‹ E-CIPM 26-321: ROBERT LOKTON, ESQUIRE ›

Holdings

He held no lands or tenements of the king in demesne or in service, to the best knowledge of the jurors (prout eis aliqualiter constare poterit). He held the following jointly with Alice his wife, who survives, to them and the heirs of their bodies, by grant of Thomas Kirkeby, chaplain , and John Russell , with reversion to Thomas and John and their heirs.

He held no other lands or tenements of the king or others in demesne or in service at the time of his death. But by charter dated at Low Hutton, 10 June 1440, shown to the jurors, he granted among other things the following to Thomas Gower, esquire , Richard Driffeld, chaplain , and John Gower , and their heirs and assigns, to his use. In the charter he was described as Robert Lokton , and the premises as [+1] all his lands, tenements, rents, services, and possessions in the vills of Hutton Hill, High Hutton, and Low Hutton, and in Sandburn, Carlton, and Whitcar , and all his other lands, tenements, rents, and services in the county [1+]. Thomas, Richard, and John were seised in demesne as of fee, and were continuously seised after the grant and at the time of Robert’s death, and are still seised. The king, by letters patent shown to the jurors, dated at Westminster 26 June 1445 [CPR 1441–46, p. 352], pardoned the trespass of Thomas, Richard, and John in acquiring without licence the premises in Low Hutton, Sandburn, Whitcar , Stockton on the Forest, and Carlton. On 8 October 1444 an agreement was made concerning the manors, lands, tenements, rents, services, and reversions, by indenture between Robert Lokton on the one part, and Thomas Gower and Thomas Wytham on the other. In the indenture the premises were described as Robert’s various lands, tenements, rents, services, and reversions in the county. One part of the indenture, sealed with Robert’s seal, was shown to the jurors. The agreement and bargain was as follows. [1.] If Robert died without heir of his body, or if he had issue and that issue died under age without issue, then Thomas and Thomas and their heirs would have the premises, the reversion of all lands and tenements then held by Robert’s wife Alice in jointure, and the reversion of the lands and tenements of which Alice should be dowered if she survived Robert. The premises were described as [+1] above and the reversion of the manor of Bolton. Thomas and Thomas would permit Alice to have and occupy her jointure and dower according to law if she survived Robert, and they would permit Elizabeth, Robert’s sister, if she survived him, to have an annual rent of 20 marks from the premises for the term of her life, with reversion to Thomas and Thomas and their heirs; or they would give her 20 marks a year in money, or a lesser sum, as they and her should agree. This was on condition that Elizabeth would not implead them or their heirs and assigns over any parcel of the premises except those held by her for the term of her life; and that she would deliver to them and their heirs and assigns without delay when asked all evidences and muniments in her possession concerning the premises. [2.] In return – after the deaths of Robert, Alice, and Elizabeth, and of the issue of Robert – Thomas and Thomas would find two priests to bid and celebrate yearly for the souls of Robert and his ancestors, kin, and friends, for the term of 20 years. On the day of Robert’s death, they would distribute 20s. in alms, and 13s. 4d. each year afterwards during the same term. However, if they or their heirs, assigns, or executors were impleaded concerning any of the premises – except by Elizabeth concerning those held by her for life – they should not be obliged to find the priests or distribute the alms. [3.] Thomas and Thomas would also indemnify Robert against Christopher Boynton and his executors regarding 300 marks which Robert owed Christopher by statute merchant, or would pay that sum to Christopher on behalf of Robert. [4.] Robert and his feoffees, at their cost, were to do whatever Thomas and Thomas and their heirs and assigns should advise to make them secure of the premises and of the muniments concerning them. [5.] During Robert’s life, and during the minority of an heir of his body, Thomas Gower , and others named by him or by Thomas Wytham or their heirs and assigns, were to have the same estate in the premises, as Thomas Gower , Richard Driffeld , and John Gower had at the time of the agreement. After making this agreement and bargain Robert never afterwards varied from it in any way, but fulfilled it faithfully in every respect, and on his death-bed (languens in extremis) he wished it to be kept for evermore. Thomas Gower and Thomas Wytham for their part have faithfully fulfilled everything contained in the indenture until the taking of this inquisition. annual value 20s., held of Henry, earl of Northumberland [service not specified].