Meresditch, Hanworth, 1340

Including: Edward III, Queen Philippa (Queen of England), Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, John Dayrell, (Lord of Hanworth), Duke of Cornwall, Thomas Flambard (Sheriff of Middlesex).

K. Cox 2016

I had found mention of ‘Meresditch, Hanworth’ in Thomas Tanner’s Notitia Monastic (see above) and needed to know more, especially considering the date of 1340; ‘14 Ed’ = 14^th year of the reign of Edward III.

[Pat 14 Ed 3 p 3 m 28. ] pro repar pontis molendini de Eldeford et fossiti vocat le Meresditch inter Hanworth et Kenington (from above)

I then used google translate to get a rough idea of the meaning of the text:

google translate: pro repar pontis molendini de Eldeford et fossiti vocat le Meresditch inter Hanworth et Kenington. ‘calls for the excavation [investiagtion] of repair of the bridge, and the mill of the Eldeford between Hanworth and Kenington le Meresditch’

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A quick google search found this on British History.ac.uk. There is a lot more that can be researched concerning this document… let me know what you find. In the Year Books of the Reign of King Edward the Third you'll find a complete transcript: Link

- A case was brought before Edward III (25 January 1327 – 21 June 1377)in 1340, as to who was responsible for the upkeep of a bridge of over a dyke named the Meresditch in Hanworth.

A water-mill belonging to the manor is mentioned in 1303. (fn. 82) In 1340 there was a mill known as Eldeford in Haneworth, (fn. 83) which apparently stood near the dyke called 'the Mersdich,' which ran between Hanworth and Kempton.

Litigation took place concerning this dyke and the foot-bridge which crossed it and led to the mill.

In the early part of January 1338-9 Roger, Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, complained that though he was not liable to repair the dyke except in proportion to the use made of it by his yokes of oxen (pro averiis spannatis) and had done his part sufficiently therein, and though he ought not to repair the foot-bridge by the mill, yet he had been amerced [fined] by the sheriff [Thomas Flambard, Sheriff of Middlesex] to the amount of 38s. 8d. on the pretext that the dyke was not properly cleansed nor raised nor the foot-bridge repaired. (fn. 84)

The sheriff was accused of having fined him on insufficient evidence, and was accordingly commanded to appear before the king, and to bring with him four good men from each of the four townships nearest the bridge.

The sheriff appearing on the day appointed, said that the bridge was in a dangerous state by default of John Dayrell, Lord of Hanworth, who was bound to repair it as his ancestors had been used to do within the memory of man.

The four men from the townships could not attend, as the order had come too late, and the case was adjourned to a later date.

It was again respited to midsummer, when, the bishop, sheriff, and four men from each of the townships of Twickenham, Hampton, East Bedfont, and Feltham being present, it was found by the jury that the bridge was not for the common use, but only a little bridge by Eldeford mill for the easement of the miller and those of the neighbourhood who came to grind corn; and that the Lord of Hanworth was not bound to repair it.

The bishop recovered the amount of his amercement, while the sheriff was declared to be in mercy for taking presentment without his jurisdiction, it being found that one end of the bridge leading to Hanworth was within the liberty of the honour of Wallingford [Duke of Cornwall] and the other within the liberty of Queen Philippa's [Queen of England] manor of Isleworth. (fn. 85)

82. Chan. Inq. p.m. 31 Edw. I, no. 26.
83. Cal. Pat. 1340-3, p. 47.
84. Ibid.
85. Ibid. [i]

[i] 'Spelthorne Hundred: Hanworth', in A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 2, General; Ashford, East Bedfont With Hatton, Feltham, Hampton With Hampton Wick, Hanworth, Laleham, Littleton, ed. William Page (London, 1911), pp. 391-396. British History Online [accessed 15 January 2018]. Link

[i] Thomas Tanner, Notitia Monastica: Or, An Account of All the Abbies, Priories, and Houses of Friers Heretofore in England and Wales, and Also of All the Colleges and Hospitals Founded Before A.D. MDXL, Part 1540, (London, William Bowyer, 1744), p. 487.

Meresditch, Hanworth, 1340

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