Some notes on Pyworthy in Devon

Some notes on Pyworthy in Devon

Niall C.E.J. O’Brien

The village and parish of Pyworthy is situated in north-west Devon. The western boundary of the parish is formed by the River Tamar which also forms the boundary between Devon and Cornwall. The name of Pyworthy is defined as ‘insect farm or enclosure’. The Py was an Old English word for insect. It is not clear if the word insect had some natural meaning or if it was a nickname given to the place.[1] The “Worthy” name means farm or enclosure.[2]

Within the parish, which is situated in Black Torrington Hundred, there are a number of townlands and place-names including Bradford, Crinacott, Derrill, Hopworthy, Killatree, Parnacott, Tinney, Knowle, Marsh, Moor Cottages and Trelana. Other older place-names include Bound’s Cross, Derriton, Thorndon, Winscot and Yeomadon.[3]

Location map for Pyworthy west of Holsworthy

Pyworthy in the Domesday Book

Pyworthy appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 under the name of Paorde. In the time of King Edward (c.1066) the manor was held by a person called Alfred and paid geld tax on 3 virgates of land and was worth £11. By 1086 the value of the manor had declined a small bit to £8. In 1086 Iudhael of Totnes held Pyworthy. At that time the land had 16 ploughs with 5 ploughs in lordship. The lordship also had 8 slaves and one virgate of land. There were 30 villagers and 5 small holders with 5 ploughs and 2 virgates of land and 2 pigmen. Although pigs are not listed among the livestock at Pyworthy it is not unusual for pigmen to be lised without any pigs. The meadow measured one league in length by one league in width as did the pasture area. The area of woodland measured 4 furlongs by 20 perches wide. In livestock there were 35 cattle and 190 sheep on the manor.[4]

Iudhael of Totnes would seem to be a person from Brittany as the name is an alternative to the Breton name of Judicael. Totnes was the chief seat of his property in Devon and caput of the later barony. Iudhael is sometimes called Iudhael son of Alfred. After Baldwin the sheriff, Iudhael was the largest landowner in Devon. He held one manor in Cornwall.

But Iudhael did not long enjoy his large estate. In 1087 Iudhael was expelled from Totnes and his barony granted by William II to Roger de Nonant. The reason for the expulsion is lost in the mists of time. It happened shortly after William II came to the throne and Roger de Nonant was a favourite of William but is that a reason, the reward to a friend. Williams reign was considered a period of tranquillity with very few changes in the baronage.[5] Sometime between 1095 and 1100 Iudhael was said to have been given the barony of Barnstaple. Others think that the disgraced Iudhael of Totnes would not have got the barony from William II and that it was Henry I who so honoured Iudhael.[6] Iudhael was dead by 1130 when his son Alfred paid relief for his father’s land.[7]

Elsewhere in Pyworthy parish William held Bradford from Iudhael in 1086 while Aeleva held it before 1066. At Bradford there were two ploughs with one in lordship where there were two slaves. The meadow at Bradford was three furlongs long by one furlong wide while the pasture was two furlongs by one furlong. There were three cattle at Bradford and the estate was valued at 10 shillings.[8]

Bradford held by Launceston Priory

Bradford was later held by the Augustinian priory of St. Stephen at Launceston. It is not known when the priory acquired Bradford as not all of its early grants appear in the cartulary of Launceston priory. Sometime between 1221 and 1242 Henry de Heriz gave his land in Bradford to Launceston priory for his soul and that of his wife and his ancestors. Documents from around 1242 show the priory’s acquisition of the mill of Bradford as part of a mortgage agreement. The priory which was refounded in about 1127 as an Augustinian house, may have acquired land in Bradford before 1221 but we have no documents to confirm or deny this. About two thirds of the priory’s endowments were acquired by 1200.[9]

Following the dissolution of the monasteries the government acquired the lands of Launceston priory in the parishes of Pyworthy and Clawton. These lands had formed the manor of Bradford. In 1540 the manor was transferred to the Duchy of Cornwall. A survey in 1650 found 104 acres of land with a corn and fulling mill in Pinkworthy, Pyworthy parish along with messuages, lands and tenements in Bradford with 44 acres. Also at Bradford was a chief messuage, barn, orchard and other buildings with about 64 acres of meadow and pasture. These lands once formed all or mostly the property of Launceston priory.[10]

Rectory of Pyworthy in the thirteenth century

In March 1262 John le Gras, sub-deacon, was instituted as rector of Pyworthy on the presentation of Margaret le Mahewe.[11] This was Margaret Berkeley, the widow of John Fitz Mathew who died in 1261.[12]

In August 1268 Sir Anselm Basset [see biography on Anselm Basset = http://celtic2realms-medievalnews.blogspot.ie/2014/07/anselm-basset-hunting-and-his-life.html] presented Henry de Monte Forti to the rectory of Pyworthy in Devon. In 1260 Henry de Monte Forti was described as a cleric and royal justice.[13] Sir Anselm Basset had married Margaret de Berkeley, the Lady of Pyworthy, in 1265 and thus became lord of the manor by right of his wife.[14]

In June 1272 Henry de Monte Forti was instituted to the rectory of Infracombe on the presentation of Sir Henry de Campo Arnulfi (Champernowne). On 6^th May 1275 Ralph le Boteler was collated as canon and prebendary of Crediton but resigned on the same day. Later the same day Sir Henry de Monte Forti was given the prebend. Sometime between February and September 1275 Sir Henry de Monte Forti was collated to the canonry and prebend of St. Crantock.[15]

Parish valuation

In 1291 the taxation of Pope Nicholas IV valued the parish of Pyworthy as worth £9 6 shillings 8 pence. The parish was described as in the deanery of Holsworthy.[16] In 1366 the parish of Pyworthy was valued at 14 marks (£8 12s 10d), a slight decreased on the earlier valuation.[17]

Property in thirteenth century Pyworthy

The lord of the manor of Pyworthy in the 1250s was Sir John Fitz Matthew. He married Margaret de Berkeley, daughter of Thomas de Berkeley of Berkeley Castle and Joan de Somery, daughter of Ralph de Somery. John and Margaret had two children, Matthew Fitz John (also called Matthew son of John) and Joan (died 1303). Joan Fitz John married Walter (died 1301) son of John Lord Beke (died 1303).[18]

Sometime in 1261 the lord of the manor of Pyworthy, John son of Matthew, died. John held a number of properties in Devon, Wiltshire and Hampshire. His wife Margaret de Berkeley acquired as her dower lands the manors of Pyworthy and La Stuarte (Start in Stokenham) and one third part of the manor of Hocford (Oakford) in Devonshire along with the manors of Warblinton and Hunton in Hampshire. John’s son, Matthew, succeeded to other property in Devonshire and Wiltshire.[19]

Within the manor of Pyworthy other more local property owners left records of their business. On 27^th January 1279 Henry of Holsworthy acknowledged before the five justices of Thomas Welond, Walter de Helyun, John de Lovetot, Roger de Leycestre and William de Burnton that one tenement, containing one messuage and two ferlings of land at Thorndon in Pyworthy, was the right of John de Holsworthy by Henry’s gift. For this John de Holsworthy granted the property to Henry de Holsworthy for the life of John and his heirs on the payment of one rose at the Nativity of St. John the Baptist.

When Henry de Holsworthy died the property would revert fully to John de Holsworthy. If John died without heirs the property would pass to his brother, Ralph de Holsworthy and if Ralph died without heirs the property would pass to his brother Robert de Holsworthy. And if it should come to pass that the three brothers left no heirs then the property would revert to the right heirs of Henry de Holsworthy.[20]

On 6^th October 1287 the lord of the manor of Pyworthy, Matthew son of John surrendered the manor and all his other property in Devonshire, Wiltshire and Hampshire to King Edward and Queen Eleanor in return for a lifetime interest. The dower lands (including Pyworthy) given to his mother Margaret de Berkeley on her widowhood also formed part of the surrendered. By 1287 Margaret de Berkeley was in her second widowhood as her second husband, Sir Anselm Basset died in 1280. These dower lands were returned to Margaret by the King and Queen to hold for her life. On her death the lands would revert to Matthew and on his death all the manors would return to the King. Margaret agreed to this surrender and regrant and did fealty to the King and Queen.[21]

On 20^th October 1287 King Edward and Queen Eleanor granted the former lands of Matthew son of John to the same Matthew following his earlier surrender of same. On that date Matthew got the town and castle of Devizes along with the manors of Ruder and Erleston in Wiltshire and the manors of Oakford, Stokenham and Yealmpton in Devonshire. His mother Margaret got as her dower lands the manors Pyworthy and Start in Stokenham and one third part of the manor of Oakford in Devonshire along with the manors of Warblinton and Hunton in Hampshire. For this grant for life Matthew was to render to the King £40 per year in two instalments.[22]

Matthew son of John further received the lands of Uley in Gloucester which was previously held by his mother’s family, the Berkeley family of Berkeley Castle. Uley was held by Margaret de Berkeley and her second husband, Anselm Basset. Matthew was to hold this land for life and to revert to the king when he died. Matthew also got custody of the forests of Melkyhsam and Chipenham as part of the property of Devizes Castle in Wiltshire. At the same time Matthew son of John was made constable of Exeter Castle.[23]

No all the landowners in Pyworthy were secular people. Earlier we saw mention of Launceston priory while the priory of Totnes is said to have held Pyworthy towards the end of the thirteenth century.[24] In 1334 we find among the possessions of foreigners, or aliens as they were called, in the Dioceses of Exeter that the prior of Totnes had 10 shillings income from Pyworthy church.[25]

Rectors in the fourteenth century

In about the year 1309-10 a cleric called Sir Henry was rector of Pyworthy but nothing further is known about this man.[26]

By 1328 Sir Roger de Bokhurste was rector of Pyworthy but he was not always in the parish. On 14 August 1328 he got a dispensation from Bishop Grandisson for non-residence for one year with the condition that he should return to the church of St. Swithin twice in the course of the year.[27] It is not known where Bokhurste was during 1328.

The church of St. Swithin at Pyworthy

On 17^th July 1329 Roger de Bokhurste got a further dispensation for non-residence for another year. In June 1330 Roger de Bokhurste got a further dispensation for another year. On this occasion his absence from Pyworthy was in the service of Lady Isabella Hastings. In February 1331 the reason and term of absence changed for Roger de Bokhurste. He got dispensation for four months because he was visiting the shrine of St. James at Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in north-west Spain. The shrine of St. James was a popular place of pilgrimage in medieval times.[28]

The many years of non-residence and a pilgrimage to Spain did not make Roger de Bokhurste forget Pyworthy. The church at Pyworthy was a pre Norman foundation and its structure was possibly changed over the two centuries after 1066. In the 1320s and early 1330s alterations were made to the chancel, while the north and south aisles built with clerestory set of windows overhead. Pyworthy is one of a few Devon churches to retain its clerestory set of windows. In 1334 a letter was issued for the rededication for the new church. The ceremony of dedication was a big day in Pyworthy as Bishop John Grandisson came to perform the ceremonies.[29]

In 1339 Roger de Bokhurste was one of two people delegated by Bishop Grandisson to settle the issues of Tetcott, Clawton and Cornworthy priory. But local affairs could not keep Roger in Pyworthy. In February 1340 he got dispensation to be non-resident for one year as he was in the service of Sir Thomas de Monte Hermerii.[30] Thomas de Monte Hermerii was lord of Pyworthy and the son of Sir Ralph de Monte Hermerii and Joan de Acre, daughter of King Edward I. Margaret, daughter and heiress of Thomas de Monte Hermerii married John de Monte Acuto who become lord of Pyworthy. This rise to lordship came swiftly as Thomas de Monte Hermerii fought at the Battle of Sluys and died of his wounds on 24^th June 1340.[31] The Battle of Sluys was a naval battle fought between England and France and was one of the opening battles in the Hundred Years War.[32]

Roger Bokhurste remained as rector of Pyworthy until his death in 1347 when on 22^nd June 1347 William de Braunton, clerk, was instituted to fill the vacancy on the presentation of Sir John de Monte Acuto. The institution ceremony at Clyst was overseen by Richard Fitz Ralph, Archbishop of Armagh.[33]

On 15^th October 1361 Master William de Braunton was collated to the prebend in the collegiate church of Ottery-St. Mary on the death of Sir Roger de Buddelegh. This prebend was worth 40 shillings in 1366.[34] The affairs of the church and the incomes which William de Braunton received added to his status and personal wealth. In 1366 William used this wealth to purchase property.

On 13^th October 1366 William de Braunton purchased one messuage, one carucate of land, six acres of meadow, three acres of wood and 3 shillings of rent in Le Beare from John Golde of Colmpton (Cullompton) and Joan his wife. For the purchased William de Braunton gave John and Joan 100 marks of silver. There are about 40 places in Devon called Bearas or Beers with that in Payhembury the nearest to Cullompton. It is presumed that that is the location of this Le Beare but this is far from certain.[35]

Shortly after this transaction William de Braunton died or resigned Pyworthy rectory. On 10^th September 1367 John Fleming was admitted as rectory of Pyworthy to fill the vacancy. It would appear that John Fleming was the same person who was a fellow of Exeter College in 1354 and still there in 1356. On 14^th September 1360 John Fleming was collated to the rectory of Bratton Clovelly, Diocese of Exeter. He had vacated this rectory by 1368, possibly on his appointment to Pyworthy. John Fleming did not stay long as a resident rector at Pyworthy as he was employed in the service of the Monte Acuto family. On 27^th July 1370 John Fleming was granted a licence to study at Oxford for one year while in the service of Thomas, son of Sir John de Monte Acuto, patron of Pyworthy.[36] This absence, and others, did not affect John Fleming’s position at Pyworthy where he reminded as rector for the next three decades.   

Property in fourteenth century Pyworthy

In July 1309 Eleanor, the wife of the late Matthew son of John, petitioned King Edward II for her dower lands. The king’s officials made an examination of all the property Matthew gave to King Edward I in 1287 which included the hamlet of Pyworthy and the advowson of the parish church.[37]

It is not known if Eleanor got Pyworthy as her dower lands. Shortly after Pyworthy and other lands formerly held by Matthew son of John were held by Thomas de Monte Hermerii. At the death of Thomas in 1320 the inquisitions post mortem records Thomas holding Pyworthy manor and advowson by knight’s service from the king. Thomas de Monte Hermerii was succeeded by his ten year old daughter, Margaret de Monte Hermerii.[38]

During the minority of Margaret de Monte Hermerii the manor of Pyworthy was held as dower land by her mother, also called Margaret de Monte Hermerii, along with the other Devon manors of Oakford and Yealmpton. Margaret de Monte Hermerii senior died in May 1320 on a day that was unknown to her contemporaries. Some said it was on the Tuesday after the feast of St. Dunstan (19^th May) while others said it was the Friday after the feast day while the men of Devon said it was on the Friday before the feast of St. Dunstan. By 1320 her daughter Margaret de Monte Hermerii had married John de Monte Acuto.[39]

Monte Hermerii or later written as Monthermer arms

In 1279 we saw how John de Holsworthy gave to Henry de Holsworthy a messuage and two ferlings at Thorndon in Pyworthy for life. On 9 February 1307 John le Deneys and his wife Joan claimed one messuage and one ploughland at Thorndon against John de Holsworthy. It is not clear if the property of 1307 included the property of 1279 or if it is different. At the court in 1307 John de Holsworthy acknowledge the messuage and one ploughland to be the right of John le Deneys for which John le Deneys agreed to pay John de Holsworthy 5 marks per year. If John le Deneys defaulted on payment then John de Holsworthy could enter the land and take goods worth the owed amount. After the death of John de Holsworthy the charge of 5 marks would cease.[40]

By November 1311 John le Deneys and his wife Joan had expanded their property to two messuages, two ploughlands, 40 acres of wood, £6 8 shillings 6 pence of rent and one third part of the mill at Thorndon. This property along with other property at Stockelger and Goodleigh along with the advowsons of two churches (Meeth and Goodleigh) they had granted to Robert le Megre as by their gift. On 25^th November 1311 Robert returned all the properties including that at Thorndon to John and Joan for their lives. After the death of John le Deneys and Joan these properties would pass to Walter son of John le Deneys. If Walter died without heirs the property would pass to his brother John and if he died without heirs the right heirs of Joan le Deneys would succeed.[41]

On 8^th July 1313 Walter de Winscot, Richard his son and Richard’s wife Joan claimed against John Moriz for one messuage, one mill and one ploughland at Winscot. There are a number of places called Winscot such as in Peters Marland, Alwington, St. Giles-in-the-Wood, Newton St. Cyres and in Pyworthy. It is presumed that this Winscot of 1313 was that in Pyworthy but this is far from absolute. In the court Walter acknowledged the tenements to be the right of John Moriz as by Walter’s gift. For this John Moriz granted the tenements to Walter de Winscot and Richard his son. If Richard and Joan de Winscot left no heirs the property would pass to the right heirs of Walter de Winscot to hold forever.[42]

The people of fourteenth century Pyworthy

The parish church was the religious and social centre for the parish of Pyworthy while the rolling farmland of the parish was basis of its economic world yet these things were as nothing without the people of Pyworthy. Most of the time they travel through the surviving medieval documents in the background; the nameless supporting cast to the powers of church and manor. But at brief moments of delight the people appear centre stage in the medieval documents.

One such time was in 1332 as part of the Devonshire lay subsidy. The lay subsidy was a tax on the personal (movable) wealth of every individual above a fixed value which varied from time to time. In 1332 this base amount was six shillings in urban areas and ten shillings in rural areas. The tax assessors had first to estimate the personal wealth before applying the tax rate. In 1332 this tax rate was one fifteenth in rural areas and one tenth in urban areas.

In Pyworthy the names of the tax payers and their tax amount were: Richard Brounlok (9d), John le Deneys (3s), Hamo de Bradford (20d), John Frere (10d), Henry Brounyng (2s), Jordan de Knolle (8d), John Brounyng (2s), Richard Gibbe (12d), Roger Gibbe (12d), Walter the miller (2s), Roger de Hoppeworthy (8d), Edward de Montchemery (3s 6d), William le Moyne (2s), John atte Mershe (16d), Robert de Yeamedon (12d), Richard de Knoll (8d), Walter King (16d), Robert Gorde (12d), Jordan Parnyacote (2s), Gounilda de Wynscote (20d), Roger atte Lake (12d) and Richard Gilla (12d).[43]

This moment of delight was indeed a moment of delight. After 1332 the method of tax assessment was changed. Instead of taxing every individual the government would tax each district with a total tax bill and it was for each tithing, hamlet, borough and demesne to work out how each was to collect the tax from the people. Thus in tax documents after 1332 we only get the name of each area and their tax bill; the individual names of taxpayers appeared no more.[44] 

Rectors in the fifteenth century

In 1402 John Fleming was still rector of Pyworthy. But he was reported to be weak in health and mind and to have nearly lost his sight.[45] On 16^th November 1402 he exchanged Pyworthy with Richard Traunce, rector of Inwardlegh, in the same Diocese of Exeter, by royal licence.[46] John Fleming was admitted as rector of Inwardlegh on 27^th January 1403 and possibly died sometime after as the rectory was vacant by January 1410.[47]

It seems that Richard Traunce did not long enjoy Pyworthy was on 16^th March 1403 John Barell was presented by King Henry IV to Pyworthy.[48] Pyworthy was then held by the king by the forfeiture of John de Monte Acuto, Earl of Salisbury and by the minority of his son, Thomas de Monte Acuto. Sometime after 1403 John Barell was succeeded as rector of Pyworthy by Richard Gabriel. In November 1406 Richard Gabriel as king’s clerk, received a number of properties and incomes surrendered by John More to the king. These properties came from various sources from exiled Jews to property held by foreigners.[49] By May 1408 Richard Gabriel had resigned the living and John Cowyk, chaplain, was presented to Pyworthy by King Henry IV.[50] Yet a few months later, in August 1408, Richard Gabriel was still claiming to be rector of Pyworthy while seeking a papal letter for a canonry at Salisbury. By 1411 Richard Gabriel was rector of Ippleponne.[51]

By 1421 James Frankcheyny was rector of Pyworthy along with other church livings. On 2^nd June 1421 James Frankcheyny, clerk and rector of Portioner in the parish church of Tiverton and rector of Pyworthy was granted a licence to study for three years. He therefore had a leave of absence from the parish when the vicar took up all the religious duties.[52] In September 1422 James Frankcheyny, who was of noble birth, received a papal letter allowing him to take the profits of Pyworthy for five years while studying at university or living at the Roman court. He could also let to rent the church income to any fit person while in absence.[53]

Sir James Frankcheyny died sometime before July 1432 when a new rector was appointed to Pyworthy. This new man was Sir John Thomas, chaplain, was presented to Pyworthy by Richard, Earl of Salisbury and Lord of Monthermer. John Thomas was instituted at Chudleigh in the person of his proctor, Master Robert Somerset.[54]

Sometime before October 1434 Sir John Thomas, rector of Pyworthy, resigned the parish into the hands of Bishop Edmund Lacy of Exeter. John Renald was presented to the Bishop by Richard, Earl of Salisbury and Lord of Monthermer (de Monte Hermerii) as the choice of next rector. On 11^th October 1434 the Bishop instructed the Archdeacon of Totnes to enquire into the vacancy at Pyworthy and who had the right of patronage. This enquiry was of no great serious concern and was usual practice to make sure the Bishop was not deprived of any rights. On this occasion Bishop Lacy regarded his rights as secure as on the same day of 11^th October the Bishop granted John Renald, tonsured clerk, leave to study at Oxford, or elsewhere in England, for five years while describing Renald as rector of Pyworthy.[55]

On 10^th November 1441 Bishop Lacy of Exeter issued a commission to William, Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, for an exchange of benefices between Sir John Renald, rector of Pyworthy (Diocese of Exeter) and Sir William Bontemps, rector of Wolfstanton in Staffordshire (Diocese of Coventry and Lichfield).[56] Sir William Bontemps was instituted to Pyworthy on 24^th November at Eccleshall by Thomas Trewan, his proctor on the presentation of Richard Neville, Earl of Salisbury. This proctor was William’s second choice as his first proctor, Sir Nicholas Sturgeone, canon residentiary of St. Paul’s, London could not attend. The institution ceremony was overseen by William Heyworth, Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield.[57]

Sir William Bontemps did not stay long as rector of Pyworthy. In a short few months John Theford was made rector of Pyworthy but he did not enjoy the pleasures of Pyworthy for any length of time as he died before April 1444. On 7^th April 1444 an enquiry was held into the church of Pyworthy and who was the patron. The patron was Sir Richard Neville, Earl of Salisbury and Lord of Monthermer and he presented John Stranglond to the vacant living. John Stranglond was instituted to Pyworthy on 19^th June 1444.[58]

Sir John Stranglond died before June 1449 and was replaced as rector by Master William Lambetone, chaplain. Master William was presented by Richard Neville, Earl of Salisbury and instituted at Clyst on 10^th June 1444.[59]

Property in the fifteenth century

At the beginning of the fifteenth century the manor of Pyworthy was held by John de Monte Acuto, Earl of Salisbury but not for long. John de Monte Acuto, Earl of Salisbury and Lord of Monthermer was a strong supporter of King Richard II and tried to attack the forces of Henry Bolingbroke in Wales but unsuccessfully as most of his troops left. John de Monte Acuto realised the cause was lost and advised Richard II to flee to Bordeaux in English held Gascony but the king refused to go and was taken prisoner. John de Monte Acuto was also taken prisoner and his vast estates, including Pyworthy, were declared forfeit to the new king, Henry IV. John de Monte Acuto was subsequently released but he became implicated in a plot to kill Henry IV and to restore Richard II. This plot incited the mob and Monte Acuto was taken prisoner by the town folk of Cirencester where he was held without trial and beheaded on 7^th January 1400.[60]

Montague arms quartered with that of Monthermer 

Thomas de Monte Acuto, eldest son John de Monte Acuto, received Pyworthy along with other properties belonging to his father in March 1401 in full his lifestyle during his minority.[61] When Thomas de Monte Acuto succeeded as Earl of Salisbury and came of age he gave the manor of Pyworthy in dower to his mother, Maud, Countess of Salisbury. The surviving inquisition post mortem, taken after Maud’s death in July 1424, is a patchy document. From it we learn that at Pyworthy there was 160 arable acres worth 3 pence per acre, an undetermined area of meadow worth 10 pence per acre and 115 shillings of assizes rent. Maud’s heir was her son, Alan de Buxhull by her second husband, Sir Alan de Buxhull.[62]

On 3^rd November 1428 the lord of the manor of Pyworthy, Thomas de Monte Acuto, Earl of Salisbury, died leaving his daughter Alice, wife of Richard Neville, as his heir. The inquisition post mortem into the manor of Pyworthy was held at Exeter on 28^th December 1428.

There we learn that the manor and advowson was held by Earl Thomas along with a capital messuage worthy nothing, 3 carucates of arable demesne worth 60 shillings per year, 6 messuages with 6 bovates adjacent worth 30 shillings per year, 4 cottages with 4 crofts adjacent worth 4 shillings per year along with 6 shillings 8 pence of assize rent and 3 shillings 4 pence from the perquisites the manor court.

The inquisition post mortem also outlined the descent of Pyworthy manor from the time of King Edward II to that of Earl Thomas. We are told how the King granted Pyworthy to Ralph de Monte Hermerii (husband of the king’s sister, Joan of Acre) and Thomas and Edward, his sons and to the heirs of Thomas. Thomas de Monte Hermerii succeeded to Pyworthy and left it to his daughter, Margaret who married Sir John de Monte Acuto. Following the death of Margaret, her son, John de Monte Acuto, Earl of Salisbury succeeded to Pyworthy and on his death his son Thomas de Monte Acuto became Earl of Salisbury and Lord of Pyworthy.

Along with Pyworthy, Earl Thomas of Salisbury held many of the manors in Devon which were the property of Matthew son of John back in 1287 when he surrendered them to King Edward I. These included Oakford, Stokenham and Yealmpton.[63] The continuity of history, written in the landscape of its documents, shows itself at Pyworthy in these brief notes on its history.  

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[1] J.E.B. Gover, A. Mawer & F.M. Stenton, The place-names of Devon, part one (Cambridge University Press for English Place-name Society, 1986), p. 162  

[2] Della Hooke, Pre-conquest charter-bounds of Devon and Cornwall (Boydell Press, Woodbridge, 1994), p. 233

[3] J.E.B. Gover, A. Mawer & F.M. Stenton, The place-names of Devon, part one, pp. 163, 164

[4] Caroline and Frank Thorn (eds.), Domesday Book: Devon, part one (Phillimore, Chichester, 1985), no. 17:16

[5] Frank Barlow, William Rufus (Methuen, London, 1990), p. 171

[6] Frank Barlow, William Rufus, p. 359n

[7] Caroline and Frank Thorn (eds.), Domesday Book: Devon, part two (Phillimore, Chichester, 1985), general notes ch. 17

[8] Caroline and Frank Thorn (eds.), Domesday Book: Devon, part one, no. 17:19

[9] P.L. Hull (ed.), The cartulary of Launceston priory: A Calendar (Devon & Cornwall Record Society, New Series, Vol. 30, 1987), p. xiv, xxvii, nos. 448, 449, 450, 451

[10] Norman J.G. Pounds (ed.), The parliamentary survey of the Duchy of Cornwall, part 2 (Devon & Cornwall Record Society, New Series, Vol. 27, 1984), pp. 217, 218, 219

[11] Rev. F.C. Hingeston-Randolph (ed.), The Registers of Walter Bronescombe (A.D. 1257-1280), & Peter Quivil (A.D. 1280-1291) , Bishops of Exeter with some records of Bishop Thomas de Bytton (A.D. 1292-1307), & the taxation of Pope Nicholas IV A.D. 1291 (George Bell, London, 1889), p. 164

[12] Bridget Wells-Furby (ed.), A catalogue of the medieval muniments at Berkeley Castle (2 vols. Bristol & Gloucestershire Archaeological Society, 2004), Vol. 1, p. xxviii

[13] Rev. F.C. Hingeston-Randolph (ed.), The Registers of Walter Bronescombe & Peter Quivil, pp. 164, 230

[14] Bridget Wells-Furby (ed.), A catalogue of the medieval muniments at Berkeley Castle, Vol. 1, p. xxviii

[15] Rev. F.C. Hingeston-Randolph (ed.), The Registers of Walter Bronescombe & Peter Quivil, pp. 130, 146, 169

[16] Rev. F.C. Hingeston-Randolph (ed.), The Registers of Walter Bronescombe & Peter Quivil, p. 459

[17] Rev. F.C. Hingeston-Randolph (ed.), The Registers of John de Grandisson, Bishop of Exeter (A.D. 1327-1369), part III, institutions 1327-1369 (3 vols. George Bell, London, 1897), p. 1249

[18] Bridget Wells-Furby (ed.), A catalogue of the medieval muniments at Berkeley Castle, Vol. 1, p. xxviii

[19] Rev. Oswald J. Reichel, F.B. Prideaux & H. Tapley-Soper (eds.), Devon feet of fines, Vol. 2, 1 Edward 1-43 Edward III, 1272-1369 (Devon & Cornwall Record Society, 1939), no. 938

[20] Rev. Oswald J. Reichel, F.B. Prideaux & H. Tapley-Soper (eds.), Devon feet of fines, Vol. 2, 1 Edward 1-43 Edward III, 1272-1369 (Devon & Cornwall Record Society, 1939), no. 792

[21] Rev. Oswald J. Reichel, F.B. Prideaux & H. Tapley-Soper (eds.), Devon feet of fines, Vol. 2, 1 Edward 1-43 Edward III, 1272-1369 (Devon & Cornwall Record Society, 1939), no. 938

[22] Rev. Oswald J. Reichel, F.B. Prideaux & H. Tapley-Soper (eds.), Devon feet of fines, Vol. 2, 1 Edward 1-43 Edward III, 1272-1369 (Devon & Cornwall Record Society, 1939), no. 939

[23] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edward 1, 1281-1292, p. 280

[24] Caroline and Frank Thorn (eds.), Domesday Book: Devon, part two (Phillimore, Chichester, 1985), general notes 17:16

[25] Rev. F.C. Hingeston-Randolph (ed.), The Registers of John de Grandisson, Bishop of Exeter, part II, p. 764

[26] Rev. F. C. Hingeston-Randolph (ed.), The Registers of Walter Bronescombe & Peter Quivil, p. 421

[27] Rev. F.C. Hingeston-Randolph (ed.), The Registers of John de Grandisson, Bishop of Exeter, part 1, p. 372

[28] Rev. F.C. Hingeston-Randolph (ed.), The Registers of John de Grandisson, Bishop of Exeter, part 1, pp. 514, 569

[29] Rev. F.C. Hingeston-Randolph (ed.), The Registers of John de Grandisson, Bishop of Exeter, part II, p. 742

[30] Rev. F.C. Hingeston-Randolph (ed.), The Registers of John de Grandisson, Bishop of Exeter, part II, pp. 898, 921

[31] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_de_Monthermer,_2nd_Baron_de_Monthermer accessed on 16 August 2014

[32] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Sluys accessed on 16 August 2014

[33] Rev. F.C. Hingeston-Randolph (ed.), The Registers of John de Grandisson, Bishop of Exeter, part III, p. 1361

[34] Rev. F.C. Hingeston-Randolph (ed.), The Registers of John de Grandisson, Bishop of Exeter, part III, pp. 1249, 1463

[35] Rev. Oswald J. Reichel, F.B. Prideaux & H. Tapley-Soper (eds.), Devon feet of fines, Vol. 2, 1 Edward 1-43 Edward III, 1272-1369 (Devon & Cornwall Record Society, 1939), no. 1527

[36] A.B. Emden, A Biographical Register of the University of Oxford to A.D. 1500 (3 vols. Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1989), Vol. 1, p. 696

[37] J. E. E. S. Sharp (ed.), Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem, Vol. 5, Edward II (Kraus reprint, Liechtenstein, 1973), no. 213

[38] J. E. E. S. Sharp (ed.), Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem, Vol. 8, Edward III (Kraus reprint, Liechtenstein, 1973), no. 280

[39] E. G. Atkinson (ed.), Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem, Vol. 9, Edward II (Kraus reprint, Liechtenstein, 1973), no. 344

[40] Rev. Oswald J. Reichel, F.B. Prideaux & H. Tapley-Soper (eds.), Devon feet of fines, Vol. 2, 1 Edward 1-43 Edward III, 1272-1369 (Devon & Cornwall Record Society, 1939), no. 931

[41] Rev. Oswald J. Reichel, F.B. Prideaux & H. Tapley-Soper (eds.), Devon feet of fines, Vol. 2, 1 Edward 1-43 Edward III, 1272-1369 (Devon & Cornwall Record Society, 1939), no. 990

[42] Rev. Oswald J. Reichel, F.B. Prideaux & H. Tapley-Soper (eds.), Devon feet of fines, Vol. 2, 1 Edward 1-43 Edward III, 1272-1369 (Devon & Cornwall Record Society, 1939), no. 1015n

[43] Audrey M. Erskine (ed.), The Devonshire Lay Subsidy of 1332 (Devon & Cornwall Record Society, New Series, vol. 14, 1969), pp. vii, viii, 69

[44] Audrey M. Erskine (ed.), The Devonshire Lay Subsidy of 1332, p. ix

[45] A.B. Emden, A Biographical Register of the University of Oxford to A.D. 1500, Vol. 3, p. 697

[46] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Henry IV, 1401-1405, p. 173

[47] A.B. Emden, A Biographical Register of the University of Oxford to A.D. 1500, Vol. 3, p. 697

[48] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Henry IV, 1401-1405, p. 216

[49] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Henry IV, 1405-1408, p. 281

[50] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Henry IV, 1405-1408, p. 428

[51] W.H. Bliss & J.A. Twemlow (eds.), Calendar of the Papal Registers relating to Great Britain and Ireland (H.M.S.O., 1904), Vol. 6 (1404-1415), pp. 127, 216

[52] Rev. Charles G. Browne & Rev. Oswald J. Reichel (eds.), The register of Edmund Lacy, Bishop of Exeter (A.D. 1420-1455), Part 2 – the Registrum commune (Devon & Cornwall Record Society, 1915), p. 480

[53] J.A. Twemlow(ed.), Calendar of the Papal Registers relating to Great Britain and Ireland (H.M.S.O., 1906), Vol. 7 (1417-1431), p. 249

[54] Rev. F.C. Hingeston-Randolph (ed.), The Registers of Edmund Lacy, Bishop of Exeter (A.D. 1420-1455), part 1,The register of  institutions (George Bell, London, 1909), p. 147

[55] Rev. C. G. Browne & Rev. O. J. Reichel (eds.), The register of Edmund Lacy, Part 2, p. 613

[56] Rev. C. G. Browne & Rev. O. J. Reichel (eds.), The register of Edmund Lacy, Part 2, p. 808

[57] Rev. F.C. Hingeston-Randolph (ed.), The Registers of Edmund Lacy, part 1, institutions, p. 266

[58] Rev. F.C. Hingeston-Randolph (ed.), The Registers of Edmund Lacy, part 1,institutions, p. 285

[59] Rev. F.C. Hingeston-Randolph (ed.), The Registers of Edmund Lacy, part 1,institutions, p. 339

[60] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Montacute,_3rd_Earl_of_Salisbury accessed on 16 August 2014

[61] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Henry IV, 1399-1401, p. 466; Calendar of patent Rolls, Henry IV, 1401-1405, p. 11

[62] Kate Parkin (ed.), Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem, Vol. 22, 1 to 5 Henry VI, 1422-1427 (Boydell Press & National Archives, 2003), no. 466

[63] Claire Noble (ed.), Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem, Vol. 23, 6 to 10 Henry VI, 1427-1432 (Boydell Press & National Archives, 2004), no. 277