John Benfeld

Events 

Date of Birth: unknown.

Place of Birth: unknown.

Date of Death: about 1398.

Place of Death: unknown.

Relationships

probable Father: James de Benefeld.

See the Commentary section.

Mother: unknown.

Spouse: Cecily.

Cecily’s name is given in the 1397-9 petition cited below in the evidence section.

probable Brother: Simon Benefeld of Shoreham.

This relationship is given by Woodger/Wright. Simon was M.P. for New Shoreham several times between 1381 and 1397. Simon married Maud and probably had a son Robert, who was M.P. for New Shoreham in 1414.

Children: 

(Complete source citations for facts about the children on this page are currently outside of the scope of this project.)

John Benfeld (died about 1438) married Elizabeth.

William Benfeld (died after 1417).

Evidence

1346: John de Benefeld held manors in Hangleton and Twineham in 1346 (Farrer 3:346).

1368: John de Benefelde is a witness in a case concerning land in Twineham [National Archives Catalogue Add Mss 17733] 

1389: Grant from (a) Henry Pouke and Agnes, his wife, to (b) John Benefeld, to hold in reversion after the deaths of (a). (Brokefield, land in Twineham) [National Archives Catalogue WISTON/3044]

1395: Inquisition post mortem of Alice, wife of Thomas West, knight

Sussex: Stenyng and Brembre. 50a. land called le Combe, held of John Benefeld as of his manor of Ewelme in socage by a rent of 8s. yearly.

1397-9: petition of Cecily who was the wife of John Benfield concerning Ewelme. Mentions John, son of John Benefeld and William son of John Benfeld. Simon Benfeld is a witness. [National Archives Catalogue SC 8/212/10599. A digital image is available.]

Commentary

John’s father:

James de Benefeld was born in 1315 and inherited land in Benfield, Bedyng, Henfield, Shoreham, and Slaugham from his grandfather John in 1325. He is attested in connection with Twineham in 1341. The John Benfeld of this page is attested in connection with Twineham starting in 1346. The dates seem about right for James to have been John’s father, although it could be that he was a nephew or cousin.

References

“An Abstract of Feet of Fines for the County of Sussex” in Sussex Record Society volume 23 (1916).

Calendar of the Close Rolls, Henry VI, Vol. 3. 1435-1441. (London, 1937).  

Calendar of the Close Rolls, Henry VI, Vol. 5. 1447-1454. (London, 1941).  

Calendar of the Fine Rolls, vol. 16 (1936), Henry VI, A.D. 1430-1437).

Davies, Matthew. “Gainsford, John I (d. 1450) of Crowhurst, Surr.” in The History of Parliament: The House of Commons 1422-1461 (Linda Clark ed.) (University of Cambridge Press, 2020). 

Farrer, William. Honors and Knights’ Fees volume 3 (1925).

Feudal Aids volume 6 (PRO, 1938).

“Hunston” in A History of the County of Sussex: Volume 4, The Rape of Chichester (Victoria County History, 1953).

“Parishes: Hangleton” in A History of the County of Sussex: Volume 7, the Rape of Lewes (Victoria County History, 1980).

“Parishes: Twineham” in A History of the County of Sussex: Volume 7, the Rape of Lewes (Victoria County History, 1980).

“Steyning: Manors and other Estates” in A History of the County of Sussex: Volume 6, Part 1, Bramber Rape (Southern Part) (Victoria County History, 1980).

Woodger, L.S. and A.P.M. Wright. “Simon Benefeld, of Shoreham, Suss.” in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1386-1421 (1993).

Wright, A.P.M. “Benefeld, Robert of Portslade, Suss.” in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1386-1421 (1993).