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

WILLIAM SON AND HEIR OF NICHOLAS SELWYNE

531 Writ de etate probanda. ‡ 18 November 1424. [Smyth] Nicholas Selwyne held by knight service of John son and heir of Philip Seyntcler, chevalier , who held of ‪Henry IV in chief, John being a minor in ‪Henry V‬’s wardship. John Pelham, chevalier , to whom ‪Henry IV committed custody of Philip’s lands and tenements by letters patent, to be informed [CFR 1405–13, pp.111–12]. [Dorse:] John Pelham informed of specified place and date, but did not come.

SUSSEX. Proof of age. Eastbourne. 8 January 1425. [Wyntereshull]

[The ms is galled.] The jurors, separately examined, say that William was aged 21 years on 24 August last, that he was born at Selmeston and baptised in the vill’s church on 24 August 1403, and that his godfathers were John Dippyng, clerk , and William Marchall and his godmother Maud atte Chambre . Asked how they know, the give the following reasons relating to events 21 years ago. Richard Levet , aged 60 years and more, says that on that day John his son died and was buried at Selmeston. Thomas Knollys , 51 years and more, says that on 29 August 1403 Richard, his son, married Joan daughter of William Morys at Selmeston church. William Stopham , 52 years and more, was at Selmeston at the time of William’s baptism and carried a burning torch. William Thecchere , 54 years and more, had Andrew, his first-born son, baptised in the baptistery of Ringmer church on that day. Andrew was aged 21 years last 24 August. Robert Profoot , 60 years and more, says that John Yford , his servant, was captured at Selmeston by French enemies and taken to Harfleur that day. Robert Aston , 51 years and more, was at Selmeston with Joan his wife when Alice mother of William gave birth and they were at her churching on 21 September 1403. William Hasilgrove , 52 years and more, says his house in the vill of Eastbourne was burned that day immediately after William’s birth. John Hendyman , 54 years and more, was at Selmeston that day playing football with his fellows and broke his left shin. Robert Motard , 55 years and more, says that William Motard , his father, died that day, and he thereby inherited lands and tenements in the vill of Selmeston. William Gyle , 52 years and more, says that on that day at Eastbourne, William Colley hanged himself from a tie-beam (laqueo se suspendebat) and he came to Eastbourne to see William Colley hanging. Returning, he met a woman carrying William the son to Selmeston church for baptism. Richard Roolf , 54 years and more, says that John his son took holy orders long before that day, and celebrated his first mass at Selmeston church the day that William was baptised. John Gilkyn , 53 years and more, says that at Middleton on 23 August 1403 he drove his cart loaded with hay from the manor of Middleton’s demesne meadow to the manor’s grange. He fell from the laden cart in the grange and broke his... [left] arm. The following day William was born.

C 139/20/51 mm.1–2