The following paper is intended to follow on from the paper on Sir Thomas de Uvedale, Knight and Diplomat published in 2018, the great-grandfauther of Sir Thomas Uvedale, Kt. It continues to follow the Uvedale family as the head of the family moves from Titsey in Surrey to Wickham in Hampshire and beyond.
John Uvedale was born circa 1344, son of Sir Thomas Uvedale and his third wife Margaret Rees. In all likelihood, he would have been raised primarily at Titsey in Surrey and he would have been trained up as a son of a Knight with all that entailed. He would have also heard all the stories of the exploits of King Edward I and III, the Black Prince and many of the significant knights of the time, many of whom his great-grandfather and grandfather knew personally.
Meanwhile on the continent the Black Prince was harsh in governing his territories of Guyene and Gascony, including imposing many taxes to pay for his lifestyle and his military operations. King Charles of France took a period to lay low and rebuild his strength after the defeats he and his ancestors had suffered in the previous 50 years. In 1368 the Count of Armagnacs and others refused to pay taxs demanded by the Black Prince’s regime and appealed to King Charles V of France. Even though the Treaty of London had given the territories to King Edward III in full sovereignty, King Charles asked Edward, the Black Prince to appear before him to answer for the many complaints he had received from the people of Aquitaine. The Black Prince said he would come to Paris, but at the head of an army. In November 1369 King Charles announced he had confiscated Auguitaine and England declared war on France.
John of Gaunt, the Black Princes younger brother, led an attack on France in 1369. John Uvedale, Esquire, son ansd heir of Sir Thomas Uvedale, Kt., accompanied John of gaunt on the expedition.
In the ensuing fighting the French were successful in recapturing most of the territory they had previously lost. In 1371 the Black Prince returned to England to recover his health leaving his younger brother, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster in charge in continental France.
In 1375 John de Uvedale proved the will of a Simon de Uvedale.
Edward, the Black Prince died in his castle in Berkhamsted in 1376. On 21 June 1377 King Edward III died being succeeded by King Richard II of Bordeaux, the son of the Black Prince.
King Richard II
In June 1377 the French, under the leadership of Admiral Jean de Vienne, attacked the southeast coast of England from the Hastings area over to Southampton. The attacks in this area lasted until 1380. During those battles John de Brocas, son of Oliver de Brocas, Kt. was killed in 1377. John de Uvedale married his wife Sibilla de Scures and moved from Titsey to Wickham, the seat of the Scures family.
In 1377 William of Wykeham issued an injunction to the Dean of Ewell and the rectors of the churches of Blechyngle and Chalvedon, stating that John de Uvedale had complained to him that certain persons had entered into his woods in these parishes and had cut down and carried off several oaks and other trees to his great loss and injury, and commanding them to make proclamation within the local churches that the said offenders should within twenty days restore the said oaks and other woods, or make full satisfaction for them, under pain of the greater excommunication.
Godfrey Cyfrewast, son of Roger Cyfrewast, knight issued a grant and quitclaim to William de Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester of the manor of Quedhampton in the county of Southampton on the 8th of April 1378. That grant was witnessed by John de Foxle, Bernard Brocas, Ralph de Norton, John Tycheburne and others. He also issued a grant and quitlclaim to the bishop of the manor of Kirchil in Dorset. This document was witnessed by John Foxle, Bernard Brocas, Henry Popham, John de Uvedale, John de Scures, William Guldforde and other and dated the 8th of April.
In 1379 John de Uvedale was Knight of the Shire (Member of Parliament) for Surrey, following in his father’s footsteps.
On the 20 November 1379 a recognizance was issued to John de Uvedale by Herbert Fitz Herbert, Kt. for 500 marks to be levied in Sussex. At the same time John de Uvedale by record to John Wacche, Edmund Gyssing, and William Berningham and to their assigns, sold lands in Southampton and Sussex which descended to Edmund fitz Herbert after the death of John Brokas, son and heir of Sir Oliver Brokas, knight under a statute for 1,000 marks that John de Brocas acknowledged on 20 January 1375 before William Walleworth then the Mayor of the staple of Westminster to William Ryngebourne, John de Campden and William Guildford.
As John de Uvedale, Lord of Titsey he was present with William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester, and others at Southwark, on 24th of February, 1379/80, and witnessed the proving of the will of Sir John d'Arundell, Kt.
In March of 1380 a parliamentary writ was issued confirming John de Uvedale and John de Cobham as knights of the shire (Member of Parliament) for Surrey.
In 1380, Benedicta, the 4th wife of Sir Thomas Uvedale, granted to Thomas Brown two acres and a half and four "dayewars" of woodland, lying in the parish of Waltham, by the yearly rent of 2s. 6d. and suit at her court of Wadenhall every three weeks.
Also in 1380 William Berard escheator in Norfolk issued an order that Robert de Silkeston be given livery of some property in Rodecarlton, and that the late Sir Thomas Uvedale by letters patent of King Edward II had occupied the property for ten years.
The war between France and England continued. On 16 September 1380 King Charles of France died having been successful in recapturing control of greater France during his reign. The English retained control of Calais, Brest, Cherbourg and Bayonne, but were struggling to maintain them.
In May of 1381 many people revolted in the southern part of England attacking and killing nobility and clergy and destroying various manor houses. This was known as the "Peasants Revolt" and was primarily due to economic conditions of the time.
In 1381 (27 Edward III) John de Scures, son and heir of Sir John de Scures, died leaving the Wickham estates to Sibilla, his sister and heir, bringing Wickham and other property in Hampshire, to the Uvedale family. John de Scures mentions both Sibilla and her husband John Unedale, to whom he bequeathed "one whole silver harness".
In an 1382 inquisition held at Blechingly on the thursday after the decollation of St John the Baptist John Uvedale and William Greswick were found to hold two knights fees in Tychesey.
On 1st of March 1384/5 John de Uvedale, William of Wykeham and others were at Southwick, to witness the ordination of a perpetual chantry in the Priory Church of Southwark, by Sir Bernard Brokas, Kt.. Bernard was a very prominent knight whose family hailed from Gasony. He served in the king’s household and as such would have known Sir Thomas Uvedale. His elder brother John de Brokas was killed in Jeanne de Vienne’s raid of 1377 and his wife then married John de Uvedale, son of Sir Thomas de Uvedale.
In 1385, by a deed dated the Sunday after Michaelmas, Benedicta the fourth wife of Sir Thomas Uvedale, granted to Thomas Langhood a lease of her manor of Blakemanston, near Romene, Kent, and all the rent due her from Robert Voldhord, together with 8 pounds sterling reckoned in money by the name of stock, and all the pasture of six acres called Cowlese, together with fifty-seven acres of land called Brodese for seven years, at a rent of 30 pounds sterling, to be paid half-yearly at Bishopsbere. Benedicta, had married firstly to John de Sandwich. In a deed of 15th of May 1335 Nicholas de Sandwich released to John de Sandwich and Benedicta his wife a moiety of the manor of Poldre in Kent. Secondly Benedicta married Sir Edmund Haute, of Haut's place, Petham, Kent, son of Sir Henry Haute, of Wadenhall. They had two sons. Nicholas, born in 1351, Sheriff of Kent in 19 Richard II and Edward.
On the 6th of December 1385, a parliamentary writ was issued from Westmister confirming John de Uvedale and Henry Popham as knights of the shire (Members of Parliament) for the county of Southampton (Hampshire).
King Edward III had five sons; Edward the Black Prince, Lionel Duke of Clarence; John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster; Edmund Duke of York; and Thomas Earl of Buckingham and Duke of Gloucester.
The Duke of Gloucester, uncle of King Richard II, allied with the Earl of Arundel and resisted King Richard II who wanted peace with the French. On 18 June 1389 the English and French signed a treaty at Leulinghen near Calais. King Richard II tried to separate Guyenne from the English crown and appoint his Uncle John of Gaunt Duke of Guyene for life.
At Michaelmas 1386 John de Uvedale granted a lease to Nicholas Knotte, of Limpsfield, for life of the manor of Woldingham along with the stock.
In 1389 (12 Richard II) John de Uvedale had a confirmation of a grant made to his ancestor, Sir John de Uvedale in 32 Edward I, of a fair and weekly market at Tacolnestion, and free warren in all his demesne lands there and at Titsey.
John de Uvedale Kt. was Sheriff for the County of Hampshire in 1387/88. This is the first time a member of the family was appointed a Sheriff, with many more to follow.
Benedicta de Uvedale, wife of Thomas de Uvedale died before in 1391. She was buried at the Black Friars in Canterbury. Weever says "Bennet, daughter of John Shelving, and wife to Sir Edmund Haute, Kt. (afterwards married to Sir Wm Wendall), was buried at the Black Friars, Canterbury".
John de Uvedale was Sheriff for the County of Surrey and Sussex in 1393 and again for Hampshire in 1399.
In 1396 King Richard II married Isabel, daughter of King Charles VI of France. Richard was thought of as more of a friend of the French than a supporter of England. King Richard II had the Duke of Gloucester and the Earl of Arundel killed because of their opposition to his approach with the French and their intention to initiate a revolt.
Alice Uvedale, sister of John Uvedale married William Wykeham, great-nephew to William of Wickham, Bishop of Winchester sometime between 1 July and 29 September 1396. By a deed dated the 1st of July in that year, William of Wickham conveyed the manors of Burnham and Brene in Somerset to trustees to the use of himself for life, with remainder to William Wikeham, his kinsman, and Alice Uvedale, and the heirs male of their bodies.
In 1397 John Uvedale of Southton, Esquire subscribed 100 marcs for the services of the King.
A 28-year truce between the English and French was signed in 1398. Henry, the eldest son of John of Gaunt, arrived in England in 1398 and deposed the unpopular King Richard II. Richard II died a few months later.
In an inquisition held in 1398 (22 Richard II) upon the death of William, brother and heir of Thomas, Earl of Stafford, John Uvedale is recorded as holding of the Earl of Stafford two knight's fees in Titsey, jointly with William Creswyck.
Henry IV
Henry was crowned as King Henry IV on the 13th of October 1399.
In circa 1400 Elizabeth Uvedale, daughter of Sir Thomas Uvedale and Elizabeth Foxley, married Robert Clere of Ormesby.
The picture above is of a townhouse on St. Stephens Street in Norwich. It was built just inside the City walls on the road, which led to the Uvedale estates at Tacolneston and Wynondham. The townhouse was considered to have been built sometime between 1434 and 1492, possible a site of an earlier Uvedale building. In the first half of the 20th century a Mr. Ernest Kent drew attention to a stone bracket that supported the first-floor jetty at the right-hand end. On it was a coat of arms which Mr Kent made out to be "Argent, on a fez Azure, three eagles displayed Or (for Clere) impaling Argent, a Cross Moline Gules (for Uvedale). The building was damaged in the blitz of 1942 and was knocked down in 1946.
Robert and Elizabeth (Uvedale) Clere had a daughter Margaret, born in 1421 and died 16 January 1499. She went on to marry Ralph Shelton father to John Shelton born in 1455.
In 1402 John de Uvedale granted to Robert Roger and Thomas Playnesfeld, of Warlyngham, a lease of his manor of Waldingham, along with its appurtenances in Waldingham and Chelsham. He reserved to his own uses the woods and underwoods. The lease was for 20 years at the amount of 14 marcs a year.
In 1404 William of Wykeham bequeathed a cup of silver or other jewel, to the value of 10 marcs to John de Uvedale.
Meanwhile in France John, Duke of Burgundy and Louis, Duke of Orleans were fighting to succeed Phillip the Bold, who had died in 1404. John had Louis killed and began to build support for his regime in France. The supporters of the house of Orleans assembled an army to blockade Paris. John of Burgundy sought the support of Henry IV. King Henry IV sent troops under the command of the Earl of Arundel.
In 1406 William Uvedale, son of John de Uvedale, is recorded as the owner of Northstead, in Chelsfield. He subsequently conveyed it to John Shelley of Bexley in 1427. He did retain some interest in the stock at Northstede since he bequeathed to Reginald, his great-nephew, 20 marcs worth of stock from Northstede.
In 1406/07 John Uvedale was Sheriff for Southampton (Hamsphire).
In 1411 Sir John de Uvedale Kt. is mentioned as one of the witnesses to the will of Elizabeth Juliers, Countess of Kent, at Badham, near Wickham.
On 20 March 1413 Henry IV died and was succeeded by Henry V of Montmouth.
Henry V
On the 9th of June 1413, a parliamentary writ was issued from Westminister confirming John de Uvedale and John Arnold as knights of the shire (Members of Parliament) for Surrey.
Both French factions negotiated with King Henry V to gain his support for their cause in France. Henry V demanded the conditions of the Treaty of Bretigny be honoured.
John Uvedale was Sheriff of Southampton (Hampshire) for 1415. In the year 1416 John Uvedale was Sheriff of Surrey and Sussex. He is recorded as playing a key role in the rebellion of Southampton, just before the army left for France and the battle of Agincourt.
In the summer of 1415 King Henry V gathered a large army and 1500 ships at Porchester Castle in Portsmouth. This castle was to be owned from the 17th century by the Uvedale family and their heirs until turned over to the English people in the 1920's. Before they departed for France the Earl of March, informed King Henry V that there was a plot afoot to overthrow him and put the Earl of March on the throne, given his superior right. The key plotters were identified as Richard, 3rd Earl of Cambridge, Henry Scrope, 3rd Baron Scrope of Masham, and Sir Thomas Grey. John Uvedale was asked to empanel a jury:
“As a consequence of which letters patent of our lord the king, the sheriff of the said county of Southampton was ordered that he should not omit anyone on account of any liberty in his bailiwick, but he should cause to come before the aforesaid justices at the town of Southampton, on Friday 2 August then following, twenty-four free and law-worthy men from each hundred of the same county, and twelve free and law-worthy men from each city and borough of the aforesaid county, to do those things concerning the foregoing which would be enjoined on them on behalf of our lord the king. And John Uvedale, sheriff of the aforesaid county, by virtue of the aforesaid precept, then returned the names of various jurors of the aforesaid county before the same justices. Whereupon, among other inquests, the following inquest was held by the oath of twelve jurors of the said county, as follows: - Southampton. Inquest held at the town of Southampton before the aforesaid justices on the said Friday, in the said third year of the present lord king, by the oath of John Chond, John Lock, John Steer, John Veel, Robert Upham, Laurence Hamelyn, John Welere Fisher, John Colyn, John Penyton, Walter Hore, John Hall and John Snell.”
The trial was held, all three being convicted and beheaded before the army headed for France on 11 August 1415.
The army landed near Harfleur, which surrendered to them. However, many people died of disease, including the Earl of Arundel. King Henry V then went on a raid towards the Somme, intending to ford the Somme and head towards Calais. Thomas Uvedale, Esq., son of Sir John Uvedale, Kt, went along with King Henry V on this famous expedition. There were two muster rolls of those attending King Henry V to France, however only one of the rolls is currently available. However, Thomas Uvedale is listed at entitled to a ransom from Jean de Boisgarnier, who in Febuary 1416 was issued a safe conduct from England to France. From this it is assumed that Thomas, as a young man of 20, was on the Agincourt expedition.
The French Dauphin, along with an army of 40,000 to 50,000 men pursued Henry V and his army of approximately 6,000.
King Henry V prepared for battle near a place called Agincourt. Lord Camoy's division was set on the left, the Duke of York on the right and King's division in the middle. Bowmen were disbursed between the divisions of the men-at-arms and at the ends leading the divisions so they could fire arrows across the attackers.
The French attacked with ferocity, almost causing the English line to collapse. The bowmen joined the hand to hand fight. Because of the muddy conditions of the battlefield and their light apparel they were successful in gaining an upper hand with the French. At this point King Henry V heard their prisoners and supplies were being attacked and that French reinforcements were arriving. He ordered the bowmen to slaughter the prisoners, to the great outrage of the French knights and nobility. The English fought off the first two battle line attacks and the 3rd French line of battle did not attack. The French lost approximately 10,000 men during the fight, including approximately 10 Dukes, 120 barons and 1500 knights. The English lost approximately 300 men.
In March of 1416 the tenants of the Dartford Marsh were requested to pay 6d per acre for the upkeep of marshland wall, dykes and fences. The list of tenants includes William Uvedale, son of John Uvedale and Sibilla de Scures. The tenants were recorded on the “Dartford Roll” found in an old medieval building in 1955.
In May of 1416 John Stalkynden, son of Roger Stalkynden, provided John Uvedale, son of John Uvedale and Sibilla Scures, with a quitclaim to the manors of Tychesey, Tatlesfelde and related properties, including lands, rents, reversions and services in Tychesey, Tatlesfelde, Lemesfelde and Okstede, and the advowson of Tatlesfelde church in Surrey. The witnesses to the document were Nicholas Carew, John Hedresham, John Gaynesford, John Louestede and William ate Welle. The document was issued to John Uvedale and to Richard Wallop, Gilbert Bennebury, John Gyles and Hugh Saundres, their heirs and assigns. In that document it is noted that Sir Thomas Uvedale held those manors by feoffment of Roger Stalkynden and provides clear evidence of the father and son both named John: “which Thomas Uvedale knight, Margaret his wife and John Uvedale, father of the said John Uvedale”.
Sir John de Uvedale Kt. died some time before 1417. His son William Uvedale succeeded him. Another son, John de Uvedale, was Sheriff of the Shire for Surrey in 1417 and was given a mandate on the occasion of making an array against the arms of Spain in anticipation of an invasion from that country. He is included in a list of names given by Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester for the office of the Privy Seal.
In October 1417 Duke John of Burgundy agreed to acknowledge King Henry V as his liege Lord and the rightful King of France. That same year King Henry V led an army of 10,000 into Normandy and by 1419 they were in control of the territory. Thomas Uvedale was in this army as a Man-at-Arms, his captain was John Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk and Earl-Marshall. The King subsequently brought a lot of Englishmen into Normandy and placed them in positions of power.
On 1 March 1418 John Uvedale witnessed a Charter between William Esturmy knight and William Hankeford knight and chief justice of the King’s Bench and others for a number of manors in the county of Southampton.
John Uvedale was Sheriff for the shire of Southampton (Hampshire) in 1419.
A writ was issued to John Uvedale in November 1419 that “all men who will carry wheat or other vituals over to Normandy to the king’s presence for his relief and relief of his army may do so until the feast of Allhallows next without payment of impost or bindage in Normandy. That same month John Uvedale witnessed a quitclaim of the manor of Somerie in Southampton from John Giles to Henry Kesewyk.
Meanwhile in France, Duke John of Burgundy was killed by the Armagnacs, which further exacerbated the internal French conflict. The Burgundians allied with the English. On 21 May 1420 King Henry V concluded a treaty with Charles VI where King Henry V was acknowledged as heir to the French throne and Regent. Henry married Catherine, the daughter of the King of France within a couple of weeks.
On 1 September 1420 King Henry V and Phillip of Burgundy entered Paris, which the English occupied for the next 15 years.
In 1420 both William and John Uvedale are witnesses to a property transaction in Horton in Kent between Thomas Stonore and Alice his wife to John Kyrkeby.
In early 1421 King Henry V returned to England and on 23 February Queen Catherine was crowned in Westminster Abbey. In June of 1421 the King returned to France and continued a successful campaign. However, during a siege of Marne he came down with dysentery and almost died. After the siege he returned to Paris and died on 31 August 1422 at Vincennes at the age of 35. His brother Duke of Bedford was appointed Regent of France while the Duke of Gloucester was appointed Regent of England.
King Henry VI
In September 1422 John Uvedale was a witness to a property transaction between a number of people and John Roger of Bryanston in the county of Dorset. The transaction was dated at Mapulderhammon the 18 November. The properties were quite extensive and included manors of Mapulderham, Henton Bourhounte, Henton Markaunt, Depeden Hangre and Depeden Polayn, Mersshecourt in Kings Somborne a moiety of the manor of Denecourt, the manor of Houghton Edynton some held by the Eleanor wife of Amery de Sancto Amando, plus miscellaneous other assets.
John Uvedale was Sheriff for the shire of Hampshire in 1422 (1 Henry VI).
King Charles VI of France died in October 1422. His son Charles VII was a week and dissolute leader. He also had many ungodly acquaintances that surrounded him to his detriment.
The Duke of Bedford, along with such men as Thomas Montagu, Earl of Salisbury and Count of Perche, and Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick and Count of Aumale, along with many other capable captains expanded the territorial influence of the English. Many of the knights obtained further personal territory and revenues from France. These people also brought back considerable wealth to England building or expanding their manor houses and churches.
In 1424 Bedford gathered an army of 10,000 at Rouen and headed south. On 17 August 1424 he encountered an army roughly twice as large at Verneuil. The army was split into two divisions one under the Duke of Bedford against the French led by the Count of Aumale and the second under the Earl of Salisbury against the Scots led by the Earls of Douglas and Buchan.
The armies faced each other for most of the day in formation. Finally, in the late afternoon the English under Bedford moved forward. A vicious fight occurred lasting an hour, at which time the French retreated. Meanwhile the Scots, supported by 600 Italians had almost overrun the Earl of Salisbury's line. However, the English reserves entered the fray, along with Bedford's troops and the French were defeated. Before the battle the Scots had let it be known there would be no quarter granted. Approximately 7,000 French and Scots were killed including the Earl of Douglas and most of the Scots.
The Duke of Bedford returned to England in 1325 to settle a problem caused by Humphrey of Gloucester. Humphrey had caused a breach between the English and Burgundians as a result of an invasion of Holland, which he had led. Henry Beaufort, Bishop of Winchester, a half brother of Henry IV, had asked Bedford to return to England to settle this matter.
John Uvedale was Sheriff for the shire of Southampton (Hampshire) in 1426.
In March 1427 Bedford returned to France. In October the English arrived at Orleans to seek it's surrender. This venture did not go well, the Earl of Salisbury, one of the most capable of English leaders was killed late in the year. Orleans was very well fortified and well supplied. The Earl of Suffolk took over as commander from the Earl of Salisbury.
William Uvedale conveyed Northstead in Chelsfield to John Shelley of Bexley in 1427.
By the spring of 1429 the English were still unable to capture Orleans. In the spring of that year Joan of Arc led a relieving army into the city. Within a few days the 4,000 troops under the Duke of Alencon, with the moral leadership of the 18 year old Joan of Arc, had overrun the English positions. On the 8th of May 1429 the Earl of Suffolk lifted the siege and left Orleans.
Within a couple of months the French troops had gained a lot of ground and Charles VII was crowned King of France at Rhiems. Joan of Arc was in attendance.
In 1429 John Uvedale witnessed a property transaction for Beaurepre manor between John Golafre, William Warbelton and the Brocas family, which the first two mentioned and others held by services provided to William Brocas.
William Uvedale, brother of Thomas, was sheriff of the shire of Surrey and Sussex in 1430.
The following summer on 24 May 1430 Joan of Arc was captured during a battle at Compiegne. Following a trial she was burnt at the stake in the marketplace in Rouen.
By 1431 the English, under the leadership of Bedford, had regained much of the territory and control they had lost.
However, conditions in France were not good with much economic distress evident, including famine. In January 1431 Bedford brought the 9-year-old King Henry VI into Paris to be crowned King of France. Cardinal Beaufort of Winchester performed the ceremony. He didn't properly organize the ceremony, much to the displeasure of many of the French who supported the English.
In 1431 John Uvedale, son of Sir John de Uvedale, Kt. held lands in Brownewiche, near Tichfield, Hampshire.
In 1432 the English position in France began to deteriorate. In August the Dauphinists came to relieve the siege of Lagny. There was a vicious struggle ending with Bedford raising the siege. The Duke of Bedford's wife, Anne of Burgundy died in Paris on 14 November 1432. Bedford married Jacquetta of Luxembourg. This did not help and in the end hurt the alliance with Phillip of Burgundy.
In 1433 John Uvedale, son of Sir John de Uvedale Kt, was Sheriff of Southampton (Hampshire). In the same year William Uvedale was possessed of the manor of Titsey as evidenced by Court Rolls.
William Uvedale is on a list of the gentry of Surrey returned by commissioners in 1434, as William Uvedale, of Tichesay, Esquire. In the same year John Uvedale was a witness to a charter of Sir Thomas Wickham.
In 1435 John Uvedale, son of John de Uvedale, subscribed 10 pounds on loan for the equipment of an army to be sent into France.
In August of 1435 the English, Burgundians and Dauphinists met at Arras to discuss peace. After more than a month of talks discussions broke off and the English left. A week later on 14 September 1435 John, Duke of Bedford died and was buried in Rouen Cathedral.
On 20 September 1435 Phillip of Burgundy and Charles VII singed the Treat of Arras. Phillip received acknowledgement for his lands in return for acknowledging Charles as King of the French.
The French immediately moved to attack various areas. However, Lord Talbot began to influence the outcome, through his military ability as an able and feared commander.
On the 28 of November 1435 William Uvedale, along with Henry Norbury, John and William Weston and Thomas Wyntershulle witnessed a memorandum whereby Andrew Danyell and his cousin Roger Grenforde acknowledged the passing of the manor of Bedyngton and other lands in Surrey to which had been granted to a nymber of persons on 10 June 1398 to John Walden.
In 1436 John Uvedale, with others, was a trustee for Alice Basset of the Manor of Worpleston. Also in May of 1436 Agnes Bassett issued a charter with warranty to John Uvedale, and several others, of the manors of Burgham and Cladoun, and all her lands, rents and services in Surrey, the manor of Frollesbury and all her lands, rents and services, a moiety of the manor of Estle and all her lands, rents and services in the county of Southampton. This was witnessed by Henry Norbury Kt., John Ferby, John Weston, William Sydney and Thomas Stoghton and dated 14 May.
Also on 9 July 1436 Reynold West, lord la Warre, in an document to Richard West his son, John Uvedale, William Stevens clerk, William Uvedale, Richard Wentworth and Roger Skees chaplain, Reynold acknowledged the gift of all his jewels, vessels of gold and silver, goods and chattels moveable and immovable within the realm and without. The document was sealed by his arms and witnessed by Thomas Rempston, Roger Fenes, Thomas Lewkenere knights, Richard Newton serjeant at law and Thomas Haydoke.
Thomas Uvedale, esquire, son of John Uvedale, was Sheriff of Surrey and Sussex in 1438, as well as Sheriff of Southampton (Hampshire). He was to succeed his father as the head of the elder branch of the family.
In 1438 John Uvedale conveyed to Richard Dalyngrug, William Uvedale his brother, Reginald Peckham, Edward Mylle, William Uvedale his son, Hugh Combe clerk, and Nicholas Kellowe, his manor of Tattesfield and Waldyngham.
William Raufe issued a quitclaim, dated 12 March 1439, to Joan, daughter of John Lufwyke deceased, who was then the wife of William Uvedale esquire. The quitclaim was for “the manor of 'Litilbroke,' and all the lands in the parishes of Stone and Dartford, Kent which were of Simon Wagge and Thomas Horsman, and which John Ikelyngton clerk, Drew Barentyn, Nicholas Carew, John Cornwaleys, Robert Lufwyke, John Humbilton, Walter Raufe and the said William Raufe held by feoffment of John Lufwyke. They recited a charter indented, dated 'Litilbroke' 5 November 11 Henry IV, whereby they transferred the premises to Joan, and to the heirs of her body, with reversion to themselves, their heirs and assigns. Since all the other feoffees were then dead, and since Joan had not had any offsptring, that the reversion now pertained to him, his heirs and assigns.”
John Uvedale witnessed a charter for the manor of 'Southwarneborne' in Southampton. This charter was between Roger Pedwardyn esquire, cousin and heir of Robert Pedwardyn knight, to Robert Whyte of Farnham, Surrey, Margaret his wife and John Whyte son of the said Robert, and to the heirs and assigns of Robert Whyte. It “rendered to the grantor and his heirs 600 marks, namely 200 marks in the church of St. Leonard in 'Estchepe' London on the feast of the Annunciation 1440, 200 marks on the same feast next following, and 200 marks on the same feast 1442; and if the said rent be fifteen days unpaid, or if the grantees shall allege or plead any payment or acquittance elsewhere made than in the parish aforesaid, it shall be lawful for the grantor and his heirs again to enter, seize and have the said manor.” The charter was also witnessed by John Seymour, Stephen Popham knights, William Brocas, and Peter Coudray esquires.
On the 3 February 1440 John Uvedale also witnessed a charter between Walter Trengoffe, archpriest of the oratory of Holy Trinity in the Isle of Wight within the parish of Wyppyngham in the diocese of Winchester, to the warden and scholars of 'Seynt Marie college of Wynchestre' by Winchester founded by William de Wykeham sometime bishop of Winchester. The Charter had the assent of Henry cardinal of England and bishop of Winchester and was by licence of the king, of the manor of Burton, Isle of Wight and of five messuages and three gardens in Southampton. Other witnesses were John Popham, John Lysle knights, Lewis Mewys, Walter Veere, John Rokeley esquires.
John Martyn and John Penycok issued a charter to John Saymour knight, his heirs and assigns. The charter transferred all lands in Elvetham co. Southampton, which they had by feoffment of Thomas atte Wode, son and heir of John atte Hethe. The charter was witnessed by John Uvedale, Richard Holt, Nicholas Bernard, Thomas Benbury, John Kybbull and was dated at Elvetham, 6 May 18 Henry VI. John Martyn and John Penycok to John Saymour knight issued a quitclaim of these lands dated 6 June 18 Henry VI.
In 1440 Reginald West, knight, John Uvedale, Richard Dalyngrigge, Nicholas Uvedale, Thomas de Haynok, Hugh Combe, chaplain and William Knolle granted messauges, land and rent in Southwark, Boarhunt, and West Boarhunt to Edward, prior of the church of St. Mary on 1 May 18 Henry VI.
An instruction was issued to the escheator in Berkshire to take the fealties of Reynold West knight, William Uvedale esquire, Richard Wynteworth and Roger Kays clerk, and to give “them livery of the manor of 'Chirchespene,' a messuage, a mill, 20 acres of land, 15 acres of meadow and 3 acres of wood in 'Chirchespene,’. This was done because an inquisition, taken before Richard Restwolde esquire late escheator, that by fine levied at Westminster in the octaves of Trinity 16 Henry VI, between Reynold West and the others plaintiffs and John Chaumpe esquire and John Chelre who had withheld the property be force, and whereby the deforciants acknowledged the plaintiffs' right, and rendered the premises to John Chaumpe for life without impeachment of waste with reversion to themselves and their heirs, John Champe at his death was tenant thereof for life, that licence of the king was obtained, and that the said manor is held of the king by the service of the thirtieth part of one knight's fee, the said messuage, mill, land, etc. by the service of the fiftieth part; and for half a mark paid in the hanaper the king has respited the homages of the said Reynold and the others until Whitsuntide next.”
In 1444 (23 Henry VI), William Uvedale Esquire, entered into a bond for the payment of 24 pound sterling to Roger Appleton. William had sold the manor of Littlebroke, in Dartford Kent, to Roger for 300 marcs. Shortly after the sale the land was flooded by the Thames. William remitted to him 100 marcs of the purchase money of which 10 pounds were to be spent making "floddiches", in the construction and repair of the "water thorogh"; 14 pounds in repairing and strengthening the walls of the Thames towards the marsh of Littelbroke, and the remnant to be applied at the discretion of Roger in the celebration of masses, the distribution of money to poor householders, and other works of charity for the good of the souls of himself (William), and Joan, late his wife, and the souls of his parents, friends, and benefactors. Further that William, by reason of his many sicknesses, being in speedy expectation of his death, and wishing the aforesaid Roger to have proper compensation for the loss of his animals granted him 24 Pounds.
In 1444 the Earl of Suffolk went to Tours to talk peace with the French and agreed to a two-year truce. This came at the cost of handing over Maine, including it's capital Le Mans the birthplace of William the Conqueror, to the French. He also arranged for the marriage of King Henry VI to Margaret of Anjou, niece of King Charles of France. King Henry VI and Margaret were married in 1445.
John Uvedale is returned among the names of the gentry of Hampshire in 1445.
William Uvedale esquire issued a quitclaim to Roger Appelton and John Clerke of the manor of Litelbroke, and all the lands in the parishes of Stone and Dartford Kent late of Simon Vagge and Thomas Horseman, late of John Lufwyke his father-in-law.
Reynold West lord la Warre, knight issued a memorandum of acknowledgement to Richard West his son, Thomas Uvedale, William Uvedale the elder, William Welwyk, Thomas Bailly (Baylly) and William Ferby. This memorandum confirmed his gift of all his goods and chattels moveable and immovable, quick and dead within the realm, and all debts to him due.
In 1446 William de Uvedale had licence to alienate upon payment to himself of 40 shillings, the manor of Addington in the counties of Surrey and Kent, with its appurtenances, with the exception of one acre, to William Bokelond, John Leigh and others. Partial payment was still outstanding at his death in that he were 200 marcs owing him from ‘John de Lyes’.
Thomas Uvedale, son of John Uvedale, presented to the rectory of Little Ayot, Herts on 22nd of June 1446, and again in 1447,54, 61, 70, and 1471; to Titsey in 1453, 55, 65, and 70; to Tatsfield in 1453, 55, 58, 59, and 62; and to Wickham Rectory, with this co-trustees, on the 19th of July 1461
In 1447 Edmund Mille issued a quitclaim to Thomas Uvedale, William Uvedale the younger, Thomas Marchall clerk, Thomas Pounde and Richard Newport of the manors of Wyltygne and Holyngton in Sussex, which he held by feoffment of Richard Dalyngrygge, esquire.
Thomas Uvedale was again Sheriff for Hampshire in 1447.
Thomas Uvedale witnessed a charter, dated 20 November1447, from Thomas Byflet to Roger Ivye exchanging Ryvrsden manor for Basing manor. It was also witnessed by John Waller, Thomas Tame, Thomas Well, William Port, John Thornbury. This was followed on 30 November by Thomas Byflet confirming to Roger, “a yearly rent of 20 marks that was to be taken from his manor of Welle, Southampton; and confirmed a covenant by Roger that the same shall be in suspense so long as he may peaceably hold the manor of Basinge, and the manor of Ryvesden after the said Thomas shall make a feoffment thereof to them, under the form and condition specified in a deed indented of feoffment of the manor of Basinge lately made, discharged of all charges, executions and lawful entries, without being thrust out of the said manors or any parcel thereof by reason of right or title now or hereafter belonging to any man before the date of such feoffment of the manor of Ryvesden.”
William Uvedale owned a Tavern less than a block from St. Paul’s Cathedral, between the cathedral and the Thames on Godliman Street. On the 8 November 1447 Richard Selby, clerk to William Uvedale the elder esquire, William Godyng of Surrey 'gentilman,' Richard Philipp grocer and Richard Rowe vintner, citizens of London, their heirs and issued a Charter for this property. The charter concerned “the whole messuage with appurtenances called the 'Sarazyneshede' in the parish of St. Gregory by the cathedral church of St. Paul London opposite a tenement called the 'Poulesbruerne,' which the said Richard, with Reynold Pekham esquire, Robert Russe, both yet living, Roger Heroun clerk and William Burys esquire, both now deceased, had by feoffment of William Uvedale, and the said Reynold and Robert Russe have made a release thereof to the said Richard, his heirs and assigns, John Olney being mayor of London, Robert Horne and Geoffrey Boleyn sheriffs, and Nicholas Wyfolde alderman of the ward.” The charter was witnessed by John Solom', John Sygore and William Wryght.
Thomas Uvedale was sheriff of Southampton (Hampshire) in 1447.
Despite the truce talks the English attacked several villages in Brittany in July 1449. King Charles, who had been building his army, sent an army of 30,000 into Normandy. This led to the loss of most of Normandy and an attack on Rouen in October. The English soon had to surrender and Somerset handed over the feared Talbot to the French and was allowed to leave for Caen.
Thomas Uvedale witnessed a quitclaim on the 3 July 1449. Thomas abbot of St. Peter of Hide by Winchester and the convent to Robert Inkepenne esquire and the heirs of his body, Alice his sister, wife of Richard Hunt, and the heirs of her body, Edmund Hungerford knight, John Noreys esquire and Thomas Haydok and the heirs and assigns of John Noreys. The quitclaim “indented with warranty of the manor of Drayton Cannes by Wherewell co. Southampton, and all the lands, reversions, rents and services there late of Richard Pystor, which the said Robert holds of the abbot and convent as of their manor of Mucheldever, to him and the heirs of his body, with remainder to the said Alice and to the heirs of her body, remainder to the said Edmund, John and Thomas and to the heirs and assigns of the said John, and of the 8 marks of rent heretofore to them yearly due of the said manor and lands, saving to them and their successors all other services thereof due.” Other witnesses included John Lisle knight, William Brocas, William Fauconer, John Hampton esquires.
William Uvedale died in 1449. His will is dated 24th of October 1449 and was proved at Lambeth on the 4th of November of the same year. He asked that his body be buried at St. Mary Overy, Southwark, to which he bequeathed 20 pounds. He also mentioned his great-nephews Reginald, Henry and Nicholas, who were the younger sons of his nephew Sir Thomas Uvedale. Kt. His brother John Uvedale followed William as head of the elder branch of the family.
William's will states as follows:
"In the name of God, Amen. I, William Uvedale, Esquire, being of sound mind and good memory, on the 24th day of October, A.D. 1449, and in the 28th year of the reign of the sixth Henry after the Conquest, appoint, ordain, and make my will in the following manner:-
First, I bequeath and recommend my soul to Almighty God, my Creator and Saviour, and to the most blessed Virgin Mary his mother, and to all the Saints, and my body to be buried in the parish church of the blessed Virgin called Saint Mary Overy, in Southwark, in the county of Surrey.
And I leave to the fabric of the same church of Saint Mary 20 pounds. And I leave to the Prior of that church, for the time being, 20 shillings, and to each canon of that church 6s 8d., to pray for my soul and to celebrate obsequies , that is to say, a placebo and dirage on the day of my death, and a mass of requiem on the following day, solemnly, with the tolling of bells and other customary observances, and similar obsequies on the day of the month following after my death, and on the following day, in everything devoutly and solemnly, as is meet.
And I will that mine Executors at once and without delay, after my death with all the haste that can be made, do cause to be celebrated and said 2,000 masses for my soul.
And I leave 20 pound of sterling money to be spent and disposed of by my Executors in the repair and mending of Alters and roads, which require it most, in the parishes near to which and in which my lands and tenements lie and are situate.
And I bequeath to Reginald Uvedale, my great nephew, twenty marks in value from my stock at Northstede, on this condition, that he shall allow and suffer my Executors freely and peacefully to reside, possess, hold, and carry off from thence, by themselves or their agents, all my goods and chattels, movables and immovables, there being, without ant disturbance or interruption whatever. But if the said Reginald do have nothing of the said twenty marks, neither in money or value, then I will that mine Executors do prosecute the same Reginald for all and every my aforesaid goods so held back or owing, as the law demands and requires.
And I leave to Henry Uvedale, my great nephew, my gown of scarlet fringed with martens.
And I leave to Nicholas, my great nephew, my crimson gown fringed with martens.
And I leave to Sir William Botryfeld, my chaplain, my Missal, desiring further, that the said William shall have services for my soul in or near the place where my body is buried, so long, forsooth, as it shall seem good to my Executors for him to remain there.
Also, I leave to my servant John 10 pounds sterling, and my white bed, with the blankets and sheets, celor, curtains, and everything else belonging to the said bed, except the feather-bed of the same, and my best brass pot, and my brass cups.
And I will that John and Henry, two of my servants, if they be with me on the day of the date of my present will, have each of them 20s.
And I will that each of my farmers now being shall have and keep to himself, for his own use, one quarter of a year's rent, from his rent, or from his farm, which is or may be due from him at the time of my death.
And I wish my Executors, immediately after my death, as soon as possible, to sell all that tenement or tavern called the "Sarayzines Hede" with its appurtenances, lying near Powles Cheyne, in London, in which tenement or tavern there are certain persons enfeoffed at my appointment and for my use for a consideration, desiring that my feoffees shall at once make it over to him or them to whom the said sale shall be made, according to the form of such sale, whenever they shall be required to do so by mine Executors, and all the money to be raised by mine Executors shall faithfully dispose of in pious uses and works of charity for my soul. And whereas John de Lyes has, from the grant of certain persons, the manor of Adyngton, with its appurtenances, in the county of Surrey, upon condition of paying to me and mine Executors for the same 200 marcs, in a certain number of years not yet completed, I will by these presents that in case the said John de Lyes shall not observe the aforesaid condition, according to the form of the said indentures, that then Thomas Uvedale, my nephew, and my next heirs, shall enter upon the said manor, with its appurtenances, and shall hold it for the use of mine Executors until the remainder of the said 200 marcs being in arrears unpaid shall be fully paid to my Executors. And I will further that the said Thomas shall take and hold all the rents and profits of the same manor, and shall yearly, from term to term and form year to year, faithfully pay and release all and every of them, to my Executors, that out of them they may find four chaplains and honest men of the College of Souls, founded in the University of Oxford by the venerable father in Christ, Henry late Archbishop of Canterbury, daily to have celebration and to pray specially and devoutly for the soul of Sir Roger Heron, Clerk, deceased, and for my soul, until the said chaplains, or any one of them, be promoted; and when this happens, that other chaplains in the place of them shall be found there in the aforesaid college and so on from time to time, as long as and until the said sum of 200 marcs, or the residue of it, shall last, it shall be wholly spent in and distributed in the providing of chaplains so to hold chaplains celebration in the same place. And I will that when the residue of the said sum shall be so levied and received, that the same Thomas, my Nephew, shall release and make over all his right to the said John de Lyes, if he be alive, or his heirs, of and in the aforesaid manor of Adyngton, with its appurtenances, to have and to hold to him, his heirs and assigns, freely and peaceably, for ever, And the residue of all and every my goods, chattels, and debts, wherever they are, after my debts have been paid, my funeral duly and properly performed, and this my present will fulfilled., I giver and bequeath wholly to be made over, disposed of, and distributed for my soul and for the souls of my parents and my benefactors, pious uses and works of charity, and in celebrating masses, distributing to the poor, and in the improvements and repair of poor churches and bad roads."
Proved at Lambeth, 4th of November 1449.
Executors, Wm, Godyng, Richard Rower, Vintner, and Richard Phillips”
A recognizance for 200l., to be levied in the subject shires was issued to Walter Devereux of Wabley, Herefordshire, Hugh Mortymer of Curwyard, Worcestershire, Edmund Mulso of Neuton, Norhamptonshire, William Petchy of Donyngston, Kent knights, Fulk Eyton of Eyton, Salop and Thomas Uvedale of Chichestre, Sussex, esquires, to the king.
An order was issued to the escheator in Somerset and Dorset on 1 December 1450. The escheator was ordered to take the fealties of John, archbishop of Canterbury and papal legate, Thomas Uvedale esquire, Edmund Mille, John Whittokesmede, Richard Cook, John Michelgrove esquires and Thomas Bailly, and to give them livery of the manor of Wolveton and the issues thereof taken, “but to remove the king's hand and meddle no further with other manors and advowsons hereinafter mentioned, delivering to them any issues thereof taken; as it is found by divers inquisitions, taken before the escheator, that Reynold West knight at his death held no lands in those counties in chief nor of any others in demesne nor in service, but long before his death was seised (by name of Reynold West knight, lord la Warre) of the manors of Bristelyngton, Shepton Malet and Northperot and the advowson of Northperot church co. Somerset, the manors of Wolveton, Mapouwdre, Hynton Martell, Mayn Martell and Compton Valence and the advowsons of the churches of Mayn Martell and Compton Valence co. Dorset, and by charter dated 16 April last gave the same (among other lands etc.) to the archbishop and the others, their heirs and assigns, having obtained licence of the king for the manor of Wolveton, and that this manor is held in chief by knight service, and the other manors and advowsons of others than the king; and for 40s. paid in the hanaper the king has respited until the feast of Allhallows next the homages of those grantees due in that behalf and for manors, lands etc. in other counties.”
Thomas Uvdale was Sheriff of Southampton (Hampshire) in 1451.
Sir Thomas Kyriell, knight of the Garter, sailed from Portsmouth in March of 1450, landing at Cherbourg with 2,500 men. The Duke of Somerset sent some troops to help including 600 under Henry Norbury.
Sir Thomas Uvedale Kt. was married circa 1467 to Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Norbury of Stoke d'Abernon, and relict of William Sidney of Losely. His first wife is said to be Agnes, daughter of Guy Paulet, married circa 1415. He is also said to have married secondly Elizabeth, daughter and heir of Thomas Foxle, circa 1437. Thirdly he married Margaret circa 1455, said to be a daughter of Sir Thomas Kingeston by Alice, daughter of Sir Hugh Poynings. Finally he married Elizabeth Norbury daughter of Sir Henry Norbury, who survived him.
Meanwhile in France there were approximately 4,000 English troops in all under Sir Thomas Kyriell. On the 15 April 1450 during the Battle of Formigny the Count of Clermont attacked with 3,000 men. At a decisive moment the Constable of Richemont appeared with 1,200 troops and the English were defeated. The English lost all but 200 persons during the battle.
The rest of Normandy was lost in 1450. The last stand was by Thomas Gower and 1,000 troops at Cherbourg, however he surrendered in August of that year.
On the 19th of March 1451 William Uvedale, the brother of Thomas, was appointed park-keeper of Waltham for life. Bishop Henri de Blois, brother of King Stephen, had established Bishops Waltham in 1136. It is located on the route between Winchester and Portsmouth, just a few miles south of Wickham. It became, and was at this time, the grand residence of the bishops of Winchester.
In 1451 the French invaded Guyene, which had been under Plantagenent rule for 300 years. By August all of Guyene, including Bordeaux had been lost to the French.
Thomas Uvedale and his brother William Uvedale had witnessed a Deed on 1 February 1437. In a declaration dated 10 September 1452 John Newport esquire, states that “whereas a deed of feoffment with warranty was made by him to John Arundell earl of Arundell, John Roucle of the Isle of Wight and Richard Neuport of Soberton esquires, their heirs and assigns, of all his lands, rents, reversions and services in the county of Southampton, and all his goods and chattels within the realm, dated at Soberton 1 February 26 Henry VI and witnessed by Thomas Uvedale, William Uvedale, John Wayte, William Wayte esquires, John Makehayt, William Spegge and John Bole, no estate or possession was ever delivered by him or by any other in his name.”
In October 1452 Talbot, at the urging of the Guyonias, landed there with 3,000 troops. Guyene welcomed the English troops and most of western Guyene was recaptured. In the spring of 1453 King Charles of France sent three armies to retake Guyene. Talbot and an army of 10,000 went to the relief of Castillon. On 17 July 1453 the English were badly defeated and Talbot was killed. This was somewhat reminiscent of Crecy where the longbow replaced the knight on his war-horse; in this case the archers were badly defeated by the superior French handguns and cannon.
On 19 October 1453 Bordeaux, and thus the last of Guyene, surrendered to the French. Thus ended the hundred-year war between the French and English.
In August 1453 King Henry VI went mad, and the Duke of York assumed the role as Protector of England. The Duke of Somerset was jailed. These two "houses" of Lancaster and York would soon be entangled in the War of the Roses. Both houses originated from sons of Edward III; the house of Lancaster from John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and his younger brother Edmund Duke of York.
Richard Nevill, Earl of Salisbury and his son Richard, Nevill Earl of Warwick, supported Richard, Duke of York. Richard Nevill was the brother-in-law of the Duke of York. King Henry VI was supported by his wife Margaret of Anjou and the Duke of Somerset.
In October 1453 Margaret bore King Henry VI a child whom they named Edward, Prince of Wales. Also in the spring of 1453 Margaret Beaufort married Edmund Tudor of Wales. Her father was John; Duke of Somerset, her grandfather was the bastard half-brother of King Henry VI, John of Guant's son by Catherine Swyneford.
William Uvedale, park-keeper of Waltham, married a lady of the name of Everhilda, as appears in a charter of the 6th of February 1453-4, whereby William Wayneflete, Bishop of Winchester, granted to William Uvedale, Esq., and his wife Everhilda, a licence for a portable alter to hear mass. They had at least two children, Thomas his heir, park-keeper of Waltham after his father's death and Anthony.
In late 1454 Henry VI regained his senses and almost immediately the Duke of Somerset was released from prison.
An order was issued on 22 February 1454 to William Uvedale, the escheator in Wiltshire. The order was to to take the fealty of John Thorp, son and heir of Ralph Thorp esquire, and to give him livery of lands held by his father in fee and fee tail; as he has proved his age before the escheator, and for half a mark paid in the hanaper the king has respited his homage until Christmas day next. Also to the escheator in Devon a similar order to give the said John seisin; as he has proved his age before William Uvedale escheator in Wilteshire, and for a fine paid in the hanaper the king has respited his homage until a day yet to come, having ordered the said escheator to take his fealty.
In May 1455 a battle occurred between Somerset and York at St. Albans, roughly 16 miles outside London. On 21 May Henry VI and the Duke of Somerset set out to St. Albans where they intended to hold a meeting with the barons. The Duke of York and his supporters were waiting for them. A battle, marking the opening battle of the War of the Roses, ensued in which King Henry VI was wounded and the Duke of Somerset killed. The Earl of Warwick led the Yorkists. The next day the Duke of Norfolk arrived with the Earl of Oxford and roughly 6,000 men. I have seen somewhere the battle standard of Sir Thomas Uvedale recorded at the second battle at St. Albans.
Henry VI became ill again in November of 1455 with the Duke of York taking over as the Protector of England.
Thomas Uvedale esquire, witnessed a charter on 20 March 1456. The charter was from William Yalton, son of William Yalton, to John Philpot esquire, his heirs and assigns. The charter with warranty was for the manor of Compton Wastlyng co. Southampton, and all lands, reversions, rents, commons, services etc. in Compton Wastlyng, Putte, Dane, Sparkeford and Shalford and in Farnham, Surrey. Other witnesses were John Lysle knight, Thomas Well, John Wayte and Richard Newport.
Thomas and William Uvedale also witnessed documentation of a gift, dated 31 May 1457 at
Odyham. The documentation was from William Warbelton esquire, to Hugh Pakenham, husband of his cousin the daughter of Richard de la Hay his uncle, his heirs and assigns. The gift “with warranty were the offices of constable of Odyham castle with yearly wages of 6l. 16d., and keeper of Odyham park with daily wages of 4d., all to be taken of the issues, profits and revenues of the lordship or manor of Odyham, Southampton, and all lodges, fees, profits etc. to those offices due, pertaining or accustomed of old time or of late, and if at any time to come by authority of any parliament holden within the realm or otherwise those offices and wages, or any parcel thereof, be taken again into the king's hand with provision or exception in the act for renunciation or recompense in favour of William Warbelton, his heirs and assigns, or general mention of renunciation and recompense, or if the same be for any other cause evicted or recovered from the said Hugh, his heirs or assigns, they shall have all so reserved to him in law to sue for and obtain such recompense as fully as he would have if this grant had not been made; as the king by letters patent did grant to the provost of his college of St. Mary Eton by Windesore and the college and to their successors the reversion of the alien manor or priory of Hoo co. Sussex, which Roger Fenys knight held for life with reversion to the king, and of that manor or priory time out of mind did issue a free rent called 'saltrent,' namely two thirds of 32 quarters of salt, payable to the tenants and owners of the manor of Warbelton for the time being, whereof the said William and all his ancestors were owners and tenants, and were seised of that rent until for some time past it was unpaid by the said Roger, and after by the said provost, to the said William then being tenant and owner of Warbelton, and by writing enrolled in chancery he did grant that rent to the king and his heirs under certain conditions therein specified, to the intent that the king should make him recompense for rent and arrears; and to provide such recompense, in consideration that by way of exchange for the same by letters patent of 10 February, 30 Henry VI, the king granted him for life, among other things, the said office of constable and wages, to be occupied by himself or by deputy, and by other letters patent granted to John Gibbethorp his servant, yeoman of his chamber, the office of keeper of the said park for life and wages to be likewise occupied, of his particular knowledge and mere motion, in recompense for the said rent, by letters patent of 7 March last, the king did confirm his estate in the office of constable, and grant the same to him, his heirs and assigns, with the wages aforesaid and all fees, profits etc. thereto due and accustomed, and further gave to him, his heirs and assigns, the office of keeper of the said park immediately after the decease of John Gibbethorp, or so soon as it should be vacated or come to the king's hands by his surrender or otherwise, and the wages aforesaid, with all lodges, fees, profits etc. thereto due and accustomed of old time or of late.” Other witnesses included Ralph Legh, William Brokas, Richard Holte, John Walop, Bernard Brokas, John Pounde, John Thornbury esquires.
In January 1458 Margaret Beaufort married Sir Henry Stafford, the son of the Duke of Buckingham.
On 25 June 1458 the close rolls record at Westminster that Henry Uvedale and Thomas Rogers, received a recognisance from the elder John Houghton esquire for 4l. payable on Michaelmas day next, to be levied in the city of London. “This was cancelled upon the acknowledgment of the said Henry, made 2 June, 37 Henry VI. The said John, to the said Henry and Thomas like recognisance payable on Midsummer day next. This was likewise cancelled.”
Reginald Uvedale, son of Thomas Uvedale and Agnes Paulet is in the record as an escheator for the county of Wiltshire as follows: "Order to the escheator in the county of Wilts; pursuant to an inquisition taken before Reynold Ovedale, esq. late escheator, showing that Joan late wife of John Dewalle esq held the manor of Merden on the day of her death in her demesne as of fee of the king in socage by rent of a rose payable at midsummer for all services; and that Edmund Stradlynge esq is the son and next heir of Joan, and of full age; to cause the said Edmund to have full seisen of the said manor as the king has taken his fealty."
Thomas Uvedale witnessed a document partitioning land between heirs of Thomas Ponynges. The document reads “John Bonevyle squier on that oon partie, John Paulet squier on the seconde partie, and Thomas Kyngeston squier on the thirde partie, cosyns and heires aswell unto Thomas Ponynges knyght lord Seynt John as unto Hugh Seint John knyght son and heire unto Thomas, John Bonevile son of Jane eldest doughter of the said Hugh, John Paulet son of Constance his secounde doughter, and Thomas Kyngeston son of Alice his thirde and yongest doughter. Endenture witnessing a particion made betwene the parties of the maneres, londes etc. the whiche to them as heires been descended: John Bonevile shall have the maneres of Halfenaket and Walburton, the advousons of Boxgrave priorie, Moundeham chaunterie, the free chapell of Halfenaket, and all the londes, services etc. in the parisshes of Boxegrave, Westhamptenet, Hunston, Yapton, Mondeham, Sedyliham, Arundell, Kirdeford, Offeham, Walburton, and Compton co. Sussex, the reversion of the manor of Chauton, the advouson of Chauton chirche, of Selbourne priorye, the frechapell of Chauton maner and the advouson of the same with alle londes, services etc. in the parisshe of Chauton co. Suthampton aftyr the deth of Godfray Hylton knight and Alianore his wif: John Paulet shall have the maneres of Basyng, Bromley, Abbottiston, Ludshut, the advouson of Abbottiston chirche, the frecapell of Basyng and the advouson of the same, of the priorye of Shirbourne Monacorum with all other londes, services etc. in the parishes of Basyng, Bromley, Abbottyston and Bromshut co. Suthampton, the reversion of the maneres of Bernham, Bridham, the advouson of Bridham chirche co. Sussex aftyr the dethe of the said Godfray and Alianore, and alle the londes, servicez etc. in Bernham and Bridham which were of Thomas Ponynges or Hugh, except alle londes by thys writyng assigned to John Bonevile and Thomas Kyngeston: Thomas Kyngeston shall have the maneres of Warneford, the advouson of Warnford chirche, the kepynge of the forest of Pambere co. Suthampton, the maner of Newbury, the advouson of Creyford chirche othirwise Earde co. Kent, the reversion of the maner of Shirbourne Seynt John, the advouson of the chirche co. Suthampton aftir the dethe of the said Godfray and Alianore, the reversion of the maner of Middelton, the advouson of Middelton chirche co. Sussex, with alle other londes etc. in the parishes of Warneford, Creyford, Shirbourne and Middelton whiche were of Thomas Ponynges or Hugh, except londes etc. assigned to John Bonevile and John Paulet; and forasmuche as the londes etc. wereof the reversions been assigned to John Paulet with other londes to him assigned exceden the londes etc. assigned to Thomas Kyngeston by 5li. 3s. 11d., John Paulet grauntith to Thomas Kyngeston and to his heires an annuell rent of 5li. 3s. 11d. out of the maner of Abbottiston after the deth of the saide Godfray and Alianore; and forasmuche as the londes etc. wereof the reversions been assigned to John Bonevile with other londes to him assigned exceden the londes assigned to Thomas Kyngeston by 3li. 5s. 10d., John Bonevile grauntithe that 3li. 5s. 10d. yerely be reserved to Thomas Kyngeston and to his heires of the maner of Chauton after the dethe of the said Godfray and Alianore; moreover John Bonevile saith on his trouthe that no parcell of the maneres, londes etc. whiche he severally hathe here before occupied in otherwise charged by him nor be noon other in his behalfe than at the dethe of Thomas Ponynges and Hugh, nor noon estate is nor was made by him in fee nor fee taille of the same, and John Paulet and Thomas Kyngeston seith (likewise). Ther witnesses included Richard Chok sergeant atte lawe, Thomas Yong, John Orchard, John Sydenham, Thomas Dowrissh, John Denys.”
Queen Margaret of Anjou was concerned that the Duke of York planned to overthrow the King. She therefore came up with a plan to have the Duke of York and the Nevills attainted by Parliament. The Yorkists hearing of this intrigue planned to intervene. The Earl of Salisbury was joined from Calais by the Earl of Warwick at the Duke of York's Ludlow Castle. On 2 October 1459 a Royal army approached Ludlow Castle. The garrison from Calais, led by Trollope, deserted and York and the Nevills had to flee to Ireland and France. Subsequently the Royal army did a lot of looting and pillaging in Ludlow, which undermined the support of King Henry VI.
In November a Parliament was gathered at Coventry, afterwards referred to as the “Devil's Parliament" in which an act of attainter was past against the Duke of York, the Nevill's and some of their supporters. There were a few of the barons, such as the Duke of Norfolk who supported the Duke of York.
Meanwhile the Duke of York had fled to Ireland where he was strongly supported by the local community. His son Edward, the Earl of March was just 17 years old at the time. Edward had been born at Rouen when the Duke of York was in charge of the military operations in France. His mother was Salisbury's sister, Cecily Nevill.
In January of 1460 a fleet from Calais landed at Sandwich, defeated the garrison and left with a fleet that was being organized at Sandwich to attack Calais.
In March of the same year the Earl of Warwick sailed with his Calais fleet to Ireland and back. Warwick was known as a great sea commander of the day. In June the fleet landed again at Sandwich and was joined by the Duke of York supporters. On 26 June they marched into Canterbury.
The Yorkist's then marched into London on 2 July and were well received by the citizens of London. Lord Scales was in command of the Tower of London and he fired into the city causing death among the citizens. The people of the city rallied around the Yorkist's and blockaded the Tower. The Tower was eventually captured and Lord Scales was executed by a mob.
On 10 July an army from the north defeated the Royal army at Northampton. King Henry VI was brought back to London as a prisoner.
On the 10th of October the Duke of York arrived in London from Ireland. He presented himself as the rightful King of England, to the dismay of some. After discussions it was agreed that the Duke of York would be the heir of King Henry VI, and not Edward, Prince of Wales. In the meantime the Duke of York was also to act as the Protector of England.
Many people were shocked by the disinheritance of Edward, Prince of Wales. A large army assembled for a confrontation with the Duke of York at Sandal Castle. A battle occurred there on 31 January 1460. The Yorkists were slaughtered, approximately 2,000 including the Duke of York, his second son the Earl of Rutland and the Duke of Salisbury.
The Lancastrian army went on to sack St. Albans and headed towards London. When they got there the people of London would not let the Queen and her Lancastrian army entered. The Queen and the army thought better of attacking London and left for the north.
Thomas Uvedale is included in another charter in February 1460. Those documents are from John Roger the elder esquire, to John Roger the younger his son, his heirs and assigns. They document the “gift with warranty of all his estate and interest in the manor of Frefolk co. Southampton, the advowson of the free chapel there, and all lands, reversions, rents and services there and in Chalgrave which by charter indented Robert Shotesbroke, John Lysle knights, William Warbelton, Thomas Uvedale, Edward Langford, Thomas Welles, Richard Holt, John Walop, Thomas Palyngton and Richard Smyth did demise to John Roger the elder for life, with remainder to John Roger the younger and Margery his wife; also of a tenement in the town of Southampton in the parish of St. Michael in 'Fysshmarket' street; and gift of all his goods and chattels in the county aforesaid.”
On the 12th of April 1460 Henry Uvedale, was appointed as Henry Uvedale the elder, Esq., park-keeper of Hambleton, county of Southampton.
On the 27th of February 1461 the Duke of York's, son, Edward Earl of March arrived with an army in London. On the 4th of March 1461 Edward was acclaimed Edward IV, King of England in St. Paul's Cathedral.
King Edward IV
King Edward IV organized an army, with help from the Earl of Wawrick and Sir John Howard. In late March of 1461 Edward headed north to confront the Lancastrian army near York.
The armies met at the Battle of Towton on Palm Sunday 1461. The Dukes of Somerset and Exeter, the Earl of Northumberland and Lord Dacre of Gillesland led the Lancastrians. The Yorkists were led by King Edward IV, the Earl of Wawrick, his Uncle Lord Fauconberg and the Duke of Norfolk who arrived during the battle. It is reported that the Lancaster's had 60,000 men to York's 50,000. King Edward IV army was victorious, approximately 20,000 men being killed. Thomas Uvedale and his son William are recorded as participating in the battle, While I am uncertain as to the side, the Uvedale’s had been associated with the Lancastrians since 1322.
King Henry VI, his Queen Margaret of Anjou and their entourage fled for France.
On 28 June 1461 Edward IV was crowned King of England in Westminster Abbey.
In the autumn of 1462 and 1463 Queen Margaret made forays into northern England with the help of the French. They captured three castles, which soon surrendered to the Earl of Wawrick. However, on October 1463 King Edward made peace with the King of France and the Scots in December of the same year. This further undermined the external support for King Henry VI.
Sir Thomas Uvedale, of Wickham Hampshire and Titsey in Surrey was Sheriff of Hampshire in 1464. The following year he was Sheriff of Surrey and Sussex. The Compotus Roll of the City of Winchester for the year ending 29th of September 1463 states: "in payment for one quart of Malmesey given to Thomas Uvedale 3 pence."
On the 29th of November 1463, at St. Cross Hospital, near Winchester, William Wayneflete committed to Henry Uvedale, the elder the administration of the goods and chattels of Master Thomas Forest, deceased intestate, late Master of St. Cross Hospital.
There is a record of Reynold Uvedale, son of Thomas and Agnes (Paulet) Uvedale, working as an escheator in Hampshire as follows: “To the escheator in the county of Southampton. Order to give Thomas Horsy, son and heir of William Horsy, seisin of the lands held by his father in fee and in fee tail; as he has proved his age before the escheator, and the king has taken his fealty, and for half a mark paid in the hanaper has respited his homage until Michaelmas day next.
To the escheator in Somerset and Dorset. Like order; as the said Thomas has proved his age before Reynold Uvedale esquire escheator in the county of Southampton, and for a fine paid in the hanaper the king has respited his homage until a day yet to come.
Like to Escheator in Wiltshire.”
In May 1464 Lord Montagu captured the Duke of Somerset near Hexham and had him executed.
The Earl of Wawrick was seeking an advantageous marriage with France for King Edward IV. However, in May 1464 King Edward married a widow Elizabeth Woodville. This greatly upset the Earl of Wawrick as he had not been consulted or informed about the marriage. Queen Elizabeth was crowned in Westminster at Whitsun in 1465. A banquet was held in Westminster hall, 50 knights of the Bath were inducted on the occasion.
From the close rolls in March 1465: “Richard Wysbyche of Guldeford co. Surrey 'yoman,' to John Burghchier knight lord Berners, John lord Audeley, Nicholas Gaynesford, Reynold Uvedale esquirse, Henry Stokton, Thomas Palshot and Thomas Cager 'gentilman,' their executors and assigns. Gift of all her goods, debts and chattels within the realm or elsewhere.” A memorandum of acknowledgement is dated 18 February.
In 1461, after the Battle of Towton, Edward's supporters had executed the Earl of Oxford for treason. His son John de Vere had been allowed to keep his inheritance. However, in order to balance power in the East Anglia area Edward gave increased influence to Lord Bourchier, Earl of Essex and Sir John Howard from Stoke-by-Nyland. John Howard was to become the 1st Howard Duke of Norfolk following the Mowbrays.
By 1467 the people of England were becoming discontent with the rule of King Edward IV. Trade with France and with Burgundy and the rule of law was suffering. There was much intrigue and many persons were being arrested for treason. In addition people were thinking that the Woodville's and Lord Rivers were corrupt and had too much influence.
On the 19th of June 1467, William Wayneflete, Bishop of Winchester, directed a sequestration of the fruits of the chapel of Bramshill Hampshire, to Sir Thomas Uvedale, Kt., and to the Dean of Basingstoke, on account of that chapel not being served.
In May of 1467 King Edward IV revoked George Nevill's position as Lord Chancellor, furthering the rift with the Earl of Wawrick. In addition in July of 1468 King Edward's sister Margaret was married to Duke Charles of Burgundy. The Earl of Wawrick had wanted an alliance with France and disfavoured the Duke of Burgundy.
In 1468 the Earl of Oxford was thrown in the Tower of London for treasonous acts but was pardoned by the King in April 1469.
Robert Uvedale, son of Sir Thomas Uvedale and Elizabeth Norbury was born in 1468, and is mentioned in his father's will.
In June 1469 Robin of Redesdale and several thousand supporters marched south in rebellion. They stated that the King was not listening to the council of Lords of the Royal Blood, but was being led by the Woodville's and Lord Rivers.
In July Oxford and Wawrick sailed to Calais to marry Wawrick's daughter, Isabel to the Earl of Oxford, against the wishes and without the approval of the King.
William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke, on his way to support the King at Nottingham, was defeated at the Battle of Edgecote in Oxfordshire. The Earl of Pembroke, along with Lord Rivers and Sir John Woodville were beheaded under instruction form Wawrick.
King Edward IV was captured and held within the territories of Warwick. Because of this there arose general concern on the lack of a central government. Lawlessness increased. The Earl of Wawrick brought King Edward IV out into the public eye at Pontefract and York. King Edward IV managed to escape and made his way back to London.
Henry Uvedale, son of Sir Thomas Uvedale, KB and Elizabeth Foxley, died on the 11 October 1469. Henry had married Margery, sister and one of the heirs of John Pershut, Esq., of Kilmeston, Hampshire, of which lady William Wayneflete had granted him the wardship and marriage for his faithful services performed. This arrangement was confirmed by a deed dated the 28th of November 1451. Henry was to marry her as soon as she was of lawful age. After his death Margery married Thomas Troyes, Esq. who was still living in 1503, and was master of all the chaces and parks of the bishopric of Winchester. Margery carried to Thomas Troyes her property in Kilmeston, as appears in a deed of September 1487.
On 12 March 1470 King Edward IV crushed a rebellion in Lincolnshire near Stamford at the Battle of Losecoat Field. The leader of the rebellion Lord Welles, implicated the Duke of Clarence, brother of the King and the Earl of Wawrick. On 2 April King Edward IV issued a proclamation that Clarence and Wawrick were traitors. They fled for the continent.
The Earl of Wawrick, even though in charge of Calais, was forced into a port in France. After some discussion King Louis XI of France and Wawrick agreed to support the re-establishing of the House of Lancaster; and that England and France would be allied against the Burgundians. Queen Margaret and Wawrick were reconciled in July 1470.
The supporters of the House of Lancaster led by the Duke of Clarence, brother of King Edward VI, the Earls of Wawrick and Oxford landed in England and headed north with a force of approximately 30,000. King Edward IV headed south to meet them with a force of approximately 2,000. He was expecting to be jioned by Lord Montagu and 6,000 men. However, Lord Montagu betrayed him and therefore, being heavily outnumbered, the King Edward IV fled to Burgundy.
On 3 October 1470 London surrendered to the Earl of Wawrick's forces. On 10 October King Henry VI had his thrown restored at St. Paul's Cathedral.
Thomas Uvedale is mentioned in another Close Roll in 1471 as follows: “Richard West, lord la Warre, knight, Thomas Uvedale esquire, John Whitokesmede and Thomas Baily, to Roger Keys, precentor of the cathedral church of St. Peter's, Exeter, and John Cheyne esquire, their heirs and assigns. Demise and quit claim with warranty of their manor of Northperet co. Somerset with the advowson of its church, and all lands, tenements, rents, reversions and services in Northperet, formerly of Walter Lortye, to be held by the aforesaid Roger etc. in capital demesne as of fee etc.” The document was dated 3 November 12 Edward IV and witnessed by John Dyneham esquire, John Denys of Orlegh, John Byconyll, John Reyny, Thomas Lyte. Dated 3 November, 12 Edward IV. An associated memorandum of acknowledgement was dated 28 November.
In February 1471 Edmund Plantagenet, the Duke of Somerset and the Earl of Exeter returned from their exile on the continent.
There were serious problems reconciling Wawrick with the long-time supporters of the House of Lancaster, and also in a broader sense the supporters of both houses.
Then King Louis XI of France declared war on Burgundy and demanded that in accord with their agreement Wawrick join in. The merchants of London were not happy with this as a lot of their trade for wool was with Burgundy.
In response Duke Charles of Burgundy equipped King Edward IV with money and ships and they left Flushing for England on 11 March 1471. Edward carefully built his support after landing and entered London on April 1471.
A Lancastrian army of 20,000 approached London to fight with Edward. The armies met on 14 April 1471 at Battle of Barnet, approximately 10 miles north of London.
The Lancastrian army chose their position well and waited for Edward near a hedgerow. King Edward's army approached at nightfall and took formation and remained still all night. King Edward IV had established himself in charge of the centre division with the Duke of Gloucester on the right and Lord Hastings on the left. The opposing army had the Earl of Exeter on the left, Lord Montagu in the middle and the Earl of Oxford on the right. However in the darkness the divisions were not lined up correctly but were skewed to the right. This caused much confusion to the benefit of King Edward IV. His forces charged at dawn and were victorious with Lord Montagu and the Earl of Wawrick being killed, along with many of men-at-arms. The Earl of Oxford managed to escape to Scotland.
Queen Margaret returned to Weymouth in England the same day as the Battle of Barnet being met by the Duke of Somerset and John Courtenay, Earl of Devon. They proceeded to build an army in Devon and Cornwall and headed to Wales. They were expecting to be joined by Jasper Tudor and Welsh supporters.
King Edward VI went to head them off and they met at Tewkesbury. Both armies were approximately 5,000 strong. Again King Edward VI led the York's in the centre, with Lord Hastings and the Duke of Gloucester on the left and right. The Earl of Devon, Lord Wenlock and the Duke of Somerset led the Lancastrians. Despite the strong position of the Lancastrian's, King Edward's forces overthrew them. Edward, Prince of Wales was killed, along with the Duke of Somerset, Earl of Devon and Lords Wenlock and John Beaufort. Lord Wenlock was the chamberlain to Margaret of Anjou, when he was killed Sir Thomas Uvedale was appointed chamberlain to Queen Margaret of Anjuo. Thomas must have been at Tewksbury at the battle, even though he was 76 at the time. There is a note in the Annals of Wincehster College that says “In May 1471, after the battle of Tewkesbury; the Society gave a breakfast to Sir Thomas Uvedale, Margaret of Anjou’s chamberlain (cancellario Regine, Dno Thome Uvedale), and others of her suite, when they passed through Winchester, probably on their way to Southampton to seek safety in foreign parts.”
King Edward IV arrived back in London on 21 May 1471 and King Henry VI died the same night in the Tower, some say at the hand of the Duke of Gloucester, brother of the King.
Therefore, in a short period of time King Edward IV of the House of York was back in power and the House of Lancaster had lost King Henry VI and Edward, the Prince of Wales his son.
On 4 October 1471 Henry Stafford husband to Margaret Beaufort and step father to her son Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond, died. Margaret Beaufort remarried within a year, this time to Thomas Lord Stanley.
On 2 June 1471, after the defeat of the House of Lancaster, Henry and Jasper Tudor escaped and found refuge in Brittany.
Thomas Uvedale knight is mentioned in an indenture dated 4 November, 11 Edward IV as follows: “Richard West lord la Warre, to Thomas Vaughan esquire. Bond in 1000l. payable at Christmas next etc. Condition, that if William Hastynges lord Hastynges, Thomas Vaughan, Thomas Hoo, John Devenysshe, Thomas Pounde esquires and Bartholomew Bolney, their heirs and assigns, hold and peaceably enjoy the manors of Bournehall and Hertisbourne co. Hertford, the manors of Swyneshed, Bloxham and Syxhill co. Lincoln, Bristall otherwise Burstall, Hardeby and Bowthon co. Leicester, and an annual rent of 10l. arising out of the manor of Snetherfeld co. Warwick and the manor of Wakerley co. Northampton, without question to the use of King Edward, till he be satisfied of 666l. 13s. 4d., according to the effect of indentures, whose date is 4 November, 11 Edward IV, between the aforesaid William Hastynges etc. and Richard West, lord de la Warre, son and heir of Reynold West and Katherine his wife, Thomas Uvedale knight, John Whitoxmede and Roger Keys clerk, this recognisance shall be voided etc.
Memorandum of acknowledgment by Richard West before Thomas Hoo and Walter Hanarde at Ewhurst, 3 November, by virtue of a writ dedimus potestatem enrolled in the chancery files.”
You will have noticed that the Uvedale’s were involved in a good number of Lord de la Warre’s transactions. They may have called each other cousins because of the reported marriage of a Thomas Uvedale from the early 13th century to Margaret de la Warre, daughter of Roger de la Warre. There is also a place in Delaware called Uvedale.
On the 5th of December 12 Edward IV, 1473, William Uvedale, park-keeper of Bishop's Waltham, and Elizabeth his wife, sister and heir of Sir Thomas Chetwood, released the manor of Preston in Banstead to Sir Richard Illington, Nicholas and John Gaynesford, and other. The name is spelt incorrectly as Woodhill, but the arms are correct. So William’s first wife Everhilda must have died and he remarried.
Sir Thomas Uvedale died in 1474. Shortly before his death he conveyed his manors of Tatsfield and Woldingham, amongst others, to William Uvedale, Thomas Pounde, and Reginald Uvedale. Shortly after this Reginald died and William Uvedale and Thomas Pounde conveyed the manors to Sir Thomas and his wife Elizabeth, with the remainder of Tatsfield to Thomas Uvedale, son of Sir Thomas and the remainder of Woldingham, after the death of Sir Thomas and Elizabeth, to William Uvedale, younger son of Sir Thomas.
Sir Thomas Uvedale had lived an eventful life having served at Agincourt, served as an MP and Sheriff in Surrey and Hampshire on numerous occasions, taken part in the battles of the War of the Roses, including Towton and Tewksebury, and serving as the chamberlain to Queen Margaret of Anjou. I can only imagine Sir Thomas at the age of 76 riding on his horse from Tewksebury to Winchester with other members of the defeated Lancastrine side to be served breakfast by his former college.
The will of Thomas Uvedale states:
"In the name of God, Amen. On the 6th of March, A.D. 1473, I Thomas Uvedale, Knight, being of sound mind and body, by the favour of Almighty God, having always the hour of my death in expectation, have thought right that the evidence of my last will should be declared by these presents. In the first place, I bequeath my soul to Almighty God, to the blessed Virgin Mary, and to all the Saints; and my body to be buried in my new marble tomb, where the body of Margaret, my late wife, lies buried, in the high chancel of the parish church of Wykham, in the county of Southampton. And I will first, and before all things, that the sum of my debts in which I am legally bound should be paid. After that I leave to the reliques of the Saints in the mother church of Winchester vis. Viiid. And I leave to the works of the parish church of Wykham aforesaid vis. Viiid. And I will that Elizabeth, my wife, shall have out of my jewels, by the way of her dower, the following lots; viz., two silver pots porringers, swaged, of Parisian work, two silver and gilt saltcellars, with one cover, one silver basin, with a star enamelled in the middle of it, together with one silver cup, swaged; also one plain standing goblet of silver and silver gilt; also six bolecups, with a star enamelled in the bottom of them, and one cover for the same; also one white standing piece of silver, swaged, and covered, with one borcel, or one print of roses enamelled in the bottom of it; also one silver and gilt ewer; also one spice-plate and two silver candelabra, with an apparatus to serve either for a white light or for torches, two chargers with a cardinal's hat, six plates of different kinds, marked with a chaplet, sic salvers, with the arms of the Lord La Warr, and one plain bolecup with a cover, and the arms of a cardinal in the knob. And if my aforesaid wife be not contented with these jewels bequeathed and assigned to her, by way of her dower, out of all my jewels, then I will that she have for her dower out of my jewels what she shall appoint for herself and the law allow, reserving always to herself the right of having her proper dower of all my other goods, movables, and chattels, wherever they may be.
Also I bequeath to William, my elder son, one silver basin with a silver-gilt crown in the bottom or in the middle, with one cup with the Salutation of the blessed Mary, two saltcellars, one cover belonging to them, two silver pots, plain pottells, one standing piece of silver and silver-gilt, with a cover; also one plain goblet, silver-gilt, four silver goblets, called bolecups, of Parisian work, swaged; two candelabra for torches, one layng ewer, two chargers, six new plates, six soup-plates, and six silver salvers. And I bequeath to the same William, my elder son, all my stock, live and dead, in the hands of my bailiff at Wykham; viz., one bull, twelve cows, eight oxen, a plough, with it's tackle, ten quarters of wheat, ten quarters of barley, and sixteen quarters of oats, one boar, and two sows; and if my executors, or any one of them, shall be hindered by my said son William, or any one else in his name, in the payment of my debts, and specially in payment to John Denyssh for Joan, my sister, then I will and strictly appoint that the said William shall have nothing whatever of the goods or jewels above bequeathed by me to him, but that the said goods and jewels shall be wholly disposed of in payment of my debts aforesaid.
Also I bequeath to Thomas, my son, one silver and silver-gilt standing piece, with a cover, one silver and silver-gilt goblet, two silver bolecups, not silver-gilt, swaged and without a cover; also one bolecup swaged, with a cover to the same, and one plain bolecup, with a cover and one square knob, silver-gilt.
Also I bequeath to William, my younger son, one silver and silver-gilt standing piece, with a cover, given by the Lord Bishop of Winchester, two swaged bolecups, of Parisian work, with one cover for the same; also one plain standing piece of silver, without a cover, with one flower enamelled in the middle of it, called a Margerin flower.
Also I bequeath to Robert, my son, a silver standing goblet, with a cover, and silver-gilt, late the property of Richard Dalyngrigge, Esq., and one silver goblet, with a cover called the Lilly. And if any of my said sons die before they come to full age, then the share or shares of him or them dying shall remain to the share of the survivor; and if all my sons die before they some of their full age, then all the goods that I have bequeathed to them shall be disposed of in payment of my debts; and if any of the said goods remain after payment of my debts, I will that they be distributed by my executors in alms and other works of charity. Also I will that my servants, of whatever sex, condition, or station, be recompensed out of my goods, according to the discretion of my Executors, that they may pray the more devoutly for my soul. And the residue of all other my goods and movables I bequeath to be distributed, according to the discretion of my Executors, in such works of charity and piety as they hope, may be pleasing to God and the welfare of my soul. And of this my will I appoint and ordain Executors the said Lady Elizabeth, my wife, William Uvedale, Esq. my brother, Thomas Pounde, Esq., William Elys, vicar of Hamildon, and John Wayte, my servant. Also I leave to the brotherhood of Corpus Christi, in the church of Wykham, twenty shillings.”
The aforesaid will was proved at Lambeth on the 12th day of July, A.D. 1474, and the administration granted to the Lady Elizabeth, the relict of the deceased lord, and Thomas Pounde, executors.
The manors of Tatsfield and Waldyngham, with the advowson of Tatsfield were settled on Elizabeth Norbury, of Stoke d'Arbernon, for life by a deed dated the 2nd of September 1473. This was confirmed by William, son and heir of Sir Thomas, by a deed dated the 15th of March 1477.
An inquisition was held at Stevenage, Hertfordshire on 28th of October 1474 on the matter of holdings of Sir Thomas on his death. It was found that Sir Thomas Uvedale, Kt. and Henry Uvedale, son of the said Sir Thomas, and son and heir of Elizabeth, late wife of said Thomas, who was daughter and heir of Thomas Foxle and Margery his wife, who was daughter and heir of Margaret Westynton, late wife of Thomas Galyon: were seized of the manor of Westynton with its appurtenances, in Welwyn and Ayot Mountfichet, in their demesne, as of fee, and being so seized, granted the same to John Say, Kt., Thomas Pounde, William Uvedale, son of the said Thomas Uvedale, William Elys clerk, John Wayte, Edmund Puryent, and Thomas Berwyck, to hold in fee and perform the last will of the said Thomas and Henry Uvedale, and of the survivor of them; that Henry died on 11 October 1469, Thomas Uvedale surviving; that the said manor was held of John Howard, Duke of Norfolk, by the service of one red rose yearly; that Thomas Uvedale died on the 20th of February 1474, and that William Uvedale was son and next heir of the said Thomas Uvedale, Kt., and of the age of nineteen years and upward. The will of Sir Thomas Uvedale was proved in the P.C.C on the 12th of July 1474. In it he gave instruction that his body should be buried in his new marble tomb in the parish church of Wickham with his wife Margaret. This Margaret is said to have been a daughter of Sir Thomas Kingeston by Alice, daughter of Sir Hugh Poynings. He also makes reference to his wives Margaret and Elizabeth and to his sons William the elder, Thomas, William and Robert.
Does the service to John Howard, whom I believe was a Yorkist, by one red rose (Lancastrine) yearly, imply some sort of understanding?
On the 2nd of September 1474 William Uvedale, the younger son of Sir Thomas, had the manor of Woldingham settled on him in remainder after the death of Elizabeth Uvedale. Sir William Uvedale ratified this dead in 1478. William the younger's name appears in 1461, 1462, 1465 and 1470 as one of the feoffees of the lands of John Wallop, Esq.
In June 1475 King Edward IV led an army of approximately 12,000 into France. Rather than fight the English the French agreed to the Treaty of Picquigny whereby France was to pay a significant "pension" to the English crown. Key individuals involved in these discussions were Sir William Hastings, Lord Howard, William Dudley, John Morton and Thomas St. Leger.
King Edward IV then put his focus on stabilizing the economy and re-establishing the rule of law. He also would take time on various occasions to hunt in the Forest of Waltham.
An order was issued to the excheator in Buckingham that mentions William Uvedale, grandson of Sir Thomas Uvedale, kt. “Order to assign dower to Elizabeth, wife of William Sydeney esquire, deceased, according to a valuation made of her husband's lands, having taken of her an oath that she will not marry without the king's consent, in the presence of William Uvedale and John Hampden esquires, husbands respectively of Anne and Elizabeth, daughters of the aforesaid William Sydene. To the escheator in Surrey and Sussex. Like order, under the same date.”
As we know Sir William Uvedale went on to mary Elizabeth Norbury, former wife of William Sydney. I am not sure about the dates since I thought Elizabeth and William Uvedale married about 1468.
Charles of Burgundy died in 1477 upsetting the balance of power between Burgundy, England and France and Scotland.
On 18 February 1478 King Edward IV had his brother George, Duke of Clarence executed for treasonous activity.
In 1480 Edward signed an alliance with Burgundy and betrothed his son, the Prince of Wales to marry Anne of Brittany, heiress of Brittany.
William Uvedale, son of Sir Thomas Uvedale, KB and Margaret Kingeston, was Sheriff of Southampton (Hampshire) in 1480.
On 30 April, 1482 (22 Edward IV) a Henry Uvedale is referred to as the King's servant and had the office of "le pressing" or "stenyng" of wools in ships in the port of Southhampton. This Henry described is nearly always designated Henry Uvedale, senior, to distinguish him doubtless from Henry, son of Sir Thomas Uvedale and Elizabeth Foxley, living at the time. E.A. Fry provided evidences that Henry was descended from William Uvedale and his wife Everhilda, and not his brother Sir Thomas. Henry's ancestors are Thomas and Agnes Uvedale, William and Everhilda Uvedale, John Uvedale and John and Sibilla (Scures) Uvedale, etc.
In 1482 Richard, Duke of Gloucester executed a successful war with Scots. Richard Plantagenet was acknowledged as a very successful military leader.
Also in 1482 Mary of Burgundy died and King Lious XI of France and the Arch Duke Maximilian opened negotiations on an alliance. This led to the Treaty of Arras on 23 December 1482. France took over control of the counties of Burgundy and Artios, and Mary's daughter Mary was to marry the Dauphin. Since the French were no longer concerned about the English alliance with Burgundy they ceased paying the "pensions".
On 2 March 1483 King Edward became ill and he died on 9 April. The king younger brother Richard Plantagenet was to be Protector of the Prince during his minority. Plans were prepared for the coronation of Edward V on the 22nd of June 1483. William Uvedale was summoned to be present at the coronation and to receive the order of Knighthood on this occasion.
There were some that felt that the Woodville's intended to put Prince Edward on the thrown and rule themselves without the protectorship of Richard. Richard Platagenet, Duke of Gloucester, and Henry, Stafford, Duke of Buckingham took Prince Edward, son of the deceased King into their custody. Along with young Prince Edward they arrested Lord Rivers, Richard Grey and Sir Thomas Vaugh took them to Pontefract and had them beheaded. Prince Edward was taken to London.
Hastings had been a most powerful supporter of the Plantagenets, including under Edward IV. He felt that Buckingham was playing to powerful a role and began to cause dissent against Richard. On 13 June 1483 Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey and the son of the Duke of Norfolk, arrived and took Sir William Hastings, the Chamberlain of Edward IV, to a council at the Tower of London. Present at the council were Bishop Morton, Lord Stanley, Lord Howard, Archbishop Rotherham, and the Dukes of Buckingham and Gloucester. The Duke of Gloucester threatened by Hastings and being greatly disturbed had Hastings taken away and beheaded.
With Hastings out of the way the Duke of Gloucester was crowned Richard III on 6 July 1483.
Richard III
On 16 July 1483 the two sons of Edward IV, Edward, Prince of Wales and his younger brother the Duke of York were taken from they're mother and placed in the Tower of London. Richard III had been advised that the offspring of Edward IV were illegitimate because Edward had been pledged to another before his marriage. One of the greatest mysteries in English history is how the two young boys died in the Tower while under the protection of Richard III, their uncle. Some believe Richard III was completely responsible, others believe the Duke of Buckingham was responsible and others believe Henry Tudor.
The house of Tudor and their supporters began to plot against King Richard. There were reports of men of substance such as MPs, Sheriffs and the like who set their minds against Richard. The Duke of Buckingham, the Earl of Dorset and Margaret Beaufort, mother of Henry Tudor, led them. A rebellion in October of that year did not go well and the Duke of Buckingham who had switched sides and was a leader in the rebellion was beheaded. As a result of this rebellion the King had a number of attainters issued against his "opponents". Sir William Uvedale was attainted as part of Bickingham’s rebellion.
The attainder for treason of William Uvedale is recorded by an inquisition taken at Winchester on the 8th of December 1484 (2 Richard III). The jurors state that William Uvedale, lately of Wykeham, in the county of Southampton, Esq., who by authority of Parliament held at Westminster on the 22nd of January 1 Richard III, was attainted of high treason, was seized in his demesne as of fee on the 18th of October in that year of the following:
the manor of Wykeham, with the advowson of the church, with all its appurtenances, of the yearly value of 44 pounds;
the manors of Wydley and Cosham, with their appurtenances, County of Southhampton, of the yearly value of 8 pounds;
The manor of Petilworth, with its appurtenances, in the same county, and of 200 acres of land and forty acres of pasture, with the custody of the Forest of East Bayly, with its appurtenances.
Meanwhile Henry Tudor had relocated to France where he was gathering support from France and was being joined by an increasing number of supporters from England.
Sir William Uvedale obtained a pardon from his attainder on the 19th of January 1485.
On 1 August 1485 Henry Tudor and approximately 3,000 men left Rouen to invade England. The army was approximately one-half French. His principal commander was the earl of Oxford, John de Vere. The army landed in Milford Haven in Wales on 7 August. From there they travelled through Wales and into Shropshire, where they picked up another 2,000 troops.
King Richard III advanced with between 10,000 and 15,000 men to where the armies met at Bosworth on 22 August 1485. It should be noted Richard's army included Lord Stanley, stepfather of Henry Tudor, and approximately 3,000 of his men.
The Earl of Oxford and his men charged up the hill towards Lord Howard's troops and a fierce battle ensued with Oxford and Howard's forces fighting valiantly. The Stanley's were not entering into the fray. King Richard III sensing he was in trouble with his own force, seeing Henry Tudor in the battlefield, he charged along with his household knights and several others. In the charge Richard killed several men; toppled Henry's standard, along with the standard-bearer William Brandon. He then encountered John Cheney, a man of great bravery who stood in his way; Richard thrust him to the ground with great force. It was at this time that Lord Stanley joined the fight on the side of his stepson. King Richard III was killed in the thickest of the fighting, along with John Howard the Duke of Norfolk, Walter Lord Ferriers, Robert Brackenbury, Richard Radcliffe and several others. King Richard died as a true Platagenet. The traitor, William Stanley is reported as having won the possession of King Richard's crown and placed it on Henry Tudor's head as the King of England.
After the fighting many took to their heels including Francis Lord Lovell, Humphrey Stafford, with Thomas his brother and many other companions. There were also a large number of captives.
Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey was wounded and taken prisoner at the Battle of Bosworth Field, his father being killed.
Since both William, and his father Thomas Uvedale, were Sheriff of Hampshire and Surrey on several occasions, and as late as the 1480, it is likely that William Uvedale and Thomas Howard would have been close acquaintances. Thomas Howard, one of Richard's most strident supporters, was fortunate to be placed in the custody of the Earl of Oxford. Thomas Howard was restored before 1489. As a result of by the pardon of January 1485 the Uvedale family managed to survive the transition from the Plantagenet to the Tudor dynasty.
Henry VII
On 30 October 1485 Henry VII was crowned in Westminster Abbey. William Uvedale was knighted on the occasion. On the 1st of February 1485-86 William Uvedale is mentioned as one of the esquires of the king's body.
Henry made his uncle Jasper Tudor, the Duke of Bedford and later conveyed other titles including Lieutenant of Calais and Ireland. Lord Stanley was made Earl of Derby.
In his will dated the 27th of April 1486 William Wayneflete, Bishop of Winchester, bequeathed 3 pounds 6s 8d to Thomas Uvedale, likely the brother of Sir William Uvedale and son of Sir Thomas Uvedale.
In April 1486 Sir Humphrey Stafford and Lord Lovell attempted a rebellion for the house of York, which failed with Stafford being beheaded and Lovell escaping to France.
On 16 June 1486 Henry VII defeated Lord Lincoln, the heir of Richard III, in the Battle of Stoke, near Newark.
King Henry VII married Elizabeth of York, daughter of King Edward IV, thus "uniting" the Houses of Lancaster and York. She was crowned Queen on 25 November 1487 at Westminster Abbey.
William Uvedale was Sheriff of Southampton (Hampshire) in 1487.
In 1487 Sir William Uvedale, son of Sir Thomas, ratified the deed of conveyance made by his father of the manors of Tatsfield and Waldingham to Elizabeth, his father's wife. He was Sheriff of the Shire of Surrey again in 1487.
John Uvedale (Woodall) was commissioned to provide wagons, carts, horses, and oxen for the carriage of the royal household. This commission makes reference to the kinship with Sir William Uvedale. He also had other business connections with the Uvedale family.
In a list of wills related to Grey Friars in London we find: “Elizabeth Uvedale, late wife of Sir Thomas Uvedale, and daughter of Sir Henry Norbury. To be buried before the High Altar in the Hospital of S. Thomas the Martyr in Southwark, if she died in London or Southwark, or else in the "Gray ffreres" of London or at S. Mary Overey. A cope was to be made of her blue velvet gown, and a chasuble of her tawny velvet gown, for the use of the Church where she was buried; she also bequeathed a chalice of silver gilt, weight 30 oz., and two honest cruets of silver, weight 80 oz., to serve at the Altar before which she was buried. "I bequeth to the Gray Feres of London C. li. to thentent to have a masse ther morteysid perpetuall, and myn obite onys a yere for ever. And the mortesying to be made as fine as it canne be Immediatly after my deceasse or els at the freres prechours, where ye may have moost suerte of contynuaunce as canne be thought by myne executours and frendes.
Will dated 14 October, 1487. Proved 11 August, 1488. 15 Milles.” She was buried at Greyfriars, "coram altaribus," in a raised tomb under the window at the Altar of S. Mary, her father's tomb being between the Altars of S. Mary and the Holy Cross. The Register records that she founded a perpetual chantry. "Morteysid" means conveyed in mortmain. “
Elizabeth Uvedale, the last wife of Sir Thomas died on the 21st of June 1488. She was buried in the Church of the Grey Friars, London. It was reported that in the time of Henry VIII her tomb was to be seen and was described as "In tumba Elevata in archu venerabilis dna Elizabeth Uvedall filia pdci Henr Norbery pio ux Willmi Sydney armig postea ux dni Tho Uvedall milit. Qui ordinavit in hoc altari una(m) ppetua cataria. Quae obiit 21 die mez Junii A dni 1488." Her will was proved at Lambeth on the 11th of July 1488. One of her daughters by William Sydney married William Uvedale son of Sir Thomas and Margaret Kingeston. Her other daughter Elizabeth married John Hampton and their children were Elizabeth and John.
The will of Elizabeth Uvedale states as follows:
"Will of Elizabeth Uvedale 14th October 1487. I Elizabeth Uvedale Widdowe late the wife of Thomas Uvedale Kt. whoose soule God assoile, and one of the daughters of Sir Henry Norbury Kt. being in hoole mynde and in my good memorye and in my pure widowhood make and ordain my will. My bodye to be buried in the church of the Hospitall of St. Thomas the marter in Southwark beside London that is to say before the high auter of the same church if it happens me to dye in Southwark or in London or else in the Grey Friars of London or in the monasterye of St. Mary Overy in Southwark and if I dye elsewhere then my body to be buried there where as shall please God by the discretion of my Executors hereunder written. I will that the debts which I have of right or conscience be well and truly paid and reparation be done for any wrong committed by me and after that done then I bequeathe to the Relik of the Moder Church of St. Swithin at Winchester vis. & viid. And I will of mine blewe velvet gowne be ordained and made a vestment and a cope or another vestment as far as it will stretch to serve the House of God at such place as my bodye shall be buried in.
Item I bequeathe my tawny velvet gowne to be made a chesible thereof and a cope by mine executors if it will extend thereto and if not then my executors to provide the Remnant that shall lak my goods and the same chesible and cope to serve also to the house of Almighty God in the said church at the auter before which it shall fortune me to be buried. I will also that it shall please Almighty God to provide for my body to be buried there by ordained by myne executors a convenient chalice of silver gilt of the weight of xxx unces and ii honest cruett of silver of the weight of viii unces to serve to the honor of Almighty God at the auter before which it shall fortune me to be buried.
Item I bequeathe to each of the lights of St. Nicholas and St. John the Evangelist founded in the Parish of Cranley in the County of Surrey towards the supportacion of the same iis & iiiid. I bequeathe to everiche parish church where my livelode lieth in Surrey Sussex & Hampshire xxs to the Rood Light. Item In bequeathe my crimson fawne gowne to the Parish Church of Tychesey in the said countie of Surrey to the intent that myne executors of the same do to make thereof a cope or a chesible other sum other convenient ornament to serve in the said Church to the Worship of God and of his saints as long as it may endure and to have my soule recommended to Almighty God among ther devoute praires. Item I bequeathe a gowne of blewe velvett late belonging to my late husband Sir Thomas Uvedale to the Parish Church of Seint Nicholas of Wickham in Co Southton where the body of the said Sir Thomas Uvedale my late husband lieth to the intent that myne Executors make thereof a cope or a chesible or some other convenyent ornament to serve in the same Church to the Worship of Almighty God and of his seints as long as it may endure and to have my said late husband his soule and myne and myne fader and moder soules recommended to Almighty God among ther devoute praires. Item I will that myne Executors do to be songen for my soule and the soules of my said husbandes and my fader and moder 1,000 masses within the space of xxx daies after my decease, next coming and sooner if it can be. Item I bequeathe cs. To be disposed by mine Executors in almes amongst the poor people the daies of my decease and burying to pray for my soule.
Item I bequeathe to Elizabeth my daughter x ti if she be alive the tyme of my decease. Item I bequeathe to said Elizabeth my daughter a coler of goold of xxiiii leves droppes enamelid with black and goold with a fastenyng in the myddil with a Rubye and also my coler of Goold wrought with xvi white roses enamelid of the which certain Roses be sette with Rubies and other Dyamonds and certain knobbes of goold and mine old litell cuppe of silver gilt and pounced with a flower in the bottom ii gobletts of silver swaged a salt saler of silver gilt chasid with the coveryng thereto of silver gilt with a coveryng, a girdell of myne the tyssue of goold wrought with ermine harnesid with silver and gilt, my girdell of blewe damask harnessed with a bokil pendent and vi barres of silver gilt, my dimysent of goold which hath in that one end thereof ii diamondes with a rubie and in that other end ii Rubies and a Dyamond with a cheyne and a flower of stichework enamelid in the ende of the same cheyne and with a Rubie in the middes of the same flower, and vi spones of myne of silver, a playne pece of myne of silver - prymer that begynneth "Domine Deus Omnipotent" with clasps of silver gilt with myne armies upon.
Moreover I bequeathe to the said Elizabeth my daughter certeine parcell of my other stuff hereunder written that is to wit my bed of Tapestre work wrought with ii bukkes celors testers and countpeynt thereto belonging and hir part by me assigned unto hir of my feder beddis like as it may appear more plainly in the article of bequest hereinunder written to Robert my sonne, and also iii pair of my good shetis every shete of iii bredis ii tableclothes of myn, iii long towell of myne of work, vi napkins, iii short washing towellis of myne and a holle hanging of Worsted yarn for her chambre. Item I bequeathe to the said Elizabeth my daughter as much of my stuf of household as is brasse peautre and other stuf as it apperith in my testament here following, ii fedder beddis, ii bolstere, ii matras, iiii pelowe of downe. Item for the which kechin iii pannes, ii grete and ii lesse iiii brasyn pottes ii more and ii lesse a hole garnish of peautre vessel ii Round basins of peautre. And if the said Elizabeth my daughter decease during my lief then I will and bequeathe al the premisses bequeathen by me to Elizabeth except the x pounds sterling before rehersed and writin to Elizabeth her daughter my godchild and to all her sisters by even porcions as thir names apperith here whoose names be Marie Anne and Jane daughters of the said Elizabeth;: my daughter, between them equally to be divided or the hoole to hir of them that thenne shall happen to live to be delivered unto them by myne Executors or tot he survivor of them when they come of age of xv yeares to the intent that said Elizabeth or hir said daughters which shall happen the said legacy yerely do fynde an obite for my soule during the lief of the that so happenith to have the said legacy. And if also they die then I will that John Hampden son and heir of John Hampden and said Elizabeth my daughter have hit.
Item I bequeathe to Anne my daughter now wife of William Uvedale Esquire my coler of goold of white and blewe flowers enamelid and ii flowers sette with a dyamant iiii with Rubies and vi perles and a flower callid a white Roose with iiii Dyamonds a Rubies and iiii perles therein, and my girdell of purpill velvet with a bokill and a pendent of silver and gilt sette with flowers of white and blewe enamelid and v barres of silver gilt unto the same belongyng and my girdell of purpill damask with barres of silver gilt and enamelid and my girdell of goold tissue wroughte with colombe flowers and barres of silver gilt, and a salt saler of sliver gilt with a square knoppe and my prymer therein begynnyng "O Domine Jesu Christe et una dulcedo".
Item I bequeathe all my perles unsett equally to be divided between the said Elizabeth and Anne my daughters for to array thir daughters withal. Item I will and forth full ordein herein my Testament and last Will that all such goods and moveables as I have bequeathin unto my daughters Elizabeth and Anne and to thir daughters be not delivered unto them neither unto thir husbands unto such time that they find sufficient sureties unto my Executors and to my son Robert Uvedale that if the said Elizabeth and Anne my daughters dye having issue of thir bodies lawfully begotten that then all such goodes as is by me bequeathin to theym remeyn to thir children aforesaid lawfully begotin and everiche of the said children of Elizabeth and Anne my daughters to be other aires. And if all the said issue of my said daughters decease withoute issue whiche God forbid then I will that the forsaid premisses so bequeathin in my Testament remayne only unto the next of my blode as the parcell thereof herein written playnly apperith.
Item I bequeathe to Robert my sonne to the apparell of his wife if it please God that she live a coler of goold of myne with xi Rubies and iii grete perlis in the same flower and iii hart of goold the oon enamelid with blewe and the that other with white and blewe, x barres of the same and iii Ringes of goold the oon with a Safir another with a square Dyamant the third a hoope of goold with the which I was wedded to the said Sir Thomas Uvedale his fader. Item another Ringe enamelid with a roose of Rubies therein and all my other Rings and Jewels not bequeathed - a tablet of goold for his brest my best fedir bed and all the Remnant of my feder beddes. Item I bequeathe to the said Robert my sonne the remnant of my stuff of household and all myne other goodes moveables and immoveables the which in this my present testament is not bequeathin neither otherwise yevin to any person or persons. Item I bequeathe to the said Robert the Jewels and Plate hereinafter written that is to wit iii candilstikks of silver ii chastid flaketts of silver and gilt with chaynes unto them, a tablett of goold of Seint George and the iii kings of colene, anther tablet of silver and gilt and gilt of ymagery, ii salers of silver gilt with a coveryng and ii litell salers white with a coveryng. Item a grete salt saler of goold sette with a safir and iiii grete perlis in the toppe except that it be delivered to the owener then the said Robert my sonne to have the money that it lieth for that is c pounds sterling. Item a standing cuppe of silver with gilt chasid a grete white bolle cuppe with a coveryng of silver. Item vi bolle pottes of silver ii basins of silver and ii Ewers of silver, ii gilt standing cuppes of silver gilt with the armes of me the same Dame Elizabeth in the bottom xii sponys of silver and a gilt cuppe that is of his faders bequest with a wrethe with a coveryng, with all other plate to me by the said Sir Thomas Uvedale my said husband, and fader unto the said Robert bequeathin here not specified if may be. A holy water stoppe with a springett of silver a cheyne for his nek with a flower and a rubie in the middis and iii small cheynes for his nek. Also a masse book a portous a chalice of silver parcell gilt a vestment and under clothes according for a preste to say masse withall and my prymer covered with clooth of goold begynnyng so "In Trinitate et Trinitatem" The which plate and Jewels with other premisses aforesaid specified by me to the said Robert bequeathin I will that immediately after my decease be put by myne Executors into a sure chest lokked and ensealid under the lokks and sealis of my said Executors and the said Robert to have a key of the said cofir and in a sure place to be settle and kepte until the said Robert come to the age of xxv yeres and thenne to be delivered to him by myne Executors if it be thought thenne that the said Robert be of and sadde disposicion and not wastable not riotous and thenne I will that the said Executors retein the said plate and jewels until the time that the said Robert come to his full age of xxx yeres and thenne I will that they be to the said Robert or to his assignees by will delivered. Always forsayne that if the said Robert by the assent of his next kynne and myne Executors be conveniently married after his deyne then after he accomplish the age of xxiii yeres he to have the premisses bequeathin and if he be otherwise married thenne he to have no delivery until the age of xxx yeres. And if her decease before the delivery I will that all the said plate and jewells by me bequeathin be sold by myne Executors as soon as it mat be goodly doon after the decease of the said Robert my sonne. Item I will that the said Robert have a soon as I am deceased all my stuf except Plate and jewels. Item I will that he have the Manor of Petilworth in Co. Southon and all the landes lying in the Parish of Broughton at his owen demeane and disposicion and at the age of xxi year yeres to have all his landes in his owen demeane and at his commandment. And I will that my said Executors be accountable to said Robert during the terme of his nonage that they did occupy the said landys,. Item notwithstanding my writing aforesaid if myne Executors die all I will that the longest that liveth of them or he decease deliver all such plate juels and evidences as is and shall be belonging to my sonne Robert by the meanes and bequeath of his fader of what age that ever the said Robert be at that tyme and the Executors of myne Executors shall have nothing to doo nor to melle with the said Juels Plate or Evidences. And if the said Robert outlive the said Executors and have the said goodes delivered I will that he be bounden to my said Executors and their Executors to fulfil the will of his said moder. Item if the said Robert die without issue of his body lawfully begotten that then he make or do to be made a sale of all such Juels and plate aforesaid or ordeyne that it be disposed for the wele of his faders soule for my soule and for his owen soule according as mine Executors would have if they had had foresaid plate and juels in thir keeping at the tyme of the said Roberts decease.
Item I bequeathe to the Grey friers of London c to the intent to have a masse there morteysid perpetuall and myn obite tuys a yer for ever and this Mortesying to be made as sure as it can be immediately after my decease or else at the friers prechours, what ye may have moost suerte or continuance as canne be thought by myne Executors and frendes. Item I bequeathe to the monasterye of Syon that they lete singe a masse daily for me the terme of xx yeres in this monastre amongis thir brethern of thir place and that I may have all other suffragies, a dirige according to a bill wretin by the hands of brothers of the same place and thenne I will that they have c marcs to the Reparacion of thir church to the intent that I be for ever in thir devoute praires as one of thir benfactors.
Item I bequeathe to Saint Thomas Spitall in Southwerk ther to have a masse daily during a yere and an obite at my burying another at my monthes mynde, x marcs to the reparacion of the bedding for the poure people there.
Item I bequeathe to the friers of Gylfeforde for the reparacion of thir place x marcs to the intent that my soule be daily remembered with a masse a dirige to the intent that my soule be daily remembered with a masse a dirige at my burying another at my moneth mynde and another at my yeres mynde. Item to a devoute preist x ti to sing Seint Gregoris trentalle at our Lady of Pewe or Scalla which if it be not doone by my life then I charge you my said Executors that it be doone as soon as I am deceasid as ye will answer afore God. Item I bequeathe to Thomas Belton in money x pounds sterling above his wages, a matris a bolster, a coveryng of a bed a pair of blankett and ii pair shetis perteyning to his deyne and a hors. Item I will yet myne Executors find the said Thomas Belton mete drinke and wages as he hath with me during the nonage of my sonne Robert and whenne the said Robert is come to his landes thenne I charge him on my blissing to find the saide Thomas Belton tenure of his lief. I will that all my servants have ther wages and thenne to be rewarded by the advyce of mine Executors after the contynuance of ther good service.
Item if said Robert decease without issue of his bodye begottenne that his stuf of household except plate and juels to his ii sisters Elizabeth and Anne if they be thenne alive and else to thir children. Item I will that said Executors se and provide that Robert my said sonne have all such evidences concernyng to him as be in my sonne William Uvedale the elder's keeping before that my said Executors deliver him his evidences as is in my keping concerning to him by meane of his fader or his wife. Item I bequeathe to my suster Anne my best gowne of my wering. V Item a dymysent of blak harnesid with goold a pair of bedis of white ambre gaudeed with goold. Item I will after my suster's decease the said goodes remeyne to Anne hir daughter. Item I will that all such dette as is dewe to me by obligacions or any other writing remayne unto my sonne Robert and to his assignees as my yeft. And I will not that myne Executors melle nor have a doo with him in that matter.
Item I make and ordeyn to be myne Executors Sir John Norbury Knight my brother Richard Ing servant of the Coyf. And Richard Hawws. And I make overseers of this my said Testament William Uvedale the elder Esquire and John Hampden Esquire my sonne in law, and I will that everie of myne Executors that will take on him to fulfill my will and Testament have x ti and the overseers of the said Testament everie of them to have xxs."
Proved at Lambeth xi July 1487 by Thomas Belton. Administration granted to Sir John Norbury Knight and Richard Hawws Esquire.”
There were three separate Inquisitions taken upon her death, the first at Petersfield, in the county of Southampton on the 6th of November 1488. There it was found she was seized of the following:
the manors of Petilworth, Henton-Bourhont, together with the advowson of the church at Petilworth;
the bailiwick called the Eastbayly, in the Forest of Bukholt;
sixteen messuages, 100 acres of land, six acres of meadow, 20 acres of pasture, and six acres of wood, with their appurtenances, in Hooke, in the parish of Tychefeld;
one messuage called Buttenesfelde with its appurtenances, in the said parish;
ten messuages, 100 acres of land, and eight acres of meadow, with their appurtenances, in Broughton.
That being so seized she had by deed conveyed the same to Sir John Fenys, Sir Thomas Montgomery, and Sir John Norbury, Kts., and others, to the use of herself for life, and after her death to the use of Robert Uvedale and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten, with remainder to the right heirs of Sir Thomas Uvedale Kt. Robert Uvedale was underage at the time of his mother's death and the lands were vested in trustees. Robert would marry a lady called Elizabeth and as mentioned inherited the manor of Petilworth in the county of Southampton and the lands in Broughton. By the death of his brother William he became entitled in remainder to the manor of Woldingham.
Also it was found:
that the manor of Petilworth was worth 10 marcs a year, that the advowson of was worth nothing; that the manor was held of the king by the service of one pair of silver-gilt spurs of the value of three shillings;
that the manor of Henton-Bourhunt was worth 6 pounds a year; and was held of the Prior of St. Swithin, Winchester, by fealty;
that the bailiwick called the Eastbayly was worth 40 shillings;
that the holdings in Hooke was worth 40 shillings a year and were held of Sir Thomas West Kt., Lord La Warr, but by what service is not known;
that the lands in Broughton were worth 40 shillings a year, and were held of the Lord of Broughton;
that the messuage called Byttenfeld was worth 40 shillings a year, and was held of John Pawlett, Esq., by fealty;
that Thomas Pounde, William Uvedale Esq, William Elys, and others, were seized in their demesne as of fee, of the manor of Fountley, in the parish of Titchefeld, and granted the same to Sir Thomas Uvedale, Kt., and Elizabeth his wife, to hold them and theirs heirs in free tenure; That Sir Thomas died, and Elizabeth outlived him, and made entry upon the manor, and was seized of it at the time of her death; that after her death it descended to William Uvedale, Esq., as son and heir of Sir Thomas; that the manor was held of John Poulet, Esq., and was worth 100 shillings a year.
The second Inquisition was held at Godstone, Surrey, on the 3rd of November 1488. This second inquisition dealt primarily with the lands held as a result of her marriage to William Sydney and included lands in Crannelegh, Alfold, Ewehurst, Shyre, Abyneworth, Shaldford. It was also found that:
These various lands were held of Thomas Earl of Ormonde, Henry Clifford, Abbey of Graces, Abbey of Netley, Sir John Guldeforde.
that Thomas Pounde, William Uvedale, Esq., William Elys, and others were seized in their demesne, as of fee, of the manor of Tychesey, with its appurtenances in Tychesey, Lynefeld, Crowherst, and Oxted, in the county of Surrey. That by a deed dated the 2nd of September, 13 Edward IV., they had conveyed the same to Sir Thomas Uvedale, Kt., in his demesne as of fee, and to Elizabeth as of fee tenure. That it was held of Edward Duke of Buckingham, and was of the yearly value of 20 marcs.
that William was the son and next heir of Sir Thomas Uvedale, and was of the age of thirty-three years and upwards;
that Elizabeth was also seized of the manors of Waldyngham and Tattsfeld;
that Waldynham was held of Edward, Duke of Buckingham, as of his manor of Blacchynlegh, and was of the yearly value of 4 pounds;
that the manor of Tattysfeld was held of John, Archbishop of Canterbury, and was of the yearly value of 6 pounds;
that Robert Uvedale was son and heir of the said Elizabeth, and of the age of twenty years and upwards.
The third inquisition was held at Cranley, on the 2nd of November 1488. There it was found that:
Edward Crofter and Thomas Belton were seized in their demesne as of fee of the manor of Wolberough in Cranley, and of 200 acres of land, 200 acres of pasture, five of meadow, 100 of wood, and 40 shillings rent, with their appurtenances in Ruggewyk; and that by a deed dated the 5 December 1476, had conveyed the same to Elizabeth Uvedale and the heirs of her body by William Sydney, of Baynardes, her late husband.
that the manor of Wolberough was held of Sir George Nevill, and was of the yearly value of five marcs, and that the aforesaid lands were held of Thomas, Earl of Arundell, as of the honor of Arundell, and was of the yearly value of 6 pounds.
that Elizabeth died seized of the said manors on the 19th of June, 3 Henry VII; and that Robert was her son and heir.
Sir William Uvedale, Kt and his wife Ann Sidney had two children, William born in 1485 and Thomas.
Sir William Uvedale, KB was a commissioner for muster in the county of Hampshire in 1488.
In 1488 Henry Uvedale, son of Thomas Uvedale and Everhilda, of the Isle of Burbeck married Edith Pool of Coates, Glos. Edith was the daughter of John Poole and she had a brother Richard Poole who settled at Coates when he bought the manor of Coates from the trustees of Elizabeth widow of Sir William Nottingham in 1491. Henry is the progenitor of most of the family that spread through the southwest including the Isle of Perbeck, More Chrichel, Horton in Dorset and Holte Park Wimborne.
Sir William Uvedale was made a Knight of the Bath on the 29th of November 1489. This occurred on Prince Arthur, son of Henry VII, attaining his majority, and being made Prince of Wales.
On the 18th of June 1490 (5 Henry VII) Henry Uvedale is referred to as "dapifer" and together with John Shorter were appointed "landarii" or approvers of Clarendon Park in Wiltshire for their lives at a wage of 3d, a day and 13/4 at Christmas and a robe, and 10/- at Easter. In Hutchins Henry Uvedale is described as squire of the body and of the Privy Chamber of Henry VII.
In 1490 William Uvedale was one of the justices to inquire of treason in Salop. Also on the 9th of January 1490-91 he witnessed a charter of Bishop Peter Courtney to John Philpot, Esq. dated at Bishop Waltham.
The Close Rolls record, dated 10 November, 7 Henry VII, Reynold Uvedale’s wife name as Elizabeth as follows: “Elizabeth late wife of Reynold Uvedale esquire, to William Holden and Robert Dalton clerks, their heirs and assigns. Demise by indenture of all lands and tenements, rents, reversions and services in the manors of Denmede, Putte, Botevilyens, Boere, Nichirche in the Isle of Wight and Wymering, West Cosham and Hylse co. Southampton, for an annual rent of 16l. with clause of distraint after fourteen days: and appointment of John Blakemore and John Pole as her attorneys etc.”
In 1492 Columbus was successful in reaching the America's. In the year 1496 Henry Cabot went on an exploration voyage to Canada.
On 31 October 1492 Henry Uvedale is called one of the sewers of the King's chamber and had the office of Keeper of Fisherton Gaol in Wiltshire.
Sir William Uvedale, KB was Sheriff of Southampton (Hampshire) in 1493.
In 1493 Pope Alexander VI "divided" the "New World" between Portugal and Spain with all lands to the west and south of the Azores to Spain and lands to the east to Portugal.
Sir William Uvedale, KB along with Thomas Troye, Esq., and others was a witness to the will of John Philpot, Esq., of Compton, near Winchester, dated the 26th of July 1493. The following is mentioned on the Compotus Roll of the City of Winchester that same year: "Et in solutis pro pane et vino missis Willielmo Uvedale, militi Vicecomiti Southon, xiid."
Sir William Uvedale, KB was present at the tournament on the creation of Henry Duke of York in 1494. He also was one of the feoffees of Sir John Norbury, Kt., of Stoke Abernon, whose will is dated the 12th of August 1504. Sir William's brother Thomas Uvedale was witness to a charter dated 31 August 1494.
William Uvedale is mentioned in a release and quitclaim dated 30 June, 11 Henry VII, as follows; “Anne Mountgomery widow, to Reynold Bray, John Norbury, William Uvedale knights, Richard Emson, John Brown, Richard Hawlasse esquires and John Pounde, their heirs and assigns. Release and quitclaim with warranty of the manor of Chaloughton co. Southampton.”
Henry Uvedale of the More Chrichel branch of the family was Justice of the Peace for Dorset in 1496/97, and 1498/1499. At this time, while he was living at Corfe Castle, many serious charges of extortion were brought against Henry Uvedale. It would appear these charges did not stick since he was Sheriff for Dorset a few years later.
Robert Uvedale still held the manor of Petilworth, Hampshire and presented to its rectory in 1499. He was also farmer of the bishop's manor of Sevington, in the parish of Cheriton, Hampshire. Bishop Thomas Langton granted him a licence for a portable alter for himself and his wife to hear service, and a further licence to eat flesh-meat in Lent, dated at Waltham, on the 26th of March 1499.
A Thomas Uvedale, the son of Sir William Uvedale, KB and Ann Sidney, was admitted to Winchester school at the age of 10 in 1500.
On 3 August 1501 Henry Uvedale was appointed Controller of the Customs at Poole. In addition in a patent roll on 30 March 1502 he is described as of Corfe Castle and had a pardon and release for all matters connected with his office as collector at Poole. He was also Justice for the Peace for Dorset in 1502/03.
Robert Uvedale died without issue on the 8th of April 1502, as appears by an inquisition taken upon his death, at Winchester, on the 2nd of October in that year.
Sir William Uvedale, KB was Steward and Controller of the Household of Arthur Tudor, son and heir of King Henry VII. After Arthur and Catherine of Aragon were married in November of 1501 they moved to Ludlow Castle. Arthur Tudor died in the spring of 1502 at the tender age of 15, some say by dubious means. His body was taken to Worcester Cathedral by chariot. The journey from Ludlow to Worcester and the funeral is described from the records of the day as follows:
"a rich chariot was prepared, drawn by six horses and covered at its base in black velvet. A rich black cloth of gold was placed over the coffin. Al the mourners followed with mourning hoods over their heads, and at every corner of the chariot, banners were borne by noblemen.
In goodly fashion, 120 torchbearers led the way through Ludlow and other towns on the route. When they were on the road between the towns, the torches were extinguished, with the exception of 24 about the chariot. St. Mark's day, April 25, from Ludlow to Bewdley, wads the foulest, cold, windy and rainy day and the muddiest ways that we have seen - in some places we had to find oxen to draw the chariot, so dreadful was the way. As soon as the coffin was in the chapel at Bewdley, as with as many candles as there was room, the lords and others went to their dinners.
Every parish church or religious place that the cortege passed rang their bells. Sir Richard Croft and Sir William Ovedale (Uvedale), Steward and Controller of the Prince's Household, rode before to Worcester, and none was allowed to enter the city until after the corpse had entered.
That day was fair and, with the 120 torchbearers, the cortege proceeded to the gate of that city where the bailiffs and the honest men of the city were on foot along the road on every side. All the torches of the town were as many as might well stand from the town gate to the great church gate.
At the Cathedral were gathered the abbots of Gloucester, Hailes and Borey together with the Prior of Worcester and Great Malvern, and the procession proceeded to the Choir. There were just under 400 lights and many standards and banners with Royal arms including those of Prince Arthur and the King and Queen of Spain.
A service of Nine Lessons was held, and that night there was a goodly watch of lords, knights, squires, gentleman ushers, officers of arms, yeoman and many others.
On the day of the funeral and burial, three Masses were sung in the Cathedral by the bishops of Chester, Salisbury and Lincoln. The chief mourners were the earls of Surrey, Kent and Shrewsbury, and from Prince Arthur's household were Sir Griffith Rice, carrying the prince's banner, Sir William Ovedale (Uvedale), Sir Richard Croft, Sir Richard Poole and Dr. Edenham. Other leading figures were Lord Dudley and Lord Powys.
He had a hard heart who did not weep at the scene. After the sermon, there was a great dole of groats to every poor man and woman.
A minister of the church took away the palls of rich gold cloth, and the gentlemen took up the corpse and bore it to the grave at the south end of the High Alter. Then, with weeping and sore lamentation, the corpse was laid in the grave. Sir William Ovedale, (Uvedale) Controller of the princes household, sore weeping and crying, took the staff of his office by both ends and over his head broke it and cast it into the grave. It was a piteous sight, who had seen it, and thus God have mercy on good Prince Arthur's soul, Amen."
William Uvedale, the eldest of Sir William Uvedale and Ann Sidney, was married to Dorothy Troyes in about 1501, and their eldest son Arthur was born in 1502. It would appear obvious that their son was named after prince Arthur, who as previously stated died that same year.
William Uvedale is mentioned in an indenture between Sir Reynold Bray, knight for the king's body and chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster, and Sir John Norbury knight, as follows: “for the performance of a marriage to be made between Edmund son of Reynold's brother John and Jane Halywell daughter and heir apparent of Richard Halewell and of Sir John's daughter Anne, Sir John is to make estate before Whitsuntide next to William bishop of Lincoln, William Hody knight, chief baron of the Exchequer, Harry Wiloughby and William Uvedale knights, Richard Emson, John Broun, Thomas Grenefeld, John Aston esquire, John Gilberd and Thomas Gilberd, their heirs and assigns, of the manors of Griffe and Wellesbourne co. Warwick; Belbroughton co. Worcester with the advowson; Stok Dabernon, Fleccheham, Estwik and Aldebury co. Surrey with the advowsons of the manors (sic); the advowson of Teytendrewe co. Devon; a moiety of the advowsons and patronages of Erbury priory and the friary in Warwick; and the reversion of the manor of Shypton upon Charewell' co. Oxford with the advowson after the decease of Laura (Lore) lady Mount Joy and of all other manors and lands held to Sir John's use in Surrey, and of the manor of Chaloughton co. Southampton, to the use of Sir John and dame Jane his wife for life and thereafter of Edmund Bray and Jane Halywell and the heirs of their bodies if they marry together and for default of such issue to the use contained in an indenture of partition made between Sir John and Edward Belknap (further particulars given); acknowledgment by Sir John of receipt of 300 m. from Sir Reynold. Sealed.”
On the 20th of June 1504 (19 Henry VII) Henry Uvedale was appointed Keeper of Bagshot park in Windsor Forest for life and rent of a messuage there called "The Crowne" and lands in Bagshot and Wynesham, Surrey.
Nicholas Udall, believed to be from the Wickham Uvedale family, was born in 1505 or 1506. Nicholas received his early training at Winchester College. Could he be a descendant of Nicholas Uvedale, born in 1457 son of Sir Thomas and Margaret Kingeston?
On 15th of November 1508 Thomas Uvedale of the "Soca juxta Wynton", armiger, and Henry Uvedale his son and heir apparent gave a bond to John Brugges citizen and clothier (pannarii) of London for a debt of 50 pounds sterling on their property in Bromwych in Tychfeld. This bond was subsequently transferred to Francis Albright on the 6th of October 1514.
In 1509 Sir Henry Uvedale Kt., had a grant of the office of comptroller of the port of Poole, the offices of East Bayly and West Bayly of the Isle of Purbeck, and of Steward of the hundred of Cokeden, and the lordships of Canford, Poole and Corfe Castle. Henry was the father of Sir William Uvedale, Kt., of More Chrichel.
Henry Uvedale, gentleman usher of the Chamber: “To be, during pleasure, east bailiff and west bailiff of the Isle of Purbek, as heretofore.”
In July 1509 Henry Uvedale was granted as follows: Henry Uvedale , gentleman usher of the Chamber. To be, during pleasure, comptroller of the port of Poole, Dorset.
On the 6 May Henry Uvedale, of Corff Castell, Dorset, serjeant of the King's staghounds, late of Berford St. Martin's, Wilts, gentleman usher of Henry VII., customer and comptroller of Poole, and bailiff of Bagshote, Surr., esq. or gentleman, was pardoned.
On 21 April 1509 King Henry VII died to be followed by his son Henry VIII.
Henry VIII
On the 19 October 1510 Henry Uvedale settles an annual rent of 10 marks on Mary Fraunceys (shepster, or in other words sheep sheerer) of Suthwerk, Surrey, out of his manor and lands in Hampshire. On the 16 and 22 of April 1512 he grants to her, now described as Mary Herson als Fraunceys of Hampshire, "gentilwoman" all his goods and chattels all his lands in the county of Hampshire. By charter dated 23 April 1512 in which he describes himself as Henry Uvedale gentilman son and heir of Thomas Uvedale he feoffs certain trustees of all his manor of Bromwych to hold to them for the life of Mary his wife in name of jointure with reversion after his death to the use of his heirs. E.A. Fry suggests that Henry had married Mary on 22 or 23 of April 1512.
On the 20 May 1512 Sir William Uvedale, after the death of Anne (Sydney) his wife, released to his son William all his right and title in the lands and tenements which she had inherited from her father, William Sydney.
Sir William Uvedale is mentioned in the grants in May 1512: “50. Sir William Uvedale. To be, for life, keeper of the chase of Brengewood and the outwoods adjoining it in the lordship of Wygmor, vice Thomas Grove, deceased.”
Sir William Uvedale is again listed in the grants in November 1512: “Sir William Uvedale. To be, for life, forester or keeper of the forest or chase and outwoods of Brungewodde, in the lordship of Wyggemor, marches of Wales, with the office called "le pokership," in the said lordship and the keeping of Prestwodde ditch in the said chase; with annual fees of 6l. 2s. 6d. for the chace, 18s. for the ditch and 30s. 5d. for the pokership. On surrender of pat. 24 May, 4 Hen. VIII., granting him the keeping of the chace and outwoods.”
In 1514 Mary Frauncis, widow of Henry Uvedale, deceased, was granted protection for three years against her creditors. “The petition prefixed to the S.B. states that Bartholomew Cesson, merchant of London, caused certain linen cloth, silk and other goods of hers, to the value of 200l. and more, to be conveyed with his goods from Salisbury fair to Oxford fair and, [with others, robbed her of them;] whereupon she made suit to the King's Council and the "said misdoers" were committed to the ... but she could get no more recompense from them but 23l.”
In 1513 there was trouble brewing again between the English and the Scots due to Englands involvement in conflicts in Europe against France. Catherine of Aragon, Queen of England issued warrants on 27 August that all property of Scotsmen in England was to be seized. Henry Uvedale is mentioned in the Grants of 1513, as follow: “Scotchmen in England. Blank commission to seize the property of all born subjects (except ecclesiastics) of the King of Scots in the county of Oxford, selling such as cannot be kept and making inventories of the property, &c., by indenture with the said Scots; submitting any disputes that may arise to the determination of Westminster, 27 Aug. 5 Hen. VIII. (Teste Regina.) With fiat for like commissions to other counties. S.B. (signed: Katherine the Qwene)
ii. Commissions made in pursuance of the above, viz.:—
Dorset—Sir Th. Trenchard, Henryu Uvedale, Giles Strangwyche, Roger Cheverell and Rob. Turges: the abbot of Sern and Sir Wm. Filoll.”
Louis XII, King of France proceeded to attack the papal forces of Julian II at Bologne. Henry VIII supported the pope. As a result of this, and other attempts to undermine the pope, the pope "gave" the French thrown to Henry. He also conferred on him the title of Most Christian King.
Thomas Wolsey and Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey supported the King's plan for war with France. On 2 April 1513 an 80-ship fleet won a sea battle against the French. The Admiral of the Fleet was Edward Howard, son of the Earl of Surrey.
Calais was still under the control of the British at this time.
King Henry VIII landed with his army and went on to capture Therouanne, Tournai, and Lille. They also defeated a French army at Guinegate in the "Battle of the Spurs". That same summer of 1513 Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey, led the English in the defeat of the Scots at the Battle of Flodden. The Scots had invaded Northumbria in August in order to defend their alliance with the French. Many Scots were killed there, along with the Scots King James.
A John Uvedale was in charge of the commissionary at the Battle of Flodden. This John also went on to be the secretary to many influential persons, including the Duke of Norfolk, Ann Boleyn, Henry Fitzroy Duke of Richmond and the Council of the North under Henry VIII. Sir William Uvedale, Kt. was at the battle of Flodden and and met John Uvedale, and agreed:
“that
the
saide
Sir
William
didde
descende
of
the
seconde
brother
and
the
saide
Jon
Uuedale
didde
of
the
thirde
brother,
and
truthe
is
the
saide
Sir
William
Uuedale
and
John
Uuedale
were
soo
like
in
favor
and
compositione
of
making,
that
a
man
wolde
have
judged
them
brothers
and
so
saide
Henry
VII”
And more:
"In an olde a roll of armes in parchement fownde in Croxton abbaie in the Cowntie of Leicester, it apperithe that Mounser duuedale givethe a crosse like a mill-pike redde in a fielde of silver (and this was the olde armes oonlie of the Uuedale) for duuedale is no more but as moche to saie de Uuedale, and then for shortenes and curiositie of speache the first vowel -e- is elidide bi apostrophe, which is a figure that when two vowels do come together the first is lost and drownide in to the last, and soo Mounser de Uuedale is callede shorte Mounser Duuedale, this name hathe bene marveloslie changide bi what meanes I knowe not nor can finde owt, except as I coniecture bi corrupcione of the comon people in pronownsing shorte the names of thinges for thei call the name Wooddall/and some call it Udall/and some Wodhall/and some have called it Unedale/but truthe is the right name is Uuedale/ and iet there is a howse callide at this daie Woddehall in Deane in the Cowntie of Comberlande out of which howse John Woddehall late of Walttham on the Wolde in the countie of Leicester cumithe, whose sonne and heire William dwellithe in Essex and hath married with the dowghter of Bran(che) but that howse as it sholde seme was ever callide Woddehall/for it soo appearithe apon certaine tombe stoones at Wooddehall in Deane in the Cowntie of Comberlande aforesaide where their anceters ar buriede/and it semithe that those Woodehalls gave another armes and not the crosse crosse-lett/ for it appearithe in a seale of armes which the saide John Woddehall didde give that in the middest of the scotchian was a ridge overthwarte the scothian and ii starres above and oon underneathe it/ wherefore if that be (.... The) proper seale of armes of Uuedale, then can thei not give (the cross crossl)ett which the name of Uuedale dothe give asis aforesaide.
The roll of arms found in Croxton abbey was apparently the same roll which came afterwards into the possession of Hugh Fitzwilliam of Sprotbrough, and was copied by Hugh Cotgrave in 1562. This copy was printed (London, Pickering, 1829), and at page 5 the arms of Douvedale occur, but the copyist or his editor has converted the name into Wonnedale."
(There) is another howse (in Richm)ondshire in the cowntie of Iorke in Wensladale, the familie being utterlie extincte, and yet the name of the remaining, callide to this daie Woddall parke and Woddall howse, apperteining to the Queen's maiestie as parcell of the castell of Midleham in Wensladale within the liberties of Richmondshire in the Cowntie of Iorke/ this howse I coniecture to be the howse of the Uuedale in old time/ John Uuedale was ....ller of the Scottish felde callide Branketone felde, or Floddone felde, wheare James (King of) Scottes was slaine/ in conf(erence theare) hadde betwixt (him and) Sir William Uuedale, comonelie (callide) Sir William Woddall president of prince Arthures cownsaile in Wales, didde affirme that the olde name of the Uuedale cam out of the northe cuntrie first, whichthing the said Sir William didde verifie to be trewe, and then and there thei didde agree betwixte them that the howse of the Uuedale was in ancient time attaintide in the northe parties, and that the saide Sir William dide descende of the second brother and the saide Ion Uuedale didde descende of the thirde brother, and truthe is the saide Sir William Uuedale and John Uuedale were soo like in favor and compositone of making, that a man wolde have judgede them brothers and so saide (Henry) the seventh/but truthe is that (the eldest) brother was attaintide and boothe Sir William and the saide Ion Uuedale agreed in their coference that Sir William (came of the) seconde brother and Ion Uuedale (aforesaide) of the third brother/ and soo onelie (ought) to give the cross crosslet with the differing of the seconde brother and of the thirde brother/but the saide William his issue hathe quarteride at the leaste six coates bi mariage as appearithe bi the armes at this daie/item the saide William didde givein his signett or seale of armes ii oisteriche fethers in a capp of maintenance, and soo he might well doo as appearithe bi seales of his ancetersKing Edwarde the thirdes daies but afore that time as it should seme the ii osteriche fethers issuide out of a crowne with ii little hornes as sholde seme in the side of the crown as bi seales of evidence in king Henry the (thirdes) daies appearithe which William Uuedale of Hampshire hathe iet to showe at this daie/and that semith to be an indowment from some king because it issuithe owt of the crowne. Howbeit sureliethe saide William Uuedale of Hampshire is the eldest howse of the Uuedale in Englande, as of the seconde brother as is aforesaide, and nexte to him the howse of the said John Uuedale as of the third brother/for the howse of Uuedale in Dorsett shire issuithe owt of the house of him of Hampshire iiii decents ago/bi this conference it apperithe that the aforesaide John Uuedale maie give the armes of Uuedale with the difference of the thirde brother, and also the saide John Uuedale maie give as an endowment the armes given to him at Branckestone felde aforesaide as appearithe .......le of the Herald's cofirming the (armes) then given to him/heare is to be notede that there is a hoole cuntrie in the north callede Tuuedale and some call it and write it Tiuidale: it is not farre swarving from Duuedale but oonelie at for a d which maie come bi corrupcion of speache/and the Uuedale to beare the name of the cuntrie from whence the first came/ but hearof I leave to the arbitremt of the skillfull to judge what thei think goode, but certain it is the name came out of the northe at the first, whether from Tuuedale or noo I can not affirme.
…But, notwithstanding the conference here reported, the connection of Uvedale of Marrick with the knightly family of Uvedale, long seated at Titsey in Surrey, and Wickham in Hampshire, is more than doubtful. The only document that I have met with which illustrates their real decent, is the will of Julian Skoore, of the parish of Banwell, in the county of Somerset, dated 5 February 1542. After bequeathing her soul to God, and her body to be buried in the parish church of Banwell, and giving to the high alter for tythes forgotten xiid, to the mother church of St. Andrew of Wells iiiid, to the churchhouse ii platters and ii pottyngers to be occupyde only at the church ale, and divers kyrtles and household effects to her godechildren and others, she leaves all the rest of her goods, moveable and unmoveable, to George Woodall, the sonne of Thomas Woodall, and makes him her sole executor, concluding thus: "I wyll yt my sonne John Uuedale, one of the Kyng our sov'ayn lordes Councell in the north p'ties, shall have the ov'all suche things as I have gyve and beqethyd the saide George durying the tyme of hys nonage, and also I wyll hym to be my cheyfe ov'sear to mynest' this my laste wyll, and to mynest' also att my buryall, my monethese mynde, and att my yeres mynde yu my sonnes absense, and to have hys labor xs. Given ye daye and yeare w'te, these beyng witnesses, Sir Willya Vebb vicar of ye sayde p'iche of Banwell, John Symonds, John P'ker, with others.
"John Woodall had doubtlessly prospered in the service of the crown, and having been promoted to the rank of esquire at the field of Flodden, the name of Woodall, it seems, been dropped for that of Uvedale, and with the consent of Sir William Uvedale, the ancient bearing of the family assumed with a difference in order to give colour to this decent, the coat of arms awarded him by the heralds being added merely by way of augmentation. In the 26th Henry VIII John Uvedale filled the post of secretary to the Queen, he being styled in a grant to him in that year of the suppressed hospital of Newton Garth, in the county of York."
If you go back as is stated above four generations as suggested above you end up with Sir Thomas Uvedale born circa 1305. Which would suggest that William Uvedale was descendant from the second son of Sir Thomas Uvedale and John of the third son. This would imply that there was another son of Sir Thomas born to either Mary, Isabel or Margaret Rees born before Sir John Uvedale (who was born about 1344), and another son born after Sir John Uvedale by Margaret Rees of Benedicta. While there is no evidence that I am aware of this it may be possible.
In 1513 Sir William Uvedale was one of the justices to inquire of treasons in Salop.
Sir William Uvedale Kt., son of Henry Uvedale of Corfe, had a lease for life and eventually bought the manor of Little Chrichel in More Chrichel, from Sir Henry Lord Daubenay in 1514.
After the birth of their son, Arthur, William Uvedale and Dorothy Troyes when on to have sons John (born abt 1504), William (born abt 1505), Richard (born abt 1507), and Fraunces, along with daughter Agnes, Elizabeth and Ann. It is at this point that my direct branch splits off from the elder branch and follows the descent of the son William. A branch of that family lived in Staffordshire at Ellastone as will be discussed in a later article.
So, the family had managed to survive largely intact from the time of King Henry II, through the battles of King Edward I with the Scots, through Hundred Years War with the French, through the War of the Roses, and the passing of the rule from the Plantagents to the Tudor era. More will be said in the next paper concening the turbulent Tudor times and the eventual migration of some of the family members to North America.
Article is Copyright held by Gordon Walter Udell
13 September 2020