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The Year: September 1487.
1. Who am I?: Good Morrow. I am Richard, son of Henry, Lord of Berry Pomeroy.
2. Where am I? Today, at Home; at the Manor House near Berry Pomeroy castle, County Devon. Where do I usually live? Mostly I live here, but at certain times of the year we travel to Stokeleigh Pomeroy,which I inherited from my brother Sincere Sometimes we live for a stretch at Tregony Castle, in Cornwall; When I am working on Devon commissions, we have a house in Exeter, and in Somerset, we have a house in Croscombe, near Wells.
3. What is my name? You may call me “My Lord.”
4. How old am I? 45 years.
6. With whom do I live? I live with my wife Elizabeth, and 4 poppets.
7. Where do I sleep? Right now, at the Manor house nearby. Here at the castle we are building a new hall and rooms in the old wing, beyond the Gate House. My father lived in the original section of the castle to the right. He just died 6 months ago but we won't take over his rooms. Our new apartments will be more pleasant. With all this renovation, it's a bit cramped at the moment, and hard to visualize.
8. What did I have for breakfast? Sooth, Oh the usual: a “wastel,” a spicy pottage, and a glass of ale.
9. Who prepares my food?
There are kitchen servants of all ages who live in the cottages near the kitchen gardens.
They bake the wastel, and make the pottage. They use vegetables in season. We have pigs in the park for meat, as well as mutton. Deer, sometimes. There is fish in the pond near the mill. All of our food is prepared here.
Our Main drink? Ale. Water isn’t safe to drink and I’m not liking the Beer. It’s too bitter. Our Ale is made from the barley and herbs our brewer grows.
Bread is made from wheat and barley. We eat “wastel,” a fine white bread.
10. How do I feel? Right this moment?(September: 1487: (Received a writ issued from Warwick, summoning the peers and others to attend the Queen’s coronation on 25 November. )
Verily, I am Excited. I have received Good News. And actually, I’m trying to find my wife. Pray thee, have you seen her? I was told My Lady took the children yonder to watch men training at the Buts, but there is no one there.
Why? I am called by the Kings most honourable letter to receive the orders of Knighthood, making me one of 14 to be created Knights of the Bath, at the coronation of her Grace Elizabeth, as Queen.
We are ordered to meet at Greenwich, to be part of the FUTURE QUEEN'S formal procession by barge from Greenwich to the Tower of London. After the King’s Highness has welcomed his queen, we will be created Knights on the spot.
Our esquires, assigned by the King will accompany us, and also our wives.
Then, we will be part of the procession of the queen from the Tower to Westminster, on the next day, with our banners borne before us.
WHAT have you done that singles you out for Knightood?
The short of it is that, while we, in behavior and deed, demonstrated loyalty to Edward IV, we were complicit, one way or another, in conspiring against Richard III. It wasn’t right for Richard
to secret his nephews in the Tower. We wanted to see the rightful King, no matter how young, on the throne.
Our self proclaimed King, Richard III commanded all, by open proclamation, to be ready in our most defensible array, to resist all rebels, traitors and enemies, and to do him service of war. We were dreading that order. Those "rebels, traitors and enemies," in most cases, were our own relatives and friends.
Once the word came from London that the Princes were dead, there was only One Right Thing To do.
How could we remain neutral? My Courtenay relatives brought word that the mother of the young, dead Princes and the Earl of Richmond’s mother conspired together. Edward IV's daughter, Elizabeth of York, and Henry, the Earl of Richmond, who was Margaret Stanley's son, would marry.
The King of France gave his support as well, and it came to pass. Henry, then the Earl of Richmond landed in Wales. He brought French mercenaries with him, and the West Country men joined his banner.
Richard III was slain at Bosworth two years ago, and Henry, the earl of Richmond, became King Henry VII, by Conquest. Elizabeth is to be crowned queen at Westminster, this November.
The Tudor Rose
Wales Dragon
11. Who are my parents/wife/husband/brothers/sisters/significant other?
My father was Henry Pomeroy, lord of Berry Pomeroy. He died 6 months ago, at a very advanced age. My oldest brother Seintclere, his son and heir, died from wounds received at Tewksbury..in “71. I was my brother heir, and am my fathers heir.
I have a br
other Thomas, who lives nearby. His son Henry and my son Edward are about the same age, so we spend of lot of time teaching them riding and sword play, and even use the bow. We have daughters about the same age as well. They live across the river at Bowden, in Totnes.
We have a younger brother John. He’s not married yet, and lives in Exeter.
I have three sisters; two are married and Agnes lives here; she liked to keep an eye on Father, who hadn't been at all well the last year or so. She oversees the kitchen garden, growing edibles from seeds: melons, cucumbers, radishes, parsnips, carrots, cabbages…and herbs.
Of course, there is my fairest wife, Elizabeth. I was a widower, she a heiress and young widow; together we have had several young poppets and a son Edward.
We are building a nice Ladies Chamber for her, in an apartment here, away from the main hall. Our father had already begun restoring the old church in the village and we shall finish the project. He will have a proper tomb. The Pope has granted us permission to have a private chapel. It will be in the Gate Tower, and we've brought over an artist from the Netherlands to paint a mural.
Were you married before? Aye, I have a son by my first marriage, and we lived at Tregony. Near Tregony there is a monastery, visited frequently by monks from Sarum and Wells. You may have heard how beautiful is the music being sung and written there? A young monk noticed that my young son, Richard had an angelic singing voice.
When my Anna died, the Monks suggested I place Richard in their school at Wells Cathedral. Understand, it was before my brother died and I never expected to become heir. Richard was 6 years old. I was off a great deal of the time, and Wells seemed like the perfect solution.
Forsooth. When my brother was killed, and I became heir, Richard was by then exceedingly happy at Wells and did not want to come away with me. I sought a new wife, and truth be told she seemed a happier knowing that a son of her own would be heir to Berry Pomeroy. It wasn’t until our son Edward was born that the final agreement was made with the monk John Clement. We agreed to settle the Vicar Choral college at Wells with a very generous endowment.
What happened to our oldest brother? Sinclere. He died from wounds received at the battle of Tewksbury in 71. He suffered greatly, and it was dreadful to watch. The rest of us had no difficulty promising our father not to become embroiled in the endless internal warfare between the royals and their relations. Father's motto was: Who ever is King, that is who we serve.
12. What is my occupation? I am Lord of the Manor. I had been assuming most of the obligations placed upon a Lord of our position before my father died. I’ve served as Sheriff of the County twice; and on numerous commissions ordered to suppress riots, or collect taxes. There are many properties and manors that one needs to keep track of; the baliffs and reeves; Negotiating land rentals. Overseeing the mining and shipping of tin to the staple at Calais, along with wool and cider. I am frequently up to Exeter on business.
We’ve outfitted a couple of small carracks; originally converted to carry archers to France for King Edward IV; In recent years a few of the local lords collect and ship sufficient quantities of Wool and tin to Calais from Dartmouth to make it profitable. The Crown allows this in return for the "forced loans" we've made. Our brother John has recently been commissioned by the Crown to keep the accounts for Devon, administering the customs and subsidy on Wool and tin.
Wool has become increasing valuable and we’ve been able to export directly to Calais. Our Devon tin is exported to France as well.
Our Arable lands in Somerset, near Wells have been converted into pasture, as flocks are more profitable than corn and grain, and the wool from Somerset sheep more valuable the Devon wool.
Who do we employ?
There are bailiff’s at Tregony and Stockleigh Pomerpy; We have household servants; a chief hind, carter, shepherd, the Farm servants. They are allowed shillings for the clothing, meat and drink we provide.
Our father has employed a mason and master carpenter in the renovations of church and hall.
The Blacksmith and Weaver have stalls built close to the inner castle walls, and work on their own account.
We have a master clothier. He hires help as needed, and they work on their own.
We also have a saddler, a tanner, and a bottle maker.
The Wool Shed
During harvest time; mowers, reapesr, and a carter; woman labourers; There is a great shortage of labourers just now so we pay them well.
There are farm laborers to oversee the orchards, where we grow a variety of apples, cherries and pears.
15. How big is my home? It’s a fortified house turning into a castle as we raise the walls. You are welcome to walk about; the Deer Park, gardens, the Mill in the meadow.
17. How is my home heated? Fireplaces. I’ve heard they are importing coal from Newcastle and we shall install a burner for it in my Ladi
es hall.
18. Who owns my home? My father died this past spring so now I am the Lord. Actually we have quite a few” homes.” Tregony, for instance. My wife brought a few manors; one that we enjoy going to is Croscombe in Somersetshire. When we ride there, we stop a couple of days at Powderham to visit our sister and her Husband.
19. Am I able to read? Absolutely1 We all have had tutors. We do have The monks teach reading and writing as well as music. The old deeds are in a box…and we need to be able to keep track the leases; who we owe rent to and who owes rent to us… Reports of commissions. Not to mention Caxton's printing press and this new pastime of
reading aloud to the family: We are currently working our way through Malory's story of King Arthur.
20. How do I tell the time? By the bells of the Priory at Totnes. Seven bells during the day that can be heard for very far off. Which reminds me: if you travel to Wells Cathedral, look at the wonderful clock there. It’s a great clock, distinguished by shows and figures in motion! It’s said to be over a 100 years old!
21. What is my religion? Rome and The Pope: Catholic: Our church is very old and has long been in need of reconstruction. Many of my ancestors are buried at Exeter; at the Cathedral or the Greyfriers. But when we finish this restoration, we will all be buried here. The family donates money so the monks or priests say prayers for our soul.
22. What am I afraid of? My first thought is to lose God’s Grace. But we worry about the will of the king and his confiscations of land for very loose reasons; his forcible interference of a man’s property. Edward IV brought a long stretch of peace to many, only to be upturned by his untimely death and Richard III’s brutal, selfish murder of the young princes. As we gain in prosperity, we dread adversity; we fear that the wheel might turn once again, plunging the victors into disaster.
23. What do I do for entertainment ? The Music in the monasteries; and the faires and entertainments our friends and relatives. And we will play Chess in the winter.
24. How much money do I have in my pouch? Ahh,
A couple of half Groats; : let’s see..it’s the face of Edward IV, and one of Richard III. The weight about the same;
25. What am I going to buy? When I stop at Exeter, a piece of London silk, and at Salisbury, a bit of gold trim for my ladies gown.
26. Who made my clothing? We have a clothier living here in the village. Our hats, caps, outer garments and bonnets are made from wool and leather, by “hands and feet.” The local women in the cottages in the village also spin and weave the linen. We use a great deal of linen for our undergarments, which we change 3 or 4 times a week, and for cleaning our bodies.
We shall be having new clothes made for the Coronation; A new black tunic for me; and tabard with the coat of arms, quartered with my wife’s. New hat and bonnet. And woolen mufflers, for it will be cold on the Thames in November. I expect I shall wear a silk shirt, instead of a linen shirt, with a slashed doublet for the silk to show through. A jerkin to go over the doublet, and on top a new Long Gown of wool, trimmed with ermine.
28. Seriously? Yes, but in summer I usually wear a simple linen shirt, like this one, and in winter, one made of wool. Leggings,with Tall boots for riding. Short boots for walking.
Nice to have met you. I'm off now to find my lady wife and share the news of the Coronation. If you see her pray tell her I'll be back at the manor house by Compline.
When Richard Pomeroy Died on 24 August 1496 he was seized of the honour and castle & manor of Bury Pomeroy worth £133 6s 10d, a moiety of Harberton and a messuage; 40 acres land, 10 acres of meadow worth 45s; a moiety of the manor of Brixham worth £14 6s 6d; the manor of Bridgetown Pomeroy worth £24.4s.5d; a messuage with 20 acres of land 7 acres of meadow and 10 acres of underwood in Sandridge(Stoke Gabriel) held by the Bishop of Exeter; 3 messuages with 40 acres of land 1 acre of meadow ay Wylle in Sandridge, worth 32s all tenure by knights fee. His income was therefore around £175 a year –
His wife survived him and his heir Edward was age 17. He had made certain that all the lands of Berry Pomeroy were hers for life except Berry Pomeroy and Harberton..
His daughter Blanche ..who had a son who had been in Richard’s care because of the death of the boy’s father, held lands and tenements until the boy was of age.
His son Edward received a small gold chain .
His son Thomas a larger gold chain
His daughter Elizabeth received £20
A farm he had received from his sister Agnes went to Sir William Nichols
His brother John (Of Colyton) received 1/2/6
He left other bequests to various churchmen to pray for his soul as was the custom.
Widow Elizabeth had the income from all the lands except Bury Pomeroy and Harberton ( that went to Edward her son the heir.) Before the end of that year she received in dower 1/3 of the honour of Bury Pomeroy castle and apparently the use of rooms therein. She had use of a great chamber beyond the castle gate with the cellar on the left of the gate, two chambers associated with said great chamber, a kitchen, a larder and another room close to the kitchen.
She also had 1/3 of a messuages in the manor of Bury ; a pantry and buttery all the chambers beyond and under the buttery up to the chamber called the ‘Stuerdischamber’ a moity or share of the bakehouse, brudhouses ( breadhouse or possibly brewhouse) kytchen and lardehouse (storage larder?) a stable for horses with a loft over an barn , Barle Barne ( Barley Barn) and a house called Kyrtelybarne
She also had a third of the lands of the manor of Bury some meadows , herbage of a wood ,a common and a mill, a few cottages ,various rents and a third of the park of Bury with its deer.
She had a 1/3 share of Harberton manor with 30 acres of land and a 1/3 part of all the services and rents.
She had 1/3 of lands and tenements of the barton ( home farm) of Bury manor with lands , closes, called Canell Parke. Mokeswode, Mokeswood) Penpark Brodemoor, Southslade, and a garden called Maderhay Kyrtelshay,
More Information about Berry Pomeroy Castle HERE
http://tudorhistory.org/topics/rosetudor.html
Elizabethan Speak: http://www.museangel.net/speak.html
Painting in the Duch style in the gatehouse chapel at the Castle;
Mid to late 15th century wall paintings survive in Littlehempston Manor hall, Berry Pomeroy (both religious) and Bradley Manor (secular).
Coat of arms of Elizabeth Denzel, wife of Sir Richard Pomeroy:
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