Yeovil's Virtual Museum

Feet of Fines - Yeovil

 Land and property transfers in Yeovil from 1255 to 1464

 

Feet of fines are court copies of agreements following disputes over property. The use of fines was a means of creating a legal record of land ownership and in reality, the disputes were mostly fictitious and were simply a way of having the transfer of ownership of land recorded officially by the king’s court.

The agreements were normally written out three times on a single sheet of parchment – two copies side by side and one copy across the bottom (the foot) of the sheet, separated by an indented or wavy line.

The purchaser (querant) kept one copy, the seller (deforciant) the other and the final copy – ‘the foot of the fine’- was kept by the king’s court as a central record of the conveyance. Using one piece of parchment separated in this way gave protection against fraud or forgery as only the genuine copies would fit together - like a jigsaw.

The property description is formal and not intended for use as a detailed guide to property boundaries. The sum of money given is, by the 14th century, no longer the actual purchase price but a guide price to the value of the property on the open market.

 

Glossary
Concord	The final agreement
Deforciant(s)	The seller(s)
Querant(s)	The purchaser(s)
Quitclaim	To add or remove someone from the title of property.

 

 

 

40 Henry III (1255-6)
At Ivelcestre in the quinzaine of St John Baptist; between Roger atte Penmulne, querent and Robert Gaugy and Margery his wife, Adam le Vineter and Juliana his wife, and Joan sister of Margery and Juliana, impedients; for a messuage in Jyvele. Plea of warranty of deed was summoned. The impedients acknowledged the right of Roger as by their gift, to hold of them, doing to the chief lord of the fee all services belonging; and they warranted against all men: for this Roger gave them two marcs.

14 Edward I (1285-6)
At Westminster in the morrow of the Ascension; between John de Wygeton, querent and Thomas de Arderne, deforciant; for the manor of Kyngeston in Yvele. Plea of covenant was summoned. Thomas acknowledged the right of John and quit claimed to him; for this John granted that he would render every year to Thomas for his life, at St Paul's, London, twenty pounds, half at St Martin and half at Pentecost: after the decease of Thomas, John and his heirs shall be quit of the said payment.

33 Edward I (1304-5)
At Westminster in the octave of the Purification ; between John de Yevele and Joan his wife, querents; and John de Cruket and Joan his wife, impedients; for six acres of meadow, in Hewenebere. Plea of warranty of deed was summoned. John de Cruket and Joan his wife acknowledged the right of John de Yevele, as that which he and Joan his wife had by their gift, to hold of the chief lords of that fee: and they warranted against all men: for this John de Yvele and Joan his wife gave them ten pounds sterling.

35 Edward I (1305-6)
At Westminster in the quinzaine of Trinity; between William de Muleburn, querent; and John de Kyseby and Alice his wife, deforciants ; for a ferling of land in Kingeston juxta Gyvele. Plea of covenant was summoned. John and Alice acknowledged the right of William as by their gift, to hold of the chief lords; and they warranted the same: for this William gave them ten marcs.

35 Edward I (1306-7)
At Westminster in a month of Easter; between John le Rus and Felicia his wife, querents; and Thomas de Tyntenhull and Isabella his wife, deforciants; for a messuage and a ferling of land, in Kyngeston juxta Yevele. Plea of covenant was summoned. Thomas and Isabella acknowledged the right of John and Felicia as by their gift, to hold to them and the heirs of John, of the chief lords of that fee. And besides Thomas and Isabella granted for themselves and the heirs of Isabella, that a garden which William de Muleburn held for a term of eighteen years, the inheritance of Isabella in the aforesaid vill on the day this agreement was made, and which after the aforesaid term ought to revert to Thomas and Isabella and the heirs of Isabella, should wholly remain to John and Felicia and the heirs of John, to hold, together with the tenement which remained to them by this fine, of the chief lords of the fee; and they warranted the same: for this John and Felicia gave them twenty pounds sterling. This concord was made there being present the said William who agreed thereto and did fealty to John and Felicia in the court.

5 Edward II (1311-12)
At Westminster in the quinzaine of St Hillary; between Brian, son of Peter de Donyton, querent; and Richard de Batecombe and Alice his wife, deforciants; for a messuage, five acres and a half of land and the moiety of an acre of meadow in Northouere juxta Yevel. The right of Brian was acknowledged, and for this Brian granted the same to Richard and Alice to hold of him, rendering therefor per annum a rose at the feast of the Nativity of St John Baptist, and after the decease of Richard and Alice the same shall revert to Brian and his heirs.

8 Edward II (1314-15)
At Westminster in the octave of St Michael; between Joan de la Marche of Gyuele, querent; and John de Holewale, deforciant; for a messuage, a toft, a mill, two acres of land, two acres of meadow, and eight pence rent, and a rent of a pair of gloves in Gyuele and Kyngeston juxta Gyuele. John conceded the said tenement to Joan and the heirs of her body, rendering per annum to John for his life, one hundred shillings of silver at the feast of Easter, and to the heirs of John a rose at the feast of the Nativity of St John Baptist; and if it happen that Joan shall die without heirs of her body, then after her decease the said tenement shall remain to Robert de Holewale, of Leuerewell and the heirs of his body; and if Robert die without such heirs, then to John Bonson and the heirs of his body, to hold of John de Holewale and his heirs; and if John Bonson shall die without heirs of his body, then to Laurence de Legh and the heirs of his body, to hold of John de Holewale; and if Laurence die without such heirs, then the whole shall revert to John de Holewale and his heirs quit of the heirs of Joan, Robert, John and Laurence.

9 Edward II (1315-16)
At Westminster in the morrow of the Purification; between John Musket, querent; and Richard Hervy, deforciant; for a messuage, thirty acres of land, three acres of meadow, and eighteen pence rent in Kyngeston, Mershe, and Sok Deneys. Richard acknowledged the right of John as by his gift and warranted. For this John gave Richard one hundred shillings of silver.
(Endorsed) John de Roketone put in his claim.

9 Edward II (1315-16)
At Westminster in the octave of St Hillary; between William de Muleburne, querent, by William Peret in his place; and Roger Cusyn and Joan his wife, deforciants; for two messuages and a ferling of land in Kyngeston juxta Yevele. Roger and Joan acknowledged the right of William and quit claimed to him. For this William gave them forty marcs of silver.

17 Edward II (1323-24)
At Westminster in the octave of Trinity; between Walter de Tril and Ela his wife, querents, by Thomas de Crukern in the place of Ela; and Master Richard de Clare cleric, deforciant; for thirteen messuages, eight acres, and six virgates of land and a half, twenty-three acres of meadow and a half, eleven acres of pasture, ten acres of wood, one hundred and six shillings and nine pence rent, and a rent of a pound of pepper, two pounds of cumin, and a rose, in Westmerssh and Kyngeston juxta Yeuele and Kyngeswode juxta Hardyngton and half the advowson of the chapel of Kyngeston. Walter acknowledged the right of Master Richard as by his gift. For this Master Richard granted the same to Walter and Ela to hold to them for their lives; and after their decease to remain to William de Carente and Joan his wife and their issue; and if they die without issue then to Nicholas son of Michael de Stoure and his heirs.
(Endorsed) John de Denum and Margaret his wife put in their claim.
Thomas de Hunteleye put in his claim.
Walter Salle put in his claim.

11 Edward III (1336-37)
At York in the quinzaine of Easter, and afterwards in the octave of St Michael in the same year; between John Daune, chivaler, querent; and Richard de Mottebury and Joan his wife, deforciants; for three messuages, sixty acres of land, four acres of meadow, twenty acres of pasture, and twenty acres of moor in Westmodeford and Yevele. Nicholas and Joan acknowledged the right of John and warranted. For this John gave Nicholas and Joan one hundred marcs of silver.

13 Edward III (1338-39)
At Westminster in the octave of St Michael; between John Mautravers, senior, querent; and Roger Mautravers, and Thomas de Homere, deforciants; for (land in Dorset) and for the manor of Hyneford juxta Yevele. John acknowledged the right of Roger as by his gift. For this Roger and Thomas granted the same to John (senior) to hold for life, and after him to remain to John son of John Mautravers, junior, and the heirs male of his body; and if he die without such heirs then to remain to his right heirs.

19 Edward III (1344-45)
At Westminster in the octave of Trinity; between John de Chidiocke, querant; and Robert Fitz Payn and Ela his wife, deforciants; for the manor of Kyngeston juxta Modeford Terry and for the advowson of the chapel of the same manor, Robert and Ela acknowledged the right of John, and quit claimed for themselves and the heirs of of Ela to John and his heirs, and they warranted. For this John gave Robert and Ela one hundred marcs of silver.
(Endorsed) Margaret de Wygeton put in her claim.
William de Carent put in his claim.

38 Edward III (1364)
At Westminster in the octave of the Purification, between John Mautravers of Lychet and Agnes his wife querents; and Robert de Sambourne chaplain, Henry de Tyngcwyk chaplain and John de Coston chaplain deforciants; (For manors and lands in Gloucestershire, Wilts and Dorset and) for the manor of Hyneford and fifty-seven shillings rent in Jevele. And afterwards in the octave of St John Baptist in the thirty-eighth year of the same king after the deaths of the said John Mautravers and Henry, between the said Agnes and the said Robert and John de Coston. John Mautravers acknowledged the said manor of Hyneford and the said rent to be the right of Robert, for this Robert Henry and John de Coston granted to John Mautravers and Agnes the said rent, for themselves and the heirs of Robert; and also that the said manor of Hyneford which Wentheliana who was wife of John Mautravers son of the aforesaid John Mautravers, held for her life, the heritage of Robert and which after the death of Wentheliana to him and his heirs ought to revert shall remain to John Mautravers and Agnes and his heirs, and if John and Agnes die without issue then to remain to John son of Richard earl of Arundell and Alianore daughter of John son of the aforesaid John Mautravers and their issue, and if John son of Richard and Alianore die without issue then, after the decease of Alianore, to remain to John de Boklond of Radelynche chivaler and the heirs male of his body begotten, and if John de Boklond die without such heirs then to remain to John Mautravers son of John Mautravers of Crowelle and his heirs male procreate and if he die without such heirs then to remain to the right heirs of the aforesaid John Mautravers of Lychet.

44 Edward III (1370)
At Westminster in three weeks of Easter, and afterwards in the quinzaine of Trinity in the same year, between Robert de Sambourne parson of the church of Yvele querent; and Henry Leycestre and Willielma his wife deforciants; for two messuages, twenty-eight acres of land and two acres of meadow in Yevele, Chestremour, Kyngeston, and Merssh juxta Modeford Terry. Henry and Willielma acknowledged the right of Robert and his heirs and quit claimed for themselves and the heirs of Willielma; for this Robert gave them one hundred marcs of silver.

2 Richard II (1378-9)
At Westminster in the quinzaine of St John Baptist, between Alice who was wife of William Welde, John Bays, and John Stourton, querents; and Laurence Iford and Matilda his wife deforciants; for eleven messuages, a toft, fifty acres of land, six acres of meadow, and two acres of pasture, in Preston Plokcnet, Hyneford Mautravers, Elleneston, and Kyngeston juxta Modeford Terrys. Laurence and Matilda acknowledged the right of Alice and quit claimed for themselves and the heirs of Matilda; for this Alice, John, and John gave Laurence and Matilda one hundred marcs.

3 Richard II (1379-80)
At Westminster in the morrow of the Purification, and afterwards in the quinzaine of Easter, between John de Cary, and Thomas Cary parson of the church of Essewater, querents; and Thomas West knight deforciant; for five messuages, three carucates of land, ten acres of meadow, and ten acres of pasture, in Houndeston, Hardyngton, and Gollboare which Robert de Sambourn parson of the church of Yevele held for his life. Thomas West acknowledged the right of Thomas Cary and granted that the said tenement his heritage which after the decease of Robert to him and his heirs ought to revert shall remain to John and Thomas Cary and the heirs of Thomas; for this John and Thomas Cary gave Thomas West two hundred marcs of silver.

15 Richard II (1391-2)
At Westminster in three weeks of Easter, between William Carente and Joan his wife querents; and Edmund Lyt and John Janet deforciants; for fifteen messuages, six virgates and eight acres of land and a half, twenty-three acres of meadow and a half, eleven acres of pasture, ten acres of wood, a hundred and six shillings and nine pence rent, and a rent of a pound of pepper, two pounds of cumin, and a rose, in Westmerssh, Kyngeston juxta Yevele, and Kyngeswode juxta Hardyngton, and a moiety of the advovvson of the chapel of Kyngeston. William acknowledged the right of Edmund and John as by his gift, for this Edmund and John granted the same to William and Joan to hold to them and their issue, and if it happen that William and Joan die without issue, then all to remain to the right heirs of William.

16 Richard II (1392-3)
At Westminster in the quinzaine of Easter, and afterwards at York in the octave of St Michael in the sixteenth year of the same king, between John Crok and Emma his wife querents; and William Bismere and Isabella his wife deforciants; for four messuages, three tofts, and two shops, in Yevele. William and Isabella acknowledged the right of John, and one messuage, two tofts, and one shop surrendered in the court to have and to hold to John and Emma and the heirs of John, and besides they granted for themselves and the heirs of William that one shop which Stephen Paco taillour held for life and that a messuage which Richard Polglas and Isabella his daughter held for their lives and that a messuage which Richard de la Lynde bakere and Margaret his wife held for life and that a toft which William Hemmelesworth held for life and also that a messuage which John Andrew and Joan his wife and Felicia their daughter held for their lives, which after the decease of the life tenants to the said William Bismere and Isabella his wife and the heirs of William ought to revert shall remain to John Crok and Emma and the heirs of John to hold like the other; for this John Crok gave William and Isabella one hundred marcs of silver.

5 Henry IV (1403-4)
At Westminster in the quinzaine of Easter between William Hogyn chaplain and Henry Panter querents and John Haregrove and Edith his wife deforciants; for five messuages and four acres of land in Yevele and Kyngston juxta Modeford Terry. John and Edith acknowledged the right of William as by their gift and for this William and Henry granted the same to John and Edith to hold to them and their issue in perpetuity, and if it happen that they die without issue then to remain to John Pudenvill son of the said Edith and the heirs of his body, and if he die without such heirs then to remain to John son of the said John Haregrove junior and the heirs of his body, and if he die without such heirs then to remain to William his brother, and if William die without such heirs then to remain to the right heirs of the aforesaid Edith.

11 Henry IV (1409-10)
At Westminster in three weeks of St Michael's day between John Jerard querent; and John Chynnore and Matilda his wife and Thomas son and heir of Richard Welde deforciants; for five messuages and fifteen acres of land in Yevele and Kyngeston juxta Modeford Terry. John Chynnore and Matilda and Thomas acknowledged the right of John Jerard as by their gift and quit claimed for themselves and the heirs of Thomas; for this John Jerard gave them twenty marcs of silver.

20 Henry VI (1441-2)
At Westminster in the morrow of St John Baptist between Alexander Hody, John Storke, William Neuton, Thomas More, Robert Goolde, and John Cooke querents, and Tristram Bumell and Agnes his wife deforciants; for four messuages, eight tofts, a dovecote, two hundred and thirty-one acres of land, four acres of meadow, eighty-eight acres of pasture, and twopence rent in Nyweton Sarmavyle, Chiltern Dommer, Kyngeston juxta Yevell, Estcoker, and Westmerssh. Tristram and Agnes acknowledged the right of John Goolde and quit claimed for themselves and the heirs of Agnes; for this John Goolde gave them one hundred marcs of silver.

25 Henry VI (1446-7)
At Westminster in the octave of St John Baptist between John Kayleway, William Kaleway, and Andrew Edward querents; and John Davy and Joan his wife deforciants; for six messuages, thirty acres of land, eight acres of meadow, and twenty acres of pasture in Yevell, Oldesok, Kyngeston, Astyngton, and Modeford Terry. John Davy and Joan acknowledged the right of John Kayleway and quit claimed for themselves and the heirs of Joan, and besides they warranted against Edmund abbot of Westminster and his successors; for this John Kayleway gave them one hundred marcs of silver.

2 Edward IV (1463-4)
At Westminster in a month from Easter between Tristram Burnell, Thomas Bertelot cleric, Walter Bathe cleric, and William Taillour querents; and Henry Seyntclere and Joan his wife daughter and heir of William Lumbard deforciants; for fourteen messuages, three tofts, five gardens, thirty-five acres of land and two acres of meadow in Yeuell and Kyngeston juxta Modeford which formerly were William Lambard's. Henry and Joan acknowledged the right of Tristram as by their gift, and besides they warranted against John abbot of Shirborne and his successors. For this Tristram gave them one hundred pounds sterling.