Wingates: Selected Sources and Surveys

1.) Liber Feodorum (The Book of Fees) II, 1122; Northumberland, 1242

Barony of Earl Patrick:

Patrick earl of Dunbar holds in chief from the lord king, Beanley, Shipley, Edlingham, Brandon, Branton, Hedgeley, Middleton Hall with its member Roddam, North Middleton, South Middleton, Harehope, Lemmington, Netherwitton, Longwitton, Stanton with its member Learchild, Wingates and Longhorsley; and he returns to the lord king 30s for the three Middletons by the hand of the sheriff, and in return for the other townships (vills) that same earl acts as surety in respect of those (individuals) passing between England and Scotland.

Socage freeholdings of that same barony

• From that same earl John of Beanley holds Beanley for 12 marks (£8).
• John le Viscunt holds Shipley for half a mark (6s 8d).
• John son of Waldeve holds Edlingham, Hedgeley, Lemmington, Brandon,
• Branton and Longwitton for one sore sparrowhawk or 6d.
• Henry of Ilderton holds the three Middletons for 30s and one annual feast.
• Roger de Merley holds Netherwitton, Stanton with its member Learchild, Wingates and Longhorsley in free marriage.
• The Brothers of St Lazarus hold Harehope in pure alms and do no service.

2. Calendars of Inquisitions Post Mortem (Cal IPM) and Calendars of Inquisitions Miscellaneous (CalMisc)

Includes all indexed references relating to Wingates.

CalMisc I, 47; Westminster. 11 April 31 Henry III (1247).

Writ to Thomas de Stanford and Ralph de Creppinges, to enquire in conjunction with the sheriff of Northumberland into alienations made from the serjeanty of earl Patrick in that county.

Inquisition: Earl Patrick holds and ought to hold in serjeanty in Northumberland, Benley, Scipley, Hiddisley, Harope, Bromdun, Bremton, Lemonton, Wutton, Edlincham, Wytton, Wyndegates, Stanton, Horseley, Ritton and Leverilcheld; earl Patrick, father of the present earl, changed Benley which was drengage into the service of twelve marks of silver a year and John son of Alexander holds it; Gospatrick (Quespatricius) great-great-grandfather of the present earl gave Scipley to the ancestors of Rainetta wif of Everard le Tyes; and John de Ellinton and Richard Frebern hold it; the same Gospatrick gave to Edward Edlincham, Hyddisley, Lemonton, Witton, Bromdun, Bremton and Harope; Edward gave Bromdun, and Ralph de Feritate and Henry de Val hold it; he also gave Bremton, and John de Bremton holds it; Waltheof son of Edward gave Harope to the brethren of St Lazarus and they hold it now in alms; John son of Waltheof changed the drengage of Lemonton into free service and Adam de Lemonton holds it; the same John changed the drengage of Wutton into free service, and John de Wutton and several feoffees hold it; the said John lately died and earl Patrick has in his hands Edlincham and Hyddisley, but there are several feoffees there. King Henry I and earl Gospatrick gave to Randolph de Merlaco in free marriage with Juliana, daughter of Gospatrick, Wytton, Wyndegates, Horseley, Stanton, Ritton and Leveilcheld; Roger de Merlaco holds Wytton and Wyndegates, but there are several feoffees there; Walter son of William and Joan his wife hold Stanton and Leverilcheld; Hugh Gubbion and William de Horesley hold Horseley; Randolph de Merlaco gave Ritton in free alms to the abbey of Newminster and the abbot and convent hold it now.

Cal IPM I, no.775: Roger de Merlay

Writ of partition, 6 Nov. on the complaint of William de Craystok, who married Mary, eldest daughter and one of the heirs of the said Roger, that owing to the death of Alice the youngest daughter, who was in the king’s wardship, partition of the woods and parks had been omitted by the escheator, and Robert de Eure, who married Isabel, another daughter and heir, would not permit the said William and Mary to have their portion. Partition, 4 March, 55 Hen. III.

NORTHUMBERLAND. Morpath, Horseleye and Witton. Partition made, with full extent of boundaries, of the said parks and woods. And lot being cast, this is the part of Sir William de Graystoc,viz. – The western part of the forest, and Estparc with Schaldefen in Morpath; and to Sir Robert de Euer and his heirs remain, the eastern part of the forest, and Cotingwode and Westparc, and a parcel of wood in Widehaldeside.

Writ of ad plenum certiorari, 20 July, divers contentions having arisen upon the partition lately made. Inq. The day of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, 55 Hen. III

NORTHUMBERLAND. The whole inheritance of the said Roger in the county was parted at first as follows, viz. – Morpath assigned to Sir William, son of Thomas de Greystock, and Mary his wife, Wytton with the service of Wyndegate to the said Isabel, and Beuasys and Stanington with a parcel in Trenwell to the said Alice; but the woods remained unparted, the wood of Morpath in the custody of William and Mary, and the forest in that of Sir Geoffrey de Lesyni, who had the wardship of Isabel and Alice by the king’s gift.

After the death of Alice, her part was parted by lot between the said William and Mary and the guardian of the said Isabel, and both were content, but the woods were not parted by lot but assigned; Sir William was never content with his part, but Robert de Euyr was content. Whereupon Sir William procurred the king’s writ to the escheator (as above), and the woods were parted, and lots cast; but because the part formerly assigned to the said Robert fell to Sir William by lot, the said Robert holds it still be force, and William cannot have seisin thereof. Waste has been done by both parties but chiefly by Robert, and the escheator having taken an oath from Robert’s forester to keep the woods and parks safely, the said Robert removed him, so that the escheator could not fully perform the king’s mandate.

Cal IPM X no. 140 Roger de Somervill or de Somervyle (1338)

Inq. Taken at Newcastle-upon-Tyne on Saturday next before St. Matthias the Apostle, 11 Edward III (1338).

* Wytton Underwode. The manor, with certain tenements in Stanton, Wyndgates, and Skeles, belonging to the said manor (extents given), including rents from free tenants in Stanton, Leverycheheld, Wyndgates and Sheles, held at one time of Patrick, late earl of Dunbar, by knight’s service; and afterwards, the homage and services of the said Roger due to the said earl for the said manor and tenements, came to the king’s hand by the forfeiture of the said earl, who adhered to the Scots the king’s enemies, and so the said Roger was the king’s tenant through that forfeiture of the said earl: whether the said Roger attorned to the said Sir Henry in respect of the said services the jury know not, but they say that the said manor and tenements are held by knight’s service, and by rendering yearly to the king at his exchequer of Newcastle-upon-Tyne 23s. 9d. at the two feasts of St.Cuthbert.

[Philip] de Somerville, knight, his brother, aged 50 years and more is his next heir.

Writ, 20 February, 11 Edward III
Extent made at Newcastle-upon-Tyne on Saturday after St.Matthias the Apostle, 11 Edward III.

* Wytton. Certain tenements held by Gilbert de Wyndegate by service of a fortieth part of a knight’s fee.

Cal IPM X no. 254 Philip de Somervill (1356)

Writ, 28 January, 29 Edward III (1356)
Inq. Taken at Witton, Tuesday before St. Gregory, 29 Edward III.

* Witton. A third part of the manor (extent given) held of Sir Henry de Percy by homage and fealty. The extent includes a husband-land demised to Thomas Chaumberlayn for his life by Roger de Somervill, lately lord of Witton, brother of the deceased, at a rent of a rose yearly; herbage called “Edisleyclos”; a plot of herbage called”Helenclos” held by John Hannesson of Witton and his heirs by fealty and service of 4d yearly; a plot of herbage called “Sengetclos” held by the same John and his heirs by fealtyand by service of 4d yearly; and the following held as of said third part:-

- Horseley. Three carucates of land held by Thomas de Horsley and his heirs by homage and fealty and by doing suit at the said Philip’s court at Witton three times a yearand by service of a third part of a mark.

- Stanton. The manor held as of the said third part by John Corbet and his heirs by homage and fealty and suit at the court at Witton every three weeks and by service of a third part of half a mark yearly.

- Saltewyk. The manor held by Robert de Oggle the elder by homage and fealty and by doing suit at the said Philip’s court at Witton three times a year and by service of a third part of 4s.yearly.

- Witton. A Messuage and 50a. land held by Alice Clerk and her heirs by homage and fealty and by suit at the court at Witton every three weeks and by service of a third part of half a mark yearly; a messuage and 10a. land held by John le Forster and his heirs by fealty and by suit at the court at Witton every three weeks and by service of a third part of 3s. 8d. yearly;a messuage and 8a.land held by Roger Hannesson and his heirs by fealty and by a third part of 6s. yearly; a messuage and 12a. land held by Thomas Clerk and his heirs by fealty and by doing suit at the court at Witton every three weeks and by service of a third part of 3s. yearly; a cottage and two acres land held by John Clerk and his heirs by fealty and by service of a third part of 13d. yearly; a messuage and 20a. land held by Mariota, daughter of William Pederton, and her heirs by homage and fealty and by service of a third part of 6s. yearly; a messuage and 24a. land held by Alexander del Shele for life by fealty and by service of a third part of a mark yearly.

- From these services arising from the issues of a third part of the said manor of Witton must be deducted yearly a third part 40s. yearly, a rent charge granted to Adam Baret and his heirs by the ancestors of the deceased, late lords of Witton.

* Wyndegates. A third part of the hamlet (extent given), which is a member of the town of Witton. The extent includes a plot of herbage called Northstobclos farmed by Gerard de Woderyngton, and a plot of herbage called “Southstobclos” farmed by Thomas de Horsley. The said Gerard and his heirs held of the deceased in the hamlet a close of arable land and waste by homage and fealty and by service of a pair of gilt spurs yearly at Christmas. Gilbert de Wyndegates and his heirs held in the said hamlet two carucates of land by homage and fealty and by doing suit at the court at Witton every three weeks and by service of a third part of 3s. yearly.

Date of death not known, as he did not die in the county. Joan, now the wife of Rees ap Griffyth, of full age and more, and Maud, daughter of Elizabeth, late the wife of John de Stafford, aged 13 years, are his heirs. The said Joan and Elizabeth were daughters of the deceased.

Cal IPM XV no.237 Rees ap Griffitz, or Gryffith, or Griffyn, knight (1381)

Writ 26 May, 3 Richard II
Inq. Taken at Corbrigg, 24 July, 4 Richard II (1381). He held the under-mentioned parts of manors and a town in his demesne as of fee

* Wytton Bythewatre. A sixth part of the manor (extent given), held of Henry de Percy, earl of Northumberland, by service of a sixth part of a knight’s fee, as of the barony of Beanlye.

* Wyndgatys. A sixth part of the town, held of the king in chief by service of a knight’s fee.

Cal IPM XV, no. 287: Edmund de Vernon (1381)

Writ: 8 July, 3 Richard II
Inq.taken at Corbrygg, 25 January, 3 Richard II. He held the under-mentioned parts of manors etc. for life by the courtesy of England after the death of Maud , his wife, daughter of John de Stafford.

* Wytton Bythewatre. A sixth part of the manor (extent given), held of Henry de Percy, earl of Northumberland, by service of a sixth part of a knight’s fee, as of the barony of Benley.

* Wyngates. A sixth part of the town, held of the same earl by service of a sixteenth part of a knight’s fee, as of the barony of Benley.

Cal IPM XVI, no. 348: Henry ap Griffitz, knight (1388)

Writ, 3 February, 10 Richard II (1388)
Inq. Taken at Morpath, Tuesday after the Assumption, 11 Richard II.(1388)

* Witton Undirwood. The manor (extent given, including five-sixths of a wood called “Wittonpark”, divers sheilings called “Ratonshele”, and a close called “Stokbisclos”). John Corbet held of the said manor the town of Stanton by knight’s service and suit to the court of Witton. Thomas Horseley held of the same manor a moiety of Northorseley by fealty and suit of court and a rent of 13s. 4d. yearly. William de Wyndegatte held of the said manor divers lands etc. in Wyndegattes by fealty and service of 3s. yearly.

* Wyndeygates. 9 husband-lands.

* The said manor of Wytton and the lands in Wyndeygates are held of Henry de Percy, earl of Northumberland, by knight’s service, as of the barony of Benglay, late of Earl Patrick, by grant of the king’s progenitors. He died on 15 May, 46 Edward III(1373). Margaret his daughter, aged 17 years and more, is his heir. Joan his wife had possession of the premises and received the issues thereof all her life, because she was jointly enfeoffed thereof with him. She died on 10 October, 4 Richard II (1381), and after her death the king seised the premises by reason of the minority of the said Margaret, and granted them, together with the marriage of Margaret, to John de Nevill, who has had possession and received the issues ever since.

Cal IPM XVI, no. 651: Margaret wife of William de Carneby (1388)

Inq. (indented) taken at Corbrigg, 20 October, 11 Richard II.

* Wytton Undirwode. The manor (extent given), tenure not stated. The extent includes five parts of a watermill, five parts of a wood called “Wittonpark”, divers skalingie called “Scatonshole”, and a close called “Stobesclose”. John Corbett held of the same manor the vill of Santon by knight’s service and suit of court, Thomas de Horley held a moiety of Northorseley by realty, suit of court and a rent of 3s. 4d. yearly, and William de Wyndegate held divers lands in Wyndegattes by fealty and service of 2s. yearly.

* Wyndegates. 9 husband-lands, held of Henry Percy, earl of Northumberland, by knight’s service, as of the barony of Ben…

She died on 29 September last. Thomas ap Gryffytz, son of Res ap Gryffytz brother of the said (sic) Henry, father of the said Margaret, aged 12 years and more, is her heir.

Cal Misc VII, 363:

INQUISITIONS

Writ to the escheator in co. Northumberland to inquire whether Thomas son of Richard ap Griffith, knight, alienated without licence any lands or tenements in Nether Witton, Stannington, Long Benton and Wingates or elsewhere in the county, which are held of the king in chief, to William Neweport, knight, Thomas Langley, Henry Titussone, clerk, Henry Swan of Broomley. Roger de Wandesford of Thurnham and John Yoxhale. Westminster. 28 May 9 Henry IV [1408]. Faded.

Inquisition (indented) before John de Wyderyngton, escheator. Alnwick. Saturday…[St. Matt]hew.Thomas never alienated any lands, tenements, rents or services in the said places or [elsewhere] to the said persons or made any feoofment, demise or seisin thereof to them or to anybody else down to 18 July 6 Henry IV, when he enfeoffed Roger de Thronton, John Fenwyke, chaplain, and Thomas de Chester, ‘vyntner’, of the premises and of all his other lands, tenements, rents, services, hamlets and members in the county (Calendar of Close Rolls, 1405-09, p.89; cf. Pp87-8, 100) by (sic) the king’s letters patent of pardon of the trespass [and] entry of the feoffees by reason of their purchase, if they are held of the king (Calendar of Patent Rolls, 1405-1408, p.138); but the jurors are uncertain whether they are so held or rather are held of John the king’s son as of the barony of Beanley.

Cal IPM XIX, no. 504: John Heron of Thrunton (1408)

Writ, 12 Oct 1408
Inq. Taken at Morpath, 21 Nov

* Whitfield by Todburn, an enclosure so-called of the barony of ‘Marley’ by a rentof 1 lb of cumin, annual value 6s 8d.

Cal IPM XXI, no. 111: Ralph, Baron Greystoke)

Writ, 14 April 1418
Inq. Newcastle upon Tyne castle, 28 April

* Long Horsley township: rents of free tenants, 19d; farm of land called ‘Burdlandes’ 40s; tenants-at-will with ‘Scaling’ and for ‘Horsleyhurst’ 35s.

* Todburn township: 6 messuages, 20 acr. Husbandlands, 27s; and half water-mill held by tenants-at-will 10s.

Inquisitions Post Mortem relating to Todburn (reproduced by Hodgson 1832, 95)

IPM. Sir John Graystock, taken at Newcastle upon Tyne, 7 Oct., 15 Henry VI (1437)

Item they say that there are in the town of Horslee which is parcel of the said manor of Morpeth twenty pence rent for the services to be paid p’annum. And there are there eight husband lands which are worth p’annum beyond charges forty shillllings. And there are there ten cottages which are worth per annum beyond charges fifteen shillings. And there is there one pasture called Horslee Hirst containing 300 acres and is worth per annum beyond charges 20 shillings. Also they say that in the townof Todburne which is a parcel of the same manor there are six messuages which are worth per annum beyond charges three shillings and four pence. Also there are there in the same thirty acres of arable land which are worth p’annum beyond charges twenty shillings. And there is there the moiety of a water corn mill and it is worth p’annum beyond charges ten shillings.”

IPM. Elizabeth Dacre, taken at Haltiswell, 9 Henry VIIII:-

Item the jurors say that the afsd Elizabeth died seized jointly with the afsd lord Dacre of the manor of Horslee parcel of the barony of Merley afsd and that there are there seven husband lands with certain acres of land and meadow in the tenure of divers tenants every husband land whereof is worth p’ann. 6s. 8d. And that there is there one seyl close containing sixteen acres of pasture every acre whereof is worth 4d. And there is one small close there called Gibbes Close containing two acres of pasture and meadow and each acre is worth p’ann. 8d. And there is one water and grain mill there called Horsley Mill a moiety of which is worth p’ann. Beyond charges 8s. And that there are at Todburne parcel of the town of Horsley two tenements with lands and meadow to the same appertaining each of which is worth p’ann. 13s 4d. And that there is there one free forest parcel of the barony of Merley afsd called Horsley Forest in which are held two courts of forest at the feast of Ester and St Michael yearly, and all in the said forest pasturing are amerced, which court is worth p’ann. Twenty shillings. And there is in the forest afsd by custom a certain annual rent of thirteen shillings and four pence by tenants of the town of Fenruther paid conditionally by estoppel of there beasts within the forest afsd so that they do not keep the said beasts in the forest aforesaid.”

Cal IPM Henry VII, Vol. III, no. 7: Henry, Earl of Northumberland

Inquisition: Tuesday last day of September, 21 Henry VII (1506)

He died 12 April, 4 Henry VII (1489), seised in fee of the under-mentioned manors and towns. Henry Percy, earl of Northumberland, aged 28 years and more, is his son and heir.

NORTHUMBERLAND

• Manor of Benlye, worth 20 marks
• Manor of Shiplay or Shipleye, worth 10l
• Manor of Edlingham, worth 10l
• Manor of Braundon, or Brandon, worth 10 marks
• Manor of Breinton, worth 10 marks
• Manor of Hydesley, or Hidesley, worth 10l
• Manor of Middelton, or Middilton, worth 100s
• Manor of Rodum, worth 100s
• Manor of Middelton, worth 100s
• Manor of Thom’ Middelton, worth 100s
• Manor of Harchop, or Harrop, worth 6 marks
• Manor of Lemotton, or Lemooton, worth 10l
• Manor of Witton, or Wytton, worth 10l
• Manor of Wotton, worth 20 marks
• Manor of Staneton, or Stanton, worth 10l
• Manor of Levercheheld, worth 5l
• Manor of Wyndigaites, or Wyndiyates, worth 10 marks (?6. 13s. 4d.)
• Manor of Horsle, or Horsley, worth 20 marks

He held them of the king in chief, by what services the jurors know not.

3. The Lay Subsidy 1296

(Fraser (ed.) 1968, 175-6, no.405)

The Northumberland Lay Subsidy Roll of 1296 is the first document which provides an overall listing of the inhabitants of Wingates. It was a tax of one fifteenth of the value of personal goods and chattels of each household, levied by Edward I to fund his military campaigns. Some words of caution need to be expressed regarding its value. It is NOT a census return. Only the head of each household was named (predominantly men therefore) and not every head of household in each township was necessarily named since the poorest individuals, whose goods did not exceed a modest minimum value, were exempt. To prevent undue hardship, villagers were in any case, by custom, exempt on their clothing, household goods, food in the larder but not for sale, ploughs, small carts, rakes and spades. Knights, gentlemen and their wives were exempt on such personal effects as armour, riding horses, jewels and clothing, plus vessels of gold, silver and brass (see Fraser 1968, ). One is tempted to ask what goods were left to be assessed, but the underlying principle seems to have been to exempt people on goods and possessions which were essential to their occupation or social station. Thus for the ordinary villagers of Wingates the principal items assessed would be their livestock and harvested crops. The assessments were carried out by a jury set up in each ward under the supervision of county assessors and collectors. The jurors were assisted by the local reeve or bailiff and four other men in each township in order to produce detailed local assessments listing each taxpayer’s goods. Unfortunately very few of these local assessments, which would be so useful to historians, have survived.

The original document was in Latin. Personal names have been translated into English unless the Latin is ambiguous. A number of apparent surnames may in fact be descriptive labels rather than hereditary surnames, i.e. they should be interpreted as William the shepherd, rather than William Shepherd (see Fraser 1968, xix-xx, who notes there are probably too few listed in the Lay Subsidy assessments to be proper surnames). Wingates with Garretlee (Wyndegat’ cum Gerardisley) in the ward between Wansbeck and Coquet (Warda inter Wanspick’ et Coket)

4. Vetera Indictamenta 1580-1630 (1 vol. Calendared – NRO QSI)

209: 23 December, 1 James I (1603)

John Blyth of le Wholme, yeoman at Wingate, stole one ewe worth 6s 8d from Francis Jowsey of Wingate.

789: 24 May, 15 James I (1617)

George Blair f. of Horsfeilde Lee, laboure at Windegates, stole one ewe worth 6s, from William Leighton of Windigates, yeoman.