‹ E-CIPM 20-130: WILLIAM BONEVYLE ›

John Cokesdene , Nicholas Pencrich and William Hill , all aged 45 years and more, say that William son of John son of William Bonevyle, knight , was born at Shute and baptised there on 31 Aug. 1392 about the hour of vespers. They know because they were at Honiton for a loveday to settle a dispute between 2 neighbours, and there came Lady Katharine, formerly the wife of John Cobham, knight , and then the wife of John Wyke of Nynehead , aunt of William, proposing to ride to Shute and expecting to be godmother of William. There she met Edward Dygher, a servant of William Bonevile, knight , whom half seriously she reproached for being merry and talkative. He asked where she was going. To which she replied quickly that she was going to Shute to make her nephew a Christian. Grinning he answered in his mother tongue ‘Kate, Kate, ther to by myn pate comyst ow to late’ because the baptism is performed. Mounting her horse again she rode home very angry, not seeing the child’s mother again for 6 months. And this all the jurors know.

John Prentys , John Forde and Richard Trapett , all aged 66 years and more, say that the above is true, because it happened in John Prentys ’s house and they saw and heard it all. It was common knowledge that William was born that day.

Richard Lutrell and John Prustes , both aged 60 years and more, know the date because on that day William Bonevile, knight , was at his manor of Southleigh, placing metes and bounds to define the limits between a parcel of his land called ‘Borcomb’ and the land of William Walrond . They were present at his request, when Andrew Rydon , one of his servants came to tell him that his son had a son. Rejoicing he raised his hands in thanks to God and immediately mounted his horse and rode home.

William Hodesfelde and Richard Damarle , both aged 45 years and more, were in the church to hear vespers and were present at the baptism. After it Walter Walsche, bailiff of William Bonevile in his manor of Stapleton in Somerset, arrived and reported that he had completed the audit of that manor and that of Sock Dennis, and he brought 400 of that year’s lambs and William gave the child 200.

Thomas Bowyere and Geoffrey Northampton , both aged 47 and more, were in the church at the baptism. They saw 3 long burning torches, 2 silver lamps and 2 silver jugs of water. John Legge, then abbot of Newenham , and William Bonevile, knight , were godfathers and Agnes Bygode godmother, the abbot gave the child a silver-gilt cup, worth it was said 100s., with £10 in money in it.

Andrew Rydon , aged 53 years and more, says that William was born and baptised at Shute on 12 Aug. 1391 and was aged 21 on 12 Aug. 1413. He, Andrew, came to the manor of Shute on that day summoned by a messenger of William Bonevyle, knight , to consult on various disputes arising in the county court between William and others. When he was at the gate of the manor he heard a female voice shouting loudly in English ‘ Lady help, Lady, help’ whereupon he went to the church as quickly as he could, and talked there with William for nearly an hour, during which a woman called Beatrice came and told William that his son’s wife was delivered of a boy, William gave one of his servants a noble to fetch the abbot of Newenham to make the boy a Christian, and he, Andrew, was present at the baptism; the abbot, William Bonevyle, knight , and Agnes Bygod being the godparents.

The other jurors confirm the date of birth and baptism and age of William and say that they know for the following reasons:

Thomas Saundre , aged 45 and more, because he came to Shute on that day to discuss with William Bonevyle, knight , certain charges brought against him, having entered the manor he heard a woman shouting several times ‘Lady, help’. He went at once to the church where a woman said that John son of William had a son, and William gave her a noble. the abbot of Newenham baptised the child and William Bonevile and Agnes Bygode were godparents. As he returned home his horse fell and he injured his arm.

John Chestervile , 43 and more, was then serving the abbot of Newenham as his squire. Asking the abbot why he was riding to Shute on that day he was told that William Bonevyle, knight , had called him, the abbot, to baptise William the son of John his son. He, John Chestervile , was present at the baptism and William gave him 40d., and never before or after that day did he give him 1d.

John Prestes , 51 and more, was at that time a valet of the abbot, accompanied him to Shute without delay, was present and saw the baptism, and William Bonevile gave him 20d. and otherwise gave him nothing either before or after.

William atte Hull , 80 and more, was a servant of William Bonevile long before that time with the duty of carrying his letters and messages anywhere within the kingdom of England. On that day William called him to go as fast as he could to the abbot of Newenham because John, William’s son, had a son. He went to the abbot and returned to Shute in his company and saw the baptism. William gave him 20s. and a robe which he never had before or after that time.

Richard Damarle , 54 and more, came to Shute on that day and released William Bonevyle, knight , of all actions real and personal, and for this William gave him £10. He saw the baptism.

Thomas Bower , 48 and more, came to Shute with 12 hunting bows as he had arranged with William Bonevile , and he was showing them to William, displaying his merchandise when the boy was being baptised. He saw the baptism and received 40s. for the bows.

John Pole , 57 and more, was present with William Bonevyle in the church at Shute when a woman told him of the birth. He was present at the baptism, and William asked the chaplain to write the date of the birth in a book.

William Keche , 50 and more, was a parishioner of Shute and had a son baptised that day by the chaplain of the church, and William Bonevyle gave the child 6s.8d. Eleanor the mother of his child died on the same day.

John Strete , 58 and more, was in the church when a woman told William Bonevyle that his son had a son, and he was present at the baptism. William Bonevyle received £23 4s.4d. from his reeve for wool sold, and out of reverence for God and gratitude for the birth of the boy gave him, John, £3 4s.4d.

John Smyter , 52 and more, and Edward Bayer , 61 and more, separately say that they were both in the church in the company of William Bonevyll, knight , when a woman told him of the birth, and afterwards the boy was baptised in their presence. The date was written in English in a book and read out whilst they were there. William gave £20 to the fabric of the church.