Matilda Montgomery
Rosie Bevan
descent from Matilda Montgomery (d.1457) and Thomas Clarell (d.1441). The
placement of Matilda in the Montgomery family history has been something of
an
enigma owing to contradictory information given in various secondary works.
Even the author of the biographies of Nicholas Montgomery I and II, in
Roskell's
History of Parliament, a relatively recent work, fails to look at the
chronology in sufficient detail, continuing to attribute her paternity to
Nicholas III. Although primary evidence has proved elusive, conclusions can
be reached by chronology alone.
Matilda and Thomas Clarell's son and heir Thomas, is known to have been born
in 1394, (he was 13 and a half in 1407 when his marriage contract was drawn
up) and this places Matilda's birth before 1379. This demolishes the
supposition that she was daughter of Nicholas III , as
Nicholas II and Joan Longford's own contract of marriage was only drawn up
in July 1391 ; she was clearly not his daughter nor theirs.
The problem, then, is explaining where a Margery Foljambe could fit in the
chronology of Nicholas I's life. We known that he was married to Ann in 1364
at a fairly young age. However there is a long gap between 1364 and 1403
when Nicholas II is known to have been in charge of Baskerville property. He
could not have been married to Richard Baskerville's widow, Margaret, before
1394, when her husband died, and thus she cannot have been the mother of
Matilda. This leaves a thirty year period between 1364 and 1394 where
nothing is currently known about Nicholas' wife or wives.
Nicholas I's close association with Thomas Foljambe (the senior
representative of the Foljambe family after his brother Godfrey's death and
during the minority of his heir) occurs around 1380 when Foljambe was
entrusted with the handling of Nicholas affairs while he was serving abroad
in the retinue of Thomas of Woodstock. Thomas Foljambe acted again in the
capacity of his attorney in 1386 when he was serving with John of Gaunt
during his attempt to take Castile. This financial trust is strongly
indicative of a close familial connection, leading to the possibility that
Nicholas may have been married to Margery Foljambe around that time. The
chronology of Nicholas II's marriage in 1391 suggests that Margery could
have been his mother as well as Matilda's. One of Nicholas II's
relationships in the fourth degree with his wife Joan Longford may be
explained by a common descent from the Sulney family as hinted at by the
naming of Alfred or Alvered, son of Avena Ireland and Godfrey Foljambe, who
died in 1381.[CIPM vXV, no.771]
The following is evidence of the chronology of Matilda Montgomery. My thanks
to Mardi Carter for providing the key information and Chris Phillips for
helping with translation.
The birth date of Thomas Clarell comes from Foster's Yorkshire pedigrees,
Clarell pedigree. He was b. 1394 (13 1/2 years of age in 9 Hen 4, 1407;
married 9 Hen 4, 1407; died. 6 Feb 1430. On 15 July 1430, administration of
his effects was granted to his mother.
"NOTICES CONCERNING RELIGIOUS HOUSES IN YORKSHIRE, WITH THE NAMES OF THEIR
FOUNDERS, AND OF PERSONS BURIED THEREIN.
The manuscript, from which the folowing Notices are taken, is preserved in
the library of the College of Arms, and marked L8. It belonged originally
to John Wrythe, alias Wriothesley, Garter, who died in 1504. It is partly
in his handwriting, and partly in that of his son Sir Thomas Wriothesley,
who succeeded him as Garter, and lived until 1534. A strict adherence to
the spelling of the names has been observed, without any attempt to correct
apparent errors.
[Tickhill, co. York]
Maistre Jehan Clarel doyen de Saint Pol de Londres fut le p'mier fondeur des
fr'es Augustins de Tichill. Lequel laissa le patrymoigne a son frere et a
ses herit'rs. Et grant temps apres messire Richard fitz William expousa
dame Elizabet fille et heritiere de Thomas Clarel par laquelle raison il es
patron desdiz fr'es Augustins. Et dont led Thomas Clarel et son pere nome
aussy Thomas lequel avoit a feme Maude fille a mes'r Nicholle Montgonbery
sont enterres ou cueur de leglise desdiz Auustins. Et aussy ung autre desd
Clarelz."[Collectanea Topographica et Genealogica vol. 4, 1837, p 73]
Translation. Master John Clarell, senior, of Saint Pol of London was the
first founder of the Augustinian friars of Tickhill. Of which he left the
patrimony to his brother and heirs. And a long time after Richard
FitzWilliam married Lady
Elizabeth daughter and heir of Thomas Clarell for which reason he is patron
of the
said Augustinian friars. And the said Thomas Clarell and his father of the
same name who had to wife Maud daughter of Nicholas Montgomery are buried
in the chancel of the church of the said Augustines. And also another of the
Clarells.
This extract was probably written before 1478 because it mentions Richard
FitzWilliam in the present tense. Therefore being close to the time she
lived, the identification of Matilda Montgomery can be regarded with some
degree of confidence.
Will of Thomas Clarell the elder.
Nov. 20, 1441. To be buried in the Friary-church at Tickhill. Mald my
wife, John and Robert Clarell my sons, Thomas Clarell vicar of Leeds,
Richard Bete rector of Smeaton, and Wm. Arrowsmith chaplain, ex'rs. and
residuary legatees.
Dated at Aldwark. Pr. June 20 1442. (Reg. Test. ii. 396)
[Surtees Society, vol 45, p 247 note]
Nottinghamshire Archives. Foljambe of Osberton Deeds and Estate Papers
Reference: DD/FJ/1/194/17
Creation dates: 21 July 1400
Language: Latin
Scope and Content Grant.Jas. Cresagur.Adam Coterall, parson of Thribarght,
Gilbert Attewell, parson of Romerche.Thos. de Harlingthon.Wm. Bramley,
chaplain.2) Thos. Clarell and wife Matilda.(1) and (2) in tail manor of
Addwicke.Witn.: Edmund Fitzwilliam, Rob. de Morthon, John de Arderne, etc.At
Addwike, Wed. before St. James Apostle, 1 Hen. IV.4 seals.
Reference: DD/SR/28/3/7
Creation dates: 11 Hen IV [1409-10]
Scope and Content Marriage settlement made by indenture between John
Fitzwilliam and Thomas Clarell' on the occasion of the marriage of John son
of John and Margaret daughter of Thomas (Derthyngton', Yk Wentebrigge, Yk)
Reference: DD/FJ/1/165/6
Creation dates: 10 June 19 Hen. VI. (1441)
Language: Latin
Scope and Content Grant1) Thos. Breton.2) Thos. Clarell, sen., of Aldewerk
(Yorks.), esq., and wife Matilda.
(1) to (2) manor of Ulceby which (1) had with John Foliampe and others from
T.C., for life of survivor of (2); remainder in tail to their son Thos.Witn:
Thos. Montforth, master, Rob. Laghton, Alex. Mundevyle, etc.Given at
Aldewerk.Seal.
Reference: DD/FJ/4/38/2
Creation dates: 18 July 1455
Language: Latin
Scope and Content
Defeasance of demise.
1) Edmund Fitzwilliam, esq., and feoffees:-
John Wehetley, rector of Plumtre.
Thos. Fitzwilliam, rector of Sprotburgh, etc.
2) Rob. Nevyll, esq.
Wm. Skargill, jun., and others.
Demise of (1) and father Edmund F. of premises in Waddeworth and Bilham to
be void if Rich. Fitzwilliam and wife make estate to (2) of either manor of
Steton and lands there and in Milford worth £13 6s 8d p.a.
6 months after death of Matilda late wife of Thos. Clarell; or of manor of
Haldenby worth £13 6s 8d p.a.
6 months after death of Eliz. wife of John Pillyngton and late wife of Thos.
Clarell. On condition that (2) within 6 months after 7 years settle same on
Thos. Fitzwilliam and Johanna d. of Wm. Mirfeld if they marry, or to Johanna
for life with remainder to Eliz. wife of Richard Fitzwilliam.
Witn.: Rob. Drax, Thurstan Banastre, John Fitzwilliam, etc.
33 Hen. VI.
3 seals
On March 17, 1457, John Clarell, esq of Marshburgh hall administered to the
effects of Matilda Clarell of Aldwark, who had died intestate. (Reg. Will.
Booth, 268b.) [Surtees Society, vol 45, p 247 note]
Rosie
Peter Sutton
Once again you have come up with the goods. Very many thanks for sharing
with us the research that yourself, Mardi Carter and MichaelAnne Guido have
carried out.
As I have said to you before I really am impressed how, at the drop of a
hat, you seem able to produce all sorts of sources; I still don't know how
you do it but I am very grateful that you can.
Regards
Peter