Court baron and view of frankpledge, 31 March 1703

Centre for Bucks Studies D/211/8

Originals in Latin unless stated (individual words are sometimes in English, marked with "..."). Only entries concerning Winslow have been summarised here, apart from the lists of jurors and defaulters which also include Little Horwood and Granborough.

[f.1r] Manor of Winslowe with members. View of Frankpledge with Court Baron of Charles Twittey gent., surviving fiduciary of William Lowndes esq., 31 March 2 Anne 1703 by Nicholas Merwin gent., deputy steward.

Essoins: Thomas George, Charles King sr, Joseph Ayres and Roger Adams gent.with many others

Jurors: Thomas Foster, John Spratley, Thomas Watts, Phillip Bayly, Daniel Coley, Phillip Goodier
Joseph Gyles, Richard Cox, John Shelton sr, Thomas Wainwright, Edward Smith & Thomas Whiteing

Residents amerced for default: Richard Bendboe 2d, Christopher Bigg 2d, William Bull 2d, John Burrall 2d
George Dandridge 2d, Squier Emerton 2d, Michael Ginger 2d, William Gibbs 2d, Matthew Hobbs 2d, Daniel Kerbie 2d, Oliver Mayne 2d
Joseph Rogers 2d, John Stevens 2d, Richard Topping 2d, William Tattam 2d, John Worsley 2d & Anthony Godwin gent. 4d

There are diverse dunghills [stercoraciones] in the common streets of Winslowe:

to the common nuisance of the inhabitants of Winslowe.

The jurors report that a certain ditch [Scrobs] near the house of Robert Redding is a common nuisance for want of cleaning and impeded the "Common Shoar" [= common sewer] there.

The common well near the house of William Dyer and the common well near The Pound are common nuisances for want of repair.

The common well near the house of Robert Eden sr [in Sheep Street] was previously raised by him. He must put the well in the same form as it was before at his own expense within 12 days under penalty of 10s.

The stalls [Pergule] standing in the market place of Winslowe are a common nuisance. They must not continue there after market day.

Officers chosen:

Constables of Winslowe: William Firth and Roger West in place of Benjamin Dudley and Thomas Foster

Constable of Shipton: George Elliott in place of William Perkins jr

Court Baron

Essoins: Philip Budd, William Bence, Robert Dorsett, William Illing and Thomas Holland with many others

Jane Ward widow through Joseph Turner her attorney complained against James Springall on a plea of trespass on the case.

Jurors: William Gyles, George Blake, William Eden, William Elliott, Robert Eden jr, Joseph Glenester, John Seaton, Hugh Seaton
Edward Berkley, Daniel Hams, George Elliott, Thomas Henley, Thomas Oakley, John Hodgekins, William Miller, Arthur Smith
John Ward, John Bence, James Woodward, Henry Emerton, Thomas Henley of Swanborn, Robert Stevens jr, William Thorpe & George Thorpe

Tenants amerced for default: Thomas Bett 2d, William Edmonds 2d, John Hogson 2d, John
Hazzlewood 2d, John Hearne 2d, John Haines 2d, Joan King widow 2d, Henry King 2d, Peter Lowndes jr 2d, Mark Morris 2d, Thomas
Neal 2d, William Prentice 2d, Thomas Robbinson 2d, Charles Shales gent. 6d, Mary Seaton widow 2d, William Short 2d, Thomas Smith 2d, John
Townesend 4d, Samuel Wilston 2d, Henry Townesend jr 2d, John Falkner 2d, Christopher Smith 2d, Roger Vaughan gent. 4d, Thomas
Willice 2d, John Bowden 4d, Mary Stevens spinster 2d, John Thorpe of London 2d

Edward Footman who held jointly with his wife died since the last court.

John Glenester died since the last court seised of a cottage and 3 acres of land. William Glenester is his son and nearest heir, of full age, who sought to be admitted tenant. Rent 1s 3d, fine 6s, heriot by composition 11s 6d.

William Townesend, "Grandson" of William Townesend deceased, tenant in reversion after the deaths of William the grandfather and Jane his wife and William Townesend his father, formerly died seised of the reversion of 12 acres of land in Shipton. Henry Townesend jr is his brother and nearest heir, and sought to be admitted tenant. Rent [blank], fine 24s, heriot 1 land of standing corn [seges].

John Chennells died since the last court seised of a messuage, a mill and 8 acres of land. Heriot is due to the lord. John Chennell is his son and nearest heir, of full age. He was called and did not come. 1st proclamation made.

William Short sr died since the last court seised for his life
[f.1v] of a tenement in the Markett Place of Winslowe to which William Short jr is already admitted.
He was also seised for his life of 5 acres of land to which Thomas Short his son is tenant in reversion, as appears by copy of court roll bearing date 25 April 1698. Thomas sought to be admitted tenant. Rent 1s 3d, fine 10s, fealty respited.
He was also seised of various tenements mentioned below. Due to the lord for heriot: a mare worth [blank]. William out of court on 14 March last surrendered through Samuel Norman and Joseph Turner 3 acres of land in the common fields of Winslowe mentioned in a surrender bearing date 4 April 1699. To the use of John Short his son, who sought to be admitted tenant. Rent 3d, fine 6s, fealty respited.
William out of court on 14 March also surrendered a cottage in the occupation of [blank] Wyatt widow near the Church Yard. To the use of Thomas Short of Great Horwood Baker, on trust for such uses as are expressed in William's last will. Thomas sought to be admitted tenant. Rent [blank], fine 5s.
He also surrendered on 14 March a messuage (late the estate of Thomas Tomlin) now in the separate occupations of John Stevens, Richard Topping and [blank] Firth widow. To the use of Pownall Short his son, on trust that from the profits of the premisses he will find for William's son Joseph Short convenient food, drink, washing [lavacio], lodging [hospitium] and apparel [apparat'] during Joseph's life. If Pownall and his heirs do not wish to provide this or do not perform the trust honestly and justly in the judgment of Mr Thomas Blake, Thomas Short of Great Horwood and William Firth or the majority of them, then (the surrender is to be) on trust that Pownall and his heirs pay them for Joseph's use £4 p.a. Pownall sought to be admitted tenant. Rent [blank], fine [blank], fealty respited.
[This messuage in Horn Street went through a procedure of common recovery in 1702. It was probably the messuage to which William made his first wife Margaret co-tenant in 1682. It's not very clear how the arrangements for looking after Joseph were intended to work, as Pownall was still a young child]

John Robbinson died since the last court seised of various tenements mentioned below. Heriot by composition 30s. Out of court on 30 Nov last he surrendered through John Spratley and Joseph Harding his barn and orchard in Winslowe now in his own occupation, the messuage of [blank] Tims widow south, the land of Simon Hogson north, and 1 acre of arable land in Shipton in Snouts Furlong, the land of Mr Lowndes between and the common king's highway on the other side. To the use of Richard Bigg of Winslowe gent. on condition that if John pays him £20 with 5% interest the surrender would be void. Richard sought to be admitted tenant. Rent [blank], fine [blank].
John Robbinson out of court on 18 Dec last surrendered through Joseph Glenester and Richard Letman 3 acres of arable land and "sweard ground" in Shipton. To the use of Mary Robbinson his wife to pay his debts and legacies and for no other use. Mary sought to be admitted tenant. Rent [blank], fine 6s.
[John bought this land in 1694 from Thomas Robinson, probably his brother]
He also surrendered:

To the use of Mary Robbinson his wife for her life, then to John Robbinson his son, on condition that if John dies before he is 21 it will be to the use of Robert Hale of Newton Longuevile and Geoffrey Cooke of Beechampton, on condition that they pay:

Mary and John the son sought to be admitted tenants. Rent [blank], fine 10s, John's fealty respited.

Edward Smewin out of court on 8 Jan last surrendered a toft and backyard late in the occupation of William Wyatt in Shipton. To the use of Richard North of Buckingham Butcher, who sought to be admitted tenant. Rent [blank], fine 1s.

William Townesend sr and Ann his wife out of court on 24 March last surrendered the separate pieces of arable land, meadow and pasture in the common fields of Shipton particularly mentioned in a surrender made by Dorothy Miller deceased (except a Ley in Brookway Furlong) and all Ann's other copyhold lands mentioned in the surrender (except the said half-acre). To the use of William and Ann for their lives, then to Jonathan Townesend, on condition that if he does not pay within 6 months of the death of the survivor of William and Ann:

then the surrender will be to the use of William, Ann and Ann to be divided equally between them. William, Ann and Jonathan were called and did not come. 1st proclamation made.
[Dorothy Miller (d.1688) was William's mother-in-law]

This entry is repeated with some slightly different spellings in D/211/9

William Holloway, Doctor of Laws, surrendered a messuage with outhouses, orchards and backyards in Shipton in the occupation of John Henley and Thomas Henley or their assigns, and 42½ acres of arable land, ley, meadow and grassland:

To the use of Daniel Hams, who sought to be admitted tenant. Fine waived. Procedure of common recovery: Robert Eden jr complained against Daniel on a plea of land.
[f.2v] William Holloway called to warranty Abraham Day. Robert Gibbs, minister of the court, delivered seisin to Robert Eden. All surrendered to the use of William Lowndes esq., who sought to be admitted tenant. Rent [blank], fine [blank].
[William Holloway, probably the Rector of Great Horwood, inherited this property from his mother in 1696]

Mary Tomlin widow surrendered 2 roods of arable land and grassland containing a half-acre in Lice Hill Field in Middle Knowl Furlong, the land of Thomas Henley west. To the use of John Henley and Katherine his wife for their lives, and John's heirs. They sought to be admitted tenants. Rent 1½d, fine 1s.
John Henley and Katherine his wife surrendered a ridge of arable land containing a half-acre in Lice Hill Field in Middle Knowl Furlong, the land of William Lowndes esq. west. To the use of Mary Tomlin, who sought to be admitted tenant. Rent 1½d, fine 1s.

John Keniston surrendered 2 acres of arable land in Winslowe in Old Mill Feild in Short Costwell Furlong containing 8 ridges (one is a "throughout") extending towards Beggars Bush Hedge, the land of Richard Bigg north, Mr John Townesend south. To the use of Samuel Norman of Winslowe Grocer and Martha his wife for their lives, then to Samuel's heirs. They sought to be admitted tenants. Rent 6d, fine 4s.

William Bigg surrendered a messuage now in the occupation of himself and Joseph Bigg or one of them or their assigns. To the use of Joseph Bigg and Mary his wife for their lives, then their joint heirs, or in default the heirs of the survivor. On special trust that they will allow William and his assigns during his life to remain in "the kitching" of the premisses and to use and occupy the "chamber" over it. The surrender will be void if Joseph and Mary do not provide at their own expense convenient and necessary clothing for William during his life, and competent and convenient food, drink, washing [lavatio] and lodging [hospitium] in the chamber, in the same way as he now uses it, or, at William's choice as he directs in writings under his hand, an annuity of £10 beside clothing in quarterly payments in lieu of lodging and washing, at Lady Day, St John the Baptist's Day, Michaelmas and St Thomas the Apostle. And on the further condition that Joseph and Mary or their heirs pay Mary's brothers Nathaniel and Edward Bigg £5 each within 12 months after William's death (but if either of them dies before the date of payment, such sum will not be paid). Joseph and Mary sought to be admitted tenants. Rent 4½d, fine 5s, heriot by composition 10s.
[This is a retirement agreement of the sort which was common in the 15th-16th centuries. William was buried on 16 May 1705. In 1702 William and Stephen Bigg divided the house which they shared, probably in the Market Square. William was probably the uncle of Mary, who was already a Bigg before she married Joseph.]

John Wyatt gentleman and Ann his wife surrendered a messuage in Shipton in the occupation of William Parkins and 16½ acres of arable land, meadow and pasture, late the land of William Wyatt. To the use of John and Ann for their lives, then their joint heirs, or in default Ann's heirs. Rent [blank], fine 33s.
[Ann was admitted to this land, inherited from her father, in 1697, before she was married on 24 June 1697]

Elizabeth Norman widow and Thomas Mayne and Elizabeth his wife (which Thomas was once seised of a copyhold tenement mentioned below, inwhich Elizabeth his wife if she survives him will be entitled to her dower) surrendered a cottage in Winslowe (in which Elizabeth Norman now lives) with orchards, gardens and backyards. To the use of Thomas Wilston of Little Horwood Labourer, who sought to be admitted tenant. Rent [blank], fine 5s, heriot by composition 3s 6d.

William Gyles sought admission to 2 acres of land which came into the lord's hands on the death of William Gyles sr his father presented at the court on 22 April 1702. Rent 6d, fine 4s, heriot by composition £4 10s.
He sought admission to a messuage in Winslowe which came into the lord's hands on the surrender of John Stutsbury and Elizabeth his wife presented at the court on 22 April 1702, on the condition contained in the surrender. Rent [blank], fine 5s.

Jane Miller Spinster sought admission to a messuage and 12 acres of land in Winslowe and Shipton according to a surrender of Thomas Miller her father deceased presented at the court on 29 April 1696, to hold for 6 years from 16 April 1702 according to the surrender. Rent 3s, fine 24s, heriot [blank], fealty respited.
[Jane was entitled to hold the property after her sister Martha had held it for 6 years, according to the 1696 arrangements]

3rd proclamation made for Elizabeth and Jane Kenwrick, co-heirs of Thomas Kenwrick
2nd proclamation for Richard Styrman
2nd proclamation for William Gent

End of this Court
Nicho: Merwin
Deputy steward

Court Baron, 1-2 October 1703

Centre for Bucks Studies D211/10

Manor of Winslow with members. First court with court baron of Robert Lowndes esq., 1 & 2 October 1703 2 Anne, by Nicholas Merwin gent., deputy steward.

Essoins: Joseph Ayres, Philip Goodier and Oliver Mayne with many others.

Jurors: Benjamin Dudley, William Perkins, Mathew Hobbs, William Glenester, Samuel Wilston, Benjamin Sanders
William Hunte, William Bull, John Worseley, George Dandridge, Charles Bowler, Thomas Swanhill

Default by residents [amerced 2d unless stated]:
Richard Bendbowe, John Burrall, John Crockett, Michael Ginger, William Gibbs, Joseph Rogers 4d, John Stevens, Edward Smith, Richard Topping, William Tattam

William Gyles late of Winslowe "Woollen Draper", Robert Gibbs late of the same "Yeoman", Robert Wyatt late of the same "Butcher", John Seaton sr late of the same "Butcher", John Seaton jr late of the same "Butcher", Daniel Seaton late of the same "Butcher, Hugh Burrall late of the same "Butcher", John Wyatt late of Grandborough "Butcher" and Philip Budd late of Winslow "Butcher" on 28 Sep in the 2nd year of the present Queen, being a Sunday, permitted their stalls [pergulas] to be and remain in the Market Place of Winslowe in or near the road leading to the church, to the grave damage and common nuisance of all inhabitants, against the common peace. Each amerced 10s.

Court Baron

Essoins: Richard Bigg, William Gyles, Thomas Henley, William Illing, Thomas Pitkins and George Thorpe with many others.

The Homage:
Thomas Blake gent., Robert Grainge gent., Simon Hogston, Mark Morris, Daniel Gyles, Grant Hewett, William Morecraft, John Haines
Thomas Mountague, Thomas Rutland, John Stevens at Newhouse, Joseph Coy, John Stevens of Hogshaw, Joseph Bigg, Thomas Adames, Thomas Adames [sic]
John Bowden, Robert Manwareing, William Stevens butcher, John Henley & William Townesend

Default by tenants [amerced 2d unless stated]:
Benjamin Bigg 4d, John Brown, Charles Coetts, William Gibbs "Lab", John Hazzlewood, Daniel
Hains, Joan King widow, Henry King, William Lowndes esq. 6d, Henry Miller 1d, Thomas Neale, John Plomer 4d, William Prentice, Robert Reddall, Mary
Seaton widow, Robert Seaton, John Stutsbury, Thomas Smith, John Short, John Townesend gent. 4d, Jeremy Bird 4d, John Faulkner, Robert Meade 4d
Thomas Oakly 4d, Roger Vaughan tent. 4d, Thomas Willice, John Ward 4d, Thomas Holland, Hester Mantill widow 4d, John Stevens the youngest
Ralph Stevens of Marston, John Stevens of Marston 3d, Mary Stevens spinster 2d, John Thorpe 4d & John Thorpe of London

[English] Orders made for the jury to meet and sett out all Incroachments upon his ground, on complaints of Charles Bowler, Marke Morris, Robert Stevens

[Latin] William Lowndes esq. surrendered a messuage with outhouses, orchards, backyards in Shipton in the occupation of John Henley, Thomas Henley or their assigns, and separate pieces of arable land, "ley", meadow and pasture containing 42½ acres, particularly mentioned in a surrender made by William Holloway LLD to William Lowndes bearing date 31 March last, to the use of such person and other trust mentioned in William Lowndes' will.

William Gyles and John Stutsbury and Elizabeth his wife surrendered a messuage in Winslowe in the occupation of John or his sub-tenants, with all barns, stables, malthouses, yards, orchards, gardens, buildings, structures. To the use of William Lowndes esq., who sought admission. Rent [blank], fine 5s. William Lowndes surrendered to the use of his will.
[The Stutsburys mortgaged the property to William Gyles in 1702]

This sale is mentioned in correspondence of John Verney, Viscount Fermanagh and his wife with Nicholas Merwin and William Lowndes (CBS, M11/52 images 958 and 553):
[Nicholas Merwin, Winslow, to Lady Fermanagh, 4 Oct 1703]
Madam
The money Jn Stutsbury agreed I should receive for my Lord is in the hands of Mr Wm Gyles who sayes he must pay it Stutsbury and this minute I hear All the remainder of the money for which Jn Stutsbury sold his Estate will not be sufficient to pay every body he owes to[.] Therefore If my Lord be not come I advise your Honour to send Imediately to Gyles & gett the money or Fix it in his hands If you \cann/ till my Lord comes home[.] In hast
I am Madam Your Honours most Obedient Faythfull s(e)r(van)t

[endorsed] Wm Lowndes 26 Dec(emb)er 1703
[address] For the Right Hono(ura)ble John Lord Fermanagh
My Lord
This comes to give your Lo(rdshi)p thanks for the honour of yours, and had I but \the/ least time to spare I would not fail to wait on you at Claydon. I am sorry  your Lo(rdshi)p is not paid this debt owing to you by John Stutsbury I having lately in that prospect bought his old house & given him more then any other would, but I can never think that myselfe in law honour or conscience is any way obliged to pay what he owes, having never imployed him but by Contract for Brick \&Lime/ w(hi)ch I have fully paid him for and with an Overplus ex gratia, and can make it soe appeare. I did not expect to find your Lo(rdshi)p unsatisfied, and at the sane time must assure your Lo(rdshi)p that nothing further can be done in this matter by
My Lord
Yo(u)r Lo(rdshi)ps most faithfull & most humble Serv(an)t
W Lowndes
Winslow 26 xbr 1703

Joseph Glenister of Winslowe yeoman and Elizabeth his wife surrendered 2 acres of arable land in Shipton feild:

To the use of William Gyles of Winslow Wollen Draper and Sarah his wife. Rent 6d, heriot by composition 1s 6d, fine 4s.

Richard North surrendered a close of pasture in Shipton on which a cottage in the occupation of William Wyatt lately stood. To the use of Benjamin Bigg.
[verso] Rent 4d, fine 1s, heriot an "Ash Tree".

Frances Leach infant [l. widow?] and John Bishopp surrendered a messuage in Winslowe now in the separate occupations of John Spratley, Thomas Whiteing and James Smith or their assigns, the messuage of John Spratley north-east, the common streets on the other side. To the use of John Sprateley and Jane his wife, on condition that John pays Stephen Bigg sr Postmaster during his life an annuity of £5 in half-yearly instalments beginning 25 March next, and pays £100 to such "Child or Children" of John by Jane as Jane by writing under her hand or seal whether "covert or sole" directs, or for lack of such direction to be divided equally between all John's children by Jane. Otherwise the surrender is to be to the use of Stephen Bigg. John and Jane were admitted. Rent [blank], fine [blank], heriot [blank].
[Stephen Bigg, who provided the money for the purchase, was Jane Spratley's father. Read more. The messuage seems to be the Old Forge etc. in Horn Street and Bell Walk/Alley.]

William Short and Martha his wife surrendered the messuage in which he now lives, situate near the Markett Place of Winslowe. To the use of Richard Gibbs. Plea of common recovery followed: Robert Eden complained against Richard Gibbs, who called William and Martha Short, who called Abraham Day. Robert Gibbs, minister of the court, delivered seisin to Richard Gibbs. All surrendered to the use of William and Martha Short. Rent [blank], fine 5s, heriot [blank].
[This property was entailed to William and Martha in 1702 by William's father William Short sr, who died in 1703; the procedure recorded here was to break the entail.]

Ralph Bate on 8 April last surrendered through John Amborough and Joseph Harding two messuages in Winslowe, one in the occupation of William Lovett and the other of Ralph himself, with yards, gardens, orchards, outhouses, buildings and structures. To the use of John Eden of Winslowe Baker, on condition to be void if Ralph pays him £15 with 5% interest [no date].

John Hazzlewood on 17 May last surrendered through the steward his undivided third of:

with all houses, outhouses, barns, structures, stables, backyards, etc. To the use of Richard Bigg of Winslowe gent., on condition to be void if John pays him £61 10s on 17 Nov at Richard's domicile in Winslowe. Richard was called and did not come; 1st proclamation made.

Elizabeth Kenwrick and Jane Kenwrick, daughters and coheirs of Thomas Kenwrick deceased, sought admission to a messuage which came into the lord's hands on Thomas' death presented at the court on 4 Oct 1701. Rent [blank], fine 5s, heriot "an Elme" worth 8s.
[Thomas was an apothecary in London when he died.]

William Townesend and Jonathan Townesend sought admission to all the land in Shipton particularly mentioned in a surrender by Dorothy Miller deceased (except 1 "Ley" in Brookeway furlong) which came into the lord' hands on the surrender of William Townesend and Ann his wife presented at the court on 31 March last, to hold according to the form of the surrender. Rent 2s 1½d, fine 17[?]s

End of this court
[signed] Nicho: Merwin

Copyright 30 October, 2023