...and by the way, your godfather has a huge stomach. Oh and no, I can't be your daughter's godfather, because one day you'll die and I might want to marry your widow.
One of my absolute favourite things of all time: fourteenth- and fifteenth-century proofs of age, when those people who held land directly of the king and whose parent/grandparent/uncle/whatever died when they were still under age, proved that they were now fourteen (married women) or fifteen (unmarried women) or twenty-one (men) years old and were thus old enough to receive their lands. A dozen or so jurors stated the heir's date of birth and gave reasons why they remembered the date. See also here, here, here and here.
Sir Edward Hastings, born 24 May 1382, proved his age 9 June 1403.
Edward was born just outside Doncaster in Yorkshire, and William Dawson, one of the jurors, remembered the date because he "was in Pontefract on the day that Edward was born, and there saw a man unknown to him, who had been arrested for casting the evil eye on the horse of his neighbour, John de Hirn, and he then heard that Anne Hastings had been delivered of a male child, whom he afterwards heard called Edward."
John, Lord Beaumont, born at Folkingham, Lincolnshire on 14 August 1409; proved his age 21 October 1430.
Juror Ralph Oudeby remembered the date because he saw "William, late Lord Ros, John’s godfather with a huge stomach, raise him from the font at baptism." (William, Lord Ros of Helmsley in Yorkshire, was born c. 1368 and died in 1414.)
Thomas Stokes of Folkingham, 60 and more, was sent at the command of Elizabeth [Willoughby] mother of John, late Lady Beaumont, to tell Henry Beaumont, chevalier [knight], father of John, the good news of John’s birth on the day of the birth.
William Ledbeter of Sleaford, 60 and more, sold a white palfrey on the day of the birth at Folkingham for £10 to Henry Beaumont, chevalier, father of John.
John Thomasson, the elder, aged 47 years and more, agrees and says that on the third day after the birth he was struck in the back with a knife by John Casteleyn.
John Spayne, aged 59 years and more, John Mytton, aged 56 years and more, and William Stratle, aged 60 years and more, agree, and say that they remember because at that time they were journeying on pilgrimage to St Thomas [Becket] of Canterbury, and during their pilgrimage they were told in London of the birth of the said heir by Robert de Hoo, the heir’s godfather.
John Bastard [!!], aged 58 years and more, agrees, and says that he remembers because at that time a hall of his was burnt down.
William de Lylburne, aged 40 years, says that on the same day he rode to Wyderyngton and broke his horse’s leg.
William de Schaftow, aged 50 years, says that he was staying with the heir’s father and for joy at the heir’s birth became so drunk that he fell down and broke his leg in the hall of Wyderyngton.
Gilbert de Babynton, aged 50 years, says that on the following night he was taken by the Scots and led away to Scotland, where he stayed for the next six weeks.
Ralph son and heir of Ralph Bulmer was born on 7 December 1340, and proved his age on 7 October 1362.
Richard de Belewe of Scalby, aged 38 years and more, agrees and says that on Monday before Ascension day after the birth Alan Belewe his father was drowned in the mill-pond of Caysthorp in coming from Caysthorp manor to Scalby.
Peter del Spitell, aged 46 years, and Richard son of John of the same, aged 53 years, agree and say that on Tuesday before Ascension day after the birth they were sworn upon the view of the body of the aforesaid Alan Belewe, drowned at Caysthorp, before Robert de Grenefeld, coroner in the West Riding of Lincolnshire.
Walter Mous, aged 58 years, and William de Barton of Glaunfordbrig, aged 48 years, agree and say that at the feast of SS. Peter and Paul after the birth there was a great flood of the water of Ancoln and a mighty tempest of wind, which broke the bridge and causeway of Glauntfordbrig and carried away stacks of peat and the fish in the stews in the gardens of many people living there.
William Welde, aged 40 years and more, says that she is of full age, to wit, 14 years and more...and that he was present at the baptism, and that, on being asked by Thomas Chasteleyn, her father, to be her godfather, he flatly refused because it was possible that he might survive the said Thomas and marry Isabel, the latter’s wife.
John Leddred, aged 38 years and more, agrees and says that on the Monday after the birth of the said Joan he held a court at Dunynton, and after holding the court he visited Isabel, the mother, in her childbed, and she gave him a silk purse that he might bear witness and remember the age of her daughter.
Nicholas Cadebury, aged 35 years and more, agrees and says that on the Sunday after the birth he came to the house of Thomas the father and was making a plan for the building of his hall, and the said Thomas gave him an axe with a cord to bear witness and remember the age of his daughter Joan.
John Bruyn, aged 30 years and more, agrees and says that on the day of the baptism he went into the park of Donyate with Thomas Chasteleyn, and there they killed a doe with their bows and arrows, and Thomas gave him the skin of the same doe to bear witness to the truth of the age of his daughter.
John Durewyne, aged 41 years and more, agrees and says that in crossing the road in the said town he saw the said Walter being carried in a woman’s arms past the cemetery to the house of Richard Danseye his father, and the woman told him that he had been baptized.
Richard atte Grove, aged 50 years and more, agrees and says that on the same day he was at the house of Richard Danseye the father very early in the morning, and Margaret, daughter of the same Richard, came from her chamber and told him that ‘she had a brother then born, for which God be thanked.’
John Everard, John Jaunes, Thomas Reynald and Richard de Pounde, all 43 years of age and more, agree and say that on the aforesaid day Richard Danseye hunted the fox at la Holte in the same county, and they were there to clip the hedges for the hunt, and there came one William Workman and said to the aforesaid Richard ‘My lord, do you wish to hear news?’ and he answered ‘Friend, what news?’ and William related to the whole company that Richard the day before had a son born at Dulton and baptized on the same day, and that he had seen him. And Richard gave him 40d for his account.
Robert Athelard of Quappelade, aged 60 years and more, Gilbert de Blakwell of the same, aged 57 years and more, William Kytwyld of the same, aged 54 years and more, and Alexander Male of the same, aged 48 years and more, agree and say that at the feast of St. Peter’s Chains before the feast of St. Peter’s Chains before the birth there was a great inundation of the sea, which broke the banks of the sea-wall at Gedenay and within the bounds of Quappelade, of which sea-wall they were keepers and surveyors.
William Coke of Gedenay, aged 46 years and more, John Pertre of the same, aged 49 years and more, William de Halden of the same, aged 52 years and more, and Thomas Wryght of the same, aged 43 years and more, agree and say that they were with Philip the father at the abbey of Nusum on the day of the birth, and on the morrow they came with him to Gedenay on account of a letter which William Hode of Flete sent to him at Nusum on the day of the birth.
Alexander de Oxeney, aged 48, says the like, and knows it because he gave the said heir lying in his cradle a buckle of gold.
Ranulph Skot, aged 52, agrees, and knows it because he was sitting in a certain tavern with other companions when the birth of the heir was made known.
William Nichole, aged 41, agrees, and knows it because he was in a garden and heard the cries of the said heir’s mother labouring in childbirth.
William Haskes, aged 58, and others, agree, and know it because they were present at the banquet when the said heir’s mother rose from childbed.
Edward le Hauberger son and heir of John le Hauberger was born on 31 January 1315 at Feltham in Middlesex, and proved his age on 27 March 1338.
John Martyn, knight, aged 40 and more...knows because on the same day that the said Edward was baptized he saw king Edward II come to the said church at Feltham to lift the said Edward from the sacred font, and to place his name upon him.
Geoffrey Pellam, aged 56 years and more, agrees, and knows it because, in the said church on the same day, after the baptism of the said Edward, at the request of certain of his friends he had pardon from king Edward II for a certain outlawry for the death of John le Ferour, for which he was indicted.
John Cosyn, aged 50 years and more, agrees, and knows it because on the same day he was at Westminster before Sir William de Bereford, then a justice [words missing document] common bench, in an inquisition between Gilbert Binorth and John Bile, and then in the night, when he had come to his house, he heard from [his] wife that John le Ha[uberger] had a son, to whom king Edward II had given his name.
John de Wytonville, aged 50 years and more, agrees, and knows it because he was at the house of the said Edward’s mother on the day of his birth, and in going towards his own house fell among thieves, and was robbed and badly wounded.
John de Purlee, aged 44 years and more, agrees, and knows it because on the same day he was at the castle of Hagelehe with the father of the said Edward, when news came to him of the birth of the said Edward; and King Edward II, in the 8th year of his reign [8 July 1314 to 7 July 1315], lifted the said Edward from the sacred font, and he (the said John) was present.
[Another godson of Edward II!]
...this he remembers after the lapse of such a time, because the said 31 March was Easter day that year, on which day he was in the said church at the resurrection, and immediately after the resurrection the said Katherine was baptized, whose godfather was Alan Ligard, and Beatrice Coleville and Christiana wife of John Ligard her godmothers, and there was a question amongst those in the church how she could be called Katherine, as neither of her godmothers was so called, and to this it was replied that for love of St. Katherine she was so named; thus he well remembers that the said Katherine will be 15 years of age on 31 March next.
John Asshebrok, aged 46 years, agrees and says that he was at the time in the service of the heir’s father and was charged with divers letters into the counties of Wilts, Stafford, Northampton and Leicester to divers of the father’s friends for joy at the birth of the said heir.
John Mokke, aged 46 years, agrees and says that he was with a certain priest in the church aforesaid when the said Robert was baptized, so that, counting up the years spent in divers dwellings, he is sure that the heir is of full age.
Walter son of Richard, aged 48 years, agrees and says that in the same year, in the summer following, he was in a quarrel where he was grievously wounded.
Richard Adam, aged 60 years, agrees and says that he was on pilgrimage to Santiago about the feast of St. Gregory the Pope after the birth, and suddenly fell sick with fever and so remained weak for a long time after.
John de Kent, aged 50 years, agrees and says that he was serving a man in the county of Oxford, and on his return home he found his wife at church with Robert’s mother making offerings on the day of her churching, and because she was away on his arrival he beat her so that she feared for her life.
[!!!!!]
One of my absolute favourite things of all time: fourteenth- and fifteenth-century proofs of age, when those people who held land directly of the king and whose parent/grandparent/uncle/whatever died when they were still under age, proved that they were now fourteen (married women) or fifteen (unmarried women) or twenty-one (men) years old and were thus old enough to receive their lands. A dozen or so jurors stated the heir's date of birth and gave reasons why they remembered the date. See also here, here, here and here.
Sir Edward Hastings, born 24 May 1382, proved his age 9 June 1403.
Edward was born just outside Doncaster in Yorkshire, and William Dawson, one of the jurors, remembered the date because he "was in Pontefract on the day that Edward was born, and there saw a man unknown to him, who had been arrested for casting the evil eye on the horse of his neighbour, John de Hirn, and he then heard that Anne Hastings had been delivered of a male child, whom he afterwards heard called Edward."
John, Lord Beaumont, born at Folkingham, Lincolnshire on 14 August 1409; proved his age 21 October 1430.
Juror Ralph Oudeby remembered the date because he saw "William, late Lord Ros, John’s godfather with a huge stomach, raise him from the font at baptism." (William, Lord Ros of Helmsley in Yorkshire, was born c. 1368 and died in 1414.)
Thomas Stokes of Folkingham, 60 and more, was sent at the command of Elizabeth [Willoughby] mother of John, late Lady Beaumont, to tell Henry Beaumont, chevalier [knight], father of John, the good news of John’s birth on the day of the birth.
William Ledbeter of Sleaford, 60 and more, sold a white palfrey on the day of the birth at Folkingham for £10 to Henry Beaumont, chevalier, father of John.
Robert son of Thomas son of Robert of Sussex was born on 15 March 1363, and proved his age on 8 September 1384.
John Thomasson, the elder, aged 47 years and more, agrees and says that on the third day after the birth he was struck in the back with a knife by John Casteleyn.
Miles son of James son of Robert of Windsor was born on 10 June 1353, and proved his age on 12 July 1374.
Richard Pinneys says that he was at Winchester with Miles's father and led three greyhounds, and the greyhounds strangled three swans of the abbess of Romsey, whereupon the abbess purchased the king's writ of trespass and recovered 100 shillings therefor at the time of Miles's birth.
John Arundell son and heir of John Arundell of Bideford was born on 9 June 1421 and proved his age on 25 May 1443.
Simon Paschlewe, aged 44 and more, carried a basin and ewer to the church for the godfathers and godmother to wash their hands after the baptism.
Walter Heyne, aged 46 and more, knows because there was a great deal of rain that day.
William Orchard, aged 63, rode to Barnstaple on the same day with John’s godfather John Waryn.
John Blacaller, aged 40 and more, knows because on the same day Bretons entered Ifracombe and there took two men and set out to sea with them, and nearly took a ship of the above William Orchard.
William Blynche, aged 41 and more, knows because there was a strong wind on that day, which threw him to the ground from his horse when he was riding to Exeter, so that he badly wounded his head.
John Arundell son and heir of John Arundell of Bideford was born on 9 June 1421 and proved his age on 25 May 1443.
Simon Paschlewe, aged 44 and more, carried a basin and ewer to the church for the godfathers and godmother to wash their hands after the baptism.
Walter Heyne, aged 46 and more, knows because there was a great deal of rain that day.
William Orchard, aged 63, rode to Barnstaple on the same day with John’s godfather John Waryn.
John Blacaller, aged 40 and more, knows because on the same day Bretons entered Ifracombe and there took two men and set out to sea with them, and nearly took a ship of the above William Orchard.
William Blynche, aged 41 and more, knows because there was a strong wind on that day, which threw him to the ground from his horse when he was riding to Exeter, so that he badly wounded his head.
William, Lord Ferrers of Groby, was born at the manor of Hoo on 25 April 1371, and proved his age a few days before his birthday in 1394.
John Spayne, aged 59 years and more, John Mytton, aged 56 years and more, and William Stratle, aged 60 years and more, agree, and say that they remember because at that time they were journeying on pilgrimage to St Thomas [Becket] of Canterbury, and during their pilgrimage they were told in London of the birth of the said heir by Robert de Hoo, the heir’s godfather.
John Bastard [!!], aged 58 years and more, agrees, and says that he remembers because at that time a hall of his was burnt down.
John de Wyderyngton, son and heir of Roger de Wyderyngton, was born on 2 February 1372.
William de Schaftow, aged 50 years, says that he was staying with the heir’s father and for joy at the heir’s birth became so drunk that he fell down and broke his leg in the hall of Wyderyngton.
Gilbert de Babynton, aged 50 years, says that on the following night he was taken by the Scots and led away to Scotland, where he stayed for the next six weeks.
Ralph son and heir of Ralph Bulmer was born on 7 December 1340, and proved his age on 7 October 1362.
Richard de Belewe of Scalby, aged 38 years and more, agrees and says that on Monday before Ascension day after the birth Alan Belewe his father was drowned in the mill-pond of Caysthorp in coming from Caysthorp manor to Scalby.
Peter del Spitell, aged 46 years, and Richard son of John of the same, aged 53 years, agree and say that on Tuesday before Ascension day after the birth they were sworn upon the view of the body of the aforesaid Alan Belewe, drowned at Caysthorp, before Robert de Grenefeld, coroner in the West Riding of Lincolnshire.
Walter Mous, aged 58 years, and William de Barton of Glaunfordbrig, aged 48 years, agree and say that at the feast of SS. Peter and Paul after the birth there was a great flood of the water of Ancoln and a mighty tempest of wind, which broke the bridge and causeway of Glauntfordbrig and carried away stacks of peat and the fish in the stews in the gardens of many people living there.
Joan daughter of Thomas Chasteleyn was born on 12 March 1348 and proved her age on 17 September 1362.
John Leddred, aged 38 years and more, agrees and says that on the Monday after the birth of the said Joan he held a court at Dunynton, and after holding the court he visited Isabel, the mother, in her childbed, and she gave him a silk purse that he might bear witness and remember the age of her daughter.
Nicholas Cadebury, aged 35 years and more, agrees and says that on the Sunday after the birth he came to the house of Thomas the father and was making a plan for the building of his hall, and the said Thomas gave him an axe with a cord to bear witness and remember the age of his daughter Joan.
John Bruyn, aged 30 years and more, agrees and says that on the day of the baptism he went into the park of Donyate with Thomas Chasteleyn, and there they killed a doe with their bows and arrows, and Thomas gave him the skin of the same doe to bear witness to the truth of the age of his daughter.
Walter Danseye brother and heir of William Danseye brother and heir of John Danseye was born on 5 December 1340 and proved his age on 6 December 1362.
Richard atte Grove, aged 50 years and more, agrees and says that on the same day he was at the house of Richard Danseye the father very early in the morning, and Margaret, daughter of the same Richard, came from her chamber and told him that ‘she had a brother then born, for which God be thanked.’
John Everard, John Jaunes, Thomas Reynald and Richard de Pounde, all 43 years of age and more, agree and say that on the aforesaid day Richard Danseye hunted the fox at la Holte in the same county, and they were there to clip the hedges for the hunt, and there came one William Workman and said to the aforesaid Richard ‘My lord, do you wish to hear news?’ and he answered ‘Friend, what news?’ and William related to the whole company that Richard the day before had a son born at Dulton and baptized on the same day, and that he had seen him. And Richard gave him 40d for his account.
Philip son and heir of Philip Despenser was born at Gedney, Lincolnshire on 18 October 1342 and proved his age on 14 November 1363 (the Philip Despenser born in 1342 was the great-grandson of Hugh Despenser the Elder, earl of Winchester (1261-1326) and great-nephew of Hugh the Younger; his father Philip was born in 1313 and was the son of another Philip, who died in 1313 months after his son's birth and was the younger son of Hugh the Elder and brother of Hugh the Younger).
William Coke of Gedenay, aged 46 years and more, John Pertre of the same, aged 49 years and more, William de Halden of the same, aged 52 years and more, and Thomas Wryght of the same, aged 43 years and more, agree and say that they were with Philip the father at the abbey of Nusum on the day of the birth, and on the morrow they came with him to Gedenay on account of a letter which William Hode of Flete sent to him at Nusum on the day of the birth.
William Savage, aged 44 years and more, and Richard Deye of Flete, aged 49 years and more, agree and say that at the time of the birth they were building for Philip the father a hall and chamber in his manor at Gedeneye.
Robert son and heir of Edmund Coleville was born on 21 October 1304 and proved his age on 17 September 1326.
Ranulph Skot, aged 52, agrees, and knows it because he was sitting in a certain tavern with other companions when the birth of the heir was made known.
William Nichole, aged 41, agrees, and knows it because he was in a garden and heard the cries of the said heir’s mother labouring in childbirth.
William Haskes, aged 58, and others, agree, and know it because they were present at the banquet when the said heir’s mother rose from childbed.
Edward le Hauberger son and heir of John le Hauberger was born on 31 January 1315 at Feltham in Middlesex, and proved his age on 27 March 1338.
John Martyn, knight, aged 40 and more...knows because on the same day that the said Edward was baptized he saw king Edward II come to the said church at Feltham to lift the said Edward from the sacred font, and to place his name upon him.
Geoffrey Pellam, aged 56 years and more, agrees, and knows it because, in the said church on the same day, after the baptism of the said Edward, at the request of certain of his friends he had pardon from king Edward II for a certain outlawry for the death of John le Ferour, for which he was indicted.
John Cosyn, aged 50 years and more, agrees, and knows it because on the same day he was at Westminster before Sir William de Bereford, then a justice [words missing document] common bench, in an inquisition between Gilbert Binorth and John Bile, and then in the night, when he had come to his house, he heard from [his] wife that John le Ha[uberger] had a son, to whom king Edward II had given his name.
[This one was particularly interesting to me as I'd never known before that Edward II was the godfather of a man called Edward le Hauberger. His itinerary that day places him at Westminster and I'd had no idea he rode out the few miles to Feltham.]
Edward de Wodeham, brother and heir of William de Wodeham, proved his age on 20 October 1336, and was born in Chigwell, Essex (exact date not given).
John de Purlee, aged 44 years and more, agrees, and knows it because on the same day he was at the castle of Hagelehe with the father of the said Edward, when news came to him of the birth of the said Edward; and King Edward II, in the 8th year of his reign [8 July 1314 to 7 July 1315], lifted the said Edward from the sacred font, and he (the said John) was present.
[Another godson of Edward II!]
Katherine one of the daughters and heirs of Thomas Hildeyard was born on 31 March 1322 and proved her age on 12 February 1337.
...this he remembers after the lapse of such a time, because the said 31 March was Easter day that year, on which day he was in the said church at the resurrection, and immediately after the resurrection the said Katherine was baptized, whose godfather was Alan Ligard, and Beatrice Coleville and Christiana wife of John Ligard her godmothers, and there was a question amongst those in the church how she could be called Katherine, as neither of her godmothers was so called, and to this it was replied that for love of St. Katherine she was so named; thus he well remembers that the said Katherine will be 15 years of age on 31 March next.
[The problem with this is that Easter Sunday fell on 11 April in 1322, so the juror got the date wrong. Easter Monday did fall on 31 March in 1320.]
Robert son and heir of Sir Robert Burdet was born on 26 October 1345 and proved his age on 5 November 1366.
John Asshebrok, aged 46 years, agrees and says that he was at the time in the service of the heir’s father and was charged with divers letters into the counties of Wilts, Stafford, Northampton and Leicester to divers of the father’s friends for joy at the birth of the said heir.
John Mokke, aged 46 years, agrees and says that he was with a certain priest in the church aforesaid when the said Robert was baptized, so that, counting up the years spent in divers dwellings, he is sure that the heir is of full age.
Walter son of Richard, aged 48 years, agrees and says that in the same year, in the summer following, he was in a quarrel where he was grievously wounded.
Richard Adam, aged 60 years, agrees and says that he was on pilgrimage to Santiago about the feast of St. Gregory the Pope after the birth, and suddenly fell sick with fever and so remained weak for a long time after.
John de Kent, aged 50 years, agrees and says that he was serving a man in the county of Oxford, and on his return home he found his wife at church with Robert’s mother making offerings on the day of her churching, and because she was away on his arrival he beat her so that she feared for her life.
[!!!!!]
2 comments:
I love the glimpses of "ordinary life" these provide. Thanks so much for sharing them.
I wonder what happened to the fellow who gave the horse the evil eye...
One would think that someone would have kept a diary or a book or something, any kind of record of events such as births, specially in a important and/or large manor or estate. But those who could and did write were usually interested on more heavenly issues and such.
For us this all seems something out of Monty Python but for these people this was as serious stuff as any. Very. very interesting and fascinating stuff.
Once again, great stuff, Kathryn. This is HISTORY.
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