Inquisitions: 1595

Arthur Lee, Citizen and Tallowchandler.

Inquisition taken at the Guildhall, 23 July, 37 Eliz. [1595], before John Spencer, knight, Mayor and escheator, after the death of Arthur Lee, citizen and tallowchandler of London, by the oath of Thomas Sewell, William Harvye, James Robinson, Hugh Lee, Edward Pilsworthe, Robert Durant, Andrew Feilde, John Alyn, Robert Sawnders, Richard Kerby, Nicholas Maddox, Peter Noxton, Michael Crowche and Henry Earsly, who say that

Arthur Lee long before and at the time of his death was seised in his demesne as of fee of 1 tenement, with all the houses, buildings, stables and gardens thereto belonging, lying in the parish of St. Botolph without Bishoppesgate, and abutting upon the cemetery there towards the south; the tenement called the White Harte on the north, formerly in the tenure of Thomas Armestronge, and now or late in that of John Strawe; of all those several messuages with all the houses, &c., thereto belonging situate in the parish of St. Botolph without Algate, London, now or late in the several tenures of James Adlington, citizen and woolman of London, Christopher Bende, saddler, Andrew Morrell and John de Lowe, gallorum, and all those messuages and gardens lying in the parish of St. Giles beyond Creplegate, London, viz., one of them now or late called by the name of the Signe of the Castell, late in the tenure of George Merrick, 3 others, late in the several tenures of Thomas Walker, fletcher, William Shorris and Nicholas Bourne, and 1 other, now or late in the tenure of John Bull.

So seized, the said Arthur Lee made his will as follows: I give to George Lee my son and his heirs for ever all those my tenements set within the parish of St. Botolphe without Aldgate and within the liberties of the City of London.

I give to Cuthbert Lee my son and to his heirs for ever my tenement in the parish of St. Botolphe without Bishopsgate now or late in the tenure of John Strawe, and all my tenements and garden plot lying in Grubbstreet and Foorstreet within the parish of St Giles without Creplegate, London, as by the said will dated 30 April, 1594, it more fully appears.

The premises lying in the said parish of St. Botolph without Bisshoppesgate are held in free burgage of the City of London, and are worth per ann., clear, 40s. The said messuages lying in the said parish of St. Botolph without Aldgate are held of the Queen by fealty only in free burgage and not in chief, and are worth per ann., clear, 33s. 4d. The tenements situate in the said parish of St. Giles without Creplegate are held in free burgage of the City of London, and are worth per ann., clear, 50s.

Arthur Lee died 7 May last past, George Lee is his son and next heir, and was then aged 49 years and more.

Chan. Inq. p. m., ser. 2, vol. 243, No. 24.

Mary Barnes.

Inquisition taken at the Guildhall, 20 October, 37 Eliz. [1595], before John Spencer, knight, Mayor and escheator, by virtue of a writ de que plura after the death of Mary Barnes, daughter of Thomas Barnes, citizen and "curryor" of London, by the oath of Thomas Sewell, James Robinson, Robert Durant, John Jenninges, Hugh Ingram, Robert Sawnders, Cuthbert Lea, Richard Kirckby, Richard Milles, James Tailor, Michael Crowch, Edward Catcher, Henry Earsley, William Crowche and Henry Best, who say that

Long before the death of the said Marie Barnes a certain Robert Losse of Cannons in the parish of Whitchurch in co. Middlesex, gent., was seised in his demesne as of fee of 2 messuages, now divided into 3 messuages, situate in the parish of St. Michael Basshingsha, London, formerly in the tenure of John Burncham and now or late in the several tenures of Nicholas Killingworth, William Marryn, the said Thomas Barnes and John Willet, formerly belonging to the Priory of Elzinge Spittell: which said messuages descended to the said Robert Losse and his heirs after the death of Hugh Losse, esq., his father.

So seised, the said Robert Losse by indenture dated 24 March, 18 Eliz. [1576], made between himself of the one part and the said Mary Barnes of the other part, granted the said messuages to the said Mary and her heirs for ever, by virtue whereof and by force of the Statute of Uses, the said Mary was thereof seised in her desmesne as of fee.

So seised, the said Mary Barnes made her will, 14 July, 31 Eliz. [1589], as follows: I Marie Barnes, daughter of Thomas Barnes, citizen and Curryor of London, do give to my said father all my messuages, houses and hereditaments situate in the parish of Bassingsha in London, for the term of his natural life, and the remainder thereof after his decease I give to my 3 brothers Guiles, Thomas and Robert Barnes and their heirs for ever.

One of the said 2 tenements above specified is other and more than the said tenement mentioned in the first Inquisition taken here 20 October, 32 Eliz. [1590], after the death of the said Mary.

The said messuage more than was found in the first Inquisition together with the said tenements in the said parish of St. Michael Bassingsha are held of the Queen in chief, by knight's service, but by what part of a knight's fee the jurors know not, and that the said other tenement is worth per ann., clear, 10s.

Mary Barnes died 27 July, 31 Eliz. [1589]; after her death the said Thomas Barnes her father entered into the said premises and took the profits thereof up to his death, viz., by the space of 4 months, and afterwards, viz., on the 16th day of December, 32 Eliz. [1589], the said Thomas Barnes died.

After his death Thomas Barnes, brother of the said Mary, entered into the said premises.

Before the taking of this Inquisition the said Giles and Robert Barnes died.

The said Thomas is the brother and next heir of the said Mary Barnes.

Chan. Inq. p. m., ser. 2, vol. 243, No. 28.

John Markaunt, Gentleman.

Inquisition taken at the Guildhall, 21 February, 37 Eliz. [1595], before John Spencer, Mayor and escheator, by virtue of a writ "de meliore Inquirend" after the death of John Markaunt, gent, by the oath of Thomas Sewell, Hugh Lee, James Robinson, Edward Pilsworth, John Jeninges, Robert Durant, Hugh Ingram, Robert Saunders, Andrew Feild, Nicholas Maddox, Cuthbert Lee, Peter Noxon, Richard Milles, Christopher Askwith, James Taylor, Michael Crowche, and Edward Catcher.

Whereas by an Inquisition taken at the Guildhall, 18 February, 33 Eliz. [1591], after the death of the said John Markaunt it was found that he was seised in his demesne as of fee of divers messuages, lands and tenements in the parish of St. Martin in the Vintrey, 1 whereof was then or late a dyhouse in the tenure of William Calverley and then or late in the several tenures of Robert Swanne and Edmund Bailie, but in whose tenures the residue of the said premises was the jurors did not know; neither did they know when the said John died nor who was his heir, &c.

But now the jurors say that the said John Markaunt long before his death was seised in his demesne as of fee of 2 messuages in the parish of St. Martin in the Vintrey, now or late in the tenures of Augustine Parker and Richard Shawe; 4 tenements there now or late in the tenure of George Cowdrey, Richard Langford, John Davis and Richard Lowe; and 1 house called a Diehouse there, now or late in the several occupations of Robert Swanne and Edward Baylie.

So seised, the said John Markaunt by indenture dated 20 October, 24 Eliz. [1582], gave the said premises as follows: This indenture made between John Markaunt of Stoke next Nayland in co. Essex, Clerk, of the one part, and Joseph Scott of Colchester in the said county, gent., and Christopher Johnsonn of the said town, yeoman, of the other part, witnesses that whereas the said John Markaunt stands seised of divers messuages and lands lying within the parish of St. Martin in the Vintrey in the several tenures of John Hawthorne, William Claverley alias Calverley, — Prouze, — Patrick, — Kenney and Robert Baker; and whereas also the said John is desirous that the said premises should be assured to himself and Margaret his wife during their lives, and after their decease should be assured to the persons specified in these presents (which he thinks he may justly and truly take to be the sons and daughters of the said John) and to the heirs male of their body, and to the intent that all the said premises should remain in the blood or name of the Markaunts—the said John as well for the considerations aforesaid as in considerations of a marriage heretofore had between him and Margaret his wife and for the love he bare to her and to the persons herein named agreed with the said Joseph Scotte and Christopher Johnson and their heirs that he and his heirs shall be seised of all the said premises to the use of himself and Margaret his wife for the term of their natural lives, and after their deceases, to the use of John Markaunt the younger, "commonlie called" and which he esteems to be the second son of the said John and Margaret and of the heirs male of the body of the said John the younger; for default, the remainder thereof to William Markaunt, another of the sons of the said John and Margaret, and to the heirs male of his body; for default, to Edmond Markaunt another son of the said John and Margaret and to the heirs male of his body; for default, to Sara, Syvys and Elizabeth Markaunt, the 3 daughters of the said John, and to the heirs male of their bodies; and for default, to the right heirs of the said Edmond Markaunt for ever: Provided always that if the said Margaret or the said John, William, Edmond, Sara, Syvys or Elizabeth shall sell or alienate any of the said premises, then the use and estate hereby limited to them shall be utterly void.

The premises in the said indenture specified to be in the tenure of the said John Hawthorne and others are the same premises mentioned in this Inquisition to be in the tenure of Augustine Parker and others, and not others.

The messuage now or late in the tenure of the said Robert Swanne and Edward Baylie is held of the Queen in chief by the — part of a knight's fee, and is worth per ann., clear, 40s. The residue of the said premises are held of the Queen in free burgage, and are worth per ann., clear, £4 13s. 4d.

John Markaunt died 12 September, 27 Eliz. [1585], Edmond Markaunt is his son and next heir, and was aged 19 years on the 7th day of October, 29 Eliz. [1587].

The said Margaret late the wife of the said John still survives at Bury St. Edmunds in co. Suffolk: immediately after the death of the said John she entered into all the said premises and took the profits thereof.

Chan. Inq. p. m., ser. 2, vol. 243, No. 76.

Hugh Offley, Citizen and Alderman.

Inquisition taken at the Guildhall, 2 August, 37 Eliz. [1595], before John Spencer, knight, Mayor and escheator, after the death of Hugh Offley, late citizen and Alderman of London, by the oath of Thomas Sewell, William Harvie, William Crowche, Edward Pillesworth, James Robinson, Hugh Lea, John Jenninges, Hugh Ingram, Robert Saunders, Robert Durrant, Cuthbert Lee, Richard Mylles, Christopher Askwith, Edward Catcher, and Henry Earsley, who say that

Hugh Offley long before his death was seised in his demesne as ot fee of 1 capital messuage or mansion house wherein he then dwelt, lying in Lymestreet, London, in the parish of St. Andrew Undershaft; and 5 other messuages in the same street in the parishes of St. "Andershafte" and St. Dionisius Backchurch within the City of London, late in the several tenures of James Bowner, Thomas Bloomfeilde, — Tryolis, widow, and William Allyson (?); 1 tenement called the Lodge late in the tenure of John Levyson: all which said premises are in the said parishes of St. Andrew and St. Dionisius; 1 capital messuage called by the name of Turckes Alley, lying in the said parish of St. Andrew Undershaft on Cornhill in the City of London, now or late in the occupation of Matthew Dolman, citizen and haberdasher of London; and 1 other messuage lying in Cornhill in the parish of St. Christopher near the Stocks in the ward of Broadstreet in the said City of London, now in the tenure of John Paradyne; also of 1 other capital messuage being within the parish of St. Michael Pater Noster near Whittingdon College in the said City late in the tenure of Dame Ursula Langley, widow; and 2 other messuages in the same parish, one whereof adjoins the south part of the gate of the said capital messuage and the other the south part of the said gate, now in the several tenures of John Lendall, cooper, and Hugh Hunte, tailor; also of 1 messuage formerly called by the name of le George, together with one piece of land, Anglice, a woodwharff to the said messuage adjoining, lying in Eastsmithefeilde in the parish of St. Botolph without Aldgate, London, now or late in the tenure of William Partridge; also of 4 messuages situate within the close of St. Helen the Great within the said City, now or late in the several tenures of Levyn van Derstelt, Robert Hubbarde, Hugh Kenrick and Geoffrey Nettleton; 11 messuages lying in a certain street called St. Marie at Axe within the parish of St. Andrew, now or late in the several tenures of James Wembe, — Harrington, widow, Josias Careless, John Morgan, Rowland Richardson, Sibella Harrison, Matthew Flyer and Richard Hudson; 1 tenement being in Watergate street in the parish of Holy Trinity within the City of Chester now or late in the occupation of Hugh Rogers alias Rogerson, Alderman of the City of Chester; and 1 other messuage or mansion house lying in Norgate street in the said City, now or late in the tenure of Richard Wright. Of whom or by what services the capital messuage or mansion house in Limestreet in the said parish of St. Andrew Undershaft, wherein the said Hugh Offley dwelt, the 5 messuages in Limestreet in the said parish and in that of St. Dionisius Backchurch and the tenement called the Lodge are held the jurors know not: they are worth per ann., clear, £10. Of whom or by what services the messuage called Turckes Alley and the messuage in Cornhill are held is not known: they are worth per ann., clear, £7. The capital messuage in the parish of St. Michael Pater Noster and the 2 other messuages lying there are held of the Queen by fealty only in free burgage of the City of London and not in chief, and are worth per ann., clear, £5. The messuage in East Smithfield called le George together with the said woodwharf are held of the Queen in chief by knight's service, but by what part of a knight's fee is not known, and are worth per ann., clear, £5. The 4 messuages lying within the Close of St. Helen the Great, and the 11 messuages lying in the street called St. Marie at Axe are held of the Queen in chief by knight's service, but by what part of a knight's fee the jurors know not, and are worth per ann., clear, £6 13s. 4d. Of whom or by what services the messuage in Watergate street and the mansion house in Norgate street are held the jurors know not: they are worth per ann., clear, 20s.

Hugh Offley died 26 November last past; Thomas Offley, gent., is his son and next heir, and was then aged 28 years and more.

Dorothea Offley relict of the said Hugh still survives.

Chan. Inq. p. m., ser. 2, vol. 243, No. 92.

Richard Harryson.

Inquisition taken at the Guildhall, 24 January, 37 Eliz. [1595], before John Spencer, Mayor and escheator, of the said City, after the death of Richard Harryson, of the parish of St. Olave in Southwark in co. Surrey, by the oath of Thomas Sewell, William Crowch, Hugh Lee, John Jeninges, Robert Durrant, Hugh Ingram, Robert Saunders, Richard Rogers, Andrew Feild, Cuthbert Lee, Peter Noxon, Richard Milles, Christopher Askwith, James Taylor, Edward Catcher, James Robinson, and William Harvy who say that

Long before the death of the said Richard Harryson a certain Lewis Davy, citizen and whitebaker of London, and Joan his wife were seised in their demesne as of fee of all that messuage and "backhowse" now or late in the tenure of Henry Awstyn, citizen and baker of London, and those 3 places or "Romes" the one built upon the other to the said messuage belonging; and all that messuage now or late in the tenure of John Maria, citizen and goldsmith of London, situate in the parish of St. Mary and St. Gabriel in Fanchurch street in the said City of London: which said 2 messuages and bakehouse were late parcel of the monastery of St. Mary of Graces near the Tower of London lately dissolved.

So seised the said Lewis and Joan by indenture dated 11 February, 12 Eliz. [1570] granted and sold to the said Richard Harryson and Ellen his wife the said messuages and all the shops, cellars, solars, curtilages, houses, cubicles, entries, &c., thereto belonging, together with all lights, water courses and liberties therewith used and occupied, and afterwards by the said indenture the said Lewis and Joan granted to the said Richard and Ellen all the right, title, possession, reversion and remainder which they or any other person to their use then had or afterwards might have in the said 2 messuages and bakehouse before bargained and sold, together with all Letters Patent, charters and writings concerning the premises: To hold to the said Richard Harryson and Ellen and their heirs for ever.

A certain Nicholas Coxe, citizen and goldsmith of London, was on the 4th day of February, 18 Eliz. [1576], seised in his demesne as of fee of all that messuage late in the tenure of Thomas Bye situate in or near Fanchurch street in the parish of St. Gabriel Fanchurch, and of a small parcel of land adjoining the kitchen of the said messuage containing in breadth 3 feet of assize and in length 14 feet and 2 inches of assize, situate in the said parish of St. Gabriel, and all that ground under the gate and the houses built thereupon containing in length from the principal post supporting the said house up to Fanchurch street, and in breadth with the said entry there 14 feet, 6 inches, and in breadth from the further end of the said gate towards the yard 11 feet and 1 inch of assize, and in height 9 feet of assize; also 3 places or cubicles the one built over the other lying at the end of the said places upon the said gate in the said parish of St. Gabriel, now or late in the occupation of Robert Martyn, whereof the lower place contains in length 12 feet and 4 inches of assize and in breadth 7 feet and 7 inches of assize, the second place contains in length 14 feet of assize and in breadth 6 feet 4 inches of assize, and the 3rd place contains in length 14 feet of assize and in breadth 5 feet and 11 inches of assize.

So seised, the said Nicholas Coxe and Alice his wife by indenture dated 14 February, 18 Eliz. [1576], bargained and sold to the said Richard Harrison and his heirs all the said messuage and yard and all other the premises last recited and all their right, estate, possession, reversion and remainder therein: to hold to him and his heirs for ever.

The said Richard Harrison being so seised of all the said premises by his will dated 16 May, 26 Eliz. [1584], bequeathed the same as follows: I give the 2 tenements in the parish of St. Gabriel Fanchurch which I purchased of Lewis Davy, baker, to Thomas Harrison my son and his heirs for ever after the decease of Ellen my wife. And I bequeath the messuage which I bought of my wife's brother Nicholas Cockes, goldsmith, and Alice his wife to the said Ellen my wife for the term of her life, the remainder thereof after her decease to my daughter Margaryt Smyth for the term of her natural life, the remainder thereof after her decease to Richard Smyth her son and to his heirs for ever. I will that the synck or water course; now running from and out of the messuage and bakehouse now in the occupation of William Eyre, baker, through the yard of the said messuage purchased of the said Nicholas Coxe and Alice into the street and all the lights and prospects of the said messuage and bakehouse into the said yard shall for ever hereafter be used and continued as now they are without "anie stoppinge or gaynsayninge".

The said two messuages and bakehouse are held of the Queen in chief by knight's service, viz, by the 20th part of a knight's fee, and are worth per ann., clear, £4 13s. 4d. The said messuage formerly of the said Nicholas Coxe and all other the premises before recited are held in free burgage of the City of London, and are worth per ann., clear, 40s.

Richard Harrison died 20 June, 26 Eliz. [1584], at Southwark; Thomas Harrison is his son and next heir and was then aged 27 years and more.

Ellen late the wife of the said Richard died on the nth day of this instant month of January.

Chan. Inq. p. m., ser. 2, vol. 244, No. 97.

William Coppynger, Esquire.

Inquisition taken at the Guildhall, 5 February, 37 Eliz. [1595], before William Lambard, esq., William Necton, esq., feodary of the City of London, Michael Beresford, gent., and Nicholas Morgan, gent., deputy escheator, after the death of William Coppynger, esq., by the oath of Thomas Sewell, William Harvye, Hugh Lee, James Robinson, John Jenynges, Robert Durant, Robert Sanders, Andrew Feild, Cuthbert Lee, Richard Milles, Christopher Askewith, Henry Best, Michael Crouche, Edward Catcher, Edward Pillesworthe, William Crowche, Stephen Porter and Hugh Ingram, who say that

Long before the death of the said William Coppynger a certain Thomas Coppynger, esq., his father, was seised in his demesne as of fee tail, viz., to him and the heirs male of his body of 1 capital messuage lying in the parishes of St. Margaret in Lothbury and St. Olave in the Old Jury, London; 2 other tenements adjoining the said capital messuage at the east part thereof, viz., at the south east corner of the garden of the said messuage now in the tenure of Thomas Cacher, citizen and draper of London, and formerly parcel of the possessions of the late monastery of the Salutation of the Mother of God (Salutacois matris dei) of the Order of the Carthusians next the said City, now dissolved; and 1 other tenement lying in the parish of St. Margaret in Lothbury, now or late in the tenure of Thomas Greame.

Long before the death of the said William Coppynger a certain Henry Coppynger, esq., his grandfather, was seised in his demesne as of fee as of the manors of Buxall alias Bucksalles, Cocksall, Old Nectones and Fasebornes in co. Suffolk, and of the advowson and right of patronage of the parish Church of Buxall als Bucksalles, lying in the vills, fields or parishes of Buxall, Rattesden, Hecham, Finbarrow and Brethenham in co. Suffolk; and 60 a. of land, 20 a. of meadow and 20 a. of pasture in Buxall, Rattesden, Finbarrow, Hecham and Brethenham in the said county.

So seised, the said Henry by his will dated 26 August, 12 Eliz. [1570], gave all the said premises in co. Suffolk to Agnes Coppinger then his wife for the term of her life in the name of her jointure if she remain sole and unmarried: which said Agnes still survives unmarried; and the reversion of all the said premises the said Henry willed to the said Thomas Coppinger father of the said William and to the heirs male of his body, with divers other remainders thereof in fee tail; and for default, the remainder thereof to the right heirs of the said Henry for ever. After the death of the said Henry the said Agnes entered into all the said premises and was thereof seised in her demesne as of free tenement for her life, with remainders as above.

The said Thomas Coppinger, esq., father of the said William was seised in his demesne as of fee tail of the manor or tenement of Devington al[ia]s Brunstone or Knightes Place in co. Kent, the manor or tenement called Wormedall al[ia]s Borden in the parishes of Newington, Stockburye and Borden in the said county of Kent, with all the woods, underwoods and members in the said parishes of Newington, Stockburye and Borden, to the said manor belonging, the manor or tenement called Ravens in Preston or elsewhere in the said county, now or late in the tenure of William Ashurst, 2 water mills called corne mills, and divers lands, tenements and hereditaments to the said mills belonging, lying in the vills, parishes or fields of Osprindge, Devington, Musson (?) and Feversham in the said county sometime in the tenure of Bartholomew Ball; 1 other water mill called a Brazill mill with all the buildings, houses, lands, pools and weirs thereto belonging, being in the parishes, vills or fields of Osprindge, Devington and Feversham, now or late in the tenure of William Hampton.

The said Thomas Coppinger was likewise seised in his demesne as of fee of the manor or tenement or farm called Churchstreet in the parishes of All Hallows Stoke or St. Mary's in the said county of Kent, and so seised by his said last will the said Thomas gave inter alia to the said William Coppinger and the heirs male of his body the said manor called Churchstreet.

The said Thomas Coppinger died 21 March, 22 Eliz. [1580], then having issue the said William (named in the Commission) and Francis Coppinger, another son who now survives. After the death of the said Thomas the said William entered into all the said premises and was thereof seised in his demesne as of fee tail.

The said capital messuage and all other the premises in the City of London are held of the Queen in chief by the service of the 20th part of a knight's fee and by the yearly rent of 29s., and are worth per ann., clear, £13 0s. 4d. The manor of Buxall and Coxall, Old Nectons and Fasbornes and the advowson of Buxall are held of the Queen as of the honor of her Duchy of Lancaster by knight's service, by the — part of a knight's fee, and are worth per ann., clear, £36 7s. 5½d. The 60 a. of land and other the premises in Buxall, Rattesden, Finbarrow, Hecham and Brethenham in co. Suffolk are held of the Queen as of her said honor by knight's service, viz., by the — part of a knight's fee, and are worth per ann., clear, £10. The manor of Devington al[ia]s Branston al[ia]s Knights place in co. Kent is held of the Queen in free socage as of her manor of Feversham by fealty, suit at court and the rent of £4 8s. 0¾d. by the year, and are worth per ann., clear, £10. The manor of Wormdall al[ia]s Borden and all the woods and underwoods lying in Newington Borden and Stockburye in co Kent are held of the Queen in socage as of her manor of Milton in co. Kent by fealty and the yearly rent of 13s. 4d., and are worth per ann., clear, £16 13s. 4d. The manor of Ravens is held in socage of the Dean and Chapter of Christ Church, Canterbury, as of their manor of Preston by fealty and the yearly rent of 31s. 6¾d. and is worth per ann., clear, 100s. The two water mills in Osprindge, Devington and Feversham in co. Kent are held in socage of Richard Thornhill, esq., as of his manor of Quenecourt in co. Kent by fealty and the yearly rent of 3s. and are worth per ann., clear, 60s. The other mill called a Brazill mill is held in socage of the said Richard Thornhill as of his said manor of Quenecourt by fealty and the yearly rent of 12d., and is worth per ann., clear, 2s. 6d. The manor of Churchstreet is held of the Queen in socage as of her manor of Wyndhill by fealty and the yearly rent of 10s., and is worth per ann., clear, £10.

William Coppinger died 8 September, 36 Eliz. [1594] without any heir of his body; the said Francis Coppinger is his brother and the next heir male of the body of the said Thomas Coppinger father of the said William and Francis, and was aged 16 years on the 18th day of December last past.

Chan. Inq. p. m., ser. 2, vol. 244, No. 109.

Ferdinand, Earl of Derby.

Inquisition taken at the Guildhall, 13 June, 37 Eliz. [1595], before Thomas Walmisley, one of the justices of the Queen's Bench, Matthew Ewens, one of the Barons of the Exchequer, William Danyell, serjeant-at-law, and William Necton, feodary of the said City, commissioners, after the death of the Most Noble Ferdinand late Earl of Derby, by virtue of a commission to them and others directed, by the oath of William Styche, Thomas Rudd, Thomas Coxe, Walter Fylkins, Thomas Langhorne, Roger Warde, William Glover, George Amerye, William Crowche, William Jenson, Robart Jones, John Rippon, Hugh (?) Farington and William Woodcocke, who say that

Long before the death of the said Ferdinand Earl of Derby, Edward late Earl of Derby, his grandfather, had issue Henry Lord Straunge, afterwards Earl Derby, his son and heir apparent, father of the said Ferdinand and Thomas Stanley, knight, and Edward Stanley, knight, his younger sons: which said Henry Lord Straunge had issue Edward Stanley, esq., his eldest son, who died on the 5th day of March, 4 Eliz. [1562], at Holborn in the suburbs of the City of London without heirs male of his body; and the said Ferdinand, late Earl of Derby, his 2nd son, William, now Earl of Derby, his 3rd son, and Francis Stanley, esq., his 4th son.

The said Edward late Earl of Derby was long before the death of the said Ferdinand seised in his demesne as of fee of the manor of Holborn in the suburbs of the City of London, and 100 messuages, 40 gardens and 1 a. of land in Holborn and Shoelane in the said suburbs, and so seised, by charter indented dated 20 March, 12 Eliz. [1570] with a schedule annexed sealed with the seal of the arms of the said Edward and subscribed with his own hand, he then being fully resolved in what ways the manors, lands, &c., mentioned in the said indenture should continue and be as well during his lifetime as after his decease, and then being desirous that the said premises should descend and come to his heirs male in the manner and form expressed in the said schedule, and to the intent that they should remain to such of his name and blood as are mentioned in the said schedule and for the paternal love and favor he bore towards the said Henry and the heirs male of his body—the said Edward agreed with George Earl of Shrewsbury, Thomas Earl of Sussex, Henry Lord Morley, Edward Lord Stafford, Edward Lord Dudley, John Arundell, knight, Richard Shirburne, knight, Thomas Houghton, esq., Edward Tildisley, esq., Thomas Cansfeilde, esq., Henry Coney and James Kenricke and their heirs that he and his heirs and all other persons who after the 1st day of May then next following should be seised of the said premises, should be thereof seised immediately after the said 1st day of May to the use of the said Edward late Earl of Derby for the term of his life, the remainder thereof after his decease to the said Henry then Lord Straunge and afterwards Lord Derby for the term of 99 years if he so long shall live; the remainder thereof after the death of the said Edward Lord Derby to the 1st to the 13th sons of the said Henry Lord Straunge successively and to the heirs male of their bodies severally and successively issuing; for default, the remainder thereof to the said Thomas Stanley, knight, 2nd son of the said Edward Lord Derby for his natural life; and after his decease, the remainder thereof to the 1st to the 10th sons of the said Thomas successively and to the heirs male of their bodies severally and successively issuing; for default, the remainder thereof to the said Edward Stanley, knight, 3rd son of the said Edward Earl of Derby, during his natural life; and after his decease, to the use of the 1st to the 10th sons successively of the said Edward Stanley and the heirs male of their bodies severally and successively issuing; for default, the remainder thereof to the heirs male of the body of the said Edward Earl of Derby; for default, the remainder thereof to the heirs male of the body of George formerly Lord Straunge, grandfather of the said Edward Earl of Derby, and the heirs male of their bodies; for default, to the heirs of the body of the said Edward Earl of Derby; and for default, to the right heirs of the said Edward Earl of Derby for ever, by virtue whereof and by force of the Statute of Uses the said Edward late Earl of Derby was seised of the said premises in his demesne as of free tenement for the term of his life, with remainders as above, and so seised, afterwards, viz., on the 24th day of October, 14 Eliz. [1572], died at Holborn. After his death the said Henry then Earl of Derby entered into the said premises for the term of 99 years, with remainder to the said Ferdinand and others, and so being thereof possessed died, 25 September, 35 Eliz., at Holborn. After his decease the said Ferdinand late Earl of Derby entered into the said manor of Holborn and other the premises in Holborn and Shoelane and was thereof seised in his demesne as of fee tail.

The manor of Holborn and other the premises in Holborn and Shoelane are held of the Queen in free burgage, and are worth per ann., clear, £10.

The said Ferdinand late Earl of Derby married Alice daughter of John Spencer, knight, and by her had issue Lady Anne his eldest daughter, Lady Frances his second daughter, and Lady Elizabeth his third daughter.

The said Ferdinand died 16 April, 36 Eliz. [1594], at Holborn, without heir male of his body: the said ladies Anne, Frances and Elizabeth are his daughters and next heirs: the said Lady Anne is now aged 13 years, 7 months and 21 days, the said Lady Frances 11 years and 21 days, and the said Lady Elizabeth 7 years, 4 months and 21 days.

The said Alice Countess of Derby still survives at Holborn.

The said William now Earl of Derby is the brother and next heir male of the said Ferdinand, and son and next heir male of the said Henry late Earl of Derby, and kinsman and next heir male of the said Edward late Earl of Derby, viz., brother and heir male of the said Ferdinand, son and heir of the said Henry late Earl of Derby, son and heir of the said Edward late Earl of Derby, and is now aged 32 years and more.

Chan. Inq. p. m., ser. 2, vol. 244, No. 116.