Also known as Ranulf de Merton, Randolph de Merton, and Ranulph de Sutton
Events
Date of Birth: unknown.
Place of Birth: unknown.
Date of Death: unknown.
Place of Death: unknown.
Relationships
Father: Ranulph de Merton.
See below.
Mother: unknown.
Spouse: unknown.
Children:
(Complete source citations for facts about the children on this page are currently outside of the scope of this project.)
Richard de Merton.
Stephen de Merton.
John de Merton.
Ellen de Merton married Robert de Winnington by 1297.
Commentary
These are the main facts I can find to use for the reconstruction of Randle’s family:
A Randulph de Merton son of Randulph was granted Merton by Ranulph, the earl of Chester in about the year 1200. He was probably an old man at the time.
In an undated grant, which I think is from about 1225, Richard de Merton gives a messuage to his son Stephen. Randolph de Merton is a witness.
Stephen de Merton witnesses a grant in 1225. He witnesses an undated grant to Robert son of Liulf which is probably from the 1240s or earlier.
Stephen de Merton is a forester of Delamere, called “antiquis”, in 55 Hen. 3 [1270-1]
Stephen de Merton witnesses a grant and a quitclaim in 1271.
Stephen de Merton and Randle de Merton witness a grant dated to the late 13th century.
Rondolf fitz Richard of Merton, tenant of the abbey and convent of Vale Royal, is indicted on suspicion in the Forest of Mare and agrees to an exchange with the abbot and convent. The agreeement of the Prince is sought. Tempo Edw. I.
Ralph de Merton appears several times in the Vale Abbey building accounts in 1278, and Randolph de Sutton appears in 1279.
Ranulph de Merton, the king’s forester in Chester, is granted an annuity of 5 marks in compensation for a release of lands to the abbot and convent of Vale Royal, in 1278.
Ranulph de Merton is granted estover (necessary supplies, esp. wood) in the forest of la Mare in exchange for the like estover he had in the wood of Bradford, which he surrenders to the abbot and convent of Vale Royal, in 1284.
Ranulph de Merton gives the manor of Merton to the abbot and convent of Vale Royal in exchange for the manor of Gayton and the manor of Lach in Ruddeheth. Tempo Edw I.
Ranulph de Sutton, son and heir of Ranulph de Merton, gave lands to the Abbey of Vale Royal 1285
Richard lord of Merton and Michael of Merton witness a charter in Magna Mertona sometime between 1270 and 1290. Maybe Richard is the same as the Richard de Sutton who holds two burgages in Malpas in 1297 (CCR).
Robert son of Michael Merton witnesses a grant in 1297.
Assuming that the “Rondolf fitz Richard” above is not an error for “Rondolf fitz Rondolf”, something like this appears to be the succession:
Ranulf had a son Ranulf de Merton, who was granted Merton in about 1200. His son Richard was alive in the 1220s, but died soon after. Richard had at least two sons, Stephen and Ranulf. Stephen, the elder, appears until about 1271, when his brother Ranulf takes over. But in the late 1270s, Ranulf’s son Randulph of Merton/Sutton takes over. Presumably Randulf’s son Richard is in charge after that. Ranulph’s son, and Richard’s brother, Stephen was later lord of Gayton (inquisition post mortem in 1351/2). Randulph of Merton/Sutton seems to have been Ellen de Merton’s father, Ellen probably being born a little before 1290. Ellen was probably much younger than her brother Richard.
There is clearly a possibility that this is not quite right, but it is the best I can come up with.
Evidence from Randle’s time
from the Ledger Book of Vale Abbey:
(p. 52)
Petition for exchange of lands with Randolph, son of Richard de Merton.—To their Lord. Whereas one "Rondolf le Fitz Richard" of Merton, tenant of the abbey and convent of Vale Royal, being indicted on suspicion in the Forest of Mare is anxious (voleit) to remove further from the cover of the forest aforesaid, by making some exchange with the said abbot and convent; will [the Prince] of his especial grace grant him leave to do this ? [temp. Edw. I.]
(p. 130)
from a 1350 Quo Warranto Inquiry in which a charter from the time of Edward I is presented describing the lands of the abbey:
…And also all the land in Nethre Litel Ovre, which belonged to Hugh de Merton, brother and heir of Ranulph de Merton, clerk, and all the land of Ranulph son of John of Littel Over, and all the land of Nicholas Baret, son of Richard Baret, in Nether Litel Oure. And all the land of Hervey de Bradeford, and of Robert, son and heir of the same Hervey, in Bradeford. And also all the land of Ranulph de Sutton, son and heir of Ranulph de Merton, in Sutton, which lands the aforesaid Hugh, Ranulph, Nicholas. Hervey, Robert and Ranulph gave up into our hands, quit of them and their heirs for ever, with all the liberties which they had, or could have, in woods, commons, moors, pastures, wastes and all other their appurtenances, without any reservation. ..
from the Calendar of Patent Rolls:
1278. June 18. Westminster.
Grant to Ranulph de Merton, the king’s forester in the county of Chester, in fee simple of an annuity of five marks at Merton, out of the issues of the serjeanty of the countess of Warwick, in compensation for a release and quit-claim made by him to the Crown of all the right and claim he had or could have in the office of his serjeanty within the lands, woods, and other places conferred by the king upon the abbot and convent of Vale Royal in the county aforesaid.
1284. October 22. Carnarvon.
Grant to Ranulph de Merton and his heirs of reasonable estover, to wit ‘husbold,’ in the forest of la Mare, in exchange for the like estover which he had in the wood of Bradeford, and which he has surrendered to the king for the use of the abbot and convent of Vale Royal.
from the Calendar of Close Rolls:
1275. November 5. Westminster.
To Guncelin de Badelesmere, justice of Chester. Order to permit Ranulph de Ovre and his parceners to have the free common in the wood of Bradefordewod that they always had in the wood before the king recovered seisin of the wood against Stephen de Merton.
1281. October 24. Westminster.
To the barons of the exchequer. Whereas Ranulph de Merton, the king's forester in co. Chester, quitclaimed to the king, on 22 June, in the sixth year, all his right in the office of his serjeanty within the lands, woods and other places conferred by the king up to that day on the abbot and convent of Vale Royal, and the king, in recompence, granted to him the serjeanty called 'the serjeanty of the fees of the countess of Warwick,' for which serjeanty 6 marks used to be rendered yearly to the king's exchequer of Chester, to have to Ranulph and his heirs for ever, rendering therefore one mark yearly to the said exchequer for all service: the king orders the barons to discharge (oncretis) Leonius son of Leonius, late chamberlain of Chester, of 5 marks yearly from the date of the aforesaid charter, if he have been charged therewith, and to charge him with the remainder of the six marks yearly for that time, unless he have previously answered for it.
from the Calendar of Charter Rolls:
1285. January 2. Bristol.
Gift, for the soul of King Henry III, to the abbot and convent of Vale Royal, of all the land of Netherlitleovere late of Hugh de Merton, brother and heir of Ranulph de Merton, clerk ; and of all the land of Ranulph son of John de Littleover; and of all the land of Nicholas Baret son of Richard Baret in Netherlitleovere; and of all the land of Henry de Bradeford and Robert son and heir of the said Henry in Bradeford; and of all the land of Ranulph de Sutton son and heir of Ranulph de Merton in Sutton; all which lands their said owners have restored into the king’s hands; to be held by the said abbot and convent disafforested and without all danger (doungerium) and power of the officers of the forest in frank almoin, as freely as the manor of Dernhale was previously granted to them.
1285. January 2. Bristol.
In recompense for one messuage, one hundred and fifty-six acres of land, twenty-six acres of waste and wood, a fishery, common of pasture and other easements, which Ranulph de Sutton had in Sutton in the king’s forest of La Mare, the said fishery, common and easements being worth 4 marks 2s., all which the said Ranulph surrendered to the king; gift to the said Ranulph of the king’s land (placeas) in Chester, whereon the king’s grange and bovary (boveria) were situated, and of eighty-two acres of land and three acres of meadow of the demesne land of the castle of Chester within the island called Erleseye, by the following bounds, from the bridge of Chester down the Dee to Bohgton and around the Dee (in circuitu de Dee) to Claverton ford and from Claverton ford to Neubold Dike and along the dike to Honebrigge and thence to the bridge of Chester with common of pasture in Saltneye and free access, as the king had while he had the foregoing lands, and with the bailiwick and issue of the hundred of Caldey, worth by the year 5 marks; to be held by the said Ranulph, and his heirs by rendering at the Exchequer of Chester at Midsummer 1d. in lieu of all service, suit and demand; grant also of privileges and quittances as in the last charter.
1312. November 1. Windsor.
Inspeximus and confirmation of the following charters in favour of the abbot and convent of Vale Royal :—
1. A charter dated at Stepney, 15 May, 27 Edward I [Calendar, Vol. II, p. 478].
2. Letters patent dated at Canterbury, 18 September, 27 Edward I [Calendar of Patent Rolls, 1292-1301, p. 487.)
3. Letters patent, whereby the present king as prince of Wales, earl of Chester, count of Ponthieu and Montreuil, after an inquisition ad quod damnum taken by Ralph Trussel, justiciary of Chester, licensed Ranulph de Merton to give the manor of Merton in the forest of Delamere, which he held of the prince in chief, to the abbot and convent of Vale Royal, to be held by the abbot and convent and their successors in frank almoin and disafforested in exchange for the manor of Gayton in the forest of Wirhale in the same county, which the said abbot and convent hold disafforested, and for the manor of Lach in Ruddeheth, in the same county, which manors the said abbot and convent held of the prince in chief in frank almoin; and licensed the said abbot and convent to enfeoff the said Ranulph of the said manors of Gayton and Lach to be held by him and his heirs by the services by which he held the manor of Merton, so that the said manor of Merton shall be disafforested and the manor of Gayton afforested and charged with all the burdens, which fell before the exchange upon the manor of Merton. By pet. of C.
from the Cheshire Archives catalogue:
Copy of grant of moiety of township of Birches. late 13th century. (Copy 15th century?) [DCH/J/31/4]
Among the witness are Stephen de Merton and Randle de Merton.
Grant of piece of land in the Stublach. c. 1260-1280 [DCH/J/116/1]
Among the witnesses are Robert de Wyninton, Randulph of Merton, and Richard Starky.
Gift of 2 burgages in Middlewich. 13th century. [D 7890]
Among the witnesses is Randle Merton.
Charter, land in Magna Mertona. c. 1270-1290 [DDS 15/13]
Among the witnesses are Richard lord of Merton, Michael of the same.
Charter. Land in Hamilton. 26 June 1297. [DDS 15/16
Amnog the witnesses is Robert son of Michael de Merton.
from the Rylands charters:
Grant. No date. [c. 1307-1345] RYCH/1561
Grant by John de Merton, son of Ralph de Merton, to John de Bebynton, chaplain. Witness list: 'Hiis testibus Johanne Dounvill', Willelmo de Stanley, Roberto le Baunvill', Willelmo Waleys, Henrico Bernard', Willelmo de Stanley, juniore, et aliis.'
from the Arley Charters:
ARL/27/43
1297
Indenture
Parties: (1) Robert son of Robert de Winnington; (2) his father, Robert.
Details: Grant, by (1) to (2), of two parts of the manor of Warford and Marthall for life, rendering a rose to the grantor and his heirs by Elen, his wife, daughter of Randle de Merton.
Witnesses: lords Ralph de Vernon; Richard de Massey, knights; William de Prayheris, sheriff; Richard de Lostock; Hugh de Tabley; Matthew de Holegreve; John de Winnington and others.
ARL/27/35
no date [c. 1296-1349]
Deed poll
Parties: (1) Robert de Winnington; (2) Robert, son of (1) and Ellen his wife, daughter of Randolph/Randall de Merton.
Details: Grant from (1) to (2) of his manor in Warford [Wereford] and Marthall.
Witnesses: Ralph de Vernon, Richard de Massey, knights; William de Praers, then sheriff of Chester; Richard de Lostock; Hugh de Tabley; John de Wynnington; Matthew de Hulgrene/Hulgreve [?] the clerk and many others.
Evidence regarding Randle’s ancestors
from the Charters of the Anglo-Norman Earls of Chester:
no. 271.
Ranulphus comes Cestrie constabulario, baronibus, vic[ecomiti], ministris, et ballivis, et omnibus suis fidelibus tam Anglis quam Francis, clericis et laicis, salutem. Sciatis me concessisse et confirmasse Ranulpho de Mertona filio Ranulpho, hostiario fidelio meo, Mertonam cum boscis et cum omnibus aliis provenientibus ad Mertonam pertinentibus, habendam et tenendam illam tenuram sibi et heredibus suis de me et heredibus meis in feodo et hereditate libere et quiete, bene et in pace, impertuum, per servicium quod fecit patri meo et mihi postea, ad nutriendum unum cabellum mihi et heredibus meis singulis annis, quando sibi fuit missus, pro omnibus serviciis secularibus, placitis, querelis, et demandis, ita quod nullus eum implaceat inde nec implaceari permittat. Preterea concessi et confirmavi pro me et heredibus meis eidem Ranulpho et heredibus suis suum officium in domo meo esse hostiarium, cum duobus caballis et tribus bobis per annum sibi et valetto super custum meum proprium. Pro hac autem concessione et confirmacione idem Ranulphus dedit mihi in gersuma duos lepores nomine Lym et Libekar. Hiis testibus domina Bertrea comitissa, domino Radulpho Meingarin iusticiario Cestrie, domino Rogero Lasey tunce constabulario Cestrie, Roberto de [Monte Alto], domino Hamone de Mascy, domino Hugone de Spenser. Datum apud Werham.
[Barraclough dates the charter to between 1194 and 1202, and probably after 1199. He notes, “[T]here is little further information about Ranulf of Merton. He had been in the service of Earl Hugh, and was evidently an old man by the time this charter was issued; perhaps he did not survive long.]
no. 407. A grant to Robert son of Thurstan of Woodford of a parcel of land in exchange for his fields at Woodford occupied by the earl’s park of Darnhall. Dated by Barraclough to c. 1225-1230, or perhaps a little later.
Stephan de Merton is a witness.
from the Ledger Book of Vale Abbey:
(p. 30)
Know etc. [fo. 13d (250d)] that I, Richard de Merton, have given etc. to Stephen my son, and his heirs, one capital messuage, which John le Fatte held from me at farm, with the buildings and gardens, set out and to be set out, as the bounds go round them (criūūt), and one assart, which the said John le Fatte formerly held from me at farm, and another assart, which at that time Henry de Monilegh held from me at farm, then newly assarted, and another assart called le Holrenbarwe, and another assart in le Hey, as the ditches and hedges surround the same. To have and to hold etc., rendering to the said chief lords of that fee the services that shall be due therefrom and of right accustomed. In witness whereof etc. These being witnesses: Randolph de Merton, Robert Daa, Thomas his brother, William, son of Robert le Growenor, John the Clerk and many others.
Randolph, Earl of Chester and Lincoln, to all men present etc. Know ye that I have given etc. to Robert, son of Turstan de Wodeford, for his homage and service certain land, with its appurtenances, within these bounds: to wit, from Wyldemareford to Heppedene in breadth, and from Heppedene to le Wytesyche in length, and from Witesich to the road of Wyldemarefort; and in exchange for his meadows of Wodefordd occupied for my stew of Dernhale. To have and to hold, etc., rendering therefor and for the land of Wodeford yearly 5s. and one pig etc. In witness whereof etc. These being witnesses: Philip de Orreby, then justiciar of Chester, William de Malpas, Richard de Sondbach, then sheriff of Cheshire, Richard de Kingesley, Peter de Frodesham, Stephen de Merton, Robert Grosvenor, William de Weure, Godfrey de la Lawe, Roger de London, Peter the Earl's Clerk, William de Wode, Robert . . . [c. 1225].
from the Arley charters:
Deed poll. No date. ARL/27/19
Parties: (1) Robert de Lewel son of Liuul de Thamlowe; (2) Richard de Wibenburi.
Details: Grant, by (1) to (2), of the half of Winnington, which Liuul de Twamlowe held of the fee of William de Boydell, setting out the bounds, and rendering a grain of pepper.
Witnesses: Robert de Tabley; Randolph de Bexton; Roger de Tabley; Hugh de Pikemerel; Helkot of the same; Hugh de Marston; Stephen de Merton; Thomas de Limme; Ralph de Grappenhall; Richard Bernard and many others.
from the Cheshire Archives catalogue:
Quitclaim for land in Little Morton. 1270-1271. [DBW/A/A/B/2]
Among the witnesses are Richard de Wilburham, then sheriff of Cheshire, Richard Starky, and Stephan de Merton.
Grant of land in Blakelode. c. 1271. [DBW/A/A/B/3]
Among the witnesses are Sir Richard de Wilberham, Richard Starky, and Stephan de Merton.
from Ormerod (2:176)
Next in succession after Randle, and most probably his son, occurs the name of Stephen de Merton, who appears in the records of the pleas of the forests of Mara and Mondrem, 55 Hen. III [1270-1] before Reginald Grey, justice of Chester, at which time he was fined ten pounds, “pro mala custodiâ ballivae suae et destructione nemoris.” [Leycester Collections, Harl. MSS. 2060. p. 78]
(2:178) chart
“Stepen de Merton, a forester of Delamere, 55 Hen. 3 [voc. antiquis]”
References
Barraclough, Geoffrey. The Charters of the Anglo-Norman Earls of Chester, c. 1071 - 1237. (The Record Society of Lancashire and Cheshire, vol. 126; 1988).
Calendars of the Charter Rolls (His/Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, 1903-).
Calendars of the Close Rolls preserved in the Public Record Office. (His/Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, 1902-).
Calendars of the Patent Rolls preserved in the Public Record Office. (His/Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, 1906-).
The Ledger Book of Vale Royal Abbey (The Record Society of Lancashire and Cheshire, 1914).
Ormerod, George; Peter Leycester; William Smith; William Webb; and Thomas Helsby. The history of the county palatine and city of Chester: compiled from original evidences in public offices, the Harleian and Cottonian mss., parochial registers, private muniments, unpublished ms. collections of successive Cheshire antiquaries, and a personal survey of every township in the county, incorporated with a republication of King's Vale royal and Leycester's Cheshire antiquities. (London: G. Routledge, 1882).
Rylands Charters (Archives Hub).
Warburton of Arley Charters (University of Manchester Special Collections).