Due to the nature of how the early history of Belchamp Walter has been documented it would first appear
that
Aubrey de Vere was the "Tenent in Chief" at the time of
the General Survey. Quotes from Domesday would confirm this,
however, I think that there is more to this than meets the eye.
I have placed de Vere in my timeline in the 11th Century,
this because the name de Vere is associated with Domesday. According to The Foundation for Medieval Geneology
there seems to be some confusion to who and how many Aubreys there were and their exact dates.
There is a similar level of confusion regarding the de Beauchamp family name as it is documented that
Rohese De Vere, a
daughter of an Aubrey and a wife of a son or grandson was married to a de Beauchamp. A wife of an Aubrey de Vere, Beatrice,
was the founder of Colne Priory.
This page contains text found on the Foundation for Medievil Geneology website plus information
that I had found from previous sources. The start was the accounts from Thomas Wright and the information on Historic
England's listed buildings and monuments.
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This page is part of an on-going research project on the history of Belchamp Walter and
the manor of Belchamp Walter.
If you have found it making a web search looking for geneological or other information on the village then please bookmark this page and return
often as I am likely to make regular updates. If you delve deeper into this website you will find many other pages similar
to this one.
In my research I have references to Aubrey de Veres I, II and III. The account from FMG suggests that
this is
even more occluded as the heritage of even the first recorded Aubrey is in question.
The building of castles at Castle Hedingham, Castle Camps
and
Great Canfield are associated with the De Vere name.
From the Foundation for Medieval Geneology:
"
AUBREY de Vere, son of --- ([before 1040]-Colne Priory, Essex [1112],
bur Colne Priory).
["Alberico de Ver" attested a charter of Conan II Duke of Brittany[1082] (who ruled in his own name from 1057 to 1066).
One passage in the Complete Peerage highlights the absence of proof that this was the same person as Aubrey who later held lands
in England[1083]. If it was the same person,
his career would have been a long one from [1057/66] to [1112], which suggests that they may have been different persons.]
"
"
William I King of England granted him estates, particularly in north Essex, south Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.
He attested a royal charter as Chamberlain [camerarius] in 1084.
[Domesday Book records “the land which belonged to Earl Aubrey”,
including Compton, Durrington, Winterslow, in Wiltshire, Iffley and Minster in Oxfordshire[1084].
It is not certain that these entries apply to Aubrey de Vere who has not been identified with the comital
title in other sources.
In addition,
the unusual heading to the section "the land which belonged to…" suggests that it may have been confiscated or relinquished
before the date of Domesday.]
"
"
Domesday Book records “Aubrey de Vere” holding numerous properties in Essex[1085]. He acted as
Sheriff of Berkshire in [1106][1086]. The Chronicle of Abingdon records a donation by "dapiferi Albrici…et uxore eius Beatrice",
with the consent of "eorum filiis…Albricus, Rogerus, Rotbertus, Wuillelmus"[1087].
"
"
The lordship of the manor of Belchamp Water was, at the time of the
Domesday survey, in the possession of Alberic de Vere, in whose family it
remained until the C17. Under the de Veres it was held by a number of
families until in 1539 it came to Sir Roger Wentworth.
"
Historic England is not the most reliable for accurate histories???? The "Quote-box" above links to the
Historic England listing for Belchamp Hall.
ROHESE de Vere ([1105/10] - after 1166, bur Chicksand Priory). The History of the foundation of Walden abbey
records that
“Galfridus de Mandavilla…fundator noster” married “Rosam sororem Albredi de Oxenford”[1100].
As her son by her first marriage,
Arnulf de Mandeville, received a grant of property in [1141/42] (placing his birth to [1120/25]),
it is likely that Rohese
was one of her parents’ older children. “G de Magnavilla et Roeisa uxor eius” donated property to Hurley Priory,
Berkshire
by undated charter[1101]. “Roesia comitissa” donated property to Colne priory, for the souls of “patris mei Alberici
et
Gaufridi domini mei”, by undated charter, witnessed by “…Willielmo de Veer, Adelisa de Veer, Adelisa de Essexa”[1102].
“Paganum et comitissam Roheis…sponsa mea” donated property to Thorney Monastery, by undated charter witnessed by
“…Ivo Taillebois…”[1103]. m firstly GEOFFREY de Mandeville,
son of WILLIAM de Mandeville & his wife [Margaret de Rie]
(-Mildenhall, Suffolk 14 or 16 Sep 1144, bur 1163 New Temple Church).
He was created Earl of Essex in 1140 and 1141.
m secondly PAYN de Beauchamp Lord of Bedford,
son of ROBERT de Beauchamp & his wife --- (-1156).
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Who was Alice of Essex?
On another Internet "Rabbit Hole" I came across: "WHO WAS ALICE OF ESSEX? - By J. Horace Rourd, M.A"
Background to this page
Having seen this page found by those making an Internet search I have decided to add
a bit more context.
The history of the Belchamp Walter region cannot be described without reference to the deVeres. More simplistic
accounts of this history attibrute the "ownership" to the de Veres until 1539.
I don't find the statement on the Historic England website with regard to
Belchamp Hall
particularly helpful: Under the de Veres it was held by a number of
families until in
1539 it came to Sir Roger Wentworth.
Aubrey de Vere II - https:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Aubrey_de_Vere_II
Who Was Alice Of Essex? - By J. Horace Round, M.A
- https:// archive.org/details/ transactionsess10socigoog/
page/n295/mode/1up?view=theater &q=wentworth
