01 May, 2015

Proofs Of Age (4), Or, I Know How Old You Are Because On That Day My Rivals Injured My Head

See here, here and here for my previous posts on this subject, which is one dear to my heart.  These are from Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem 1327-1336 and Ibid. 1336-1346.  There are all kinds of snippets of great information about life in England in the early fourteenth century.

1) Middlesex, 15 July 1333: Proof of age of Edmund, son and heir of John de Benstede.

William le Rous, aged 60 years and more, says that the said Edmund is 21 years of age, for he was born at Rosamunde on the feasts of SS Processus and Martinianus, viz., 2 July 5 Edward II [1312] and baptised in the church of St Margaret's, Westminster, which he knows because on that day he was present in the said church, and saw the chaplain baptising the said heir and noting the day of his birth in the missal of the said church.

Roger de Presthope, aged 50 years and more, says the like, and knows it because in May of that year he was injured in the head and right arm at the stone cross of Cherryngge [Charing] by certain of his rivals, almost to death, of which trespass he impleaded the said rivals in the King's Bench.

Nicholas de Beek, aged 50 years and more, says the like, and knows it because at the same time he was one of the household of Sir Louis of France [Philip IV's half-brother the count of Evreux, died 1319] and was sent into England to make provision against the coming of the said Sir Louis to Westminster, who was coming to England and remaining there until the birth of the present king [Edward III], who was born on the feast of St Brice the bishop [13 November 1312] then next coming.

Thomas le Barber, aged 44 years and more, agrees, and knows it because he was then with the Lady Mary, sister of King Edward II, at Ambresbury [Amesbury Priory, Wiltshire], and was sent thence by her to the said John de Benstede, father of the heir, to the said place of Rosamund, and he came there the second day of the birth of the heir, and immediately returned to the said Lady Mary, informing her of the birth of the said heir, for which message she bestowed on him 30 shillings, with which he put himself into the trade of barber the following year.

2) Kent, 3 August 1329: Proof of age of John, son and heir of Nicholas Kyriel.  Nicholas was one of the admirals of Edward II's fleet in 1325/26.

Richard Kyriel, aged 60 years, says that the said John was 21 years of age on Monday after the feast of St Michael last and was born at Walmere [Walmer] on that feast, 1 Edward II [29 September 1307], and was baptised the same day in the church there, which he knows because he was then present.

Ralph le Brewere, aged 62 years, says the like, and knows it because he brought the news to the said Nicholas Kyriel of the birth of the said John his son, for which the said Nicholas gave him a robe in two parts, with four ornaments.

Simon Lot, aged 54 years, says the like, and knows it because on Monday after All Saints next after the said John's birth, his ship was sunk in the sea.

Alexander de Oxeneye, aged 59 years and more, says the like, and knows it because on Sunday after the said John's birth he was sent to Ipre to buy whole cloths for the robes of the said Nicholas and Roesia his wife, mother of the said John, against the purification of the said Roesia.

Alexander de Bernefelde, aged 65 years and more, says the like, and knows it because at the feast of St Michael before the said John's birth, Robert de Kendal, then constable of the castle of Dover, committed to the said Alexander the office of porter at the outer gate of the said castle.

3) Derby, 22 December 1328: Proof of age of Richard Heriz son of Richard Heriz

John de Brokestowe, aged 50 years and more, says that on the morrow of St Leonard, 1 Edward II [7 November 1307], the said Richard was born at Stapelford, co. Derby [Stapleford on the border of Derbys and Notts], in the manor-house of the said town, in the large stone chamber by the hall, and was baptised in St Helen's church there [here!]...and this he knows because King Edward II was crowned at Westminster on Sunday next after the Purification next before the aforesaid feast of St Leonard*.

Geoffrey de Bronnesle, aged 48 years, says the like, and knows it because, on Sunday next after the Purification, 1 Edward II, the said king married Isabella, queen of England, at Westminster; and he [Edward II not Geoffrey, presumably] spent the night before the celebration of the said nuptials at the Tower of London*.

John de Strelle, aged 60 years, agrees, and knows it because at that time he was bailiff with Robert de Strelleye, knight, of the manor of Schippele, co. Derby, and on Thursday next before St Edmund, the king and martyr, 1 Edward II [16 November 1307], there came robbers by night to the said manor, and made assault, and, whilst he was defending the manor, one of the robbers struck him through the arm with an arrow.

John Gervase of Chylewelle, aged 40 years, agrees, and knows it because, on the third day after the birth of the said Richard, Cecily his wife was engaged for the nourishment of the said Richard, and stayed for three days as his nurse, but the stay did not please her, for on the fourth day she withdrew from her service, and returned home to her husband.

* This information is a little garbled and inaccurate; Edward II and Isabella of France married at Boulogne on Thursday 25 January 1308, and were crowned king and queen of England at Westminster on Sunday 25 February, not the Sunday after the Purification (which is 2 February).

4) 19 May 1336, Essex: Proof of age of Edward de Wodeham, brother and heir of William de Wodeham.

Thomas Gobioun, knight, aged 60 years, says that the said Edward, who was born at Chigwell, co. Essex, was 21 years of age on Sunday next after St Luke last [22 October 1335]; and this he knows because on 15 November, 8 Edward II [1314], he received a commission as steward to Humphrey de Bohun, then earl of Hereford [Edward II's brother-in-law]; and by the date of the said commission, he well remembers the age of the said Edward.

John de Wytonville, aged 50 years and more, agrees, and knows it because he was at the house of the said Edward's mother on the day of his birth, and in going towards his own house fell among thieves, and was robbed and badly wounded.

John de Purlee, aged 44 years and more, agrees, and knows it because on the same day he was at the castle of Hadelehe [Hadleigh, Essex] with the father of the said Edward, when news came to him of the birth of the said Edward; and King Edward II, in the eighth year of his reign, lifted the said Edward from the sacred font, and the said John was present.*

John Ivot, aged 50 years, agrees, and knows it because on Monday in Whitsun next after the birth of the said Edward, he took his journey for Santiago, and made his will on the same day, which he still has in his possession, and by its date he well remembers the age of the said Edward.

* Edward II spent the period from 4 to 26 May 1315 at the castle of Hadleigh.

5) Durham, 12 April 1328: Proof of age of Robert de la Legh, brother and heir of John de la Legh.

John de Aleynscheles, aged 55 years and more, says that the said Robert was born 2 November, 34 Edward I [1306], at 'Le Pavylion' by Suthwermuth...

Walter de Ludewrth, aged 33 years, says as the said John; and this he knows because a certain Walter Man had a daughter born, named Alice, and took the said Walter [de Ludewrth] with him to the aforesaid church of Wermuth, and caused him, then aged nine years, to lift the said daughter from the sacred font, on the same 2nd of November, and then and there he saw the aftersaid Robert [de la Legh] baptised before the aforesaid Alice, whereby a long delay occurred, for which cause she wept, and he know by the age of the aforesaid Alice, who survives, that the aforesaid Robert has completed the age of 24 years, as they have often computed among themselves.

John de Herwrth, aged 50 years, says the like, and knows it because on the same 2nd of November his sister Iseult died, whose death is inserted in the calendar of the church of Suthwermuth, and because of the 2nd of November 24 years will have elapsed. He then saw the said Robert baptised with great solemnity, the priest sprinkling the holy water excessively in his face and in his eyes from the scared font, wherefore he was angry for a long time with the aforesaid priest; and therefore he well knows that the said Robert has completed the age of 24 years.

Adam de Elyngeham, aged 48 years, says the like, and knows it because William de Suthewik, his beloved neighbour, begged him to eat with him on the same 2nd of November, where he remained the whole of that day, and accompanied him to the same church of Suthwermuth, where he saw the same Robert baptised and lifted from the sacred font by Robert de Hilton and the said William de Suthewik, now 24 years ago.

Roger de Weston, aged 60 years, says the same, and knows it because on the Morrow of All Saints, 24 years ago, he set out for the fair of Derlington, and stayed the night at 'La Pavilon' aforesaid, where he found the mother of the said Robert lying in her bed on account of the birth of the said Robert; and at that time he had a certain bond of Peter de Morpath, a horse dealer, for 6 marks, for a horse sold to him there, and now, as appears by the date of the writing, 24 years have elapsed.

John de Midilton, aged 52 years, says that on the morrow of All Saints, the 2nd of November last, 34 years had elapsed since a certain John Makman was found slain in the field of Suthwermuth, at the inquest on whom he was present, and he has a copy of the same; on which day he was eating with John de la Leygh, brother of the aforesaid Robert, whose heir the aforesaid Robert is, in the house of the father and mother of the said John, and on the same day the said Robert was baptised, and he gave 18d to the same little brother of the said John lying in his cradle.

6) 12 July 1329, Essex: Proof of age of Alice the wife of John de Newentone and Joan the wife of Thomas de Rocheforde, daughters and heirs of Peter de Southcherche.

John Baldewyne, aged 58 years, says that Alice is 21 years of age and more, for she was born at Southcherche on 1 November, 32 Edward I [1304], and baptised in the church there, which he knows because he came to the said church to hear mass, and then saw her baptised.

Adam Sare, aged 44 years, says the same, and knows it because at the time of the birth of the said heir he was in a garden where he heard the cries and groans of the mother of the said heir labouring in childbirth.

John Coleman, aged 40 years, agrees, and knows it because he had a beloved daughter, Margaret, who died on the day of the said heir's birth.

John Berlaund, William Clement, Thomas de Lackedon, John du Gardyn, Robert de Potone, John Hughe and Alexander de Aldham agree, and know it because they were present at a feast when the birth of the said heir was announced.

Adam de Stapelforde, aged 54 years, says that the said Joan is 21 years of age and more, for she was born at Southcherche on 13 March, 1 Edward I [1308], and baptised in the church there, which he knows because at the time of the birth of the said heir he was her father's chamberlain.

William de Blaxhale, aged 52 years, says the like, which he knows because he had a beloved daughter, Isabel, who died on the second day after the birth of the said heir.

John de Wakeryngge, aged 49 years, says the like, which he knows because he announced the birth of the said heir to the father, who on that account gave him a fitting robe.

Walter Jacob, aged 44 years, says the like, which he knows because he gave to the said heir, lying in her cradle, a gold ring in which a precious stone was set, which he greatly valued.

John Brok, aged 43 years, says the like, which he knows because he had a beloved son, Philip, who died on the third day after the birth of the said heir.

4 comments:

Sami Parkkonen said...

Not that I am too exited of everything modern, but it seems to me that there could be easier ways to prove ones age. I think.

Also, the violence of the age comes trough on those statements. Injuries and wounds and robbers and enemies.

But very interesting once again!! Thank you very much!

Anerje said...

I love these gems! They make great reading.

Anonymous said...

Interesting post. By the way, was a finding of age open to later attack if one witness's account was inaccurate?

Esther

Kathryn Warner said...

Thanks, everyone! Such gems of historical facts here, IMO.

I've never heard of a proof of age being questioned - would be interesting to find out if it happened! There's one here where the info about Edward II's coronation is garbled and inaccurate.