The Family of Routh of Routh

Routh is a small village in Holderness, East Yorkshire, a few miles north-east of Beverley. In the medieval period, it appears that there were two manors in the parish. The larger manor was held originally by the family of Scruteville and later by the family of Ros (Roos) of Ringborough. The smaller manor was held by a family which adopted Routh as their name (de Routh, de Ruda, de Rue, etc.). 

There is no satisfactory pedigree of the Routh family in print, although the earliest part is shown in the Chronicle of Meaux, and there is a short and somewhat incorrect pedigree of the family in the 15^th century, in Flower’s Visitation of Yorkshire. [1] The main line of the Routh of Routh family came to an end with the death of Brian Routh in 1483. Below I have endeavoured to trace the descent of the family from contemporary records. For the most part the descent is straightforward until the early part of the fourteenth century. The main problem is that Amand son of Sir John de Routh was born about 1308 and in 1340, Sir Amand de Routh had a son who was an adult. It is not possible for the Amand who was born in 1308 to be the same person who had an adult son in 1340. Below I have suggested a possible solution but this also has its own chronological difficulties.

In this article I have not shown the connection to the Routh family of Richmondshire, descendants of Peter de Routh, because I cannot find any such link. The supposed grandfather of Peter de Routh “Sir Thomas de Routh, who fought at Bannockburn” does not seem to have existed as he appears nowhere in contemporary documents.

The Arms of Routh of Routh
Argent, on a bend, inter 2 cottices sable, 3 mullets of the field

  

The early genealogy of the Routh family is given in a memorandum recorded in the fourteenth century in the Chronicle of Meaux priory. “dominum Simonem de Ruda, qui genuit Willelmum de Ruda seniorem; qui de Matilde filia domini Amandi Pincernae genuit Willelmum secundum, qui apud nos novicius est defunctus. Ipse tamen Willelmus junior genuit praefatum dominum Amandum, qui genuit dominum Johannem, qui genuit dominum Amandum, qui genuit Amandum, qui genuit dominum Johannem, qui nunc est.” [2]

Simon de Ruda
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William de Ruda = Maud Butler
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William de Ruda (alive in 1252)
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Amand de Ruda (c. 1240-1298)

 William de Routh (c. 1180-1230)

According to the chronicle of Meaux, William son of Simon de Routh married firstly, Maud, one of the three daughters and co-heirs of Amand the Butler (pincera) of the counts of Aumale who died before 1218. Her sister Hawise married Alan de Surdeval and her sister Beatrice married Geoffrey de Fribois. A case in the Common Pleas of Trinity Term 1220, shows that William de Routh married secondly, Elizabeth sister of Geoffrey Conyers of Sockburn, Durham and widow of Sir William de Scruteville of Routh. [3] William de Routh probably died about 1230.

Sir William de Routh (c. 1210-1260)

In February 1233, William son of William de Routh was in prison in York, accused with others of mayhem and breach of the peace. [4] Around this time, he granted to Meaux priory, a toft and sufficient pasture for two cows with calves of three years to a suitable man chosen jointly by himself and Meaux to maintain the road of Routh. [5] 

By a fine at Westminster, dated 10 October 1252, between William de Rue (Routh) and John de Surdeval (heir of Hawise daughter of Amand the Butler) and Beatrice de Fribois (daughter of Amand the Butler), John granted to William, a third part of the advowson of Hilston church. [6] 

The chronicle of Meaux monastery records that two years before his death, William de Routh junior became a novice in the monastery and was buried there. [7] William de Routh was dead before 1 August 1260, when his son and heir Amand was in the custody of William, Count of Aumale. [8]

Sir Amand de Routh (c. 1239-c. 1290)

Amand de Routh was a minor at time of his father’s death but came of age before October 1260, when he gave half a mark for having an assize. [9] On 3 November 1266, he had simple protection for one year. [10]

He married Agnes, one of the three daughters of John de Oketon of Octon in the East Riding of Yorkshire by his wife Alice, daughter of Marmaduke de Thweng, by Lucy de Brus. In 1286, the prior of Watton claimed against Amandus de Ruda and Agnes his wife, Ingelram de Munceaus and Emma his wife, and Ralph de Velleye and Lucy his wife, in a plea that they should warrant to him the third part of two bovates of land with appurtenances in Helperthorpe, which Alice widow of John de Hoketone claims in dower. [11] Sir Amand de Routh, knight, witnessed a grant by his son William to William de Hamelton on 16 July 1289. [12]

Amand de Routh probably died shortly before 1300. His widow Agnes died shortly before 6 February 1311. [13]

As well as his son and heir Sir John, he had at least two other sons; Sir Amand de Routh, and William de Routh, who was perhaps the father of Amand de Routh, merchant of Beverley.

Sir John de Routh (c. 1265-1310)

Sir John, son and heir of Amand de Routh was probably born about 1265. He married, before April 1304, [14] probably as his second wife, Joan only daughter and heiress of John Ughtred of Scarborough by his wife Isabel de Meaux. [15] She was born about 1292 and proved her age in November 1306. [16] In March 1307, John and Joan had seisin of her father’s lands. [17]

He was made Knight of the Bath on 22 May 1306, on the occasion of the knighting of Edward, Prince of Wales, afterwards Edward II. [18] John died before October 1310 when there was suit in the court of Common Pleas between Herbert de St. Quintin and Robert le Constable who both claimed custody of his son and heir Amand. [19] His widow Joan married secondly, before August 1311, [20] Thomas de la Rivere of Brandsby, Yorkshire.

Sir Amand de Routh (c. 1308-?)

Amand son of John de Routh was probably born about 1308, son of his father’s second wife, Joan Ughtred. His wardship was disputed between Robert le Constable of Halsham and Herbert de St. Quintin. Their dispute was still being heard in the court of Common Pleas in 1327-28, when Amand was nearing full age. [21]

On 31 January 1333, Amand de Routh, knight, acknowledged in Chancery that he owed to Thomas de la Ryvere, knight, 34 marks; to be levied, in default of payment, of his lands and chattels in co. York. [22]

Sir Amand de Routh (?- c. 1360)

The next Amand de Routh appears in the period 1337-1340. This Sir Amand de Routh cannot be the same person as Amand son of John de Routh, as he had two sons, one of whom, Amand, was an adult before 1340. He may have been the brother of Sir John de Routh (died 1310) but it is more likely on chronological grounds that he was the son of that Amand de Routh.

On 2 September 1337, John de Routh, second son of Sir Amand de Routh, was attacked and murdered at a place called Abbotsflat in the fields of Routh. His assailants were Sir Richard de Roos, John de Ros, parson of the church of Routh; Robert, brother of Sir Richard de Roos, Thomas, son of Sir Peter de Middleton, knight, and William de Middingley. [23] From an entry in the Close Rolls, dated 13 July 1340, when those accused of the murder were summoned to appear before the king, we learn that Sir Amand de Routh also had another son named Amand who had appealed the verdict of the court that acquitted the accused. [24] 

On 27 June 1342, Sir Amandus de Ruda, knight, by charter, gave to William de Brunby, a piece of land in Fleming Gate, in Beverley, adjoining that of Sir William de Burton. [25]  On 3 April 1347, Sir Amandus de Routh granted to John Fauconberg, of Skelton, knight and Isabel his wife, the rent and services of one penny yearly, to be received on the nativity of St. Mary, out of a garden of Alice de Thornam, of Grovale, in Beverley. [26]

On 9 March 1352, Amand de Routh, with others, was pardoned for all felonies extortions and trespasses. [27] On 22 February 1358, a commission of oyer and terminer was ordered on complaint by William de Routh that Amand de Routh, 'chivaler,' and others, besieged him and all his family in his house at Routh, co. York, so that for fear of death his men and servants dared not for three days to go forth to serve him. [28]

In 1359, 33 Edward III, Sir Amand de Routh, knight and Amand de Routh are listed among the landholders in the wapentake of Holderness. [29] 

Amand de Routh (c. 1315-c. 1380)

Amand son of Sir Amand de Routh was probably born about 1315, as he was an adult, when he was named in the Close Rolls in 1340. [30] He probably succeeded his father in about 1360. He is listed as a land holder in Holderness in 1359.

In 1376-7, Amand de Routh and Christiana, his wife, granted the manor of Tansterne to feoffees. [31] They both presumably died shortly afterwards. 

John de Routh (c. 1355 - 1431)

John de Routh was presumably the son of Amand de Routh and his wife Christiana, but this is by no means certain. He first appears in public records in September 1376 as a mainpernor for the Chancery clerk, and provost of St. John, Beverley, Richard de Ravenser. [32] Presumably he was born about 1355.

In the early 1380’s, Robert de Vere, earl of Oxford retained John Routh as one of his esquires. In January 1385 Vere used his influence with the King to secure for John Routh, his esquire, the custody of an estate in Sussex to the value of 20 marks a year, [33] and in June 1385, John was allowed to keep any profits without accounting for them at the Exchequer. [34] Between December 1386 and February 1387, he was responsible for purchasing horses for Vere’s expedition to Ireland. [35] On 10 September 1386, Robert de Vere granted him the manor of Cockfield, Suffolk for life. [36]

He was knighted shortly before 28 February 1385, when John de Routh, knight, and his heirs were granted free warren in all their demesne lands of Tansterne, Routh, Benningholme, Catwick, Sigglesthorne, Kelk, Carlton, Etherdwick, Owstwick and Hilston, Yorkshire. [37] On 5 May 1386, he had exemption for life from discharging routine administrative duties against his will. [38]

Routh was evidently favoured by king Richard, who, on 11 May 1390, ordered the sheriffs of London to release him if he had been arrested for making threats to Geoffrey Michel. [39] On 27 November 1393 he was retained for life to stay with the king with a grant of 40 marks per year. [40] This was confirmed again by Henry IV on 29 April 1401, by Henry V on 12 June 1413 and by Henry VI on 28 December 1423. [41] He was one of the knights of the shire for Yorkshire at the Parliament held at Westminster between January and March 1394. [42] On 6 October 1397, John de Routh, 'chivaler' was appointed escheator in the county of York, a post he retained until early 1400. [43] Although deprived of his escheator post, Routh was evidently favoured by the new king, and was again one of the knights of the shire for Yorkshire in the Parliament held in January-March 1404. [44]

Sir John Routh appears regularly in various commissions in Yorkshire over the next few years. On 19 March 1423, John Routh, knight, of the diocese of York, and Agnes his wife, noblewoman had a papal indulgence to have a portable altar. [45] He was confirmed as a king’s knight by Henry VI in December 1423. He last appears in records on 29 September 1429 when he witnessed an entail of the manor of Barmston. [46]

The exact date of his death is difficult to determine, but it was around 1431. He and Agnes were buried in the church of Routh where there is still a monumental brass showing them both, with Sir John in complete plate armour. [47] Agnes survived John and was living in Hilary Term 1435, when Agnes widow of Sir John Routh, William Routh, esquire, and Thomas Vele, executors of the will of John Routh, late of Routh, chivaler, sued Robert Thweyng, Prior of Haltemprice, concerning a debt of 8 marks. [48]

Sir John Routh and Agnes his wife had two sons, John Routh, esquire and William Routh of Driffield, esquire, one of the executors of his father’s will. William Routh of Driffield died about 1444, leaving three sons, John, Brian and Edward. 

John Routh (c. 1395-1449)

John Routh, esquire, son and heir of Sir John Routh was probably born about 1395. He appears to have been a troublesome character. On 22 May 1417, he was ordered to be arrested and brought before the king in Chancery. [49] About 1420, he married Maud Newsome, widow of Sir John Hotham of Scorborough who had died on 3 October 1419.

On 29 November 1431, John Routh, esquire, owed £200 to John Mapilton and Thomas Smyth clerks, and William Hill. [50] Between 1432 and 1443, John Routh, esquire and Maud his wife sued Sir William Eure, knight and John Hothom, esquire concerning a lease of lands, etc. in Hutton, Birdsall and other places [51]. Between 1432 and 1443, John, son of the late John Routh, knight sued William Routh, feoffee to the uses of the will of the said late Sir John concerning lands, etc., in Routh, Cousill, Bolmewych, Beeford, Beverley, Owthorn, and Ryngbourgth. Yorkshire. [52]

On 8 July 1442, John Routh and Maud his wife settled the manor of Dunsforth (in Aldborough), and land in Cottingham on themselves for life, with reversion to John Hotham, esquire, Maud’s son by her first marriage [53].

On 8 August 1449, John Routh of Routh was one of the collectors of a tax in the East Riding. [54] John Routh died before Trinity term 1450, when Dame Matilda Routh formerly wife of John Routh of Routh, esquire, and William Routh, son of John Routh, esquire, sued Brian Routh of Driffield, gentleman and Edward Routh of Driffield, gentleman, executors of William Routh of Driffield, esquire in a plea of debt. [55] Maud survived her husband and in December 1455 she was a member of the Guild of Corpus Christi in York [56]. On 8 August 1457, the administration of the effects of Dame Matilda Routh alias Hotham of York, was granted to Richard Spencer, servant of Sir John Hotham, knight [57]. 

William Routh (c. 1421-1450)

William Routh son and heir of John Routh, esquire and his wife Maud Newsome was alive in Trinity Term 1450, [58] but appears to have died shortly afterwards, when he was succeeded by his cousin. John Routh of Driffield, son of his uncle William Routh of Driffield. 

John Routh (c. 1420-1461)

John Routh, eldest son of William Routh of Driffield and Margaret his wife [59] was probably born about 1420. He inherited the manor of Routh and other properties after the death of his cousin William son of John Routh of Routh, esquire, in about 1450. He is said to have married in 1440-41, 19 Henry VI, Maud, daughter of Sir John Constable of Halsham, by Margaret his wife, daughter of Sir Thomas Umfreville. [60]

In Hilary Term 1452-3, John Routh of Routh, esquire, sued Richard Baildon of Great Driffield, yeoman, Robert Gentilman of Great Driffield, labourer, and Stephen Raisshe of Great Driffield, labourer, for breaking into his house at Great Driffield on 13 September 1447, and taking goods and chattels to the value of £30. [61]

John Routh was evidently a Lancastrian and was probably killed at the battle of Towton in March 1461. On 27 February 1463, a commission was ordered to make enquiries into and seize the goods late of John Routh, esquire, deceased rebel. [62] The inquisition held on 6 August 1463, found that vagabonds carried away goods from his house in Great Driffield, and on the same date carried away goods from his house in Routh. [63] 

Brian Routh (c. 1425-1483)

Brian Routh, second son of William Routh of Driffield and Margaret his wife [64] was probably born about 1425. He is named in the Close Rolls in March 1465 as brother and heir of John Routh of Routh who died in 1461. [65]

On 19 April 1449, Brian Routh of Great Driffield, Yorkshire, gentleman, was given a pardon for any offences against the statute of liveries and of the king's suit for all murders and other offences. [66] In 1450, Brian Routh of Driffield, gentleman, and Edward Routh, his brother, who later became a priest, were named as the executors of their father’s will. [67]  On 23 January 1464, Brian Routh late of Driffield, gentleman, was pardoned for not appearing before John Prysot and his fellows, justices of the Bench of the late king, to answer a plea that he render a horse, worth 5 marks, to Guy Fairfax. [68]

Brian Routh died early in 1483. On 28 May 1483, William bishop of Dromore was commissioned to veil Joan, widow of Brian Routh of Driffield. [69] The writ of diem clausit extremum for Brian Routh was issued to the escheator in Yorkshire on 10 July 1483. [70] A later inquisition into concealments in July 1495 found that his heir was his daughter Elizabeth, by his wife Joan. [71]  

Elizabeth Routh (1482 -1524 )

Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of Brian Routh of Routh, by his wife Joan was born about 1481, as she was found to be 14 years old in 1495.

On 7 December 1495, John Cutts of London, gentleman was granted the keeping of all the lands late of Brian Routh, who held of King Richard III, of his manor of Rise, co. York, with the wardship and marriage of Elizabeth his daughter and heir. [72] John Cutts subsequently married Elizabeth. He was under-treasurer and councillor to Henry VII. In 1508, he purchased the manor of Great Childerley, Cambridgeshire, which became the seat of the family. [73] In Easter term 1512, John Cutts, knight, and Elizabeth his wife, daughter and heir of Brian Routh, esquire, sold the manor of Routh and other lands in the East Riding to John Golding. [74] Sir John Cutts died in 1521 and Elizabeth died in 1524.

  

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[1] Charles Best Norcliffe, ed., The Visitation of Yorkshire in the Years 1563 and 1564 Made by William Flower Esquire, Norroy King of Arms, Harleian Society 16 (London, 1881), 16.

[2] Edward A. Bond, ed., Chronica Monasterii de Melsa, a Fundatione Usque Ad Annum 1396, Auctore Thoma de Burton, Abbate. Accedit Continuatio Ad Annum 1406 a Monacho Quodam Ipsius Domus, vol. 2, Rolls Series 43 (London, 1867), 92.

[3] F. W. Maitland, Bracton’s Note Book, vol. 3 (London, 1887), 405.

[4] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Henry III, vol. 3: 1232-1247 (1906), 30.

[5] George V. Orange, The Cartulary of Meaux: A Critical Edition, PhD Thesis (1965), 263.

[6] Feet of Fines: CP 25/1/265/46, number 196. (YASRS, lxxxii, 88).

[7] Bond, Chronicle of Meaux, 2:32.

[8] Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem, vol. 1, Henry III (1904), 132, No. 471.

[9] Calendar of Fine Rolls 44 Henry III, No. 689.

[10] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Henry III, vol. 6: 1266-1272 (1913), 2.

[11] William Paley Baildon, Notes on the Religious and Secular Houses of Yorkshire, Vol. 1, Yorkshire Archaeological Society Record Series, 17 (1895), 217.

[12] Calendar of Close Rolls, Edward I, vol. 3, 1288-1296 (1904), 48.

[13] Calendar of Fine Rolls, Edward II, vol. 2: 1307 - 1319 (1912), 81.

[14] Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem, vol. 4, Edward I (1913), 145, No. 223.

[15] William Brown, ed., Yorkshire Inquisitions, vol. 3, Yorkshire Archaeological Society Record Series, 31 (1902), 90.

[16] Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem, vol. 4: Edward I (1913), 272, No. 403.

[17] Calendar of Close Rolls, Edward I, vol. 5, 1302-1307 (1908), 495.

[18] William A. Shaw, The Knights of England, vol. 1 (1906), 117.

[19] Calendar of Close Rolls, Edward II, vol. 1, 1307-1313 (1892), 282.

[20] Records of the Chichester-Constable family, DDCC/111/6.

[21] Court of Common Pleas, 1 Edward III; Hilary, m.24d., Trinity m.82; 2 Edward III, Hilary m.30d.; Michaelmas, m.316d. as cited in Index of Placita de Banco, Part 2: 1327-1328, Lists and Indexes, 32 (1909), 747.

[22] Calendar of Close Rolls, Edward III, vol. 3, 1333-1337 (1898), 84.

[23] T. Bulmer & Co., History, Topography, and Directory of East Yorkshire (with Hull), Comprising Its Ancient and Modern History (1892), 401.

[24] Calendar of Close Rolls, Edward III, vol. 5: 1339-1341 (1901), 491.

[25] George Poulson, History and Antiquities of the Seigniory of Holderness, vol. 1 (Hull, 1840), 397.

[26] ibid.

[27] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edward III, vol. 9: 1350-1354 (1907), 44.

[28] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edward III, vol. 11: 1358-1361 (1911), 68.

[29] George Poulson, History and Antiquities of the Seigniory of Holderness, vol. 2 (Hull, 1841), 67.

[30] Calendar of Close Rolls, Edward III, vol. 5: 1339-1341 (1901), 491.

[31] Feet of Fines: CP 25/1/277/138, number 45.

[32] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edward III, vol. 16: 1374-1377 (1916), 338.

[33] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Richard II, vol. 2: 1381-1385 (1897), 516.

[34] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Richard II, vol. 3: 1385-1389 (1900), 16.

[35] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Richard II, vol. 3: 1385-1389 (1900), 248, 275.

[36] Calendar of Close Rolls, Richard II, vol. 4: 1389-1392 (1922), 267.

[37] Calendar of Charter Rolls, vol. 5, 15 Edward III-5 Henry V: 1341-1417 (1916), 301.

[38] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Richard II, vol. 3: 1385-1389 (1900), 138.

[39] Calendar of Close Rolls, Richard II, vol. 4, 1389-1392 (1922), 182.

[40] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Richard II, vol. 5: 1391-1396 (1905), 339.

[41] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Henry VI, vol. 1: 1422-1429 (1901), 76.

[42] Calendar of Close Rolls, Richard II, vol. 5: 1392-1396 (1925), 277.

[43] Calendar of Fine Rolls, vol. 11, Richard II: 1391-1399 (1929), 220.

[44] Calendar of Close Rolls, Henry IV, vol. 2: 1402-1405 (1929), 366.

[45] Calendar of Papal Registers Relating to Great Britain and Ireland, vol. 8: 1427-1447 (1909), 41.

[46] East Riding of Yorkshire Archives and Local Studies Service, Records of the Chichester-Constable family, DDCC/3/16.

[47] George Poulson, History and Antiquities of the Seigniory of Holderness, vol. 1 (Hull, 1840), 398

[48] De Banco, Hil. 13 Hen. VI. m. 168 d, cited in William Paley Baildon, Notes on the Religious and Secular Houses of Yorkshire, Vol. 1, Yorkshire Archaeological Society, Record Series, 17 (1895), 83.

[49] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Henry V, vol. 2: 1416-1422 (1911), 141.

[50] Calendar of Close Rolls, Henry VI, vol. 2, 1429-1435 (1933), 161.

[51] Court of Chancery: Six Clerks Office: Early Proceedings, Richard II to Philip and Mary, C 1/9/442.

[52] Court of Chancery: Six Clerks Office: Early Proceedings, Richard II to Philip and Mary, C 1/39/150.

[53] Feet of Fines: CP 25/1/280/158, number 43.

[54] Calendar of Fine Rolls, vol. 18, Henry VI: 1445-1452 (1939), 128.

[55] Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/758, m. 135.

[56] R. H. Skaife, ed., Register of the Guild of Corpus Christi in the City of York (1408-16th Century), with an Appendix of Illustrative Documents, Surtees Society 57, 1871, 58.

[57] F. Collins, Index of Wills in the York Registry, 1389 to 1514, Yorkshire Archaeological Society, Record Series 6, 1889, 88, vol. 2, fo. 356.

[58] Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/758, m. 135.

[59] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Henry VI, vol. 4: 1441-1446 (1908), 172.

[60] George Poulson, History and Antiquities of the Seigniory of Holderness, vol. 1 (Hull, 1840), 393.

[61] W. Paley Baildon, Baildon and the Baildons, vol. 3 (1926), 84.

[62] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edward IV: 1461-1467 (1897), 206.

[63] Calendar of Inquisitions Miscellaneous (Chancery), vol. 8: 1422-1485 (2003), 165.

[64] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Henry VI, vol. 4: 1441-1446 (1908), 172.

[65] Calendar of Close Rolls, Edward IV, vol. 1: 1461-1468 (1949), 321.

[66] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Henry VI, vol. 5: 1446-1452 (1909), 239.

[67] Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/758, m. 135.

[68] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edward IV: 1461-1467 (1897), 258.

[69] J. Raine, ed., Testamenta Eboracensia: A Selection of Wills from the Registry at York, Vol. III, Surtees Society 45, 1864, 347.

[70] Calendar of Fine Rolls, vol. 21, Edward IV, Edward V, Richard III: 1471-1485 (1961), 259.

[71] Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem, Series 2, vol. 3 (1955), 589, No.1179.

[72] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Henry VII, vol. 2: 1494-1509 (1916), 63.

[73] A History of the County of Cambridge and the Isle of Ely, vol. 9: Chesterton, Northstowe, and Papworth Hundreds (London, 1989), 41-44.

[74] Francis Collins, ed., Feet of Fines of the Tudor Period, Part 1, 1486-1571, Yorkshire Archaeological Society Record Series, 2 (Leeds, 1887), 25.