Henstead: old charters, court rolls etc.

The documents listed here originated from the the Reverend Charles Clarke at the Rectory at Henstead but make no mention of the Clarke family. Whether the Reverend Clarke obtained them from Parish records, the Diocese of Norwich, his own ancestors or through the University of Cambridge is unclear. The Latin originals were transcribed by an (apparently professional) unknown archivist employed by A. S. Clarke during the 1930s. Illegible, uncertain, missing or inferred text I have shown thus.

Contents

→ Charter from the second regnal year of Richard 3^rd

→ Letter of 19 June 1683

→ Extract of Court Roll, 20 June 1693

→ Extract of Court Roll 5^th year of Anne

→ Foot of Fine, 6^th year of Anne

[ ↑ Henstead page]

Charter from the second regnal year of Richard 3^rd

Know, etc., that we, John Cotwan of Mutford, Robert Barker, John Ripyng and Richard Hothum¹ of the same, have given etc. and by this our charter confirm to John Hothum of Mutford an alder-grove called Est Herst Atte Quanes Hendys with commons etc. and all appurtenances, lying in Mutford viz:- between the marsh of the Manor of Mutford on the East, and the marsh of William Ripyng on the West and abutting on the common heath towards the North and upon the stream there towards the South. Which alder-grove etc. we lately had among other messuages, lands, etc., with Robert Bump.red late of Welyngham, deceased, and the aforesaid William Ripyng of the gift etc. of John Alwyn late of Mutford, son and heir of Robert Alwyn formerly of the same, as more fully appears in a certain charter made thereon, dated at Mutford on Passion Sunday 7 Edward IV. Which said William Ripyng disclaimed and, for himself and his heirs, utterly revoked annulled etc. all his estate therein as more fully appears by his writing made concerning the matter - to have and to hold the said alder-grove with all appurtenances etc. to the said John Hothum his heirs and assigns forever, of the chief lords of that fee by the customary services etc. In witness whereof etc. we have put our seals. Witnesses: William Ripyng, John Inton, Robert Hothum Thomas Ripyng John Wylde and others [not named]. Dated at Mutford 20 September 2 Richard III

[No seals remaining]

1. The name is presumably Hothum. It is abbreviated throughout as Hothu, so that Hothun would also be a possible rendering.

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Letter of 19 June 1683

To all etc. seeing etc. our testimonial letters or whatever touches or may hereafter touch the matters therein, Antony etc. Bishop of Norwich greeting etc. By these presents we have brought etc. to your notice that on the day of these presents, Thomas Smyth clerk, being personally before us and presented to the Rectory of the parish church of Horningsheath, Suffolk, Norwich diocese, in our presence and with his own hand, before his admission to the said Rectory, subscribed to respect² the articles established in the London Sinod with the common assent of the Archbishops, Bishops and clerks of either province of Canterbury and York in the year 1562, and to three articles drawn up in the ecclesiastical canons in the year 1602 and described in the 36^th canon of the same, and also, in our presence, having actually touched and kissed the holy gospels, took and submitted to the Oath Concerning Simony not having been committed nor perpetrated by him in the matter of the proclamation of the Rectory of the Parish Church of Horningsheath. In witness whereof etc. we have put our Episcopal seal to these presents 19 June 1683 7^th year of our translation.

William Spring deputy of the Registrar Principal.

Signed Ant. Norwic. [No seal].
Four endorsements that it is "Ext'" [?Extracted] in the primary visitation of : William, Bp. of Norwich, ... Principal Registrar (1686); Lord John, Bp. of Norwich, Thomas Moore, Principal Registrar (1692); Charles Low Bishop of Norwich, Jo. Moore, principal Registrar (1709); Thomas Lord Bishop of Norwich, John Moore principal Registrar (1723) ³: and two endorsements that it was "ext'" or "exhib'" in the ordinary visitation of John Low - Bishop of Norwich, John Moore principal Registrar (1699) and (1706)

2. The Latin appears to be "respire": possibly for "respicere"? ; the abbreviations are frequently omitted throughout.

3. The abbreviation looks clearly to be "Ext'" in all cases except this and the next following (1699) where the form is clearly "Exhib'", for exhibited. Possibly therefore this last should be the translation for all the endorsements.

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Extract of Court Roll, 20 June 1693

Manor of Baldwins in Grandsden Magna, County Huntingdonshire.

At a General Court Baron held for the manor of Grandsden Magna, 20 June 1693, before John Mason gentleman, steward there, it was enrolled, amongst other matters at this court etc. it was found that Robert Kidman of Grandsden Magna, yeoman, a customary tenent, outside the court, since the last general court, 28 March 1690, surrendered by the rod etc. all that messuage or cottage called the Six Bells in Grandsden Magna with all barns, stables out buildings etc. etc. - which premises are in the tenure and possession of the said Robert Kidman and of James Kidman and Mary Upchurch or their assigns - and the reversion, right title, estate etc. of the said Robert therein or in any part therein, to the use of John Hodge of Gransden Magna, wheelwright, and his heirs for ever. Which John, present, personally begged the lords that he might be admitted to the said messuage etc. To whom the lords by their steward granted seisin by the rod. To have etc. to John and his heirs, by the rod at the will of the lords, by the annual rent of 2/-, fealty, and suit at court etc. And he gave the lords a fine of 4/- etc.And afterwards the same John Hodge in person in full court surrendered by the rod etc. all that messuage etc. which he had late obtained of Robert Kidman. To the use of the said John Hodge and and his wife in survivorship, and to their issue; in default, to the right heirs of John for ever. Which John and Anne, present, personally begged the lords that they might be admitted to the said messuage etc. To whom the lords by their steward granted seisin by the rod. To have etc. to John and Anne according to the tenor of the said surrender, by the rod, at the will of the lords by the annual rent of 2/-, fealty, and suit at Court etc. And they gave the lords a fine of 8/- and were admitted tenants therein etc.

Extracts by John Mason, steward there.

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Extract of Court Roll 5^th year of Anne

Manor of Baldwins in Grandsden Magna, County Huntingdonshire.

At a special Court Baron of the Master Fellows and Scholars of the College or Hall of Clare Cambridge, held for the manor 7 Nov. 1706 before Simon Mason Esq. steward there it was enrolled as follows: At this court etc. it was found that John Hodge a customary tenent, in court surrendered to the lord's hands etc. All his messuage with appurtenances in Grandsden Magna late Kidmans to the use of Timothy Ellwood of Grandsden Magna, carpenter, and his heirs for ever. Which Timothy Ellwood present, personally begged the lords that he might be admitted to the said messuage etc. To whom the lords by their Steward granted seisin by the rod to have etc. to Timothy and his heirs forever of the lords at the will etc. by the annual rent of 2/-, fealty, etc. and he gave the lords as fine 4/- and was admitted tenant therein etc.

Whereupon afterwards at the same court came Robert Momford and complained v. Timothy Ellwood in a plea concerning a messuage in Grandsdon Magna, held of the Manor, which Ellwood had by surrender of John Hodge, and made his suit in the form of a writ of impress upon and is seisin in lepost, pledges John Doe and Richard Roe, and sought process etc. v. Ellwood for recovery which is granted him. Therefore etc. the bailiff is ordered to summon Ellwood to be before the steward here at 2 PM this day to answer Momford etc. At which hour came Momford and steward Ellwood, bailiff, who testifies having summoned Timothy by Thomas Graves and Thomas Haddock.

Whereupon Momford claims v. Ellwood, present, the said messuage as his right in which Ellwood has only impress after seisin in which Hugh Hunt made etc. 30 years ago. And says he was seized thereof in demesne as of fee etc. Ellwood defends his right and calls to warranty the said John Hodge etc. who warrants to him etc.

Whereupon Momford claims the messuage v. John Hodge, saying as before etc. and John Hodge comes and defends etc. and calls to warranty Thomas Ellwood who warrants to him etc.

Whereupon Momford claims the messuage v. Thomas Ellwood saying as before etc. and Thomas Ellwood comes and defends etc. and says Hugh Hunt did not disseize Momford etc. and puts himself on the homage etc. And Momford asks leave to impart until 3 PM of this day, and the same hour is given to Thomas Ellwood.

Afterwards at 3 PM Momford appears, and Thomas Ellwood although solemnly called, does not return but departed in contempt of court and made default. It is therefore considered that Momford may recover seisin of the said messuage. Timothy and Ellwood may have of the customary lands of John Hodge to the value etc. and Hodge may have of the customary lands of Thomas Ellwood to the value etc. and that Thomas Ellwood is in mercy for the said contempt and default.

Whereupon Momford asks precept in the form of a writ that seisin be given him etc. Therefore the bailiff of this Manor and minister of this court is ordered to cause seisin to be given to Momford.

Afterwards at 4 PM of this day Edward Ellwood, bailiff, gave seisin to Robert Momford. Whereupon Momford begs of the lords of the Manor that he be admitted and the lords by the steward granted seisin by the rod. To have etc. to Momford his heirs for ever etc. And after at the same court, Momford Timothy and Thomas Ellwood surrendered the said messuage etc. to the use of John Hodge and his heirs forever etc. And Hodge begs of the lords of the manor that he be admitted and the lords etc. grant seisin by the rod etc. To have etc. to John Hodge and his heirs forever for the annual rent of 2/-, fealty, etc. and he gave the lords as fine 4/- and is admitted. And it is found that Momford and Timothy and Thomas Ellwood have released all claim to Hodge and henceforth have no right in the messuage.

Extract by S. Mason steward there.

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Foot of Fine. St. Martins 6^th year of Anne

Final concord made at Westminster from St. Martin in 15 days. 6 Anne. before Thomas Trevor, John Blencowe, Robert Tracy and Robert Dormer, Justices etc.

Between William Bell and Thomas Girling, gent., complainants and John Playters, bart, James Melles and Martha his wife, and Thomas Randall and Anne his wife, defendants.

Concerning: 3 messuages 80 acres of land 25 acres of meadow 40 acres of pasture, and moiety of three messuages 80 acres of land 30 acres of meadow 70 acres of pasture and also, of pasture for all cattle in the parishes of St. Andrew of Ilketshall Frostendon Wangford Ringsfeild Barsham Weylred and Mendham.

Quit claim from the said John, James, Martha, Thomas and Anne and their heirs to the said William and Thomas and the heirs of William, for ever, of the said tenements, moiety and common.

Further, the said John warrants the same, against himself and his heirs, to the said William and Thomas and heirs of William. And also, the said James and Martha warrant the same against themselves and the heirs of Martha to the said William and Thomas and heirs of William. And also the said Thomas and Anne warrant the same against themselves and the heirs of Anne to the said William and Thomas and the heirs of William.

For this recognition, remission, quit-claim, warrant etc., William and Thomas have granted to John, James, Martha Thomas and Anne, £260 sterling.

[Endorsed] Suffolk between William Bell and (an) other, complainants.

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Last modified: 2011 April 12^th.