Monument record 2416/36 - Wakerley Manor

{1}Though not a major manor, the largest subsidiary fee in Oundle was that held in the late medieval period by the Wakerley family. This fee can be traced back to 1236 when Alvredus de Suleny held a tenement in Oundle from Thomas Pincebee for customary payment and service. By 1259-60 the overlord was John Grey from whom John de Suleny then held the messuage and 1 carrucate, and then in 1260-1 William de Monsea for 6/8d. This John Grey held a knights fee in Armston. In about 1250 Robert de Croyland and John Attehall held tenements in Oundle by grand serjeanty (a type of knight’s service). Presumably this is a different Robert to the rector in 1310 who died in 1342. Walter of Papley and Sir John of Ashton, Peter de Holt and William Brown all held tenements in Ashton in the same way.

By 1333 the property, now comprising a number of tenements was held by John de Crowland for 50/- from Thomas, son of Lord John of Pavenham. We find that in 1345 Thomas de Pakenham in turn held from Roger de Grey for 50/- rent 1 carucate of land which Basillia late wife of John of Croyland holds. In 1351 John of Croyland also held 12 acres of the fee of Walter of Ireland. Roger de Grey held 60 acres of land by service of a quarter of a knight’s fee. In 1346-7 John Pabenham had the rents of Oundle held of Roger de Grey for service of 1/4 knights fee and in 1398-9 Lawrence Pabenham still held these 60 acres in Oundle.

This must be the same manor as that held in 1400 by John Wakerley. He then held 1 tenement and 1 carucate for 12/-; 1 messuage of the lord and ?1 virgate; tenants, 1 tenement and 12a of the fee of Walter of Ireland; 1 tenement, the Wadhaus. Wakerley owed suit of court at Castor. In 1555 Edmund Elwes purchased tenements and pasture in Oundle and elsewhere from Richard Wakerley. This resulted in the fragmentation of the fee, with various lands being sold off. Hence by 1565 there was ‘A great Capital Messuage called le Bull and le corner howse..... This was a manor in Wakerleys days and kept a court baron which is now dismembered because the land is sold to diverse persons.’

<1> Foard G.; Ballinger J.;, 2002, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Oundle, Section 3.1.1.3 Wakerleys Manor (Report). SNN102637.

Record last edited

Apr 29 2021 2:41PM