The Northern Rebels of 1296
Part II: Northumberland
Amanda Beam, Research Associate[1]
In Part II of this feature, we examine the rebels of Northumberland. There are a total of 44 rebels in this county, with another seven who held land in Northumberland and Cumberland, discussed in Part III. Of these 44, there are four women, 19 who appear on the Ragman Roll and 26 who were restored to their English lands. Two of the women were sisters and may have been related to a Northumbrian rebel of the 1260s. There are also four rebels who held land in Norhamshire on the Scottish border which, although today is part of Northumberland, at this time belonged to the bishop of Durham. It should be noted that although two men, Robert Bruce (the future king of Scots) and John of Swinburne, were restored to lands in Tynedale as well as in Scotland, for the purposes of this article only, these men are not considered rebels.[2]
As stated in Part I, our main source for these rebels is the sheriff’s account in the Pipe Rolls, CDS, ii, no. 736, CDS, iv, no. 1770, Stevenson, Documents illustrative of the History of Scotland, 1286-1306, ii, nos. 358, 359 (pp 40-49), Rotuli Scotiae, I, 24-50, as well as other sources as mentioned below. Within these documents, there are 68 rebels in total from the counties of Cumberland and Northumberland: 17 from Cumberland, 44 from Northumberland and seven who held lands in both. Six women were considered rebels; 30 men appear on the Ragman Roll in 1296; and only 37 men in total appear to have been restored to their English lands.
Northumberland
Henry of Anstruther (RR)
Henry of Anstruther, in Fife, was forfeited of the fourth part of the vill of Hetherington in Northumberland in 1296. He appeared on the Ragman Roll at Berwick in August 1296 but was not restored to his heritage in England until February 1303. In May 1304, the bishop of Durham – who held his Northumberland lands – was also ordered to release those to him. He was likely a relative of two other Henrys of Anstruther who appear at an earlier date in the PoMS database.[3]
William of Bellingham held two-thirds of the manor of Bellingham, as well as rights to lands at Abberwick, Akeld and Whittingham. However, his Bellingham property, which he held of the kings of Scots, had been delivered to the Comyns after the death of Alexander III in 1286. William was referred to as the king of Scots’ bailiff in January 1279 and also served as coroner in Tynedale. He appended his seal to a 1286 agreement between Gilbert of Sherburn, sacrist of Coldingham, and John of Smeaton. Alexander of Bellingham, likely a relative, was taken prisoner at the battle of Dunbar in April 1296. William does not appear in the main list of rebels identified in Stevenson or CDS, but rather appears in a later inquisition dated 1373, where it is mentioned that his lands at Bellingham were seized by the king as a forfeiture of war and later had been given by Edward III (r.1327-77) to his wife, Philippa (d.1369). His lands do not appear to have been restored.[4]
Agnes of Blantyre, Lanarkshire, was restored to dower lands in the liberty of Norham, held by the bishop of Durham, in March 1304 because she had come into the king’s peace.[5] It is unclear what lands she held or when these were seized into the king’s hand.
Henry de Chartres and William de Chartres (RR)
Henry de Chartres held Wooden, Northumberland, of the bishop of Durham. When it was forfeited in April 1296, it was stated that Henry had given his land to William, his son. In 1298, Wooden was still held by the king ‘for [Henry’s] evildoings and rebellion’ but was granted to the bishop by the king’s grace. Henry’s son, William, performed fealty to Edward I as ‘of the county of Roxburgh’ at Berwick in August 1296. But by September 1300, he had been captured by the English and taken to York castle, later to be transferred to Nottingham Castle.[6] By November 1303, William was again in the king’s peace at which time Edward I commanded the sheriff of Roxburgh to inquire into his lands in that county. It was found that the land of ‘Appeltrerig’ should descend to William ‘as the heritage of Agnes de Vescy, his mother’. Half the manor of Wilton may also have fallen to William by this same inquisition. The following year, in March 1304, William again performed homage to Edward I.[7] Though it is not explicitly stated, the lands in Roxburghshire were probably restored. Throughout this period, he witnessed three charters relating to lands in Berwickshire and Roxburghshire. He may be related to another rebel, Andrew de Chartres, squire (RR), who was mentioned as being restored to his lands in Yorkshire and who also held Amisfield Castle and Dumgree in Dumfriesshire.[8]
Edmund Comyn of Kilbride, knight, was taken prisoner at the battle of Dunbar on 27 April 1296 and held in Nottingham Castle. His manor of Newham, Northumberland, and his land in several other English counties were seized at this time. Newham was held of the bishop of Durham, and, like Henry de Chartres’ land of Wooden, was granted by the king’s grace to the bishop in June 1298. Although he was released from prison by August 1297, it was not until February 1304, after Edmund had performed homage and fealty to Edward I, that his lands in England – including land in the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Northumberland, Essex and Hertfordshire – and in Scotland were restored. Afterwards, he faithfully served Edward I.[9]
John Comyn, lord of Badenoch (d.c.1302) (RR)
A well-known figure in Scottish history, John Comyn was prominent in the governments of Kings Alexander III (d.1286) and John Balliol. After Alexander’s death, John served as one of six guardians until John Balliol’s reign began in 1292. He continued to be heavily involved in politics during Balliol’s reign. In Scotland, he held numerous lands in Atholl, Dumfriesshire, Dunbartonshire, Perthshire, Roxburghshire, Clydesdale and the Highlands, at Badenoch, Lochaber, and including Lochindorb castle where he would die in c.1302. In England, he held Tarset, Walwick and Thornton in Tynedale as well as lands in Lincolnshire. Walwick and Thornton had been given to his son (see below) by around 1295. In May 1296, these lands were seized on account of rebellion. He submitted to Edward I at Montrose in July 1296, following Balliol’s abdication, and was exiled to England. But, with Wallace’s uprising in 1297, King Edward sent Comyn back to Scotland to help restore order. However, by late 1297 he had joined the Scots and his lands in Tynedale were seized again.[10] They were not restored.
John Comyn, lord of Badenoch (d.1306) (RR)
Perhaps even more well-known than his father (above), this is the John Comyn who was killed by Robert Bruce in 1306. By about 1295, he had been given the manors of Walwick, Thornton and Henshaw in Tynedale, and after his father’s death in 1302, had received his estates named above. His lands in Northumberland were seized in April 1296 and he had been taken prisoner at the same time at the battle of Dunbar and held in London. He appeared on the Ragman Roll at Berwick in August 1296, but remained in prison until the end of July 1297, when he was mainprised by his father and others – a process similar to the modern concept of being ‘released on bail’ – to serve overseas for Edward I. His lands in Scotland and Northumberland were restored to him at this time. He returned to Scotland in 1298, and, like his father, became a guardian of Scotland – with Robert Bruce. He continued to fight for the Scottish cause and later led peace talks with Edward I in 1304 that resulted in the new governance of Scotland. He had married Joan de Valence, a cousin of Edward I, and following his rebellion and submission in 1296, she was granted 200 marks worth of her husband’s lands in Northumberland for her support.[11]
Robert of Cresswell, squire, was taken prisoner at the battle of Dunbar in April 1296 and subsequently his land of Hepburn was taken into Edward I’s hands. He was held prisoner at Harlech Castle, Wales, until August 1297, when he was mainprised by John of Menteith and released. His lands ‘acquired from John Daguillon and Joan, his wife’ were restored in 1304, though the source does not specify if this was Hebron or additional lands elsewhere in Northumberland.[12] He is perhaps related to an earlier Robert of Cresswell, knight of Northumberland.
William Douglas (d.1298) (RR)
William Douglas, lord of Douglas, is a rather infamous figure in Scottish history, so his rebellion should come as no surprise. In Northumberland, he held the manor of Fawdon. His second wife, Eleanor de Ferrers, widow of William de Ferrers (whom he had abducted in 1288 and later married), had dower lands in Essex as well as in Galloway. The lands in Northumberland, Essex and Hertfordshire were seized in April 1296 on account of his rebellion against Edward I. He appeared on the Ragman Roll twice, swearing fealty to Edward in June 1296 at Edinburgh and again at Berwick in August. That same month he was restored to his lands in Fife, Dumfriesshire, Wigtownshire, Berwickshire, Ayrshire and Midlothian in Scotland and to his Northumberland estates. He soon re-joined the Scots, though he would submit to Edward once more at Irvine in July 1297. His lands in Northumberland, and those of his wife in Essex, were seized again though a few months later, in October 1297, his wife was restored of the manor of Woodham Ferrers in Essex. At this point he was taken prisoner and kept in Berwick Castle before being transferred to the Tower of London in October 1297. He died still imprisoned in November 1298. After his death, the manor of Fawdon was delivered to Gilbert de Umfraville, earl of Angus.[13]
John of Drummond, Stirlingshire, was captured at the battle of Dunbar and taken prisoner to Wisbech Castle, Cambridgeshire, in May 1296. In August 1297 he was released on the mainprise of Edmund Hastings of Suffolk on condition that he serve the king in France. In 1304, as he and his wife, Helen, had come into the king’s peace, they received her dower in Northumberland.[14]
Gilbert of Embleton was restored to the lands of his father, Robert, in Northumberland in March 1304. It is unknown what lands he held there or when they were seized, but they were likely in the vill of Embleton.[15]
Nicholas of Fawside (RR)
Nicholas of Fawside held land in Doddington, Northumberland, by right of his wife, Lora, which was restored in March 1304. He may be the same as Nicholas Fausy, who appeared on the Ragman Roll at Berwick in August 1296 as ‘of the county of Roxburgh’.[16] It is possible that his surname comes from Falside in East Lothian. It is unclear when his lands were seized.
Richard Fraser (RR)
Sir Richard Fraser, a Scottish knight, appears in a Scottish context from the early 1270s, witnessing seven charters in the PoMS database. He was nephew of William Fraser, bishop of St Andrews (d.1297), a pivotal figure in Scottish history. In July 1291, before his rebellion, Richard had recognised Edward I as overlord of Scotland, and the following year, Edward had granted him custody of the lands formerly held by Richard of Glen, recently deceased, which Richard held in Scotland and which fell to Edward I upon his death. In Northumberland, he held land in Adderstone, which was seized in 1296 on account of his rebellion. Richard also held lands in Stirlingshire, Berwickshire, Roxburghshire, Dumfriesshire, Peeblesshire and Midlothian, where the sheriffs were ordered to restore his lands in those counties in September 1296. Richard put his name to the Ragman Roll twice, once as ‘of the county of Dumfries’ and again as ‘of the county of Stirling’ at Berwick in August 1296. In May 1297, Richard was included with other Scots south of the Forth whom Edward I required to obey Hugh de Cressingham, his treasurer in Scotland, and Osbert de Spaldington. He served as surety for his cousin, Simon Fraser, to serve Edward I in Scotland against the king of France. Simon was later executed in 1306 for his rebellion against Edward I.[17] His English lands do not appear to have been restored.
Peter ‘de Glinquym, a Scottish rebel received to peace’ was restored to the lands in Northumberland of his mother, Joan de Blamyr, whose heir he was, in May 1304. It is unclear when these lands were seized. His surname is likely a corrupt form of Glenholm, Peebleshire, which would connect him to that family in Scotland and possibly to Gilbert de Glenwyn seen in Part I. Stephen of Glenholm appended his name to the Ragman Roll in August 1296.[18]
Nicholas Graham (d.1306) (RR)
Nicholas Graham was a Scottish knight who held lands at Dalkeith, Midlothian, and in Hassington, Berwickshire, as well as in other Scottish counties. In Northumberland, he held Belford, Lowick and half of Doddington. He married Mary, daughter of Malise, earl of Strathearn, and of Margery, daughter of Robert of Muskham (Muschamp in PoMS), and with her held half the barony of Muskham in Nottinghamshire. His Northumberland lands were seized in April 1296 following his rebellion against Edward I. He appeared on the Ragman Roll at Berwick in August 1296 as ‘of the county of Linlithgow’. In September, he was restored to his Scottish lands in the counties of Roxburgh, Edinburgh, Ayr, Peebles and Berwick, with some exceptions. Hassington, which he held of Patrick, earl of Dunbar, was evidently seized by the earl when the war began and leased to Sir William of Durham. Nicholas was still suing for the land as late as 1304, when he appears to have been successful. Also, Dalkeith was also evidently not released to him until March 1304. His lands in Northumberland had been placed in the hands of the bishop of Durham in 1296, and were not restored until March 1304. Nicholas was dead by May 1306 and was succeeded by his son, John.[19]
Elias of Greenacres
Elias does not appear in the main list of rebels, but he does appear alongside William of Bellingham (above), in an inquisition dated 1373. He and William were both forfeited of lands in Bellingham due to the war, and the lands were later given by Edward III (r.1327-77) to his wife, Philippa (d.1369). His lands do not appear to have been restored and he does not appear elsewhere.[20]
Aymer of Hadden (RR)
Aymer of Hadden, Roxburghshire, held lands in Midlothian and Roxburghshire, as well as land by right of his wife in the liberty of Norham. He appeared on the Ragman Roll as ‘of the county of Edinburgh’ in August 1296. It is unclear when his lands were seized. In March 1304, he once again performed homage to Edward I and that month was restored of seisin of the lands of Isabella, his wife, in the liberty of Norham, held by the bishop of Durham. By 1312, however, he was once more a rebel with other Scots, and had lands in Midlothian seized and given to Robert Hastang, sheriff of Roxburgh.[21]
Henry of Halliburton (RR)
Henry was a Scottish knight from Halliburton in Berwickshire, held 122 acres and half the mill in Spindleston and land in Budle, ‘waste through the Scots war’, which were seized in April 1296. He also had claims to land in Etal. Half of Spindleston was released to William de Vescy by the king’s writ. In August 1296, at Berwick, he appeared on the Ragman Roll. However, in February 1300, he and his wife Agnes, widow of William Colville, were still considered rebels who ‘burned churches and killed men in England when the king’s Scottish enemies laid waste [to] the county’. Lands in Northumberland given to Agnes by her first husband were delivered to Robert Colville, her former brother-in-law. By 1306×7, he appeared to have come into King Edward’s peace, and was given money for certain expenses that year. He also was addressed in a royal letter to several bishops and nobles to obey the earl of Richmond while the king travelled to Boulogne.[22] However, his lands do not appear to have been restored.
Richard, abbot of Kelso, occurs as abbot as early as May 1285. His lands in Northumberland at Marchingley (represented now by March Burn) were seized in May 1296 but following his submission at Berwick in August 1296, his lands, including others in Berwickshire and Roxburghshire, were released to him. His fealty would not last long, though, as in August 1299, Edward I granted Kelso Abbey licence to elect a new abbot due to ‘the continued and voluntary absence of their late abbot, Brother Richard, a rebel and enemy’.[23] It can be assumed that his lands were seized again and not restored.
Michael of Lothian
Michael of Lothian in Scotland held land at ‘Wottone’ in Northumberland, which was seized in May 1296.[24] Michael does not appear in the PoMS database, and it is unknown if the lands were restored.
In 1304, Roger Marshal of Cowpen was restored to his lands in Northumberland which were of his heritage and also those acquired from John Gripedale of Cowpen, perhaps a relative.[25] It is unknown what lands he held or when they were seized, though his surname points to lands in Cowpen. He may be the same or related to a Roger, son of Walter of Cowpen who appears in 1304.
Mary, wife of William Melville
Mary was restored to dower lands in the liberty of Norham, held by the bishop of Durham, in March 1304. She was the widow of William Melville, lord of Tartraven (d.1298), who appeared on the Ragman Roll twice, once as of the county of Peeblesshire and once as of the county of Roxburghshire. William died in 1298 in the ‘faith and peace’ of the king and was succeeded by his son, William. The lands in Norham must have been seized after William’s death due to Mary’s own rebellion, as he does not appear among the original rebels of 1296.[26]
John Morel, abbot of Jedburgh (RR)
John Morel is found as abbot of Jedburgh from 1275. He held unknown lands in Northumberland which were seized in April 1296, and in August of that year appeared on the Ragman Roll at the same time as the abbots of Melrose, Kelso and Dryburgh. He was then restored to unnamed lands in Berwickshire and Roxburghshire. He resigned shortly afterwards, in September 1296, and was replaced as abbot by William of Yarm, Yorkshire. He appears to have remained supportive of the Scottish case, however, and later appears at the court of King Philip IV of France.[27]
William of Paxton, Berwickshire, first appears in the PoMS database witnessing charters from about the 1270s and 1280s. He held a messuage and carucate of land in Abberwick in Northumberland of Robert of Bellingham (see William of Bellingham above). This land was seized in April 1296. He does not appear on the Ragman Roll, but evidently remained in Scotland and died there by August 1300. In June 1304, his lands in Northumberland were restored to his grandson, Robert.[28]
Hugh of Penicuik (RR)
Hugh, ‘a Scottish rebel’ from Penicuik, Midlothian, held unknown lands in Northumberland, which were seized at an unknown time. He had appeared on the Ragman Roll in August 1296 at Berwick as ‘of the county of Edinburgh’ and again in March 1304 where he was given the title ‘Sir’.[29] His lands were restored to him at this time.
William Porter (RR)
William was restored to the heritage of his wife, Alice, in Northumberland in May 1304, though it is unclear what lands these were or when they were seized. Though the surname is quite common, he may be the same as William Porter ‘of the county of Lanark’ who appeared on the Ragman Roll at Berwick in August 1296.[30]
In 1296, John Prat, son of Bertram Prat, was a minor in the custody of John Wishart (see below), who had bought his wardship as early as May 1288. He held Knarsdale in Northumberland which was seized in May 1296 and was not restored. However, it appears that he was restored of certain lands elsewhere as the escheator beyond the Trent was ordered to restore his lands in October 1305. He does not appear on the Ragman Roll, perhaps because he was a minor. In May 1315, Edward II gave to Robert of Swinburne ‘for good service in Scotland’ the manor of Knarsdale, ‘forfeited by John Prat an enemy and rebel’.[31] He is likely a descendant of Reginald Prat of Tynedale who appears in Scotland in the 12th century, but is probably also related to an earlier John Prat, son of Bertram, who held lands in Nairnshire and appears in the 1250s-90s. The Prat family seems to have maintained links between Tynedale and Moray for over a century.
Aymer of Rutherford (RR)
Aymer of Rutherford in Roxburghshire held lands in Moralee and Brierdene, Northumberland, which were seized in April 1296. It appears he held the manor of Moralee along with Thomas of Moralee (see Part III). His lands at Brierdene were released to Robert Balliol, sheriff of Northumberland. In August 1296, he appeared on the Ragman Roll at Berwick as ‘of the county of Roxburgh’. In late 1297, the lands were still forfeited.[32] It is unclear if they were later restored.
Nicholas of Rutherford, Roxburghshire, was a Scottish knight who held lands in Doddington, Northumberland, seized in May 1296. He appeared on the Ragman Roll at Montrose in July 1296. Nicholas had a daughter, Margaret, who also appeared on the Ragman Roll at Berwick in August 1296 as ‘of the county of Berwick’. He had previously appended his seal to a document datable between 1269 and 1289 regarding lands in Roxburghshire and was a frequent witness to documents of the period concerning lands in Roxburghshire, Berwickshire and Peeblesshire.[33] It is unknown if his lands were restored.
Thomas of Selkirk (RR)
Thomas of Selkirk, a Berwick burgess, held lands in Berwickshire and in the old county of Norhamshire, now part of Northumberland. He appeared on the Ragman Roll at Berwick in August 1296 and, in 1304, was restored to unknown lands acquired by Thomas Murray in Norham, held by the bishop of Durham. It is unclear when these were seized. Thomas married a woman named Matilda, and by her had at least one son, Peter.[34]
John of Shilvington
John held the land of Shilvington, Northumberland, which was seized in May 1296.[35] He does not appear in the PoMS database and it is unknown if he was restored to his lands.
John of Shitlington (RR)
John was a Northumbrian knight who held the land of Shitlington, which was seized in April 1296. He appeared on the Ragman Roll in August 1296 at Berwick as ‘of the county of Edinburgh’. At the same time, he appeared with other rebels, John of Gelston and Gilbert of Southwick (see Part I: Cumberland), as a juror in the inquest into the lands of Helen de la Zouche.[36] He does not appear to have been restored.
Richard Siward (d.c.1311)
Richard was a Scottish knight and lord of Kellie (Fife). Before 1292, Richard had been keeper of the castles of Dumfries, Kirkcudbright and Wigtown. It also appears that before war broke out between England and Scotland, his lands in Southampton had been seized by Edward I, but restored in December 1295. Richard was forfeited of his lands in Northumberland (at Espleywood) and in Worcestershire in April 1296. Both Richard and one of his sons, Richard junior, were taken prisoner at the Battle of Dunbar in late April 1296. Richard senior was sent to the Tower of London, while his son to Bristol castle. As prisoners, neither Richard appeared on the Ragman Roll. His Northumberland lands were evidently delivered to the bishop of Durham with those of other rebels. He spent more than a year in the Tower but was released in July 1297 with his other son, John, being given as surety, in order to serve Edward overseas in France. At the same time his lands in Northumberland, Northamptonshire and Scotland were restored to him. Following his service in France, he returned to Scotland to assist in the English occupation there and remained in Edward’s service. Again he was placed in authoritative positions in Dumfriesshire as keeper of Nithsdale and later as sheriff and constable of Dumfries, as well as sheriff of Fife. In 1306, he was taken prisoner by Robert Bruce’s men, but was no doubt released soon afterwards, when Edward executed several rebellious Scots following John Comyn’s killing by Bruce that year. Richard was also active in Northern England. In November 1305 he was appointed justice with Robert Tilliol and William of Muncaster, sheriff of Cumberland, to try David of Brechin in Cumberland on charges of trespass. Earlier in his life, in 1266, he appears in a Westmorland case. He had two sons, John and Richard, one daughter, Agnes, and other children from a first marriage. His second wife, Mary, survived him after his death before April 1311. His son, Richard junior, who remained a prisoner until at least May 1298, died in 1307.[37]
John Somerville held 100s. of lands in Hedgeley, Northumberland, by the gift of his father, William, which were forfeited in 1296 but restored in March 1304. He was probably the same as the clerk of that name taken prisoner at the battle of Dunbar in April 1296. However, following his restoration, John had quickly rebelled again. He was captured at the Battle of Methven in 1306 and condemned to be hanged, having been charged ‘with killing the king’s lieges at the said battle under Robert de Bruce’. He was executed in August 1306 at Newcastle. His lands, which had been held of Sir William of Felton, were granted to the king’s valet, Walter de Gilling.[38]
Thomas de Soulis (RR)
Thomas de Soulis, or Soules, a Scottish knight, first appears in the PoMS database witnessing a document dateable between 1265 and 1280. He was younger brother of William de Soulis, justiciar of Lothian, who died in 1292 or 1293. He held the land of Heugh, Northumberland, which was seized in April 1296. Thomas first appeared on the Ragman Roll at Elgin in July 1296, and again at Berwick in August as ‘of the county of Roxburgh’. By 1300, he was a prisoner in Exeter Castle. He was dead by March 1304, when his widow, Lady Alice, performed homage and fealty to Edward I.[39] It is unknown if his lands were restored.
Thomas had lands seized in Northumberland in April 1296.[40] Presumably, these may have been in Stanton. It is unclear if the lands were restored.
In 1304, an order was given to the bishop of Durham, who held many of the lands of Northumberland rebels, to restore lands which John of Tynedale held of the gift of Adam of Haltwhistle, chaplain. Although it is not specified, the lands were surely in Northumberland. It is unknown when they were seized.[41]
Hugh de Walle
In May 1296, Hugh de Walle was forfeited of his lands of Chipchase, Northumberland, following his rebellion against Edward I. He was restored to his lands in August 1297 for his service to Edward I overseas. Hugh does not appear in the PoMS database.[42]
Thomas Walran, who held unknown lands in Northumberland, was restored to those lands in August 1304 after he had come into Edward I’s peace.[43] It is unclear when these were seized into the king’s hand.
Margery of Welton and Idonea of Welton
Sisters Margery and Idonea held Thornley in Northumberland which was seized by May 1296. At the request of Edward I’s cousin, Joan, wife of John Comyn junior, with whom the sisters were staying in Scotland, their land was restored in September. They may be a relation of Walter Scott of Welton, a Northumbrian landholder who rebelled against King Henry III in 1265.[44]
Although not given in the main list of rebels, William of Whittingham in Northumberland was imprisoned in 1296 ‘as a Scottish traitor, for absenting himself from his lands to avoid serving in the army against the Scots’. It was said he was in the company of John Comyn of Badenoch (d.c.1302), ‘the king’s enemy’.[45] He does not appear elsewhere in the PoMS database.
Sir John Wishart, often called ‘of the Carse’ (Stirlingshire), held the wardship of John Prat, who was forfeited of his manor of Knarsdale (see above). In addition to the wardship of lands at Knarsdale and the advowson of the church there, Wishart also held the land of Moneylaws in Northumberland, and had leased to Helen of Prenderleith 20 marks of land there. Because of his rebellion, she was only able to have possession of it for half a year. In September 1304, it was said that the land was still in the king’s hands. In October 1305, the sheriff of Northumberland was commanded to restore to John his lands there.[46]
In Part III of this feature, to be published shortly online, we look at the seven rebels who held lands in both Cumberland and Northumberland. Part III also discusses the final conclusions on all the northern rebels and looks more in depth at the issue of cross-border landholding during the first Scottish wars of independence.
[1] With thanks to Keith Stringer for comments and references concerning William of Bellingham; and to Matthew Hammond for his thoughts on some of these rebels.
[2] Rot. Scot., I, 28a, 30a. It seems that the lands were taken into the king’s hand as a precaution but restored when it was decided the men had not rebelled.
[3] CDS, ii, nos. 1544, 1594; IP, 144-5; Calendar of Inquisitions Miscellaneous, I, no. 1764
[4] K.J. Stringer, ‘Tynedale: power, society and identities, c.1200–1296’, in M.L. Holford and K.J. Stringer, Border Liberties and Loyalties: North-East England, c.1200–c.1400 (Edinburgh, 2010), pp. 256, 272, 290; CDS, ii, nos. 147 (at pg. 41), 168 (at pg. 52), 742; CIMisc., iii, no. 892; PoMS H4/22/7 (http://db.poms.ac.uk/record/source/4261/; accessed 16/7/13)
[5] CDS, ii, nos. 1544, 1594
[6] CDS, ii, nos. 736, 992, 1155, 1159; Stevenson, Documents, ii, no. 358 (at pg. 46); IP, 127-9
[7] Stevenson, Documents, ii, no. 629; CDS, ii, no. 1435; PoMS H6/3/0 (Palgrave, Docs., no. 141 (http://db.poms.ac.uk/record/source/9210; accessed 17/6/13)
[8] PoMS H2/10/273 (http://db.poms.ac.uk/record/source/1441; accessed 17/6/13); PoMS H3/173/12 (http://db.poms.ac.uk/record/source/4709; accessed 17/6/13); PoMS H3/514/2 (http://db.poms.ac.uk/record/source/4399; accessed 17/6/13); CDS, ii, no. 1481
[9] CDS, ii, nos. 736, 742, 992, 1456, 1594; Stevenson, Documents, ii, nos. 358 (at pg. 46) and 359; Rot. Scot., I, 44a-b; TNA, E372/146, m.47(2) (http://aalt.law.uh.edu/AALT4/E1/E372no146/aE372no146fronts/IMG_0194.htm; accessed 8/7/13)
[10] CDS, ii, nos. 736, 963; iv, no. 1770; Stevenson, Documents, ii, nos. 358 (at pg. 46) and 359; A. Young, ‘John Comyn, the Competitor, lord of Badenoch (d.1302)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/6045; accessed 23/6/13); IP, 87; TNA, E372/146, m.47(2) (http://aalt.law.uh.edu/AALT4/E1/E372no146/aE372no146fronts/IMG_0195.htm; accessed 23/6/13); CIMisc., I, no. 1764
[11] CDS, ii, nos. 736, 742, 940, 1469; iv, nos. 1770, 1835; Rot. Scot., I, 28a, 42b, 43b, 44a; CIMisc., I, no. 1764; Stevenson, Documents, ii, nos. 358 (at pg. 46), 359, 385; IP, 119-20; TNA, E372/146, m.47(2) (http://aalt.law.uh.edu/AALT4/E1/E372no146/aE372no146fronts/IMG_0195.htm; accessed 23/6/13)
[12] CDS, ii, no. 736, 742, 1481, 1594; iv, no. 1770; Rot. Scot., I, 44b, 45a, 49a; Stevenson, Documents, ii, nos. 358 (at pg. 46), 359; TNA, E372/146, m.47(2) (http://aalt.law.uh.edu/AALT4/E1/E372no146/aE372no146fronts/IMG_0193.htm; accessed 18/6/13). There also appears a rebel who held lands in Yorkshire, Simon de Cresswell, though this may be Cressewell in East Lothian rather than Cresswell, Northumberland.
[13] CDS, ii, nos. 358, 736, 807, 853, 950, 957, 1030; iv, no. 1770; Stevenson, Documents, ii, nos. 358 (at pg. 46), 359, 475; Palgrave, Docs., 197-8 (no. 109); IP, 64-65, 124-7; Rot. Scot., I, 24a; TNA, E372/146, m.47(2) (http://aalt.law.uh.edu/AALT4/E1/E372no146/aE372no146fronts/IMG_0193.htm; accessed 10/7/13)
[14] CDS, ii, nos. 742, 940, 1538, 1594; Stevenson, Documents, ii, no. 493
[15] CDS, ii, nos. 1481, 1594
[16] CDS, ii, nos. 1043, 1481, 1594; IP, 127-9
[17] CDS, ii, nos. 508, 736, 884, 885; Stevenson, Documents, ii, nos. 358 (at pg. 46), 359; Rot. Scot., I, 26a; Watt, Scottish Graduates, 203-4; TNA, E372/146, m.47(2) (http://aalt.law.uh.edu/AALT4/E1/E372no146/aE372no146fronts/IMG_0192.htm; accessed 19/6/13); IP, 162-3, 168-9; PoMS H1/27/0 (http://db.poms.ac.uk/record/source/7359; accessed 20/6/13)
[18] CDS, ii, nos. 1544, 1594; IP, 152
[19] CDS, ii, nos. 736, 1359, 1481, 1770; iv, no. 1804; v, no. 355; Stevenson, Documents, ii, nos. 358 (at pg. 46), 359; TNA, E372/146, m.47(2) (http://aalt.law.uh.edu/AALT4/E1/E372no146/aE372no146fronts/IMG_0192.htm; accessed 3/7/13); IP, 162-3; Rot. Scot., I, 30a, 33b, 37b-38a
[20] CIMisc., iii, no. 892
[21] CDS, ii, nos. 1481, 1579, 1594; IP, 133-5; PoMS H6/3/0 (Palgrave, Docs., no. 141 (http://db.poms.ac.uk/record/source/9210; accessed 17/6/13); PoMS H4/38/47 (http://db.poms.ac.uk/record/source/7831; accessed 12/7/13); PoMS H1/28/0 (http://db.poms.ac.uk/record/source/7869; accessed 12/7/13)
[22] CDS, ii, nos. 736, 1131, 1336; iv, no. 1770; Stevenson, Documents, ii, nos. 358 (at pg. 46), 359; TNA, E372/146, m.47(2) (http://aalt.law.uh.edu/AALT4/E1/E372no146/aE372no146fronts/IMG_0193.htm; accessed 23/6/13); PoNE case, no. 965 (http://www.pone.ac.uk/record/case/965/; accessed 26/7/13; from TNA, CP40/10 m.36; Northumbrian pleas from De Banco Rolls, no. 235); IP, 141-2; PoMS H5/3/0 (http://db.poms.ac.uk/record/source/8824/; accessed 23/6/13); PoMS H1/28/0 (http://db.poms.ac.uk/record/source/7794/; accessed 23/6/13)
[23] Watt and Shead, Heads of Religious Houses of Scotland, 122; CDS, no. 736; Stevenson, Documents, ii, nos. 358 (at pg. 46), 359, 581; IP, 117; Rot. Scot., I, 25a, 26a, 32a
[24] Stevenson, Documents, ii, nos. 359; TNA, E372/146, m.47(2) (http://aalt.law.uh.edu/AALT4/E1/E372no146/aE372no146fronts/IMG_0194.htm; accessed 18/6/13)
[25] CDS, ii, nos. 1544, 1594
[26] CDS, ii, nos. 1579, 1594; IP, 124-7, 162-3
[27] CDS, ii, nos. 736, 1301; Stevenson, Documents, ii, nos. 358 (at pg. 46); IP, 117; Rot. Scot., I, 25a, b; PoMS H2/96/3 (http://db.poms.ac.uk/record/source/7472/; accessed 3/7/13)
[28] CDS, ii, nos. 736, 1544, 1594; Stevenson, Documents, ii, nos. 358 (at pg. 46), 359; TNA, E372/146, m.47(2) (http://aalt.law.uh.edu/AALT4/E1/E372no146/aE372no146fronts/IMG_0193.htm; accessed 18/6/13); CIPM, iii, no. 562
[29] CDS, ii, nos. 1481, 1594; IP, 124-7; PoMS H6/3/0 (Palgrave, Docs., no. 141 (http://db.poms.ac.uk/record/source/9210; accessed 17/6/13))
[30] CDS, ii, nos. 1544, 1594; IP, 166-7
[31] CDS, ii, nos. 335, 1696; iii, no. 432; Stevenson, Documents, ii, no. 359; TNA, E372/146, m.47(2) (http://aalt.law.uh.edu/AALT4/E1/E372no146/aE372no146fronts/IMG_0192.htm; accessed 23/6/13); CIMisc., I, no. 1764; IP, 157-9
[32] CDS, ii, nos. 736, 963; Stevenson, Documents, ii, nos. 358 (at pg. 46), 359; IP, 127-9; TNA, E372/146, m.47(2) (http://aalt.law.uh.edu/AALT4/E1/E372no146/aE372no146fronts/IMG_0192.htm; http://aalt.law.uh.edu/AALT4/E1/E372no146/aE372no146fronts/IMG_0193.htm; accessed 3/7/13); CIMisc., I, no. 1764
[33] CDS, iv, no. 1770; Stevenson, Documents, ii, no. 359; IP, 90-1, 150-2; PoMS H3/277/3 (http://db.poms.ac.uk/record/source/5290/; accessed 2/7/13); TNA, E372/146, m.47(2) (http://aalt.law.uh.edu/AALT4/E1/E372no146/aE372no146fronts/IMG_0193.htm; accessed 2/7/13)
[34] IP, 145-6; CDS, ii, nos. 1481, 1594; PoMS H3/632/31 (http://db.poms.ac.uk/record/source/6766/; accessed 12/7/13)
[35] Stevenson, Documents, ii, no. 359
[36] CDS, ii, no. 736; Stevenson, Documents, ii, no. 358 (at pg. 46); PoMS H4/38/25 (http://db.poms.ac.uk/record/source/8212; accessed 23/6/13); CIMisc., I, no. 1764
[37] CDS, ii, nos. 582, 589, 723, 736, 742, 963, 1716, 1811; Stevenson, Documents, ii, nos. 358 (at pg. 46), 359; TNA, E372/146, m.47(2) (http://aalt.law.uh.edu/AALT4/E1/E372no146/aE372no146fronts/IMG_0192.htm; accessed 7/7/13); Rot. Scot., I, 43a, 43b-44a; PoNE Case no. 443 (http://www.pone.ac.uk/record/case/443/; accessed 7/7/13); CIMisc., I, no. 1764
[38] CDS, ii, nos. 736, 742, 1481, 1594, 1811, 1823; iv, no. 1770; Stevenson, Documents, ii, nos. 358 (at pg. 46), 359; TNA, E372/146, m.47(2) (http://aalt.law.uh.edu/AALT4/E1/E372no146/aE372no146fronts/IMG_0194.htm; accessed 23/6/13)
[39] PoMS H3/540/8 (http://db.poms.ac.uk/record/source/5979; accessed 20/6/13); CDS, ii, nos. 736, 1155, 1159; Stevenson, Documents, ii, nos. 358 (at pg. 46), 359; IP, 103, 104-5, 157-9; PoMS H 6/3/0 (http://db.poms.ac.uk/record/source/9210; accessed 20/6/13)
[40] CDS, ii, no. 736; Stevenson, Documents, ii, no. 358 (at pg. 46)
[41] CDS, ii, nos. 1481, 1594
[42] Stevenson, Documents, ii, no. 359; Rot. Scot., I, 44a; TNA, E372/146, m.47(2) (http://aalt.law.uh.edu/AALT4/E1/E372no146/aE372no146fronts/IMG_0193.htm; accessed 20/6/13)
[43] CDS, ii, nos. 1584, 1594
[44] Stevenson, Documents, ii, no. 359; TNA, E372/146, m.47(2) (http://aalt.law.uh.edu/AALT4/E1/E372no146/aE372no146fronts/IMG_0192.htm; accessed 17/6/13); PoMS H5/1/0 (http://db.poms.ac.uk/record/source/9135; accessed 17/6/13); CDS, iv, no. 1759
[45] CDS, ii, no. 822; PoMS H5/3/0 (http://db.poms.ac.uk/record/source/8825/; accessed 10/7/13)
[46] CDS, ii, nos. 736, 1596, 1696; Stevenson, Documents, ii, nos. 358 (at pg. 46), 359; PoMS H1/50/6 (http://db.poms.ac.uk/record/source/6932; accessed 23/6/13); TNA, E372/146, m.47(2) (http://aalt.law.uh.edu/AALT4/E1/E372no146/aE372no146fronts/IMG_0192.htm; http://aalt.law.uh.edu/AALT4/E1/E372no146/aE372no146fronts/IMG_0193.htm; accessed 23/6/13)
