Elizabeth d'AUMAR(L)E
Diana Trenchard
d'AUMA(R)LE, d 1406, (or provide corrections to following).
She was married first to John MA(L)TRAVERS of Hooke, d 1386.
She married secondly Humphrey STAFFORD of Southwick, Wilts who had
previously been married to Alice BEVILE.
Thank you,
Diana
Reedpcgen
>d'AUMA(R)LE, d 1406, (or provide corrections to following).
She came from a prominent family, an account of which I believe is in Hutchins'
History of Dorset. The wills of her and her second husband are in print, and
include things like silver chalices, etc.
As Robert Grey was a servant in this family, details were going to be included
in an appendix to an article I wrote (the second part of which is in Oct. 1998
TAG), but due to length it was cut out. I'll try to find the information and
post where you should look for more.
pcr
Reedpcgen
several Virginia immigrants (Corderoy, Ironmonger and Bernard, for which see
TAG July and Oct. 1998) that mentions Sir Humphrey Stafford and his wife
Elizabeth d'Aumarle:
Robert Grey of Hardyngton, esquire, may have been squire to--and possibly head
of the large household of--Sir Humphrey Stafford of Holt, co. Dorset, son of
Lady Margaret Stafford (daughter of Ralph, 1st Earl Stafford). Humphrey was a
prominent man (his income was £570 a year in 1412) who served in Parliament
fifteen times. Sir Humphrey's second wife, Lady Elizabeth (d'Aumarle) Stafford
(b. ca. 1345), was widow of Sir John Maultravers (will proved at Sarum 19 July
1386), and cousin and coheir of Sir John Meriet, the remaining coheir of half
the Barony Beauchamp{1}. By her will, dated 18 September 1405, she gave--before
bequests to any other person--five marks and a silver cup with the cover to
Robert Grey. She also mentioned William Ekerdon, clerk, and Edmund Elyot,
clerk, who, with Robert and her husband Sir Humphrey, were made her executors.
Elizabeth made a codicil in 1413, giving John Grey a cup of silver. Her will
was proved 29 November 1413, the same day as her husband's.
Sir Humphry Stafford, Sr., whose will was dated 5 April 1413, gave Robert Grey
66s. 8d., a like sum to Edmund Elyot, clerk, and ten marks to William Ekerdon,
clerk. The three were made his executors, along with his wife, Elizabeth. He
made a codicil dated 30 October 1413 which did not mention his wife, Elizabeth,
but still made Robert and the other two men his executors. William Ekerdon,
Canon of St. Peter, Exeter, made his will 8 November 1413, mentioning Edmund
Elyot, clerk, and gave Robert Grey a silver cup with a cover bearing the cross
of St. Andrew. The will was proved 19 January 1413/14{2}.
Robert Grey was closely involved with many land transactions concerning Sir
Humfrey and his wife, and served on many of the same commissions.{3} Robert
Grey, William Ekerdon, cleric, John Michell, cleric, and William Coventre were
querents, Sir Humfry Stafford and Elizabeth his wife, deforciants, of the
manors of Middel Chynnok, Magna Lopene and Magna Stratton, and for land in
Mertok, Lode, Meryet, Hardyngton and Hewennebere in return for two hundred
marks of silver paid by John to whom they quit claimed themselves and their
heirs, the quinzaine of Trinity 3 Henry IV [1401-2]. {4} [These were the
lands
she inherited as heir of Sir John Meriet, coheir of the Barony of Beauchamp of
Somerset.] By a charter dated 6 September 3 Henry IV [1402], Robert Grey,
William Ekerdon, clerk, and John Manyngford received the manors of Styntisford,
Frome Bonvyleston and Wolveton with lands in Kingston Maureward from feoffees
of
John Syward, Sr.{5} By a deed dated at Houke in 1404, Robert Grey disclaimed
the feoffment for himself because the lands in Kingston Maureward were held of
him in capite by knight's service, "and declares that he never agreed thereto.
In witness whereof the seals of Humphry Stafford the edler, knt., and the said
Robert
Grey, are appended."{6}
NOTES:
{1} It is possible that Robert's association was not through the Stafford
family, but through Elizabeth's family, as it was she, as heir of Sir John
Merriott, who brought large Somerset holdings into his family. Sir John
Merriott (24 March 1345/6-26 July 1391) was son of Sir John de Meriet, Sr., by
his wife, Eleanor Beauchamp,
sister and coheir of Cecily Beauchamp, wife of Roger Seymour. Elizabeth
inherited because her mother was aunt of Sir John Meriet (therefore not a blood
relation to Eleanor Beauchamp, but an in-law to her husband, Sir John Meriet,
Sr.). Her cousin, Margaret, wife of Sir William Bonville, was the other coheir
(see CIPM 17:364, no. 991).
{2} F. W. Weaver, ed., Somerset Medieval Wills... ([n.p.], 1903), 304-6,
312-16. For Stafford, see "Stafford of Suthwyke in North Bradley, Wilts, and
of Hoke, Dorset," Wiltshire Notes and Queries 3(Devizes and London,
1902):193-7; and Roskell 4:437-9.
{3} He was appointed escheator of Somerset and Dorset 1 Dec. 1405. CFR Hen.
IV, 1405-13, 13(London, 1933):18, 41, 42. Robert Grey was the only person of
that surname in a list of knights and squires in Somerset and Dorset drawn up
shortly before 30 Dec. 1406. Notes & Queries for Somerset and Dorset
16(Sherborne,
1920):162-3. Humfrey Stafford was among the knights.
{4} The feoffees, includung Robert Grey, were all still alive in 1414. CCR
Hen. V, 1413-19 1(London, 1929):126-7.
{5} John Syward died without issue 1401/2, holding the manor of Styntesford of
Roger Seymour in capite (Hutchins' Dorset, 2:560).
{6} Ibid. The deed was said to be an original in possession of the Earl of
Ilchester. The arms on Robert Grey's seal would substantiate what connection,
if any, he had with Lord Grey's family. The lands in question were granted by
the feoffees to Humphry and Elizabeth Stafford in 1405/6.
pcr