BUTLER OF SKELBROOK AND KIRK SANDAL
David Hepworth
Baildon's paper in the Yorkshire Archaeological Journal about the
Butlers - I will endeavour to scan the Saville part with OCR rather
than copy type it in....
THE BUTLERS OF SKELBROOK AND KIRK SANDAL
W Paley Baildon, Yorkshire Archaeological Journal, vol. 29, pp 68-88,
Leeds, 1929
The article is a continuation of "Notes on the Early Saville Pedigree
and the Butlers of Skelbrook and Kirk Sandal", begun in YAJ, vol 28,
p 419.
In one of the Pontefract documents referred to above (YAJ, vol xxviii,
p 384) Richard de Sevilla describes himself as "filius Hugonis
Pincerne de Sandala" , which at once demands a preliminary inquiry.
Who was this Hugh the Butler, for that is the meaning of pincerna,
though the persons so described in early times were not the mere
domestic servants of our own day?
Most of the great nobles of the realm modelled their households on that
of the King, and so had their chamberlains, butlers, stewards, etc.
The office of Pincerna Regis, the King's butler, was appendant to the
Earldom of Arundel, and as such was claimed by the late Duke of Norfolk
at the Coronation of King Edward VII . Just as the King's butler was
a great noble, so in turn the Earl's butler was as a rule on of his
principal vassals or tenants.
The original paternal holding of the Butlers seems to have been at
Skelbrook, Armthorpe 9near Doncaster) and Doncaster.
Hunter's account of Skelbrook begins as follows:
"The earliest mesne lords of Skelbrook, of whom we have any account,
are found with the addition of le Boteler or le Butler. Johnston
brings them from Emma, a daughter of Adam de Rainevile; but they seem
to be descended, in the male line, from that Harvey, then tenant under
the Lacis in Domesday Book, all the old genealogies agreeing to deduce
the great family of butler from an Harvey, who lived in the reign of
the Conqueror. [He then goes on to mention Theobald Butler of
Edlington and the great Irish house of Butler, and to suggest that the
alleged descent of the last-named family from a Harvey is due to a
confusion of them with the Skelbrook Butlers.] The Butlers of
Skelbrook were a different race from the Butlers of Ireland"
Mr AS Ellis, in his valuable notes on the Domesday tenants in
Yorkshire, in his notice of Hervey, who held Skelbrook under Ilbert de
Lacy, identifies him the Hervey who held Haseley and three other manors
in Oxfordshire under the Bishop of Bayeux. In the time of Henry III
these Oxfordshire properties were in the tenure of one William de
Scalebroc, and were then parcel of the Honour of Pontefract. Mr Ellis
goes on to say that Hervey's "successors or descendants" at
Skelbrook were styled Pincerna, or le Boteler, and seem to have been
butlers to the de Lacis. Robert Butiler witnessed a charter of Henry
de Lasci , and Hugh Pincerna, son of Alan son of Robert, who held
Skelbrook and Armthorpe in the time of King John , was probably a
grandson.
Mr Ellis, it will be noticed, is more cautious than hunter, and
describes the Butlers as "successors or descendants" of Hervey. It
is likely enough that they were descendants, but I know of no evidence
to prove it, and at so early a date it is hardly to be expected that
any should be found. He also thought that they were a Breton family,
and that Hervey was the same as Hervey de Campels, a small vill near
Avranches .
ROBERT BUTLER (1A)
Mr Ellis states (see above) that Hugh Pincerna, who held Skelbrook and
Armthorpe in the time of King John, was the son of Alan son of Robert;
he gives no authority for the grandfather, Robert, and we shall see
presently that the statement is incorrect. It seems likely enough,
however, that the early Robert Butler was of the same family as the
late Hugh pincerna, and on this footing I begin with Robert, who may
well have been Hugh's great uncle. I have found only one document
referring to him: Robertus Butiler ejusdem [i.e. Henrici de Lasci]
witnessed a grant by Adam Fitz Peter to Pontefract Priory of land in
Fareburn; Mr Holmes dates this as approximately 1160 . Mr Farrer dates
it circa 1165-77 .
THOMAS DE ARMTHORPE (1B)
Thomas may have been a brother of Robert Butler, 1A, and was certainly
the grandfather of Hugh Butler; for this we have Hugh's own statement
(see below). He must have been born somewhere about 1125. Thomas de
Arnelthorpe gave to Roche Abbey the grange of Arnethrope, the grant
being confirmed by Pope Urban III in 1186 , where other persons called
de Arnethrope are mentioned .
He had two sons, Alan and Robert, both of whom appear to have been dead
in 1202, see below.
ALAN 2A
Eldest son of Thomas de Armthorpe, 1B, was probably born about 1150. I
have not found any document referring to him, and cannot say whether he
was known as de Armthorpe or Butler or by some other designation.
He was dead in 1202. He was the father of Hugh Butler.
ROBERT 2B
Probably born about 1175; he was the son of Alan 2A, and apparently
succeeded to the paternal property on his father's death in or before
1202 (see below). His name occurs frequently in the Pontefract
Chartulary as a witness. Mr Holmes refers to him, under date 1216 as
"the aged Hugh Butler, seneschal of Pontefract" but gives no reason
for thus assuming him to have been then an old man.
Mr Holmes distinguishes between three Hugh Pincernas, Stewards of
Pontefract, two of whom were contemporary "belonging to the early
part of the thirteenth century . "The first (he says) was Hugh
Buticularius, who at the date of no 23 was seneschal to John de Lascy
the Constable, before he became earl" . The second Hugh, referred to
in no 335 , was of Sandal, connected with the Warren fee . There was
also a third Hugh Pincerna who, later in the century, between 1240 and
1246, tested no. 304 as "seneschal to the lady of Bradford,"
Margaret de Quency, widow of John de Lascy, who had been Earl of
Lincoln in her right. When, however, we turn to no. 304 we find that
Hugh is not called Pincerna or Butler, being simply, in the ablative,
"Hugone senescallo domine de Braford"; I accordingly discard this
reference altogether. As to the earlier references, Mr Holmes gives no
reason for the distinction he draws, beyond what can be gathered from
the quotation given above, and I doubt its accuracy. The two Hughs, if
there were two, never occur in the same document. It is still more
remarkable that Hugh the Steward never describes himself as of Sandal;
that description only occurs in charters of his children, after he
himself was apparently dead. Moreover, while Mr Holmes attributes the
ownership of Armthorpe and Skelbrook to Hugh the Steward, to the
exclusion of Hugh of Sandal, the descendants of the latter were clearly
lords of Skelbrook, as will appear in due course. For these reasons I
assume that Hugh the Steward and Hugh of Sandal were one and the same
person; he may have gone to live at Sandal after relinquishing the
office of Steward of Pontefract.
Mr Holmes seems at one time to have identified his later Hugh Pincerna
with a Hugh Dispensator, who also occurs as a witness to two charters,
nos. 29 and 30 , the first of which is dated 1258. On pp. 39n, 157n
and 301n, this identification is distinctly asserted, while on p. xxvii
the Hugh Despenser is stated to be "the lord of Parlington, who was
made Lord Chief Justice a few months later, and was the father of Hugh
le Despenser 'the elder,' whose relations with the young king,
Edward II, led to such fatal results." In my opinion Dispensator and
Pincerna are not interchangeable, and the names and families are alike
distinct
In his official capacity as Steward of Pontefract Hugh Butler witnessed
a large number of charters, none of them dated. Mr Holmes tells us
that his tenure of the office was from 1211 to 1216 .
The Pontefract Chartulary contains remarkably few dated documents, a
fact which increases enormously the difficulty of ascertaining
conjectural dates. Mr Holmes as a rule does not give his reasons for
assigning such dates to undated document; even where he says that a
particular charter is before or after a particular year, he rarely, if
ever, states the facts which led to his statements. We are thus left
in the dark, and may consequently arrive at wrong conclusions
ourselves. There is a group of seven charters, all witnessed by Hugh
Pincerna, the Steward, and all undated, to which Mr Homes assigns dates
from circa 1238 to circa 1246 . All these are said to refer to the
second steward of the name, who is stated to have succeeded Adam de
Neirford, steward from 1232 to 1238 . I have not the local knowledge
to enable me to check these alleged dates, but some of them seem very
arbitrary. I am inclined, in the absence of any conclusive evidence of
there ever having been a second steward of Pontefract named Hugh
Pincerna (Mr Holmes furnishes none) to place all these documents before
1216. The point is perhaps not very material, since I do not base any
argument on the group of charters referred to.
Undated - Sir Hugh Pincerna witnessed a charter of Michael son of
Elias de Sothill, relating to land in Ardsley .
1200 - Hugh son of Alan gave 20s to have an action about 5s rent in
Trowell and Chillewell in Nottinghamshire, against John son of Robert
de Arnetorp, tried coram rege at Mid-Lent . This is the earliest dated
note that I have found of Hugh; his identity is proved by the next
note.
1202, July 25, 4 John - Fine between Hugh son of Alan, plaintiff, and
John son of Robert, deforciant, of 6 carucates of land in Arunthorp
[Armthorpe near Doncaster] and 18s rent in Danecastre, which John
admits to be the right of Hugh as son of the elder brother. Hugh
regrants part of the property to John and his heirs, and they both
agree that if either shall die without issue by his wife (de uxore sibi
desponsata) his share of the property shall go to the other and his
heirs .
The clause about the respective wives and issue is curiously worded; I
think it is merely the rather clumsy equivalent of the phrase sine
herede de corpore suo legitime procreato that we meet with so
frequently in later documents, and perhaps does not necessarily imply
that either Hugh or John was without wife and children at the date of
the fine, though it certainly suggests it. Aland and Robert, the
respective father's were both clearly dead, but perhaps recently.
1205, Michaelmas Term - Fine between Hugh Pincerna, plaintiff, and
William son of Reynold and Gilbert son of Robert, deforciants, of two
bovates of land in Scauceby [Scawsby, parish Brodsworth]; to hold to
Hugh and his heirs of Gilbert and his heirs, by the free service of 6d
a year etc
1206, Michaelmas Term - Fine between Hugh Pincerna, plaintiff, and
Hugh de Scauceby [Scawsby], by Alexander his son, deforciants, of a
bovate of land in Scauceby; to hold to Pincerna and his heirs, of
Scauceby and his heirs. Pincerna thereupon granted it to John son of
the said Hugh de Scauceby .
1211-12, Hilary Term, 12 John - Fine between Hugh Pincerna,
plaintiff, and John son of Robert, deforciants, of the woods and moors
which Hugh claims to belong to 3 carucates of land in Ernetorp
[Armthorpe] which remained to him by a fined made between them in the
4th year of John. John admitted the claim and released the property to
Hugh and his heirs .
These fines are most useful in giving some dates; the first one shows
that Hugh was of age in 1202.
Undated - about 1212 - Hugh Pincerna, Steward of Sir John the
Constable of Chester, and Henry de Sewilla, witnessed a charter of Adam
son of Roger de Crosland, relating to land at the Hermitage [now
Armitage Fold] in [South] Crosland .
1215-16, January 6 - Order to the Sheriff of Yorkshire to put Master
Robert Talebot in full seisin of the land of Hugh Pincerna in Arnethorp
and Skalebroc, as the King has granted it to him during pleasure
Mr Holmes's comment on this is that Hugh had "fallen under the
royal displeasure" , but as the land was not held of the Crown it is
difficult to see how this would enable the King to make a grant of this
nature.
1218-19 - Alice Aguilun is in mercy for not prosecuting against Peter
son of Herbert touching a tenement in Muletorp [Mowthorpe], and her
pledges also, viz Hugh Pincerna of Arnaldetorp [Armthorpe] and Richard
de Stainford .
1231 - Hugh le Boteler sued Robert Morker for 6 carucates of land in
Normanton, in which Robert had no entry save through William Morker, to
whom Thomas de Arnethorpe, Hugh's grandfather (whose heir he is),
demised them for a term of years now ended. The plaintiff afterwards
withdrew .
Hugh married Avice de Saville, whose identity and relations are dealt
with in the previous section. In her widowhood she seems to have
resumed her maiden name, at any rate when dealing with her own
property; this was frequently done in the thirteenth century, and many
examples could be cited.
Neither Hugh Pincerna nor Avice de Saville, his wife, appear to have
given any property to the monks of Pontefract. There are no deeds at
all of Hugh's, but there is one of Avice's; unfortunately, neither
this nor any other of the group is dated.
I, Avice de Seyvile, in my widowhood and free power, have granted to
William my son, his heirs and assigns, for his homage and service,
paying yearly a pair of white gloves at Christmas, that bovate of land
in Bolehalch which Henry son of Ketil, my native, held, together with
the said Henry and all his chattels and sequela. Witnesses, Sir
Baldwin Teutonicus [Tyas], Sir William de Bretton, Jeremiah de Leysers,
John de Midehope, Adam de Holand [Hoyland], John de Seivile, and
Richard Pincerna .
There is no clear indication of the date of this charter, but I think
it is closely allied to the family group, one of which was witnessed by
Sir Walter de Ludham, steward of Pontefract, who held that office from
1240 to 1246 (see below). Silkston was Saville property, and the land
in question was probably granted to Avice by her father.
Hugh and Avice had two proved sons, William and Richard, and two
daughter, Idonia and Dionisia. Mr Holmes thought that John de Saville
was also their son, coming between William and Richard, but he was
clearly a son of Sir Henry de Saville, and probably Avice's
half-brother
The two daughters of Hugh Pincerna are only known through the following
two charters from the Pontefract SM, which clearly prove their
identity.
Undated - I, Idonea, late wife of Michael de Doncaster, in my lawful
widowhood, have granted and quitclaimed to the monks all my right in
that bovate of land which Rainer son of Hugh the Reeve held in Bolehalt
in the territory of Silkeston, which Richard de Sevile, my brother,
with the consent and at the wish of the said Michael, my husband,
formerly sold to the monks, who have given me 20s of silver.
Witnesses, Sir Walter de Ludham, then Steward of Pontefract, Sir Robert
de Stapilton, Henry Walensis, Adam de Preston, and William de Bretton .
Sir Walter de Ludham was Steward, according to Mr Holmes, from 1240 to
1246, and I think that these dates cover the whole of this group of
charters.
Undated - I, Dionisia daughter of Hugh Pincerna of Sandal, have
released and quitclaimed to the Prior and Convent of Pontefract all my
right in that bovate of land in Bolehale in the territory of Silkston,
which Avice, my mother, gave me in her widowhood and which William son
of Ketil held of me, together with the same William [and others], my
natives; also all that land in Silkston which Thomas son of Geuoffrey
Leurais held of me. The monks have given me 6 marks of silver, 4s 1.
Witnesses, William de Bretton, German de Morteley, Richard Pincerna,
Richard de Craven, William de Golthorp, and John de Thurgerland .
RICHARD BUTLER or DE SAVILLE 4A
Was probably the eldest son of Hugh Butler and Avice de Saville, born
about 1200 or a little later.
Such changes of name are familiar enough in our own day, and were
probably more common in early times than we are aware of, owing to the
difficulty of proof. The best known early example is in the Percy
family, which name was assumed by Jocelin de Louvaine on his marriage
with Agnes, daughter and eventually sole heir of William de Percy, in
the late twelfth century, and was borne by his children and
descendants.
In this case it probably indicates that Richard succeeded to certain
property on the death of his mother and used, for a time at any rate,
her maiden name.
His sister, Idonia, refers to him as "Richard de Sevile, my
brother"; he is probably the "Richard pincerna" who witnessed the
release by William Butler to Pontefract Priory (see below) and the
charters of his mother, Avice, and his sister, Dionisia (see above).
Undated - I, Richard son of Hugh Pincerna of Sandal, have granted to
the monks those two bovates of land lying in the territory of
Silkeston, which William my brother and Dionisia my sister surrendered
and quitclaimed to the monks for 10 marks of silver, 4s 8d, together
with Henry and William, the sons of Ketil etc. Witnesses, Baldwin
Theutonicus, William de Bretton, German de Mortel[ey], Richard de
Craven, John de Hauch'k, Henry Portebref and William de Golthorph .
Undated - I, Richard de Sevilla, son of Hugh Pincerna of Sandal, have
granted to the monks, for 5 marks of silver, a bovate of land in the
territory of Silkeston, lying in Bolehaut, together with Rainer son of
Hugh the reeve, with all his secta and chattels, to hold of me in free
alms. Witnesses, William de Bretton, Henry de Tancresley, Adam de
Hoyland, Hugh de Berhg, and Roger de Berh .
There is no evidence as to Richard's wife. His children are a great
puzzle, for, in view of his change of name, they might be either
Butlers or Savilles. One of them, Ralph, certainly called himself
Saville (see below_, but the others, so far as they can be identified
in the absence of positive evidence, were all Butlers. There are
several Savilles who from their dates might be sons of this Richard;
they cannot be clearly identified, and I have included them tentatively
in the previous section.
Richard appears to have died before 1267-8, see below Richard 5A
WILLIAM BUTLER 4B
Was probably the second son of Hugh, born about 1200. There are two
charters of his in the Pontefract MS, in one of which he calls himself
son of Avice de Saivile, and it the other son of Hugh Pincerna of
Sandal, in each case without using any surname himself. I have not
found any other references to him, except those in the charter of his
brother Richard, and the grant made to him by his mother, already
quoted.
Undated - I, William son of Avice de Saivile, have granted to John de
Saivile, his heirs and assigns, the bovate of land in Bolhalch held by
my native, Henry son of Ketil, and the said Henry, [etc as before],
with all liberties etc, pertaining to that bovate within the bounds of
Silkston, paying yearly to me and my heirs a pair of white gloves at
Christmas. Witnesses, William de Bretton, John de Heton, Jordan his
brother, Adam de Holand, Ralph de Rupe [Roche], and William de
Goldtorph .
The reference to the rent of white gloves seems to show that Avice was
then dead and that William had succeeded to the rent, probably as her
heir. The date is therefore later than Avice's charter of circa
1240-46.
Undated - I, William son of Hugh Pincerna of Sandale, have released
and quitclaimed to "my lords", the Prior and monks of Pontefract,
all claim to that bovate of land which Dame Avice, my mother, in her
widowhood, gave to me in the territory of Silkston which lies in
Bolehal', together with Henry son of Ketil, my native, [etc as
before], for which the monks have given me 5 marks of silver.
Witnesses, William de Bretton, German de Morteley, Richard Pincerna,
Richard de Craven and William de Goldthorph .
This I take to be subsequent to the last charter; in the interval John
de Saville had apparently given his interest to the monks, assuming, as
appears to be the case, that the bovate of Henry son of Ketil is the
same in each charter. William's present charter is a release, not a
grant, showing that the monks had already acquired an interest in it.
There is no clue to the date of William's death, and no evidence of
any wife or family.
RICHARD BUTLER 5A
Apparently the son and heir of Richard 4A, born about 1225. His
parentage is nowhere mentioned, but the fact that in 1286 Peter de
Saville held his property of the heir of Richard Butler (see Section
II, vol 28 - Savilles) seems to show that he was head of the family.
1267-8, Hilary Term - John de Saiville abandoned his claim that
Richard le Botiller should take his homage and reasonable relief for
John's free tenement in Golcar and Dodworth (see Section II).
He was dead in 1279-80, leaving a widow, Agnes and a son Hugh.
ROBERT BUTLER 5B
Apparently the second son of Richard 4A
1246, Easter Term - Hugh de Barneby, who brought an assize of novel
disseising against Robert Pincerna, touching a free tenement in
Skelbrog, is in mercy for not continuing his action .
In 1252 he witnessed a demise to John de Saville (see Section II)
1265, Michaelmas - Assize if Stephen de Suthkyrkeby, father of
Robert, died seised of a toft and a bovate of land in Skelbroke, which
Robert de Butilier holds. The defendant admitted it, and released the
land, and also a windmill there, to the plaintiff, who gave him a
soar-hawk .
1267-8, Hilary Term - Robert, parson of Metelay [Methley] withdrew
his writ of trespass against Robert le Butiller of Skewoke [Skelbrook].
The said Robert le Butiller afterwards came and admitted that he owed
the parson 20 marks, to be paid 5 marks at Martinmas, anno 53, and 5
marks at the subsequent Pentecost, Martinmas and Pentecost; pledges,
Thomas Coke and William de Luvershale .
1269, Trinity Term - Fine between Robert le Butiler junior and Agnes
his wife, plaintiffs, and Robert le Butiler senior and Constance his
wife, deforciants, of 12 bovates of land in Spaldington. The
deforciants admit the property to be the right of Robert junior and
Agnes by the gift of Robert senior and Constance; Robert junior and
Agnes grant to Robert senior and Constance for life, to hold of Robert
junior and Agnes and the heirs of their bodies, paying yearly 1d at
Pentecost for all service; reversion to Robert junior and Agnes and the
heirs of their bodies, to hold of the chief lord; remainder to the
right heirs of Constance, quit of any other heirs of Agnes .
His wife's name was Constance; she had land in Spaldington (near
Howden, East Riding) in her own right. They had issue Robert.
RALPH DE SAVILLE 5C
A son of Richard Butler or de Saville 4A. He had land in the
neighbourhood of Rotherham, which he gave to Roche Abbey "with his
body". I am doubtful whether the last phrase indicates that he was
entering the monastery, or simply a desire to be buried there.
Undated - Ralph, son of Richard de Savile gave to Roche Abbey, with
his body, half a carucate of land in Brinsworth [near Rotherham] and
Templeborough in the territory of Brinsworth. Peter de Wadworth a
witness
GERARD DE SAVILLE 5D
May have been another son of Richard 4A. I have only the following
note about him, and the sole reason for placing him here is that Ralph
son of Richard de Saville also had lands at Brinsworth, where, so far
as I can ascertain, none of the main family of Savilles ever had any
property.
1240-1, Hilary Term - Fine between Gerard de Seyville, plaintiff and
Ralph de Normanville, deforciant, of 2 ½ bovates and 1/3 of half a
bovate of land in Brunnesford [Brinsworth, near Rotherham; Brinesford
in DB]. Gerard releases all his right and claim .
HUGH BUTLER 6A
Son and heir of Richard Butler 5A, was probably born about 1250.
1279-80 - Agnes widow of Richard le Boteler claimed against William
Heron 1/3 of a moiety of the manor of Silkiston in dower. William
vouched to warranty Franco le Teyes, who warranted and vouched to
warranty Hugh son of Richard [Pincerna] of Sandale, who came and
demanded why he ought to warrant. Franco said that Richard Pincerna,
Hugh's father, whose heir he is, enfeoffed of the said premises one
Baldwin le Tyes, Franco's father, whose heir he is, and produced a
writing which testified that Richard granted and confirmed by his
charter to the said Baldwin, for his homage and service, two parts
[thirds] of all the land he had in Silkeston, to hold to Baldwin and
his heirs, paying yearly to Richard and his heirs 1d at Christmas, for
all service, with a clause of warranty; and also another writing which
testified that Richard gave to Baldwin, for his homage and service, the
third part of all his lands within the boundaries of the vill of
Silkeston and Dodeworth, paying yearly 21s 8d and doing forinsec
service, with a clause of warranty. Hugh admitted the writings, and
warranted to Franco. Judgment that as Hugh has sufficient of the free
tenement which belonged to the said Richard, husband of Agnes, let her
have part of that land in a competent place, to the value of her dower,
and let Franco hold in peace .
1279-80 - Agnes widow of Richard le Buteler claimed against John de
Ketelberg one third of 10 acres of land, 40 acres of wood and 10s rent
in Great Sandale, Styrsthorpe [probably Streethorpe, parish Kirk
Sandal] and Haytefeld, as dower. John says that he holds only 5 acres
and 1 rood of the land, and vouches to warranty Hugh son of Richard le
Buteler, who warrants the land and rent. Let Agnes have her dower to
the value of the land and rent claimed out of the other free tenements
which Hugh has of the said Richard, formerly husband of Agnes. And as
to the wood, Hugh demands why he should warrant. John says that
Richard son of Hugh [sc Richard] le Buteler, Hugh's father, by his
charter granted to Master William de Bolinton, John's ancestor, whose
heir he is, all the moiety of Wythingeved with the wood, viz, from the
way lying at the head of the vill of Stirsthorp to the field towards
Sandale, and produces the charter, which contains a warranty clause.
Hugh admits the charter, and says that the wood contains about 2 acres,
and that he is willing to warrant the one third claimed by Agnes and to
give it up to her, if John is willing. John says that the charter
contains the whole wood and that his ancestor entered on the whole.
Jury .
Some time after the date of the inquisition on Peter de Saville i.e. in
the summer of 1286, Hugh son of Richard le Butler of Sandal granted to
John de Heaton, knt., the homage and service of Peter de Savile and his
heirs, in respect of three parts [fourths] of the town of Goulacres
[Golcar], with wardships, reliefs etc. Witnesses, John le Tyea [Tyas],
John Sotehill, William le Fleming, Hugh de Swillington etc
1287, Michaelmas Term - Fine between Hugh le Botiller and Isabel his
wife, plaintiffs, and Gilbert de Latum, deforciant, of 1 messuage, 3
tofts, 8 bovates of land and 30s rent in Sandale near Donecastre [Kirk
Sandal], Togesdene, Haytfeud and Stirshop [probably Streethorpe]. To
hold to Hugh and Isabel and the heirs of Hugh, of Gilbert and his
heirs, paying yearly a rose at the Nativity of St John Baptist for all
service to Gilbert and his heirs, and doing the accustomed service to
the chief lords .
1293-94, February 27 - Hugh le Boteler of Sandale was a juror at an
inquisition respecting a proposed grant by William de Gamelstone, Vicar
of Little Markham, of lands etc, in Aukley and Blaxton [Yorks] and
Finningley [Notts], to Bayham Abbey, Sussex .
1303, Michaelmas Term - Simon de Wakefeld complained of Hugh le
Butiler of Skelbroke and William de Wakefeld for assaulting him at York
on Tuesday after the close of Easter, 30 Edward I [1302]. They denied
it. The jury found that Hugh did beat and wound Simon, by order [per
preceptum] of the said William, and assessed the damages at £40 .
Hugh probably died soon after this.
There is no evidence of any child; he probably died without issue,
leaving Edmund, son of his cousin, Robert Butler, as his heir.
ROBERT BUTLER 6B
The son of Robert 5B, probably born about 1250. He was married in or
before trinity Term 1269, when his father and mother settled land in
Spaldington on him and his wife Agnes (see above).
I have no further information about him; he was dead in Easter Term
1296, leaving three sons, Robert, Edmund and William.
1296, Easter Term - Fine between Agnes, widow of Robert le Butiller,
plaintiff and Thomas de Dronefeld and Joan his wife, deforciants, of a
messuage in York. To hold to Agnes and her heirs. Warranty against
the heirs of Joan .
ROBERT BUTLER 7A
The eldest son of Robert 6B. He was apparently pressed to death in
1294, in his father's lifetime
1293, Trinity Term - Gaol Delivery; Wapentake of Osgoldcross. Robert
le Botiller was arrested for many robberies, larcenies, homicides and
burglaries; he admitted that he was a thief (se esse latronem), turned
approver, and appeal many [named ] persons of being thieves and
receivers, including William the man of William del Sayles, living in
Skelbroke, and Geoffrey le Mouner [miller] of Skelbroke. He afterwards
withdrew his appeal against Geoffrey, and pleaded that he, Robert, was
a clerk; and thereupon the Dean of Christianity of York, the
Archbishop's attorney, claimed him as a clerk; he had on another
occasion, before Peter de Campania, and other justices of gaol
delivery, been handed over to the Archbishop as convicted (pro
convicto). He has no chattels .
[Further evidence for this case appears in the Year Books of Edward I
:
Robert le Botiler de Skelbrok had a certain firstborn son by name of
Robert who was captured and taken to York on suspicion of homicide and
other transgressions as yet unknown, the father claimed that the said
Robert the son harshly and with great force was brought into prison,
and as he was relieved from the said force he recognised his guilt, and
took surety of men to indicate this, sending then for the coroner who
coming, in the presence of the coroner he admitted his theft and
homicide and rape and he took surety of men to indicate this, and the
said coroner wrote his confession in these words, and handed the
writing to the justices, and the justices sent for the said Robert to
see if he would like to be made in court what he admitted in the
presence of the coroner, who stated the said Robert would co-operate in
court and admit his confession, but he said that he made it under
duress and that duress was sustained in prison and he was able to be
relieved from his torture. Justices proof is required, whether such
torture and treatment in prison was true as thus he said, and who said
that it was not. Justices ordered to seek companions in prison who
will testify for you. And further the justices sent for the custodian
of the prison and made him testify that force and duress from him was
placed and he testified and on this oath and to the aforesaid statement
and charge laid on him by the Robert in prison he said that they used
no force Justices Robert, you were not forced to state your sins
Robert I am good an faithful and I know of nothing wrong whatsoever and
that confession that I made I made under duress in prison and I am
clergy aware of right and wrong saving to me privilege of clergy
placing me in evidence Justices He was returned to prison, and it
pertained to all this thus far that the father to the said Robert, when
detained in prison his father died of whose heir he is as firstborn son
by right of birth he was next of kin. And being of full age at the
death of his father in chief of lord J of N he succeeded into the lands
in his hands and of the wife of Robert the father he assigned dower.
Justices After the death of the father they said to the sheriff to make
enquiry to have to use of #Robert le Botiler and to send for him and
co-operating in court the justices said to him, Robert in this year you
acknowledged robbery etc and indicted etc that you said not. Robert
Lord, as I said before that time to this I am good etc and nothing
wrong etc and that confession etc Justices etc Robert that you
acknowledged robbery homicide and rape in the presence of men who have
record as in the presence of the coroner and this in court that has
record of admittance that known confession which was made to him in
this manner we hold you for full worth of your admittance Justices
Sheriff to return him to prison Priest He said to the justices, Lords
I plead him as clergy Justices etc you will have him free. Thus he
will be detained in the custody of the archbishop for whatever time for
his clearance by ordeal and we lay claim to the truth to the Lord
Archbishop of his confession, and he will be freed to the priest to
take him to the prison of the archbishop, by which fact he was told by
the justices that otherwise he was convicted of robbery homicide and
delivering this the justices said to him that otherwise he would be
convicted of robbery etc as you admitted to him, therefore he will not
be freed to the custody of the archbishop but will remain in the
King's prison without clearance, the justices made the sheriff remit
him to prison Justices They made 12 to be called of good standing and
they assembled in virtue of sworn oath, as they commanded them to know
true value of all lands of Robert le Botiler father that he held in fee
on the day that he died and unimpaired from waste. And the 12 made
this. One note that if a clerk was taken for suspicion of wrongdoing
as robbery, homicide and these and he recognised his guilt in the
presence of the coroner who it placed on record, he forfeited his
inheritance forever by that confession. Further note that from this
clergy he is precluded from clearance by ordeal through his confession
made in the presence of the coroner not in court that has record and
moriatur inumo that numus it was debated if clergy ordinarily convicted
by no other proof than confession made by him is allowed in this cause
according to be cleared by ordeal if then afterwards he would be
cleared by ordeal moriatur moritur as felony and forfeits his
inheritance from all of his blood.
1294 - Pleas of the Crown, 22 Edward I. The jurors present that
Robert le Botiler of Skelbrook had a certain elder (antenatum) son,
called Robert, who was taken and brought to York on suspicion of theft,
murder, and other misdemeanours; et confessus est propter duritione et
rigore quia non relevandus fuit a p'tre (?petre) .
He appears to have left a widow, Constance, living in 1302 (see below).
The barbarous custom of pressing to death, known as la pein forte et
dure was used where a person accused of felony refused to plead and
stood, as the phrase went, "mute of malice." He was stripped, laid
on his back on the bare ground, and as much iron and weights as he
could bear, et plus, were placed on him, so that he could not rise; he
was given to eat of the worst bread that could be found and to drink of
the water nearest to the gaol, except running water; he had nothing to
drink on the day that he ate, and nothing to eat on the day that he
drank. This was kept up until he either pleaded or died. The object
of the prisoner was to avoid forfeiture, which followed on a conviction
for felony; by refusing to plead, he could not be tried, and
consequently could not be convicted.
EDMUND BUTLER 7B
Was the son of Robert 6B, and apparently his heir; the older son,
Robert, must have died without issue. He was probably born about 1280.
He apparently succeeded to the family property on the death of his
father's cousin, Hugh 6A (see above), but had land in Skelbrook
before that, probably on his father's death.
1298-99, Thursday after the Purification, 27 Edward I - Inquisition
taken after the death of Richard Fitz John. Edmund le Butiller held of
the said Richard a capital messuage etc amounting to half a knight's
fee, in Skelbrok, by the service of a sparrowhawk yearly and the
king's scutage when it runs. Edmund's own tenants are set out, and
include Agnes la Botillere, who held a bovate of land by homage and a
yearly rent of 1d. She was probably his mother, or at any rate his
father's widow .
1302, Michaelmas Term - William de Wakefeld and Agnes his wife were
summoned to answer Edmund le Botiller for making waste and sale of
houses and gardens in Skelebroke, which they hold for the life of
Constance who was wife of Robert le Botiller by demise of the said
Constance, who held the same in dower of Edmund's inheritance, viz
1/3 of 2/3 of the manor of Skelebroke; Edmund said that they had
pulled down a sheepfold and cut trees etc; he claimed £20 damages. A
technical objection was taken to the writ and judgment was given for
the defendants .
This note and the one in 1303, below, enable me to correct an error in
the third volume of Yorkshire Inquisitions
It is there stated that the Edmund Butler mentioned in this inquisition
was the son of Theobald le Butler, by his wife Joan, sister and coheir
of Richard Fitz John. It is very confusing to have two Edmund Butlers
thus associated with Skelbrook, but it is quite clear that Edmund, the
tenant, was the son of Robert of Skelbrook, and was no relation to
Edmund son of Theobald, whose mother was one of the coheirs of the
over-lordship.
1303, Trinity Term - Edmund son of Robert le Botiller vs Maude widow
of William de Bello Campo, formerly Earl of Warwick, Richard de Burgo,
Earl of Ulster, Joan widow of Theobald le Botiller, Robert de Clifford
and John de Crumbewell and Idonia his wife, to acquit him of the
service which Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, requires for the free
tenement which he, Edmund, holds of them in Skelebrock .
The defendants were the coheirs of Richard Fitz John, who died in 1297;
Maude and Joan were his sisters, Richard de Burgh was the son of
Aveline, another sister, Idonia de Cromwell was daughter of Isabel de
Vipont, and Robert de Clifford was son of Isabel daughter of Isabel de
Vipont another sister. Idonia de Cromwell had been previously married
to Roger de Leyburne .
1311, March 24 - Grant to Edmund le Butillier and his heirs, of free
warren in all their demesne lands in Skelbrok and Slephull [Sleephill]
.
1313-14 - Edmund le Boteler witnessed a charter of William son of
William de Wentworth Woodhouse, relating to lands in Thorpe near
Wentbrig .
1317, Trinity - Fine between Edmund le Botiller and Agnes his wife,
plaintiffs, and William de Calthorn, deforciant, of a messuage, 2
mills, 180 acres of land, 10 acres of meadow, 10 acres of pasture, 40
acres of wood and 100s rent in Skelbroke, Skelale [Skellow] and Burgh
Waleys, which Edmund admits to be the right of William as of his gift.
William grants the property to Edmund and Agnes and the heirs of their
bodies with remainder to the right heirs of Edmund .
1320, August 8 - Edmond le Botiller witnessed a grant by Robert del
Pitt to Nostell Priory of a messuage and lands in Crofton .
1322 - Edmund le Boteler witnessed a charter of William del Pitt,
relating to South Kirby. Dated at Pontefract, Sunday before St Andrew,
16 Edward II .
1325, July 23 [?] - Order to Thomas de Eyvill, Keeper of the Castle
and Honour of Pontefract, to cause a mill at Ledes to be constructed
anew in place of the decayed (putrefacti) mill there, by the view of
Edmund le Botiller and Thomas de Finey .
1326, Morrow of St James the Apostle - Inquisition taken at
Pontefract, before Simon de Grymmesby, the Escheator. It is not to the
damage etc, if Edmund le Botiller have license to inclose a road in
Skelbroke leading under his house (subtus mansum) towards the north to
a pasture called Skelbrokthornes, and to hold it to himself and his
heirs, for enlarging the court (curia) of his said house .
1326-7, February 5 - License to Edmund le Botiller to inclose a road
at Skelbrooke, after an inquisition ad quod damnum etc .
1328, Michaelmas - William de Lyam, executor of the will of John de
Lyam, sued Edmund le Boteler for a debt of £40 .
This is the latest note I have found relating to Edmund Butler; he died
before 1334, leaving a widow, Agnes and a son John. Agnes was probably
the daughter and heir of William de Langthwaite of Langthwaite. I
think she is the Agnes de Langthwaite returned in the Nomina Villarum
1315-16, as holding jointly with John de Crumbwell , but if so it is
strange that she should be described by her maiden name. Possibly the
Agnes of 1315-16 was her mother, holding one-third in dower, though the
inquisition of 1336 (below) suggests that her mother's name was
Hawise.
1333, July 4 - To Henry de Percy, John de Eland [and others],
Justices of oyer and terminer in the West Riding. The King has learned
that whereas Edmund de Brereleye, Hugh his brother, and William son of
Richard Hebbul, indicted for the death of Edmund le Botiler and for
divers other felonies, were placed in exigent to be outlawed because
they did not come before the said justices to answer for the said
felonies etc .
Mr Ellis states that "Edmund let Butler, the last of this family,
died sp 1338, and seems to have obtained a remainder of this manor
[Skelbrook] and Spaldington to his wife, Agnes, and they went, through
her, to the family of de la Hay" .
No authority for this assertion is given, and it is incorrect both as
to the date and the dying without issue.
Undated - after 1334 - Pontefract Rolls - Agnes, late wife of
Edmond le Botiler, for the mannor of Scelbrok .
WILLIAM BUTLER 7C
Was the third son of Robert 6B
1328, Easter Term - Thomas Ode of Moseley sued William le Botiller of
Skelbroke for a debt of 7 marks and 10s [£5 3s 4d] .
He was dead in 1336, when the chantry at Skelbrook was founded (see
below)
JOHN BUTLER 8A
Son and heir of Edmund 7B, was probably born about 1300.
1328, Easter - John de Eland and Joan his wife sued John le Boteler
of Sandale for novel disseisin of one third of a messuage, a windmill,
9 bovates of land, 6 acres of meadow, 10 acres of pasture, 10 acres of
moor, 20 acres of wood and a fishery in the water of Done, in Great
Sandale, near Waytelagh [Kirk Sandal, near Wheatley - NB, Great
Sandale normally means Sandal near Wakefield, but the mention of
Wheatley, clearly defines it as Kirk Sandal]. John appeared, and said
that there were only 7 ½ bovates of land, 3 acres of meadow, 3 acres
of moor and 3 acres of wood, besides the messuage, the mill and the
fishery. As to the one third of the mill and fishery, he said that the
plaintiffs were never seised as of their free tenement, which the
plaintiffs denied, and as to the one third of the residue, he said that
they were his tenants at will which was also denied. Jury .
1333, Michaelmas Term - Cicely, widow of Warin de Scargill, claimed
as dower one third of 6 messuages, 6 bovates of land, 10 acres of
meadow, 20 acres of wood, and 100s rent in Stapelton, against John son
of Edmund le Botiller He did not come. William de Sharpelowe, Bailiff
of the liberty of Osgotecrosse, who was ordered to summon John, has
done nothing. The Sheriff is to summon him for the octave of Martinmas
.
1334, Michaelmas Term - Fine between Nicholas de Sutton and Joan his
wife, plaintiffs, and Robert de Kelkefeld and Richard de Beauvayr,
deforciants, of 6 messuages, lands and rent in Eastrington, Newland,
Laxton, Kilpin, Skelton, Howden and Balkhom; to hold to Nicholas and
Joan and the heirs male of their bodies; remainder to John son of
Edmund le Botiller and Joan his wife and the heirs of their bodies;
remainder to the right heirs of Nicholas .
This fine and the subsequent one in 1336 suggest that Joan wife of John
Butler was a daughter of Nicholas de Sutton.
1334, Michaelmas Term - Fine between Agnes widow of Edmund le
Botiller, plaintiff, and Thomas de Everyngham, parson of Birkin, and
Thomas Viker of Brampton, deforciants, of the manor of Skelbrooke and
lands in Burghwallis and Skellow; to hold to Agnes and the heirs of her
body; remainder to John son of Edmund le Botiller and Joan his wife and
the heirs of their bodies; remainder to the right heirs of John .
1335-6 - Inquisition taken at Polington, Thursday before St Gregory
the Pope, 10 Edward III. It is not to the damage etc, if Agnes widow
of Edmund le Botiller and John son of Edmund le Botiller have license
to grant 2 messuages, 4 tofts, one bovate, and 12 acres of land and 40s
rent in Skelbroke, Polington, Doncastre and Balnehck to a chaplain to
celebrate daily in the newly built chapel of St John the Evangelist in
the north part of the church of Skelbroke, for the souls of Edmund le
Botiller and Agnes his wife, William de Langethawit, Hawise de
Langethawit and William le Botiller and their ancestors. One messuage,
one toft and one bovate are held of Henry de Arnethorpe [probably a
descendant of one of the earlier Armthorpes, see above], by the service
of 2s a year, who holds of Philippa, Queen of England, as of the soke
of Snayth. Another messuage and 4 acres of land are held of Sir Robert
de Clifford by knight service, who holds of the said Philippa, as of
the Honour of the Castle of Pontefract. Three tofts are held of
Nicholas de Portington in right of Sibil his wife, by the service of 2s
a year, who hold of the said Philippa, as of the soke of Snayth. Eight
acres of land are held of Sir Peter de Mauley, by the service of 16d a
year, who holds of the King in chief. The rent of 40s is held of
Katherine, widow of Laurence de Helk [Heck], by the service of 3s 6d a
year, who holds of the said Philippa, as of the soke of Snayth. The
whole is worth 4 [?] marks a year. There will remain to Agnes, beyond
the said gift, the manor of Langethawit, held of Sir Peter de Mauley by
knight service, and worth £10 a year, and to John the manor of
Spaldington, held of Sir ................[perhaps Mauley], and worth 10
marks a year .
The statement as to the manor of Spaldinton is very puzzling, for it
belonged, at least from the date of Kirkby's Inquest, 1284-5, to the
De la Hay family , a member of which subsequently acquired the manor of
Skelbrook, as we shall see presently.
1336 - John son of Edmund le Botiler held the day that he died lands
in Skelbrook, Pollington, Spaldington etc . This note appears to be
based on the erroneous assumption that the inquisition just given was
taken after the death of John Butler.
1336, Easter Term - Fine between Nicholas de Sutton, plaintiff, and
Thomas de Brayton [and others], deforciants, of 15 messuages, lands and
rent in Campsall, Sutton and Askern; to hold to Nicholas and the heirs
male of his body; remainder to John de Brayton and Elizabeth his wife
and the heirs of their bodies; remainder to John le Botiller and Joan
his wife and the heirs of their bodies; remainder to the right heirs of
Nicholas .
1336, June 4 - Agnes, widow of Edmund le Boteler, lord of Skelbrook,
founded a chantry in the chapel of Skelbrook, which she endowed with
two messuages and lands in Skelbrook, a toft which John son of Edmund
le Butiller released to her after the death of William le Botiller, his
uncle, and rents of 32s d in Pollington and Balnehcke, which formerly
belonged to Edmund, John's father, and which John released to her .
1336, October 24 - License in Mortmain to Agnes the widow and John
the son of Edmund le Botiller to endow a chantry in the newly-built
chapel on the north side of Skelbrook church .
I have no further information about John Butler. He was apparently
dead in 1346, and there is some indication that he left a daughter and
heir, Agnes, who carried the Butler property to the De la Hay family
(see below). His mother, Agnes, survived as late as 1348.
1346, Monday after St Lucy - Thomas de Arnthorpe of Polyngton sued
Henry de Arnthorpe of Polyngton, Agnes la Botelere of Skelbroke and
John de Farbourne, for novel disseisin of 8 acres of land and 2 acres
of meadow in Polynton [Pollington, near Snaith]. Farbourne said that
the property was only two crofts, of which he held three fourths
jointly with Richard de Friston, who is not a defendant. Agnes said
that, as to one fourth, Thomas released all his right to Henry de
Arnthorpe by a deed dated at Snaith on the Assumption BVM, 9 Edward III
(August 15, 1335). Thomas denied it .
1348, Mid-Lent - Thomas de Armethorpe of Polyngton sued John son of
Thomas de Sutton, Henry de Armethorpe of Polyngton, Agnes widow of
Edmund le Botelere, John de Farburn, chaplain, and Richard de Fryston,
chaplain, for novel disseisin of a messuage, a toft and a bovate of
land in Polyngton in Northbalne. Farburn and Fryston said that the
plaintiff, by the name of Thomas son of Henry de Armethorpe, released
to themselves, Agnes, and John son of Edmund le Botiller and to the
chaplains for the time being celebrating divine service in the Chapel
of St john the Evangelist newly constructed in the north part of
Skelbroke Church, by a deed dated on the morrow of St Andrew the
Apostle, 1336. Judgement for the defendants .
WILLIA BULTER 8B
A younger son of Edmund 7B. The following notes are all the
information I have concerning him.
1331, Monday after St Matthew the Apostle - William son of Edmund le
Boteler discontinued his assizes of mort d'ancestor against Richard
Poly as to a tenement in Wrangeswortht [Wrangbrook], and against John
de Scargill as to a tenement in Stapelton [Thorpe Stapleton]. He and
his pledges, Robert de Skelbroke and John his brother, were amerced .
1354 - William son of Edmund Boteler discontinued his claim against
Robert de Staynton and Joan his wife for novel disseisin of lands in
Spaldington; his pledges were Robert and William de Bradelay .
1365, Michaelmas - Fine between John Fitz William, knt., and
Elizabeth his wife, plaintiffs, and Thomas del Haye and Agnes his wife,
deforciants, of the fourth part of the manor of Darthynton [Darrington]
near Pontefract; to hold to John and Elizabeth and the heirs of John.
Warranty by Thomas and Agnes for themselves and the heirs of Agnes .
This document implies that Agnes had some interest in her own right in
a quarter of Darrington manor. The early history of Darrington is
very obscure; it is not mentioned in Kirkby's Inquest or the return
of Knights' Fees in 1302-3, while the Nomina Villarum of 1315-6
merely names it as belonging to Thomas, Earl of Lancaster. Shortly
afterwards it was in the possession of Sir William Fitz William of
Emley and Sprotborough who in 1324 had license to settle the manors of
Emley and Darrington on his eldest surviving son, Sir John, and failing
male heirs of John on his third son Thomas . Sir John died seised of
it in 1349 . His son, another Sir John, was the purchaser of Agnes de
la Hay's fourth part of Darrington, he was murdered at Howden in
1385. It is possible that one of these Fitz Williams had settled the
fourth part on a daughter, from whom Agnes inherited it [this last
sentence has a marginal query]
1365-6, Hilary Term - Fine between Robert de Staynton, chivaler,
plaintiff, and Thomas de la Haye of Spaldington and Agnes his wife,
deforciant, of the manor of Skelbrooke and of 3 messuages, lands and
rent and ¼ of 5 messuages, lands and rent in Pontefract, Preston
[Purstan Jaglin], Ferrybridge, Stapleton, South Elmsall, Campsall,
[Kirk] Bramwith, Burgwallis, Skellow and Carcroft; to hold to Robert
for life, of Thomas and Agnes and the heirs of Agnes, paying yearly 10
marks to them, and doing service to the chief lords; reversion to
Thomas and Agnes and the heirs of Agnes .
[Mr Baildon's consecutive notes stop at this point. There are some
further notes relating to the de la Hay family, indicating that he was
endeavouring to establish more conclusively how they became possessed
of the Butler property; but there does not appear to be any further
evidence among the notes to support and certainly nothing to disprove,
his theory that Agnes wife of Thomas de la Hay was the daughter and
heiress of john Butler. One other note should be quoted with reference
to the Butler family: "A Simon Butler or Pincerna occurs some five or
six times in the Pontefract Chartulary, but his relation, if any, to
the other Butlers, with whom we are dealing, nowhere appears"]
the...@aol.com
Dear David,
It will take a while to digest your post, even improperly (which
is certainly not my goal); while in the process, I did not want to
delay in saying,
Many thanks!
Pertinent comments hopefully to follow.......
John
David Hepworth wrote:
> Dear John and Newsgroup - at last, here is the copy transcript of
Paley
> Baildon's paper in the Yorkshire Archaeological Journal about the
> Butlers - I will endeavour to scan the Saville part with OCR rather
> than copy type it in....
>
> THE BUTLERS OF SKELBROOK AND KIRK SANDAL
> W Paley Baildon, Yorkshire Archaeological Journal, vol. 29, pp 68-88,
> Leeds, 1929
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> SNIP [for bandwidth's sake] <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
David Hepworth
If anyone else has further information, please, please post it - I will
add what additional snippets I have as well.
David
The...@aol.com
Dear David,
I am still in the process of reviewing (actually
re-reviewing) your excellent post, for which you deserve many
thanks (and a lot of rubbing alcohol.....;)
Dealing with just a few pieces of what you (and WPB) have
provided, it is quite clear that I was misled, as was the editor
of Yorks. Inqs. III, concerning the identity of Edmund le
Botiller. Baildon wrote, as you quoted, that in the third
volume of Yorkshire Inquisitions,
" It is there stated that the Edmund Butler mentioned in
this inquisition was the son of Theobald le Butler, by his
wife Joan, sister and coheir of Richard Fitz John. It is
very confusing to have two Edmund Butlers thus associated
with Skelbrook, but it is quite clear that Edmund, the
tenant, was the son of Robert of Skelbrook, and was no
relation to Edmund son of Theobald, whose mother was one
of the coheirs of the over-lordship. "
So much for my previously suggested CP correction (note to
Chris P.).
Concerning the passage of a moiety of Darrington (spelled
variously, as Darthynton, etc.) to Thomas de la Haye of Spaldington
and his wife Agnes in 1365 or before [1], it is quite probable that as
Baildon suggested, this had passed to one of Agnes' ancestors as the
maritagium of a FitzWilliam wife. Why Baildon did not find any trace
of a reference to Darrington in FitzWilliam hands prior to 1324, I do
not know. I have a reference of a moiety of Darrington being given as
a maritagium by Thomas FitzWilliam, of Emley and Sprotborough (d. aft
25 June 1259) as follows:
Marriage settlement, by grant dated c.1250-1260:
' Thomas Fitzwilliam to Richard Walens.
On marriage of Richard Walens and Albreda, daughter of Thomas
Fitzwilliam.
12 bovates and 10 acres land, with appurtenances, in Darthyngton;
viz. one bovate, 1 rood, which Gregory holds in villeinage: one
bovate, which Robert Dancer holds in villeinage; 1 bovate, 1
acre, 3 roods, which Robert Cohopertor holds in villeinage; 1
bovate which Boyse holds in villeinage; 1 bovate, 2 acres which
Roger, son of Radulph, holds in villeinage; 1 bovate which Roger
Wrafte holds in villeinage; 1 bovate, 3 roods, which Thomas
Dayvill holds in villeinage; 1 bovate, 1 rood, which Roger Fitz
(Austun) holds in villeinage; 1 bovate, which Roger FitzAlduse
holds in villeinage; 1 bovate, 1 rood, which Roger Bacuy holds
in villeinage; 1 bovate which Roger FitzSusanne holds in
villeinage; 1 bovate which Roger Carpenter holds in villeinage;
7 acres, 1 rood, in Oldhallflat, near Rogrand (south).
Land to be held in fee, and villeins are granted with the lands.
Here, one bovate is equal to 15 acres.
Witnesses: Henry Walens, Thomas de Pondington [?Poulington
(Pollington)], William de Biltham [Billham (Bilham)], Robert,
clerk, of Fishlake, William of Awyc, William of Beghate [?Beghale
(Beal near Pontefract)], Henry of Camerill, Hugh of Ouston, clerk.'
[Seal: (i) obverse, equestrian, horse galloping to left, rider in
armour, with helmet, shield and sword in right hand, which is
raised. (ii) reverse, armorial, with shield of arms, 7 lozenges,
and flowers in the field. - - - - FI - - - - - ILL - - -.
Round, 6 cms, green, top 1/5 missing, on a tag. ] [2]
The most likely chronology (not proven) would have Agnes, wife of
Robert le Botiller (#6B in WPD's account) as being identical to Agnes,
daughter of Thomas FitzWilliam [3]. Agnes was married to Robert le
Botiller in 1269 or before, which compares reasonably with the
approximate date given for the marriage of Agnes' sister Albreda
above. Baildon shows that Agnes was widowed, and living in 1296; we
know that Agnes FitzWilliam died before 12 May 1303, at which date
land in Aldwick which she held for life was re-granted by her nephew
Sir William FitzWilliam [4]. There is also onomastic support for this
suggestion, in that Robert le Botiller and his wife Agnes
named their 2nd (known) son Edmund; Sir William FitzWilliam (presumed
brother of the same Agnes) also had a younger son Edmund. This,
together with Robert le Botiller and Agnes having a younger son named
William, makes the above filiation reasonable.
Baildon's placement of Agnes, wife of Edmund le Botiller (#7B), as
a daughter of William de Langethwaite is likewise reasonable, esp.
with Agnes retaining the manor of Langethwaite in 1336 while her son
John received the lands at Skelbrooke, etc. Baildon discussed certain
facts relating to Agnes and her parentage, and surmised that her
mother may have been the Hawise de Langethwaite referred to in 1336
[5]: however, it is more likely that her mother was named Agnes as
Baildon first thought, as Hawise de Langethwaite was evidently the
sister (not wife) of William de Langethwaite, as shown in the
following:
Grant, n.d. [but late thirteenth century]
' William son of Hugh de Langethwayt to Hawisia de Langeth', his
sister. Annual rent of 22s. 2d. issuing from a holding which John
Fox holds of him in Langthwaite, an annual rent of 12s. 2d. issuing
from a bovate which Henry the reeve paused to hold from him in
Langthwaite, an annual rent of 12s. 2d. issuing from a bovate held
by Reginald de Langeth' from him in servile tenure (in bondagio),
an annual rent of 12s. 2d. issuing from a bovate which Richard
Pretifeld holds from him in servile tenure, an annual rent of
11s. 6d. issuing from a bovate which Richard Lauerock holds in
servile tenure, an annual rent of 9s. 10d. from a bovate which
Michael Gamel holds in servile tenure, all in Langthwaite. For
term of her life. Reversion after her death. Witnesses: Sir Adam
de Eueringham, Sir Ralph de Langeth', Henry de Stodefeld, Henry
the clerk, Thomas Payt, William Tyton, Michael son of William
and many others. [6]
Hope this is helpful.
Cheers,
John
NOTES
[1] W. Paley Baildon, "The Butlers of Skelbrook and Kirk
Sandal", Yorkshire Archaeological Journal, vol. 29 (1929),
pp. 68-88, citation courtesy of David Hepworth:
" 1365, Michaelmas - Fine between John Fitz William, knt., and
Elizabeth his wife, plaintiffs, and Thomas del Haye and Agnes his wife,
deforciants, of the fourth part of the manor of Darthynton [Darrington]
near Pontefract; to hold to John and Elizabeth and the heirs of John.
Warranty by Thomas and Agnes for themselves and the heirs of Agnes .
This document implies that Agnes had some interest in her own
right in a quarter of Darrington manor. The early history of
Darrington is very obscure; it is not mentioned in Kirkby's Inquest
or the return of Knights' Fees in 1302-3, while the Nomina Villarum
of 1315-6 merely names it as belonging to Thomas, Earl of Lancaster.
Shortly afterwards it was in the possession of Sir William Fitz
William of Emley and Sprotborough who in 1324 had license to settle
the manors of Emley and Darrington on his eldest surviving son, Sir
John, and failing male heirs of John on his third son Thomas. Sir
John died seised of it in 1349 . His son, another Sir John, was the
purchaser of Agnes de la Hay's fourth part of Darrington, he was
murdered at Howden in 1385. It is possible that one of these Fitz
Williams had settled the fourth part on a daughter, from whom Agnes
inherited it [this last sentence has a marginal query]. "
[2] Access to Archives, A2A, Sheffield Archives: Wentworth Woodhouse
Muniments [WWM/C - WWM/E], WWM/D/4
http://www.a2a.org.uk
[3] HSP 16:123 pedigree of FitzWilliam.
[4] release dated 12 May 1303:
' 1) Wm. Fitzwilliam, kt.
2) Rob. de Raynebergh and wife Alice.
(1) to (2) all lands in Addewyk (1) inherited after death of aunt
Agnes, d. of Thos. Fitzwilliam.
Witn.: John de Donecastre, Rob. Tilly, John de Eland, Ingelram
Folenfaunt, etc.
At Doncaster, Sun. after St. John of Beverley, 31 Edw.I.'
[Armorial seal.]
A2A, Nottinghamshire Archives: Foljambe of Osberton: Deeds and
Estate Papers [DD/FJ/2 - DD/FJ/10], DD/FJ/1/194/20
http://www.a2a.org.uk
[5] Baildon, ibid.:
" This is the latest note I have found relating to Edmund Butler; he
died before 1334, leaving a widow, Agnes and a son John. Agnes was
probably the daughter and heir of William de Langthwaite of
Langthwaite. I think she is the Agnes de Langthwaite returned in the
Nomina Villarum 1315-16, as holding jointly with John de Crumbwell,
but if so it is strange that she should be described by her maiden
name. Possibly the Agnes of 1315-16 was her mother, holding one-third
in dower, though the inquisition of 1336 (below) suggests that her
mother's name was Hawise. "
[6] A2A, A2A, Sheffield Archives: Cooke of Wheatley Muniments,
CWM/131
http://www.a2a.org.uk
The...@aol.com
Dear David, et al.,
Following on the posts in this thread, I presently
conjecture the following is an accurate representation of the
le Boteler (or Botiller) of Skelbrooke pedigree, down to and
including the de la Hayes. This is based largely on the
research of W. P. Baildon (provided in your earliest post),
with what added definition has been achieved to date.
Conjectured links are designated (.......).
Looking forward to hearing of your/other thoughts,
comments and criticism.
Cheers,
John *
__________________________________________
__________________________________
I I
<1A> Robert le Botiller <1B> Thomas de Armthorpe
'pincerna' I
________________________________I____
I I
<2A> Alan fitz Thomas <2B> Robert fitz Thomas
d. bef 1203 I
I I
I I
<3A> Hugh le Botiller <3B> John de Armthorpe
<Hugh 'pincerna' of Sandal>
= Avice de Savile
I
___I__________________________________________
I I I I
Richard le <4A> Idonea Denise William le
Botiller Botiller <4B>
<aka Richard de Savile>
d. bef 1267/8
I
_____I_____________
I I
Richard le Robert = Constance Hugh de
Botiller le Botiller I Langthwaite
<5A> <5B> I _____I____
I d. aft 1269 I I I
I ____________I I Hawise
I I I
Hugh le Robert = Agnes William Sir Saer
Botiller le I <possibly de de Sutton
<6A> Botiller I Fitz- Langthwaite d bef Jul
<6B> I William ?> = Agnes 1290
I .......: = Christiane
________________I_________ : ________ I
I I : I I
Robert Edmund = Agnes William Nicholas
<7A> le Botiller I <7C> de Sutton
dsp 1294 b. say 1280 I = Joan
<7B> ; d. I I
bef 4 Jul 1333 I _____________I__
________I___ I I
I I I I
I William <8B> I I
I I I
John le Botiller = Joan de Sutton Elizabeth
<8A> : fl. 1336 <coheir>
d. bef 1347 : <coheir> = John de
: Brayton
...:
:
Thomas de la Haye = Agnes
of Spaldington I <heir>
d. aft 21 Dec 1379 I
I
I
Sir Peter de la Haye
of Spaldington
d. aft 21 Sept 1398
I
I
Thomas de la Haye = 1) Elizabeth
of Spaldington Babthorpe
d. bef 6 Oct 1433 = 2) Janet <mother of Alice>
_____________I_______________________
I I I
Katherine Alice Isabel
= Robert Hildyard = Thomas Thwaites
of Winestead of Thwaites and Denton
I I
V V
* John P. Ravilious
Cristopher Nash
which to pour the troublesome old wine of --
Phillip le Boteler
| Clemence le Boteler
| & Nicholas de Verdun
| d. 1231
| | Rohese de Verdun
| | d. 1246/7
| | & Theobald II le Boteler/Butler
| | d. 1230
-- I wonder if you've glimpsed any poss. of a connection here?
Cheers!
Cris
--
the...@aol.com
Dear Cris,
Sorry for not catching this and writing back sooner; you know I'd
do anything for ye in a pincerna....
The answer for better or worse is, no. It originally appeared
(both in print as Baildon noted, then later to me) that Edmund le
Boteler or Butler, of Skelbrook (d. bef 4 Jul 1333, husband of Agnes)
was the same individual as Edmund, the Justiciar of Ireland and father
of James Butler, 1st Earl of Ormond - cousins of your Theobald (d.
1230) below. However, this has been roundly disproved (but by Baildon,
not Round).
There are other Butlers running about in 13th-14th cent. Yorkshire
still looking for assigned families; I wonder if country estates in
England today still have the same problem......;)
Cheers,
John
Tim Powys-Lybbe
<snip>
> There are other Butlers running about in 13th-14th cent. Yorkshire
> still looking for assigned families; I wonder if country estates in
> England today still have the same problem......;)
Not if the ownership has transferred in the last century or so. But if
the same family has owned some land for centuries, there is no current
public record of it. So it is entirely possible that ownership is
ambiguous. But if you have owned, or been treated as the owner of, some
land for time immemorial, then it is yours. Time immemorial is 20
years these days.
--
Tim Powys-Lybbe t...@powys.org
For a miscellany of bygones: http://powys.org
Cristopher Nash
6 possible families, but it looks increasingly as tho Phillip's
Butlers may remain indefinitely sequestered in the cupboard!
Cheers anyway!
Cris
--
John P. Ravilious
This thread dealt with the fine work of W. Paley Baildon concerning, in part, the passage of Skelbrook to the de la Hay family of Spaldington. As noted at the end of David Hepworth’s initial post,
‘there does not appear to be any further evidence among
theory that Agnes wife of Thomas de la Hay was the daughter
An interesting piece of evidence bearing on this is the funerary monument of Sir Christopher Hildyard of Winestead (d. 23 Jul 1602) found in the church of St. Germain in Winestead. The monument has among other features a shield reflecting the arms of numerous families ancestral to Sir Christopher, many of which were identified by Poulson (e.g. Hildyard, Hilton, Lascelles) but one of which was not: “ Gules, within a bordure engrailed, 3 covered cups “ [1]. Despite this lack of an identification, the use of the 3 covered cups is a well known device used by numerous families of the name Botiller (or le Botiller), or Butler [2].
Fortunately, the monument also has other arms shown which assist in placing this Butler connection. Poulson noted there were two additional shields on the south side of the monument, including “1. A bend, cotised, 3 scallop shells, impaling in a bordure engrailed, 3 covered cups” [3]. The first arms were noted by Poulson in the shield on the west end of the monument with 12 quarterings as being those of De la Hay, which description was followed by the Butler arms noted above. The arms on the south side show De la Hay impaling Butler, so that we need not guess what families in Sir Christopher Hildyard’s ancestry had entered into the indicated union: this in fact evidences the marriage of a male De la Hay, of Spaldington, to a female heiress surnamed Butler.
The names of the individuals are not indicated, but given the superb work of Baildon already noted, we can suggest with confidence that the heraldry noted at Winestead by Poulson provides the tangible evidence needed to support Baildon’s identification of Agnes, wife of Thomas de la Hay (d. bef 14 Jan 1376/7) as the daughter of heiress of John le Botiller of Skelbrook, most likely by Joan de Sutton.
Cheers,
John
1. John le Botiller, of Skelbrook (d. bef 1347) = Joan [de Sutton]
2. Agnes le Botiller = Thomas de la Hay, of Spaldington
3. Peter de la Hay (d. bef 11 Apr 1431) = (1) Elizabeth
4. Thomas de la Hay (dvp aft 1 Jul 1426)
Issue:
1. Isabel = John le Vavasour
2. Katherine = Robert Hildyard, Esq.
3. Elizabeth = John Knight
4. Alice = Thomas Thwaites
5. Dorothy, a nun
Notes
[1] George Poulson, Esq., The History and Antiquities of the Seigniory of Holderness (Hull: Thomas Toping and W. Pickering, 1841), Vol. II, p. 479:
“ This monument is embellished with the following shields :—at the west end, or head of the monument, a shield with 12 quarterings. 1. Azure, 3 mullets, or, Hildyard; 2. Two bars, Hilton; 3. In a chevron, 3 fleur de lis, between 3 buckles; 4. Argent, 2 bars azure, Hilton; 5. Argent, 3 chaplets, gules, Lascelles; 6. Argent, a boar passant, sabled, bristled, or, Swyne; 7- Or, a morion, gules, Kilham; 8. On a bend, cotised, sable, 3 escallopes, gules, De la Hay; 9. Gules, within a bordure, engrailed, 3 covered cups; 10. Azure, 2 bars, nebulee, argent, De la See; 11. Argent, a cross moline, engrailed, sable, Cottes; 12. Gules, a cross moline, or, Monceaux. On the north side of the monument are two shields: 1. 2 bars, Hilton, impaling argent, 3 chaplets, gules, Lascelles; 2. Azure, 3 mullets, or, Hildyard. On the south side are two other shields: 1. A bend, cotised, 3 scallop shells, impaling in a bordure engrailed, 3 covered cups; 2. 2 bars nebulee, impaling a cross moline engrailed, and a cross moline. At the east end or foot of the monument, two shields: 1. 3 mullets, Hildyard, impaling barry of six, Constable; 2. Fretty, Willoughby, of Barham, impaling 3 mullets, Hildyard. “
[2] Cf. Papworth, An Alphabetical Dictionary of Coats of Arms Belonging to Families in Great Britain and Ireland (London: T. Richards, 1874), Vol. 1, p. 678. See in particular the description “Gu. three cups covered within a bordure engr. or. BUTLER,*. SHELBROKE,V. SKELBKOKE.W. “
[3] Poulson, ibid.