Webmaster Notes
The name Simon de Pateshull was brought to my attention by Thomas Wright. Along with Steyngrave land owners of the 13th century are a bit of a mystery.
Reading between the lines the connection to the de Beauchamp family is unfolding. Hugh de Beauchamp is recorded as being a land owner for Bletsoe in the BHO account.
The concept of land ownership is also questionable in this time-scale - my understanding that in Feudal times all land was owned by the crown and was apportioned to nobles who served or were favoured by the monarch. I discussed this on my page on the Early Medieval period of Belchamp Walter's history.
Bletsoe Manor
Simon de Pateshull of Bletsoe is reported to have "held" lands that included Belchamp Walter in the 12th Century.
Bletsoe, Bedfordshire is North of the town of Bedford and features in my history of Belchamp Walter as it close to
the "home" of the Bedford de Beuchamps
The Britsh History on-line website says:
"
In 1086 BLETSOE MANOR, the only manor mentioned in the Survey as situated in this parish, contained 2½ hides and the moiety of a mill worth 10s., and belonged to Hugh de Beauchamp. (fn. 3) The overlordship of this manor, as with other of Hugh de Beauchamp's property, became attached to the barony of Bedford, following the same descent as the manor of Brayes in Bromham (q. v.). (fn. 4)
The last mention that has been found of its exercise occurs in an inquisition of 1597, when Lord St. John was declared to hold Bletsoe Manor of this barony. (fn. 5)
"
"
Osbert de Broilg held Bletsoe Manor of Hugh de Beauchamp in 1086, (fn. 6) and there is evidence that his descendants in the direct line continued to hold in Bletsoe for upwards of a hundred years. An undated document of the early 13th century records a grant by Robert de Broi son of Walter de Broi of land in Bletsoe to the Hospital of Holy Trinity, Northampton, (fn. 7) and in 1219 Robert de Broy and Walter de Patishull (who had married Margery daughter of Robert) were disputing with the master of the same hospital about the advowson of Bletsoe Church. (fn. 8)
"
"
Bletsoe Manor next passed to Simon de Patishull, son of Walter and Margery, who between 1247 and 1253 quitclaimed land in Bletsoe to
John de Berdefeud and others. (fn. 9) His grandson, also Simon de Patishull, died in 1295, having previously enfeoffed
Agnes de Patishull, probably his daughter, and her husband John de Pabenham of the manor for their lives.
On the death of Agnes in 1313 Bletsoe passed to John son of Simon de Patishull, (fn. 10) who the same year secured
recognition of his right to Bletsoe by fine. (fn. 11) He held the manor till his death in 1349, when he was succeeded by his
son William, (fn. 12) who in 1359 left four sisters
as co-heirs, of whom Sibyl wife of Roger de Beauchamp received Bletsoe Manor. (fn. 13)
"
Top
Bletsoe Castle
The photograph from the Bedfordshire Live website shows the castle as it is today. I have to admit that it doen't look like
much of a castle.
Bletsoe Church