Events
Date of Birth: unknown.
Place of Birth: unknown.
Date of Death: shortly before 11 May 1294.
Place of Death: unknown.
The date is that of the writ for William’s inquisition post mortem (see below).
Relationships
Father: Simon de Etchingham.
This relationship is given in the Buckinghamshire VCH (4:sub Padbury), by the Sussex VCH (9:212), and by Saul (p. 2).
(presumed) Mother: Pauline.
Saul (p. 2) gives the name of Simon’s wife.
Spouse: Katherine.
This relationship is recorded in a fine from 16-20 Edward I (see below).
Children:
(Complete source citations for facts about the children on this page are currently outside of the scope of this project.)
Sir William de Etchingham (born 2 February 1265/6 - died shortly before 19 June 1326) married Eva, daughter of Ralph de Stopham. William was knight of the shire for Sussex in 1304/5 and 1307, and sheriff of Sussex and Surrey in 1311.
Sir Robert de Etchingham (died shortly before 2 May 1328) married (1) Petronilla (Parnel), daughter of John Andrew; married (2) Joan. Joan later married Roger Hussey, M.P. for Sussex in 1334 and 1344.
Simon de Etchingham (probably died in the late 1330s), clerk, rector of Herstmonceux. Simon was his brother Robert’s heir.
Richard de Etchingham (presumably died before his brother Simon) married Matilda.
Evidence
from the Feet of Fines:
6-10 Edward I (1279-1284)
886. Inter Willm. de Echyngham pet' et Rogm. abbatem de Ponte Roberti ten' per fratrem Thom. de Preston monachum suum pos' loco suo:—De octo acris terre et quatuor acris bosci in Salherst; unde placitum fuit inter eos:—Abbas recognovit &c., tenenda &c., reddendo unum clavum gariophili ad Pascha:—Pro hoc fine Wills. concessit abbati et ecclesie sue quinque solid' annui redditus percipiendas per manum Thome Aleyn et heredum suorum de triginta acris terre quas idem Thos. tenuit de Willo. in Salherst die quo hec concordia facta fuit ad tres terminos scil' ad festum Sci. Michis. duos sol' ad Natale Domini duos sol' et ad Pascha duodecim den' salvis Willo. et hbs. suis omnibus aliis serviciis ipsius Thome et heredum suorum pro predictis triginta acris terre tenendas in puram et perpetuam elemosinam liberam et quietam ab omni seculari servicio. Et hec concordia facta fuit presente predicto Thoma et cognoscente se debere predictum redditum et similiter concedente pro se et hbs. suis quod decetero erunt intendentes et respondentes predicto abbati et suc cessoribus suis et ecclesie sue de predicto redditu. [7° Edward I. Cycestr' A die Sci. Johis. Bapte. in tres sept' (File 29. No. 23).]
16-20 Edward I (1289-1294)
1012. Inter Willm. de Echingeham et Katerinam ux' ejus quer' et Willm. de Eselingg' imped':—De uno mesuagio et una carucata terre in Mundefeld; unde placitum warantie carte sum' fuit inter eos:—Willm. de Eselingg recognovit &c.:—Pro hoc fine Wills. de Echingeham et Katerina concesserunt Willo. de Eselingg predictum tenementum tenendum tota vita sua reddendo unam rosam ad Nativ' Sci. Johis. Bapte., et post decessum Willi. de Eselingg predictum tenementum integre revertetur ad Willm. de Echingeham et Katerinam et heredes Willelmi. [16° Edward I. Cycestr' Oct' Sci. Johis. Bapte. (File 33. No. 25).]
from De Lisle and Dudley: nos. 261, 266, 269, 276, 277. Nos. 266 and 269 seem to indicate that William had a brother Simon.
William’s inquisition post mortem (CIPM vol. 3, Edw. I no. 191):
191. William de Echingham alias de Echyngham
Writ, 11 May, 22 Edw. I.
Buckingham. Inq. Saturday before the Ascension, 22 Edw. I.
Padebury. A messuage, 200a. arable by the lesser hundred, 16a. meadow, 8a. several pasture, 13l. 2s. 6d. assised rents of free tenants, customers and cottars, works, a water-mill, an oven, and 6s. 8d. pleas &c., held of John son of John son of Alan for ½ knight’s fee; and there are due to the sheriff for suit, view (and) hidage 6s. 6d. yearly, and to John son of John son of Alan for the mill, 2d.
William his son, aged 28 at the feast of the Purification last, is his next heir.
Sussex. Extent, Wednesday the eve of the Ascension,22 Edw. I.
Pekedene. The manor (extent given) held of the honour of Laigle, which is in the king’s hand, by service of 2 fees of Mortain, suit at the chief court of the honour, and so much guard of the castle of Pevenese as pertains to two knight’s fees of the said honour, viz. -- 1 mark; 36a. arable in the manor held of William Maufe by service of a rose yearly; 32a. arable held of the abbot of Begeham by service of 10s. yearly; and 2a. arable held of Thomas le Warde by service of 16d.; and William de Echingham gave to John de la Bernette for life 106s.8d. yearly, to be received from the said manor.
Bedigham. The manor (extent given) held of the abbot of Grestyn by a fee farm of 40s. yearly; and a pasture within the manor held of the archbishop of Canterbury by service of 10s. yearly; and there are due to the hospital of lepers, Seford, 40s. which the ancestors of the said William gave to the lepers in frank almoin.
Echingham. The manor (extent given) held of Sir John de Brittannia, earl of Richmond, by service of 7 knights’ fees and suit at his court.
Derefold. A tenement called Derefold (extent given) held of Sir John de Britannia by service of 1d. yearly.
Sokenershe. The manor (extent given) held of John de Sancto Leodegario by service of 3s. yearly and suit at his court of Werteling.
Odimere. The manor (extent given) held of Sir John de Britannia, service unknown; and 70a. arable and 10a. wood in the same manor, held of the abbot of Fiscamp by service of 32s. yearly and suit at the court of Bred’.
William his son, aged 28 and more, is his next heir.
Sussex Subsidy records mention William's widow Katherine in 1296: SRS vol. 10, pp. 11 (Henhurst), 21 (Birling), 25 (Beddingham). (How was Katherine connected to Birling? It is not mentioned in her husband William's inquisition post mortem. Juliana widow of William Bardolf, the other large landholder in Birling, had inherited her property from her father, Hugh de Gournay, who had died in 1238 leaving a widow, a daughter, and an unborn child (CR Henry III, A.D. 1237-1242, p. 78; CPR Hen. III. Vol. 3, p. 227). Could Katherine have been the other one of Hugh's children?)
Regarding William’s children:
from the Calendar of the Close Rolls (CCR Edward III. A.D. 1327-1330):
(p. 96)
1327
Feb 20.(?) Westminster.
Enrolment of release by Nicholas de la Beche to Robert de Echyngham of his right in the manors of Bedyngham, Pegheden, and Mundefeld, co. Sussex. Dated at London, on Thursday after St. Valentine, 1 Edward III. Witnesses: Sir William de la Sousche; Sir Roger de Swynerton; Sir Robert de Kendale; Sir William Trussel; Sir Robert de Bavent; Sir Edward de Sancto Johanne; Sir William de Cheny.
Enrolment of release by the said Nicholas by recognisance in chancery or otherwise. Date and witnesses as above.
Memorandum, that Nicholas came into chancery at Westminster, on the said day and year, and acknowledged the above deeds.
1327
Feb. 24. Westminster.
To William de Weston, escheator in cos. Surrey, Sussex, Kent, Middlesex, and in the city of London. Order to deliver to Robert de Echyngham the manor of Bedyngham, which belonged to William his brother, and the issues thereof since 25 July, in the 20th year of the late king’s reign, when the said king, having taken Robert’s homage for the lands that his said brother held in chief, ordered the said escheator to cause Robert to have seisin of all his brother’s lands, and to remain in the said king’s hands the aforesaid manor until further orders, as Robert has prayed the king to cause the manor, which was detained in the late king’s hands by reason of the claim that Nicholas de la Reche laid to it, to be restored to him, and Nicholas has acknowledged before the king in chancery that he has no right or claim in the said manor.
(p. 359)
1328
Feb. 5. York.
Nicholas de la Beche, knight, puts in his place John de Briggewater, clerk, and Theobald Poleyn to prosecute the execution of a recognisance for 700 marks made to him in chancery by Robert de Echyngham, knight.
1328
July 16. Bridgnorth.
Simon de Echyngham acknowledges that he owes to Joan, late the wife of Robert de Echyngham, 3,000l.; to be levied, in default of payment, of his lands and chattels in co. Sussex.--Robert de Bardelby received the acknowledgment by writ.
(p. 579)
1329
Oct. 29 Daventry
Simon de Echyngham puts in his place Robert Bothel and Thomas de Clif, clerks, to defend the execution of a recognisance for 3,000l. made to Joan, late the wife of Robert de Echingham, knight.
(p. 501)
1329
Nov. 4. Kenilworth.
To Simon de Bereford, escheator this side of Trent. Order not to intermeddle further with the lands of Robert de Echynham, and to restore the issues thereof, as the king learns by inquisition taken by the escheator that Robert at his death held no lands of the king in chief by reason whereof the custody of his lands ought to pertain to the king, but that he held divers lands of other lords by various services and that Simon de Echingham, his brother, is his next heir and is of full age.
from the Calendar of Close Rolls (Henry IV, vol. 3, pp. 243-244):
1407.
William lord of Echyngham knight to William Ekerdoun clerk, Walter Cotton, John Rogers of Bridport and William Coventre and to their heirs. Charter indented of a yearly rent of 40l. to be taken of all his manors and lands in Sussex, under a condition for defeasance thereof so long as they shall peaceably hold and enjoy the manor and advowson of Brianeston co. Dorset, and the same shall not be recovered against them by the grantor, his heirs or any of the heirs of Eva late wife of William de Echyngham in any court of the king without fraud, covin or collusion of theirs. Dated 4 February 8 Henry IV.
from the Feet of Fines:
26-30 Edward I (1299-1303)
1127. Inter Robm. de Echingham et Petronillam ux' ejus quer' et Willm. de Offinton deforc':—De manerio de Glottyngham sexaginta decem et septem acris terre et decem et octo solid' redditus in Farlegh Ikelesham et Promhill in com' Sussex, et de manerio de Holewyste et viginti et novem acris terre in Lyde et Promhill in com' Kanc'; unde placitum convencionis sum' fuit inter eos:—Robs. et Petronilla recognoverunt &c.:—Pro hoc fine Wills. concessit Robto. et Petronille predicta tenementa tenenda eis et hbs. quos Robs. de corpore ipsius Petronille procreaverit de capitalibus dominis &c., Et si contingat quod Robs. obierit sine herede de corpore Petronille procreato, tunc post decessum utriusque ipsorum Robti. et Petronille predicta tenementa integre remanebunt rectis hbs. Petronille. [27°Edward I. Ebor' Cras' Animarum. (Divers Counties: File 24. No. 249).]
1134. Inter Willm. de Echingeham et Evam ux' ejus quer' per Willm. de Offyngton pos' loco Eve et Petrum de Ros deforc':—De manerio de Odymere; unde placitum convencionis sum' fuit inter eos:—Wills. et Eva recognoverunt &c.:—Pro hoc fine Petrus concessit predictum manerium tenendum Willo. et Eve et hbs. quos. Wills. de corpore Eve procreaverit de capitalibus dominis &c., et si contingat quod Wills. obierit sine herede de corpore Eve procreato tunc post decessum ipsorum Willi. et Eve manerium integre remanebit rectis hbs. Willelmi. [29° Edward I. Ebor' Oct' Sci. Michis. (File 37. No. 9).]
1135. Inter Willm. de Echingeham et Evam ux' ejus quer' per Willm. de Offington pos' loco Eve et Petrum de Ros deforc':—De quatuor virgatis terre et dimidia in Brede; unde placitum convencionis sum' fuit inter eos:—Wills. et Eva recognoverunt &c.:—Pro hoc fine Petrus concessit eis predictam terram tenendam Willo. et Eve et hbs. quos Wills. de corpore Eve procreaverit de capitalibus dominis &c., et si contingat quod Wills. obierit sine herede de corpore Eve procreato tunc post decessum Willi. et Eve predicta terra integre remanebit rectis hbs. Willelmi.
1208. Inter Mich. de Piecumbe quer' et Johem. de Chelewesham deforc':—De tercia parte unius mesuagii unius carucate terre decem acrarum prati et triginta acrarum bosci in Herst Munceaus; unde placitum convencionis sum' fuit inter eos:—Johes. recognovit predictam terciam partem exceptis viginti et quinque acris terre esse jus Michis. tenendam de capitalibus dominis &c., et preterea Johes. concessit pro se et hbs. suis quod tercia pars unius mesuagii unius carucate terre decem acrarum prati et triginta acrarum bosci quam Mabilla que fuit uxor Sim. de Chelesham tenet in dotem et eciam viginti et quinque acre terre quas eadem Mabilla tenuit ad terminum vite et eciam quod tercia pars duarum partium unius mesuagii unius carucate terre decem acrarum prati et triginta acrarum bosci quam Johes. de Honyngham et Petronilla ux' ejus tenuerunt in dotem ipsius Petronille de hereditate ipsius Johis. in predicta villa die quo hec concordia facta fuit et que post decessum Mabille et Petronille ad Johem. et heredes suos debuerunt reverti post decessum Mabille et Petronille integre remaneant Mich. et hbs. suis tenenda simul cum predicta tercia parte de capitalibus dominis &c.:—Pro hoc fine Mich. dedit Johi. viginti libras. Et hec concordia facta fuit presentibus Mabilla et Johe. et Petronilla et eam concedentibus et fecerunt Michi. fidelitatem in eadem curia. [34° Edward I. Westm' Oct' Sci. Michis. (File 39. No. 24).]
1216. Inter Willm. de Echyngham quer' per Johem. de Skelton pos' loco suo et Willm. de Horle et. Florenciam ux' ejus Sim. le Tailour et Marg. ux' ejus Thom. de Sutton et Alic. ux' ejus imped':—De duobus mesuagiis duobus gardinis triginta acris terre et decem acris prati in Salhurst; unde placitum warantie carte sum' fuit inter eos:—Wills. Florencia Simo Marg. Thos. et Alic. recognoverunt &c., tenenda de capitalibus dominis &c.:—Pro hoc fine Wills. de Echingham dedit eis viginti libras. [34° Edward I. Westm' Oct' Sci. Martini. (File 39. No. 23).]
26-30 Edward I (1299-1303)
1200. Inter Willm. de Echingham quer' et Johem. de Boterton et Marg. ux' ejus et Johem. Attenassh de Berdefeld et Isab. ux' ejus deforc':—De maneriis de Mundefeld et Sokenersh et decem marcatis redditus in Mundefeld; unde placitum convencionis sum' fuit inter eos:—Johes. et Marg. Johes. et Isab. recognoverunt &c.:—Pro hoc fine Wills dedit eis centum marcas. [34° Edward I. Westm' Cras' Ascencionis. (File 39. No. 9).]
2 Edward II (1309)
1267. Walter atte Bakhouse and Alice his wife v. William de Echingham; 3 messuages, 2 gardens, 35 acres of land, 1 rood of meadow, 3 acres of wood in Salhurst; to Walter and Alice to hold for their lives by render of a rose at Nativity of St. John Baptist, with reversion to William and his heirs. (File 40. No. 39.)
4 Edward II (1311)
1268. William de Echingham and Eve his wife (by Richard Hervy in place of Eve) v. Peter de Ros; manors of Salherst, Echingham, Okham, Mundefeld, and Sokenersshe, and advowson of the church of Echingham, a mill, 100 acres of land, 1100 acres of wood, 60s. rent in Bello, Brighlinge [sic] and Tychesherst; to William and Eve and heirs of William. (File 40.No. 40.)
8 Edward II (1315)
1305. Laurence, Abbot of the church of the Blessed Mary, of Robertsbridge (de Ponte Roberte), v. William de Echingham; advowsons of churches of Salhurst, Odymere, and Mundefeld; to the Abbot and his church, who in return receive William into their prayers. (File 42. No. 10.)
1394. Giles de Fenes and Sybil his wife v. William de Echyngham; manor of La Ealdecurt; to Giles and Sybil to hold for their lives by render of a rose at Nativity of St. John Baptist, with reversion to William and his heirs. (File 45. No. 13.)
9 Edward II (1316)
1397. Robert de Echyngham and Richard his brother (by William de Offinton in place of Robert) v. Henry de Scharedenn and Nicholaa his wife and Richard de Codyngg' and Maud his wife; a messuage and 70 acres in Beckelee; to Robert and Richard for 100 marks. [Dorso] Thomas de Leukenore puts in his claim. (File 45. No. 16.)
1421 John Zakary of Winchelse and Joan his wife v. William de Echingham and Eve his wife; 56 acres of land, 4 acres of meadow in Udimere and Rya; to John and Joan and heirs of John for 100 marks. (File 46. No. 3.)
1422. Edmund Passele v. William de Echingham and Eve his wife; 580 acres of wood in Mundefeld and the vill of Battle (Bello); to Edmund for £100. (File 46. No. 4.)
1428. William de Echingham and Eve his wife v. Edward de Sancto Johanne; manor of Bedingham; to William and Eve and heirs of William. (File 46. No. 10.)
1429. Alan de Bokeselle v. William de Echingham and Eve his wife; manor of Sokenersse, 240 acres of land, 30 acres of meadow, 20 acres of wood, 54s. 9¾d. rent in Salherst, Brightlinge and the vill of Battle (Bello); to Alan for £200. (File 46.No. 11.)
1432. William de Haremere (by John de Suthwerk) v. William de Echingham and Eve; 60 acres of land. 100 acres of wood in Tychesherst; to William de Haremere for 100 marks. (File 46. No. 14.)
10 Edward II (1317)
1462. William de Echingham v. Martin, parson of the church of Echingham; manor of Pekeden; to William for life, with remainder to Nicholas de la Beche and Joan his wife and the heirs of their bodies, with contingent remainder to right heirs of William. "And this concord was made by order of the King." (File 47. No. 11.)
1464. William de Echingham and Eve his wife (by Thomas de Bokeshill in place of Eve) v. Martin, parson of the church of Echingham; manors of Bedingham and Mondefeld; to William and Eve for their lives, with remainder to Nicholas de la Beche and Joan his wife and heirs of their bodies, with contingent remainder to right heirs of William. (File 47. No. 13.)
10 Edward II (1321)
1568. Nicholas de la Beche and Joan his wife (by Nicholas de Stapelton) v. William de Echyngham; manor of Oldecurt which Sibyl de Fenes holds for term of her life; reversion of manor to Nicholas and Joan and heirs of their bodies, with contingent remainder to right heirs of Nicholas. (File 50. No. 16.)
10 Edward II (1327)
1690. John Fillol and Isabel de Bohoun v. Simon de Echyngham, rector of church of Herstmounceaus, and John, vicar of church of Estbourne; a messuage, a mill, 55 acres of land, 7 acres of meadow, pasture for 75 sheep, 33s. 11¾d. rent in Wylyndon and Friston; to John and Isabel and heirs of John. (File 53. No. 3.)
from De Lisle and Dudley: nos. 282, 283, 288, 291, 292, 293, 294, 297, 298, 300, 314, 321, 322, 326, 328, 331, 332.
William de Etchingham’s inquisition post mortem (CIPM vol.6. Edward II., no. 725):
725. William de Echingham.
Writ, 19 June, 19 Edward II.
Sussex, Inq. Thursday after the Translation of St. Thomas the Martyr, 20 Edward II.
Echyngham. The manor with its members, viz.--Oakham, Mundefeld, and Odymer, (extents given), held of the king, as of the barony of Hastynges now in the king’s hand, by service of 5 knights’ fees and three parts of a fee.
Bedyngehamme. The manor (extent given), held free of all service, as his ancestors have done time out of mind, but from whom is unknown; and certain parcels of land of the acquisition of his ancestors, viz. -- 60a. land held of the abbot of Grestone in fee farm for 30s. yearly; 10a. land called Mulewardeslond and Concheruresland held of the king, as of the honour of Laigle now in the king’s hand, by service of one suit at the court of Tottenore; and 15a. pasture held of the archbishop of Canterbury by service of 15s. yearly. The manor is charged with 40s. alms yearly to the hospital of St. Leonard, Sefford.
Pekedene. The manor (extent given), held of the king as of the honour of Laigle by service of a little knight’s fee of Mortain, and rendering 6s. 8d. yearly for the guard of the castle of Pevensey, and it owes one suit at the court of Rip, 12d. hundred silver yearly, 13s. 4d. at the manor of Wylyndon which is of the same honour, and 16d. to Richard atte Slade yearly; and 20a. land held of the abbot of Bedyngehame by service of 10s. yearly.
Robert de Echyngham his brother, is his next heir and of full age.
Robert de Etchingham’s inquisition post mortem (CIPM vol.7. Edward III., no. 175):
175. Robert de Echingham.
Writ of amotus, 11 May, 2 Edward III.
Sussex. Inq. taken at La Bataile, 4 June, 3 Edward III.
Echyngham. The manor with its members, Ocham, Mundefeld, and Odimer, held of John de Britannia, earl of Richmond, as of the barony of Hastyng’, by service of five knights’ fees and three parts of a knight’s fee.
Echyngham. The manor (extent given), including a park of 400a.of great wood and heath, with deer.
Ocham. A messuage, land, rent, &c. (extent given), including 80a. of oak.
Mundefeld. A messuage, land, rent, &c. (extent given).
Odimer. A messuage, land, rent, &c. (extent given), including a park, containing 1,000 deer and 200a. of oak.
He held no lands or tenements of the king in chief in the county.
Simon de Echyngham, his brother, is his next heir and of full age.
From the inquisition post mortem of John de Britannia, earl of Richmond (CIPM vol.7. Edward III., no. 625):
4 April, 8 Edw. III
...And there are 6s. 8d. due from Simon de Echynghamme for the amercements of his men and tenants of Udimere amerced in the abbot of Fécamp’s hundred (court) of Gosetrowe, which amercements sometime pertained to the lord of the aforesaid barony, and afterwards the said lords granted the same to the ancestors of the said Simon for the said 6s.8d. to be paid to the said lords yearly...
References
An abstract of Feet of Fines relating to the county of Sussex, from 34 Henry III to 35 Edward I. Compiled by L.F. Salzmann. (Sussex Record Society, volume 7; London, 1908).
An abstract of Feet of Fines relating to the county of Sussex, from 1 Edward II to 24 Henry VII. Compiled by L.F. Salzmann. (Sussex Record Society, volume 23; London, 1916).
Calendar of Charters and Documents relating to the Abbey of Robertsbridge Co: Sussex preserved at Penshurst among the muniments of Lord de Lisle and Dudley, (1873).
Calendar of the Close Rolls preserved in the Public Record Office: Edward III. A.D. 1327-1330. (Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, 1896).
Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem and Other Analogous Documents preserved in the Public Record Office: Volume III. Edward I. (His Majesty’s Stationery Office, 1912).
Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem and Other Analogous Documents preserved in the Public Record Office: Volume VI. Edward II. (His Majesty’s Stationery Office, 1910).
Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem and Other Analogous Documents preserved in the Public Record Office: Volume VII. Edward III. (His Majesty’s Stationery Office, 1909).
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).
A History of the County of Sussex: Volume 9, the Rape and Honour of Hastings, (Victoria County Histories, 1937).
More, Charles. Knights of Edward I: Volume I. A to E. (Harleian Society Volume LXXX, 1929). information on the Echinghams is on pages 299-300.
“Parishes: Padbury” in A History of the County of Buckingham: Volume 4, ed. William Page (Victoria County History, 1927).
Saul, Nigel. Scenes from Provincial Life: Knightly Families in Sussex, 1280-1400. (Oxford: Clarendon, 1986).
The Three Earliest Subsidies for the County of Sussex in the Years 1296, 1327, 1332 ed. William Hudson (Sussex Record Society Volume X, 1910).