Sir John de Bohun of Midhurst

Events

Date of Birth: 14 November 1301.

Place of Birth: Todham, Easebourne, Sussex.

The date is given in the Complete Peerage (2:200) and by Watson.

Date of Death: 5 December 1367.

Place of Death: unknown.

The date is given in some of John’s inquisitions post mortem.

Relationships

Father: James de Bohun of Midhurst.

This relationship is given by the Sussex VCH (4:sub Midhurst), by the Complete Peerage (2:200), and by Watson.

Mother: Joan de Brewes.

This relationship is given by the Complete Peerage (2:200) and by Watson.

Spouse: Isabel. Married before 1326.

This relationship is given by the Complete Peerage (2:201) and by Watson. The CP states that Isabel was perhaps a daughter of Sir Henry Tregoz of Goring, Sussex and Watson states that she “is said” to be.

Spouse: Cecily Filliol. Married before 6 November 1342.

The relationship is recorded in the plea rolls (Wrottesley p. 229, p. 343.) It is given by the Complete Peerage (2:201) and by Watson.

Children (by Isabel):

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

Edward de Bohun (died January 1361/2) married Philippe de Brian.

John de Bohun (died before 5 December 1367).

Joan de Bohun married John de Lisle of Gatcombe.

Eva de Bohun (living 9 May 1368) married Sir John de Bereford; married (2) John Roucle.

Elizabeth married Henry Husee.

Children (by Cecily):

John de Bohun (6 January 1362/3 at Cowdray - 1433)

Evidence

John’s inquisitions post mortem (CIPM)

John de Bohun, or Boun, of Midhurst, knight

Writ, 28 December, 41 Edward III.

Gloucester.Inq. taken at Gloucester, 1 May, 42 Edward III.

He held no lands &c. in the county.

Writ, 28 December, 41 Edward III.

Somerset. Inq. taken at Bruweton, 26 April, 42 Edward III.

He held no lands &c. in the county.

Date of death not known, as he did not die in the county. Heir not known, as he had no heir begotten or known in the county.

Dorset. Inq. taken at Stormynstre Marchal, 4 May, 42 Edward III.

He held no lands &c. in the county.

As to the date of death and heir the jurors say as above.

Writ, 28 December, 41 Edward III.

Southampton. Inq. (indented) made at Clere, 17 January, 41 Edward III.

Weston Corbet. The manor, with the advowson of the church, held in fee tail of the king in chief by knight’s service, by reason of an alienation thereof made by him without the king’s licence to John Whyteweye, rector of the church of Craule, and John de Farnebergh, who subsequently without the king’s licence re-enfeoffed him and Cecily his wife, who survives, to hold to them and the heirs of their bodies, with remainder in default of such heirs to the chapel of St. Denis, Midhurst, for the celebration of divine service there for the souls of the feoffors and their ancestors.

Aumbresham. 2a. meadow, held jointly with Cecily, his wife, of John Wyntreshulle by a rent of 6d. yearly. After the death of Cecily the premises ought to remain to the heirs of the bodies of John and Cecily, and in default of such heirs to the right heirs of John.

The said John died on 5 December last. John son of the said John and Cecily, aged 5 years at the Epiphany last, is his heir.

Writ of certiorari to the escheator, with reference to the above inquisition, to enquire whether John Whitweye and John de Farnebergh were seised of the manor and advowson of Weston Corbet by reason of the said alienation, whether there is a chantry in the said chapel or no, and if so, who is the warden and who celebrates there, by whom the chapel was founded, and when and in what manner, and what lands &c. belong to it whereby the chapel and chantries ought to be supported, &c. 6 September, 42 Edward III.

Southampton. Inq. (indented) made at Basyngestoke 29 September, 42 Edward III.

Weston Corbet. John de Bohun of Midhurst entered on a moiety of the manor after the death of his ancestor without the king’s livery or licence. The manor is held of the king in chief by knight’s service. Afterwards the said John acquired the other moiety to himself and his heirs from John Moumbray without the king’s licence. Subsequently he alienated the whole manor, with the advowson of the church, to John Whyteweye, parson of the church of Craule, and John Farnebergh, and their heirs, without the king’s licence; and they re-enfeoffed him and Cecily his wife, as stated in the former inquisition. During the whole period of the said alienation and re-enfeoffment John Persones and Nicholas Joye, bondmen, tenants and farmers of the manor, paid the farm thereof to John de Bohun, notwithstanding the alienation. As to the said chapel, the jurors know not whether there is any chantry therein, or who is warden thereof, or who celebrates there, or by whom it was founded, or what lands pertain thereto. There are five bond-tenants only of the said manor, each holding a messuage and 1/2 virgate of land and paying 6s. 1d. yearly. John Whyteweye and John Farnebergh never took farm, rent, or any profit from the manor by virtue of the alienation.

Writ, 28 December, 41 Edward III.

Buckingham. Inq. (indented) taken at Neuporte Paynel, Wednesday before St. Hilary, 41 Edward III.

Craule Magna. The manor, with the advowson of the church, held jointly with Cecily his wife in fee tail, by a fine levied in the king’s court, by grant of Richard Laxman, Richard Graunt and Griffin de Sutton. The manor with the advowson is held of the earl of Oxford by homage and fealty and suit to the earl’s court of Whitchurche every three weeks.

He died on Sunday the eve of St. Nicholas, 41 Edward III. John his son by the said Cecily, aged 5 years and more, is his heir.

Writ, 23 January, 41 Edward III.

Sussex. Rape of Lewes. Inq. (indented) taken at Stenyng, 14 February, 42 Edward III.

Nytymbre. The manor (extent given), held in fee tail by grant of Henry Tregoz, the elder, and Ralph de Perchyng to him and Isabel formerly his wife, deceased, for their lives, with successive remainders thereof (and of other manors in Sussex) to Edward his son and the heirs male of his body, and to the heirs male of his own body, as appears by a fine levied in the king’s court. The said Edward is dead without heir of his body. The manor is held of the lord de Saye, as of his manor of Hammes, by homage [and fealty].

The said John held no other lands &c. in the said rape.

He died on 5 December, 41 Edward III. John his son, aged 5 years at the Epiphany last, is his heir.

Sussex. Inq. (indented) taken at Midhurst, 12 February, 4[2] Edward III. (Badly defaced and moslty illegible.)

Midhurst, Forde and Clympyng. The manors (extents given), with a carucate of land in Esebourne and Wullaviton, held by grant of ……… and Ralph de Perchyng to him and Isabel, his late wife, for their lives, with successive remainders to Edward his son and the heirs male of his body, and the heirs male of his own body. Edward died without heir of his body. The extent of Midhurst includes a chapel in a place called Courtgrene, a borough, a rent paid by the men of the town for ‘stretegavel,’ a park with deer, ….., ……. in Midhurst called ‘le Stues,’ with small parcels of meadow containing 4a. there, …….. and lands and burgages formerly belonging to John de Alresford. [The rest entirely illegible.]

Writ, 28 December, 41 Edward III.

Essex. Inq. (indented) taken at Chelmerford, Tuesday after St. Hilary, 41 Edward III.

Badewe Parva. The manor, with the advowson of the church, held jointly with Cecily his wife, who survives, by grant of Richard Laxman, Richard le Graunt and Griffin de Sutton to them and the heirs of their bodies, with successive remainders to the heirs of Cecily’s body, to William son of John de Sutton and the heirs male of his body, and to Richard brother of the said William and the heirs male of his body, by a fine levied in the king’s court. The premises are held of Walter son of John FitzWauter by service of rendering 9s. 2d. at the end of every 24 weeks.

He died on Sunday before St. Nicholas last. John, his son by the said Cecily, aged 5 years and more, is their heir.

Essex. Inq. (indented) taken at Estirford, Monday after St. Hilary, 41 Edward III.

Kellevedon. The manor, held jointly with Cecily his wife, who survives, by grant of the above grantees, with remainders as above. It is held of the king in chief, as of the honor of Dover, by service of 30s. yearly for ward of the castle of Dover, except 20a. land held of the abbot of Westminster by service of 6s. 4d. yearly, and 3a. meadow held of the abbess of Elmistowe by service of 18d. yearly.

Bergholte, Bures atte Munte, Fordham, Magna Horkesleye and Parva Horkesleye. 100s. rent of the inheritance of the said Cecily, held of Andrew Sakevyll, the younger, service not known.

Date of death and heir as above.

Writ, 28 December, 41 Edward III.

Lincoln. Inq. taken at Castre, Wednesday after St. Vincent, 41 Edward III.

Waltham. A manor and 1 1/4 bovates of land.

Waltham, Belesby, Hatclif, Fenby, and Wathe. 30l. rent, of free tenants.

At one time he held all the above of the king in chief by service of a fourth part of a knight’s fee. All the tenants of the manor owe suit to his court in Waltham every three weeks. By his charter he gave to John [Gogh], clerk and John Seys the said manor and land and 28l. of the rent, whether with the king’s licence or not the jurors know not, retaining 40s. of the rent and the service of William de Belesby, knight, who held of him a messuage, 9 tofts, the site of a mill and 2 bovates of land in Belesby, as of the manor of Waltham, by fealty and suit to his court in Waltham every three weeks, and by a rent of 8s. yearly, and also the service of Robert Maundevill, who held of him a messuage and 2 carucates of land and meadow in Belesby, as of the same manor of Waltham, by fealty and suit of court as above, and by a rent of 60s. yearly. The said Robert died before John Gogh and John Seys had been enfeoffed of the said manor and 28l. rent. John de Bohun held the services of the said William and Robert of the king in chief by knight’s service, and neither of them attorned or did fealty or suit of court to the said John Gogh and John Seys. The said Robert on the day of his death had a daughter Alice, then within age, who was in the maintenance (nutritura) and wardship of the said William de Belesby as her next friend on her mother’s side to whom the inheritance on her father’s side ought not to descend; and neither Alice nor the said William on her behalf ever did fealty or any service or attorned to John Gogh and John Seys for the aforesaid tenements held of John de Bohun. So John de Bohun was seised when he died of the 40s. rent and the services aforesaid held of the king in chief by knight’s service.

Date of death as above. John his son, aged 5 years and more, is his heir.

Writ to the escheator to enquire as to the lands and heir of the same John, and who has been in possession of his lands since his death and received the issues. 1 July, 42 Edward III.

Lincoln. Inq. (indented) taken at Castre, Sunday after St. Laurence, 42 Edward III.

Waltham, &c. Premises as above, held by service of a fourth part of a knight’s fee. All the tenants of the manor, except Robert son of John de Hatclyf and the abbot of Welhowe, owe suit to the court of Waltham every three weeks. By his charter he gave the manor and land and 28l. of the rent to John Gogh and John Seys, clerks. John son and heir of William de Skyrbek was a minor 8 years of age at the time of the said grant, and was in the wardship of Walter de Wele by reason of the tenements which he held of Walter de Hamby by the foreign service. He held of John de Bohun, as of the manor of Waltham, 40a. land in Wathe by fealty and suit to the court of Waltham every three weeks, and by service of 22 1/2d. rent yearly. Neither John son of William nor Walter de Wele on his behalf ever did fealty or suit of court to John Gogh and John Seys, or paid any rent or other service to them in all their time. Also Henry Gonnyldson held of John de Bohun, as of the manor of Waltham, 1 1/2a. land in Wathe by fealty, suit of court every three weeks, and service of 2 1/2d. rent yearly. He never did fealty or suit of court or paid rent to the said John Gogh and John Seys, or attorned to them. Robert son of John de Hatclyf held of John de Bohun, as of the manor of Waltham, 3r. land in Belesby by fealty and one appearance yearly at the next court after Michaelmas, and by service of 1 3/4d. rent yearly. He never did fealty or suit or any other service to John Gogh and John Seys, or attorned to them. The prior of Sixhill held of John de Bohun, as of the manor of Waltham, 30a. land in Belesby by fealty, suit of court every three weeks, and service of 15s. rent yearly. He never did fealty or suit of court to John Gogh and John Seys, or paid any rent or attorned to them, but John de Belesby, vicar of the church of Gedeneye, holds the premises of him for a term of years, and paid John Gogh and John Seys the yearly rent aforesaid and made a fine for the suit. William de Belesby, who held premises in Belesby as in the above inquisition, never did fealty or suit of court to John Gogh and John Seys, but paid them the yearly rent of 8s. all his time. Robert son of Robert de Maundevill held of John de Bohun, as of the said manor, a messuage and 2 carucates of land and meadow in Belesby by fealty, suit of court every three weeks, and a yearly rent of 60s. He died before the feoffment of John Gogh and John Seys. On the day of his death he had a daughter Alice, a minor aged 7 years, who was in the wardship of William de Belesby, knight, as in the above inquisition. Neither Alice nor the said William on her behalf ever did fealty, suit of court or other service to John Gogh and John Seys, or attorned to them, but William paid them yearly the said rent of 60s. all his time. The abbot of Welhowe held of John de Bohun, as of the said manor, 1a. land in Waltham lying in four selions, by fealty and one appearance at the court next after Michaelmas, and by service of 3 3/4d. rent yearly. He never did fealty or suit to John Gogh and John Seys all his time; but one John son of Alan, who holds of him the acre aforesaid for a term of years, paid to them yearly on his behalf the said rent of 3 3/4d. So John de Bohun died seised of 40s. of the aforesaid rent of 30l., and of the above-mentioned services, which he held of the king in chief, as belonging to the said manor, by knight’s service.

Date of death and heir as above.

The issues of the said manor and land, and of the 30l. rent, remain in the hands of the tenants of the manor from the time of John de Bohun’s death until now.

The inquisitions post mortem of John’s second wife Cecily:

Cecily, late the wife of John de Bohun

Writ, Ledes, 28 August, 5 Richard II

Buckingham. Inq. (indented) taken at Great Craule, Saturday the feast of St. Clement, 5 Richard II.

She held the under-mentioned messuage and lands in her demesne as of fee.

Craule. A messuage and 100 a. arable, held of the earl of Oxford by knight’s service and suit of court to the manor of Whitchirch every three weeks; 80 (quatuor viginti) a. arable, held of Henry Grene, knight, by service of 20s. yearly; 2 a. land, held of Elizabeth Latymer, services not known; and 18 a. arable, held of the hospital of St. David (hospitalis Dewysie) by Northampton by service of 2s. 1d. yearly.

She died on 9 August last. John de Bohoun, aged 18 years and more and unmarried, is her son and heir.

Writ: Ledes, 28 August, 5 Richard II

Essex. Inq. (fn. 3) taken at Kelleveden, Thursday before St. Luke, 5 Richard II.

She held the under-mentioned manors and lands in her demesne as of fee.

[Kelle]veden. The manor called ‘Filliolleshalle’ (extent given), held of the king, as of the honor of Dover, by knight’s service, rendering 31s. on 1 July in every year for ward of Dover castle.

Kelleveden [40 a. land] called ‘Crispesland,’ held of the abbot of Westminster by service of 3s. 4d. rent yearly; and 30 a. land, held of the same abbot, as of his manor of Feryngg, by service of 3s. yearly and suit to his court every three weeks.

Little Badewe. The manor, with the advowson of the church, held of Walter son of Walter, knight, lord of Wodeham Wauter, by service of 3 knights’ fees, rendering 9s. 2d. at the end of every six months for ward of Castle Baynard.

John Bohun, aged 18 years and more, is her son and heir.

(Writ missing)

Sussex. Inq. taken at Midhurst, Thursday before the Nativity of St. Mary, 5 Richard II.

She held the under-mentioned tofts and lands for life jointly with John de Bohun, knight, sometime her husband.

Midhurst. 5 tofts in the borough, held in free burgage.

Botelereslond. 50 a. arable so called, held of Richard, earl of Arundel, by homage and fealty, as of his castle of Arondell.

(Unspecified). 1 a. meadow, held of William, bishop of Winchester, by fealty.

Mullelond. 40 a. arable so called, held of Richard, earl of Arundel, by homage and fealty, as of his manor of Wolbedyngg; and 1 a. meadow there, held of the same earl by the same services.

Tayllardeslond. 40 a. arable so called, of the same earl, as of his manor of Wollavyngton, by the aforesaid services.

Le Hurstlond. 40 a. arable so called, held of the same earl, as of his said manor, by the aforesaid services.

Hetfeldlond. A toft and 20 a. arable so called, held of Robert Tauk, as of his manor of Tadeham, by a rent of 6d. yearly and suit to his court twice a year.

She died on [Tuesday] (fn. 4) before the Assumption, 5 Richard II. John de Bohun, aged 18 years at the Epiphany last is her son and heir.

Cecily, late the wife of John de Bohun of Medhurst, knight

Sussex. Inq. taken at Midhurst, Tuesday after the Conversion of St. Paul, 7 Richard II.

She held the under-mentioned manor of Coderay and the two parks in dower after her husband’s death as her entire dower of all his lands, etc. She held the other lands under-mentioned jointly with the said John, her husband, the reversion belonging to John Bohun, son and heir of her said husband.

Midhurst. 5 tofts in the borough, held in free burgage.

Botelereslond. 50 a. arable so called, held of Richard earl of Arundel by homage and fealty, as of his castle of Arundel.

(Unspecified.) 1 a. meadow, held of William bishop of Winchester by fealty.

Mullelond. 40 a. arable so called, held of Richard earl of Arundel by homage and fealty, as of his manor of Wolbedyngg; and 1 a. meadow, held of the same earl by the same services.

Tayllardeslond. 40 a. arable so called, held of the same earl by the services aforesaid.

Le Hurstlond. 40 a. arable so called, held of the same earl, as of his manor aforesaid, by the same services.

Hetfeldlond. A toft and 20 a. arable so called, held of Robert Tauk, as of his manor of Tadeham, by a rent of 6d. yearly and suit to his court twice a year.

Coderay. The manor of Midhurst so called, with two parks adjacent thereto.

She died on Tuesday before the Assumption, 5 Richard II. John de Bohun, son of her said husband, aged 21 years and more at the Epiphany last, is her heir.

William de Elmham had the custody of the land and heir of the said John and Cecily by the king’s commitment, and has had possession of the lands and received the issues thereof since the death of Cecily.

References

Calendar[s] of Inquisitions Post Mortem. [Public Record Office. Digital versions available at British History Online.]

Cokayne, George Edward, and Vicary Gibbs; et al. The complete peerage of England, Scotland, Ireland, Great Britain and the United Kingdom, extant, extinct, or dormant [2nd ed.]. (London: St. Catherine Press, 1910-59).

Hope, W St John, Cowdray and Easebourne Priory. (1919).

'Midhurst', in A History of the County of Sussex: Volume 4, the Rape of Chichester, ed. L F Salzman (London, 1953), pp. 74-80.

Watson, G.W. “The Bohuns of Midhurst” in The Genealogist (New Series v. xxviii) (1912).

Wrottesley, George. Pedigrees from the Plea Rolls: collected from the pleadings in the various courts of law, A.D. 1200 to 1500, from the original rolls in the Public Record Office. (1905).