From the Patent Rolls, at Iowa University, Henry 3 vol 4 p 155 (36
Henry III), 27 October 1252 : Ratification of marriages contracted
between John firstborn son of Nicholas de Meriet and Maud daughter of
Richard de Langeford, and between Roger son of the said Richard and
Margaret daughter of the said Nicholas.
Also, from the Patent Rolls, at Iowa University, Henry 3 vol 4 p 501
(40 Henry III), 20 September 1256: Grant to Edward the king's son, in
pursuance of the king's grant to him of wardships to a certain amount,
of the wardship of the lands late of Nicholas de Meriet, tenant in
chief, with the marriage of the heirs. Mandate to the sheriff of
Somerset and the escheator of that county to give the bailiffs of the
said Edward seisin thereof.
From BW Greensfield's Book "Genealogy of the Somersetshire Family of
Meriet", at BYU, page 9: Nicholas de Meriet died about the year 1258,
as Elizabeth his widow, in that year, for a fine of one mark, obtained
a writ of 'Pone ad bancum,' with reference to her dower, dated 29 March
[Fines Roll, 42 H. III. m. 9].
Also, from BW Greensfield's Book "Genealogy of the Somersetshire Family
of Meriet", at BYU, pages 10 and 11: John de Meriet, son and heir of
Nicholas de Meriet, was under age at the time of his father's death,
and his guardianship was committed to Prince Edward, the King's eldest
son, who granted the same to Anketin de Martivall and Agnes his wife.
The King received this John de Meriet's homage on learning by the Inq.
p. m. of 47 H. III. No. 7, that he had come to full age on St. Kenelm's
day in that year (17 July, 1263); and, on 15 November, 1263, ordered
the said Anketin and Agnes his wife, to cause full livery of seisin of
of all the lands of his inheritance to be made to him accordingly.
[Fines Roll, 48 H. III., m. 6.] His birth therefore took place on, or
about, 17th July, 1242.
Also, from BW Greensfield's Book "Genealogy of the Somersetshire Family
of Meriet", at BYU, page 10: Matilda, wife of John de Meriet :-In 1268,
John de Meriet brought an action against Walter de Vernun and others,
for unlawful and forcible seizure of his goods at Meriet to the value
of 40 marks, and for the abduction and detention of Matilda, his wife.
[Placita coram Rege, 52 H. III., rot. 10, Devon: Dodsw. MSS. 42, fols.
50 and 93.]
Also, from BW Greensfield's Book "Genealogy of the Somersetshire Family
of Meriet", at BYU, page 19: Ela, second wife and widow of John de
Meriet (who died in 1285), was mother of his son and next heir, John de
Meriet [The late Rev. T. Hugo's "Hestercombe": see Proceedings of the
Society in 1872, vol. xviii. pp. 142-6]. Shortly after her husband's
death an Assignment of Dower was made to her, as shewn above.
Questions:
1. Are Maud de Langeford and Matilda the same person, or did John de
Meriet have 3 wives?
2. BW Greenfield says Nicholas de Meriet died about the year 1258, but
the Patent Rolls refer to "the wardship of the lands late of Nicholas
de Meriet" on 20 September 1256. Presumably he died before 20 September
1256?
3. Why does the patent roll say "with the marriage of the heirs"? Were
all Nicholas's children included as heirs? Were all Nicholas's children
married by 20 September 1256?
Thanks
Steve