The Manor of Wottone
Looking at Inquistions Post Mortem that relate to the history of Belchamp Walter in the years of the late
Thirteen and and early Fourteenth centuries, I came across this writ:
The year was 1295 (23 Edward I) and related to the death of Isabel, the wife of Simon de Beauchamp.
Top
The text from the I.P.M.
ISABEL LATE THE WIFE OF SIMON DE BELLO CAMPO.
Writ, 4 Oct. 23 Edw. I.
BEDFORD.
Inq. Sunday after St. Martin, 23 Edw. I.
Wottone. The manor (extent given) held in dower, by the assignment of the said Simon with the consent of William de Bello Campo his father, of the heirs of the barony of Bedford.
As for the heirs of the said barony, Roger, aged 30 and more, son of Maud de Moubray sister of the said Simon, Joan the
wife of Ralph Paynel, aged 30, daughter of Ela sister of the said Simon, Isabel the wife of Simon de Pateshulle, aged 24,
daughter of Ida daughter of the same Ela, and Elizabeth the wife of John de Horbur’, aged 34, daughter of the same Ela,
are parceners of the inheritance with the heirs of the body of Beatrice sometime sister of the said Simon. This Beatrice was
married first to Thomas son of Otto, who had by her a son named Otto, now deceased, and a daughter named Maud now aged
26 years and the wife of John Botetourte: after the death of the said Thomas she was married to
Sir William de Montecanyso
of Edwardestone who had by her a son named William, who if he survives, as the jury believe, is 12 years of age and more.
And because the aforesaid Otto survived his mother Beatrice, the jury are doubtful whether her heir by her first or second
husband is her heir of the barony, to whom with the other heirs aforesaid the said manor ought to revert.
Mandate under the privy seal, to John de Langeton, chancellor, to receive by attorney the fealty of John Boteturte,
who married Maud kinswoman and one of the heirs of Simon de Bello Campo, for her pourparty of the manor of Wutton, and
to cause the same to be delivered to him, the king having postponed his homage due for the same until his return from
Gascony, where he is on the king’s service, 1 Feb. 24 Edw. I.
C. Edw. I. File 73. (5.)
How does this relate to Belchamp Walter?
While this is not immeadiatly obvious it relates to why Sir John de Botetourt could possibly come to have a Chantry built
at St. Mary's Belchamp Walter and even who funded the construction of the Nave of the Church in the Fourteenth century.
