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THE MANOR.
The Manor history of this parish begins with the record in Domesday Book. The clerk summed up the result of the enquiry in this abbreviated form:—
Thoroton’s explanation is:—“This town in Doomsday Book is called Rocklaveston, in which it was certified to have been the Manor of Elsi before the Conquest, who paid for it as two carucates to the geld. The land was four carucates. There afterwards Roger de Busli had in Demesne one Carucate and a Half eleven Villans, one Bordar having three carucates, eight socmen with three carucates and a half, and two mills 3s. There was a church and Thirty Acres of Meadow. In the Confessor’s time it was 40s. and then 60s. Value.”
Thoroton misread the composite letter which stood for Tr, and so gives the wrong spelling of the village name.
Elsi, the English lord of the manor, appears to be the same person who held the manor of Stanford-on-Soar at the time of the Conquest. He was despoiled of his manors, and passes out of view.
His supplanter, Roger de Busli, was granted by the Conqueror this, and no less than 173 other manors in this county. Roger’s chief seat was at first Blythe, and then Tickhill, where he built a castle, and so Tollerton was deemed a member of “The Honour of Tickhill,” the tenants rendering certain customs and services to the holder of that chief manor. In later days Maltby replaced Tickhill, and the term used was “the honour of Maltby.”
We have not traced the passage of the lands from de Busli to subject hands, so that we cannot say when or to whom he transferred them. The first intimation of a holder of these lands under the family of Roger de Busli is given by the gift of tithes in Tollerton by Ranulph de Insula to Lenton Priory early in the 12th century. We conclude that he who gave the tithes, held the lands.
It is not quite clear if de Insula was lord of the whole manor. Two generations later it was certainly held as two manors, if, as seems the case, Richard Barri and Serlo de Torlavistune who shared the advowson both held lands.
We have ample proof that from the beginning of the 13th century there were two manors in Tollerton, and that this division of the original manor was continued for four hundred years. The two manors were accounted as one fee of the chief lord.
The history of these manors can be traced more or less continuously by means of taxation rolls.
We have already mentioned Richard Barry and Serlo de Torlavistune as probably holding manors simultaneously, about 1116. Within a few years of this, viz., in 1206, Ralf Barre and Robert fil Serlo are found1 to be holding jointly one knight’s fee at Tollerton.
In 1242-3 Robert de Torlaston and Wm. Barry hold 1 fee in Torloveton or Thortloneto, of Alice Countess of Auge (D’Eu).2
Feodary Hen. III and Ancient Petitions, 665.
In 1284-5 Richard de Barri and Reginald de Aslacton held the town of Torlaston for one fee, from the heirs of Robert de Veteri Ponte, and the same held from the king.
Feudal Aids, p. 92.
In 1302-3 Ralf Barry and Matilda, or Matillis, wife of Reginald de Aslacton hold in Torlaston, or Torlaxton, one knight’s fee of the honour of Tykel.
Feudal Aids, p. 101.
In 1328-9 John Barry and Reginald de Aslacton hold the same (De Banco Roll). John Barry claims from Reginald 28 oxgangs of ar.; ½ of 28½ ac. meadow, 10 mess, except one-sixth of 1 mess, which he held in right of descent from Ralf. Temp. Rd. 1 (1189-99).
In 1332-3 James Barry and Simon de Aslacton hold one fee in Torlaston which Master Ralph Barry and Matillis who was the wife of Reginald de Aslacton formerly held.
Feudal Aids, p. 120.
In 1377 Robert Barry and Wm. de Aslacton held this fee; at which time Wm. de Aslacton recovered seisin against Robert Barry. It is then stated “John de Aslokton now holds the said tenement.”
Coram Rege Roll 51 Edw. Ill, Roll 33, lb. No. 464.
By the marriage of Isabel de Aslacton the manor of that family passed to the Cranemeres.
In 1428 Elizabeth,3 lately wife of Edmund Cranemere, and Edmund Barry hold one fee in “Toralston” which James Barry and Simon de Aslacton formerly held (see 1332-3).
The manors having passed by marriage to the Pendocks and Dethicks we have now these new names.
Cir. 1570 Richard Pendock4 and (John) Dethick5 held lands in Tollerton alias Thorloveton formerly of Roger de Veteriponte by the service of one knight’s fee of “the Honor de Tickhull.”
With this entry the common references to the two manors end.
This joint evidence for the two manors and properties may be supplemented by separate evidence for each family.
THE BARRYS’ MANOR.
1205-6., Ralf Barre paid scutage of 20s., his overlord being Robert de Vipont (Tickhull).
Pipe Roll, No. 51.
1225-6. John Barry of Thorlaston is tenant of Alice, Countess D’Eu (Tickhull).
Ancient Petitions, 4819.
1310-11. “A Fine was levied between Mr. Ralph Barry of Torlaston, compl. and Thos. Barry of Torlaston, defen., of 17 mess., 1 mill, 46 bovats of land and 50ac. meadow in T. (with the advowson) and Basingfield . . . remainder to John, s. of Rd. Barry and heirs, remainder to Thos. s. of John and heirs, remainder to John Rosell of Cotgrave.”
Thoroton and F.F.
1315-16. John Barry brother and heir of Wm. and son of Richd. and Matilda is “lord of Torlaston.”
Nomina Villarum. Parl. Writs, Vol. II, 400.
1323-4 and 1329-30. John Barry of Torlaston claimed against Reginald de Aslacton 28 bov. of land, 28ac. of meadow, and 10 mess. exc. 1/6 part of 1 mess, in Tollarton.
Placita de Banco, 511.
1328-9. John Barry claimed against Reg. de Aslacton and Juetta, widow of John son of Lucy, for land in Torlaston. The said Reg. de A. was vouchee of John le Smyth and Avice his wife.
1329-30. A fine between John de Barry of Torlaston and Amicia his wife, Quer. and Ralph Rosel Parson of Keworth—the same parcels (see 1310-11) being settled on John and Amicia and the heirs of John.
1389. Robert Barry held a knight’s fee in “Torleston” from Roger Clifford, Kt., lately deceased, and in 1392 of Thomas de Clifford, Kt., his son, lately deceased, “ which is worth per annum £13.
Inq. p.m., Close Rolls, 455.
1429-30. Edmund Barrye son and heir of Robert Barrye knight held lands.
Inq. p.m., 22 Hen. VII, on his son Hugh.
Hugh Barrye (d. No. 1505), son and heir of Edmund. About 5 Aug. 15 Hen. VII (1500) he was seised of the manors of Torlaston . . . the advowsons of the churches of Torlaston . . . and demesne lands and tenements in Torlaston—Thomas his son and heir was then 12 years old. The manor, except 8 oxgangs under “Holme Perpoynte,” are held of John Pylkynton, Kt., of the manor of Maltby and is worth p.a. 10 marks.
Inq., p.m., 22 Hen. VII.
Note.—“Hugh Barry of Torleton” was distrained with others for the repair of the Leen Bridge at Nottingham in 1482.
Nottm. Bor. Records.
“Thomas Barry, gentleman” son and heir of Hugh died 4th March, 1527, seised of the manor and advowson of Torlaston, 4 messuages, 3 cottages, 30 oxgangs of land, 10 oxgangs of meadow, 4 oxgangs of pasture in Torlaston . . . held of Henry Earl of Cumberland as of his manor of Maltby, by fealty and the service of a moiety of a knight’s fee and a rent of 5s. 4d. yearly and are worth £10.
Inq. p.m., Exchequer II, file 742, No. 9.
John Barry who was 12 years old in 1527 when his father Thomas died, himself died 1st Sept. 1545,6 seised in his demesne of the above property. “Matilda Pendock is his sister and next heir, Matilda is of the age of 53 years and more.” Dorothy the widow of John living at Amyngton Parva co. Warwick has a dowry out of Tollerton and elsewhere. “Richard Pendocke in right of Matilda has received all issues and profits since the death of John Barry.” This note belongs to 1567.
Matilda or Maud Pendocke died at Gotherington, Gloucestershire on Aug. 1st, 1567, and Richard her husband then held in her right the manor and advowson of Tollerton with 4 messuages, 3 cottages, 30 oxgangs of land, 30 oxgangs of meadow and 4 oxgangs of pasture on the same conditions mentioned at the time of Thomas Barry’s death. Richard Pendocke died at Gotherington on June 21st, 1578, his son and heir being William, Matilda’s son, then aged 42 years.
Dorothy Barry was still surviving and receiving her dowry out of Tollerton “to the clear annual value of £6 13. 4.”
Court of Wards Inq., Vol. xx, No. 52.
William Pendocke succeeded and held the estate until his death on Feb. 25th, 1622, under Edward Stanhope as of the manor of Maltby except 8 oxgaiigs under Robert Pierrepont as of his manor of Holme Pierrepont. In 1621 William Pendocke7 was assessed “in lands v li” for a Lay Subsidy. A Court Leet for the manor of Tollerton was granted to him.
Ch. Inq. p.m., Series II, file 690, No. 105.
John Pendocke son and heir of William held the manor from 1622 until his death in 1643 being succeeded by his son Richard who only survived his father two years, dying in November, 1645. During his father’s lifetime he appears to have lived at Tollerton and is probably the “Rd. Pendocke gent” who occupied one of the mills in 1622.
By an agreement, dated 1640-1, between “Richard Pendocke, gent, and George Warde and Agnes his wife” Richard gave them £60 for “a messuage, a garden, an orchard, 30 acres of arable land, 4 acres of meadow, 6 acres of pasture and common of pasture for all cattle in Tollerton.”
Feet of Fines, 16 Chas. I, Notts.
Richard’s son Philip succeeded, and, like his father, added to the Tollerton estate. He died in 1675 leaving an only son, Thomas, and three daughters. Thomas died soon after his father, without issue, and the estate and advowson was divided between the three daughters as co-heiresses; Elizabeth, who married Francis Moult; Ann, who married John Neale; and Mary, who married Thomas Price. The tripartite division of the property8 was temporary, and eventually John Neale and his wife became sole owners. As late as 1710 John Neale purchased lands from his nephew George Moult and Lucy his wife.
TORLAVISTUNE’S MANOR.
The Barry’s manor is never so far as we know called after their name, but is either described as “the manor” or “the manor of Tollerton”; but the other manor bears the name of the owner. With changes of ownership we find changes of name. When first mentioned it is “Torlavistunes manor,” so called from the family which took to themselves the village name. By 1377 it had become “Aslacton’s manor” ‘‘the manor of Torlaston called Aslakton’s manor.” Thoroton says, “seems Torlavistune’s manor came to the family of Aslacton, but how it passed, by sale or inheritance I have not yet found.” In saying elsewhere that Reginald de Aslacton was probably descended from Uluric or Walchelin, and that the Walkelins lived at Tollerton about 1216 to 1327,9 he seems to point to the solution of his problem—if we may presume kinship of the Walkelins and the de Torlavistunes.
William de Aslacton was the last of the name to hold his manor alongside the Barrys. He died cir. 1378. The dispute with the Barrys begun in the lifetime of William de Aslocton is continued, and Amice his widow is confirmed in her holding and Isabel his daughter in her tenement in Tollerton. Amice was living and holding the manor in 1391, her name being mentioned then as the owner of the lands in Tollerton on which a murder had been committed.
Assize Roll, No. 694, 2 Rich. II.
It is about this time that the manor passed by the marriage of Isabel the daughter of William de Aslacton to Edmund Cranmer, great-great-grandfather of the famous Thomas, Archbishop of Canterbury.
So far as we know the old name of the manor was continued during the short period that the Cranmers held a Tollerton estate; but soon after 1428 when Elizabeth Cranmer held the manor, a new family name attaches to it. In an early 17th century document we have the mention of “Bassetts Manor House” at Tollerton.
We have failed to trace any direct reference to the Bassetts as holders of a manor in this place, but the name of the house demands that there was some ownership by that family, even when we remember the varying force of the word manor.
It is possible that we have a key to this connection in the two families who held lands in Tollerton in the 15th and 16th centuries, the Poutrells and the Chaworths. They were both in the Bassett lineage, and their lands may have been derived from a common ancestor.
It may help towards tracing the unknown member of the Bassett family to gather together references to the Poutrells and the Chaworths, and indicate their connection with the Bassetts. In the Feudal Aids for Nottinghamshire we find the name of Nicholas Poutrell mentioned as having lands and fees in “Torlaton” in 1546, of the value of 20 marks.
Thoroton10 says that John Poutrell of Thrumpton had two sons, Thomas and Nicholas. Thomas (d. 10th August, 1557) married Dorothea, daughter and co-heir of William Bassett of Muskham, who brought part of the Bassett estates to the Poutrells. Thomas, who married as his second wife Elizabeth daughter of Walter Rodney, left a daughter by his first wife, Frances, who married John Dethyk. John Dethyk or Dethick was holding a manor in Tollerton in 157011 which was perhaps the Bassett manor. We are left to explain as best we can the difficulty that it was Nicholas and not Thomas Poutrell who held the lands and fees in 1546.
Note.—Thoroton says that Nicholas Poutrell and Thomas married two sisters, Anna and Elizabeth Rodney.
Again, Thoroton12 says that about 1390 Sir Win. Chaworth married Alice, widow of Thomas Heth, the co-heiress of the Bassetts of Drayton. This marriage brought a small property in Tollerton to the Chaworths. We have evidence of this at a much later date, in 1616, when Dame Gertrude, widow of Sir George Chaworth (d. 1589) of Harthill, Yorks, claimed against John and Sir George Chaworth her stepsons her right of jointure in certain lands and messuages in “Edwalton, Plomtree, Roddington and Torlaston.”13 It is an interesting coincidence that Thomas, the son of Sir Wm. and Alice Chaworth, inherited the property of the Bassetts of Weldon, Northants, by his second marriage to Isabel, the daughter of Sir Thomas Aylesbury.
It is sufficiently clear from these facts that the Bassetts at some early date held the manor, or some portion of it, and it is most likely that this was previously known as Aslacton’s manor.
John Dethick did not long hold the Bassett manor, which came to him through his wife, if the following fine represents a sale, and not a mortgage: —
In 1577 a fine was executed between Richard Fawckes and Thomas More of the one part and John Dethyck Esq. and Frances his wife of the other part, of the manor of Tollerton, 6 messuages, 2 cottages, 6 tofts, 6 barns, 8 gardens, 8 orchards, 600ac. arable land, 200ac. of meadow, 300ac. of pasture, 10ac. of wood, 200ac. of sedge and heath, and 20s. rent in Tollerton, with the advowson of the church of Tollerton.
For this Fawckes and More gave 370 marks of silver.
Feet of Fines, Notts., 19 Eliz.
A strange feature of this transaction is that the acreage named, 1,310 acres, is more than the whole parish according to the measurements of the Ordnance Survey, which give us 1,240 acres. The difference may be accounted for by the difference in area of the local acre with the statute acre of to-day. When due allowance is made for this variation we have a holding that represents the greater part of the parish. These were the days of an extreme low tide in the affairs of the Pendocks, who now held the other manor; and the Dethicks may have acquired a considerable portion of their estate.
Fawckes and More appear to be intermediaries, for in the following year, 1578, Francis Curson seeks from “Ric. Fauckes et al.” the manor of Tollerton with divers lands there; and John Dethick and others are called to vouch.
De Banco Rolls, 19-20 Eliz.
If John Dethick and his wife sold their manor and lands in 1577 they must have retained some property at Tollerton, for John Dethicks name appears in the list of the Tollerton freeholders of the Queen at the Duchy of Lancaster Court held at Saxindale in 1583.
We hear no more of this family in connection with this parish. As we know that the Pendocks and Neales claimed kinship with the Dethicks it is not unlikely the lands passed by marriage to the holders of the other manor.
OTHER OWNERS OF LANDS.
The Land of William Peverel.
The grant of lands to Lenton Priory by William Peverel, the founder, is our sole source of knowledge of his ownership of lands in Tollerton. It is enough that the Charters attest it. If we may hazard a guess, we should say that this land was that which is afterwards in the hands of the Luttrells, for this family succeeded to the manor of Peverel in West Bridgford and Gamston.
The Luttrell Lands.
Geoffrey Luttrell,14 who acquired the fee of West Bridgford and Gamston in the 12th century, may have had a small holding in Tollerton parish. His grandson Robert (ob. 1296 or 1297) certainly held this outlying land, for his widow Joanna and her son Geoffrey were found to have this property in 1316.
An Inquisition15 was held in 1390 on the death of “Andrew Loterell knight senior” son of Geoffrey when he was found to be seised of 4 oxgangs of arable land in Tollerton, which were held of the Duke of Lancaster of the fee of Tickhill. His son Andrew, then aged 26 years, succeeded him; and he was in turn succeeded by his son Geoffrey who died childless. The property passed to Geoffrey’s sister Hawisia, the wife of Godfrey de Hilton. Godfrey died 1461-2, when a jury found that his son Godfrey and Margery his wife were seised in these four oxgangs in fee tail, the value of the land with 3 oxgangs at Keyworth being 16s. Before his father’s death, on 12th August, 1459, Godfrey had enfeoffed Margery with these lands.
Inq. p.m., Ch. Series II, Vol. xi, No. 54.
Godfrey died about 1472, leaving a son, Geoffrey, then 15 years old, and a daughter Elizabeth. His widow Margery married William Walron and died in 1496, when a jury found that she was “seised of the premises” before mentioned. Geoffrey died without issue, and his sister Elizabeth, who married Richard Thymelby, inherited the property.
Inq. p.m., H. 7, i, 520.
The Thymelbys acquired other property in Tollerton. In 1573 Robert Saywell, alias Sewell, had an agreement with John Thymelbye and Magdalene his wife, “concerning a messuage, a garden, an orchard, 60ac. of arable land, 20ac. of meadow, 20ac. of pasture, 10ac. of sedge and heath, 10ac. of marsh, and common pasture for all cattle in Tollarton, alias Tollerton.”
Feet of Fines, 15-16 Eliz., Mich., Notts.
Robert gave John and Magdalene £40 for this agreement
The Lands of the Boyvilles.
Thoroton says, “Here lived of the Family of Boyvile, Walter, in the time of H. 3, E. 1, E. 2, and John, and in the Time of E. 3” i.e., between 1216-1377. This is confirmed by an Assize Roll,16 of 1336, which records the following plea.
In 1333 and again in 1335 Wm. Durant of Dunstaple and Margaret his wife claimed at Nottingham that John, son of Walter de Boyvile and the tenants John the Smyth and Amice his wife had disseised them of Margaret’s free tenement in “Torlacton,” and when distrained refused payment by force of arms. On the second hearing they established their claim and recover their seisin and 60s. damages. Their claim was based on a document, which they produced, in which “Walter de Boyvyle of Torlachton” demises to Margaret’s father Nicholas, son of Reginald de Aslacton, 4s. of annual rent of a messuage and 10 acres of land which he held “of the fee of Matilda of Aslacton.” This deed was executed at “Torlachton” “the Tuesday after the feast of St. John the Baptist the first year of King Edward, son of King Edward” i.e., 1308. William and Margaret claim on the ground that Margaret is daughter and heir of Nicholas.
Mention is made, of “the rest of the tenement” of which “John, son of Walter, is tenant,” so we may assume that the Boyviles still held messuages and lands of the fee of the de Aslactons at that time.
As this document, which was seen by Thoroton, belonged to Thomas Shipman, we surmise that the lands of the Boyviles ultimately came into the possession of the Shipman family.
We have yet to learn if the Boyvilles and de Aslactons were related. They were certainly near neighbours, for “Warinus de Boyvile held the land of Cotgrave for the Barony of Byron”17 in 1275-6, and land at Owthorpe. About 1282 the daughter of John Boyvill Esqr. married Barnard Hutchinson Esqr. of Cowlam, Yorks, and so brought the Hutchinsons to Owthorpe.
Note.—A John Boyvill was instituted Rector of the First Mediety of Cotgrave in 1376.
The Lands of the Pierrepoints.
The lords of Holme claimed a manor in Tollerton. This was in fact a member of their manor in Holme.
In Chancery Proceedings, cir. 147018 “harry perepoynt” sought to recover deeds which his mother Thomasyn and Wm. Waren entrusted to “oon harry sotehill saufly to kepe” and which he refused to deliver although Harry Perepoynt was in possession of the lands and rights enumerated in the deeds. “The maner of Torlaton” is mentioned in this plea. The plaintiff claimed that this manor with the rest of the property came directly to him from his great-grandfather Edmund. This claim links the Pierrepoints with Tollerton in the 14th century.
Early Chan. Proc., file 39, No. 35.
Hugh Barry in 1506 was found to hold 8 oxgangs in Tollerton of “Wm. Perpoynte as of his manor of Holme Perpoynte.”
In 1571 “Henry Peyrpointe” conveyed his manors in Holme and Tollerton in trust for his sons successively, and in default of issue to his youngest brother William.19
July 18, 13 Eliz. Wolley Charters xi, 51.
“Henry Perpoint Esqr.” is one of the freeholders of the Queen in Tollerton in 1583.
Duchy of Lancaster Court Rolls.
William Pendock held at his death in 1622 these 8 oxgangs of Robert Pierrepont Esqr., afterwards Earl of Kingston, “as of his manor of Holme Pierrepont.”
Thoroton says “there are some other farms in the town of Tollerton which were the inheritance of Robert Earl of Kingston and are now his son’s, the Marquess of Dorchester.”
In 1683 the Earl still owned a moiety of the “West hall brig field” with other property.
As late as 1798 the Countess of Kingston held lands here which were eventually sold to the Neales.
The Lands of the Binghams and Willoughbys.
We group these families together because of their common descent from Ralph Bugge, a wealthy townsman of Nottingham. Ralph had two sons; Ralph and Richard. Richard took the name Willoughby from the south Nottinghamshire village where he had property—Ralph did not change his name; but his son, following the example of his uncle, took a territorial name, Bingham.
The Binghams and Willoughbys both held lands at Tollerton, which makes it probable that Ralph Bugge had first held them.
The Land of the Binghams.
The Binghams owned the lordship of Clipston in the parish of Plumtree, with outlying lands in Tollerton, and elsewhere. The Tollerton property, which appears to have been small, is mentioned in some Chancery proceedings20 before the famous Sir Thos. More, Chancellor 1529-32. Margaret Byngham, daughter and co-heir of Baldwin Freville, married as her second husband21 Richard Byngham of Carcolston, the justiciar. As his widow she claims against his son Thomas—her plea is that her husband Richard had enfeoffed certain persons in lands and tenements in Tollerton and elsewhere for her use for the term of her life; and that, after his death, his son Thomas “hath withdrawen and embeselled the said deed of feofment from the said Margareta with divers other dedes belonging to her by reason whereof she is put from the possession of the said landes’’—She also charges Thomas with “conveying estates daily to barr me from my pore lyvyng,” and asks for a subpoena.
Thomas says these lands descended of right to him; and Margareta renews her allegations.
The Willoughby Lands.
Among the Wollaton MSS. there are various deeds referring to lands at Tollerton. These have yet to be explored, and we must be content to give other available references to the Willoughby holding.
In 1485 Richard Willoughby had lands in Tollerton. He died without issue and the lands passed to Henry, the son of his half- brother Robert. At Henry’s death, in 1528, he was found to be seised of this property. During his tenure Henry had added to his Tollerton inheritance by the purchase of lands, which were in his possession in 1493.
Henry’s son Hugh, knight, who became famous as a naturalist, was his heir. Hugh married Joan, the daughter of “Wm. vel Nic. Shelley mil.”22 Hugh was great-great-grandson of Hugh Willoughby, and Margaret Freville, who afterwards married Richard de Bingham, as just related.
In the will of Edmund Farnworthe, husbandman of Tollerton, in 1540, we have proof that the Willoughbvs still had a connection with the parish, and had the goodwill of their tenant. Farneworthe bequeathed “to Johane Willobie a shepe and to Edmunde her sone a shepe.”
“Henry Perpointe Esqr.,” the grandson of Hugh and Joan, was one of the Tollerton freeholders of the Queen in 1583.
It is possible that the references to the Willoughbys in Agnes Crosse’s will in 1722 is an indication that this family still retains a landed interest in the parish.
The Lands of Thomas Wylford.
A clause in the will of Thomas Wylford “Citizen and Fishmonger of London," dated 13th March, 1405, and proved in 1407, reveals an early ownership of land and premises in the parish. It runs:—
“Item, I will and bequeath that my executors sell all those lands and tenements of mine and rents which I have in the town and parish of Torlaston in co. Nottingham within a proper time after my decease as best they can, and expend and distribute the money among my most needy relations in whatever places they may be found according to their good discretion.”
Cant. Prerog. Court Wills, II, 592.
North Country Wills I, 250.
We do not know from whom this property was purchased, nor to whom it passed when sold.
The Lands of the Hatfields.
Thoroton, writing in the year 1677, says that Philip Pendock
“lately bought of . . . Hatfeild” some of the lands which he then, held. The Hatfeilds became connected with Tollerton by intermarriage with the Cranmers. Thomas Cranmer, father of the great Archbishop, who had property in this place, married Agnes the: daughter of Lawrence Hatfeild who held the manor of Willoughby by Newark, which he purchased from William Waren in 1455.
We do not know when the Hatfeilds inherited or purchased the Tollerton property, but there is some evidence that they were in possession of lands here before 1583. In that year William Ward, husbandman of Tollerton, bequeathed “To Mr. Hoodfield my landlord and his wife to either of them an angel.”23 There can be no doubt that “Hoodfield” is a misspelling of Hatfield, or Hatfeild, which was the older form. This shows, by comparison with Thoroton’s remark, that for at least a hundred years this family had owned lands in this place.
The impecunious young Hatfield who comes into the story of William Barker in 1603, was probably a son of this “Mr. Hoodfield,” since he was so well acquainted with this William Barker of Tollerton.
LESSER LANDOWNERS.
At a Court of the Duchy of Lancaster held at Saxindale in 1583, the freeholders of the Queen at Tollerton are stated to be:—
Henry Perpoint Esqr.
Wm. Pendocke, Gent.
Thos. Lacie
John Northe
John Dedicke (Dethick)
Henry Northe
Christopher Milner
ffrancis Leminge
Rd. Lovet.
We have here six owners of property in addition to the three- representatives of ancient holders. How did these become enfeoffed?" It is possible that some of the larger estates had been sold. We must bear in mind also that in recent years all the monastic lands had come into private ownership, and this may be the source of some of these small estates.
The Land of Thomas Lacie.
A fine of 1578 gives the “Final Agreement between Thomas. Lacye and Thomas Buxom alias Buxham and Mary his wife” by which Thos. Lacye gave Buxham and his wife £40 for a messuage,, garden, 40ac. of arable land, 5ac. of meadow, and 2ac. of pasture- in “Torlaston.”
F.F., 20 Eliz.
The sheriff is ordered to cause Thos. Buxham and his wife “justly and without delay to keep this covenant with Thomas. Lacye.”
Addl. Charters, B.M. 25202 and 25203.
The Land of Francis Leemynge.
An agreement was made in 1578 between Francis Leemynge and Wm. Shacross and his wife Alice by which Francis gave them £40 for a messuage, cottage, two gardens and two orchards, 36ac. of arable land, 4ac. of meadow and l0ac. of pasture in Thorlaston, Normanton and Plumtree.
Feet of Fines, Notts., Easter, 20 Eliz.
On March 27th of that year the sheriff is given an order to demand that Wm. and Alice Shacrosse without delay carry out this covenant.
B.M., Addl. Charter, 25203.
The Leemynges’ name lives to this day in the Wold name Leeming Gap which lies on the bridle road leading from the Melton road to Owthorpe.
The Lands of the Shipmans.
The property of John Northe passed so soon after 1583 to the Shipmans that it will be best to speak of it in connection with that family.
John Northe appears to have been a wealthy yeoman of Lowdham, whom we may identify with the John Northe tenant of lands at Colwick in 1581. We have no knowledge how or when he became possessed of his lands at Tollerton, but we can trace them into new hands, and form a fairly accurate estimate of their extent.
Philippa, daughter and co-heir of John Northe of Lowdham, married Thomas Shipman of Scarrington. In 1603 Philippa’s father (or brother) passed to her and her husband for £100, three messuages, 3 cottages, 6 gardens, 160ac. of arable land, l0ac. of meadow, 30ac. of pasture, and common pasture in Tollerton and Bridgeford on the Hill. It is not easy to disentangle these properties, but we may judge from a later sale of the Tollerton property that this chiefly consisted of a messuage. 70ac. of arable land, l0ac. of meadow, 30ac. of pasture, with common rights. The property of Robert Alvye and Wm. Arnolde, mentioned below, was included in these lands.
Feet of Fines, Notts., Mich., 1 Jas. I.
William, the son of Thomas and Philippa, succeeded to the property and passed it to Thomas the eldest of the eleven children of his second marriage with Sarah,24 daughter of Richd. Parker,25 Alderman of Nottingham.
Thomas, who married Margaret Trafford, jointly with his wife and mother, sold this messuage and lands to William Parker, gentleman, for £120 in the year 1663. It is to this sale that Thoroton inaccurately alludes “one (farm) was Mr. Shipman’s of Scarrington, and by Mr. Thomas Shipman sold to Mr. Jo. (sic.) Parker, of Nott. the Mercer.”
F. F. Notts,, Mich., 15 Chas. II.
A small property at Tollerton remained with the Shipmans, for Thomas’s son Trafford and Mary his wife disposed of lands here to Samuel Lowe in 1741.
F.F., Notts., 14-15 Geo. II.
The Land of the Barkers.
A deed was executed in 1611 between John Pendock and William Barker by which John receives from William £80 sterling for a messuage, garden, orchard, and 70 ac. arable land, 20ac. of meadow, 12 ac. of pasture, and common of pasture ”in Torlaston alias Tollerton.” This, we take it, was a mortgage—perhaps of the farm Wm. Barker held under John Pendock.
Feet of Fines, Notts., Easter, 9 Jas. I.
Two years later, 1613, Richard Barker, junior, a nephew of William, purchased a freehold in Tollerton from Francis Hall, gentleman, and Winifred his wife. He gave them £40 for six acres of arable land and six acres of Meadow.
F.F. Notts., Mich., 11 Jas. I.
The Lands of Robert Alvye and William Arnold.
A Recovery Roll of 161026 shews that at that date Robert Alvye and William Arnolde held lands. They demand from William Gelstroppe and George Barratt two messuages, six gardens, thirty acres of land, twelve acres of meadow, twenty acres of pasture, and common pasture in Tollerton and Bridgeford on the Hill.
They call Thomas Shipman and his wife Philippa to warrant, who call John Northe. This enables us to identify this property with that which John Northe passed to Thomas and Philippa Shipman.
Notes.—Robt. Alvye appears to be the son of Robert Alvye, Chamberlain, Alderman, and four times Mayor of Nottingham. He is mentioned in the Nottm. Bor. Records 1595-7, at which last date he is called on to provide a corselette for a trained soldier. There was a Wm. Alvye of Lowdham in 1537.
Wm. Gelstroppe was coroner of Nottingham in 1574, and an Alderman, Schoolwarden, and Bridgewarden. He owned property in “The Marshe.” A Presentment of 1592/3, afterwards cancelled, charged “Maister Alderman Wm. Gelstrape for goyng out of the towne to dwell and hathe taken an oathe to the towne to remayne.” A family of this name held lands in Whatton,27 Fishlake, and London.
The Land of Matthew Markland.
Towards the end of the eighteenth century the Revd. Matthew Markland, who was Vicar of Egmanton, 1752-83, by the appointment of Pendock Neale, held lands in Tollerton. This was a considerable holding; and we judge that it passed by sale to John Potts, who sold it to William Thomas, from whom it came to the Neales.
In 1779 William Thomas demands against John Potts Esqr. 2 messuages, 60ac. arable land, 5ac. meadow, 20ac. pasture, with common of pasture in Tollerton. Matthew Markland is called to warrant. Thomas Francis Martin also warrants. William recovers his seisin.
Hil. 9, Geo. III, Recovery Roll, G.P., 43/783, No. 225..
THE UNIFICATION OF THE MANORS.
About the year 1790 Throsby says that Tollerton was owned principally by Pendock Neale, Esqr., who is lord of the manor. At the time of the Enclosure, 1804, the whole manor was in his possession. It is said that the last owner was Thomas Dodson.
On the death of his son Pendock Barry Barry formerly Neale, in 1847, the estate, which had been disentailed, passed for one turn to Mrs. Susanna Davies, and then returned to the collateral family of Otter which was descended through the Brueres from the Neales. Mr. Robert Melvil Otter, who took the name Barry, sold the estate in 1873. Since this date it has passed rapidly through the hands of a succession of owners, Mr. Saul Isaacs, M.P., Mr. Alfred Brodhurst, Colonel Cantrell Hubbersty, Mr. William Elliott Burnside, and in 1929 to Sir Albert Ball of Nottingham.
1. Pipe Rolls. 7 John.
2. Beatrix, sister of Roger de Busli, married Robt. Bari of Eu in Normandy, the Eu family being an illegitimate branch of the ducal family. Alice was d. of Henry, s. of John, s. of Henry, s. of Robert.
3. Feudal Aids, 132. “Elizabeth” perhaps in error for “Isabel,” unless a second wife.
4. Duchy of Lancaster Court Rolls. The date is fixed by the limits of Maud Pendock’s death in 1507 and that of Richard her husband in 1578.
5. The Dethicks who originated in Derbyshire are mentioned frequently in these parts. Sir Geoffrey de Dethec witnessed a Charter at Lenton, 1278. A John Dethyk married Mary Illingworth of Stanford-on-Soar, 1504. Thos. Dethick was Prior of Thurgarton, 1537. John Dethick was Alderman of of London, 1650.
6. It is an open question if a son John succeeded him and died in infancy. An appointment to Keyworth benefice by the guardians of John Barry in 1548 indicate that a son survived for a brief period.
7. His will dated 17th Sept., 1619, was proved 16th May, 1622.
8. The deed is in the hands of Mr. F. A. Wadsworth of Nottingham.
9. Thos., s. of Adam Walkelin, mentioned as “of Torleston ” in 1816; he married Margaret d. and co-heiress of Wm. de
Sheffeild.
10. Vol. I, 31 and III, 189.
11. Duchy of Lancaster Court Rolls.
12. Vol. I, 197ff.
13. Chancery Proceedings, Bdle C. 12, No. 64.
14. Geoffrey was a strong supporter of King John and was the King’s agent to try to secure the support of the Pope against
the barons.
15. Inq. p.m., 14 Rd. II, file 63, No. 32.
16. No. 1400, m. 195, 9 Edw. III.
17. Thoroton.
18. The date is determined by the then Chancellor, Robt. Stillington, Bishop of Bath and Wells, who held office 1467 to 1473.
19. See Edmund Farnworthe’s will, p. 117.
20. Early Chan. Proc., bdl. 613, No. 37.
21. She married firstly Hugh Willoughby.
22. Thoroton, II, 209
23. A coin worth 6/8 or more.
24. At St. Mary’s, Nottm., 24th Oct., 1631.
25. Mayor, 1615.
26. Jas., T. Roll 60, 110.
27. Thoroton I, 269.