Catalogue description WITHERLEY (LEICS.)

The circumstances in which the Segrave holding was acquired are unknown, but it had been acquired by 1265. After Evesham, Nicholas de Segrave forfeited 7 virgates and a mill worth 100s. and 19½ virgates worth £7 12s. [CIM i. 235] The holding was later held by his half-brother John de Somery [Nicholas's mother, Amabel de Chaucombe, married secondly Roger de Somery (d. 1273) and had two sons by him, Roger and John. John held Witherley by 1281.] and was one of the minor holdings mentioned in the grant of Dec. 1343, but although not said to be held in jointure by Margaret Marshal in 1353 it was held by her at her death in 1399, when the manor was said to be worth £10. It was part of the agreed jointure of the duchess Elizabeth in 1476 and was one of those granted by William Berkeley to Richard III in 1484.