From Somersetshire to Richmondshire

Montfort of Wellow and Nunney

In 1395, Alexander the young son and heir of Sir Thomas Mountfort of Hackforth in Richmondshire, Yorkshire petitioned the king, claiming the right of presentation of a priest to the church of Nunney in Somerset. A summary of the court’s findings is preserved in the Patent Rolls of June 1396 and gives the descent of Alexander’s male ancestors for five generations and has allowed me to trace their journey over more than two centuries.[1]

The early history of this Montfort family is difficult to determine, but they were, no doubt, descended from Alexander de Montfort who was holding two knight’s fees of the Earl of Gloucester in Farley and Wellow in 1166.[2] On 21 January 1155, Alexander de Montfort, with Robert his brother and Robert and Henry his sons witnessed a charter to Bath abbey.[3]

Alexander’s son or grandson, Henry de Montfort was holding the two knight’s fees of the honour of Gloucester in 1211-12.[4] In the time of abbot Robert of Bath abbey (1198-1223), Henry de Montfort, Roger and Alexander, his brothers witnessed several charters to Bath.[5] Henry died shortly before June 1213, when the custody and marriage of his heirs and of their mother Rose were granted to Thomas de Nevill, clerk.[6]

At this point, the account of the family given in Complete Peerage, is defective.[7] Henry was evidently succeeded by his son Sir Alexander de Montfort who was holding the Hundred of Wellow in December 1253.[8] Alexander was a justice itinerant of the forest in Somerset, Dorset and Gloucestershire.[9] He died before 1261-2, when his son Henry was holding 2 knight’s fees of the honour of Gloucester.[10] Henry died before 1280 without heirs of his body and was succeeded by his his brother, Sir Nicholas de Montfort,[11] who died in 1286. He was succeeded by his son Henry who died shortly before 28 May 1304, holding the Hundred of Wellow of the earl of Gloucester for two knight’s fees.[12] His son Reginald was aged 12 in 1304. Reginald died in 1349, leaving an only daughter, Thomasine, married to Philip de Welleslegh, who died without children.

Alexander son of Alexander de Montfort of Nunney

There were two manors in the parish of Nunney. The family of de la Mare held the larger manor of the earl of Hereford and the smaller manor was held by the Montforts of the earl of Gloucester. Alexander, brother of Henry de Montfort who died in 1213, was evidently enfeoffed of the Montfort manor of Nunney, Somerset by his brother. Alexander died before June 1243 when his two sons, Henry and Alexander made an agreement concerning property in Nunney, with the capital messuage remaining to Henry. As part of the arrangement, Henry and Alexander agreed to present a priest alternately to the church of Nunney.[13]

It is possible that Alexander de Montfort entered the service of Sir William Longespée, Earl of Salisbury, who died early in 1257. Between 1250 and 1256, Henry and Alexander de Montfort witnessed a charter of William Longespée to Bradensoke priory.[14] Alexander occurs together with William Longespée in Lincolnshire in November 1256 in a property transaction in Sutton in Holand.[15] He evidently remained in Lincolnshire and became a royal official there. In March 1260, he was appointed to check the quality of wines sold in the city of Lincoln and in Boston, Lincolnshire.[16] On 21 April 1264, he was ordered to hand over the castle of Lincoln to William de Grey.[17] On 18 July 1264, he was granted the custody of lands in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire which had been taken by rebels from Queen Eleanor during the baron’s war.[18] In September 1265, he was ordered to take into the king’s hands, the lands of rebels in Lincolnshire.[19] In January and February 1272, he was involved in two land transactions in Sutton in Holand.[20]

Alexander de Montfort became steward to Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln[21] who had married William Longespée’s daughter Margaret. Between 1272 and 1277, Alexander de Montfort, knight, witnessed Henry de Lacy's confirmation charter of his grandfather's grants to Cockersand abbey.[22] Before 1274-5, Henry de Lacy, enfeoffed Alexander de Montfort of land in Riby, Lincolnshire for the service of a quarter knight's fee.[23] In 1280-1, Alexander de Montfort was a justice of goal delivery in Lincoln.[24] He last appears in public records on 8 August 1287, when he was on a commission of oyer et terminer in Lincolnshire.[25]

Alexander de Montfort probably died in late 1287. He left a widow named Maud, who was living in May 1308.[26]

Alexander son of Alexander de Montfort

Alexander, son of Alexander de Montfort and Maud was probably born about 1272. On 13 June 1294, Alexander de Montfort had letters of protection, going to Gascony.[27] On 1 March 1296, he was summoned to muster at Newcastle-upon-Tyne and perform military service in person against the Scots. On 7 July 1297 was summoned, holding lands in Somerset and Dorset, to the value of £20, to muster at London with horses and arms and perform military service in parts beyond the seas. On 24 June 1300, he was again summoned to perform military service against the Scots, as holding lands in Somerset and Dorset to the value of £40.[28] On 2 July 1300 and 7 May 1303, he had letters of protection, going to Scotland with Hugh Bardolf.[29] On 20 October 1303, Alexander de Montfort, staying with Hugh Bardolf in the king's service, had letters of respite of the aid in Lincolnshire.[30] He had letters of protection going to Scotland with Pain de Tiptoft on 25 May 1306.[31]

Alexander’s lands increased in value between 1297 and 1300 because on 19 November 1298, Richard de Emborough granted to Alexander de Montfort, the manor of Emborough and other land in Somerset. Richard and Beatrice his wife were to hold the manor for their lives and after their deaths it was to revert to Alexander.[32] It is possible that Beatrice was a Montfort.

Alexander de Montfort married, before November 1306, Elizabeth daughter of Philip de Burgh of Cawthorne, Walton and Hackforth, Yorkshire and Burgh, Cambridgeshire. Philip de Burgh died in 1285, leaving two children, Thomas and Elizabeth, both under age. Thomas was born in 1278 and Elizabeth about 1282. The children were placed under the guardianship of Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln.[33] He in turn granted the wardship to Alice de Lacy his mother.[34] It was no doubt Henry de Lacy who arranged the marriage of Elizabeth de Burgh, his ward, to Alexander, son of his steward Alexander de Montfort. By a fine in November 1306, Alexander de Montfort and Elizabeth his wife granted property in Sutton, Spalding and Tydd St. Mary, Lincolnshire to feoffees, who granted the property to them including the reversion of land held in dower by Maud, widow of Alexander de Montfort.[35]

On 20 January 1320, Alexander de Montfort and Elizabeth his wife quitclaimed to Sir Thomas de Burgh, Elizabeth’s brother, all their rights in the manor of Hackforth (in Hornby, Yorkshire) [36] and on the same day, Thomas de Burgh granted land and rents in Menthorpe, Yorkshire to Alexander de Montfort and Elizabeth his wife and Laurence their son.[37] Sir Thomas de Burgh died early in 1322, leaving a son and heir John, aged 22. Elizabeth alleged that John de Burgh was illegitimate and claimed the estates of her brother. The case came to the Chancery court at York on 20 February 1322 and Elizabeth acknowledged that John was the legitimate son of Sir Thomas. [38] Probably in return for this concession, on 21 January 1324, John de Burgh and his younger brother Thomas granted the manor of Hackforth to Alexander de Montfort and Elizabeth his wife, and the heirs of Elizabeth’s body.[39] On 8 October 1324, Alexander and Elizabeth granted the lands and rent in Menthorpe, which they received in 1320, to John, son of Sir Thomas de Burgh.[40]

In October 1326, probably as part of a marriage settlement, their feoffees granted to Alexander and Elizabeth lands and rents in in Sutton, Spalding and Tydd St, Mary, Lincolnshire and Alexander and Elizabeth granted the lands and rents to Laurence their son and his wife Isabel, daughter of Gilbert de Toutheby (Totheby).[41]

Alexander died sometime between October 1326 and April 1335. His widow Elizabeth is said to have made a will dated in 1352.[42]

Laurence de Mountfort son of Alexander de Montfort

Sir Laurence de Mountfort, son of Alexander de Montfort and his wife Elizabeth de Burgh was probably born about 1310. He was married before October 1326 to Isabel, daughter of Gilbert de Toutheby, king’s serjeant-at-law by his wife Joan, daughter of John Hansard. In October 1326, probably as part of a marriage settlement, their feoffees granted to Alexander and Elizabeth de Montfort, lands and rents in in Sutton, Spalding and Tydd St, Mary, Lincolnshire and Alexander and Elizabeth granted the lands and rents to Laurence their son and his wife Isabel, daughter of Gilbert de Toutheby.[43]

On 23 April 1335, Laurence de Montfort, son and heir of Alexander de Montfort, quitclaimed to James de Trowbrigge, for his life, 50 shillings of annual rent which James holds in Okebourn Meysi [Ogbourne St. Andrew, Wiltshire]. Dated at Nunney.[44] He was knighted before 10 June 1336, when Sir Laurence de Mountfort, knight, rented the manor of Emborough, Somerset to Simon de Trewythosa (a king’s serjeant-at-law), for the life of Simon with reversion to Laurence.[45] Two years later, on 4 May 1338, he sold the manor of Emborough to Simon for 100 marks.[46]

On 6 June 1335, he had letters of protection going to Scotland with Sir Adam de Welle.[47] On 10 September 1336, Laurence de Mountfort was appointed to make an inquisition into a murder in Lincolnshire.[48] He fought in the Crecy campaign of 1346-7. On 25 April 1347, Sir Laurence de Mountfort, who had embarked in the retinue of Robert de Ufford, Earl of Suffolk, and served continuously in it, was exonerated from all demands for men-at-arms, hobelers, and archers in Lincolnshire.[49]

Although Laurence had sold his Somerset manor of Emborough, he still held a share of the advowson of the church of Nunney. In 1349 he was involved in disputes with William de Colford and Elizabeth, widow of John de Mountfort concerning presentation of a priest to Nunney.[50] On 14 July 1355, Laurence de Mountfort, knight, of the diocese of York, had a papal indulgence to choose a confessor.[51] As his wife is not mentioned, she may already have died. In September 1359, Laurence de Mountfort, knight had letters of protection, about to proceed, in the retinue of Henry de Percy, to the parts beyond the sea (Gascony).[52]

On 11 February 1361, Sir Richard de Messe, chaplain, was presented to the church of Great Langton on Swale by Sir Laurence de Montfort.[53] Laurence de Mountfort witnessed several charters of Sir Richard le Scrope of Bolton in the period 1357 to 1370. The last of these is dated 1 May 1370.[54] He is said to have left a will dated in 1379.[55]

Thomas de Mountfort son of Laurence de Mountfort

Sir Thomas de Mountfort son of Sir Laurence de Mountfort and Isabel de Toutheby was probably born about 1340. Nothing much is known about his early life. He married, probably secondly, about 1380, Elizabeth daughter of William de Swinhoe of Scremerston, Northumberland and widow of John, son of Sir Thomas de St. Quintin of Hornby, Yorkshire. Their only daughter Margaret de St. Quintin married John Conyers and brought the manor of Hornby to the family of Conyers.[56]

Thomas was knighted before 16 December 1380, when Thomas Mountfort, 'chivaler,' was named as a collector of a tax of a tenth and fifteenth in the North Riding of Yorkshire.[57]

He died before 4 February 1392, when a commission was ordered to enquire what evildoers had abducted Alexander, son and heir of Thomas de Mountford, knight, a minor, the custody of whose lands and whose marriage belong to queen Anne, because the said Thomas held of her as of the honor of Richmond by knight service; the said queen having by her letters patent granted the marriage to Richard le Scrope.[58]

After Thomas died, Elizabeth, married thirdly, about 1395, William Bishopdale, sometime Mayor of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, who died shortly after the date of his will in February 1398. He mentions Thomas and John Mountfort (his wife’s sons) in his will and William Swinhoe (his wife’s brother) and Robert Swinhoe.[59] Elizabeth married fourthly, in 1398, Richard Clitheroe (Cliderhowe). On 26 February 1400, Richard Cliderhowe, king's esquire was granted in recompense of certain sums due to him by the king for his wages in the household and the arrears of an annuity of 10 marks, of certain lands in Riby, Lincolnshire, which Thomas Mountfort, son of his wife, held of the earl of Kent and which are now in the king's hands by reason of the minority of the said Thomas and the forfeiture of the earl, to hold to the value of 10 marks yearly during the said minority, provided that he answer for any surplus.[60] Elizabeth died in the early 1400’s and Richard de Clitheroe married secondly, Margery Sulney, widow of Sir Nicholas Longford of Derbyshire (died 31 August 1401). Richard and Margery were divorced between 1424 and 1426.[61] Richard Clitheroe died shortly before 11 June 1431, when his will was proved at Newcastle-upon-Tyne.[62] Margery was living on 4 January 1432.[63]

Alexander Mountfort son of Thomas de Mountfort

Alexander eldest son of Thomas de Mountfort and Elizabeth Swinhoe was born about 1381. After the death of his father, his custody was granted to Queen Anne, who granted it to Richard le Scrope of Bolton. After the death of Queen Anne in June 1394, Scrope petitioned the king for the restoration of the keeping of all the lands and property formerly held by Thomas de Mountfort of the castle of Richmond, together with the wardship of Mountfort's son and heir Alexander, and the wardship of any other heirs should Alexander die under-age. These had been granted to him by Queen Anne, but after the queen's death all such wardships were granted to the Archbishop of York and the Earl of Rutland.[64]

In 1395, Alexander the young son and heir of Sir Thomas Mountfort of Hackforth in Yorkshire petitioned the king, through his guardian, presumably Richard le Scrope, claiming the right of presentation of a priest to the church of Nunney in Somerset. A summary of the court’s findings is preserved in the Patent Rolls in June 1396 (when Alexander was already dead) and gives the descent of Alexander’s male ancestors for five generations.[65]

Alexander died under-age on 1 October 1395, aged about 14, and was succeeded by his brother Thomas.[66]

Thomas Mountfort son of Thomas de Mountfort

Thomas Mountfort, second son of Thomas de Mountfort and Elizabeth Swinhoe was born at the manor of Hackforth and baptised in the church of Hornby on 7 January 1383.[67] In 1395, he succeeded his older brother Alexander who died unmarried. On 16 July 1405, the escheator in Lincolnshire was ordered to take the fealty of Thomas Mountfort, the son of Sir Thomas Mountfort and to give him seisin of his lands and property in Riby, Lincolnshire which had been in the king’s hands.[68]

Thomas Montfort married, about 1400, Elizabeth, daughter of Conan Aske. The editor of the Visitation of Yorkshire in 1563-64, says that she was a daughter of Conan Aske and his first wife Alice, daughter of Sir Thomas Savile of Thornhill,[69] but this seems unlikely on chronological grounds as this Conan Aske was born about 1403.[70] It is more likely that she was the daughter of his grandfather, Conan Aske, who was born about 1348 and married Eleanor Widdrington after the death in 1379 of her first husband, Robert Umfreville. Elizabeth, daughter of Conan Aske and Eleanor Widdrington was probably born between 1380 and 1390.

On 23 December 1406, Thomas Mountfort was named as one of the collectors of a tax in the North Riding of Yorkshire.[71] On 19 December 1410, Thomas Neuson, L.L.B, was presented to the church of Nunney by Thomas de Mountfort.[72]

Thomas died, aged about 34, shortly before 10 February 1417, when the order for the inquisition post mortem of Thomas Mountfort, esquire was issued to the escheators in Lincoln, Somerset and Yorkshire.[73]

Elizabeth married secondly, John Pigot, esquire, a younger son of Ranulph Pigot of Clotherham, Yorkshire (died 1404). On 2 July 1422, bishop Bubwith instituted Sir John Fritheby, priest, as rector of the parish church of Nunney, on the presentation of John Pigot and Elizabeth, his wife, relict of Thomas Mountfort of the county of York, esquire, guardians of the lands of Thomas Mountfort, son and heir of the first named Thomas, by reason of his non age, patrons for this turn as has been found by inquisition.[74] The will of John Pigot, esquire, dated 15 January 1428, mentions Elizabeth his wife, Christopher and Alexander Mountfort of Hackforth, sons of Elizabeth by her first marriage.[75]

Elizabeth was still living on 10 February 1438, when Elizabeth, widow of John Pigot, presented Sir John Yarm, priest to the church of Langton on Swale.[76]

Thomas Mountfort son of Thomas Mountfort

Sir Thomas, son of Thomas Mountfort, esquire and Elizabeth Aske was born about 1402. In a case in the Court of Common Pleas in Hillary term, 7 Henry V, 1420, Thomas Mountfort, by his guardian, sued Margaret, late wife of Ralph Boteler, knight (probably unsuccessfully), for the manor of Emborough, Somerset, which Richard de Emborough gave to Alexander de Mountfort and to the heirs of his body.[77] In 1424, Bishop Langley of Durham issued a sentence general for the detention of charters belonging to Thomas Mountfort, cousin and heir of William Swinhoe, touching the manor of Scremerston.[78]

Thomas married, about 1418, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir James Strangeways of West Harlsey, Yorkshire by his wife Joan Orell and sister of Sir James Strangeways, later Speaker of the Commons.[79]

On 29 September 1446, the Archbishop of York licensed Thomas Mountfort of Hackforth and Elizabeth his wife to have masses and other divine offices celebrated submissa voce for three years in their oratories within the diocese of York.[80]

He was knighted before 1453, when letters were sent from the king’s council to Thomas Mountfort, knight, and others, complaining of riots in Yorkshire and directing him to keep the peace and obey Sir William Lucy and the other commissioners.[81] On 24 February 1458 and 24 February 1459, Thomas Mountfort, knight, was on commissions of array in the North Riding of Yorkshire.[82]

On 13 February 1460, Thomas Mountfort of Hackforth, knight, was pardoned of all of all gifts of liveries before 20 November last, and of all treasons, murders, rebellions, insurrections, felonies, conspiracies, forfeitures, deceptions, trespasses, offences, negligences, misprisions and contempts before the said date, and any consequent outlawries.[83] After the Yorkist victory at Northampton on 10 July 1460, he was elected, in August, as one of the knights of the shire for Yorkshire, together with his brother-in-law, Sir James Strangways.[84] He does not appear in any further contemporary records and he possibly died in one of the battles in late 1460 or at Towton in March 1461.

Thomas son of Sir Thomas Mountfort

Thomas Mountfort, esquire, son of Sir Thomas Mountfort and his wife Elizabeth Strangeways was probably born about 1420. He married, before May 1434, Agnes only daughter and heiress of John Killom of Kilham on the Wolds, and Danby upon Ure in Yorkshire, by Joan his wife. On 30 May 1434, by a fine at Westminster, John Killom, esquire, and Joan, his wife granted the manors of Kilham and Danby and other lands to feoffees, for the lives of John and Joan, with reversion to Agnes, the wife of Thomas, son of Thomas Mountfort, and the heirs of her body.[85] As well as properties in Yorkshire, Agnes also brought to her husband, the manor of Littleburn in Durham.[86]

On 13 February 1460, Thomas Mountfort of Danby upon Ure, the elder, esquire, was pardoned of all gifts of liveries before 20 November, and of all treasons, murders, rebellions, insurrections, felonies, conspiracies, forfeitures, deceptions, trespasses, offences, negligences, misprisions and contempts before the said date, and any consequent outlawries.[87]

On 13 May 1461, Thomas Mountfort, esquire, was on a commission to arrest and imprison rebels in the North Riding of the county of York, together with his uncle Sir James Strangeways and his cousin James Strangeways.[88]

In June 1480, Thomas Mountfort, Agnes his wife and Thomas Mountfort, ‘the younger,’ sold property in Burton in Bishopdale, Walden and Aysgarth to Richard, Duke of Gloucester.[89]

Thomas Mountfort’s son and heir, Thomas predeceased his father. He was survived by three younger sons. On 12 April 1486, Thomas Mountfort of Hackforth, esquire, enfeoffed George Mountfort his son, in tail male, with reversion to Christopher Mountfort his son, in tail male, and William Mountfort his son, in tail male, and remainder to the right heirs of Thomas of the manor of Littleburn and all his lands and tenements in Littleburn, and all his property in Burton in Bishopdale, Aysgarth, and Walden, Yorkshire.[90]

Thomas Mountfort, esquire died on 20 January 1490, according to his monumental inscription in Hornby church; "Here lyeth Thomas Mountford, esquyer, and Agnes, his wief which Thomas deceased ye xx day of January the yere of our Lord God anno m° cccc° lxxxix, and the vth yere of the reigne of our soveraigne lord, King Herry the vij, on whose soules Jhesu have mercy." [91]

The writ of diem clausit extremum for Thomas Mountfort, esquire was issued to the escheators in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire on 22 February 1490.[92]

Thomas son of Thomas Mountfort and his daughters

Thomas, Mountfort, esquire, son of Thomas Mountfort, esquire was probably born about 1440. Nothing much is known about his life and he died in his father’s lifetime about 1485. He was living in June 1480, when as Thomas Mountfort, ‘the younger,’ together with his father and mother, sold property in Burton in Bishopdale, Walden and Aysgarth to Richard, Duke of Gloucester.[93]

He is said to have married Isabel, daughter of Sir John Norton, of Norton Conyers who died in 1489.[94] He left three daughters and coheirs :-

·         Eleanor, who died unmarried,

·         Anne, who married firstly in September 1485. James Metcalfe of Nappa in the parish of Aysgarth,[95] secondly Robert, (living May 1495[96]) a younger son of Sir John Conyers of Hornby, and thirdly, before 1499, John Carre,

·         Margery, who married firstly in November 1487, Alexander Metham, [97] and secondly Nicholas Girlington who died in 1509.

---

[1] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Richard II, vol. 5: 1391-1396 (1905), 724.

[2] Hubert Hall, ed., The Red Book of the Exchequer, vol. 1 (London: HMSO, 1896), 289.

[3] William Hunt, ed., Two Chartularies of the Priory of St. Peter at Bath, Somerset Record Society, 7 (1893), part I, 70, no. 75.

[4] Hubert Hall, ed., The Red Book of the Exchequer, vol. 2 (London: HMSO, 1896), 608.

[5] William Hunt, ed., Two Chartularies of the Priory of St. Peter at Bath, Somerset Record Society, 7 (1893), part 2, no. 25, 34, 35, 53, etc.

[6] Thomas Duffus Hardy, ed., Rotuli Litterarum Clausarum in Turri Londinensi Asservati, vol. 1 (London, 1833), 144.

[7] H. A. Doubleday and Howard de Walden, eds., The Complete Peerage, vol. 9 (London, 1936), 130-2. The CP editor confuses the two Alexander de Montforts, one of Wellow (d. c. 1260) and one of Nunney (d. bef. 1243).

[8] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Henry III, vol. 4: 1247-1258 (1908), 362.

[9] Calendar of the Liberate Rolls, vol. 4: 1251-1260 (1959), 411.

[10] Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem, vol. 1, Henry III (1904), 158, No. 530.

[11] Placita de Quo Warranto, temporibus Edw. I. II. & III., Record Commission (1818), 696.

[12] Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem, vol. 4, Edward I (1913), 148, No. 226.

[13] Emmanuel Green, ed., Pedes Finium commonly called Feet of Fines for the County of Somerset: 1196-1307, Somerset Record Society, 6 (1892), 110.

[14] Vera London, ed., The Cartulary of Bradensoke Priory, Wiltshire Record Society, 35 (1979), 114.

[15] Feet of Fines: CP/25/1/131/41, number 87.

[16] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Henry III, vol. 5: 1258-1266 (1910), 66.

[17] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Henry III, vol. 5: 1258-1266 (1910), 313.

[18] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Henry III, vol. 5: 1258-1266 (1910), 336.

[19] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Henry III, vol. 5: 1258-1266 (1910), 490.

[20] Feet of Fines: CP 25/1/132/48, number 32, CP 25/1/132/49, number 91.

[21] Calendar of Charter Rolls, vol. 2, Henry III, Edward I: 1257-1300 (1906), 397.

[22] William Farrer, ed., The Chartulary of Cockersand Abbey, vol. 2, part 1, Chetham Society, New Series, 40 (1898), 414.

[23] W. O. Massingberd, ed., "Roll of the Wapentake of Yarborough," Lincolnshire Notes and Queries, vol. 6 (1901), 254.

[24] Fiftieth Annual Report of the Deputy Keeper of the Public Records (1889), 140.

[25] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edward I, vol. 2: 1281-1292 (1893), 287.

[26] Feet of Fines: CP 25/1/135/75, number 3.

[27] Charles Bémont, ed., Rôles Gascons, vol. 3: 1290-1207 (Paris, 1906), 156.

[28] Francis Palgrave, ed., The Parliamentary Writs and Writs of Military Summons, vol. 1 (London: Record Commission, 1827), 744.

[29] Grant S. Simpson and James D. Galbraith, eds., Calendar of Documents Relating to Scotland, vol. 5 (Supplementary), 1970, 407, 424.

[30] Calendar of Various Chancery Rolls: 1277-1326 (1912), 92.

[31] Simpson and Galbraith, Calendar of Documents Relating to Scotland, 5 (Supplementary):436.

[32] Emmanuel Green, ed., Pedes Finium commonly called Feet of Fines for the County of Somerset: 1196-1307, Somerset Record Society (1892), 305.

[33] Calendar of Close Rolls, Edward I, vol. 2, 1279-1288 (1902), 521.

[34] William Brown, ed., The Register of John Le Romeyn, Lord Archbishop of York. Part I, Surtees Society 123, 1913, 125, 155.

[35] Feet of Fines: CP 25/1/135/75, number 3.

[36] Feet of Fines: CP 25/1/271/93, number 23.

[37] Feet of Fines: CP 25/1/271/93, number 33.

[38] Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem, vol. 6, Edward II (1910), 184, No. 320.

[39] Feet of Fines: CP 25/1/271/100, number 86.

[40] Feet of Fines: CP 25/1/271/101, number 2.

[41] Feet of Fines: CP 25/1/137/95, numbers 56, 58.

[42] H. B. McCall, Richmondshire Churches (London, 1910), 49.

[43] Feet of Fines: CP 25/1/137/95, numbers 56, 58.

[44] J. E. Jackson, ed., "Documents Found at Kingston House," Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine, vol. 1 (1854), 293.

[45] Emmanuel Green, ed., Pedes Finium, commonly called Feet of Fines for the County of Somerset, vol. 2: 1307-1346, Somerset Record Society, 12 (1898), 181.

[46] ibid, 197.

[47] Simpson and Galbraith, Calendar of Documents Relating to Scotland, 5 (Supplementary):498.

[48] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edward III, vol. 3: 1334-138 (1895), 361.

[49] George Wrottesley, ed., "Crecy and Calais," Collections for a History of Staffordshire, vol. 18 (1897), 136.

[50] Thomas Scott Holmes, ed., The Register of Ralph of Shrewsbury, Bishop of Bath and Wells, 1329-1363, Somerset Record Society, 10 (1896), 568-70.

[51] Calendar of Papal Registers Relating to Great Britain and Ireland, vol. 3: 1342-1362 (1897), 558.

[52] Appendices to a Report on Thomas Rymer's Fœdera (1869), 49.

[53] A. Hamilton Thompson, ed., "The Registers of the Archdeaconry of Richmond, 1361-1442," Yorkshire Archaeological Journal, vol. 25 (1920), 229.

[54] Brigette Vale, The Scropes of Bolton and Masham, c.1300-c.1450: A Study of a Northern Noble Family with a Calendar of the Scrope of Bolton Cartulary. PhD Thesis, vol. 2 (University of York, 1987), 129.

[55] H. B. McCall, Richmondshire Churches (London, 1910), 49.

[56] Vale, Scrope of Bolton Cartulary, 2:105.

[57] Calendar of Fine Rolls, vol. 10: 1383-1391 (1929), 70.

[58] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Richard II, vol. 5: 1391-1396 (1905), 82.

[59] Richard Welford, History of Newcastle and Gateshead, vol. 1 (1884), 222.

[60] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Henry IV, vol. 1: 1399-1409 (1903), 222.

[61] Court of Chancery: Six Clerks Office: Early Proceedings, Richard II to Philip and Mary, C 1/6/318.

[62] Durham University Library Special Collections, Durham Cathedral Muniments: Specialia, 1.1.Spec.71.

[63] Durham University Library Special Collections, Durham Cathedral Muniments: Specialia, 1.1.Spec.74.

[64] Special Collections: Ancient Petitions, SC 8/181/9017.

[65] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Richard II, vol. 5: 1391-1396 (1905), 724.

[66] Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem, vol. 18, Henry IV (1987), No. 1139.

[67] Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem, vol. 18, Henry IV (1987), No. 1140.

[68] Calendar of Close Rolls, Henry IV, vol. 2: 1402-1405 (1929), 459.

[69] 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), 213.

[70] Charles Henry Hunter Blair, ed., Visitations of the North, Part III, A Visitation of the North of England, Circa 1480-1500, Surtees Society 144, 1930, 150.

[71] Calendar of Fine Rolls, vol. 13, Henry IV: 1405-1413 (1933), 64.

[72] Frederic William Weaver, ed., Somerset Incumbents, From the Hugo MSS. 30,279-80. in the British Museum (1889), 155.

[73] Calendar of Fine Rolls, vol. 14, Henry V: 1413-1422 (1934), 145.

[74] Thomas Scott Holmes, ed., The Register of Nicholas Bubwith, Bishop of Bath and Wells, 1407-1424, vol. 2, Somerset Record Society, 30 (1914), 419.

[75] J. Raine, ed., Testamenta Eboracensia: A Selection of Wills from the Registry at York, Part I, Surtees Society 4, 1836, 416.

[76] A. Hamilton Thompson, ed., "The Registers of the Archdeaconry of Richmond, 1361-1442," Yorkshire Archaeological Journal, vol. 25 (1920), 226.

[77] G. Wrottesley, Pedigrees from The Plea Rolls (London, 1905), 303.

[78] James Raine, The History and Antiquities of North Durham (London, 1852), 238.

[79] Blair, Visitations of the North, Part III, 106, 116.

[80] A. Hamilton Thompson, ed., "The Registers of the Archdeacons of Richmond, 1422-1477," Yorkshire Archaeological Journal, vol. 30 (1931), 92.

[81] Harris Nicolas, ed., Proceedings and Ordinances of the Privy Council of England, vol. 6: 1453-1461 (1837), 149.

[82] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Henry VI, vol 6: 1452-1461 (1910), 682.

[83] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Henry VI, vol 6: 1452-1461 (1910), 591.

[84] J. S. Roskell, Parliament and Politics in Late Medieval England, vol. 2 (1981), 294.

[85] Feet of Fines: CP 25/1/280/157, number 18.

[86] Durham University Library, Archives and Special Collections, Leybourne Deeds, SGD.54/7.

[87] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Henry VI, vol 6: 1452-1461 (1910), 591.

[88] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edward IV, vol. 1: 1461-1467 (1897), 30.

[89] Feet of Fines: CP 25/1/281/165, number 23.

[90] Durham University Library, Archives and Special Collections, Leybourne Deeds, SGD.54/8.

[91] J. W. Clay, ed., “Yorkshire Church Notes by Roger Dodsworth”, Yorkshire Archaeological Society, Record Series, 34 (1904), 232.

[92] Calendar of Fine Rolls, vol. 22, Henry VII: 1485-1509 (1962), 117.

[93] Feet of Fines: CP 25/1/281/165, number 23.

[94] Norcliffe, Visitation of Yorkshire in 1563-4, 214.

[95] J. Raine, ed., Testamenta Eboracensia: A Selection of Wills from the Registry at York, Vol. III, Surtees Society 45, 1864, 350.

[96] J. Raine, ed., Testamenta Eboracensia: A Selection of Wills from the Registry at York, Vol. IV, Surtees Society 53, 1869, 110.

[97] Raine, Test. Ebor. III, 352.