546
Writ mandamus
.
‡
18 Feb. 1409
[Waker].
ESSEX.
Inquisition.
Chelmsford.
4 March. [
Bendissh].
Jurors:
John
Taverner
;
John
Campyon
;
John
Rede
;
William
Kentyssh
;
John
Playtere
;
Thomas
atte
Lee
;
John
Smyth of Canfield
;
Robert
Shruk
;
John
Lavonham
;
John
Baldewene
;
John
?Wakeham
; and
John
Gyn
.
He formerly held the manor of
Matching Hall with its appurtenances, annual value 10 marks, in his demesne as of fee, and long before his death he granted it by charter to
John
Bray
of Tilbury and
John
Kent
of Thaxted
and their heirs and assigns on certain conditions, namely that if they were to hold the manor peacefully for 7 years from 12 Nov. 1396 without any disturbance by Alexander or his heirs in virtue of any deed of his or of his predecessors, then the charter should become of no effect and he should be free to re-enter and have his former estate in the manor.
John
Bray
released his rights to
John
Kent. Alexander died within the term of 7 years. Alexander son of
John
Walden
his brother was next heir, and
John
Kent
attorned to him. He, a minor, entered and held the manor from the end of the 7 years of the
earl of Oxford
by knight service. The earl being a minor in the king’s ward at that time, the wardship and marriage of the younger Alexander belonged to the king.
Alexander
Walden, knight
, died on 5 Sept. 1401.
John
Kent
held it for the remaining three years of the term, and the king then granted the wardship to
John
ap
Harry
[CPR 1405–8 , p.176] who has held the manor and taken the profits since then.
Alexander
Walden, knight
, also held the manor of Elsenham in his demesne as of fee of Lord Say in socage, annual value £20, and
Elizabeth
Walden
has held it since his death as keeper in socage. Likewise he held the manor of Netherhall of
Joan
Bohun, countess of Essex, Hereford and Northampton
, by knight service, annual value 66s.8d.
C 137/72/35 mm. 1-2