The header for each year is preceded with an @ sign to facilitate searching
@1200
`The most famous
poem about romantic love was Romance of
the Rose, which was widely read throughout
Rise of Polynesian
chiefdoms.
There is reference
to a Ralph, Prior of Pilton at about this time.[2] [cf:1218 Wearesins de Pileton?]
Roger de
Branscombe, probably born before 1200. [cf:1218
husband of Juliana. Could he have been known also as Roger de Sege? cf:1238]
@1201
@1202
@1203
@1204
3 December:
Charter of Henry, Bishop of Exeter, granting exemption of tithes to the abbot
and convent of Montebourg, regarding their lands at Exmouth. Dated and signed
in Branscombe by William de Swindon, Magistro H. de Wiltshire and Canon of
Exeter, Magistro William de Calne, and others.[3]
Loss of
@1205
The introduction
of the office of mayor to
Peter "priest and chaplain", builder
of the new Bridge, dies before its completion
(1176-1209). He had been replaced (due to old age) as director of works in 1201
by a Frenchman, Isembert, "master of the Saintes schools", and the personal choice
of King monarchsJohn.[4]
In the reign of
King John, there had been as many as twenty-eight little sandstone churches in
@1206
Mongols under Ghenghis Khan begin conquest of
@1207
@1208
@1209
The new Bridge;, begun in 1176, is completed.
@1210
@1211
@1212
@1213
@1214
@1215
15 June: Magna Carta signed and sealed by King monarchsJohn at
`A document held
to be the cornerstone of democratic governments in
@1216
Reign of King John
ends (since 1199). monarchsHenry III ascends the throne (to 1272).
`Henry was an
extravagant patron of the arts. His expensive building projects included the
re-building of Westminster Abbey; between 1245 and his death in 1272, in the "Rayonnant" style.'[6]
After the daeth of
John, the French decided to seize the English throne. The
@1217
Matthew Paris,
monk & historian, enters the monastery of St.Albans. He becomes an expert
in writing, drawing and painting and in the artistic working of gold and
silver. He probably died in 1259.
@1218
`The assize of mort d'ancestor between Roger de
Bromkescom & Juliana his wife, plaintiffs, and the Abbot of Forde,
defendant, regarding the manor of Lington... "Whether Wearesins de Pileton
[Walter de Piriton, Archdeacon of Exeter,
d.30 April 1157?[7]], uncle of Juliana, wife of Roger de
Brumkescumbe, died seised of the manor of Lington, held by the Abbot of
Forde"... is adjourned to the fortnight after St.Michael at Westminster,
because the said abbot has produced the charter of King John by which the said
king forbids the abbot or monks of Forde to be impleaded for any of their
tenements, except before the Lord King or his Chief Justice.'[8] [there was a manor called Pyleton in Pinhoe
("Pynhoo")][9]
In the medieval
period, there are some 15,000 manors in
`from the
thirteenth century onwards, justices were sent (normally in pairs) from the
central courts at
@1219
Julianna, niece of
Werres, married to Roger de Branscombe.
(EBMI)
The episcopal
registers of Bishop Brantyngham of
`Apparently,
Branscombe was the place of origin of the Bonvil family, for on 12 March 1219,
Godfrey de Burdvill/Bolevyle/Bonevill?, in consideration of 6 marks to hand and
1 mark to be paid annually, granted 2 virgates of land there to the Chapter of
Exeter, owners of the manor.'[12]
@1220
Emergence of first
Thai kingdom.
acted outside churchesBeverley Minster: one of the first mentions of theatre
outside a church in
Possible year of
birth of Walter Bronescombe,
@1221
@1222
@1223
@1224
@1225
@1226
@1227
@1228
@1229
@1230
@1231
Thomas de
Cyrencestria is Sheriff of Devon. [to 1232][14]
@1232
@1233
@1234
@1235
@1236
Mongols invade
@1237
According to
Hoskins, this year sees the first reference to the manor of Escot, Talaton.[15] [cf:1249/1353 Richard Branscombe/1688
Sir Walter /1808
destroyed by fire]
@1238
8 July, Devon Feet
of Fines, Exeter: Before William de Eboraco, Robert de Bello Campo, William de
Sancto (Ramundo?) and Jordan Oliver, justices itinerant, and other liegemen of
our lord the King ... Richard de la Hole and his wife Joan in dispute with
tenant Richard de Langeford over the ownership of a half hide of land at
Borcombe [Southleigh]. Richard &
Joan acknowledge it was the right of Langeford & his heirs forever.
Rendering therefore yearly one pair of white gloves ... and doing the service
of 1/30th knight's fee for all service. In return, Richard de Langford gave and
granted to Richard and Joan half a ferling and three acres belonging to
Langeford, at "Wabbewell" [Wabble],
in the manor of Braunkescumbe, which land Roger de Sege formerly held.[16] [Could Roger de Sege also be Roger de
Branscombe, husband of Juliana? cf:1218. It was evidently not unusual, at this
time of proto-surnames, for new lords of the manor to adopt the locality name
as a surname, or even to be known by two or three different surnames, depending
on the circumstances in which they were to be used. cf:1279 la Sege]
@1239
@1240
@1241
@1242
`At some date
before 1242 a Exetercustumal [`A written collection or abstracts of
the customs of a manor, city, province, etc.'O.E.D.] of the city of was compiled, which has in part
survived, giving an account, unfortunately incomplete, of the economic
privileges of the freemen. This can be supplemented from slightly later
evidence in the mayor's Exetercourt rolls of actions against those who infringed
these rights. In addition from the general exemption from tolls throughout the country
conferred by the Exetercity charters, the freemen enjoyed an absolute
monopoly of Exetertrade in certain articles, and of retail trade
in others. The basic principle seems to have been, as it was in the sixteenth
century, that they had a complete monopoly of retail selling, except for the
trade in victuals on the three market days, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, which
was open to outsiders. In the terms used by the court rolls those unfree might
not sell merchandise `by weight', or `by measure'.'
@1243
Walter
Bronescombe, aged about 23, having studied, probably at
@1244
Bishop
bishopsLincolnGrosseteste of
@1245
Walter Bronescombe
appointed Chancellor of churchesSt.Peter's,
The new Pope calls
an emergency meeting at
@1246
@1247
@1248
First mention of
Ralph de la in connection with Branscombe-
villageHole House? [cf:
The subject of
sanctuary and sanctuary-seekers throws a vivid light on the laws and life of
the county in medieval times, and draws individual members of the community
into that light, who perhaps otherwise would otherwise have spanned their
allotted years in permanently total obscurity.
`There were two
classes of sanctuary; firstly, the sanctuary rights for a limited period of
forty days, which belonged to every consecrated church and chapel with their
graveyards; and secondly, the chartered sanctuary with rights for a lifetime,
whose limits extended about a mile and a half from the church; these were
granted by kings to certain specially favoured abbeys and minsters. St.John of
Beverely, St.Cuthbert of Durham and Westminster Abbey were some of the greater
sanctuaries of
There were heavy
penalties for the violation of sanctuaries, increasing as the distance from the centre lessened. In
addition to these, the Cistercians claimed the privilege of not turning away a
felon from the doors of their abbeys, although this was not exercised to any
great extent. The privilege of sanctuary in churches did not extend to those
who had committed sacrilege, or who were atheists. In the reign of Henry VIII,
the sanctuaries suffered great curtailment of their priveleges, and in 1623 the
right was abolished for criminals.
The right of
sanctuary was very early recognized and well known in Roman times, being based
on the religious fact of the inviolability of sacred places. The Roman law
recognised the the use of Christian churches as sanctuaries, about the
beginning of the fourth century, whilst in England, the first mention of this
right is in the laws of Ethelbert in A.D. 597. The name Sanctuary still applies to the east end of the chancel, which
contains the high altar; and in many of our Western parishes, there is a field
or fields attached to the church called the
Sanctuary, often corrupted into sentry.
Criminals taking
sanctuary were not to fly with any kind of arms into a church or its precincts,
and whilst the Church was bound to provide food for a fugitive, the watching to
prevent an escape was thrown on the township, which was fined if this happened.
Before the
statutory forty days of sanctuary expired, the criminal had either to abjure
the realm on oath before the coroner, or surrender himself for trial if the
prosecutor could not be pacified. The fugitive had a port allotted him, which
he had to reach within a certain period, and take the first ship abroad. He was
clad in sack cloth and carried a cross in his hand. He was allowed to leave the
King's highway for a short distance under great necessity, or for sleep and
food, but if he left it permanently, or returned to the kingdom, he was liable
to be slain ... The right of sanctuary under the protection of the Church
softened the harsh penalties of the English law. In the thirteenth and
fourteenth centuries, hanging was the almost invariable punishment for all
offences, even in such matters as theft of the value of a few pence. Sanctuary
substituted transportation for life for capital punishment.
The value of the
fugitive's possessions was forfeit to the king. On the Exeter Pleas of the
Crown Roll 1248-9, there are 15 cases. One concerned Branscombe.
Although medieval
gaols had thick walls and heavily barred windows, whilst the prisoners were
ironed, escapes after capture were frequent, not only when shut up in the gaol,
but also when being taken there, probably in many cases by the connivance of
their guard ... in many cases the fugitives avoided sanctuaries near at hand,
and fled to more distant churches; the reason for this is that the townships
and their officials were fined if they allowed a criminal to escape. Warning
was given, probably by the sounding of a horn, and all would be on the alert to
intercept the culprit as he fled to the church; the fear of this led sanctuary
seekers, therefore, to choose a more distant refuge. Again, churches at or near
a port were more favourably situated for embarkation, and were therefore
frequently selected.
`Adam, the Miller
of Branscombe, William and Richard his sons, and Matilda his wife, slew Stephen
de la Done [Dene?], in the township of Branscombe, and Richard was arrested,
and put in the prison of Branscombe, and thence escaped; therefore there is judgement
on that township. Afterwards it was testified that no one prevented the escape;
there must be further inquiry into this matter; he was not in any township.
And Adam and the
others fled to the
And Randolph de la
Hole, constable of Honiton, Baroke, the son of Wallis Blakebone, Miles Mogge,
John Frelling and Richard Boye, accused of the aforesaid death came and
defended, and put themselves on their country for good or evil [that is, they
elected to leave the case to a jury].
And the twelve
jurymen from the four neighbouring townships say on their sacred oaths that
Randolph and the others are not guilty; therefore they are quit. And they
present that the aforesaid Adam and others killed Stephen, and they were not
arrested; therefore the township is in mercy.
Afterwards,
Randolph and the others came et finem
fecerunt pro 20s for sureties, Alexander Judde, Walstel Blakebone, John de
Chenelston, and Walter de Edem.'[20]
@1249
According to
Hoskins this year produced the first written record of Branscombe- villageHole
House.
`The home of the
Holcombe family for seven generations until the
seventeenth century, when it passed to the
`Talaton: The
manor of Estcote (). Domina Lucia de a widow, dwelled in this place in 1249,
and was succeeded by Baldwyn de her son. The land was afterwards
possessed by the Beauchamp- of Rym family...'
[cf:1227/1353 Richard Branscombe/1688
Sir Walter /1808
destroyed by fire]
@1250
23 August: Walter
Bronescombe granted a papal licence to hold the chapel of Bloxworth, Dorset, in commendam.[22]
Walter Branscombe
acts for Henry III at a papal curia
securing confirmation of the highly controversial election to the bishopric of
Winchester of Aymer de Valence, the King's half-brother. Walter is by now
styled Papal Chaplain and King's Clerk, indicating he is favoured by both the
King and the Pope.[23]
Approximate year
the monks of built Great Coxwell tithe barn.
By the middle of
the 13th century, public baths had been re-introduced to the main
cities of
Countess weir, , is built. Before this, the river
brought trade and traffic with the tide to the quays below the ancient city
walls. After its construction, the Exeterold Roman
`Countess Wear
takes its name from Isabella de Fortibus, Countess of Devon, who built it: her
grievances against the citizens of Exeter included non-payment of her bailiff's
tithes of fish ... after nearly 300 years of litigation Exeter got a canal, and
the quayside renewed its activity.'[25]
`At first, the
capital of [the Hanseatic] commercial world was Visby on the island of Gotland,
in the eastern Baltic: here, mercantile records were kept, and silver money was
coined that was so trustworthy that it was named after the common name for the Hanseatic
traders, Osterling silver, later just
Sterling.'[26]
The population of
Branscombe is probably about 100.[27]
@1251
8 November,
@1252
23 January: Walter
Bronescombe granted papal licence to hold the rectory of Clandon Abbots,
17 February,
LondonWestminster: `Allocate to Reynold de [Keeper of the Bishopric of Winchester],
three monks of
20 June,
@1253
@1254
Walter Branscombe
is a Canon of Exeter Cathedral by this date. Soon after, he has become
Chancellor.[33]
A canon was a
clergyman (including clerks in minor orders) living with others in a
clergy-house or (in later times) in one of the houses within the precinct or
close of a cathedral or collegiate church, and ordering his life according to
the canons, or rules of the church. This practice of the canonical life began
to prevail in the eighth century. In the eleventh century it was, in some
churches, reformed by adoption of a rule (based upon a practice maentioned by
St.Augustine) that clergymen so living together should renounce private
property: those who embraced this rule were known as Augustinian or regular,
the others were secular canons. (OED)
@1255
Latin liturgical
plays at
@1256
18 August,
The Liberate Rolls of the reign of
monarchsHenry III are enrolments
of mandates to royal officials and servants concerning expenditure and
accounting on an infinite variety of subjects from diplomacy to purely domestic
matters... the King's gifts and pensions to retired employees, the price of
shoes to be distributed to the poor, and improvements to the plumbing of royal
residences... from works at churchesWestminster Abbey and Castle, to
monarchsHenry III's continued
preference for green paint with gold or silver stars as interior decoration,
and the prudent order that his elephant house at the Tower of should be built
in such a way that if necessary it could be turned to other purposes.[35]
9 November: Walter
Bronescombe granted letters of protection as King's Proctor at the Roman Curia.[36]
@1257
July: Walter
Bronesombe is canon of the king's free chapel in
26 December,
Bishop's Palace,
`This bishop,
(says Hooker) tho' of a meek and gentle disposition, did nevertheless
strenuously oppose everyone who offered any injury to the church. But waxing in
years, and being a weak man, he was much led by some of his officers who were
frequently about him, and who, taking advantage of his weakness and the
opportunities they had, used all the means they might to enrich themselves.
His chiefest
officers were one Lodeswell, his chancellor, , his register (Registrar?), Fitzherbert, his official, and Ermestow, the keeper of his seal.
These, with others
of the chief servants of his household, compacted among themselves that whilst
the bishop was yet living (who then lay sick and very weak in his bed), to make
conveyances unto themselves as such livelihoods as then lay in the bishop's disposal.
Accordingly, they made out advowsons, and such other conveyances as to them
seemed best. All were forthwith sealed and delivered, according to the
agreement made between them. But these their subtle dealings being discovered
by the next bishop [Branscombe], he
not only reversed all that they had thus clandestinely done, but also
excommunicated them. Nor were they absolved until they did open penance for the
same in cathedral church.'
@1258
23 February:
Walter Branscombe elected Bishop of Exeter, apparently undisputed.[38]
3 March: Royal
assent given to Walter's election.[39]
Saturday, 9 March,
Canterbury Cathedral: Walter Branscombe is ordained priest by the Queen's
uncle, Primate Boniface. `... with Simon de Walton, elect of Norwich, and Roger
de Longespee, elect of Coventry; and on the following day was consecrated to
episcopacy by the primate, assisted by the Bishops of St.David's and
Salisbury.'[40]
10 March: Along
with the new bishops of
14 April: Walter
de Bronescombe enthroned as twelfth Bishop of Exeter (to 1280).
The election,
confirmation and consecration of Walter were all in the months of February and
March, according to Le Neve. Walter was a native of
`Walter ... was
born at Edge or Egge, according to J. Charles Cox, in the Reliquary & Illustrated Archaeologist, 1909.'[42]
`Walter
Bronescombe, a native of
`Patre natus Exoniensi cive, sed tennuissimae sortis &
ex plebe infima.' `A
native of
`In common with
most bishops of the thirteenth century, especially those with university
training, [Walter] did not combine his ecclesiastical duties with a high office
of state. Even so, he continued in royal service, acting from time to time as
royal negotiator and advisor, notably at times of crisis. He gives the strong
impression of having been practical and conciliatory, a man who inspired
confidence in those with whom he had dealings.'[45]
`The English
Church, or Ecclesia Anglicana, was
part of the universal Church of western Christendom. Yet it was also part of
the English State. Its bishops and abbots were not only fathers in God but
feudal magnates, leaders of the local community and royal advisors. A bishop
was a great territorial magnate, enjoying the revenues of various manors and
knights' fees, who wore princely attire and lived in state. His income of two
or three thousand pounds a year was fabulous compared with the yearly wage of
forty or fifty shillings earned by a shepherd or ploughman. The Bishop of
Durham's castle above the Wear was the greatest fortress in the north; the
Bishop of Exeter had nine residences in Devon alone and, like every other
prelate, a mansion in London from which to perform his duties as a peer of the
realm, and attend meetings of parliament and the royal council. When a bishop
travelled, it was on horse-back, or in a litter with a retinue of thirty or
forty mounted clerics and attendants, including knights and men-at-arms drawn
from his tenantry to guard him.'[46]
` Walter
Bronescombe's library consisted of an Antiphonary and Psalter (for use in the
chapel), one part of the Pentateuch with commentary, and a volume containing
five works: the Pantheon of Godfrey
de Viterbo, the Decretals with apparatus, a book about animals, a work by
Avicenna, the Moslem physician, and a tract on military science by Vegetius.'[47]
Walter's arms, as
seen on his tomb, are the same as those used by Richard Branscombe, Sheriff of
Devon, in the fourteenth century. His motto: Patientia Vincit.[48]
28 April: Great
Council of barons and King monarchsHenry III, at ("parliament"). The Provisions
of Oxford stipulated all foreign favourites of the
king are to be expelled from the kingdom. It also established a body to examine
grievances, and provided for the summoning of the Oxford parliament.
`In the years
after 1258, a baronial opposition to the king, under Simon de attempted to fetter Henry and establish a
new system of government.'[49] [Montfort was eventually defeated by Prince
at battlesEvesham,
in 1265]
July: Walter
Branscombe is in Paris on the King's business.[50] [cf:1263]
September: Walter
Branscombe attends the consecration of the new Cathedral of Salisbury.[51]
`In , the native Britons were able to live side-by-side in an
independent community with the Saxons, after the collapse of Roman Britain,
and the invasions from the fifth century. They
occupied their own quarter of the city, which was known as Britayne as late as
the thirteenth century. Their language remained , although they were bi-lingual'. [52] [The Saxons lived in the southern part of the
city]
The Mongols sack Baghdad
Before 1258
Branscombe did service at the hundred court of Colyton by sending 21 men, but
this service was reduced to 5 men on 3 lawdays only by agreement with Lawrence
de Saunford on 13 October 1258. (Devon Fine #614)'
@1259
4 February: Walter
Bronescombe was granted papal faculty to retain for one year the fruits of all
benefices held by him at the time of his promotion, for the payment of debts
incurred by his predecessors.[53]
6 February: Walter
Bronescombe visits churchesSt.Winifred's, Branscombe (and Edge
Barton?).[54]
20 February,
LondonWestminster: `Liberate
to W. [Branscombe],
Bishop of Exeter, 100 marks for his recent expenses in going on the king's
errand to the King of Almain in the parts of Almain by command of the
King and by counsel of the magnates of the King's Council.'[55]
`(the church of
churchesSt.Mary, Totnes) has the serenity of all places mellowed
by age and long use. To its north-east once stood the ancient priory church,
with which in 1259 it was united and consecrated by Bishop Bronescombe, that
good man who is said to have resisted temptation by the Devil on the moor.
According to the
legend, bread and cheese were offered him to appease his hunger in return for
his soul and the rejected food may still be seen, turned to stone, in the shape
of those rocks near Gorge known as Bronescombe's Bread and Cheese.' [56]
Branscombe
Walter; [Bronescombe], Bishop of Exeter,
consecrates the Church of churchesSt.Mary of Ottery. [Ottery
St.Mary?]
King Henry grants
Walter [Bronescombe] a market day at
Penhrin.
May: Probable
death of Matthew Paris, monk, scribe and historian of St.Albans. [cf:1217]
@1260
Approximate date
that Walter Bronescombe begins extending Exeter cathedral. `The first in a famous line
of "building bishops"'.
`Bishop
Bronscombe, hero of the loaf-and-cheese legend, sanctioned burial at Widecombe, as an alternative to . Previously, Lydford was the only
consecrated ground for the vast parish of Dartmoor.' [57]
@1261
Greek empire restored in Constantinople.
23 October: Bishop
Walter Bronescombe pays his first recorded visit to Bishopsteignton.[58]
@1262
@1263
Walter Branscombe
[aged about 43] is one of the King's
proctors at the French royal court. `In these years, he was one of the few
markedly royalist bishops among a generally Montfortian episcopate ... Between
1263 and 1265 he was much involved in treating for peace at home between the King
and his barons.'[59] [cf:1266]
@1264
28 February:
Walter Bronescombe visits churches(Edge
Barton and?) St.Winifred's,
Branscombe, to hold an ordination service. `There
is reason to believe that, physically, he was not a robust man. As early as
1264, we find him excusing his non-attendance at the Parliament held that year
in St.Albans, on the ground of bodily weakness and ill-health ...'[60]
Simon de defeats royalists at the Battle of
Lewes;.
@1265
Lord defeats forces of Simon de Montfort at
battlesEvesham. Simon mortally wounded. The Dictum of Kenilworth [1266] settles the
differences between the King and his barons.
`That [Walter Branscombe, Bishop of Exeter] was
distinguished for circumspection and integrity of conduct may be inferred from
having steered with such safety and honour through the perilous and furious
contests between the King and his barons. And when the power of the latter was
beaten down by the decisive action fought at Evesham on 4th August, 1265, the
name of [Walter] stands the first on
the committee of the twelve bishops and barons appointed to arrange and settle
differences.'[61]
@1266
31 October: The
Dictum of Kenilworth. Walter Bronescombe is one of the committee of six who,
having co-opted a further six, devised the settlement between the King and his
barons.[62]
@1267
`Following the
peace with the Welsh at Montgomery, Lord hands over most of his estates in Wales to his brother Edmund.' [63]
@1268
@1269
Laurence de appointed vicar of churchesSt.Winifred's,
Branscombe, by Walter Bronescombe (to 1283).
`John Chubb,John,
Abbot of Tavistock, was deposed in 1269 by Bishop Bronescombe of Exeter (1258-1280);, after he had begun an
action at law, with every prospect of success, against the bishop's steward.
Chubb was in financial difficulties, and at odds with some of his monks but
Bronescombe's minions had been plundering the abbey right and left. An abbot
who put his bishop in the wrong could expect no quarter.'
[64]
Writs and orders under the Great Seal addressed
by the Sovereign to individuals were folded or closed up, and are hence called
"letters close". Until Tudor times, the Close Rolls contain royal
instructions for the performance of multifarious acts: the observance of
treaties, the levying of subsidies, the repair of buildings, the payment of
salaries, the provision of Household requirements, the delivery of their landed
inheritances to heirs, and the assignment of dower to widows, and so forth.
private deeds enrolled for safe custody on the back of the Close Rolls are
especially numerous from 1382, and from 1532-3 such deeds form the entire
contents of the roll. P.R.O., London
@1270
Alan Dagville of
Bovey, descendent of Guy Dagville [cf:1160],
marries Amisia, daughter of John Walrond of Bradfield. On her death, Bovey
House passes to the Walrond family.[65]
Walter Branscombe
obtains from the crown a market and fair for Bishopsteignton.[66]
Sir John Holcombe
of Hole died of wounds received in the second Crusade. Buried in Dorchester
Abbey (nr. Oxford), his is one of the finest remaining Crusader tombs. He
married Isabella Downe of Downe Rouse (now Rousden), a direct descendent of
King Henry I, and a great heiress. [Walter,
Sir John's father, dies in 1300]
@1271
@1272
16 November: Reign
of King monarchsHenry III ends (since 1216). monarchsEdward I ascends the throne (to 1307).
`The law and order
imposed by Edward encouraged the nobility to build more comfortable houses, and
abandon the utilitarian castles of their forebears.'
`Edward I conquers
Wales, and builds Caernarvon castle in conciously imperial style.' [67]
`Edward's reign
was marked by military conquest and legislative progress; the king was always
reluctant to compromise with his opponents, but the reign was one of positive
political achievement. The community of the realm found a new focus in the
developing institution of , and the country gained a much-needed
unity, after the troubles of monarchsHenry III's reign.' [68]
`Edward was an
unusual name in thirteenth-century England. In a country where the aristocracy
was largely -speaking, English names were not
fashionable. [69]
`Edward was in
Sicily late in 1272, when he learned that he
had become king. Sicily was used as a staging-post for his voyage to and from
the Holy Land, on . At 33, the eldest son of monarchsHenry
III and of Provence was a man of considerable,
if chequered, experience.[70]
11 December:
Walter Bronescombe transfers to the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert
Kilwardby, the spiritualities of the see [of
Exeter?] and on the following day was the only bishop recorded as being
present in London at an important declaration concerning royal rights in
respect of this papal provision of Kilwardby.[71]
@1273
May: Walter
Branscombe and the bishop of Winchester present the new Archbishop of
Canterbury, Robert Kilwardby, with his pallium. Then, with his old friend
Godfrey Gifford, Bishop of Worcester, Walter travels to (Paris/Burgundy?) to
meet Prince Edward on his return from a crusade in the Holy Land, to take up
the kingship on the death of Henry III.[72] Walter rejoins Edward in Gascony in the
Autumn.[73]
@1274
May-July: Walter
Branscombe, Bishop of Exeter, attends the fourteenth General Council, in Lyons.[74] `The last six years of his life, after his
return from the Council of Lyons, were spent in his diocese, save for
occasional short visits to London and to his manor houses in Hampshire and
Surrey.'[75]
August: `Edward
returns to England from crusade. He embarks on the conquest of Wales, and the introduction of major
legislative changes.'[76]
19 August:
Edward's coronation at LondonWestminster: `One story has it that at the banquet
which followed the ceremony in churchesWestminster Abbey, five hundred horses were turned loose,
to be kept by anyone who managed to catch them. This was a celebration by young
men - by a new generation filled with confidence - and the story may well be
true. The festivities were not limited to the nobles at the feast; the citizens
of London were able to drink red and white wine
flowing from the public drinking fountain in LondonCheapside.'[77] Walter Bronescombe has returned to London from
Lyons for the coronation. `Scarcely any evidence survives to shed light on his
particular role during these various activities, but he was clearly a staunch
and respected supporter of both Henry III and his son Edward. His diocesan work
can be studied in much more detail, for his register is the first extant
episcopal register for the diocese of Exeter and probably in fact the first to
be compiled. It reveals a vigorous and concientious bishop, active in visiting
and often rededicating the churches of his large diocese. He restored and
augmented the collegiate church of Crediton and founded another college at
Glasney, near Penryn.'[78] [cf:1275]
Farringdon:
Bishop's Clyst, in this parish, used to be called Clyst
Sachvill (Sackville). It had that name until about the
beginning of the reign of monarchsEdward I. Sir Ralph knight, borrowed moneys of Walter
Brounscomb, Bishop of Exeter, to furnish himself for his journey into France, in the king's service. He mortgaged his
lands for the bishop's assurance, to be repaid plus all the bishop's costs in
maintenance, etc..
But (in his
absence) the bishop bestowed so much cost in building and other ways that the
poor knight, on returning home, and bringing the money borrowed ... the
bishop's account for expenses was so high, it amounted to more than the land
was worth.
By this means, it
became one of the seats and dwelling-houses of the bishops of Exeter. But as Brounscomb cunningly got it, did
Bishop bishopsExeterVoisey wastefully lose it.'
[79]
`At Clyst [Walter]
re-built the convenient manor-house [and dedicated a chantry chapel][80] with its gateway bearing the appropriate
motto: Janua patet:Cor magis, which
became the favourite residence of his successors.'[81] [Farringdon was also the name of a manor
owned by Walter near Alton, Hampshire][82]
`In October, a massive
inquiry was set up to investigate local administration...to cover the
activities of all local officials, from sheriffs to castle constables. The
results of the massive enquiries, produced by interrogating local juries, were
recorded on what are now known as the Hundred Rolls. So extensive is the evidence that they
provide, no succinct summary is possible. No government since the making of the
Book had been provided with so massive a
dossier. The evidence that it gave of individual corruption and general
mis-government was alarming. When the returns had come in, the first Statute of
statutesWestminster was drafted, in 1275.'[83]
@1275
An earthquake destroys the twelfth century priory on churchesSt.Michael's Mount,
Cornwall.
Marco Polo reaches China.
24 November,
Bayonne: Walter Branscombe, Bishop of Exeter, baptises Alphonsus, son of Edward
I and Queen Eleanora. The child is named after his godfather, the King of
Spain. He died on 19 August, 1284, aged 10, and was buried in Westminster
Abbey.[84] `In 1268 and again in 1275 [Walter] undertook the revision and
amendment of the statutes of his cathedral church.'[85]
`In Parliament,
Edward negotiates a customs duty on wool and leather exports, at the rate of 6s.8d. on each sack of
wool. At a second parliament in this year, he obtained the grant of a tax: everyone was to pay a fifteenth of a
valuation on their moveable property. With a yield approaching £80,000, this
tax did much to remedy the king's financial problems.'[86]
@1276
@1277
@1278
`A sale is
recorded of a messuage [large house] and one ploughland at Celer, the salinaria or salt-pans of , for the large sum of 100 marks.'[87]
`Edward orders
justices to enquire into the question of the alleged usurpation of royal rights
by magnates, by means of legal actions known as quo warranto.' [88]
`The king's courts
had been, and were to remain, the scene of suits by the king against his
subjects. The crown was a great property-holder, the greatest in the realm, and
like any other property-holder, it often had to sue at law to establish claims.
Much of the work of the royal administration, of the Exchequer in particular,
was to keep systematic watch over the crown's property, and defend it from
encroachments... In the reign of monarchsEdward I, royal attorneys were making especially
frequent use of the action-form quo
warranto... they brought into court a great flood of these writs, which for
its volume alone was never equalled in any other reign, before or after.'[89]
By 1278, bishop
Walter Branscombe's health was in decline, and he had already prepared
St.Gabriel's Chapel, at the south-east end of his cathedral, for his place of
interment. [St.Gabriel was his patron
saint] He appoints proctors in all causes between Edmund, Earl of Cornwall
and himself, on account of failing health.[90] [There was a long-running and bitter dispute
between Walter and the Earl about their respective rights]
@1279
Statute of
statutesMortmain. Forbids grants of land to the Church.
An act of retaliation by the king against provocation by the new Archbishop of
Canterbury, John bishopsCanterburyPecham.
The Fabric
Accounts of Exeter Cathedral 1279-1326 give financial details of the
construction work in progress. Salcombe stone was used in part, and the records
show some of it was delivered by road, while some went by barge via an
unidentified place, la Sege.[91] [cf:1238, Roger de Sege of Branscombe]
@1280
June,
20 July,
22 July: Walter de
Bronescombe, Bishop of Exeter, dies at Teignton, possibly Bishopsteignton. Peter bishopsExeterQuivil succeeds (to 1291).
The register of
Bishop Bronescombe shows that he was present at Bishopsteignton for a few days in each of the years
1261, 1264, 1272, and 1275-80. According to Hingeston-Randolph, he died at `his
house at Radway' (the site of the present palace ruins)
on
His last official
act as bishop, signed on the very day he died, was to institute William de
Guldeford to the rectory of Knowstone.[95] [cf:1327, Wadham family]
WALTER BRANSCOMBE'S EPITAPH [96]
Olim sincerus pater This
sincere father
Omni dignus amore Worthy
of love so high
Primus Walterus Walter
the First
Magno jacet hic in honore Doth here
in honour lie
Editit hic plura He
wholesome laws did
dignissima lande statuta; for his
church indite;
Quae tanquam jura That
all things safe might
servant hic omnia data. keep
in peace and right.
Atq; hoc collegium quod Fair
Glaseney College,
Glasney plebs vocat omnis as 'tis
called, he founded,
Candidit egregium, Warn'd
thereunto, by a voice
pro voce datur sibi somnis in his
sleep, that sounded
Quot loca construxit? What
buildings he?
Pietatis quot bona fecit? What
pious works did raise?
Quam sanctum duxit vitam? How holy too?
What tongue
Vox dicere quae scit? can
speak his praise?
Laudibus immensis On
this her high renown
Jubilet gens exoniensis May
Et chorus & turbae In
her was born the man
Quod natus in hac fuit urbe. So great in
story.
Plus si scire velis Would
you like to know more?
Festum Statuit Gabrielis: He made to
Gabriel (Heavens
Gandeat in caelis igitur bless
his pious soul!)
Pater iste fidelis. A
festival.
Walter's tomb
features an effigy in black stone, said to be basalt, painted ... `an
outstanding work, probably of
10 November,
Canterbury Cathedral: Peter Quivil, son of Peter and Helewisa Quivil of
@1281
21 January,
Bishopsteignton: Will of Walter Branscombe proved.[99] [does this exist?]
24 February,
@1282
The Revolt. Concerted attacks made on
English-held castles throughout
`
@1283
1 July, Salop:
Richard and Egidia Branscombe reach an agreement with Robert and Joan de Hase
on ownership of land at Colyton.[102]
`On 1 July, Richard
de Brankescumb & Egidia his wife, purchased Yardbury in Colyton for twenty
marks, which on
Sir Thomas becomes vicar of churchesSt.Winifred's,
Branscombe (to 1318). `...presented a pair of
organs to the church, and was praised by his flock to the bishop, because he
preached well, and visited the sick.'
A subsidy of a
thirtieth on moveable goods was agreed to in this year, and assessed at over
£42,000 (helped pay for the Welsh war, 1282-3)
`The repeated
failure of a merchant to obtain his share of the
profits of a partnership he had made with an English trader was the probable
origin of the Statute of statutesActon Burnell, made in this year, which set up a new
procedure for the recovery of debts.'[104]
`There was no
fixed concept, under Edward, of what a statute was. Some were in , others in , and no authoritative record was
produced of the statutes, as they were made.' [105]
Inquisitio post mortem 12 Edward I of John
de Bello Campo. Mentions Cecily, his wife, and land owned at what was to be
known as Merifield. These were the Beauchamps of Hatch. They had one son
who died in 1362, without issue. They also had a daughter, Cecily, who became
heir of Merifield. She married Roger
Seymour and then Richard Turberville, who died in 1363. Cecily died at Merifield in 1394.[106]
@1284
The Statute of
statutesWales. `Following the crushing of the revolt, (1282-3) the English system of
administration was extended. The new counties of
19 August,
Westminster Abbey: Alphonsus, son of Edward I and Queen Eleanora, baptised in
Bayonne by Walter Branscombe in 1275, is buried.[108]
@1285
The writ Circumspecte Agatis
defines the extent of ecclesiastical jurisdiction, and permits the church
courts to hear a wide range of cases.
@1286
Edward departs
@1287
revolt. (Edward in
@1288
According to the
Cartulary of Canonsleigh, Richard de Branscombe, clerk, involved in a land
transaction, owns lands at Northleigh.[109]
11 November,
Northleigh: Quitclaim by Richard de Brankescumbe,
clerk, to Nicholas de on behalf of himself and his heirs, of
all the tenement which he held of Nicholas in the manor of Northleigh. [c.10kms
north of Branscombe village]
Quitclaims: `Their actual function was to release or quitclaim the rights of the first party to the second party, and
some concern the possible rights of someone who was not actually the property
owner. Others are endorsed with livery of seizin, and were used as feoffments
... The feoffment continues the medieval tradition in which the actual transfer
of property only took place through the ceremony of livery of seizin, in which a token part of the property, e.g. a key
or a piece of turf, was handed over to the new owner in the presence of
witnesses. The written deed merely confirmed the seizin.'[110]
`In the medieval
period, witnesses were not random, but were chosen firstly from people of
importance in the community, and secondly from near neighbours who could
confirm the boundaries and details of the property. The final witness was
usually the clerk or scribe to drew up the deed.'[111]
@1289
`On
Edward returns to
@1290
`The statute of
statutesQuia Emptores protects the interests of the great
landowners, ensuring that if their feudal tenants dispose of some of their
lands, the new holder would enter into the same feudal relationship with the
lord as the former holder.'[113]
invented, in
Edward expels all from
Edward begins his
campaign to subjugate
Calling of the
"Model Parliament", a stage in the development of
representative assemblies.
The vicarage of
Branscombe church is settled. There is mention of a fine chapel at Edge.[114]
The rose window at
Edge: `... 6'6" in diameter, but not quite entire, which can only be seen by
climbing into an attic. It appears to date from the thirteenth century, was in
the gable at the west end of the chapel, but was blocked up when a fireplace
was inserted, long before 1772, and hidden from view when the chapel was
connected to the hall wing. A portion of a gothic arch in the servery shows
that the chapel was entered from the north side, but there is no evidence to
show how far the building extended towards the east. Judging by the size of the
rose window, and its hight, the chapel was, as Lysons' said, an unusually
handsome one, which lands weight to the legend, so far unconfirmed, that at one
time, possibly during Bishop Bronescombe's term of office, there was an
establishment here.'[115]
Queen Eleanor of
@1291
@1292
@1293
The Earldom of
Devon, created 1101 by writ of the first Henry I, is extinguished on the death
of Isabella de Fortibus, widow of the Earl of Albemarle and sister and heir of
Baldwin de Redvers, eighth earl.
Total: eight earls and one contess.[117]
@1294
Rising-extremely serious; had more the
qualities of a popular rebellion.
`The extension to
[The rising was
eventually put down by the defeat of the Welsh leader, , at battlesMaes Madog, in March 1295, by the Earl of .]
@1295
An agreement
between Sir John de and the Prioress of , arising out of a dispute, gives Sir
John and his heirs the right to present a nun to the priory, in perpetuity. [cf: branscombeMargaret
Branscombe, 1347][119]
@1296
Richard de Brankescumbe
is clerk to Gilbert de Knovill, Sheriff
of Devon, 1296-1300.[120]
@1297
6 March, Clarendon: Edward grants protection to Richard de Brankyscumbe.
Richard de Branscombe a vicar of the Church of the churchesHoly Cross, Crediton. `One of the finest town churches in
`The bishops of
@1298
Richard de
Brankescumbe, clerk & deputy to Sheriff Gilbert de Knoville,
@1299
Ottoman Turks begin expansion in
Richard de
Branscombe made a Freeman of , at the instance of the mayor and
community.
`The five names,
Henry, John, Richard, Robert and William, together accounted for 38% of
recorded men's names in the twelfth century; for 57% in the thirteenth; and for
64% in the fourteenth.'[124]
© 1996-2006 Ronald Branscombe
Email: genealogy (at) branscombe (dot) net
[1] Rowling, p.97
[2] F.C. Hingeston-Randolph (ed.), The Register of Walter
Bronescombe, 1889.
[3] Calendar of Documents-France
[4] Jusserand, 1891, p.49
[5] Slader, The Churches of Devon, p.106
[6] Platt, p.114
[7] Morey, Bartholomew
of
[8] Devon
& Cornwall Notes & Queries, Vol.20: Abstracts from
[9] BMI says cf: Transactions of the
p.738
[10] Notes on Assize records, PRO Kew
[11] Hingeston-Randolph (ed.), The Register of Thomas de
Brantyngham, p.128
[12] Reichel,
The Hundreds of Colyton & Clyston ...
[13] Nicholls (ed.), Dictionary of National Biography -
Missing Persons
[14]
[15]
[16] Reichel, Devon Feet of Fines Vol I, p.143
[17] Nicholls (ed.), Dictionary of National Biography -
Missing Persons
[18] Nicholls (ed.), Dictionary of National Biography -
Missing Persons
[19] Nicholls (ed.), Dictionary of National Biography -
Missing Persons
[20] Pleas of
the Crown at Exeter, 33 Henry III, 1248-9,
quoted in: Sanctuary in Devon, H.Michell Whitley,
Proceedings of the
[21]
[22]
[23] Nicholls (ed.), Dictionary of National Biography -
Missing Persons
[24] Rowling, p.109
[25] Which? Guide to the West Country, p.117
[26] Naish, Seamarks, p.26
[27] Elijah Chick, The Parish & Church of Branscombe, p.12
[28] Calendar of Liberate Rolls Vol.4, p.5
[29] Nicholls (ed.), Dictionary of National Biography -
Missing Persons
[30]
[31] Calendar of Liberate Rolls Vol.4, p.27
[32] Calendar of Liberate Rolls Vol.4, p.56
[33] Nicholls (ed.), Dictionary of National Biography -
Missing Persons
[34] Calendar of Liberate Rolls Vol.4, p.317
[35] Calendar of Liberate Rolls Vol.4, frontispiece
[36]
[37]
[38] Nicholls (ed.), Dictionary of National Biography -
Missing Persons
[39] Nicholls (ed.), Dictionary of National Biography -
Missing Persons
[40] Oliver, Lives
of the Bishops of
[41] Nicholls (ed.), Dictionary of National Biography -
Missing Persons
[42] A Manor
House Restored, H.Dalton Clifford, Country
Life,
[43] Oliver, Lives
of the Bishops of
[44] Rees & Curtis, The Worthies of Devon, p.137
[45] Nicholls (ed.), Dictionary of National Biography -
Missing Persons
[46] Bryant, The
Medieval Foundation, pp.250-51
[47] Moorman, Church
Life in England in the Thirteenth
Century, p.182
[48] Izacke, Remarkable Antiquities ...
[49] Prestwich, The Three Edwards
[50] Nicholls (ed.), Dictionary of National Biography -
Missing Persons
[51] Bridget Cherry & Nikolaus Pevsner, The Buildings of
[52] Ross & Cyprien, A Traveller's Guide to
Celtic Britain, p.53
[53]
[54] Elijah Chick, The Parish & Church of Branscombe, pp.24-25
[55] Calendar
of Liberate Rolls Vol.4, p.452
[56] Gordon,
[57] Gordon,
[58] Transactions of the
[59] Nicholls (ed.), Dictionary of National Biography -
Missing Persons
[60] F.C. Hingeston-Randolph (ed.), The Register of Walter
Bronescombe, 1889, pp.xvi-xvii
[61] Oliver, Lives
of the Bishops of
[62] Nicholls (ed.), Dictionary of National Biography -
Missing Persons
[63] Prestwich, ibid., p.12
[64] Calendar
of Close Rolls 1268-72, p.101
Calendar of
Miscellaneous Inquisitions, 1, p.129. (ibid., pp.210-11)
[65] Bovey House brochure, 1993
[66] F.C. Hingeston-Randolph (ed.), The Register of Walter
Bronescombe, 1889, p.xvi
[67] Prestwich, ibid., p.1
[68] ibid.
[69] ibid., p.5
[70] ibid., p.6
[71] Nicholls (ed.), Dictionary of National Biography -
Missing Persons
[72] Oliver, Lives
of the Bishops of
[73] Nicholls (ed.), Dictionary of National Biography -
Missing Persons
[74] Oliver, Lives
of the Bishops of
[75] F.C. Hingeston-Randolph (ed.), The Register of Walter
Bronescombe, 1889, pp.xvi-xvii
[76] ibid., p.5
[77] ibid., p.9
[78] Nicholls (ed.), Dictionary of National Biography -
Missing Persons
[79] Polwhele, 1793 (1977), vol.2, p.202
[80] Nicholls (ed.), Dictionary of National Biography -
Missing Persons
[81] Oliver, Lives
of the Bishops of
[82] F.C. Hingeston-Randolph (ed.), The Register of Walter
Bronescombe, 1889, p.viii
[83] Polwhele, 1793 (1977), vol.2, pp.9-10
[84] Oliver, Lives
of the Bishops of
[85] Nicholls (ed.), Dictionary of National Biography -
Missing Persons
[86] Polwhele, 1793 (1977), vol.2, p.10
[87] The
Hundreds of
part VII: The Hundreds of Colyton &
Clyston in Early
Times, Rev.Oswald J.Reichel.
[88] The
Hundreds of
part VII: The Hundreds of Colyton &
Clyston in Early
Times, Rev.Oswald J.Reichel, p.10
[89] Quo
Warranto Proceedings in the Reign of Edward I
1278-1294, Donald Sutherland, OUP,
1963, pp.1-2
[90] F.C. Hingeston-Randolph (ed.), The Register of Walter
Bronescombe, 1889, pp.xvi-xvii
[91] Sidmouth: A History,
[92] Oliver, Lives
of the Bishops of
[93] Nicholls (ed.), Dictionary of National Biography -
Missing Persons
[94] Laithwaite, Blaylock, Westcott, The Bishop's Palace at
Bishopsteignton, Proceedings of the
Society, #47, 1989.
[95] Transactions of the
[96] Rees & Curtis, The Worthies of Devon, p.139
[97] Bridget Cherry & Nikolaus Pevsner, The Buildings of
[98] Oliver, Lives
of the Bishops of
[99] Transactions of the
[100] Transactions of the
[101] Britain 1993 ..., HMSO, p.2
[102] Reichel, Devon Feet of Fines, Vol II, p.30
[103] Reichel, The Hundreds of Colyton & Clyston, p.348
[104] Prestwich, p.20
[105] ibid., pp.19-20
[106] William Wynham, The Wadhams and Merifield, 1934, pp.2-3
[107] Prestwich, p.15
[108] Oliver, Lives
of the Bishops of
[109] Devon & Cornwall Records, Vol.#2
[110] Alcock, Old Title Deeds, p.52
[111] Alcock, Old Title Deeds, p.12
[112] The
Hundreds of
Reichel,
The Hundreds of Colyton & Clyston, p.348
[113] Prestwich, p.20
[114] Transactions
of the
Extra Volume, 1934
[115] A Manor
House Restored, H.
Country Life,
[116] Bulfield, The Icknield Way, pp.72-3
[117] Charles Worthy, The History of the Suburbs of
Chapter 7, 1892
[118] Prestwich, p.17
[119] Two
Registers Formerly Belonging to the Family of
Beauchamp of Hatch, editor Sir
H.C. Maxwell-Lyte,
Somerset Record Society Vol.XXXV, 1920.
[120] P.R.O. List & Indexes IX, HMSO, 1898
[121] Hoskins,
[122] ibid.
[123] Devon
& Cornwall N. Association 13, p.148
[124] P.H. Reaney, The Origin of English Surnames,
Routledge & Kegan Paul,
ISBN 0-415-05917-8