10 Jul Lordship Title of Blunham ID13292
Posted at 21:37h
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Previous Lords:
No tenant is mentioned as holding of the abbot in 1086, but, together with Sidegate in Suffolk, Blunham was subsequently granted by the Conqueror to Ralph, who held it of the abbot by the service of steward. The manor next passed to Maurice de Windsor, whose tenure was confirmed by charter of King Stephen. Ralph de Hastings, nephew of Maurice, succeeded his uncle and held Blunham in the reign of Henry II. Before 1182 he was succeeded by his nephew William Hastings, who, dying in that year, was followed by his son Henry, a minor. Henry de Hastings accompanied Richard I on crusade in 1191–2, receiving remission of his scutage in that year. He died in 1195–6 when William his brother paid 100 marks' relief for his lands and offices. William de Hastings still held Blunham in 1205, and in 1240 his grandson Sir Henry de Hastings, one of the barons who later joined Simon de Montfort against Henry III, held 5 hides there of the Abbot of St. Edmunds. In 1247 Hugh Peche and Ida his wife, sister of Henry de Hastings and widow of Stephen de Segrave, held the manor for her life. John de Hastings, the son of Sir Henry de Hastings, succeeded his father in 1268. He became Lord Abergavenny in 1273 in right of his mother Joan de Cantelow, the sister and co-heir of George Lord Abergavenny. In 1297 a licence was granted him, when 'going beyond seas with the king on his service,' to demise the manor of Blunham to Agnes de Valencia, kinswoman to Edward I, for her life. She still held the manor in 1309 when she received a grant of free warren of Blunham. John de Hastings died in 1313 seised of the manor. He was succeeded by his son, another John, who in 1316 was lord of Blunham. He died in 1325, and, as his son and heir Laurence was then only six years of age, his wardship was granted to Roger Mortimer Earl of March. In 1339 Laurence de Hastings was created Earl of Pembroke; he died in 1348, and during the minority of his son John the custody of Blunham Manor was granted to John Malyn and his son John. John de Hastings died in 1375, when the manor was assigned by the king to Anne widow of the late John de Hastings during the minority of her son John. On the death of the latter in 1389 Blunham passed to his cousin and next heir (of the whole blood), Reginald de Grey of Ruthyn. From this time the descent of the manor is identical with that of Wrest in Silsoe (q.v.) until the death of the last Earl Cowper in 1905, since which date it has remained in the hands of his trustees. Owing to the frequent change in the owners of Blunham Manor it is possible to form some idea of its value during the 14th century. Thus in 1323–4 it was estimated at £14 16s. 8d., in 1331 at £24 9s. 7½d., while in 1354–5 John Malyn paid £20 2s. 1d. a year for two years for the custody of the manor and afterwards 40 marks a year. In the time of Edward I John de Hastings claimed view of frankpledge in Blunham. In 1392 courts were held twice yearly at Easter and Michaelmas; view of frankpledge was claimed by Henry Earl of Kent in 1601, in 1628 and in 1651. A grant was made in 1314 to John de Hastings and his heirs to hold a market every Wednesday at Blunham Manor and a fair there every year on July 24, 25, 26, the vigil, the day and the morrow of St. James the Apostle. There is no evidence that these have been held since the 14th century.
Other Information:
Listed in the Domesday Book:
No