Arbitration award of Richard III

48 16 September 1483

Arbitration award of Richard III¹ on matters in dispute between Joan
Plompton, widow, and Robert Plompton, kt, of one party, and John
Roucliff, esq., and Margaret his wife and John Sotehill and Elizabeth
his wife of the other, namely the right, title, claim and interest in all
the premises of which the late Sir William Plompton, kt, or any to his
use were seised, and other matters, actions and demands at issue
between them.

     Reciting that the parties were bound by mutual obligations dated 12
Sept. 1483,² the king having examined the matters and taken the advice
of the lords of his council and of his judges has made his award as
follows: [I] Margaret and Elizabeth the heirs general are to have a
sufficient and lawful estate in the manors of Grassington and Steeton
with appurtenances, lands, tenements, rents, services and reversions
therein. Also other lands, tenements, rents, services reversions and
hereditaments with appurtenances within the manors and towns of
Chaddesden, Spondon, Ockbrook, Broughton, Wormhill, Wheston,
Tideswell, Martinside, Combes, Betfield, Hurdlow, Chelmorton,
Wardlow, Castleton, Burgh, Newbold, Pilsley, Edensor, Carlton and
Lees in Derbyshire, together extended at a clear 224m. Sir Robert and
Dame Joan and any feoffees to the use of Sir William, and all others
having use or title in the same are to make over to the heirs general a
sufficient and lawful estate therein before the 29 Aug. next. Remainder
in case of lack of heirs of Margaret and Elizabeth to the right heirs of
Sir William. The legal instruments for the implementation of the above
are to be approved by Sir William Hussey, CJKB, and Sir Guy Fairfax,
JKB, and made at the expense of the grantees. [ii] Sir Robert and
Dame Joan are to have a sufficient and lawful estate in the residue of
all lordships [etc.] which were of Sir William Plompton, kt, or any
other to his use. The heirs general are to make over a sufficient and
lawful estate in the premises [as above] at Sir Robert’s expense, and to
the satisfaction of the same two justices.

     [iii] John and Margaret Rocliffe are to retain the manor of Nessfield
which was settled upon them by Sir William. Any lands there or in
Langbar shown to the satisfaction of the two judges not to have been
parcel of the manor of Nessfield are to be to Sir Robert and his heirs.
Remainder in case of lack of heirs to the right heirs of Sir William. A
sufficient and lawful estate in the above exceptions shall be made by
John and Margaret at Sir Robert’s expense.

     [iv] The heirs general shall pay an annual rent charge of £40 with
distress clause to Sir Robert, payable at Martinmas and Whit Sunday
in equal portions, for the life annuity due to Elizabeth, widow of
William, son of Sir William Plompton. Sir Robert shall execute the
grant to her before the 11 Nov. next at his expense.

     [v] The manor of Elton with Stanton, Derbyshire, and a fifth part
of the manor of Newton-by-Blithfield, Staffs, are to be enjoyed by
whichever party shall recover them³ until the party shall have recovered
half the cost of recovery, the other party then being recompensed to
the extent of half the cost. The parties are to receive sufficient and
lawful estates in the moieties.

     [vi] Rents, services and issues levied and paid to Sir Robert and/or
Dame Joan since Pentecost 1481 in respect of properties awarded to
the heirs general shall be handed over to them before next Easter, as
directed by the advice of the two justices.

     [vii] Each party shall surrender and hand over to the other before
next Easter all evidences relevant to the premises awarded to them.
By privy seal, 16 Sept. 1483.

[English]

[Copyist’s note.] Copied the 29th March 1627 hauing a seale, and
signed with the king’s hands.

[CB, 722]

     ¹ The document is transcribed in full in Harleian MS 433, 133–6, and Stapleton, xc–
xcv.

 ² No. 46n.

     ³ See no. 40.