Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem, Volume 25, 1437-42

MARGARET, ONE OF THE HEIRS OF OTES CHAMBERNOUN , WIFE OF JAMES DERNEFORD

296 Writ de etate probanda. ‡ 12 February 1439. [Bate]. Regarding her inheritance as one of the daughters of William son of Katherine daughter of Thomas son of Margaret one of the sisters of Richard father of Otes Chambernoun, and thus one of the kin and heirs of Otes, who held by knight service of Thomas, earl of Devon, lately a minor in the wardship of the king.

DEVON. Proof of age. Exeter. 20 May 1439. [Wyse].

The jurors were diligently examined regarding the age of Margaret, and swear that she was born on the morrow of Martinmas 3 ‪Henry VI [12 November 1424] at Bigbury, baptised in the church there, and was 14 years of age on the morrow of Martinmas last. They well recollect her age for the following reasons. John Harry , 46, bought 12 a. land at Bigbury for him and his heirs from James Bacon and received seisin on that day. Walter Burell , 44, was at Margaret’s baptism. Walter Lywer , 42, was at William Bykebury’s house at Bigbury on that day, suggesting to Thomasia, William’s servant, that he marry her, but they could not agree. William Polard , 46, was at a meal with William Bykebury , Margaret’s father, in his house at Bigbury. Before he arose from the meal, he heard that Elizabeth, William’s wife, had given birth to a daughter, and that daughter was Margaret. John Kyngeston , 47, was in church on the day of the baptism and, because the parish clerk was absent, he, being in some way lettered, served as parish clerk to the chaplain during the baptism. Robert Stapulhill , 52, fell from his horse at Bigbury on that day, and broke his right shin. Thomas Anderdon , 60, was sent to Dartmouth to fetch sweet wine to comfort Elizabeth, Margaret’s mother. William Langham , 45, knows because there was a strong wind on that day. Dust blew into his left eye at Bigbury by which he lost his sight in it. William Clyfhanger , 50, knows because John Rake and several strangers ambushed him at Bigbury on that day, in an assault that left him with 3 maimed fingers on his right hand. Matthew Bysshop , 44, bargained for a horse that he bought for 40s. on that day at Bigbury from Master William Poundstok, rector of Bigbury , and the dispute and plea regarding the guarantee of the horse were afterwards long pending. John Langeston , 45, was dispatched to fetch Eleanor Peuerell , lady of South Pool, to be Margaret’s godmother. John Baudyn , 46, carried the basin and ewer to Bigbury church, along with a towel, that the godfather(s) and odmother(s) might wash and dry their hands after the baptism.

C 139/95/67 mm. 1–2