NOTES ON THE EARLY SAVILLE PEDIGREE AND THE BUTLERS OF SKELBROOK AND KIRK SANDAL.

[SECTION II, PAGES 396-403]

[Yorkshire Archaeological Journal, vol. 28, pp. 380-419 (1926)
Electronic text and additional notes kindly provided by David Hepworth
HTML version by Chris Phillips]

BY THE LATE W. PALEY BAILDON, F.S.A.

"The first person who can with any certainty be shown to have been an ancestor of the noble house of Savile is a Sir John Savile, father of Peter, of whom there is an inquisition of 14 Edw. I while he was still living. He [Peter] held Golcar, Skelbrooke, Smeaton, Thurlston, or lands at those places; and there can hardly be a doubt that he was in direct descent from a Henry de Savile, who owned Golcar in 1225, in which year he had a grant from the two rectors of Dewsbury, of a chapel in his mansion there. The probability is that he [Henry] was the father of Sir John; but there is not, I believe, evidence to prove that he was so" (South Yorkshire, vol. 2, p. 260). As will be seen above, this descent is now proved.

1277-8, Hilary. - Peter de Seyville complained of Master Robert de Kirkesmetheton [Kirk Smeaton] and Alan de Kirkesmetheton, for disseisin of his tenement in Scelbrock; adjourned for default of the jury (Assize Roll 1238, m. 6). The plaintiff craved leave to with­draw his writ in Trinity Term, 1278 (ibid., m. 16).

Sometime in the summer of 1286 the Escheator held an inquiry as to the mental condition of Peter de Seyville; as there is a full translation in vol. 23 of the Record Series, p. 51, it is only necessary to call attention here to the material points. Peter became mentally incapable of managing his own affairs between 1279, when he was sane, and 1282, when he was insane. He held the manor Golcar, as to three-fourths of the heir of Richard le Botiler of Sandal, and as to one-fourth of Sir John de Heton, by the service of 3d. yearly; four years before, i.e., about 1282, he gave a mill there to his sister, Agnes de Seyville. He also held 3½ bovates of land in Skelbrooke of Sir Ranulf de Blamustre, by the service of 10s. a year; this he demised to Robert son of Stephen de Kirby, about 1278, for a term of 20 years. He also held a messuage and 4 bovates of land in Smeaton of the Earl of Lincoln, by the service of suit of court at Pontefract; he demised the land to William de Seyville, his uncle, about 1279, for a term of 14 years. He also held a rent of 42s. in Thurlston and land worth 60s. a year in Aldham¹ held of the heir of John de Hoderode and the heir of Roger de Wombwell respec­tively. Peter's sister, Pleasance, wife of John de Dychton, is men­tioned. The two important facts here are the holdings in Golcar and Skelbrooke, and the reference to Richard Butler in connection with the former place. The King had previously ordered the cus­tody of Peter's body, lands, etc., to be committed to Peter de Eton [Heaton], his near relative (Fine Roll, 14 Edw. I, m. 2; Record Series, vol. 23, p. 51).

¹ Oldham, in Wombwell.

1286, Oct. 23. - Pursuant to an inquisition showing that Peter de Seyville is mad, the Escheator is ordered to deliver to John de Eton, Peter's near kinsman, the custody of his body, land and chat­tels, taking good security for proper maintenance (Fine Roll Cal., p. 230).

Undated; after 1286. - Hugh son of Richard le Butler of Sandal gave to John de Heton, knt., the homage and service of Peter de Sayvilla and his heirs, viz., of three parts [i.e., fourths] of the ville of Goulacres [Golcar], with wardships, reliefs, etc., which in any way could belong to the grantor and his heirs. Witnesses, John de [sic] Tyes, John Sotehill, William le Fleming, Hugh de Swillington, William de Bellomonte, John his brother, John de Quarmby and John de Dighton (Dodsworth MS. 117, fo. 122, in the collections of John Hanson; Yorks. Arch. Journal, vol. 7, p. 262; Harl. MS. 4630, s.n. Saville).

1302, Thursday before St. Dunstan (probably the Deposition, May 19), 30 Edward I. - Peter de Seyville discontinued his assize of novel disseisin against Roger son of Thomas de la Wodehalle concerning a tenement in Wyrkeburg [Worsborough]. He and his pledges were in mercy, viz., John Fleming of Walton and Thomas de Bosville (Assize Roll 1294, m. 6d.)

Peter is not stated to be suing by his guardian, so it may be presumed that he had recovered.

1302-3, Hilary Term. - Agnes widow of Nicholas le Cordwaner of York sued Peter de Sayvill, John son of Walter de Sayvill, and others, for debt (De Banco, Hil. 31 Edw. I, m. 84).

Peter was dead in 1308, leaving a widow, Maude, and at least one child, his heir, John. He certainly had other children, since the writ made in connection with the lunacy proceedings of 1286, and dated May 18 in that year, directs that Peter and his wife and children are to be well and honorably supported out of the issues of his lands and tenements (Record Series, vol. 23, p. 53n.).

1308, May 31, etc. - Elcok de Lynthayt, charged with seizing the cattle of Maude widow of Peter de Seyville and driving them from the Earl of Warenne's fee to the Earl of Lincoln's fee, admits it, and is amerced 3s. 4d. The cattle were seized at Quarmby, and driven to Almondbury. Thomas son of Christiana de Lynthayt, John de Lynthayt, and John son of Adam de Locwode, were also charged with the same offence; the latter was said to be the instigator (Wakefield Court Rolls, Record Series, vol. 36, pp. 152, 158, 160, 165).

JOHN DE SAVILLE, 5.B., was the son of Walter, 4.C. He occurs in 1302-3 (see above, Peter, 5.A.).
 

THOMAS DE SAVILLE, 5.C., was the son of Baldwin, 4.E. He does not occur in any of the Wakefield entries relating to his father. His brothers, William and John, appear considerably earlier than Thomas does, nevertheless Thomas was much the most important of Baldwin's sons and may have been the eldest son; he certainly appears to have succeeded to Baldwin's property.

Undated. - Thomas de Seyvile witnessed a grant by Robert son of John de Wambewell to Baldwin del Hill of land in Thurlston (P.R.O., Ancient Deeds, vol. 2, p. 504, no. C. 2294).

Undated. - Thomas de Sayvill witnessed a charter of Adam de Pontefract of Mirfield to Sir John de Heton, relating to lands in Mirfield and Hopton (MSS. of Col. Gascoigne, Record Series, vol. 39, p. 117).

1293, Trinity Term. - Thomas de Sayvile was one of the jurors for Staincross Wapentake (Assize Roll 1098, Trin. 21 Edw. I, m. 108).

1299. - Thomas de Sayvyle or Sayville was a juror on two in­quisitions (Record Series, vol. 31, pp. 103, 138).

1305, Easter. - A jury of Staincross Wapentake presented that Thomas de Seyville led (duxit) the men of Hallumscire with arms, at Barnsley, to fight Ralph del Haye, and at West Bretton tried to beat Thomas son of Erkyn in his own house; also that he received and maintains Thomas Skyreloke, and others unknown, who beat and wounded Matthew del Mersk and Robert his brother. Thomas pleaded not guilty, and as no one appeared to prosecute, he was dis­missed quietus (Assize Roll 1107, m. 3d.).

Ralph del Haye was charged with having men at Barnsley to lie in wait for Thomas de Seyville and beat him. No one appeared to prosecute (ibid., m. 7).

1309, Michaelmas. - See below, John, 6.A.

1309, April 28. - Thomas de Sceayvile witnessed a charter re­lating to land at Worsborough (Record Series, vol. 39, p. 184).

1311. - I, Thomas de Savile, have granted to Sir Thomas de Mounteney and Constance his wife, my manor in the vill of Dodworth which is called Seyvile Hall, together with all my lands in Staynburgh, and a yearly rent of 2s. in the vill of Coldwell,¹ which I had of the gift of Baldwin my father. Dated at Seyvill Hall, the morrow of Holy Trinity, 4 Edward II (Hunter, South Yorkshire, vol. 2, p. 260, from Dodsworth MS. 113, p. 201).

¹ [Mr. Baildon has elsewhere a pencil note, "Probably the farm in Austonley now known as Callwell."]

1313, Easter Term. - Adam son of John de Everyngham, by William de Tynton, his guardian, claimed a messuage and land in Staynburgh from Thomas de Sayvill (De Banco, East. 6 Edw. II, m. 181d.; Hil. 7 Edw. II, m. 150).

1313, Dec. - Thomas de Seyville essoined at Wakefield Court by William de Seyville (Record Series, vol. 57, p. 19). There are many entries relating to him in this volume, but mostly of minor importance.

1314 and 1323. - Thomas de Sayvile witnessed two charters relating to land in Dewsbury (Record Series, vol. 39, pp. 59, 60).

1315-6, Feb. - Thomas de Seyville was pardoned for not attending the Wakefield Court, because he was on the King's service (Record Series, vol. 57, p. 100).

His last appearances, so far as the Wakefield rolls are printed, are in 1316, when in August he sued Master Philip le Waleys on an agree­ment, and was a surety in September (Record Series, vol. 57, p. 157).

1319, April 14. - Inquisition taken after the death of Margaret de Nevill. Wapentake of Stayncliff. Heton¹; 3 car. of land held by Thomas (?) de Seyvil by knight's service (Inq. post mortem, Chancery, Edw. II, file 62).

1325, June 4. - Thomas Sayvill was a juror at the inquisition taken as to the gift by Adam de Brom and William de Herlaston of the advowson of Aberford church to the Scholars of the House of St. Mary [Oriel College], Oxford (Inq. ad quod damnum, file 174, no. 16).

1332, Nov. 4. - Thomas Savill was a juror at the inquisition taken as to Adam de Batelay's foundation of a chantry in Batley church (Inq. ad quod damnum, file 221, no. 15).

It is possible that some of these notes relate to another Thomas, but I have no evidence of any other.

There is no evidence of any wife or children.
 

WILLIAM DE SAVILLE, 5.D., son of Baldwin, 4.E. He appeared at the Wakefield Court for his father in 1275, and was then pre­sumably of age or very nearly so (Record Series, vol. 29, p. 102).

Undated. - William de Sayvil witnessed a grant by Robert de Hoderod to Baldwin del Hill and Margery his wife of land in Thurleston, etc. (P.R.O., Ancient Deeds, vol. 2, p. 465, no. C. 1941).

1290. - William de Sayville was a juror on an inquisition relating to the endowment of Rothwell Chapel (Record Series, vol. 23, p. 115).

1313, Dec. - Thomas de Seyville essoined by William de Sey­ville at the Wakefield Court (ibid., vol. 57, p. 19).

¹ Hetton, near Gargrave.

JOHN DE SAVILLE, 5.E., son of Baldwin, 4.E. He appeared at the Wakefield Court for his father in 1285 (Record Series, vol. 29, p. 194), and again in 1297 (ibid., vol. 36, p. 17).

The only other entry relating to him in the Wakefield Rolls, so far as they are printed, is in 1316, when he was fined 12d. for not attending (ibid., vol. 57, p. 120).
 

HUGH DE SAVILLE, 5.F., son of Baldwin, 4.E., first appears in 1293.

1293, Trinity Term. - Morley Wapentake. Robert son of Peter de Osseut [Ossett] fell from a cart in the field of Sothill, and died im­mediately. Hugh son of Baldwin de Seyville was attached because he was present; but has not come. He is not suspected, nor any­one else. Judgment, misadventure. Price of the cart, 2 horses, and 2 thraves (trabes) of oats, 7s. Hugh was attached by John son of Henry de Dewesbery and Henry son of Jul[iana] of the same (Assize Roll 1098, Trin. 21 Edw. I, m. 25d.).

He appeared at the Wakefield Court for his father in 1297 (Record Series, vol. 29, p. 259), and as attorney of Baldwin de Sey­ville in 1309 (ibid., vol. 36, p. 220). The only other entry relating to him in the Wakefield Rolls, so far as they are printed, is in 1316, when he was fined 2d. for not attending (ibid., vol. 57, p. 131).
 

HENRY DE SAVILLE, 5.G., son of Baldwin, 4.E. He only occurs once in the Wakefield Rolls, in 1306, when Joan daughter of Walter de Heton sued Henry son of Baldwin de Sayville for trespass (Record Series, vol. 39, p. 60).

1316, Michaelmas Term. - Fine between Edmund de Dronfeld, plaintiff, and Henry le [sic] Seyvill and Amabel his wife, deforciants, of 2 messuages, 45 acres of land, 1 acre of meadow and 1 acre of wood in Westbretton; release by Henry and Amabel, for themselves and the heirs of Henry, to Edmund and his heirs (Feet of Fines, case 270, file 90, no. 1).
 

JOHN DE SAVILLE, 6.A., son and heir of Peter, 5.A., was born about 1275. We are now getting on to sure ground, since he is certainly the John who married Margery de Rishworth. It seems equally clear that he was not the father of Sir John who married Isabel de Elland and was Sheriff of Yorkshire in 1380, 1383 and 1388, and who died in 1399, as stated in Foster's pedigree.

Undated. - John de Savile witnessed a deed of Amabel widow of Sir John de Beaumont, relating to land in Huddersfield (Yorks. Arch. Journal, vol. 7, p. 275). At the foot of this document, as printed, is added this note: "This deed tied to y^e former Deed (before 1297)." Whether the date in brackets is part of Dodsworth's

original note or was added by Mr. A. S. Ellis, who edited the series, does not appear, but in either case it is misleading, since the former deed is itself undated, and is only conjecturally ascribed to "circa 1297."

1300, Michaelmas Term. - John son of Peter de Seyville com­plained of William, Prior of Pontefract, and Walter de Sutton, his bailiff, for distraining him to do suit at the Prior's court of Berneslay [Barnsley], which he was not bound to do; he said that he held of the Prior a house and a carucate of land in Dodesworth [Dodworth] by fealty and the service of 10s. a year, and he was not bound to do any other service, and that on the quindene of Michaelmas this year he delivered to the said Prior at Berneslay a prohibition from the King to the effect that he was not to distrain the plaintiff; notwith­standing this, the Prior did distrain him to do service at his court of Berneslay from three weeks to three weeks; he claimed £20 damages. The Prior said that the writ was founded on the Statute of Marleberge, and he claimed judgment, because in the Statute it said "except where he or his ancestors had been accustomed to do service before the first crossing of Henry the King's father into Brittany," whereas in the writ it said "into Gascony." Judgment for the defendant on account of this variation (De Banco, Mich. 28 Edw. I, m. 179d.; Hil. 29 Edw. I, m. 33d.; Record Series, vol. 17, p. 168; South Yorkshire, vol. 2, p. 261).

This note probably gives the approximate date of John's mar­riage. His father was still alive, and the property at Dodworth, and that at Worsbrough mentioned in the next note, were, I feel little doubt, settled on John on the occasion of his marriage.

1300-1, Hilary Term. - John son of Peter de Seyville claimed against Roger Fitz-Thomas (filius Thome) 10 acres of land and 2 acres of wood in Wyrkesburgh [Worsbrough] as his right (De Banco, Hil. 29 Edw. I, m. 33; Hil. 30 Edw. I (1302), m. 54d.).

1301-2. Hilary Term. - John son of Peter de Sayville v. Elias de Smytheton of Askerne claimed 20 acres of land, 12 acres of wood, ½ acre of meadow and ¼ of a messuage in Calthorn [Cawthorne, near Barnsley] and other smaller properties there against five other de­fendants. The property was taken into the King's hands for default of appearance (De Banco, Hil. 30 Edw. I, m. 54d., 225; Trin. 30 Edw. I, m. 21d.). In Michaelmas Term, 1302, the defendants appeared, and John said that they had no entry in the property except after a demise made by John de Sayville, his grandfather (whose heir he is), to Ralph de Sayville, for a term which has expired. The defendants said that other persons, not named in

the writ, were interested. Let them be summoned (De Banco, Mich. 30-31 Edw. I, m. 45d.).

1303, Michaelmas. - John son of Peter de Seyville sued William, Prior of Pontefract, complaining that, whereas it was unlawful for anyone to distrain a tenant to do suit of court unless so bound by his feoffment, or he or his ancestors holding that tenement had been wont to do so before the first crossing of Henry III into Brittany, nevertheless the Prior had distrained John to do suit at his court of Bernesley [Barnsley]. The Prior did not appear, and the Sheriff was ordered to attach him to be at Westminster on the quindene of Hilary (De Banco, Mich. 31-32 Edw. I, m. 145d.).

1306, Saturday, Eve of the close of Easter, 34 Edward I. - John de Sayvile witnessed an agreement between Thomas son of Sir John de Heton and Adam de Pontefracto of Mirfield, relating to lands in Mirfield (MSS. of Col. Gascoigne).

1306, 34 Edward I. - Hugh son of John de Eland released to Thomas de Langfield and Ellen his wife, Jordan de Insula and Isabel his wife, and John de Sayvile and Margery his wife, daughters and heirs of Henry de Rishworth, the rent of 10 marks for the moiety of the vill of Barkesland (Harley MS. 797, fo. 6 (Dodsworth's Yorkshire Notes); Watson, Halifax, p. 85).

This document establishes the fact as to the three daughters and coheirs of Henry de Rishworth. Thomas and Ellen de Langfield seem to have been dead in Michaelmas Term, 1322.

1309, Michaelmas Term. - John de Sayville complained of Robert, Prior of Pontefract, that, - whereas it is provided by the common counsel of the realm that none should be distrained to do suit of court, unless bound to do so by the terms of their feoffments or unless they or their ancestors had done so before the first passage of Henry III into Brittany - the Prior had distrained John to do suit of court at Barnsley; John holds 2 messuages, 112 acres of land, 8 acres of meadow, and 20 acres of wood in Dodworth, by homage, fealty and the service of 17s. 6d. a year for all service, nevertheless the Prior had distrained him to do suit at the said court, notwithstanding that he, John, had on the Thursday after Michael­mas, 2 Edw. II [1308], at Barnsley, in the presence of Robert de Boseville, Thomas de Sayville, Robert de Barneby, and others, de­livered a royal prohibition to the Prior; he claims £20 damages. The Prior says that John's ancestors were wont to do suit for the said tenements at the Prior's court at Pontefract, before the time limited in the writ, until [blank], Prior of Pontefract, at the request of [blank], John's ancestor, granted that suit might be done at

Barnsley instead, because Barnsley was nearer than Pontefract to those tenements. John denied this. Jury on this issue in 3 weeks of Easter (De Banco, Mich. 3 Edw. II, m. 316).

1319, Michaelmas Term. - Fine between William son of Alan de Smetheton, plaintiff, and John de Seyville, deforciant, of 4 tofts, 60 acres of land, and 4s. rent in Skelbroke, to hold to William and his heirs (Feet of Fines, case 271, file 93, no. 41).

1319, Michaelmas Term. - Fine between John de Sayville and Margery his wife, plaintiffs, and Jordan son of Jordan de Insula and Isabel his wife, deforciants, of 27s. rent in Barkesland, Bothamley and Northland, and of 1/3 of the manor of Rissheworth, which Alice, widow of Henry de Rissheworth, holds for life of the inheritance of Isabel. To hold (subject to the life interest) to John and Margery and the heirs of John. Warranty against the heirs of Isabel. Alice was present and did fealty to John and Margery (Feet of Fines, case 271, file 93, no. 42).

Isabel de Insula and Margery de Saville were two of the three coheirs of Henry de Rishworth.

1319, Michaelmas Term. - Fine between John de Sayville and Margery his wife, by Joricius de Clementhorpe put in Margery's place, plaintiffs, and Jordan de Insula and Isabel his wife, defor­ciants, of 1/3 of the manors of Rissheton [sc. Rishworth], Barkeland [sic], Northland and Wyllays, and of 1/9 of the manor of Skyrcote, which John admits to be the right of Isabel. Jordan and Isabel grant, for themselves and the heirs of Isabel, that the third parts of the manors of Northland and Wyllays, and the said ninth part, which Alice, widow of Henry de Rissheworth, holds in dower of Isabel's inheritance, and also the said third parts of the manors of Rissheton [sic] and Barkeland, which the said Alice holds for life by demise of Jordan and Isabel, shall after Alice's death remain to John and Margery for their lives, to hold of the chief lords, and after their deaths shall remain to Henry, their son, and his heirs. Warranty by Jordan and Isabel for themselves and the heirs of Isabel. Alice was present and consenting, and did fealty to John and Margery (Feet of Fines, case 271, file 93, no. 48).

1327. - Pardon to John de Sayvill for the death of Robert de Baldok (Patent Roll, 1 Edw. III, part 1, m. 10).

1328-9. - Court held at Wakefield, 2 Edward III. Order to distrain John de Savile to do suit of court for tenements in Rish­worth late belonging to Henry de Rishworth (Dodsworth MS. 117, fo. 149).

1330, Easter Term. - The King v. John de Seyville, to permit