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Stoke Bardolph
Stoke Ferry and Inn.
STOKE BARDOLPH, a township and retired hamlet in the parish of Gedling, is bounded on the north by Burton Joyce, and on the east by the River Trent, which divides it from the parish of Shelford; on the west it is divided from Gedling by the Car Dyke, and on the south by the Ouse Dyke from Netherfield, and Radcliffe-on-Trent. It comprises an area of 1115.285 acres, which includes 30 acres of water.
It will be observed that in several of the foregoing abstracts from the marriages at Gedling Church, one or both of the contracting parties are described as "of Colwick in the parish of Gedling." Mr. W. P. W. Phillimore, (Old Nottinghamshire, ii. 71) states "A small portion of Colwick went with Stoke [Bardolph] and belonged to Godfrey de Alselin, and is no doubt that part of Nether Colwick which in Thoroton's time was reckoned part of Gedling parish." Thoroton makes two references to this matter. After describing the two Manors of Colwick, he says with reference to the second: "Another part went with Stoche of the Fee of Goisfrid de Alselin," and further on "Some part of Nether Colwick is in Geedling Parish, which was that of the Fee of Alselin."
The name Stoke is the Anglo-Saxon "Stoc," no doubt derived from a fortified or stockaded site, a place defended by a palisade or stakes. It takes its adjunctive name from the Bardolph family, early lords of the place, who possessed a fortified castle here, and to whom further reference will be made.
Dr. Thoroton devotes nearly three folio pages of his "Antiquities of Nottinghamshire," published in 1677, to his account of "Stoke Bardolf and Carlton, &c," which is as follows :—
"In Stoches, and Ghelling, Tochi (who was also Lord of Shelford and Lexington, and many other places in this County before the Norman Invasion) was rated to the Geld at three Carucats and two Bovats, and two parts of a Bovat for his Manor. The Land whereof was then accounted four Carucats. There Goisfrid de Alselin (who succeeded the said Tochi in all those places) after the Conquest had in Demesne two Car. fifteen Villains, six Servants, twenty one Bordars, having eight Car. or Plows. There was also a Priest and a Church, and a Piscary (or Fishing) and two Mills 20 thirty Acres of Medow, Pasture Wood three qu. long, and three qu. broad. This was valued in Edward the Confessours time at 110s. and when Doomsday Book was made at 6l This Mannor has Soc in Carentune, Ghelling, and Colwicc, as much as paid the Geld Tax for fifteen Bov. The Land four Car. There thirty Sochm. had ten Car. ½and twenty Acres of Medow, small Wood three qu. long, one broad.
"The Barony of this Goisfrid de Alselin, or Hanselin, was very considerable in these Counties of Nott. and Derb. and also in Lincolnshire; howbeit it seems it was very early divided, viz: before the fifth year of King Stephen, as in Shelford doth partly appear. Ralph Hanselin had twenty five Knights Fees, and Robert de Cauz (or Caltz) fifteen, as the Red Book in the Exchequer manifesteth.
"Of the posterity of Cauz notice may be taken in Lexington, which was the head of his Barony, though they enjoyed a share here also, which descended from Cauz to Birkin, and so to Everingham, and so to Constable, and was sold by.....Fletcher to Gilbert Earl of Shrowsbury, and was lately the inheritance of the Earl of Kingston, by the name of Everingham Fee, and remains yet to his son the Marquess of Dorchester, as I take it.
"Ralph Hanselin had a son of his own name, who had a daughter and heir called Rosa, married to Thomas Bardul, who, 18 H. 2. gave account of 251 of the Scutage of the Knights of the Fee of Raph Hanselin; his son and heir was Dodo or Doun Bardulf.
"11. Joh. Beatrix, the daughter of William de Warreuna, gave account of three thousand five hundred Marks for having the Lands and Tenements, which were her Fathers, and which ought to descend to her by Inheritance, and for having her reasonable Dower which concerned her out of the Tenements which were Doun Bardulfs her late husband, and that she should not be distrained to marry her self, and that the debts which her Father ought the King, might be raised out of the Chattels which were common to her said Father, and Milisent his wife, the day that he died.
"Hubert de Burgo, 2 H. 3. would have it inrolled, that William, the son of Doun Bard, granted him the Mannor of Porteslad, with the Advowsons of the Churches, and other things belonging to the said Mannor. Hubert de Burgo, 3 H. 3. was Guardian of the heir of the said Doun Bardolf, who it seems was William Bardolf, who died about 4 E. 1. seized of the moyety of Shelford, hide of the King by half a Barony. He had a Mess, at Stoke, which is a member of Shelford, and one Carucat in Demesne, and the Free-holders of Stoke, and the members, viz. Shelford, Gedeling, and Karleton, and some in Nottingham paid yearly 49s 4d and Suit of Court; here was a Batell (or Bote) which carried men over Trent, which yielded a Mark yearly, William Bardolf was then found bis heir, who about 18 E. 1. left Hugh Bardolf his heir, who, 32 E. 1. left his son Thomas aged twenty two years his heir; and Thomas Bardolf, 3 E. 3. left his son John but seventeen years old.
"There are some Genealogies of this Family which make Thomas, the son of Hugh, to die without issue, and his brother William Bardolf to be Father of this Thomas, but this agrees well with the time and age of the Parties, and I have not seen sufficient authority to make the other certain.
"The King, 11 E. 3. granted to John Bardolf, and Elizabeth his wife, daughter and heir of Roger Damory, the Mannor of Ilketheshall and Clopton in Suff. in exchange for the Mannors of Keuington and Faukeshall in Surrey.
"Agnes, the wife of Thomas Bardolf, had this Mannor in Dower, and left it to her son John, 31 E. 3. who about 45 E. 3. left it with Wyrmegey, and other great Mannors which made up twenty nine Knights Fees belonging to his Court of Shelford, to his son William Bardolf of Wirmegey Chr. who, 9 R. 2. did the like to his son Thomas Lord Bardolf, then but seventeen years old, or little more; which Thomas was the last Lord Bardolf of the Male-line, and Attaint in the time of Henry the fourth, in whose Reign, about 9 H. 4. he died leaving two daughters, Anne, first married to Sir William Clifford, and after to Sir Reginald Cobham; but his other daughter Joane, who married Sir William Phelips, was Lady Bardolf; and then after her death, William Beaumont, son of Elizabeth, her daughter, wife of John Viscount Beaumont, was found her heir.
"William Viscount Beaumont died with issue, and his sister Jane married to John Lord Lovell was his heir, who had Francis Viscount Lovell, slain in the Battel of Stoke in this County, against the King, 16 June, 2 H. 7. by whose Attainder (or it seems before) this Mannor came to the Crown; he had two sisters, Jane the elder married to Sir Brian Stapleton, and Fride-swid to Sir Edward Norreys, by whom she had Henry Norreys, to whom and to his heirs Males, 10 H. 8. the King granted this Mannor of Stoke Bardolf, with Gedling, Crophill Bishop, Newton and Carle ton, late William Viscount Beaumonts. [See Pedigree].
"King Edward the fourth, 15 E. 4. granted to Galiard de Durford Lord of Duras, and his heirs Males, the Mannor of Shelford, Stoke Bardolf, and Gedling, in this County, and others in Derbishire.
"Henry Norreys being Attaint about 12 May, 28 H. 8. it came again to the Crown, and was after granted to the Lady Anne Stanhope, great Grandmother to the first Earl of Chesterfeild, whose Posterity enjoyes it, with Shelford, to this day.
"Here were many held shares of these Lands, as may be gathered from what is already formerly set down: Hugh de la Basage (or Bastre) held in Carleton, Gedeling, and Stoke, half a Knights Fee of the old Feoffment of William Bardolf. And Reginald Ursell, and Hugh de Tytheby held in Gedeling, Carleton, and Stoke, another half Knights Fee of the old Feoffment of Robert de Everingham.
"Robert, son of Hugh de Titheby, gave an Acre in Carleton to Thurgarton Priory, for the health of his Soul, and Isolda his wife; to which Church Hugh, son of Alred of Carleton, gave also a Toft and Croft, which were Auki's, and a Bovat of Land in Carleton, which William and Robert his sons severally confirmed.
"The Jury, 15 E. 1. found that Reginald de Haslacton held in Carleton, and Colwick, of Robert de Everingham, the sixth part of a Knights Fee, valued then at five marks; the heirs of Richard Ursell in Carleton, as much valued at 52s Henry de Whatton in Stokes and Carleton an eighth part of a Knights Fee valued at 44s. William, son of Richard de Birton, in Birton a sixth part, valued at 66s 8d. Mr. Thomas Beck in Gedling a sixth part, Galfr. le Botiler in Stokes as much, Alexander de Le in Gedling a tenth part, and William Mascy as much there also.
"The Jury, 5 E. 1. found that two Tofts, and two Bovats of Land in Stoke, and four Tofts and one Bovat in Gedling, were Frank Almaigne of the Rectors of Gedling, and not Lay Fee of Galfr. de Botiler, who called Adam de Everingham to warrant, which Adam was then Amerced.
"Alexander de Whatton of Karleton, 12 E. 1. recovered against Henry, son of Richard de Watton, and six others, four Mess, four Bovats of Land, and two parts of a Bovat, except one Acre, and twenty Acres of Land, and 5s Rent in Karleton and Colwyk. They had great Suits afterwards about this Land, and 19 E. 1. pleaded Bastardy and Errour.
"At the Assizes at Nott. 23 E. 1. Cecily, the daughter of Roger Millott, recovered her seisin of one Mess, and one Bov. of Land in Carleton near Nott. and William, son of Roger Milott, was Amerced.
"A Fine at Westm. the day after St. John Baptist, 8 E. 2. between Richard, son of William de Basage, and Maud de Kirkeby, Querents, and William le Moigne the younger, Deforcient, of one Mess, and twelve Acres of Land in Carleton by Nott. settled them on the said Richard and Maud for life; and after on Richard, son of Maud, and the heirs of his body; remainder to William his brother, and the heirs of his; remainder to the right heirs of Richard, son of William.
"Another on the same day of the Term, 12 E. 2. between Robert Jorce the elder, and Idonia his wife, Quer. and Roger le Botiler, and Amicia his wife, and John their son, Deforc. of sixteen Acres of Land in Gedling, and Stoke Bardolf, settled them on the said Robert and Idonia, and the heirs of their bodies; remainder to William, son of Robert, and the heirs Males of his body; remainder to the right heirs of Robert.
"The Jury, 29 E. 3. found that Philip de Somervill held, the day that he died, 10l Rent per annum in Shelford, Stoke Bardolf, Gedling, Birton Jorz, and Neuton, of Adam de Everingham of Laxton, by the service of a pair of white Gloves; and that Johane, the daughter of the said Philip, whom Rese ap Griffith Chr. had to wife : and Maud, the daughter of John de Stafford, and Cousin of the said Philip, whom Edmund, son of John de Vernon, had to wife, were heirs of the said Philip. Rese left a son, 30 E. 3. his heir called also Rese.
"Here were divers, 13 R. 2. who held of William Bardolf, of Wirmegey, John de Loudham a sixteenth part of a Knights Fee in Neuton and Shelford, John Lord Grey of Codnar as much in Birton Jorce, William de Russeby, Hugh de Annesley, Roger de Duffeild, and Thomas de Whatton, half a Fee in Carleton, Gedling, Colwyk, and Stoke, John Burton and his Parceners a sixth part in Newton, John de Babington a sixteenth part of a Knights Fee in Neuton. The Prior of Shelford, and his Parceners a twelfth part in Shelford, Roger de Stanbridge a sixteenth part there, William de Wymondeswold a thirteenth part in Gedling and Stoke, William Clark, and William de Kirketon a twentieth part in Carleton and Gedling, John de Birton Chr. and Hugh de Annesley a twentieth part in Carleton. This William Bardolf in his life time had the Advowson of the Priory of Shelford, which was then valued at twenty Marks per annum, and the moyety of the Advowson of the Church of Gedeling at ten Marks.
"The Jury, 15 R. 2. returned it not to the Kings loss, to grant John de Landfort, Vicar of the moyety of the Church of Gedling, and John Ward of Shelford, licence to give three Mess, twenty two Acres of Land, eight Acres and a half of Medow, and 26s 8d Rent, with the Appurtenances in Shelford and Stoke Bardolf, to the Priory and Covent of Shelford.
"Henry Plesyngton, Knight, and Isabel his wife, 27 H. 6. claimed against Alice Leek one Mess, two Carucats of Land, thirty Acres of Medow, and 43s Rent, with the Appurtenances in Gedling and Stoke Bardolf. Edmund Molyneux Esquire, 30 H. 8. suffered a Recovery of three Mess, two Cottag. one hundred Acres of Land, three hundred of Medow, three hundred of Pasture &c. and 41 Rent, &c. in Stoke Bardolf, Shelford, Gedling, Burton Jorce and Newton, and called to warrant George Gryffyth, Knight."
Stoke Bardolph once contained a Castle occupied by the Bardolphs, who were lords of the manor, and who held positions of much distinction down to the fifteenth century. Although the descent of these early lords of Stoke and Gedling is explained on pages 10 to 12 ante, it may not be considered out of place to here add a few further particulars concerning them. Thomas Bardolph, temp. Henry II., married Rose, daughter and heir of Ralph Anselin, Lord of Shelford, and his grandson, William, a loyal soldier, and at one time governor of Nottingham Castle, was at the Battle of Lewes in 1264, and was there taken prisoner along with the King. The Inquisition taken after his death is printed on page 148 ante. Hugh Bardolph, grandson of this warrior William, was summoned to Parliament as a baron, and both he and his successors in the barony participated in all the martial glories of the age. The banner of Hugh Bardolph is emblazoned in blue and gold in the Roll of Caerlaverock, in which he is mentioned as having attended Edward I. to the siege of that Castle in July 1300. The legend runs :—
Hugh Bardolf a man of great appearance,
Rich, valiant and courteous,
Bore azure three cinquefoils
Of pure refined gold.
A note states that he was a Baron of Norfolk, born about 1255, died in 1304. An Inquisition taken after the death of William, fourth Baron, is printed on pages 149-150 ante, Thomas, the fifth of the barons, was foolish enough to join in the rebellion against Henry IV., which was headed by the Earl of Northumberland, Richard Scrope, Archbishop of York, and others, and had to fly into France. Shakespeare introduces him in the second part of King Henry IV., when after returning to this country the rebellious lords made another effort to accomplish their ends. The great dramatist in the first Act gives the conversation of Lord Bardolph with Northumberland, Mowbray, and other lords, and we find the noble owner of Stoke thus summing up the situation, at a period when "the times were wild; contention, like a horse full of high feeding, madly hath broke loose." Quoth Lord Bardolph:—
We all, that are engaged to this loss,
Knew that we ventured on such dangerous seas,
That if we wrought out life, 'twas ten to one;
And yet we ventur'd, for the gain propos'd
Chok'd the respect of likely peril fear'd,
And since we are o'erset, venture again,
Come, we will all put forth, body and goods.
The "dangerous seas" closed over them to the sacrifice both of "body and goods." The rebels were cut down at Bramham Moor, and Lord Bardolph died of his wounds, leaving a wife and two daughters to lament his untimely end. Dugdale states that " Lord Bardolfs remains were quartered, and the quarters disposed of, by being set upon the gates of London, York, Lenne, and Shrewsbury, while the bead was placed upon one of the gates of Lincoln. His widow obtained permission, however, in a short time to remove and bury them." Through his younger daughter, Joan, the Stoke property passed to Viscount Beaumont and others, as already explained (see pages 12-18 ante), and as set out in the pedigree.
Stoke Bardolph Church.
The site of the once famous Stoke or Bardolph Castle is shrouded in uncertainty, as nothing now remains to help in its verification. White's "Directory of Nottinghamshire" for 1853, states, "A short distance from the Chapel there formerly stood a Castle of considerable extent, surrounded by a moat, the interior of which was upwards of two acres. It was the residence of the Lords Bardolf, to whom the entire lordships anciently belonged." The low situation of Stoke Bardolph as a military site would naturally suggest that the Castle would be defended by a wet moat, the river Trent being within 300 yards. The conjectural site of the Castle will be found marked on the map of the parish. Perhaps some day the Thoroton Society may be prevailed upon to turn its attention in this direction.
Additional Charter, British Museum 24169:
Indenture of grant from Michell Stanhopp, Esq., to Sir John Markham, of the custody, wardship and marriage, of Francis Molyneux, cousin and heir of Robert Molyneux, late of Hawton, Co. Notts., Esq., deceased, together with the Manor of Stokebardolff, Co. Notts., and all his lands and tenements up to the age of 21 years. Dated 13 May 32 Henry VIII. (1540).
"This Indenture made the xiij daye of May the yere off the reyng of our Souereyn lord Kyng Henry theyght.....xxxij betwine Syr John Markham knyght.....and Mychell Stanhopp esquyer..... Wyttenessyth that ye seyd Mychell hath graunted barganyd and sold.....all and synguler the meass landys tents and other hereditaments that the seyd Robt. Mo......the day off his dethe held of the Kyng.....as of his Manor of Stokebardolff .....by Kny.....Servyce as by an Inquicon taken att Not the xviij daye off octobre in the xxxj yere of his most noble reyng.....more pleynly it maye ppere.".....etc.
Particulars for Grants, 36 Henry viii. Sir George Darcye, Grantee.
| xxiiij de ffebruari anno xxxvjto pro George Darcie mil & Ed'(mund) Molynex Ar sviet dm R ad ege | } } } |
The fferme of certeyn Closes & Rents in Stokebardolff in the Countie of Notinghame Late parcell of Newlond in the Countie of York belonging to Seynt Johis by yere ijs viijd xma nl |
Reverting to Thoroton's reference to the sale of land at Stoke Bardolph "by ... Fletcher to Gilbert Earl of Shrewsbury" the following abstract of the voluminous will of Robert Fletcher, dated 1 January 1578, will be found of great interest; and having been written by the testator himself "all with myne owne hande" it is singularly free of the tedious repetition of legal phrases. It refers to the testator's monument in Gedling Church which the then "person of Gedlinge" had allowed "to be pulled and defaced" and calls upon him to have it reerected, etc., etc. It mentions amongst others, many of the "Molynewes," and altogether is full of interest, and in many parts even amusing, as for example where the testator charges his heir "to be good and louinge to his [testator's) tenants" and "to paie them such money as I have borrowed of them," and not to " reise there Rentes," etc., etc. There is a bequest to his second wife to have " yearelie" so much firewood " if she tarrie at Stocke, to be taken in Podhawe, Swinehouse or eueringham wood," references to several horses, "grey nagge with the great eyes," "my skewed fillie," etc. His evident very sincere friendship for " my verie good lorde the late Bisshop of hull" is simply expressed, and there is a bequest to the poor of Gedling.
Abstract of Will of Robert Fletcher.
In the name of God Amen The first daye of Januarie .....(1578).......I, Robert ffletcher of Chesterfeilde in the countie of Derbie gentleman of perfecte minde and Remembraunce thankes be vnto god make .... my last will.....in manner and forme followinge ffirst I giue and bequeathe my soule to almightie god my maker and Redemer Jesus christe thorow whose passion and merrittes I hope to be saued and my bodie to be buried nere to my late dearlie beloued wief if it wilbe suffered, yf not then she to be taken vp, and layed in some other convenient place in the churche of Gedlinge in the Countie Nottingham and I to be layed by her wheresoeuer I chaunce to die, And my truste is that the person of gedlinge shalbe by order of lawe compelled to sett vp my monument againe which by all good order and humanitie he vncurteously by the Comaundement of an hard hatred man caused to be pulled and defaced but if the lawe will not order that he erect it againe yet I do forgiue him that offence and all the worlde all offences done to me as freelie as I hope to be forgiuen at gode's handes.....I giue vnto my Louinge wief Alice all such Implements as she brought and of euerie thinge somewhate of mine and also all my kine at Chesterfeld and shepe and the graye nagge and a fole besides her owne nagge And......all such Ringes and Jewelles as she hath which were my late welbeloued wives except the vpper and nether billement of goldsmithes worke which (s)he shall haue the use of duringe her Life and the(n) to bestowe it vpon Winefried my daughters and she to take it as of her guifte because it was her owne late mothers Also I giue vnto my saide wiefe yearelie duringe her lief fiftene loades of firewood and hedge wood if she tarrie at stocke to be taken in Podhawe Swinehouse or eueringham wood And I will that my sonne and daughters be louinge and obedient to theire mother as they will haue my blessinge......And if it happen yt ffrauncis my sonne marry shortlie after my deathe then if his mother can be content to lett him be in house with her I will that he lett her haue such thinges at stocke as may helpe her towardes house kepinge as my ffishinge pasture groundes And also suche closinges and medowe as I haue by my lease of Stoke and agrement wth Mr Stanhope in mine owne occupacon . ... to ffrancis my sonne my saide lease and my Leases of Swinehouse......to Wenefried my daughter besides the benefitt that she and her husband have had by reason of theire Abode at my house one hundreth poundes for her childes porcon...............to said ffrauncis my ringe with the blewe saphire and my ringe with the seale and to my daughter my Crowpole and to my sonne Bifeld my Serieantes ring and one of my coltes of my white mare........to ffrauncis my sonne all my household stuffe plate Corne shepe and cattell and thinges belonginge to husbandrie except suche as I haue giuen or shall giue to my.....wife and other for my will is that she shall haue halfe my corne in the barne and half that shalbe vpon the grounde at the time of my deathe for the maintenaunce of her howse vntill she may gett of her owne......I giue to euerie of my seruauntes a quarters wages and to be wth my wief vntill they can be prouided for. And I charge my heire that he be good and louinge to my Tenants and to paie them such money as I haue borowed of them and neither to take fine of them nor reise there Rentes and in so doinge I doubt not but that god will prosper him And my will is that all debts that I owe to anie person be trulie paide by my executors and where longe and tedious suites haue been betweene Sr Thomas Stonehop Knight and me and now are at anie ende I shalt most humblie and hartelie desire him for to forgiue me as I from the bottome of my harte haue forgiuen him and where I haue putt to his owne consience and worshippes consideracon not onlie the two hundreth and foure poundes tenn shillinges which he recouered of me in the Accon of the case against all equitie and conscience but also all other matters whatsoeuer they be I trust his worship will haue some remorse of conscience to consider me some waye for the same towardes the payment of my debts and legacies and where I haue diuers goodes and cattelles at morrey to be taken after the decease of my good and louinge mother and not before I giue vnto my said good mother my Tuft mockadow gowne to make her a gowne And I hartelie desire her to giue me her blessinge.........to my Cousin Elizabeth Alcocke widowe fortie shillinges of the money layed downe for her to Humfry Lee......... to my louinge brother in lawe Mr John Molynewes esquier and vnto my louinge sister his wief either of them a siluer spoone of six shillinges eight pence price and to my louinge brother in lawe Mr Thomas Molynewes and to my sister his wief eche of them a like spoon And to my louinge brother in lawe and sister Mr Edmund Mr Christopher and Mistresse Jane Molinewes euerie of them of like a spoone And I forgiue........my brother in lawe Mr Anthonie Molinewes all the money he oweth me which I bestow vppon them but in token of my good will onlie and shall hartelie desire them all to be good unto my children And where the right honorable my lorde the Earle of Shrewsburie hath taken of my late brother Thomas ffletcher deceased a lease of the tithe of wolle and Lannit in the peacke in the countie of Darbie which lease I had by a former graunte made to Mr Richarde Pratt and from him conveyed unto me as doth apeare by the conveyaunce thereof which lease cost me two hundred pounde ouer and besides Eight hundred pounde more which my said brother was in my debt if it woulde please the right honorable Erie of his goodnes to paye unto my executors two hundred poundes in three yeares that is to saye euerie yeare one hundreth markes or elles to take those yeares which his honor hath had and to suffer my executors to haue it the residewe of the yeares and to paie unto his honor three hundreth markes in three yeares which is as much as his lordshipp gaue for it in right equitie and conscience it is mine but to have his lordshippes fauor I would gladlie this deale my trust is that his honor will discharge his conscience herein Also I giue unto my verie good lorde the late Bisshop of hull* my grey nagge with the great eyes And theone halfe of my Apples at Stoke yerely duringe his lief if it had pleased god that he and I might have continewed at Stocke together I would have bene gladd for I delicted more in his companie and was more desierous of him in my house then ante man living for I thincke the howse better that he is in And I giue unto Mr Seriaunt Sute my best geldinge and to good Mrs Thomasin his wief a ringe of tenn shillinges for a Remembraunce and to Mr Snagge a ringe of Twentie shillinges and to his good bedfellowe a ringe of tenn shillinges for a remembraunce and if my habilitie were better it should be better And I giue unto Mr ffrethevile one of my best geldinges and to Mr Serieant Rodes an other and to my god sonne his Sonne with godes blessinge and mine my skewed fillie To Mistress Rodes and mistress ffrethvile either of them a ringe of twentie shillinges and shall hartelie desire them all to be good to my children Also I giue vnto the poore in the parishe of gedlinge twentie shillinges to be bestowed of such as haue moste neede And to the poore of Burton sixe shillinges eight pence. And to the poore of Chesterfielde fortie shillinges and I.......make ffrauncis fflecher my sonne my sole executor and my deare good friende my Lorde the late bushopp of hull and my good cosin Mr ffrauncis molinewes esquier Superuisors of this my last will........And I giue vnto my said cosin ffrauncis molinewes the eldest of my coltes which was of my white mare and to either of them fortie shillinges for suche charges as they shalbe at In witness whereof I haue written this my will all with myne owne hande dated the daye and yeare first aboue written per me Robertum ffletchar
Proved at London 18 May 1579.
* The "late Bisshop of hull," here referred to, was Robert Pursglove, a native of Tideswell, co. Derby. He was consecrated Suffragan Bishop of Hull in 1552, and appointed Archdeacon of Nottingham in 1553, but on the oath of supremacy to Queen Elizabeth being offered to him, he refused to take it, and was deprived of his archdeaconry and other spiritualities. He then retired to the neighbourhood of Tideswell, where he remained till his death. Though consecrated as a Protestant Bishop under Edward VI., he seems to have been a vigorous Papist under Mary, and was appointed, in 1557, one of a commission to enquire after heretics, etc. He had, previously to the above appointments, been Prior of Gisburne (alias Guisborough), Yorks., and on the suppression of that house was granted a pension of £166 13s. 4d. It is said that "the pryor lived in the most sumptuous style, being served at table by gentlemen only." He was seventh and last Provost of Rotherham College, which was dissolved about 1550. Letters Patent were granted to him, 2 and 3 Elizabeth, to found the Grammar Schools of Tideswell and of Gisburne. He died 2 May 1579, and was buried in Tideswell Church, where a fine brass representing the bishop in fall Eucharistic vestments and with the pastoral staff over his left shoulder, remains to his memory.
Reference :—21 Bakon.
Chancery Proceedings,—James I.
Fletcher v. Hacker. re the Manors of Gedling & Stoke Bardolph.
"The Aunswere of John Hacker Esquier one of the Defendaunts to the Bill of Complaynt of Molineux ffletcher gentleman Complayaunt" (who seems to have claimed same by descent from his father Francis Fletcher). The "Bill of Complaint" does not seem to be extant.
In above Answer dated 12th February 16 (14?) defendant says that "hee verelie beleveth " that Francis Fletcher father of Complainant held in fee simple "the Mannors or Lordshippes.....of Gedlinge and Stoake Bardolphe in the Countye of Nottingham.....and the Mannor of Shefford called Everingham ffee in . . . said Countye.....and the two parcells of woodground .... mentioned " . . . . But that Francis Fletcher about November 1592 sold them all to "Gilbert, Earle of Shrewesburye and the Ladye Mar ye his wiff" .... ("except all those Landes and Tenements in Gedlinge, and Stoake Bardolphe .... sould by Bryan Stapilton Esquier to Robert ffletcher father of the said flrauncis not exceeding threescore and Tenne Acres" . . . .) And the defendant "was present when Liverye of possession and seisin was made by.....ffrauncis ffletcher, in the Capitall messuage in Stoake Bardolphe .... and hee this defend1 and John Bowne gentleman a Lawyer .....were Thatturneys to take.....said Liverye of possession" . .. . by which the Earl & Countess became seised in fee ... . And this defdt disclaims having any estate or title therein and that for any rents "hee hath received" he has accounted to the Earl and Countess ....And that thereafter Francis Fletcher held the premises under lease for £100 per ann. but failed (as agreed) to keep them free "from former alienations & . . . . incumbrances". . . and after his death the payment of these made the property "worth little to the Earle for many years."— Deft denies that said Francis died seised of the years or that they descended to Complt as son and heir, who since his father's death & since his own full age has aliened the premises purchased of Bryan Stapilton "to one of his bretheren" & the Earl & Countess have made no claim to the profits of same. Neither this defdt nor any of the others have expelled the Complt from the premises but the profits have been taken by force of the conveyances to the Earl and Countess and under their "The Replicacon of Molyneux ffletcher gent Complt to the Answeare of John Hacker Esquier one or the defts."
In his "replication" (endorsed Hilary 1614) Complainant maintains his Bill of Complaint to be true and says his father Francis Fletcher gent, died intestate about 19 or 20 years last past Complt being then of the age of 8 or 9 years & since his father's death he has been brought up "meaneley and moste poorelie with his mother" who married one Richard Motley now tenant of Gilbert, Earl of Shrewsbury one other of the defendants at whose comaudmt Motley (has) thereby "this poore Complt driven to great want and necessitie and though the Complt hath both by himself.... and his friends bene a humble suitor unto .... the ... . Earle" to have restitution of the "Manners lands tenements Cottages and two parcells of woodgrounds.....Aswell in the tyme of his young and tender yeeres as since, yet the same hath beene.....little regarded Whereupon the Complt was inforced to exhibitt his Bill of Complt......against the Earl, this deft John Hacker, Richard Motley and ffrauncis his wife having now most perfect intelligence" of the agreement made between the Earl & the Complainant's father Francis Fletcher of Stokebardolphe on the 30th October 1592 conveying to the Earl and his heirs for ever "all.... his Mannor house.....in Stokebardolf with all......houses and buildings thereto belonging with the garden and orchard adjoining .... and 300 acres of arable land, meadow and pasture......within the meadows fields and territories of Stokebardolf and also the great Court Leete or Viewe of ffrankpleadge Eueringham ffee to be holden w'hin Stokebardolfe, Gedling and Carlton." Francis Fletcher further agrees with the Earl that whereas he the said Francis is seised in fee simple in the Manor of Shelfford called Everingham ffee and of the Manor of Gedling and other messuages Cottages Lands Meadows and pastures thereto belonging and also of two pcells of woodgrounde the one called Everingham Wood, the other called Poddhauge within the liberties of Gedling that Francis Fletcher and his heirs will upon reasonable demand by the Earl or his assigns at all times after the date hereof convey by way of exchange the said Manor etc. unto the Earl and his heirs for ever .... in consideration that the Earl or his assigns shall convey unto Francis Fletcher and his heirs for ever the like lands and hereditaments to be allowed in exchange and to be ot equal.....value and goodness, to be set forth within the counties of Nottingham or Yorke by the indifferent survey of John Lassells, John Hacker, John Marshall and Henry Berisforde gent The survey to be made at or before the feast of the Nativity of our Lord God next coming.
Francis Fletcher further agrees that he will at or before the 12th of November next enter into one Statute Marchant of fyve and twentie hundred pounds for the performance of the agreement and the Earl agrees to pay to him or his executors sixteen hundred pounds in instalments (specified) and that immediately after the conveyance of the Manor house, lands etc. and of the great Court Leete, etc. he will upon reasonable demand to farme let the Manor, house and lands and Court Leete to Francis Fletcher and his assigns for twenty one years following at a yearly rental of £100 payable "at the ffeast daies of Penticost and Martlmas by even porcons."
And this complainant says " there never was any other bargaine and sale or livery and seisin .... made to the Earl and Countess as John Hacker the deft hath alleadged" and the Complt further says that within a short time after the decease of his father, John Hacker and one Edmond Longley and others of the Earl's servants came to his mother now the wife of Richard Motley "who dwelt in the Manor house of Stoke Bardolf with the poore Complt being then of tender yeeres he then being in quiett possession thereof" and informed her that they were sent by the Earl and that he took great commiseration of her distressed estate having then six children by the Complainants father whereof Complt was the eldest and at sundry other times "used faire and gentle speeches" to the effect that the Earl well knew how her late husband's lands were incumbered and intangled with divers rents .... and that "all his lands would be seised for the dette and all his goods and chattells would likewise be seised by the Sheriffe and that therefore if she would yield possession of the premises to the Earl he would maintain the possession of the premises and appoint some of his servants to take administration upon them of all the goods and chattells whereof her husband was possessed."
The latter portion of this "Replication is largely obliterated, the ink in several of the lines having vanished, leaving the parchment quite clean.
The following names of Fields, Closes, &c, are of interest:—Upper Hills, Battlemoor Close, Batchelor Sike> Dales Common, Cowmoor Dike, Shawsmoor, Fenny Sike, Jerrow's Home Close, Cragg's Close, Carr Field, Crooked Tree Close, The Aywordpit, The Blakepit, Brakenhull, Carleton Ditch, The Clementcrofthende, The Dikfal, The Estlonge, The Furlong, called Estlonge and Westlonge, The Foxholes, The Hall Hill, The Harde, Havedland (Headland), The Holdyng, The Hoverwymes, The Longes-prowesmere, The Long Wong, Midelfurlong, The Nether-wymes, The Sprowesmerhull, The Stanyfordgate, The Stathes, The Trentforlong, The Westlonge, Westweytdale Hill, Westweytdalenetherende, Westweytdalehull, Cowmoor Field, Conery Lane.
In 1336, mention is made of land lying under "Halle Hill" and abutting upon the Blakepit. Most of these curious names we have taken from the " Nottingham Borough Records," vol. I. It seems somewhat strange that any place in Stoke should be called a "hill"!
The names of inhabitants of "Stoke Bardall" assessed in the Lay Subsidy of 1525 will be found on pages 151-152 ante. The householders of "Stokebardolph" assessed for the Hearth Tax of 1663, with the names of those householders who were exempt from this odious imposition, will be found on page 157. From this return it would appear that there were then twenty-eight houses in the place, that of Mrs. Truman, probably the Ferry Inn, being the largest. By the year 1621 the number of houses had become reduced to twenty-three.
That Stoke Bardolph possessed a Chapel in pre-Reformation times is proved by the Inventory of Goods belonging to the parish church of Gedling, dated 18 September 1552, at the end of which is written :—
"Goods longynge to the chapyle of stoke Imp'ms one vestment of rede sylke wt a albe It a lyttylle belle."
The dedication of this ancient Chapel is unknown.
The present Chapel, erected in 1844, near the site of its ancient predecessor, on about a rood of land given by the Earl of Chesterfield, is a rectangular brick building consisting of nave only, with a small western turret containing one bell. It is dedicated to St. Luke.
On 12 September 1782, the Rev. Samuel Martin, rector of St. Peter's, Nottingham, (a Prebendary of Lincoln and also Rector of Tollerton) in company with two other gentlemen, went fishing in the Trent, a short distance from the village of Stoke Bardolph. Returning together, after sunset, on passing through the village, Mr. Martin reined in his horse, to converse with an inhabitant for a few minutes, his friends riding forward. " He, in attempting to overtake them, was unfortunately thrown off his horse, by turning too near the corner of a house, and, pitching upon his head, ruptur'd a blood-vessel, and expired within an hour." ("Nottingham Journal" 14 Sep. 1782.)
In "Walks round Nottingham," published in 1835, the writer, in describing a ramble from Colwick to Shelford, thus refers to his entrance to Stoke Bardolph :—
"Almost the first thing that strikes you, particularly on a summer's evening, is the number of hares that are fearlessly playing in the field at the back of the large Farm House, belonging to Mr. Kitchen. This is a very neat residence, and the gardens, &c, are kept in good order. The village is rather straggling, in a zig-zag direction down to the Trent side. There are several Farm Houses, but Mr. Kitchen's and Mr. Marshall's (the latter near the river), are the best. Differing from Colwick, there are here a great number of small cottages inhabited by labourers and their families; and I could not but notice, that they were generally neat and clean, and the children looked very healthy, though homely clad.....
Stoke is a Hamlet to Gedling, and in 1821, contained twenty-three houses, and one hundred and seventy-three inhabitants, but both have since increased.
"When approaching the side of the river, the steeple of Shelford Church becomes conspicuous, and is remarkable for its dark and dingy appearance, and on turning to the left, past some humble but neat cottages, we came to the Ferry House, kept by William Cupit, and here you may find a comfortable resting place, whilst the good woman of the house with motherly kindness, provides any refreshment you may require, at a very moderate expense—good tea, with a plate of ham or rich streaked bacon, for one shilling—for which at any of the Inns you would be charged half-a-crown. The House has two large rooms in it for parties, and I am told, that it was formerly much frequented by persons who came for a day's fishing, and feasts are still occasionally held here— indeed, I cannot imagine a spot in which the pure air so conducive to health, can be more fully imbibed, and I am certain, that no where will pleasure parties meet with more attention, in a homely way.
"There is a very pretty view from hence down the Trent, Burton Joyce appearing just at the elbow, where the river turns. Nor is this place altogether lonely, for there is a tolerably quick succession of passengers crossing the ferry to and fro, and boats sailing up against, or down with the stream. A day or two in summer, might be passed very pleasantly in this neighbourhood, and family parties coming the carriage road, would enjoy a delightful ride. The carriage road is through the village of Carlton, leaving the turn to Gedling on the left, and quitting the main road where a large building (the poor's house), on the right stands at one end of the lane leading to Stoke. The country is open and affords a free scope for the refreshing breeze. Children that have been long pent up in the town, or at school, would receive a great benefit to their health and strength by such an excursion, and parents would find it a saving in their pockets, by lessening the doctor's bill.
"After crossing the ferry, and arriving near the first gate, turn to look at the Ferry House, and a very pretty picture is presented, both as to fore-ground and background. From thence, continuing your walk either across the meadows, or by the road, you will soon reach Shelford."
The Ferry Inn, here referred to, would doubtless be a place of considerable importance and resort when the River Trent was the only means of communication between Staffordshire and Nottingham and the Humber. The family of Cupit, who until quite recently had occupied the Inn for upwards of 150 years, appears to have been held in much esteem, as the following remarks, written by the late Rector of Gedling, sufficiently testify.
Mrs. Elizabeth Cupit, of the Ferry Inn, Stoke, died May 8th, 1882, aged 50 years, and the event was referred to in the "In Memoriam" notes of the Gedling Parish Magazine of the following July in these terms. "There is another name to which we would call attention, it is that of Mrs. Elizabeth Cupit; she was a very widely respected member of a most respectable family. The business of a tavern-keeper in the present day is one most difficult to manage; all the more important is it that those who are licensed to sell intoxicating drinks, should be themselves thoroughly conscientious and careful in conducting that business. The calling is a lawful one, and may be most honourably pursued ; we have always felt to wish that all public-houses were as that at Stoke. Mrs. Cupit, whose loss we deplore so much, was known amongst her neighbours as always ready to assist the poor when in distress; and the sick in Stoke received, from her hand, comforts which were solid and seasonable offerings in a time of need. If the same name is continued in charge of the old house, as we earnestly hope may be the case, we have a guarantee for its retaining the good reputation, and for the perpetuation of Christian kindness and sympathy among the poor neighbours, in the old quarter. Mrs. Cupit was, we fear, a victim to her industry and hard work; but she leaves behind her a good name, and sorrowing children lose a kind mother and good example."
The Ferry, of which we give an illustration, is an ancient one, being referred to as far back as the year 1275 when it "yielded a mark yearly " (see page 178 ante), equivalent in present money to £16 per annum.
A Public Elementary (Mixed) School, built in 1883, accommodates 60 children.
The rateable value is £2,709; the population in 1901 was 213.
Nottingham Corporation Sewage Farm
This Farm comprises an area of 1950 acres under cultivation, 1780 acres being freehold, and 170 acres leasehold. Of the latter, 140 acres is leased from the Rector of Gedling, and 30 acres from E. P. Rawnsley, Esq. Of the total area of the Farm 1052 acres lie in Stoke Bardolph. The farm was commenced in the year 1878, and sewage first applied in 1880. The sewage matter is conveyed by brick sewers from Nottingham to the Farm, thence into concrete carriers which convey the crude sewage into different parts of the Farm. From these the sewage is distributed on to the land by means of earth carriers—a system known as "broad irrigation"—no less than 9,000,000 gallons being the dry weather flow to the Farm. The principal crops raised are Mangolds, Kohl-Rabi, Ox Cabbage, Italian Rye Grass, Thousand-headed Kale, Wheat and Oats, the five first named being the most prolific.
Pigs are also raised on the farm—the average number being 500—and are in great request. The breed—(Large White Yorkshire)—realizes very high prices, one boar having been sold for 100 guineas. Pigs from this Farm have been exported, for breeding purposes, to the United States, Canada, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Holland, Denmark, Sweden, Hungary, Buenos Ayres, Russia, and Japan. Horses, too, are bred on the Farm, animals from this Stud having won high honours at nearly all the principal Agricultural Shows, the Royal Agricultural Society of England and the Shire Horse Shows included. Of these "Nottingham Fuschia" won the 20 guinea Cup offered by the Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society for the best mare, bred by the exhibitor, at the Bath and West of England Show in 1905; "Nottingham Bold Harold" won the Gold Medal offered by the Shire Horse Society, the Breeders' Prize offered by the same Society, and the Society's Silver Medal offered for the Best Entire Horse in the show, bred by the exhibitor, at the Nottinghamshire Show in 1904; and "Arbitrator," bred at Stoke, and exported at a high price to the United States, afterwards won Champion prizes at Chicago and Wenona.
The cultivation of this large tract of land, generally known as Stoke Meadows, finds employment for about 130 labourers and 150 horses, in addition to steam power.