EARLY HISTORY OF THE.pdf

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Early History of the Village 
The earliest authentic notice we find of Burton Abbots is in Doomsday, the great survey 
made A.D. 1085-6 by the command of William the Conqueror. .The record runs thus :— 
“ Roger d’Ivry holds, and Pagan of him, 3 hides* in Burton ; land to 8 ploughs. Now in 
the demesne 2 ploughs, with one bondsman ; and ten villains, with 6 bordars, have 10 
ploughs. There are 50 acres of meadow, and 8 acres of pasture. It was and is worth 4 
pounds. 
Anschitel holds 2 hides in Burton. Land to 2 ploughs and a half. There are 2 ploughs there 
and 2 bondsmen. There is a mill of 3 shillings, and 6 acres of meadow ; and as many 
pasture. It was worth 20 shillings ; now 40 shillings.” 
Of the three men here named some particulars may be interesting. 
ROGER D’ IVRY 
was the younger son of Robert de Breval by his wife Albreda, daughter of Bodolph Lord 
of Ivry. His family took their name from Ivry, near Evreux, in Normandy, where they had 
a castle built by Albreda the maternal grandmother of Roger. Both Roger and his elder 
brother Robert, Lord of Breval, were powerful subjects of William, Duke of Normandy ; 
but the former was more closely connected with the Duke’s Court as he held the post of 
butler. When William came over for the conquest of this island Roger came with him, and 
afterwards received large 
• The hide is generally supposed to be equal to 120 acres. 
grants of land for his services. In Oxfordshire alone he had 23 manors, of which he kept in 
his own hands only those of Mixburv, Beckley, Asthall, Fulbrook, and -Welton, letting 
the others, as in the case of that of Burton Abbots, which Pagan held of him. In 
Gloucestershire also he had large possessions, include ing the lordship of Tetbury ; and at 
some time he held the important post of Sheriff in that county. But although possessed of 
such large estates here, he returned to Normandy, and there made his chief residence. in 
the quarrel that broke out between William I. and his eldest son, Robert, Roger d’ Ivry 
remained true to his old master, and when Robert was preparing to seize the Castle of 
Rouen (of which Roger d’ Ivry was governor), he was in readiness to repel the attack, and 
sent news to the father of his son’s intentions. Roger d’ Ivry married Adelina., the 
daughter of Hugh de Grentemesnil, but dying without issue his estates, both in England 
and Normandy, descended to his nephew, Ascelin, surnamed “ Gouel “ or “ Guelph “ (the 
wolf), the son of his elder brother Robert, Lord of Breval. From this Ascelin descended 
the Lords of Minster Lovel, to which place they gave their name from “Lupellus “ (little 
Wolf).t 
PAGAN DE CHAWORTH. 
Pagan, who is named as the tenant holding under Roger d’ Ivry, was Pagan de Cadurcis, 
or Chaworth, as the family was afterwards called. They took their name from the town of 
Cahors, or Cadurcae, in Guienne. His brother Patrick married Matilda the third daughter 
of Arnulph de Hesding by his wife Emmeline (or as some say Ethelswytha), a great 
Transactions of the Bristol and (Gloucestershire Archaeological Society. IV. 141 
.heiress of Saxon royal blood. By this marriage he became possessed of large estates, 
including the manor of Kempsford. Pagan de Chaworth died without issue. His family 
held laud in Burton Abbots for more than two centuries, as will be seen later_on.I 
ANSCHITI L. 
This is Anschitil de Gray. His ancestry is disputed. In Segar’s Baronagium his descent is 
traced from his grandfather, John, Lord de Croy, who married Adela, daughter and sole 
heir of William Fitz Osbert. The son of this .John was Sir Arnold de Gray, Lord of Water 
Eaton, Stoke, and Rotherfield, in the county of Oxon, who married Joan, daughter and 
heiress of James, Lord of Ponte de l’Arche, by whom he had this son Anschitil § But in 
the “ Recherches sur le Doomsday “ this genealogy is quite repudiated by the authors of 
that work. They give Anschitil’s descent from one Turgis, Lord of Luc and de Gray, in 
Bessin, Normandy, from which Gray the family either derived their name or gave theirs to 
it. This Turgis had two sons, Turstin, the younger, who inherited the Lordship of Luc, and 
Hughes, the elder, who inherited De Gray, and was the father of two sons, Turstin and 
Anschitil. Turstin inherited the Lordship of De Gray, in Normandy, and Anschitil took 
arms under William, Duke of Normandy, and came with him to the conquest of England.  
He received lands as a reward for his services, some of which were in Burton Abbots, and 
settling in this country his family soon became rich and powerful, as was the case with the 
elder branch in Normandy. They held land in Burton Abbots for some centuries. 
Herald and Genealogist, VI. 246. 
§ Segar’s Baronagium Genealogicurn, I 88. 
IT Recherches sur le Doomsday, par M M. Le Chaude-d’Anisy et de Ste Marie, 
,In the time of Henry iii and Edward I. from “ Testa de Nevill,” which contains the names 
of the then owners of knights’ fees, and of whom they held, there are these notices 
relating to Burton Abbots 
“ Fee of the “ Comitis Insul :” 
The Abbot of Oseney holds in Burton half a knight’s fee, of the said Earl from Eva de 
Gray. 
Fee of Patrick Chaworth [Chawurces]. 
Eva de Grey and Beatrix Murdak hold in Burton half a knight’s fee of Patrick de 
Chaworth.”” 
And again under the Hundred of Bampton, “ Eva de Grey and Beatrix Murdac hold in 
Bolton half a knight’s fee of Patrick de Chaworth, and the said Patrick of the King, in 
eapite. 
The Abbot of Oseney holds in the same the fourth part of a knight’s fee of Eva de Gray, 
of the fee of the Earl [of Devon], and the Earl of the King.”t 
Of the names mentioned in these extracts from “ Testa de Nevill,” we will take first that 
of Eva de Gray, although not the first in’ order, as it explains some of the others. 
EVA DE GRAY. 
This lady was the daughter of Baldwin de Redvers, Earl of Devon and the Isle of Wight. 
She married three husbands :- 
1. Anschitel de Gray, who was grandson of that Anschitel mentioned in Doomsday as 
holding land in Blackbourton. By him she had one son, John, who was the ancestor. of 
the Grays of Rotherfield. 
• Testa de Nevill, sive lib. food. in Cur. Scac. temp Hen. III. et Ed. I. London 1807, 
p. 100 
Ibid., &C., p. 103, 
2. Ralph de Murdac. He gave the efiapetat_Blackbourton to Oseney Abbey. From this he 
seems to have obtained property there by his marriage. He is sometimes called Lord of 
Standlake, this aIso would be in right of his wife, for the property at Standlake was 
hers. By him Eva had two daughters—Beatrice who married Robert Mauduit, and 
Alice who married 1st Ralph .Harang and 2ndly Osbert Giffard. 
3. Andrew de Beauchamp, by whom she had one son and two daughters—John de 
Beauchamp, Johanna, who married Ernald de Bosco, and Matilda, who married Johan 
de Nevil. 
Eva de Gray was possessed of large property, having lands in Durnford, Standlake, the 
honour of St. Walery, Norton, Deddington, Ewe (?) (hundred of Bampton). 
In a paper of the North Oxfordshire Archaeological society it is stated—“ The estates of 
Eva de Gray in Oxfordshire., were probably Gray possessions. Baldwin de Redvers, her 
father, might have given lands in exchange for them, and settled them on Eva, to be held 
of the Earls of Devon, and afterwards of Isabel, 
• daughter of Baldwin, wife of Will de Fortibus, Earl of Albemarle-8 Edw. III.”* The 
property at Blackbourton seems to have descended to her through her husband from 
his grandfather, the Anschitel mentioned in Doomsday. 
According to the Calendarium Genealogicum (vol. i., p. 180) at Eva de Grey’s death her 
four heirs were her four daughters, the children of her second and third husbands :- 
Beatrice (Murdac) wife of Robert Mauduit. 
Alice (Murdac) wife of Radulph Harang. 
Joanna (Beauchamp) wife of Ernald de Bosco, and 
• North Oxfordshire Archaeological Society Notes of an Excursion to . Ducklingten, 
Stanlake, 1871, p. 21. 
• Matilda (Beauchamp) wife of Julan de NevilL 
In the same paper of the North Oxfordshire Archeological Society, from which I have 
already quoted, it is stated that “ the four heirs of Eva were ultimately :— - 
1. Sir John Mauduit, son of Robert Manduit and Beatrice daughter of Eva de Gray 
(Murdac). 
2. John de Bosco, son of Ernald de Bosco. 
3. Isabel de Gray, wife of Walter, son of Robert son of John, son of Eva. 
4. Osbert, son of Osbert Giffard and Alice, daughter of Eva and Ralph de Murdac.”* 
Assuming that Black Bourton became the property of Eva’s daughter Beatrice the wife of 
Robert Mauduit, I conclude thus, that after her it fell to her son Sir John Mauduit, who 
married Agnes. 
He died in 1347, August 21, and his widow married a second husband Sir Thomas 
Bradeston. By this marriage Sir Thomas became possessed’ of lands in Stanlake, 
Broughton, and Black Bourton, but at his death in 1360 these lands reverted to his widow, 
Agnes. At her death, in 1369, these lands came into the possession of her first husband’s 
cousin, Egidia, who had married John de Molines. The property remained in this family 
for many generations, until William Lord Molines being killed at the siege of Orleans in 
1429, left an only child” a slaughter, Alianora, who married Robert second Baron Hunger-
ford, and -so carried the property to that family. 
The “ Comitis Insul,” mentioned in the above extracts from “ Testa de Nevill “ is the 
Countess or Lady of the Isle of Wight. She was the Isabel daughter of Baldwin de 
Redvers, Earl of Devon and of the Isle of Wight, and therefore sister to Eva de 
• Notes of an Excursion to Ducklington, Stanlake, &c., 1871, 
Gray. On the death of her brother Baldwin without surviving issue she became his heir 
and succeeded to his titles and estates. She married William de Fortibus, Earl of 
Albemarle, and had an only child Avelina, who inherited immense-property from her 
parents and became the wife of Edmund Plantagenet (Crouchback) Earl of Lancaster. 
PATRICK DE CHAwORTH. 
No doubt one of the same family who held land here at the Doomsday survey, but as 
Pagan died without issue, Patrick’s descent is probably to be traced from a younger 
brother. According to the Doomsday return Pagan was a tenant under Roger d’Ivry ; now, 
Patrick is lord paramount, holding of the King in capite. The precise date of Testa de 
Nevill is not given ; but it seems probable that this Patrick was the great grandson of the 
brother of Pagan mentioned in Doomsday ; and the Patrick de Chaworth who by the death 
of his elder brother Pagan in 1278 became the head of the family and possessed of the 
family seat at Stoke Bruern. His only child Maud became the wife of Henry Plantagenet, 
Earl of Lancaster, son of Henry III. 
BEATRICE MURDAC 
was a daughter of Eva de Gray by her second husband Ralph Murdac. She married Robert 
Mauduit. Their descendants were owners of land in Burton Abbots for a considerable 
time. 
The next important record we have is 
THE HUNDRED ROLLS. 
They are the result of a commission of inquiry with a. view to Crown taxation, 7 and 8 
Edw. I. From them we get the following particulars of Burton Abbots, or Burton as it is 
there called, which are here translated from the original contracted text.* 
Burton.----Geoffrey of Burton holds in Burton in demesne as in demesne 1 messuage and 
2 carucatas of land for one fee of Richard Chastilon, and the same Richard of the Earl of 
Cornwall, and the Earl of the King in eopite, and owes scutage. 
Free Tenants.—Jordan of Donton holds in Burton 1 messuage and 1 mill with a meadow 
of the said Geoffrey and pays per annum to the same ld. John Frankelayne holds in the 
same 1 messuage and half a virgate of laud and 5 acres of laud by acquirement [” de 
conquestu,”] and owes scutage. William of Burton holds in the same 1 messuage and. half 
a virgate of land of the said Geoffrey and pays one penny per annum to the same ; he 
owes scutage. Walter Geris holds in the same 1. messuage and half a virgate of land of the 
said Geoffrey, and pays per annum to. the same 2d.; he owes scutage. And they hold as 
free tenants. 
Serfs.—Walter Red holds in Burton 1 messuage and half a virgate of land of Geoffrey de 
Burton and pays per annum to the same Geoffrey as rent 22-1/2-d., for work 4s. which are 
taxed. John Daubeneye, Simon Oliver, Godun of the Church-yard, John Hagun, Hugh at 
Cross John Bonde John Long, Roger at Hall, John the Preceptor, Gonnild Midewynter, 
William Chaumpeneys, Hugh Roterer, Alice Holing, John Lumbard, Gilbert Gek, and 
each one of the above 15 hold in the same a like tenement of the same by doing like 
service to the same as Walter Red. And they hold as scrvi.. 
Cottagers.—Walter Bond holds in Burton 1 cottage 
*Rotuli Hundredorum, vol. ii., P.P. 694-3.and 5  
acres of land of the said Geoffrey, and pays per annum to him for rent 111d., and for 
work--2s. 3d. Lussota Barum, William A tegrene, Jan Cute, John Yore, William Crispin, 
cach holds in the same a like tenement of the same by like service as Walter Bonde 
The Abbot of Oseney holds in Burton in demesne as in demesne 2 caruentes of land in 
socage, and owes scutage for one virgate of land to the lord Robert Maudut. 
Free Tenants of the Abbot.-----John Roterer holds in Burton 1 messuage and 1 virgate of 
land of the said Abbot and pays to him per annum Gs. and for 1 cottage 16d. Alice at Hall 
holds in the same 1 messuage and 1 virgate of land of the same and pays per annum to the 
same 5s. 6d., and owes seutage. And they hold as free tenants, 
&V s.—Robert de la Forde holds in Bnrton 1 messuage and half a virgate of land of the 
Abbot of Oseney and pays per annum to the same as rent 2s. 81d., and for work 4s. 9 
1/2d. Hugh de Forde, Henry Baron, Laurence Baldon, John Wyndhout, each hold in the 
same a like tenement of the same for doing like service to the same as Robert de la Forde, 
which are taxed. 
The Holding of Robert Maudut. —Sir Robert Maudut holds in Bnrton 1 messuage and 2 
carncates of land of Sir John Maudut and the same John of Sir Pagan de Chauworth, and 
he holds by half a knight’s fee. 
Free Tenants.—Walter Geris holds in Burton 1 messuage and 1 virgate of land of Sir 
Robert Maudut and pays to the said Sir Robert 10s. per annum. The same Walter holds in 
the same one messuage and 1 virgate of land of John de Haddon, and pays per annum to 
the same one pound of cummin, and the same John pays to the said Robert Maudut 
the said pound of Yvo de la Berwe holds in the same 1 messuage and I virgate of land of 
John Fink and pays to him per annum 6s. William le Porter holds in the same 1 messuage 
with 5 -acres of land of the. same, and pays to him per annum 6d. William de Burton 
holds in the same I messnage and half a virgate of land of the same, and pays to him per 
annum 6d., and they hold as free tenants. 
Serf,. —John Bolor holds in Bnrton I messuage and half a virgate of land of Robert 
Maudut and pays to him per annum as rent 2s. 51/2d., and for work 6d., which are taxed. 
John de Fernhullee, Robert Chaumpeneys, Thomas the Provost, John Houwelot, Robert in 
the Corner, Thomas the Smith, John Lisse, John Atteberewe, Robert Etemet, John Beneyt, 
all these ten hold in the same a like tenement of the same for doing the same service as 
John Bolor, and they hold as serfs. 
Cottagers.—Robert Russel holds in Burton 1 cottage and 5 acres of land of Robert 
Maudut and pays to him per annum for rent 12.3/4d., and for work 3s. 5 3/4d., which are 
taxed. Robert le Batur, Anger le Messer, Juliana Crispine, Hugh West, Agnes de 
Churchyard, Richard of the Elm, Emma Bettes, all these seven aforesaid hold in the same 
a. like tenement of the same by like service as the aforesaid Robert Russel, and they hold 
as cotters. 
By the returns of these Hundred Rolle we find that at that time the land at Burton was in 
the possession of three persons-1, the King; 2, Pagan de Chaworth; and 3, the Abbot of 
Oseney. 
1. That in possession of the King, Edward I., was actually occupied by Geoffrey de 
Burton. Geoffrey held of Richard de Chastilon, and lie held of the Earl of Cornwall,” 
and he of the King. 
• Edmund second son of Richard, King of the Romans, and grandson of King John. 
Geoffrey was probably the grandson of that Hngh de Bnrton who conjointly with Ralph 
Mnrdac gave the church at Burton Abbots to the Abbey of Oseney. He appears to have 
been a large owner or occupier of land, not only in Burton Abbots but also in the neigh-
bourhood. In Clanfield be was a free tenant under Richard Chastilon, with free tenants 
under him ; and also under Roger D’Oyley.f He was also a free tenant in Haddon under 
John of Haddon, in Bampton d’Oyley under Roger D’Oyley, in Alvescot under Cecilia 
Muscegros, and in Filkins under Ralph Verney and the Abbot of Cirencester. 
2. The Manor of the Abbot of Oseney. — The Abbot of Oseney held the same amount of 
land as Geoffrey de Burton, viz., 2 carncates, and paid scutage on one virgate to the 
lord Robert Maudut. He ha% only two free tenants, John Roterer and Alice at Hall, 
paying a higher rent than those of Geoffrey de Burton, as was also the case with five 
serfs. 
3. The Manor of Sir Robert Mandut.—Sir Robert Maudut held the same amonnt of land 
as the other two lords, viz., 1 messuage and 2 carucates of land, and lie held by half a 
knight’s fee. He had four free tenants. 
1 There is a charter in the Bodleian Library by which John of Norton granted to Geoffrey 
of Burton one “ forthendel” of meadow in foremed of Clanefeld. Witnesses Sir John 
Mauduit, Sir Robert Mauduit. Circa 1260-70. (Oseney Charters, 332.) 
Hundred Rolls..