Eynford Hundred: Baldeshwell

BALDESWELL.

Takes its name from Bald. Bald is often found in composition, thus, Gerbaldesham, in Norfolk; and may be the name of a quick running water, or river, thus, Baldersdale in Yorkshire; Boldre in Hampshire.

Godric's lordship of Foxley extended into this town, held by him under Alan Earl of Richmond, twelve socmen had 48 acres of land, and 2 carucates and an half, there was paunage for 10 swine, and was valued with Foxley; this village was 6 furlongs long, and 6 broad, and paid 8d.½. gelt; whoever possessed it, besides what lay in Foxley was measured there: see in Foxley. (fn. 1)

After the death of Godric it was granted with Foxley, &c. to the Munchensys by King Henry II. and so came to Valence, and Hastings Earls of Pembroke, and the Greys Earls of Kent. Sir John de Grey, Knight of the Garter, (son of Reginald Lord Grey of Ruthyn.) In the 16th of Henry VI. John Enderby, Thomas Boughton, &c. released to John Grey, of Ruthyn, Esq. and Sir Thomas Wanton, Knt. this manor, &c.; to this deed hangs a seal of red-wax, of the bigness of a erown piece, with these arms, quarterly, Grey of Ruthyn; 2d, Hastings and Valence, quarterly, 3d as 2d; 4th as the first, with a label of three points, over all an helmet sideways; supporters, two goats; the erest, a wyvern, the crest of Hastings.

It is observable that this Sir John Grey was eldest son and heir of Reginald Lord Grey of Ruthyn, then alive, and calls himself by his father's title, and died before his father; and John de Grey, Esq. here mentioned, was 2d son of the said Lord Reginald, and calls himself likewise de Ruthyn, and precedes Sir Thomas Wanton, Knt. batchelor, as a baron's younger son; and lastly, that the arms of Sir John de Grey, though a Knight of the Garter, are not incircled with the garter, it not being (as it seems) the fashion at that time.

From the Greys it came to the Somersets, Cordels, Winwood, Pitfield, and Lombe, &c. as in Foxley.

The honour of Clare extended into this town, and was held in capite by Richard de Clare Earl of Gloucester and Hertford, with lands in Whitwell, Reffham, Wichingham, &c. possessed by Roger Jenny under the Mortimers Earls of March, &c. in the reign of Henry VI.

The tenths were 3l. 16s.—Deducted 13s.

The temporalities of Walsingham priory were 1s. 1d.; of St. Faith's, 13s. 4d.; Langley abbey, 6s. 8d.

The Church is a rectory, dedicated to All-Saints, ancient valor 12 marks, and paid Peter-pence 3d. the present valor is 7l. and is discharged of the payment of tenths and first-fruits.

The church has a nave, and chancel covered with lead, and a square tower with five bells.

In the chancel lies a gravestone,

In memory of Anth. Eglington, A. M. who died March 31, 1644. A^o. 27.

And one for

Henry Eglinton, who died April 5, 1681.—Francisca, uxor Henr. Eglinton, Gen: septem liberor. mater obt. Mart. 3, 16—Ætat. 30.

In the church was the chapel of our Lady; John Beck, in 1525, wills to be buried in this chapel, on the north side of the chancel.

Rectors.

In 1313, William de Measdone was instituted, presented by Sir Hugh de Vere.

1319, Thomas de Castel-Godric, by Adom. de Valentia Earl of Pembroke.

1323, Adam de Mountz. Ditto.

1333, Alexander de Synton, by Mary de St. Paul Countess of Pembroke.

1334, Adam de Waynflet. Ditto.

1357, Mr. Thomas Gryffyn, on an exchange for a canonry in the church of Southwell. Ditto.

1362, John Tarzim. Ditto.

1373, Mr. John de Tinnemouth. Ditto.

1375, Richard de Walsham. Ditto.

1400, John de Welington, by Sir John Scroop, and Elizabeth, Hugh de Mitford, and William de Norton: this Sir John Scroop married Elizabeth, daughter and coheir of David de Strabolgi Earl of Athol, and relict of Sir Thomas Percy, which earl married Joan, daughter of John Comyn, by Joan his wife, sister and coheir of Aymer Earl of Pembroke

1419, John Bukden, by Hugh Holt, &c.

1420, William Redere, by Richard Holt, &c.

1435, John Smyth, by Peter Shellon and Edward Hunte.

1461, Mr. Robert Ippeswell, LL. B. Ditto.

1467, William Mustarder. Ditto.

1493, Mr. John Wardall, S.T.B. by George Grey, Earl of Kent.

1493, Richard Wright. Ditto.

Adam Osee, rector.

George Grange was rector in Queen Elizabeth's reign, and Mrs. Jane Allington, patroness.

1605, William Newport, rector, compounded in June.

1614. Edward Franklin, compounded in April.

1644, Thomas Cadiwold, compounded in November.

1647, William Wells, compounded in January.

1721, On Edm. Ivory's death, Robert Burrow, rector, by Edward Lombe, Esq.