Clayton Griffyn.
Omnibus, &c., frater Nicholaus Prior Sancti Thome m. juxta Stafford et
ejusdem loci conventus eternam in Domino Salutem. "Noverit univ' vestra
nos remisisse, &c., pro nobis et successoribus nostris Johanni, Priori de Trentham, et ejusdem loci conventui, omnes terras et tenementa in Clayton Griffyn,
que habuimus ex donacione ipsorum, sine ullo retenemento, nobis et success'
nostris in perpetuum. H. T. dominis Willielmo de Caverswall, Johanne de
Chetwynd Bertramo de Burg, Johanne de Swinnerton, militibus, Roberto de
Cotes, Ada de Lavenden, Radulfo de Thickness, Ada de Swyneshead. (fn. 1)
Omnibus &c., Johannes Saule et Rogerus de Verney Sal' in Domino, Nov'
nos, vice domini Hugonis de Mortuo Mari, vice comitis Salop' et Stafford', ad
mandatum Domini Regis, liberasse et dedisse Fratri Johanni Priori de
Trentham, et ejusdem loci conventui, novies viginti acras unam et dimidiam
terre, prati bosci, et Wasti, cum pertinenciis, per perticam XXIV pedum
mensuratas, in villâ de Clayton Griffyn in comitatu Stafford, cum quâdam
placeâ extra curiam Galfridi Griffyn, cum quodam pomerio et quâdam
grangiâ infra eandem placeam constructa; videlicit omnes terras, &c., quas
dictus Galfridus in dictâ villâ de Clayton habuit die dicte liberationis, seu
tradicionis preter capitale messuagium cum gardinis, curiâ, et domibus infra
eandem curiam constructis, et preter quatuor acras in quodam assarto versus
Kel (keel), et preter omnes terras et tenementa &c., que Aubrea, mater dicti
Galfridi, dicto die nomine dotis in dicta villâ tenuit. Pro extenta
manerii de Elkesdon, (fn. 2) quod quidem manerium extendebat ad novem libras,
XIV. solidos, et sex denarios, annuatim. Cujus extente valorem dictus Prior
versus dictum Galfridum Griffyn quem in warranto vocavit coram dominis
Radulpho de Hengham, H. de Montfort, W. de Hoptun, et Th. Trenet
justic' itenerantibus apud Lychfeld, in dicta villâ de Cleyton recuperavit. Et
Sciend' est quod extenta de Cleyton minor est quam extenta de Elkesdon de
IV. S. annuis, quos Prior de Trentham dominis de Keblesdon pro manerio de
Elkesdon solvere solebat, Prior de Trentham et successores sui predictas
terras de Cleyton cum pertinenciis (?) firme solucione in liberam p. et
perpetuam elemosinam in perpetuum tenebunt. Et in hujus rei, &c. H.
Testibus, Rogero de Pipa, Willielmo Camerario tunc constabulario de Eccleshall, Henrico de Emkerdon, Ada de Lavenden, Ada de Swyneshed, Roberto
de Joneston, Thoma Carpent' de Cherleton, Gervies de Levedale, Roberto de
Witemore.
Margery, widow of Roger Burgelon, gives to Nicholas, Prior of Trentham,
&c., for herself and her heirs, her right in thirteen solidates and 4d. worth
of yearly rent in land, formerly her husband's, in Clayton Griffyn. These
witnesses, Roger Swinnerton, John, Lord of Whitmore, William de Thickness,
Ralph del Hogh, and others. Given at Trentham on the Monday next after
the Feast of the Purification of B.V.M. (5 R. II) (1382 A.D.)
By another deed she gives to Trentham, in the same year, all her rights
of dower on lands in Clayton Griffyn.
Hec indentura testatur quod nos Nicolaus de Moleston (Muccleston)
Prior de Trentham, et ejusdem loci conventus tenemus manerium nostrum in
Clayton Griffyn de Rogero Burgoillon ut per cartam nostram probatur
"omnibus Xti fidelibus, etc., Johannes Burgoillon clericus salutem' Noverit
universitas vestra quod cum Prior de Trentham se modo attornavit de fidelitate suâ et de redditu tresdecem solidorum et 4 denariorum exeuntium de
terris et tenementis suis in Clayton Griffyn concessi presenti scripto ipsum
Priorem et conventum suum et successores suos, de predictis serviciis et
eorum pertinenciis versus quoscunque in perpetuum acquietare, et ad hanc
acquietanciam fideliter faciendam in perpet' obligo me et heredes meos, et
omnes terras et tenementa mea ad quascunque manus devenerint. Et
preterea concedo pro me et her' meis predictis Priori, etc., predicta servicia
cum suis pertinentiis contra omnes homines warrantizare, acquietare et
defendere in perpetuum." Etiam ego Rogerus Burgoillon relaxo, etc., pro
me et her' meis, predictis Priori Nicholao, etc., tresdecem solidos et tres
denarios de redditu predicto, salvâ modo fidelitate cum uno denario de redditu
predicto, etc., de prefato Priore et Conventu, etc. Et ego (warranty). In
cujus rei testimonium huic indenture partes predicte alternatim sigilla sua
apposuerunt. Dat' apud Novum Castrum subtus Lymam, die lune in festo
S. Barnabe Ap. H. T. Willielmo Thickenes, tunc maior ville de N. Castro,
Henrico Delves et Johanne filio ejus, domino Johanne Wytemore, Thoma
Symon, et Johanne Colclogh, tunc baillivis ville predicte, Thoma Padmore,
Johanne Bourton. A. D. Milessimo IIImo octogesimo. (1380 A.D.)
Extenta tēn Galfridi, filii et heredis Galfridi Griffyn, apud Clayton, die
martis 20 ante festum Sancti Tiburtii A. R. R. Edwardi tricesimo quarto, ad
valenciam triginta novem solidat' et septem denarriat' terre in villâ de
Clayton per breve Domini Regis in hec verba. Ad sectam Prioris de
Trentham per Ricardum de Verney Johannem de Wytemore, Willielmum
de Chaveldon Robertum de Curgerleye, Wm. de Bromley, Johannem
filium Thome de Novo Castro, Adam fratrem ejus, Ranulphum de Bromley,
etiam de eâdem Johannem de Bromleye, Robertum de Dutton (?) et Alanum
de Dutton, qui super sacramentum suum dicunt, quod idem Galfridus
habuit in campo de' Middulhulfeld' et le Heygrene quatuordecim acras terre
regales, partem (?) acre 12 denariorum. Item in campo inter villam N.
Castri et villam de Clayton undecim acras terre et, etc., duodecim denarios,
Item in campo de Fullwallefeld et assarto quondam domini de Clayton
quatuordecim acras terre preter partem (?) acre decem denariorum: et in
curtilagiis Willielmi de Berlaston unum denar' terre. In cujus rei testimonium
sigilla sua apposuerunt.
Indenture between Thomas Williams, Prior of Trentham and convent, on
one side, and Richard Talryke of Clayton Griffin on the other, testifies that
the Prior and Convent unanimously granted and farmed out to Richard one
messuage, called the "Hall" (aulam) de Clayton Griffyn, with sundry pieces of
land (videlicet) Folanfyld, Rowloune Flat, Ladepulbey and Longewast,
Laderuddyng' and half Fletbuthyle and thirty-three direct (?) of land called
Daywerk, in the common field of N. Castle, and one meadow called
"musmeyde," lying at the head of the Pool (stagni) of the Lord of Lancaster,
with all crofts belonging to the same messuage, situate at Clayton Griffyn,
within the demesne of Clayton Griffyn, now in the holding of the aforesaid
Richard. To have and hold to him and his heirs, from the Feast of Annunciation of B.V.M. last past, for a term sixty-one years next ensuing; paying
to Trentham, yearly, 8 marcs, three shillings and 6 pence at Michaelmas and
Lady Day; and heriot on the death of any tenant, and rendering the other
accustomed services [right of re-entry, if rent unpaid, provided]. Sealed with
the common seal of the Priory [a woman seated—the B.V.M.] at their Chapter
House, April 7. 2 Hen. VII. (1487 A.D.)
John Smythe of Hartished, of the vill of N. Castle, Elderman, greeting
"Know ye that I have released to Robert, Prior of Trentham, and his
successors, all my right and claim, which I had in one pasture called the
Newhay, lying in the fee of Clayton Griffin, and in one parcell of land
situated in the same pasture, and one messuage in the lower street of N.
Castle. Sealed at N.C., January 19. (18 Hen. VIII.) 1526 A.D.
Indenture made Friday after Epiphany, 16 Ed. IV., between Prior of
Trentham and Convent on one side, and the Maire of Newcastle-under-Lyme
and the twenty-four, and all the comynes (sic) of the same, on the other, bears
witness that as there was variance and debate between the said parties for
certain entur (sic, "inter") comynes, the which the said Maire, twenty-four,
etc., claim to have between the fields of Clayton Griffyn, and also for diverse
lands that Thomas Samfeld gave to divers feoffees, to the use of the
"Deveyne Service" of St. Katherine. Also for won (one) parcell of ground,
the which the said Maire, etc., had in fe-farme of William Breten, the saidde
parties have agreed, etc., in the form that follows, by the mediacion of Hugh
Egerton, Esquire, John Wode and William Banastur, etc., that the said land
that Thomas Samfeld gave to the D.S. of St. Katrin, and the land the
Maire, etc., had in fe-farme of William Breten, lying between the fee of
Clayton Griffyn. The Maire, etc., shall make a sufficiant a-state (estate) and
a free gyfte in and of all the lands that weren (sic) Thomas Samfold's and
William Breten's, to the Priory of Trentham for ever; and the same lands
shall freely a warrant without paying of rent, etc. In exchange for two
crofts, lying under the Frere-wode (sic) and for two other hayes, called
"Androeshayes." Also the said Prior and Convent shall make fully over to
them the possession of the said four hayes, without paying of rent, etc. Also
the Mair, twenty-four, etc., shall have, for ever, for themselves and their
successors entire comynes "in open time" in all the lands of the "fraunches"
in the towne, by virtue of the said four hayes and crofts, to the Haygrevelond,
on the est part, and so following the diche down unto the Castel-Broke,
between Androeshayes and the Millnefeld, now in the holding of Hugh
Bagenald, following from the said yate on the west part on the other side
ast [after (?) or east (?)] the old Lone, by the Lady Pole, following the old
Lone unto the "Galo-tre-hull," and that the same Mair, etc., nor any of them
hereafter, shall not claim, nor have, any comyn in any other time, in any
parcell of the same ground, nor in any other seison (sic) than in open time
as hyt (it) ys (is) above saide, nor in any other lands of the said Prior
and Convent of Clayton Griffyn. And should the Prior and Convent be at
any time deprived of their part, they shall be at liberty to re-enter on the
four hays and crofts. Sealed by both sides on the day and year aforesaid.
[English deed.] (1476 A.D.)
Know all men that I, Thomas Clayton, son of Thomas Clayton of Clayton
Griffin, am firmly bound by these presents to dom. Stephen Browne, Prior
of Trentham and the convent, in 20 marcs of money. Signed Wednesday
next after Feast of St. Thomas Ap. (33 Hen. VI) (1455 A.D.)
Another deed, stating that Thomas Clayton acknowledges the receipt of
£10 from Stephen Browne, Prior of Trentham and convent, in purchase of a
messuage in Clayton Griffyn. (36 Hen. VI) (1458 A.D.)
Omnibus Xti fidelibus, ad quos, etc., indentatum pervenerit Johannes
Griffith, Armiger, et Johannes Bradock, salutem sciatis nos per presentes
tradidisse, etc., Alexandro, Priori et ecclesie B.M. et O.S. de Trentham, etc.,
omnia, terras redditus, tenementa, etc., servicia, in Parva Clayton. Habend,
etc., usque ad finem termini sexaginta annorum, etc., etc. (Sealed 26th day
of September, 2nd year of King Henry VIIth) (1487 A.D.)
An indenture dated 18 Ed. IV, 1479 A.D., between James Madeley on the
one part, and Stephen Brown, Prior of Trentham and convent, on the other,
touching land in Clayton Griffyn.
Sciant p' et f' quod nos Jacobus Tranell et Robertus Speyke, capellani, de
dimus et hac p. cartâ confirmavimus Stephano p. divinâ monasterii B.M. et
O.S. de Trentham Priori, et ejusdem loci conventui et successoribus suis
omnia illa, terras et tenementa prata, pascua, etc., que nuper habuimus ex
dono Thome Clayton, filii Thome Clayton, de Clayton Griffyn, que quondam
Thomas Clayton habuit ex dono et feofmento Johannis Clayton avunculi sui
Habend, etc. Dat' apud C. Griffyn, quinto die Decembris A.R.R. Ed. 4th
secunduo (2 Ed. IV). Hiis testibus, Johanne Madeley, Stephano Clayton,
Johanne Lobot, et aliis multis.
Universis S. Matris ecclesie filiis ad quos, etc. A. (Bp. Alexander de
Stavenby) d.m. Coventr' et Lichf' ecclesie minister humilis, salutem' in Deo
eternam, "mandatum domini Pape in hec verbr suscepimus" Gregorius (fn. 3)
Episcopus, servus servorum Dei, Venerabili Episcopo Coventr' salutem et
apostolicam benedictionem, "dilectus filius G. Griffyn, clericus, nobis
humiliter supplicavit ut eidem et suo feodo [this seems correct, though the
word is somewhat confused by erasure] construendi capellam ac habendi
capellanum in ipsâ licentiam concedere dignaremur, volentes igitur in hoc
tibi deferre, qui loci diocesanus existis, fraternitati tue p[ro] ap' scripta
mandamus quatinus prefato clerico videtis expedire postulata concedas
sine juris prejudicio alieni. Dat' Perusii' V. Id. Janr., Pontif' nostri anno
secundo" (i.e., 1229 A.D.) Hujus ergo autoritate mandati, de consensu
Prioris et canonicorum de Trentham, concessimus dilecto filio in X to G.
Griffin, clerico, cantariam in capellâ suâ de Clayton sub hac formâ, videlicet,
quod predictus G. Griffyn clericus juravit quod occasione illius concessionis
matrix ecclesia de Trentham nullum sentiet dampnum vel prejudicium.
Capellanus vero qui pro tempore in dictâ capellâ ministrat, antequam
ministrare incipiat, fidelilitatem jurabit predictis Priori et canonicis, quod
neque de divinis neque de oblacione neque de quacumque aliâ obvencione,
que ad maternam ecclesiam pertineat, aliquod retinebit. Immo si quid
hujusmodi receperit dictis Priori et canonicis fideliter persolvet. Et si forte
aliquis capellanus transeundo in dictâ capellâ celebraverit, et aliquam
oblacionem receperit nichil sibi retinebit; sed totum dictis Priori et canonicis
relinquet. Et si forte matrix ecclesia prenominata in aliis fuerit dampnificata
per predictum Galfridum vel ejus capellanum, predictus Galfridus predictis
Priori et canonicis complementum restituet. Et in hujus rei testimonium
hoc scriptum sigillo nostro, et sigillo Galfridi Griffyn fecimus communiri
(1229 a.d.)