Research Notes:

William Fiennes, Knt., of Herstmonceaux and Old Court (in Wartling) Sussex, White Waltham, Berkshire, Compton Monceux, Hampshire, and Ascot (in Great Milton), Oxfordshire, Sheriff of Surrey and Sussex, 1396-7, 1398-9, younger son...

In 1388 he leased the manor of Compton Monceux, Hampshire for 7 years to John Trenchesvile. In 1398 he and his wife, Elizabeth, were granted a papal indult for plenary remission. In 1401-2 he assisted in drawing up the ordinances for Pevensey Marsh. ¹

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In 1378, William's mother died, and he inherited the Great Milton estate in Oxfordshire. ²

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Proof of Age

160. William, brother and heir of John de Fienles the son and heir of William de Fienles, knight

Writ to the escheator to take proof of the age of the said William, the lands of whose inheritance are in the king’s custody. 26 November, 2 Richard II. [1378]

Sussex. Proof of age taken at Wortlyngge, Monday the feast of St. Nicholas, 2 Richard II.

Thomas Peplesham, aged 48 years and more, says that the said William is of full age, to wit, 21 years old, [having been born] at Hurstmounceux and baptized in the church of All Saints there on the feast of St. Peter’s Chains, 31 Edward III. Richard le Hurst and William de Megeham were his godfathers, and Agnes Hengeshull his godmother. This the witness knows because the birth is written in the missal of the said parish church under the said day and year.
Robert Megeham, aged 50 years and more, agrees and says that on the day of the birth he did homage to the lord of Hurstmounceux.
John Longeford of Cattesfeld, aged 38 years and more, agrees and says that his son Simon was born the same day.
Henry Maveysyn, aged 42 years and more, agrees and says that in the same year his sister Alice was married to John Pegg.
William Eston, aged 59 years and more, agrees and says that in the same year his father died and he was his heir.
John Parker of Hoo, aged 53 years and more, agrees and says that in the same year he built a new house, wherein he still lives.
John atte Beche, aged 44 years and more, agrees and says that in the same year he was distrained by 4 hens for arrears of service at the manor of Hurstmounceux.
William atte Berghe, aged 48 years and more, agrees and says that in the same year he did fealty to the lord of Hurstmounceux.
William Wylyncces, aged 34 years and more, agrees and says that in the same year Giles Parker pierced his leg with an arrow in the churchyard of Hurstmounceux parish.
Walter Troymory, aged 56 years and more, agrees and says that in the same year William de Fyenles, then lord of Hurstmounceux, came to his house and would have beaten him.
Alan Pryncle, aged 66 years and more, agrees and says that in the same year he bought a wood called ‘Lytelwode’ from Simon Peplesham, kinsman of Thomas de Peplesham.
Richard Cote, aged 40 years and more, agrees and says that William Stonacre, his father-in-law, died the same year and made him his executor.

C. Ric. II. File 6 (8) ³

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• 22 Jun 1381, London

Writ of aid for William de Fyenes and William de Batteson, appointed to guard Peveneseye castle against hostile attacks, and to take armed men, archers, and others for that purpose.

Calendar of Patent Rolls, Ric. II, vol. 2, p. 72

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• 26 Jun 1405, Westminster

Order to John Maysham, escheator in the county of Kent, to make a partition into three equal parts of all the lands which Elizabeth, daughter of William de Say and late the wife of William de Heron, knight, on the day of her death held of Richard II in chief or was seised of in her demesne as of fee, and of all the lands which the said William de Heron, who survived the said Elizabeth, his wife, held on the day of his death, of the present king in chief, or otherwise, in joint feoffment with his said wife in fee tail of the inheritance of ( 1 ) Mary (whom Otes de Wortlyngton has married) one of the daughters of Elizabeth Aldone, one of the sisters of the said William de Say, (2) Maud, the second daughter of the said Elizabeth Aldone, (3) William de Clynton, ' chivaler,' son of William the son of Idonia de Clynton the second sister of the said William de Say, and (4) Roger de Fienles, son of William the son of Joan Fienles, the third sister of the said William de Say (Mary, Maud and William de Clynton being of full age and Roger de Fienles a minor in the king's ward), and, after taking the fealty of William de Clynton, Otes and Maud, to cause the said William de Clynton, Otes and Mary, and Maud to have full seisin of the pourparties of William and Mary and Maud respectively, as the king for 40s. paid in the hanaper has respited until Michaelmas next the homage due from Otes by reason of his having issue by Mary, and the homage of Maud and William de Clynton, retaining Roger's pourparty in the king's hand until further order ; with proviso that each of the said heirs and parceners have a share of the lands which are held of the king in chief and so be the king's tenant.

Calendar of Fine Rolls, 6 Hen. IV, p. 315