Geoffrey Roucle
Events
Date of Birth: unknown.
Place of Birth: unknown.
Date of Death: 27 March 1390.
Place of Death: unknown.
The date is recorded in Geoffrey’s inquisition post mortem.
Relationships
Father: John Roucle.
This relationship is recorded in a 1352 quitclaim (See below in the Evidence section).
Mother: unknown.
Spouse: unknown.
Spouse: Isabel le Botiller. Married after 1357.
This relationship is recorded inquisitions post mortem and in the patent rolls. (See the Evidence and Commentary sections below). Isabel was the widow of Richard Wayte of Dunmead.
Children:
(Complete source citations for facts about the children on this page are currently outside of the scope of this project.)
Richard Roucle (died before 1390).
John Roucle (born in or somewhat before 1350 - died 15 November 1393) married Eva de Bohun.
Evidence
from the Calendar of Fine Rolls:
1350. February 13. Westminster.
Commitment to John de Bohun of Midhurst, Joan his daughter, late the wife of John de Insula of Gatecoumbe, and Geoffrey de Rouclee, of the wardship of the manors of Whitewell, Caulborn and Merssheton, in the Isle of Wight, and of two parts of the manors of Gatecombe and Chesthull, in the same island, which are in the king’s hand by reason of the minority of John son and heir of the said John de Insula, who held in chief, to hold the same, together with the issues, from the date of John de Insula’s death until the full age of the heir, and so from heir to heir, saving to the king’s knight’s fees, advowsons of churches, chapels and chantries, and reversions, and saving to the said John, Joan and Geoffrey any parcels of the said manors which may have been demised for life or a term of years at their true value; rendering in the chamber 100 marks yearly for the first three years by equal portions at Easter and Michaelmas, starting at Michaelmas last, and 80l. yearly thereafter in moieties at Easter and Michaelmas. If it happen that the said manors or part thereof are destroyed by an attack of the common enemies of the realm, so that the said John, Joan and Geoffrey cannot have their usual profits thereof, they shall have allowance in payment of their farm of the yearly amount by which the manors or part of them shall be found to have been damaged by such attack, but no allowance shall be made to them of the value of their goods in the manors, in case they be destroyed or carried off by the said enemies, except in the case of crops growing on the demesne lands.
By letters under the seal called ‘Griffoun.’ Order in pursuance to William de Ryngeburn, escheator in the Isle of Wight.
from the National Archives catalogue:
Documents related to the manor of Brook
See JER/SEL/1/13
Land in Brooke etc.
to William Passelewe of Brok, I.W.
if he dies without heirs, then to Geoffrey Roucle of the manor of Woditon, I.W., and after death of Geoffrey to the right heirs of William
1351 November 29
JER/SEL/1/14
lands in Brok etc
(1) Geoffrey Roucle, of the manor of Appledorford, [p. Godshill, I.W.]
(2) William Passelewe of Brok, [I.W.]
Witnesses:... Thomas Glamorgan…
1351 December 7
JER/SEL/1/15
Quitclaim
Rights in the lands, rents and tenements which William Passelewe the brother of (1) lately conveyed to Geoffrey de Rouklye
(1) Richard Passelewe, brother of William Passelwe of Broke, [I.W.]
(2) Geoffrey Roukley, s. and heir of John Roukley
Witnesses: … Thomas Glamorgan…
1352 April 6
JER/SEL/1/16
Quitclaim
All lands and tenements of (1) in Freschewatere, [I.W.]
(1) William Passelwe of Broke, [I.W.]
(2) Geoffrey Rouklye, s. and heir of John Rouklye
Witnesses: … Thomas Glamorgan…
1352 December 27
JER/SEL/1/1
Lease for Life
Manor of [Upper] Brouke, I.W.
Isabella, late wife of William Thorp
Geoffrey Roucle
Consid: £8 p.a.
Endorsed: "Indenture of Isabella Thorpe of Upper Broke"
1362 June 14
JER/SEL/1/2
Final Concord
⅛ par of the Manor of Broke.,I.W.
(1) Geoffrey Roukele (Plaintiff)
(2) Roger Rose, Margaret his wife (Deforciants)
Consid: 20 marks
1365 Easter Term
JER/SEL/1/3
Final Concord
⅛ par of the Manor of Broke.,I.W.
(1) Geoffrey Roukele (Plaintiff)
(2) Robert Urry, Parnell his wife (Deforciants)
Consid: 20 marks
1365 Easter Term
JER/SEL/1/4
Lease for 3 lives
Sa. of arable land and a quarter of a meadow in Hunfredeston
(1) Geoffrey Roukele of Broke
(2) Richard Passellewe, Alice his wife
Life interest to Alice, d. of (2) after their decease
Consid: 16d. p.a.
1368 March 27
JER/SEL/1/5
Gift
Lands, rents and services in BROUKE, HAMPSTED, CHILTON, FRESSHEWATER HUNFREDESTON, SCHARPRIX, ROUDE and WATHE
(1) Geoffrey Rouclee
(2) Edward Chyke, Walter Burton, Edmund rector of the Church of Moteston, Thomas Colmere, Richard Golt
Endorsed: “Charter of Geoffrey Rocle of the manor of Broke.
1370/1 February 3
JER/SEL/1/6
Quitclaim
1/8 part of the manor of Broke, I.W., and of the advowson of the chapel
(1) John Wynforde, s. and heir of John Glamorgan
(2) Geoffrey Rocle
1371/2 March 9
JER/SEL/1/7
Gift
Lands and tenements in BROKE, FRECHWATER, SHARPRYXE, CHELTON, HONVERESTON and HAMSTEDE
(1) Edward Chike, Walter Burton, Richard Golt
(2) Geoffrey Roucle and Isabelle his wife
Life interest to (2) then to Richard, his son. If Richard dies without heirs of his own body then to Geoffrey and his heirs absolutely.
Endorsed: "Refeoffment of E. Chike, W. Barton, R. Golt of the manor of Broke"
1374 December 13
JER/SEL/1/8:
Quitclaim
All claims of (1) in land and tenements at Brouke, I.W. which belonged to his aunt Isabella Honston
(1) John de Veer, s. and heir of Alianore de Veer
(2) Geoffrey Roucle, Richard his s.
1382 April 20
JER/SEL/1/9
Power of attorney to give seisin
2 parts of the manor of Brouke, I.W. to John Cook and Joan his wife
(1) Geoffrey Roucley
(2) John Roucley, s. of (1)
John Daniles
1389/90 March 13
JER/SEL/1/10
Gift
1/8 part of manor of Upper Brouke, I.W. which (1) had by gift of John le Hebbere and Anne his wife and of another 1/8 part which (1) had by gift of Peter Bryan and Elizabeth his wife
(1) Geoffrey Roucley
(2) John Cook of Wykham, Joan his wife
Witnesses: John Roucley, William Urry, Ralph Wolverton, Thomas Brerdyng, John Golt
1389/90 March 13
Concerning Rookley
OG/D/9
Case for Consideration
The division of the estate of Thomas Vavasour who held lands in Rokely and left three daughters. Thomas Vavascour was seized of a close containing 12 acres called Cockescroft als. Herewardes Close in the town of Rokeley, I.W., with other lands. Inquiry whether Joan Vavascour, one of the daughters and heirs of Thomas le Vavascour was married to John Middlemarch and if 4 acres of land and 1 croft called Cockescroft which Richard Coke now holds and which John Wayte gave to Geoffrey Rokely were of the said Joan and if John Mohun died seized, after the death of Joan Coke, mother of the said Richard who died seized of it.
[1/3 traced through Norris, Mohun, Trafford families to Thomas Farringdon]
c 1455
from the National Archives catalogue:
C 44/10/22
Parties: Roukele v Couke and others:
Subject: A messuage and land in Lockerley and Tytherley
County: Hants.
5 Rich II [1381/2]
AC95/32.33
30 September 1386
Gift with warranty
(i) John Hebber and Anna his wife
(i) Geoffrey Roucle
Lands and tenements with appurtenances in manor of Brook, which descended to the said Anna after the death of Isabella [Thorpe] her sister
Evidence related to Isabella le Boteler:
Her step-mother’s 1387 inquisition post mortem:
Margery late the wife of John le Boteler, knight
Writ, 12 April, 10 Richard II
Southampton. Inq. taken at Wymeryngge, 23 April, 10 Richard II.
She held the under-mentioned manor jointly with the said John Boteler, her husband, for the term of their lives, with remainder to John son of the said John le Boteler and the heirs of his body, by gift and grant of Robert Wolverton and Robert le Wariner, chaplains. The said John son of John died without heir of his body, so that the manor should have remained to the heirs of the bodies of the said John and Margery; but as they died without heir of their bodies, it will remain to the right heirs of the said John le Boteler, knight, as is more fully contained in the king’s licence obtained therefor.
Wymeryngge. The manor, held of the king in chief by service of 1d. to be paid yearly at the Exchequer by the hands of the sheriff.
She died on 11 March last. Heir not known; but Isabel the wife of Geoffrey Roucle, aged 50 years and more, is daughter and next heir of the said John le Boteler, knight.
A related case from the Calendar of Patent Rolls:
1387. June 23. Westminster.
Pardon, for 20 marks paid to the king by Geoffrey Roucle and Isabella, his wife, of divers trespasses in respect of the manor of Wymeryng, co. Southampton. Whereas by fine levied they granted the reversion thereof after the death of Margery, wife of Richard Cheke, to Nicholas Stille and Thomas Walbroun and the heirs of Nicholas, and the said Nicholas and Thomas similarly regranted the reversion to the said Geoffrey and Isabella for their lives with remainder to Richard son of Isabella and his heirs tail, and final remainder to the right heirs of Isabella, without licence had of the king, and althoughy by inquisition before John Gawayn, escheator in that county, it is found that the said Margery, late the wife of John le Boteler, knight, held the manor in chief by the service of 1d. as joint feoffee with the said John le Boteler by grant of Robert Wolverton and Robert le Warner, chaplains, with successive remainders in tail to John son of John le Boteler and the heirs of the said John and Margery, and final remainder to the right heirs of the said John le Boteler, by licence of the king, and that the said Isabella is daughter and heir of the said John le Boteler and of full age because both John son of John le Boteler son of John le Boteler and Margery his wife died without heir tail, yet the said Geoffrey and Isabella, without due process or livery had, entered upon the said manor immediately afer the death of the said Margery when it was seized into the king’s hands. The king accordingly pardons those trespasses and restores the premises to them for their lives with remainder to Richard their son and his heirs tail, and final remainder to Isabella.
Mandate to John Gaweyn to take the fealty of the said Geoffrey and security for payment of a reasonable relief at the Exchequer, and to permit the said Geoffrey and Isabella to have the manor with the mesne issues.
A related inquisition:
John Botiller
Writ to the escheator to enquire as to the lands &c. which came to the king’s hands by the death of the said John and are still in the king’s hand; as Isabel late the wife of Geoffrey Roukele, sister and heir of the said John, died before suing the lands &c. of her inheritance out of the king’s hands. 17 February, 12 Richard II.
Southampton. Inq. taken at Winchester, Tuesday, 6 April, 12 Richard II.
The under-mentioned messuage &c. in Lokerlee and Tuderlee came to the king’s hands by the death of the said John, who also held the under-mentioned manor of Lymborn in his demesne as of fee.
Lokerlee and Tuderlee. A messuage, 100 a. arable, 2 a. meadow, 20 a. wood, 30 a. underwood and 8l. rent from divers tenants, held of the king by service of rendering 6l. 11s. 9d. yearly at the Exchequer at Michaelmas by the hands of the sheriff.
Lymborn. The manor, tenure not known.
The aforesaid Isabel, John’s sister and heir, died on Tuesday after All Saints last. Richard Wayte, aged 30 years and more, is her son and heir.
Geoffrey’s inquisition post mortem:
Writ, 29 March, 13 Richard II
Southam. Inq. taken at Faarham, Thursday, 7 April, 13 Richard II.
He held the under-mentioned manor for life by gift and grant of Nicholas Stille and Thomas Walbroun by a fine levied in the king’s court with the king’s licence, with remainder to Richard Wayte, son of Isabel his late wife, and the heirs of Richard’s body, and in default of such heirs to the right heirs of the said Isabel.
Wymeryng. The manor, held of the king in chief by service of 1d. to be paid yearly at the Exchequer in Michaelmas term by the hands of the sheriff.
He died on Palm Sunday, 27 March last. John Roucle, his son, aged 40 years and more, is his heir to any lands which he may have held elsewhere in his demesne as of fee.
Writ to Thomas de Haxay, keeper of the writs of the Common Bench, to send into Chancery a transcript of the note of a fine levied in the king’s court in 6 Richard II between Nicholas Stille and Thomas Walbroun, querents, and Geoffrey Roucle and Isabel his wife, deforciants, touching the manor of Wymeryng. 8 May, 13 Richard II.
Transcript of the said note, shewing that the said Geoffrey and Isabel acknowledged the manor to be the right of Nicholas, and that thereupon the said Nicholas and Thomas granted that the same manor, which on the day of the fine was held by Richard Chike and Margery his wife, for the life of Margery, of the inheritance of Nicholas, should after the death of Margery remain to Geoffrey and Isabel for life, with successive remainders to Richard, Isabel’s son, and the heirs of his body, and to the right heirs of Isabel.
Southampton. Quinzaine of Midsummer, 6 Richard II. Cyrograph to be taken in the octave of Michaelmas.
Commentary
Geoffrey’s supposed wife Isabel de Glamorgan
Isabel de Glamorgan married Godfrey de Hunstan, who was dead by 1347/8. The Hampshire VCH (5:sub Brook) posits a second marriage to Geoffrey, based on the way Geoffrey acquired the manor of Brook from Isabel’s siblings. In 1365, fines show that he held her sister Margaret’s ⅛ part and her sister Parnell’s ⅛ part. In 1371, her brother John Wynford quitclaimed his ⅛ part and the advowson of he chapel. In 1382, John de Veer, son of Isabel’s sister Eleanor, quitclaimed to Geoffrey all his claims in “land and tenements at Brouuke, Isle of Wight, which belonged to his aunt Isabella Honston.” In 1389/90 he gave ⅛ part of the manor which he had by gift of Isabel’s sister Anne, and another ⅛ part of the manor which he had by gift of Isabel’s niece Elizabeth, daughter of her sister Denise, to his granddaughter Joan and her husband John Cooke. This was shortly Geoffrey died. As well, Geoffrey definitely had children by a marriage prior to his marriage with Isabel le Bottiler. However, Isabel was the widow of William Thorp when she leased the manor of Brook to Geoffrey in 1362, and his children were born before then. A 1386 gift by Isabel’s sister Anna to Geoffrey of land that had descended to her after Isabel’s death confirms that Isabel could not have been Geoffrey’s wife.
Geoffrey’s wife Isabel le Botiller
The account under ‘Wymering” in the Hampshire VCH v. 3 is fairly full, but contains an error concerning Isabel. According to it:
(1) John le Botiller married firstly Joan before 1320, and had a son John Botiller of Limbourne. He married secondly Margery, and tried unsuccessfully in 1348 to settle the manor upon his children with her. John Botiller must have been underage, because the elder John was unsuccessful as his attempt was considered prejudicial to the right of royal wardship. He nevertheless managed to settle the manor on her for life. The elder John died in 1350.
(2) The elder John’s second wife Margery remarried Richard Chike. She died in 1387, and the manor reverted to John Botiller of Limbourne.
(3) John Botiller of Limbourne also died in 1387, when the manor passed to his daughter Isabel, wife of Geoffrey Roucle.
(4) Isabel died shortly after, and the manor passed to Richard Wayte, Isabel’s son by her first marriage to Richard Wayte of Denmead. The younger Richard was born in about 1457 and died in 1423.
As the inquisitions in the Evidence section above make clear, Isabel was the sister, not the daughter, of John Botiller of Limbourne. Her parents must have been John le Botiller and his first wife Joan.
Geoffrey’s children
Richard is recorded as Geoffrey’s son in 1372 and 1382. See the Evidence section above.
John. In general, secondary sources state that this is the John who held Brook in the 1430s, but that can’t be correct. In Geoffrey’s 1390 ipm, his son and heir John’s age is given as 40 years and more. The John who held Brook in the 1430s died in 1452 [National Archives catalogue, nos. C 1/19/168, AC95/32.73, AC95/32.75], which would make him above a hundred, and his mother is recorded as Joan Patrich, widow, sister of Thomas Glamorgan [NA AC95/32.56], who was obviously not Geoffrey’s wife. I think the John who died in 1452 was either the son or the brother of Geoffrey’s grandson Thomas. In John’s 1452 will, there was a remainder to his “cousin” Richard Cook [NA AC95/32.75], who was the son of Thomas’s sister Joan.
References
Calendar[s] of Inquisitions Post Mortem. [Public Record Office. Digital versions available at British History Online.]
'Parishes: Arreton', in A History of the County of Hampshire: Volume 5, ed. William Page (London, 1912), pp. 139-151.
'Parishes: Brook', in A History of the County of Hampshire: Volume 5, ed. William Page (London, 1912), pp. 215-217.
'Parishes: Wymering', in A History of the County of Hampshire: Volume 3, ed. William Page (London, 1908), pp. 165-170.