Nigel the Cook
I was just enchanted by the idea that Baron Pomeroy had a cook called Nigel that he likes so much he gave him the MILL to live in for his lifetime.
This Sir Henry Pomeroy knight son of Sir Henry Pomeroy and Amica Camville He was 14 years old when his father died in the 33 year of the reign of Edward I (1305 )
He married twice. By his 1st wife Joan Moels or Mulys he had at least 5 sons for whom he created an successive entail in 1328.
He died in 1367 having married Elizabeth of Powderham (Courtenay) after Joan's death in around 1359, and had a daughter Elizabeth by her.
The sons were
The Record from that time document seen above. DRO ref - 3799M-0/ET/18/1 - late 13th century A Grant for life made by
1 Sir Henry of la POMEROY knt., lord of Berry POMEROY
2 to Nigel my cook.
Premises: all the land with the tenement which Batyn of the mill once held on my manor of Stockleigh
Rent: 12d - Consideration: 20/-
Witnesses: Master Peter of Olnaye, John of Mulys, Robert of Esse, Roger of Bosco (Wood), Peter Baly clerk
Seal: small, round, eagle, inscription
I think Batyn must have been the miller /fuller - and that building still exists today !
This funny little building is Stockleigh Mill once a watermill, but last used for fulling ( part of the processing of woollen cloth)
First recorded 1293; present structure partly late medieval and was remodelled C18.
Stone rubble and cob walls with steep hipped, almost pyramidal, wheat-reed thatched roof.
Found in 2014 a wife for Henry the younger
Devon Record Office 3799M-0/ET/9/1 1364 Contents: Grant
1. Henry of la Pomeray, the younger, knt., and Emmot his wife
2. Robert Adelard
Premises: all 1.'s land, meadow and pasture in Yerdbiry during the life of Emmot Rent: 43/4d
Witnesses: Damorle, William Hor., Richard Benet
Date: Monday before the feast of St Peter ad Vincula, 38 Edward III
Yarbury small manor / farm just to the north of Colyton its very close to Hooperhayne on Hooperhayne Lane Colyton, a Strowbridge family home.
It appears on the Donn map of 1765 -and records indicate that in the 16th C and possibly before it was held /leased /lived in by Drake Esq.