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Verdon

At the time of the General Survey, Bertram de Verdon, being of French extraction, possessed Ferneham in Buckinghamshire; since most commonly known by the name of Farneham-Royal, being held by grand Serjeanty, viz. by the service of providing a Glove, upon the day of the Kings Coronation for his right hand, and to support his right arm, the same day, during the time that the Royal Scepter is in his hand.

To this Bertram succeeded Norman de Verdon, who took to Wife Lesceline, the Daughter of Geffrey de Clinton, Lord Chamberlain and Treasurer to King Henry the First, and had with her in marriage, as it seems, the Lordship of Brandon in Com. Warr, where was anciently a Castle, built, as it is probable, by the same Norman. But all that I have farther seen of him, is, that in the 5th year of Stephen, he gave one hundred shillings to the King, for Livery of those Lands in Leicestershire, which were of his own Inheritance

To him succeeded Bertram de Verdon, his Son and Heir, whose principal Seat was in Staffordshire, as it seems by that Certificate in 12th year of Henry II whereby he signifies his Knights Fees, which were at that time no more then two in number. But it is very likely, that he had his residence in Warwickshire, for the greatest part of that Kings Reign, at his Castle of Brandon; for it is evident that he was Sheriff of that County and Leicestershire, from the sixteenth of Henry the Second, until the thirtieth of that Kings Reign, inclusive.

In 24th year of Henry II this Bertram, being with the King at Marleberg, was thence sent to those Ambassadors of the King of Spain (to whom the King, in his Great Council held at London a little before, had given dispatch) with his Letters, upon sundry concerns, whereof one was the Kings safe conduct in that pilgrimage, which he had designed to S. James in Galicia, in regard that City lay within his Dominions.

In 31st year of Henry II, he had the custody of the Honor of Chester, Hugh Kevelioe, Earl of Chester, being then dead, and Ranulph his son within age, as it is like. And in 2nd year of Richard I he attended that heroick King into the Holy Land; where, being present at that Agreement, which was made betwixt him and Tancred, King of Sicily, was one of those, who undertook for the performance of what was covenanted on King Richards part. And the next ensuing year, when King Richard had taken the City of Acon (wherein the Queens of England and Sicily; as also the Daughter of the Emperor of Cyprus were then Resident) he committed it to his custody.

This Bertram sounded the Abby of Croxden in Staffordshire for Cistercian Monks, in 1176 and plentifully endowed it with Lands and Revenues; amongst which he gave thereto the Church of Alveton (commonly called Alton) where his capital seat in that County was the Castle there, and bestowed on the Monks of St. Maries Abbey at York, the Church of Bosnorth, and two Hides of Land there. Moreover, to the Hospital of St. John Baptist in Stanford in Lincolnshire, he joined with Richard de Humet, in the Grant of that part of the Meadow there, which lies Northwards of the Bridge, and confirmed to the Canons of Kenilworth, that Grant of the Church of Hethe in Oxfordshire, which Lesceline, his Mother, had made to them. And departing this life in 1192. (4 Rich. 1.) at Joppa, in the Holy Land, was buried at Acon.

This Bertram had two wives, the first Maud, daughter to Robert de Ferrers, Earl of Derby, with whom her father gave in Frank-marriage four Knights Fees: - Crakemerse and Creyton, containing one Fee and an half; Fornewarke half a Fee; Nem Hall and Stanton half a Fee; Worthington and Newbold half a Fee, and Stanton-Harold the fourth part of a Knights Fee; but by her he had no issue. His second Wife was Rohese, but whose daughter I find not; which Rohese survived him: And, in the tenth year of Richard the First, gave twenty pounds to the King, for liberty to marry again.

After the death of this Bertram, William Fitz-Richard, in the 7th year of Richard I, accounted for the profits of his lands, whilst he had the custody of them; and amongst his disbursements reckons ten pounds laid out for the maintenance of those soldiers and servants, who were in his Castle at Alveton, for the half year preceding; as also seven pounds more, for those who kept his Castle of Brandon, by the Kings appointment.

To this last mentioned Bertram succeeded Thomas de Verdon, his Son and Heir, who married Eustachia, the daughter of Gilbert Basset; and in 6th year of Richard I, gave a Fine to the King of three hundred marks, to have Livery of his fathers lands and castles; but in 1199, he died in Ireland. After which, Gerard de Camvill gave a thousand pounds to the King, for the guardianship of his widow with her lands, and liberty to dispose of her in marriage unto Richard de Camvill his son.

To which Thomas succeeded Nicholas his Brother, who i gave to the King one hundred pounds, as also a Courser and a Palfrey, for Livery of those Lands in Ireland, whereof his father died seised. And the same year came to an Agreement with the before specified Richard de Camvill, and Eustachia, then his wife, touching her Dowry out of the Lands of his brother Thomas de Verdon, her former husband. By which it was concluded, that the said Richard and she, should, inter alia, hold the Manor of Farnham in Buckinghamshire, and Hethe in Oxfordshire.

Moreover, upon the death of Roese de Verdon, his mother, he had livery of those lands in the County of Lincoln, which were of her inheritance. In the same year paid fifty seven marks to the King, upon levying the Scutage of Poictou, in regard he did not attend him thither in that expedition. But in 18. Ioh. taking part with the rest of the Rebellious Barons, his Lands were seised by special Precepts to the Sheriffs of Warwick, Leicester, Stafford, Lincoln, Bucks, and Oxon, and put into the hands of William de Cantilope, to hold during the Kings pleasure. Howbeit, upon the death of that King, which happened the same year, he submitted to his son King Henry the Third, and thereupon had Livery of them in the first year of His Reign.

Furthermore, in 2nd year of Henry III, he paid two hundred marks to the King, in satisfaction for the sum of five hundred marks, in which his Father was indebted to the Exchequer, since he executed the Office of Sheriff for the Counties of Warwick and Leicester in King Henry II's time. In this year also, he became one of the Sureties to the King, for Robert Marmion the younger: - That he should faithfully keep the Castle of Tamworth in Warwickshire and bear true alleagiance to the King. And in 5th year of Henry III, when William de Fortibus, Earl of Albemarle, broke out in Rebellion; and having fortified his Castle at Bitham, Lincolnshire, wasted the Country thereabouts, he attended the King in person, at the storming and taking of that Castle; for which service he obtained the Kings Warrant for levying Escuage upon all the Knights Fees, which were held of him. And in 11th year of Henry III, procured a Charter for Free-Warren in all his demesne lands at Brandon in Warwickshire.

In 15th year of Henry III, he received authority from the King, to take reasonable Aid of his Tenants, towards the payment of his debts. But the same year he died, leaving issue one sole Daughter his Heir, called Rohese, who in 16th year of Henry III, paid seventy marks for her relief, and Livery of the Lands of her Inheritance; as also, that she might not be compelled to marry; and, in case she should make choice of a husband, it to be with the Kings approbation. It seems she was then a widow, but a husband she had in the life time of her Father, Theobald le Butiller, (a Branch of the Noble Family of the Butillers of Ireland;) for in 9 Hen. 3. the King much desiring that she should take to Husband this Theobald; writ specially to her, to recommend him for that purpose; and likewise, unto Nicholas her Father, earnestly desiring him to persuade her thereto.

This Rohese being so great an Heir, though she matched with an Husband of a very Honorable Family, did not bear his surname, as it is generally usual for all married Women to do, but retained her own; and so did her Posterity (as I shall shew anon;) and in her Seal) represented her self in the habite of that time, with her own Paternal Arms upon her Surcoat, viz. Frettè, in her right hand holding a Shield of the like; and in the left hand, another of her Husbands Arms.

In 18 Hen. 3. she paid a Fine of ten marks to the King, to be exempted from sending Soldiers into Wales; that being the time when the King himself marched thither against Richard Marshall, Earl of Pembroke. Moreover, she founded the Abby of Grace Dieu, for Monks of the Cistertian Order, within her Lordship of Beleton, Leics. and plentifully endowed it; and departed this life in February, 1247. Whereupon John, her Son and Heir, called John de Verdon, paying a thousand and three hundred marks to the King, had livery of all those Lands, which by her death did so descend to him. She had also a younger Son called Nicholas, who had the Mannor of Clumore in Ireland, by the gift of John his Brother; but died without issue: And a Daughter called Maud, wife of John Fitz-Alan Earl of Arundell.

This John de Verdon in 42 Hen. 3. obtained the Kings Charter for Free-Warren, to himself and his Heirs, in all his Demesne Lands at Newbold, Lutterworth, Butlesby, Cotesbache, and Kestyngton, in Comit. Leicest. And in 44 Hen. 3. upon the incursions of the Welsh, being one of the Barons-Marchers; was, amongst others, commanded to keep his residence in those parts. But after this in 48 Hen. 3. the King being constrained to stoop to those unreasonable Ordinances, which were framed at Oxford, by the Rebellious Barons; and to stand to the award, which Lewes King of France, should make, betwixt him and them; he was one of those who then undertook for the King. And in 50 Hen. 3. after the Battle of Evesham, in which the Rebellious Barons were totally vanquished, Kenilworth Castle excepted, wherein some of them holding out, made divers bold excursions, and did much mischief in the Country, the King gave special Commission to this John, to raise forces in Worcestershire, to pursue those Rebels; it being about this time, that his Castle at Brandon (about six miles distant from Kenilworth) was demolished.

But those Wars being at an end, in 54 H. 3. he was signed with the Cross, together with Prince Edward, in order to a voyage to the Holy-Land; who devoting themselves to that Warfare, painted a Cross on their Shoulders, as a Badge of their profession. And in 55 H. 3. went accordingly.

This John granted to William de Ferrers, Earl of Derby, his Mansion House, garden, and court, in London, in Sholande. Which House, Rohese his Mother had by the Grant of Michael Belet, and married two Wives; First Margerie the daughter of Gilbert de Lacie, and heir to Walter de Lacie her grandfather; by which means the Castle of Webbeley, Hereford, first came to this family.

The second, Alianore Daughter of ... ( Furnival?) and departed this life on the 12 November, 1274. (2 Edw. 1.) being then seised of the moiety of the Manor of Emyas-Lacy in Hereford, and moiety of the Manor of Ludlow, Shropshire, also of the Manor of Stoke-Say, in that County; Lutterworth, Cotesbach, Butlesby, Leicestershire and Wynelesford, in Comitat. Wiltshire, leaving issue Theobald his son and heir, at that time twenty six years of age; and the before-specified Alianore his second wife surviving. Which Alianore in 4 Edw. 1. upon agreement betwixt this last mentioned Theobald, and her, had divers Lordships lying in the Counties of Warwick, and Leicester, assigned for her Dowry.

This Theobald, in 3 Edw. 1. doing his Homage, had livery of all those Lands, which descended to him both by his Father and Mother; paying an hundred pounds for his relief; and then bore the office of Constable of Ireland. And in 10 Edw. 1. having paid two hundred marks fine for livery of his Lands in that Realm, was in that expedition then made into Wales.

In 12 Edw. 1. he obtained the Kings Charter for divers Markets and Fairs, at several of his Lordships in Ireland - Lorme...e, Inchelefer, Mydowe, Adleke, and Dyneleke, in the County of Methe; as also Dunbalke, and Roche, in the County of Limerick. In 19 Edw. 1. he was arranged for Treason, and divers other misdemeanors, at Bergavenny, before the King and his Council; and upon full hearing, had judgement to be committed to Prison; as also to forfeit all his Royalties in the Lands of Emyas-Lacy. Howbeit, the King taking into consideration the good services of his Ancestors, done to himself and his Progenitors; and, because he acknowledged his Offence, and submitted himself, granted, that after his death, his Heirs should again enjoy those priviledges; and for five hundred marks Fine, freed him of his Imprisonment.

In 22 Edw. 1. upon those apprehensions of danger, which the King then had from the French, being one of the chief then summoned to attend him with his advice in that great afair; he soon after received another precept, to fit himself with Horse and Armes, and to be at Portsmouth, upon the first of September, to sail with him into France.

After which, in 25 Edw. 1. he stood so well in favor, that he received Summons, with the rest of the Earls and Barons, to attend Prince Edward (at that time the Kings Lieutenant for the Realm of Scotland) at Newcastle upon Tyne, upon St. Nicholas day, thence to march against the Scots. So likewise the next year following, to be at Carlisle, well fitted with Horse and Armes to advance again into Scotland. And in 29 Edw. 1. was one of the Barons, then sitting in the Parliament at Lincoln, who, by a public Instrument, under their Seals (sent to Boniface the eighth, then Pope) asserted the right of King Edward, as superior Lord of the whole Realm of Scotland.

Moreover, in 34 Edw. 1. he was again summoned to attend the King at Carlisle in the Quind. of the Nativity of St. John Baptist; thence to march into Scotland, against Robert de Brus, at that time assuming the title of King there. And having had Summons to Parliament, amongst the rest of the Barons, from 25 to 34 E. 1. inclusive, departed this life at his Castle of Alveton; on Sunday the Feast day of St. Bartholomew the Apostle, 1309. (3 Edw. 2.) whence his corpse was carried with great honor to the Abby of Croxden, and there interred on the fourth of the Ides of October next ensuing; leaving Theobald, at that time his Son and Heir; for John his eldest son died in Ireland, in 1297. (25 Edw. 1.) Which Theobald, in Ann. 1298. (26 Edw. 1.) came out of Ireland, and received the Honor of Knighthood the same year, upon the Feast day of the Nativity of St. John Baptist, together with Sir Philip Barington, his fellow Souldier.

Shortly after which he married Maud daughter to Edmund Lord Mortimer of Wigmore in 1302. And in 3 Edw. 2. performing his Homage, had livery of all his Fathers Lands, being at that time twenty eight years of age.

Shortly after which he received Summons to fit himself with Horse and Armes, and to be at Roxborough, in Scotland, within a month after the Feast of the Nativity of St. Iohn Baptist, to march against the Scots. And in 6 Edw. 2. was constituted Justice of Ireland, having likewise the Lieutenancy of that Realm, and the Fee of five hundred pounds per annum, then granted to him. In which year Maud his Wife departing this World at his Castle of Alveton, was honorably buried in the Abby-Church of Crorden, before the Altar of St. Benedict, upon the Feast day of St. Dennis and his fellow Martyrs; Thomas Earl of Lancaster, and many other Nobles, being present at her Funeral.

And in 8 Edw 2. being then in Ireland, received command to make all possible haste into England, with what power he could raise: deputing some trusty person in his stead for to rule there in his absence (the Scots having then invaded the North of England, and advanced almost as far as York) and to be at Newcastle upon Tine, on the Feast day of the Blessed Virgin, well fitted with Horse and Arms, to march against them.

The next year, 1315, he wedded to his second Wife, Elizabeth daughter of Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester (by Ioane of Acres Daughter to King Edward the first) Widdow of Richard de Burgh, Earl of Ulster; the marriage being solemnized at Bristol.

Theobald de Verdon was summoned to Parliament, whilst his Father lived in 28 Edw. 1. and afterwards till 9 Edw. 2. inclusive. And departing this life at his Castle of Alveton, upon Tuesday 6 Cal. Aug. 10 E. 2. was buried in the Abby of Croxden, upon the 13 of October following: Elizabeth his Widdow being then great with Child; and afterwards, delivered of a Daughter named Isabel; he being then seized of the Castle of Alveton, with its appurtenances, in Staffordshire, of the Manors of Newbold, and Lutterworth, Leics. Farnham, with the Hamlet of Sere, in Bucks, Stoke-Verdon, in Comit. Wiltshire. as also of the Castles and Manors of Webbeley, and Ewyas-Laci, Hereford.

By Maud his first Wife, he had three daughters, who were Coheirs:

His daughters were afterwards married:

Joane died in childbirth in October, 1334, aged about 30 years. She was interred the following January in the Abbey Church of Croxden, before the high Altar, between Nicholas de Verdon, son of the founder of that Abbey, and John de Verdon her Great-grandfather, by Richard Shepesheved, the then Abbot there.

On the South side before those two Altars, were interred Theobald her Grandfather, Theobald her Father, and Theobald her Son, who died an Infant. Present at her funeral were : the Abbots of Burton, Cumbermere, Delacres, Hilton, and Beauchief, with the Priors of Worksop, and Ecclesfield.

Amongst which Daughters, the Lands of this great Family, being afterwards divided; Joane, the eldest, had the Castle of Alveton, with its Members: Wotton, Stanton, Farleye, Rammesovere, Cotene, Bradeleye, Spenne, Denston, Strongshull, Shene, Wytstone, and Bedulf, all in Staffordshire, Elizabeth: - the Castle of Emyas-Lacie, with its appurtenances, in Hereford, and the Manor of Stoke upon Terne, in Com. Salop. Margery the Castle of Webbele, in Com. Heref. and the Mannor of Hethe, in Comit. Oxon. And Isabel certain Lands in Lodelowe, Shropshire, as also the Manor of Balterdeleye, in Staffs. with divers Lands in Bokenhale, and Fenton, in that County.

But Elizabeth, his second wife surviving him, had for her Dowry an assignation of the Manors of Newbold, Lutterworth, and certain Lands in Cotesbache, in Com. Leic. the Mannor of Farneham, and Hamlet of Sere, in Comitat. Buck. as also the Mannor of Braundon, with its members, and Hamlet of Bretford; and likewise forty shillings yearly Rent out of the Mannor of Fleckno, in Com. Warw. with the Mannor of Stoke-Verdon, and certain Lands in Wynelesford, in Comitat. Wilts.

It is observable, that this great Lady (who held these Lands thus in Dower) stiled herself in all those Grants , which she made in her Widowhood, Elizabeth de Burgh, Lady of Clare; retaining the surname of her first Husband, a person of higher dignity then Verdon (a custom still continued by great Ladies) and yet calling her self Domina de Clare, not willing that her paternal name should be forgot.

By the last Will and Testament of this Elizabeth, bearing date 25 Sept. 1355, she bequeathed her body to be buried in the Monastery of Nunns, called Minoresses, without Aldgate, in the Suburbs of London; and gave a Legacy of an hundred and forty pounds to pray for the Souls of Sir John de Burgh, and Sir Theobald de Verdon her former Husbands; as also for Sir Roger Damorie, her last Husband; and all her honest servants which were either dead, or should die in her service; and this to be done with all possible speed after her decease. Moreover she gave an hundred marks to five Soldiers, who would be content within seven years next after her decease, to make a journey to the Holy-Land, for the service of God, and destruction of his Enemies. And likewise farther bequeathed to those Minoresses without Algate, twenty pounds in money, with a Relique of Christal a great Chalice of Silver, gilt; and two Cruets; one Vestment of white Cloath of Gold, with what belonged thereunto, three Clasps, with a thousand Pearls; and a Robe of Russet, with its apurtenances. Furthermore, to her Daughter Elizabeth, Countess of Ulster, she gave all the debt, due from her son, Father to the said Elizabeth, at the day of his death. To her young Daughter Isabel Bardulf, a Cup of Gold; To Agnes her Sister a Cross of Silver: And to the Countess of Atholl, her Daughter, two Beds of Tanney. And afterwards, in 1360, departed this life.

In 1366 Joanna, the wife of Sir Thomas de Fournyvall, died
Theobald, Lord Verdon, among his four daughters and heiresses and their husbands, one of whom was Thomas, Lord Furnival (d.1339), who married Joan Verdon. The proceedings relate to the claims of William, Lord Furnival, son of Thomas and Joan.

Source: Author: Dugdale, William, Sir, 1605-1686. Title: The Baronage of England

Archives
1413. By John Talbot, Lord Furnival and Matilda, his wife
27 Oct 1535. By George, Earl of Shrewsbury, Lord Steward of the King's Household, to Robert, Earl of Sussex (and others, trustees). The Manors of Sheffield, Handsworth, Bradfield, Southey, Ecclesfield, Treeton, Whiston and Bolsterstone and the Advowson of Handsworth (Yorks.); in trust
George, Earl of Shrewsbury and Henry Pierpont agree to levy a Fine. 19 Oct 1571
In consideration of the proposed marriage of Edward or Henry Talbot with Elizabeth or Mary, the two daughters and heirs apparent of Pierpont
Settlement prior to the marriage. 27 Sep 1583. Of Edward Talbot, second son of George, Earl of Shrewsbury, and Jane, daughter of Lord Ogle. Shrewsbury will convey to Sir Francis Walsingham (and others - as trustees) the late Monastery, Manor and Rectory of Selby; he has already settled on Edward the Rectories of Kirkby Malhamdale and Rothwell (Yorks.) and other property, to make in all a yearly rental of 2,000 marks. In return Ogle agrees to convey to the trustees his Manors of Ogle, Bothal, and Hepple and the Forest of Earsdon (Northumberland), except for leases in a schedule (attached). Shrewsbury has paid Ogle £1,000.
Gilbert, Earl of Shrewsbury, Mary and Alathea Talbot his daughters
Settlement, prior to the marriage of William, Earl of Pembroke and Lady Mary Talbot. 20 May 1604
By which it is covenanted that Recoveries shall be suffered for the purpose of settling the estates as follows:- The Manors of Rotherham and Wadsley and the Rectory of Rotherham to the use of Lady Mary; the Manors of Kimberworth and Dinnington and certain tithes, to Lady Mary after the death of Elizabeth, Countess Dowager of Shrewsbury; the Manor of Worksop and Rectory of Harworth, etc., to Lady Mary after the death of the Earl and Countess of Shrewsbury.

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