William Isham Esquire of Pytchley
Contents
Isham: William Isham, Esquire of Pytchley
Biographical Overview
William Isham, described as Esquire, of Pytchley in Northamptonshire, was active in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. He was the son and heir of Robert Isham 1402-1474. William Isham's activities are documented in legal records and inquisitions post mortem.
In Hilary Term 1475, William Isham initiated a legal action in the Court of Common Pleas. Represented by his attorney, he sued Henry Huddelston, Esquire, of Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, for a debt of one hundred shillings. The record notes Huddelston's failure to appear in court despite being summoned by the Sheriff of Northamptonshire, and the case was adjourned. This legal action places William Isham as head of his family and active in asserting his financial rights around 1475.
William Isham married Elizabeth, who was previously the wife of Thomas Braunspath of Glooston, Leicestershire. Elizabeth’s Inquisition Post Mortem, taken in Leicestershire on 24 April 1480, details her lineage and connection to the manor of Glooston. She was previously married to Thomas Braunspath, who held an interest in the manor of Glooston. Elizabeth held the profits of the manor of Glooston for her life according to the will of Thomas Braunspath, with the permission of Thomas Assheby. Elizabeth Isham died on 20 September in the 18th year of King Edward IV's reign (1478). Her son and heir was Thomas Isham, son of William Isham, who was stated to be 22 years of age or more in 1480.
William Isham himself died on 13 May in the 2nd year of King Henry VIII's reign (1510). An Inquisition Post Mortem was taken at Kettering, Northamptonshire, on 22 October in the 8th year of King Henry VIII's reign (1516) following his death. This inquest detailed land holdings that had belonged to his father, Robert Isham. Robert Isham had been seised of lands and tenements in Pightesley, Scaldwell, Houghton, Irchester, Irthlingborough, Barton Seagrave, Thorp Malsor, Crowleton, and Kettering in Northamptonshire. Before his death, Robert Isham had enfeoffed these lands to trustees for the use of himself, his heirs and assigns. After Robert Isham's death, the use of these lands descended to William Isham as his son and heir.
At William Isham’s request, the trustees granted lands in Houghton and Irchester to Thomas Isham and his wife Elena, and their bodily heirs, with remainder to Philip Thorp and others if Thomas’s line failed. This grant was made by charter dated 11 May in the 2nd year of King Richard III's reign (1485).
William Isham later entered into possession of lands in Scaldwell, removing the original trustees. He then enfeoffed Thomas Colez (clerk), John Tresham, and others of his lands in Scaldwell by charter dated 26 November in the 23rd year of King Henry VII's reign (1507), to fulfill his last will.
Following William Isham's death, the use of the Scaldwell property descended to his son and heir, Thomas Isham, as William had not specified its disposition in his will. The use of the remaining lands also descended to Thomas Isham as heir. In 1516, Thomas Isham was stated to be 50 years of age or more and was William’s son and nearest heir.
References
Inquisition Post Mortem of William Isham, taken at Kettering, 2 October 1510, referencing Robert Isham and William Isham.
Inquisition Post Mortem of Elizabeth Isham (née Branspeth), taken at Leicester, 24 April 1480, concerning Glooston Manor (C 140/76/61).
CP 40/853 (Hilary 1475) - Legal record of William Isham suing Henry Huddelston.
Deed of Grant, 11 May 1485, concerning lands in Knuston and Irchester granted to Thomas Isham and Ellen.
Charter dated 26 November in the 23rd year of King Henry VII's reign (1507), enfeoffing lands in Scaldwell.
Transcriptions and Translations of Primary Source Documents on AALT
CP 40/853 (Hilary 1475)
In this legal action, William Isham, represented by his attorney, is suing Henry Huddelston, described as an esquire of Irthlingborough, for the recovery of one hundred shillings that Isham claims Huddelston unjustly withholds. The record indicates that Huddelston did not appear in court, despite being summoned by the Sheriff of Northamptonshire. The case was adjourned to fifteen days after Easter.
This record, though brief, provides a snapshot of William Isham engaged in legal proceedings at the very beginning of his tenure as head of the family. The fact that this case dates from Hilary Term 1475, the approximate year of his inheritance, is particularly noteworthy. It suggests William Isham was immediately active in managing his estate and asserting his financial rights upon assuming his inheritance. Debt pleas were common in this period, reflecting the economic realities of land management and credit within gentry society. That William Isham is promptly pursuing a debt case against another esquire underscores his proactive approach to his responsibilities and his engagement within Northamptonshire society. Irthlingborough, Huddelston's residence, is geographically close to other Isham holdings, suggesting these men were part of the same local gentry circles.
Abbreviated Latin Text
| Line | Text |
|---|---|
| 1 | Norht': Will[elmu]s Isham p' attorn' suu' op' se iijto die v'sus henry Huddelston' de Irtelyngburgh in com' p'd'to Armig', |
| 2 | de pl'ito q'd reddat ei centum solidos quos ei debet et iniuste detinet etc. Et ip'e non ven' Et p' fuit vic, |
| 3 | q'd sum' etc. Et vic' modo mand' q'd sum' est. Ideo hic a die pasche in xv dies etc. |
Expanded Latin Text
| Line | Text |
|---|---|
| 1 | Northamptonia: Willelmus Isham per attornatum suum optulit se tercio die versus Henricum Huddelston de Irtelyngburgh in comitatu predicto Armigerum, |
| 2 | de placito quod reddat ei centum solidos quos ei debet et iniuste detinet etc. Et ipse non venit, Et preceptum fuit vicecomiti |
| 3 | quod summoneat etc. Et vicecomes modo mandavit quod summonitus est. Ideo hic a die pasche in quindecim dies etc. |
English Translation
| Line | Text |
|---|---|
| 1 | Northamptonshire: William Isham by his attorney offered himself on the third day against Henry Huddelston of Irthlingburgh in the aforesaid county, Esquire, |
| 2 | concerning a plea that he render to him one hundred shillings which he owes him and unjustly withholds etc. And he did not come, And it was ordered to the sheriff |
| 3 | that he summon etc. And the sheriff now sent word that he was summoned. Therefore [the case is adjourned] here from Easter day in fifteen days etc. |
Inquisition Post Mortem of William Isham (1516)
County: Northamptonshire
Persons: William Isham, Robert Isham (father), Thomas Isham (son and heir), Elena (wife of Thomas Isham), John Thorp (clerk), Robert Isham (clerk), John Selby (clerk), Robert Codyngton (clerk), Richard Isham (Brother), John Isham (Brother), John Palmer, Simon Ingram, Richard Preste, Richard Wodefforde, John Redell, Thomas Colez (clerk), John Tresham, Philip Mulsho Aunger, John Watte, William Lane, William Isham (third son of William Isham), Humphrey Stafford, Ralph Lane, Thomas Grene, Edward Duke of Buckingham, William Russell, Abbot of St. Peter's Burgh, Abbot of Bury St Edmunds.
Places: Kettering, Pightesley (Pyghtesle'), Scaldwell, Huoston (Houghton), Irchester (Irchestre), Irthlingborough (Irchinghburg'), Barton Seagrave (Barton Segr've), Thorp Malsor, Crowleton (Crowghton), Aldem (mentioned in other CP40 cases as "of Aldem").
Inquisition Post Mortem of William Isham (1516) Summary
This document is an Inquisition Post Mortem (IPM) taken at Kettering, Northamptonshire, on 22 October in the 8th year of King Henry VIII's reign (1516). It was conducted before Robert Mathewe, the King's escheator for Northamptonshire, following a writ of Diem clausit extremum issued after the death of William Isham, Esquire. The jury, sworn by William Flecton and others, investigated William Isham’s landholdings at the time of his death.
The jury found that William Isham held no lands directly from the King in chief or by service. However, they determined that William's father, Robert Isham, had been seised of extensive lands and tenements in various Northamptonshire locations: Pightesley, Scaldwell, Houghton, Irchester, Irthlingborough, Barton Seagrave, Thorp Malsor, Crowleton, and a cottage in Kettering.
Robert Isham, by charter, had enfeoffed (transferred property to trustees) a group of individuals including John Thorp (clerk), Robert Isham (clerk), Richard Isham (presumably Richard of Clipston), and others, to hold these properties in fee simple for the use of Robert Isham and his heirs. After Robert Isham's death, the 'use' (effectively the beneficial ownership) of these lands descended to William Isham as Robert's son and heir.
Subsequently, at William Isham’s request, the trustees conveyed lands in Houghton and Irchester to Thomas Isham (William's son) and his wife Elena, to be held by them and their legitimate heirs, with a remainder to Philip Thorp and other feoffees if Thomas's line failed. This conveyance is evidenced by a charter dated 11 May in the 2nd year of King Richard III (1485), shown to the jury.
Later, William Isham entered into possession of the property in Scaldwell, removing the original trustees. He then, by charter dated 26 November in the 23rd year of King Henry VII (1507), enfeoffed Thomas Colez (clerk), John Tresham, and others, of all his lands and tenements in Scaldwell, to fulfill his last will.
The IPM concludes that William Isham died on 13 May in the 2nd year of the current King (Henry VIII, thus 1510). Following William's death, the 'use' of the Scaldwell property descended to his son and heir, Thomas Isham, as William had not specified its disposition in his will. The 'use' of the remaining lands also descended to Thomas Isham as heir.
Thomas Isham is identified as William's son and nearest heir, aged 50 years or more at the time of the inquisition (1516).
The IPM details the feudal tenures of the various landholdings:
11 messuages and 12 virgates in Pightesley held of the King in right of Humphrey Stafford by free socage.
5 messuages, 7 cottages, and 6 virgates in Pightesley held of Ralph Lane by free socage.
Lands in Houghton and Irchester held of the King as part of the Duchy of Lancaster for 40s 7d per annum.
Lands in Irthlingborough held of the Abbot of St. Peter's Burgh for 2d per annum.
Lands in Crowleton held of the heirs of Thomas Grene for 6d annual rent.
Lands in Scaldwell held of the Abbot of Bury St Edmunds (service unknown to jury).
Lands in Barton held of Edward Duke of Buckingham (service unknown to jury).
Lands in Thorp Malsor held of the heirs of William Russell for 12d annual rent.
Lands in Kettering held of the Abbot of St. Peter's Burgh (service unknown to jury).
The total annual value of all the tenements, beyond reprises (deductions), is assessed at £40 40s.
In witness whereof, both the escheator and the jurors affixed their seals to the inquisition, dated at Kettering on the day, year, and place mentioned above.
Abbreviated Latin Text
| Line | Text |
|---|---|
| 1 | Escr' Robertum Campson |
| 2 | Inquisi[ci]ċo capta apud Keteryng' in com' North' vicesimo secundo die mensis Octobr' Anno regni Regis Henrici octaui octauo coram Roberto Mathewe escaetore dicti d'ni Reg' in com' pred'[i]co virtute br'[e]is de Diem claus' extremum eidem escaet' directi et huic inqui- |
| 3 | sic[i]oni annex' post mortem Will'[el]i Ish'm Armig'i p' sacr'[amentu]m Will'[el]i Flecton' etc. Qui dicunt sup' sacr'[amentu]m suum quod Will'[elmu]s Isham in d'[i]co br'[e]i no'[i]'at' die quo obijt nulla tenuit t'[er]ras neq' ten' in Com' pred'[i]co de d'[i]co d'no Rege in capite in d'[omi]nico s'[er]uic'[i]o reu'[er]c[i]one neq' s'[er]uic', |
| 4 | nec aliquo alio modo. Sed dicunt q'd Rob'[er]tus Ish'm pat' pred'[i]ci Will'[el]i Ish'm in d'[i]co br'[e]i no'[i]'at' fuit seis'[itus] de sexdecim mesuag' septem cotag' octo virgat' t'[er]re et aliis hereditament' cum p'tin' in Pyghtesle'. Et de vno mesuag' et duab' virgat' t'[er]re |
| 5 | et lib'[er]is reddit' decem et septem solidor' cum p'tin' in Scaldwell'. Ac de duobus mesuag' et de octo virgat' t'[er]re cum p'tin' in Huoston. Et de duab' virgat' t'[er]re in Irchestre. Et de triginta et duab' acr' prati in Irchinghburg'. Nec de vno mesuag' et de vna |
| 6 | virgat' t'[er]re cum p'tin' in Barton Segr've. Et de vno mesuag' et dimid' virgat' t'[er]re cum p'tin' in Thorp' malsor. Et de vno mesuag' et de duab' virgat' t'[er]re cum p'tin' in Crowleton. Et de vno cotag' cum p'tin' in Keteryng' in d'[i]co com' North'. Et sic |
| 7 | seis'[itus] p' cartam suam feoffauit Ioh'[ann]em Thorp' cl'[er]icum Rob'[er]tum Ish'm cl'[er]icum Ioh'[ann]em Selby cl'[er]icum Rob'[er]tum Codyngton' cl'[er]icum Ric'[ardu]m Ish'm Ioh'[ann]em Ish'm Ioh'[ann]em palmer Simon' Ingram Ric'[ardu]m preste Ric'[ardu]m Wodefforde et Ioh'[ann]em Redell H'end', |
| 8 | et ten'nd' o'[mn]ia pred'[i]ca mesuag' t'[er]ras et ten' ac cet'[er]a p'missa cum p'tin' prefat' Ioh'[ann]i Thorp' Rob'[er]to Ish'm Ioh'[ann]i Selby Rob'[er]to Codyngton' Ric'[ardu]m Ish'm Ioh'[ann]i Ish'm Ioh'[ann]i palmer Simoni Ingram Ric'[ardu]m preste Ric'[ardu]m Wodefforde et Ioh'[ann]i Redell et |
| 9 | hered' et assign' suis imp'p'm ad vsu' pred'[i]ci Rob'[er]ti hered' et assign' suor'. Et postea pred'[i]cus Rob'[er]tus Ish'm obijt post cui' mortem vsus pred'[i]cor' t'[er]rar' et ten' descend' prefato Will'[el]o Ish'm in d'[i]co br'[e]i no'[i]'at' vt fil' et hered' pred'[i]ci Rob'[er]ti Ish'm. Et postea, |
| 10 | pred'[i]ci Ioh'[ann]es Thorp' Rob'[er]tus Ish'm Ioh'[ann]es Selby Rob'[er]tus Codyngton' Ric'[ardu]m Ish'm Ioh'[ann]es Ish'm Ioh'[ann]es palmer Simon Ingram Ric'[ardu]m preste Ric'[ardu]m Wodefforde et Ioh'[ann]es Redell ad instanc' et desider'm pred'[i]ci Will'[el]i Ish'm deder't o'[mn]ia pred'[i]ca t'[er]ras et |
| 11 | ten' in Huoston et Irchestre prefat' Thome Ish'm et Elene vx'[or]i sue et hered' de corp'[or]ib' eor' l'time procreat'. Et si pred'[i]ctus huiusmodi exit' remaner' prefat' Phil'[ip]o Thorp' al's feoffat' vt plenius apparet p' cartam inde fact' coram iur' pred'[i]cis sup', |
| 12 | capc'[i]one hui' inquisi[ci]'c'onis in euiden' ostens' cui' dat' est vndecimo die mens' Maicij anno regni Regis Ric'[ard]i t'[er]cij s'[e]c[un]do. Postea pred'[i]cus Will'[elmu]s Ish'm in pred'[i]co mesuagio duab' virgat' t'[er]re et lib'[er]o reddit' xvij s cum p'tin' in Scaldwell', |
| 13 | pred'[i]ca intrauit et possessionem in eisdem t'[er]ris et tenement' cepit et prefat' Ioh'[ann]em Thorp' Rob'[er]tum Ish'm Ioh'[ann]em Selby Rob'[er]tum Codyngton' Ric'[ardu]m Ish'm Ioh'[ann]em Ish'm Ioh'[ann]em palmer Simonem Ingram Ric'[ardu]m preste Ric'[ardu]m Wodefforde et Ioh'[ann]em, |
| 14 | Redell a possessione sua mesuag' t'[er]rar' et reddit' pred'[i]cor' in Scaldwell' pred'[i]ca amouit et expellauit. Et sic inde seis'[itus] p' cartam suam iur' pred'[i]cis sup' capc'[i]onem hui' inquisi[ci]'c'onis in euiden' ostens' cui' dat' est apud Pyghtesle' pred'[i]ca xxvj |
| 15 | die mens' Nouembr' anno regni Regis Henrici septimi post conquestu' Angl' vicesimo t'[er]cio no'[m]i'e o'[mn]im t'[er]rar' et ten' prat' past' pastur' et hereditament' cum p'tin' in Scaldwell' pred'[i]ca que sibi iure hereditario post mortem pred'[i]ci Rob'[er]ti patris |
| 16 | sui descender' feoffauit Thoma' Colez cl'[er]icum Ioh'[ann]em Tresham phil' Mulsho Aunger et Ioh'[ann]em watte Will'[elm]um Lane et Will'[elm]um Ish'm Tercios fil' d'[i]ci Will'[el]i Ish'm H'end' et tenend' o'[mn]ia pred'[i]ca t'[er]ras ten' prat' past' pastur' et cet'[er]a p'missa cum |
| 17 | p'tin' prefat' Thome Colez Ioh'[ann]i Tresham Phil'[ip]o Mulsho Ioh'[ann]i watte Will'[elm]o Lane et Will'[elm]o Ish'm hered' et assign' suis ad intencionem ad obs'[er]uand' et p'[er]implend' vltima' voluntatem pred'[i]ci Will'[el]i Ish'm. Et postea pred'[i]cus Will'[el]us obijt post |
| 18 | cui' mortem vsus pred'[i]cor' mesuag' duar' virgat' t'[er]re et lib'[er] reddit' xvij s cum p'tin' in Scaldwell' pred'[i]ca descend' Thome Ish'm vt fil' et hered' pred'[i]ci Will'[el]i Ish'm in d'[i]co br'[e]i no'[i]'at' eo q'd in testamento nec in vltima voluntate |
| 19 | sua alicui nec econtra voluit nec disposuit. Et dicunt q'd pred'[i]cus Will'[el]us Ish'm obijt terciodecimo die maij anno s[e]c[un]do d'ni Regis nunc post cui' obitum vsus residuu' pred'[i]car' t'[er]rar' et ten' et cet'[er]or' p'missor' descend' prefato Thome |
| 20 | Ish'm vt fil' et hered' pred'[i]ci Will'[el]i. Et dicunt q'd pred'[i]cus Thomas est fil' et heres ei' ppinquior et est etat' quinquaginta annor' et ampli'. Et dicunt vlteri' q'd vndecim mesuag' et duodecim virgat' t'[er]re cum p'tin' in |
| 21 | Pyghtesle' tenent' de d'no Rege vt in iure Humfridi Stafford rac'[i]one attincti auctoritate p'[er]liamenti p' s'[er]uic' lib'[er]i socag'. Et dicunt q'd quinq' mesuag' septem cotag' et sex virgat' t'[er]re cum p'tin' in Pyghtesle' pred'[i]ca tenent', |
| 22 | de Rad'[u]o Lane armig'o p' s'[er]uic' lib'[er]i socag'. Et q'd o'[mn]ia pred'[i]ca t'[er]ras et ten' in Huoston et Irchestre tenent' de d'no Rege vt de ducat' suo Lancastr' p' s'[er]uic' quadraginta solidor' et septem denar' p' o'[mn]ib' denar'. Et pred'[i]ce t'[er]re in |
| 23 | Irchinghbur' tenent' de Abb'[a]e S'[an]c'[t]i Petri p' s'[er]uic' ij d p' annu' p' o'[mn]i s'[er]uic'. Et pred'[i]ca t'[er]ras et ten' in Crowghton tenent' de hered' Thome Grene p' s'[er]uic' sex denar' annui reddit' p' o'[mn]i s'[er]uic'. Et pred'[i]ca t'[er]ras et ten' in |
| 24 | Scaldwell' tenent' de Abb'[a]e de Bury p' quod s'[er]uic' iur' ignorant. Et pred'[i]ce t'[er]re in Barton tenent' de Edwardo Duce Buk' p' quod s'[er]uic' ignorant. Et pred'[i]ce t'[er]re in Thorp Malsor tenent' de hered' Will'[el]i |
| 25 | Russell p' s'[er]uic' xij d annui reddit'. Et pred'[i]ce t'[er]re in Keteryng' tenent' de Abb'[a]e de Burgo s'[an]c'[t]i Petri p' quod s'[er]uic' ignorant. Et o'[mn]ia pred'[i]ca tenement' valent p' annu' vlt' repris' li xl s', |
| 26 | In cui' rei testimoniu' tam pred'[i]cus escaetor q'm pred'[i]ci iur' huic inquisi[ci]'c'oni sigilla sua apposuer' Dat' die anno et loco sup'[er]d'[i]cis. |
English Translation
| Line | Text |
|---|---|
| 1 | Escheator Robert Campson |
| 2 | Inquisition taken at Kettering in the county of Northampton on the twenty-second day of the month of October in the eighth year of the reign of King Henry the Eighth before Robert Mathewe, escheator of the said lord King in the aforesaid county by virtue of a writ of Diem clausit extremum directed to the same escheator and to this inquisition |
| 3 | annexed after the death of William Isham, Esquire, by the oath of William Flecton etc. Who say upon their oath that William Isham, named in the said writ, on the day he died, held no lands nor tenements in the aforesaid County of the said lord King in chief, in demesne, service, reversion, nor service, |
| 4 | nor in any other way. But they say that Robert Isham, father of the aforesaid William Isham, named in the said writ, was seised of sixteen messuages, seven cottages, eight virgates of land and other hereditaments with appurtenances in Pightesley. And of one messuage and two virgates of land |
| 5 | and free rents of seventeen shillings with appurtenances in Scaldwell. And of two messuages and of eight virgates of land with appurtenances in Houghton. And of two virgates of land in Irchester. And of thirty-two acres of meadow in Irthlingborough. Nor of one messuage and of one |
| 6 | virgate of land with appurtenances in Barton Seagrave. And of one messuage and half a virgate of land with appurtenances in Thorp Malsor. And of one messuage and of two virgates of land with appurtenances in Crowleton. And of one cottage with appurtenances in Kettering in the said county of Northamptonshire. And thus |
| 7 | seised, by his charter, he enfeoffed John Thorp, clerk, Robert Isham, clerk, John Selby, clerk, Robert Codyngton, clerk, Richard Isham, John Isham, John Palmer, Simon Ingram, Richard Preste, Richard Wodefforde, and John Redell, To Have |
| 8 | and to hold all the aforesaid messuages, lands and tenements and other premises with appurtenances to the aforesaid John Thorp, Robert Isham, John Selby, Robert Codyngton, Richard Isham, John Isham, John Palmer, Simon Ingram, Richard Preste, Richard Wodefforde, and John Redell and |
| 9 | their heirs and assigns forever to the use of the aforesaid Robert, his heirs and their assigns. And afterwards the aforesaid Robert Isham died, after whose death the use of the aforesaid lands and tenements descended to the aforesaid William Isham named in the said writ as son and heir of the aforesaid Robert Isham. And afterwards |
| 10 | the aforesaid John Thorp, Robert Isham, John Selby, Robert Codyngton, Richard Isham, John Isham, John Palmer, Simon Ingram, Richard Preste, Richard Wodefforde, and John Redell at the instance and desire of the aforesaid William Isham gave all the aforesaid lands and |
| 11 | tenements in Houghton and Irchester to the aforesaid Thomas Isham and Elena his wife and the heirs of their bodies lawfully begotten. And if the aforesaid such issue should fail, [remainder] to the aforesaid Philip Thorp and other feoffees as more fully appears by a charter thereof made before the jurors aforesaid upon the |
| 12 | taking of this inquisition shown in evidence, whose date is the eleventh day of the month of May in the second year of the reign of King Richard the Third. Afterwards the aforesaid William Isham in the aforesaid messuage, two virgates of land and free rent of seventeen shillings with appurtenances in Scaldwell |
| 13 | aforesaid entered and took possession in the same lands and tenements and the aforesaid John Thorp, Robert Isham, John Selby, Robert Codyngton, Richard Isham, John Isham, John Palmer, Simon Ingram, Richard Preste, Richard Wodefforde, and John |
| 14 | Redell from their possession of the messuages, lands and rents aforesaid in Scaldwell aforesaid removed and expelled. And thus being seised thereof, by his charter shown in evidence to the jurors aforesaid upon the taking of this inquisition, whose date is at Pightesley aforesaid the twenty-sixth |
| 15 | day of the month of November in the twenty-third year of the reign of King Henry the Seventh after the conquest of England in the name of all lands and tenements, meadows, pastures, pasturages and hereditaments with appurtenances in Scaldwell aforesaid which to him by hereditary right after the death of the aforesaid Robert his father |
| 16 | descended, he enfeoffed Thomas Colez, clerk, John Tresham, Philip Mulsho Aunger and John Watte, William Lane and William Isham, the Third son of the said William Isham, To Have and to hold all the aforesaid lands, tenements, meadows, pastures, pasturages and other premises with |
| 17 | appurtenances to the aforesaid Thomas Colez, John Tresham, Philip Mulsho, John Watte, William Lane and William Isham, their heirs and assigns for the intention to observe and fulfill the last will of the aforesaid William Isham. And afterwards the aforesaid William died after |
| 18 | whose death the use of the aforesaid messuages, two virgates of land and free rents of seventeen shillings with appurtenances in Scaldwell aforesaid descended to Thomas Isham as son and heir of the aforesaid William Isham named in the said writ because in his testament nor in [his] last will |
| 19 | sua alicui nec econtra voluit nec disposuit. And they say that the aforesaid William Isham died on the thirteenth day of May in the second year of the lord King now, after whose death the use of the residue of the aforesaid lands and tenements and other premises descended to the aforesaid Thomas |
| 20 | Isham as son and heir of the aforesaid William. And they say that the aforesaid Thomas is his son and nearest heir and is of the age of fifty years and more. And they say further that eleven messuages and twelve virgates of land with appurtenances in |
| 21 | Pightesley are held of the lord King as in the right of Humphrey Stafford by reason of attainder by authority of parliament by the service of free socage. And they say that five messuages, seven cottages and six virgates of land with appurtenances in Pightesley aforesaid are held |
| 22 | of Ralph Lane, esquire, by the service of free socage. And that all the aforesaid lands and tenements in Houghton and Irchester are held of the lord King as of his duchy of Lancaster by the service of forty shillings and seven pence for all dues. And the aforesaid lands in |
| 23 | Irthlingborough are held of the Abbot of Saint Peter's by the service of 2d per year for all service. And the aforesaid lands and tenements in Crowleton are held of the heirs of Thomas Grene by the service of six pence annual rent for all service. And the aforesaid lands and tenements in |
| 24 | Scaldwell are held of the Abbot of Bury, by what service the jurors are ignorant. And the aforesaid lands in Barton are held of Edward Duke of Buckingham, by what service the jurors are ignorant. And the aforesaid lands in Thorp Malsor are held of the heirs of William |
| 25 | Russell by the service of 12d annual rent. And the aforesaid lands in Kettering are held of the Abbot of Burgh St. Peter, by what service the jurors are ignorant. And all the aforesaid tenements are worth per year beyond reprises £40 40s, |
| 26 | In witness of which matter, both the aforesaid escheator and the aforesaid jurors have affixed their seals to this inquisition. Given on the day, year and place abovesaid. |
Inquisition Post Mortem of Elizabeth Isham (1480)
[C 140/76/61 at TNA]
Elizabeth Isham's Inquisition Post Mortem (IPM) of 1480 provides crucial biographical details about Elizabeth herself, her marriage to William Isham, and their son Thomas Isham, as well as illuminating the complex history of the manor of Glooston and its connections to various families.
Biographical Significance for Elizabeth Isham
The IPM establishes Elizabeth's identity as the widow of Thomas Braunspath of Glooston, and subsequently the wife of William Isham. It clarifies her connection to Glooston Manor, revealing that she held the profits of the manor for life, not as a landowner in fee simple, but through the will of her previous husband, Thomas Braunspath, and with the permission of Thomas Assheby, who held the manor in fee. This indicates Elizabeth's economic position was tied to the manor's revenues, but not direct ownership. The IPM also provides her death date as 20 September 1478, which is important for establishing a timeline of events in her life and William Isham's.
Biographical Significance for William Isham
While William Isham is mentioned as Elizabeth's husband, the IPM primarily focuses on Elizabeth's property and lineage. However, the document is significant for William's biography as it confirms his marriage to Elizabeth and establishes her death date. The fact that Elizabeth held a life interest in the profits of Glooston Manor suggests this marriage may have brought some economic benefit or social standing to William Isham, although the IPM does not elaborate on this. It is important to note that the IPM for William Isham himself also records Elizabeth's death, but with a slightly different date (20 September 1478 in William's IPM vs. 24 April 1480 IPM taking date), highlighting potential discrepancies in historical records.
Biographical Significance for Thomas Isham
Crucially, Elizabeth's IPM identifies Thomas Isham as her son and heir, and explicitly names William Isham as his father ("Thomas Isham filius Will[el]mi Isham"). This is a primary source confirmation of Thomas Isham's parentage. Furthermore, the IPM states Thomas's age as "22 years and more" in 1480. This allows for an approximate birth year of 1458 or earlier for Thomas Isham, providing a valuable data point for his own biographical timeline. As Elizabeth held no lands in fee simple, Thomas Isham's inheritance from his mother was limited to any personal property she might have possessed, and not land. His status as heir in this IPM is solely in relation to Elizabeth, not to Glooston Manor itself, which passed through a different line of inheritance.
Overall Biographical Significance
Elizabeth Isham's IPM is a valuable primary source document for understanding the Isham family in the late 15th century. It provides key biographical details for Elizabeth, William, and Thomas Isham, clarifying family relationships and timelines. It also illustrates the complexities of landholding and inheritance in this period, particularly concerning dower rights and life interests in manors. The IPM reveals that Elizabeth's connection to Glooston Manor was through her previous marriage and not through inheritance in her own right, and that her marriage to William Isham, while potentially beneficial in other ways, did not bring the manor of Glooston into the Isham family's direct possession. The document underscores the importance of IPMs for reconstructing family histories and understanding the social and economic context of individuals in the medieval and early modern periods.
Abbreviated Latin Text
Transcription by Simon Neal
| Line | Text |
|---|---|
| 1 | Edwardus dei gr[ati]a Rex Angl[ie] et Franc[ie] et D[omi]n[u]s Hib[er]n[ie] Escaetori suo in com[itatu] Leyc’ sal[u]t[e]m Quia Elizabeth[a] que fuit ux[or] Thome Gra[unspath] nup[er] ux[or] Will[elm]i Isham que |
| 2 | de nob[is] tenuit in capite diem clausit extremu[m] ut accepim[us] tibi p[re]cipim[us] q[uo]d om[n]ia t[er]ras et ten[ementa] de quib[us] eadem Elizabeth[a] fuit seisita in d[omi]nico suo ut de feodo in balliva tua die |
| 3 | quo obiit sine dil[ati]one capias in manu[m] n[ost]ram et ea salvo custodiri fac[ias] donec [aliud] inde precep[er]im[us] et per sacr[amentu]m p[ro]bor[um] et leg[alium] homi[num] de eadem balliva tua per quos rei v[er]itas |
| 4 | melius sciri pot[er]it diligent[er] inquiras quantum t[er]rar[um] et ten[ementorum] eadem Elizabeth[a] tenuit de nob[is] in capite tam in d[omi]nico q[ua]m in s[er]vicio in d[i]c[t]a balliva tua d[i]c[t]o die quo obiit |
| 5 | et quantum de aliis et p[er] quod s[er]viciu[m] et quantum t[er]re et ten[ementa] illa valeant p[er] annu[m] in om[n]ib[us] exitib[us] et quo die eadem Elizabeth[a] obiit et quis p[ro]pinquior heres eius sit |
| 6 | et cuius etatis Et inquisic[i]o[n]e[m] inde distincte et ap[er]te f[a]c[t]am nob[is] in cancellar[iam] n[ost]ram sub sigillo tuo et sigillis eor[um] p[er] quos f[a]c[t]a fu[er]it sine dil[ati]one mittas et hoc br[ev]e T[este] me |
| 7 | ip[s]o apud Westm[onasterium] xxiiij die Junij Anno r[egni] n[ostri] decimo nono. |
| 8 | Lib[er]at’ fuit Cur[ie] xiiij die Maij p[er] manus Escaetoris |
| 1 | Inquisic[i]o capt[a] Apud Leycestre vicesimo quarto die April[is] anno regni Regis Edwardi quarti vicesimo coram Will[el]mo Bristowe Escaetore d[omi]ni Regis in Com[itatu] Leyc’ virtute |
| 2 | cuiusdam br[ev]is eiusdem d[omi]ni Regis et huic Inquisic[i]o[n]i consut[a] et eidem Escartori directi p[er] sacr[amentu]m Ric[ard]i Maunsfield Ric[ard]i Wymsold Thome Morreys Thome Foster Joh[ann]is |
| 3 | Meryman Will[elm]i Bailly Henrici Astell Rob[er]ti Marten Henrici Eynet Joh[ann]is Boweman Joh[ann]is Kyng et Will[el]mi Skeryngton Qui dicunt sup[er] sacr[amentu]m suu[m] q[uo]d d[i]c[t]a |
| 4 | Elizabeth[a] in d[i]c[t]o br[ev]i no[m]i[n]at[a] nulla t[er]ras seu ten[emen]ta tenuit de d[omi]no Rege in capite nec alio modo nec de aliquo alio in d[omi]nico nec in s[er]vicio die quo obijt sed dic[unt] q[uo]d quidam |
| 5 | Ph[illip]us de Paunton fuit seis[itus] de man[er]io de Gloreston cum suis p[er]tin[enciis] in com[itatu] p[re]d[i]c[t]o in d[omi]nico suo ut de feodo et sic inde seisit[us] man[er]iu[m] illud dedit Joh[ann]i Haryngton et Matild[e] |
| 6 | ux[or]i eius et heredib[us] de corporib[us] ip[s]or[um] Joh[ann]is et Matilde exeunt[ibus] virtute cuius doni ijdem Joh[ann]es et Matilda fuer[unt] inde seisit[i] in d[omi]nico suo ut de feodo talliat’ p[er] forma[m] |
| 7 | donac[i]o[n]is p[re]d[i]c[t]e et h[ab]uer[unt] exit[um] quend[am] Ric[ardu]m Haryngton posteaq[ue] d[i]c[t]a Matilda obijt et d[i]c[t]us Joh[ann]es ip[s]am sup[er]vixit et de man[er]io p[re]d[i]c[t]o feoffavit quendam Oliveru[m] |
| 8 | Sutton H[ab]end’ sibi et heredib[us] suis imp[er]p[etuu]m virtute cuius feoffamenti idem Oliverus fuit inde seisit[us] in d[omi]nico suo ut de feodo Et sic inde seisit[us] p[er] finem in Curia d[omi]ni |
| 9 | Regis Edwardi filij Regis Henrici tricesimo quarto levat[am] dedit man[er]iu[m] p[re]d[i]c[tu]m p[re]fato Joh[ann]i Haryngton tunc militi ac Marg[er]ie tunc ux[or]i eius et heredib[us] de |
| 10 | corporib[us] eor[um] legittime p[ro]creat[is] et p[ro] def[e]c[t]u huiusmod[i] exit[us] remanere inde rect[is] heredib[us] ip[s]ius Joh[ann]is virtute cuius doni ijdem Joh[ann]es et Marg[er]ia fuer[unt] inde seisit[i] |
| 11 | in d[omi]nico suo ut de feodo talliat[o] et h[ab]uerunt exit[um] Rob[er]tum et Joh[an]nam et obier[unt] de tali statu inde seisit[i] post quor[um] mortem man[er]iu[m] p[re]d[i]c[tu]m descendebat p[re]d[i]c[t]o Rob[er]to |
| 12 | ut filio et hered[e] eor[um]dem Joh[ann]is et Marg[er]ie virtute cuius idem Rob[er]tus intravit in man[er]iu[m] p[re]d[i]c[tu]m et fuit inde seisit[us] in d[omi]nico suo ut de feodo talliat[o] et obijt de tali statu |
| 13 | inde seisit[us] post cuius mortem man[er]iu[m] illud descendebat cuidam Thome Craunspath ut consanguineo et hered[i] eiusdem Rob[er]ti videli[ce]t filio Margarete filie et |
| 14 | hered[is] eiusdem Rob[er]ti virtute cuius idem Thomas Braunspath in man[er]iu[m] illud intravit et fuit inde seisit[us] in d[omi]nico suo ut de feodo talliat[o] p[er] forma[m] donac[i]o[n]is |
| 15 | pred[i]c[t]e Et sic inde seisit[us] de man[er]io illo feoffavit Thoma[m] Assheby et Thoma[m] Langton armig[er]os H[ab]end[um] sibi et heredib[us] suis imp[er]p[etuu]m Virtute cuius feoffamenti ijde[m] |
| 16 | Thomas et Thomas fuer[unt] inde seisit[i] in d[omi]nico duo ut de feodo et p[re]d[i]c[t]us Thomas Langton obijt et d[i]c[t]us Thomas Assheby ip[su]m sup[er]vixit et se tenuit in man[er]io illo p[er] |
| 17 | ius accrescendi et c[etera] Et p[re]d[i]c[t]us Thomas Braunspath obijt sine herede de corpore suo exeunt[e] Et p[re]d[i]c[t]a Elizabeth[a] tota vita sua exit[us] et p[ro]ficua man[er]ij p[re]d[i]c[t]i h[ab]uit et |
| 18 | p[er]cepit s[e]c[un]d[u]m voluntatem p[re]d[i]c[t]i Thome Braunspath ex p[er]missione et assensu d[i]c[t]i Thome Assheby Et postea obijt sine herede de corpore suo exeunt[e] Et dicunt |
| 19 | q[uo]d Will[elmu]s Fairfax est consanguineus et heres p[re]d[i]c[t]i Joh[ann]is Haryngton milit[is] videli[ce]t fil[ii] Will[el]mi filij Joh[ann]is filij Isabelle fil[ie] Joh[ann]is filij p[re]d[i]c[t]I Ric[ard]i filij et hered[is] |
| 20 | p[re]d[i]c[t]i Joh[ann]is Haryngton milit[is] Posteaq[ue] d[i]c[t]us Thomas Assheby obijt seisit[us] de man[er]io p[re]d[i]c[t]o post cuius mortem man[er]iu[m] illud descendebat Will[el]mo Assheby armig[er]o |
| 21 | ut filio et heredi eiusdem Thome Virtute cuius idem Will[elmu]s in man[er]iu[m] illud intravit et fuit inde seisit[us] in d[omi]nico suo ut ut de feodo Posteaq[ue] d[i]c[t]a Elizabeth[a] obijt |
| 22 | vicesimo die Septembr[is] anno regni Regis p[re]d[i]c[t]i decimo octavo Et q[uo]d Thomas Isham filius Will[el]mi Isham est filius et heres eiusdem Elizabeth[e] et etatis |
| 23 | viginti duor[um] annor[um] et amplius Et dic[unt] ult[er]ius q[uo]d p[re]d[i]c[tu]m man[er]iu[m] tenetur de d[omi]no Rege ut de ducat[u] suo Lancastr[ie] p[er] que [ser]vicia juratores p[re]d[i]c[t]i penitus ignorant |
| 24 | Et dicunt q[uo]d p[re]d[i]c[tu]m man[er]iu[m] valet p[er] annu[m] ultra reprisas in om[n]ib[us] exit[ibus] viginti marcas In cuius rei testimoniu[m] huic Inquisic[i]o[n]i indentata tam p[re]d[i]c[t]us Escaetor |
| 25 | q[ua]m juratores p[re]d[i]c[t]i sigilla sua apposuerunt die et anno suprad[i]c[t]is |
English Translation
| Line | Text |
|---|---|
| 1 | Edward by the grace of God King of England and France and Lord of Ireland To his Escheator in the county of Leicester, greetings. Because Elizabeth who was wife of Thomas Graunspath late wife of William Isham who |
| 2 | held of us in chief has died, as we have heard, we command you that all the lands and tenements of which the same Elizabeth was seised in her demesne as of fee in your bailiwick on the day |
| 3 | she died without delay you take into our hand and cause them to be safely kept until we shall have ordered otherwise thence and by the oath of honest and lawful men of the same bailiwick by whom the truth of the matter |
| 4 | may be better known you diligently inquire how much lands and tenements the same Elizabeth held of us in chief both in demesne and in service in your said bailiwick on the said day she died |
| 5 | and how much of others and by what service and how much those lands and tenements are worth per year in all issues and on what day the same Elizabeth died and who is her next heir |
| 6 | and of what age And the inquisition thereupon distinctly and openly made send to us in our chancery under your seal and the seals of those by whom it shall be made without delay and this writ Witness myself |
| 7 | myself at Westminster the 24th day of June In the 19th year of our reign. |
| 8 | Delivered to the Court the 14th day of May by the hands of the Escheator |
| 1 | Inquisition taken at Leicester the twenty-fourth day of April in the twentieth year of the reign of King Edward the Fourth before William Bristowe Escheator of the lord King in the County of Leicester by virtue |
| 2 | of a certain writ of the same lord King sewn to this Inquisition and directed to the same Escheator by the oath of Richard Maunsfield Richard Wymsold Thomas Morreys Thomas Foster John |
| 3 | Meryman William Bailly Henry Astell Robert Marten Henry Eynet John Boweman John Kyng and William Skeryngton Who say upon their oath that the said |
| 4 | Elizabeth named in the said writ held no lands or tenements of the lord King in chief nor otherwise nor of anyone else in demesne nor in service on the day she died but they say that a certain |
| 5 | Philip de Paunton was seised of the manor of Glooston with its appurtenances in the county aforesaid in his demesne as of fee and being so seised gave that manor to John Haryngton and Maude |
| 6 | his wife and the heirs of the bodies of the same John and Maude issuing by virtue of which gift the same John and Matilda were thereof seised in their demesne as of fee tail by the form |
| 7 | of the aforesaid gift and had issue a certain Richard Haryngton afterwards the said Matilda died and the said John survived her and of the manor aforesaid enfeoffed a certain Oliver |
| 8 | Sutton To Have to him and his heirs forever by virtue of which enfeoffment the same Oliver was thereof seised in his demesne as of fee And being so seised by fine levied in the Court of the lord |
| 9 | King Edward son of King Henry the thirty-fourth gave the manor aforesaid to the aforesaid John Haryngton then knight and Margery then his wife and the heirs of |
| 10 | their bodies lawfully begotten and for default of such issue the remainder thereof to the right heirs of him John by virtue of which gift the same John and Margery were thereof seised |
| 11 | in their demesne as of fee tail and had issue Robert and Joan and died of such estate thereof seised after whose death the manor aforesaid descended to the aforesaid Robert |
| 12 | as son and heir of the same John and Margery by virtue of which the same Robert entered into the manor aforesaid and was thereof seised in his demesne as of fee tail and died of such estate |
| 13 | thereof seised after whose death that manor descended to a certain Thomas Craunspath as kinsman and heir of the same Robert namely son of Margaret daughter and |
| 14 | heir of the same Robert by virtue of which the same Thomas Braunspath entered into that manor and was thereof seised in his demesne as of fee tail by the form of the gift |
| 15 | aforesaid And being so seised thereof of that manor enfeoffed Thomas Assheby and Thomas Langton esquires To Have to them and their heirs forever By virtue of which enfeoffment the same |
| 16 | Thomas and Thomas were thereof seised in demesne two as of fee and the aforesaid Thomas Langton died and the said Thomas Assheby survived him and held himself in that manor by |
| 17 | right of survivorship and etc And the aforesaid Thomas Braunspath died without heir issuing of his body And the aforesaid Elizabeth for her whole life the issues and profits of the manor aforesaid had and |
| 18 | received according to the will of the aforesaid Thomas Braunspath by the permission and assent of the said Thomas Assheby And afterwards she died without heir issuing of her body And they say |
| 19 | that William Fairfax is kinsman and heir of the aforesaid John Haryngton knight namely son of William son of John son of Isabel daughter of John son of the aforesaid Richard son and heir |
| 20 | of the aforesaid John Haryngton knight Afterwards the said Thomas Assheby died seised of the manor aforesaid after whose death that manor descended to William Assheby esquire |
| 21 | as son and heir of the same Thomas By virtue of which the same William entered into that manor and was thereof seised in his demesne as as of fee Afterwards the said Elizabeth died |
| 22 | on the twentieth day of September in the eighteenth year of the reign of the aforesaid King And that Thomas Isham son of William Isham is son and heir of the same Elizabeth and of the age of |
| 23 | twenty-two years and more And they say further that the aforesaid manor is held of the lord King as of his duchy of Lancaster by what services the jurors aforesaid are entirely ignorant |
| 24 | And they say that the aforesaid manor is worth per year beyond reprises in all issues twenty marks In witness of which matter to this Inquisition indented as well the aforesaid Escheator |
| 25 | as the jurors aforesaid have affixed their seals on the day and year abovesaid. |
