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Origin of the Grays of Heton, Northumberland
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John Watson
Aug 11, 2014, 3:45:18 AM8/11/14
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Dear all,
One of the best examples of upward social mobility in fourteenth century England was that of the family of Gray of Heton (modern day Heaton, about two miles south of the River Tweed in Northumberland). Their origins are however, obscure. Almost all of the published materials concerning the early Gray family rely on one source; the pedigree shown in Joseph Stevenson's translation of the Scalacronica printed in 1836 [1]. Although Stevenson provides the documents upon which he based the pedigree, he apparently errs in the parentage of the first Sir Thomas Gray, who started the family's rise to fortune. Stevenson shows Thomas' father as another Sir Thomas Gray of Heton, son of a Sir John Gray of Berwick who died about 1246.
There is however, another medieval document, now in the National Archives, which shows the actual parentage of the first Sir Thomas Gray and which was apparently not noticed by Stevenson. This is a plea to the king in 1334, by Sir Robert Gray, the brother of Sir Thomas Gray.
"Robert Gray seeks the restoration of property in Berwickshire. 1) His father held a mill at Lauder and other tenements in Hydegate in Berwick in the time of King Alexander [1249-1286], but was ousted during the wars. This property is now in the king's hands. 2) He also held a third part of Simprim, as the heir of William de Fenton, which he lost at the same time. Regarding the mill at Lauder and the tenements in Berwick, they say that Robert de Gray senior had three sons, namely John, Robert and Thomas, and that he granted this property to his son Robert, who held it until he was ousted in the war by Andrew Gray, whose heirs were dispossessed by his forfeiture. The property is in the King's hands and has not been re-granted. 2) Regarding the land at Simprim they say that William de Fenton was seised in the time of King Alexander, and granted it to Geoffrey de Caldecotes and his heirs, who held it until they were dispossessed by the war of Edward I. William de Fenton re-entered it and enfeoffed Robert Gray, who was seised until he was removed by the war of Robert Bruce. William de Fenton re-entered it for the third time, and Robert de Caldecotes, son and heir of Geoffrey, recovered it against the said William by assize of morte d'ancestor, and was seised until he went into Scotland" [2].
Robert, the father of Sir Robert Gray the petitioner, lived in the second half of the thirteenth century, and was holding land on both sides of the border in Berwickshire and Northumberland. In 1296-7, at the outbreak of Edward I's wars with Scotland, such cross-border families had to make a choice between allegiance to the crown of England or Scotland. It appears from the above document that John, his eldest son, chose Scotland whilst his two younger sons, Thomas and Robert, chose to serve Edward I and II.
In late 1311, an entry in French in the register of Richard Kellawe, Bishop of Durham, records that Sir (sire) Robert Gray had held the manor of Heton [Heaton] in Norhamshire of the bishop of Durham, by the law of England [after the death of his wife] of the inheritance of his son John. John had died in Scotland not in the fealty of the king of England and the manor had been seized as a forfeit of war by Anthony Bek, Bishop of Durham [died 3 March 1311]. The king, during the vacancy of the see of Durham, had granted the manor of Heton to Walter de Wodeham, who had also died. Bishop Kellawe petitioned the king for the return of the manor [3].
The king's grant of Heton to Walter de Wodeham is recorded in the Patent Rolls: "1 April 1311, Grant, in fee, to Walter de Wodeham, king's yeoman, of the manor of Heton, with a toft and 3 acres of land in Norham, co. Northumberland, late of Juliana Gray, which, on account of the rebellion of John Gray her son and heir, was escheated" [4]. This gives us the name of Sir Robert Gray's wife, Julian. She was most probably the daughter and heiress of Sir William de Heton who was holding Heton at the time of the Testa de Nevill in 1284-5 [5]. This would explain why Sir Robert Gray was holding the land only by the courtesy of England after her death, of the inheritance of his son John.
Bishop Richard Kellawe was evidently successful in regaining the manor of Heton from the king, because on 28 October 1312, he granted and quitclaimed the manor of Heton in Norhamshire to Sir Thomas Gray, knight and Agnes his wife, and their heirs to hold of the bishop and his heirs in perpetuity [6]. This suggests that Thomas was the second son of Robert and was the next heir of his mother and brother John. Robert the third brother, had been granted property in Berwickshire by their father.
Sir Thomas, son of Sir Robert Gray of Heton married, before 1312, Agnes, whose parentage is unknown. He was probably born between 1275 and 1280. His son Sir Thomas Gray II, records in the Scalacronica that he was a soldier serving in Scotland in May 1297 when he survived an ambush on English forces by William Wallace [7]. He was knighted before 1302, when Sir Thomas Gray is recorded as serving in the garrison of Berwick. Gray spent most of his life in military service, either in Scotland or on the borders. He was constable of the strategically important border castle of Norham until 1328. He died shortly before 10 April 1344 when bishop Bury granted a pardon to Thomas son of Sir Thomas Gray, knight, deceased, for his father's transgressions [8].
Thomas Gray seems to have had only one son, Thomas who was born about 1315, the author of the Scalacronica, which he started writing when a prisoner of war in Scotland in 1355. Thomas and Agnes also had several daughters who were married into the northern English gentry. Some of these daughters have previously been discussed in this group. They are (in no particular order):-
Margaret wife of Sir John Eure of Stokesley, Yorkshire (d. 21 March 1366). She died before 3 August 1378.
Isabel wife of Sir William Heron of Ford, Northumberland (d. 21 December 1379). She died after 1362.
Agnes wife of Sir Gerard Salvain of Harswell, Yorkshire (d. 1 August 1369). She died before 1362.
An unnamed daughter who married Sir William Felton of Northumberland (d. before 24 February 1360) as his first wife. She died before January 1332.
Possibly Alice wife of John Burradon of Eworth, Northumberland. She died s.p. before 1362.
Sir Robert son of Sir Robert Gray, the petitioner in 1334 for his father's property in Berwickshire, was also a soldier. Before January 1319 when he petitioned the king for payment of his wages, he had been sheriff of Lanark and constable of Rotherglen castle and in the garrison of Berwick-on-Tweed [9]. Raine says that he died in 1338 and was the ancestor of the Grays of Cornhill, but there is no clear evidence for this [10].
So the revised pedigree of Gray of Heton looks like this:
Sir Robert Gray = Juliana de Heton
_______________________I______________________
I I I
John d.s.p Thomas (ca. 1278-1344) Robert (ca. 1280-1338)
I I
Gray of Heton Gray of Cornhill ?
Best regards,
John
[1] Joseph Stevenson, ed., Scalacronica: By Sir Thomas Gray of Heton, Knight. A Chronicle of England and Scotland from A.D. MLXVI to A.D. MCCLXII. Now First Printed from the Unique Manuscript. With an Introduction and Notes, Maitland Club (Edinburgh, 1836), xxxiv.
[2] TNA: SC 8/115/5714A.
[3] Thomas Duffus Hardy, ed., Registrum Palatinum Dunelmense. The Register of Richard de Kellawe, Lord Palatinate and Bishop of Durham, 1311-1316, vol. 1, Rolls Series (London, 1873), 77-8.
[4] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edward II, vol. 1, 1307-1313 (London, 1894), 337.
[5] James Raine, The History and Antiquities of North Durham (London, 1852), 326.
[6] Thomas Duffus Hardy, ed., Registrum Palatinum Dunelmense. The Register of Richard de Kellawe, Lord Palatinate and Bishop of Durham, 1311-1316, vol. 2, Rolls Series (London, 1874), 1170.
[7] Herbert Maxwell, ed., Scalacronica. The Reigns of Edward I, Edward II and Edward III as Recorded by Sir Thomas Gray (Glasgow, 1907), 18.
[8] G. W. Kitchin, ed., Richard D'Aungerville of Bury: Fragments of His Register, and Other Documents, Surtees Society 119, 1910, 58.
[9] Calendar of Close Rolls, Edward II: vol. 3: 1318-1323 (1895), 53
[10] Raine, The History and Antiquities of North Durham, 184.
One of the best examples of upward social mobility in fourteenth century England was that of the family of Gray of Heton (modern day Heaton, about two miles south of the River Tweed in Northumberland). Their origins are however, obscure. Almost all of the published materials concerning the early Gray family rely on one source; the pedigree shown in Joseph Stevenson's translation of the Scalacronica printed in 1836 [1]. Although Stevenson provides the documents upon which he based the pedigree, he apparently errs in the parentage of the first Sir Thomas Gray, who started the family's rise to fortune. Stevenson shows Thomas' father as another Sir Thomas Gray of Heton, son of a Sir John Gray of Berwick who died about 1246.
There is however, another medieval document, now in the National Archives, which shows the actual parentage of the first Sir Thomas Gray and which was apparently not noticed by Stevenson. This is a plea to the king in 1334, by Sir Robert Gray, the brother of Sir Thomas Gray.
"Robert Gray seeks the restoration of property in Berwickshire. 1) His father held a mill at Lauder and other tenements in Hydegate in Berwick in the time of King Alexander [1249-1286], but was ousted during the wars. This property is now in the king's hands. 2) He also held a third part of Simprim, as the heir of William de Fenton, which he lost at the same time. Regarding the mill at Lauder and the tenements in Berwick, they say that Robert de Gray senior had three sons, namely John, Robert and Thomas, and that he granted this property to his son Robert, who held it until he was ousted in the war by Andrew Gray, whose heirs were dispossessed by his forfeiture. The property is in the King's hands and has not been re-granted. 2) Regarding the land at Simprim they say that William de Fenton was seised in the time of King Alexander, and granted it to Geoffrey de Caldecotes and his heirs, who held it until they were dispossessed by the war of Edward I. William de Fenton re-entered it and enfeoffed Robert Gray, who was seised until he was removed by the war of Robert Bruce. William de Fenton re-entered it for the third time, and Robert de Caldecotes, son and heir of Geoffrey, recovered it against the said William by assize of morte d'ancestor, and was seised until he went into Scotland" [2].
Robert, the father of Sir Robert Gray the petitioner, lived in the second half of the thirteenth century, and was holding land on both sides of the border in Berwickshire and Northumberland. In 1296-7, at the outbreak of Edward I's wars with Scotland, such cross-border families had to make a choice between allegiance to the crown of England or Scotland. It appears from the above document that John, his eldest son, chose Scotland whilst his two younger sons, Thomas and Robert, chose to serve Edward I and II.
In late 1311, an entry in French in the register of Richard Kellawe, Bishop of Durham, records that Sir (sire) Robert Gray had held the manor of Heton [Heaton] in Norhamshire of the bishop of Durham, by the law of England [after the death of his wife] of the inheritance of his son John. John had died in Scotland not in the fealty of the king of England and the manor had been seized as a forfeit of war by Anthony Bek, Bishop of Durham [died 3 March 1311]. The king, during the vacancy of the see of Durham, had granted the manor of Heton to Walter de Wodeham, who had also died. Bishop Kellawe petitioned the king for the return of the manor [3].
The king's grant of Heton to Walter de Wodeham is recorded in the Patent Rolls: "1 April 1311, Grant, in fee, to Walter de Wodeham, king's yeoman, of the manor of Heton, with a toft and 3 acres of land in Norham, co. Northumberland, late of Juliana Gray, which, on account of the rebellion of John Gray her son and heir, was escheated" [4]. This gives us the name of Sir Robert Gray's wife, Julian. She was most probably the daughter and heiress of Sir William de Heton who was holding Heton at the time of the Testa de Nevill in 1284-5 [5]. This would explain why Sir Robert Gray was holding the land only by the courtesy of England after her death, of the inheritance of his son John.
Bishop Richard Kellawe was evidently successful in regaining the manor of Heton from the king, because on 28 October 1312, he granted and quitclaimed the manor of Heton in Norhamshire to Sir Thomas Gray, knight and Agnes his wife, and their heirs to hold of the bishop and his heirs in perpetuity [6]. This suggests that Thomas was the second son of Robert and was the next heir of his mother and brother John. Robert the third brother, had been granted property in Berwickshire by their father.
Sir Thomas, son of Sir Robert Gray of Heton married, before 1312, Agnes, whose parentage is unknown. He was probably born between 1275 and 1280. His son Sir Thomas Gray II, records in the Scalacronica that he was a soldier serving in Scotland in May 1297 when he survived an ambush on English forces by William Wallace [7]. He was knighted before 1302, when Sir Thomas Gray is recorded as serving in the garrison of Berwick. Gray spent most of his life in military service, either in Scotland or on the borders. He was constable of the strategically important border castle of Norham until 1328. He died shortly before 10 April 1344 when bishop Bury granted a pardon to Thomas son of Sir Thomas Gray, knight, deceased, for his father's transgressions [8].
Thomas Gray seems to have had only one son, Thomas who was born about 1315, the author of the Scalacronica, which he started writing when a prisoner of war in Scotland in 1355. Thomas and Agnes also had several daughters who were married into the northern English gentry. Some of these daughters have previously been discussed in this group. They are (in no particular order):-
Margaret wife of Sir John Eure of Stokesley, Yorkshire (d. 21 March 1366). She died before 3 August 1378.
Isabel wife of Sir William Heron of Ford, Northumberland (d. 21 December 1379). She died after 1362.
Agnes wife of Sir Gerard Salvain of Harswell, Yorkshire (d. 1 August 1369). She died before 1362.
An unnamed daughter who married Sir William Felton of Northumberland (d. before 24 February 1360) as his first wife. She died before January 1332.
Possibly Alice wife of John Burradon of Eworth, Northumberland. She died s.p. before 1362.
Sir Robert son of Sir Robert Gray, the petitioner in 1334 for his father's property in Berwickshire, was also a soldier. Before January 1319 when he petitioned the king for payment of his wages, he had been sheriff of Lanark and constable of Rotherglen castle and in the garrison of Berwick-on-Tweed [9]. Raine says that he died in 1338 and was the ancestor of the Grays of Cornhill, but there is no clear evidence for this [10].
So the revised pedigree of Gray of Heton looks like this:
Sir Robert Gray = Juliana de Heton
_______________________I______________________
I I I
John d.s.p Thomas (ca. 1278-1344) Robert (ca. 1280-1338)
I I
Gray of Heton Gray of Cornhill ?
Best regards,
John
[1] Joseph Stevenson, ed., Scalacronica: By Sir Thomas Gray of Heton, Knight. A Chronicle of England and Scotland from A.D. MLXVI to A.D. MCCLXII. Now First Printed from the Unique Manuscript. With an Introduction and Notes, Maitland Club (Edinburgh, 1836), xxxiv.
[2] TNA: SC 8/115/5714A.
[3] Thomas Duffus Hardy, ed., Registrum Palatinum Dunelmense. The Register of Richard de Kellawe, Lord Palatinate and Bishop of Durham, 1311-1316, vol. 1, Rolls Series (London, 1873), 77-8.
[4] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edward II, vol. 1, 1307-1313 (London, 1894), 337.
[5] James Raine, The History and Antiquities of North Durham (London, 1852), 326.
[6] Thomas Duffus Hardy, ed., Registrum Palatinum Dunelmense. The Register of Richard de Kellawe, Lord Palatinate and Bishop of Durham, 1311-1316, vol. 2, Rolls Series (London, 1874), 1170.
[7] Herbert Maxwell, ed., Scalacronica. The Reigns of Edward I, Edward II and Edward III as Recorded by Sir Thomas Gray (Glasgow, 1907), 18.
[8] G. W. Kitchin, ed., Richard D'Aungerville of Bury: Fragments of His Register, and Other Documents, Surtees Society 119, 1910, 58.
[9] Calendar of Close Rolls, Edward II: vol. 3: 1318-1323 (1895), 53
[10] Raine, The History and Antiquities of North Durham, 184.
ericgil...@gmail.com
Aug 14, 2014, 3:37:21 PM8/14/14
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Interesting post.
It was Rosie Bevan who identified the four daughters of Thomas Grey back in 2002 under the thread "The Grey Sisters of Heton". How do you know there was another daughter called Alice?
Regards
Eric
It was Rosie Bevan who identified the four daughters of Thomas Grey back in 2002 under the thread "The Grey Sisters of Heton". How do you know there was another daughter called Alice?
Regards
Eric
John Watson
Aug 15, 2014, 1:13:42 AM8/15/14
to
Hi Eric,
It is possible, but not certain, that Thomas Gray had another daughter called Alice who married John de Burradon of Eworth, based on the following two records:
12 November 1334, Thomas Gray, senior, plaintiff, John de Boroudon' and Alice his wife deforciants. The manors of Eworth and Haukhille, except six marks of rent in Eworthe, property to Thomas as by gift of John and Alice. Thomas grants to John and Alice and the heirs of the body of Alice in perpetuity, rendering to Thomas a rose at the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, for all customary service and exaction, and performing also to the lords of the fee all other services pertaining. If Alice leaves no issue the property is to revert to Thomas.
Feet of Fines: CP 25/1/181/11, number 34.
23 February 1342, Licence for the alienation in mortmain by Thomas de Grey 'le piere' and Alice, late the wife of John de Borougdon of 6 marks of rent out of the manor of Eworth, co. Northumberland, to a chaplain to celebrate divine service in a chapel in Eworth as they shall order.
Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edward III, vol. 5, 380.
Since Alice is not named as one of the co-heirs of William de Gray in 1362, I assume that she must have died without heirs before this date.
Complete Peerage, Vol. 6, p. 486, note (i).
Best regards,
John
It is possible, but not certain, that Thomas Gray had another daughter called Alice who married John de Burradon of Eworth, based on the following two records:
12 November 1334, Thomas Gray, senior, plaintiff, John de Boroudon' and Alice his wife deforciants. The manors of Eworth and Haukhille, except six marks of rent in Eworthe, property to Thomas as by gift of John and Alice. Thomas grants to John and Alice and the heirs of the body of Alice in perpetuity, rendering to Thomas a rose at the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, for all customary service and exaction, and performing also to the lords of the fee all other services pertaining. If Alice leaves no issue the property is to revert to Thomas.
Feet of Fines: CP 25/1/181/11, number 34.
23 February 1342, Licence for the alienation in mortmain by Thomas de Grey 'le piere' and Alice, late the wife of John de Borougdon of 6 marks of rent out of the manor of Eworth, co. Northumberland, to a chaplain to celebrate divine service in a chapel in Eworth as they shall order.
Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edward III, vol. 5, 380.
Since Alice is not named as one of the co-heirs of William de Gray in 1362, I assume that she must have died without heirs before this date.
Complete Peerage, Vol. 6, p. 486, note (i).
Best regards,
John
John Watson
Aug 15, 2014, 5:07:22 AM8/15/14
to
Dear all,
Further to my earlier post, concerning Alice, possibly the daughter of Thomas Gray I. I find that the two properties mentioned in the fine of 1334 are, Hawkhill, in the township of Lesbury, parish of Alnwick, and Ewart in Doddington parish Northumberland.
In October 1314, at the inquisition post mortem of Henry de Percy for knight's fees held of the barony of Alnwick, it was found that he held, inter alia, in Haukhill, 1 knight's fee held by John de Burghdon rendering 13s. 4d. yearly for the guard of the castle [of Alnwick].
Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem, vol. 5, Edward II (London, 1908), 316, No. 536.
In March 1352, at the inquisition post mortem of Henry de Percy, son of the above, for the castle and manor of Alnwick, it was found, inter alia, that he held Hauchill and Eworth; the towns held by Alice de Borudon in demesne by homage and fealty and service of a fee and a third part of a knight's fee and 17s. 9d. on 15 July [for the ward of the castle].
Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem, vol. 10, Edward III (London, 1921), 28, No. 43.
In May 1368, at the inquisition post mortem of Henry de Percy, son of the above, for the castle and manor of Alnwick, it was found that he held, inter alia, Haukill and Eworth. The towns, held by Thomas de Gray by homage and fealty and service of one knight's fee and a third part of a fee, and by doing suit of court as above and rendering 17s. 9d. on 15 July for ward of the said castle.
Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem, vol. 12, Edward III (London, 1938), 228, No. 242.
From this, and the sources in my previous post, it appears that Alice married John de Burradon before November 1334 and that he died before 1342. Alice was still living in March 1352, but died before 1368 (presumably before 1362). After the death of John de Burradon, Hawkhill and Ewart reverted to Thomas Gray I or II, under the terms of the 1334 fine, because Alice had no heirs by John de Burradon.
Thomas Gray II was already holding the two properties when he had a grant of free warren in in 1345:
16 May 1345, Grant, of special grace, to Thomas de Grey and his heirs of free warren in all their demesne lands of Fenton, Nesbit, Dodyngton, North Middelton, Middelmastmiddelton, Southmiddelton, Howyk, Eworth, Heddon and Haukhill, co. Northumberland: licence also to the said Thomas to enclose and make a park of his wood of Middelmastmiddelton and to hold the said park to him and his heirs without let or hindrance of the king and his heirs or any their ministers.
Calendar of Charter Rolls, vol. 5, 15 Edward III-5 Henry V: 1341-1417 (London, 1916), 38.
Regards,
John
Further to my earlier post, concerning Alice, possibly the daughter of Thomas Gray I. I find that the two properties mentioned in the fine of 1334 are, Hawkhill, in the township of Lesbury, parish of Alnwick, and Ewart in Doddington parish Northumberland.
In October 1314, at the inquisition post mortem of Henry de Percy for knight's fees held of the barony of Alnwick, it was found that he held, inter alia, in Haukhill, 1 knight's fee held by John de Burghdon rendering 13s. 4d. yearly for the guard of the castle [of Alnwick].
Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem, vol. 5, Edward II (London, 1908), 316, No. 536.
In March 1352, at the inquisition post mortem of Henry de Percy, son of the above, for the castle and manor of Alnwick, it was found, inter alia, that he held Hauchill and Eworth; the towns held by Alice de Borudon in demesne by homage and fealty and service of a fee and a third part of a knight's fee and 17s. 9d. on 15 July [for the ward of the castle].
Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem, vol. 10, Edward III (London, 1921), 28, No. 43.
In May 1368, at the inquisition post mortem of Henry de Percy, son of the above, for the castle and manor of Alnwick, it was found that he held, inter alia, Haukill and Eworth. The towns, held by Thomas de Gray by homage and fealty and service of one knight's fee and a third part of a fee, and by doing suit of court as above and rendering 17s. 9d. on 15 July for ward of the said castle.
Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem, vol. 12, Edward III (London, 1938), 228, No. 242.
From this, and the sources in my previous post, it appears that Alice married John de Burradon before November 1334 and that he died before 1342. Alice was still living in March 1352, but died before 1368 (presumably before 1362). After the death of John de Burradon, Hawkhill and Ewart reverted to Thomas Gray I or II, under the terms of the 1334 fine, because Alice had no heirs by John de Burradon.
Thomas Gray II was already holding the two properties when he had a grant of free warren in in 1345:
16 May 1345, Grant, of special grace, to Thomas de Grey and his heirs of free warren in all their demesne lands of Fenton, Nesbit, Dodyngton, North Middelton, Middelmastmiddelton, Southmiddelton, Howyk, Eworth, Heddon and Haukhill, co. Northumberland: licence also to the said Thomas to enclose and make a park of his wood of Middelmastmiddelton and to hold the said park to him and his heirs without let or hindrance of the king and his heirs or any their ministers.
Calendar of Charter Rolls, vol. 5, 15 Edward III-5 Henry V: 1341-1417 (London, 1916), 38.
Regards,
John
ericgil...@gmail.com
Aug 15, 2014, 5:19:27 PM8/15/14
to
Thank you John. I agree a family connection is indicated, and going through the chronology that Rosie Bevan researched for the other sisters, Alice looks like she could have been the youngest daughter. She could also have been his granddaughter by his son, Thomas who not inheriting until 1344 would mean that Thomas I would have to settle lands coming from the estate until then. The Grays did not appear to own Hawkhill and Eworth before 1296, when the Lay Subsidy was held, so they might have come into the family with Agnes. Also, the Lay Subsidy shows a Robert Gray and his wife Margaret holding a third part of the manor of Ellingham as her dower. Could Juliana have been dead by this time, and Robert Gray remarried? It looks like Margaret was a widow of Robert Clifford of Orde.
Regards
Eric
Regards
Eric
John Watson
Aug 16, 2014, 4:51:47 AM8/16/14
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Hi Eric,
Although it appeared to me that there was a family connection between the Grays and Alice wife of John de Burradon - now I am not so sure. Yesterday I came across this entry in the Close Rolls, which rather throws a large spanner in the works:
17 September 1301, To the treasurer and barons of the exchequer. Notification that the king, at the instance of Walter de Burghdon, who is staying in Scotland in the king's service by his order, has pardoned John de Burghdon and Alice, his wife, 18l. 13s. 4d. by which Maurice de Eworth, Alice's father, of whom she is the heir, made fine with the king to have respite of making himself knight, and order to cause them to be acquitted of the said sum.
Calendar of Close Rolls, Edward I: vol. 4: 1296-1302 (1906), 469.
Robert Gray who I conjecture was the father of the first Sir Thomas Gray, and his two brothers John and Robert was certainly dead before 1311. He had been holding Heton by the courtesy of England, i.e. after the death of his wife Juliana, and he had then died. Heton had escheated to the bishop of Durham in or before 1311 as a forfeit of war because Robert's eldest son and heir, John had joined the Scots before he died.
I do not think that the Robert Gray who with his wife Margaret was holding one third of Newstead in Ellingham in 1291 was the same person as Robert Gray father of Thomas Gray - there seem to have been several Gray families in the border area at that time. I am not sure who Robert Clifford of Orde was. The only Robert Clifford with a wife Margaret that I have in my data is Robert Clifford of Newstead who died shortly before 28 January 1339.
Regards,
John
Although it appeared to me that there was a family connection between the Grays and Alice wife of John de Burradon - now I am not so sure. Yesterday I came across this entry in the Close Rolls, which rather throws a large spanner in the works:
17 September 1301, To the treasurer and barons of the exchequer. Notification that the king, at the instance of Walter de Burghdon, who is staying in Scotland in the king's service by his order, has pardoned John de Burghdon and Alice, his wife, 18l. 13s. 4d. by which Maurice de Eworth, Alice's father, of whom she is the heir, made fine with the king to have respite of making himself knight, and order to cause them to be acquitted of the said sum.
Calendar of Close Rolls, Edward I: vol. 4: 1296-1302 (1906), 469.
Robert Gray who I conjecture was the father of the first Sir Thomas Gray, and his two brothers John and Robert was certainly dead before 1311. He had been holding Heton by the courtesy of England, i.e. after the death of his wife Juliana, and he had then died. Heton had escheated to the bishop of Durham in or before 1311 as a forfeit of war because Robert's eldest son and heir, John had joined the Scots before he died.
I do not think that the Robert Gray who with his wife Margaret was holding one third of Newstead in Ellingham in 1291 was the same person as Robert Gray father of Thomas Gray - there seem to have been several Gray families in the border area at that time. I am not sure who Robert Clifford of Orde was. The only Robert Clifford with a wife Margaret that I have in my data is Robert Clifford of Newstead who died shortly before 28 January 1339.
Regards,
John
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