Denby & District III: From Medieval Manuscripts to Modern Memories

By Chris Heath and Paul Copley

This latest edition in the Denby & District series opens up in its own unique and in depth style. It begins with a chronicle of the area dating from Medieval times to the 18th century. Most of the documents utilised have never before been published and include a transcription of a petition signed by villagers to exonerate the Denby witches. The books scope is wider then ever before with extensive details on Skelmanthorpe and Cumberworth. Here examined are such subjects as the field nmanufacturing family and the evangelist, Issac Marsden. Extensive details from the 19th century include Denby Poor Law records, Turnpike Roads, the 1881 Census Returns and extracts from the Barnsley Chronicle 1876–1896, detailing the trials and tribulations of the locals at the time. The well known Denby Dale born actor, Paul Copley, also tells the story of his life and career. The book is packed with new and never before published information, photographs and family trees and is a must for anyone with an interest in the area.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Aug 30, 2006
• ISBN: 9781783408214

Chris Heath

Chris Heath is the best-selling and award- winning author of the Pet Shop Boys’ Literally as well as Robbie Williams’ previous biography, Feel. After starting out at the music magazine Smash Hits in its 1980s heyday, Chris regularly contributed to The Face, Details, the Telegraph Magazine and Rolling Stone. For the last decade he has been writing longform non-fiction reportage for GQ in America – in 2013 he won a National Magazine Award for Reporting – whilst also continuing to interview politicians and celebrities to great acclaim.

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Introduction

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It is now around nine years ago that my work first appeared in print and the time has certainly flown. I was 28 years old then but my interest in local history began when I was around 12 or 13. It all began when my father talked to my Great Aunt about the family’s history, who was who, who belonged to who and so on, and he recorded it all in a little spiral-bound pad. His interest was genuine but other pursuits held more fascination, and a regular nagging from his eldest son, to be allowed to look at the spiral bound pad and see the old names and dates must have irritated him! He then told me that someone had traced one branch of the family (the Barracloughs) back into the seventeenth century (something I later found to be untrue) and I became determined to do the same for the Heaths. I set about the task armed only with complete ignorance of the methods and techniques that would be involved! Amateur family trees were drawn up and re-worked on old rolls of wall paper. Requests to my father to visit graveyards and letters to astounded vicars and relatives all followed.

My father usually responded positively, though it was a good job my brother took after the families long-held creative abilities in joinery and most of the other skills involved in construction as this was much closer to his heart. Nothing daunted, I dragged my father around the cemeteries with cries of exultation when I found a missing link. I also met some wonderful relatives in and around Oughtibridge, most of whom are now passed away, but I will never forget their kindness and generosity, there were others, just the same, in Huddersfield and Denby Dale that I had never met and all passed on original documents and photographs.

Whilst at Shelley High School a lengthy, though intermittent, teacher’s strike took place which meant that on certain days I had the afternoons free. These I filled with my first forays into the world of archives and libraries, usually getting odd looks from the archivists with regard to my age. I was able to keep nearly all the dates in my head and they soon realised that I had more ability than my age would suggest; this caused them to help and instruct and I thank them for that, particularly at Wakefield.

Of course, a lad in his middle teenage years being interested in all this was a little odd. A friend and I would catch the school bus up to Denby or perhaps walk down to the cemetery in Skelmanthorpe in order for me to take pictures of gravestones. We even once walked to Cumberworth and the photographs came out looking as though they were taken with night time vision – I seem to remember him saying on a regular basis - Chris, what are we doing here! After this we’d go and play football, ride bikes and watch videos, but the experience does not seem to have damaged him too much as Dave is still a great friend.

On one occasion in Oughtibridge, I had been granted permission by the vicar to photograph the parish registers. It took some time to go through them all and I could see that darkness had fallen through the vestry windows. I cleared up and went to the front door, opened it and stepped out. The door closed with a loud thud, and I heard a cry, looking up to see three youths running away from the church gate where they had been loitering. I can only subscribe their reaction to the fact that I was wearing light, if not white clothing and that I had in some way contributed to their fears of ghosts or apparitions. I told the vicar when handing him back the key and he smiled from ear to ear!

Eventually, I reached a point where I wanted to know about the things my ancestors did and the houses they lived in, the roads they travelled on, their friends and so on. My interest in local history began. The journey has been a long one, around 24 years now, time to learn many things but there will never be time for me to learn it all. Just as I will never be able to write all that I know or would like. With the publication of this book, it takes the page count of the three Denby and District books to over 800, which, however you look at it, is the size of a heavyweight academic book written on a major city or county. I make no apology for this, I love the area in which I live and I’ve just happened to be lucky enough to get my researches into print. Of course it is a selective history, I am not fettered by the chains which grasp a family historian. I go down routes of my own choosing and I do not have to pursue a line of enquiry until the bitter end. My own area of particular interest is from Roman times to late medieval, but I realise that these sections of my work are probably the least read. Nineteenth and early twentieth century work, commonly called ‘nostalgia’ is probably the widest read, and there are many, including the aforementioned Dave and my brother, Paul who do little more than look at the photos. All this is fine, my one aim through all my research is to try and bring back as many memories of the people named on the tombstones or in the old manuscripts as I can. It is a little like a selective ‘Noah’s Ark’, in as much that modern zoo’s only keep a representative sample of species, rather than attempting to keep them all. I can only include so many families, business’s and traditions and I realise that it must be with some disappointment that some people go straight to the index to find that the name of an important family member has been omitted entirely. I can only apologise!

As this is volume III, a book that was never really foreseen it has been difficult to find an easy way of using all the new information and not repeating anything written in the previous volumes. This is why I have used the ‘Chronicle’ method. Ideally much of this book would have worked far better had I used the information in Volumes I and II, but it is easy to use hindsight. In some cases I have made a reference to material contained in Volumes I & II of this work to direct the reader towards further information rather than repeat previously published research.

I have also included a chapter on Skelmanthorpe and Cumberworth as I have previously neglected these two villages, though there are probably better informed people than I, who could do a superior job. Nevertheless, they form a part of the nucleus of villages involved with the district of Denby and their historical details are just as fascinating, though for reasons of space I have had to limit the amount of material to be included. The chapter on the nineteenth century is, I suppose, a nod in the direction of nostalgia buffs. This is a century which seems more accessible to modern day readers. Many old family names are still around, their Grandparents may well have talked about individuals we will examine and of course this was the era of the first photographs. Newer arrivals to the area are in many cases keen to understand their villages past and those who created it, this chapter will endeavour to feed such a desire.

The chapter about the actor, Paul Copley, comes from an idea which I have been mulling around for a while. Apart from the difficulties in getting in touch with such a well-known face from television, (something which, incidentally, turned out to be very easy - though I’m not telling you how!) I ran out of space in Volume II and put the chapter on hold. I am delighted that Volume III has been made possible by my publishers and that I have now been able to include his story.

I have aimed to include individuals from every echelon in society, from the lords to the paupers, as every single person who has lived in and around Denby has a story to tell about the way they shaped the present-day.

I would like to thank everybody involved with the creation of the three Denby and District books and would urge anybody who has material on the area that has never been published, including photographs to contact me, via the publisher. You never know, if enough material comes in, I might, one day, write volume IV!

Chris Heath

March 2006

Wakefield Road, Denby Dale during the first half of the twentieth century.

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Chapter One

A Chronicle of Denby (From the late twelfth century to the late eighteenth century)

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The following group of documents would ideally have been better placed in context within the first two volumes of this work. Unfortunately, their existence has only come to light in the last year or so which renders this impossible. Many concern the de Denby family and though a number of them are undated they help to broaden our understanding of this ancient era. The de Denby family were numerous and it would be a mistake to try to create new family tree’s for them, over and above the ones printed in Volume I. There are a number of new names which have not surfaced before and it remains a possibility that the emergence of further similar records might enable a genealogical re-examination to take place. The same applies to the new records on the Burdet family, but I believe that chronicling them in this way will avoid any repetition of facts related in the previous two volumes. The absence of parish registers and census returns renders this early time period a difficult one to sort out, the people involved seem far more distant and removed from us today. It is for that reason that I have tried to pay as much attention as I can to them in order to brighten this local ‘dark age’ and put these people back where they belong - in and around Denby. The undated documents are set largely in the period between the late twelfth century and around 1250. The Chronicle continues on into the Savile period of ownership of the manor and finishes in the late eighteenth century, with occasional notes added to the documents to add to the information they contain.

THE MANOR UNDER THE LORDSHIP OF THE DE DENBY FAMILY Circa 1199 – c1216

Grant by William, son of Pain de Denby to Jordan, son of Jordan de Thornhill, of 2 bovates of land in Denby, held of Simon, son of Michael de Denby, paying annually half a pound of cumin, or 2 pence.

Witnesses inc. Richard son of Jordan, Robert son of Dolfin, Simon de Denby and John de Thornhill, who wrote the charter.

This document is included because of the presence of Robert and Dolfin de Denby who we have already met in Volume II. The other de Denby people mentioned may have resided at Mirfield, but as my research continues it is becoming more and more likely that the two families were related.

Pain de Denby crops up again in the following document:

Undated

Grant for a consideration of half a mark, by William son of Robert de Overdenby to Adam son of William le Harper, for his homage and service - save foreign service - of 26d yearly, of a bovate of land in Deneby, formerly held by Pain grandfather of the said Adam.

A later document regarding the Harper family has also survived:

Undated

Grant for a consideration of 3 marks, by John son of Adam le Harpur of Deneby to Sir Robert de Deneby of all his land in Deneby Over; the grantee to render all services appertaining thereto to the lords of the fee.

12th Century

Penisall [near Penistone]. Quitclaim. Witnesses: John de Middehope, William de Hunself, Jordan de Stanes, Richard de Hospring, John de Ireland, Adam de Holand, William de Denebi, William Hopper, and Peter de Middehope.

Undated

Grant by William son of Robert de Denebie to John son of Adam de Denebie, for his homage and service of 10s of silver yearly, of land in Denebie.

Undated

Quitclaim, for a consideration of half a mark of silver, by Robert de Wheatley to Robert, his son and heir of all the land in Denby held by William the carpenter (carpentarius).

Here we have our earliest evidence for a craftsman in Denby, dating to circa 1200, he appears again in another undated, though later deed:

Grant and quitclaim, for a consideration of 22s 6d of silver, by Robert son of Robert de Wlunelay to Roger son Hugh de Calthorn of all the land which William Carpenter (‘Carpentarius’) once held in Deneby, rendering to the lord of the fee the service specified in William’s charter.

The latter may signify the recent death of William. He wasn’t the only man with some skill in the village, since a blacksmith and later, a mason, were also operating in Denby at this time. This is not to say that they were the first men to occupy these roles, just that they are the oldest we yet know about!

Undated

Grant by Robert son of Dolfin to Walter the smith (fabro) of Denby for his homage and service of 2s yearly, of an assart and toft of 2½ acres in Denby. The said Walter has undertaken to shoe the grantor’s and his heirs plough-team and for this grant pays the grantor half a mark of silver and Lady Igerna, the grantor’s wife, ‘unum talentum’.

(unum talentum = one large payment) (toft = homestead).

Undated

Quitclaim, for a consideration of 10s silver, by John son of Walter the smith (‘fabri’) of Deneby to Robert son of Robert de Deneby of all the land held in Deneby by Walter the grantor’s father.

1274/5 (12th February)

Grant by Richard son of Adam Mason (‘Cementar’) of Deneby to John son of Ellis of the same of a messuage and half a bovate of land in Deneby inherited by the grantor on the death of Adam his father.

Undated

Grant and quitclaim by Jordan son of John de Deneby to Sir Robert de Deneby of 2 acres of land by the moor of Deneby at a place called ‘Licalebyrches’ and of all his right ‘under Thornetlay’.

Undated

Grant and quitclaim by Alexander son of Richard del Grene of Bernesby to Adam son of William de Deneby, for his service of 2s yearly, of all the lands in Deneby which he inherited upon the death of Alice his mother.

Undated

Grant and quitclaim by Paulinus de Weldon to Robert son of William de Deneby of an assart in Deneby, which John the grantor’s father sometime held of William the grantee’s father.

Undated

Grant, for a consideration of 5s by Jordan son of Simon de Deneby to Sir Robert de Holand [High Hoyland], for his service of a farthing yearly (excluding foreign service due to the king for a bovate in Denby), of 2 acres of land in Deneby and an annual rent of 3d which the said Robert is accustomed to pay to the grantor.

Undated

Grant by Roger son of Beatrice de Deneby, with the consent of Margaret his wife, to Robert son of Adam de Holand, for his homage and service of 2d yearly, of a bovate of land in Deneby given to the grantor by Simon son of Matthew as dowry for his daughter Margaret. For this grant Robert pays to the grantor 3 silver marks and to Margaret, the grantor’s wife ‘unum talentum’.

Undated

Grant and quitclaim by William son of William de Rodwode to Sir Robert de Deneby of the homage of the said Sir Robert and the annual rent of 2s sterling and a pound of cinnamon formerly rendered by Sir Robert to William the grantor’s father. Endorsed ‘Thurlestun’.

Undated

Grant and Quitclaim, for a consideration of half a mark of silver by William son of Ellis de Denby to Robert son of Robert de Denby of land to the East of Denby Mill, the grantor reserving rights of common pasture.

Undated

Grant by Jordan de Rodes and Maud his wife to Robert son of Robert de Deneby, for his homage and service foreign service excepted - of 1d a year and for a consideration of half a mark of silver, of half a bovate of land in Bircheworth

The latter grant was confirmed by Maud de Rodes after her husbands death in another undated but obviously later document.

Undated

Grant by Robert de Hoyland to Alan son of Peter de Denby, his heir and assign, except Jews, men of religion and capital Lords of a fee for his homage and service of 4s a year and foreign service and suit at the grantor’s mill, of a bovate of land in Ingbirchworth, formerly held of Adam the grantor’s father by William son of Thorkel.

Undated

Sale by Jordan son of Simon de Deneby to William son of Robert de Deneby of land to be held in service; a cash payment of half a silver mark to be made and one half penny to be paid annually in satisfaction of the service. [High Hoyland].

Undated

Grant by Robert de Weteleia to Robert son of Robert de Deneby of 6 acres of land in return for one silver mark and his homage and service, on account of which he is to pay 1 silver penny annually. [Wheatley Hill].

Undated

Grant by Margery daughter of Robert de Seleflei to Robert son of Robert de Deneby of all her land in Normanrode in return for 19s Od and his homage and service, on account of which he is to pay 1 silver penny annually.

Circa 1200

Barnby. Feoffment. Witnesses: Nicholas de Wortley, William de Brettun, John de Hoderode, Adam de Holand, Half de Rupe, Robert son of Berard of Berg, Adam son of Hugh of the same, William son of William of Denebi, Adam son of Arn’ of Barnebi, Alan son of Alan the clerk, Gilbert son of William the clerk, Gilbert son of Cornelius, and others.

Circa 1250

Cawthorne. Feoffment. Witnesses: Adam de Holand, William de Deneby, Hugh son of Saum of Bretton, Paulinus de Weldona, Robert de Wheatley, and others.

Circa - 1250

Between John son of Robert de Deneby, of the one part, and Robert his brother, of the other part; of part of his meadow on the north side of the vill of Calthorn in a place called Hoddeswallesick [?], and all his meadow on the north side of the vill which abutts on Wythyngreves, paying ½d rent, and a sum of money beforehand.

Witnesses: John de Thorpe, Adam son of Robert de Deneby, Hugh son of Agnes de Calthorn, William his son, John son of Alan, Richard de Calthorn and others.

Circa 1250

Grant between William son of Robert de Deneby, of the one part, and Robert his brother, of the other part; for his homage and service, and 20s, Robert gave William beforehand, the homage and service of Gilbert, son of Cornelus de Calthorn, a year, the grantee to pay the grantor 6d a year.

Witnesses: Adam de Holand, William de Deneby, Hugh son of Saum of Bretton, Paulinus de Weldona, Robert de Watelay, and others.

1252 – 1253

Langsett. Witnesses: Geoffrey de Loudham, Precentor of York, John de Hoderode, Seneschal of Pontefract, Ralf de Horebyri, Richard de Tankerley, William de Suttun, Robert de Ripariis, William de Peniston, Richard de Oxspring, William de Denby, Richard de Kyminton, Ralf de Rye, Thomas de Kyminton, William de Sibbethorp, and others.

Geoffrey de Loudham was made Arcxhbishop of York in 1258. A precentor was the leader of a cathedral choir/congregation and a member of the Cathedral Chapter.

1259 (25th June)

Witnesses: Lord Philip Darcy, John de la Ware, Radulph de Horby, Radulph Tilly, John de Bosceule, Simon de Ver, knights, Ranulph de Thorp, Adam de Deneby, Richard de Rodes, and many others.

Circa 1260 – 1270

Hoylandswaine, Witnesses.: William. de Penigeston, John del Holdefeld, William-Lord of Deneby, etc.

Circa 1274

Witnesses: Elyas de Smeyeton, Robert de Deneby, Robert de Barneby, Adam son of Sar, Henry de Byri, and others.

1275 (29th November)

Feoffment. Between Leticia Daughter of William de Balne of Barneby next Calthorn, of the one part, and Robert de Barneby, and Margaret his wife, of the other part; of a house and garden in the vill of Calthorn, between the high road from Calthorn to Silkstone on the west, and the land of Richard, clerk of Calthorn on the east, and between the messuage Agnes Burdet holds of St. Mary in the north, and the field of Calthorn on the south, for a sum of money they gave Leticia beforehand; the house and garden came to the grantor after the death of John de Balne her uncle. Endorsed: Agnes Burdet. 4 Ed 2.

This document takes our knowledge of Agnes Burdet back more than twenty years. Originally Agnes de Denby, the daughter of William de Denby, she married Almaricus Burdet and was contemporary with Peter Bourdet (Burdet). The St. Mary mentioned above is a reference to the Abbey at York.

1280 (7th May)

Agreement. Witnesses: Sir Brian Fitz Alan, Sir John de Meuwis, Sir Franco de Tyais, Sir William Daniell, Sir William de Hassethorpp, Henry de Rokelay, William de Denby, John de Peniston, Roger de Penigeston, Elyas de la Rode and others.

Before 1290

Witnesses: John de Schepelay, Thomas de Dronefeld, William de Deneby, Jordan de Belam, William de Hyrlaund, Robert Neget, William de Neutona.

Late 13th century

Feoffment [to grant posession of property]. John, son of Robert of Denby of the first part and Robert of Barneby of the second part.

1296

Release. By John, son of Roger Cok, to Sir John, Earl Warenne, of all lands and tenements descended to him from Thomas Cok, his Uncle, and Robert Cok, his brother, in Steynford, Fishlake and Conesburgh. Witnesses: amongst others, Sir Robert de Balliol.

For more information about Robert Balliol see volume I, pages 41-46.

Circa 1300

Feoffment. Witnesses: John de Thorp, William de Denby, John and Adam his brothers, John son of Alan, clerk of Calthorn, William son of William son of Robert de Barneby, William son of William Faber of the same, and Richard de Calthorn, clerk, and others.

Circa 1300

Quitclaim. Between John son of Robert de Denby, of the one part, and Robert de Barnby, of the other part; of the service he owes for 2 messuages, and 2 bovates of land in Barnby, hamlet of Calthorn, that is for a scutage of 40s, he owes 13½d and when more, more, and when less, less, and a rent of 2½d, for Wapentachferme. Robert is now only to pay 2d per annum to John.

‘Wapentachferme’ could be a reference to an original public meeting place in Cawthorne.

THE MANOR UNDER THE LORDSHIP OF THE BURDET FAMILY 1306-1317

Witnesses; John de Deneby, Robert son of Robert de Deneby, Roger de Gunnildesweyt, William de Estfeld, Thomas de Peniston, John de Thorp and others. [Penistone].

Circa 1318

Barugh. Grant. Between John son of Robert de Denby, of the one part, and Robert de Barneby, of the other part; of a rent of 7s 8d, from lands and Tenements Robert holds of John in Heghome, (Higham), hamlet of Bergh [Barugh], paid by the tenants William de Heghome 3s 1d, Henry de Heghome 15 & ¾d, Henry son of Beatrice de Bergh 11½d, the same Henry, and Alina widow of John Faber and Hugh son of Alina 20½d, John Woderove ½d, and John son of Walter de Heghome 6¼d.

1334 (17th February)

Feoffment. Between Margaret, widow of Robert de Barneby, of the one part, and Edmund her son, of the other part; of a messuage, a toft, ½ a bovate of land, and 3s rent from an assart of land called Gressecroft in Hokythorp in Calthorn, paid by the heirs or assigns of Robert de Denby and Roger Malet; also a house with a garden next to the lane of the courtyard of Calthorn, and 2 assarts called Edelinrode and Roghley, and a plot of meadow called Buteyinge, and an assart called Stewardrode, to hold in fee tail with reversion to the grantor.

To hold land in fee tail meant that inheritance was limited to a particular class of heirs.

Undated

Grant by Robert son of John de Thorp of Deneby to Peter Bourdet of a piece of enclosed land called ‘Syndirhill’ lying in a place called ‘Thorp’ in Deneby; the grantee paying 1d yearly and rendering all services appertaining thereto to the lords capital of the fee.

It is a pity that the latter document is undated, we have already met Peter Bourdet or Burdet in Volume II when, in 1292 he was commanded by the King to hand over Berwick Castle to the Scots. The Burdets of Lowesby had been active in Scotland since at least the time of William Burdet who was sewer to King Malcolm of Scotland between 1157 and 1162. A sewer was initially a high ranking servant who superintended the service at table in medieval times. It later became the position of an officer in the royal household. The de Denby family had also been active in Scotland. Robert Balliol had arrived in Denby before Bourdet handed over the castle and it could be speculated that Bourdet had been the man who supervised Balliol’s sojourn at Denby under the watchful eyes of it’s Lords. The latter could be seen as evidence of Bourdet arriving from Berwick and acquiring some land and as early evidence of the settlement of a Burdet family member in Denby. The fact that he is now known to have been here and holding land makes his connection to the men who became the Lords of the Manor almost certain. This might explain how Almaricus Burdet and Agnes de Denby met, it is almost certain that the two families grew to know of each other during the troubles with Scotland.

1344 (Feast of the Conception of the Virgin-Lady Day)

Witnesses Sir John de Bell Monte, knight, Emery Burdet, lord of Denby, and others.

1348 (25th May)

Feoffment. Witnesses: Adomar Burdet, John le Tours, Thomas de Bosevill, Richard de Mickylthwayt, William Chaumpenay, William son of Robert de Barneby, and others.

1351 (4th September)

Grant. Witnesses; Adam de Everingham of Rockely [Rockley], Nicholas de Wortelay, knights, Adomar Burdet, Hugh de Brerelay, Thomas de Bosseville of Erdeslay [Ardsley], John de Staynton, John de Dronfeld and others.

1352 (29th September)

Feoffment. Witnesses: Nicholas de Worteley, John de Scefeld, Emere (Aymer) Burdet, John de Gamulthwayt, Thomas Bosvyle, John de Stayneton, Robert son of William de Calvethorne, and others.

1385 (14th November)

Inspeximus and confirmation 1. William son of William, knight and lord of Emelay 2. Abbot and Convent of Bellalanda. William has inspected the charters that the Abbot and Convent of the Monastery of St. Mary of Bellalanda have of his ancestors and especially a certain confirmation of Sir William, son of William the confirmer’s great grandfather: Quitclaim of William son of William lord of Emelay to Abbot and Convent of Bellalanda all the lands and tenements which he has in his fee in Emeley, Bentley and Denby; to have and to hold in pure and perpetual alms free from all services etc.; except for 7s 6d to be paid by the abbot and convent; witnesses: John de Heton, John de Hodrod, John de Horbiry, knights; Simon de Cheveth, Richard de Brewysill, William de Swynton, John de Breton, William de Edwaldey, John de Bateley, Robert de Mirefeld Witnesses: Sirs Brian de Stapilton and Robert de Roos, knights; Thomas de Staynton, John de Worteley, John de Dronsefeld, Nicholas Burdet, John de Bentley, John de Clayton, Henry del Ker and others. At Emelay, 14 November, 9 Richard II.

Here we have further confirmation that Bellalanda (Byland) Abbey held land at Denby in the 14th century, and earlier, the document being witnessed by the Lord of Denby, Nicholas Burdet, amongst others.

1393 (25th November)

Barnby. Feoffment. Witnesses: John de Wortelay, Lord of Wortelay, John Woderoffe, Nicholas Burdett, William de Staynton, William de Doddeworth, and others.

1398 (7th July)

Joan, daughter of Robert Elkocc of over Denby to Adam, son of Robert Chedill, Agnes his wife (once the wife of Robert Elkocc) and Marjorie her daughter. All the goods, etc. which came to her after the decease of the said Robert Elkocc, as her portion. Given at Denby on the Feast day of the Translation of St. Thomas the Archbishop.

1407 (2nd January)

Grant. John Calthorne, parson of a moiety of the church of Huland, John Walker, chaplain, Thomas Wyntworth and Robert Corff of Wakefeld to John Bosvyll of Ardeslay: reversion of the manor of Gunthwayte and of property there and in Denby sometime of Thomas Bosvyll of Ardeslay, at present held for their lives by William Bosvyll and wife Joan. When the estate was granted by the grantors to William and John Bosvyll, the reversion was granted to Sir William de Dronsfeld now deceased. Witnesses. John Amyas, Robert Monk, John Frankys, John Holgrave [or Holgrene], John de Holdeworth. Given at Westbretton, Sunday after Circumcision. 8 Henry V.

1408 (13th September)

A commission for granting the administration of all the goods of Nicholas Burdet of Denby, dying intestate, to Richard his brother.

Richard Pittes etc. to our beloved in Christ, Master David, Rector of the church of the parish of Holand in the diocese of York, greeting etc. Because Nicholas Burdet, esquire, of Dendeby, in the diocese of York, has gone the way of all flesh, without making a will, as we understand, therefore for granting in legal form the administration of all the goods which belonged to the deceased at the time of his death to his brother and heir Richard Burdet, and wishing to allow this, and for placing this duty upon the said Richard, who shall make his corporal oath before you upon the Holy Gospel, and by faithfully making an inventory of all and singular the goods of the said deceased, and by administering them faithfully, and we shall receive a faithful account of his administration, when he is properly required to do so, (by rendering one as is lawfully required and demanded) we fully entrust this to you and we give our power to you by this present document.

Given at Thorp near York.

The Rector mentioned at High Hoyland was David Qwitchurch who had been here since at least 1400 and would have known the Lord of the Manor well.

1410 (5th September)

Demise : John Bosvile of Erdeslay to William de Staveley and wife Joan, for her life: manor of Gunnylthayt with 1 messuage, 70 acres land, 4 acres meadow and 6 acres wood in Calthorne, which he lately recovered from them. Witnesses: Richard Burdet, Richard Oxspring, John Halished, Thomas del Rodes, John Scotte. Given at Gunnylthwayt, 11 Henry IV.

1420 (2nd September)

Release and quitclaim. Richard Burdett to Thomas Tufton [Turton] of Smalshage. All claim to lands, woods, pastures etc. in Smalshage (Smallshaw) parish of Penistone, which he holds of the gift of Richard Worteley of Thurlston.

1433 (11th February)

Gift: John Bosvill of Neuhall, esq., to Lady Matilda de York, Countess of Cambridge, William Skargill, Percival Cresacre, William Mirfeld and James Cresacre: manors of Newhalle and Gunnyllthwayte. Moiety of manors of Westbritton, Bulcliffe and Berghe. All his property in Darfeld, Wombwell, Erdeslay, Werkesburghe, Berneslay, Calthorn, Denby, Hygheholand, Gunnylthwayte, Yngbrchworthe, Cambyworthe, Westbritton, Sandall, Wolley, Wykurslay, Frythe, Carhouse and Derton. Reversion of a moiety of the manors of Bulcliffe in Westbritton and Berghe and of all his property in Detton, Wolley, Kersforthe, Holdton and Bernby which Grace, widow of Sir William Dronesfeld held for her life, of the inheritance of the donor. Witnesses: Robert Mauleverer, esq., William Stodfold, chaplain, John Staynroyd, chaplain, Richard Stanes and John Munke. Given at Newhall.

1438 (1st June)

Lease. Thomas Monforth of Kylnehirst, to Alice Burdet, daughter of Richard Burdet of Denby. Two tenements in Rawmarsh, one in the possession of Richard Nowall and the other of Thomas Marsh; for life. Rawmarsh, 1st June (Pentecost).

Richard Burdet had been dead for almost two years before the latter document was created. The existence of Alice Burdet only came to light during my research for volume II, she was otherwise unknown. She was the sister of Robert Burdet, Lord of Denby, who died in 1451, and we can now add her husband’s name to the family tree. Kilnhurst is a few miles North East of Rotherham and about ten miles South East of Barnsley. The Rawmarsh mentioned above was the next village to the West of Kilnhurst. The same lands crop up in another document relating to Alice dating 11 years later:

1449 (12th March)

Quitclaim. John Bete of Gresbrok, to Alice the wife of Thomas Moumford of Kylnehyrste, daughter of Richard Bordehett of Denby, for the term of her life. All claims, etc., to two messuages in Rawmershe and Halghe and in a messuage in Loversall which John had of the gift of Thomas Moumford. Kylnehyrste, 12th March (Feast of St. Gregory), 1449.

1441 (17 May)

Farnley Tyas, Quitclaim. Witnesses: William Gascoigne, Robert Burdett, and William Helay, Rector of Emley.

1444 (January)

Grant. William Turton to John Danaster,