Medieval Thorney (Lords of the Manor)

Coat of arms of the Amondevil family

The Amundeville family were Lords of Thorney Manor for most of the medieval  era. There are various spellings of their name. Their coat of arms is a gold fret on a blue background { Carder,J. Dictionanry of Suffolk Arms}They were associated with other properties in Sternfeild and Bedingfield. (Details be Ena Carter)

1345 Ricardo Amondeville, Lord of Sub-Manor of Stow

1484 – ‘Thomas Jeffreys our farmer of Maundevils’ {ECA recorded from Paston Letters, vol11, p235}

John Bresette tenement adjacent to land of Robert Monteyn kn., from the 15th century Thorney Manor Rentals of the Court of John Hotot {HAL/CC2/1/3, retrieved by Neil Langridge.}

Inquest Post Mortem of  L.O.M. Richard Amoundeville which listed details of his manor and desmene {National Archives reference TNA, C134/74.21 retrieved Neil Langridge 2024}

Inquest taken at Stowemarket in Co. Suffolk before the lord King’s Escheator this side of the Trent, the 20th day of June in the 16th year of the reign of King Edward son of King Edward [1323], by virtue of a certain writ [br-s] of the lord King ordering in respect thereof and ?touching upon/attached to  this inquest, by William Clement, John le Hotoot, Simon de Codenham, William de Neutone, Ralph de Newtone, William de ?Amptone, William Bardolfe, William ?Senloues, Nicholas Wastenel/Wastevel, Henry de Nedham, Henry de Grangia & Robert Caperoun, sworn, who say on their oath that Richard de Amoundeville on the day he died held in his demesne as in fee his manor of Thorney next to Stowemarket, with appurtenances in Co. Suffolk, in chief of lord Robert son of Walter, by service of the fourth part of one knight’s fee.

They say also that there is there a messuage with buildings & a certain garden, which is worth 2s. per annum.  And there are there 4-score acres of arable land, and they are worth 26s. 8d. p.a., 4d. per acre.  And there are there 3 acres of meadow and they are worth 6s. p.a., 2s. per acre.  And there are there 10 acres of pasture in a certain alder-grove and they are worth 5s. p.a., 6d. per acre.  And there is there 1 acre of ?…[illeg] pasture and it is worth 12d. p.a.. And there are there 12 acres of wood, and they are worth 6s. p.a., 6d. per acre.  Also there is there  a wind-mill, which is worth noithing at present because it is ‘ruined’  And there are assized rents there of free tenants and they are worth 100s. p.a. at the feast of St Michael and Easter in equal parts. Also there are there 20 customary tenants who do works from Michaelmas until the 1st of August, 40 works, and they are worth 20d., value of a work ½d.  And from the 1st of August until Michaelmas, 40 works and they are worth 3s. 4d., value of a work 1d.  Also there is there half of a certain market [fori] in Stowemarket of which the tolls are worth 6s. 8d. p.a.  Also the pleas and profits of the court with leet there are worth 10s. p.a.  They say also … [torn]… Richard the first-born son of the said Richard,  aged 30 years and more, is the nearest heir.  ‘In witness of which thing’ … [torn].. they have fixed their seals to this inquest.  Given the day & year & place abovesaid.

                                 Total value of the whole manor per annum : £8 8s 4d.