king came to Rockingham and stayed there, he used to have grass
(herbagium) in grazing time for all his horses in the Abbot of
Peterborough’s meadows on the Welland, and the constable claimed the
same, but it appeared that since the time of Abbot de Cauz these rights
had been lost, as well as a right to take large timber for the repairs
of the castle, and wood to burn and for fences from the abbot’s wood
of Cottingham. Also, about twenty-five years before, the abbot by
“pourpresture,” or unlawful enclosure, had encroached upon the king’s
common of pasture in Estiburg, to what extent was not known. Also
Robert Oliver had appropriated a slice of the king’s meadow, 20 rods
by 2 feet, to enlarge his mill-race, and Geoffrey FitzPeter had built
a wall in the king’s highway in Rockingham, and enclosed land 80 feet
by 8 feet. Another entry states that the abbot, who held the manor of
Cottingham _in capite_, had enclosed an assart there, on which was
formerly common of pasture attached to the castle, and worth 40s. per
acre. Also for three years Berenger le Moyne and the men of Henington
had ceased to do suit in the Hundred court of Polebroke, worth 7s. 4d.
per annum, and castle guard 20s. It appears also from the same Hundred
rolls that it had been the custom from ancient times to celebrate
divine services in the chapel within the castle, for which 50s. was
allowed annually by the sheriff. The celebration had ceased for eight
years before 1268. The vill of Rockingham had been in the hands of the
king’s predecessors, and was given by King Henry to the King of the
Romans, whose son, Edmund, Earl of Cornwall, inherited it, and had
the manor. The advowson of the parish church of St. Leonard was wont
to be in the Crown, but the jurors were ignorant, “Utrum data esset
domino Regi Alim’ cum manerio de Rokingham an non.” Manton chapel was
attached to the manor, and Henry had given it to the last pastor, who
was still alive. The abbot, on his side, but half a century later, had
counter-complaint to make (“Plac. in Parl.,” ii. 22).
1276–7, the Abbot of Pipewell was relieved from the toll for chiminage,
or right of way through the forest. Thomas de Blatherstone had 9d. for
his expenses with the king’s greyhounds and 2d. for bread for them,
and another 5½d. for bread when Master Richard de Holbroc stayed at
Rokingham, and for the greyhounds of the Abbot of Laund for nineteen
days, 19d., in all 8s. 6½d. for greyhounds.
In the year 1279 was an outlay on the castle, the details of which are
preserved.
1279–80, Lawrence de Preston, one of a family who held Gretton Manor,
complained of Roger de Hollande, constable, for “estovers,” or wood for
the use of the house, taken from the woods of the Abbot of Peterborough
in Cottingham, from William de Latimer in Corby, and from Preston’s own
wood at Gretton, “pro nimia oppressione,” in taking more than were due
to him. Ralph Basset was allowed to assart and cultivate thirty-eight
acres in Weldon in the forest.
1280–1, the king granted to Robert Fitz-Roger of Wanton that part of
the bailliewick of Bulay in the forest which is in the king’s hands,
and the charge of the wood of Fernes for life, saving to the king the
rights of vert and venison. 1281, 8s. 2d. are allowed the sheriff
for carriage of the king’s venison from Rockingham to Westminster.
1282, Richard de Holebroke has the custos-ship of the castle and
seneschalship of the forest, with the king’s rents of Whytele and the
manors of Saham, Oveston, and Silveston, for three years, and, 1285,
Holebroke is again constable, and has £637. 17s. 8½d. for moneys
expended by him in repairs of the castle during the past seven years.
It is, therefore, probable that Holebroke held office before 1282. As
he was by far the most active person who held the office, and as most
of the older part of the castle is his work, it will be convenient
here to quote from the Miscellaneous Rolls for 9 and 10 Edward I.,
a translation of the instrument by which Holebroke was appointed
constable, which may be taken as the general form, and may thus be
rendered:
“Concerning the castle of Rokingham and the office of the
seneschalcy of the forests and the divers manors committed.
“The king commits to Richard de Holebroke the custody of the king’s
castle of Rokingham and the office of the seneschalcy of the
king’s forests, between the bridges of Oxon and Staunfford, with
the king’s rent from Whitele, and with the king’s manors of Saham,
Oveston, and Silveston, to be held with all their appurtenances
from the feast of St. Michael in the year of the king’s reign the
ninth, until the end of the three complete years next following,
unless in the meantime the king should be induced to order
otherwise concerning the aforesaid castle. Rendering thence to
the king annually at the king’s exchequer from the issues of the
aforesaid castle and seneschalcy 80 pounds. From the manor of Saham
56 pounds, and from the manor of Selveston 15 pounds, that is to
say, one moiety at the feast of the Holy Trinity, and the other
moiety at the feast of St. Martin next following. So, however, that
the aforesaid Richard shall take nothing in the aforesaid forests
or in the king’s park of Silveston, except a reasonable estovery
(what is necessary) for constructing the houses of the aforesaid
castle, and for maintaining those and other houses which are in the
king’s aforesaid manors and, should it be necessary, for repairing
them. And he may have herbage in the aforesaid park, preserving
sufficient pasture for the king’s beasts there. And should it
happen that in the meantime the king should retake that castle into
the king’s hand, he shall preserve the aforesaid Richard without
loss. In witness, &c. Witness the king at Westminster, the 16th day
of November” [1282].
1288–9, Walter de Langton was allowed to impark his wood of Ashley and
twelve contiguous acres, all in the forest. 1289–90, Holebroke, still
constable, was allowed £8. 11s. 11¼d. for the expenses of the funeral
of Walter de Levy, one of the suite of John de Brabant, who died at
the castle and was buried at Pipwell. His bowels, however, were left
at Rockingham, and there was a feast at his funeral. 1290–1, Elias de
Hamul succeeded Holebroke, paying the same rental. In this year great
complaints were made to the king of Holebroke’s conduct. William de
Latimer, who held Corby and a wood _in capite_ at 10s. per annum,
complained that Holebroke had cut down great oaks without number,
destroying his wood, taking cartloads of underwood and branches, and
had quartered charcoal-burners upon it for six years at £10 per annum
each. Also, that he had kept about eighty swine and one hundred goats
there for a year in all seasons, and contrary to the charter. Lawrence
Preston of Gretton made a similar complaint. Both accused him of
converting public funds into his private property. Holebroke denied the
charges, and the king promised an inquiry (“Plac. in Parl.,” i. 36).
1291–2, Thomas de Lodington was allowed to impark five acres in
Maleswood in the forest. 1293–4, Elias de Hamul was sent to Germany,
and Thomas de Hamul appointed in his room. 1295–6, the constable is
to take charge of William, son of Sir John de Moravia, Herbert de
Mirham, Alexander de Fitz-Gley, and Gregory Fitz-Owen, prisoners taken
in Dunbar Castle. Money is allowed for their sustenance. 1296–7,
William Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, holds the castle and forest during
pleasure, and, 1298–9, is succeeded by Adam de Welles.
In July, 1299, Edward I. settled the dowers of Margaret the sister,
and Isabella the daughter, of the King of France, on the marriages
of himself and his son, and, in the places settled on, the latter
occur: “Geytington, Eston, Torpeyl, Brikstok, Clyve, and the castle
and vill of Rokingham, with its forests, &c.,” and the schedule gives
the following interesting particulars of their value:—Geytington, farm
of the vill, £48; of the market, 6 marcs, total, £52. Eston, £40.
Torpel, £100. Brikstok, with park and wood, £104. 13s. 4d. Clyve,
with the forest, £110. 6s. 3d. C. and V. of Rokingham, with forest,
&c., £80, being the farm of the castle and seneschalship between Oxon
and Stamford bridges. (Mise Roll, 27 Edward I.) Queen Eleanor’s dower
settled on her marriage was £4,500 per annum (“Cal. Rot. Chartarum”).
1301, John, son and heir of Richard de Holebroc, was allowed £614. 10s.
6d. for extensive repairs to the castle in his father’s time.
The entries during the reign of Edward II. are also tolerably numerous.
1307–8, Baldwin de Manners became constable on the same terms as
Welles, as did Alan la Zouch 1311–12. In the next year Roger de Norwich
had the vill of Rockingham and the manor of Little Weldon. 1313, Aymer
de Valence, Earl of Pembroke, was custos, &c., on the usual terms,
and Richard Edward had little Weldon. De Valence himself, or by his
deputy, was to provide munition for the castle out of the issues of his
custos-ship.
1314–15, the Abbot of Pipewell was allowed 5 acres 3 rods 10 perches,
at a perch of 20 feet, for ever, from the king’s waste in the forest,
at a rent of 2s. 11d. 1315, the king being lord of the manor of
Rockingham, the Saturday market was confirmed. 1319–20, John Gifford,
clerk, had a grant of 85 acres 3 rods 9½ perches in the forest in fee
at the south side, in Tottenhowe, to be cleared and built upon. Also
he has “common” for his animals. 1323–4, beside a number of castles,
the vill of Rockingham is committed to Humphrey de Walden and Richard
de Iken, and next year to Iken and Richard de Wynfarthing. 1324–5,
John de Mosteyn was constable. Edward III. is known to have been at
Rockingham four times, and he here tested a score of documents, many
of which are diplomatic instruments of great importance, and drawn up
with much care. Queen Philippa probably had the castle in settlement
on her marriage in 1327, for in 1329 Edward granted her 60 acres in
the forest, in aid of the repairs of the castle, then a ruin. William
la Zouch was allowed to make a “saltatorium,” or deer-leap, within his
manor of Haringworth in the forest, and next year Simon de Drayton had
leave to impark Elsdale, Neusdale, and Lappe, containing 60 acres, also
Wynescross of 10 acres, the latter outside the forest. Drayton was also
constable and seneschal, paying yearly £80. He was of Drayton, now one
of the best preserved and charming old manor places in the forest,
and which has never been sold or alienated. An order was issued for
inquiry into the oppressions done by Robert de Veer while constable,
and the Bishop of Lincoln had leave to add 60 acres to his park of
Luddington, county Rutland, but within the forest, and to enclose the
same within a stone wall. 1335–6, Master William de Nassington had a
pardon and fined a marc for “pour presture” and encroachment of 13
acres 3 rods at Kaluhey, occupied by John of Kyngeswood, parson of
Hakebourn. 1336–7, Walter de Basley, the king’s clerk, had a grant of
two oaks in the forest from the queen, and had taken four, for which
he is in prison. John de Verdon, constable, is to release him on bail.
Verdon held office by the queen’s grant for life, paying £80 per
annum to the king’s consort when alive, and on her death to the king.
1338–9, the king took the homage of Hugh, son and heir of Margery de
Nevill, deceased, for 6 acres of arable, one of meadow and pasture, and
20s. rent in Medbourne, held by the service of giving a barbed arrow
whenever the king came to the castle.
1339–40, the forest wastes were to be measured; and two years later
were to be inquired into in the forests of Rockingham, Salcy, and
Whichwood. 1345–6, Thomas Wake of Blisworth had licence to assart 250
acres of land and pasture within the forest for which the præpositus
and brethren, chaplain of John Gifford’s Chantry in Cotterstock and
their successors are to pay annually 1d. per acre. They also pay a
fine of £5. The lands are “nuper arentatis.” 1347, the Lieutenant of
the Tower of London is to send ten Scots prisoners to John de Verdon,
Constable of Rockingham, or his deputy, Thomas Stone. 1348–9, Simon
Simeon has leave to enclose his wood of Grafton in the forest with a
little ditch and a low hedge, and five years later he has permission to
impark it.
20 Edward III., 1346–7, the king, in aid of the repairs of the castle,
“qui noviter dirutus est et prostratus,” grants to the queen 60 acres
of wood in his park of Bukelestrode within the forest on lease for her
life (Abb. Rot. Orig.). The queen, however, had it not all her own way,
for 1356–7 is a memorandum for staying her assarts in the forest. In
this year the Abbot of Pipewell has the advowson of Geddington, and is
to restore to the king in fee his lands in Benefield.
1371–2, and again in 1375–6, the king confirms the queen’s grant to
Walter de Wright of pannage, herbage, dead wood, “copreneo,” brushwood
(cablicio), bullrushes (cirpos), and all fallen branches, within the
park of Brigstoke, and the bailliewicks of Geddington and Bulay, within
the forest of Rockingham, also timber for the park pales for life, at
£10 per annum. 1371–2, Henry Mulso has a lease for five years, at £42
per annum, of all the king’s “rentes d’assart” in the forest. 1375–6,
Almaric de St. Amand, chivaler, has the castle and fortress at the old
rent of £80. 24th August, 1375, the truce of Bruges between England and
France was confirmed by Edward, “Don’ a noster chastel de Rockingham.”
In 1381, Sir John de Clyfton claimed to hold the manors of Rockingham
and Wymundham by the service of butler at coronations, which service he
complains had been usurped by the Earl of Arundel.
The importance of the castle and the exclusive jealousy of encroachment
on forest rights were now on the decline. Encroachments were made upon
the woodlands both for private parks and for cultivation, and the
castle was neglected. The forest offices were, however, still coveted,
and continued to be so for some centuries. 1387, Sir William de Thorpe
had the bailliewicks of Brikestoke, Gettington, and Bulay for life.
1396, William Brancepath has the charge of the lordship of Rockingham
for twelve years at £4. 2s. 1d. At this time it was under the Duchy of
Cornwall.
The reign of Henry IV. opens upon Rockingham with a grant of the charge
of the park of Clyve for life, and early in that of Henry V. is an
appointment of itinerant judges to hear pleas in Rockingham forest.
1439–40, Henry VI. granted to the master of the College of Fotheringay
20 acres of waste in Shortwood, near Southwick in Kingscliff
bailliewick for 3s. 4d., with permission to assart. In 1440, the
vineyard mentioned in the reign of Henry I. was extant, and worth 4s.
per annum; and 1442–3, Sir Robert Ross, one of the king’s carvers
(trencheatorum), and much employed in diplomacy, has a grant in tail
male of the castle and lordship of Rockingham, and the seneschalship of
the forest from Stamford to Oxendon bridges, the supervisorship of the
parish of Brigstock, pannage, &c., at £75. 16s. 8d. per annum, which
was held by Henry, his son, in 1450. 1445, the tenants of Southwick
manor are allowed common of pasture in the forest. 1450, Richard, Duke
of York, is constituted justice in eyre of the southern forests, and
of Rockingham between the bridges, and of the king’s parks of Cliffe
and Brigstoke for life. An entry in the “Inquisitiones ad quod damnum”
shows that, between 1448–55, the “men and tenants” of the town of
Northampton held the office of king’s escheator. In the long list
of crown revenues enumerated in the proceedings of Parliament, 28
Henry VI., 1450, the farms, rents, pasture, and profits of assarts in
Rockingham forest are set down at £26. 3s. per annum. In 1454, Henry
settled upon Queen Margaret, with much other property, the castle,
lordship, manor, and forest of Rockingham, with its assarts, rents,
&c., the vill of Brigstoke, and the bailliewicks of Brigstock and
Clyffe, &c.
Edward IV. first appears in the forest by a concession in 1462–3 to the
tenants of his vills of Nassington and Yarewell of an annual tax called
Woodhallmarc exacted by the officers of the forest; he also granted
them free common for their beasts in Seveley, and generally in the
forest.
1462–3, the king made an ample grant to William, Lord Hastings, and
Ralph Hastings, Esq., to be constables of the castle and forests of
Rockingham, and bailiffs of Clyve and Brigstoke, &c., for their lives;
Lord Hastings also had the manor of Stoke d’Albini. 1467–8, Edward
settled the manor upon his queen, Elizabeth Widville, with the castle
and forest, for life.
One of the old forest laws forbade those who held woods of their own
within the forest boundary from enclosing them after felling the
timber, for the protection of the rising wood, for more than three
years. The king in Parliament, 1482, 22 Edward IV., extended this time
to seven years.
Henry VII., soon after his accession, confirmed to John, Lord Welles,
the office of constable and steward of the castle, lordship, and
manor, of Rockingham, and of master forester of all the parks within
the forest. He seems, however, 4th March, 1498, to have settled the
whole upon Elizabeth his queen for life. In the schedule attached to
the king’s declaration, pro hospitio Regis, 1485, 1 Henry VII., the
revenues of Cliffe, Brigstocke, Geddington, the Forest, Corby, and
Gretton, are set down at £208.
Edward VI., 1551–2, granted the manor, as part of the Duchy of
Cornwall, to Edward, Lord Clinton. 27th June, 1553, occurs a grant to
Lord Robert Dudley and William Glaseour of tenements in Rockingham, and
in Eston, co. Leicester, late parcel of the lands of the late William
Lord Parr, and late in the occupation of Edward Watson. This was Sir
Edward Watson who had the manor of Rockingham, 28 Henry VIII., and was
father of Henry Watson, æt. 16, 16 Henry VIII. Probably, however, that
was a sub, or mesne-manor, for the castle and manor of Rockingham were
in the crown in the reign of Philip and Mary.
In 1570, 21st April, the Earl of Northampton informs Cecil that Edward
Watson of Rockingham has been required by the Council to contribute 100
marcs to the loan. Probably this should be 1,000, or £337. 10s., for,
he adds that in his opinion not more than £50 should be required of him
(“State Papers,” Dom.).
In 1571 Sir Walter Mildmay has a grant of forest land, probably near
Apethorpe.
In 1592, the Lord Treasurer Burghley has the keepership of the forest
for life, excepting Great and Little Brigstock parks, as the late Lord
Chancellor had it. When Lord Burghley died the keeper or wardship was
given, 1598, to his son. From this time the grants of bailliewicks,
forest walks, lands, and forest offices are very numerous.
In 1601, 23rd December, Elizabeth granted the forest in free socage
to be held of the manor of Hampton Court to Edward Watson and William
Whitock, for £96. 1s. 4d. What this grant meant is uncertain: not the
whole forest, for the keepership of this was granted to Lord Burghley,
Sir William Cecil, and Lord Roos, with survivorship.
26th October, 1604, the deer had become scarce, and Lord Burghley
was restrained from killing any for three years. In this year an
inquisition was directed into the forest lands held by the king’s
tenants, the crown interests having evidently been much neglected.
In January, 1605, notice was given that James intended to visit
Rockingham, and commissioners sat, probably to check abuses, before
whom, 14th June, Sir Thomas Tresham was summoned for his discourses on
the misgovernment of the forest under Edward VI., Mary, and Elizabeth,
matters which he hoped James would reform.
In 1609 the commissioners were prepared to agree to compositions from
the holders of assarted lands, excepting, however, in Clyffe, and
probably some other parts of the forest. They were also selling the
woods, but as the game had been diminished by unlawful hunting it was
ordered that for three years no claims for deer should be allowed save
under the sign manual. At that time Sir C. Hatton was keeper of the
Launde of Benyfield in the forest.
29th October, 1609, Sir Edward Watson wrote to Lord Salisbury that the
king’s tenants in Cotingham and Middleton desired to purchase these
lands, and he himself offers to purchase his court leet and view of
frankpledge.
2nd June, 1610, John Browne has £170. 0s. 4d. for the repairs of the
lodges of Geddington, Morehay, and Gretton woods.
In 1611, 19th September, Sir Lewis Watson, of Rockingham, had licence
to travel.
1615, 12th June, Sir Robert Lane was proceeded against by the
attorney-general for encroachment on the forest.
1616, Sir Edward Watson, whose effigy is seen in the church, became
possessed of the manor of Rockingham. 1619, 20th June, George, Marquis
of Buckingham had a grant of Rockingham Park, which, in the same year,
he conveyed to Sir Lewis Watson; and 1621, 23rd March, Buckingham,
then Lord High Admiral, had a grant of 200 oaks from Westhay walk,
to be selected by himself. 1624, 14th May, the Earl of Exeter, then
Lord Warden of the forest, mentions the land of Murie as one of the
prime walks. The verdurers seem to have been country gentlemen of
consideration in the neighbourhood; Sir Thomas Tresham was one. 20th
July, Robert Lane, who had been displaced by the Montague interest
with the Earl of Exeter, asks Lord Salisbury to replace him as keeper
of Geddington woods. In 1625, 23rd March, a warrant is issued for the
repairs of the chief lodge in Corby woods, and £16 and 10 tons of
timber are allowed.
1628, 29th January, John Lord Mordaunt has the forestership of Farming
woods at £10 per annum, with a fine of £1,150, and Edward Lord Montague
has that of Geddington at £10, with a fine of £850. Soon after he
purchased the timber, and is mentioned as having the revenue of
Rockingham bailliewick. Nicholas Pay and others had a grant from Lords
Peterborough and Westmoreland of all timber trees in the walks of
Morehay, Westhay, and Farming woods for £2,000, and Lord Montague that
of Geddington walk for £1,000. He also had a grant of the office of
master forester and keeper of Rockingham bailliewick for three lives.
These two lords seem to have been in favour with Charles I., and on the
death of the Earl of Exeter in 1629 to have managed the forest in their
own interests. In 1630–1 Mary, Countess of Westmoreland, seeks to have
her son made justice in eyre for the forest, of which it will give her
the command. In 1635 Sir Christopher Hatton claims Gretton and Weldon
woods in the Forest Court, by grant from Queen Elizabeth, as does Sir
W. Tresham Geddington by grant from James I. In this year, 11 Charles
I., was held an “eyre” for Rockingham forest. Certain tenants claimed
“Suite-Thornes,” by the custom of the manor, in addition to house-bote,
hedge-bote, gate-bote, and common of pasture.
In 1637–8, 13 Charles I., a new perambulation was ordered, to settle
the bounds, which were finally agreed to as those of 20 James I., and
made the subject of an Act of Parliament, 17 Charles I. Deafforestation
was allowed on reasonable composition, only the Surveyor General was
to set out the bailliewick of Rockingham, Clyffe, and Brigstock, to be
retained for the king’s sport. Lord Treasurer Juxon was president of
the new commission, which met in London, at London House, in 1638. At
that time Henry, Earl of Holland, was justice in eyre, and seems to
have had much to do. Richard Lane was his deputy. In 1638 Sir C. Hatton
applied for leave to fell a coppice. The verdurers are to certify
the acreage to the chief justice, and whether the wood may be felled
without injury to the game. The certifyers are Sir Lewis Watson and
Charles Cockayn. Thomas Dove, a verdurer, has leave from the chief
justice to hawk in moderation. There are great complaints of poaching.
In this year, William, Earl of Salisbury, had a release for two fines
of £1,400 and £6,000, inflicted by the justice, probably for serious
encroachments, and his park at Brigstock, which had been laid open,
is to be re-parked. 1638–9, John Norwich of Brampton pays £400 for
encroachments, and Brampton is disafforested.
In 1639 the troubles had commenced, and 29th June the manor
of Rockingham was confirmed to Sir Lewis Watson, who held the
castle for the king. In 1643 the tide of civil war flowed towards
Northamptonshire. 5th April, the castle had been besieged and taken,
and Lord Grey of Groby was in command for the Parliament. He fortified
it strongly with palisades, and therein sheltered his troops and
certain of the disaffected clergy. 7th May, the castle contained a
strong garrison and was used to preserve the peace of the district.
19th May, Sir Lewis Watson was captured by Colonel Hastings and taken
to Stoke Albini. The colonel was active throughout the forest. 5th
June, Sir John Norwich was the parliamentary governor of the castle,
and had engaged and routed the king’s guards. 9th June, 500 horse
appeared before the castle, and a party blockaded it while the rest
rode to Weldon. The garrison, however, were too strong, and captured
nine or ten of the king’s chief officers who came that way from Oxford.
29th December, Lord Grey proposed to dismiss Colonel Horsman, then in
charge of the castle, but the Parliament upheld him.
In 1645 Norwich was in command, and took many prisoners, lodging them
in the castle. Sir Lewis probably distinguished himself in the field,
for, 1st June, he was created Baron Rockingham of Rockingham Castle.
7th June, the king marched from Harborough to Daventry, and on the 14th
the battle of Naseby was fought, whence many prisoners were sent to the
castle.