Monument record 7199/66 - The Knights Hospitaller Manor

Unloacted within settlement

There were three manors in Buckby in the early 12th century, though only two are identifiable in 1086. Another manor appears in the 14th century, which cannot at present be related with confidence to the earlier three. It has not been possible to identify the location of the manors within the village, other than the castle that is presumed to have been the capital messuage of one manor in the 12th century. Neither has it been possible to determine whether the tenants of the different manors were to be found within discrete parts of the settlement.

Just one manor is named in Buckby in 1086, and that was only of 3 virgates. In 1066 it had been held freely by Turbern and Alric but by 1086 was held by Alfred from the Count of Mortain. He held 3 virgates, land for 1.5 ploughs that were there with 6 villeins and 2 bordars. There were also 3 acres of meadow. The value in 1066 had been 4/- but in 1086 was 6/-. The absence of any demesne or slaves would suggest that there was not a capital messuage at Buckby at this time. In the early 12th century William Fitz-Alfred (the son of Alfred) held half a hide in Buckby of the fee of Montacute and this can probably be equated with the Mortain property. However, frequently elsewhere in the county the Earl of Leicester is seen to be the heir of the Mortain estates and so it is possible that the Mortain manor is that recorded in the early 12th century as belonging to the Earl of Leicester. Also relevant to the descent of this manor is the origin of the Revell manor, discussed below.
All or part of the Fitz-Alfred manor was granted to the Knights Hospitaller who, in the mid 13th century, held the third part of one small fee in Buckby, belonging to the manor of Hetherinton. That this was the Fitz-Alfred manor can be seen in 1295-6 when the Prior of the Hospital of St. John was said to hold part of the township of Buckby as heirs of Montacute, who held it of the abbot of Gresteyn. In 1346-7 John Shelton held a third of a fee in Buckby of the Prior of St. John. After the dissolution the property had been granted to princess Elizabeth, but in 1557-8 the property belonged to the preceptory of Dingley, when the Knights Hospitaller were briefly restored by Queen Mary. Recovery of the property by the crown after Mary?s death probably led to its incorporation with the Chokes manor, which was by then held by the crown. (1)

<1> FOARD G., 2000, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Long Buckby (Medieval + Post Medieval), (unchecked) (Report). SNN100746.

Record last edited

Apr 6 2001 10:01AM