Broxtow

Broxtow, Broculstowe.

'Tis like this place in ancient time was made use of for the people of the Hundred to meet in, because it gives name to the Wapentak. Here was of the Soc of Ernehale Ancient Demense, as much as was rated to the Dane-geld at one bovat, (fn. 1) but in the time of the Conquerours Survey it was waste; and of William Peverells Fee here were five acres which lay to Nuthale; but here was also a Mannor in Broculstowe of the Fee of Robert Fitz-William, which before the Conquest was Godrics, and answered the Tax for three bovats, the Land of it being so much; here the said Robert had one car. and one vill. small wood one qu. long, and one broad. In the Confessours time it was 16s. in the Conquerours but 8s. value.

(fn. 2) Gilbert, son of Eustachius de Broculstowe, gave to the holy Trinity of Lenton, and the Monks there serving God, one toft in Broculstowe, on the east part of the Church.

(fn. 3) Galfr. de Broculstowe held the bovat of the Soc of Arnale for 12d. yearly. He held there also two bovats of H. de Nevill, and other Lands.

(fn. 4) In the 9 E. 2, Broxstowe answered for half a Villa, and John de Broxstowe was Lord of it.

By an Inquisition taken at Nott. the Saturday after the Feast of St. Michael, 7 H. 6, before Thomas Mapurley and his fellow Commissioners, it appears that the Jury (of which John Broxstowe was one) found, that in the Parish of Broxstowe there were not then ten Inhabitants, who were House-keepers, or Housholders.

Henry Lord Grey of Codnour, about 22 H. 6, (fn. 5) died seised of this Mannor, then said to be held of the Soke of Arnale.

(fn. 6) The Mannor of Brokestow, with the appurtenances, two Mess. one vill. sixty-two acres of land, and thirty-two of meadow in Baseford and Allesworth, were settled by a fine, 14 E. 4, on Thomas Parker, and Joane his wife, and the heirs of their bodies; remainder to the heirs of Joane. In 7 H. 8, Henry Willughby, Knight, John Markham, Knight, Richard Egerton, Clark, and Thomas Thurland, Esquire, claimed against Anthony Fitz-Herbert, Serjeant-at-Law, and William Whithalgh, the Mannor of Broxstowe, with the appurtenances, as also four mess. ten tofts, one mill, two hundred acres of land, forty of meadow; two hundred of pasture, and forty of wood, with the appurtenances in Broxstow, Bilborough, Basford, and Alsworth, who called to warrant George Parker, Gentleman.

Another Recovery was suffered, 7 E. 6, (fn. 7) wherein Walter Whaley, Esquire, claimed against Hugh Willoughbie, Knight, and Joane his wife, the Mannors of Brocstow and Basford, with the appurtenances, and fourteen mess. two mills, &c. with a great number of acres, and 30s. Rent in Billeborough and Basford, and ten mess. ten cottages, &c. in Mapurley in Darbyshire. The Mannor of Broxtow and Maperley in Darbyshire, (fn. 8) late in the possession of Thomas Whalley, Gent. and Richard Whalley, Esquire, July 21, 12 Jac. were by the King granted to Philip Stanhope, Knight, his heirs and assigns, as late the Lands of Richard of Richard Whalley, Esquire, paying 21l. 4s. per annum, to the Exchequer.

This Mannor hath since passed through the families of Byron and Stanhope, and Isham Parkins, Esquire, sold it to Thomas Smith, younger son of Sir Francis Smith, of Ashby Folevile in Leicestersbire, who builded the House, and adorned the Seat, and in the Wars received the honour of Knight-hood; but not long since it was sold to Sir Francis Top, then Servant to his Grace the Duke of Newcastle: his Lady Elizabeth Chaplain, who had been Servant to the Duchess since her child-hood: it remains Sir John Toppes, Baronet, her son's.

'Tis now esteemed, as I take it, in the Parish of Bilborough.

[Throsby] Broxtow.

The House or Hall here, in some parts, appears ancient; but it is patched with some ordinary and modern buildings. It is rather prettily embowered with trees. I have given but a very slight sketch of it, as a place of little more consequence than giving name to the Wapentake.—See figure 10 in the annexed plate.

Broxtow, Chapel to Bilborough. Destructa.