1321 "Aug. 9. Westminster. Thomas son of Thomas de Bray, the elder, acknowledges that he owes to William de Sancto Johanne and John de Toucestre 40l.; to be levied, in default of payment, of his lands and chattels in co. Northampton." [1]
1321/22 On March 9, William de St. John, "going to the March of Scotland on the king's service," was granted protection "with clause volumus until Midsummer." [2]
1322 On August 8, William de St. John, going with Richard Damory, steward of the Household, going with the king, was granted protection "with clause volumus until All Saints." [3]
1322-1323 William de St. John applied for a licence to grant land in Easton Neston in exchange for land in Canons Ashby and for a chantry at Plumpton. [4]
Description: William de Sancto Johanne to grant his manor of Easton Neston to the prioress and nuns of Shordley in exchange for a messuage and lands in Canons Ashby and for a chantry and other alms to be performed at Plumpton, retaining the manor of Plumpton, messuages and land in Middleton near Banbury, and land at Turnesmere (Oxford). N'hamp. Oxford.
Date: 16 Edward II [8 July 1322-7 July 1323.
1324 William de St. John received a licence to convey land in Ashby Canons, Northamptonshire, in exchange for land in Plumpton. [5]
Oct. 26. Tower of London. Licence for the alienation in mortmain by William de Sancto Johanne to the prior and convent of Essheby Canonicorum of 6 messuages and 4 virgates of land in Essheby Canonicorum, in exchange for 10 messuages, 7 virgates of land, 6 acres of meadow and 2 acres of pasture in Plumpton by Wedon Pynkeny. By fine of 40s.
1327 William de St. John was appointed to a commission. [6]
June 30. York. Commission to William Trussel, Robert de Daventre and William de Sancto Johanne to enquire by juries of the counties of Northampton and Leicester into whose hands have come the goods granted by the king to Alice de Insula, which belonged to Warin de Insula, her husband, and to Henry Tyeis, her brother, and which the king is informed are in the possession of divers men of those counties, who have delayed restoring them to the said Alice; with power to compel restitution thereof or their value to the said Alice.
1327/8 William de St. John was granted protection. [7]
Jan. 25. York. Protection, with clause nolumus, for one year, for William de Sancto Johanne.
1327/28 William de St. John nominated attorneys on February 8. [8]
Feb. 8. York. William de Sancto Johanne, going on pilgrimage beyond seas, has letters nominating William de Turvile, parson of the church of Plumpton, and Thomas de Boltesham his attorneys for one year.
1328 On May 12, William de St. John received a licence to convey land in Easton Neston, Northamptonshire, in exchange for land in Ashby Canons, Northamptonshire. [9]
May 12. Northampton. Licence for the alienation in mortmain by William de Sancto Johanne, to the prioress and convent of Sewardesleye of the manor of Estneston, co. Northampton, in exchange for six messuages and land in Canons Esseby, in the same county. By fine of 40s.
1328 On October 3, rent paid by William de St. John was acknowledged. [10]
[N 'hamp.] B. 2749. Acknowledgment by John de Pateshulle and Joan his wife, that they have received from William de Sancto Johanne and Richard Tybbay, by the hands of the prioress and the convent of Sewardesleye, 100s., for the rent of the manor of Esteston next Touecester. Craule, Monday after Michaelmas, 2 Edward III.
1329 William de St. John participated in a land transaction for William and Juliana de Pinkney. [11]
Dec. 8. Kenilworth. Licence for William de Pynkeney of Guldenmorton to enfeoff William de Sancto Johanne of his manor of Guldenmorton, held in chief, and for the feoffee to grant the same to the said William de Pynkeney and Juliana his wife, in tail male. By fine of 100s.
1331 William de St. John of Plumpton died on July 4. The inquisitions held in Northampton and Bedford in October 1331 found that "Giles his son, aged a year and a half and more, is his next heir" but do not state William's date of death. A subsequent IPM, taken seven years later, provides his date of death. The abstracts of the first two inquisitions state, [12]
343. William de Sancto Johanne.
Writ, 30 July, 5 Edward III.
Northampton. Inq. 17 October, 5 Edward III.
He held no lands &c. in chief of the king in the said county, because long before his death he demised all his lands &c. in the county, excepting 100s. rent in Estheston which are held of the earl of Cornwall, service unknown, to Henry de Coumbemartyn, Adam de Cortenhale, William Turviil, rector of the church of Plumton, and Roger le Heyr.
Robert de Pynkenye granted to Alice his daughter 7s. rent in Morton by Assheby Canons, to hold for her life, who enfeoffed William de Sancto Johanne of the same rent for the same term; and William de Pynkenye, son and heir of the said Robert now holds the said rent as parcel of the manor of Morton, which manor he holds of the king in chief by knight's service.
Giles his son, aged a year and a half and more, is his next heir.Bedford. Inq. 1 October, 5 Edward III.
Tingrith. Two crofts, a windmill and 5 marks yearly rent from free tenants, held with Andrew de Sancto Lucio and John de Oxon' as of the right of their wives; which tenements the said William, Andrew and John recovered before the justices in eyre at Bedford, and which have not yet been separated or divided among them; they are held of Roger Dakeneye by service of paying 2 marks for the guard (custodiam) of the castle of Wyndesore by the hands of the said Roger.
Heir as above. C. Edw. in. File 26. (25.)
1333/34 On March 3, the king ratified the grant of the custody of the land and marriage of Giles de St John to Henry Coumartin [perhaps Henry Combemartin, the kinsman mentioned in the will of William Combemartin]. [13]
March 3. York. Ratification of a demise by John, earl of Cornwall, the king's brother, to Henry Coumartyn, citizen of London, of the manor of Estneston, co. Northampton, to hold during the minority of Giles son and heir of William de Sacto Johanne, with the custody and marriage of the said Giles, and wardships, reliefs, escheats, reversions, marriages and all other commodities pertaining to to earl by reason of the manor and custody. By p.s.
1336/37 On January 16, Henry de Combemartin, guardian of Giles, son and heir, of William de St. John, demised land in Easton Neston to the prioress of Sewardesleye. [14]
Demise by Henry de Coumbemartin, guardian of the lands &c., of William de Sancto Johanne in the manor of Estneston, to the lady Dionisia, the prioress, and the convent of Sewardesleye, of all the lands and tenements in Estneston, then in the possession of the said Henry as guardian of Giles son and heir of the said William: [N'hamp.] Thursday after St. Hilary, 10 Edward III.
1337 William Trussell was granted the custody of the lands and marrieage of Giles, son and heir of William de St. John. [15]
April 30. Windsor. Grant to William Trussel of the custody of the lands late of William de Sancto Johanne, tenant in chief, to hold with all the appurtenances of the custody during minority of Giles, the son and heir, with the marriage of the said heir, without rendering anything for the same. By p.s.
1338 An inquiry, dated 6 June 1338, indicates that William de St. John's widow Isabel had married Richard de Rothing by that date, and perhaps by the date of the writ, 27 April 1338. [16]
161. William de Sancto Johanne.
Writ, 27 April, 12 Edward III.
Northampton. Inq. taken at Estneston by Towcestre, 6 June, 12 Edward III.
Gyldenmorton. A messuage and a virgate of land, parcels of the manor of Gyldenmorton, which is held of the king in chief, as of the barony of Pinkenie, by knight's service; which messuage and land are held of the king as aforesaid by service of a twentieth part of a knight's fee ; 12d. rent from 5a. land, which William de Morton held of the said William in fee, who held that rent of the king in chief, as parcel of the said barony, by the service aforesaid; and 10s. rent from a messuage and half a virgate of land, which Henry Ernold held of the said William, as parcel of the said barony, by knight's service.
Plumpton. The manor held of Sir John de Wodhull by service of half a knight's fee.
Estneston. Certain, lands and tenements held of the honour of Berk[hampstead], service unknown; whereof Richard de Rothing and Isabel his wife, late the wife of the said William de Sancto Johanne, hold a third part as dower of the said Isabel, of the inheritance of Giles, son and next heir of the said William, who is aged 8 years.
He died on 4 July, 5 Edward III. C. Edw. III. File 53. (10.)
1338 The king notified the parties to a plea concerning the wardship of Giles de St. John. [17]
June 25. Walton. To the justices of the bench. Whereas it was found by an inquisition taken by William Trussel, escheator this side Trent, that William de Sancto Johanne, at his death on 4 July in the 5th year of the reign, held in his demesne as of fee a messuage, a virgate of land, and 11s. rent in Gildenmorton, co. Northampton, as parcel of the manor of Gildenmorton, which is held in chief as of the barony of Pynkeneye by knight's service, by the twentieth part of a knight's fee, and that Giles de Sancto Johanne, William's son, a minor, is his next heir; the king notifies the premises to the justices, ordering them so to behave that nothing shall be done to the king's prejudice without his being consulted, in the plea before them between John de Wodhull, knight, Adam de Cortenhale, and Margery, his wife, and Isabella, late the wife of William de Sancto Johanne, that Adam, Margery and Isabella shall render to John the said Giles, whose wardship belongs to him, they assert, because William held his land of him by knight's service, which plea is pending before the justices at the suit of John, son and heir of the said John, according to the statute, because John died while the plea was being discussed. By K.
1342 A commission was appointed to address the petition of Richard de Rothyng and Isabella his wife, widow of William de St. John, concerning the appropriation of Isabella's land by John de Molyns.[18]
Feb. 24. Westminster. Commission to William de Thorpe, Henry Grene and Simon de Pirye to make inquisition in the county of Northampton, in the presence of Henry de Greystoke and John Edred, keepers of the lands of John de Molyns in the king's hands, touching a petition of Richard de Rothyng and Isabella his wife, sometime wife of William de Sancto Johanne, showing that, whereas they were lately seised of a third part of the manor of Plumpton, and of 69s. 2½d. of rent in Estneston, co. Northampton, as of the dower of Isabella after the death of the said William, and demised to Alexander de Debenham, 'fauconer,' such third part for 100s. and to the prioress and convent of Sewardesleye 40s. of the rent aforesaid for 40s. to be paid them yearly, and Alexander transferred his estate in such third part to John de Molyns and the said John of his own will removed the prioress from the said 40s. of rent, and Richard and Isabella from the residue of 29s. 2½d., and whereas Richard and Isabella in the court of the Bench demanded against William de Pynkeneye, a third part of the manor of Geldenmorton in the same county, as her dower, and while the plea between them was pending, the said John de Molyns likewise removed William de Pynkeneye from the manor, which with the third part of the manor of Plumpton and the rent aforesaid, have been taken into the king's hands along with other lands of the said John, by reason of his disobedience, the king will procure them a remedy herein, and to certify him of the whole truth of the matter. By p.s.
1349 The convent of Sewardesle was in the king's hand by reason of the nonage of Giles, son and heir of William de St. John. [19]
Aug. 5. Westminster. Licence for the sub-prioress and convent of Sewardesle, the advowson whereof pertains to the king by reason of the nonage of Giles son and heir of William de Sancto Johanne, tenant in chief, to elect a prioress in the place of Denise, deceased.
1352 Giles de St John and his mother Isabel acknowledged a debt to John son of Richard de Rothying. [20]
Oct. 17. Westminster. Isabel late the wife of Richard de Rothyng and Giles de Sancto Johanne, her son, acknowledge that they owe to John son of Richard de Rothyng, citizen of London, 110l.; to be levied, in default of payment, of their lands and chattels in the city of London.
Enrolment of indenture testifying that whereas Isabel late the wife of Richard de Rothyng, citizen and vintner of London, and Giles de Seint Johan her son, are bound to John de Rothyng, citizen and vintner of London, in 1101. by the preceding recognisance, John grants that if he is impleaded by John de Iford, prior of Bath, by way of account or by any other contract made between the said Richard and the prior by which John will be compelled to incur costs in defence of the plea or that the prior will have to recover against him, and upon this Isabel and Giles will pay John the moiety of such costs, as is found by good faith and by John's oath, or whenever John may have acquittance of the prior, then the recognisance shall be null, and if John is impleaded by the prior and loses, or incurs costs and Isabel and Giles will not pay him the moiety thereof, the recognisance shall remain in force, and if the prior does not make suit against John contrary to the form aforesaid, John grants that no execution of 'the recognisance shall be made. Dated at London, 18 October, 26 Edward III. French.
Memorandlum that John came into chancery at London on 20 October and acknowledged the preceding indenture.
1356 The manor of Moreton Pinkney was granted to Giles de St. John and Isabel, late the wife of William de St. John. [21]
April 30. Westminster. Licence, for 40s. to be paid to the king by Henry Grene, for the said Henry to grant to Giles de Sancto Johanne and Isabel late the wife of William de Sancto Johanne and the heirs of the body of the said Giles, with reversion to his right heirs, the manor of Morton Pynkenye, co. Northampton, held in chief. And the 40s. have been paid in the hanaper.
1374 On November 18, Richard de Purton granted to John de Olney the manor of Middleton Cheney, held by John Lyons of Richard de Purton for the life of Isabel, widow of William Saint John. [22] [23]
County: Northamptonshire.
Place: Westminster.
Date: One week from St Martin, 48 Edward III [18 November 1374].
Parties: John de Olneye, citizen and merchant of London', querent, and Richard de Piryton', clerk, deforciant.
Property: The manor of Middelton' Cheyndut.
Action: Plea of covenant.
Agreement: Richard has acknowledged the manor to be the right of John, and has granted for himself and his heirs that the manor - which John Lyouns held for the life of Isabel, who was the wife of William Seynt Johan, of the inheritance of Richard on the day the agreement was made, and which after the decease of Isabel ought to remain to Margery, the wife of the aforesaid John Lyouns, if Margery survived Isabel, to hold for the life of Margery, and which after the decease of Isabel and Margery ought to revert to Richard and his heirs - after the decease of Isabel and Margery shall remain to John de Olneye and his heirs, to hold of the chief lords for ever.
For this: John de Olneye has given him 100 marks of silver.
Note: This agreement was made in the presence of John Lyouns, and he did fealty to John de Olneye in the court.
1401 Isabel de Combemartin died on April 28 or 30. Her IPM states, [24]
Isabel wife of William Seynt John 395. Writ 3 May 1401.
Northampton. Inquisition. Moreton Pinkney. 11 May.She held the manor of Moreton Pinkney for life of the king in chief as one quarter of a knight's fee, annual value 19 marks. Henry Grene, knight, gave it by royal licence to Giles de St. John, Isabel [his mother], and the heirs of the body of Giles. Isabel survived him and so held it.
She also held in her demesne as of fee a third part of the manors of Stoke Bruerne, Shutlanger and Alderton with the advowsons of Stoke Bruerne and Alderton on the third vacancy. They are held of Reynold de Grey of Ruthin, service unknown, annual value 10 marks.
She died on 28 April [30 April in E 149/77, no. 4]. 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]. C 137/23, no. 33, E 149/77, no. 4
Research Notes:
The section about William de St. John in Knights of Edward I appears to include records of William and his father William and perhaps two other men of the same name. [25]
St. John, William de. Sealed as of Suss. 13th cent.: On a chief 2 estoiles (Birch). Wm. de St. John of Northants. mainperns Wm. Taylard 24 Oct. 1268 (P.R.). He holds ¼ Kt. Fee at Blacolvisk, Northants., late of Arnold de Bosco, 12 Ap. 1277 (inq.) Going to Scotland for K., he has respite of Aid in Northants., 8 Apr. 1303 (C.R.). Lic. for him to alienate 26 acres at Plumpton, Norhtants., to Asshby Canons Priory, 28 Jan. 1304. (P.R.) He holds ½ Fee at Plumpton and Foxle, val, 30 /- p.a., late of Thoms. de Wahull, 30 Jan. 1304 (Inq. and C.R.), and is overlord there 16 Oct. 1307 (Inq.), and a lord of Plumpton 5 Mar. 1316 (P.W.), Certain men owe to him £200 in Bucks., Oxon., and Northants., 15 June 1317, and other sums later, and he owes £30 in Northants., 1 Feb. 1318, and £85 7s. 6d. there 1325 (C.R.). Lic. for him to alienate to Essheby Canoricorum Priory 6 mess. and lands there in exchange for 10 mess. and lands at Plumpton by Wedon Pynkeny, Northants., 2 Oct. 1324 (P.R.). Dead 30 Jy. 1331 (F.R.)
The VCH description of Easton Neston states, [26]
In 1322 William de St. John received licence to alienate in mortmain his manor of Easton Neston to the prioress and nuns of Sewardsley, in return for lands in Canons Ashby. (fn. 141) The exchange was confirmed in 1328, (fn. 142) although in fact William merely leased the manor to Sewardsley for a term of 40 years from 1325. (fn. 143) In 1334 the earl of Cornwall granted the manor to William de Combemartin during the minority of Giles de St. John, (fn. 144) presumably William's son and heir. Three years later Combemartin made a fresh lease of the manor to Sewardsley, a third being reserved as the dower of Isabel de St. John, William's widow. (fn. 145) Within a few years the priory granted the manor to John Molines, who subsequently withheld Isabel's dower. (fn. 146) Following Molines's fall in 1340, (fn. 147) his lands were taken into Crown hands. (fn. 148) Easton Neston was restored to the priory and Isabel to her dower. (fn. 149) Molines recovered his lands, including Easton Neston and the Chocques fee, in 1345. (fn. 150) In 1351 Giles de St. John petitioned the Black Prince, as earl of Cornwall, to be allowed to take up his inheritance and did homage for Easton Neston the following year. (fn. 151)
141. P.R.O., E 143/159/10; Cal. Pat. 1327-30, 265.
142. P.R.O., E 143/199/15; E 326/2749.
143. B.L., Cott. Ch. xi. 41.
144. Cal. Pat. 1330-4, 518.
145. Cat. Anct. D., ii. 331-2; Cal. Pat. 1340-3, 445.
146. Cal. Pat. 1340-3, 445.
147. D.N.B., xiii. 574-5.
148. Cal. Close 1343-6, 429.
149. P.R.O., E 326/2748.
150. Cal. Pat. 1343-5, 543, 546, 548, 551; Cal. Close 1343- 6, 603, 606.
151. Black Prince's Reg., iv. 21, 39, 96.
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[2] H. C. Maxwell Lyte, ed., Calendar of the Patent Rolls, Edward II. Vol. IV. 1321-1324 (London: HMSO, 1904), 81, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust].
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[23] Feet of Fines, Court of Common Pleas, CP25, The National Archives, UK, Anglo-American Legal Tradition, University of Houston, CP 25/1/178/85, number 671, [AALTImage].
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[25] C. Moor, Knights of Edward I, 5 Vols. (Leeds,England: Publications of the Harleian Society, 1929-1932), 4:181.
[26] Philip Riden, Charles Insley, eds., A History of the County of Northampton, Vol. 5 (Victoria County History, 2002), 98-126, [BritishHistoryOnline].