Medieval Documents

 Stockleigh near Crediton  in east Devon  was a Domesday holding of Ralph de la Pomeroy and

came to be known as Stockleigh Pomeroy  more here

These are 700 year old records from Devon Records held in a bundle marked Stockleigh Pomeroy. 

Written on fine vellum in neat & very small script ; 

all the more remarkable when one considers they were written by candlelight some 700 years ago, 

using a quill,  probably made from a goose feather, with ink made from lampblack or oak gall ! 

These vellum documents are in Latin , which I don't read -

 For me they are simply things of beauty and not a little awe.

~~~

One of them is a document made by Sir Henry Pomeroy,  in the 13th century.

 giving his cook, Nigel, the mill at Stockleigh Pomeroy for his lifetime

see below   the document  has a seal that might be an eagle.

STOCKLEIGH POMEROY, or SOUTH STOCKLEIGH, in the hundred of West Budleigh and in the deanery of Cadbury, lies about four miles from Crediton, and about eight from Tiverton

 The manor belonged, for many generations, to the ancient family of Pomeroy, as parcel of the barony of Berry.

It is said to have been forfeited by Sir Thomas Pomeroy, for killing a pursuivant at arms however this is a mere tradition, but it might have happened in the rebellion of 1549, for his share in which he was attainted.

The property latterly belonged to Sir John Davie, Bart., in whose family it was from before 167. if not at an earlier period. The bishop is patron of the rectory.

Batyn Mill still exists today. More here

These are the few archive documents which I photographed in February 2013 

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 (Moels his father in law ) Robert of Esse ( Saltash), Roger of Bosco (Wood), Peter Baly clerk

Seal: small, round, eagle, inscription

DRO  3799M-0/ET/18/3  1316 

Contents: Quit claim

1. William son of William of la Walle

2. William of Lester

Premises: one messuage and one carrucate of land in la Walle in the manor of Stockleigh Pomeroy 

Witnesses: Sir Henry of Campo Arnulphi [Champenown] and Sir John of Carmino knts., Richard of Chuderlegh, Robert of Clystewilme, Robert of Engles, James Pridomme (of Pridhamsleigh near Buckfast ) , John of Churiton

Date: Exeter, the eve of All Saints, 10 Edward II 

Seal: round, fleur de lys, "S' WILLELMI WALL[ ]

 DRO  3799M-0/ET/18/4  1325

Contents: Grant for years or lives

1. John atte Wode, son and heir of Roger atte Wode

2. William of Lester, Matilda his wife and Robert his son

Contents: Grant for years or lives

Premises: all John atte Wode, land of Hoccyngynswille of 1.'s land of la Wode in Stockleigh Pomeroy together with the dowry of Avice, John atte Wode's mother, whenever it happens, to be held by 2. from the feast of St Barnabas the Apostle, 19 Edward II, until the feast of St Michael next following and then for 20 years from that feast

Rent: 16d p.a. for the first 10 years, and during the whole term 2d for each acre and the same for the acres in the dowry when that falls due. At the end of the 20 years, 2. can continue to hold the premises for their lives, at a rent of 40/- p.a.

Witnesses: Alexander atte Worthe, Robert of Poghille (Poughill near Bude inCornwall) , William of Lynor, Robert of Forde

Date: Stockleigh Pomeroy, Tuesday after the feast of the translation of St Thomas,

19 Edward II .  1318 

 DRO  3799M-0/ET/18/10  1372

Contents: Deed of gift

1. Thomas of 1a Pomeray ( 5th son of Sir Henry Pomeroy & wife Johanna Moels)

2. Richard, son of Reginald atte Renne, and Agnes his wife

Premises: all 1.'s lands and tenements in Wallen and Estwode, to be held by 2. during their lives

Rent: 42/-

Witnesses: William Stokedon, Thomas Poghille, John of Churiton, Thomas of Ferlegh, Reginald atte Fenne

Date: Exeter, Wednesday after the feast of St Lucy the Virgin, 6 Edward III

Seals: small, round, four petalled flower with initial at the centre ?A; second seal missing

DRO  3799M-0/ET/18/8  1359 

Contents: Deed of gift

1. Stephen Davi

2. William la Pomeray, Nicholas of 1a Pomeray, Thomas of 1a Pomeray, Stephen vicar of Byry and Robert Weye ( these are 3rd 4th & 5th sons of Sir Henry Pomeroy & wife Johanna Moels

Contents: Deed of gift

1. Stephen Davi

2. William la Pomeray, Nicholas   la Pomeray, Thomas  la Pomeray, Stephen vicar of Byry (Pomeroy) and Robert Weye

Premises: one messuage and all 1.'s land of   Wallen in the manor of Stockleigh Pomeroy, and also all 1.'s goods and chattels

Witnesses: Henry of la Pomeray, Thomas of Courtenay, Theobald Greynevile, knights., John Dabernon, Richard of Brankescombe

Date: Newton St Cyres, Saturday after the feast of St Mathias the Apostle, 33 Edward III

Seal: round, shield with Ihs, "S. HUGONIS: LE: SPENSER" same matrix as 3799M-0/ET/18/4

DRO 3799M-0/ET/18/5  1355

Contents: Quit claim

1. Robert Lester

2. Stephen Davy

Premises: all 1.'s right to al the lands and tenements of 1a Walle in Stockleigh Pomeroy

Contents: Quit claim

1. Robert Lester

2. Stephen Davy

Premises: all 1.'s right to al the lands and tenements of 1a Walle in Stockleigh Pomeroy

Witnesses: John Fitzpayn, John Loterel, Henry of la Pomeray the younger, knights., John of Cristowe, William of Lyner

Date: Stockleigh Pomeroy, Wednesday in the feast of Pentecost, 29 Edward III

Seal: round, shield, inscription