Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem, Volume 22, 1422-27

WALTER FITZWALTER, CHEVALIER , BROTHER AND HEIR OF HUMPHREY FITZWALTER SON AND HEIR OF WALTER FITZWALTER, KNIGHT , AND JOAN HIS WIFE

189 Writ de etate probanda. ‡ 18 April 1423. [Smyth] Walter and Joan held of ‪Henry IV and Humphrey died a minor in the wardship of ‪Henry V‬. Executors of John, late earl of Somerset , who had custody until the heir’s majority by letters patent of ‪Henry IV, to be informed [CPR 1405–8, p.275]. [Dorse:] Henry bishop of Winchester , executor of John earl of Somerset , informed.

ESSEX. Proof of age. Braintree. 31 May 1423. [Kirkeby]

John Pechard of Castle Hedingham, aged 60 years and more, separately examined on Walter’s age, says that he was 21 years on 22 June last, was born at Woodham Walter and baptised in the baptistery of that vill’s church on 22 June 1400 [sic] and that his godfathers were Geoffrey then abbot of St John’s, Colchester, and John Burnham , then prior of Little Dunmow , and his godmother Eleanor now wife of Edmund Bensted, knight . Asked how he knows this he says that on that day Margaret his daughter died and was buried at Woodham Walter. The other jurors, separately examined, agree and say that they know for the following reasons, all referring to events that happened 21 [sic] years ago. John Borham of Sandon, 43 years and more, was playing football (ad pilam pedalem) with his fellows at Chelmsford that day, and broke his left shin (tibia). John Marler , 52 years and more, says that on the eve of Pentecost [5 June] 1400, John Tanner, clerk , was instituted and inducted at Woodham Walter as rector of the parish church, and the following 22 June baptised Thomas in the baptistery. Robert Normanndye , 59 years and more, says that at Woodham Walter on Trinity Sunday [13 June] 1400, he espoused Rose his wife, then servant of Joan, Walter’s mother. John Fitzwillyam , 44 years and more, was at Woodham Walter that day at Walter’s baptism and held a burning torch. William Hardyng , 43 years and more, had John his first-born son baptised in the baptistery of Woodham Walter church that day, and his son was aged 21 years on 22 June last. John Mereld , 60 years and more, that day drove his cart loaded with hay from the manor of Great Tey’s demesne meadow to the manor’s grange on 22 June 1400. He fell from the laden cart in the grange and broke his left arm. Walter Telenham , 56 years and more, says that at Midsummer 1400, Richard Telenham his father died at Woodham Walter, and he thereby inherited lands and tenements in Woodham Walter. John Badecok , 54 years and more, was at Woodham Walter with Joan his wife when Joan mother of Walter gave birth to Walter and they were at her churching on 20 July 1400. John Lexnham , 58 years and more, says that at Woodham Walter, Walter Fitzwalter, knight , father of Walter, granted a tenement in Great Tey to Richard Abraham his villein, by his charter sealed under his armorial seal, dated that day and shown in evidence. Last 22 June was 21 years since the charter was made. Richard Stansted , 60 years and more, says that John his first-born son took holy orders at London that day and was ordained in the priesthood (sacratus) by the then bishop of London . Richard atte Hoo , 58 years and more, says that at Great Tey on 21 June 1400, John Waryn hanged himself from a tie-beam (laqueo se suspendebat).

C 139/7/54 mm.15–16