1525/26 On February 28, Edmund Knightley and others were commissioned to evaluate a set of manors in Northampton and Essex. [1]
2000. Manor of Grafton, &c.
28 Feb. R. O.
Commission to Sir Will. Pawlet, Sir John Mordaunte, Edmund Knyghtley, attorney-general of the duchy of Lancaster, Thos. Bonham, receiver-general of the same, John Burgoyn, auditor of the north parts of the duchy, and Roger Wigston, to visit the manors of Grafton, Hertwell. Creyke, Clay Cotton, and Lylburn, Northt., and Wodham Ferres, Essex, and to inquire and report according to their instructions. Westm., 28 Feb. 17 Hen. VIII.
ii. Instructions to the above to perambulate the manors before the "moyse of Easter," and report the number of acres belonging to the King, the value of the woods, how much of them are sold or felled, and what injury would be done to the King's towns and mills adjoining if they were all destroyed; what wood sales may be made by lopping, cropping, or felling; how much ground may be "emprowed," leaving sufficient common to the tenants; by what title they hold any common, what cattle should use it, and what common they may have in other men's lands; what new improvements have been and may be made; in what case all the buildings are, and what royalties, knight's fees, advowsons, foundations of abbeys, bondmen, or other advantages belong to said manors. Signed by the King at the top.
1528 Edmund Knightley and his wife Ursula, along with her sister and nephew, petitioned Wolsey concerning the estate of the late earl of Oxford, Ursula's brother. [2]
R. O. 4588. The Earl of Oxford.
Petition to Wolsey of Sir Ant. Wingfield and his wife Elizabeth, John Nevell, Esq., son and heir of Sir John Nevell and Dorothie his wife, deceased, Edm. Knyghtley, Esq., and Ursula his wife.
The possessions of John late earl of Oxenford in Hednyngham, Essex, and elsewhere, yearly value 2,260l., ought to descend to the said Elizabeth and Ursula as his sisters, and to John Nevell as his cousin, but the present Earl claims them as being [ne]xt cousin and heir male. He has obtained permission to hold them till Wolsey has decided the case, promising to restore all issues if it is decided against him, and not to procure any office to be found, or anything to hinder the petitioner's inheritance. He has broken this promise, and caused feoffment to be made to divers persons unknown to the petitioners. Beg Wolsey either to settle the variance, or else to cause the Earl to revoke all such acts.
1532 Cromwell wrote to Henry VIII about the imprisonment of Edmund Knightley. [3]
[Cromwell to Henry VIII.] [Footnote: Written probably on the Thursday preceding Vaughan's letter (No.1299), which would be either the 5th or 12th Sept.]
… A matter in variance between the executors of Sir Wm. Spencer and my lady Spencer, of which information has been given to the Judges, has been heard before my lord keeper of the Great Seal, Sir Will. Poulet, and Cromwell; and it appears, by the examination of the executors and of Edmund Knyghtley, his brother Richard, and the said lady Spencer their sister, that, notwithstanding an agreement made between the executors and lady Spencer, Edmund Knightley has done his utmost to set them at variance, and defeat the King's title to the heir; to effect which he has presumptuously caused proclamations to be made in various towns in cos. Warw., Leic., and Northt., in contempt of the King and his laws. My Lord Keeper has therefore committed him to the Fleet till the King's pleasure be known.
1532 (second half of September) Edmund Knightley wrote to Cromwell from Fleet Street prison. [4]
Edmund Knyghtley to Cromwell.
I perceive by my brother, who has now gone out of town, that you are my good friend. I hear the same from Sir John Russell. You know my trouble. I beg you to consider the poor honesty that God and the King have called me to, and the plague with which Fleet Street is now sore infected, to my no little danger, beside my imprisonment. Move the King to have pity on me. From the Fleet.
1532 On October 20 John Onlet wrote to Cromwell concerning Edmund Knyghtley. [5]
John Onlet to Cromwell.
Since the King left, serjeant Knyghtley has not ceased to slander his title to all the justices, declaring his sister's great griefs and the cause of his imprisonment. Knowing such days as be prefixed by the Exchequer for the King, he has ridden down to the country to do some mischief. To counteract him, I have caused the King's council to meet to survey the matter on the King's behalf, and have caused Mr. Paul Devon, the King's serjeant, to ride into the country to meet with him. I wish he had continued in the Fleet. The Lord bring you well home. London, 20 Oct.
Sol., p. 1. Add.: At Calais.
1532 On November 4, Sir Thomas Audeley wrote to Cromwell concerning Edmund Knightley. [6]
... Since your departure, there has been much ado for Spencer's matter. The offices in "Northshire" and Warwickshire will not be yet found. It is thought that Mr. Throgmorton is not so hearty in Warwickshire as he might be. Tomorrow is the appearance of the jury before the Exchequer again, where there is great counsel and friends made to be there against the King. Though Knyghtley, the serjeant, will not openly show himself in this matter, yet I hear that all is done by his counsel. At the last appearance of the jury, his servant Beyny gave evidence as he was "learned" by his master. I have provided that if it appears to those who are there for the King that the jury are so labored that they will pass against the King, that then the Exchequer shall have a supersedeas and take no verdict. If the King suffer wrong herein, it will be an ill precedent, and a great wrong to other shires. ...
1536 Edmund Knightley and others recommended allowing the Abbey of St. James near Northampton to continue. [7]
19 May. R. O. 917. Edmund Knyghtley and others to Cromwell.
We have exercised the King's commission at divers houses, viz., Chacumbe, Assheby, Catesby, Sewesley, and St. James's Abbey nigh Northampton. St. James's is a goodly solemn house in church and choir, meet for one of treble the lands. It is in substantial repair, of old foundation, and the goodliest barn that ever was seen for stone and timber. There are many poor in Northampton, and they are greatly relieved by this house, which has a good report through the whole town. We have been well entertained by the abbot, who showed himself very diligent and plain in all that we have required of him for furthering the King's commission. We cannot certify you of the values of these houses. If every man had done his part at the first commission this had not been in danger now, and you might do a very meritorious deed, with much honor to the King, if this house were allowed to continue. Northampton, 19 May.
Signed: By the Kynges Commissioners—Edmund Knyghtley—John Lane—George Gyffard—Robt. Burgoyne.
1538 On August 22, Edmund Knyghtley was granted land of the monastery of Studeley and elsewhere. [8]
10. Aug. Grants. Edm. Knyghtley, serjeant-at-law. Grant in fee of the ground, church, steeple' and churchyard of the dissolved monastery of Studeley, and the manor of Studeley, with all lands belonging to them in the parish of Studeley, a field called Barbors- fielde, a croft called Huntiscroft, in the tenure of John Ede, one of the tenants in Studeley; and two small parcels of pasture called Gibbsclosis, in the tenure of Joan Wright, widow of Thos. Wright, one of the tenants in Studeley, in the parish of Ippisley; the advowson of the vicarage of Studeley, and the escheats, wards, marriages, &c, in said parish; in as full manner as John Yardeley, the late prior, held the same.
Also the rents and reversions reserved upon the following leases by Thos. Alwode, the prior, and the convent of Studeley, viz.:—
(1.) 10 June 20 Edw. IV., to Adam Yardeley, of a messuage and garden in Studeley, opposite the cross in Kennell Strete, in which the said Adam then dwelt; a close called "le Shepcroft " lying in length and breadth between the pasture called Dunstall and the common called "le Hethe;" two acres of meadow called Moremedow, between the meadow of the heirs of Alexan- der Rusheton, on the north, and that of the said prior on the south, nine selions of land with a, meadow at the end lying in "le Haddeway," and extending from "le Hilmedowbroke" to the little way at the end aforesaid; an enclosure called "le Newlonde," lying in length and breadth between Dunstallfilde Grange and the lane called Nelys Lane; and another croft lying in length between the highway from Bors- ley to Aucytor, and the said croft called Newlonde, and in breadth between the said lane called Nelys Lane and a croft then in the tenure of one John Golbam, in Studeley—to hold to the said Adam and Agnes his wife in survivorship; at the annual rent of 37s.
(2.) 18 April 13 Hen. VII. to Robt. Morgayne, now dec, and Anne, his wife, still living, of a mansion with kitchen and other houses thereto belonging in the site of the said late priory, with a garden lying [extending] from said mansion to the water called Arrow, with fishery therein, through the space opposite said garden; and with another fosse of water running from the south of the said garden, with fishery in the same; with free ingress and egress with focalia, ropes, and other necessaries from the place called the great court ["Magna Curia"] by the lower doors of the great or old hall; also a stable near the great gate of the said priory, with a loft thereto adjoining; in survivorship; at 20s. rent.
(3.) 10 March 15 Hen. VII., to Ric. Parsonnes, now dec.; for 40 years; at 13s. Ad. rent.
(4.) 14 March 19 Hen. VII., to Win. Crowley and Alice, his wife; for 39 years; at 42s. 6d. rent.
(5.) 26 Oct. 12 Hen. VII., to Robt. Morgayne, now dec, and Anne his wife, of pasture land in Studeley Park; in survivorship, at 20s. rent.
Annual value, 49l. 2s. 2d.; rent of 8l. 2s. 2d.
Also grant, at the said Edmund's request, to Ursula Knyghtley, his wife, of an annual rent of 15l. fee-farm of the manor of Fallesley, Northt., which Joan Knyghtley, widow of Sir Ric Knyghtley, dec. holds, for life, with remainder in tail male to the said Edm. with contingent remainder in tail male to Valentine Knyghtley, with contingent remainder to the right heirs of said Sir Richard. To hold, with similar remainders in tail, to the said Edmond and then to Valentine, and afterwards to the right heirs of said Edm. Also confirmation to the said Joan, Edm., and Valentine, and to Joan Knottisfurde, Susan Knyghtley, Anne Knyghtley, Mary Knyghtley, and Francis Knyghtley, daughters and heirs of Ric Knyghtley, dec, s. and h. of the said Sir Ric, in whom the said reversion now rests; of their estate and title in the said manor of Fallesley. To hold by the annual rent of 2d. Del. Westm., 22 Aug. 30 Hen. VIII. —S.B. Pat. p. 1, m. 24.
1542 On April 25, Henry VIII granted land to Edmund Knyghtley in exchange for other land. The grant mentioned that Lady Joan Knyghtely, mother of Edmund, was deceased. [9]
Grants. April. … 6. Sir Edm. Knyghtley and Lady Ursula his wife. Grant (in exchange for the manors of Blysworth, Tyghfeld, Stokebruer, Roode, Myddelton Cheyney and Olde, Ntht., and lands in cos. Ntht. and Bucks, and for 98l. 15s. 10d.) of the manors of (1) Badby and (2) Newneham, Ntht., and (3) Wolbarowe alias Wolbarough, Worc., which belonged to the late monastery of Evesham, Worc,; (4) Hardwyke and (5) Marston alias Merston, Warw., which belonged to the late priory of Coventry; (6) the capital messuage of Offchurche, Warw., with its garden, stone dovecot and several water flowing from "le vycars takkyng" beside "le Conyngre" as far as "Radford Mere," in tenure of Robert Alcocke and Anne his wife and Wm. and Hen. Alcock, his brothers; and the lofty hall of "le Yate House Volte Porte" and the buildings lying between that hall and the "Frenche Walle," with the chapel and cemetery adjoining, in Offchurche, which belonged to Coventry; and (7) the advowsons of the rectories of Bugbroke, Byfyld, and Lychebarowe, Ntht., which belonged to Evesham; with all appurtenances except the rectories of Badbye, Newneham, Hardwyke and Merston and the tithes in these places. To hold in tail male to the said Sir Edmund, with remainder to his brother Valentine Knyghtley, with contingent remainder as regards Nos. 1, 2, and 7 to the right heirs of Sir Ric. Knyghtley, dec., father of the said Sir Edmund, and as regards the rest to the right heirs of Lady Joan Knyghtley, dec., mother of the said Sir Edmund.
Also grant to the said Sir Edmund, in fee, of the manors of (1) Studley, Warw., which belonged to the late hospital of St. John of Jerusalem in England; (2) Southam, Warw., which belonged to Coventry aforesaid; (3) pasture called Horssehilles, and the grange of Eltington, with the water-mill adjoining and certain closes, named, in tenure of Thos. Pell, all which lie in Eltyngton, Ntht., and (4) messuages, &c. (some named), in the several tenures of Wm. Cave, Edm. Ward, John Wheteley, and Roger Knowles (leased to him by the late abbot of Pypewell, 17 April 19 Hen. VIII.), in Coldassheby, Ntht., with the grange in Coldassheby in tenure of Wm. Saunders, and (5) a close in Eltyngton at the end of Welford Lane; all which belonged to the late monastery of Pypewell, Ntht. Greenwich, 24 April 34 Hen. VIII. Del. Westm., 25 April.P.S. Pat. p. 1, m. 17.
1558 The will of Dame Ursula Knightly, widow, was proved on November 29. [10]
[1] J. S. Brewer, Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, of the Reign of Henry VIII., Vol. 4, part 1 (London: HMSO, 1875), 897, [HathiTrust].
[2] J. S. Brewer, Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, of the Reign of Henry VIII., Vol. 4, part 2 (London: HMSO, 1872, reprinted by Kraus Reprint LTd., 1965), 2000, [HathiTrust].
[3] James Gairdner, Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, of the Reign of Henry VIII., Vol. 5 (London: HMSO, 1880, reprinted by Kraus Reprint Ltd., 1965), 564-565, [HathiTrust].
[4] James Gairdner, Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, of the Reign of Henry VIII., Vol. 5 (London: HMSO, 1880, reprinted by Kraus Reprint Ltd., 1965), 584, [HathiTrust].
[5] James Gairdner, Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, of the Reign of Henry VIII., Vol. 5 (London: HMSO, 1880, reprinted by Kraus Reprint Ltd., 1965), 615, [HathiTrust].
[6] James Gairdner, Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, of the Reign of Henry VIII., Vol. 5 (London: HMSO, 1880, reprinted by Kraus Reprint Ltd., 1965), 640-641, [HathiTrust].
[7] James Gairdner, ed., Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, of the Reign of Henry VIII., Vol. 10 (London: HMSO, 1887), 385, [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks].
[8] J. S. Brewer, Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, of the Reign of Henry VIII., Vol. 13, part 2 (London: HMSO, 1893), 99, [HathiTrust].
[9] James Gairdner, Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, of the Reign of Henry VIII., Vol. 17 (London: HMSO, 1900), 165, [HathiTrust].
[10] The National Archives of the United Kingdom Catalog, PROB 11/42A/10, [UKNationalArchives].