Douglas Richardson
2020-10-11 21:49:00 UTC
Dear Newsgroup ~
Complete Peerage 10 (1945): 216–221 (sub Oxford) has a good account of Sir Robert de Vere, 5th Earl of Oxford [died 1296]. Regarding his marriage, the following information is provided:
"He married Alice, daughter and heiress of Gilbert de Sanford, hereditary Chamberlain to the Queen for her Coronation, by Loretta, daughter of (-----) ... Alice died before 9 (probably 7) September 1312, at Canfield, and was buried at Earls Colne." END OF QUOTE.
In footnote j on page 217, the following additional information is provided regarding Alice:
"Alice inherited the manors of Great Hormead and Nuthampstead (Herts) and Fingrith, Margaretting, and Woolverston in Chigwell (Essex), all held in grand serjeantry by the service of acting as the Queen's Chamberlain at her Coronation." END OF QUOTE.
Recently I encountered a Common Pleas lawsuit dated 1253 which confirms C.P.'s statement that Alice, wife of Robert de Vere, was the daughter of Gilbert de Sanford. This lawsuit provides the additional detail that Alice was the heir of Nicholas de Sanford. A brief abstract of the lawsuit is provided below.
"In 1253 Roger de Saunford sued Robert de Veer and Alice his wife, daughter of Gilbert de Saunford, and heir of Nicholas de Saunford, that they warrant to him one mill and lands in Grimsby, Northamptonshire, which William de Parco claimed as his right." END OF ABSTRACT.
Reference:
Court of Common Pleas, KB26/148, image 2 (available at http://aalt.law.uh.edu/H3/KB26_148/0002.htm).
So who was Nicholas de Sanford?
A deed recorded in Descriptive Catalogue of Ancient Deeds 1 (1890): 58 shows that Alice de Sanford's father, Sir Gilbert de Saunford, together with Nicholas de Saunford, Roger de Saunford, and Laurence de Saunford, served as witnesses to an undated deed from William de Reymes, Knt., to Gilbert Basset. This document may be viewed at the following weblink:
https://books.google.com/books?id=xR0XAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA58
Reports and Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society 52 (1922): 224 reports the following concerning Nicholas de Sanford:
"Nicholas de Sanford was granted Leckwith [Glamorganshire] by Richard de Clare 1243-62, and he transferred it to his brother Laurence, Nicholas died in 1252 according to Matthew Paris. In 1262 a Fulco de Sanford held Leckwith but by 1294 it was in the de Clare hands." END OF QUOTE.
Collectanea Topographica et Genealogica 6 (1840): 351 includes a charter of feoffment of Nicholas de Sanford whereby he "grants, etc. to Sir Laurence de Sanford his brother, and his heirs, for his homage and service, all his manor of Estune in the county of Buckingham, which he had of the gift of John de Sanford formerly his father, reserving a yearly rent of 4d." Witnesses include Sir Roger de Sanford who is presumably the same person as the plaintiff in the 1253 lawsuit above. This charter can be viewed at the following weblink:
https://books.google.com/books?id=mycAAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA351
The following three deeds confirm Nicholas de Sanford's ownership of Lecquid (or Leckwith), Glamorganshire, and the transfer of this property by him to his brother Sir Laurence de Sanford:
Glam. A. 4870. Grant by Richard de Clare, earl of Gloucester and Hertford, to Sir Nicholas de Sanford, of the manor of Lecquid, with 'heybote' and 'hushote' in all the grantor's forests of Meyskin. Witnesses;—Sirs Stephen Baucen, sheriff of Glamorgan, Walter de Sullie, William de Reygny, and others (named). [AD. 1233–45.]
Glam. A. 4871. Grant by Nicholas de Sandford, to Sir Laurence de Sandford, his brother, of the manor of Lecquid. Witnesses:—Sirs Philip Basseth, William Dyve, Oliver de Ingham, Roger de Sandford, Adam de Dutton, and others (named). Fragment of seal of arms.
Glam. A. 4872. Grant by Laurence de Sanford, to Sir Philip Basset, of the manor of Lecquid. Witnesses:—Sir Hugh le Despenser (dispensator'), justiciary of England, Richard de Culewurth, constable of the Tower of London, Henry de Wykham and others (named).
Reference: Desc. Cat. Ancient Deeds 3 (1900): 115, which may be viewed at the following weblink:
https://books.google.com/books?id=g1M4AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA115
The following undated Ancient Deed indicates that Nicholas de Sanford was the brother of Thomas de Sanford:
A. 3220. Grant by William de Monte Acuto, son of Drew (Droci) de Monte Acuto, to Philip Basset, of all his land in Therlebergh, paying a pair of gilt spurs or 6d. yearly. Witnesses:— Ralph de Ardern, Thomas and Nicholas de Sanford, brothers, and others (named).
Reference: Desc. Cat. Ancient Deeds 2 (1894): 167.
Matthew of Paris, Chronica Majora 5 (Rolls Ser. 57) (1880): 236 confirms that Sir Nicholas de Sanford died in 1252:
"Obiit Nicholaus de Sanford. Tempore quoque sub eodem, videlicet decimo tertio kalendas Februarii, obiit Nicholas de Sanford miles."
The above can be viewed at the following weblink:
https://books.google.com/books?id=ufYKAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA273#v=onepage&q&f=false
Elsewhere I find that VCH Essex 4 (1956): 24-32 sub Chigwell includes the following information regarding the Sanford family:
In 1066 the manor of WOOLSTON was held by Earl Harold. It was then taken by King William and in 1086 was held by him in demesne. (fn. 233) During the 12th century the manor was granted to the Sanford family to hold in serjeanty by virtue of the office of chamberlain to the queen. (fn. 234) A John de Sanford held the manor in 1210-12 (fn. 235) and Cecily de Sanford in 1219. (fn. 236) Gilbert de Sanford held Woolston in 1236, in which year he officiated at the coronation of Eleanor of Provence. (fn. 237) He was still living in 1248, (fn. 238) but was dead by April 1249 when the wardship of his daughter and heir Alice de Sanford was bought by Fulk Basset, Bishop of London. (fn. 239) In June 1249 the bishop sold the wardship to Hugh de Vere, Earl of Oxford, who married Alice to his son and heir Robert. (fn. 240) In 1259 John de Rivers, lord of Ongar hundred, granted to Robert de Vere and Alice his wife a release of 4d. rent at their view of frankpledge at Woolston. (fn. 241) In 1265 Robert's estates were forfeited for his part in the Barons' War; the township of Woolston was then said to be worth £6 6s. 8d. a year. (fn. 242) Robert recovered his estates under the Dictum of Kenilworth, but before this, in October 1265, all Alice's hereditary lands had been restored to her. (fn. 243). In 1284 Robert and Alice granted the reversion of Woolston after their deaths to their daughter Joan and her husband William de Warenne, son and heir of John de Warenne, Earl of Surrey (d. 1304). (fn. 244) Robert died in 1296; Woolston was then being held of him and Alice by William le Plomer. (fn. 245) Alice died in 1312." END OF QUOTE.
The above may be viewed at the following weblink:
https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/essex/vol4/pp24-32
Reviewing the above, it appears that Alice de Sanford's father, Sir Gilbert de Sanford (died c.1249), was the son and heir of John de Sanford who occurs in 1210-12. Given that Sir Gilbert de Sanford occurs in records with Sir Nicholas de Sanford and Sir Laurence de Sanford, and given that Sir Nicholas de Sanford's father was also named John de Sanford, I believe it is safe to conclude that Sir Gilbert de Sanford was the brother of Sir Nicholas de Sanford (died 1252), Sir Laurence de Sanford, and Thomas Sanford. This in turn would place Sir Nicholas de Sanford (died 1252) as the uncle of Sir Gilbert de Sanford's daughter and heir, Alice de Sanford, wife of Sir Robert de Vere, 5th Earl of Oxford.
For interest's sake, the following is a list of the 17th Century New World immigrants that descend from Sir Robert de Vere and his wife, Alice de Sanford:
Robert Abell, Elizabeth Alsop, Samuel Argall, William Asfordby, Barbara Aubrey, John Barclay, Charles Barham, Henry, Thomas & William Batte, Anne Baynton, Marmaduke Beckwith, Dorothy Beresford, John Bevan, Essex Beville, William Bladen, George & Nehemiah Blakiston, Thomas Booth, Elizabeth Bosvile, Mary Bourchier, George, Giles & Robert Brent, Edward Bromfield, Obadiah Bruen, Stephen Bull, Charles Calvert, Kenelm Cheseldine, Grace Chetwode, James & Norton Claypoole, St. Leger Codd, Elizabeth & Thomas Coytemore, William Crymes, Francis Dade, Humphrey Davie, Frances, Jane & Katherine Deighton, Edward Digges, Thomas Dudley, Rowland Ellis, John Fenwick, Henry Filmer, John Fisher, Henry Fleete, Edward Foliot, Thomas Gerard, William Goddard, Muriel Gurdon, Elizabeth & John Harleston, Warham Horsmanden, Patrick Houston, Edward Howell, Anne Humphrey, Daniel & John Humphrey, Edmund Jennings, Matthew Kempe, Mary Launce, Thomas Ligon, Nathaniel Littleton, Thomas Lloyd, Anne Lovelace, Henry, Jane & Nicholas Lowe, Gabriel, Roger & Sarah Ludlow, Thomas Lunsford, Agnes Mackworth, Roger & Thomas Mallory, Anne, Elizabeth & John Mansfield, Oliver Manwaring, Anne & Katherine Marbury, Elizabeth Marshall, Anne Mauleverer, Richard More, John and Margaret Nelson, Philip & Thomas Nelson, Ellen Newton, Elizabeth, Joshua, & Rebecca Owen, Thomas Owsley, John Oxenbridge, Richard Palgrave, Herbert Pelham, William & Elizabeth Pole, Henry & William Randolph, Edward Raynsford, Thomas Rudyard, Katherine Saint Leger, Diana & Grey Skipwith, Mary Johanna Somerset, John Stockman, John Throckmorton, Samuel & William Torrey, Margaret Touteville, John & Lawrence Washington, John West, Hawte Wyatt, Amy Wyllys.
Do you descend from Sir Robert de Vere and his wife, Alice de Sanford. If so, I'd very much appreciate seeing your line of descent posted here on the newsgroup.
Douglas Richardson, Historian & Genealogist
Complete Peerage 10 (1945): 216–221 (sub Oxford) has a good account of Sir Robert de Vere, 5th Earl of Oxford [died 1296]. Regarding his marriage, the following information is provided:
"He married Alice, daughter and heiress of Gilbert de Sanford, hereditary Chamberlain to the Queen for her Coronation, by Loretta, daughter of (-----) ... Alice died before 9 (probably 7) September 1312, at Canfield, and was buried at Earls Colne." END OF QUOTE.
In footnote j on page 217, the following additional information is provided regarding Alice:
"Alice inherited the manors of Great Hormead and Nuthampstead (Herts) and Fingrith, Margaretting, and Woolverston in Chigwell (Essex), all held in grand serjeantry by the service of acting as the Queen's Chamberlain at her Coronation." END OF QUOTE.
Recently I encountered a Common Pleas lawsuit dated 1253 which confirms C.P.'s statement that Alice, wife of Robert de Vere, was the daughter of Gilbert de Sanford. This lawsuit provides the additional detail that Alice was the heir of Nicholas de Sanford. A brief abstract of the lawsuit is provided below.
"In 1253 Roger de Saunford sued Robert de Veer and Alice his wife, daughter of Gilbert de Saunford, and heir of Nicholas de Saunford, that they warrant to him one mill and lands in Grimsby, Northamptonshire, which William de Parco claimed as his right." END OF ABSTRACT.
Reference:
Court of Common Pleas, KB26/148, image 2 (available at http://aalt.law.uh.edu/H3/KB26_148/0002.htm).
So who was Nicholas de Sanford?
A deed recorded in Descriptive Catalogue of Ancient Deeds 1 (1890): 58 shows that Alice de Sanford's father, Sir Gilbert de Saunford, together with Nicholas de Saunford, Roger de Saunford, and Laurence de Saunford, served as witnesses to an undated deed from William de Reymes, Knt., to Gilbert Basset. This document may be viewed at the following weblink:
https://books.google.com/books?id=xR0XAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA58
Reports and Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society 52 (1922): 224 reports the following concerning Nicholas de Sanford:
"Nicholas de Sanford was granted Leckwith [Glamorganshire] by Richard de Clare 1243-62, and he transferred it to his brother Laurence, Nicholas died in 1252 according to Matthew Paris. In 1262 a Fulco de Sanford held Leckwith but by 1294 it was in the de Clare hands." END OF QUOTE.
Collectanea Topographica et Genealogica 6 (1840): 351 includes a charter of feoffment of Nicholas de Sanford whereby he "grants, etc. to Sir Laurence de Sanford his brother, and his heirs, for his homage and service, all his manor of Estune in the county of Buckingham, which he had of the gift of John de Sanford formerly his father, reserving a yearly rent of 4d." Witnesses include Sir Roger de Sanford who is presumably the same person as the plaintiff in the 1253 lawsuit above. This charter can be viewed at the following weblink:
https://books.google.com/books?id=mycAAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA351
The following three deeds confirm Nicholas de Sanford's ownership of Lecquid (or Leckwith), Glamorganshire, and the transfer of this property by him to his brother Sir Laurence de Sanford:
Glam. A. 4870. Grant by Richard de Clare, earl of Gloucester and Hertford, to Sir Nicholas de Sanford, of the manor of Lecquid, with 'heybote' and 'hushote' in all the grantor's forests of Meyskin. Witnesses;—Sirs Stephen Baucen, sheriff of Glamorgan, Walter de Sullie, William de Reygny, and others (named). [AD. 1233–45.]
Glam. A. 4871. Grant by Nicholas de Sandford, to Sir Laurence de Sandford, his brother, of the manor of Lecquid. Witnesses:—Sirs Philip Basseth, William Dyve, Oliver de Ingham, Roger de Sandford, Adam de Dutton, and others (named). Fragment of seal of arms.
Glam. A. 4872. Grant by Laurence de Sanford, to Sir Philip Basset, of the manor of Lecquid. Witnesses:—Sir Hugh le Despenser (dispensator'), justiciary of England, Richard de Culewurth, constable of the Tower of London, Henry de Wykham and others (named).
Reference: Desc. Cat. Ancient Deeds 3 (1900): 115, which may be viewed at the following weblink:
https://books.google.com/books?id=g1M4AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA115
The following undated Ancient Deed indicates that Nicholas de Sanford was the brother of Thomas de Sanford:
A. 3220. Grant by William de Monte Acuto, son of Drew (Droci) de Monte Acuto, to Philip Basset, of all his land in Therlebergh, paying a pair of gilt spurs or 6d. yearly. Witnesses:— Ralph de Ardern, Thomas and Nicholas de Sanford, brothers, and others (named).
Reference: Desc. Cat. Ancient Deeds 2 (1894): 167.
Matthew of Paris, Chronica Majora 5 (Rolls Ser. 57) (1880): 236 confirms that Sir Nicholas de Sanford died in 1252:
"Obiit Nicholaus de Sanford. Tempore quoque sub eodem, videlicet decimo tertio kalendas Februarii, obiit Nicholas de Sanford miles."
The above can be viewed at the following weblink:
https://books.google.com/books?id=ufYKAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA273#v=onepage&q&f=false
Elsewhere I find that VCH Essex 4 (1956): 24-32 sub Chigwell includes the following information regarding the Sanford family:
In 1066 the manor of WOOLSTON was held by Earl Harold. It was then taken by King William and in 1086 was held by him in demesne. (fn. 233) During the 12th century the manor was granted to the Sanford family to hold in serjeanty by virtue of the office of chamberlain to the queen. (fn. 234) A John de Sanford held the manor in 1210-12 (fn. 235) and Cecily de Sanford in 1219. (fn. 236) Gilbert de Sanford held Woolston in 1236, in which year he officiated at the coronation of Eleanor of Provence. (fn. 237) He was still living in 1248, (fn. 238) but was dead by April 1249 when the wardship of his daughter and heir Alice de Sanford was bought by Fulk Basset, Bishop of London. (fn. 239) In June 1249 the bishop sold the wardship to Hugh de Vere, Earl of Oxford, who married Alice to his son and heir Robert. (fn. 240) In 1259 John de Rivers, lord of Ongar hundred, granted to Robert de Vere and Alice his wife a release of 4d. rent at their view of frankpledge at Woolston. (fn. 241) In 1265 Robert's estates were forfeited for his part in the Barons' War; the township of Woolston was then said to be worth £6 6s. 8d. a year. (fn. 242) Robert recovered his estates under the Dictum of Kenilworth, but before this, in October 1265, all Alice's hereditary lands had been restored to her. (fn. 243). In 1284 Robert and Alice granted the reversion of Woolston after their deaths to their daughter Joan and her husband William de Warenne, son and heir of John de Warenne, Earl of Surrey (d. 1304). (fn. 244) Robert died in 1296; Woolston was then being held of him and Alice by William le Plomer. (fn. 245) Alice died in 1312." END OF QUOTE.
The above may be viewed at the following weblink:
https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/essex/vol4/pp24-32
Reviewing the above, it appears that Alice de Sanford's father, Sir Gilbert de Sanford (died c.1249), was the son and heir of John de Sanford who occurs in 1210-12. Given that Sir Gilbert de Sanford occurs in records with Sir Nicholas de Sanford and Sir Laurence de Sanford, and given that Sir Nicholas de Sanford's father was also named John de Sanford, I believe it is safe to conclude that Sir Gilbert de Sanford was the brother of Sir Nicholas de Sanford (died 1252), Sir Laurence de Sanford, and Thomas Sanford. This in turn would place Sir Nicholas de Sanford (died 1252) as the uncle of Sir Gilbert de Sanford's daughter and heir, Alice de Sanford, wife of Sir Robert de Vere, 5th Earl of Oxford.
For interest's sake, the following is a list of the 17th Century New World immigrants that descend from Sir Robert de Vere and his wife, Alice de Sanford:
Robert Abell, Elizabeth Alsop, Samuel Argall, William Asfordby, Barbara Aubrey, John Barclay, Charles Barham, Henry, Thomas & William Batte, Anne Baynton, Marmaduke Beckwith, Dorothy Beresford, John Bevan, Essex Beville, William Bladen, George & Nehemiah Blakiston, Thomas Booth, Elizabeth Bosvile, Mary Bourchier, George, Giles & Robert Brent, Edward Bromfield, Obadiah Bruen, Stephen Bull, Charles Calvert, Kenelm Cheseldine, Grace Chetwode, James & Norton Claypoole, St. Leger Codd, Elizabeth & Thomas Coytemore, William Crymes, Francis Dade, Humphrey Davie, Frances, Jane & Katherine Deighton, Edward Digges, Thomas Dudley, Rowland Ellis, John Fenwick, Henry Filmer, John Fisher, Henry Fleete, Edward Foliot, Thomas Gerard, William Goddard, Muriel Gurdon, Elizabeth & John Harleston, Warham Horsmanden, Patrick Houston, Edward Howell, Anne Humphrey, Daniel & John Humphrey, Edmund Jennings, Matthew Kempe, Mary Launce, Thomas Ligon, Nathaniel Littleton, Thomas Lloyd, Anne Lovelace, Henry, Jane & Nicholas Lowe, Gabriel, Roger & Sarah Ludlow, Thomas Lunsford, Agnes Mackworth, Roger & Thomas Mallory, Anne, Elizabeth & John Mansfield, Oliver Manwaring, Anne & Katherine Marbury, Elizabeth Marshall, Anne Mauleverer, Richard More, John and Margaret Nelson, Philip & Thomas Nelson, Ellen Newton, Elizabeth, Joshua, & Rebecca Owen, Thomas Owsley, John Oxenbridge, Richard Palgrave, Herbert Pelham, William & Elizabeth Pole, Henry & William Randolph, Edward Raynsford, Thomas Rudyard, Katherine Saint Leger, Diana & Grey Skipwith, Mary Johanna Somerset, John Stockman, John Throckmorton, Samuel & William Torrey, Margaret Touteville, John & Lawrence Washington, John West, Hawte Wyatt, Amy Wyllys.
Do you descend from Sir Robert de Vere and his wife, Alice de Sanford. If so, I'd very much appreciate seeing your line of descent posted here on the newsgroup.
Douglas Richardson, Historian & Genealogist