Hi All:
I enclose two interesting documents (1) (2) which may be of some
interest. I thank Doug Thompson for his assistance in helping me
translate these documents. I also enclose two further documents (3)(4)
The John de Breouse mentioned in both these documents is the son and
heir of John de Breouse the elder and Margaret Trehampton. John de
Breouse the elder held the manors of Lee, Gay Burton, Scothom and Misyn,
and Herlaston, Lincoln; Boyton, Wiltshire; Wauton, and other lands in
Surrey. [CIPM 10:189-193, CC 1354-1360:362, CIPM 10:318-320, CP
1334-1338:562]. Mary, countess of Norfolk and Marshall of England was
granted the wardship of the lands of the late John de Breouse the elder
in Wilts, Surrey, Sussex in 1347. Mary was the brother of this late
John de Breouse. John de Breouse the younger was declared an idiot in
1357. According to an enquiry into the sanity of John de Brewes in 1369
he had married Joan sister of Edmund de Cornubia. CIPM 12:255
From the second document (1) it appears John de Breouse the younger
married Annora, daughter of Sir Thomas de Sandford, in 13th January- 2nd
February 1345. The exact date of Margaret's birth is not given, only
that it is after the marriage. However, the third document (3) says she
is 30 in 1383. So presumably she was born around 1353.
The question arises who is the Joan le Breeus whose seal is on the first
document (1). Apparently she is the wife of John de Breouse the younger?
In this regard she says in the deed "my manor of Boyton". This is
strange as the manor was the inheritance of John de Breouse, the
younger. It should be noted that the arms on the seal of the first
document (1) are the De Braose arms surrounded by the Sandford arms,
suggesting Joan is a daughter of a Sandford. If this is the case, the
question arises whether Annora [FIRST DOCUMENT} and Joan [SECOND
DOCUMENT] were one and the same person.
It has been suggested in some earlier references that the Joan de
Breouse mentioned in the first document (1) was Joan wife of Peter de
Brewes of Wiston, presumably because of her Sandford ancestory. Though
this seems incorrect as "my manor of Boyton" was never one of the
possessions of Peter de Brewes or his wife Joan.
Any comments or suggestions would be gratefully appreciated
Regards
Paul
FIRST DOCUMENT
Deed confirming the transfer of the manor of Boyton- shortly after 6
November 1348
Sachent toutes gentz @ ore sount et @ a venir sount @ John filez et heir
mons John de Breouse ay done g[ra]unte et p[ar] ceste ma p[re]sentt
charter conferme a Marie Comitessa de Norfolk et Mareshal Anglie et a
ses heirs a tous jo[ur]s mon manoir de Boyton en la comite de Wyltes’
ove les appurtenauntz ensemblement ove fees revercyonus + avowysonis
des eglises @ avoir et tener lavaunt dit manoir ove les appurtenauntz a
les avaunt ditz Marie et ses heirs a tous jo[ur]s de chief seignour de
fee p[ar] les servyz dewes + customes Et I[d]eo lavaunt dit John filtz
+ heir Mons. John Breouse + mes heirs lavaunt dir manoir ove
appurtenauntz a lavaunt dite Marie + ses heirs a tous jo[ur]s
ensemblement ove fees revercionus + avowesones des eglises countre
tenets gentz garaunterems acquiterount + defenderonis a tous jours En
tesmoignanice de quele chose a ceste ma p[re]sent charter ay mys mon
seal p[ar] …illegible….tesmoignes Mons John Sruys Mons John de Lacy
Aleyn de Wij Wyk Thome de Hanley Thomas de la Rynacre Robert Russel
Richard de Hampton + autres Gen a Boyton …..illegible….…. vendredy
…..illegible….ap[re]s la fest de seynt Leonard lan du regne le rey
Edward tiers ap[re]s le conquest vynt + seccounde + de ffraunce Neoffisme
Seal: central heater-shaped shield with crusily, lion rampant between
three circular shields with three bars wavy surrounded by a border of
semee of crosses. The legend of the seal says “Sigill::Johanne:: Le
Breeus”.
British Library HARL Charter 83 D 44
Translation
Know all people now present and to come, by this my present charter I
confirm John son and heir of Mons. John de Breouse has given, and
granted to Mary Countess of Norfolk and Marschal of England and her
heirs for ever my manor of Boyton in the county of Wiltshire with
appurtenances together with fees, reversions and advowsons of the church
&c to have and possess for ever the aforesaid manor with the
appurtenances in chief from our king in fee by due service and custom.
And hence the aforesaid John son and heir of Mons. John Breouse and his
heirs guarantees acquits and defends the aforesaid Marie and her heirs
of the aforesaid manor with appurtenances together with fees reversions
and advowsons of churches against all people in the county. In
testimony of these things to this my present charter I place my seal.
By …illegible...Witnesses Mons. John Sruys, Mons. John de Lacy, Aleyn de
Wij Wyk, Thomas de Hanley, Thomas de Rynacre, Robert Russel, Richard de
Hampton and others at Boyton dated Friday…illegible....after the feast
of St. Leonard in the twenty second year of the reign of King Edward the
third after the conquest and the ninth of France.
Seal: central heater-shaped shield with crusily, lion rampant between
three circular shields with three bars wavy surrounded by a border of
semeee of crosses. The legend of the seal says “Sigill::Johanne:: Le
Breeus”.
British Library HARL Charter 83 D 44
SECOND DOCUMENT
SUMMARY Margaret, Lady of Lee, wife of Sir Peter Nuthill and daughter of
John de Breous and Annora his wife, daughter of Sir Thomas de Sandford –
testimony of witnesses that Margaret was the lawful daughter of John de
Breous and Annora his wife. Dated 11 Jan 1383
Univ[er]is s[an]ct[ae] matris eccli[sia]e filiis ad q[uo]d p[rae]sentes
l[itte]re p[er]venerint Reginaldus Haynton Decanus [Christ]ianitatis
Lincoln[iensis] salutem d[omin]o sempit[er]nam noverit univ[er]sitas
v[est]ra q[uo]d die Quinta proximo post epiphane d[o]m[ino] anno eiusdem
mill[esim]o ccc lxxxij nobilis mulier d[omi]na margareta uxor Peter de
Nuthyll d[omi]na de Lee comp[ar][uer]int p[er]sonalit[er] in
eccli[sia]e cath[edralis] be[ate] Marie Lincoln[iensis] coram
Re[gi]naldus + discretis viris + d[o]m[inu]s mag[ist]ris Joh[nn]e de
Belnero subdecan[u]s eccli[sia]e Lincoln[iensis] Thome de Sutton Petro
de Dalton + Joh[nn]e Warsoppe canonicis eccli[sia]e an[te]dicte domino
Will[elm]o de Belysby milite Will[elm]o Karnetby Will[elm]o Bisset +
Alys pluribus persone tunc ib[ide]m que quid[e]m d[omi]na Margareta sit
comparens proposi[tu]nt + allega[ver]unt q[uo]d ip[s]a Margareta fuit
filia natural[i] + legitima Joh[nn]is de Breuos quondut d[omi]ni de Lee
ex legitimo matrimonio int[er] ip[s]iu[s] Joh[n]em + Ann[or]am filiam
d[omi]ni Thome de Saumford, militis uxorem eiusd[e]m Joh[nn]is
cont[rac]to + in facie eccli[sia]e solempulsato notorie p[ro]creata +
p[er] vitaem facti … illegible ... d[omin]a Margareta … illegible …
testes proedigious et bone fama etatis sexaguita anno[rum] + amplius ut
dicebant videl[ice]t Will[el]m Paytenyn de Harmeston Lincoln[iensis]
dioc[esis] + Henricuis Bothomefall de Elbesley Ebor[um] dioc[esis], qui
quid[e]m testes tactis sacros[anc]tis evangely[i]s jurati[s] vicate quam
nom[i]n[a]t in hac p[roba]to dicenda, in a[n]i[m]as suas dicerunt
Jur[atum] presentes erant viderint + audiuerut[ur] q[uo]da[m] dicta
Joh[nn]es + Ann[or]a h[u]i[us] matrimoniu[m] in facie eccli[sia]e ad
nuncem comp[ar]erunt interrogati in qui loci + qua eccli[s]ia h[u]i[us]
mat[ri]moniu[m] erat solempnisatu[m] dixerunt p[er] sacramentu[m] sui[s]
q[uo]d[a]m villa de WestDrayton in comitat[us] Notyngh[a]m dix[er]unt +
q[uo]d quidam capellanus # vocatus d[omi]n[u]s Will[elm]o de
Lincoln[iensis] solempnisanit ib[ide]m in eccli[s]ia h[u]i[us]
matrimoniu[m] int[er] eos It[e]m int[er]rogati quo tempore et quo anno
h[u]i[us] matrimonio[m] erat int[er] eos un[i]t[io]nni +
sole[m]pnisatu[m], dic[er]u[n]t p[ar] q[uo]dam die Lune int[er] festu[m]
S[anc]ti Hillarii + f[estu]m Purificati[o]n[i]s Be[ate] Marie V[ir]ginis
p[er] iiij annos an[te] magnam pestilentiam It[e]m Dixerunt a[li]c[u]i
testes p[er] post solempnisatuem[us] hiu[is] mat[ri]monis ut
p[re]fert[ur] p[re]fati[s] Joh[nn]es de Breuce + Ann[or]a … illegible …
vir[is] + uxor dui simil cohabitabant + p[er] talib[us] pu[blico]
fuerunt habiti + reputati / It[e]m dix[er]unt dicti testes p[er] …
illegible … + durante hui[us] mat[ri]monie p[re]fati[s] Joh[nn]es de
Breuce impregnanit dictam Ann[or]am uxorem suam It[e]m dix[er]unt dicti
testes q[uo]d post h[u]i[us] mat[ri]m[oni]o cont[ra]ctu[m] dicta
Ann[or]a p[er] prefatus Joh[nm]em maritu[s] sui[s] ut p[ro]nu[n]ciet[ur]
imp[re]gnata durante eod[e]m matrimonio pep[er]it p[re]fatam d[omi]nam
Margaretam ap[u]d Risby// et ib[ide]m fu[er]at ip[s]a d[omi]na Margareta
baptizata ip[s]am p[er] sic[ut] baptizatam vid[er]it quid[e]m Joh[nn]es
Calshaw de Risby No[r]wic[h] dioc[esis] t[er]tius testes similit[er]
coram eisd[e]m m[agiste]ratus + examinatus et q[uo]d presens ibidem fuit
per tunc ut dixerit It[e]m dixerunt prefatum testes omes[] + singuli[]
q[uo]d post nativitatum die domine margarete ut prefertur dicti
Joh[nn]es de Breuos + Ann[or]a uxor sua ip[s]am Margaretam tamq[ua]m
filia[m] eo[rum] naturalem + legiti[m]am agnoscebant + eid[e]m filie sua
neccessaria in instrabant? / dix[er]unt ec[cles]iam dicti testes q[uo]d
ip[s]a d[omi]n[i]a Margareta p[e]r filia naturali + legit[m]ia dicte
Joh[nn]is de Breuce + Ann[or]e uxoris sua fuit pu[blico] habita +
reputata. It[e]m dix[er]unt dicti testes om[n]es et sing[u]li q[uo]d
sup[er] p[ro]nu[cia]ss omni[bus] + sing[u]les simil[ibus] laborabat +
laborat pu[blica] vox + fama It[e]m dix[er]unt p[er] pronu[cia]ssa
o[mn]ia + sing[u]la de qui[bus] ip[s]i testes sup[er]ius deposuerunt
sunt v[er]a[m] subp[er]ic[u]lo a[n]i[m]a[rum] sua[rum] p[er] non fuerunt
il sicut …illegible … conducti ad test[imon]ium p[re]hibend[um]
ju[ratorum] quo[rum] om[n]i[um] + sing[u]lo[rum] test[imon]ium ha[bit]as
l[ite]ras patentes ego Decanus [Christi]anau[ita]tus ad spe[ci]alem
requisicio[n]em dicte d[omi]ne Margarete sigilli offici dicti
Decanati[bus] appensione una cu[is] notari[us] signo infrasc[ri]pti[m] +
fecit pu[blice] comuniri?…Dat die + loco superdict.
SIGN R. HALTON
Et Ego Rob[er]tus de Halton iux[ta] Burton Stather cl[er]icus
Lincoln[iensis] dioc[esis] public[um] sacra auc[torita]te
ap[osto]lica Notar[um] p[re]fatus proposit[u]m allegat[u]m test[imoniu]m
p[ro]duct[u]m juramenti p[re]staci[o]n[e] / examinac[i]on[em] + eo[rum]
deposit[e]m dum sic ut p[re]mittit[ur] ag[er]ent + fierent sub anno
d[omi]ni sup[ra]dicto indictione sexta mens[is] Januar[ius] die undecima
pontificat[us] s[anc]tissimi in [Christ]o patris + d[omi]ni n[ost]ra
d[omi]ni Urbani divina p[ro]videntia p[a]pe sexti anno quinto in
eccli[sia]e cath[edralis] Lincoln[iensis] una omn[es] redendis viris
marga[rete] Johanne de Kole … illegible … hugonis de midaforth
pluri[bus] q[ue] aliis Lincoln[iensis] dioc[esis] testib[us] ad
p[re]missa vocat[us] p[re]sens int[er]fui[t] eaq[ue] sic[ut] fier[i]
vidi + audivi …illegible… q[ue] me hic subscrip[si] meis que signo +
no[min]ia solite + consuet[o] una omn[es] appens[um] sigilli Decani
[Christ]ianitatis Lincoln[iensis] sup[ra]d[ic]to signavi rogat[us] +
requisitus in fidem + test[imon]ium p[re]misso[rum]. Et cons[ue]t[o]
michi Notar[us] sup[ra]d[ic]to de hiis dictuib[us] ^ p[re]sentib[us] +
dixerunt mat[ri]moniu[m] + ^ sup[er]i[us] fact[a] + int[er]linealit[us]
sc[ri]pt[is] quas app[ro]b[aci]o ego Notar[us] auted[ic]tus. RSSS.
No Seal apparent
Translation
To all the children of the holy mother church to whom the present
letters may come Reginald Haynton dean of Christianity of Lincoln
eternal greetings in the Lord. You are all to know that on or about the
fifth day following after the Epiphany of the year of the same Lord 1382
the noble woman lady Margaret, wife of Peter de Nuthill, lady of Lee
appeared in person in the cathedral of the blessed Mary Lincoln before
Reginald and discreet men and lords and masters John de Belnero, subdean
of the church of Lincoln, Thomas de Sutton, Peter de Dalton and John
Warsoppe canons of the before said church, lord William de Belysby,
knight, William Karnetby, William Bisset and many other persons then in
that place where the lady Margaret did appear prosecute and allege that
herself Margaret was the natural and legitimate daughter of John de
Breuos former lord of Lee out of the lawful marriage between John
himself and Annora, daughter of lord Thomas de Saumford knight, wife of
same John, contracted and solemnly notarised in the sight of the church
made and procreated… … … ..illegible……in the presence of witnesses
wealthy and of good fame aged sixty years and more as they said namely
Lord William Paytenyn de Harmeston of the diocese of Lincoln and Henry
Bothomefall of Elbesley of the diocese of York, these same witnesses
before the sacred gospels and the jurors of the benefice who are named
in this said certificate of evidence, have said on their souls to the
Jurors that were present they have seen and heard that said John and
Annora of this marriage have appeared in sight of an envoy of the church
and questioned in which place and church this marriage was solemnised,
and they have said through oath the village of West Drayton in
Nottingham and that a certain chaplain called Lord William of Lincoln
solemnised in that church this marriage between them. Likewise [they
were]* questioned what time and year this marriage was united and
solemnised between them, and they said during a certain Monday between
the festival of St. Hillary and the festival of the Purification and
Beautification of the Virgin Mary four years before the year of the
great pestilence. Likewise some of the witnesses have said after the
solemnisation of this marriage as has been mentioned previously the
aforesaid John de Breous and Annora…illegible. ..the two likewise
dwelled together as man and wife and they have been considered as such
in public. Likewise the witnesses have said…illegible….and during this
marriage the aforesaid John de Breous impregnated the said Annora his
wife. Likewise the said witnesses have said that after this marriage
was contracted said Annora through her husband the aforesaid John
pronounced her pregnancy and during the same marriage begat the
aforesaid lady Margaret at Risby. And in that place the lady Margaret
had been baptised, which baptism was seen by John Calshaw of Risby of
the diocese of Norwich one of the three witnesses at that time before
the same magistrate and on being questioned he said that he was present
in that place during then. Likewise the aforesaid witnesses all and
singularly said that after the day of the birth of the lady Margaret as
has been mentioned previously the said John and Annora his wife
recognised Margaret as their natural and legitimate daughter and ….the
said witnesses …..said that the lady Margaret was considered in public
as the natural and legitimate daughter of said John de Breous and Annora
his wife. Likewise the said witnesses all and singularly said that the
above had been announced similarly to all and singularly and became
public news and talk. Likewise they said by announcement all and
singularly that they the above mentioned witnesses have deposed
truthfully under the peril of their souls…illegible…I dean of
Christianity at the special request of said lady Margaret affix the seal
of the office of the dean and notarise with the sign below written and
make this public to the community. Given the aforesaid place and day.
SIGN OF R. HALTON – A figure in the shape of an eight pointed star on a
triangular shaped pedestral with the name R. Halton printed inside the
pedestral.
And I, Robert de Halton near Burton Stather clerk of the diocese of
Lincoln, the public notary, by sacred apostolic authority, of the
aforesaid prosecution allegation and testimony, took the oath of the
witnesses brought forth, set in motion and performed the examinations
and their depositions as is noted above during the aforesaid year of the
lord in the sixth indiction, in the fifth year of the pontificate of the
most holy father and lord in Christ, our lord Pope Urban the sixth, by
divine providence, on the eleventh day of the month of January, in the
cathedral church of Lincoln, referring one and all to the men of
Margaret, John de Kole, … illegible ..., Hugh de Midaforth whom with
many others of the Lincoln diocese having been summoned to witness the
things mentioned before, together with whom I saw and heard these
things, and I have subscribed myself here and signed my name as is usual
and accustomed, and I have attached the seal of the dean of Christianity
of Lincoln, and the aforesaid sign as asked and requested to do so by
one and all, in faith and witness of the foregoing. And as is
accustomed to me as notary, these aforesaid statements were written in
my presence ….., which I as notary have sanctioned.
No seal present
*This is not part of the original transcript, but was added for
clarity’s sake.
WYAS, BRADFORD Ref SPST/11/4/6/1
THIRD DOCUMENT - ABSTRACT ONLY.
15 Feb 1383
Letters Patent of Henry Bishop of Norwich. Certifying that an
Inquisition had been summoned in a cause between Peter Nuthill and
Margaret his wife (daughter of John Brewes and Anne his wife), and
George Brewes; about Margaret's inheritance; the jurors swore that
Margaret, born 30 years earlier was legitimate. Seal: part of green
wax, large vesica shaped or diamond, on tongue; enthroned figure above
the virgin and child, below a kneeling Bishop, 2 shields. Endorsed: 130.
Reference: SpSt/11/4/6/3, West Yorkshire Archive Service, Bradford:
Spencer-Stanhope Manuscripts [SpSt/7 - SpSt/15] (http://www.a2a.org.uk)
FOURTH DOCUMENT - ABSTRACT ONLY
1384
Another deed for the manors of Lea and Gate Burton of 1383 relates to an
agreement for an arbitration between Peter Nothill and Margaret his wife
on the one hand and George Brewes on the other, the latter presumably a
connection of the Braose who married Margaret the heiress of the
Trehamptons (Oxoniensis, The History of Lea; 1902). By 27 July 1384 a
group of feoffees of George Brewes was making over the manors to Walter
Cokesey to be held for the life of George Brewes, with remainder to the
heirs of the body of George Brewes and in default to Walter Cokesey and
Isabel his wife and the heirs of their bodies (And. 1/3/2/3-4)
p 28-29 The Lincolnshire Archives Committee
Archivers Report 8, 22 March 1956 - 23 March 1957
http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/archives ... EPORT8.pdf
accessed 23/06/2005
Margaret Nuthill nee Breous
Moderator: MOD_nyhetsgrupper
-
Paul Mackenzie
Re: Margaret Nuthill nee Breous (revision)
Paul Mackenzie wrote:
Following discussions with Doug Thompson, I have made the following
corrections to document (1) and its translation. I inadvertently omitted
"ieo" on the first line. The document now makes sense in that it is in
the name of John de Breouse. But it should be noted the wrong seal is
attached. The legend of the seal says Joan de Breouse and displays the
de Breouse arms surrounded by Sandford arms. Why the wrong seal is
attached is not known.
It is possible that this is the seal of Joan, wife of Peter de Brewes,
and daughter of Nicholas Percy. Nicholas Percy took the Sandford arms
upon his marriage to Joan one of heiresses of Alda Sandford.
It is also possible that Annora [ wife of John de Breouse the younger,
and dau of Sir Thomas Sandford] and the Joan le Breuus indicated on the
seal are one and the same person, though it must be said there is no
evidence to suggest this.
There is no real conclusive answer, but the document (1) now makes
sense. It's just the wrong seal.
Regards
Paul
Sachent toutes gentz q[ue] ore sount et q[ue] a venir sount q[ue] ieo
John filez et heir mons John de Breouse ay done g[ra]unte et p[ar] ceste
ma p[re]sentt charter conferme a Marie Comitessa de Norfolk et Mareshal
Anglie et a ses heirs a tous jo[ur]s mon manoir de Boyton en la comite
de Wyltes’ ove les appurtenauntz ensemblement ove fees revercyonus +
avowysonis des eglises q[ue] avoir et tener lavaunt dit manoir ove les
appurtenauntz a les avaunt ditz Marie et ses heirs a tous jo[ur]s de
chief seignour de fee p[ar] les servyz dewes + customes. Et ieo lavaunt
dit John filtz + heir Mons. John Breouse + mes heirs lavaunt dir manoir
ove appurtenauntz a lavaunt dite Marie + ses heirs a tous jo[ur]s
ensemblement ove fees revercionus + avowesones des eglises countre
tenets gentz garaunterems acquiterount + defenderonis a tous jours En
tesmoignanice de quele chose a ceste ma p[re]sent charter ay mys mon
seal p[ar] …illegible….tesmoignes Mons John Sruys Mons John de Lacy
Aleyn de Wij Wyk Thome de Hanley Thomas de la Rynacre Robert Russel
Richard de Hampton + autres Gen a Boyton …..illegible….…. vendredy
…..illegible….ap[re]s la fest de seynt Leonard lan du regne le rey
Edward tiers ap[re]s le conquest vynt + seccounde + de ffraunce Neoffisme
Seal: central heater-shaped shield with crusily, lion rampant between
three circular shields with three bars wavy surrounded by a border of
semee of crosses. The legend of the seal says “Sigill::Johanne:: Le
Breeus”.
British Library HARL Charter 83 D 44
Translation
Know all people now present and to come, by this my present charter, I
John, son and heir of sir John de Breuse have given granted and by this
my present charter confirmed to Mary Countess of Norfolk and Marshal of
England and to her heirs for all time my manor of Boyton in the county
of Wiltshire with appurtenances together with fees, reversions and
advowsons of the church &c to have and possess for ever the aforesaid
manor with the appurtenances in chief from our king in fee by due
service and custom. And I, the aforesaid John son and heir of Mons.
John Breouse and his heirs, guarantee acquit and defend the aforesaid
Marie and her heirs of the aforesaid manor with appurtenances together
with fees reversions and advowsons of churches against all people in the
county. In testimony of these things to this my present charter I have
affixed my seal. By …illegible...Witnesses Mons. John Sruys, Mons.
John de Lacy, Aleyn de Wij Wyk, Thomas de Hanley, Thomas de Rynacre,
Robert Russel, Richard de Hampton and others at Boyton dated
Friday…illegible....after the feast of St. Leonard in the twenty second
year of the reign of King Edward the third after the conquest and the
ninth of France.
Seal: central heater-shaped shield with crusily, lion rampant between
three circular shields with three bars wavy surrounded by a border of
semeee of crosses. The legend of the seal says “Sigill::Johanne:: Le
Breeus”.
British Library HARL Charter 83 D 44
Hi All:
I enclose two interesting documents (1) (2) which may be of some
interest. I thank Doug Thompson for his assistance in helping me
translate these documents. I also enclose two further documents (3)(4)
The John de Breouse mentioned in both these documents is the son and
heir of John de Breouse the elder and Margaret Trehampton. John de
Breouse the elder held the manors of Lee, Gay Burton, Scothom and Misyn,
and Herlaston, Lincoln; Boyton, Wiltshire; Wauton, and other lands in
Surrey. [CIPM 10:189-193, CC 1354-1360:362, CIPM 10:318-320, CP
1334-1338:562]. Mary, countess of Norfolk and Marshall of England was
granted the wardship of the lands of the late John de Breouse the elder
in Wilts, Surrey, Sussex in 1347. Mary was the brother of this late
John de Breouse. John de Breouse the younger was declared an idiot in
1357. According to an enquiry into the sanity of John de Brewes in 1369
he had married Joan sister of Edmund de Cornubia. CIPM 12:255
From the second document (1) it appears John de Breouse the younger
married Annora, daughter of Sir Thomas de Sandford, in 13th January- 2nd
February 1345. The exact date of Margaret's birth is not given, only
that it is after the marriage. However, the third document (3) says she
is 30 in 1383. So presumably she was born around 1353.
The question arises who is the Joan le Breeus whose seal is on the first
document (1). Apparently she is the wife of John de Breouse the younger?
In this regard she says in the deed "my manor of Boyton". This is
strange as the manor was the inheritance of John de Breouse, the
younger.
Following discussions with Doug Thompson, I have made the following
corrections to document (1) and its translation. I inadvertently omitted
"ieo" on the first line. The document now makes sense in that it is in
the name of John de Breouse. But it should be noted the wrong seal is
attached. The legend of the seal says Joan de Breouse and displays the
de Breouse arms surrounded by Sandford arms. Why the wrong seal is
attached is not known.
It is possible that this is the seal of Joan, wife of Peter de Brewes,
and daughter of Nicholas Percy. Nicholas Percy took the Sandford arms
upon his marriage to Joan one of heiresses of Alda Sandford.
It is also possible that Annora [ wife of John de Breouse the younger,
and dau of Sir Thomas Sandford] and the Joan le Breuus indicated on the
seal are one and the same person, though it must be said there is no
evidence to suggest this.
There is no real conclusive answer, but the document (1) now makes
sense. It's just the wrong seal.
Regards
Paul
FIRST DOCUMENT
Deed confirming the transfer of the manor of Boyton- shortly after 6
November 1348
Sachent toutes gentz q[ue] ore sount et q[ue] a venir sount q[ue] ieo
John filez et heir mons John de Breouse ay done g[ra]unte et p[ar] ceste
ma p[re]sentt charter conferme a Marie Comitessa de Norfolk et Mareshal
Anglie et a ses heirs a tous jo[ur]s mon manoir de Boyton en la comite
de Wyltes’ ove les appurtenauntz ensemblement ove fees revercyonus +
avowysonis des eglises q[ue] avoir et tener lavaunt dit manoir ove les
appurtenauntz a les avaunt ditz Marie et ses heirs a tous jo[ur]s de
chief seignour de fee p[ar] les servyz dewes + customes. Et ieo lavaunt
dit John filtz + heir Mons. John Breouse + mes heirs lavaunt dir manoir
ove appurtenauntz a lavaunt dite Marie + ses heirs a tous jo[ur]s
ensemblement ove fees revercionus + avowesones des eglises countre
tenets gentz garaunterems acquiterount + defenderonis a tous jours En
tesmoignanice de quele chose a ceste ma p[re]sent charter ay mys mon
seal p[ar] …illegible….tesmoignes Mons John Sruys Mons John de Lacy
Aleyn de Wij Wyk Thome de Hanley Thomas de la Rynacre Robert Russel
Richard de Hampton + autres Gen a Boyton …..illegible….…. vendredy
…..illegible….ap[re]s la fest de seynt Leonard lan du regne le rey
Edward tiers ap[re]s le conquest vynt + seccounde + de ffraunce Neoffisme
Seal: central heater-shaped shield with crusily, lion rampant between
three circular shields with three bars wavy surrounded by a border of
semee of crosses. The legend of the seal says “Sigill::Johanne:: Le
Breeus”.
British Library HARL Charter 83 D 44
Translation
Know all people now present and to come, by this my present charter, I
John, son and heir of sir John de Breuse have given granted and by this
my present charter confirmed to Mary Countess of Norfolk and Marshal of
England and to her heirs for all time my manor of Boyton in the county
of Wiltshire with appurtenances together with fees, reversions and
advowsons of the church &c to have and possess for ever the aforesaid
manor with the appurtenances in chief from our king in fee by due
service and custom. And I, the aforesaid John son and heir of Mons.
John Breouse and his heirs, guarantee acquit and defend the aforesaid
Marie and her heirs of the aforesaid manor with appurtenances together
with fees reversions and advowsons of churches against all people in the
county. In testimony of these things to this my present charter I have
affixed my seal. By …illegible...Witnesses Mons. John Sruys, Mons.
John de Lacy, Aleyn de Wij Wyk, Thomas de Hanley, Thomas de Rynacre,
Robert Russel, Richard de Hampton and others at Boyton dated
Friday…illegible....after the feast of St. Leonard in the twenty second
year of the reign of King Edward the third after the conquest and the
ninth of France.
Seal: central heater-shaped shield with crusily, lion rampant between
three circular shields with three bars wavy surrounded by a border of
semeee of crosses. The legend of the seal says “Sigill::Johanne:: Le
Breeus”.
British Library HARL Charter 83 D 44
SECOND DOCUMENT
SUMMARY Margaret, Lady of Lee, wife of Sir Peter Nuthill and daughter of
John de Breous and Annora his wife, daughter of Sir Thomas de Sandford –
testimony of witnesses that Margaret was the lawful daughter of John de
Breous and Annora his wife. Dated 11 Jan 1383
Univ[er]is s[an]ct[ae] matris eccli[sia]e filiis ad q[uo]d p[rae]sentes
l[itte]re p[er]venerint Reginaldus Haynton Decanus [Christ]ianitatis
Lincoln[iensis] salutem d[omin]o sempit[er]nam noverit univ[er]sitas
v[est]ra q[uo]d die Quinta proximo post epiphane d[o]m[ino] anno eiusdem
mill[esim]o ccc lxxxij nobilis mulier d[omi]na margareta uxor Peter de
Nuthyll d[omi]na de Lee comp[ar][uer]int p[er]sonalit[er] in
eccli[sia]e cath[edralis] be[ate] Marie Lincoln[iensis] coram
Re[gi]naldus + discretis viris + d[o]m[inu]s mag[ist]ris Joh[nn]e de
Belnero subdecan[u]s eccli[sia]e Lincoln[iensis] Thome de Sutton Petro
de Dalton + Joh[nn]e Warsoppe canonicis eccli[sia]e an[te]dicte domino
Will[elm]o de Belysby milite Will[elm]o Karnetby Will[elm]o Bisset +
Alys pluribus persone tunc ib[ide]m que quid[e]m d[omi]na Margareta sit
comparens proposi[tu]nt + allega[ver]unt q[uo]d ip[s]a Margareta fuit
filia natural[i] + legitima Joh[nn]is de Breuos quondut d[omi]ni de Lee
ex legitimo matrimonio int[er] ip[s]iu[s] Joh[n]em + Ann[or]am filiam
d[omi]ni Thome de Saumford, militis uxorem eiusd[e]m Joh[nn]is
cont[rac]to + in facie eccli[sia]e solempulsato notorie p[ro]creata +
p[er] vitaem facti … illegible ... d[omin]a Margareta … illegible …
testes proedigious et bone fama etatis sexaguita anno[rum] + amplius ut
dicebant videl[ice]t Will[el]m Paytenyn de Harmeston Lincoln[iensis]
dioc[esis] + Henricuis Bothomefall de Elbesley Ebor[um] dioc[esis], qui
quid[e]m testes tactis sacros[anc]tis evangely[i]s jurati[s] vicate quam
nom[i]n[a]t in hac p[roba]to dicenda, in a[n]i[m]as suas dicerunt
Jur[atum] presentes erant viderint + audiuerut[ur] q[uo]da[m] dicta
Joh[nn]es + Ann[or]a h[u]i[us] matrimoniu[m] in facie eccli[sia]e ad
nuncem comp[ar]erunt interrogati in qui loci + qua eccli[s]ia h[u]i[us]
mat[ri]moniu[m] erat solempnisatu[m] dixerunt p[er] sacramentu[m] sui[s]
q[uo]d[a]m villa de WestDrayton in comitat[us] Notyngh[a]m dix[er]unt +
q[uo]d quidam capellanus # vocatus d[omi]n[u]s Will[elm]o de
Lincoln[iensis] solempnisanit ib[ide]m in eccli[s]ia h[u]i[us]
matrimoniu[m] int[er] eos It[e]m int[er]rogati quo tempore et quo anno
h[u]i[us] matrimonio[m] erat int[er] eos un[i]t[io]nni +
sole[m]pnisatu[m], dic[er]u[n]t p[ar] q[uo]dam die Lune int[er] festu[m]
S[anc]ti Hillarii + f[estu]m Purificati[o]n[i]s Be[ate] Marie V[ir]ginis
p[er] iiij annos an[te] magnam pestilentiam It[e]m Dixerunt a[li]c[u]i
testes p[er] post solempnisatuem[us] hiu[is] mat[ri]monis ut
p[re]fert[ur] p[re]fati[s] Joh[nn]es de Breuce + Ann[or]a … illegible …
vir[is] + uxor dui simil cohabitabant + p[er] talib[us] pu[blico]
fuerunt habiti + reputati / It[e]m dix[er]unt dicti testes p[er] …
illegible … + durante hui[us] mat[ri]monie p[re]fati[s] Joh[nn]es de
Breuce impregnanit dictam Ann[or]am uxorem suam It[e]m dix[er]unt dicti
testes q[uo]d post h[u]i[us] mat[ri]m[oni]o cont[ra]ctu[m] dicta
Ann[or]a p[er] prefatus Joh[nm]em maritu[s] sui[s] ut p[ro]nu[n]ciet[ur]
imp[re]gnata durante eod[e]m matrimonio pep[er]it p[re]fatam d[omi]nam
Margaretam ap[u]d Risby// et ib[ide]m fu[er]at ip[s]a d[omi]na Margareta
baptizata ip[s]am p[er] sic[ut] baptizatam vid[er]it quid[e]m Joh[nn]es
Calshaw de Risby No[r]wic[h] dioc[esis] t[er]tius testes similit[er]
coram eisd[e]m m[agiste]ratus + examinatus et q[uo]d presens ibidem fuit
per tunc ut dixerit It[e]m dixerunt prefatum testes omes[] + singuli[]
q[uo]d post nativitatum die domine margarete ut prefertur dicti
Joh[nn]es de Breuos + Ann[or]a uxor sua ip[s]am Margaretam tamq[ua]m
filia[m] eo[rum] naturalem + legiti[m]am agnoscebant + eid[e]m filie sua
neccessaria in instrabant? / dix[er]unt ec[cles]iam dicti testes q[uo]d
ip[s]a d[omi]n[i]a Margareta p[e]r filia naturali + legit[m]ia dicte
Joh[nn]is de Breuce + Ann[or]e uxoris sua fuit pu[blico] habita +
reputata. It[e]m dix[er]unt dicti testes om[n]es et sing[u]li q[uo]d
sup[er] p[ro]nu[cia]ss omni[bus] + sing[u]les simil[ibus] laborabat +
laborat pu[blica] vox + fama It[e]m dix[er]unt p[er] pronu[cia]ssa
o[mn]ia + sing[u]la de qui[bus] ip[s]i testes sup[er]ius deposuerunt
sunt v[er]a[m] subp[er]ic[u]lo a[n]i[m]a[rum] sua[rum] p[er] non fuerunt
il sicut …illegible … conducti ad test[imon]ium p[re]hibend[um]
ju[ratorum] quo[rum] om[n]i[um] + sing[u]lo[rum] test[imon]ium ha[bit]as
l[ite]ras patentes ego Decanus [Christi]anau[ita]tus ad spe[ci]alem
requisicio[n]em dicte d[omi]ne Margarete sigilli offici dicti
Decanati[bus] appensione una cu[is] notari[us] signo infrasc[ri]pti[m] +
fecit pu[blice] comuniri?…Dat die + loco superdict.
SIGN R. HALTON
Et Ego Rob[er]tus de Halton iux[ta] Burton Stather cl[er]icus
Lincoln[iensis] dioc[esis] public[um] sacra auc[torita]te ap[osto]lica
Notar[um] p[re]fatus proposit[u]m allegat[u]m test[imoniu]m
p[ro]duct[u]m juramenti p[re]staci[o]n[e] / examinac[i]on[em] + eo[rum]
deposit[e]m dum sic ut p[re]mittit[ur] ag[er]ent + fierent sub anno
d[omi]ni sup[ra]dicto indictione sexta mens[is] Januar[ius] die undecima
pontificat[us] s[anc]tissimi in [Christ]o patris + d[omi]ni n[ost]ra
d[omi]ni Urbani divina p[ro]videntia p[a]pe sexti anno quinto in
eccli[sia]e cath[edralis] Lincoln[iensis] una omn[es] redendis viris
marga[rete] Johanne de Kole … illegible … hugonis de midaforth
pluri[bus] q[ue] aliis Lincoln[iensis] dioc[esis] testib[us] ad
p[re]missa vocat[us] p[re]sens int[er]fui[t] eaq[ue] sic[ut] fier[i]
vidi + audivi …illegible… q[ue] me hic subscrip[si] meis que signo +
no[min]ia solite + consuet[o] una omn[es] appens[um] sigilli Decani
[Christ]ianitatis Lincoln[iensis] sup[ra]d[ic]to signavi rogat[us] +
requisitus in fidem + test[imon]ium p[re]misso[rum]. Et cons[ue]t[o]
michi Notar[us] sup[ra]d[ic]to de hiis dictuib[us] ^ p[re]sentib[us] +
dixerunt mat[ri]moniu[m] + ^ sup[er]i[us] fact[a] + int[er]linealit[us]
sc[ri]pt[is] quas app[ro]b[aci]o ego Notar[us] auted[ic]tus. RSSS.
No Seal apparent
Translation
To all the children of the holy mother church to whom the present
letters may come Reginald Haynton dean of Christianity of Lincoln
eternal greetings in the Lord. You are all to know that on or about the
fifth day following after the Epiphany of the year of the same Lord 1382
the noble woman lady Margaret, wife of Peter de Nuthill, lady of Lee
appeared in person in the cathedral of the blessed Mary Lincoln before
Reginald and discreet men and lords and masters John de Belnero, subdean
of the church of Lincoln, Thomas de Sutton, Peter de Dalton and John
Warsoppe canons of the before said church, lord William de Belysby,
knight, William Karnetby, William Bisset and many other persons then in
that place where the lady Margaret did appear prosecute and allege that
herself Margaret was the natural and legitimate daughter of John de
Breuos former lord of Lee out of the lawful marriage between John
himself and Annora, daughter of lord Thomas de Saumford knight, wife of
same John, contracted and solemnly notarised in the sight of the church
made and procreated… … … ..illegible……in the presence of witnesses
wealthy and of good fame aged sixty years and more as they said namely
Lord William Paytenyn de Harmeston of the diocese of Lincoln and Henry
Bothomefall of Elbesley of the diocese of York, these same witnesses
before the sacred gospels and the jurors of the benefice who are named
in this said certificate of evidence, have said on their souls to the
Jurors that were present they have seen and heard that said John and
Annora of this marriage have appeared in sight of an envoy of the church
and questioned in which place and church this marriage was solemnised,
and they have said through oath the village of West Drayton in
Nottingham and that a certain chaplain called Lord William of Lincoln
solemnised in that church this marriage between them. Likewise [they
were]* questioned what time and year this marriage was united and
solemnised between them, and they said during a certain Monday between
the festival of St. Hillary and the festival of the Purification and
Beautification of the Virgin Mary four years before the year of the
great pestilence. Likewise some of the witnesses have said after the
solemnisation of this marriage as has been mentioned previously the
aforesaid John de Breous and Annora…illegible. ..the two likewise
dwelled together as man and wife and they have been considered as such
in public. Likewise the witnesses have said…illegible….and during this
marriage the aforesaid John de Breous impregnated the said Annora his
wife. Likewise the said witnesses have said that after this marriage
was contracted said Annora through her husband the aforesaid John
pronounced her pregnancy and during the same marriage begat the
aforesaid lady Margaret at Risby. And in that place the lady Margaret
had been baptised, which baptism was seen by John Calshaw of Risby of
the diocese of Norwich one of the three witnesses at that time before
the same magistrate and on being questioned he said that he was present
in that place during then. Likewise the aforesaid witnesses all and
singularly said that after the day of the birth of the lady Margaret as
has been mentioned previously the said John and Annora his wife
recognised Margaret as their natural and legitimate daughter and ….the
said witnesses …..said that the lady Margaret was considered in public
as the natural and legitimate daughter of said John de Breous and Annora
his wife. Likewise the said witnesses all and singularly said that the
above had been announced similarly to all and singularly and became
public news and talk. Likewise they said by announcement all and
singularly that they the above mentioned witnesses have deposed
truthfully under the peril of their souls…illegible…I dean of
Christianity at the special request of said lady Margaret affix the seal
of the office of the dean and notarise with the sign below written and
make this public to the community. Given the aforesaid place and day.
SIGN OF R. HALTON – A figure in the shape of an eight pointed star on a
triangular shaped pedestral with the name R. Halton printed inside the
pedestral.
And I, Robert de Halton near Burton Stather clerk of the diocese of
Lincoln, the public notary, by sacred apostolic authority, of the
aforesaid prosecution allegation and testimony, took the oath of the
witnesses brought forth, set in motion and performed the examinations
and their depositions as is noted above during the aforesaid year of the
lord in the sixth indiction, in the fifth year of the pontificate of the
most holy father and lord in Christ, our lord Pope Urban the sixth, by
divine providence, on the eleventh day of the month of January, in the
cathedral church of Lincoln, referring one and all to the men of
Margaret, John de Kole, … illegible ..., Hugh de Midaforth whom with
many others of the Lincoln diocese having been summoned to witness the
things mentioned before, together with whom I saw and heard these
things, and I have subscribed myself here and signed my name as is usual
and accustomed, and I have attached the seal of the dean of Christianity
of Lincoln, and the aforesaid sign as asked and requested to do so by
one and all, in faith and witness of the foregoing. And as is
accustomed to me as notary, these aforesaid statements were written in
my presence ….., which I as notary have sanctioned.
No seal present
*This is not part of the original transcript, but was added for
clarity’s sake.
WYAS, BRADFORD Ref SPST/11/4/6/1
THIRD DOCUMENT - ABSTRACT ONLY.
15 Feb 1383
Letters Patent of Henry Bishop of Norwich. Certifying that an
Inquisition had been summoned in a cause between Peter Nuthill and
Margaret his wife (daughter of John Brewes and Anne his wife), and
George Brewes; about Margaret's inheritance; the jurors swore that
Margaret, born 30 years earlier was legitimate. Seal: part of green
wax, large vesica shaped or diamond, on tongue; enthroned figure above
the virgin and child, below a kneeling Bishop, 2 shields. Endorsed: 130.
Reference: SpSt/11/4/6/3, West Yorkshire Archive Service, Bradford:
Spencer-Stanhope Manuscripts [SpSt/7 - SpSt/15] (http://www.a2a.org.uk)
FOURTH DOCUMENT - ABSTRACT ONLY
1384
Another deed for the manors of Lea and Gate Burton of 1383 relates to an
agreement for an arbitration between Peter Nothill and Margaret his wife
on the one hand and George Brewes on the other, the latter presumably a
connection of the Braose who married Margaret the heiress of the
Trehamptons (Oxoniensis, The History of Lea; 1902). By 27 July 1384 a
group of feoffees of George Brewes was making over the manors to Walter
Cokesey to be held for the life of George Brewes, with remainder to the
heirs of the body of George Brewes and in default to Walter Cokesey and
Isabel his wife and the heirs of their bodies (And. 1/3/2/3-4)
p 28-29 The Lincolnshire Archives Committee
Archivers Report 8, 22 March 1956 - 23 March 1957
http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/archives ... EPORT8.pdf
accessed 23/06/2005
-
Tim Powys-Lybbe
Re: Margaret Nuthill nee Breous (revision)
In message of 16 Aug, Paul Mackenzie <paul.mackenzie@ozemail.com.au> wrote:
The probable answer is that it was the only seal that was available.
In 1954 there was a very curious law case in the Court of Chivalry that
was principally about misuse of another's seal. As part of the defence
evidence was provided that there were occasional documents that had the
wrong seal on them, see pp. 45-7 of the "Verbatim Report of the Case in
the High Court of Chivalry" which quotes "Some Feudal Lords Seals" by
Forster (in the de Walden Library); usually they had sealed with another
seal of their family but clearly not their own seal.
--
Tim Powys-Lybbe tim@powys.org
For a miscellany of bygones: http://powys.org/
Following discussions with Doug Thompson, I have made the following
corrections to document (1) and its translation. I inadvertently omitted
"ieo" on the first line. The document now makes sense in that it is in
the name of John de Breouse. But it should be noted the wrong seal is
attached. The legend of the seal says Joan de Breouse and displays the
de Breouse arms surrounded by Sandford arms. Why the wrong seal is
attached is not known.
The probable answer is that it was the only seal that was available.
In 1954 there was a very curious law case in the Court of Chivalry that
was principally about misuse of another's seal. As part of the defence
evidence was provided that there were occasional documents that had the
wrong seal on them, see pp. 45-7 of the "Verbatim Report of the Case in
the High Court of Chivalry" which quotes "Some Feudal Lords Seals" by
Forster (in the de Walden Library); usually they had sealed with another
seal of their family but clearly not their own seal.
--
Tim Powys-Lybbe tim@powys.org
For a miscellany of bygones: http://powys.org/