Research Notes:

Plea Roll No. 9.

Headed, "In Octabis Sancti Michaelis." [6th October, 1220.]

Leic.-Derb. Ralph Grim and Idonea his wife, Geoffrey de Griseleg and Margery his wife, Simon de Berkeston and Elizabeth his wife, were attached to answer by what warrant they intruded themselves into the land which Matilda de Sumervill had held in Cusinton, which land should descend, it is said, by hereditary right, after the death of Matilda, to Roger de Sumervill, who is within age, and in ward to the King; and they appeared and denied the intrusion, and stated that they hold the land as hereditary right of Idonea, Margery, and Elizabeth, which descended to them from the said Matilda their mother, who died seised of it for long after the death of Roger de Sumervill, father of the said Roger. They also stated that Matilda did not hold that land nor any other of the King; and because Roger fitz Roger is the brother of the said Idonea and the others, et est de masculo, it is considered that he has the greater right. Let him have therefore seisin, and the others be in misericordiâ. m. 9, dorso. ¹

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Plea Roll No. 7, Tower Records

Second Membrane, headed, "Placita coram Rege, in Octabis Sancti Michaelis, anno R. R., XXVII." [6th October, 1243.]

Staff. Roger de Sumervill was attached to answer the complaint of the tenants of Alverwas, that he had ejected them from their lands and tenements in Alverwas, which was formerly the demesne of the Lord the King, when they were prepared to perform all the customs and services due for their lands according to an inquisition which had been taken and returned into the Curia Regis; and Geoffrey fitz Geoffrey complained that he had been ejected from lands which he and his ancestors had held since the reign of King Henry the grandfather of the grandfather of the Lord the King; and the other tenants likewise, viz., William fitz Oweyn the Clerk, Richard the Palmer, Gilbert Bernard, Walkelin, William de la Hethe, Gilbert son of Robert, Richard Wyteman, Philip son of Geoffrey, Richard Goderich, Henry Swetappell, Geoffrey the Smith, Richard Pany, Richard son of Roger le Noreys, Walter son of Brun, Richard Bissup, Agnes the Widow, William son of Geoffrey, Matilda widow of John Torsteyn, Hawise the Widow, Hugh le Hore, William Lescot, Margaret widow, Matilda widow of Robert Payn, Nicholas de la More, Richard Pistor (Baker), William son of Amelote, Geoffrey le Sutherne, Richard Wuderove, Buse, Cecilia widow, Robert son of Thomas, Edwine, and William le Piper.

Roger appeared and defended the action, and stated he had obtained a writ from the King to the Sheriff, to inquire into the lands which were of the ancient demesne of the Crown. The Sheriff was therefore commanded to return the inquisition into Court at three weeks from Easter. m. 6, dorso....

Membrane 14, headed, "Placita coram Domino Rege, a die Paschæ in XV. dies, anno XXVIII." [17th April, 1244.]

Staff. Roger de Sumervill was attached to answer the complaint of the men of Alverwas (as before), with the addition that the tenants stated that he had accepted fines from them for their lands at the death of his father. The following jury was elected to try the issue by the consent of the parties, viz., Ralph Basset of Drayton, Robert de Esington, Robert de Grendon, Robert de Toke, Robert Selveyn, William de Tymor, David de Pakington, Robert del Wall, Richard de Thikebrom, Richard del Puz, Thomas le Venur, Richard de Whytinton, Nicholas de Alrewyche (Aldridge), and William Wymer. The jury return (a postscriptum) that the men of Alverwas (the plaintiffs), after Roger de Sumervill was in seisin of the manor, and after the death of his father Roger, had made a fine with him that they might hold their tenements of him in peace according as they were of the ancient demesne, or of villainage, and that he had ejected them afterwards by a writ he had obtained, and by no other means. m. 20. ²

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Warw. An assize, &c., if Roger de Somervill, father of John de Somervill, was seised, &c., when he died, of 6s. of rent in Birchingbyri, and which Henry le Prester holds. Henry admitted that Roger died seised of the rent claimed, and he was ready to pay it, but stated that by default of John he had been distrained by Thomas de Clinton, the capital lord, for the relief of the said John, so that he had paid 6s. of the arrears of 9s. owing for three terms. Verdict for Henry. m. 4, dorso. ³

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After 17 Jul 1240, Staffordshire

Roger de Somerville gives 5 marks for having four justices. Order to the sheriff of Staffordshire etc.

Calendar of Fine Rolls, 24 Hen. III, 148

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Book of Fees, part ii, p. 947. 1242-3. Fees of earl Ferrers. In Cosington half a fee which Roger de Sumervill, the steward of Monhaut and William de Meisham hold of the earl Ferrers, i.e. of the earl of Derby.