| Notes |
- During 25 years he was bailiff of the Liberty of the Archbishop of Canterbury. But mainly he acted as a justice of whom traces can be found in Cal. Pat. Rolls and assize rolls between 1370-1387 covering almost all of the southern English counties. On June 26, 1377 he was appointed chief justice of the Common Bench by King Richard II (C.P.R.) On July 1st 1370 Robert Belknap and others received a commission “de walliis and fossatis” between a place called Knellesflote, in the confines of Kent and Sussex, and Robertsbridge, co. Sussex . In the same year he got an appointment as steward and surveyor of the king's castles, manors, lands, etc. in Kent and was invested with full power to hold courts. A commission of array in Kent followed. (C.P.R.). - According to VCH Sussex, the manor of Wilting in Baldslow Hundred was granted to Robert Belknap and Juliane his wife, in 1373, by Alexander de Goldingham. This year saw him as member of a commission of oyer and terminer in Essex to inquire into crimes committed against the king or his tenants in the lordship of Boure (C.P.R.). In 1374 he had a license to grant to the convent of St. Andrews in Rochester the manor of Sharsted, a moiety of the manor of Lidsing and other lands. In that year he is mentioned as chief justice. (C.P.R.) Commissions of oyer and terminer were given to Robert Belknap and others on Nov. 16, 1375, 20th July and 5th Sept. 1376. (CPR). In that year he obtained a grant from the king as knight to hold the wardship and lands late of John de Leyhamme. - In the same year the Wybourne family of Kent sold him their property of Crofton. The following three commissions were recorded: The first under Richard, earl of Arundel on Oct 20 1376, with Roger Dalyngridge, William Batesford, Edward St. John and others for the county of Sussex; the second one on Nov. 22 with Peter de Brewes, Roger de Ashburnham and others to look into the matter of a ship wreck in Shoreham and another with William de Echingham, William de Batesford and Roger Ashburnham in a case of violence done to the parson of Brede on Dec. 20. - On July 12 and Sept. 5 a commission of oyer and terminer were issued to Guy Brian, William de Lucy, Robert de Belknap and others to look into the complaint of Robert Knolles, kt., whose ship had foundered and was entered by several men who carried away his goods and assaulted his men and servants. (CPR). 1377 - Commission to Robert Bealknap, Roger de Fulthorp and others to examine at the church of St. Martin le Grand, London, in the presence of the mayor and sheriffs of London, any error found to exist in the record of judgment in a suit.....(CPR) and commission of array to Robert Bealknap, John Cobham and others. Sept. 24, 1378 - Commission to the constable of Dover Castle and warden of the Cinque Ports, or such as supplies his place, John de Cobham, Robert de Bealknap and others. Also in the same year a commission of oyer annd terminer to Robert Bealknap, John de Cobham, Roger Ashburnham and others in Kent as well as a commission of peace in Middlesex. Aug 30 1380 - A commission of the peace was issued to Roger Skales, Robert Belknap, John Dengayne and others, in the town of Royston, which is on the borders of the counties of Cambridge and Hertford, persuant to the statutes of Winchester, Northampton and Westminster. (CPR) 1381 - Commission of oyer and terminer to Willam de Wyndesore, Hugh la Zouche, Robert Bealknap, Willam Cheyne, John Holt, Simon de Burgh and others, touching treasons, felonies etc. in the counties of Cambridge and Huntingdon. (CPR). - Commission of array in the county of Kent - Robert, John lord Cobham and others were deputies for Robert de Ashton, constable of Dover castle and warden of the Cinque Ports. Charles Oman “The Great Revolt of 1381”, Chapter III - The Outbreak in Kent and Essex.....The Government, still misconceiving the aspect of affairs sent down to Brentwood Robert Belknap, Chief Justice of the Commmon Pleas, on a commission of Trailbaston, with orders to seek out and punish the rioters...When Belknap came down to Brentwood on June 2 and opened his commission, he and his clerks were suddenly set upon by an armed multitude....Belknap was seized, and forced to swear on the Bible that he would never hold another such session; his papers were destroyed, yet he was finally allowed to escape. But the mob beat to death and then beheaded three of the local jurors who had been called up to ‘present’ the original rioters before the chief justice, and then killed three unfortunate clerks. Their heads were set on poles, and paraded round Brentwood and the neighbouring villiages...... And then: It is said that the catalogue of ‘traitors’ drawn up by the men of Kent embraced the names of John of Gaunt, Archbishop Sudbury, Treasurer Hales, Courtenay, Bishop of London, John Fordham, Clerk of the Privy Seal and Bishop-Elect of Durham, Chief Justice BELKNAP, Chief Baron Plessington, Sir Ralph Ferrers, etc. On 15th June 1381 Robert Bealknap, Robert Knolles and others received a letter patent to be commissioners for safeguarding the City of London and suburbs and preventing insurrections. (Calender of letter-books of the City of London: H, folio XCCCIV) - Commission of oyer and terminer to the mayor of London, Robert Belknap, Robert Knolles and others "on information that rioting labourers of Essex, Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Middlesex killed many of the king's lieges, entered London, burned houses and killed Simon, the archbishop and chancellor, and Robert de Hayles, prior of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem". (C.P.R.) On 7 Aug. of that year he, the sheriff of Essex and others had the task to enquire who were the insurgents who had gone to the abbey of Stratford, carried away goods and burnt charters, and to imprison them. The king appointed four new City Knights in London, Robert Belknap, Robert Knolles and others with full powers to investigate the guilty and punish them. On Feb. 1382 another commission “de walliis, forsatis, etc.” was given to Robert Bealknap, Edward Dallyngrugge, Roger Ashburnham, Robert Echyngham, John Edwardes and John Brook between a place called Knellesflote etc. (Cal. Pat. Rolls). In 1383 the manor of St. Mary Cray in Kent became the property of Robert which was held afterwards by Juliana his wife after his attainter and went by inheritance to Hamon. Until his attainter, Robert had held land also in Benenden, Kent (The Topographer, V. 3). The manors of West-Combe and Spittle Combe were held of the manor of Dartford and were granted to Robert after Bartholomew de Badlesmere's attainter, after Robert's attainter held by Juliane. Keston manor escheated to the crown, and was recuperated by his son Hamon. (Hasted's Kent) 1384 Letters Patent to appoint John Montagu, Steward of the Household, Robert Tresillian, Robert Bealknap, David Harmere, John Holt, William de Burgh, Walter Clopton and William Rikhill, justices of the Tower prison. 1384 - Robert Belknap kt. and Julian his wife and John Preston from Warehorn v. William Batlesford and Richard Cristelton, clerk; manor of Knelle and 90a land, 32 s rent in Beckley - to John for life of William de Welles of Canterbury, remainder to Robert and Julian and heirs of their bodies, contingent remainders to Thomas Lyvet, John Lyvet, Robert de Oxenbrugg', Laurence Curboil, heirs of their bodies, or right heirs of Robert de Beleknappe. (Sussex Fines) Consequently, later in that year Thomas and John Lyvet, Robert Oxenbrigge and Edward Dallingrigge quitclaimed the manor and land and rent in Beckley to Robert Belknapp as William de Welles had died shortly after Michaelmas 1384.. May 1386 - Sir Robert Belknap, Sir William Skipwith, Sir Robert Fulthorpe, Sir John Holt and Sir William de Burgh were justices of the common bench.....(Nat. Arch. SP46/183/fo11) - In this year Robert had been sent to treat with the pope's nuntius regarding the reformer Wicliff. The Parliament had voted to restrict the household and other expenses of the King and to check his favourites. 11 commissioners were voted to control the revenues. (The favourites had been charged of treason by the Duke of Gloucester and the earls in November 1387). However, the Duke of Ireland, Robert de Vere, earl of Oxford, the earl of Suffolk, William de la Pole, and Chief Justice Tresilian prevailed on the king to resist. So the judges named below were summoned to Shrewsbury and asked to declare the Parliament's ordinance for illegal. A document had been prepared accordingly by Tresilian. Robert Belknap refused, but his life was threatened by the Duke and the Earl. So he gave in, but uttered that his death was sealed in either case by the Parliament or by the King. In the next Parliament on 2 Feb. 1388 the judges, except Skipwith, were arrested and sent to the Tower. Tresillian and Belknap had been removed earlier. Tresillian was executed. The Commons convicted them all and sentenced them to death and forfeiture of their property to the king, save those which were entailed, including their chattels and goods. Michael de la Pole, the chancellor (d. 1389), had been empeached also. (A Biography Dictionary of the judges of England). He, the Duke and the archbishop of York fled and died in foreign countries. Robert Tresillian, Nicholas Brembre, kt. and Sir John de Salisbury and others were drawn and hanged. Others were beheaded in the Tower. "Accused by the Commons, condemned to be fined and imprisoned at the will of the King. Lords Appellants accused several lords and commoners, whom the Commons it seems had a mind to impeach; ..... The Commons then impeach Robert Belknap, Lord Chief Justice, Sir John Cary, Chief Baron, and other judges, who were condemned by the same Parliament." (House of Lords Journal Vol. 14, 30 Oct. 1690 - A 10). - Sir Robert Belknap was sentenced to death for treason in the Parliament of Feb. 1st 1388. But the sentence was finally commuted to banishment to Ireland. He forfeited his lands which lay in Kent, Essex, Hertfordshire, Hampshire and Sussex. The forfeiture of Robert's lands caused an avalanche of petitions for justice to be done of persons who had been wronged by this decision due to earlier enfeoffments etc..- [1388] - Petitioners: Robert Bealknap. Roger Fulthorp, John Cary, John Holt, William Burgh and John Lokton. Addressees: King and Council - They state that they have long been in prison, and all their lands and tenements have been seized into the King’s hands, so that they have nothing on which to live (Nat. Arch. SC8/32/1570). The mandate of forfeiture of their goods dates from July 12 1388. On July 18 another mandate ordered to deliver Robert Belknap to the Tower of London. Afterwards a mandate was issued to give pass and passage for Belknap, Holt, Fulthorpe and Burgh to go to Chester and from there to Ireland. Robert Belknap and the other judges were exiled for life. Robert and John Holt were sent to Drogheda and could not travel beyond 3 respectively 1 miles of the town. (The Letter of the Law....) 1388 - Immediatelay after Robert's forfeiture William, bishop of Winchester, was committed to hold the manor of Crokes Estan in Southampton which Robert had forfeited.(CFR V. 10). - Cal. Close Rolls, 17 Dec. Westminster, commitment to Hugh de Calverley by mainprise of John Kentwode, ‘chivaler’, and William Hangeford of the keeping of the manors of Knell, co. Sussex, and Lyde, co. Kent, which are in the king’s hand by the forfeiture of Robert Bealknap’, ‘chivaler’, to hold the same from Michaelmas last for ten years. The manor of Knell was worth 24 lbs 6s 1d and Lydd 12 lbs 10 s. to be paid to the Exchequer. - Thomas Garwenton and the escheators in Kent, Middlesex, Surrey and Sussex were sent to enquire after the true yearly value of Belknap's manors Kyngsnoth and Lede as well as other properties in the hundred of Wy, the manor of St. Mary Cray, lands in Crokornfeld, all in Kent, Wittersham in Sussex, the manor of Westhorsley in Surrey, Bernersbury in Middlesex and so on. During the rest of the year Robert Belknap's properties were shared out under the King's trustees, after Robert Kent and John Olyver, the escheators of Surrey and Sussex had been ordered to have the goods of the bishop of Chichester, Robert Bealknap and James Berners, kts., to be sold. William Horbury, king's clerk, was to receive all the manors, lordships and lands in the counties of Devon, Cornwall and Somerset late of Robert Tresillian, Robert Belknap, Robert de Veer, Duke of Ireland, and others. - William Barrok to keep the lands in the towns of Wy and Bocton Allulph - Reynold Braybroke to hold the manor of Holwell in Bedford. - John Colvyle the elder to keep a moiety of the manor of Strete in Kent. - Thomas Duke of Gloucester received the manors of Holewell, Bedford, Gamelynge, Wympole, Marden, Caldecote and Toft in Cambridge and Salthous and Kelling in Norfolk. - Thomas Maydenstone of Middlesex to keep for the king land in Baldok, Wylyen, Weston, Clothale and Bygrave in Hertford as well as land and rent in the town of Rysheiden. - William Hunte, king's yeoman, got the manors of Wilting and Hollington in Sussex. (CFR V. 10). 1389 - James de Echingham and Joan his wife claimed the manor of Hempsted etc. in Kent, which had been confiscated after Robert Belknap's forfeiture who had acquired the premises. However, afterwards he had regranted it in fee tail to them. So William Rikhill, Richard Skippwith, escheator in Kent, and others were ordered to enquire. - On Feb. 12, 1389 Katherine lady Engayn, wife of Thomas Engayne, kt., was committed to the keeping of a moiety of the manor of Kingsnode with apputenances with other properties and rents in other places as well as the manor of Hempsted in Bennenden. Further the manor of Lydd with outlying properties, the manor of Seyntling in Seynt Mary Cray, Kent and the manors of KNELL and Holyngton in Sussex. Therefore she had to render 104 lbs 6s 8d yearly to the exchequer and additional 10 marks for Knell and Holyngton. - This sharing out of the properties once of Robert Belknap went on and on for years. 1390 - Juliana, wife of Robert de Beleknapp addresses King and Council stating that her husband has lost all his possessions, has been banished, leaving her and f i v e children in England and that only 40 pounds out of his former lands have been granted him yearly. But most of those lands were sold meantime so that she cannot pay that sum any more. She also pleads that certain lands are entailed to Robert's heirs and others held jointly with him. She also requests 10 pounds rent out of tenements of her inheritance. - (SC 8/95/4704) 1390, Feb 20 - Grant with the assent of the Council in the present Parliament, for the more speedy payment to Robert Belknap, kt., who by the King’s appointment is staying in Ireland, of the 10 lbs a year granted to him for his maintenance by letters patent dated 13th July 12 Richard II, now surrendered to Juliana his wife and others at farm for the term of the said Robert Bealknap’s life of the manors of Knelle, Sussex and of holdings in Kent, Essex and Hertfordshire. (CPR) March 15th of the same year: Grant reciting the preceeding part with the assent of the Council, in consideration of her great poverty, to the said Juliana de Bealknap, of the said residue during her husband’s life, in aid of the maintenance of herself and her children. (CPR) Oct. 26, 1390 - Revocation, giving effect to a decision of the Chancery of letters patent committing to Katherine, Lady Dengayne, for a certain yearly farm the custody of the manors of Seyntling, St.Mariecraye, Kent and Knelle, co. Sussex and other lands lately Robert Belknap’s, in the King’s hand by reason of his forfeiture and confirming letters patent dated Feb. last ....granting the said manor to Juliana Belknap and others. (CPR). Lady Katherine held Knelle manor for a short time only. [1391] - Inheritance court case for manors of Crux Easton in Hampshire, Shute in Devon, Gamlingay in Cambridgeshire and Lincoln in Lincolnshire. - Thomas and Isabel Bradefeld request remedy because she is the rightful heir of Robert Avenell....son of John Avenell....The bishop of Lincoln occupied these lands and for 40 lbs paid in Chancery had letters of patent of Robert's marriage with the keeping of the manor of Crux Eaton and its adwovson during Robert's minority which he then granted to Belknap along with the lands in Gamlingay, all of which were seized into the king's hand by Belknap's conviction and forfeiture. (SC 8/250/12461). - Isabel was probably a sister of Robert. May 2, 1392 at Westminster - The Council agreed to grant the manors forfeited by Robert Beleknapp in the counties of Lincoln, Cambridge, Norfolk and Bedford, which had been held by Robert for a term of 15 years, but which on 1 Dec. 7 Richard II (1383/4) John of Buckingham, bishop of Lincoln, had granted in tail to Robert son of John Avenel and Juliana, daughter of Robert de Belknap, failing issue to Robert and Juliane Belknap and their heirs. This change took place as Robert Avenel had died afterwards and by Robert de Belknap's forfeiture in 1388 the properties had escheated to the king. The manors, land etc. were granted to several persons saving the interests of Juliana the daughter and Juliana the mother (CPR Rich. II, Vol. 5, p. 47). - Robert Avenel had been ward of Robert Belknap. Shortly after 1384 Robert Belknap had got hold of the manors of La More in Sandon and Rushden. After Robert's forfeiture Rushden was granted to his wife Juliane for his and their children support. His son Hamon sold it in 1419. (VCH Hertfordshire, Vol. 3). Robert Belknap was allowed to return to England in 1397 (Dict. of Nat. Biography) but his attainter was not lifted. Therefore he addresses the King requesting the restoration of his lands in the king's hands, some of which being held by Dalingerugge, Echingham, Lady Engaine and Parker. (SC 8/249/12417). On 21 May 1398 a mandate was issued to deliver certain lands to him, (Cat. of Manuscripts Library of the Soc. of the Inner Temple), for example the lands which were farmed by Thomas Woodstock, Duke of Gloucester. From VCH Kent, Vol. 4: "The king considered him as a martyr to his interest, granted him several of his estates again among others his moiety of Lidsing which he then gave to the Priory of St. Andrew in Rochester for one monk to celebrate mass in the Cathedral for ever for the souls of himself, his predessors and successors". Katherine Engaine in 1399 sought confirmation from the new King for the grant of Wittersham by Richard II. - which had been bought by the Belknap's and then forfeited - (SC 8/106/5290). 1401, Feb. 28 - Commission to William Brenchesley, John Tauke, Vincent Fynch and the sheriff and escheator of Sussex to enquire into the petition of Juliane Belknap that by a fine levied on Michaelmas 9 Richard II by William Batelesford and Richard de Cristelton who had granted the manor of Knell, 90 acres of land and 32s rent in Beckley to John de Preston for the life of William de Welles of Canterbury, and the remainder to Robert and Julian and their heirs. But then William de Welles died and shortly afterwards John de Preston. (C.P.R:) She states that her husband had died on Jan 19 of that year. On the same day commissions were issued to William Brenchesley, Thomas and Robert Oxenbrigge, the sheriff and escheator of Sussex and others to enquire into the petition of Juliane Belknap regarding the manor of Knell and 90 acres of land and 32s rent in Beckley. The same to William Rikhill, John Culpepper, William Makenade, the sheriff and escheator of Kent to enquire into her petition concerning the manors of Wyghtresham (Wittersham) and Seintlyngge in Kent. (C.P.R.) March 14, 1401 Grant to the king's brother, Thomas de Beaufort, his heirs and assigns in lieu of the one vaccated dd 18 Nov. 1, Henry IV of the manors of Seintlyng in Seint Marycreye, Kent, Knell in Sussex and Crokkeston in Southampton of the yearly values of 20 lbs, 40 marks and 10 lbs respectively, to hold from that date with knight's fees, adwowsoms and other benefices... (C.P.R.) In 1407 Richard Coble and John Westan with Alice his wife sued John de Burgh and Joan his wife for a messuage in Seynt Mary Craye, and they sued John Marchall and Joan (Juliana), formerly the wife of Robert Belknap, kt. and Thomas de Dyngeley for lands in St. Mary Craye, Paulys Craye, Orpyngton, Farmbergh and Chellefeld claiming that those lands being held in gavelkind. Obviously, they lost the plea (De Banco Roll). Juliana Belknap after many difficulties was able to hold Knelle manor until her death on 22 July 1414 (VCH). - In the Subsidy Roll of 1411-2 she appears holding the manor of Knell, worth 20 lbs yearly. - Belknap, Julia who was the wife of Richard, kt, Kent, 1415. (Inq. p. m.) Whether Richard should read Robert or whether she married after her husband's death again, remains a question. Joan (Juliane) late the wife of Robert Bealknap, kt. held on the day of her death for the term of her life the manors of Seyntlynge in the towns of Orpington, Seyntmariecray, Paulynescraye, Chiselhurst, Chellefeld and Sevynton with appurtenances in Kent with remainder to Thomas, son of the said Robert and Juliane, remainder to John, brother of Thomas, of the gift of Nicholas Bond which he had made to Robert Belknap and Juliane . Joanna John Burke’s “A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Commoners of Great Britain and Ireland” relates that Sir Ralph de Stonor, kt. married secondly Jane, daughter of Sir Robert Belknapp, kt. who was constituted chief justice of the Court of Common Pleas, 10th Oct. 1375. (See also SC 8/24/1167). His first wife had been a daughter of James Butler, second earl of Ormond (d. 1359). Jane's first husband had been Edmund de Hampden from Buckinghamshire. From both marriages she had descendancy. Her son with Ralph Stonor was Gilbert who d. 1397. Juliana is mentioned as wife of Robert, son of John , son of John Avenel, kt., (d. 1360), son of William and Joan Avenel, (CPR, 15 Richard II, Vol. 5, p. 47) who had died childless in 1387 in custody with Robert Belknap. A John Avenel appears in Sussex in 1194, a Gilbert in Nottingham. (Curia Regis Roll). According to 'Recherches sur le Domesday': Jean de Recete, Normandy, had the sons Hugh de Recete who died before 1067 and had illigitimate issue. Hervey de Braviard en Biars was the younger son whose son Osmellinus was called Avenel by 1080. He had a brother Sigembert de Biars who dsp. Thomas and John died without issue. They are mentioned in the order to the escheator of Kent to deliver the property in Kent which their mother had held at her death on 22 July 1414 to her eldest son Hamon, Thomas and John who were to inherit having died without leaving issue. (CFR V. 14). Hamon - had married Joan Botiller (d. before 1473), daughter of Sir Thomas Boteler, baron of Wemme, and Alice, daughter of John Beauchamp of Powick (her second husband was John Denham), and coheir of her brother Ralph, who had been created Lord Sudeley, of Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire in 1441. As son and heir of Sir Robert Belknap, kt., in 1401 Hamon petitioned the Commons in Parliament for the restoration of the forfeited lands and tenements and to recall his father's attainter, as other exiled persons had had their possessions restored by then. (SC 8/23/1136). Another appeal by him to the King at Westminster for the reversion of Knelle and other manors dates from 1425/6, where he pleads that John Holt's and William Burgh's lands had been restored, whereas he was a minor in 1401 and could not protest.. (SC 8/25/1206). According to VCH he died seized of Knelle manor and Orpington in Kent in 1429. He had been in the retinue of the Duke of Bedford in 1420, mentioned as captain in the battle of Agincourt where John Oxenbridge of Sedlescombe and John Fenys served under him. (Sussex men at Agincourt). From 'Chronique du Mont St. Michel': John, regent of France, Duke of Bedford, informs Hamon de Belknapp that he has been made treasurer and general financial governor. Before that he had ordered the abbot of St. Michel, Hamon and Raoul le Sage to come to Normandy - On 28 April 1418 Hamo de Belknap and others had been appointed commisioners of array in Kent. (CPR Henry V, Vol. 2, p. 199). In 1414 we hear of him as member of a commission of 'walliis et fossatis' in Kent and Sussex, together with William Cheyney, Robert Oxenbregg, William Marchaund and others. - Hamon is buried in the chapel of our Lady in Beckley which funeral cost 8 d. Oct. 8, 1414 - Order to the escheator of Kent to cause Hamo Belknap full seising of his mother's properties, the king having taken fealty of him, as per his mother's Inq.p.m. He had inherited the manor and demesne lands of St. Mary Cray in Socage as well as Crawton manor. (The Tenures of Kent) In 1415 Thomas Stonor granted to Hamon and others lands etc. in Aylesbury, Stone, Stoke Mandeville and Stoke Halling in Buckingham. Thomas Stonor would have been the son of the earl of Ormond from his first marriage). 6 Dec. 1416 - Grant by Thomas de Stonore, esq., to Robert bishop of Salisbury, Thomas Chaucer, John Golafre, Hamon Bealknapp of the reversion of the manor of Beerton by Aillesbury, . Mentioned Sir Ralph de Stonore, father of Thomas (son of Ralph's first marriage). - 1425 Conveyance by Thomas Chaucer, John Golafre and Hamo Belknap, lords of the manor of Ermyngton to Richard Fortescu and Agnes his wife, in tail, of land at Ermyngton. (Descript. Cat. of Ancient Deeds V. 3 and 6). From 'Les Etats de Normandy', Appendice pp. 138: Hamon Belknap, Esq. was first Treasurer and master of the Exchequer in the 'Hôtel du Régent' and later was named Treasurer and General Governor of the French finances in the Duchy of Normandy by letter patent of 2 Jan. 1423. - Joan his wife was received by the Regent on 13 Nov. 1423 and received 600 lbs in consideration of the grand and notably constant services she had rendered to the Duchess of Bedford, wife of the Regent, as maid of honour - By a royal grant his eldest son John received possession of fiefs in the bailiwick of Rouen which had belonged to John Malherbe. Hamon died in the first days of January 1429. On 22 Jan. a writ of 'clausit extremum' for Hamon Bealknap, esq., Kent, Sussex, Essex was issued. Thomas Broun and William Burgh received a commitment of the keeping of the manor of Crokeseston, Southampton, which had been forfeited by Robert Belknap on 7 Feb. - Ralph Botiler, kt., John Montgomery, kt. and Joan late the wife of Hamon Belknap were to keep all the lands late of Hamon for the service of one half of a kinght's fee to hold until the full age of John his son and heir. (CFR V. 10- 15). Hamon and Joan had the following children: John - appears with his mother in a court case (C 1/11/497). On 16 Feb. 1434 Joan, lady Denham, wife of John Denham, kt., (Joan Botiller's second marriage) received a commission of the marriage of John Belknap, son and heir of Hamon Belknap, tenant in chief by paying a fine of 40 lbs (CPR Henry VI, Vol. 2, p. 332). Joan and John pleaded against John Ferby, feoffee of John, regarding the manors of Crockenhill and Kingsnorth in Kent. (C 1/11/497). John proved his age in 1434 (C 139/67/55) and died in 1436 (PSO/1/62/52 and C 139/84/716, IPM)). On 1st Oct. 1436 a writ of 'clausit extremum' was issued of John Bealknap, esq. Kent. On Jan. 15, 1437 the escheator of Kent received order to cause William, John's brother, to have full seising of his inheritance, as the king has taken his fealty: John at the day of his death held two thirds of the manor of Seyntling in Seyntmarycraye, held in chief (CFR V. 16). - John had been granted land in Normandy by the King. William, esq. (d. 1484 SP; IPM nº 97, Sussex Rec. Soc. XI) - He is mentioned in the early Chancery Proceedings. He lived at St. Mary of Cray in Kent but also held Knelle manor. In 1415 William with others had grants from Thomas Stonore of several lands and tenements in Buckinghamshire. (705:349/12946/494334). He died without issue and seems to have held property in the counties of Kent, Sussex, Worcs, Warws (C 141/6/16). 1446 sees him as Sheriff of Surrey and Sussex. In 1470 land of William Belknap esq. is mentioned in connection with Sir John Norbury as lying next to the tenement late of Philip atte Well', called Pakenhame, in Kent (Kent Archives). In 1477 William and Sir John Norbury - they were cousins - had licence to enter into possession of the lands formerly of Ralph Boteler of Sudeley, namely the manor of Belbroughton or Fairfield (VCH Worcestershire). After the division of the lands he received Fairfield manor entirely. Elizabeth, da. of Sir John Norbury had married Ralph Boteler Lord Sudeley, and after his death Sir John Montgomery. (William's mother was a sister of Ralph Boteler). Elizabeth (d. 28 May 1471) - married Sir William de Ferrers of Chartley, 7th lord Ferrers (d. 9 June 1450), son of Sir Edmund de Ferrers. (C 139/144/50). Their only daughter and heir Anne became the wife of Walter Devereux of Weobley in Herefordshire, Lord Ferrers of Chartley in right of his wife, who died in 1485 in the Battle of Bosworth fighting for King Richard III. - In 1484 Edmund Ferrers with a large company of armed men ejected William Belknap esq. of Knelle in Beckley (Plantagenet Ancestry). - The Ferrer's line goes down to Walter Devereux who married Lettice Knollys, a descendant of Sir Robert Knollys, kt. Griselda - had married John Hende, son of John Hende, (d. 1418) twice mayor of London and sheriff of London and Middlesex in 1381, 1401-2 and1404-5. He was a draper. (The Worthies of Kent) - In 1381 John Hende had to deal with the insurgents of Kent together with John Rote his fellow sheriff and John Charneye, Coroner of London. - The years 1405-7 see him as tax collector of the subsidies of wools, hides and woolfells in London (CFR V. 13). - Griselda's name appears in the manor of Stondon Massay as daughter of Hamon de Belknap. This manor was held by John Hende by 1412. (VCH Essex). In 1412 John junior held the manor of Mokynghall which was worth X lbs. Also he had the manor of Shobury at X lbs, Bradwell at XX lbs, Pycoots at XI lbs, Rothing at XX marks, Chitchell at X lbs and the manor in the ville of Stahunden called Gobyn at XX marks (Feudal Aids Essex). A John Hende was tax collector in 1447 and 1451. (CFR V. 18). John and Griselda had a daughter Joan, who married Walter Wrytell. Their son John d. 1485 (VCH Huntingdon, the manor of Southoe). Writ of 'clausit extremum' dates from 21 March 1485 ( CFR V. 19) - Philip - sheriff of Kent in 1454 and mayor of Canterbury in 1458. On 4 Nov. 1456 he is ordered to commit the county and castle of York to Thomas Haryington, kt. and sheriff. Philip is also known from an inquisition dated 1457 on his goods. It says laconically "no lands" (E 199/20/15). He lived in La Mote, near Canterbury, Kent. Philip was uncle to Edward, son of his brother Henry. - His only daughter Alice married Henry Finch, esq. of Netherfield in Sussex, died 1493 and was buried in St. Nicholas in Icklesham) (SAC V. 13). He was son of William Herbert alias Finch and Agnes de Dartford, grandson of Vincent Herbert and Isabella, sister to Richard or Robert Cralle. Vincent Finch was lord of the manor of Netherfield in 1429. The family of Fynch resided at Old Place House situated in the north of Icklesham parish. (SAC V. 13). Henry Fynch on 19 July 1476 had a court case against John Fynch regarding lands in Sussex including Ewhurst, Playden, Beckley and Peasmarsh, probably a matter of inheritance rights (C 1/47/44). A document dated 11 May 1479, shows that Henry Fynch, esq. grants to Thomas Mountgomery, kt, John Norbury, kt. and others for dowry of Alice Belknapp, the manor of Marley and others in Sussex and rights in Beckley, Playden, Wittersham, Ewhurst and elswhere. (FH2671) and as per VCH the manor of Dolham.. John Norbury was coheir with Alice's uncle William in Ralph Boteler's lands, and Thomas Montgomery turns up in a grant with her uncle Henry. Henry Fynch held woodlands called the Ferme in the parish of Penhurst (ASH/4501/126). - His great grand mother was Isabel, daughter and coheir of Robert Cralle of Cralle in Sussex and thus related to William de Batelesford. - Alice and Henry had a son - William (de la Mote), who married twice and thus created a large descendancy (Visitation of Kent). One of his wives was Catherine, eldest daughter and coheir of Sir Thomas Moyle, of Eastwell. KHearne54added this on 19 Apr 2011 AmberAtakuzievoriginally submitted this to Lee Genealogy on 12 Apr 2009
|
1330 - 1401 (71 years)
