Clackclose Hundred and Half: Watlington

WATLINGTON.

Brussyerd's Manor.

This town is not mentioned in the book of Domesday, or the Conqueror's grand survey, being part of the townships of Shouldham, Wirmegay, and Westbrigg, whose lordships extended here; it takes its name from its site, lying by the water, and a wet soil, thus Watton, Watford, &c.

Hermerus de Ferrarijs was the capital lord of it, and of Wirmegay, &c. and from him it came to the Lords Bardolph Barons of Wirmegay, and was held of them by a family that assumed their name from it.

Sir Robert de Watlington lived in the reign of King Stephen, and Sir Peter, in that of Henry II.—William his son dying in the 17th of Henry III. left Robert his son and heir, whose wardship was granted to Robert le Moyne, who gave the king two palfreys, &c. as a fine for it, and in the 34th of that King, he was of age, held a whole knight's fee, but was not a knight.

Of this family was Ralph, son of Basilia de Wathelington, who by deed sans date, granted, with the consent of his heirs, and confirmed, to the infirm brethren of the hospital of St. Mary Magdalen, on the causey between Lynn and Geywode, lands here, to be held of him and his heirs, paying 8d. per ann. and for this, the said brethren gave to him in Gersumia (as a present) 3 marks of silver, and to his wife Basilia 2s. to his eldest son 1s. &c.—Witnesses Dno. Robto. (Sir Robert,) mayor of Lenn, (fn. 1) Ralph Kelloc, Robert Fitz David, John de Geywode William Parlet, Ralph, minister of the hospital, &c.

In the 3d of Edward I. William de Watlington was lord, claimed the lete, had the assize of bread and beer, gallows, &c.—Robert de Watlington and Agnes his wife, settled it with lands in Thorpland, Holm, &c. in the 7th of Edward II. on their sons George, Richard, and John, &c. in tail, and in the 1st of Edward III. Geffrey de Brussyard and Agnes his wife, late wife of Robert de Watlington (as I take it) held it of the Lord Bardolph.

The said Geffrey and Agnes his wife presented to this church in the 15th of Edward II.

After this it was in the Bartholomews, and in the 20th of Edward III. John, son of Bartholomew, occurs lord of Tussard's, or Gussard's manor in Watlington, (so called corruptly for Brussyard, from Geffrey de Brussyard aforesaid,) as appears from a roll of the honour of Wirmegay, with the appertenances in Totenhill, Sechithe, &c. the advowson of the church of Watlington, liberty of a fold course, free bull and boar, doing suit to the three week court, and other services. John Bartholomew, lord in the 33d of the said King sealed with a bend, between 2 goats heads, and in 1392, Catherine, relict of John Bartollemew, presented to the church of Watlington.

In the year 1407, 1412, 1413, and 1418, John Glemsford, Esq. of Watlington, presented, in right of his wife Margaret, daughter (as I take it) of John Bartholomew, to whom the manor called Barthelmews belongs (as the institution register has it) by right of inheritance. This Margaret had a sister and coheir (as I take it) Catherine, the wife of Robert Drew, who had part of Bartholomew's inheritance here, &c.

In the 11th of Henry VI. it was found that Catherine, late wife of Robert Drew, held 24 acres of land here, in tail, of the honour of Wirmegay, a messuage, 30 acres of land, 9 of meadow, and 10s. per ann. rent here and in Rungton, Thorp, and Seche, by the service of the 40th part of a fee, with 40 acres of pasture in Sadlebow, and Seche, in soccage; and Robert Drew, son of Richard, was her cousin and heir. (fn. 2)

John de Glemsford, Esq. outlived his wife Margaret, and held this lordship by the courtesy of England: he died in the 15th of Hen. VI. leaving by Margaret, two daughters and coheirs, Agnes, and Catherine; (and a son Charles, by a former wife, who had no interest here;) Catherine, the eldest, was married to Thomas Hawdekyn, Esq. who presented in her right to this church, in 1425, and 1427, and after his death to Will. Bolton, and died sans issue. Agnes, her sister, married John Curteis, and dyed before her father Glemsford, leaving Catherine her daughter, and sole heir, aged at the death of her grandfather 6 years and on the death of her aunt, Catherine, was found her heir, and proving her age in the 22d of Henry VI. had livery of this manor, and in 1451, presented to this rectory.

Soon after this it was possessed by the Shouldhams, and Thomas Shouldham, Esq. of this town, by his will dated August 30, 1467, bequeaths his body to be buried in this church: (fn. 3) he gave this manor to his wife Margaret for life, after her decease, to his son Hugh, which descended to him by heirship, on the death of his father, John Shouldham, proved April 30, 1468, which Hugh presented to this church, as lord and patron, in 1487, and 1497.

Soon after it came to the Gawsels, Thomas Gawsell, by Catherine, his wife, daughter and coheir of Humphry Kervile, of Wigenhale, St. German's, was father of Rich. who married Ursula, daughter of Robert Walbut, of Oxburgh, this Richard Gawsell, Esq. held a court here on Friday the feast of St. Hillary, in the 11th of Henry VIII. and presented to the church in 1531. By an inquisition at Lynn, post mortem, it appears that he died on May 31, in the 30th year of Henry VIII. that he held this manor and advowson of the King as of the honour of Wirmegay, by half a knight's fee, but the service of castle guard, was unknown, and John was his son and heir, aged 6 years.

Thomas Gawsell, Esq. died lord, January 2, 1600, and left by Susan, daughter of Gregory Pratt, Esq. 2 sons, Gregory, and Edmund; Gregory died unmarried March 5, 1656, and this lordship came to Susan, daughter and heir of Edmund, which Susan, was married to Sir John Davis, of Berecourt, in Berkshire, by whom she had Gregory Davis, Esq. lord, who died in 1706, leaving 2 sons, by Bridget, daughter of Hatton Berners, Esq. Gregory, who died a minor, in 1710, and John Davis, Esq. the present lord, who married Susan, daughter and coheir of Philip Bedingfeld, Esq.; she died s. p.

Another part or lordship in this town, was held by Thomas de Watlington, and his parceners in the reign of Henry III. by the fourth part of a fee, of the honour of Wirmegey, which was in the hands of William, son of Richard de Watlington, in the 3d of Edward I. (fn. 4) in the 20th of Edward III. John son of William de Watlington, held the same with his parceners. In the 37th of the said King John, (fn. 5) son of William, son of Thomas de Watlington, (probably of the same family,) by his deed dated at South Lenne, on Sunday before the feast of St. Philip and St. James, conveyed all his right, &c. in a messuage, 140 acres of land and meadow, and the appertenances, lying in the marsh of South Lenne, and West Wynch, on the east of Sechythee, which he had of Alice, daughter of Matthew Herlewyne, of South Lenne, to William Duraunt, of Sechythee, and John his son: witnesses, Thomas Attelathe, of Wygenhale, Edmund Kervile, and Thomas de Reynham of the same, &c.

From the family of the Watlingtons it came to William Steward, by the marriage of Joan, daughter of William, and sister of John de Watlington, who on Sunday before the feast of the circumcision, in the 16th of Richard (II. being then a widow) conveyed the same to Laurence Trussbult, Esq. and Nicholas his son, but in the 5th of Henry VI. Robert Kervile, was found to hold it, by the fourth part of a fee of the honour of Wirmegey.

In the year 1434, November 19, the said Robert made his will and testament, which was proved in the following year, by the name of Robert Kervile, of Watlyngton; (fn. 6) he bequeaths his body to be buried in the church of St. Peter and St. Paul of this town, on the south side; gives to Richard his son, this manor, formerly John, son of William, son of Thomas de Watlington; legacies to Geffrey, Katharine, and Hawis his children, and Agnes his sister, and appoints Elizabeth his wife, and Richard his son executors. Richard died s. p. and Geffrey his brother, by Margaret his wife, daughter to Thomas Holditch, Esq. had Thomas his son.

The Kerviles or Carvills of this town, were (as I take it) a younger branch of a very ancient family, that had large possessions at Wigenhale St. Mary's (their seat) and other parts in this neighbourhood. In the 11th year of King Edward III. it appears they held lands here, when Robert, son of Walter de Kervile and Agnes his wife, conveyed lands here to John, son of William of Clenchwarton. (fn. 7)

Thomas Kervile, of Watlington, lord of this fee, made his will January 31, 1532; his body to be buried in this church, his manor here to Robert his grandson, son of Thomas deceased, with lands in Rungton, Holm, Seche, Wigenhale, and South Lynn, and one foldage and an half in this town, appoints his son Humphrey his executor; (fn. 8) (Catharine his wife survived him,) proved October 4, 1535.

Thomas his son, who died before him, made his will November 9, 1522: he held lands in the towns before mentioned and in Totinghill and Wallington, appoints his wife Joan and son Robert, executors; (fn. 9) it appears that he had 2 brothers, Humphrey, and Simeon a priest; sisters, Ursula Newton, and Ela Valenger.

From the Kerviles, it came to the Gawsells, and so was united to the manor of Bartholomews, &c.

Thomas Gawsell of Watlington, Esq. by Ellen his wife, had John his son and heir, living A^o. 1504, father of Thomas, by Margaret his wife; he married Catherine, daughter and coheir of Humphrey Kervile, of Wigenhale, St. German's. (fn. 10) Richard his son, by Ursula his wife, was father of John Gawsell, Esq. and the said Ursula, was daughter of Walbut, as abovesaid.—John had Thomas Gawsell, Esq. his son and heir, who by Susan, daughter of Gregory Pratt, Esq. had 2 sons; 1st, Gregory, who died s. p. - - - -, and Edmund who by - - - - - -, daughter of - - - - - Gray, had Susan his daughter and heir, married to Sir John Davis, whose grandson, John Davis, Esq. is the present lord.

The abbot of West-Derham had a lordship here, which on its dissolution was granted August 29, A^o. 37, Henry VIII. to Richard Gawsell, Esq. and so was united to the rest.

The prior of Shouldham had a small fee in this town; the temporalities of that house were valued here at 4s. per ann. in the year 1428.

This was given to it, on its foundation, by Jeffrey Fitz-Piers Earl of Essex, who held it of the honour of Clare, and in the 3d of Henry IV. the Earl of March, (a descendant of the Earls of Clare,) held here, in Shouldham, Stradset, Foston, Wallington, Thorp, Stoke, Wretton and Wereham, one fee and a quarter in capite, but this at the Dissolution came to the Gawsells, and so to the Davis's.

The prior of Westacre had also lands in this town, valued in 1428, at 7s. per ann. Robert Smith held this (which was 54 acres) of the prior, end died seized thereof in the 9th of Henry VII.

West Derham temporalities were valued at 3l. 4s. 1d. ob.

The abbot of Bury had lands here valued in 1428, at 6s. per ann.

The abbot of Ramsey had lands then valued at 5s. 8d. per ann.

And the prior of Petriston lands then valued at 12d. per ann.—All which it is likely came, on the Dissolution of those houses, to the Gawsels, &c.

In the reign of Henry III. Alexander le Moyne, and his parceners, held here, and in Wallington, Sechehith, Foston, Hardwick, &c. a knight's fee of the Lord Bardolph; this was held in the reign of Edward III. by Benedict Russell, the prioress of Blackburgh, Edmund de Monpinzoun, &c. of this Alexander le Moyne, and Benedict Russell, see in Foston, Shouldham, Thorp, &c.

Robert de Watlington by deed sans date; confirmed to the monks of Castleacre, all his tenements, lands, meadows, pastures, &c. (fn. 11) which his ancestors and himself had given to them, viz. the land which Ulfketel Stoke held, the land which Richard, son of Godr. held, the land that Alfric Ruffus held, and a gara of land in the moor of Watlington, the new land which Alane his brother gave them, and a messuage in Dierham, two tofts in Wretton, and the men who held the same, their children, &c.; witnesses, Reginald de Warren, the Lady Alice his wife, William de Warren, master Clement, Ralph, the clerk, Peter de Wineberga, Robert de Stradeset, Robert de Capravill, William de Waltona, Robert, son of Hugh de Nereburgh, John de Nereburgh, Alane de Watlington, Walter Tussard, Leverede de Marham, William de Binham, William de Wigenhall, Ebrard de Tomeston, &c. (fn. 12) —Reginald de Warren, at the request of Sir Robert de Wallington, Knt. confirmed to the monks of Castleacre, all the grants which the aforesaid Robert or his ancestors had made to them; witnesses, Alice his wife, William his son, Gilbert de Blevill, Ralph de Crakefeld, Robert de Hera, &c.— Ralph, son of Godefrey of Tilney, by deed sans date, gave to the said monks, the service of William de Fodestun, and William his brother of Watlington, which they owed him, for land, which was Rein, their father's, and for half the land which was Walter their uncle's, and their homages, &c. Witnesses, Walter de Wirham, John, clerk of Watlington, Alan, clerk of Southacre, Godfrey de Tilney, &c.

The tenths of this town, were 10l. 14s.—Deduct 1l.—remain 9l. 14s.

The lete was in the abbey of Ramsey, and at the Dissolution came to the Hares of Stow Bardolf, as appears from the ancient rolls of the hundred.—Lete fee was 2s. 8d.

The Church of Watlington is dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul, it has a nave with a north and south isle annexed, all covered with lead, and built of carr stone and boulder, in length about 57 feet, in breadth, including the isles, about 43 feet; at the west end of the nave is a four square tower of the same materials, with quoins of free stone, embattled with brick but coped with stone, and 4 stone pinnacles, one at each corner, on this is a cap of wood, covered with lead, a weather cock thereon, and four bells are in the said tower.

In the lowest window of the north isle, are the remains of the figures of St. John Baptist. St John the Evangelist, and that of our Saviour, but their heads are broke of.—In the next or second window as you ascend is the figure of St. Paul, and under him is the portraiture of a woman, in a yellow gown, on her knees, her hands erect, and under her, in old characters, these remains of an inscription: - - - - et Cecilie uxor. ej.

In the highest window of this isle, in the upper pannels, are the remains of the figures of three women saints, but their heads, &c. are broken off; that in the middle seems to be the Virgin Mary, underneath her is the bust of a woman (the rest of her being broke out) holding a chain of gold, or string of beads in her right hand, in a blue gown, on her knees, and her hands erect, and in an old character, Orate p. aiab; Galfridi de Brusseyard et Agnetis uxor. ej. This window is edged with goats heads couped, argent, attired and barbed or.

The east window of the said isle has been finely illuminated, as all the rest have been, by particular benefactors, and here are now, parrots and bunches of grapes, painted; at the east end is an ascent, and this isle has been some chapel; on the pavement here lies a marble, the plate and label of brass, wherewith it was ornamented, together with the portraiture, is reaved, but by the incision of the stone it was no doubt in memory of some priest that here officiated.

At the west end of the nave is an old curious stone font, on the bason and pedestal are several nitches, wherein stood the Apostles, &c. as appears by the remains; to this there is an handsome wooden cover with a pelican on the summit vulned, and this date, 1674, and as you ascend the nave on the pavement, lies a large marble gravestone, which had a stately cross floral, with 4 shields and a rim of brass round it, about which was the inscription in French, the letters were of brass, the stone being cut and fitted so as to receive them, all which are now sacriligeously reaved; by the incision, where the stone is not quite worn through, this may be made out—

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - D E R O S E - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - DE CHIVALERIE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - S'AME. PRIE. - - - - - - - DEV. DE S' AME. - - - MERCI.

This seems to be as old as King Edward the First's time, and is probably in memory of Sir Robert de Watlington, who lived in that reign.

About the middle of the nave lies a marble thus inscribed,

Here lie the bodies of Elizabeth and Susan, all the daughters of Thomas and Mary Inglebright, Susan died Janu. 1st. 1702, aged one year, Elizabeth died Sept. 25, 1717, aged 19.—Here lyeth the body of Thomas Inglebright of Watlington, grocer, who died Feb. 2d. 1702, aged 35; also the body of John his only son, who died May 23, 1716.

To good for earth just God reassumes his own. And calls her virtues to a heaventy throne. In his short life, he unto us hath shown. All the great virtues that mankind could own.

On the back part of the pulpit, Given by Henry Panting, and augmentioned by Elizabeth his wife, 1616.—On a large marble stone, at the east end of the nave

Here lyeth the body of William Knipe, Gent: and Elizabeth his wife; he died April 25, 1654, aged 25; she November 29, 1672, aged 44, who had issue Peter and Mary.

And against the wall, at the south-east corner of this nave hangs an achievement, gules, two bars, and in chief, three griffins heads erased, argent, Knipe, (Plate I. fig. 28.) and thus inscribed;

Nere this place lyeth interr'd the body of William Knipe, son and heir of Peter Knipe, of Westwinch, in the county of Norfolk, Gent: and Elizabeth his wife daughter of Thomas Cross, of this parish, who departed this life April 25, 1654.

The roof of this nave is supported by several octangular pillars, forming 8 arches, 4 on each side, and the like number of windows over them.—The upper part of the south isle has been some chapel, part of the screen which inclosed it is still remaining, as also the place for the holy water: over this part is a handsome gallery-pew belonging to the lord of the manor, and thereon are the arms of Davis and Gawsell, quarterly impaling Bernars, quarterly, in 1st and 4th, vert, a griffin segreant, argent, Davis; in 2d and 3d barry of six or, and gules, a canton, ermine, Gawsell; impaling quarterly or and vert, Bernars, (Plate I. fig. 29.) Against the north wall of this isle as you ascend to this pew, is a little mural monument, with the effigies of a man in armour, with his wife, on their knees upon cushions; the monument is adorned with 2 fluted colums and a cornish, and the shield of Gawsell as before, impaling argent, on a chevron, between three pelllets, two in chief, charged with as many martlets, and one in base, with a trefoil of the 1st, as many mascles or, Pratt, (Plate I. fig. 30.) and this epitaph,

Here lyeth the body of Thomas Gawsill, Esq; who married Susan the 2d daughter of Gregory Pratt, of Ryston, Esq; and had issue syx sons and seaven daughters, whereof there was two sons and syx daughters living at his death, and the said Thomas dy'd the second of January, A. D. 1600.

This monument was erected at the charge of Thomas Wolriche, of Cowling, in Suffolk, Esq. and the above named Susan his wife.—This shield is on the bottom, gules, a chevron argent, between three wildducks, volant, proper, Wolriche, impaling Pratt, (Plate I. fig. 31.)

The chancel is of the same materials with the church, and is separated from the nave by a screen; it is in length about 46 feet, and 19 in breadth, is lofty and covered with reed. On the area here, lie several gravestones; at the west end, one with the arms of Davis and Gawsell, quarterly impaling, Berners.

Here lyeth the body of Gregory Davis, Esq; who dyed the 22d day of September 1706, in the 35th year of his age, leaving two sons, Gregory and John.

On the right hand of this lies another with the same arms,

Bridget, the wife of Gregory Davis, Esq; eldest daughter of Hatton Berners, Esq; of St. Mary's Hall, dyed 16, of June 1701, aged 27 years, leaving two sons, Gregory and John.

On the left hand a third thus inscribed,

Jacent hoc sub marmore reliquiœ Gregorij Gawsell, Arm. filij natu maximi Thomas Gawsell, Armig. cui cum patrimonium reliquit haud contemnendum, ipse prudentj, industriâ auctius multo reddidit, dum vitam cælibem [ut qui nec conjugij curas expertus est, nec solatia] probè transegit, amplam fortunam, moriturus fratris filiœ, et sororum filijs dispertivit, hic lucem primus vidit, hic clausit oculos Martij 5to, An. Dom. 1656, Ætatis suœ 70.

As you ascend, lies a marble gravestone with this shield, gules, a fess checquered, argent and sable, between six crosses pattée fitché of the second, Boteler, impaling Gawsell, (Plate I. fig. 32.) and on a brass plate,

Requiescunt hoc sub marmore reliquiœ Thomœ Boteler, Armigerj, antiquœ Botelorum familiæ in comitatu Hertfordiæ oriundj, auspicatas contraxit nuptias cum Annâ Gawsell, filia secunda Thomæ Gawsell, Armig. quibus nati fuissent 6 filij et una filia, tandem plus octo et viginta annis cum illâ sanctè, piéq; transactis, sitomagj moriturus, saeris hisce penetralibus legavit corpus, suum Jesum ad morandum, an. salutis 1637, Ætatis suæ 67.

Adjoining on the right hand, a gravestone with the arms of Davis and Gawsell, quarterly,

Here lyeth the body of Gregory Davis, Esq; eldest son of Gregory Davis, Esq; and Bridget his wife, who dyed the 9th day of July 1710, in the 12th year of his age.

And on the left, on a gravestone of marble,

Dormit hic in communis parentis gremio, Anna, Thomæ Boteler, Armigeri, dilecta conjux, cuj novendecim plus minus annos pudicé supervixit sex filiorum et unicæ filiæ fæcunda mater, quæ conjugis, matrisq; officio piè, functa defuncta est Watlingtoniæ, Martii 11°. An. Dom. 1656, Ætatis suœ 68.

A little higher lies a marble stone with this shield, party per chevron, or and azure, in chief, two flower-de-lis, gules, and in base, on five lozenges in fess of the 1st, as many escollops of the 3d, Edgar, impaling Spelman of Narburgh, (Plate I. fig. 33.)

Here lyeth interred Elizabeth the wife of Stephen Edgar, Gent: one of the daughters of John Spilman. Esq; of Narburgh-Hall, who dyed the 1st day of March 1679, and left two children, John and Margaret, aged 35 years.

At the east end lie these gravestones, argent, three roses, and a chief, gules, Sparrow, (Plate I. fig. 34.)

Here lyeth the body of Robert Sparrow, Esq; alderman, and twice mayor of the corporation of King's Lynn, one of the sons of Robert Sparrow, B. D. late rector of this church, and of Jane his wife, he departed this life the 13th day of Dec. 1716, aged 75.

On another, argent, a fess gules, Burkin, (Plate I. fig. 35)

Here lyeth the body of Samuel Burkin, Esq; who died July 20, 1726, aged 57.

Adjoining to this, sable, a chevron, ermine, between three spears heads, argent, embrued gules, Lewis, impaling azure, three griffins heads erased, in a bordure, or, Cutler, (Plate I. fig. 36.)

Magdalena lectissima, conjux Henricj Lewis, rec. de Rungton-Holme, hoc sub marmore quiescit, heroina, prosapia, ac pietate perinde clara. She was second daughter to Sir Gervase Cutler, (of Stainburg-Hall in Yorkshire, Kt. and Bt. colonel for King Charles I. and slain at Pomfret castle, June 25, 1645.) by Magdalen 5th daughter to John earl of Bridgwater, by Francis 2d daughter of Ferdinando 5th earl of Derby, king in man, whose mother was daughter's daughter to Mary, second daughter to King Henry VII. of England, and once queen to Lewis XII. King of France, she dyed March 8, 1682, and left two daughters, Magdalen and Elizabeth, Ætatis suæ 45.

If women all were like to thee, We men for wives should happy be

Against the south wall, near the west end, is a small marble mural monument, with the effigies of a clergyman in his gown, as A. M. kneeling on a cushion, in an arch, supported by two pillasters of the Ionick order, with their capitals gilt with gold, a desk before him and hands erect, on the summit these arms, per pale, argent and azure, a fess between three flowers-de-lis, counterchanged, Freak, (Plate I. fig. 37.) on the basis

Here lyeth John Freak, A. M. sometime fellow of Trinity college, Cambridge, rector of this parish 22 years, the son of John Freak, D. B. and archdeacon of Norwich, and son of Edmund Freak, lord bishop of Norwich, who married Margaret daughter of Edmund Wastell, by whom he had issue one daughter only, which John dyed January 20, 1628.

On the south side, in the lowest window, argent, three torteaux, Besils, or, Fitz-arms, (Plate I. fig. 38.)—Azure on a fess, between two chevrons argent, a crescent for distinction, gules, Tendring, (Plate I. fig. 39.);—and in the upper window on the same side, three covered cups, or, Butler, (Plate I. fig. 40.). Here are three stone arches, where have been three stalls or seats in the wall and a fourth for the holy water, now all worked up and plaistered; on the north side, in the lowest window, have been the effigies of the Apostles, St. Paul, &c. with labels of the Creed, now much defaced; on the summit of this window, vert, on a bend or, maunches, gules, Tony, (Plate I. fig. 41.); and at the bottom of the window; Orate p'Dno. Rogero Tony, —, which shows the antiquity of this window, he being rector of this church in the 9th of Edward III. In the second window, Orate p'aiab; Rici. Gladdelsene et Alicie, —. In the upper window, sable, a bend ermin, between two goats heads couped argent, barbed and attired, or, Bartholomew, (Plate I. fig. 42.); and vert, on a bend, or, three leaves of the first, (Plate I. fig. 43.) Near to the porch, which is against the south isle, lie two gravestones in the churchyard, with crosses patée cut on them, resembling those of the Knights Templars, and one with a cross flory.

The old valor was 25 marks, Peter-pence 8d.

This rectory is valued in the King's books at 14l. 16s. 8d. and pays tenths, &c.

In the 41st. of Henry III. Richard de Herlawe sued Robert son of William de Watlington, for messuages, lands, and the advowson of this church, (fn. 13) in which family this advowson and manor (as we have observed) continued till the beginning of the reign of King Edward I.

Rectors.

Roger de Tony was instituted the 26th of September 1321, presented by Geffrey de Bruseyerd and Agnes his wife, and occurs rector in the 9th of Edward III.

Peter, died rector 1392. (fn. 14)

1392, William de Westacre, by Catherine, relict of John Bartolemew; his will is dated on Monday after the feast of St. Michael, 1392, and proved 11th October in the said year; (fn. 15) he was archdeacon of Norfolk.

1407, Stephen Noble, presented by John Glemsford of Watlington, Esq.; he was also rector of Northwold in Norfolk, &c.

1412, Thomas Banastre, on the resignation of Noble, by John de Glemsford, Esq.

1413, John Wadyn alias Asheton, on the resignation of Banastre, by John Glemsford, Esq.; he was rector of Teversham in Cambridgeshire, and exchanged with Banastre. Glemsford is here said to be patron in right of his wife Margaret, to whom the manor called Bartholomews belongs by right of inheritance.

1418, John Bluntysham, on the resignation of Asheton, by John Glemsford, Esq.; he was rector of Ellesworth in Cambridgeshire, and exchanged with Asheton.

1425, Edward Perys or Pery of Wygenhale, presented by Thomas Hawdekyn of Watlington; by his will, dated on Tuesday after the feast of the conception of the Blessed Virgin, in 1427, he desires to be buried at the nunnery of Crabhouse in Norfolk. (fn. 16)

1427, John Attehall on the death of Perys, by Thomas Hawdekyn, Esq. &c.

1442, William Trusbut, S. T. P. by the King: by his will, dated 31st of December 1450, he desires to be buried in the church of Crabhouse; proved the 10th of December 1451: (fn. 17) he was rector of Yaxham in Norfolk, and exchanged with Attehall.

1451, John Bulman, on the death of William Trusbut, presented by Catherine Curteys.

1487, Jeffrey Robynson, on the resignation of Bulman, presented by Hugh Shouldham, Gent.

1497, Simeon Fincham, on the death of Robynson, by Hugh: his will is dated 19th of June 1512, and proved the 4th of October in the said year. (fn. 18)

1512, Thomas Hynde.

1531, Thomas Franceys, on the resignation of Hynde, presented by Richard Gawsell.

1547, Robert Swyft, by the assigns of William Butts and Ursula his wife.

1552, Henry Ramshawe, on the death of Robert Swyft, by William Butts of Watlington and Ursula his wife, by virtue of her jointure in this manor, (her first husband was Richard Gawsell.)

1556, Edmund Dennye, on the death of Ramshawe, by William Butts and Ursula his wife. Dns. Edm. Dennye, presbyter conjugatus satis doctus, non residet, non hospitalis, in rectoria sua de Beestonne, non predicat nec licentiatus. Duo. (fn. 19)

1563, Martin Haryson, on the death of Dennye, by William Butts and Ursula his wife.

1580, Robert Marshall, on the resignation of the last rector, presented by Thomas Gawsell.

1583, Peter Tye, presented (hac vice) by John Rowse, on a grant from T. Gawsell: he was also rector of Barton St. Mary.

1592, William Raye, on the resignation of Tye, by John Rowse, &c.; in his answer to King James's queries, he observes that there were 140 communicants here in 1603.

1606, John Freake, A. M. on the resignation of Raye, presented by Felix Maplesden, Gent., assignee to Thomas Gawsell, Gent.

1629, Robert Sparrow, by G. Gawsell, Esq.

1657, John Lane, A. M. admitted then by the commissioners, appointed for the approbation of publick preachers.

1670, James Davy, A. M. on the resignation of Lane, by James Davy of Lynn, (hac vice patron,) assignee of Robert Gawsell, Esq.

1710, Thomas Pile, A. M. on the death of the last rector, by Edmund Rolfe, Gent.; he was rector of Outwell, and vicar of South Lynn, in Norfolk; preacher at St. Margaret's Lynn, and vicar of Gedney in Lincolnshire, and prebend of Salisbury and residentiary.

1726, Horatio Fosset, A. M. on the cession of Pile, by Mrs. Susan Davis.

1765, Henry Robinson, by John Davis, Esq.

Jerem. Pratt, by ditto.

Thomas Demany, chaplain, by his will dated the 14th of May 1465, desires to be buried near the font in the church of Wallington.

William Leek, by his will dated the 3 of February 1468 (fn. 20) bequeaths legacies to St. Peter's gild here, the light of the crucifix, St. Catherine's light, &c.

John Heyrip of Watlington, chaplain, by his will dated on Wednesday after the feast of St. Margaret the Virgin, (fn. 21) 1417, wills to be buried in the chapel of St. Thomas here, bequeaths legacies to the sepulchre light, St. Mary's light before the basyn, to St. Mary's light before gesyne, to the lepars of Sechy and of Hardwyedam.

Edmund Bekkes, by will dated June 4th, 1470, (fn. 22) bequeaths legacies to the sepulchre light, that of the crucifix, that of St. Catharine, to St. Mary's light in the perclose, St. John the Baptist's light, St. Mary's light, St. Anthony's light, St. Thomas's light, and St. Nicholas's light in this church.—Besides these persons here buried.

Catherine Coo, widow, of Watlington, by her will dated 1474, (fn. 23) desires to be buried in this church; and in 1505, John Reyns, by will, desires to be buried before the image of our Lady, without the perclose, in the chancel here, and bequeaths to the prioress of Crabhouse 6s. 8d. and to every lady there 8d.

The Kerviles of Watlington, were, as I take it, a younger branch of the family of St. Mary Wigenhale, in Norfolk, Marshland, and bore gules, three leopards heads, argent, jessant flowers-de-lis.

Robert de, Kervile, son of Walter, and Agnes his wife, conveyed lands in Wattington, in the 11th year of Edward III. to John, son or William of Clenchwarton. Fin. Norff. 11 Ed. III.

Robert de Kervile's will is dated November 19, 1433, and proved in 1435; wills to be buried in the church of Watlington; to Richard, his son, a manor there; legacies to Jeffery, Catharine, and Hawis, his children, and Agnes his sister; appoints Elizabeth his wife and his son Richard, executors.—Regist. Surflete at Norw. p. 2. fol. 178. 6.

John Kervile of Wigenhale, witness to a deed, in 3 of Edward III.

Sir Robert Kervile, son of Edmund Kervile of Wigenhale, is buried in the church of St. Mary's, Wigenhale, and was son of Edmund, as appears from the inscription on his gravestone. (fn. 24)

In this church of St. Mary are several coats, painted in the glass, of Kervile; gules, a chevron, or, between three leopards faces with their impalements; Kervile impaling, argent, three bars and a bend, ermine, Fincham; Kervill impaling, sable, three covered cups, Le Butler, (as I take it,) Kervill, impaling sable, two piles, argent.

Kervill, impaling, azure, an eagle displayed, or, Shouldham; quartering gules, a chief ermine, Narburgh; Kervill, impaling argent, a fess between six ogresses, in a bordure engrailed, sable.

Thomas Kervile, Esq. married Margaret, daughter and coheir of Gilbert Haltoft, baron of the Exchequer, temp. Henry VI.; she brought to him the manor of Richmond in Wisbeach and Leverington, &c.

Henry Kervile, Esq. married Winefrede, daughter of Sir Anthony Thorold, by whom he had Sir Henry Kervill, who married Mary, daughter of Francis Plowdon, Esq. and Mary Kervill, who died s. p. married to Robert Thorold, Esq.

The said Sir Henry, by Mary his wife, had a son, Gervase, and a daughter, Mary, who both died infants.

Sir Henry and his lady are buried in the aforesaid church, under a stately monument with their effigies; he died June 26, 1624, she March 6, 1624. On the monument are the arms of Kervile, impaling Plowden, azure, a fess dauncette, and two lis in chief, or; Carvill, impaling Fincham, Kervile impaling Le Butler.

(a) This Thomas wills, in 1500, to be buried in the chapel of St. John in Derham-Abbey in Norfolk.; dated September 14, and proved November 27, 1500. Ellene his wife, and Richard his son, executors. The will of Ellene his wife of Watlington, Gent. is dated on the feast of St. Clement, in 1504; she desires to be buried in the monastery of Derham, and gives to John Martin, abbot of West-Derham, an image of the salutation with a vernakill.—Register Rix. Norw. p. 43, and Regr. Cage. Quere, if this Ellene was not daughter and heir of William Kekill. lord of Wallington about the time of Edward IV. She gave to John Gawsell her eldest son, the manors of Wallington and Thorpland, and Woodleves in Fordham; her will proved June 3, 1507. Thomas, her husband, held lands in Carboisthorp, (that is ShouldhamThorp,) Wimbotsham, Stow, Foston, East Winch, Wigenhale, &c. Norfolk, and gave to Richard, his son, lands in Fordham, Helgey, Denver, Riston, Roxham, Upwell, Outwell, Tilney, &c. Norfolk, and Littleport in Cambridgeshire. Her children mentioned as above.

(b) Thomas Gawsell, Esq. (son of John) and Catherine his wife, sold Wallington and Thorpland to William Coninsby, Esq. (afterwards a judge) in the 16 of Henry VIII. In the pedigree of the Derhams, I find that Dorothy (daughter of Thomas Derham, Esq. and Ela his wife daughter of Sir John Audley, which Thomas died in 1531) was married to Thomas Gawsell, Esq. of Watlington, and must be his first wife. In an old writing of Sir Andrew Fountain, Knt. I find this,— "Thomas Gawsell, Gent. son and heir of Margaret Pratt, daughter and heir of William Wutton, late of Castleacre, Ao. 28, Henry VIII."

(c) Richard Gawsell, Esq. of Watlington, made his will, May 26, 1538, proved October 2d following; appoints his wife Ursula, his executrix; John Gawsell his son, Margery Gawsell his sister, John Willoughby, Esq. his son and law.

Regist. Punting Norw. p. 42. Regist. Underwood. Norw. p. 44. Ursula his widow, occurs wife of William Bults, Esq. in 1547; and they presented to this church several times, the last was in 1563.

(d) Thomas Gawsell, Esq. married Susan, 2d daughter of Gregory Pratt of Riston, Esq. and had 6 sons and 7 daughters, and at his death left 2 sons and 6 daughters, and died January 2, 1600. Ann, his 2d daughter, married, 1st Thomas Boteler, Esq. and Susan his wife married after to Thomas Wolriche of Cowling in Suffolk, Esq. Susan, his 3d daughter, wife 1st of Mitchell, then of Sir Richard Braham of Windsor, and died s. p. Fourth daughter, married John Pell of Darsingham, Esq. in Norfolk, and had Gregory and Valentine, her sons. Dorothy, 5th daughter, married Samuel Saltonstall of— in Yorkshire. Elizabeth, 6th daughter, married Arthur Berners of H—, in Essex, and of Wigenhale, St. Mary's, Norfolk.

(e) Gregory Gawsell, Esq. died single, March 5, 1656, aged 70, and was buried in Watlington church. Susan, daughter and heir of his brother Edmund, by—, daughter of—Gray, second wife of Sir John Davis of Berecourt in Berkshire, had this manor, and left a son, Gregory Davis, and

Gregory Davis, Esq. her son, married Bridget, eldest daughter of Hatton Berners, Esq. of Wigenhale, St. Mary's-Hall, and dying in 1706, aged 34, left a son, Gregory, who died July 9, 1710, aged 12, years, and a son, John Davis, Esq. who married—, daughter and coheir of Philip Bedingfeld, Esq. she died s.p. in 1749 at Bath.