‹ E-CIPM 23-549: RICHARD BAMFELD ›

Holdings

Hugh Courtenay, late earl of Devon and lord of Okehampton, was seised of the manor of Columbjohn in demesne as of fee and, thus seised, married Anne daughter of Richard, Lord Talbot. He afterwards granted the manor to John Fortescu and John Selman and to their heirs and assigns in perpetuity, to hold of the chief lords of that fee by due rent and service, under condition that they grant the manor to the late earl for life, without impeachment of waste, with remainder to Richard Bamfeld , described as Richard Bamfeld, esquire of the late earl, and to the heirs male of his body in perpetuity. Failing such issue, the manor should remain to the late earl and his heirs in perpetuity. The earl’s grant was made by charter, sealed with his arms and dated Columbjohn 20 June 1421. It was shown to the jurors. John Fortescu and John Selman were thus seised of the manor in demesne as of fee and, thus seised, they granted the manor to Hugh Courtenay for life, with remainder to Richard Bamfeld and the heirs male of his body in perpetuity. Failing such issue, the manor should remain to the right heirs of the late earl in perpetuity. The grant was made by indented charter, sealed with their seals and dated Columbjohn 21 June 1421. It was shown to the jurors. The late earl and John and John, as recited in the latters’ charter, also granted that, when his remainder falls, Richard should render 5 marks yearly at the four principal terms by equal parts to John Ralegh, servant of the late earl, until the earl makes other provision for him. If the rent should fall into arrears, in part or in total at any term, then it is lawful, until the late earl has otherwise provided for him, for John Ralegh to make distraint until satisfaction is made. The late earl was thus seised of the manor in demesne as of free tenement, and was so seised for life. Richard entered the manor after the death of the earl and, from it, assigned reasonable dower to Anne, countess of Devon. The assignment of dower was made by an indenture between the countess and Richard, dated Tiverton 20 June 1422. It was shown to the jurors. The countess is still so seised. After the late earl’s death, John Ralegh, still living, peacefully took the rent of 5 marks during Richard’s lifetime. The late earl made no other arrangements for him. The 2 parts of the manor with reversion of the third pertain to the right heir of the late earl, and to his heirs in perpetuity. The right heir is Thomas Courtenay, knight , son of Hugh and a minor in the wardship of the king. Richard held by grant of the late earl. It descended to the late earl by hereditary right upon the death of Edward Courtenay , his brother, and he was thus seised in demesne as of fee after his marriage to Anne. He made the grant to Richard by charter dated 1 August 1420. It was shown to the jurors.