1371 Margery de St John was born before May 11. The inquisition following the death of Isabel de Combemartin, taken at Moreton Pinkney on May 11, 1401, states that "Margery wife of William Harwedon and daughter of Giles de St. John is heir, that is daughter of Giles, son of Isabel, and aged 30 years and more [34 in E 149/77, no. 4]." [1]
1401 William Harrowden and Margery de St John were married before May 11, when "Margery wife of William Harwedon" was found to be the heir of her grandmother, Isabel de Combemartin. [2]
1404 The king notified the exchequer that he had taken the homage of William Harrowden concerning the lands William's wife inherited from her father Giles de St. John and her grandmother Isabel who was the wife of William de St. John. [3]
Jan. 21. Westminster. To the treasurer and the barons of the exchequer. Order not to trouble William Harwedoun for his homage; as upon the finding of an inquisition, taken before Robert Haldenby then escheator in Norhamptonshire, that Isabel who was wife of William Seynt Johan at her death held for life the manor of Morton Pynkeneye in chief by service of the fourth part of one knight's fee by gift of Henry Grene knight, made with licence of the king to her and Giles de Sancto Johanne likewise deceased and to the heirs of the body of the said Giles, and that Margery wife of William Harwedoun is daughter and heir of the said Giles and cousin and next heir of the said Isabel, and of full age, for a fine paid in the hanaper the king respited until a day past the homage of William Harwedoun due by reason of issue between him and the said Margery begotten, commanding livery to be given them of that manor among other things; and the king has taken his homage.
1441 Margery, widow of William Harrowden, died on August 1. Her IPM states, [4] [5]
Margery who was wife of William Harwedon
571 Writ. 10 October 1441. [Bate].
Berkshire. Inquisition. Maidenhead. 18 October 1441. [Restwold].
Thomas Crowchefeld; Thomas Murye; William Blakemore; John Martyn; John Seman; John Murye; William Bere; Robert Baker; Thomas Strygot; John Colyngbourne ; John Buddyng and Thomas Wynchestre.
She was seised of the following in demesne as of fee tail. [Footnote: "Margin: 'entail'."]
Elington, 10s. rent from the manor, lately held by John Pynkenye, payable at Lady Day and Michaelmas equally; and service of 1/2 knight's fee from the same manor when it falls. The rent and service are, and always have been, parcel of the manor of Moreton Pinkney in Northamptonshire. The rent was worth nothing yearly to Margery, and neither is it worth anything to her heirs, because she paid, and her heirs pay, 10s. yearly in castleward at Windsor to the king and his heirs for the manor of Elington, as intermediate between the king and the heirs of John Pynkenye . The service of 1/2 knight's fee is worth 10s. yearly when it falls.
By charter, shown to the jurors, Henry Grene, knight, granted the rent with service, as parcel of the manor of Moreton Pinkney, described as the manor of Moreton Pinkney, to Giles de Sancto Johanne and Isabel, who was wife of William de Sancto Johanne, and the heirs of the body of Giles. Licence of Edward III was obtained [CPR 1354-58, p. 366]. Giles and Isabel were thus seised. Giles had issue: Margery, his daughter and heir. After the death of Giles and Isabel, Margery was seised and possessed of the rent and service, as parcel of the manor of Moreton Pinkney which is held of the king in chief by knight service.
She died on 1 August last. William Harwedon is her son and next heir, and aged 30 and more.
[Head:] Delivered to court on 25 October 1441.
C 139/106/19 mm. 1-2572 Writ. 10 October 1441. [Bate].
Addressed to John Paddesley, mayor and escheator of London.
City of London. Inquisition. Guildhall. 21 October 1441. [Paddesley].
Simon Tapyter; John Hendon; Laurence Tregover; Richard Rostolf; Thomas Colman; John Matys; Roger Laurens; Thomas atte Wode, 'brewer'; William Housbond; John Grymesby; Thomas Kynge; and Nicholas Dey .
She was seised of the following in demesne as of fee tail by virtue of a bequest by William Coumbemartyn, lately citizen of London - his will proved, proclaimed, and enrolled in the Husting court on 15 May 1318. [Footnote: "Margin: 'entail'."]
St Dunstan in the East, a messuage and 3 shops in the parish of St Dunstan in the East. The messuage lies in Thames Street and extends from that street on the northern side to the Thames on the south, between the messuage lately of Thomas Rykhull on the east, and the messuage of Henry Somer on the west. The three shops lie together in Tower Street and Mincing Lane, between the messuage lately of Robert Otlay on the west and north. They are held of the king in free socage as the whole city is held. Annual value £3.
William bequeathed the messuage and shops, with other messuages and tenements in the city, to Alice, Isabel, and Joan, his daughters, to have to them and the heirs of their bodies. After his death, they entered the messuages, shops, and tenements, and were thus jointly seised by virtue of the bequest. They afterwards partitioned the legacy, and the messuage and shops were allocated to Isabel in her purparty. She was thus solely seised of them, and died so seised. They descended to Giles de Sancto Johanne, her son and heir, who was thus seised of the messuage and shops. He died, and they descended to Margery, lately wife of William Harwedon, daughter and heir of Giles. She was thus seised of them, and died so seised.
Date of death and heir as 571.
[Head:] Delivered to court on 28 October 1441.
C 139/106/19 mm. 3-4573 Writ. Dogmersfield. 13 August 1441. [Louthe].
Northamptonshire. Inquisition. Northampton. 13 October 1441. [Boughton].
William Hurre; John Smyth; John Bemond; John Warde; John Atkyns; Thomas Colles; William West; Henry Warde; Henry Lawney; Thomas Challak; Richard Grygge; and Thomas Wryght .
She held the following in demesne as of fee tail. [Footnote: "Margin: 'entail'."]
Moreton Pinkney, the manor except the following: 10s. rent in Berkshire that is parcel of the manor, taken yearly from the heirs of John Pynkenye for the manor of Elington, and service of 1/2 knight's fee from the same manor of Elington when it falls. In the manor, there is a site, worth nothing yearly; 13 messuages and 3 cottages, worth nothing yearly; 200 a. land, each acre worth 2d. yearly; 20 a. meadow, each acre worth 8d. yearly; 20 a. pasture, each acre worth 1d. yearly; 10 a. wood, the underwood worth nothing because it was sold last year; 17s. 8d. assize rent, payable at Michaelmas, Epiphany, Lady Day, and Midsummer, equally; rent of a capon, 2 hens, 1lb cumin, and 1lb pepper, payable at Christmas; and a court baron held every three weeks, worth nothing yearly above the fees of the steward and bailiff. The whole manor is held of the king in chief as 2 knights' fees and by 40s. rent yearly in castleward to the king at Windsor, payable at Easter and Michaelmas equally. [Footnote: "Margin: 'of the king'."]
n464 By charter, shown to the jurors, Henry Grene, knight, granted the manor of Moreton Pinkney to Giles de Sancto Johanne and Isabel, who was wife of William de Sancto Johanne, and to the heirs of the body of Giles. Licence of ? Edward III was obtained [CPR 1354-58, p. 366]. Giles and Isabel were thus seised, and Giles had issue: Margery, his daughter and heir. After Giles and Isabel died, Margery was seised of the whole manor of Moreton Pinkney, and she died so seised. She held the following in service. [Footnote: "Margin: 'service'. This is recorded three times in the margin, as each manor held in service is described."]
Astwell, the manor, held of the king in chief by 13s. 4d. rent yearly to the king in castleward at Windsor, and as 1/2 knight's fee. Thomas Gyffard held the manor in demesne of Margery, rendering to her and her heirs 13s. 4d. yearly at the above feasts equally, and by service of 1/2 knight's fee to Margery and her heirs, when it should fall. The rent was worth nothing yearly to Margery, nor is it worth anything to her heirs, because she paid, and her heirs pay, 13s. 4d. yearly to the king and his heirs in castleward at Windsor for the manor of Astwell, as intermediates between the king and Thomas Gyffard. The service of 1/2 knight's fee is worth nothing yearly, except when ward, marriage, relief, or this service falls.
Sulgrave, the manor called 'Elyngton Maner', held of the king in chief by 20s. rent yearly to the king in castleward at Windsor, and as a knight's fee. John Stotesbury held the manor in demesne of Margery, rendering to her and her heirs 20s. yearly at the above feasts equally, and by service of a knight's fee to Margery and her heirs, when it should fall. The rent was worth nothing yearly to Margery, nor is it worth anything to her heirs, because she paid, and her heirs pay, 20s. yearly to the king and his heirs in castleward at Windsor for the manor of Sulgrave, as intermediates between the king and John Stotesbury. The service of a knight's fee is worth nothing yearly, except when ward, marriage, relief, or this service falls.
Kingshill, the manor, held of the king in chief by 6s. 8d. rent yearly to the king in castleward at Windsor, and as 1/2 knight's fee. The master of St John's of Brackley held the manor in demesne of Margery, rendering to her and her heirs 6s. 8d. yearly at the above feasts equally, and by service of 1/2 knight's fee to Margery and her heirs, when it should fall. The rent was worth nothing yearly to Margery, nor is it worth anything to her heirs, because she paid, and her heirs pay, 6s. 8d. yearly to the king and his heirs in castleward at Windsor for the manor of Kingshill, as intermediates between the king and the master of St John's of Brackley. The service of 1/2 knight's fee is worth 10s. when it falls.
She held the following manor in demesne as of fee tail [Footnote: "Margin: 'entail'."] by grant of William Turvyle, parson of Plumpton, and Adam de Cortenhale, to Giles son of William de Sancto Johanne and the heirs of his body. The grant was made by indented charter, shown to the jurors. Giles was thus seised of the manor, and he had issue: Margery, his daughter and heir. He died so seised, and Margery was then seised of the manor. She too died so seised.
Middleton Cheney, the manor, held of the honour of Berkhamsted by knight service. There is the site, worth nothing yearly; 10 messuages and 5 cottages, worth nothing yearly; 200 a. land, each acre worth 2d. yearly; 15 a. meadow, each acre worth 6d. yearly; 20 a. pasture, each acre worth 1d. yearly; 11 capons and 12d. assize rent, payable at Christmas, Lady Day, Midsummer, and Michaelmas, equally; and a court baron, held every three weeks, and view of frankpledge, held twice yearly, after Michaelmas and after Easter, worth nothing yearly above the fees of the steward and bailiff.
She was seised of the following in demesne as of fee. [Footnote: "Margin: 'desmesne'."]
Stoke Bruerne, Shutlanger, and Alderton, 1/3 manors, with advowsons of the churches of Stoke Bruerne and Alderton at every third vacancy. In the manors, there are two sites, worth nothing yearly, and, in the thirds of the manors, there are 10 messuages and 4 cottages, worth nothing yearly; 200 a. land, each acre worth 2d. yearly; 20 a. meadow, each acre worth 6d. yearly; 20 a. pasture, each acre worth 1d. yearly; assize rent of 22s. 2d., and 2 capons and 13 hens, payable at Christmas, Lady Day, Midsummer, and Michaelmas, equally; and a court baron, held every three weeks, and view of frankpledge held twice yearly, after Michaelmas and after Easter, worth nothing yearly above the fees of the steward and bailiff. In the manors, there are 26 a. wood, the underwood worth nothing because it was sold last year. The manors of Stoke Bruerne and Alderton are held of Edmund Grey, lord of Ruthin, knight, by knight service. [Footnote: "There is no further information about the manor of Shutlanger."]
She held the following for life, [Footnote: "Margin: 'term of life'."] with reversion to William Harwedon, as son and heir of William Harwedon, late husband of Margery. John Welton of Old and Richard Pyel of Ecton had granted them to William Harwedon, late husband of Margery, and to Margery, to hold to them and the heirs of William. The grant was made by charter, shown to the jurors. Margery was thus seised of the lands and tenements, and died so seised after the death of William her husband.
Old, 3 messuages, worth nothing yearly, and 40 a. land, each acre worth 3d. yearly, held of the earl of Oxford by knight service.
Great Cransley, one messuage, worth nothing yearly, and 20 a. land, each acre worth 2d. yearly. They are not held of the king, but of whom is unknown.
Orlingbury, one messuage, worth nothing yearly, and a virgate of land, worth 5s. yearly. They are not held of the king, but of whom is unknown.
Finedon, 30 a. land, each acre worth 2d. yearly, and 4 a. meadow, each acre worth 6d. yearly, held of John Mulso, esquire, in socage.
Little Harrowden, 2 messuages, worth nothing yearly, and 40 a. land, each acre worth 2d. yearly. They are not held of the king, but of whom is unknown.
Shutlanger, 20 a. land, each acre worth 2d. yearly. They are not held of the king, but of whom is unknown.
Foscote, 20 a. land, each acre worth 2d. yearly, held of Edmund Grey, lord of Towcester, knight, service unknown.
She held the following for life [Footnote: "Margin: 'term of life'."] by grant of John Faukes and Thomas God to William Harwedon and Margery for their lives, with remainder to William Harwedon, junior, and Margaret his wife, daughter of William Vaus and Eleanor his wife, daughter and heir of Thomas Drakelowe, knight, and the heirs of the bodies of William and Margaret. The grant was made by charter, shown to the jurors, and the following lands and tenements were described as all their lands, tenements, rents, reversions, and services that were lately of John Deyster of Banbury. William Harwedon, senior, died with Margery still living. She thus died seised as of free tenement by virtue of the grant.
Plumpton, one messuage and a cottage, worth nothing yearly, and 20 a. land, each acre worth 2d. yearly, that were of John Deyster of Banbury.
Plumpton 'Westwode', 15 a. wood, the underwood worth nothing yearly because it was sold last year.
Plumpton, one rood of land, named 'Glebe', worth 1/2d. yearly, with advowson of the church, worth 3s. 4d. when it falls; and rent of 1/2lb pepper, taken yearly at Easter from John Clerk for his tenement in Blakesley. [Footnote: "The Blakesley rent is described with the Plumpton lands and tenements in ms."]
The lands and tenements in Plumpton are held of the heirs of Thomas Wodell, esquire, service unknown.
She held the following in dower from a free tenement that was of William Harwedon, lately her husband, by endowment of William son and heir of William.
Great Harrowden, 1/3 messuage, worth nothing yearly, and 26 a. land, each acre worth 2 1/2d. yearly, held of William Vaus, esquire, as 1/20 knight's fee.
Date of death and heir as 571.
[Head:] Delivered to court on 4 November 1441.
C 139/106/19 mm. 5-6 [Footnote: "There is a set of illegible marginal notes towards the foot of ms."]
E 149/172/11 m. 1
Research Notes:
The Northamton VCH erroneously states the given name of Isabel de Combemartin's granddaughter and heir as Margaret rather than Margery, [6]
William de Combemartin's second daughter and coheir Isabel also married three times. Her first husband was William de St. John of Plumpton, who died in 1331; [fn. 94: Cal. Inq. p. m., vii. 252-3; N.R.O., FH 123, p. 259.] soon afterwards she married John de Daventry; [fn. 95: N.R.O., FH 123, p. 265.] and by 1338 she was the wife of Richard de Rothing, [fn. 96: Cal. Inq. p. m., viii. 101.] who was dead by 1377. [fn. 97: N.R.O., FH 123, p. 260.] Isabel, who presented to the living of Stoke in 1349, [fn. 98: Bridges, Northants., i. 325.] died at a great age in 1401, seised of a third of the manors and advowsons of Stoke and Alderton, and lands in Shutlanger, when her granddaughter Margaret, the wife of William Harrowden (d. 1423), was found to be her heir. [(fn. 99: Cal. Inq. p. m., xviii. 124; Cal. Close 1402-5, 258.] In 1409 William and Margaret felt it prudent to obtain an exemplification of the Quo Warranto proceedings of 1329 at which Adam de Courteenhall and Margery his wife had established their rights in the manor of Stoke Bruerne. [fn. 1: N.R.O., FH 123, p. 267.] Margaret died in 1441 seised of a third of the manors of Stoke Bruerne, Shutlanger and Alderton, together with the two advowsons every third turn, and 20 a. of land in Shutlanger not held in chief. Her heir was her son William Harrowden, aged 30. [fn. 2: P.R.O., C 139/106/19; V.C.H. Northants., iv. 183.]
[1] Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem, Vol. 18, 1-6 Henry IV, 1399-1405 (London: HMSO, 1987), 124, [BritishHistoryOnline].
[2] Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem, Vol. 18, 1-6 Henry IV, 1399-1405 (London: HMSO, 1987), 124, [BritishHistoryOnline].
[3] A. E. Stamp, ed., Calendar of Close Rolls, Henry IV, Vol. 2, 1402-1405 (London: HMSO, 1929), 258, [HathiTrust].
[4] Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem, Vol. 25, 16-20 Henry VI, 1437-1442 (London: HMSO, 2009), 473-477.
[5] Mapping the Medieval Countryside (Digital edition of the medieval English inquisitions post mortem (IPMs) from c. 1236 to 1509), [Link].
[6] Philip Riden, Charles Insley, eds., 'Stoke Bruerne', A History of the County of Northampton: Volume 5: The Hundred of Cleley (2002), 374-413, [BritishHistoryOnline].