A History of Ragley & Arrow

The Burdets of Ragley-Arrow

[1078] The first know Burdet is Robert Burdet, a witness to the notable charter made by Geffrey de Wirce to the Monastery of St. Nicholas at Angiers, which bears the date "Monksirby of 1078"; 12th year of King William the Conqueror's Reign.

[1154-1189] Next mentioned is William Burdet, who flourished in Henry II's time. The Burdets of this line, are said to descend from Hugh Burdet, brother of Robert. Both Hugh and Robert accompanied William the Conqueror on his expedition into England. Both are mentioned in the Doomsday Book.

William Burdet founded the little cell at Aucote near Sekindon in 1159. In 1166 he certified to hold one half a Knight's Fee of William de Beauchamp of Elmely Castle in Wigorn; he was also a witness to the charter made by Robert, Earl of Leicester, to the Monks of Combe, thereby confirming the foundation of that monastery, and gave to the Nuns of Potesworth certain lands called "Coppenhull", lying near Sekindon, which Hugh, his son and heir confirmed.

[1283] Next memorable to this line is Robert Burdet, a justice of the Goal at Warwick from 1283-1292. The next Robert, nephew to Robert by Robert's brother, Hugh, being he that 1st settled there by right of Elizabeth, his wife, daughter and heir to Gerard de Camvill.

[1319] Robert gave 3 acres of land to William de Bremesgreve, Rector of the church at Arrow, for enlargement of the church yard and parsonage.

[1321] Robert served in Parliament at Westminster as one of the Knights of the Shire.

[1324-25] Robert served as Commissioner for Goal delivery at Warwick.

[1326] Again, served as a Knight for the Shire in Parliament at Westminster.

[1327] Robert had a charter for free warren granted to him and his heirs.

[1328] Again served in Parliament, this time held at York. By the end of the year Robert was constituted Sheriff for Warwick and Leicester, and Commissioner for the Goal at Warwick.

[1334] Robert served as Commissioner at Warwick; by special patent bearing date at York of 4 February 1334, had license to "impark his Woods at Arewe, and so to hold them to himself and his heirs forever".

Robert left issue with Elizabeth: Gerard and Robert, both Knights. Robert was of Bourton, Warwickshire; Gerard had his principal seat also in Warwickshire, and in 1347 served in the wars of France with retinue of Maurice de Berkley, an English Baron.

[1350-61] Gerard died about 1350 leaving son and heir, John, underage in 1350, the custody of whose lands, together with his marriage, was granted in 1360 by Sir Richard Stafford, Knight, unto Richard de Clodshale of Saltley in Warwickshire, which John, by the death of John de Vale [his maternal uncle]who died without issue in 1361, was found to e one of his cousin's next heirs.

[1379] Being then a Knight, John was constituted one of the Commissioners for Warwickshire for taxing a subsidy, at that time granted to the King in Parliament.

John was succeeded by Sir Thomas Burdet.

[1382] Thomas was constituted a Commissioner for the arraying of men in Warwickshire.

[1394] He served in Parliament held at Westminster, as one of the Knights for Warwickshire. He also served in 1401 and 1407.

[1416] Thomas was made Sheriff of Warwicksire and Leicestershire.

[1429] Thomas was jointly entrusted, thgether with the Sheriff and other select persons, to entreat with the people for a loan of money to the King.

Thomas left his son and heir, Nicholas, who bore arms from his ancestors. Nicholas had summons to attend the King in person at Westminster upon Tuesday in the first week of Lent in 1420 for defense of the Realm. Shortly after which he was retained to serve the King in his wars; for by an indenture bearing the date at Suthwike of 1419 it appears he received in hand from John Salveine, for himself, 2 men-at-arms, and 7 archers for 1 quarters wages.

[1437] Nicholas was made a Knight, but afterward was made Chief Butler of Normandy, and Governor of Eitreux. In that Dutchy he was slain in the Battle of Pontroise in 1440.

[1450-75] Nicholas was succeeded by his son and heir, Thomas, who, in 1450 was imployed in Warwickshire levying the subsidy granted to the King in Parliament [1468-75] comissioned for the conservation of peace.

[1478] Thomas incurred the displeasure of the King because of his affections for the Duke of Clarence. So strict were the eyes and ears set over Thomas that an advantage was soon taken to cut off his head, for, hearing that the King had killed a white buck in his park at Arewe, which buck he set much store by, Thomas was "passionately wishing that the horns were in the belly that moved the King". He was arraigned and convicted of High Treason for these words, which were taken as a threat to the King. Thomas was beheaded and his body buried in the Chapel of All Saints within the Grey Friar's Church near Newgate.

After the death of Thomas Burdet, there grew suits for his manor and other lands, between Richard Burdet, his son by a former wife that had been divorced from him "for nearness of kin", and John Burdet, his son by Margaret, a later wife. John was appointed by Thomas to inherit lands in place of Richard, the elder son. As Thomas was drawn from the Tower to the place of execution, espying his eldest son in Westchapel over against St. Thomas Beckett's Hospital, he caused himself to be stayed, and there asked his son's forgiveness, acknowledging the wrong he had done to him. However, in the lawsuit, John prevailed, with Margaret holding the estate for life, who shortly after married Thomas Woodhill. After this Richard was so riled against his half-brother, John, and his step-mother, Margaret and her new husband, that he levied a fine against the Manor and lands so that Richard gained possession. The remainder of properties was given to Richard's son, Thomas, and if Thomas died without issue, to Robert, the elder son and heirs of his body, and for lack of such heirs, to the rightful heirs of Richard.

[1509] Thomas and Robert died young during their father's lifetime, and Richard himself left no male heir. With much maneuvering, Richard's younger brother, John, because of the liklihood of the Manor and lands being transferred to another family by Anne, the daughter and heir of Richard, he [John} presented a petition to Parliament in 1509 setting forth his allegiance to Henry, Duke of Buckingham, in behalf of Henry, Earl of Richmond [afterwards known as Henry VII] against Richard III, "King in Deed, but not of right", alledging that upon miscarriage of that Duke in his attemps, he himself was taken to Gloucester and kept prisoner there, and moved that he and his heirs might enjoy the Manor and lands.

[1513] This John Burdet was one of the retinue under Sir Edmond Howard, Admiral for scouring the Seas on the Southern coast of England. Having gained favor at Court he pursued his claim to Lordship and all other lands whereof his father was seized, against Edward Conway, and Anne, his wife, the daughter and heir of Richard Burdet, as if there had been no entail. These suits continued for many years, at great expense to both. Sir John Burdet died before the end of the suit [he died in 1529]. In that same year Thomas, Sir John Burdet's son and heir, after arbitration, was granted all lands in Longdon, Travers, and Newbold in Wigorn. Edward Conway and his wife, Anne Burdet-Conway and their heirs were granted the lands in Belne, and Ablench in Wigorn. This award did not please them and new lawsuits were begun two years later. The outcome of which Thomas Burdet and his heirs were to have the Manors of Bromcote, Sekinton, Compton, Scorfin and Wilmecote in Warwickshire; Longdon Travers, Little Longdon, Arminscote and Newbold in Wigorn, with Larkstoke, Buculton, Pebworth, Quinton and Knrmscote in Gloustershire, along with CC Marks in money.

Edward Conway and Anne and their heirs were granted the Manor at Arrow, along with Manors of Lodyngton in Warwickshire, and Kingsley, Alymore and Camythill, Belne, Ablench, Clodhall, Upton Wareyn, Upton upon Severne, Beeley and Elmbrigge in Wigorn. All have remained as stated ever since.