Catalogue description FITZWILLIAM (MILTON) CHARTERS

This record is held by Northamptonshire Archives Service

Details of F(M) Charter
Reference: F(M) Charter
Title: FITZWILLIAM (MILTON) CHARTERS
Description:

Please be aware that the following is an adaption of I.M. Jeayes introduction to the printed catalogue of 1930. Furthermore, we have now established F(M) Charter as the definitive reference for this collection which in the past has been refered to as F(M) Deed and simply F(M).

 

The family of Fitzwilliam dates back to pre-conquest times, as is set forth in many genealogical tables bearing the authority of Herald's College; and was in the 13th century settled at Elmley and Sprotbrough in the West Riding.

 

The particular member of the family who, early in the 16th century settled at Milton was William Fitzwilliam, stated in the above mentioned pedigrees to be a son of John, (sixth son of Sir John Fitzwilliam who died in 1417) by Ellen Villiers of Brokesby. It is, however, worthy of mention that in not one of the numerous deeds which concern this William Fitzwilliam is the name of his father given. He was, as we know, before coming into Northamptonshire, a citizen and Merchant Taylor of London, and an Alderman of Bread Street Ward. He was Sheriff in 1506 and knighted. We know also that he had a country house at Gaynes Park in Theydon Gernon, Essex.

 

But though Sir William from 1520 made Milton his principal residence, Gaynes Park was not given up for a hundred years at least, and F(M) Charter 1709-1745 show various transactions of the family there between 1508 and 1602, the last document (F(M) Charter 1745) being a Writ to the Sheriff, etc. of Essex to enquire into an alleged forcible entry by "John Fitzwilliam, esq. of London" with "certain evildoers armed and "arrayed for war" into the park of "William Fitzwilliam esq" at Theydon Gernon and seizure of his goods, etc. In this year 1602, Anne, Lady Fitzwilliam (who founded the Fitzwilliam Almshouses at Theydon) died, and the two events may have some connection.

 

William Fitzwilliam the merchant purchased the Milton and Marholm estates from Robert Wyttilbury, esquire, (whose family had held them since 1381) for 1200 marks [£800] by deed dated 1 Aug. 1502 (F(M) Charter 1424), but he let them on lease at a nominal rent to the said Robert and Ann his wife for term of their lives. Robert died in 1506, his wife surviving him. In these deeds William Fitzwilliam is described as "of Milton" first in 1522.

 

The details of the acquisition of Milton and Marholm will be found below in the Introduction under "Milton", as well as in the deed itself (F(M) Charter 1424).

 

From this time Sir William began to acquire various properties in the neighbourhood of Milton, and the dates of these acquisitions have been noted below, where ascertainable, under each place.

 

Owing to the nature and variety of the collection here catalogued, and to the later discovery of early and important documents, the arrangement of the catalogue may, at first sight, appear complicated. It may be well, therefore, to clarify here what the order is (see also compiler's note and overview) and also to explain that though the Catalogue professes to contain descriptions of deeds down to the end of the Tudors (1603), some later ones have been included for their obvious importance.

 

Therefore this sub-fonds of the Fitzwilliam of Milton collection consists of:

 

(1) Charters arranged (a) under counties alphabetically (except that Northamptonshire, the principal county, is placed first) - (b) separate places in alphabetical order under each county - (c) each set of deeds in chronological order: followed (d) by about 200 documents headed "Mixed Estates" and "Personal and Miscellaneous", which could not very well be placed locally; F(M) Charter 1-2204.

 

(2) Appendix I: Charters, Rolls, Swans, Swanmarks, etc; F(M) Charter 2205-2565.

 

(3) Appendix II: Court rolls, surveys, etc (see not prior to catalogue entries); F(M) Charter 2566-2630

 

The bulk of the post-Tudor deeds, which are for the most part expired leases, mortgages, and such like documents containing matter of comparatively little interest, have been more summarily treated. A catalogue of these deeds is available at the N.R.O. Additionally, the sub-fonds Fitzwilliam of Milton: Rolls, Estate and Family (F(M) roll) is listed separately but available on-line.

 

In the brief descriptions of the Northamptonshire properties below, I have added the various spellings found in the deeds of each place.

 

CASTOR; - [Caster, Castre, Castria, Kaster.]

 

AILSWORTH.- [Elisworth, Ellesworth, Elysworth, Eylesworth, Eyliswert, Eyliswrth, Eylisworth.]

 

The parish of Castor originally included the hamlets of Ailsworth, Milton, Upton, and Sutton, and consequently many of these Castor deeds refer also to those hamlets. In this main collection under the head of Castor are 637 deeds dating from about 1200, and, in addition, appendix I contains 32 more F(M) Charter 2206-2237)

 

There are points of interest in the first two:- F(M) Charter 1 is a deed of sale by three sisters, Adelicia, Botilda, and Eva, of a messuage of their father's whose name is not mentioned; and is fortified by the names of 22 witnesses, the first being Torold de Castria, [lord of the manor]. F(M) Charter 2 is a deed of sale by three other sisters, Dianisia, Sevia, and Agnes, of a messuage of their father's, name not mentioned - to which are appended the names of over a dozen witnesses, the first six of whom are women. This is quite unusual. As regards F(M) Charter 2. the Eva de Glintona and Botilda "uxor fabri" [wife of the smith] may be identical with the Botilda and Eva of F(M) Charter 1. In both deeds the sale is made "concessu domini fundi" [by grant or permission of the lord of the soil] a somewhat unusual expression.

 

In Castor and Ailsworth there are nearly 200 names of pieces of land, woods, etc., many with the suffixes of "furlong", "sike", "mor", "grene", "gate", etc. the names of which may be found in the printed index.

 

Among them is a mention of "Miltunkirke Gate" F(M) Charter 11, 55, 56, 194.). One might infer from this that in early days there was a church at Milton, but as there is no evidence of this it is presumed that the expression must mean "The gate or entrance from Castor church leading to Milton".

 

In this connection it may be noted that F(M) Charter 2308 is a covenant by Sir W. Fitzwilliam for payment of an annuity to a family servant with a proviso that the annuity is to be paid at "the porche or doore which standeth on the south side of the parish church of Milton". This, on the same hypothesis, may be Castor or Marham church.

 

There is no reference in these deeds to a nunnery said to have been founded in Castor by Kyneburga, daughter of Peada, King of Mercia, in the 7th century. She and her sister were buried in Castor Church which is dedicated to St.Kyneburga, but their relics were transferred to Peterborough Abbey and placed in a shrine there in the 11th century.

 

The first mention of Fitzwilliam, under Castor, is in a deed of purchase by William Fitzwilliam, esq., of Theydon Gernon, Essex, of lands late R.Priour's in the year 1515 for £27, (F(M) Charter 603). In the same year he also purchased from Thomas Emson the manors called Butler's and Torald's in Castor for £320, the yearly value being estimated at £16 (F(M) Charter 2209). In 1561 there was a lawsuit between Robert Wingfield and Lady Anne Fitzwilliam concerning rights of common in Upton and Ailsworth

 

(F(M) Charter 2216 & 2217) renewed in 1575 by William Fitzwilliam

 

(F(M) Charter 2222-2226)

 

ETTON, GLINTON, PEAKIRK, WOODCROFT.

 

ETTON. - [Eton, Etton, Etun]

 

GLINTON. - [Clynton, Glintona, Glynton]

 

PEAKIRK. - [Pekirk, Pekyrke, Peychirche, Peykirk, Peykyrk]

 

WOODCROFT. - [Wdecroft, Wodecroft, Woodecroft]

 

Irrespective of the unspecified land in Etton included in the purchase deed of the manors of Marholm and Milton (F(M) Charter 1424) in 1502, it appears from this set of deeds that William Fitzwilliam, described as Merchant of the Staple of Calais, purchased in 1514 from Richard Pulter, of Northborough, the manor of Etton with the advowson (still in the hands of the present owner of Milton) for about £470 (F(M) Charter 699).

 

In addition, the same Sir William in 1532 purchased from N. Fermour, citizen and grocer of London, a moiety of the manor of Woodcroft (F(M) Charter 725) who had acquired it from the Brudenells a few years before (F(M) Charter 713, etc.).

 

In the last year of his life (1534) Sir William apparently bought the other moiety from Francis Pulter for £230 (F(M) Charter 728). It is possible that this last transaction was not completed before Sir William died, as the following deed (F(M) Charter 729) records the sale of "a moiety" of the manor by the same Francis to William, son and heir of the late Sir William Fitzwilliam for £280. This was in May 1535.

 

There is also an additional covenant for the sale by R.Trappes, citizen and goldsmith of London to William Fitzwilliam, of a moiety of the same manor for £240 (F(M) Charter 2244 of 2245).

 

In a lease dated 6 Oct.1570, the mansion house of Woodcroft is referred to as having been purchased of the late King Edw.VI (F(M) Charter 748).

 

FOTHERINGHAY. - [Fodringhay, Fodringhey, Fodrynghay]

 

In the deeds relating to Fotheringhay there is nothing earlier than 1519, and the first five of them record the surrender and admission of copyhold tenants, the Courts being described as those of Queen Katharine [of Aragon] on whom the manor was settled; Queen Anne Boleyn; and (one) of the King, Henry VIII (F(M) Charter 767-771). Seven others are leases, in 1578 and 1588, by William Fitzwilliam of Dostrop, esq. who at this time was Governor of the Castle (F(M) Charter 772-778).

 

By the last deed (F(M) Charter 779) it appears that William Fitzwilliam as executor of T. Hurland, a late tenant, had paid over the moiety of a sum due to the Crown for the price of 14fother.(or tons) 12cwt. 3qrs. 251bs. of lead at £7 a fother, which had been part of the College church, but had been "wrongfullie concealed and detained from her Majestie" by the tenant for about 14 years. The college, founded in 1411 on the ruins of the old Cluniac nunnery, was surrendered to the Crown in 1539 and was demolished in about 1548 by Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, to whom the King, Edward VI. had granted it.

 

HELPSTON. - [Elpiston, Helpeston, Helpestun, Helpiston, Helpuston, Helpyston]

 

The Helpston deeds are 246 in number, with 21 more in Appendix I, and date from the time of Henry II. The first (F(M) Charter 780) may be ascribed as between. 1177 and 1193, as there is reference to Benedict, Abbot of Peterborough, who ruled during those years. The next two are evidently of the late 12th century. From the end of the 13th century to about 1400 members of the families of Sulgrave and Mortymer are prominent, and later (F(M) Charter 933) the Tyndalls or Tendalls were lords of the manor. The Fitzwilliams did not apparently hold lands here till 1537, and these were probably pieces pertaining to Woodcroft Manor. It is not till 1576 that Sir William Fitzwilliam acquired by purchase for £500 the manor of Woodhall in Helpston (F(M) Charter 1000).

 

MARHOLM. - [Marham, Marram, Marreham, Marrham, Martham.]

 

The earliest of the 300 Marholm deeds is a grant by King Henry III to Richard de Watervill of free warren in the demesne lands of Marham and Thorp (F(M) Charter 1032). It is dated at Nottingham, 2 Sept. 1235 and bears the royal seal.

 

John de Wyttelbury held Marham and Milton in 1394 though his title was questioned, according to a Writ "Quo warranto" issued to the Sheriff of Northampton in that year, by the heirs of Edward Charles (F(M) Charter 1190).

 

Among the deeds are many references to St.Guthlac's chantry in Marholm church, which seems to have been founded by Sir William de Thorp who lived and died in the time of Edw.III, after whose death there was a dispute as to the patronage of the chantry (F(M) Charter 1199 etc.). The chantry is sometime described as being "in the hermitage of St.Guthlac".

 

Robert de Wyttylbery, described as "of Milton", had the patronage of the chantry in 1452 (F(M) Charter 1236) jointly, as it seems with Robert Willoughby, lord of Eresby, and others (F(M) Charter 1237 of 1238).

 

The manor and advowson of the church of Marholm were conveyed to Robert and Ann Wyttelburi by Sir William Catesby, John Catesby, Serjeant-at-law, and others in 1470 (F(M) Charter 1250).

 

Sir William Fitzwilliam, described as citizen of London, first appears in 1505 (F(M) Charter 1281 & 1282) and in 1510 there is a covenant whereby Sir William, now Alderman of London, secures to the above Ann Wyttelburi then wife of Richard Clement, an annuity of £22 from Marholm manor.

 

F(M) Charter 2104 is a decree in the Court of Chancery settling a suit brought by William, Lord Fitzwilliam in 1694 against the Master and Wardens of the Merchant Taylors' Company, who had neglected to pay the annuity of £12,13sh.4d. for the support of the Marholm Almshouses. It appears that the property in London from which this annuity issued had been burnt down in the Great Fire of London, and the Company had made this a reason to withold payment. The case went against the Company which is ordered to pay £76 arrears, and henceforth the annuity as above.

 

MAXEY. - [Makesey, Makyssey, Maxhey, Maxsey]

 

The earliest deed here is dated in 1349 (F(M) Charter 1315). Among the owners or tenants of lands, etc. in Maxey in the 14th and 15th centuries are Roger de Northburgh, Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, Hugh de Sulgrave, Sir Geoffrey de la Mare, Sir William de Thorp, Oliver Seynt John, Walter Rodley, gent. etc. In 1529 Francis Pulter was lord of the manor, and in 1531 Henry, Duke of Richmond and Somerset. It appears from F(M) Charter 1339 that William Cecil, afterwards Lord Burghley, and Laurence Eresby, in 1551, held lands in Maxey from the Crown belonging to a perpetual chantry in Maxey. In a Northborough charter (F(M) Charter 1472) Lord Burghley is described as lord of Maxey.

 

In appendix I are three documents of more than passing interest. The first (F(M) Charter 2285) is a Patent of Henry VIII to Richard Cecil, "the King's servant", of the reversion of the offices of Constable or Warden of Maxey Castle, Bailiff of Maxey, etc. which had fallen to the Crown on the death of Margaret, Countess of Richmond, the King's grandmother. The second (F(M) Charter 2286) is a lease to Sir William Cecil, afterwards Lord Burghley, son of the above Richard, from Princess Elizabeth of a close in Maxey called Ladiebridgeclose and the great garden of La Marre, a pasture called the Old Park, and other lands there. But the interest of the charter lies in the fact that it is sealed with a royal seal of Princess Elizabeth. It is unfortunately broken (but has been mended) and traces of letters seem to say that the legend was S.ELIZABETHE SOROR' EDWARDI REGIS. The existence of another seal of Elizabeth's before her accession in 1558 is not known. The date of the deed is 20 March 1557. The third (F(M)Charter 2287) is a Particular of Maxey lands which has (on p.5) the following note: "Memorandum, that the ferme of Waldranhall is an Inne sometime greatly frequented by pilgrymes passing to Walsingham and then let for vii li. and now lett for xl s."

 

MILTON. - [Meleton, Melleton, Milleton, Millton, Myllton, Mylton]

 

The earliest Milton charter (F(M)Charter 1359) though not dated, is evidently of the time of Hen. III [1216-1272] and it has as first witness a seneschal or steward of Peterborough, one Thomas de Ufford; and the next is a grant by Geoffrey fil. Roberti militis, "sometime lord of Melleton", who was probably an ancestor of the family of Charles, members of which were in the 14th cent. lords of Milton. F(M)Charter 1362 is a covenant for an exchange of lands between the Abbot and Convent of Peterborough and Andrew Russell, in Castor and Milton. The Russells were an important family holding lands in Etton, Paston, etc. This deed has the Abbey Seal of that period (early 14th century) having on the obverse a boat on the waves, with figures of St.Peter and two other apostles, and the legend, a hexameter line - "Signum Burgense, cruce, clave, refulgit et ense"; [The seal of Burgh shines with cross, key and sword] and on the reverse St.Peter, enthroned, and legend "Tu pro me navem liquistisuscipe clavem" - [Thou for Me didst leave the ship, take thou the key".

 

In the year 1330 a London citizen, Richard de la Pole, had Milton manor from William Charles, probably lord of the manor, by a charter (F(M)Charter 1369) which has for its first witness the Mayor of London.

 

Four years after, Edward III grants to this Richard de la Pole "his beloved servant" free warren in Milton as well as in two places in Norfolk (F(M) Charter 1373): and for the next 30 or 40 years the noble families of De la Pole, Thorp and Chauworth were the chief owners or tenants of Milton, until, in 1381, Sir William Thorp granted the manor to John Wittelbury, described as "of Wyssynden [Whissendine] Co.Rutland", and Albred his son and the heirs of his body, (F(M)Charter 1394). From his descendant Robert, 120 years later, the first William Fitzwilliam, of Milton, acquired the manors of Milton and Marholm, etc. All these tenants, etc. held under the Abbey, and we find in two cases at least (F(M)Charter 1408 & 1413) the Abbey had the grant of the wardship and marriage of minors who succeeded to the manors.

 

F(M)Charter 1424 is the deed of sale, dated 1 Aug. 1502, by Robert Wyttilbury, "of Milton, esquire", and Anne his wife to William Fitzwilliam, "of London, merchant", for 1200 marks, that is, £800, of the manor of Milton and Marham, with appurtenances in the neighbouring villages, the advowsons of Marham church and of the chantry of St.Guthlac there, with the wharf and profits of Gunwade water. That this deed even at that time [1502] was considered of great importance is clear from the fact that it contains a clause that Robert and Anne Wyttilbury undertook to deliver by a certain date to the custody of the Master of the college of Fotheringhay all evidences, charters, muniments, etc. relating to the manors, which were to be put in a chest and locked with two keys, one to be kept by Robert and Anne and the other by William Fitzwilliam to whom on the death of Robert and Anne the muniments were to be handed. Half the purchase money was paid down and acknowledged by a custom not unusual at that time - "yn the Cathedralle Chirche of Saint Poule of the Cite of London at the Fonte in the body of the same Chirche". There are notes on the dorse of this document of four subsequent payments of £100 each, which with the £200 paid when the final concord was made (F(M)charter (1425 & 1426) would make up the full sum of £800.

 

William Fitzwilliam did not immediately take up residence at Milton, as F(M)Charter 1431 describes a lease of the manors to Robert and Anne Wyttylbury in the following year, to hold for their lives at the nominal rent of a red rose on Midsummer Day "yf yt be duely asked", with reversion to William Fitzwilliam on their death. This is a very elaborate document, for it gives details of the property itself, and tells how the tenants are to deal with the timber, fuel, hedging, wood for the house, ploughs and carts, etc.; and has a proviso that the household implements belonging to the Hall, Parlour, Chambers, Chapel, Kitchen, etc. are not to be removed. Excepted from the lease are the advowsons of Marham Church and of St.Guthlac's chantry, and the tenants undertake not to alienate "the Markes and games of Swannes" breeding in the said manors "on the water of Gunwade and Burgh water betwene Walmesford and Thorney Crosse" without the owners' permission.

 

In the deeds immediately following William Fitzwilliam is indifferently described as citizen and merchant, citizen and merchant Taylor, Merchant, and in one (F(M)Charter (1440) as Citizen and Alderman of London. He is first described as a Knight in 1519 (F(M) Charter (1441 & 1442), In 1522 he appears as "of Theydon Gernon" and in 1524 as "of Milton". In some of the deeds subsidiary to the purchase deed a Richard Fitzwilliam is associated with William, but the relationship is not given.

 

F(M)Charter 1437 is the Inquisitio-post-mortem of Robert Wyttilbury which states that he died on 3 Aug. 1506. His wife survived him.

 

In 1519 a controversy between Sir William and the Abbot of Peterborough was settled by an award of arbitrators (F(M)Charter 1441 & 1442) one being the Lord Chief Justice and the other the Comptroller of Cardinal Wolsey's Household - Sir William having alleged that the Abbot had imprisoned his farmers and tenants and seized their farms and goods; cut down his woods in Marham Park, put up posts marked with "the Peter Keys" etc.: and the Abbot complained that Sir William, though holding the manor of the Abbot by homage, fealty, rent and suit of court, refused to pay the rent and other services, and had, moreover, enclosed certain land of the Abbot at Werrington.

 

(For a breviat of the office after the death of Sir William Fitzwilliam, see F(M)Charter 2058)

 

F(M)Charter 2327 is "An Estimate or Proposals for Building a House for ye Rt.Hon.ye Earl Fitzwilliam" by J.Sharman. Unfortunately the paper is undated, but is perhaps of middle 18th cent. To build the "front" 300 ton of Ketton stone would be required at the cost of £300, and the carriage of the same to Milton at £150. Sutton stone was to be used for the foundations and Ragstone for the walls of the two courts. Sashings of 63 windows would cost £200, and "the Brick work will take 250 thousand". Norway oak was to be used for the "best staircase" and for the "wainscot in ye Salon". Altogether the estimate was for £6541,15sh.Od. This is followed by a set of questions made by someone on behalf of the Earl with Sharman's replies as to thickness of walls, depths of foundations, etc.

 

For references to "Milton Church", (See Castor section above).

 

NORTHBOROUGH. - [Northburgh, Norburgh, Norbrowe, Norburugh, Northbrugh, Norborow, Northborowe, Northburrowe, Norbrugh, Northburh.]

 

The earliest connection of the family of Fitzwilliam with Northborough is the purchase in 1523 by the 1st Sir William, of Milton, of 12 acres of land, etc. in Northborough, Etton, Peykirk, Maxsey, and Glynton for £4.6sh.8d. (F(M) Charter 1461-1463); and in 1532 Sir William purchased the manor from Francis Pulter, of London, for £160 (F(M) Charter 1464 of 1465). In later years the family of Claypole held land there which had sometime belonged to Crowland Abbey (F(M) Charter 1473). In 1598 James Claypole "of Northburgh, esquire" was tenant, under the Dean and Chapter of Peterborough, of a close called Paradyse (F(M) Charter 1492). Subsequently the family became famous by its connection with the Cromwell family by the marriage of John Claypole with Elizabeth, 2nd daughter of Oliver Cromwell. (For the Marriage settlement see F(M) Charter 2147).

 

In appendix I is the Will of Cromwell Claypole, the only son of the above John and Elizabeth, containing some interesting legacies of jewels, horses, etc. He was buried at Northborough (F(M) Charter 2343).

 

At his death in 1534 Sir William Fitzwilliam settled the manor on his son Thomas, who soon afterwards sold it, and it passed through several hands till James Claypole acquired it in 1563. The family of Claypole kept it till 1682 when John Claypole sold it to Lord Fitzwilliam for £5600. The purchase deed is in Appendix I (F(M) Charter 2344).

 

PASTON and GUNTHORPE.

 

In the twelve charters relating to these two small parishes, a little set of five (F(M) Charter 1500-1504) record the sale, in 1530, by John Phylyp, of Stamford, gent. to Sir William Fitzwilliam, of two meses and 29 acres of land for 25 marks, that is, £16.13sh.4d. Up to 1600, therefore, Sir William only possessed this small property there.

 

PETERBOROUGH. - [Medehamstede or Medeshamsted; Brough St.Peters; Burgh, Burgum S.Petri.]

 

According to the charter of Wlfhere, King of the Mercians (F(M) Charter 1507) Saxolf was the first Abbot of Peterborough, or Medehamstede, as it was first called; and three successive Kings of Mercia had a hand in its foundation, viz: Peada, murdered in 656; Wlfhere, 656-694; and Ethelred, 675-704. They were all sons of Kind Penda, and there were two sisters, Cyneburga and Cyneswitha, virgins and martyrs (see Castor section).

 

This foundation charter gives in great detail the boundaries of the lands and waters with which Wlfhere, with the consent of his sister abovesaid and yet another brother Merwala, endowed the monastery. Three witnesses subscribe, viz: Wlfhere himself, who adds that Deusdedit his "apostolic father" was present. Deusdedit or Adeodatus became Pope in 672. The second witness is Oswy, King of Northumbria, "friend of Saxulf the Abbot"; and the third, Sighere, King [of the East Saxons] who calls himself "subjectus regi Wlfero". That there are no more witnesses but that there is room at the foot for other names combined with the name of the document, confirms the statement in the Victoria County History (Northamptonshire II. 421 footnote) that the charter is "unquestionalby a forgery"

 

F(M) Charter 1511 is a charter of interest, being a covenant between the two abbeys of Peterborough and Croyland. It recites that since the time of King John, the Abbot and Convent of Peterborough had been accustomed to receive from the Abbot etc. of Croyland on St.Peter's day 4 stone of wax, and that now in 1476, that payment of wax has been commuted to a yearly payment of 20 shillings, which was to be paid "within the monastery of Croyland" on St.Peter's day or within the octave to the Abbot of Peterborough or his attorney. There is, however, an endorsement annulling the covenant as a composition had been made by a later Abbot of Peterborough, Robert Kyrkton [1496-1528].

 

In 1567 Thomas Norris, of Peterborough, chapman, sold to Thomas Lovett, of Astwell, esquire, the remainder of a lease by the Dean and Chapter of Peterborough to William Godfrey, of Stanground, of "the waters and fishings from Wansford Bridge to Peterborough and further", and T.Lovett leases back to T.Norris the waters and fishing grounds from Wansford Bridge to Alwalton Mill - the water "from ye ende of the whole water beneth Peterborough bridge unto Moscott - and the half the water, etc. from the same bridge downwards against the boundes of Stangrounde" for the money rents specified, and "two stickes of Eillis [eels] callyd knabbers" (F(M) Charter 1517).

 

In the following year 1568 there is a record of an Inquisition taken at Oundle by the Queen's Commissioners as to lands in the Hundred of Nassaburgh given to superstitious uses. This was in accordance with a statute of 1 Edw.VI. whereby such lands were forfeited to the Crown. The places in which the lands were, are Longthorpe, Peakirk, Maxey, Bernack, Baynton, Castor, Sutton, Paston, Werrington, Helpston, Northborough, and Glinton. The deed is endorsed "Toune Laund in Peterburgh Socone and nothing elles" (F(M) Charter 1518).

 

For other information concerning Peterborough, the Rolls of Courts of the town, - of Burghbury, and of the Abbey, dating from the 13th century, should be examined: see F(M) Charter 2384-2406 and F(M) roll 131 - 152.

 

THORPE al.LONGTHORPE.

 

The Manor of Thorpe or Longthorpe came into the hands of the Wyttelbury family, apparently, in 1381, with Milton Manor (see under Milton F(M) Charter 1394), and, doubtless, to the Fitzwilliams later, though there is no deed to substantiate this, nor is Thorpe manor included in the purchase deed of the Milton Manors from Robert Wyttilbury in 1502.

 

Among the later deeds (list available at N.R.O.), however, the brief abstracts of Parcels 69-75 in Tin Box No.8 may be examined with interest, especially Parcel 75 (Documents 10 and 11) the former of which is release to Earl Fitzwilliam in 1790 of properties in Longthorpe New Manor for £15000, with a schedule of the estate; and the latter is an agreement between the various proprietors, to which is attached a large coloured plan.

 

UFFORD.

 

Sub-manors: Dounehall, or Dounhall, Ashton, Baynton, Walcote.

 

Two of these five Ufford deeds relate to Dounhall, a sub-manor of Ufford, which belonged to the Mortymer family in the 14th century; and the others to lands in Ashton, Baynton, and Walcote, also, apparently, sub-manors of Ufford.

 

UPTON and SUTTON.

 

UPTON. - [Huppetune, Hupton, Opthon, Opton, Upeton, Uppeton.]

 

SUTTON. - [Sutthon, Suttun]

 

Upton and Sutton were, like Milton, hamlets of Castor. The first of these 124 Upton deeds is one of the earliest in the whole collection, and is of the time of Henry II, probably ante 1174; when the grantor of the two virgates of land there recorded, Ralph de Waterville, lost his possessions in Upton for taking up arms against the King (F(M) Charter 1536). The next 50 or so deeds are records of transactions between c1200 and c1300, and among the holders of lands are Peterborough Abbey and St. Michael's Nunnery at Stamford, both Benedictine houses.

 

The first acquisition of property in Upton by the Fitzwilliam family was the purchase by the first Sir William, of Milton, in 1524, of a messuage and cottage from Nicholas Glynton of Rushden for 40 marks (£26.13sh.4d.) (F(M) Charter 1650-1654) and six years after, the same William acquired from John Turnour, of Bernak, 66 acres of land in Upton for £30 (F(M) Charter 1655 & 1656). Later, in 1543 and 1577, there seem to have been disputes between other Fitzwilliams and Robert Wyngfield as to their respective properties in Upton, Sutton, and Castor. (F(M) Charter 1657 & 1658).

 

Thus far Northamptonshire only has been considered. We now come to deeds relating to places in other counties. Of these there are 520 (including those in appendix I), and the places are scattered over 21 counties. Some are isolated documents, but the majority refer to Essex, Huntingdonshire, Lincolnshire Norfolk, and Nottinghamshire, and the reason is not far to seek. Huntingdonshire and Lincolnshire are counties contiguous to Northamptonshire, while in Essex was Gaynes Park, the country house of that William Fitzwilliam, merchant and alderman of London, who purchased and settled down in Milton in the latter years of Henry VII. The properties in Norfolk and Nottinghamshire came into the family by marriages with two heiresses. The one was Anne, daughter and sole heir of Edmund Cremer, of West Winch, Norfolk, whom William Fitzwilliam, of Milton (afterwards 1st Earl Fitzwilliam) took in marriage, and the other was Anne, daughter and sole heir of John Stringer, esq. of Sutton on Lound, Nottinghamshire, who became the wife of John, the 3rd but eldest surviving son of the above William, the first Earl. Hence the existence in the Milton Muniments of deeds relating to property in Winch, Tilney, Middleton, Setchey, and the Lynns Norfolk, and in Sutton on Lound, Clareborough, Eaton, and neighbouring places in Nottinghamshire.

 

A word must be said concerning the Yorkshire deeds which are only eleven in number, for it is here that we should expect to find records of the Sprotbrough and Elmley property, on which the Fitzwilliam family originally settled and prospered. We find, however, only two deeds relating to Sprotbrough (F(M) Charter 2027 & 2028). The latter of which is a grant by William fil. Willelmi, lord of Sprotburgh of a piece of land for building houses on, dated 1320. There is also under Warmsworth (F(M) Charter 2030) a grant of land there to the same William fil.Willelmi which is dated at Sprotborough in 1331.

 

Other references to early members of the family are found in F(M) Charter 2008-2011 (Nottinghamshire deeds) and in F(M) Charter 1798 & 2043.

 

At the end (F(M) Charter 2550-2558) is a little set of documents relating to transactions in Ireland when Sir William Fitzwilliam, the third of the name, held the various offices of Vice-Treasurer and Receiver General of the Crown Revenues and Treasurer of the Wars in Ireland; and also between the years 1560 and 1588 held the office of Lord Deputy six times.

 

Attention must also be called to a collection of vellum deeds and papers relating to the government and care of Swans, including a vellum roll containing 128 swanmarks, and a vellum book containing about 600 swanmarks, with name of owners, etc. of the late 15th and early 16th centuries. Also among the papers (F(M) Charter 2565 iii,iv, and vii) are copies or extracts of the ancient laws and ordinances affecting the "Royal Game of Swans" throughout the realm. To these documents has been added correspondence with Sir A.Scott-Gatty, Garter King of Arms, to whom these swan documents were submitted in 1918.

 

Appendix II (F(M) Charter 2566-2630) contains court rolls, rentals, deeds, personal documents, etc, which were partially numbered as a continuation of this catalogue but never actually listed by Jeayes. They were added to this sub-fonds not long after deposit but many of the documents are more similar to those within the Rolls, Estate, and Family sub-fonds (F(M) roll). For further details see series level note.

 

Following this introduction is a brief compiler's note and a tabulated overview of the collection at series level. Overviews exist within some series levels as well.

 

COMPILER'S NOTE

 

The arrangement of this Catalogue is, roughly as follows:-

 

PLACES ... alphabetically under counties.

 

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE ... is treated first, as being the principal county.

 

Other Counties follow in alphabetical order.

 

Under each place the arrangement is chronological.

 

After the counties, come "MIXED ESTATES," that is, where places in several counties are concerned.

 

Then comes a group of documents called "PERSONAL and MISCELLANEOUS," in which are included "Appointments", "Marriage Settlements", "Wills", etc.

 

Appendix I: containing Deeds etc found later

 

Appendix II: adderda to F(M) rolls catalogue but added here (see note) containing additional court rolls, rentals, sureys, etc

 

OVERVIEW

 

Northamptonshire Deeds F(M) Charter 1-1659

 

Deeds of other counties F(M) Charter 1660-2031

 

Mixed Estates F(M) Charter 2032-2040

 

Personal and Miscellaneous F(M) Charter 2041-2204

 

Appendix I: F(M) Charter 2205-2565

 

Northamptonshire Deeds F(M) Charter 2205-2361

 

Personal and Miscellaneous F(M) Charter 2362-2374

 

Northamptonshire court rolls, account rolls, etc F(M) Charter 2375-2410

 

Deeds of other counties F(M) Charter 2411-2549(b)

 

Ireland F(M) Charter 2550-2558

 

Swans and Swanmarks F(M) Charter 2559-2565

 

Appendix II: court rolls, rentals, surveys, etc (see note prior to entries) F(M) Charter 2566-2630

Date: (12th -1850
Held by: Northamptonshire Archives Service, not available at The National Archives
Language: English
Creator:

Fitzwilliam family of Milton, Northamptonshire

Physical description: This collection comprises of 57 Charte boxes and 5 standard boxes c 20½ cubic feet
Access conditions:

Finally, readers should be aware that there are restrictions on access to a few documents within this collection. Such restrictions are noted within the list and enquiries regarding these should be addressed to the County Archivist.

Immediate source of acquisition:

Accession 1956/23

Subjects:
  • Claypole family of Northborough, Northamptonshire
  • Cleypole family of Northborough, Northamptonshire
  • Cremer family of Norfolk
  • Russells family of Milton, Northamptonshire
  • Skyrme family of Norfolk
  • Sulgrave, de, family of Sulgrave, Northamptonshire
  • Wittllebury family of Milton, Northamptonshire
  • Ailsworth, Northamptonshire
  • Burghbury, Northamptonshire
  • Cambridgeshire
  • Castor, Northamptonshire
  • Essex
  • Etton, Northamptonshire
  • Glinton, Northamptonshire
  • Helpston, Northamptonshire
  • Huntingdonshire
  • Ireland
  • Lincolnshire
  • Marholm, Northamptonshire
  • Maxey, Northamptonshire
  • Middleton, Norfolk
  • Milton, Northamptonshire
  • Norfolk
  • Northamptonshire
  • Northborough, Northamptonshire
  • Nottinghamshire
  • Peakirk, Northamptonshire
  • Peterborough, Northamptonshire
  • Setchey, Norfolk
  • Sutton, Northamptonshire
  • Theydon Bois, Essex
  • Theydon Gernon, Essex
  • Upton, Northamptonshire
  • Woodcroft, Northamptonshire

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