdale, Mon. v, 375. ™ Plac. de Quo Warr. (Rec. Com.), 276. A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE ARDELEY Erdelei or Erdele (xi-xiii cent.) ; Erdele or Ardley (xivcent.) ; Yerdley (xv-xvi cent.) ; Yardley (xvi cent. to about 1850). The parish of Ardeley was included in Odsey Hundred until 14 October 1843, when it was transferred to Edwinstree Hundred.! It consists of scattered hamlets lying on the southern slope of the chalk hills of north-east Hertfordshire, at about an equal distance from Stevenage station on the main line of the Great Northern railway and the terminus of Buntingford on a branch line of the Great Eastern railway. The River Beane flows through the northern part of the parish, and the numerous lanes connecting the outlying parts of the parish? are carried across it and its tributaries by means of fords. It is recorded that the water did great damage to the roads early in the last century.* The village of Ardeley lies on the western edge of the hill overlooking the village of Walkern and the valley of the River Beane. It consists of the church and the vicarage (a rectangular plastered house built in 1685,4 having a carved wooden fireplace on the ground floor) and a few cottages around the farm known as Church End. The manor-house called Ardeley Bury, the residence of Col. HansC.M. Woods, R.A., is situated a little to the west. North of Ardeley Bury the village street of Cromer lies on the road from Walkern to Rushden, It has its own church and a hall, now converted into two cottages, and is surrounded by its own common arable ficlds. ‘To the south is Cromer Farm, a timber and plaster house on a brick base, built towards the end of the 16th or early in the 17th century. It is L-shaped in plan and has two original chimney stacks. In the hall is an iron fireback bearing the date 1630, a pheon, an earl’s coronet and the letters R.L. The outbuildings are probably original. Another timber and plaster house in the middle of Cromer Street, now divided into two cottages, is of about the same date. On the higher ground north-east of Cromer is a windmill probably on the site of the ancient manorial mill of Ardeley Bury, which was built on land acquired by exchange from the lords of Cromer.® Luffenhall Strect is a hamlet also surrounded by unin- closed common fields and is partly in Clothall parish. Wood End, a considerable hamlet in the timbered district in the south of the parish, contains the modern church of St. Alban, a Congregational chapel® and several farm-houses, including Lite’s Farm, possibly the old manor-house.” Two of the farm- houses are of timber and plaster and apparently date from the 17th century. The manor-house of Moor Hall, now converted into a farm, is about a mile north of Wood End. At Gardner's is a homestead moat surround- ing farm-buildings near the road from Great Munden to Rushden which here forms the boundary between Ardeley and Cottered and further north passes through the hamlet of Hare Street. These considerable farms and houses in a purely agricultural district doubtless represent the tenements of the well-to-do yeomen freeholders, who ‘dealt much in the making of malt.’ Chief among these were the Halfhide family, members of which lived at Gardner's End,® Moor Green !° and Wood End,!! and the Shotbolt family which occupied the tenement called ‘Cowherds’ or ‘Cowards,’ afterwards called «The Place?!” By 1700, however, the prosperity of these families had much diminished.1* In addition to barley, wheat and beans are the chief crops grown. Of 2,424 acres, rather more than half is arable land. ‘The permanent grass covers 660 acres.8" Some of the grass-land consists of open greens such as Parker’s Green, Munches Green and Moor Green, and in the 17th and preceding centuries the inhabitants depastured cattle along the roadside and on the ‘balks’ dividing the holdings in the common fields.!4 The woodland (about 80 acres) is chiefly about Ardeley Bury and in the south of the parish. In 1649 seven ‘groves’ appertaincd to Ardeley Manor; among these were Deereloves, Rooks, Cockshott, and Great Sprosewell.1® The public elementary school dates from 1834, and was enlarged in 1845.16 The manor of ARDELEY was held in 1086 by the canons of St. Paul’s, London, It had belonged to the church before the Conquest,!? and possibly the tradition that the canons acquired it of the gift of King Athelstan (924-40 a.p.) is correct, although the charter re- cording the gift must be rejected as a forgery.!8 Apparently the manor included the whole parish in 1086, and the canons owned also 2 hides in the hamlet of Luffenhall, which lies partly in Clothall, partly in Ardeley.!9 In 1086 Ardeley was assessed at 6 hides, of which 3 were in the demesne.2” In the time of Henry I the manor was assessed at 7 hides, but only 6 of these were accounted for ; 2 hides were in the demesne, 1 hide having evidently been alienated to tenants since the time of the Domesday Survey.2! The manor was allotted for the maintenance of the keeper of the brew-house of St. Paul’s.22 The manor-house and demesne lands were let on lease as carly as the 12th century. The rent duc from Osbert of Ardeley, to whom a lease for life was granted MANORS ' Hardy, Sess. R. (Herts. Co, Rec.), ii, 427. 2 The Court Rolls (D. and C. of St. Paul's, B Boxes 7 and 58) record many of the names of these lanes, some of which survive. They were Bedwill Lane, Hony Lane, Porte Oke Lane, Quynton Lane and Chesilpette Lane. 3 Ses. Re (Herts. Co. Rec.) 264. “Chauncy, Hise, Antiz. of Herts, 64. 5 Dom. of Se. Paul’: (Camd, Soc.), 21; but the mill was accounted parcel of Cromer Manor in 1576 (Ct. R. St. Paul's, B Box 57 * The trust deed is enrolled on Close, 1864, pt. Ixvii, no. 11. 7In 1674 the homage of Ardeley Manor returned that there was ‘a house and land called Lights and a cottage to the left of the highway leading to the church’ (Ct. R. of D. and C. of St. Paul’s W.C. 1). 8 Chauncy, op. cit. 65. ° Add. R. (B.M.), 27169. 10 Thid. 27170. 1 Ybid, 27171; Chan. Proc. (Ser. 2), bles. 211, no. 835 462, no. 11. 1 See Chauncy, op. cit.62. See below under ¢Cromer.’—¥ Chauncy, loc. cit, 194 182 Statistics from Bd, of Agric (1905). 4 Add. R. 27169-72. 1 Close, 1649, pt. l no. 15. ¥ Cf, Trust D. Enr. on Close, 1837, pt. clea no. 133 1846, pt. cxvili WECM, Herts iy 3166. 18 It is printed in Kemble's Cod. Diph 1127, and Dugidale’s Hist. of St Paul's (ed. 1818), 35 sce the ‘account of Sandon. TCH. Herts. iy 31a, Thid. 2 Dom. ofS Pauls (Cams, Soc. : 140. ® Cal. Pat. 1313-17, B. Bt 5 Dom of St. Paul's (Camd, Soc.), ¥ ODSEY HUNDRED in 1141, was paid four times a year,” on the ninth, twenty-sixth, fortieth and forty-sixth Sundays after the feast of St. Faith." The rent paid to the brew-hi at each term was 64 quarters of wheat, 12 quarters of barley, 64 quarters of oats and a money rent of 42s. At the same time there were due to the chamberlain, besides a fixed sum from the church, £11 12s. 4d. from the manor for wages, wood and alms” and 40s. towards the obit of John Malemeyns.** The 12th- century lessee received in addition to the farm-stock and three barns filled with wheat, oats, barley and hay, a good hall (doubtless on the site of Ardeley Bury) with ‘cloisters’ (érisana) and a chamber leading out of the hall, courtyard, granary and kitchen, stables and a place for storing hay. In the hall were four small butts, three cups, ‘lead above the oven,’ a bench, a cupboard and two tables.” In 1222 the farmer of the manor was Theobald Archdeacon of Essex,’® and it became customary for the lessee to be one of the canons of St. Paul’s* and to farm the courts as well as the demesne lands.” Sir Henry Chauncy, writing in 1700, stated that the manor-house and demesne lands (only) had been held for above 200 years by his an- cestors, who had had several leases for lives from the dean and chapter.” In 1610 Henry Chauncy of Ardeley, gentle- man, evidently the writer’s grandfather,” sublet ‘the Owld House’ with various lands and tenements, including the great barn called ‘Powles Barn,’ to one John Wright of Ardeley, yeoman. Chauncy then had a lease for three lives, which was renewed to his son Henry Chauncy in 1634." In 1649 the Parliamentary trustees for the lands of deans and chapters sold the manor to Montague Lane of London, esquire, Peter Burrough of Clement’s Inn, gentleman, and Edward Head of Ardeley, yeoman.” At the Restoration the dean and chapter recovered their lands,** and continued to take the profits of Ardeley until 1808, when the manor-house and demesne lands were sold to John Spurrier, auctioneer.” Dean anv Cuarrer or Sr. Pavi's. Gules the crossed swords of St. Paul with a D in the chief or. Gules a Cuavncy. cross paty argent and a chief or with a lion passant azure therein, % Dom. of St, Paul's (Camd. Soc.), 135- 2 Thid, 154-7. Ibid, Introd. p. xlvii. |. 162. |. 1365 the lease to Master Aubrey, also in the 12th century, adds no. 3 Cf, Chauncy's pedigree of the family, loc. cit. % Chan. Proc. (Ser. 2), bile. 304, . 45. 4 Close, 1649, pt. 1, no. 15. 9, pt. 1, no. 15 % Ibid, ARDELEY The manorial rights were not included in the sale, but are now vested in the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. Ardeley Bury and the demesne lands were sold by John Spurrier to Sir David Baird, K.B., 19 January 1810. He conveyed them in the subsequent year to Commissary-General John Murray. At his death in 1834 his estate descended to his daughter Susannah Catherine Saunders Murray, wife of Major Adolphus Cottin, who assumed the name of Murray.™ She resided at Ardeley Bury and died 21 April 1860." Her son and heir Adolphus William Murray be- queathed the property to Philip Longmore of the Castle, Hertford, his solicitor. Shortly after his death, which occurred in 1879, the estate was pur- chased by Mr. J. J. Scott, father of the late Major J. T. Scott, in whose trustees it is now vested. At Ardeley, as in their other manors, the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul’s exercised many liberties and privileges. In 1287 the tenant of their manor claimed assize of bread and ale, free warren and gallows.’ ‘They held view of frankpledge for the whole parish as late as 1638." King Edward II exempted their tenants at Ardeley from supplying corn to the royal purveyors. “A grant of free warren in Ardeley was made by the same king in February 1315-16." The lords of the manor were entitled to fines arising from pleas before the barons of the Exchequer, the judges of both benches, the judges on assize, and all ‘Greenwax’ fines.‘ In Chauncy’s time Ardeley Bury stood in the midst of an ancient park, then disparked, and was surrounded by a moat.® It may therefore have occupied the site of the ancient hall let to Osbert of Ardeley in 1141," for in 1222 the manor-house was surrounded by a park of 60 acres.“® The present house was built in the latter part of the 16th century, but was much altered and modernized by John Murray in 1820." It is a red-brick house L-shaped in plan with three towers in the front. The hall has some original panelling reaching to about 6 ft. 6 in. from the floor, and there is panelling in some other rooms. The deep moat, with an inner rampart, which surrounded the house, is now dry. Within the parish three small manors were held of the main manor of Ardeley, in which they were probably included at the time of the Domesday Survey. CROMER HALL (Crawmere, xiii cent. ; Cromar- hall, xvi cent.) originated in * assart” land reclaimed from the wood or waste of Ardeley Manor.” It is evidently identical with a ‘place’ next Ardeley Park, which Ralph son of William of Cromer held of the main manor in 1222 by service of rendering three "\ Plac. de Quo Warr. (Rec. Com.), 290. # Add. R. (B.M.), 27169-73. $8 Cal. Pat. 1313-17, pp. 81, 103, 190; 1321-4, pp. $2, 221. * Cal. Chart, R. 1300-26, ps 305. ‘one handmill, a high ladder, winnowing- fans, baskets,’ &c. (137). Ibid. 21. #1 MSS. of D. and C, of St. Paul's, A Boxes 26-40, nov 424, 425, &e.5 cf. no, 1411, 1412, and A Box 52, no. 1. 39 See the court rolls, ibid, B Boxes 57, 58. WChauncy, Hist. Antig. of Herts. 53 5 courts were held in the name of the dean and chapter, 1630-8. 8 Ch VCH. Lond. i, 418. Clutterbuck, Hist. and Antig. of Herts, iii, 600. 48 Cussans, Hist, of Herts, Odsey Hund. 29 Gent. Mag. 1860, i, 641. She had married secondly Sir Robert Murray, bart. (Cussans, loc. cit.). 4 Cussang, loc, cit. ; information kindly supplied by Messrs. Sworder é& Long- more. 195 + Close, 1649, pt. l, no. 15. “ Chauncy, Hist. Antig, of Herts. 53. 41 See above. *8 Dom. of St. Pauls (Camda. Soc), 2 is * Clutterbuck, loc. cit. It is not quite clear whether Chauncy the historian of Hertfordshire lived at Ardeley Bury or at Lite’s, 8 Dom. of St. Paul's (Camd, Soc.), 24. A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE capons yearly." Ralph son of William also held 3 acres of the demesne,’? which he had in exchange for land given for the site of the manorial windmill,* and half a virgate held in villeinage ‘for Robert, servant of Nicholas the Archdeacon.’ From Ralph the manor apparently descended to Roger of Cromer and to his daughter Sabina, who married Ralph son of Roger of Westover (\Westoouer), for they surrendered 122 acres in Ardeley, Cromer and Luffenhall to the lord of Ardeley in 1258-9. ‘The history of the manor during the following two centuries is obscure. Chauncy * identifies Cromer with the ‘manor’ in Ardeley held in 1278 by Roger de la Lee, together with a warren which had been made by Philip Lovell ; but it seems more probable that Roger’s manor was Lite’s.* Possibly the later tenants again took their name from their holding, for John of Cromer was living in Ardeley in 1290-1, and in 1322-3 Alice of Cromer paid towards a subsidy in Ardeley.” In 1526 Hugh Brabham with his wife Margaret, in whose right he was evidently holding, sold the manor of Cromer to Thomas Catesby and others for £100." This Thomas appears to have been the younger son of Sir Humphrey Catesby, kt, of Northamptonshire.” His heir was his elder brother Anthony Catesby of Whiston, co. Northants,” who in 1540 sold Cromer Hall to George Clerke of Benington, yeoman.“ 50 the homage presented George Clerke for cutting down trees in the highway at Cromer.* He transferred the manor in 1557 to his son Thomas Clerke of Stevenage, whose title was disputed by John Austen, citizen and haberdasher of London, who called himself great-grandson of William Austen and his wife Katherine, who was daughter of Sir John Clerke, kt.” Thomas Clerke retained the manor until his death about 1597, when his next heir was his son William. Thomas and William Clerke and Beatrice Clerke, widow, dismembered the manor,” a process already begun by the alienation of the wind- mill in 1576.” The manorial rights with a messuage, possibly the hall, were purchased by Matthew Scrivener of Walkern and his wife Grace.” Cromer Hall was ultimately acquired by John Shotbolt.”? Courts having ceased to be held, ‘some of the copy- A Dom. of St Paul's (Camd. Soc.), held by William Catesby, the counsellor of Richard IIL, has been found, holders took up their lands in Ardeley Manor, some ceased to perform any of the customary dues.” * The family of Shotbolt had long resided in Ardeley, where they held a tenement called Cowards. In 1618 John and Philip Shotbolt granted an annuity of £400 out of their ‘capital messuage and demesnes ‘ in Ardeley (? Cromer Hall) to Lady Elizabeth Griffin,” who is also said to have purchased Cowards through the agency of Thomas Taylor.” Lady Elizabeth Griffin, * uneasie in this place,’ ” perhaps owing to the difficulty she experience in obtaining her annuity from Cromer Hall, surrendered her copyhold tene- ments (Cowards, &c.) to Sir Edward Baesh, kt., and his wife Mary and to Edward Adkyns in 1637.” In 1619 Lady Elizabeth had sought to enter upon the capital messuage and demesnes of Cromer Hall, since John Shotbolt had failed to pay the annuity due to her ; but she was ‘ defeated’ in consequence of a conveyance made to Mary Shotbolt, mother of John.” Shortly afterwards the house was acquired (probably by purchase) by William Halfhide, who in 1630 conveyed it to his son John Halfhide,” whose family had long resided at Ardeley. Cromer Hall is a late 16th-century house, now divided into two cottages. It is of two stories con- structed of timber and plaster on a brick base. It still retains the oak ceiling beams, some oak doors, and the original staircase. LITE’S’ MANOR (Leightes, xvi-xviii cent. 5 Lights, xvii-xix cent.) is possibly identical with the manor of Ardeley which Roger dela Lee held in 1278. Philip Lovell had made there a warren which Roger held with the manor."' It may be that ‘ Lite Lye Grove,’ near the site of Lite’s, is identical with this warren. Towards the end of the 13th century Lite’s was held by Richard de Harwedune, who was succeeded by his daughter Maud. About 1322 she conveyed the manor to ‘Theobald de Bridebrook.” —Theobald’s name does not occur among the inhabitants who paid to a subsidy in 1322-3, but there was then living at Ardeley a ‘ Robert Lithe.’ In 1414 John Morris of Ardeley sold the manor of Lite’s to John Hotoft and others. They transferred their rights to John Bardolf and his wife Joan, who afterwards married Robert Carleton. How long it 73 Chauncy, op. cit. 55. “Chan, Proc. (Ser. 2), bdle. 353, of land to which Geoffrey Ede maintained his claim against Joan and Alice daughters of John Ede in 1328 (De Banco R. 268, m. 305 272, m. 115 274, m. §)5 pro- bably it was one of the freehold tene- ments. * Lay Subs. R. bdle. 120, no. 25 he is styled John ‘de Caumere,’ evidently an error for ‘Craumere.” © Ibid. no. U1. 1 Feet of F. Herts. Trin, 18 Hen. VII. © Chan. Ing. pm. (Ser. 2), lil, 99 3 Wil, P.C.C. 23 Holgrave. "$ Ibid, ; no confirmatory evidence of Chauney’s statement that Cro:ner wus Com. Pleas D, Enr, Trin, 32 no, 183 cf. Feet of F, Herts, Mich. Hen, VIII, m. 3. 16 Jas. I. © MSS. of D, and C. of St. Paul's, 72 Chauncy, op. cit, 62. B Box 57 78 Tid. % Tid. 7 Add, R. (B.M.) 27173. Sir Edward Chan, Proc. (Ser. 2), bdle. 203, Baesh bequeathed the house called Cowards no. 17. Chauncy inserts a genera- or The Place to Philadelphia wife of tion between Thomas and George Clerke, but Thomas calls himself son of George in the Chancery proceedings, and is so styled in the court rolls of Ardeley. a . and C. of St. Paul's, B Box 5 72 Feetof F, Herts. Mich, 16 Jas. I. He acquired 20} acres of the demesne lands about 1597 (D. and C. of St. Paul’s, B Box 58). 196 inian Sherborne, in whose time it Was partly demolished. William Peirson, goldsmith of London, purchased the re- mainder and bequeathed it to Robert Markham, who made additions to the house (Chauncy, loc. cit 7 Chan. Proc. (Ser. 2), bdle. 353) no. 18. 79 Add. R. (B.M.), 27169. ® Lay Subs. R, bdle. 120, no. 115 5 see above. 8 Assize R. 323. % Title-deeds quoted by Chauncy, op. cit. $5. Lay Subs. R. bile. 120, no, 11, “Title-deeds quoted by Chauncy, loc, cit. aAVN SHL 40 dOOY AH], : HOWNHD AATIGYy IS¥q ONIMOOT FAVNY AH, : HOUNHD AaTIGY Vv ODSEY HUNDRED remained in this family is unknown. In 1558 William Fanne suffered a recovery of certain lands and tenements in Ardeley.® ‘These may have been identical with Lite’s, which was sold by William Fanne to George and Joan Brewster in about 1563. Joan survived her husband, and was succeeded by his sister’s son, Toby Middleton, gentleman.® About 1621 a settlement of the manor was made® whereby Toby Middleton was to hold it for life and at his death it was to pass to Henry Chauncy and his heirs. Henry Chauncy having died in 1631 before Toby Middleton,” the estate passed to his son Henry Chauncy of Ardeley Bury, who was succeeded in 1681 by Sir Henry Chauncy, the historian of Hertfordshire." His grandson and heir, also named Henry, mortgaged the estate to John Hawkins, and Chauncy’s bequest of the manor to ‘ the infant Japhet Crook” was set aside in favour of Thomas Hawkins, He died in 1742, having bequeathed it to his niece Katherine, wife of William Woolball of Walthamstow.” Their daughter and heir Katherine carried the estate in marriage to Sir Hanson Berney, bart. of Kirby Bedon, co. Norfolk. In 1789 their son and heir Sir John Berney, bart., conveyed it to trustees, from whom it was purchased by John Spurrier. He sold it in 1808 to John Simon Harcourt.* The latter’s only son George Simon Harcourt succeeded to the estate,® and sold it to Commissary-General Murray, the owner of Ardeley Bury.** The two estates have thus been amalgamated. MOOR HALL was also held of the main manor of Ardeley.” The early tenants were called after their holding. In 1284 John ‘de la More’ was the wealthiest inhabitant of Ardeley, if the farmer of Ardeley Bury be excepted.” It is said that a John «de la More’ conveyed More Hall to John Munden about 1317, and that Munden shortly afterwards conveyed to John de Wylye, parson, of Walton-on- Thames, probably for a settlement.” In 1324 Robert of Munden, clerk, possessed a ‘little manor’ (manerettum) of Moor Hall in Ardeley, which he had leased for life to John ‘de la Forde’ of Edmonton and his wife Maud.’ The site of the manor sub- sequently came into the hands of Edward Kendale.! John de Wylye is said to have conveyed the manor ARDELEY to Kendale and his wife Elizabeth,’ but she had dower only in it after his death,’ and his right heir was his son Edward Kendale,' possibly by a former wife.® ‘The subsequent history of Moor Hall is uncertain. Beatrice, sister of Edward Kendale the younger, married Robert Turk.6 Their grandchild, Joan Wallis, married Nicholas Morley. Apparently Moor Hall descended to the Morleys in the same way as the manor of Wakeley.’. The manor of Moor Hall had been acquired by Thomas Morley, gentleman, before June 1559, when the homage returned that he was recently dead and that his heir failed to appear.’ This heir was his son William,’ who sold the manor in 1568 to Edward Halfhide of Aspenden."” In 1572 Halfhide conveyed it to William Gurney, otherwise Gornell," probably in trust, for the latter transferred his rights in 1595 to Mary wife of George Shurley and daughter and heir of Edward Halfhide."* From George Shurley the manor was purchased in 1598 by Richard Saltonstall, alderman and goldsmith of London.'* He settled it on his son Peter upon the latter’s marriage with Anne daughter of Edmund Waller. In 1605 Peter Saltonstall sold it to Robert Spence, citizen and fishmonger of London and Master of the Levant Company of mer- chants."® Spence bequeathed it to his wife Audrey,'® who died seised of it about 1635, and was succeeded by Robert Spence of Balcombe, co, Sussex, her son and heir."” In 1648 Robert Spence settled it upon his son and heir- apparent William Spence of Lincoln’s Inn, upon the latter’s marriage with Mary daughter of Samuel Short. William Spence having died about 1678 without male issue, the manor descended to his brother John Spence, also of Lincoln’s Inn.'* He was succeeded by his son John Spence,!” whose second son Luke Spence inherited the estate.” He died at Malling, co. Sussex, in July 1800, at the age of pL] Spence, Sable a fesse battled argent. 8 A John ‘Calton’ was living in Ardeley about 1523 (Lay Subs. R. bile, 120, no. 115); Henry Bardolf had a house at Munches Green in 1637 (Add. R. [B.M.], 27172). 85 Recov. R. East. 4 & § Philip and Mary, m. 547. 8 "Pitle-deeds quoted by Chauncy, loc. cit, 8 Thid.; cf. MSS. of D. St. Paul’s, B Boxes 59-60. 89 Feet of F. Herts, Mich. 19 Jas. 1; cf. Chauncy, loc. cit. % Chauncy, loc. cit.; ef. Add. R. and C. of . cit; of MSS. of % Notes of Thomas Tipping of Ardeley, quoted by Cussans, Hist, of Herts, Odsey Hund, 89 5 cf. Recov. R. East, 2 Geo. I, m. 71; Feet of F. Herts. Hil. 4 Geo. 1; Recov. R. Hil. 4 Geo, I, m. 18, % Clutterbuck, Hist. and Antig. of Herts, iii, 603 ; cf. Feet of F. Div. Co. Mich. 31 Geo. ™ Clutterbuck, loc. cit, In 1810 Hanson Berney, heir-apparent to Sir John, was dealing with the manor (Recov. R. Hil. 50 Geo. III, m, 218) ; he probably surrendered his rights in favour of Harcourt. % Clutterbuck, op. cit. iii, 604 ; Recov. 83. 7. RD, and C. of St B Box 58, &c. %8 Lay Subs. R. bdle. 120, no. 2. % Chauncy, op. cit. $3, quoting title- deeds. 200 eal : Gli 1323-7, p. 178. m. 47 Edw. IT (19t ® Chauncy, loc. cit. 2 Chan. a pm. 49 Edw. II (1st nos.), no, 4 Thid. ra Edw, TIT (18t nos.), no. 20. 5 Elizabeth lived to a great age and died in 1420. Her first husband was Ralph Camoys; Edward Kendale was her second husband, and she survived a third, Thomas Barre. Her heir was her grandson John, son of her son Thomas Barre (Chan, Ing. p.m, 9 Hen. V, no. 47). It is therefore possible that she had no children by Edward Kendale, unless Edward Kendale the younger was her son and died s.p. before her. 197 Paul's, 6 CH. Herts. ii, 156. 7 See the account of Aspenden. @MSS. of D. and C. of St. Paul's, B 57. * Title-deeds quoted by Chauncy, loc, cit. 10 Recov. R. Mich, 1568, m. 1014 MSS. of D. and C. of St, Paul’s, B Box 57. "MSS. of D. and C. of St. Paul's, B Box 57° ‘Ibid. 585 Feet of F. Herts, Hil. 37 Eliz. ® Feet of F. Herts, East, go Eliz. “Ibid. Hil. 42 title-deeds quoted by Chauncy, es a 54. 1 MSS. of D. and C. of St. Paul's, B Boxes 59-60. 36 Chan. Ing, p.m. (Ser. 2 cecluxx, 109. 17 Add. R. (B.M.), 27 18 mile deeds aioted: te Chabueys loc. cit; Ct. R. D. and C. of St. Paul's, Wes. 1. 1° Ct, R. D, and C. of St. Paul's, loc. by cf. Recov. R. Mich. 12 Anne, Gl eS wuceerbuck, op. cit. iii, Gor ef. Recov. R. Hil, 19 Geo. HII, m. 25. A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE cighty-five, haying acted as magistrate for that county for more than sixty years," and was succeeded by his grandson Henry Hume Spence. Moor Hall subse- quently came into the possession of Lord Salisbury, and was purchased by the present owner, Miss G. Cotton Browne, whose father, the late Rev. J. G. Cotton Browne, had acquired certain land in the parish.” The church of ST. LAWRENCE, CHURCHES which stands on high ground to the west of the village, is built of flint rubble, mostly covered with rough-cast, with stone dressings, and roofed with tiles and with lead. It consists of a chancel, nave, aisles, west tower, north porch and north vestry.” In the 13th century the church probably consisted of a chancel and nave only. The nave, the oldest portion of the church now remaining, was in existence early in the 13th century, when the old chancel was rebuilt and a north aisle added. The south aisle was not built till a century later, when the present chancel arch appears to have been built, and the west tower in about the fourth decade of the 14th century. During the 15th century the clearstory was added, the north porch was built,”* the north windows of the north aisle were inserted, and those of the south aisle altered externally ; both aisles were partly rebuilt, the windows of the bell chamber inserted, and the em- battled parapets of the tower and north aisle added. The church was also re-roofed and was seated with the existing pews. In the 1gth century the chancel was almost entirely rebuilt and the north vestry was added. The chancel has two of the original carly 13th- century lancets rebuilt into the north and south walls. The east window is modern. At the north-east is a 13th-century tomb recess with shafted jambs and dog- tooth ornament, which may have been used as an Faster sepulchre, and at the south-east is a piscina of the same date, also with shafted jambs and dog-tooth ornament. The chancel arch, which is apparently of the 14th century, is plain, of two chamfered orders. It may have been altered when the south arcade of the nave was built. The rood-loft was approached by a staircase at the north-east of the nave, of which remains exist, but the upper door is blocked. The nave, of three bays, has on the north side an arcade of the early 13th century, consisting of two- centred arches on octagonal columns with plain bell capitals. The south arcade is similar, but more massive, and is a century later in date. None of the detail of the original nave now exists, but the walling over the arcades is a survival from the first fabric, dating from before the 13th century. The rather late 15th-century clearstory consists of three two-light windows on each side. The walls and north door of the north aisle are of 13th-century date. The east and west windows are either original or not much later, but the two north windows are of the late 15th century, and contain fragments of 15th-century glass, some of which occupy 3 Gent, Mag. Ixx, 6. Hatn 1508 J. 43 Information from Miss Cotton Halfhide left 10+. their original positions. The south aisle largely escaped the 15th-century alteration, for though the windows are externally of that date the openings are of the same date as the erection of the aisle, the 14th century. ‘The south door is modern. The tower arch has shafted jambs, and both it and the west window are of the late 14th century. The font is octagonal and the workmanship is rough, dating probably from the early 15th century, while the cover is of the early 17th century. The roof of both nave and aisles is a good example of 15th-century woodwork. The principals are moulded, and there are carved bosses at their inter- sections. At the feet of the principals are carved figures of angels playing upon various musical instru- ments, and the nave principals have brackets containing tracery. One of the beams at the east end of the nave bears traces of decoration in colour, and the eastern half of the first bay of the roof is panelled to form a canopy over the rood. The open seating, with ends adorned with poppy heads, is of the same date. ‘There are three ancient brasses in the church. The oldest, in the chancel floor, is fragmentary. It consists of the lower part of a woman’s figure, with an inscription to John Clerke and his wife ; the date is about 1430. On the chancel wall is a brass of Philip Metcalf, vicar of the parish, dated 1515, and on the south jamb of the chancel arch is another of Thomas Shotbolt, his wife, four sons, and two daughters. In the nave isa mural monument, with a bust, of Mary Markham, 1673. Of the six bells in the tower the first is by Pack & Chapman, of 1771; the second by James Bartlett, 1685; the third and sixth are mediaeval, but of uncertain date, inscribed ‘ Vocor Maria’ and ¢ Sit Nomen Domini Benedictum ’ respectively ; the fourth is by John Dier,1587, and the fifth, probably by Robert Oldfeild, 1613. The plate includes two patens of 1678 and 1690. The registers are contained in four books: (i) baptisms, burials and marriages from 1546 to 1701 ; (ii) baptisms, burials and marriages from 1702 to 1753; (iii) baptisms and burials from 1754 to 1812 ; (iv) marriages from 1754 to 1812. The chapel of ST. ALBAN, Wood End, was built in 1853, largely, it is said, of the stones picked up in the fields by the children of the parish.” The chapel of $7. JOSEPH, Cromer, was built in 1890. The right of presentation has always belonged to the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul’s.* In March 1290 a vicarage was ordained,” and the church was then assessed at £12." From 1690 onwards meeting-places were certified for Protestant Dissenters in Ardeley. The chapel at Wood End was built in 1820, as a preaching station for students at Wymondley Academy, and was rebuilt in 1855.” ADVOWSON 12415 cf. Liber A. Pilosus (D. and C. Browne. = Dimensions: chancel, 31 ft. by 15 ft.5 nave, 39 ft. by 21 ft. ; north and south aisles, 10 ft. wide; tower, to ft. square, towards the porch (P.C.C, 11 Bennett). * Cussans, Hist. of Herts, Odzey Hund. 94 *4 Linc, Epis. Reg. Grosteste, roll 8, records the institution of William of Lichfield, canon of St. Paui's, about 198 of St. Paul's), fol. 23, 30, 66; Inst. Bks. (P.R.0.). *5 Linc. Epis, Reg. Sutton, fol. 85 ; Liber A. Pilosus (St. Paul's), fol. 66. * Pope Nich. Tax. (Rec. Com.), 37, §1b. ¥ Urwick, Nonconf. in Hert. 769-70. ae AN Arpetey Cuurcn From tHE Norra Asuwett: Otp Housz near Cuurch ODSEY HUNDRED The Ardeley charity estates are CHARITIES regulated by a scheme of the high court of Chancery, 2 March 1836, as varied by schemes of the Charity Commissioners dated respectively in 1887 and 1897. They com- rise -— Lee piece of copyhold land called Plaistowe’s or Town Close, containing 1a. 2 r. 6 p., granted by the lords of the manor of Ardeley Bury in 1630. 2. The Poor’s Acre, copyhold of the said manor, granted in 1630. 3. Pearson’s gift, being a close called “The Ainage,’ containing 3a. 31. 14 p., the rents and profits to be applied in bread to the poor, one half on the first Sunday in January and the remainder on the first Sunday in February. 4. Robert Austin’s gift, founded by deed 1647, and consisting of a piece of land called Churchfield, con- taining 1a. 1 r. 33 p. 5. Edward Hoad’s gift, founded by will 1655, under which the testator gave £20 to be laid out in land, the interest to be applied in apprenticing poor children. The endowment consists of a piece of land now called the Apprentice Land, containing 2a2n ASHWELL 6. Henry Chauncy’s gift, founded by will 8 February 1680, and consisting of two small cottages containing two rooms each called ‘Rcedings’ with garden of 16 poles, and the Pightle containing 1a. 28. 7. The Town Stock arising from subscriptions made in 1807 and consisting of £69 6s. 11d. consols in the name of the official trustees, producing £1 14s, 8d. yearly. The income arising from Pearson’s gift shall be applied in bread in accordance with the will of the donor. The rents from the Apprentice Land shall accumu- late until there is sufficient money to place a poor child out as apprentice to some trade or business. "The ‘Reedings’ shall be used for poor people to live in rent free, and two loads of fucl, to be provided out of the rent of the Pightle, shall be delivered at the ‘ Reedings ’ at Michaelmas and Christmas. From the income arising from the remaining property a sum of £5 yearly shall be applied towards the support of the master or mistress of a school, and the residue for the general benefit of the poor. The gross income from the estates in 1907 was L1S 95. 8a. ASHWELL Aescwelle, Eswell, Assewell, Asshewell. The parish of Ashwell has an area of about 4,108 acres. The ground slopes down towards the north, the height in the south varying from zoo ft. to 300 ft. (with Claybush Hill attaining 328 ft.) and in the north from 100 ft. to 200 ft. above the ordnance datum. The northern portion lies between the River Rhee or Cam—which has its source in springs in Ashwell village and flowing north-west and then north forms the north-western boundary of the parish—and a small stream which flows northward and forms the eastern boundary, ultimately joining the Rhee at the. junction of the three counties. On the south-west the parish is bounded by another tributary of the Rhee, and on the south-east, for about three-quarters of a mile, by the Icknield Way. Shire Balk divides Ashwell from Cambridgeshire on the north-east. The soil consists entirely of chalk, except where the Rhee enters the Gault formation along the western boundary, and there are some chalk-pits at the junction of the lower with the higher level. There are in the parish 3,692 acres of arable land, 398 of permanent grass and 20 of woods and plantations.' The extensive common fields called Ashwell Fields covered the southern part of the parish. An inclosure award was made in 1862.7 The Cambridge branch of the Great Northern railway crosses the parish in the extreme south-east, but Ashwell station is over the Cambridgeshire border, about 2 miles from the village. Arbury Banks, about three-quarters ofa mile south- west of the village, is a prehistoric camp of the hill-fort type, now nearly obliterated. Within tie parish of Ashwell a copper coin of Cunobeline has 4 Statistics from Ba. of Agric. (1905). 2 Under Loc. Act, 20 Vict. cap. 5. been found, also a barbed flint arrow. Roman coins, pottery and glass have been found in the neighbour- hood. There is a tumulus at Highley Hill, and at Mobs Hole near Guilden Morden, Love’s Farm, Bluegates Farm and Westbury Farm are homestead moats. The village of Ashwell is situated rather more than * a mile from the Icknield Way. The ancient road called Ashwell Street enters the parish from Steeple Morden on the east. This if continued in a straight line would skirt the village on the north, but the present continuation of it called Ashwell Street Way makes a bend and passes the village on the south and then ends. Branching off from the Icknield Way a little beyond the eastern boundary of the parish is a road running north through Steeple Morden, and from this a road branches westward, runs through Ashwell, where it is called Station Road, skirts the village on the north, then as Northfield Road runs parallel with the Rhee until within about 250 yards of the Cambridgeshire border, where it turns sharply north-west and crosses the river into Bedfordshire at Whitegate Bridge. Two other roads connect the village with Newnham to the south-west and Hinxworth to the north-west. It was probably the means of communication afforded by the neighbour- hood of the Icknield Way and of Ashwell Street (which may have originally joined the Roman Stane Street further to the west) that made Ashwell a place of some importance in the 11th century. The Domesday Survey records the presence of fourteen burgesses, the borough dues—which fell to the Abbot of Westminster—amounting to 49s. 4d. a year? Evidence of this small prescriptive borough exists in occasional references to burgage tenure in 3 .C.H, Herts. i, 3130. 199 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE the 14th and 15th centuries,‘ but there is no sign of separate borough presentments or of a corporate body. A frequently recurring entry is that of payments ‘for whate-silver’ from the burgages.’ The gild of St. John the Baptist may have had some share in the government of the town. The Brotherhood House stood in the High Street of Ashwell (see under gild). The town was divided into five wards in the 15th century, the name of one ward being ‘ Dokelake’ Ward, and another High Street Ward. The name Chepyng Street occurs in the 16th century.” In 1295 the Abbot of Westminster claimed the right to hold a market by virtue of the original grant of the manor by Edward the Confessor,’ and it is probable that the market dates back to that period. The first mention of it is in 1211, when it is recorded that ‘the Abbot of Westminster rendered account of 2 palfreys that the market of Ashwell may return to Sunday from Saturday.’® In 15753 Queen Eliza- beth granted to the Bishop of London the right to hold a market weekly on Mondays. Tt had lapsed beth,!® but afterwards there appears to have been only one fair, which was abolished by law in 1872.14 The High Street of the village runs in a north- easterly direction parallel with Ashwell Street Way. It contains some old houses, notably a cottage for- merly the British Queen Inn, which was originally built in the 15th century, but was much altered in the 17th century. It is a timber-framed house with a thatched roof. On the north side is a stone window partially destroyed and in the kitchen is a moulded oak beam. There are three or four 17th-century houses of red brick or timber and plaster in this street, one bearing the date 1681 and the figure of a dolphin in the plaster. At right angles to it is Mill Street, which runs past St. Mary’s Church to the corn mill. This is probably the water mill mentioned in early extents of the manor. Close by the mill is a brewery, and there is another to the south-west of the village. Brewing is the chief industry besides agriculture. Ashwell Bury, the residence of Mr. J. W. Attwood, is situated just beyond the church. Elbrook House, to the north of the village, is the residence of Mr. E. S. Fordham. At Ashwell End, about half a mile north-west of the church, is a 17th- century farm-house of two stories, It is of timber plas- tered and decorated with combed pargeting. Ralph Cudworth, divine and author, was vicar of Ash- well 1662 to 1688.14 ‘The manor of MANORS ASHWELL, originally part of the demesne of the Crown, was granted by Edward the Confessor in his first charter to the abbey of St. Peter, Westminster, dated December 1066.'° The Domesday Sur- View in Asnwet Vittace before 1792.1 The distance from a main road evidently made it imposible to maintain successfully a market at Ashwell in later times. But a thriving manufacture of malt was carried on in the 17th cen- tury. In 1637 the inhabitants of Hinxworth com- plained that they were not taxed in fair comparison with Ashwell, ‘which has many rich maltsters and three times as much land and as good as Hinx- worth,’ 1 Fairs were claimed by the Abbot of Westminster in 1295,!2 by virtue of a grant of Henry III, which is, however, not extant. Three fairs yearly were granted to the Bishop of London by Queen Eliza- 4 Mins, Acets, at Westm. S Mins. Accts. P.R.O. bdle. 862, no. &, 12. S Will of William Freeman, P.C.C. 12 Stokton ; Will of John Bill, Blamyr. 7 Com, Pleas D. Enr. Mich. 36 Hen, Tolls, 170. * Pipe R. 13 John, m. 64. Pat. t7 Eliz, pti, m. 1. Wa Rep. Com. on Marker Rights and 229 Cal. S. P. Dom. 1636-7, p. 405. 14 Plac. de Quo Warr. (Rec. Com.), 288. 13 Pat, 17 Eliz. pt. i, m. 1. vey records that of the 6 hides at which Ashwell was assessed the abbot himself held two and a half in demesne, the manor at this date being evidently a large one, with land for twelve plough- teams and meadow sufficient for six. Peter de Valognes held half a hide and Geoffrey de Mande- ville 1 virgate of the abbot.!® There is nothing particularly worthy of note concerning this manor during the period of nearly 500 years during which it was held by the Abbots of Westminster. The abbots possessed here, as in their other manors, the privileges of free warren,” view of frankpledge, assize of bread and ale, pleas of namii vetiti, and exemption co, sheriff's tourn and from scot, geld, aid and toll. © Cott. Chart. vi, 2. 18 V.C.H. Hert i, 3130. These tene- ments held by Peter de Valognes and Geoffrey de Mandeville must’ not be confused with their independent holdings in the same parish (see below). Y Assize R. 325. VIII, m. 17. 8 Plac. de Qua Warr, (Recs Com.), 288, ¥ Lond. Gaz. 28 June 1872, p. 2976. Na Urwiek, op. cit. 7793 Dict, Nat. Biog. 200 '§ Hund. R. (Rec, Comn.), i, 193; Plae. de Quo Warr, (Rec. Com.), 275, 288. ODSEY HUNDRED On 16 January 1539-40 Abbot Boston and twenty- four monks surrendered the abbey of Westminster to Henry VIIL® Eleven months ®) later that king erected the short-lived bishopric of West- minster, turning the abbey into a cathedral, and in January 1540-1 Ashwell was included in the endowment of the new bishop,2? Thomas Thirlby, formerly Dean of the King’s Chapel, But on 29 March 1550 Thirlby re- signed the bishopric of West- minster into the hands of i Edward VI, who dissolved it, translating Thirlby to WrstMinsTeR Anney. Guler the crossed heys of St. Peter with the ving of St. Ed- ward in the chief all or. ASHWELL 30 acres, were held on lease by Jeremiah Whitacre, and that there was a lime kiln on the demesne lands valued at £30 per annum. Court leet and court baron were at this time held at the parson- age4 On 19 March 1648-9 the trustees sold the manor to ‘Thomas Challoner of Steeple Claydon, Bucks., for £416 gs. 2d.2° When the bishops were reinstated at the Resto- ration Ashwell was restored to the see of London, and so Sex or Lonpon. Gules the crossed swords P ‘St. Paul. remained until 1868, when, % in accordance with the Ecclesiastical Commissioners Act of 1860, the Tue ‘Rose ann Crown,’ AsHwent Hicn Srreer Norwich.21_ Ashwell Manor was granted a fort- night later by the king to his nominee Nicholas Ridley, Bishop of London,2* on his installation as successor to Bishop Bonner. The accession of Queen Mary brought about the deprivation of Ridley and the reinstatement of Bonner (5 August 1553) and in March 1554 a new grant of the manor of Ashwell was made to Bishop Bonner and his successors in the see of London.*3 At the time of the appropriation of the bishops’ lands by Parliament during the great Civil War Ashwell was taken from Bishop Juxon and a complete survey of the manor was made by order of the trustees for the bishopric in June 1647. It was then reported that the demesne lands, consisting of 1 Dugdale, Mon. i, 280, 329. 2 L, and P, Hen. VILL, xvi, g. 503 (33)> 3 Dict. Nat, Biog. 2 Pat, 4 Edw. VI, pt. iv, m. 16, MS, go49, fol. 12. 3 201 % Ibid, 1 Mary, pt. iv, m. 19. 3 Add. MS, 37682, fol. 21. % Close, 1649, pt. xlvi, m. 365 Add. = 5 M voidance of the see on the translation of the Rev. Archibald Campbell Tait, D.D., Bishop of London, to the see of Canterbury in 1868 was taken as the opportunity for transferring the lands of the bishopric to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners.® The latter continue to be lords of this manor. ‘Two mills were appurtenant to the abbot’s manor of Ashwell in 1086, one held by him in demesne and one held of him by Peter de Valognes.2”7 The Ministers’ Accounts of the 13th and 14th centuries contain frequent references to a water mill and a horse mill (or windmill) in Ashwell and the necessity for their repair. In 1198 we hear of a man and a woman being ‘drowned in the pool of the mill of Ashwell.’ % Stat. 23 & 24 Vict. cap. 124. 4 VCH. Herts. i, 3134. . Acts, at Westm. 29 Rot, Cur. Reg. (Rec, Com.), i, 159 26 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE In 1086 Peter de Valognes held *2 hides as 1 manor’ in Ashwell, these having been part of the possessions of the Anglo-Saxon thegn Athelmar of Benington2’ In the reign of Henry Il (1154- 89) Robert de Valognes, grandson of Peter, held “4 librates of land’ here, which descended to his daughter Gunnora, the wife successively of Durant de Ostelli and Robert Fitz Walter." Christina daughter of Robert and Gunnora married William de Mande- ville Earl of Essex, and possibly Ashwell was settled on her, for she granted ‘all her men in the vill of Ashwell’ to the priory of Walden in Essex.* On her death without issue in 1233 the overlordship apparently passed to her brother Walter Fitz Walter, for his grandson Robert Fitz Walter died seised of one fee in Ashwell in 1328," and his grandson Walter Fitz Walter died seised in 1386.% No further trace of Walden Priory in connexion with Ashwell has been found, and it seems reasonable to identify this holding with the manor of ASHWELL, which, in 1345, was settled upon Henry Gernet and Joan his wife.» She and her husband held lands in this parish (perhaps the same holding as that after- wards termed a manor) in 1338.% Under the settlement Henry and Joan were to hold for life with reversion to John Darcy le Fitz and his wife Margery, to Thomas de Charnels and his wife Maud, and to Margaret sister of Maud, successively, Margery, Maud and Margaret being daughters of Henry and Joan. Henry Gernet died the same year.” It was specially reported that he held his linds jointly with Joan his wife not of the king in chief, but ‘of others,’ probably the Fitz Walters. Joan survived her husband,” and in 1345 received a quitclaim of the manor from Thomas de la Haye and Elizabeth his wife, who were possibly holding it in dower.” ‘The tenement (or part of it) subsequently descended to Thomas Brydd, possibly heir of one of the daughters, who in 1428 was holding ‘a quarter of a knight’s fee in Ashwell, which Henry Gernet formerly held." ‘The county historians are unanimous in identifying this manor (which is not again heard of as Ashwell Manor) with a manor of DIGSH’ELL in this parish,” though the descents they give after this date vary considerably, Cussans (alone) maintaining that it was held by the family of Bill in Ashwell in the 16th and 17th centuries.® The latter theory is supported by the will of John Bill in 1557, whereby he leaves his ‘manor of Dixwell a/ias Diggewell with a tenement called Wattes, and land in Glitton and Ashwell’ to his son James." A few years later there was a complaint over unlawful entry into a messuaze ‘in WICH. Herts. i, 1374 2 3) Red Bk. Exch. (Rolls a )s 78) 94 97) 175 5 Abbrev. Plac. (Ree. Com.), 29. 31 Harl. MS.3697 (Chartul. of Walden), fol. 27. Chan. Ing. p.m. 2 Edw. IIL, pt. i, Hund. 26. * Cussans, Hist, 44 Will, P.C.C, 28 Mellershe. © Chan. Proc. (Ser. 2), bile. 23, no. 33. There seems no reason to connect this manor with the manor of Digswell in Mill Street in Ashwell,’ which the father of the complainant (Thomas Rooke) had held * of James Bill, by copy of court roll of his manor of Dykeswell.” © When Chauncy was writing in 1700 there was a manor of Digswell in Ashwell parish, owned by Samuel Gatward, and said to have been acquired by him from Sir William Whitmore, bart.“® According to Clutterbuck he sold it in 1716 to Christopher Anstey, and it descended to his son Christopher,” who in 1805 suffered a recovery of this manor.” He sold it, according to Clutterbuck’s descent, to William Heath in 1808, and after the death of the latter it- became the property of Richard Westrope of Ashwell. Since that date the manor has disappeared. In 1086 Theobald held half a hide in Ashwell of Harduin de Scales, which may be identified as WESTBURY.® Harduin is said subsequently to have divided his lands between his two sons Richard and Hugh, the latter’s son Hugh being in possession of three knights’ fees in several places in Hertfordshire, including Ashwell, at the close of the 12th century.*' Beyond this date the tenure of the Scales family is not traceable, In 1198 the nuns of Holywell (Middlesex) im- pleaded Fulk son of Theobald (possibly son of the Theobald of 1086) for a rent of 1 mark in Ashwell which had been grantcd to them by charter of the said Theobald.** There is no trace of a grant of land in Ashwell to the nunnery, but it has been suggested that the ‘virgate of land in Hinxworth of the gift of Theobald son of Fulk’ confirmed to the nuns by Richard I in 1195 really lay in the neighbouring parish of Ashwell." There is no subsequent trace of property held by the Holywell nuns in Hinx- worth, whereas they were possessed of a manor of West- bury in Ashwell at the Dissolution, at which time it war held on lease by one John Bailey.” ‘The nunnery also held tithes in Ashwell from at least the reign of Richard II,® the value of such tithes amounting at the Dissolution to The subsequent descent of this manor is very difficult to trace. Setting aside the references to the manor of Westbury Nernewtes (of which the descent is given below) there is no record of it until 1606, when James I granted ‘a messuage called le Westbury’ to Thomas Norwood, who was already possessed of the manor of Westbury Nernewtes. In 1664 a conveyance of Westbury was made to Elizabeth Sone, widow, by Thomas Bromfield, Laurence Marsh and a number of persons who were evidently co-heirs.”” In 1678 a settlement was made by Richard Hutchinson,” in whose family it remained" until at of Herts. Braughing 8 Ibid, 8 Dug Mon. iv, Plac. (Ree. ‘Com.), 37. was founded in 1127. “Salmon, Hist. of Herts. 344. Pro- bably also they acquired lands from the 3935 Abbrev. ‘The nunnery no. 59. South Herts, which was never held by Tid, 10 Ric. II, no. 15. % Feet of F. Herts, East. 19 Edw, II, Ro. 355+ Feud, Aids, ii, 447. “ Direct evidence of such a connexion is completely lacking. the: oon ney, Hist. Antiz. of Herts, 35. Co ciatebce Hist. and Antig. of Herts, iii, 483. Salmon, however ‘ays that it descended to Samuel the son of the above-mentioned Samuel Gat sard (Hist. of Herts. [1728], 344). “© Recov. R. Mich. 45 Geo. rot. 388. a a eerie: loc. cit. CH. Herts. i, 3396. e rh Plac. (Rec. Com.), 9. 202 I, holders of Westbury Nernewtes, for in later times this estate is said to be held of Westbury Nernewtes (ibid.). 5 Misc. Bks. (Ld. Rev. Rec.), celxii, fol. 60d. %® Mins, Acts, at Westm. 7 Rentals and Surv. tdle. 11, no. 35. 8 Pat. 4 Jas. J, pt. xiii, Feet of F. Div. ee I. Ibid. Hil. 29 & 30 Chas. II. © Recov. R. East. 1 Anne, rot. 835 1 Geo, I, rot. 189. Co. Trin, 16 AsuwetL: House in THe Main Srreer (Dated 1681) ODSEY HUNDRED least 1728, when Salmon writes that ‘the western part of this manor (Westbury) is a farm of Sir Richard Hutchinson’s, which holds of Sir George Humble,’ ® the Humbles, as hereafter shown, being at this date owners of Westbury Nernewtes. Subsequently it passed to the Leheups. William Leheup was holding in (779% and Michael Peter Leheup in 1809." Westbury Farm still remains a property quite separate from the manor of Westbury Nernewtes (sce below). It is situated on the west of the village. Westbury Farm has a homestead moat. The Buckinghamshire family of Nernewt (Nernuyt) held land in Ashwell in the 14th century which was probably originally part of the Abbot of Westminster's manor.® This land became the manor of WESTBUR? NERNEWTES. In 1340 Sir John Nernewt of Burn- ham and Fleet Marston, Bucks., settled ‘two thirds of one messuage, two mills, 40 acres of land, 10 acres of meadow and 18 marks’ rent in Ashwell and Hinxworth” upon his son and heir John,® whose daughter Elizabeth, wife of John Hertishorne, inherited the property.” John Hertishorne (together with two others, presumably his feoffees) was holding ‘half a fee in Ashwell which John Nernewt lately held there’ in 1428.% The Nernewt property is said to have passed by female line to the Harveys, and on the death of Sir George Harvey (before 1520) to have been pur- chased by the Lees.” This descent is doubtful, but the Lees did acquire possession of Westbury Nernewtes. In 1540-1 a conveyance by Richard Heigham and his wife Mary, Thomas Colt and Thomas Lysley was made to Anthony Lee, kt., of a moiety of the Buckinghamshire manors and of the manor of Westbury in Ashwell. After this the connexion with Buckinghamshire ceases. In 1557 this manor (henceforward invariably called Westbury Nernewtes) was conveyed by William Hawtrey and Agnes his wife to Thomas Norwood,” son and heir of William Norwood of Ashwell. Thomas was succeeded at Westbury Nernewtes by his son Nicholas, and Nicholas by his nephew Tirringham Norwood, who in 1611 sold this manor to Edward Waller a/ias Warren.” Chauncy says that Edward Waller conveyed it to Andrew Laut, citizen of London, whose son Andrew Laut (of Thorpe Underwood, Northamptonshire) was lord of the manor at the date Nernewt. Gules a lion argent in a border gobony argent and sable. ASHWELL of writing (1700).”" ‘The marriage of Sarah daughter and co-heir of Andrew Laut to Sir John Humble brought Westbury Nernewtes to the Humbles.” Eliza- beth Humble, daughter-in-law of Sir John, who sur- vived both her husband and her only son, bequeathed this property by her will of 1758 (proved in March 1770-1) to her brother the Hon. Charles Vane,’ from whom it passed in 1789 to John Pennell, and on the latter’s death in 1813 to his daughter Margaret, the wife of Bernard Geary Snow of Highgate. On the latter’s death the manor went to his widow for life, and after her death was divided among his children by Margaret Pennell and by a former wife, Henrietta, a daughter of the former marriage, died unmarried, leaving her share of the propeity to her betrothed, the Rev. J. B. Smith. Anna Maria, a daughter of the Pennell marriage, married Mr. Edward King Fordham of Ashwell Bury, who bought up all the shares of the manor (including Smith’s) excepting that of the Rev. John Pennell Snow, an elder brother of Anna Maria. ‘This latter share (one-sixth) was bequeathed by Mr. Snow to Rupert Donald Fordham, who sold it to Mr. Edward Snow Fordham, who had already (in 1889) inherited the remaining five-sixths of the manor from his father and is the present lord of the manor. The tenants are, however, nearly all enfranchised and the manorial rights have lapsed,’ In 1441 John Kirkeby died seised of ‘a messuage, 140 acres of land, 8 acres of meadow, 2 acres of pasture and sos, rent in Ashwell and Hinxworth,’ “a parcel of land in Ashwell called Quarrerette,’ and ‘a tenement, an acre of land and a croft called Chalgravecroft’ in the same parish, all held of the Abbot of Westminster’s manor of Ashwell.” He left a daughter and heir Alice. This estate may be identified with the manor of KIRKEBIES or KIRBYS in this parish, which in 1489 wassettled upon Elizabeth Mervyn, widow of Thomas Mervyn, and her heirs.” She appears to have married subsequently John Clerke, and by 1530 to have been a second time a widow, for in that year Elizabeth Clerke sold the manor to Richard Copcot of Pyrton.” He sold it in 1533 to John Bowles, who sold it in 1540 to James Randall.” By 1546 it had passed to Anthony Randall, the kins- man and heir of James," who in 1548 conveyed this Wi Forpuam, Barry wavy or and azure a between two castles all argent. & Salmon, op. cit. 344. Salmon adds, ‘The Farmer and his neighbours call it Nunwick.’ 83 Recov. rot. 238. 4 Thid. Mich. 50 Geo. III, rot. 393. ® See Salmon (loc. cit.), who gives the tenure. % Feet of F. Div. Co, Trin, 14 Edw. III, no, 280. William brother of John, sen., was apparently holding the other third for life. See Lipscomb, Hist. of Bucks. iy 327+ % Feud. Aids, ii, 447. © Lipscomb, op. cit. i, 327- 7 Feet of F. Div. Co. Hen, VIII. R. Trin, 19 Geo. IL, Hil. 32 7 Thid. Herts. Mich. 4 & 5 Phil. and Mary. It was presumably to this Thomas that a grant was made by James I in 1606 of ‘le Westbury’ (see above). 7 Com, Pleas D. Enr, Mich. 9 Jas. Lm. 13. 7 Chauncy, Hist, and Antig. of Herts. 35: 74 Salmon (loc. cit.), writing in 1728, says that George, a minor, had then succeeded his father Sir John. Clutter- buck (Hist. and Antig. of Herts. iti, 484) gives Sir William Humble as the son and heir of Sir John, and in this he is sup- ported by the pedigree in Burke, Exzinct Baronetcies, 74 Clutterbuck, loc. cit, 203 76 Informat on supplied by Mr. Fore= ham of Elbrook House. 7 Chan, Ing. pm. 22 Hen. VI, file 115, no. 26, Cussans (Hist. of Herts. Odsey Hund, 32) considers this early hold ng of the Kirkebys to be identical with a manor of Gasselyns held by John Kirkby, but the inquisition shows the latter manor to have been in the parish of Hatfield, 78 Feet of F. Herts. Mich. 5 Hen. VII. 79 Ct. of Req. bdle. 17, no. 117. Feet of F. Herts. Mich. 25 Hen, VII; Ct. of Req, bdle. 17, no. 117. 8 Feet of F. Herts, Mich. 38 Hen VILL. A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE manor to Robert Leete and Christopher Browne.*? Possibly the latter were trustees for St. John’s College, Cambridge ; at all events, it was in the hands of that body in 1565, when it was leased by the college to ‘Alice Browne, late the wife of Andrewes,’ for twenty- one years.*? The estate is henceforward found con- tinuously in the possession of the college and leased out by them. Kirkby’s Manor Farm is situated in the north of the parish. The Northfield Road passes close by it and connects it with the village. A few traces exist of a manor of STANES alias WAFRIES in this parish. Possibly its origin is to be found in the tenure of John de Stanes, who in 1303 held one quarter of a knight’s fee in Ashwell of William Fitz Ralph * (for whose family see Broad- ficld Manor). The earliest mention of a manor extant is in 1567, when William Bourne and his wite Margaret conveyed it to John Burgoyne.® In the conveyance it is called Stanes a/ias Watries, though it is not until forty years later that it is found held by an owner of the name of Waferer.*® In 1570 Thomas Ward was apparently in possession. In January 1609-10 Arden Waferer, who had been a member of the Inner Temple and a recusant,** died seised of this manor, having already by his will bequeathed it to his wife Elizabeth for her life, with reversion to his son James, then a minor. It was at this date said to be held of the Bishop of London’s manor of Ashwell by fealty, suit of court and a rent of 12s, 1od*%” In 1636 it was held by Edward Greene ® and in 1703 by Samuel Gatward,” who acquired a considerable amount of land in this parish about this date. It then descended with Digswell (q.v.). The last trace of the manor to be found is in 1805, when a recovery of it was suffered by Christopher Anstey. Two small manors and estates in this parish, invariatly found together, were those of SONIMELL and OT AIS. The earliest notice of them is in , when they were held by Elizabeth Orrell, * In 1528 James Orrell of Ashwell is men- tioned in connexion with Sonwell,9* and in 1563 ‘Thomas Orrell, called of Walsoken, co. Norfolk, sold both estates to Ralph Dixon of Doddington, Isle of Ely. After this date the property followed the same descent as Westbury. It was acquired by r liza- beth Sone in 1664,°° and passed to the Hutchinsons and Leheups. The last mention of it is in 1829, when it was held by Michael Peter Leheup. A manor of SUNINGS appears in 1585 held by Thomas Meade, but it is not found again. 89 Feet of F. Herts. Hil. 2 Edw. VI. SS Baker, Hist, of St. John's Coll. Camb. Recov. R. rot, The church of ST. MARY has a chancel 50 ft. 6 in. long by 19 ft. 6 in. wide, nave 89 ft. 8 in. by 24 ft., with north aisle 89 ft. 8 in. by 13 ft. 8 in., and south aisle go ft. 6 in. by 13 ft. 6 in.; there is a west tower 16 ft, square and a north and south porch. There was formerly a vestry or chapel on the north side of the chancel. All dimensions are taken internally. The church is built of flint rubble and clunch, the tower being faced with clunch. The nave is the earliest portion of the church, the first four bays from the east, together with the clear- story and chancel arch, belong to the middle of the 14th century ; the chancel, west tower and western bay of the nave, together with the side aisles, were constructed some thirty years later. The south porch was built about 1420 and the north porch about the middle of the rsthcentury. During the 19th century new roofs were put on the nave and chancel and the chancel was repaired. The cast window is of five lights, and the three windows on the south side of the chancel and the two on the north are of three lights each. All the tracery is of a late 14th-century type, and much of it has been renewed. On the north side are two blocked 14th-century doorways, one partly under a window; the other, to the east, was the entrance to the chapel probably of the Holy Trinity,%® the piscina of which still exists on the outer wall. On the south wall is a triple sedilia and piscina, each under an ogee cinquefoiled arch with crockcted labels and finials, dating from about 1380. There are small plain recessed niches on the castern jambs of two of the side windows, on north and south respec- tively, one having a small carved bracket at its base. The lofty chancel arch is of two moulded orders supported upon engaged shafts with moulded capitals and bases, all of 14th-century work. The built-up doorways to the rood loft are visible, but there is no trace o a rood stair. The nave consists of five bays. ‘The eastern four (c. 1350) have piers of clustered shafts with moulded capitals and bases, the latter somewhat mutilated. The arches are of two moulded orders, with labels in nave and aisles. The details of the western bay differ a little from the others and the span is wider, and they abut on solid walling covered with lofty traceried panels, which form eastern buttresses to the tower. ‘There are six windows to each side of the clearstory. The two westernmost windows on each side belong to the later 14th century, the two middle ones on the CHURCH ich. 46 Geo. II, with *Flaunders tile.” He also left 4os. to the fabric of the body of the church, 39%) being an extract from the ‘Thick Black Book’ of the college. For similar EXtrcts See FP. 401) 420, 4245 425, 435, igi $ & 2 ip aidy ii, 432. A John de Stanes received a life-grant of lands ia this parish in 1275 (Feet of F. Div. Co. S Feet of F. Herts. Mich. 9 & 10 Eliz. S But the Waterers held the neigh- bouring manor of Hinxworth in the 15th and 16th centuries. ® Recov.R. Mich. 12 & 13 Eliz, (1570), rot. 613. $8 C21, of Inner Temple Rec. pp. ly liiy de. ® Chan. Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), ecexxey, 26. ® Feet of F. Div. Co. Hil. 11 Chas. I. 91 Tbid. Herts. Hil, + Anne. 388. Feet of F. Herts. Trin. 23 Hen. VIL In the rgth century there was a family called Otway (Otewy) living in Ashwell (Cal. Pat. 1334-8, p. 2843 1340-3, P 483). 4 Star Chimb. bdle. 17, no. 332. ® Fest of F. Herts. Trin. 5 Eli Com. Pleas D. Enr. Trin. § Eli Recov. R. Trin. § Eliz. rot. 339. ® Feet of F. Div. Co. Trin. 16 Chas, IT. % Chan, Ing. p.m. (Ser. 2), cevi, 39. In 1458 William Freeman of Ash- weil directed that his body should be buried in the chapel of the Holy Trin'ty in the church of Ashwell and desired that the chaps! shou'd be paved 204 Proc. Hen. VIII, 133. 4d. to the rood light and £18 to a chaplain to pray for his soul for three years at the altar of the Holy Trinity (P.C.C, Wills 12 Stokton). In 1505 William Sewater, mercer of London, desired that his body should be buried in the chapel on the north side of Ashwell Church and directed that ‘a stone of marble to be laid on me my name in brass to be written on it with these Glitton in the parisshe of Asshwell gent sometime mercer of London the which died," &c.’ He left land in Hinxworth for an obit for himself, his father Nicholas and his mother, and for the repair of the church, especially of the chapel where his body should lie (ibid. 39 Holgrave). HOWAHD ITIMHSY JO NVTZ {2a Jo 289g oF of 08 oO o 8 OL Fan LUD z CL Fi. Si NO yp p= p= pa OD eanyaeD x4 1Z 205 A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE north side to the middle of the century, the others being alterations of the 16th century. There is a three-light window of the 14th century with flowing tracery at the east end of the north aisle, the five windows on the north being of three lights, of 15th-century date; the tracery of these windows is much decayed. The north doorway belongs to the latter part of the 14th century. The north porch is a good type of rsth-century work with traceried windows, unglazed, under four-centred moulded arches. The outer doorway is set under a square head, the inner moulded order forming the arch. Holes, evidently for a bar, have been roughly cut in the mouldings of the jamb outside the position the door occupied. There is a mutilated 14th-century piscina at the east end of the aisle and a fragment of a stone bracket, indicating that there was an altar here and possibly a chantry.® The south aisle has an east window of three traceried lights corresponding to those in the chancel. The five windows in the south wall were raised in the 15th century, and decayed remains of the tracery of that period still remain. The south doorway belongs to the 14th century, and immediately to the west of it is a blocked doorway to the parvise stair. The roof of the aisle appears to be the original one. The south porch has a parvise over it, the entrance to the turret stair, which projects on the western angle out- side, is now from the porch itself. There is a modern stone vault to the porch, and a late flat roof over the parvise has taken the place of the original steep sloping roof, the front gable now standing onsupported. The porch has unglazed windows with iron stanchions. At the east end of the south aisle are traces of a reredos of an