1296 "In the 24th of this reign [Edward I.] (1296), Henry de Bray was certified to hold a fourth part of the township of Watford of Athelina de Brun but of whom or by what service is not known, and three of the daughters of Eustachius de Burnaby and John Parles were lords of Watford." [1]
A summary of The Lords of Watford Manor and estate [2]:
John Parles (1265 -?) was born at Thurleigh Castle in Bedfordshire. It was a medieval timber, motte-and-bailey, castle, but only earthworks survive today. John Parles married Eleanor (Details unknown) at a date unknown. John held one fouth of the Watford estate. In 1316 Eustace V de Burnaby and John Parles were the Lords of Watford. After John died, his widow; Eleanor, held one fourth of the Manor as her dower, and when she died in 1345 this part of the Manor descended to their son; Walter Parles (1309 - 1362).
Walter Parles (1309 -1361) was born and died at Watford. In 1326, Bickenhill Manor in Warwickshire was held by Walter Parles as great-grandson and heir of Eustace IV de Arden. In 1347 it is recorded that, Nicholas de Burnaby and Walter Parles jointly accounted for three parts of one knight's fee in Watford, Syvesworth, and Murcote, which they held of the King in capite. Walter married Alice Parles (Details and marriage date unknown) and they had one son: Ralph Parles, MP, Esq. (1335 - 1420). He represented Northamptonshire in at least six Parliaments, and also held office in the county as both Escheator and High Sheriff in 1347-48 (The escheator was the local official responsible for ‘escheats’, that is broadly speaking for upholding the king’s rights as feudal lord). He was again the High Sherriff for Northamptonshire in 1352-54, and a third time in 1360. At the time of his death, in the summer of 1361 he owned the manors of Watford and Byfield, together with rents worth over 20 marks p.a., and these passed almost immediately to his son, Ralph, who was then about 25 years old.
[1] Francis Whellan, History, topography, and directory of Northamptonshire, Second Edition (1874), 367, [HathiTrust].
[2] The Lords of Watford Manor and estate, [URL].