View of frankpledge and court baron, 20 April 1726

Herts RO D/EB 664/M1

Originals in Latin unless stated (individual words are sometimes in English). Only entries concerning Winslow have been summarised here, apart from the lists of jurors and defaulters which also include Little Horwood and Granborough. This document is not the official court roll but a draft version kept among the papers of the Duncombe family. Some figures, apparently draft accounts, are written on the outside of the document, e.g. "Searches 0.6.8". Some papers are also preserved as Centre for Bucks Studies, D/BASM/84/6, including full lists of tenants and residents which have been transcribed separately.

D/BASM/84/6: Summons (in English): a Court Leet & Court Baron to be holden for the Mannor on Wednesday the twentyeth day of this Instant Aprill at the Kings Head in Winslowe by Nine of the Clock in the forenoon.

[p.1] Manor of Winslowe with members. Court of View of Frankpledge with Court Baron of Robert Lowndes esq., held there on 20 April 12 George [I] 1726 by John Markham gent, steward there.

Jurors: George Blake, Matthew Deely, Stephen Gibbs, Robert Evans
Joseph Gyles, John Coles, John Cox, John Falkner
William Smith, Stephen Gilks, Henry Pitkin & George Stevens

Summons for the Leet Jury also includes: Winslow: Francis Woodcock, Mathew Clarke, Francis Robinson, John King, William Goodman, Thomas Deely, John Morrice (pardoned)
Little Horwood: Robert White, Henry Willmore, Joseph Weston, William White (pardoned), Edward Showler
Grandborough: John Rutland (pardoned), John Bond (pardoned), Benedict Fuller

D/BASM/84/6
Constables of Winslowe: James Britaine, Robert Eden
Constables of Little Horwood: Joseph White [added: Tho: Barton sen' lo], John Hodgeskins
Constables of Grandborough: William Stevens Tyled House, William Reading
Constable of Shipton: John Henley
Tithingmen of Winslow: Joseph Brooks, Thomas Day
Tithingmen of Little Horwood: John Meade, Robert Gascoyne
Tithingmen of Grandborough: Benedict Holland shepard, Henry Emerton
Heyward of Little Horwood: Andrew Willis sworn
1 May 1724
[English] Assizors of Weights & Measures: Joseph Ayres, William Bence
Heyward of Winslow: Richard Humphreys sworn

Court Baron

Essoins: John Burrall, Joseph Bigg, Ann Wright widow, William Perkins, Nicholas Wyatt & James Woodward with many others

Jurors: Daniel Gyles, Thomas Blake, Charles Bowler jr, George Barrett, William Franklin, William Gibbs jr, William Shelton jr
John Shelton, Simon Hogson, John Henley sr, John Worsley, Benedict Holland at Elm, Thomas Mountague, Robert Stevens jr
William Stevens Tyled House, George Stevens, William Stevens Butcher, Joseph Worrall, Thomas Key, William Illing and Joseph White

Summons for the Homage also includes: Winslow: Thomas Foster, John Mayne, Thomas Key, John Spratley, William Gibbs sr, Augustine Seaton
Shipton: John Deverell, Henry Townsend, John Worsley, Francis Spooner
Grandborough: Robert Manwareing (pardoned)
Little Horwood: Edward Ditum, William Heady, John Woodward

Nicholas Tanner of St Olaves Southwark Tayler and Mildred his wife, customary tenants, out of court on 27 Oct last surrendered a cottage in Tinkers End in Winslowe now or lately in the occupation of Samuel Miller, with all backyards and yards. To the use of Henry Miller of Winslowe Lab(oure)r and Elizabeth his wife, who were called but did not come; 1st proclamation made
[This is the cottage inherited from Samuel Miller sr by his son Hugh in 1700 and his granddaughter Mildred in 1705.]

Jonathan Townesend of Winslow yeoman out of court on 26 Nov last surrendered various pieces of arable land, ley and grassland in the common fields of Shipton:

To the use of Francis Spooner of Grandborough Blacksmith and Dorothy his wife for their lives, then to Francis' heirs. Francis and Dorothy sought to be admitted. Rent [blank], fine 15s.
[The writer seems to have been making a point, as most of the land had been acquired by William Lowndes in the 1690s]

John Simpson of Dunton gent. acknowledged himself satisfied of £200 and interest mentioned in a conditional surrender of some lands in Winslowe presented at the court on 26 Oct 1722, made by Richard Bigg gent. and Elizabeth his wife.

[p.3] Hannah Merwin spinster died since the last court seised of a messuage in Winslow lately in the occupation of John Hearn deceased called The Kings Head, which was surrendered to Hannah and to one Thomas Langley (long deceased) by John Yeomans, Robert Gibbs and Richard Bigg. Nicholas Merwin gent. is her brother and heir. Heriot is due to the lord. Nicholas sought to be admitted. Rent 4d, fine 5s, heriot by composition [blank].
[This refers to 10 High Street. John Yeomans was the mortgagee in 1701]

John Morris and Alice his wife, customary tenants, surrendered 1 acre of arable land called The Picks in Demorum Feild, the land of the Viccaridge south. to the use of Benjamin Sanders and Elizabeth his wife for their lives, then to Benjamin's heirs. They sought to be admitted. Rent 3d, fine 2s.

[signed] Daniel Gyles

D/BASM/84/6
Mary wife of Pownall Short sought to be admitted to a messuage and 10 acres of land in Grandborough on the death of Ann Pitkin widow, to hold according to the will of Robert Pitkin presented at the court on 13 April 1719. Fine £1.
John Cox was admitted to a messuage and 10 acres of land in Grandborough on the surrender of Pownall Short and Mary his wife. Fine £1.

Richard Barton, John & Mary children of Richard Barton sr deceased sought to be admitted to 13 acres of land which came into the lord's hands on the surrender of Richard sr presented at the court on 20 April 1713 under the condition contained in the same. Fine £1 6s.

[English] Ordered that the Nine first of this Jury doe set out John Hendlys land in Winslow next the Rick Yard of the Lord of this Mannor in the occ' of William Gibbs.
Ordered that the same Jury sett out the Land of Thomas Keys & Dinah his wife next the land of Thomas Whiteaves upon Orill hill for this Day senight.

[p.4: Granborough and Little Horwood only]

[p.5] John Henley sr and Katherine his wife and Charles Bowler sr and Frances his wife, all of Shipton, surrendered a close of pasture called Pease Furlong Close containing 3 acres in the field of Shipton, the land of Robert Lowndes esq. north and south, William Townesend east and west. To the use of John Henley jr, son of John Henley sr, who sought to be admitted. Rent [blank], fine 6s.

Daniel Gyles and Joseph Meakes and Ann his wife surrendered a messuage with malthouse belonging to it now in the occupation of Robert Evans and William Heretage, with all outhouses, structures, yards, gardens, backyards etc. To the use of the said Daniel Gyles and Mary his wife for their lives, then to Daniel's heirs. They sought to be admitted. Rent [blank], fine 5s.

Elizabeth, Sarah and Hannah Langley, daughters and heirs of Henry Langley late of Leighton Buzzard gent. deceased sought to be admitted to the equity of redemption of a messuage and various pieces of land in Little Horwood mentioned in a surrender made by John Woodward and Sarah his wife to Henry presented at the court on 1 May 1724. And to all the premisses, on the surrender of William Benson of London gent. presented at the same court. They were admitted under the various conditions in the surrenders. Rent [blank], fine [blank], fealty respited. See below for the background to this transaction.

[p.6] 9th proclamation made for John Bayly
6th proclamation for Robert Seaton
5th proclamation for Joseph Holloway
3rd proclamation for William Heady & William Curtice
3rd proclamation for the heirs of Joseph Cox
2nd proclamation for the heirs of Thomas Watts
2nd proclamation for Elisha Clarke
2nd proclamation for John Perkins

End of this court
J.M.

View of frankpledge and court baron, 1 October 1726

[p.1] Manor of Winslowe with members. Court of View of Frankpledge with Court Baron of Robert Lowndes esq., held there on 1 Oct 13 George [I] 1726 by John Markham gent, steward there.

Jurors: Francis Woodcock, William Goodman, John Gibbs, William Deblois
William Marlowe, Thomas Tatham, Peter Stutchbury, Henry Willmer
John Gascoyne, William Capp, John Henley, Nicholas Wyatt

Officers elected:
Constables of Winslowe: John Norman and John Bull in place of James Britain and Robert Eden
Constable of Grandborough: Thomas Mountague in place of Henry Emerton

Court Baron

Essoins: Moses Burnham, Stephen Bigg, Richard Gibbs, Mary Turnham, William Elliott, John Bowden, Joan Bowden widow, Robert Grainge esq. & James Woodward with many others

Jurors: Thomas Blake, John Mayne, Robert Shelton, Benjamin Sanders, Henry Stuchbury, Robert Gibbs jr, Francis Spooner
John Henley jr, William Elliott, William Perkins, George Tharpe, Benj: [sic] Holland at Pound, William Mountague, Thomas Rutland sr
Robert Stevens sr, John Stevens Newhouse, Thomas Curtice sr, Robert Gascoyne, John Hodgskinns, George Illing and William Scott

Sarah Gyles widow died since the last court seised of various lands and tenements. Due to the lord for heriot: [blank]. Sarah before she died, out of court on 10 May last, surrendered through Samuel Norman and John Longbridge all her copyhold holdings to the uses which would be mentioned in her last will and testament. It was found that Sarah duly made her will in writing bearing date 2 Oct 1724, whose tenor follows:

[p.2] [recites will]. Jane Langley sought to be admitted to the messuage as devised in the will. Rent [blank], fine 5s.

John Stevens died since the last court seised of a cottage and a half-acre of land in Winslowe. Due to the lord for heriot: [blank]. John before he died, out of court on 28 Sep last, surrendered through Humphrey Redding and Robert Eden all his copyhold holdings to the uses which would be appointed in his last will and testament. It was found that John made his will in writing bearing date the same 28 Sep, whose tenor follows:

I Give Will Devise & Bequeath unto my brother Thomas Stevens during the Terme of his naturall Life for his own use the Roome or Chamber wherein I now D Lye belonging to the Messuage or Tenement which I purchased of Samuel Wilstone and Also Liberty of Ingress Egress and regresse Way and passage to and from the same through my yard and the Door way and Stair Case that leads to the said Chamber \and opens into my Yard and also the use of one of my flock bedds which are now in the Chamber/ Over the Hall and the Bedstead and other the furniture belonging to that Bedd for the terme of his naturall life and my Will is that after his death the said Roome and Goods shall goe to William Stevens my Sonn and I Doe Give & Bequeath the same to him accordingly Item I Give Will Devise and Bequeath unto the said William Stevens my Sonn and his Heires forever All that my Messuage or Tenement wherein I now dwell which I purchased of Samuel Wilston and the Outhouses Backsides and Appurtenances thereto belonging (Except that part thereof which I have herein before bequeathed unto Thomas Stevens my Brother) Item I Give Will Devise and Bequeath unto Robert Stevens my \Son/ and his Heires forever my Butt of Land in Winslowe Field Lyeing in Town furlong which I purchased of Mr Richard Bigg and the Appertenances thereunto belonging and also all the Buildings which are now on the acre of Ground which I purchased of Robert Eden now called the Kilne acre

[p.3] Thomas Stevens [his brother] and William Stevens [his son] sought to be admitted to the messuage as devised in the will. Rent [blank], fine 5s.
Robert Stevens [his son] sought to be admitted to a butt of land in Winslowe as devised in the will. Rent [blank], fine 1s.
[John Stevens was buried on 9 Oct 1726. He bought the land from Richard Bigg in 1725. Robert Stevens had a brickyard near Hollow Furrow by 1731.]

Joseph Turner of Winslowe Chirurgeon out of court on 30 May last surrendered his reversion (expectant on the death of Elizabeth Markham widow, who was wife of John Markham late of Little Horwood Yeoman) of the messuage and "homestall" in Little Horwood then in the tenure of the said Elizabeth and of Joseph Weston. And of 3 closes belonging to it called the Home Closes, containing 6 acres, now in the occupation of Joseph Weston.
[p.4] And of 20 acres of land in Little Horwood in the occupation of Joseph Weston [details given in English].
[p.5] To the use of Elisha [Elizeus] Clarke of Adstock Yeoman, on condition that it will be void if Joseph pays him £102 10s on 30 Nov following the date of the surrender, according to the condition of an obligation bearing the same date as the surrender for the penal sum of £200. Elisha was called and did not come; 1st proclamation made.

William Townesend of Mile End in the parish of Stepney Cordwainer out of court on 3 June last surrendered his equity of redemption and claim in a messuage in Shipton, and to 44½ acres of land in the common fields of Shipton in the occupation of William Perkins or his subtenants. To the use of Francis Woodcock of Winslowe Grocer, on condition that it will be void if William pays him £150 on 3 Dec following. Francis was called and did not come; 1st proclamation made.

Henry Eeles and Sarah his wife, customary tenants, out of court on 11 Oct last surrendered an undivided half of a messuage in Winslowe and the "malthouse", yard, garden, backyard etc. in the occupation of Henry Stutchbury and Joseph Gyles. To the use of the said Henry Stutchbury, on condition that it will be void if Henry Eeles and Sarah pay him £82 on 11 April following. Henry Stutchbury sought to be admitted.
[p.6] Rent [blank], fine 2s 6d.
[Henry and Sarah Eeles seem to have lived at Quainton]
The said Henry Stutchbury and Deborah his wife surrendered the whole messuage [as above]. To the use of William Butcher of Middle Claydon Carpenter, on condition that it will be void if they pay him £82 on 21 April following without any deduction. William was called and did not come; 1st proclamation made.

John Perkins sought to be admitted to half a messuage and to 6½ acres of land in Winslowe and Shipton, which came into the lord's hands on the death of Elizabeth his mother (wife of William Perkins) presented at the court on 18 Oct 1725. Rent [blank], fine 13s.

[p.7] Elizabeth Footman widow surrendered a messuage in which she now lives, with yard, barns, etc. To her own use for her life, then to the use of Henry Prentice and Elizabeth his wife for their lives, then to Elizabeth Prentice's heirs. They all sought to be admitted. Rent [blank], fine 5s, heriot [blank].

[signed] Tho Blake

[p.8] Henry Miller and Elizabeth his wife sought to be admitted to a cottage in Tinkers End in Winslowe, lately in the occupation of Samuel Miller, with all backyards and yards, which came into the lord's hands on the surrender of Nicholas Tanner and Mildred his wife presented at the last court. Rent [blank], fine 5s.

Robert Seaton and Elizabeth his wife sought to be admitted to all messuages, lands and tenements in Winslowe lately held by John Seaton carrier deceased, and surrendered by him to the use of his will, which came into the lord's hands on the surrender of the said Robert Seaton, George Blake and John West made at the court on 25 Oct 1723. Seisin granted to them for their lives, then to Robert's heirs. Rent [blank], fine 16s.
[Robert and Elizabeth lived in Peterborough]
They also sought to be admitted to a messuage in Winslowe lately in the occupation of James Young with the Garden Plott belonging to it and 8 acres of arable land, meadow and grassland in the fields of Winslowe, lately the holdings of John Seaton Carrier deceased, which came into the lord's hands on the surrender of Simon Hogson, John Wright and Richard Wiseman made at the court on 1 May 1724. Seisin granted to Robert for his life, then to Elizabeth for her life, then to Robert's heirs. Rent [blank],
[p.9] fine [blank].

10th proclamation made for John Bailey.
6th proclamation for Joseph Holloway
4th proclamation for William Heady
4th proclamation for Joseph Cox
3rd proclamation for the heirs of Thomas Watts
3rd proclamation for Elisha Clarke
2nd proclamation for Henry Willmor
2nd proclamation for Benjamin Woodhouse
1st proclamation for Grace Aldridge and Jane Langley

End of this court
J.M.


National Archives, C11/2172/25

The document is summarised below (only the bill of complaint has survived, not the answer if there was one). Jane Langley (later Worrall, then Harding) was a member of the Gyles family.

18 Nov 1725
Complainants: Jane Langley of Winslow widow administratrix of Henry Langley her late husband deceased & Elizabeth, Sarah & Hannah Langley who are the daughters of Henry by Jane and under 21.
John Woodward of Lt Horwood yeoman on 1 April 1717 was seized of a copyhold estate: the messuage in Lt Horwood wherein he then dwelt, a close of pasture adjoining, and land in Lt Horwood:

On 26 April 1717 at a court for the manor he surrendered all to Abiel Benson, citizen and weaver of London, to be void on payment of £102 10s on 27 Oct next.

John Woodward did not pay, and his estate became forfeited and vested in Abiel Benson who was admitted tenant 12 Oct 1720.  He and Woodward then requested Henry Langley to advance the money.  He furnished Benson with £150.  On 15 Feb  1723 Benson surrendered to the use of Langley who was admitted tenant.

At Woodward’s request Langley advanced further sums to him upon the security of the copyhold premises, amounting in all to £200.

On 20 Sep 1724 Langley died intestate without having received any repayment.  Jane his widow has often applied to Woodward for payment of principal and interest.

Woodward, confederating with Robert Lowndes the lord of the manor, sometimes denies the debt to Langley, or pretends he had only an equity of redemption in the premisses when they were surrendered to Langley, and Jane must pay off prior mortgages, but refuses to discover what these are.  Or he insists that if Jane and daughters get possession, they “shall be but in nature of his Bayliffs and accountable to him upon Oath for the rents and profits of the said premisses when he thinks fit and that he will redeem the same att his pleasure”.
Mr Lowndes refuses to admit the infants as tenants.

Jane Langley must have won her case, as the daughters were admitted tenants at the manor court in April 1726.

Copyright 13 November, 2018