Feudal Aids

The feudal aids refer to a collection of documents originally made on the orders of the Exchequer in the Middle Ages. An “aid” was effectively a land tax which could be raised on various occasions for the benefit of the monarch. Thus it was necessary to keep records of property owners. The “Feudal Aids” refer to a collection of these documents dating from 1284 to 1431. They are useful in establishing the ownership of different manors and the terms on which they were originally granted. It can be seen that some individuals held land by paying a “knight’s fee”, the amount of money necessary to maintain a mounted knight and his retinue for 40 days service. Others held by providing specific services; even by 1284 it is likely that some of these were becoming dated.

The originals of these documents are kept in the National Archives. These were printed in Latin as “Inquisitions and assessments relating to feudal aids, with other analogous documents preserved in the Public record office; A.D. 1284-1431” by the Home department in six volumes from 1920. The extracts below for Stottesdon Hundred have been translated from this work.

Feudal Aids

Hundred of Stottesdon. 1284-5
Oldbury (Hadeburi). Adam de Montgomery holds Oldbury of Richard fitz Alan of the
honour of White Minster (Oswestry) for 1/3 of a knight fee and the same Richard of the king
Eudon. Hugh Burnel holds Eudon of Richard fitz Alan of the aforesaid honour for ½ a
knight fee and the same Richard of the king
Hopton.. John de Hopton holds Hopton of Richard fitz Alan of the aforesaid honour for ½ a knight fee and the same Richard of the king
Faintree. Richard de Holicote, who has as a wife one daughter and heir of Adam de Faintree and Hugh le Mazun, who has as a wife the other daughter and heir of the aforesaid Adam, hold the vill of Faintree of the King by service of sending one foot soldier in time of war in Wales in the army of the king with a bow, three arrows and a terpolus.
Chetton ( Chetington). Roger Corbet holds the manor of Chetton of the King by service of sending one foot soldier in time of war in Wales in the army of the king with a bow, three arrows and a terpolus and also a cured hog and when he reached the King’s army, he was to deliver half the bacon to the King’s marshal and the marshal was to give him give the aforesaid half bacon for his meals and he was to stay with aforesaid army as long as the aforesaid bacon lasted.
Wrickton (Wirketon). Walter de Beysin holds the manors of Wrickton and Walkerslow of the king by service of keeping one hawk in winter at the cost of the King.
Detton (Dodington). Robert de Dodington holds Detton Richard fitz Alan of the honour of Oswestry for ½ a knight fee and the same Richard of the king
Harcout (Haverivercote). Johan fitz Aer holds Harcourt of the king by service of finding one foot soldier in time of war in Wales for the army of the king with three arrows.
Ingardine (Ingwrithdin). Walter de Pedewardin holds Ingardine of Willaim de Hugford and the same William of Richard fitz Alan of the aforesaid honour for and the same Richard of the king
Hopton Wafers (Waffre). Roger son of Roger de Mortimer holds Hopton Wafers of the Count of Hereford of the Honour of Brecon and the same Count, of the King.
Honour of Oswestry. Johannes de Volascote, who had as a wife, Sybil, heir of Geoffrey de Cridon, holds of Richard fitz Alan of the honour of Oswestry for ½ of a knight fee and making guard at the castle of Oswestry, and the same Richard of the King.
Glazeley (Glasseleye). Alan de Glasseley holds Glasseleye of John Le Strange for ½ of a knight fee and the same John holds of Richard Fitz Alan and Alan of the aforesaid honour of Oswestry and thus Richard of the King.
Middleton. Thomas de la Hide holds half of Middleton of Edmund de Mortimer and thus Edmund of John fitz Aer for a ¼ of a knights fee of Richard fitz Alan of the aforesaid honour of Oswestry. The sons and heirs of the aforesaid Richard de Middleton hold the other half of the vill of Thomas de Roshall, and thus Thomas of Richard fitz Alan of the aforesaid honour and thus Richard of the King.
Aston Eyre. John fitz Aer holds Aston Aer of Richard fitz Alan of the aforesaid honour and thus Richard of the King.
Wheathill (Wethull). Walter Haket holds Wheathill of Laurence de Ludlow for a knights fee and thus Laurence of Theobald de Verdon and thus Theobald of the King.
Pickthorn (Pikethorne). Walter de Baskerville holds his hall, croft and wood at Pickthorn of the King paying 16d yearly.
Foulswardine (Fuleswortdin). Ralph de Araz and Matilda de Fuleswortdin hold Foulswardine of Adam de Montgomery of the fee of Oldbury for ¼ of a knights fee and thus Adam of Richard fitz Alan and thus Richard of the King.
Aldenham. John de Aldenham holds Aldenham of Walter de Baskerville of the fee of Pickthorn and Walter of the king, but by what service, they know not.
Stottesdon (Stoteresden). John de Segrave and Christiana, his wife hold the manor of Stottesdon for a knights fee of the King.
Astley. The Abbot of Shrewsbury holds the manor of Astley with its members of the King but by what service they know not.
Duddlewick (Dodelewyk). The same abbot holds the manor of Duddlewick with its members of the King but by what service they know not.
Bardley (Bardeleye). Philip de Baggesoure holds Bardley of the King and pays 6/- yearly.
William de Bardeleye holds one carcuate of land of the king and pays 3/- yearly.
Aston Botterell (Haston). Thomas de Botterell holds Aston of Richard fitz Alan of the aforesaid honour of Oswestry with its members, that is to say Necton, Forde, Heywode, and Toteneye, by service of a knight’s fee and guard at the castle of Oswestry in time of war and Richard of the king.
Cleobury North (Cleyburi North). Robert de Halston holds Cleobury North of Roger de Mortimer of the honour of Brecknock and thus Roger of the Count of Hereford and the Count of the King, but by what service they know not.
Bold (Bolde). Adam de Bold holds Bold of Robert Burnell of the fee of Castle Holdgate for a knight’s fee.
Meadowley (Medeueleye). Johnn de Hopton holds Meadowley of Robert Burnell of the aforesiad fee for a knight’s fee.
Nordley (Northleye). John de Astley holds the manor of Nordley of the King and paus £8 and half a mark yearly.
Astley (Astleye). John de Astley holds Astley of the king by service of following the king in time of war in Wales for 40 days at his expense.
Alveley (Hauedeleye). Henry de Harecurt holds in Alveley by 1/6th part of knight’s fee of the heirs of William de Harecurt and thus the heirs of the king.
Henry de Morf holds in Alveley by 1/6th part of knight’s fee of the heirs of Madoc de Sutton and thus the heirs of the king.
William de Tynton holds in Alveley by 1/6th part of knight’s fee of the heirs of Ralph Noel and thus the heirs of the king.
Tasley (Tasseleye). Thomas Corbet holds Tasley of a knights fee of Richard fitz Alan of the aforesaid honour of Oswestry for a knight’s fee and Richard of the King.
Nicholas de la More holds 3 parts of a virgate and two moors by rent of two knives.
Eardington (Herdington). John de Lukes holds one half of the vill of Eardington of the king but they know not by what service.
Walton. John de Henedon holds Walton of the king but they know not by what service.
Eardington (Herdington). Hugh de la Penne holds the other half of the same vill of Eardington of the king but they know not by what service.

1316
Hundred of Stottesdon
Nordley: John de Astley
Alveley: Simon de Alveley
Astley next to Bridgnorth (Astley Abbots) Abbot of Salop
Tasley: Bishop of Chester
Walton : Alan de Chorlton
Stottesdon: John de Segrave
Cleobury North: Thomas de Halston
Bold: Malcolm, son of Richard de Harley
Upton: John de Upton
Chetton: William Corbet
Faintree: John de Knockin
Middelton: John de Roshale and Thomas de la Hyde
Aston Botterell: Richard Botterell
Wheathill: Walter Haket
Aston Aer: Hugh son of Hugh Aer
Glazeley: Wydo de Glazeley
Eudon Burnell: Alina Burnell
Wrickton: Alice de Beysin
Upton Wafer: Roger de Mortimer
Oldbury: Bishop of Chester
Erdington: John de Luke
Underton: William, parson of Quatt
Detton: John de Detton
Billingsley: Alice de Beysin
Pickthorn: Roger de Baskerville
Overton; Ralph D’Arras
Bardley: King
Harcourt: Alice Ayer
Eggerton: Walter Haket
Criddon: Alica daughter of Aer
Cleobury Mortimer: Roger de Mortimer
Eudon George: Henry de Eudon
Sidbury: Ralph D’Arras
Burwarton: in hands of the King during the minority of Walter de Hopton
Snirton, Cainham; Abbot of Wigmore
Kinlet: Roger de Mortimer
Chelmarsh: Henry de Mortimer
Walton: John de Ker
Sheinton: John Mauveysyn
Wigwig: Prior of Wenlock
Highley: Roger de Mortimer
Stepple: Walter de Steple
The Down: John de la Doune
Catherton: Roger de Mortimer



1346
Hundred of Stottesdon
Inquisition held at Bridgnorth, 11th November 1346, by the oaths of Maculin de Harley, Alan de Glazeley, Roger de Astley, Edmund de Kynersley, John de Croft, John Botterell, Nicholas D’Arras, John de Pyrie, Richard de Holicott, Hugh le Harpour, John Hubaut and Thomas de Bradley, who say upon their oaths that:
John de Segrave holds Stottesdon for 1 knight’s fee of the king
Thomas de Alveley holds Alveley for 1/6th of a knights fee of the king, which Henry de Morf once held of the king
John Botterell holds Aston Botterell for 1 knight’s fee because Philip Botterell held it of William fitz Ayer who held it of William fitz Alan.
John de Hopton holds Hopton for ½ a knight’s fee because Hugh de Hopton held it of William fitz Alan.
William de Swelle holds Criddon for ½ a knight’s fee because William de Criddon held it of William fitz Alan.
Alyna Burnell holds Eudon for ½ a knight’s fee because Simon de Frankley held it of William fitz Alan.
John Peverel holds Oldbury with its members for ½ a knight’s fee because Thomas Costentin held it of William fitz Alan.
Thomas de Detton holds Detton for ½ a knight’s fee because Robert de Detton held it of William fitz Alan.
Walter Haket holds Wheathill for 1 knight’s fee of Laurence de Ludlow of the barony of Walter de Lacy.
Johan Peverel holds Taseley for ½ a knight’s fee because Thomas Corbet held it of the said William fitz Alan.

Liberty of Cleobury Mortimer.
Inquisition held at Cleobury Monday next after the feast of St Chadd, Bishop, by the oaths of Thomas de Detton, John de Mawley, William de Fillilode, Richard de Hints, Ailliam de Longley, Geoffrey de Norgrave, Roger Ingardine, John de Arden, John de Bradeley, John de la Woodhouse, Richard le Sexton and John de Blakenegge, who say upon their oaths that:
William de Bohun, Count of Northampton, holds Cleobury Mortimer for 1 knights fee of the king.
John de Atforton and Walter de Shakenhurst holds Neen Savage and the Lowe for ½ a knight’s fee because Ralph de la Lowe held it of Roger de Mortimer.
John de St George holds Neen Savage and Eudon for 1 knight’s fee because William de St George held it of the said Roger de Mortimer.
Edmund de Cornwaile holds Kinlet for 1 knight’s fee because Brian de Brompton held it of the said Roger.
William de Bohun, Count of Northampton, holds Highley for 1/3 of a knight’s fee because Robert de Wodeton and Roger be Borwardsley held it of the said Roger.
Roger de Foxcote holds Catsley for ½ a knight’s fee because William de Ford and Thomas de Bardeley held it of the said Roger.
Adam D’Arras holds Sidbury and Neenton for 2 knight’s fees because Ralph D’Arras held it of the said Roger.
Peter de Overton holds Overton with a ¼ part of Eudon for ½ a knight’s fee because Geoffrey de Overton held it of the said Roger.
John de Chorlton holds Burwarton for 1/3 part of a knight’s fee which Thomas de Constantin held of the said Roger.
William de la Stepple holds Stepple for 1/3 of a knight’s fee which Arnold de Camus held of the said Roger.
Matilda de Mawley holds Mawley for ¼ of a knight’s fee which John de Mawley held of the said Roger
Hugh de Sheinton for 2 parts of a knights fee in Sheinton, which Hugh de Sheinton once held of the said Roger

Edward, by the grace of God, etc. On behalf of John de Atforton and Sybil de la Lowe because it is shown to us that they are allowed diverse lands and tenements in the townships of the Lowe and Neen Savage, which they hold by service of a moiety of a knight’s fee, which are in their hands by sales and other conveyances.. [Confirmation of John and Sybil in their possessions in the Lowe and Neen Savage], dated at Westminster 8th November the 21st year of Edward [III].

Inquisition held at the Lowe the Sunday next after the feast of St Clement in the 21st year of King Edward III, before Laurence de Ludlow by Roger de Foxcote, Robert de Cleeton, Thomas de Detton, Walter de Mawley, William de la Lowe, William de Longley, John de Mawley, Richard de Hints, Thomas de Ingwardine, Hamond de Ingwardine, Geoffrey de Norgrave and Nicholas de Ingwardine, who say upon their oath that: John de Atforton and Sybil, once wife of Roger de Brompton, hold the Lowe for ¼ of a knight’s fee. And Walter de Shakenhurst and his items have a ¼ part of a knight’s fee in Neen Savage of the same ½ fee and not more.

1428
Total of the Liberty of Cleobury Mortimer.
Of the Duke of York for 1 knight’s fee in Cleobury Mortimer formerly of William de Bohun, Count of Northampton and held of the king, no return since it is in the hands of the king for the minority of the Duke of York: nothing.
Of the Abbot of Wigmore, Richard Archer and John Lowe for ½ a knight’s fee in Neen Savage, formerly of John de Atforton et Walter de Shakenhurst, and no return which is divided [nothing, cancelled] 3s 4d
Of Robert St George for 1 knight’s fee in Neen Savage et Eudon formerly of John
de St George, and held of Roger de Mortimer 6s 8d
Of William Lichfield, knight, for 1 knight’s fee in Kinlet formerly of Edmund de
Cornewaile 6s 8d.
Of the Duke of York, for 1/3 of a knight’s fee in Highley, formerly of William de Bohun, Count of Northampton and held of the king, no return since it is in the hands of the king for the minority of the Duke of York: nothing.
Of William Lichfield, knight, for ½ a knight’s fee in Catsley once of Roger Foxcote 3s 4d.
Of the Lord Talbot for two knights fees in Sidbury and Neenton, formerly of Adam D’Arras 13s. 4d.
Of John Bruyn of Overton for ½ a knight’s fee in Overton with ¼ in Eudon formerly of Peter de Overton 3s 4d.
Of Thomas Chorleton for 1/3 of a knight’s fee in Burwarton formerly of John Cherleton 2s. 3d
Of Robert St George for 1/3 of a knight’s fee in Stepple formerly of William de Stepple 2s. 2d
Of Matilda de Mawley for ¼ of a knight’s fee. in Mawley formerly of John Mawley 20d
Of Hugh Harnage for ½ a knight’s fee in Sheinton formerly of Hugh de Sheinton 3s 4d
Sum: 47s 4d.

Hundred of Stottesdon.
Of the Duke of Northampton for 1 knight’s fee in Stottesdon, formerly of John de Segrave, 6s 8d
Of John Botterell for 1 knight’s fee in Aston Botterell formerly of John Botterell 6s 8d
Of Thomas Chorleton for 1 knight’s fee in Aston Eyre formerly of Alan de Chorleton 6s 8d
Of Hugh Cresset for ½ a knight’s fee in Upton formerly of John de Upton 3s 4d.
Of the same Hugh for ½ a knight’s fee in Criddon formerly of William de Swelle 3s 4d.
Of John Radcliff, knight, for ½ a knight’s fee in Eudon formerly of Alice Burnell 3s 4d.
Of John Bruyn for ½ a knight’s fee in Oldbury formerly of John de Peverel 3s 4d.
Of the Prior of Wenlock for ½ a knight’s fee in Detton formerly of Thomas de Detton, no return since it is tithed: nothing[cancelled] 3s 4d
Of Hugh Burgh for 1 knight’s fee in Wheathill formerly of Walter Haket 6 s 8d.
Of the Lord Talbot for ½ a knight’s fee in Tasley formerly of John Peverel 3s 4d.
Sum: 46s. 8d.

1431
Hundred of Stottesdon.
Inquisition for the hundred of Stottesdon held at Bridgnorth the Sunday next before the feast of St Martin, Bishop, by the oaths of Hugh Cresset, William Rugge of Rugge, John Dodington, John Lee of Coton, Hugh Lowe of Alveley, Thomas Glover of Kinlet, John Burnell, Thomas Hobald, John Weston, John Kekenwiche, Nicholas Croft and John Weston, who say that :
The Duke of Norfolk holds the manor of Stottesdon of the lord by service of 1 knight’s fee and is valued at £7.
Thomas Charleton of Charleton in the same county, gentleman, holds the manor of Aston Eyre of John Mautravers, lord of Arundel by service of a moiety of a knight’s fee and is valued at 9s.
Hugh Cresset of Upton in the same county, gentleman, holds the manor of Upton of the aforesaid John Mautravers by service of a moiety of a knight’s fee and is valued at 9s.
Thomas Lydeshale, Richard Lye, Katerina Morsfelde and Richard Blyke of Aston in the same county, gentlemen, hold certain lands and tenements in Alveley by service of a moiety of a knights fee and is valued at 9s.
John Radcliffe of the county of Lancaster, knight, holds the manor of Eudon Burnell by service of a moiety of a knight’s fee of which they are ignorant and is valued at 9s.
John Dodyton of Detton in the same county, gentleman, holds certain land and tenements in Detton of the aforesaid John Mautravers by service of a moiety of a knight’s fee and is valued at 20s.
Hugh Cressett of Upton in the same county, gentleman, holds certain land and tenements in Criddon by service of a moiety of a knight’s fee of which they are ignorant and is valued at 9s
John, Lord Talbot and of Furnival, holds the manor of Wheathill by service of a knight’s fee of which they are ignorant and is valued at 9s.
The same Lord Talbot holds the manor of by service of a moiety of a knights fee and is valued at 100s
John Chetwin of Stourton in the county of Stafford, gentleman, holds the manor of Aston Botterell of the aforesaid John by service of a knights fee and is valued at 100s
John Langeley of the county of Gloucester, gentleman holds the manor of Oldbury of the aforesaid John Mautravers by service of a moiety of a knights fee and is valued at 9s
Robert St George of Stepple in the same county, gentleman, holds certain land and tenements in Neen Savage et Eudon by service of a knights fee and is valued at 9s
William Lichefield de Eastham in the County of Worcester, knight holds the manor of Kinlet of the Duke of York by service of a knights fee and is valued at £10
William Lichfield holds Catsley by service of a moiety of a knights fee and is valued at 9s
John, Lord Talbot, knight, holds the manor Neenton by service of a moiety of a knight’s fee of which they are ignorant and is valued at 100s.
The same Lord Talbot holds the manor of Sidbury by service of a moiety of a knight’s fee of which they are ignorant and is valued at 9s
John Bruyn holds the manor of Overton with a ¼ part in Eudon by service of a moiety of a knight’s fee of which they are ignorant and is valued at 9s
Thomas Hopton of Hopton in the same county, gentleman, holds the manor of Burwarton by service of 1/3 of a knight’s fee of which they are ignorant and is valued at 9s
Robert St George holds the manor of Stepple by service of 1/3 of a knight’s fee of which they are ignorant and is valued at 9s
Richard Archer of Ercall in the same county, gentleman, holds certain land and tenements in Mawley by service of 1/4 of a knight’s fee of which they are ignorant and is valued at 20s.
Hugh Harnage de Sheinton in the same county, gentleman, holds the manor of Sheinton of the Duke of York