anxa 
 87-B 
 18601 
 Pt.l 
 
 AN 
 
 HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL 
 
 MEMOIE 
 
 OF THE 
 
 FAMILY OF POYNTZ, 
 
 BY 
 
 mMmmm-mi 
 
 SIR JOHN MACLEAN, F.S.A., &c. 
 
 PART I. 
 
 PRIVATELY PRINTED BY WILLIAM POLLARD, NORTH STREET, EXETER. 
 
E. K WATEPWOUSE. 
 
The Title page, Preface &c. and the Index will be issued 
 with the last Part. 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2014 
 
 https://archive.org/details/historicalgeneal01macl 
 
MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 CHAPTEE I. 
 
 The origin of the family of Poyntz, like that of many other ancient families, 
 is covered by a thick veil which no genealogist has yet been able to raise. 
 Several have made the attempt but, hitherto, without success. The earliest 
 progenitor of the family of whom we have any certain historical knowledge is one 
 Pons or Pontz. He is alleged, and probably with truth, to have formed one of the 
 army of William of Normandy, or to have come over and settled in England soon 
 after the Conquest ; but we have no mention of him personally. He would seem 
 to have had considerable grants of lands in different counties and to have died 
 before 1086, for his fiefs had then passed to his sons, who are named in the Great 
 Inquest, to whom we shall advert presently. But who was Pons or Pontz? 
 
 Mr. Arthur Clifford, in his " Collectanea Cliffordiana," has attempted to 
 affiliate him, claiming for him a descent from William Count of Hiesmes, an 
 illegitimate son of Richard L, Duke of Normandy. This William was the elder 
 brother of Richard II., son of Richard I. by Gunnor, said to have been a 
 lady of a distinguished Danish race. Saving his illegitimacy, therefore, he 
 would have been the heir to the Ducal Crown, and if we are to believe William 
 of Jumiges, and after him Wace, he was in this respect in no way inferior to 
 his brother, for the former author states that Duke Richard I. did not many 
 Gunnor until after the birth of several of his children, and probably Richard 
 was one of them. Whether or no it was from a knowledge of this circumstance 
 and his belief in his superior claims to the Duchy does not appear, but it is 
 said that he was forming treacherous designs against his brother, which coming 
 to his brother's knowledge, he was seized and cast into the tower of Rouen, 
 from which, after a confinement of five years, he escaped, and throwing himself 
 at his brother's feet prayed for pardon, which was cordially and kindly granted, 
 and Richard moreover bestowed upon him the county of Eu, together with the 
 hand of the beautiful Leceline daughter of the noble Turketil, from which 
 
 B 
 
2 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 marriage Mr. Clifford claims the descent of the family. He says : William Count 
 of Eu had by his wife Esseline four sons, Eobert his successor, who founded the 
 Benedictine Abbey of Trefort and accompanied William the Conqueror to 
 England ; William, who was Count of Soisson ; Hugh, Bishop of Lisieux in 
 Normandy ; and Ponts who also went over to England where he settled and 
 was the ancestor of the illustrious family of Clifford. We are not contesting 
 this last mentioned fact, but shall at this stage confine our attention to the 
 parentage of Pons. Upon this point we may state that we have no knowledge 
 that William Count of Hiesmes and Eu had any other sons than Eichard, Eobert, 
 and William shewn in the first pedigree in Lappenberg's " History of England 
 under the Anglo-Norman Kings " ; and the only authority quoted for this 
 alleged important descent is a paper said to contain notes by old Mr. Clifford 
 of Frampton (co. Grlouc.) in 1602 relating to the Clifford Family. These notes, 
 it is said, are probably drawn up by the writer from authentic documents in 
 his possession. This, however, is not sufficient to satisfy any genealogist of the 
 present day. 
 
 The author of " The Norman People " unhesitatingly gives another descent 
 for Pons, saying he was descended either from Manno or Pontius, Barons or 
 Princes of Pons in Saintonge, nobles of Gothic race and benefactors to Savigny, 
 but he gives no authority for this affiliation. 
 
 In these circumstances we may, perhaps, be pardoned for indulging in a 
 guess ourselves, for we do not presume to offer more than a conjecture. Pons 
 or Ponts, so far as we know, is not a Norman name, but would seem to be 
 French. It was a prevailing name in the powerful and influential family of 
 the Counts of Tholouse. Ponce succeeded William as the sixth Count in 919, 
 and was a man greatly celebrated in the Chronicles of Tholouse. To him 
 succeeded the Counts of St. Giles. Eaymond II., Count of St. Giles, bought 
 Tholouse in 1096. He greatly distinguished himself in the Holy Land in the 
 first Crusade, especially at the capture of Tripoli. He had a son named Bertram 
 who succeeded his father as Count of Tholouse in 1099. He also made himself 
 famous in the Holy Land and was made Count of Tripoli in 1112. By Hela 
 his wife, daughter of Eudo Count of Sicily, he had a son named Pons, who 
 like his father and grandfather shewed himself a gallant soldier in the Holy 
 War. He was one of the many christian knights who, with King Baldwin II., 
 through an ambush fell into the hands of the Saracens at Edessa, were made 
 prisoners and kept at hard labour. At the expiration of a year, however, they 
 took courage, overpowered and slew their guards, seized the castle and departed 
 with much booty. Pons was slain 1137 under the walls of his own Castle of 
 
MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 3 
 
 Monte Pelegrine in an engagement with the infidels. He married Cecilia, 
 daughter of Louis VI., King of France, and relict of Tancred son of Eudo, 
 called the Good Marquis. There was another Pons contemporary with the last, 
 and his first cousin, son of Count Melguel, a house of great importance, and a 
 nephew, like Pons last mentioned, of Raymond de St. Giles and Tholouse and 
 godson of Pope Paschal II. He became a monk at Oluni and was elected 
 Abbot in 1112, which office he was obliged to resign in 1125, and died at 
 Eome, 23rd December, 1128. 
 
 These eminent members of the family of the name of Pons only are men- 
 tioned, no one of whom is likely to be the Pons in question, but from the 
 prevalence of the name for so long a time it is not unlikely there might have 
 been another so-called, less distinguished, who might have taken part in the 
 invasion of England. We have no evidence to shew this, and only lay it before 
 the reader as a possibility, and, if true, an ancestor at least as probable and as 
 distinguished as either of those assigned to the family. 
 
 It is uncertain, as we have above stated, whether Pons formed one of the 
 army of invasion, or whether like many other Normans he settled in England 
 subsequently, but from the extent of his grants of lands in divers counties and 
 for other reasons to be presently stated we consider the former most probable. 
 
 There is absolutely no trustworthy record of the leaders of the Norman 
 arni} r . Numerous lists have been put forward under the name of the Battle 
 Abbey Poll, as many as ten or more, but they all differ both in respect to 
 names and numbers, and bear evidence that they have been compiled by 
 different persons. The writer of the greatest authority, and he was not a 
 contemporary, though highly eulogised by Mr. Freeman for his general accuracy, 
 was Eobert Wace an Augustinian Canon of Bayeux before mentioned, born in 
 1100, and may perhaps be trusted as far as he goes, but after describing the 
 battle of Senlac, and giving the names of the Barons present, he frankly acknow- 
 ledges : " Many other barons there were whom I have not named, for I cannot 
 give account of them all, nor can I tell of all the feats they did for I would 
 be tedious. Neither can I give the names of all the barons, nor the surnames 
 of all whom the Duke brought over from Normandy. 1 " Would he had been 
 less scrupulous ! In the list of those who followed the Duke into England 
 we do not find the name of Pons or Pontz. In the rhyming Chronicle, 
 however, attributed to John Brompton, Abbot of Jorvaux, 2 there is a list of 
 240 names from which we make the following extract : — 
 
 1 Roman do Rou. 
 
 2 John Brompton became xibbot of Jorvaux in 16th Henry VI. 
 
 J3 2 
 
4 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 Merle & Mowbray. 
 Gornay & Courtenay. 
 Hanstlaing & Turnay. 
 Husee & Husay. 
 
 Pouncliardon and Pomeray. 
 
 Longevil & Longespay 
 Payns and Pontelarge. 
 Straunge & Sauuage. 1 
 
 We do not find the name of Payns among the Domesday tenants in capite, 
 and it becomes a question whether Payns is not a misprint or mistake for 
 Poyns, which latter word would much better suit the rhythm of the text. 
 On referring to Brompton's MS. in the British Museum we find the second 
 letter is not "a" as printed, and is either "o" or a blotted " e." 2 
 
 Sir Thomas D. Hardy, however, says of this MS. : " Whether John Brompton 
 was the compiler or merely the owner of the chronicle is not known, but the 
 latter is the more probable ; at all events it must have been drawn up after 
 the middle of the fourteenth century, as it contains many extracts from Higden, 
 who is referred to. Whatever connexion John Brompton may have had with 
 this work, it seems to have taken its present form at least after the middle of 
 the fourteenth century ; but it would appear from the mention of John of Ely, 
 Bishop of Norwich (Coll. 747, line 28), with the declared intention of con- 
 tinuing it only to the time of Edward I., that its basis was a previous com- 
 pilation, and, as it seems probable from certain internal notices, by a person 
 connected with the diocese of Norwich." 3 
 
 Brompton says that on account of the variation which he found in the 
 names given at the font, such as Edward for Edmond, he had omitted them 
 altou'ether. 
 
 Pox, in his " Acts and Monuments," printed another list by the Norman 
 chronicler Tailleur, taken out of the " Annals of Normandy " in French, evi- 
 dently derived from the same original as Brompton's. It contains 149 names 
 " over and besides the great number of knights and esquires that were under 
 them." And his second list is formed out of the " Ancient Chronicles of 
 England," " touching the names of other Normans which seemed to remaine 
 alive after the battle, and to be advanced in the signiories of this land," 224 
 in number including the names above quoted. In this we find the last four 
 names are — 
 
 1 Catalogus jSTormanorum, Du Chesne's " Historise Normanorum," p. 1026. 
 ' Cott. MSS. Tiberius, xiii, p. 539. 
 
 3 " Descriptive Catalogue of Materials relating to the History of Great Britain and Ireland," 
 vol. ii, p. 5-10. 
 
MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF FOYNTZ. 
 
 5 
 
 J. de Pountz. E. Estrange. 
 
 E. de Pontlarge. Tho. Savage. 1 
 
 These remarks are made for what they are worth. It signifies little to our 
 narrative whether Pons came with the Duke of Normandy, or was one of the 
 many strangers who followed him into England. It would seem unquestionable 
 that he had extensive grants of lands, and that he died before the Great 
 Survey. He had issue five sons, Drogo or Dru, Walter, Eichard, Osbern, 2 and 
 Simon, the two elder of whom inherited his hefs. Drogo Alius Pontz at the 
 time of the Domesday Survey held of the King in capite in Gloucestershire, 
 in Lece or Leach, ten hides which had belonged to Cola : and Walter films 
 Ponz his brother also held ten hides in Lece which Earl Tostig had held. 
 Drogo also held in this county ten hides in Frampton, which Ernesi had held, 
 in which manor it was found that Eoger de Laci unjustly held one hide of 
 Drogo's land, and a burgess of Gloucester paid rent to this manor. Drogo 
 had other manors in Worcestershire, Herefordshire, and Wilts, and moreover 
 he held no fewer than seventy-three manors in Devonshire under Geoffry 
 Bishop of Coutances. 3 He also held the manor of Swell in Gloucestershire 
 of William de Ou and Eo<>'er de Todeni. 
 
 Besides the ten hides which Walter Alius Ponz held in Lece as stated 
 above, and which has been identified as " Southrop," which having belonged 
 to Earl Tostig would be soke free of the Hundred, Walter held in capite 
 three manors in Oxfordshire ; three hides in Eton, near Windsor, the Survey 
 informs us, he had given to Westminster Abbey for his own soul. Walter 
 also held in Gloucestershire of Thomas Archbishop of York a manor of twelve 
 hides in Lece which, in the time of King Edward, had been held by the abbot 
 and monks of Gloucester, which Eldred the Archbishop had taken from the 
 abbey. Walter also held a small portion of land in the king's manor of Bampton 
 in Oxfordshire. 
 
 1 Mr. Joseph Hunter, F.S.A., formerly one of the Assistant Keepers of the Public Eecords, 
 and sometime a Vice-President of the Society of Antiquaries, read a paper on the subject of the 
 so called Battle Abbey Roll before the Sussex Archaeological Society in 1852, the substance of 
 which is given in the " Herald and Genealogist," vol. i. 
 
 2 In 1130-1 Osbert Alius Poinz paid 2s. in Gloucestershire, and 12s. in Buckinghamshire (Eot. 
 Pip. 31st Hen. I.) 
 
 3 Lysons says he seems to have had the largest possessions of any person in Devonshire, 
 Avhereas, adds Ellis, in that county he is expressly named as the under tenant only of the Bishop 
 of Coutances, (Domes, i, F. fo. 103) " Has. lxxiii terras tenet Drogo de Episcopo," and the lands 
 are all in small quantities. " Introd. to Domesd.," i, p. 405. 
 
6 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 Botli Drogo and Walter died sine prole, and their lands descended to 
 their brothers and their heirs, but as it would appear chiefly to the heirs of 
 Richard the elder. During the period immediately following the Survey 
 evidence as to the devolution of the - Domesday manors is exceedingly scanty, 
 but we are not left entirely without indications. The first glimpse we have 
 is in the year after the Survey when the king signifies to Ulstan Bishop of 
 Worcester, and William the son of Osbert [fitz Pons] and all his barons, &c, 
 in Gloucestershire and Worcestershire, that he had granted to God and St. 
 Peter of Gloucester, and Serb the Abbot and the monks of the same Church, 
 all the lands which Thomas Archbishop of York unjustly held, viz., Leeche, 
 Otington, and Stanedis (Stanediche.) 1 
 
 Richard Fitz Pons inherited the manor of Frampton, from which he gave 
 two virgates of land to the Templars. 2 His eldest son Walter eventually 
 assumed the name of Clifford, and his descendants continued to hold the 
 manor for several centuries. He had two sons, Walter and Richard. 
 
 In 1144 Walter, son of Richard, son of Pontius, with the assent of 
 Richard his brother, granted to Gilbert the abbot and the monks of St. Peter 
 of Gloucester certain lands in Estleeche, held of Roger Earl of Hereford, in 
 exchange for the manor of Glasbury which the abbot held of Roger of Thoeni, 
 and this exchange was confirmed by King Stephen. Roger de Thoeny, whose 
 steward Walter fitz Richard at this time was, Roger Earl of Hereford, and 
 Walter de Clifford, whose father Walter had granted Estleeche to Abbot 
 Gilbert and the monks of St. Peter, confirmed the same. 3 And not long after- 
 wards Abbot Hameline in granting to his own man William Syreburne one 
 virgate and six acres of land with a house which Orwi held in Estleech 
 specified that he should hold it as it had been held of the son of Pontius. 4 
 
 The manor of Swell descended to Simon fitz Pons the younger son, who 
 in the early part of the twelfth century granted to the Abbey of Tewkesbury 
 in perpetual alms the tithe of all his demesne of Suella as well as of Aldebiz 
 as of his other demesne, and that no controversy should subsecpiently arise 
 between the Church of Tewkesbury and the Chaplain of Swell he gave to 
 the same Chapel for ever one virgate of land in addition to the two virgates 
 which it already had. A controversy, nevertheless, did arise, upon which a 
 composition was made between the Church of Tewkesbury and Mathew 
 
 1 " Hist, et Cartularium S. Petri, Gloucestrise," vol. ii, p. 107, iii, 263. 
 Dugdale's " Mon." ii, p. 530. 
 
 3 " Cart. Monas. S. Petri, Glouc," vol. i, pp. 311, et seq. 
 
 4 " Cart. Monas. S. Petri, Glouc," vol. i, p. 269. 
 
MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 7 
 
 Chaplain of Swell, whereby it was agreed that the monks of Tewkesbury 
 should receive all the tithes of the demesne of Swell, so, however, that the 
 parishioners of the Chapel should put their sheep in the sheep-folds of the 
 lord of Swell, and if in the pasture of the demesne they should pass the winter, 
 the rector of the Chapel should receive the half of the tithe thereof and the 
 monks the other half. The monks were also to receive all the tithes of the 
 servants of the lord who should be in the sheep-fold of the Chapel of Swell 
 6d. for the place of Berthonas which for a long while should remain in the 
 village. They were, however, to be quit from their prestation for that 
 year, in which the parishioners should have their sheep in the Berthona of 
 the lord and in the demesne, although the Berthona should be removed ; 
 also a penalty of 100s. if the prestation is assigned. If either party should 
 draw back from the composition it was to be given to that party who 
 should abide by it. 1 
 
 Simon fitz Pons had a son named Pons or Poncius, and when Henry II. by 
 inquisition preparatory to his levying an aid, required his barons and tenants in 
 capite to certify what number of knights' fees they owed respectively, and by 
 whom such fees were held under them, specifying those which were of the old 
 feoffment, that is, before the death of Henry I., and the new feoffment, "William, 
 Earl of Gloucester certified that Poncius fitz Simon held of the honour of 
 Gloucester eight knights' fees of the old feoffment. 8 This Pons or Poncius had 
 a son Nicholas, and in 1194-5 Nicholas Ponz in Gloucestershire gave 300 
 marks of benevolence towards the ransom of King Eichard I. 3 from his 
 imprisonment by the Duke of Austria, to be paid at 100 marks per annum, 
 of which he had paid into the Treasury £50, and £150 remained due. He also 
 rendered the same year an account for having the king's ... of which 
 he paid into the Treasury 10 marks, and there remained due £143 and half 
 a mark. 
 
 It is an interesting fact, and perhaps affording a motive for this large 
 gift, that Eobert Earl of Gloucester gave lands in Camberwell to Eeginald 
 Pointz. He afterwards signavit se cruce cum regi Ric, and gave all his 
 share in the vill to his four nepotes, one of whom seems to have been 
 Nicholas. 4 
 
 1 Dugdale's " Mon.," ii, p. 70. 
 
 2 " Liber Niger," Hearne's Ed., 1728, vol. i, p. 162. 
 s Eot. Pip., 6th Rich. I., Glouc. 
 
 4 This is from a memorandum of the lands in Camberwell belonging to the Priory of Halli- 
 well in Middlesex (Cott. MS. Vitell. P. 8), "Mon.," i, 533. 
 
8 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 In 1201-2 Nicholas Poinz of the Honour of Gloucester, probably the 
 Nicholas just mentioned, rendered an account of 23 marks of the second 
 scutage, and of fine for knights not transferred, and for seven knights' fees ; J 
 and the same Nicholas rendered at the same : time an account of 12s. 6d. of 
 scutage of one knight's fee of the honour of Moreton. 2 It is also stated that 
 he owed £9 6s. 3^d. of the farm of Carenton for half-a-year, and £10 10s. 
 of the borough of Dunstore for half-a-year, but answered within, and is freed 
 of the janitor of Dunster Castle 15s. 2^d. of half-a-year, and of the watchman 
 of the same castle 15s. 2^d. for the same term, and so of the second half- 
 year. 3 The fees here mentioned were doubtless the same fees held by Poncius 
 fitz Simon some 40 years before. Nicholas Poinz and Johanna his wife on 29th 
 January, 1218-9, gave five marks to have a weekly market on Thursday at their 
 manor of Ametut,' 4 which manor we have not been able to identify. 
 
 This Nicholas and his son Hugh, according to Banks, were amongst the 
 rebel barons against King John. 5 That Nicholas was a devoted adherent of 
 King Richard we have had evidence, and it is not surprising if he did not 
 entertain the same feeling toward John. 
 
 In the MS. Cartulary of the Abbey of St. Augustine of Bristol, now 
 preserved in the Muniment room of Berkeley Castle, there are five instruments 
 relating to the possessions of this Nicholas Poinz and grants to the abbey, 
 viz. : — 
 
 1. The first is a grant by Nicholas Poinz in consideration of the sum of 
 150 marks of silver of a moiety of all his arable land in Catebroc to be 
 divided. In the field Eodwerlang the half towards the south ; in the field 
 Lodwerlang the half towards the north ; in the field Wiferlang the half 
 towards the south ; also the half virgate of land near the bridge, nine men 
 with all their services, chattels, and tenements which they hold of him ; also 
 the third part of his pasture land in the common of Cadibroc to hold freely 
 &c, except royal service, in pure and perpetual alms, doing suit and service 
 twice a-year to the Hundred Court. 
 
 2. Upon Inspeximus Hugh Poyntz confirmed this grant of his father and 
 lord, Nicholas Poyntz. 
 
 Some dispute would seem to 'have arisen concerning a moiety of the tithe 
 of corn of Katebroc, which had therefor been of custom received by the 
 
 J Eot. Pip. Glouc, 3rd John. 
 3 Ibid. 
 
 5 " Baronage," vol. i, p. 401, 
 
 2 Tbid, Dorset and Somerset. 
 
 4 Eot. Fin., 3 rd Henry III, m. 9. 
 
MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 9 
 
 Eector of the Chapel of Tokinton, which led to a composition and agreement 
 beween the Abbot and Canons of St. Augustine and the Church of Almondes- 
 bury on the one part and the Chapel of Tokinton and Nicholas Poyntz the 
 Patron thereof and Eichard Eector of the same of the other part, whereby it 
 .was agreed between the parties that the rector of the Chapel of Tokinton 
 should possess the said tithe for ever paying therefor yearly to the Church 
 of Almondesbury 6s., and that the Church of Almondesbury should receive 
 the other moiety together with the small tithes offerings of the said place. 
 
 3. Afterwards Johanna de Trail)', formerly wife of the said Nicholas Pontz, 
 released and quit-claimed to the said Abbot and Canons all her right and 
 claims upon lands called Kingsmershe at Almondesbury, and 
 
 4. Baldwin de Bethune and Johanna de Traily his wife quit-claimed the 
 same and other lands to the same Abbot and Canons. 1 
 
 These instruments are undated, but they are probably towards the end of 
 the life of Nicholas Poinz and soon after the remarriage of his relict, perhaps 
 about the end of the first quarter of the thirteenth century. The date is to 
 some extent marked by the career of Baldwin de Bethune. This Baldwin, who 
 was advocate of Bethune, flourished from 1189 to 124(5. He was married 
 to his first wife a sister of Anselm de Cioches or Chokes, and on the death 
 of her nephew, Eobert de Chokes s.jk, which was before 1202, Baldwin's son 
 Robert inherited his Baron}- of fifteen knights' fees, but he does not appear to 
 have been summoned to Parliament. 
 
 We find Baldwin de Bethune mentioned in the Pipe Eoll of 1st Eichard I. 
 for the county of Sussex. In 1199 he had a grant of the manors of Pokes- 
 ham, Stoke, Brabarn with the Hundred, Sutton, and Eamesing, all in the 
 county of Kent, 2 and in 1236-7 he was granted the manors of Gayton and 
 Grimsby in the county of Northampton. 3 We do not know the date of his 
 death but it could scarcely be long after this time for he must now have 
 been an aged man. It was doubtless his son Eobert or his grandson William, 
 both of whom succeeded him as advocate of Bethune, who is shewn in Testa 
 de Nevil to hold eight knights' fees of the fee of Chokes in the county of 
 Northampton (p. 30), and eleven fees of the king in capite in the same 
 count}', in which county Eobert son of Baldwin died seized of divers lands 
 
 Nicholas Poinz was succeeded by his son Hugh, who must have been, if 
 Banks can be trusted, of man's estate before the Barons' Wars, and other 
 
 1246-7. 4 
 
 1 Cartulary St. Aug., fols. 156-158. 
 3 Charter Koll, 1st John, part i, in. 102. 
 C 
 
 3 Ibid, 21st Henry III. 
 
 4 Inq. p.m., 31st Henry III, ISo. 41. 
 
10 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 circumstances tend to confirm this view. In a pedigree among the Miscellaneous 
 Pedigrees in the Heralds' College, though not upon official Eecord, he is 
 described as Lord of the Manor of Tockington, in the county of Gloucester. 
 He married Juliana daughter of Hugh and niece and coheir of Eobert Bardolf 
 of the county of Kent. On 12th May, 1218, Hamo, son of Eichard, obtained a 
 writ to recover from Hugh Poinz two carucates of land, &c, in Sutton, in the 
 county of Dorset, into which it was alleged the said Hugh had no ingress 
 except by intrusion after the death of Grace who was wife of Eobert, son of 
 the said Hamo, which lands she had in dower of the inheritance of the said 
 Hamo. 1 Hugh must have died very soon after this date leaving a son and 
 heir Hugh. 
 
 We now begin to tread on firmer ground, and as we proceed we shall 
 find much to connect what we shall presently state with what we have already 
 written. 
 
 William Malet, Baron of Cory Malet in co. Somerset, died before 1220 
 leaving two daughters his coheirs (his son William having predeceased him 
 s.p.) Hawisia who was wife of Hugh Poinz son of Hugh last above mentioned, 
 and Mabel who became the wife of Hugh de Vivonia, but died s.p.m. This 
 Hugh did not long survive his father, for his writ diem clausit extremum was 
 issued on 4th April, 1219, and on 11th February, 1220-1, Eobert de Muscegros 
 made fine with the King in 300 marks to marry Helewisia, who was the wife 
 of Hugh Poinz, to be paid hj quarterly payments of 50 marks commencing on 
 the Easter following, and the Sheriff of Somerset was commanded to accept 
 security for the payment of the fine at the periods specified, and to give full 
 seizin of all the lands, fees, and tenements of the aforesaid Helewisia in his 
 bailiwick, and to notify the same to the Sheriffs of Kent and Suffolk. 
 
 The issue of the marriage of Hugh Poinz and Hawisia Malet was a son 
 named Nicholas, who was then a child of tender years. On 1st July, 1225, the 
 King received the homage of Jordan Foliot, Isolda Gray and Ealph Paynel, 
 for their portions of the lands, &c, of their uncle, Eobert Bardolph, and also 
 of Eobert Lupo on behalf of Matilda Bardolf his mother, and the Sheriff of 
 Kent was commanded to take security from them respectively for their relief 
 and give them seizin of the lands of their several portions, but the portion of 
 the son and heir of Hugh Poinz, who was likewise one of the heirs of Eobert 
 Bardolf, and within age and in the custody of the King, was retained. His 
 wardship was granted to his uncle Ealph Poyntz. 2 He was still under age in 
 
 1 Eot. Tin., 2nd Henry III., m. 6. 
 
 2 Rot. Claus., 18th Henry III, in. 16. 
 
MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 11 
 
 1232, for on 11th November in that year Ealph, son of Nicholas, therefore 
 Hugh's great uncle, claimed the 100s. yearly which Eobert de Muscegros used 
 to render to Grilbert Earl of Gloucester by reason of the dower of his wife in 
 Sutton, which was of the inheritance of the son and heir of Hugh Poinz then 
 in the custody of the said Ealph,, to hold to the said Ealph till the legal age 
 of the said heir, and Eobert Muscegros was commanded to answer to him for 
 the said 100s. 2 
 
 On the vigil of SS. Peter and Paul (Nov. 17) 1251, the Prior and Monks 
 of Great Malvern exchanged with Sir Nicholas Poinz a certain virgate of 
 land which they had of the gift of his father Hugh Poinz for a certain 
 virgate of land in the marsh juxta Tokington, which was given to the Church 
 of St. James at Bristol, and which by charters between them was quit-claimed 
 for ever. 3 The Manor of Tokington, which at the time of the Domesday 
 Survey consisted of eight hides, and was held by William fitz Osborne in 
 demesne, if not at that time held by one of the Pointz family as a sub- 
 infeudation, came early into their possession and was held together with Swell. 
 It is stated in an Inquisition ad quod damnum taken at Swell in 28th Edward I, 
 that Eichard Earl of Cornwall, who died in 1271, had a pasture of 140 acres 
 in exchange from the Abbot of Tewkesbury and from Nicholas Pointz deceased 
 which the said Earl imparked in 1254 to give to the Abbot of Hayles, and 
 which his son Edmund desired to confirm. And in another Inquisition, taken 
 five years later, it is said that Eichard, formerly Earl of Cornwall, purchased 
 the ville of Netherswell, in the Hundred Eolls called the Manor, and gave 
 it afterwards to the Abbot of Hayles. The Nicholas Poinz mentioned in these 
 records was doubtless the Nicholas now immediately under notice, and was 
 as unquestionably the descendant of Simon fitz Pons upon whom we have 
 seen the fee of Swell devolved after the death of his brothers Drogo and 
 Walter s.p., probably through Pons fitz Simon, who in 1166 held the fees of his 
 father and uncle of the Honour of Gloucester, of which Honour the fees 
 in question formed a portion. And we shall see as we proceed that the 
 inheritance of these fees devolved upon the Pointz's of Cory Malet and Iron 
 Acton, establishing the descent of that branch of the family from Simon fitz 
 Pons rather than from his brother Osbert, as has hitherto been supposed. 
 Nicholas Poinz married Elizabeth daughter and heir of Timothy Dyall and 
 died in 1272. In the Inquisition taken after his death for the county of 
 
 1 Kot. Fin., 9th Henry III, m. 3. 2 Eot. Claus., 17th Henry III, m. 16. 
 
 3 " Annales Monastici Morgan," Tewkesbury, p. 144. Master of the Rolls's Series. 
 C 2 
 
12 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 Gloucester, on Wednesday next after the feast of St. Martin in that year, the 
 jurors found that he died seized of the Manor of Tokington 1 which he held 
 of the Earl of Gloucester by military service, and that Hugh Poinz was son of 
 the said Nicholas and his nearest heir, and. was aged 21 years and more. 2 
 Upon a similar Inquisition taken the same day for the county of Somerset it 
 was found that the said Nicholas held the Manor of Cory Malet of the King 
 in capite by military service, and that Hugh Pointz was his son and nearest 
 heir, and of the age above stated. In a similar Inquisition taken on the feast 
 of St. Bartholomew in the same year it is found that the said Nicholas held 
 the manor of Sutton in capite of Gilbert de Clare Earl of Gloucester, by the 
 service of one knight's fee, and that his heir was as before stated. The 
 Inquisition for the county of Cambridge was taken as early as the Yigil of St. 
 Mark (April 24) in the same year and shews that the said Nicholas died early 
 in that year. The jurors say that he held a moiety of the Manor of Dollingham 
 which belonged to a certain William Malet, and that the said Manor the said 
 William held in exchange for the Manor of St. Wandregesil in pure and 
 perpetual alms and not of the king, and that the said Nicholas gave the said 
 manor to Huo'h his son and heir who held the same during the life of his 
 father, and the said Hugh was aged 21 years and more. The Inquisition for 
 the county of Kent was taken on Thursday next after the feast of St. Leonard 
 and the jurors found that the said Nicholas held the Manor of Ho in capite of 
 the King by the service of half a knight's fee, and that Hugh Pointz is his son 
 and nearest heir, and was aged 2T years and more at the feast of St, Bartholomew 
 last past. 3 The King, by his writ dated 16th August 2nd Edward I., , signified 
 to the Escheators of the various counties, and especially to the Escheator of 
 Somerset, that Hugh Pointz son and heir of Nicholas had made homage for the 
 Barony which he held of the King in capite and commanded that upon 
 reasonable relief being paid seizin should be given. 
 
 It will be observed that in the Inquisition taken for the county of 
 Gloucester on the death of Nicholas Poyntz, the Manor of SAvell is not men- 
 tioned as parcel of his possessions. This is explained by the following record : 
 Among the many writs of quo warranto issued by King Edward I. was a 
 precept to the Sheriff of Gloucester commanding him to call upon the Abbot 
 
 1 It will be observed that the Manor of Swell is not named in this Inquisition as held by 
 Nicholas Poynz on the day of his death, but it will be seen on reference to the Inquisition 
 taken on the death of Eichard de Clare, that the fees of Tokinton and Swell were then held 
 of him. 
 
 2 Inq. p.m., 1st Edward I, Xo. 17. 3 Inq. p.m., 1st Edw. I, No. 17. 
 
MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 13 
 
 of Hayles to answer to the King of a plea why whereas King Henry III. 
 within the time a writ of novel disseizin runs was seized of una jurata annua} 
 of view of frank pledge of the villa of ISTetherswell, and likewise of seven 
 pence of ward penny more annual prestation the Abbot now takes it. The 
 Abbot answered that King Henry II. was not seized of the said prestation 
 after the time aforesaid, and petitions an enquiry. And William de Inge who 
 followed says that King Henry III. in the 31st year of his reign gave the 
 Manors of Slaughter and the Hundred of Malmesbury to which the said 
 arrentation belongs to the monks of Fischamp, in exchange for the Manors of 
 Wynchelse and La Eye, and before that gift the said King ever had in seizin 
 the said arrentation and likewise the said monks were seized for the space 
 of three years in the name of the King as hundredor, and this they pray may 
 be enquired into, and the jury together with Ei chard de Tundicote and John 
 de Cameron testify the same upon their oaths ; by which verdict it manifestly 
 appears that the said subtraction was made within the time aforesaid, viz., in 
 the 38th Henry III., whereof the arrears of the said jurata 38 marks, and the 
 arrears of the seven pence 22s. 2d. And the jurors being asked if the Abbot 
 and his predecessors during the whole time aforesaid received the said 
 arrentation say, that Eichard King of Almain purchased certain land of the 
 ancestor of Hugh de Poynz in the aforesaid ville after the time of the date of 
 a writ of novel disseizin, and then first took the arrentation which King 
 Henry HI. and the Monks of Fischamp were wont to receive, which said 
 land King Eichard held in his hand for seven years and then gave it to the 
 Monks of Hayles and the said monks received the arrentation. And thereupon 
 comes William Bladington, Bailiff of Fischamp and claims the said arrentation 
 as the right of the Monastery of Fischamp, and prays the king's grace. " A 
 day is given to hear judgment before the Barons of the Exchequer. What 
 the result was we know not. It is not pertinent to our enquiry, for it appears 
 that certain lands which probably included the Manor of Swell were sold to 
 Eichard King of Almain. It would however appear, as we shall see further 
 on, that the military services were reserved. 2 In the Inquisition taken after 
 the death of Eichard de Clare Earl of Gloscester and Hertford, who died in 
 1261, the fees of Thokington and Swell were found to be held of him by 
 Nicholas Pointz, 3 and on the death of his son and successor Gilbert de Clare 
 in 1295 it was found that Hugh le Poinz held of the said Earl six knights' 
 
 i " Jurata " is a payment or annual fine of the View of Frank Pledge. It is the common 
 fine of the Court. 
 
 a Placita quo Warranto, 15th Edw. I, Eot. 9. 3 Inq. p.m., 47th Hen. Ill, No. 34. 
 
14 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 fees in Tokenton and. Swell, the value per annum of which is stated to be £170. 1 
 Gilbert de Clare, son and heir of the last Earl Gilbert, died in 1313 s.p., 
 leaving his three sisters his coheirs, of whom Margaret first became the wife 
 of Piers de Gaveston and after his death of Hugh de Audeley. The latter was 
 created Earl of Gloucester on 23rd April, 1337, and, surviving his wife, held, 
 her lands and manors according to the law of England. He died in 1347 seized 
 of an estate as aforesaid inter alia of six knights' fees of the Honour of Gloucester 
 in Tokynton and Swelle held of him by Hugh de Poyns and stated to be of the 
 value aforesaid. 2 Margaret, wife of Ealph Lord Stafford, was found to be the 
 next heir of the said Hugh and Margaret. Ealph Baron Stafford was created Earl 
 of Stafford on 3rd March, 1371, and died 14th October, 1386 seized inter alia 
 of the six knights' fees in Tokinton and Swell 3 which Nicholas Poyntz formerly 
 held ; it is also stated that Robert le Poyntz held of him one knight's fee in 
 Irenacton. A similar return was made in the Inquisition taken at Thornbury 
 on 14th February, 1398-9, after the death of Thomas Earl of Stafford, the fee 
 in Irenacton being then held of him by Eobert Poynz, which fee is stated to be 
 of the value of £30, that is, of course, to the Earl. It will be observed that 
 in these later Inquisitions it is not stated who then held the fees, but reference 
 is made to the time when they were held by Nicholas Poyntz. One might be 
 inclined to think that these fees had ceased to be held by the Poyntz family, 
 but in the Inquisition taken on 11th September, 1460, after the death of 
 Humphry Duke of Buckingham, among the fees he held in the Honour of 
 Gloucester are found six knights' fees in Tokynton and Swell which the heirs 
 of Nicholas de Poyntz hold, and that the fee in Irenacton was then held by 
 the heir of Eobert de Poyntz. 4 We have traced the devolution of the fees in 
 Tokynton and Swell to prove that the Poyntzes of Iron Acton were the direct 
 descendants of Simon fitz Pons who possessed the Manor of Swell in the early 
 part of the twelfth century, and granted all the tithe of the demesne to the 
 Abbey of Tewkesbury. 
 
 Nicholas Pointz married Elizabeth daughter of William de la Zouche, and 
 his son Hugh becomes a prominent figure in the history of the family. He did 
 homage for the Barony he held of the king 2nd Edw. I. 
 
 Llewelyn Prince of Wales had been an active ally of Simon de Montford, 
 and had been included in the peace on the death of that personage, but on 
 
 1 Inq. p.m., 8th Edw. II, No. 68, m. 56. 
 
 2 Inq. p.m., 21st Edw. Ill, No. 59 (First numbers.) 
 
 3 Inq. p.m., 10th Eich. II, Xo. 38, and 16 Eich. II, No. 27 (Ears 1.) 
 
 4 Inq. p.m., 38th and 39th Hen. VI, Xo. 59. 
 
MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 15 
 
 his refusal to attend the summons to the first Parliament of King Edward I., 
 the king determined to punish him by invading his country. For this purpose 
 he summoned all his power to a muster at Worcester in the octave of St. 
 John Baptist, 1277. 1 In pursuance of which Hugh Pointz acknowledged the 
 service of one knight's fee in Cory Malet and performed it himself, and again 
 at Carmarthen on Thursday next before the feast of St. Margaret following. 2 
 Llewelyn was now reduced to subjection and peace was made, and Llewelyn 
 returned with the king to Westminster to keep Christmas. In 1282 the Welsh 
 again broke out into rebellion and murdered the Lord Clifford, the king's 
 justiciar in Wales. An army was again formed, and Hugh Poinz was sum- 
 moned to perform military service in person and muster at Ehuddlan on the 
 morrow of St. Peter ad vincula (2nd Aug.) in that year. 3 He was, however, 
 discharged from attendance at Ehuddlan, and ordered to continue in West 
 Wales under the command of the captains of the forces in those parts. 4 He 
 was again summoned to appear in person at a muster in Carmarthen on the 
 feast of St. Nicholas, 6th Dec, 1282. In the following week a great battle 
 was fought on 11th Dec, in which the English were entirely victorious. Prince 
 Llewelyn was slain by a common soldier and 2,000 men of his army also fell. 
 His brother Prince David escaped. In the following year, however, Edward 
 determined upon pursuing the advantage he had gained. Hugh Poynz was 
 again summoned to Carmarthen to perform military service in person at the 
 muster the quindecim of Easter.'' Prince David now fell into the king's hands 
 and was sent to Shrewsbury, and there executed with such shocking barbarity 
 as had never before been known in England. In 1283 Hugh Poynz was 
 summoned to a Parliament at Shrewsbury on the morrow of St. Michael. 6 In 
 1287 he was summoned to appear with horses and arms at a military council 
 to be held at Gloucester before Edmond Earl of Cornwall in the three weeks of 
 St. John Baptist's day. 7 
 
 In this year he was summoned to reply to the king on a plea by what 
 warrant he claimed to have view of frank pledge and market and fair in his 
 Manor of Tockington without the king's license. Hugh appeared and said, that 
 as regarded the view of frank pledge and weyfs he and all his ancestors, from 
 time immemorial, had held the said manor with the aforesaid liberties ; and 
 that as regarded the market and fair he said that the now king granted to the 
 
 1 Pari. Writs, 5th Edw. I, vol. i, p. 194. 
 
 2 Ibid, pp. 204, 212. 
 
 4 Ibid, 10th Edw. I, vol. i, p. 225. 
 4 Ibid, p. 227. 
 
 5 Pari. Writs, 11th Edw. I, vol. i, 247. 
 
 6 Ibid, p. 16, ]N T o. 20. 
 
 7 Ibid, 15th Edw. I, vol. i, 250. 
 
16 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 same Hugh, by Charter dated 10th Feb. in the ninth year of his reign, a 
 market every week on Wednesday at his Manor of Tokington and one fair 
 there every year for three days : viz., on the vigil, day and morrow of St. 
 Nicholas the Bishop ; and one other fair for three days : viz., on the vigil, day 
 and morrow of the Translation of the said St. Nicholas. A day was given to 
 hear the case, but it was postponed from term to term and eventually would 
 appear to have been dropped. 1 
 
 In the latter part of the year 1294 another army was collected to march 
 into Wales with the view of extirpating the Welsh people, and Hugh Poynz 
 was one of those who were summoned to a military council at Worcester on 
 Sunday the morrow of St. Edmund the King (21st Nov.) 2 He was also 
 summoned to two Parliaments held at Westminster in 1295, 3 and to one held 
 at Bury St. Edmund's 4 on the morrow of All Souls in the following year. 
 In 1297 the king determined upon an expedition into France, and all persons 
 holding lands or rents of £20 yearly value were summoned under a general 
 writ to perform military service in person with horses and arms, &c, beyond 
 the seas. 5 Hugh Poyntz was returned from the counties of Dorset and 
 Somerset. The king crossed over to France with a great army on the 
 22nd August, 6 but it does not appear that Hugh Poyntz accompanied him, 
 for he was summoned to appear with horses and arms at a military council 
 at Kochester before Edward, the king's son and Lieutenant of England, on 
 Sunday the Nativity of the Virgin (8th Sept.) 7 In 1300 he was summoned 
 to a Parliament in London. 
 
 It would be tedious to enumerate all the occasions on which he was 
 summoned to musters with horses and arms for the Scots wars in 1296, but 
 it is presumed that he was at the great battle of Dunbar on 27th April, 
 when the Scots were defeated with great slaughter, which led to the formal 
 surrender by Baliol of the regal dignity. He was summoned to the muster 
 at Carlisle on Witsun Eve 1297, when there was another great expedition 
 into Scotland. It is, however, unnecessary to quote the various summonses 
 both special and general which he received to take his part with horses and 
 arms in the wars with Scotland, but there is one of too much interest and 
 importance to be omitted. Edward I again invaded Scotland in 1300, and 
 Hugh Poyntz received a special summons to be present at the muster at 
 
 ipiacito de quo Warranto, 15th Edw. I, Eot. 9. » Ibid, 24th Edw. I, i, 292. 
 
 2 Pari. Writs, 23rd Edw. I, vol. i, p. 265. 6 Berkeley MSS., vol. i, p. 173. 
 
 3 Ibid, pp. 29, 31, 33. 7 Pari. Writs, 25th Edw. I, vol. i, 296. 
 
 4 Ibid, 24th Edw. I, p. 18. 
 
MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 17 
 
 Carlisle on the feast of the Nativity of St. John Baptist. The English army 
 marched from Carlisle a few days afterwards, and about the 10th or 11th 
 July laid seige to the famous Castle of Caerlaverock. At this seige Hugh 
 Poyntz displayed his banner, which was challenged by Brian Fitz Alan who 
 unfurled one bearing precisely the same arms. The contemporary author of 
 the Eoll of Caerlaverock says : — 
 
 E la baniere Hue Pointz And the banner of Hugh Pointz 
 
 Estoit barree de viiij poinz Was barry of nine pieces 
 
 De Or e de Goules ovelment Of Or and Gules equally. 
 
 And again — 
 
 Le beau Brian le fltz Aleyn The handsome Brian Eitz Alan 
 
 De courtoisie e de honnour pleyn Full of courtesy and honour 
 
 I vi o baniere barree I saw there with his well adorned banner 
 
 De or e de goules bien paree Barry of gold and red 
 
 Dont de chalenge estoit li poinz, Which was the subject of dispute 
 
 Par entre li e Hue Poinz Between him and Hugh Pointz, 
 
 Ki portoit tel ne plus ne meins, Who bore the same, neither more nor less, 
 
 Dont merveille avoit meinte e meins. At which many marvelled, man and woman. 
 
 We have followed Wright's translation (pp. 9 and 15). 
 
 It is significant that the chronicler says this had frequently been the 
 subject of dispute between them, as it shews that it was most unusual for two 
 persons to bear the same coat armour. Hugh Pointz, as we have seen, signed 
 the celebrated letter to the Pope, but the seal with which he authenticated his 
 signature was that of his son, for his arms are differenced with a lable of five 
 points and bears the legend s. nicholai poyntz. Brian Fitz Alan also signed 
 this letter, but instead of affixing his seal of arms he used a device of a very 
 comical character, consisting of a motley assemblage of animals, two birds, a 
 rabbit, a stag, and a boar, all of which are looking to the dexter, excepting the 
 latter which is regarding the chief. The legend is also curious : tot. capita, 
 tot. sentencie. Brian Fitz Alan would seem to have been an eccentric 
 character, but the incident shews that by the laws of arms no two persons 
 were allowed to bear the same ensigns, and that any infraction of this law 
 was not allowed to pass unnoticed. We have other illustrations in the Scrope, 
 Grosvenor and Carminow suit in the Court of Chancery in 1389, and Grey 
 and Hastings in 1410. 
 
 We have mentioned ante that Hugh Pointz was summoned to parliament twice 
 in 1295, again in 1296. In 1300 he was summoned to a Parliament in London. 1 
 
 1 Pari. Writs 28th Edw. I, vol. 82. 
 
18 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 It has been doubted by some persons whether the assemblies to which the 
 summonses just mentioned have reference were true parliaments, but they have 
 been admitted as such at the Bar of the House of Lords. Be that as it may, 
 there is no evidence that Hugh Poinz, though summoned, sat at either of them. 
 He was, however, by writ dated 26th September 1300, by the style and title of 
 Hugo Pointz Dominus de Corimalet, summoned to the important parliament to 
 be held at Lincoln in the octave of St. Hilary next ensuing, to consider the 
 letter of Pope Boniface in which he claimed the sovereignty of the Kingdom 
 of Scotland as belonging to the Church of Eome. He sat in this parliament, 
 and was one of the 103 Barons who sealed the spirited letter to the Pope 
 from the Barons of England. From this time he continued to be summoned 
 to subsequent parliaments until his death in 1307. By his Inquisition post 
 mortem, taken at Tokington 25th January 1307-8, it was found that on the day 
 on which he died he held in his demesne as of fee the manor of Tokington of 
 the Earl of Gloucester by the service of one knight, and the jurors say- there is 
 there a certain capital messuage with garden and one dovecote, which are of 
 the value per annum 6s. 8d., and that there are there in demesne 160 acres 
 of arable land which are of the value per annum 40s., price per acre 3d.; 
 they say there are 24 acres of meadow value per annum 36s., price per acre Is. 6d.; 
 that there are 6 acres of pasture of the value per annum 6s., price per acre 12d.; 
 and that there are certain woods which are of no value, and a certain park 
 •of 10 acres whose value beyond the sustentation of game is 5s., and a mill whose 
 value is 20s. Sum. 113s. 8d. They jurors say further that there are certain 
 rents paid by free and other tenants, the whole value of which together is 
 £26 Is. 8d. ; and they say that Nicholas Pointz son of the aforesaid Hugh is 
 Iiis nearest heir and is aged 28 years and more. 1 
 
 The precise date of the death of Hugh Pointz is not stated, but it 
 doubtless occurred before the 24th December, 1307, for on that date, Nicholas, 
 his son and successor by Margaret daughter of Sir William Paveley, was 
 commissioned as one of the Conservators of the Peace in the County of 
 Dorset, 2 and on the 17th March following he was granted special powers for 
 preventing tortuous prises, &c. 3 On the 21st June in the same year he was 
 summoned to perform military service in person against the Scots, to muster 
 at Carlisle in the octave of the Assumption. 4 On the 4th March, 2nd Edw. II 
 (1308-9) he was summoned to attend a parliament at Westminster 5 in one 
 
 1 Inq. p.m., 1st Edw. II, No. 46. * Ibid., 2nd Edw. II, vol. i, p. 373. 
 
 2 Pari. Writ, 1st Edw. II, vol, ii, p. 8. 5 Ibid., vol. i, p. 26. 
 8 Ibid., p. 12. 
 
MEMOIK OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 19 
 
 month of Easter, and on 9th June in the following year 1 he was summoned to 
 attend a parliament at Stamford on Monday next after the feast of St. James 
 the Apostle (27th July), 2 having been on the 20th June preceding requested 
 to prepare to join an expedition against the Scots in such a manner as should 
 be ordained at that parliament. On 30th July, 1309, he was summoned to a 
 muster at Newcastle-upon-Tyne to perform military service in person against 
 the same nation, 3 and on 26th October in the same year he was summoned to 
 a parliament at York on Monday next after the Purification following. Whether 
 his health was failing him at this time we know not, but on the 1st of April 
 he was enjoined to proceed with greater activity in executing the commission 
 for the conservancy, 4 and on 2nd August he was earnestly requested to attend 
 the muster at Berwick-upon-Tweed, 5 and on 17th September following he 
 proffers the service of the knight's fee for his manor of Cory Malet performed 
 by two " Servientes " with two barbed horses. 6 He was one of the Supervisors 
 of Array in the counties of Dorset and Somerset and also leader of the levies, 
 and by writ tested at Berwick on 20th May, 1311, the sheriff was commanded 
 to pay his expenses, 7 and on the 28th of the same month he was requested 
 to proceed against the Scots with as many followers as he could raise. 8 On 
 the 16th June in the same year he was summoned to a parliament to be held 
 at London on Monday next before the feast of St. Lawrence, 8th August, 1311. 9 
 He was twice married : first to Elizabeth, daughter of Edward de la Zouch of 
 Harringworth, and secondly to Matilda, the heir of Sir John Acton of Iron Acton, 
 co. Gloucester. In the Inquisition taken at Schyreburn for the county of 
 Dorset on 16th August, 1311, after his death the jurors found that the said 
 Nicholas together with Elizabeth, sometime his wife, were conjointly enfeoffed of 
 the manor of Stoke St. Edward in the • county of Gloucester with appurtenance 
 of the gift and feoffment of Miles de Monte Alto to hold the same to the said 
 Nicholas and Elizabeth in free marriage of the Earl of Gloucester as a member 
 of the manor of Sutton which the said Earl holds by the service of two knights, 
 and the jurors say that Hugh Pointz is son and nearest heir of the said 
 Nicholas, and was aged 18 years on the feast of All Saints last past. 10 
 
 In the Inquisition taken at Hoo for the county of Kent, the jurors find that 
 the said Nicholas died seized of the manor of Hoo, which he held of the King 
 
 1 Pari. Writs, 2nd Edw. II, vol. i, p. 28. 
 
 2 Ibid., p. 380. 
 
 3 Pari. Writs, 3rd Edw. II, vol. i, p. 382. 
 
 4 Ibid., vol. ii, p. 28. 
 8 Ibid., vol. i, p. 399. 
 
 D 2 
 
 6 Ibid., p. 403. 
 
 7 Ibid., 4th Edw. II, vol. i, pp. 409, 410. 
 
 8 Ibid., p. 412. 
 
 9 Ibid., vol. ii, p. 38. 
 
 J0 Inq., p.m.., 5 th Edw. II, No. 62. 
 
20 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 in capite, and they say further that he held on the day on which he died the 
 manor of Lollynggeston conjointly with Matilda his wife, which said Manor was 
 acquired of Eeymond Heryng to have and to hold to him and the heirs of his 
 body by fine in the Court of the King, and they say the said manor is held of 
 the Archbishop of Canterbury by the service of one knight's fee. 
 
 He was also found to have died seized of the manor of Tokinton in the 
 county of Gloucester by the same tenure as before stated, and Hugh Pointz was 
 found to be his son and nearest heir, and to be aged 18 years and more. 1 
 
 To these Inquisitions is annexed the extent of the knights' fees which were 
 held by the said Nicholas Poyntz of the King in capite for the counties of Dorset 
 and Somerset, and which by reason of his death fell into the King's hands. 
 Of the fees held by him in Gloucester and other counties no return is found. 
 
 Inq. p.m. 5 Edward 2, No. 62. 
 
 Dob's 
 
 Extenta feodorum Militum que fuerunt Nicholai Poyntz defuncti qui de Rege in capite et que occasione 
 mortis ejusdem capta sunt in manu Regis videlicet. 
 
 Tertia pars unius Mil' quam Ri'cus de Byngham tenet in Wellecombe • 
 [Melconibe] Byngham in Com' Dors' et que extend' per annum ad ... cs. 
 Dos. Tres partes feodi unius Mil' quas Johannes le "Waleys de Poditon' tenet in 
 
 Podyton' et Estchykerel in eodem Com' et qua extend' per annum ad ... viijfo'. 
 Dos. Feod' unius Mil' quod Reymundus Harang' Will's de Cruket et Galfridus de 
 WarmewelP tenent in Langeton Brodeweye et Radeslo in eodem Com' 
 et quod extend' per annum ad . ... viijK. 
 
 Octava pars feodi unius Mil' quam Will's de Stok tenet in Wytreburn' Regis 
 
 in eodem Com' et que extend' per annu' ad ... xls. 
 
 Duodecima pars feodi unius Mil' quam Robertus le Newman tenet in 
 
 Worgrode in eodem Com' et que extend' per annum ad ... xxs. 
 
 Dos. Sextadecima pars feodi unius Mil' quam Johannes de Monte alto tenet in 
 
 Crawested in eodem Com' et que extend' per annum ad ... vjs viijW. 
 
 Tres partes feodi unius Mil' quas Abbas de Bynedon tenet in puram et 
 perpetuam elemosinam in Bonyngton' in eodem Com' et que extend' 
 p annum ad ... xli. 
 
 Dos. Medietas feodi unius Mil' quam Jacobus de Norton' et Will's Saffray tenent 
 
 in Fissherton' et Wabyngton' in eodem Com' et que extend' per annum ad xij'fe'. 
 Dos. Duodecima pars feodi unius Mil' quam Robertus de Farendon' tenet in 
 
 Radeweye in eodem Com' et que ext' per annum ad ... cs. 
 
 Summa valoris IjVz vjs v'riyl. 
 
 1 Inq. p.m. 5th Edw. II, No. 62. 
 
MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 21 
 
 Son's 
 
 Feod' unius Mil' quod Elyas Cotel tenet in Corscombe in Com' Somers' efc 
 
 quod extend' per annum ad ... xli. 
 
 Duo feoda Mil' que Will's Malerbe tenet in Shepham Standrewykes et 
 
 Cheddern' in eodem Com' et que extend' p annum ad ... xvli. 
 
 ffeod' unius Mil' quod Will's de Reygny tenet in Ludeford in eodem Com' 
 
 et quod ext' p annum ad ... cs. 
 
 Vicesima pars feodi unius Mil' quam Will's de Wygeburgh' tenet in 
 
 Ychestok in eodem Com' et que etc. ad ... xxs. 
 
 Feod' unius Mil' quod Matheus de Esse tenet in Worth Cnolle et Ilyllegh' 
 
 in eod' Com' et que etc. ad ... cs 
 
 Duo feoda Mil' que heredes Ivonis de Rochet'ord tenent in Stawelle in 
 
 eodem Com' et que extend' per annum ad ... xli. 
 
 Quinta pars feodi unius Mil' quam heres Johannis de Meryet tenet in 
 
 Lopene in eodem Com' et que etc. ad ... xls 
 
 Quinta pars feodi unius Mil' quam Will's Bossard' tenet in Langesr.tton' in 
 
 eodem Com' et que etc. ad ... xls 
 
 Dos. Tria feoda Mil' que Will's Trivet tenet in Chylton' et Cockes in eodem 
 
 Com' et que etc. ad ... xvli 
 
 Vicesima pars feodi unius Mil' quam Walterus le Kara tenet in Cory Malet 
 
 in eodem Com' et que etc. ad ... xxs 
 
 Summa valoris cxvij^yjs viijd 
 
 et e' tercia pars xxxixli ijs i\d o'. 
 
 Summa totalis xiiij feoda et sexta pars et quadragesima octava pars feodi. 
 
 Et est tercia pars iiij feoda et due partes et sextadecima pars feodi. 
 
 The custody of the lands of Nicholas Poyntz, together with the knights' 
 fees, upon the payment of seven hundred marks into the Treasury, was granted 
 to William le Latimer to hold until the legal age of the heir of the said Nicholas. 1 
 This grant from some cause fell through, and soon afterwards the King, upon the 
 payment of a like sum into the Exchequer by William Eydal, sold to the same 
 William the custody of the lands and tenements which belonged to Nicholas 
 Poynz, deceased, to hold with the knights' fees, advowsons of churches, and all 
 other tilings to the same custody belonging, until the legal age of the heir of 
 the said Nicholas. 2 
 
 In 1314 Matilda relict of Nicholas Poyntz had an assignment of dower in her 
 late husband's lands. 
 
 In 1316 Hugh Poynes, being then of full age, was certified, pursuant to 
 writ tested at Clipston on 5th March, as lord or joint lord of the hundred of 
 Hoo in Kent and of the Advowsons of the churches of SS. Margaret and Werburgh 
 
 1 Rot. Original., 5th Edw. II, rot. 11. 2 Ibid., rot. 20. 
 
22 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 at Hoo, of the manor of Tockington in Gloucestershire, of Curry Malet in 
 Somerset, and of Eockley in Wilts. His military service now commenced. 1 On 
 20th May, 1317, he was summoned to perform military service in person against 
 the Scots, muster at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in tha fifteen days of the Nativity of 
 St. John Baptist. 2 This muster was afterwards prorogued to the 11th August 3 ' 
 and again to 15th September. 4 On the 20th November of the same year he 
 was summoned to a parliament at Lincoln in St. Hilary term. 5 It was afterwards 
 prorogued to the first Monday in Lent (12 March). 0 This meeting having been 
 again prorogued, he was re-summoned to a parliament at Lincoln on the morrow 
 of Holy Trinity (19th June), 1318. 7 This meeting being again prorogued, and 
 on the 18th June, being addressed as one of the "majores barons," he was 
 informed that the parliament summoned and prorogued as above is revoked in. 
 consequence of the invasion of the Scots. 8 
 
 We shall abstain from following all the lamentable vacillation of the weak 
 and indolent monarch through which the country became a prey to division 
 and destruction, famine and pestilence at home, and degradation and contempt 
 abroad, whilst Scotland became united and powerful under the courageous and 
 judicious guidance of Eobert Bruce. These are matters of general history and 
 reflect great discredit both upon the King and his barons. The latter, instead 
 of being united in the defence of the kingdom, formed combinations among 
 themselves to subvert the influence of the King's unworthy favourites and to 
 augment their own power in the state. The malcontents were headed by the 
 Earl of Lancaster, the King's uncle, a good man greatly respected and beloved. 
 What part the young Baron of Cory Malet took in these contentions we know 
 not, but we find that by writ tested at Westminster on 12th November, 1321, 
 he was ordered to abstain from attending a meeting of the " Good Peers " 
 illegally convened by the Earl of Lancaster to be held at Doncaster on Sunday 
 after the quinzaine of St. Martin (29th November). 10 It would seem that he so 
 far maintained his loyalty to the King, for on the 6th February following, by 
 writ tested at Gloucester, he was enjoined to raise as many men-at-arms and 
 foot soldiers as he could, and to hold himself in readiness to march with them 
 to the King when thereunto summoned; 11 and on the 14th of the same month 
 he was summoned to appear at the muster at Coventry on the first Sunday in 
 
 1 Pari. Writs. 
 
 » Ibid., 10th Edw. II, vol. i, p. 490. 
 s Ibid. 
 
 4 Ibid., p. 494. 
 » Ibid., p. 173. 
 
 « Ibid., p. 175. 
 
 7 Pari. Writs, 11th Edw. IT, vol. i, p. 179. 
 
 8 Ibid., p. 181. 
 
 ,0 Pari. Writs., vol. ii, p. 169. 
 
 11 Pari. Writs., 15th Edw. II, vol. i, p. 545. 
 
MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 23 
 
 in Lent (28th February) for the purpose of marching against the rebels or 
 adherents of the Earl of Lancaster. 1 Upon this followed the battle of Borough 
 Bridge when the Earl of Lancaster with many others were made prisoners, and 
 the Earl, after being subjected to great indignities, was beheaded at Pontefract. 
 
 The King, encouraged by this triumph over his insurgent barons, determined 
 upon another expedition into Scotland, and in preparation thereto summoned a 
 parliament to be held at York within the three weeks of Easter (2nd May), 
 to which Hugh Poyntz was summoned. 2 On 11th May he was summoned to 
 perform military service in person against the Scots, muster at Newcastle-upon- 
 Tyne on the eve of St. James. 3 The King's plan for the winter campaign was 
 simply that he and his army should be stationed at that place to watch the 
 movements of the Scots, so that in the following summer more effectual 
 proceedings might be taken against them so as to put an end to the war. By 
 writ tested at Pontefract, 23rd February, and at Knaresborough on the 9th 
 March, Hugh Poyntz was again summoned to perform military service in 
 person and also commanded to raise as many men-at-arms as he could over 
 and above his contingent due by tenure, muster at York in one month of 
 Easter, and at Newcastle in the octave of St. John Baptist. 4 Delays again 
 however took place, but at length the King marched from York with a great 
 host but badly supplied with provisions and transport. On the 18th April 
 Hugh Pointz is commanded to provide pack saddles for the use of the army 
 in case it should be expedient to advance without the wagon train 5 ; notwith- 
 standing however all these delays and preparations, the unfortunate King was 
 doomed again to return with dishonour. 
 
 As an evidence of his loyalty to the King in the recent quarrel with the 
 barons, Hugh Pointz was accepted as one of the manucaptors for the good 
 behaviour of Thomas de Gurnay on his discharge from imprisonment as an 
 adherent of the Earl of Lancaster and also for the payment of the fine imposed 
 upon him. 6 On 2nd December in the same year (1324) he was summoned to 
 a great council of the "Magnates," to be held at Winchester on the 3rd March; 7 
 and on the place of meeting being altered to Westminster on 20th February, 
 he was summoned thither for the octave of Easter. 8 
 
 In 1325 misunderstandings arose between Edward and the King of France, 
 
 1 Pari. Writs, 15th Edw. II. vol i, p. 549. 
 
 2 Ibid., vol. i, p. 246. 
 
 3 Ibid., vol. i, p. 569. 
 
 4 Ibid., vol. i, pp. 621, 622. 
 
 5 Ibid., p 627. 
 
 ' Pari. Writs, 17th Edw. II. Kecognizance 
 
 dated 1st July. Vol. ii, p. 255. 
 ' Ibid., vol. i, p. 326. 
 8 Ibid., p. 327. 
 
 ♦ 
 
24 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 in consequence of the former having neglected to do homage for his earldoms 
 of Aquitain and Ponthieu, and Philip seized upon all the King of England's 
 possessions in Prance. The Earl of Kent, the King's brother, was sent over to 
 endeavour to adjust the differences, but failing;, the King determined upon an 
 expedition into Prance, to secure his dominions in that country, under the command 
 of the Earl of Warren, and Hugh Poyntz was summoned from Somerset and 
 Dorset to join the muster at Portsmouth on Monday next after Mid-Lent, to 
 pass into Guienne ; but the differences were afterwards adjusted through the 
 intervention of the Queen and Prince Edward. 1 In the subsequent rebellion 
 of the Queen and the Prince, Hugh Poyntz would seem to have maintained 
 his loyalty, and on the 24th June, 1326, he was appointed one of the Chief 
 Inspectors of Array in the counties of Somerset and Dorset, with special 
 powers 2 ; and on the 15th August following he is addressed as the " Chief 
 Supervisor of the Array," and commanded to enforce the march of the 
 detachments ; 3 and on 3rd December, 1326, he was summoned by the Queen 
 in the King's name to attend a parliament at Westminster on the morrow of 
 the Epiphany (7th January) 4 at which, on the 25th, it was determined to 
 depose the King, and the unfortunate monarch's atrocious murder at Berkeley 
 Castle on the following St. Matthew's Day, needs scarcely to be alluded to. 
 
 We have little more to say of the public career of Hugh Poyntz. He is 
 stated by Dugdale and Banks to have been summoned to parliament until the 
 7th Edw. Ill (1333), and that he died 13th October in that } T ear, but Sir Harris 
 Nicolas alleges that he continued to be summoned to the 24th February, 
 17th Edw. Ill (1343), 5 but we shall presently see that he was dead in 
 the 11th Edw. III. 
 
 King Edward II, in the 17th year of his reign, granted to Hugh Poyntz 
 the custody of the moiety of the manors of Hyneton and Mayne in co. Dorset 
 with appurtenances, which belonged to Peter son of Eeginald, deceased, until 
 the legal age of the heir. 0 And on 21st July, 7th Edw. Ill, an Inquisition 
 was taken at Hoo in Kent to enquire if any damage would arise to the King 
 if licence were granted to Hugh Poyntz to alienate a moiety of the said manor 
 of Hoo to Nicholas Pointz and Alianora, his wife, to hold to the said Nicholas 
 and Alianora and the heirs of their bodies, in default of such issue, remainder 
 to the said Hugh and his heirs for ever. 7 In 1326 he was granted the ultimate 
 remainder in fee of the demesnes of William la Zouche of Harringworth. 8 
 
 1 Pari. Writs, 18th Edw. IT, vol. i, p. 701. 8 Synopsis of Peerage, vol. ii, p. 520. 
 
 2 Ibid., 19th Edw. II, vol. i, pp. 737, 744. 6 Rot. Orig., 17th Edw. II, No. 4. 
 
 3 Ibid., 20th Edw. II, vol. i, p. 757. 7 Inq. ad q.d., 7th Edw. Ill (2nd Nos.), No. 48. 
 
 4 Ibid., 20th Edw. II, vol. i, p. 351. « Pari. Writs, 19th Edw. II, vol. ii, p. 286. 
 
MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 25 
 
 He married Margaret daughter of Sir Walter Paynell of Brook, co. Wilts, Knt., 
 but we know not precisely when he died. It is not stated in his Inquisition post 
 mortem. In the Inquisition taken at Tokynton, on 10th June, 11th Edward III., 
 the jurors say the said Hugh Poyntz on the day on which he died did not hold 
 any lands of the King in capite in the county of Gloucester, but that he held 
 the manor of Tokynton for the term of his life of the enfeoffment of Nicholas 
 Poinz, parson of the church of St. Mary of Hoo, and Hugh de Mehplush, parson 
 of the church of Corymalet, by fine levied in the Court of the now King, and 
 after his death remainder to Nicholas Poyntz his son and the heirs of his body 
 lawfully begotten, and they say the said manor is held of Hugh de Audele as 
 of his manor of Thornbury by the service of one knight; and they say further 
 that Nicholas Poyntz, son of the aforesaid Hugh is next heir of the said Hugh 
 and is aged 17 years. 1 Besides this son, he had a daughter named Johanna, for 
 it appears from an Inquisition taken at Yetminster on Wednesday next after 
 the feast of St. Martin, 11th Edw. III., that he had granted to Johanna his 
 daughter a pension of £10 per annum out of the manor of Stoke St. Edward 
 and Batecombe which is parcel of the manor of Stoke St. Edward, for the term 
 of her life, which grant had never been remised nor quitclaimed to the said 
 Hugh. 2 
 
 Nicholas Poyntz did homage for his lands and had liven' of seizin thereof 
 in 1340, as soon as he came of age, but he was never summoned to parliament. 
 The following Inquisition, taken the year after, is of great interest, as shewing 
 the nature of agricultural crops and their comparative value. It is an extent 
 and appraisement of the goods and chattels, lands and tenements of Nicholas 
 
 Poyntz, Knt., taken at Cory Malet on next after the feast of St. John 
 
 ante port Lat. 19th Edward III. The jurors say the said Nicholas had at Cory 
 Malet 85 acres of land sown with wheat, of the value of £34, price per 
 acre 8s. ; also 9^ acres sown with beans, value 57s., price per acre 6s. ; also 
 8 acres sown with barley, price 48s.; price per acre 6s.; also 70^ acres sown 
 with peas, value £14 2s. 0d., price per acre 4s. ; sum of the aforesaid £53 7s. 
 They say he had also there one court in which are buildings, the easements are 
 worth five marks, and two gardens the value of which per annum is 30s.; one 
 dovecote the value of which per annum is 20s.; and he had also 200 and four score 
 and one acres of arable land there, the value of which per annum is £22 4s. lid., 
 price per acre 19d. ; he had there 55 acres of meadow which is of the value 
 of £18 6s. 8d., price per acre half a mark ; pasture in the park there value per 
 annum 100s.; he had there 13 acres of pasture value per annum 45s. 6d., price 
 
 1 Inq. p.m., 11th Edw. III. (1st Nos), iS T o. 45. 2 Inq. p.m., 11th Edw. III. (1st Nos.), No. 13. 
 
 E 
 
26 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 per acre 3s. 6d. ; lie had there one windmill worth per annum 28s., he had there 
 16 tenants in villanage who together held half a virgate of land and render one 
 with another lis. 9d. ; 22 tenants in villanage who hold one fardell of land each 
 and render per annum £8 16s. Od.: viz., one with another 8s., two tenants who 
 render 14s. 8d., three " coterelli," 1 who render per annum 3s. 9d., sixteen free 
 tenants who render per annum £8 15s. Od. He had there of rents of overland 
 per annum 40s. 6d., customary works per annum 3s. 4d., and pleas and perquisites 
 of the court there per annum 10 marks. Sum of the extent aforesaid 
 
 XX 
 
 iiij xj u xvj s ij d . 
 
 In the 29th Edw. III. (1355), Thomas, third Lord Berkeley, purchased to 
 himself and Katherine his wife, and the heirs male of their bodies, of Piers 
 Chilworth, the manor of Tokinton for the quiet enjoying whereof against Sir 
 Nicholas Poyntz of Cory Malet, they had from Piers a rent charge of £40 per 
 annum out of Broadway and Ellworth ; and afterwards he purchased out the 
 right and interest of Sir Nicholas Pointz with the advowson of the Chapel there 
 by deed without date. 2 The manor of Tokinton, as we have seen, had been vested 
 in the family from time immemorial. We know not what interest Piers Chillworth 
 had in it. He was probably a mortgagee. Nor do we know the date of the 
 death of Sir Nicholas Poyntz. The Inquisition taken thereupon does not appear 
 to be now extant, but we find two Inquisitions of a somewhat unusual 
 character, from which we may infer that his pecuniary circumstances were not 
 very satisfactoiy, which would tend to support the suggestion we have offered 
 above as to the sale of Tokinton, and possibly account for his not having 
 received a summons to parliament. 3 The first of these was taken at Berkeley 
 on 2nd March,. 1360-1, being an extent of the lands, goods, &c, which 
 belonged to the said Nicholas Poyntz, Knt., on the 4th June, 33rd Edw. Ill 
 (1359), in the county of Gloucester. The jurors say that he had at that 
 date in the county of Gloucester and afterwards, in Tokinton, one manor in 
 which was one messuage and one carucate of land, 30 acres of meadow, one 
 
 1 Coterrellus — that is a servile tenant who holds his lands in mere villanage. A vilan in 
 gross whose person, issue and goods may be disposed of at the pleasure of the lord. 
 
 3 Charter in Berkeley Castle. See Berkeley MSS., Smyth's Lives of the Berkelei/s, vol. i, p. 330. 
 
 :1 Eank and honours lapse for lack of means to support the dignity. A learned civilian holdeth 
 that diminutis divitiis, diminuitur honor, nam dot census honores, census amicitias. In the 
 17th Edw. IV. George Nevill, Duke of Bedford, son and heir of John Nevill, Marquis Montagu, 
 was degraded from the degree of Duke, Marquis, Earl, and Baron for want of means to support 
 his rank. (Rot. Pari., 17 Edw. IV., m. 12, No. 16). And again, as late as 1640, the right of 
 Roger Stafford, who was de jure Baron Stafford, was set aside, because he had no means to 
 support the title and dignity of a Baron. (State Papers, vol. cccclxvii, 47). 
 
MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 27 
 
 park, and one windmill, and that the value per annum was seven marks, and 
 that it was let to farm; and they also say that he had on the said 4th June 
 and afterwards there rent of assize per annum £20, and they say further that 
 he had not on the said 4th June or afterwards, any other lands, goods or 
 chattels in the county of Gloucester, and that Eobert de Hunteley and Thomas 
 Francklyn of the county Somerset had the goods and chattels of the said 
 Nicholas on the said 4th June and afterwards. This is explained by another 
 Inquisition taken at Berkeley on the same day being an extent taken before 
 Thomas Moigne Sheriff of Gloucester by virtue of a writ from the King 
 to the said sheriff directed, at the suit of Eichard Lamb, mercer, and Eobert 
 Webbe, citizens of London. The jurors say that Nicholas Poyns, Eobert de 
 Huntely and Thomas Frankeleyn of the county of Somerset have no goods or 
 chattels nor had any lands and tenements on the 4th June 1359, or afterwards, 
 in co. Gloucester which can be valued or extended, because that the said 
 Nicholas Poyns, Eobert de Huntele, and Thomas Frankeleyn on 4th June, 1359, 
 acknowledged that they owed, viz.: each of them for the whole to Eichard 
 Lamb and Eobert Webbe £320 in the quindene of St. Martin then next 
 to come, and have not yet paid the same to them. The extent was to be made 
 known to the King on the morrow of St. Gregory following. T. at West- 
 minster 8th February, 35th Edward III. (1360).' 
 
 Sir Nicholas Poyntz married Alianora the daughter of Sir John Erleigh. We 
 know not the date of his death, but he left no other issue than two daughters, 
 Margaret the wife of Sir John Newburgh of Lullworth, co. Dorset, and Amicia, 
 who married John Barry and died s.p., so that the barony is in abeyance between 
 the descendants of Margaret. 2 
 
 This ends the line of Poyntz of Cory Malet. 
 
 » Escheats 35th Edward III, Part I, No. 131. 
 E 2 
 
 2 Banks's "Baronage," vol. i, p. 401. 
 
28 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 PEDIGBEE OP POYNTZ OF COEY MALET. 
 
 Table I. 
 
 Pons, or Pontius, supposed 1 
 to have come with William 
 the Conqueror. Had large 
 grants of lands in England. 
 Dead before 1086. 
 
 Drogo fitz Pons held lands in Leach and 
 Frampton, co. Glouc. , manors in other cos. 
 of the King in cap., and 73 manors in 
 Devon of the Bp. of Coutances, he also 
 held the manor of Swell in Glouc. of 
 William de Ou, 1086, ob. s.p. 
 
 Walter fitz Pons 
 held land in Leach, 
 co. Glouc, in Oxon, 
 and at Eton near 
 Windsor. Gave lands 
 at Eton to Westmin- 
 ster Abbey (Domsd. ) 
 ob. s.p. 
 
 1 Poyntz. 
 
 2 Bardolph. 
 
 3 Malet. 
 
 4 Basset. 
 
 5 Cantilupe. 
 
 6 Zouche. 
 
 Richard fitz Pons ; 
 inherited the manors 
 of Bampton, Leach, 
 Frampton, Sea., from 
 liis brother Dro2;o. 
 
 =Maud. 
 
 Osbert=j 
 fitz 
 Pons. 
 
 Simon de Clif- 
 ford, co. Wore, 
 founder of the 
 Priory there, ob. 
 s.p. 
 
 Walter fitz Richard= 
 fitz Pons, Senes- 
 chal of Roger de 
 Toeni. born before 
 1116, ob. 119(1. 
 
 Margaret, da. of 
 Ralph de Toeni. 
 Lord of Flamstead. 
 Received from her 
 father the Castle 
 of Clifford as her 
 dowry. 
 
 1 — 1 
 
 Richard. 
 
 Borta, wife 
 of Elias 
 Giffard. 
 
 I — 
 
 William. 
 
 Ralph. 
 
 Simon fitz Pons in- 
 herited the manor 
 of Swell, the tithe 
 of the demesne of 
 which he granted 
 to the Church of 
 Tewkesbury. 
 
 Pons, or Poncius fitz===. 
 Simon, held of the 
 Honour of Gloucester 
 eight knights' fees in 
 Swell and Tokinton 
 of the old feoffment 
 of the Earl of Glor 
 cester. 
 
 Walter de=j=Agnes, da. 
 Clifford of Roger 
 fitz Walter. Cundi. 
 
 The Earls of Cumberland. 
 
 William de Richard de 01if-=j=Letitia, da. Amicia, wife 
 
 Clifford. ford of Framp- I of de of Osbern 
 
 ton, ob. 1213. I Berkeley. Fitz Hugh 
 
 of Richards 
 The Cliffords of Frampton. Castle. 
 
 Lucia, Fair Rosamund, 
 wife of 
 Hugh 
 de Say. 
 
 Nicholas Fitz Pons gave from Gloucestershire in 1194-5= 
 300 marks of aid for the ransom of King Richard I. (Rot. Pip. 
 6 Rich. I.) Patron of the Chapel of Tokinton. In 1218 he 
 and Johanne his wife had a grant of a market at their manor 
 of Ametut, granted lands in Catebroc to the Abbey of St. 
 Augustin, Bristol. Paid scutage for 7 knights' fees in Glou- 
 cester 3 John. 
 
 : .Iohanna de Traily, who after the death of her 
 husband Nicholas Poyntz quitclaimed to the 
 Abbot of St. Augustin's all her right upon 
 lands called Kings- Marshe. She remar. Bald- 
 win de Bethune, who joined with her in a 
 further quitclaim of these and other lands. 
 
 Hugh Poyntz confirmed the grant of his father of lands in Catebroc=j=Juliana, da. of Hugh and niece and 
 to the Abbey of St. Augustin, Bristol. Lord of the Manor of I coh. of Robert Bardolf, 
 Tokinton, co. Gloucester. Living in 1218, ' 
 
MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 29 
 
 Hugh Poyntz, son and heir, a minor in : 
 4th H. Ill, his wardship and marriage 
 granted to Gilbert Earl of Gloucester 
 (Rot. Claus. 14th Hen. III., 1229-30). 
 Died before April 1219. 
 
 A 
 
 i 
 
 LTelewisia, dau. and coh. of William Malet, 
 Baron of Cory Malet, by Alice, dau. and 
 coh. of Thomas Lord Basset of Hedington, 
 remar. in 1221 Robert de Muscegros. 
 
 Ralph Poyntz had grant of the 
 wardship and marriage of the heir 
 of his brother Hugh Poyntz, 1 233-4. 
 
 Sir Nicholas Poyntz, son and heir, Lord of Cory Malet, =pElizabeth, 
 
 co. Som., Sutton, in Dorset, Hoo, in Kent, Tokinton, 
 in Glouc, and Dollingham, in Camb. He was still a 
 minor in j 232. His wardship and marriage granted to 
 his uncle, 18th Hen. III. (1233-4). In 1251 he exchanged 
 lands in Swell with the Prior and Monks of Great Mal- 
 vern, and other lands with Richard Earl of Cornwall. 
 Died 1272. Inq. p.m. 1 Edw. I., No. 17. 
 
 dau. and 
 coheir of 
 Timothy 
 Dyall. 
 
 Sir Hugh Poyntz, son and heir, aged 21 years 1 
 on his father's death, did homage for his 
 Barony 2 Ed. I., and was summoned to Pari, 
 from 23rd of that King. Held the Manor of 
 Tokinton and presented one Walter Manford 
 to the Chapel there 1293. (Wore, Bishop 
 Giffbrd's Reg., fo. 195). Served in person in 
 the Welsh and other wars. Died cir. 1307. 
 Inq. p.m. 1 Edw. II., No. 46. 
 
 Margaret, da. 
 of Sir William 
 Paveley. 
 
 Elizabeth, dau. of Eudo de la : 
 Zouche of Harringworth, (by 
 Milicent his wife, dau. of 
 William Cantilupe, Lord Ber- 
 gavenny), and coheir of her 
 brother George. 1 wife. 
 
 'Sir Nicholas Poyntz, son and heir,= 
 2 Baron of Cory Malet, aged 28 years 
 on his father's death. Summoned to 
 Pari, from 1308-9 to 1311. Died 1311, 
 seized, inter alia, of the Manorof Took - 
 inton and of many Knights' fees in 
 Dorset and Somerset. Inq. p.m. 5th 
 Edw. II', No. 62. 
 
 =Matilda, dau. and coh. of Sir John 
 Acton of Iron Acton, by Margery, 
 dau. and coh. of John d'Anvre or 
 Aln, of co. Som., 2 wife, assigned 
 dower in her husband's lands 1314. 
 
 Hugh Poyntz, son and heir, 3 Baron=f=Margaret, da. of Sir 
 
 of Cory Malet, aged 18 years on his 
 father's death. Certified to be of full 
 age 1316. Summ. to Pari, from 1317 
 to 1330. Served in the Scots Wars. 
 Died on the feast of the Annun. 
 B.V.M. 13th Edw. III. Inq. p.m. 
 20th Edw. IIT., Part 1, No. 1. 
 
 Walter Paynel of 
 Brook, co. Wilts, Knt. 
 
 Nicholas Poyntz of Hoo, 
 co. Kent. 2 son. See 
 Table II. 
 
 1 
 
 I 
 
 Sir John Poyntz, 
 son and heir of 
 his mother. See 
 Table III. 
 
 Sir Nicholas Poyntz, son and hehy 
 aged 19 yeais on his father's death. 
 Did homage for his lands and had 
 livery of seizin in 1340, but was 
 never summ. to Pari. He alienated 
 the Manor of Tokinton to Thomas 
 Lord Berkeley. Date of death not 
 known. Escheats 35th Edw. Ill, 
 Part 1, No. 131. 
 
 =Alianora, da. 
 of Sir John 
 Erleigh, Knt. 
 
 Margaret, dau. and coheir, 
 wife of Sir John Newburgh 
 of Lullworth, co. Dorset. 
 
 1 
 
 Johanna, to whom 
 her father granted a 
 pension out of the 
 Manor of Stoke St. 
 Edward and Bate- 
 combe. 
 
 Amicia, wife of John 
 Barry, ob. s.p. 
 
30 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 CHAPTEK II. 
 Poyntz of Essex. 
 
 We have seen (ante page 19) that Sir Nicholas Poyntz of Cory Malet, Knt., 
 the second Baron of that name, died seized inter alia of the Manor of Hoo in 
 the county of Kent, leaving Hugh his eldest son, by his first marriage with 
 Elizabeth de la Zouche, his nearest heir, who was born on the feast of All Saints 
 1292. He would, therefore, be of full age on 2nd November 1313. We do not 
 know exactly when he obtained seizin of his lands, but he was certified on the 
 5th March 131G as Lord, or joint Lord, of the hundred of Hoo in Kent and 
 the advowsons of the Churches of SS. Margaret and Werburgh at Hoo. It 
 should, however, be stated that a certain Nicholas Poyntz was about this date 
 parson of the Church of St. Mary at Hoo, who was one of the trustees under 
 a settlement of the Manor of Tokington to the use of Hugh Poyntz for the 
 term of his life, with remainder to Nicholas Poyntz his son and heir and the 
 heirs of his body. 1 This cleric could not have been the founder of a family. 
 After an Inquisition ad quod damnum, taken at Hoo 21st July, 7th Edw. III., (1333) 
 Hugh Poyntz obtained the royal licence to alienate a moiety of the Manor of 
 Hoo to Nicholas Poyntz and Alianora his wife, to hold to the said Nicholas and 
 Alianora and the heirs of the said Nicholas begotten of the body of the said 
 Alianora. In default of such issue remainder to the said Hugh and his heirs 
 for ever. 2 He kept it not long however. On Monday in Whitsun week, 1345, 
 an Inquisition was taken at Eochester to enquire if any damage would arise to 
 the King or others if Nicholas Poyntz were permitted to enfeoff John de Grey 
 of Codnere in the manor of Hoo, excepting the advowson of the church, 
 in exchange for the manors of Brodeway and Estelleworth in the county of 
 Dorset, and inasmuch as the jurors saw no objection, the exchange was allowed 
 to be effected, 3 and in the following year the advowson of the church, with one 
 acre of land, was also so alienated. 4 
 
 1 Inq. p.m. llthEchv. III. (1st Nos.), No. 43. ' Inq. ad quod damnum, 19th Edw. III. (2 Nos.), No. 60. 
 8 Esch. 7th Edw. III. (2 Nos.), No. 48. * Inq. 20th Edw. III. (2 Nos.), No. 3a. 
 
MEMOIK OF THE FAMILY- OF POYNTZ. 
 
 31 
 
 It appears from the Visitation of Essex in 1612 that this Nicholas was 
 the second son of Sir Nicholas Poyntz, Knt., by the aforesaid Elizabeth Zouche, 
 and the father of another Nicholas who was of North Wokenden or Ockenden 
 in that county in 47th Edw. III. (1372). 1 "The Old Home of the Poyntz 
 family of North Ockenden Hall, abuts on the south side of the Church-yard. 
 It is still a handsome house, but modernised. One of its ancient insignia, 
 its well-stocked moat, is still there full of memories of the past." 2 
 
 The last named Nicholas is shewn to be the father of Poncius, or Poyntz 
 Poyntz, Esq., who is said to have been living in 1392, and was doubtless the 
 same person who in 1393, under the name of Pontius, presented to the Church 
 of North Ockenden. It is said his wife's name was Elinor and that she was 
 living in this year. It is elsewhere said that his name was Henry, and that 
 the said Henry married Elianor daughter of . . . Baudwin of Essex. And it 
 may be here observed that there is a gravestone in the floor of the church 
 covering the grave of a William Baudwin, who died in 1316. This William 
 might have been the grandfather of Elianor. The pedigree of the family of 
 Poyntz of Essex is so far very unsatisfactory and uncertain, but it is the best 
 we can deduce from the conflicting statements. Poncius Poyntz had a younger 
 brother named Edward. Poncius left a son and heir, Sir John Poyntz, Knt., 
 who is said to have been living in 1351, more than 40 years before his father's 
 death. In the Essex Visitation before quoted his wife is said to have been called 
 "Maude," but he married Eleanor daughter of Sir John Daucote (Deincourt), 
 Knt., and died in 1447, and his wife appears to have pre-deceased him. He does 
 not mention her in his will dated 12th March 1446-7, in which he describes himself 
 as John Pointz, Esq., of North Wokenden, and directs that he shall be buried 
 in the chapel of St. Mary there. He names his sons John, Eeginald, and 
 Thomas upon whom he settles his estates in tail male, and in default of such 
 issue upon their sisters Agnes and Matilda, in default on the right heirs of 
 his late mother Alianora. 3 There is a monument to him in North Wokenden 
 Church, in which mention is made of Alianora his wife, one of the daughters 
 and coheirs of Sir John Daucote, Knight, of his son and heir John, and of 
 his daughters Matilda and Margaret, but the latter having probably been previously 
 married to John de Bynes, Gent., is not named in the will, having doubtless 
 been already portioned. It may, however, be here mentioned that the early 
 Poyntz monuments in this church are not of much value as evidence, the 
 
 1 Harl. Soc, vol. xiii, p. 268. * Palm's " More about Stifford." 
 
 1 Prub. Lambeth 13th May 1447, Stafford's Keg. 149. 
 
32 
 
 MEMOIK OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 inscriptions having been composed ~hy Sir Gabriel Poyntz when, in 1606, he 
 built a family vault in the church. 1 
 
 John Poyntz succeeded his father in his estates, and in the following year 
 presented to the Church of North Okenden, as he did again in 1463. He 
 married Matilda daughter and coheir of William Perth of Aveley, who pre- 
 deceased him. By his will, in which he describes himself as Johannes firms 
 ac heres Johannis senioris, dated 15th April 1469, he directs that his body shall 
 be buried at North Okenden at the "auters end before y e imadg of St. Andrew," 
 and leaves money to the new work of the steeple of the church and to the 
 glazing of the window at the west end. He names his son Thomas, his daughters 
 Thomasine, Catherine and Ann Poynes, and gives to Maud his wife his lordship 
 of North Ho, with advowson to William my son. 2 His daughter Beatrix he 
 does not name, probably because she was already married to John Cheek of 
 Debenham and provided for. 
 
 William Poyntz on his father's death succeeded to the family estates. Jointly 
 with Edmund Shaa. Alderman of London, he presented to the church of North 
 Okenden in 1480. That gentleman was son of John Shaa of Droukenfield, co. 
 Chester, and was of the Goldsmiths' Company. He was Sheriff of London in 
 1474 and Lord Mayor in 1483. 3 On his death, before 1487, he bequeathed 
 500 marks for rebuilding the postern gate at Cripplegate, which had fallen 
 into ruin, which work was carried out in 1490. 4 William Po}mtz married 
 Elizabeth the daughter of this gentleman, and after his death, in 1487, he 
 presented solely to the church of North Okenden. The marriage settlements 
 upon this alliance will account for Alderman Shaa being united with him in 
 
 1 Mr. Suckling, in his " Memorials of the Essex Churches," says, " By far the most remarkable 
 feature in North Ockenden Church is the succession of monumental tablets erected (by Sir Gabriel 
 Poyntz, Kt.) to the family of Poyntz. There are eleven mural slabs, besides several brass plates 
 and two effigies in praying attitude. The mural slabs seem all to have been put up at one time, 
 and during the reign of James I. They partake of one general character, viz.: a pediment supported 
 by two Grecian columns, having kneeling figures in the recess, and an inscription below. The minuter 
 details, however, are varied, and what is singular and gives the greater value to the series is that 
 every figure is appropriately habited in the costume peculiar to the time in which he flourished. So 
 minutely are these distinctions observed, that the very dressing of the female hair, and the beard 
 and moustache of the warrior are trimmed with scrupidous exactness. These mural monuments are 
 of small proportions, but we bestow more attention on them than on the adjoining recumbent figures, 
 which coarsely carved in full proportion recline beneath canopies resplendent with paint and gilding.'"' 
 
 2 Godyn, but no date of probate. 
 
 3 Herbert's "History of the Twelve Great Livery Companies of London," vol. ii, p. 200. 
 
 4 Wriothesley's "Chronicle," Camden Society, 1875, p. 2; Denton's "History of St. Giles, 
 Cripplegate," p. 76. 
 
MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 33 
 
 the patronage of the church. Elizabeth Shaa was also the sister of Sir John 
 Shaa, likewise a goldsmith. He represented the City of London in Parliament 
 in 1496 and 1502, in which latter year he was elected Lord Mayor. 1 Lord 
 Mayor's show was instituted in 1453-4, but the more costly of the pageants 
 were discontinued in 1685. Sir John Shaa caused his brethren the Aldermen 
 to ride from the Guildhall to the river side when he went to Westminster to 
 be presented to the Exchequer. 2 It appears from the monument in North Okenden 
 Church that Elizabeth the wife of William Poyntz died 21st August 1502, and 
 her husband followed her to the grave in 1504. Sir John Shaa, Knt. in his 
 will, dated 26th December 1503, mentions his brother Poyntz. 3 
 
 John Poyntz, son and heir of William, succeeded his father in the North 
 Okenden estates and presented to the Church in 1531 and 1546. He married 
 Ann, daughter and coheir of Isaac Sibelles, a lady of Buckinghamshire. She 
 had been previously married, but the name of her former husband is unknown 
 to us. Her daughter Frances was the wife of John Asteley of Constable 
 Melton, Norfolk. This John Poyntz, like his kinsman Sir Eobert of Iron Acton, 
 was attached to the Household of Queen Katherine of Arragon as one of the 
 Sewers of the Queen's Chamber, and was in attendance upon her at the 
 magnificent interview between the Kings of England and Prance, commonly 
 known as the " Pield of the Cloth of Gold," in 1520. 4 He was a friend of 
 Sir Thomas Wyat, and was the person to whom Sir Thomas addressed two of 
 his poetical epistles. In one of these, addressed to John Poyntz, he concludes 
 with these lines : 
 
 " But I am here in Kent and Christendom e 
 
 'Among the Muses, where I reade and rime ; 
 Where, if thou list, mine own, John Poines, to come 
 Thou shalt he judge, how I do spende my time." 
 
 Letter from Allington Castle, Kent. 
 
 John Poyntz died sine prole 13th June 1547, having made his will on the 30th 
 of the preceding month. 5 In it he names his brother Thomas, his sisters 
 Barleymay and Sponer, and Prideswide, daughter of his brother Edmund. He 
 leaves his personal estate to his wife Ann and devises the reversion of the 
 manor, after the death of his brother Thomas, in default of heirs, to Gabriel, 
 
 1 Herbert, ii, p. 200. 
 
 " Burton's Historical Kemarks on London," p. 73. 
 
 3 Prob. 13th May 1504 P.C.C. (13 Holgrave.) 
 
 4 Kymer's " Foedera," vol. vi, p. 182. 
 
 J There is a portrait of him published in " Historic Portraits of the Court of Henry VIII," 
 from drawings by Hans Holbein in Windsor Castle. 
 F 
 
34 
 
 MEMOIK OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 son and heir of Thomas and his heirs with remainder to Vernando and 
 Kobert, brothers of Gabriel in tail male; names his late father, William Poyntz, 
 and directs that his body shall be buried in North Ockenden Church under the 
 arch between the chancel and the Chapel of Our Lady. 1 
 
 His relict survived her husband about seven years, and in 1554 presented 
 to the Church of JNorth Ockenden, and died a few days after the institution 
 of her Clerk. She made two wills, both of which were proved. In her first 
 will, dated in 1550, she makes bequests to the children of her daughter, 
 Frances Asteley, some of which bequests are worth noting, e.g., To Bridget 
 Asteley, eldest child and daughter, a browch all of golde with this scripture 
 about it : Miex suys bocage que toy dan la cage (i.e., mieux suys bocage 
 que toi dans la cage), and a woman enamyled white and a cage hanging on 
 a ragged staf with a bird enclosed in it. a standing boole of silver with cover 
 all gilte, pois xxvij oz. quar. d. d. and xx 1 in money. To Ann Asteley, second 
 child and second daughter, a tablet of gold, with Adam and Eve tempted by 
 the spirite, figured over theyr heddes, one on thone side and this scripture 
 about it : " Come forth Trowghte thoughe false hoode be wrowthe," and on 
 the other side : a man holding a brawnch of flowers in his hand and a 
 woman holding a harte in her hand, and this scripture about them : " Take 
 you here my harte with love and love more" — a ringe of gold, a turkys in yt. 
 — more 15 score and xxiij links of my own chayn of gold' fashioned like the 
 lyncks of a coat of male, and not much bigger, but somewhat thycker than 
 they commonlyke — more, an eye for a billyment 2 of xj garnet stones, round, 
 like heddes, and xliij peaces of gold between them enamyled blew in the 
 mydest — more, a playne salte of silver with a cover gilte, poiz by estimacion 
 xxiij oz. — more, two standing potts of silver all gilte, with drawen strypes 
 playn, poiz iiij xx xij oz — more a dozen silver spoones with 12 Apostles, parcel 
 
 gilt, poiz oz d. d. — more, a gilt spoone with Christ at the ende poiz by 
 
 estimacion one oz. d.d. and in gold half soverans of H. viij coyn £60. 
 
 To Isaac Asteley, a hoope of gold, my first husband's wedding ringe 
 sometime. 
 
 To Jacob Asteley, the said Frances fyveth child alive and her second 
 sonne alive in birth, Maister Pointz chayne of gold sometyme, of tenne score 
 and five lyncks fasioned rounde. 
 
 To Cheney Asteley sixth child alive, and in age the third sonne in birth, 
 our Lady assumpted, all in gold, with her Sonne in her arms, and sitting 
 
 1 Probate, 18 May 1547, P.C.C. (39 Alen.) 
 
 2 Billaments. — The attire or ornaments of a woman's head, or neck, — a necklace. 
 
MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 35 
 
 on the half mone, with a ruby stone in yt, and a ringe of gold with a ruby 
 in yt, a standinge boole of silver with a cover graven all over without, 
 poiz xxxij oz. 
 
 To Pebecca daughter of the said Frances Asteley, a broche all of gold 
 with a woman sitting upon a wheal and slawinge 1 a lion by the bache (St. 
 Catherine) ; a ringe of gold with a stone in yt of a red stone graven with an 
 old crooked man ; a gilt goblet with a cover graven with the Pointz arms 
 and my own in the top xxxj oz. 
 
 All these beautiful and valuable articles of jewelled plate, except "my first 
 husband's wedding ringe," were probably the property of the Poyntz family, 
 possibly heirlooms, and the bequests shew the folly of a weak or uxorious 
 husband giving his wife, who has children only by a former hushand, power to 
 dispose of the family plate. What would be its value if it were in existence 
 now ! 
 
 The second will of Ann Poyntz was dated on the 16th May 1554. In this 
 she willed to be buried according to the orders and customs of the Catholic 
 Church, with such honest obsequies and rites as to her state and degree should 
 be thought convenient, and she makes further bequests of jewelry. She 
 probablv died the same day. 2 She would appear to have been buried at St. 
 Dunstan's in the West, London, for " upon an old worne stone below the little 
 east door occur the following arms : Barry Or and Gules, in chief a mullet 
 (for difference) (Poyntz) impaling Gyronny of eight Az. and Or, four martlets 
 in lozenge counterchanged (Sibelles). 3 
 
 Thomas Poyntz on the death of his brother John succeeded to the Manor 
 of North Ockenden, and the relict of his said brother being dead, in 1550 he 
 presented to the church, as he did again in 1559. He was a London Merchant 
 resident at Antwerp, where he married Ann Van Calva, daughter and one of 
 the coheirs of John Calva, a native of Germany. Here his children were born, 
 and in 1541 an Act of Parliament was obtained for their naturalization, in 
 the preamble to which he is described as " Thomas Poyntz of London Grocer, 
 occupying the seate of marchauiidise in the Partes beyond the seas." He is 
 
 1 Slaying. "I would not that, sayd Robyn, 
 Jolian that thou were dawe 
 For all the golde in mery England, 
 Though it lay now on a rawe." 
 
 Halliwell. " Robin Hood," i, 54. 
 
 ^ Probate, 18 May 1554. 
 
 3 " Collectanea Topographica et Genealogica," vol. iv, pp. 106, 108. 
 
 F 2 
 
36 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 connected with an interesting episode in the history of the Eeformation. Whilst 
 resident at Antwerp Tyndale was his guest for nearly a year. Tyndale, by 
 the treachery of spies, was betrayed into the hands of the Emperor's officers 
 and was brought to trial at Augsburg, where he was condemned to be burnt, 
 His last words were — " Lord, open the King of England's eyes." Thomas Poyntz 
 nearly shared the same fate for his fearless intervention to procure the release 
 of Tyndale through King Henry VIII. his brother John Poyntz having been in 
 the household of Queen Katherine many years. His appeal was in vain. He 
 was cast into prison from which he fortunately escaped, in circumstances of 
 great peril, to England.' His letter to his brother is dated 25th August 1535.-' 
 Thomas Poyntz died intestate, and was buried at St. Dunstan's in the West on 
 5th May 1562. Administration was granted on the 6th of the following month 
 to Gabriel Poyntz his son. 
 
 Thomas Poyntz left four children, three sons and a daughter. : viz., Gabriel, 
 son and heir, of whom we will write presently ; 2, Ferdinando (or Varnando) ; 
 3, Eobert ; 4, Susanna. 
 
 Ferdinando Po3 r ntz was a merchant of London, residing at St. Dunstan's in 
 the East (? West), and was a man of some importance. The Lords of the Council 
 addressing the Prince of Orange on 4th March 1577-8, commended to him 
 Ferdinand Poyntz, a merchant of London and a man of repute, who is coming 
 to him about the matters of the English Merchants, whose ships and merchandise 
 have been arrested by his commandment, and to take the bonds of the Estates 
 of Plolland and Zealand for the repayment of the money given for their 
 release. :! 
 
 He was also somewhat of an enoineer. In 1582. when considerable works 
 were found to be necessary for the protection of Dover Harbour, Fernando 
 Poyntz sent in to the Privy Council plans, specifications and estimates for the 
 execution of the work, and upon a comparison of the charges according to the 
 plan presented by all the Commissioners of the Harbour and the plan offered 
 by Mr. Poyntz, that of the latter was accepted by the Council. Jealousies, 
 however, immediately began to display themselves. Mr. Poyntz on 20th May 
 complains to Lord Burleigh of obstructions to his proceedings and false reports 
 raised against himself. Funds, however, were ordered to be placed at his disposal. 
 Further particulars were offered by Mr. Poyntz for carrying on the work 
 according to his " platt," perhaps to meet the objections of his enemies, and 
 
 1 Anderson's "History of the Bible," p. 233. 
 
 * Cott, MSS. Galba, B. 8. 
 
 3 State Papers, Elizabeth, Foreign. 
 
MEMOIR, OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 37 
 
 the price for which he would make the same, which particulars we find in the 
 handwriting of Burleigh. On 27th June Articles were agreed upon between 
 the Lords and others of the Privy Council for executing the repair of the 
 harbour according to the above, and the work was commenced. On 
 14th August Lord Cobham, Warden of the Cinque Ports, John Garnett, Mayor 
 of Dover, and other Commissioners for the harbour, apply to Sir Thomas Scott, 
 Treasurer of the Works, for the payment of £445 to Fernando Poyntz, he 
 having already received £500, to be employed on the works, and the same 
 parties on the same day wrote to Sir Thomas Scott desiring that £55 may be 
 paid to Mr. Poyntz for the works. 
 
 Mr. Poyntz had not, however, got rid of his difficulties. Eichard Barrey, 
 the Lieutenant of Dover Castle, seems not to have borne good will towards 
 him. In December he writes to the Lords of the Council stating that he had 
 signified to Mr. Po}aitz their Lordships' commands for the present making of 
 two " groynes" for the support of the harbour, and that he had desired Mr. 
 Bedwell to see that Poyntz does not neglect it. A month later (26th January 
 1583) he writes to Lord Cobham stating that the mouth of the harbour had 
 been opened these eight days, and says that, in his opinion, the works would 
 not stand any tempestuous weather, and adds that nothing had been done 
 towards constructing the two " groynes : ; ' also some days afterwards the Com- 
 missioners state their opinion that Mr. Poyntz's works are weak and slender, 
 and that order should be taken for one " groyne" forthwith, under the direction 
 of the Lieutenant of the Castle and the Mayor of Dover. Fernando reports 
 his proceedings to Sir Francis Walsingham and complains of the partial 
 conduct of the Lieutenant, for what he misliketh there are but few that dare 
 say to the contrary, and he adds that the principal timber he had procured 
 is now like to be wasted in the " groynes." He further desires to be released 
 from his task. At the same time the Mayor (Thomas Andrews) and jurats of 
 Dover writing to the Council give their favourable opinion of the works 
 constructed by Mr. Poyntz. They say, " the storms and foul weather and the 
 infamous libels of some lewd disposed persons might have dismaj'ed him." 
 Nevertheless three weeks afterwards the same parties write again to the Council 
 urging the necessity of immediately proceeding with the long wall. 
 
 We have no means of forming an opinion upon the merits of the case, 
 but Mr. Poyntz from the beginning appears to have been subjected to perse- 
 cution. He was obliged to succumb. On 25th April 1583 he wrote to 
 Walsingham reporting the state of the works when he left them, and offering 
 to fill up the opening he had made for the harbour if it should be thought 
 
38 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 not worth the maintenance, and stating that he had cleared up all accounts 
 to the end of March. 1 
 
 He married Elizabeth daughter of Samuel Johnson of Flintshire, and had 
 a daughter named Sarah, who became the first wife of Clement Harbie of 
 London,- and had a son Sir Clement Harby, Consul in the Morea. who was 
 knighted at Whitehall 21st April 1669. He died intestate in 1586, and adminis- 
 tration of his effects was granted to Elizabeth his, relict on 12th May in that 
 year. 
 
 Of Eobert Poyntz we know nothing except that he is named in the 
 monumental inscription to his father erected in North Ockenden Church. 
 
 Susanna Poyntz was the wife for fifty years of Sir Ei chard Saltonstall, Knt., 
 who was Lord Mayor of London in 1598, by whom she had seven sons and 
 nine daughters. He died 17th March 1601, and she, surviving, was executrix to 
 his will, 3 and erected to his memory in the chapel of South Ockenden Church, 
 where he was buried, a sumptuous monument. She died in 1613, and by her 
 will/ dated 16th November 1612, directed that her body should be buried in 
 the same church. 
 
 Gabriel Poyntz, eldest son and heir of Thomas Poyntz and Ann Calva, was 
 born in 1538, and by licence from the Bishop of London, dated 14th November 
 1568, he married Etheldreda (Audrey), daughter of Peter Cutts of Debden, Esq., 
 and relict of Ealph Latham of North Ockenden, who made his will only on the 
 3rd September previously appointing her his sole executrix, and she proved the 
 said will 5 as Audree Latham on the 15th October : just a month before her 
 re-marriage to Gabriel Poyntz. She died on the 2nd December 1594, and was 
 buried in North Ockenden Church. 
 
 Gabriel Poyntz presented to the church of North Ockenden in 1569 and 
 in 1582. In 1577 he was Sheriff for Essex, as he was a second time in 1589. 
 It appears from a note in " Notes and Queries " in 1853 that there was then 
 a portrait at Bradley, Ashbourne, co. Derby, inscribed Gabriel Poyntz, An. Domini 
 1568, Eetatis suse 36, and having thereon the arms : Barry of eight, Or and Gu. 
 with a crest very indistinct but resembling a lion's head and the motto 
 " Clainte kefrainte." 6 The portrait was painted in the year in which Gabriel 
 
 1 State Papers, Elizabeth, 1582-1583, A'ols. clvi, clviii, clix, clx, clxii, numerous papers in 
 each volume. 
 
 2 He was second son of Thomas Harby of Adston, Northants, Esq., and elder brother of -lob 
 Harby, created Baronet of Aldenham 17th July 1660. 
 
 3 Prob. 9th May 1601, P.C.C. (32 Woodhall.) 
 
 4 Prob. 23rd Feb. 1612-13, P.C.C. (10 Capell.) 
 
 5 Prob, 15 Oct. 1568 (20 Babington). 
 
 6 " Notes and Queries," 1 Series, vol. viii, p. 449. 
 
MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 39 
 
 Poyntz was married, when, according to his own shewing, he was thirty years 
 of age, and it is probable that the figures denoting the age of the subject of 
 the portrait, like the crest, which should be a cubit arm, fist clenched, had become 
 indistinct, and had been erroneously read for thirty-six instead of for thirty. 
 
 In 1595 Gabriel Poyntz was resident in Aldgate, and he received the 
 honour of knighthood at Whitehall on 30th May 1604. 
 
 Sir Gabriel had two children : 1st, Thomas his son and heir ; and 2nd, 
 Katherine. 
 
 Thomas was a member of Gray's Inn, and on the 3rd March 1595-6 
 married Jane daughter of Sir William Peryam, Chief Baron of the Exchequer, 
 born in 1573. Thomas Poyntz died 17th December 1597 intestate, leaving 
 issue two infant daughters named Audrey and Susan, and Jane his relict 
 administered to his effects on 4th July 1598. She married secondly, as his 
 second wife, Thomas Dockwra of Putteridge, co. Herts, Esq., and died 
 15th March 1605-6. These orphan children in their tender years were left 
 therefore to the natural guardianship of their grandfather. 
 
 Sir Gabriel, who was very desirous that his lands of inheritance in Essex 
 should descend in his own name, was naturally disappointed at the early death 
 of his only son without issue male, and it is alleged, by John Poyntz alias 
 Morris, son of Edward Morris, 2nd son of James Morris, attorney for the 
 Court of Wards and Liveries, which John had assumed the name of Poyntz, to 
 which he could not have any possible claim, when he appeared as a claimant 
 to the Poyntz estates in Essex and other lands, upon forged documents, that 
 upon failure of the issue of his uncle his said grandfather James Morris, being 
 desirous of settling his Manor of Chipping Ongar and other lands upon his 
 heirs male in tail, conferred thereon with Gabriel Poyntz, and it was agreed 
 between him and the said Gabriel Poyntz that John Morris's eldest son 
 and heir apparent of the said James Morris, should take to wife Katherine 
 Poyntz the only daughter of the said Gabriel upon divers considerations : 
 viz., that £1000 was to be paid upon the conveyance to Gabriel in lieu 
 of their portion, and to the end that Audrey and Susan should not claim any 
 interest in the lands of their grandfather Gabriel, and £3000 was to be paid 
 unto Audrey and Susan Poyntz, the two daughters of Thomas Poyntz and 
 grandchildren of Gabriel, in lieu of their portions, and in consideration the 
 said John Morris and his heirs should ever write their names Pointz alias Morris, 
 and be called by that name, to bear up the name of the Poyntzes and their 
 arms, which " intencion " is made upon record in the Heralds' Office. 1 This 
 1 Chancery Bills (Whittington), JXo. 16, Hil. 1652. 
 
40 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 averment on the part of the fraudulent claimant would seem to have been carried 
 out to the disinherison of the two infant daughters of Thomas Poyntz of their 
 ancestral estates, Gabriel Poyntz "preferring," in the words of another deponent, 
 "the sons of his daughter to the daughters of his son." John Morris was born 
 in 1569 and was knighted 22nd May 1603, and Katherine his daughter died 
 before her father. 
 
 Sir Gabriel Poyntz made his will 23rd July 1606. He gave to Elizabeth Morris 
 and Ann Morris the daughters of Lady Catherine Morris, late wife to Sir John 
 Morris of Chipping Ongar, £400 each of ready money which he then had in 
 the house ; gives 20s. a year to be employed yearly upon the reparation, 
 mayntenance, &c, of the monuments, tombs, vautes, and other remembrances 
 that he had caused to be made in the north chapel of the church of North 
 Okenden for ever; and he does not "revoke the money given, assigned, lymited, 
 and appointed to be paid out of my lands to Audry Poyntz and Susan Poyntz, 
 daughters of my late son Thomas Po}mtz, deceased, by a Deed of Uses that 
 I have made of all my lands to Richard Cutts and William Cutts, Esquires, to 
 certain uses therein contayned, bearing date 1604. Sir John Morris, Knt., my 
 executor to dispose of my goods and chattels as he shall think convenient." In 
 a memorandum annexed he mentions his sister Burton's daughters she had by 
 Arnett. 1 As executor of the will of Sir Gabriel Poyntz, Sir John Poyntz, alias 
 Morris, would naturally become the guardian of the orphan daughters of Thomas 
 Poyntz, but to this exception was taken by Sir John Cutts, probably the uncle, 
 and Thomas Docwra the stepfather of the children. In March 1608 Sir John 
 Poyntz writing to the Earl of Salisbury expressed himself willing to submit to 
 the Earl's decision in the matter. It would appear that the contention resulted 
 in the children being taken into wardship of the King,- and that the charge of 
 their persons was assigned to Sir John Poyntz, certain payments being made for 
 their maintenance by Lady Cutts, who, probably, had charge of their property. 
 In 1616 Lady Cutts, by an order in the Court of Wards, dated 27th October, 
 was required to show cause for the non-payment of money for the maintenance 
 of Audrey and Susan Poyntz, the King's wards, and the unreasonableness of 
 the order was shewn, she having already paid certain sums to Sir John Poyntz. 
 
 Audrey Poyntz married Adam Littleton of Stoke Milburgh, co. Salop, created 
 a Baronet 14th October 1642, and died cir. 1647. She died 1648. She was 
 the grandmother of Sir Thomas Littleton, who was elected Speaker of the 
 
 Prob. 21st January 1607-8 P.C.C. (3 Windebank.) 
 2 State Papers, Domestic, James I, vol. xxxi, 92, 93. 
 
MEMOIR. OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 41 
 
 House of Commons in 1698. He died on 1st January 1709-10 s.p., when the 
 title became extinct. 
 
 Susan Poyntz, by licence from the office of the Bishop of London, dated 
 26th April 1617, married at the church of St. Qregorj, London, Michael Oldisworth 
 of St. Martin's in the Fields, son of Arnold Oldisworth of Bradley, co. Grlouc., 
 Knt., 1 sometime Clerk of the Hanaper. Michael was Secretary to the Earl of 
 Pembroke, Lord Chamberlain. She died s.p., and her sister Audrey became 
 sole heir. 
 
 Katherine Poyntz, Lady Morris, died before her father and was buried in 
 the church of South Okenden. She left issue three sons : 1, James ; 2, Uranus 
 and 3, Poyntz, and two or three daughters. Sir John Poyntz married secondly 
 27th Feb. 1605-6, Lettice, daughter of Edward Fitzgerald, brother of Gerald, 
 11th Earl of Kildare and relict of Sir Ambrose Coppinger of Dawley Court, 
 Harrington, co. Middx., whose will she proved in 1604. 2 Sir John Poyntz died 
 31st Jan. 1617-18, his wife, Lady Lettice, surviving, proved his will, dated 
 22nd May 1617, on the 16th March following, 3 and she herself died 19th 
 December 1621, and was buried in the choir of St. Peter's Church, S. Paul's 
 Wharf, London. Will, nuncupative, dated ten days previous to her death. 4 
 
 Of Uranus Poyntz second son of Sir John Poyntz alias Morris we have 
 no knowledge except that he is mentioned in certain proceedings in Chancery 
 and died before 1643, supposed s.p. 
 
 Sir James Poyntz alias Morris,- son and heir of Sir John Pointz alias 
 Morris, who was knighted at Theobalds on 17th March 1616 as " Sir James 
 Poynes," 5 succeeded on the death of his father to the Poyntz estates in Essex 
 and presented to the Church of North Ockenden in 1619. He was twice 
 married : 1st, to Elizabeth Carew daughter of Sir Nicholas Throckmorton (who 
 assumed the name of Carew) of Beddington, Surrey ; and 2ndly, to Mary 
 daughter of Sir Eichard Smith of Leeds Castle, Kent, Knt. He died a year 
 after his second marriage, leaving by that marriage an only son named 
 Eichard, who was admitted a Fellow Commoner at St. John's College, Cam- 
 bridge, 15th March 1638-9, aged 15, and died at Montauban in France 
 15th August 1643, s.p. By his will dated 10th May 1643 he describes himself 
 as of Barmingham, Suffolk, and directs that his body shall be buried in the 
 vault of his ancestors in the Church of North Okenden, but he was buried 
 at Montauban. He gives to this church £50 to buy plate "useful about the 
 
 1 Berkeley MSS., Lives of the Berlteleys, vol. ii, 3 Prob. 7th. April 1604, P.C.C. (42 Harte.) 
 
 p. 93, and Hand, of Berkeley, vol. iii, fo. 110. * P.C.C. (106 Dale.) 
 
 2 Probate 16th Mar. 1617-18, P.C.C. (25 Meade.) 5 Cott. MSS., Claudius, c. iii. 
 
 G 
 
42 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 administration of the Sacrament to the Poor." 1 He names his mother Dame 
 Mary Poyntz, "my loving uncle Poyntz Morris, Esq., Lady Greville wife of Sir 
 Fulke Greville, my much esteemed aunt," and others. 2 
 
 On the death of Eichard Poyntz s.p. Poyntz Morris his uncle, named in 
 his will, second son of Sir John Poyntz alias Morris, succeeded to the estates and 
 assumed the name of Poyntz. He married a lady named Dorothy, of whose 
 parentage we know nothing. She appears to have been alive in 1645-1647. 
 Poyntz Poyntz himself died 1st December 1643, as found upon the Inquisition 
 taken thereupon at Romford on 12th December 1644, but by another Inquisition 
 taken at the Guildhall, London, on 17th October, 21st Charles I (1645) it is 
 found that he died seized as of fee of Beavis Marke alias Heneage House to 
 himself and his heirs male, in default of such issue remainder to the heirs of 
 James Poyntz alias Morris, deceased, formerly Attorney to the Court of Wards 
 and Liveries, and the jury find that John Pointz alias Morris, Gentleman, is his 
 cousin and nearest heir, and is aged 21 years and more, being son and heir 
 male of Edward (Pointz alias) Morris, deceased, second son of the aforesaid 
 James (Pointz alias) Morris, Attorney in the Court of Wards and Liveries, 
 father of John Pointz alias Morris, Kt., deceased, who was father of James 
 Pointz alias Morris, Esq., father of Eichard Pointz alias Morris, Esq., deceased,, 
 who was uncle of the aforesaid Pointz Pointz named in the Inquisition. And 
 the jury further say that Dorothy Pointz, widow of Pointz Pointz, survives and 
 lives in London. 3 
 
 This Inquisition is very remarkable. The only persons who had the slightest 
 pretence to the designation of Poyntz as an alias to Morris were, first John 
 Morris, eldest son of James, the Attorne}^ to the Court of Wards and Liveries,, 
 derived from his marriage with Katherine daughter and heir of Sir Gabriel 
 Poyntz and the inheritance of the Poyntz estates in Essex, and his issue, possessors 
 of the same property. Even Eichard Poyntz in his last will, it will have been 
 noticed, describes his uncle as Poyntz Morris only, shewing that the latter did 
 not assume the alias Poyntz until after he came into possession of the estates. 
 That John Morris son of Edward had by the death of Poyntz Poyntz become 
 heir at law to James Morris, Attorney to the Court of Wards and Liveries, is 
 not denied, but neither he nor any of his issue had any pretence of claim to 
 the designation of Poyntz, and it could only have been foisted into the Inquisition 
 
 1 The old Poyntz flagon was, ivith the consent of the Bishop, sold in 1853 towards building the- 
 school, upon the plea that it was uncouth and unwieldy in size ! 
 
 2 Probate, 8th November 1644, P.C.C. (2 Rivers.) 
 
 3 Inq. p.m. 21st Ch. I. 
 
MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 43 
 
 through the influence of John Morris, the heir, to favour his ulterior nefarious 
 designs, as we shall see presently. 
 
 By the extinction of the issue of Sir John Poyntz, alias Morris, by Katherine 
 Poyntz, on the death of Pointz Pointz alias Morris, the succession to the Poyntz 
 estates in Essex opened to Audrey daughter of Thomas Poyntz and now sole heir 
 ■of Sir Gabriel Poyntz and her issue by her husband Sir Adam Littleton, and 
 thereupon the said Adam and Audrey entered upon the premises. Their possession, 
 however, was disturbed by the machinations of John Morris, who with certain 
 •other persons, contrary to the Statute against Maintenance, confederated together 
 and raised large sums of money in the city of London and elsewhere to 
 prosecute suits of law against Sir Adam Littleton and Dame Audrey his wife 
 to recover the said lands, which, it was alleged, were to be shared among 
 them. A case was brought forward for trial at Chelmsford upon an action 
 of ejectment in 1647, which was supported by divers evidences, including what 
 purported to be an Act of Parliament, all of them fabricated and forged. Sir 
 Adam Littleton and Dame Audrey and John Browne, Esq., the Clerk of the 
 Parliament, made ' complaint to the Lords of Parliament, and " the confederates 
 were afterwards censured and the forged documents were damned and cancelled 
 b>y their order." 1 
 
 This would seem to have been one of the most impudent forgeries ever 
 committed. A full detail may be found in the Calendar of Papers in the 
 House of Lords. 2 The petition of Dame Audrey Littleton, late wife of Sir 
 Adam Littleton, deceased, Sir Fulke Greville, Knt., and Maurice Barrow, Esq., 
 complains " notwithstanding it was lately decided that a pretended Act of 
 Parliament used to dispossess petitioners of their land was a forgery, yet Isabel 
 , Smith, one of the persons sentenced for the same, being permitted to go at 
 large, obtained access to the records of the Court of Wards, foisted in amongst 
 them spurious documents and then obtained attested copies thereof from Hugh 
 Audeley, the Clerk of the Court, and the petitioners pray for an examination 
 and that Isabel ' Smith may be kept close prisoner." 3 
 
 Hugh Audeley answers to the petition. As Clerk of the late Court of 
 Wards petitioner has custody of the records of the Court, which are kept in 
 a room called the Treasury at Westminster. About six weeks since, when he 
 was out of town, the Clerk who usually waits in the office told him that a 
 woman wanted copies of some parchments which the book-bearer had brought 
 
 1 Chancery Proceedings, Miscellaneous, 3rd series, part vi. 
 
 2 Appendix to the 6th Report of the Com. on Hist. Manuscripts. 
 
 3 L. S., ix. 474. In extenso. 
 
 G 2 
 
44 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 to the office, and when petitioner came to town, seeing that the records were- 
 but copies of the originals, and knowing nothing of the proceedings before- 
 Parliament, he ordered copies to be made and signed them accordingly. 
 About ten days later some other persons came to the office and took exception 
 against petitioner for giving the copies in question, and asked him to enquire- 
 how the parchments were found, when it appeared that Mrs. Smith had desired 
 to search in the Treasury for some records, and that William Berringer the 
 book-bearer and John Besele}^ an ancient Clerk, had gone in and she with 
 them, as has been usual on occasions of searches, for the Clerk's better 
 instruction in finding the thing searched for ; Beseley first searched in the- 
 lower part of the press, where many old patents and counterparts of leases 
 and other loose things were placed, but not finding what Mrs. Smith wanted 
 he told the book-bearer to get the short ladder and go up and look in the 
 upper part of the press, which he did, but refused to meddle with the writings - r 
 upon which Mrs. Smith stepped up the ladder and threw down some loose 
 writings and things out of the upper part of the press, the book-bearer and 
 Beseley both observing what she did, and Beseley then finding the bundle of 
 parchment writings wished her to forbear throwing any more down, but how 
 long this bundle of parchments had been there petitioner cannot say. 12 Oct. 
 
 Answer of Isabel Smith. She was intrusted by Mr. Morris to act for him 
 in recovering his lands, and hearing that papers concerning the estate of Morris- 
 and Poyntz had been brought into the Court of Wards, and having obtained 
 a note of them, she went with one of the clerks of the Court, the book-bearer, 
 and another client into the Treasury Office, to search for them. Search was- 
 made in many places, till the clerk himself said he was weary. She entreated 
 him to go on searching, which he did, till he sat down and bade her search,, 
 for he could search no longer. He also told the book-bearer to get a ladder 
 and set it against the press, on which she prayed him to go up, but he being 
 unwieldly and fat bade her go up, which she did, and with both hands plucked 
 many parchments out of the press and threw them down upon the ground, and 
 one of the last, which was at the bottom of the press, was the bundle of 
 writings which concerned Morris, which the clerk perceiving by something 
 written on the back, willed her to come down. The clerk, the book-bearer, 
 and the other client were standing close by the whole time, and looking upon 
 her all the time she was in the room. She denies the charge of forgery or of 
 shuffling in forged papers, or that she had any parchments about her when she 
 went into the room. One of the clerks, when the documents were read, said 
 that he remembered when they were brought into the Court of Wards. She 
 
MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 is an innocent sufferer, and prays the House to release her from imprisonment. 
 Of course there were counter allegations on the other side, but we can only 
 refer to the Lords' Papers, from which we have quoted. The premises 
 continued vested in the Poyntz Littleton family. 
 
 Sir Thomas Poyntz Littleton, the second Baronet, succeeded to the estates 
 and married his second cousin Anne only child and heir of Edmund Lord 
 Littleton of Mounslow, co. Salop, and dying in 1681 left an only surviving 
 son Sir Thomas Poyntz Littleton, the third Baronet, who presented to the 
 church of North Okenden in 1697. He represented Woodstock in several par- 
 liaments, and was chosen Speaker of the House in 1698, and died 1st January 
 1709-10, without issue, when the title became extinct. 1 He married Anne? 
 daughter of Benjamin Baron of Weston, co. Glouc, and by his will, dated 19th 
 September 1709, gives to her all his estate at Weston or elsewhere in Glouces- 
 tershire which he had by the will of her deceased father, and ratifies £500 
 per annum provided by marriage settlement charged on North Okenden and 
 North Okenden Hall, and a further annuity of £505 for 99 years and all his 
 goods, adding, " This I do, thinking myself obliged thereunto for the best wife 
 that ever man was blest with, and to testify the great love and value I have 
 for her, which she more than deserves by her excellent carriage and behaviour," 
 and makes her executrix, and after her decease, " my near kinsman, 2 Capt. 
 James Littleton, Commander of H.M. ship ' The Somerset,' and his son Thomas 
 Littleton, my godson, to be executors." All his manors, lands, &c. in London 
 and Essex he demises to his wife and his friend Archibald Hutchinson of the 
 Middle Temple, Esq., in trust to pay all bequests, &c, then to be conveyed 
 to his aforesaid kinsman, Capt. James Littleton, for life, then to Thomas, son of 
 the said James, for life, then to other sons, in default to the heirs of testator's 
 grandfather Sir Adam Poyntz, on condition that every person possessing the 
 freehold shall write the name of Poyntz between his christian and surname, 
 as testator's grandfather, father and self had always done since the marriage 
 of his grandmother Dame Audrey Poyntz, granddaughter and heir of Sir 
 Gabriel Poyntz, Knt. Codicil dated 23rd September 1709. Proved by Dame 
 Ann Littleton, relict, 21st January 1709-10, and again 4th November 1714 by 
 James Littleton. 3 
 
 1 Courthope's " Synopsis of the Extinct Baronetage of England," edition 1835. Burke's " Extinct 
 and Dormant Baronetcies of England, &c," edition 1845. 
 
 2 Morant says he was the great nephew of the second Baronet (" Hist, of Essex," vol. i, p. 103), 
 hut this could hardly he, for, if legitimate, he would have heen entitled to the baronetcy. 
 
 3 P.C.C. (24 Smith). 
 
46 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 The devisees, however, were not suffered to enjoy the lands in peace. A 
 suit in Chancery was instituted on 14th June 1710 by a certain Elizabeth 
 Meynell of Bradley in Derbyshire (widow of Godfrey Meynell of Bradley, co. 
 Derby, who was Sheriff for that county in 1681) the sole daughter and heir of 
 Edward Littleton, Esq., deceased, who was brother of Sir Thomas Poyntz, alias 
 Littleton, Bart., deceased, father of the said devisor, and that, therefore, she is 
 Tieir at law to the said devisor and doth claim all the manors, lands, &c, 
 alleging moreover that Sir Thomas Poyntz, alias Littleton, did not make his 
 last will, or that he was non compos mentis when it was made. What the 
 decree in this case was we know not, but Littleton Poyntz Meynell, who was 
 «on of the said Elizabeth Meynell (who afterwards assumed the name of Poyntz), 
 and administered to her effects in 1726, eventually became owner of North 
 Okenden. 1 
 
 Dame Ann Poyntz, alias Littleton, above mentioned made her will on 13th 
 February, 1713, and directed that her body should be buried near that of her 
 husband, in the Church of North Okenden. To Capt. James Poyntz, alias 
 Littleton, she bequeathed all her household goods, pictures, &c. in her house 
 •of North Okenden, and all other pictures of any person of the name of Poyntz 
 alias Littleton in her house in London or elsewhere, except such as are here 
 afterwards bequeathed, and gave to him 42 silver plates. To Francis Haws, Esq., 
 all her books and presses, and 100 guineas for a ring. To Archibald Hutchinson, 
 of the Middle Temple, Esq., " mine and my late husbands Pictures in oval 
 frames," drawn by Mr. Murry, and legacies to her kinswomen Elizabeth and 
 Mary Prettyman, Ann and Elizabeth Eyres, each £50. Many other legacies 
 -and gifts to charitable and pious uses. Capt. James Poyntz alias Littleton and 
 his son Thomas to allot a piece of ground for the erection of a school. Codicil 
 dated 9th July, 1714. Gives all the pictures in her house in London to her 
 •sister Mary Baron for life, after her death to Capt. James Poyntz alias 
 Littleton. 2 
 
 1 Portrait of John Poyntz of North. Ockenden, who married Anne Sibelles, is now (1884) in the 
 possession of Adam Blandy, of 42, Inverness Terrace, Bayswater, Esq., as well as several other Poyntz 
 Portraits, which have not been identified. They came to him through his grandfather, the son of 
 JN~ewdigate Poyntz of Tormarton. 
 
 2 Prob. to Mary Baron, 11th Aug., 1714. P.C.C. (163 Aston). 
 
MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 47 
 
 PEDIGEEE OF POYNTZ OP NOETH OCKENDEN, ESSEX. 
 
 Table II. 
 
 The portions of this pedigree printed in italics are from the Herald's Visitation of Essex in 1612. 
 
 Sir Nicholas Poyntz, Knt., : 
 Lord and Baron of Cory 
 Afalet, obiit 5 Edward II., 
 1311. Died seized of the 
 Manor of Hoo in co. Kent. 
 
 -Elizabeth, dau. to 
 Edmond [Eudo] 
 la Zouch, first 
 wyfe. 
 
 Sir Iluuh Poyntz, 
 Knt., Lord and 
 Baron of Cory Ma- 
 let, obiit 2 Edw. 
 Ill, 1336. Lord 
 or joint Lord of 
 Hoo, co. Kent, of 
 which, by licence 
 dated 21 July, 7 
 Ed. Ill, he alien- 
 ated a moiety to 
 Nicholas Poyntz 
 and Aliauora his 
 wife. 
 
 "f 
 
 Nicholas Poyntz o/=j=Alianora. 
 Hoo in Com. Rente, 
 2 d Sonne, A 0 d'ni 
 1311, n Edxv. II. 
 received from his 
 brother, Sir Hagh 
 Poyntz, a moiety 
 of the Manor of 
 Hoo. Inq. ad quod 
 damnum, 21 July 
 7 Edw. III. Esch. 
 7 Edw. III. (2nos.) 
 No. 48. 
 
 Nicholas Poyntz of North=f 
 Okenden in Com. Essex, Esq., \ 
 sonne and heir, lived Jfi Edw. 
 Ill, ob. 1372. 
 
 dau. to 
 
 Arms of Poyntz of Essex. 
 
 1. Poyntz. Barry of 8 Or and Gu. 
 
 2. Babdolph. Az. three cinquefoils Or. 
 
 3. Malet. Az. three escallops Or. 
 
 4. Basset. Or three bars wavy Gu. 
 
 5. Cantilupe. Gu. three leopards' heads inverted jessant de 
 lis, Or. 
 
 6. Zouche. Gu. ten bezants and a canton Erm. 
 
 7. Baldwin. Az. a chev. Gu. betw. three ogresses. 
 
 8. Septfontain. Per pale Or and Az. fourteen guttes d'eau. 
 
 9. Ar. a fess dancette betw. twelve billets Sa. sevt'n 
 
 in chief, five in base. 
 
 10. Deincouet. Ar. upon a bend Gu. three mascles of the first. 
 
 11. Perth. Ar. a chev. Erm. betw. three lozenges Ermines. 
 
 12. Calva. Bendy of six, Az. and Ar. on a chief Gu. three 
 
 increscents of the second. 
 
 Ponties Poyntz of 
 North Okenden in 
 Com. Essex, Esq., 
 sonne and heire 16 
 Rich. II. Presen- 
 ted to the Church 
 of North Okenden 
 in 1393. 
 
 -Ellenor, dau. to 
 ... She lived 16 
 Rich. II, A" 
 1392. [Dau. of 
 
 Baldwin of 
 
 North Okenden, 
 Essex.] 
 
 Edwardc- 
 Poyntz, 
 Esq., 2 
 sonne. 
 
 ■...dau. 
 to... 
 
 Maude, mar. to Thomas Robard 
 
 Barrett of Belhoiose, Es- Poyntz, 
 
 quire. In the Barrett sonne and 
 
 ped. she is stated to have heire. 
 been the daughter of Ed- 
 ward Poyntz. 
 
48 
 
 MEMOIK OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 A 
 
 Sir John Poyntz, Knt, living in=^Maude, dau. to [Eleanor, 
 1351, of NorthOckenden in Essex, rlau. to Sir John Daucote, 
 sonne and heire. Died 1447. Knt. (? Deincourt of Up- 
 Will dated 12 March 1446-7. minster, co. Essex.)] 
 
 I : 
 
 John Poyntz of North Okenden, s<»i=pMatilda, dau. 
 
 •and heir. Named in his father's 
 will. His will dated 15 April 1469. 
 Describes himself as J ohn Poyntes of 
 North Wokendon. Esquier. To be 
 buried at North Okenden. Presented 
 to the Church there 1448 and 1463. 
 
 and cc/h. of 
 William Perth 
 of Aveley, co. 
 Essex. 
 
 r 
 
 Reginald, 
 named in 
 father's 
 will. 
 
 Thomas, 
 named in 
 father's 
 will. 
 
 Matilda, wife 
 of John Barret 
 of Aveley,Esq. 
 Named in fa- 
 ther's will. 
 
 Margaret, wife 
 of JohnBynes, 
 [? JohnBures] 
 
 named in 
 Mon* in North 
 Ockenden Ch, 
 
 Agnes, named 
 in father's 
 will. 
 
 Thomas Poyntz, 
 2 son named in 
 father's will. 
 
 T 
 
 Thomazine,nam- 
 ed in her father's 
 will. 
 
 William Poyntz of North- 
 Okenden in Com. Essex, Esq., 
 sonne and heire. Jointly 
 with Edm. Shaa presented 
 to North Okenden Church 
 1480, and solely in 1487. 
 Died 1504. M.I. 
 
 Ann, da. and coh. of Isaac= 
 Sibelles (she was a widow) 
 ■of co. Bucks, Had issue by 
 first husband. Presented to 
 North Ockenden Church 
 26 Ap. 1554. Will dated 
 16,Prob. 18 May 1554. 
 
 : John Poyntz, son and heir, of 
 North Okenden, Sewer of the 
 Chamber to Q. Katharine of 
 Arragon 1520. Died 13 June 
 1547, s.p. Will dated 30 of pre- 
 ceding month, Prob. 30 June 
 following (39 Alen). Bur. at 
 North Okenden, s.p. M.I. 
 
 -Elizabeth, syster to Sr. Edmund 
 Shawe of London, Shrive 15 
 Edit). IV., 1474, an d Maior 
 23 of y e saide K's Raynge A 0 
 14S3. She was dau. of SirEdm. 
 Shaa and sister of Sir John Shaa, 
 Lord Mayor of London 1502. In 
 his will he names his brother 
 Poyntz. She died 21 August 1503. 
 
 1 — n . 
 
 Catherine, named in 
 father's will. 
 
 Anne, named in father's 
 will. — 
 Beatrice, not named in 
 father's will. Mar. John 
 Cheek of Debenham. 
 Mon*. 
 
 Henry. 
 
 I ,— 
 
 ... dau., mar. 
 
 Sponer, 
 
 mentioned in 
 bro. John's 
 will. 
 
 Margaret, 
 
 mar 
 
 Barleymay, 
 named in 
 bro. John's 
 will. 
 
 r - 
 
 Thomas Poyntz of North Oclenden,=f=Ann, dau. <b 
 
 sonne <h heire [heir of his brother] 
 named in bro. John's will. Died 5 Ma y 
 1562 at St. Dunstan's in the West, 
 Lond., intestate. Admo. to sen 
 Gabriel. 
 
 /(<;£)• to [John] 
 Calva, a Ger- 
 man. 
 
 1 
 
 Edmund= 
 Poyntz. 
 
 =Frideswide, 
 dau. of ••• 
 
 Frideswide, named in 
 uncle John's will. 
 
 Ferdinando Poyntz=j=Elizabeth, 
 
 of London, 2 sonne, 
 named in uncle John's 
 ■will. Admo. to relict 
 Elizabeth 12 May 
 1586 and on 17 July 
 on goods she had not 
 administered to, to 
 Sir Samuel Salting- 
 etall, nephew from 
 sister. 
 
 da. of Sam- 
 uel Johnson 
 of co. Flint. 
 Admo. to 
 husband's 
 effects. 
 
 Sir Gabrell Poyntz of North 
 Ockenden in com. Essex, 
 sonne and heire, named in 
 uncle John's will and in 
 Aunt Ann's, knighted at 
 Whitehall 30 May 1604. 
 Died 8 Feb. 1607-8. M.I. 
 Will dated 23 July 1606, 
 Prob. 21 Jan. 1607-8 (3 
 Windebank). 
 
 Sarah, 1 wife of Clement Harbie of 
 London. Bur. at Hillingdon, Middx., 
 1606. M.I. 
 
 -Audrey, daugh. 
 to Peter Cutis 
 and ividoio to 
 Rauffe Latham. 
 Died 2 Deer. 
 1594. M.I. 
 
 1 i 
 
 Robard, 3d Susanna, mar. to Sir 
 sonne,na,m- Richard Saltingstall of 
 ed in un- London, Knight, Lord 
 cle John's Mayor of London 1598. 
 will, and on He died 1 7 March 160], 
 father's aged 84. Will dated 
 monument. 1579, Prob. 9 May 1601. 
 
 She died 1613. Will da- 
 ted 16 Nov. 1612. Prcb. 
 23 Feb. 1712-3, bur. at 
 South Okenden. M.I. 
 
 James Morris of Chipping=f Elizabeth, da. of 
 Ongar, co. Essex, Attorney j George Medley. 
 
 of the Court of Wards and 
 Liveries, temp. Eliz. 
 
 Died 
 1603. 
 
 20 Sept. 
 
MEMOIE OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 49 
 
 Thomas Poyntz,-' 
 son and heir, of 
 Gray's Inn. Died 
 17Dee.l597,s.p., 
 intestate. Admo. 
 to relict 4 July 
 1598. 
 
 =Jane, dau. of Sir 
 WilliamPeryam, 
 Chief Baron of 
 the Exchequer, 
 born 1573, mar. 
 at Chelsea 3 Mar. 
 1595-6, married 
 2ndly Thomas 
 Doewra, Esq. 
 She died 15 Mar. 
 1645-6. 
 
 Katherine, daugh.- 
 & sole heire, mar. 
 to John Morris of 
 Chipping Ongar in 
 Essex, Esq. Died 
 v.p. 
 
 : Sir John Morris, son and heir, aged 
 1 year and 6 months 3 April 1570. 
 Knighted 22 May 1603. Assumed the 
 name of Poyntz alias Morris on suc- 
 ceeding to the estates of North Ocken- 
 den He mar. 2ndly Lettice dau. of 
 Edward Fitzgerald, brother of Gerald 
 11th Earl of Kildare and relict of 
 Ambrose Coppinger of Dawley Court. 
 Harlington. She died 1621 and was 
 buried in St. Peter's Church, Paul's 
 Wharf, London, 19 Dec. He died 31 
 Jan. 1617-8. Will dated 22 May 
 1617, Prob. 16 Mar. 1617-8. 
 
 i , , , , 
 
 Henry 
 Morris. 
 
 — I 
 
 Edward=j=. 
 Morris. | 
 
 I 
 I 
 
 John Morris,thefraudu- 
 lent claimant of the N. 
 Okenden estates, for 
 which purpose he as- 
 sumed the name of 
 Poyntz. 
 
 Susan Poyntz, 2 
 dau. and coh., na- 
 med in grandfa- 
 ther's will, mar. 
 Michael Oldis- 
 worth son of Ar- 
 nold Oldsworth 
 of co. Glouces- 
 ter, Clerk of the 
 Hanaper, mar. 
 lie. dated 26 Ap. 
 1617. Died v.p., 
 buried at ... 
 
 Andrey Poyntz, ; 
 eldest dau. and 
 coheir. Died ... 
 1648, named in 
 grandfather's 
 will and in her 
 son William's. 
 Will dated 10 
 March 1647-8, 
 Prob. 27 Oct. 
 1648 (142 Es- 
 sex). 
 
 : Sir Adam Lit- 
 tleton of Stoke 
 Milburgh, co. 
 Salop, after- 
 wards Sir 
 Adam Poyntz 
 Littleton, cre- 
 ated a Baronet 
 14 Oct. 1642. 
 Died cir.1647. 
 
 SirJamesPoyr.tz=pMary, da. of Sir 
 alias Morris of Rich. Smith of 
 North Okenden, Leeds Castle, 
 mar. 1st Eliza- Kent, Knt. She 
 beth Carew, da. mar. 2ndly Mau- 
 of Sir Nicholas rice Barrow of 
 Throckmorton Barmingham, 
 alias Carew of Suflolk. Died 19 
 Beddingtoii,Sur- Nov. 1H66, aged 
 rey. 65 and there 
 
 buried. M.I. 
 
 l 
 
 Eichard Poyntz, alias Morris, admitted a Fellow 
 Commoner of St. John's Coll., Camb., 15 March 
 1638-9, aged 15. Died Montauban in France, 
 15 Aug. 1643, and was there buried. Will 
 dat. 10 May 1643, Prob. 8 Nov. 1644 (2 
 Rivers). 
 
 Elizabeth, na- 
 med in will of 
 Sir G. Poyntz. 
 
 Ann, named in 
 will of Sir G. 
 Poyntz. 
 
 Uranus, na- 
 med inChanc. 
 Proceedings. 
 Died before 
 1643. 
 
 Poyntz Poyntz 
 aliasMorris.Lord 
 of Chipping On- 
 gar. 
 
 Dorothy. Died 4 
 Dec. 1643. s.p. 
 
 I 
 
 James Littleton, 
 merchant, na- 
 med in brother's 
 will. Died s.p. 
 
 Poyntz Littleton. 
 Died 1649. Admo. 
 to Brother Ed- 
 ward 20 Ap. 1649, 
 s.p. 
 
 Elizabeth, 
 named in 
 mother's 
 will. 
 
 3. Mary Littleton, named in 
 mother's will, bap. 6 Aug. 
 1629, mar. 1613 Tho. Walcot, 
 who was Knted. at Whitehall, 
 21 Nov. 1681. 
 
 n 
 
 Jane 
 
 Hester 
 
 named in 
 mother's 
 will. 
 
 Sir Thomas Poyntz=f=Anne, only child and Edward Lit-=pDorothy. 
 
 alias Littleton, 2nd 
 Bart. Died 12 Ap. 
 1681, art. 57. Bur. 
 at North Okenden. 
 Will dat. 2 Dec. 
 1665, cod. 11 Ap. 
 1681,Prob.l8June 
 following P.C.C. 
 (97 North). 
 
 heir of Edmund Lord 
 Littleton of Mouns- 
 low, co. Salop, some- 
 time Lord Keeper of 
 the Great Seal, his 
 second cousin, died 
 27 Nov. 1705, aged 
 82. Bur. at North 
 Okenden. Executrix 
 to husband's will. 
 
 tleton of West- 
 minster. Died 
 1702. Will 
 prov. 15 Ap- 
 ril 1702 ' 
 Horne). 
 
 (63 
 
 dau. of 
 ... Booth 
 of Ponte- 
 fract. 
 
 William Little-=f 
 ton of Lincoln's 
 Inn. Lied 1658 
 Will dat. 30 Ap- 
 ril. Prob. 23 June 
 1658 (662 Wot- 
 ton). 
 
 Dorothy, dau. 
 of Rich. Bul- 
 keley of Chea- 
 dle, co. Ches- 
 ter, mar. 2ndly 
 HenryAyloffe, 
 3 sone of Sir 
 Benj. Ayloffe, 
 Bart. 
 
 Anne Littleton, 
 mar. Tho. Powys, 
 Serjeant at Law, 
 of Henly Hall, 
 Bitterly. 
 
 Sir Thomas Poyntz alias=Ann Baron, dau. of Benja- 
 Littleton, 3 Bart, born April 
 1647. Speaker of the House 
 of Commons, 6 Dec. 1698. 
 Died 1709. Will dat. 19. 
 Cod. 23 Sep. 1709. Prob. 
 21 Jan. 1709-10, s.p. Bur. 
 at North Okenden, M.I. 
 
 mm Baron of Weston, co. 
 Glouc, born 21 Aug. 1663. 
 Executrix to husband's will. 
 Died 21 Jul v 1714. Bur. at 
 North Okenden. Will dated 
 13 Feb. 1713. Prob. 11 Aug. 
 1714 (J3 Aston). 
 
 1 
 
 Godfrey-pKlizabeth, only 
 Meynell j child and heir. 
 
 Littleton Poyntz Meynell, 
 who held the manor of 
 North Okenden in 1768. 
 (Morant's Hist, of Essex.) 
 
 1 
 
 Dorothy. 
 
 Had issue Sir Littleton 
 Powys, born 1647. Ba- 
 ron of the Exchequer 
 1695 and Justice of the- 
 King's Bench, 26 Jan. 
 ] 702, resigned 1726, and 
 Sir Thomas Towys, At- 
 torney General. Kntd. 
 23 Ap. 1686. Justice 
 of the King's Bench 8 
 June 1713, removed 
 1714. Died 4 April, 
 1719. Ancestor of Lord 
 Lilford. 
 
 H 
 
MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 John Littleton of Longueville,=pSusan Medlicott, widow of 
 
 co. Surrey. 
 
 White, Attorney, at Law. 
 
 James Littleton of 
 
 i 
 
 North Okeuden, 
 
 Admiral in the Navy, to whom the N. Okenden 
 Estates were devised by Sir Thomas Poyntz alias 
 Littleton. Was M.P. for Woodstock, Chichester, 
 and Portsmouth. Died 5 Feb. 1722-3. Bur. at 
 North Okenden. Will dated 3 March 1716-7. Cod. 
 5 Feb., and Prob. 19 Feb. 1722-3. (32 Richmond.) 
 
 a Vice=f=Jane, only 
 
 dau. of 
 Richard 
 Bunce, 
 M.D. 
 
 Thomas Littleton of 
 North Okenden. Died 
 unmarried. Admo.to 
 sister, Lady Susan 
 Rider, 21 Feb. 1724-5. 
 
 Susan Littleton, na- 
 med in father's will. 
 Admo. to her bro- 
 ther's effects, 21 Feb. 
 1724-5. 
 
 : Sir Barnham Rider 
 of Boughton Mon- 
 chensey, co. Kent. 
 Knted. 20 Oct. 1714. 
 Died 20 Nov. 1728. 
 
 Jane Littleton, mar. 
 at the Fleet, 24 June 
 1772, William Kings- 
 ley of Maidston, Esq. 
 
 Sir Thomas Rider of Boughton 
 Minchelsey, Kent. Kntd. 13 or 
 21 Mar. 1743-4. Died 16 Dec. 
 1785. 
 
POYNTZ OF IRON ACTON. 
 
 51 
 
 CHAPTEE in. 
 
 Poyntz or Iron Acton. 
 
 We have seen, ante p. 19, that Nicholas Poyntz, the second Baron, married 
 to his second wife Matilda the heir of Sir John Acton of Iron Acton. 
 
 An Inquisition was taken at Irene Acton 18th November 1312, after the 
 death of John de Acton, when it was found that he held on the day on which 
 he died the manor of Irene Acton of Eoger de la Warre in capite by the service 
 of one knight's fee. As this manor for several centuries formed the chief residence 
 of the Poyntz family, it will be of interest to give the extent of it at this date. 
 The jurors say that there are there one capital messuage with garden and two 
 dovecotes, whose value per annum is 6s. 8d. ; six score acres of arable land of 
 the value per annum 30s., price per acre 3d ; forty acres of meadow for mowing, 
 which is of the value per annum 60s., price per acre 18d. ; twelve acres of 
 pasture, whose value per annum is 6s., price per acre 6d. They say there is 
 a certain park of which there is no profit because there is no underwood or 
 herbage beyond the sustentation of the game. They say also there are two 
 water mills, whose value per annum is 20s. ; that there are six free tenants 
 who hold divers tenements and pay per annum rent of assize 25s., and ten 
 natives who each hold one messuage and half a virgate of land and pay per 
 annum 3s. rent of assize, and work (Kegula Augusti) from 1st August until 
 the feast of St. Michael every week by four days manual work of one man, 
 and the value of each Id., and the value of the ten men per annum 26s. 8d., 
 sum total of rent and work 56s. 8d. : six natives who each hold one messuage 
 and the sixth part of one virgate of land, and render per annum 3d. for all 
 services, sum. 18s. ; three natives who each hold one messuage and the third 
 part of one virgate of land and render per annum 4s. for all services, sum. 12s. ; 
 eight cottars who each hold one cottage and one courtlage and render per 
 annum 12d., sum. 8s. ; and they say that the pleas and perquisites of the courts 
 there are of the value per annum of half a mark. Sum of the whole manor 
 aforesaid £12 19s. Od. The jurors say that the said John held also at Frampton 
 Cotel one mill and four score acres of land of Alan Plokenet in capite at the 
 
 H 2 
 
52 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 rent of 9d., the total value of which per annum was 35s. And they say further 
 that John son of the said John de Actone is his nearest heir and is ao-ed 24 
 years.' 
 
 It is believed that this last named John died s.p. cir. 20th Edw. Ill, and 
 that Matilda, who married Sir Nicholas Poyntz, was his niece and heir, conjointly 
 with whom she held the manor of Lollynggeston in co. Kent, acquired of 
 Eeymond Heryng by fine in the court of the King to hold to him and the 
 heirs of his body of the Archbishop of Canterbury. 2 The heir of this marriage 
 was Sir John Poyntz of Iron Acton, who was Sheriff of Gloucestershire in 
 1363 and married Elizabeth, daughter and coheir of Philip de Clanvowe, cousin 
 and heir of Sir Thomas Clanvowe, and heir also through his mother of the 
 ancient Bailiff in fee of the land of Glandestre appurtenant to the manor of 
 Eadnore. It appears from an Inquisition taken at Weobley on Thursday next 
 before the feast of St. Barnabas 1339, that in respect to this office the Bailiffs 
 received every year as their inheritance of the Lords of Eadnore seven ells of 
 cloth, each ell worth five marks. And the jurors say that the said Philip 
 Clanvowe had received the said seven ells in the time of Margaret de Mortuo 
 Mari of the said Margaret, also that Philip ap Howell, uncle of the said Philip 
 whose heir he is, received the said seven ells in the time of Edmund de Mortuo 
 Mari of the aforesaid Edmund and of Matilda de Mortuo Mari, his mother, 
 in the time of the said Matilda. And they say that Howell ap Meurik, father 
 of the said Philip ap Howell and grandfather of the said Philip de Clanvowe, 
 whose heir he is, received the said seven ells in the time of the aforesaid Matilda. 
 And they say that Meuric, father of the said Howell received the said seven 
 ells in the time of William de Breosa of the said William, so that the said 
 Philip de Clanvowe and his ancestors had received the seven ells of the manor 
 of Eadnore by reason of the said BailifFry as of their inheritance from a time 
 beyond memory. 3 
 
 In 1343 John de Acton, dir., obtained a licence to grant the manors of 
 Iron Acton, Elkston and Wynston to Sir John Poyns, Chr., and Elizabeth his 
 wife to hold to them and the heirs of the body of the said John Poyns by the 
 services due and accustomed, in default of such issue remainder after the death 
 of the said Elizabeth to the said John de Acton and his heirs, to be held of the 
 King in capite by the service of half a knight's fee and is worth 20 marks 
 yearly, and the jurors say that the said John de Acton has also the manor of 
 Acton, which is worth yearly £20, and it is held of Hugh Daudele, Earl of 
 
 1 Inq. p.m. 6tli Edw. II, No. 55. 2 Inq. p.m. 5th Edward II, No. 62. 
 
 3 Esch. 13th Edw. Ill (2nd Nos.), No. 69. 
 
POYNTZ OF IRON ACTON. 
 
 53 
 
 Gloucester, by the service of half a knight's fee. 1 Between 26th July and the 
 1st September 1369 a certain Hugh de Pencoyt was instituted to the church of 
 Iron Acton upon the presentation of this Sir John Poyns. 2 
 
 It appears from an Inquisition taken at Gloucester on Saturday after the 
 feast of the Ascension, 1st Eichard II (1378), that John Poyntz, Chr., deceased, 
 died on the feast of St. Matthew the Apostle, 50th Edw. II (1376), and not 
 on the feast of St. Matthew, 49th of the same king, as would seem to have 
 been previously stated, and they the jurors say inter alia that certain rents 
 of assize amounting to £24 8s. 8d. &c arose out of the manor of Iron Acton, 
 which manor the said John held in fee as of his demesne on the day on which 
 he died of Hugh Earl of Stafford by military service, and they say that Eobert, 
 son of the said John Poyntz, is his nearest heir and was aged 18 years on the 
 feast of St. Barnabas the Apostle last past (11th June 1377). 3 This John Poyntz 
 would appear to have died more or less involved, for a further inquisition was 
 made concerning his personal estate at Newporte near Berkeley on the feast 
 of St. Katherine the Virgin 1382. The jurors say there is a certain wood in 
 the manor of Iron Acton which is called Le Parke, in which is great timber 
 which was formerly valued at half a mark per annum besides the enclosure 
 thereof, and to this inquisition is attached an extent and value of all the goods 
 and chattels, lands and tenements of John Poyntz, Knt., which he had in the 
 county of Gloucester on the 8th June, 49th Edw. Ill, taken before William 
 Walworth, Mayor of the stapul at Westminster for the recognizance of debts 
 in the same stapul, in which he acknowledged that he owed John Petche, Citizen 
 and Alderman of London, now deceased, £40, which he was to pay on the feast 
 of All Saints following and which he has not paid, as is said in the suit made at 
 Newent 21st October, 6th Eichard II. The jurors say that John Poyntz, Knt., 
 had the aforesaid 8th June the manor of Iron Acton, which is of the value per 
 annum in rents of assize £30, and that in the said manor there are 480 acres 
 of arable land worth per annum £8, price per acre 4d. ; 100 acres of meadow, 
 value per annum £10, price per acre 2s. ; 40 acres of pasture, value per annum 
 40s., price per acre 12d. ; and they say there are no woods pertaining to the 
 same manor except the wood called le Parke, in which is great timber which 
 there are no means to sell except as waste (fire wood) and they say that no 
 more pertains to the said manor, and that John Po3 r ntz is dead and had no 
 other goods or chattels, lands or tenements except the manor aforesaid, which 
 •cannot be priced or appraised at present but enquiry may be made. 4 
 
 1 Esch. 17th Edw. Ill (2 Nos.), No. 60 2 Wore, Bishop Lynne's Register fo. 1. 
 
 3 Inq. p.m. 1 Rich. II, No. 29. 4 Escheats, 6th Rich. II, No. 111. 
 
54 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 The wardship of Bobert son and heir of John Poyntz was in 1376 1 granted to 
 John Cousin. By an Inquisition as to the age of Eobert son and heir of Sir John 
 Poyntz, taken at Eoss, co. Hereford, on 8th March 1380-1 the jurors found that the 
 said Eobert was born at Denchurch in Irchenfeld in the said county, and was 
 baptized in the church of the same ville on Saturday in the vigil of the Trinity 
 33rd Edward IIP (1359), he consequently attained full age on 23rd May 1380, and 
 thereupon did homage and obtained livery of seizin of his lands. In the same year 
 he had licence to grant the manor of Elkstone and certain lands in Winston to the 
 said John Cousin and Joan his wife to fatm. He was sheriff of Gloucestershire in 
 1397 and was probably the builder of the ancient stone cross in the church- 
 yard at Iron Acton, supposed to be a preaching cross, having an entrance into 
 it on the south side (see Plate II). On the 9th September 1400 he presented 
 John Prentes to the church of Iron Acton, 3 and on 13th May, 1420 Eobert Banak 
 to the same church. 4 He was twice married. His first wife was called Ann, but 
 of what family she was we have no knowledge. He married secondly Katherine, 
 daughter and co-heir of Sir Thomas Fitz-Nichol of Hull and Nympsfield, who was the 
 8th in descent from Eobert 1st Lord Berkeley, who granted to his son Nicholas for 
 his portion the manors of Hull or Hill, and Nympsfield, which grant was afterwards 
 confirmed by King Henry II. In 12th Henry IV Sir Thomas Fitz-Mchol 5 entailed 
 his manor of Hull al's Hill, where he mostly lived (seldom at Nympsfield) to himself 
 and Agnes his wife and to the heirs male of his body, remainder to Eobert Poyntz 
 and Katherine his wife, daughter of the said Thomas, for their lives, remainder to 
 Nicholas Poyntz, son of the said Eobert and Katherine, and the heirs males of his 
 body, remainder to Thomas Poyntz his brother and the heirs males of his body, 
 remainder to Maurice Poyntz his other brother and to the heirs males of his body, 
 remainder to Blanch, Isabell, and Joan, sisters of the said Maurice and to the 
 several heirs males of their bodies, remainder to the right heirs of the said Sir 
 Thomas Fitz-Nicholl for ever/' This Sir Thomas Fitz-Nicholl six years afterwards 
 died in 1418 without issue male, leaving the said Katherine wife of Eobert Poyntz, 
 and Eleanor wife of John Browninge, his two daughters his heirs, 7 between whom 
 
 ' Eot. Fin., 50th Edw. III. 
 
 2 Esch., 4th Eich. II, No. 132. 
 
 3 Wore. Bp. Tideman de Wincheccmb's Reg., fo. 52. 
 
 4 Wore. Bp. Philip de Morgan's Reg., fo. 11. 
 
 3 Berkeley MSS., Lives of the Berkeley*, vol. i, p. 45. 
 « Inq. p.m. 5th Hen. V, No. 44. 
 
 7 It appears from the Inq. p.m. of Thomas Eitz Nicholl taken at Gloucester on Saturday next after 
 the feast of the Conception B.V.M., 6th Hen. VI, that the Charter referred to in the text was dated 
 21st April, 13th Hen. IX, and that at the time of taking the Inquisition Katherine wife of Robert Poyntz 
 was aged 40 years, and her sister Alianor, wife of John Browning, was aged 20 years. 
 
POYNTZ OF IRON ACTON. 
 
 55 
 
 he left his other manor of Nympsfield with the chantry of Kinly within the same, 
 in coparcenary. 1 Eobert Poyntz died in 1439 and was buried at Iron Acton. 2 
 
 1 Berkeley MSS. Smyth's Lives of the Berkeleys, vol. i, p. 48. 
 
 2 The handsome cross was figured, by Lysons in his Gloucester si lire Antiquities (Plata II. fig. 2), 
 from which the etching of our illustration was made. It is likewise figured by Pooley in his Old 
 Crosses of Gloucestershire, in which it is also described. This curious and beautiful monument 
 stands on a base of three octagonal steps. The structure itself is square in plan, and for purposes 
 of description may be divided into two stages. 
 
 The lower stage is formed by four clustered shafts upon octagonal bases, supported by light 
 buttresses of two stages at the angles and an octagonal shaft in the centre, the base and capital of 
 which still remain. From this sprung elaborate fan-tracery enriched witli sculptured bosses, some of 
 which represent oak leaves and acorns. The four side openings have plain elliptical arches sur- 
 mounted by ogee crocketted pediments, the spandril spaces between which and the crowns of the arches 
 are also filled with oak leaf and acorn decorations. The ftnials with which the pediments terminated 
 are now all knocked off except one. Three of these arched openings are divided by transoms, the 
 lower compartments being subdivided into pairs by mullions, each being finished with ogee cinquefoil 
 arches. The southern is left open. The four angle buttresses originally terminated with pinnacles 
 which have been destroyed. 
 
 The upper stage is formed by a square base, resting on the crown of the vault below, on 
 each face of which are two shields, each being held by an angel whose long wings droop down 
 on each side. This base supports a foursided shaft with shallow cinquefoiled panels, or niches, 
 each crowned by a beautiful three-arched tref oiled canopy having projecting brackets at the bottom 
 which originally supported a figure, all now lost. Above this was the shaft which bore the cross. 
 The original height of the entire monument Avas probably about 30 feet. Four of the shields 
 abovementioned are charged with the emblems of the Passion of Our Lord, two are blank, and the 
 other two are armorial, viz. : one on the south side bearing the arms of Acton : Quarterly, per fess 
 dancette Ar. and Az. ; and the other, on the north side, Acton impaling Fitz I^ichol : Quarterly 
 Gu. and Or, a bend Az. This last shield shews that the builder of the cross was Eobert Poyntz 
 who married the coheir of Fitz Mchol, and died in 1439. It is remarkable that his own paternal 
 arms nowhere occur. He set himself entirely aside while doing honour to his grandmother, Maude 
 de Acton, from whom he derived the estate, for not only does he use the arms of Acton as his 
 own, but the whole of the ornamentation of the monument consists of oak leaves and acorns 
 in allusion to the Acton family. 
 
 The monument is greatly mutilated, but some portions have been carefully and judiciously 
 restored by the Eector, the Eev. H. L. Thompson. 
 
 In Iron Acton Church, on the north side of the chancel, are two sculptured effigies representing 
 a gentleman and his wife, traditionally supposed to be members of the Poyntz family. The stone 
 being soft sandstone the figures are very much defaced, so that it is difficult to affix the date 
 even approximately from the armour of the man or dress of the woman. These effigies were 
 formerly in the south Chapel adjoining, which was the burial place of the Poyntzes. Near these 
 effigies are two incised grave-stones, also of sandstone, representing a man and a woman. The 
 costume is of the early part of the fifteenth century. The man wears a camail of mail, but in 
 other respects his armour is entirely of plate. There is no appearance of an haubergeon of mail or 
 even of a fringe of rings. To the breast plate are attached five traces, to which a small baguette 
 
56 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 His Writ diem clausit extremum was issued on 24th June in that 
 
 is appended, roundels protect the armpits and fan-shaped elbow-plates the arms. His feet rest upon 
 a greyhound. He wears a bascinet upon his head and has a forced beard, but he has no spurs- 
 or any offensive weapon. Around the margin of the stone is the following legend : 
 
 " Ipm tgth globn-b fJojmt?, |porb of Iromtrton, aitii this ©tepgl here makeii toho 
 Ibtyhe the ftiftene into of June the near of oure |£orb mccccxx[xix] of tohos sortie 
 (S§oh haue merru Jtmtn." 
 The other stone is precisely similar in character. The lady wears a gown somewhat low at 
 the neck and laced up the front, and a reticulated head dress. Around the margin is the following 
 legend : 
 
 ►J< |f)ere Igth Jtnne the ftrste ioyfe of globerb tyogntz of tohos sotote : (Sob habe merrg : Jlmen. 
 We have taken this descripton from Lysons' " Gloucestershire Antiquities " in which the incised 
 slabs are figured. He considered the effigies and inscriptions to represent the same persons, but 
 that would appear to be doubtful. 
 
 Lysons says that on the other side of the tomb of Robert Poyntz is that of his second wife, 
 Katherine daughter and coheir of Thomas Fitz Nichols. It is now almost effaced. Another 
 inscription having been two centuries afterwards cut on the same stone as a memorial of Elizabeth 
 (Walsh), wife of Robert Poyntz, who died in 1631. Part of the figure still remains, with the 
 
 words round the margin mne the SCCOltbc totrfc of Robert pojmts. 
 
 Against the south wall of the south chapel is an altar tomb with a canopy of beautifully 
 executed tracery, but no inscription. On it are three shields with supporters. Two of them are 
 blank, and the third only contains some indications of the arms of Acton. On grave stones in 
 the floor near are the following inscriptions. 
 
 Below the arms of Poyntz differenced with a mullet — ■ 
 
 hlc jacjit corpvs 'hvgonis poyntz, armigeri, 
 vnivs filior' Kicholai Poyntz, eqvitis avrati, 
 qvi in ipso juventvtis flore ab omnibvs 
 vnice desideratvs diem clavsit extremvm 
 
 YXDECIMO DIE MaHTTI, ANNO DOMINI JVXTA 
 
 vsjTatem Ecclesle Anglicana COMPVTATIONEM 
 1604. ^Etatis 8UiE 26 
 
 CVIVS ANIMA IX iETERNA PACE REQVIE3CAT. , 
 
 Hie jacet corpvs Florentine] 
 vxoris Edwardi Poyntz Ar 
 migeri qyje obiit decimo 
 
 QVIXTO DIE MENSIS MaRT. 
 
 Anno Domini ivxta compv 
 
 tatioxem Anglican am 
 millessimo qvingentesimo 
 noxagesimo octavo 
 
 CviVS ANIMA IN PACE 
 STERNA REQVIESOAT. 
 
 The Rev. H. L. Thompson, Rector of Iron Acton, wrote of this latter monument in 1879. — "About 
 
POYNTZ OF IRON ACTON. 
 
 57 
 
 year, 1 and in the same year John Selwyn chaplain was admitted to the church 
 of that parish upon the presentation of Katherine, relict of the said Kobert. 2 He 
 left issue as stated above. Of Nicholas, his son and heir, we shall speak presently. 
 Maurice, the second son was a matricide. 1465 Mauritius Poyntz ccesce 'matris 
 crimine reus fuit in quam Ricardus comes Ripariis Constabularius Anglice cajritatem 
 sententiam tulit. Thomas was of Frampton Cotterel, he married and had issue. 
 For further particulars of the children of Sir Eobert Poyntz we must refer to 
 the tabular pedigree, post. 
 
 Sir Nicholas Poyntz, son and heir of Sir Eobert, succeeded his father in his 
 estates. We do not know of any special circumstances in his career which 
 require notice. He appears to have lived a quiet life in troublous times. In 
 1431 he was knight for the shire of Gloucester. He was twice married. His 
 first wife was Elizabeth daughter of Sir Edward Mill of Harescombe, by whom 
 he had issue John his son and heir, who was aged 16 on his father's death. His 
 son Humphry must also have been born of this marriage, or he would have been 
 named in the settlement of 1450, presently to be abstracted, in which Sir Nicholas 
 Poyntz made provision for his children by his second marriage. We have just 
 seen ante p. 54 that Eobert Poyntz, grandfather of Humphry, immediately upon 
 obtaining seizin of his lands in 1380 obtained a licence to grant to John Cousin, 
 to whom he had been in ward, and Joan his wife, the manor of Elkeston, etc. 
 to farm. It is presumed that the term of years for which this grant was made 
 had long since expired, and that the lands had again reverted to the said Eobert 
 Poyntz or Nicholas his son father of Humphry, who had enfeoffed a certain 
 John Orchard and William Coffyn, probably in trust, for it appears in the 
 Inquisition taken at Winchcombe on 29th October 1487, upon the death of 
 Humphry Poyntz, that the said John Orchard and William Coffyn being seized 
 
 150 years ago it had . been made to serve as a grave-stone for a Mrs. Kichmond, mother-in-law of 
 the Eev. Thomas Shute, then Eector of the parish. She died in the 101st year of her age, and her 
 son-in-law, anxious to shew respect for his venerable relative without incurring undue expense, 
 appropriated the Poyntz slab, turned clown the ancient inscription with its face to the soil, and placed 
 an inscription to his mother-in-law on the reverse side. The deed was discovered a few months 
 ago, during the restoration of the church; and I regret to say that more than one slab had been 
 treated in the same way by our predecessors of the 18th century." — (Trans. Bristol and Gloucestershire 
 Archaeol. Soc, vol. iv, p. 83.) 
 
 This Edward Poyntz was second son of Sir Nicholas Poyntz of Iron Acton, (ob. 1586) eldest 
 child by his second wife, Margaret Stanley, dau. of Edward, 3rd Earl of Derby. His wife Florence 
 was the daughter of John Jones of Tre-Owen, co. Monmouth. 
 
 1 Rot. Fin. 17th Hen. VI, m. 24. 
 a Wore, Bp. Bonrchier's Reg., fo. 65. 
 I 
 
58 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 •of the said manor of Elkeston in their own right as of fee by deed dated 
 4th May, 13th Edward IV. (1473), had demised the said manor to Humphry 
 Poyntz and his heirs male, in default remainder to [the heirs of] Nicholas 
 Poyntz, father of the said Humphry. In virtue of which the jurors say the 
 said Humphry was seized, and died seized on the 10th October, 3rd Henry VII. 
 (1487) and the jurors say Nicholas Poyntz is his son and nearest heir and is 
 aged 21 years and more. 
 
 On 20th October 1466 Humphry Poyntz and others gave 13s. 4d. to have a 
 writ of convention. 1 This was probably to enable him to levy the fine by which 
 he granted to Maurice Denys and Alice his wife, and Walter Denys, son and heir 
 apparent of the said Maurice, the manor of Alweston and Erthcote and Hundred 
 of Langley and Alweston. 2 Humphry Poyntz married ... Pollard. 
 
 Sir Nicholas Poyntz married secondly Elizabeth daughter of Sir Henry Hussey 
 of Hastings, Sussex, a knight who was present at the famous battle of Agincourt, by 
 whom he had several children. By his charter dated 17th Sept. 29th Henry VI 
 (1450) he conveyed to Sir Maurice Berkeley of Beverston, Knt., Maurice Denys, 
 Esq., and others, for certain uses to be afterwards declared, the manor of Broken- 
 burgh with appurtenances in Almondesbury, Tokynton, Hempton, Petyshawe 
 Overwoodland and Winterbourne ; also the manor of Daggelynworth, with 
 appurtenances in Daggelynworth and Cirencester, and the the advowson of the 
 chantry of the Blessed Mary of Almondesbury with appurtenances. And afterwards 
 the said Nicholas declared the said conveyance to be to the following uses, viz., to 
 the use of the said Nicholas and Elizabeth his wife for their lives, and the longest 
 liver of them, the manor of Brokenbury with its appurtenances and also the 
 advowson of the chantry, remainder to Maurice Poyntz our son and the heirs male 
 of his body, in default remainder to Thomas Poyntz our son and the heirs male 
 of his body, in default remainder to Nicholas Poyntz our son and the heirs male 
 of his body, in default remainder to Henry our son and the heirs male of his 
 body, in default to Maurice Denys, son of the aforesaid Maurice Denys, Esq., 
 and Alice our daughter, and the heirs male of the said Maurice, in default 
 remainder to Johanna our youngest daughter, and the heirs of her body, in 
 default remainder to Alice wife of the aforesaid Maurice Denys, our eldest 
 daughter and the heirs of her body, in default remainder to Margaret wife of 
 John Lisle, Esq., our middle daughter and the heirs of her body, in default 
 remainder to the right heirs of the said Nicholas. And as regards the manor 
 of Daggelynworth, to the use of the said Nicholas and Elizabeth for their lives 
 and the longer liver of them, remainder to Nicholas our son and the heirs 
 1 Rot. Fin., 6th Edward IV. 2 Rot. Claus., 6th Edw. IV. 
 
POYNTZ OE IRON ACTON. 
 
 59 
 
 male of his body, in default remainder to Thomas our son and the heirs male 
 of his body, in default remainder to Maurice our son and the heirs male of 
 his body, in default remainder to Henry our son and the heirs male of his 
 body, in default remainder to Maurice Denys son of the aforesaid Maurice 
 Denys, Esq., and Alice our daughter and the heirs male of the said Maurice 
 Denys the son, in default remainder to Johanna our youngest daughter and the 
 heirs of her body, in default remainder to the aforesaid Alice our eldest daughter 
 and the heirs of her body, in default remainder to Margaret wife of John Lisle, 
 Esq., our middle daughter and the heirs of her body, and in default of such 
 issue remainder to the right heirs of me the said Nicholas for ever. 1 This 
 would seem to be the provision he made, at least in part, for the issue of 
 his second marriage. 
 
 Henry Poyntz, under the name of Poyntz Eitz Nicholas Poyntz, has been 
 supposed to have been the founder of the family of Poyntz of North Okenden 
 in Essex by marriage with the daughter of ... Baudwin, but we have failed to 
 discover any evidence in support of the statement. On the contrary, we think 
 we have found a wife for him elsewhere. On 5th March 1458 William Canterbury 
 of Bristol granted to Nicholas Poyntz of Acton, Esq., Philip Mede and Thomas 
 Eogers four houses in Kedcliffe Street and other houses in Bristol, and on the 
 10th of the same month the parties of the second to this deed conveyed the 
 same to William Canterbury, Esq., and his wife Alicia to hold to them and the 
 heirs of the said William, born of the said Alicia. These deeds contain a settlement 
 on the marriage of the said William Canterbury and Alice. By a deed dated 
 26th December 1459 and a quit claim two days afterwards, William Canterbury 
 and Alice his wife convey the said premises to certain feoffees. William Canterbury 
 died immediately afterwards, and by his will, dated 4th January 1459-60, 2 demised 
 certain of the aforesaid premises to the aforesaid feoffees, subject to a sufficient 
 provision being made from them for Alice his wife, and certain other of the 
 houses he demises to her absolutely in fee. On 20th Deer. 1478 the surviving 
 feoffees grant the premises held by them to Henry Poyntz, Esq. and Alice his 
 wife, relict of William Canterbury. 3 There are other deeds between the said 
 parties, which it is unnecessary to cite here. 
 
 The fact that a Nicholas Poyntz of Acton being concerned in the transaction 
 would imply an'; intimacy, if not some connection, between the families, and we 
 do not know of any Henry Poyntz except Henry the son of Nicholas, who was 
 probably young in 1456, that could become the husband of Alice Carpenter. 
 
 > Eot. Clans. 34th Henry VI, m. 9 d . 2 Deed in the Parish Chest of St. Thomas, Bristol. 
 
 » Prob. 3rd March, 1459-60, Bristol Wills, p. 139. 
 
 I 2 
 
60 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 A Peter Poynes of Westbury on Trym, near Bristol, made bis will 6tb January 
 1574. He does not mention any children and constitutes bis wife Margery 
 executrix. 1 Margery Poynes did not long survive her husband. She made her 
 will 12th Jan. 1574. She does not mention any children, but she names her brother 
 Eichard Parsons, whom she appoints joint executor with Humphry Farrington.' 2 
 
 It is possible that Peter Poynes was descended from the above mentioned 
 Henry and Alice his wife, but we have nothing in support of the conjecture. 
 
 James, first Lord Berkeley, during his whole life was involved in heavy suits of 
 law and other perplexities. Smyth says, " the power and malice of his adversaries 
 kept him for the most part within doors like a prisoner from youth to age. 3 In the 
 year 1449, when the legal struggle with the powerful coheirs of his late cousin 
 Thomas, fourth Lord Berkeley, was at its height, his necessities were so great that 
 Smyth says " he borrowed twenty-two marks of Mr. Nicholas Poyntz whereof to re- 
 pay twelve marks on Midsummer day following, for assurance whereof he pawned to 
 him one guilt masse book, a chalice of silver weighing eighteen ounces, a chesipull 
 with stolys and fanons of red sattin, three aubes, three amices, one white autercloth 
 with crosses of black silk therein with one valence fringed sewed thereto of red 
 cloth of gold, one cloth of red palle to hang afore an aulter of the same, another 
 cloth of the same for a reredote, and two ridles 4 of red tartryn." 5 
 
 The exact date of the death of Nicholas Poyntz is uncertain. He would seem 
 to have died very soon after he made the charter above abstracted, for in the 
 following year his son John Poyntz, Esq., confirmed to Thomas Poyntz and the heirs 
 of his body a moiety of the manor of Nympsfield with appurtenances in co. 
 Gloucester which the said Thomas held of him, to hold to the said Thomas and the 
 heirs of his body of the Abbot of Westminster and his successors for ever. Maurice 
 Berkeley of Beverston, Kt., John Botiller, Edmund Blount, Esquire, and others were 
 witnesses. 6 In 1477-8 John Poyntz ratified to Thomas Poyntz an estate and 
 possession of a moiety of the manor of Nympsfield. 7 
 
 In the Inquisition taken upon the death of Humphry Stafford, Duke of 
 Buckingham, on 11th September 1460, among the many knights' fees which he 
 held it was found that in the Honour of Gloucester he had six knights' fees 
 in Tokynton and Swell, which were held of him by the heirs of Nicholas 
 Poyntz. And at the same time it was found that Eobert de Poyntz held one 
 fee of him in Iren Acton. 8 
 
 1 Probate lltli January 1574 Bristol Probate Court. ' Probate 20th January 1574 PC. Bristol. 
 
 3 Berkeley MSS., Smyth's Lives of the Berkeley s, vol. ii, 96. 4 Kiddles = curtains. 
 
 s Berkeley MSS., Smyth's Lives of the Berkeleys, fo. 519. 6 Rot. Claus., 35th Hen. VI, m. 1 d. 
 
 » Eot. Claus., 36th Hen. VI. 8 Inq. p.m., 38th, 39th Henry VI, No. 59. 
 
POYNTZ OF IRON ACTON. 
 
 61 
 
 John Poyntz succeeded his father in his estates, 1 and having made fealty and 
 homage and given security for his relief was granted full seizin of his lands on 
 28th October 1460, 2 but he survived his father only a short time. He married 
 Alice daughter of John Cock of Bristol, or of ... Cox of Skenfrith, co. Mon., who 
 had an assignment of dower in 1467-8. 3 By this lady he left seven children, 
 of whom Eobert his heir, who was 17 years of age on his father's death, and 
 Thomas his second, were somewhat remarkable in their generation. Thomas Poyntz 
 was an Esquire for the King's Body, and was attached to the household of Prince 
 Arthur. On the 10th May 1488, Thomas Poyntz, an Esquire of the Body, had 
 a grant for life of the office of Steward of the Hundred of Bisley and Keeper 
 of the Parks of Barnesley, Brimsfield, and Missenden, all in co. Gloucester, which 
 on the death of Cecilia Duchess of York will revert to the Kin«; and his consort 
 
 1 Could this John Poyntz have been the gentleman mentioned in the following correspondence: — 
 In a letter written 9th December 1468 by one Godfrey Greene, " To my right reverend and most 
 especial gude maistre Sir William Plompton, Knight" among much other news of the day is this 
 passage : My Lord of Oxford is comitt to the Tower, and it is said in irons, and that he has confessed 
 myche thinge ; and on Munday afore St. Andrew day one Alford and Poiner, gentlemen to my Lord of 
 Northfolk, and one Sr. peirs Skinner of London, were beheaded. 
 
 The learned Editor, the late Thomas Stapleton, Esq., f.s.a., appends the following note : — The news 
 communicated by Godfrey Greene in this letter furnishes some additional historical information to fill up 
 the meagre outline of the events of the time, as given in the chronicles. To begin with the ' ' remarkable 
 fragment" printed by Hearne in the same volume with " Sprotti chronica," p. 296 ; it is there narrated, 
 <: this vij th {lege viij tu ) yere Margarete sustir unto King E. bifore saide departid frome the King, and rode 
 thurgh oute London behynde the Erie of Warwicke, and rode that lh^t to Stratford Abbay, and from 
 thens to the se syde, and went into Flaundres to Brugis, where she was maryid with grate solempnite. 
 And within shute space aftir, thois astates, as the Duchess of ISTorthfolk with othir, retournid in to 
 Englond, in whois Company were ij yong gentilmen, that one namid John Poyntz and that othir William 
 Alsford, the which were arestid bicause in the tyme of the foresaide mariage they had familiar communi- 
 cation with the Duke of Somerset and his complicis there, in which they were bothe detectid of treason . 
 whereuppon one Richard Steris skinner of London with thois ij. were behedid at the toure-hill the 
 xxj. day of Novembre." This extract is from a contemporary and well-informed writer, and accords with 
 the news in the letter, save that the day of execution is spoken of in the letter as being Monday before 
 St. Andrew's day, i.e. 28th November (instead of Monday night, 21st November), and the same Steris (or 
 Staires, Rot. Park, VI, 229 b ) is written St. peirs, an error no doubt of our copyist in 1612. In Fabyan 
 is this notice on the events of the year 1468, 8th Edw. IV. : " This yere, and xxj day of Novembre, a 
 servaunt of the Duks of Exeter, named Richard Sterys, after his jugement, was drawen through the cytie 
 unto the Tower Hylle, and there parted in ij pesys, that is, the hede from ihe body. And upon the daye 
 followinge, two persones beyng named (the one) Poynys and the other Alforde, were drawen Avestwarde to 
 Tyborne, and there whan the shulde have been hanged, then chartours were shewyd, and so preservyd." 
 (Plumpton Correspondence, Camden Society, p. 18, 1839). 
 
 2 Rot, Fin., 39th Henry VI., No. 4. 
 
 3 Rot. Claus. 7th Edw. IV. 
 
62 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 Elizabeth, in right of the said Elizabeth. And on 8th March following (1488-9), 
 in consideration of his services to the King and also to the King's first born son 
 Arthur, he was granted an annuity of 40 marks out of the manor of Eingwood, 
 co. Hants. He was subsequently Knight of the King's Body and served the 
 office of Sheriff of Gloucestershire in 1509. He married Johanna, relict of 
 Walter Devereux, Lord of Ferrers, in whose right he held the castle and manor 
 of Weobly, co. Hereford. 1 His sister Elizabeth, known as Bessie Poyntz, was 
 nurse to the son of Henry VIII. by Katherine his Queen. The child died an 
 infant. 
 
 Dame Alice, relict of Sir John Poyntz, after his death married, as his second 
 wife, Sir Edward Berkeley of Beverston and died 29th October 1509. 2 
 
 Sir Eobert Poyntz, son and heir of Sir John Poyntz was in 1483 one 
 of the Esquires of the Body to King Edw. IV., and as such was present at his 
 funeral. In the following year he was Sheriff of Southampton, and was granted 
 by King Eichard III. a pardon for all manner of crimes. He seems however to 
 have renounced his allegiance and to have become an active adherent of the 
 Earl of Eichmond, and was knighted at the battle of Eedmore after King 
 Eichard was slain, 22nd August 1485. 3 He appears to have stood high in the 
 new Kind's favour and confidence. On 12th of the following month he was 
 appointed Sheriff of Gloucestershire during pleasure, and was confirmed in the 
 same on 12th November. On the 25th September he was granted the office 
 of Steward of the Hundred of Barton with the Great Court, beside the town 
 of Bristol, also Steward of Sodbury and Master of the Game there during the 
 minority of Edward son and heir of George Duke of Clarence, also the office 
 of Steward of Thornbury and Master of the Game within the Parks and Lordship, 
 all within the co. Gloucester, during pleasure. 4 On 8th March following, 
 jointly with Sir Alexander Baynham, Knt., he was granted, in survivorship the 
 office of Constable of the Castle of St. Briavels with the fees thereto pertaining. 
 In 1486 King Henry dined with Sir Eobert Poyntz at Acton, on his way to Bristol, 
 and in the next year, by writ of Privy Seal, he was granted the sum of £50, 
 by way of reward. In this year he was one of the Knights Bachelors present 
 
 1 Inq. p.m. Thomas Baynham, Bich. III. and Hen. VII., No. 178. 
 1 Inq. p.m. 1st Henry VIII. 
 
 5 Cott. MS., Claud. Ill, fo. 9. The arms assigned to him are Quarterly, 1 and 4, per pale and 
 per fess indented Ar. and Az. counterchanged ; 2 and 3, Quarterly, Gu. and Or counterchanged a 
 bendlet Ar. Crest — Four teazles erect stalked and foliated Vert, fructed Or. These are the arms of 
 Acton and Fitz Mcholl. 
 
 4 Materials for the History of England, Henry VII. Public Eecords. 
 
POYNTZ OF IRON ACTON. 
 
 63 
 
 at the Coronation of Elizabeth of York, Queen of Henry VII. In 1488 he was 
 appointed one of the Commissioners to take the muster of archers, &c, and 
 in the next year on 3rd July was placed in a Commission for Sewers from 
 Berkeley to Kingrode, and on the 6th September in the same year in the 
 Commission of the Peace, then limited to a few of the principal men of the 
 county only. In 1491 he was again Sheriff of Gloucestershire. On 3rd December 
 1492 he was apointed Seneschal of the Castle of Berkeley and Master of the 
 chases, parks, and waters of the Hundred of Berkeley, 1 now in the King's 
 hands by the gift of William Marquis Berkeley. And on the 15th February 
 the same year, he was granted an annuity of £21 a year, out of the 
 issues of certain lands in the lordship of Lancerne. And on the same day 
 letters of exemplification were granted to Kobert son and heir of John, son 
 and heir of Nicholas Poyntz. 2 On 14th January 1496 a covenant was entered 
 into between John Walsh of Olveston, co. Gloucester, and Sir Eobert Poyntz, 
 for the marriage of John Walsh, son and heir of the said John Walsh, and 
 Ann, the daughter of the said Eobert, and also with reference to the marriage 
 of Nicholas Poyntz and one of the daughters of the said John Walsh. John 
 Walsh senior died not long after, and on 1st December 1503 Sir Eobert Poyntz 
 was granted the wardship and marriage of John Walsh, son and heir of John 
 Walsh, Esq., deceased, who was the son and heir also of Elizabeth, lately wife 
 of the said John Walsh, 3 deceased, which John and Elizabeth at their deaths 
 held divers lands and tenements by military service separately, and also the 
 maritagium of the said John Walsh if he should die under age. 4 John Walsh, 
 the younger, married Ann, daughter of John Dinley of co. Hants, but he afterwards 
 took as his second wife the aforesaid Ann Poyntz, as we shall see presently. On 
 the reception of Katherine of Arragon, who landed at Plymouth on 5th October, 
 certain great personages were appointed to meet her at Ambresbury on her 
 journey towards London, among whom was Sir Eobert Poyntz. 5 
 
 On 28th May 1517 Sir Eobert Poyntz and Thomas Poyntz were granted a 
 licence for imparking land in Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, and Worcestershire ; 
 and on the 24th July in the same year Sir Eobert Poyntz and Sir Anthony 
 Poyntz were appointed Stewards in survivorship of the Lordship of Barton 
 near Bristol, and of the Great Court, alias Erie's Court, held annually at 
 St. James, Bristol, and to be Stewards in survivorship of all the lands of 
 William late Marquis of Berkeley on surrender by the said Eobert of the 
 
 1 Kot. Pat. 8th Hen. VII. 4 Kot. Pat. 19th Henry VII. 
 
 « Rot. Pat. 8th Hen. VII. » Letters of Rich. III. and Hen. VII., vol. i., p. 8. 
 
 3 This lady was the daughter of Richard Foster of Carbery. 
 
64 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 Patent of 3rd December, 8th Henry VIII. He was also Chancellor and Privy 
 Councillor to Queen Katherine. 
 
 William Lord Berkeley, son and heir of James Lord Berkeley by Isabel 
 elder daughter and heir of Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolk, affecting to 
 take offence at the marriage of Maurice his : brother and heir presumptive, but 
 moved more by envy at the elevation by the favour of the King of his first 
 cousin John Lord Howard, son of Margaret the younger daughter and coheir 
 of the said Thomas Duke of Norfolk, and coparcenar with him on the death 
 s.p. of Ann, daughter and sole heir of John Mowbray Duke of Norfolk, and 
 his own ambitious desire, resolved at all costs, to attain to as high a rank, to this 
 end he dissipated the whole of his vast estates, including the Baronies of Berkeley, 
 Mowbray, Segrave, and Bedford, within the period of ten years by grants to 
 the King and his courtiers, through which he was successively created Viscount 
 Berkeley, Earl of Nottingham, Earl Marshal, Great Marshal of England, and 
 finally Marquis Berkeley, having after all failed to attain the summit of his 
 ambition. 
 
 Maurice Berkeley, brother and heir of the said Marquis, who had been so 
 cruelly disinherited of the whole of the estates to which he was entitled, 
 naturally set himself to investigate his title and endeavour to recover what he 
 could of the lands of which he had been so unjustly deprived. He became a 
 very shrewd and skilful lawyer, so much so that he conducted his own cases 
 in the courts and succeeded by process of law in recovering from King 
 Henry VII many manors and lands. In the year to which we have now 
 reached (8th Henry VII) he proceeded against Sir Eobert Poyntz, then an 
 Esquire of the Body to the King, whom the King, as we have seen above, 
 had just made Steward of the Honour and Manor of Berkeley, to recover the 
 Manor of Daglino-worth. Maurice claimed this manor as his inheritance at 
 common law as descended to him from Ealph Bluet, whose family had long 
 possessed it, which Ealph entailed it upon Ealph his son and Elizabeth his 
 wife and the heirs of their two bodies, who had issue John Bluet who had 
 issue Elizabeth who married James Lord Berkeley father of the late Marquis 
 and this Lord Maurice. That James Lord Berkeley afterwards enfeoffed Eichard 
 Venables and others in the said manor to certain uses, and after the said James 
 and Isabel his wife by a fine granted the same to Nicholas Poyntz and 
 Elizabeth his wife and the heirs of the body of the said Nicholas who was 
 the father of Sir John Poyntz father of this Sir Eobert. The estate which 
 the said Eichard Venables and his cofeoffees the said Marquis Berkeley had, from 
 whom the said manor descended to the said Maurice as to his brother and 
 
POYNTZ OF IRON ACTON. 
 
 65 
 
 heir, who entered, and thereby was remitted to the entail made by Ealph 
 Bluet the father and so is seized ; and so also that the said Lord James his 
 father and other parties to the said fine, had nothing in the said manor at the 
 time the fine was levied. 
 
 Maurice Berkeley brought also another suit against Sir Eobert Poyntz to 
 recover certain other lands in Dagiingworth and Cirencester, whereto Sir Eobert 
 made title under a gift in tail made by Ponce Poyntz son of Nicholas unto 
 Thomas Poyntz and Alice his wife and the heirs of their bodies ; and layeth 
 down that the said Thomas and Alice had issue Eobert Poyntz, father of 
 Nicholas before mentioned, who by Elizabeth his wife had issue John father 
 of the said Sir Eobert, plaintiff. 1 Smyth says this Lord was successful in this 
 action by like nicety as before. 
 
 These proceedings were conducted with the greatest acrimony and viru- 
 lence, and were the root of much bitterness, which existed between the two 
 families for four or five descents. Even the marriage in 19th Henry VIII of 
 Nicholas Poyntz and Jane youngest daughter of Thomas Lord Berkeley, the 
 fifth of that name, grandchildren to the parties to the above suit, which was 
 specially designed as a reconciliation of the family animosities, failed to effect it. 
 
 Sir Eobert Poyntz married Margaret illegitimate daughter of Sir Anthony 
 Wydville, Baron Scales, jure uxoris. and Earl Eivers, beheaded at Pontefract, 
 25th June 1483. Her mother was Gwentlian daughter of Sir William Stradling 
 and Isabella his wife. On the occasion of this marriage her father settled 
 upon his daughter 800 marks, 200 whereof were to be paid on the sealing of 
 the deed on certain days appointed. He also settled upon her lands to the 
 yearly value of one hundred marks. 2 Nevertheless there is no evidence what- 
 ever of a marriage having taken place between the parties. There is an old 
 letter in the possession of the present Mr. Stradling of Clevedon Court, co. 
 Som., from Sir Nicholas Poyntz of Tockington, co. Glouc, to the Eight Wor- 
 
 1 Berkeley MSS., Lives of the Berkeleys, vol. ii, pp. 162 et seq. 
 
 2 Anthony Widville in the lifetime of his father married Elizabeth daughter and heir of Thomas 
 Lord Scales, and in her right was summoned to Parliament. He married secondly Mary daughter 
 and heir to Henry Fitz Lewis (Banks's " Baronage" ). In his will dated 23rd June 1483 he directs 
 masses to he said for the soul of " Syr Henry Lewes, and that my wife have all such plate as was 
 the same Henry Lewes's, and other of my plate to the value of as much as I hadd of his, also 
 that she have all such plate as was given hyr at our marriage. " This would seem entirely to 
 exclude any marriage with Gwentlian Stradling. It is stated in Dugdale's " Warwickshire " and 
 Blomfield's "Norfolk" that Sir Anthony Widville left no children by either of his two wives, but 
 by a beloved mistress called Gwentlian, only daughter of Sir William Stradling and Isabel his 
 wife, he had a daughter Margaret who married Sir Eobert Poyntz of Iron Acton. 
 
 K 
 
MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 •shipful Sir Edward Stradling, Knt., dated at Tockington Lodge 13th June 1584, 
 .asking Sir Edward Stradling to furnish him with proofs of the legitimacy of 
 Margaret Rivers, who married my " Great Grand fauther, from whom I 
 descende, knowing that you can therein certifye me the troeth, because she 
 was a daughter to your ancestor." It is also stated that Wentlian was the 
 wife of Anthony Widville Earl Eivers. Their daughter Margaret married Sir 
 Robert Poyntz. Earl Rivers made his will in Pontefract Castle just before his 
 execution, whereof he appointed Sir Robert Poyntz one of his executors. 
 
 In 1520 Sir Robert Poyntz and Sir Anthony Poyntz were among the 
 Knights summoned from Gloucestershire to attend upon the King at the Field 
 of the Cloth of Gold. 1 
 
 Sir Robert Poyntz by Margaret Widville had eight children, of the more 
 remarkable of whom we shall refer to more particularly presently. It appears 
 from the Inquisition taken, after his death, at Bristol on the 25th September 
 1521, of the messuages and tenements he held in that city, that he died on the 
 5th November, 12th Henry YIII (1520), and that Anthony Poyntz was his son 
 and heir and was aged 40 years and more. A similar Inquisition was taken at 
 Thornbury on 13th November following, 3 for the County of Gloucester, from 
 which it appears that before his death he had settled nearly all his lands to 
 the uses appointed in his will dated 19th October 1620 ; an abstract of which 
 will be printed in the Appendix. In this instrument he directed that his body 
 should " be buried in the Church of the Gaunts beside Bristol, in the Chapel 
 ■of Jesus, which latelie I have caused to be new edified and made at my costs 
 and charges, on the south side of the chauncell of the sayde church, and the 
 over part thereof, behynde the Presbitery there, that is to witte, in a vawte 
 in the same thereonto redy prepared and ordeyned. Mine executors to 
 provide a f} r ne small marble stone to be laid over the mydds of the vawte 
 with a scripture making mention of all the bodies that lye buried in the same 
 vawte, and of the days and years of their decease." 4 All the executors 
 
 i State Papers. 
 
 a Inq. p.m. 13th Henry VIII, Exch. No. 5. 
 
 4 There is now no trace of this stone, but there are two bosses in the beautiful roof of this 
 ■chapel, each charged with a shield of Arms. The eastern boss is carved and emblazoned with the 
 arms of King Henry VIII. impaling those of Castile and Leon quarterly, for his then Queen 
 Katherine of Arragon. On the western boss are the arms of Sir Robert himself : — Quarterly, 1, 
 Barry of eight Gu. and Or (Poyntz) ; 2, Quarterly per fess indented Ar. and Az. (Actox) ; :3, 
 Paly of six Ar. and Az. upon a fess Gu. three mullets Or. (Clanvowe) ; 4, Quarterly, Gu. and Or, 
 a bendlet Ar. (Fitz Xtcholl) impaling, Quarterly of six for his wife Margaret Wydville: 1, Ar., 
 a lion ramp, quevee forchee Gu. crowned Or (St. Paul) ; 2, Ar., six escallop shells Sa. (not 
 
POYNTZ OF IRON ACTON. 
 
 67 
 
 named in the will would seem to have renounced, and administration of the 
 effects of the deceased was granted with will annexed in 1523 to Anthony 
 Poyntz his son and heir. A return is made of £40 for which the said Eobert 
 Poyntz, along with Bradstone, had become security for Sir Alexander Bayn- 
 ham, Sheriff. 
 
 Sir Anthony Poyntz, as we have just seen, was returned by the jurors, 
 on the Inquisition post mortem of his father, as aged 40 years, hence he 
 was born in 1480 or before. As Anthony Poyntz Esquire he was Sheriff of 
 Gloucester in 1507. He had attained equestrian rank in 1513, in March 
 of which year he was one of the Captains in the fleet of forty-two ships which 
 assembled at Portsmouth under the command of Thomas Lord Howard, Lord 
 High Admiral, to proceed against France. 1 He was one of those who stood 
 in such high favour with the King that the influence which they were sup- 
 posed to exercise produced great jealousy. Sir Thomas Boleyn, Ambassador 
 
 known); 3, Ar. a fess and canton Gu. (Wtdville); 4, Gu. a star of twelve points Ar. (Db Beauxx) ; 
 5, Gu. a griffin segreant Or, (unknown) ; 6, Vaire (Beauchamp). There appears to be on an escutcheon 
 of pretence a lion ramp. Sa., but in consequence of the height of the object, the dimness of the light, 
 and the effect of time we are unable to speak with certainty, nor can we account for any such 
 pretence on the part of the Wydville family. It will be noticed that on the coat of Wydville 
 the bend sinister is omitted. This is accounted for by the fact that the Poyntzs claimed for her, 
 though without foundation, legitimate birth, as shewn (ante page 66) by the letter from Sir 
 Nicholas Poyntz of Tockington, great-grandson of Sir Eobert, to Sir Edward Stradling on this 
 subject. It is somewhat remarkable that in the Herald's Visitation of Gloucestershire 1623, the 
 arms of the Wydville shield are allowed as quarterings to the Poyntz family, notwithstanding 
 that the Wydville coat is shewn with the bend sinister. Margaret Wydville could not be con- 
 sidered an heiress in any circumstances, but we believe that in cases in which no legitimate issue 
 existed, to be prejudiced by it, the quarterings were sometimes continued to an illegitimate person, though 
 in law having no relations. In marshalling the arms on the Wydville shield a somewhat unusual 
 course has been adopted in placing the arms of the lady's putative father in the third quarter 
 instead of the first. It is, however, not placed first in the shield of Queen Elizabeth Wydville, 
 and may have been transposed by Sir Eobert Poyntz the better to ignore the bar-sinister. 
 
 In the Gaunt Chapel against the western respond of the aisle is what appears to be one of the 
 panels of an altar tomb of Decorated work boldly carved Avith the arms of Poyntz quartering- 
 Acton, Clanvowe, and Eitz Nicholl, with two lions for supporters. 
 
 It should, however, be noticed that in the pedigree recorded at the Herald's Visitation of 
 Gloucestershire in 1623 is the following note relative to this marriage : — 
 
 A testimony of this match apereth by indentures of covenant of the mariag yett extant under 
 the hand and seale of the said Erie, by letters written by the hand of the reverend ffather Morton 
 Cardinale, also by the arms of the Erie impaled with Poyntz on the top of a Chappell near 
 Bristowe where they lye buried. Harl. MS. 1543, fo. 36. 
 
 1 Hall's Chron., p. 535. Ed. 1809. 
 K" 
 
68 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 in France 1 , writing to Cardinal Wolsey on 10th May 1519, says, it is written 
 to the French King, as he told me, how the King's Grace hath put away 
 divers of his mignons, as Carew, Bryan, Nevel, Guildford, Peche and Pointz, 
 that the manner of it was thus — -the Cardinal and Council sent for these 
 gentlemen and said to them how the brute (report) was that they governed 
 the King after their appetite which was not honourable, wherefore they should 
 come no more to court, &c, and the Cardinal in his answer saith these young 
 men, as he calls them, were removed and other said Consailers put in their 
 places. 2 This, if true, did not much affect his relations with the King. On 
 13th April 1520 he was, as before stated, one of the Knights from Gloucestershire 
 who were appointed to attend upon his Grace on his passage over the sea to Calais, 
 on the occasion of the Field of the Cloth of Gold, and among the noble women 
 who accompanied the Queen was Sir Anthony Poyntz's daughter. In the following 
 year he together with Sir Thomas Po3 T ntz were on the jury upon the indict- 
 ment found against Edward Stafford Duke of Buckingham on a charge of high 
 treason. In this year war broke out again between Francis I. of France and 
 the Emperor, and a treaty was entered into between the Constable of Bourbon, 
 the Emperor, and the King of England, in which it was agreed that France 
 should be divided between the two latter. On 30th August 1522 an expedi- 
 tion was sent under the command of Thomas Howard, now Earl of Surrey, 
 Lord High Admiral, with whom were Sir Anthony Poynes, Sir Maurice 
 Berkeley and divers other knights and gentlemen, who leaving their ships at 
 Calais invaded Picardy, and destroyed many towns and villages, but winter 
 approaching they returned without the acquisition of much military glory or 
 political advantage. In August 1523 we find Sir Anthony Poyntz in command 
 of a fleet in the western seas to defend the coasts against the French. On the 
 28th of that month Cardinal Wolsey writing to the King states that he had 
 instructed the Vice- Admiral to send two ships " westwardes to joyne Sir 
 Anthony Poyntz for his better strength." 3 In this year he was one of the 
 Assessors of Subsidies for the County of Gloucester. In the year 1529, in 
 the proceedings against Queen Katherine for a divorce, Sir Anthony Poyntz 
 was one of the witnesses. His deposition may be found in the Cotton MSS. 
 Yitellius B. xii, 110 et seq. In 1530 he obtained letters patent, which, reciting 
 former letters patent, by which he was granted the custody of Kingswood 
 
 1 Created Viscount Rochford 1525, Earl of Wiltshire, Earl of Orinond in Ireland, 1529, 
 X.G., ob. 1538. 
 
 a MS., Jesus Coll., Oxon. 
 
 3 State Papers, Henry VIIL, i, 122. 
 
POYNTZ OF IRON ACTON. 
 
 69 
 
 Forest, granting the same to him and to his son Nicholas Poyntz on the 
 same terms as held by Francis Poyntz. 1 In the 24th of the same King he 
 was granted to farm the Manor and Hundred of Barton near Bristol, which 
 after his death descended to his son Nicholas Poyntz. 2 
 
 Sir Anthony Poyntz was twice married. His first wife was Elizabeth, 
 daughter of Sir William Huddersfield of Shillingford, co. Devon, by Katherine 
 daughter of Sir Philip Courtenay of Powderham by Elizabeth daughter of 
 William Lord Hungerford. This lady was thrice married. Her first husband 
 was Thomas Eogers of Canington, co. Somerset, Serjeant-at-Law. She married, 
 secondly Sir St. Clare Pomeroy of Berry Pomeroy, Knt., and thirdly Sir 
 William Huddersfield of Shillingford aforesaid, whom she survived, and making 
 her will on 21st November 1510, as his relict, says "my daughter Elizabeth 
 Poyntz to have all such stuffe as remaineth in my place at Birtporte 
 (Bridport), Dorset, as in a Bill made and subscribed by me is specified or 
 declared, so that the said Elizabeth and her husband Sir Anthony Poyntz, &c." 
 If they vex or trouble my executors I give it to my son George [Eogers.] 3 
 He married secondly Jane Guildford relict of Sir Ei chard Guildford, Knt. On 
 12th April 1527, the King granted to Sir Anthony Poyntz, Knt., and Dame 
 Joan Guildford his wife a tun of Gascon wine yearly, during the life of the 
 said Joan, out of the prizes of wine in the ports of London, Bristol and 
 Southampton. 4 And in an Act of Parliament 22nd Henry VIII., cap. 17 (1530,) 
 confirming a grant to Henry Duke of Eichmond and Somerset, there is the 
 following reservation : — Provyded alway that this Acte, nor any thyng therein 
 contayned, shall yn any wyse be hurtfull or prejudiciall to Sir Anthony 
 Poyntz, Knt., and the Lady Jane Guildford his wyfe, late the wyfe of Sir 
 Eichard Guildford K fc . nor to any of them, of, for, or concernying an annuytie, 
 or yerly Eent of xlti to be had, perceyved or taken yn, owte, or uppon the 
 premissis, or any parte or parcell thereof yn " the Manor of Eidley, co. 
 Chester." Sir Anthony Poyntz died in 1535, but we do not find his will or 
 any administration relating to his effects. 
 
 John Poyntz, second son of Sir Eobert Po3iitz, was the founder of the 
 family of Poyntz of Alderley, of which we shall write hereafter. 
 
 Sir Francis Poyntz, third son of Sir Eobert Poyntz, was in the diplomatic 
 rservice of the King. He was an Esquire of the Body in 1526. In 1527 
 he was sent on a special mission to the Emperor to solicit, jointly with 
 the French Ambassador, the deliverance of the children of the King of 
 
 » Pot. Pat., 22nd Henry VIII. 3 Prob. P.C.C 4, Holder. 
 
 2 Inq. V.O. Hemy VIII, No. 85. 4 Rot Pat., 10th Henry VIII. 
 
70 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF 1'OYNTZ. 
 
 France detained as hostages under the Treaty of Madrid. The original and 
 secret instructions given to him by the King on this occasion, and also the 
 additional instructions of Cardinal Wolsey in May and June 1527, are in 
 the University Library at Cambridge. 1 Wolsey, in writing to the King from 
 Abbeville on the last day of July in this year, reports that he had received 
 newes letters from the King's ambassadors in Spain, Dr. Lee, Bishop of 
 Worcester, and Sir Francis Poyntz, dated at Yalladolid on the 21st, 2 and it may 
 be of interest to remark that it was on the occasion of this journey that 
 Wolsey first used the style of " Majestie " in addressing the King. 3 The 
 Ambassadors met with a favourable reception from the Emperor, but do not 
 appear to have succeeded in the object of their mission. On the 23rd August 
 Sir Francis Poyntz wrote to Wolsey from Valladolid stating that the term of 
 his safe conduct would expire before the end of the next month, and wishes 
 to know if he is to come home. He says the country is tedious to those who 
 follow the Court here when the Emperor removes, specially for those who 
 came in post. Having neither bed nor other stuff to carry with them they 
 find on their arrival nothing but bare walls. We know not when he obtained 
 permission to return, but probably soon after the date above cited. Certainly 
 he was in England in the middle of the following year. Sir John Eussell 
 writing to Cardinal Wolsey from Hertford, on 26th June 1528, says ; The 
 Kinges Majestie is moche troublid with this disease of the Swet ; for, as this 
 night, there is fallen syke my Lorde Marques, and my Lady Marques, 4 Sir 
 Thomas Cheney, Maistras Croke ; Maister Norres and Maister Wallop 5 be 
 recoverid ; and Maister Poynes is departed, whiche Jhesu pardon. 0 Sir Francis 
 died on the 26th June, the day the above was written, s.p., and was buried 
 at Hunsden in co. Herts. An Inquisition was taken at Gloucester on 4th 
 November 21st Henry VIII. when it was found that he died on 26th June 20th 
 Henry VIII. without heirs male of his body, and that Anthony Poyntz son 
 and heir of Eobert Poyntz, Knt., was his nearest heir. The manor of Elkstone 
 is the subject of the Inquisition. He received from Francis I. a gift of 
 plate for his service in Spain in the French cause which he gave to his father,, 
 and which is mentioned in the will of Sir Eobert Poyntz. 
 
 1 (Ee. 4, 27, p. 43, et sub.) State Papers, Henry VIII, i, 225. 
 
 2 These letters are among the Cotton MSS., British Museum. Vesp., c. iv, leaf 174. 
 
 3 State Papers, Henry VIII., vol. i, p. 334. 
 
 4 The Marquis and Marchioness of Dorset. 
 
 5 Sir John Wallop. 
 
 " State Papers, Henry VIII, i, 302. 
 
POYNTZ OF IRON ACTON. 
 
 71 
 
 As to the other issue of Sir Bobert Poyntz it will suffice to refer to the 
 tabular pedigree. Sir Anthony Poyntz in 1531 presented John Selwyn to the 
 Church of Iron Acton and died about four years later, of the exact date we 
 have no record. He had issue seven children, five sons and two daughters, of 
 whom two of his sons, Eobert and Thomas, died before their father. Sir 
 Nicholas Poyntz was his son and heir, of whom only it will be sufficient to 
 speak specifically in this place. He was present of the christening of Prince 
 Edward on 12th October 1537, and in 1539 he was one of the Grooms of 
 the Bedchamber to the King. He was Sheriff of Gloucestershire in 1538 and 
 1544, and 1555 was Burgess in Parliament for Cricklade, co. Wilts. In 1545 
 he commanded some ships in the Channel, apparently for the defence of the 
 mercantile shipping against pirates. The Privy Council writing to Thomas 
 Thirlby 1 then Commissioner at Bourbourg, say " Sir Nicholas Poyntz is not 
 here but in his own countrey, which is, as you knowe, above 160 myles 
 hens, and yet being appoynted to the sees on the West Partes, we ar in doubt 
 wheder he be departed, nevertheless we will send vnto him, and do asmuch for 
 the knoweledge of the matier as may be done conveniently." 2 
 
 In the contention for the succession to the Crown on the death of Edward 
 VI. between the Princess Mary and the Lady Jane Grey, Sir Nicholas Poyntz 
 adopted the cause of the daughter of his old master, apparently to the dis- 
 appointment of her competitor. Strype says, 18th July 1553, Queen Jane 
 (she had been proclaimed on the 10th) thinking herself sure of Sir John Bridges 
 and Sir Nicholas Poyntz signed a letter to them, ordering them to raise 
 with speed all the power they could of their servants, tenants, officers, and 
 friends to allay a tumult in Bucks which had arisen in favour of Mary, 3 but the 
 day after the date of the letter quoted, Mary was proclaimed in London, and 
 on the day following Northumberland himself proclaimed her at Cambridge. 
 Meanwhile Sir Nicholas Poyntz wrote to Sir John St. Lac, his uncle, announcing 
 Mary's proclamation at Chepe Cross in London. He rallied to the Queen's side 
 and we find a few notices of him at the time of Wyat's rebellion. In 
 February 1553-4 Sir Nicholas Ponynges (Poyntz) being an assistant at the 
 Tower was with the Queen to know whether they should " shot of at the Kentysh 
 men. and so bett doune the houses upon their heddes," and again, there stood 
 
 1 The King's Chamberlain, afterwards Bishop of Norwich and Ely. Deprived 1559. 
 
 2 State Papers, Hen. VIII., x, 484. 
 
 3 Strype's " Life of Cranmer," vol. iii, 7 and appendix. 
 
 '' Letter in the Longleat Collection, printed in the " Wilts Magazine," vol. viii, p. 310. 
 
72 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 " upon the leddes of the White Tower Sir Nicholas Poyns, Sir Thomas Pope, 
 Master John Sea Mor, and others." This was during the conflict at Charms' 
 Cross. And when the prisoners were being brought in Sir Nicholas with others 
 were at the landing place to receive them, and it is said : Then came Thomas 
 Cobham whom Sir Nicholas Pomes took by the bosome, and saide, " Alas, 
 Maister Cobham, what wynde headed you to work such treason ?" and he 
 answered, " I was seduced." 1 
 
 We do not know of any other public employment in which Sir Nicholas 
 Poyntz was engaged. On Midsummer Day 1528 he married Joan youngest 
 daughter of Thomas V. Lord Berkeley at her father's house at Yate. This 
 was the alliance which was intended to heal all animosities between the two 
 families to which we have before alluded (ante p. 65), but it failed of 
 having that effect. The arrangements made by the parents of the parties 
 on this marriage are worth noting as illustrative of the usage of the times. 
 The marriage portion of the lady was 1600 marks, whereof £100 was to be 
 paid at the marriage and 100 marks each year after, and it was further agreed 
 that if Nicholas died before the marriage the said Joan should marry his 
 brother Giles Poyntz. Each father, at his own cost, to apparell his own child 
 after his degree, the charges of the wedding to be equally borne by either 
 party with divers arrangements as to the jointure of the lady in case she 
 survived her husband and contingent upon her succession to the Berkeley 
 estates, either solely or jointly with her sister Meryell in case of the deaths of 
 her brothers. This marriage brought Nicholas Poyntz and his brother Giles 
 into closer contact with their brother-in-law Maurice Berkeley and they readily 
 took part in the contentions of that family, as we shall presently see. 
 
 This unfortunate Lady survived her husband, and "in her elder years" 
 Smyth says, " married Sir Edward Dyer and dyed in the Sixth of Elizabeth," 2 
 She ended her days in the greatest misery. Her husband would seem from the 
 following statement to have treated her with the greatest cruelty, though this 
 cruelty is not mentioned by Smyth. " In the month of March [1563] died the 
 Lady Poyntz whose husband had been a great Officer and favorite with King 
 Henry YHI. Her death I should not have mentioned but because somewhat 
 happened very strange but a little while before her Departure. She had married 
 one Dyer, a Second Husband, whose Carriage to her was so inhuman that it broke 
 her Heart with sorrow, while she lay Sick he allowed her not the necessary 
 help of physic, and to add to her Grief she seemed to lye also under the 
 
 1 " Chronicle of Queen Jane and Two Years of Queen Mary." Camden Society, 1849. 
 
 2 Berkeley MSS. Smyth's Lives of the Berkeley s, vol. ii, p. 236. 
 
POYNTZ OF IRON ACTON. 
 
 73 
 
 Queen's Displeasure. However Her Majesty hearing of her great Sickness took 
 pity upon her and sent her a kind letter and £50 to buy her Apothecaries 
 Stuff together with which came another letter of Comfort from the Queen's 
 Secretary. With all which she sent Santon her messenger to Welles where 
 the Lady then lay. The Messenger came to her March the 21st, when she 
 had almost lost her Hearing, Sight and Speech and on which Day she died. 
 But as soon as the messenger had delivered his Message from the Queen, and 
 her Letters together with the Secretary's were read to her, she presently 
 recovered perfect Hearing, perfect Sight and a perfect Speech which con- 
 tinued with her until her Breath failed. She appointed in what Order 
 her Majesties Letter, and the Secretary's should be answered, and after she 
 had put her Hand to them, and with her own Hands taken and kissed and 
 delivered those letters, she presently died, with Memory, Speech, Sight, and 
 Hearing perfect until the last." 1 
 
 Thomas V. Lord Berkeley settled upon his second son Maurice, brother of 
 the lady above-mentioned, inter alia, the manor of Mangotsfield. Thomas elder 
 brother of Maurice, who succeeded to the title and estates as Thomas VI, 
 married to his second wife Ann Savage, daughter of Sir John Savage of Frod- 
 sham in Cheshire, Knt., a lady of a temperament very suitable to her name. 
 Smyth says of her, " She was a lady of a masculine spirit, over-powerful with 
 her husband, seldom at rest with herself, never wanting matter of suit or dis- 
 content to work upon," 2 Her husband died before the birth of Henry his son 
 and heir, consequently there was a long minority under this turbulent, ferocious 
 lady. She endeavoured very soon after her husband's death to wrest from 
 Maurice Berkeley the Manor of Mangotsfield and other lands given him by his 
 father, which indeed her husband himself while alive, doubtless at her instisra- 
 tion, had claimed. Great contentions arose between them into which Sir 
 Nicholas Poyntz and Giles his brother were naturally drawn to take part Avith 
 their brother-in-law Maurice. Whilst these suits were proceeding in the courts of 
 law Maurice accompanied with his brother-in-law Nicholas Poyntz and Giles Poyntz 
 his brother, to worke despite to this lady, they, one night specially (as often 
 they did the like) with a riotous company of their servants and others, entered 
 her parke at Yate, and having havocked her deere at pleasure, swore amongst 
 themselves, they would, to fret and damage her the more, set the great hay 
 rick on fire, meaning a great rick of hay for winter provision inclosed with a 
 high pale at the stable end adjoyning to the house, wishing the fire might 
 
 1 Strype's " Annals of the Reformation," folio edition, 1725, p. 435. 
 
 2 Berkeley MSS., Smyth's Lives of the Berkeley^, vol. ii, p. 253. 
 
 L 
 
74 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 catch the house and burn the lady with her werish boy in the midst of it, 
 and then Maurice (quoth Giles Poynz) thou shall be heire and wee have an 
 ■end of all our sutes. It chanced at the same time another company of hunters 
 to be in the same parke stealing also of the- ladies deere, who perceiving a 
 •stronger pack of theeves than themselves to bee in place and better provided, 
 had drawn themselves secretly to shelter under the said hay ricke, where, closely 
 standing and hearing what was said and determined, and fearing either to be 
 ■descried or burned, presently ran away and fled, which being perceived by 
 Maurice and his company, and by them thought to be of the ladies family, and 
 such as shee and her keepers had drawn together, they also, as loth to be 
 descryed or taken, fled as fast another way ; and so by this chance was a 
 great danger prevented. 1 
 
 Many other such riotous proceedings occurred, " not before practised I. 
 think," Smyth says, " since the lawles daies of Eobinhood, the remembrance of 
 many whereof are yet of fresh memory in those partes." 2 
 
 Lady Berkeley was the Mrs. Anne Savage who was said to have borne 
 up the train of Anne Boleyne on her alleged private marriage with King 
 Henry VIII. She was soon afterwards herself married to the Lord Berkeley, 
 " a marriage which," Smyth says " seems to have been contrived by the said 
 Xing and Queen or one of them." 3 Though the eventual marriage of the 
 parties did not turn out very satisfactorily, at least to the Queen, Lady Berkeley 
 Iiad naturally much influence with her old master, to whom, in this case, she 
 had recourse, " who granted her a special commission under the Great Seal to 
 enquire, hear and determine these riots and other misdemeanors, and made her 
 one of the Commissioners and of the quorum, whereupon she came to Glou- 
 cester and there sate on the Bench in the publique Sessions Hall, impanelled 
 a jury, received evidence, found Sir Nicholas Poynz and Maurice Berkeley and 
 their fellowes guilty of divers riotts and disorders, and fyned them." 4 
 
 Sir Nicholas Poyntz died in 1556. His inquisition post mortem was taken 
 at Gloucester on 8th Jan., 1556-7. The jurors say that Eobert Poyntz, Knight, 
 grandfather of the said Nicholas, long- before his death was seized in his demesne 
 as of fee of the Manor of Iron Acton and enfeoffed Thomas Cardinal of England 
 and others by fine in Trinity Term 8th Henry VIII. for the payment of his 
 debts and carrying out the provisions of his last will, with remainder to his son 
 and heir Sir Anthony Poyntz and his heirs male. And the jurors say that the 
 said Anthony had issue the said Nicholas Poyntz, Knt., who had issue Nicholas 
 
 1 Berkeley MSS., Smyth's Lives of the Berkeley*, vol. p. 269. 
 2 Ibid. 3 Ibid, p. 252. 4 Ibid, p. 270, 
 
POYNTZ OF IRON ACTON. 
 
 75 
 
 Poyntz, and recites the marriage contract dated 12th May, 1st and 2nd Philip 
 and Mary (1555), between the said Nicholas, son and heir apparent of the afore- 
 said Nicholas and Johanna his wife, and Anne Yerney, one of the daughters of 
 Sir Ealph Verney, 1 and they say further that the said Nicholas Poyntz, Knt., 
 died [illegible] and that Nicholas Poyntz, Esq., is his son and nearest heir and 
 is aged 21 years and more. 2 Sir Nicholas Poyntz made his will 26th Feb., 
 1555-6. He names his son and heir Nicholas and his younger sons Francis, 
 Anthony, Edmund, and John, but not his two daughters Prances and Anne, 
 To his wife Dame Johan he gives his new house at Osilworth that standeth on 
 the hill and the parke during her life, remainder to his second son Prancis for 
 life. The will was proved by Johan Poyntz relict and executrix, 3rd July,, 
 1557. 3 
 
 The manor of Ozleworth, the new house and park, which was bequeathed 
 by Sir Nicholas Poyntz to his wife Johan for life with remainder to his second 
 son Prancis for life, was, according to Atkyns, parcel of the possessions of the 
 Abbey of Kings wood, and was granted to Sir Nicholas Poyntz in 31st Henry 
 VIII, who died seized thereof 4th Philip and Mary, and his son Nicholas had 
 livery of the manor the same year and sold it to Sir Thomas Eivet, Alder- 
 man of London, and it was purchased from him by Sir Gabriel Low, also an 
 Alderman of London. Timothy Low his descendant was lord of the manor in 
 Atkyn's time, who hath he says " an handsome seat in this parish called 
 Newark ; it stands high and hath a good prospect : it was built by Sir Nicholas 
 Poyntz out of the ruins of Kingswood Abbey about a mile from the church." 4 
 
 Prancis, second son of Nicholas Poyntz, held some office in the Court of 
 Queen Elizabeth. We know nothing of him beyond what is disclosed by certain 
 proceedings in Chancery, taken upon the complaint of William Plobbes of Lon- 
 don, yeoman, on 16th Nov. 1590. The complainant shewed that " whereas 
 Francis Poyntz of Thornbury, co. Glouc, Esq., and Ann his wife in January 
 1587, being then in London and serving for an Office in Court, for their better 
 
 1 The marriage of Sir Nicholas Poyntz with one of the two daughters of Sir Kalph Verney is 
 recorded on a monument in the middle of Clayton Church, co. Bucks. The other daughter married 
 Sir Francis Hynde, of Madingby, co. Cambridge, Knt. (" Topographer," vol. ii, p. 366.) Two of 
 these ladies' brothers were tried for their share in Dudley's conspiracy. (Verney Papers, Camden 
 Society.) 
 
 2 Inq. p.m., 3 and 4 Philip and Mary, Part i, jSTo. 51. 
 
 3 P.C.C., (22 Wrastley). Among the drawings by Hans Holbein in Windsor Castle is a portrait 
 of this Sir Nicholas Poyntz. It has been published in the volume of Historic Portraits of the 
 Court of Henry VIII. 
 
 4 Atkyn's History of Gloucestershire, p. 313. 
 
 L 2 
 
76 
 
 .MEMOIR OF THE PAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 maintenance, applied to the said complainant for a loan of money for defraying 
 the charge of dyett, &c, and offered to pawn a thing of good value which com- 
 plainant dissuaded them from, and for the goodwill and affection which he bears 
 to the said Francis and Ann did lend them £5 gratis, and afterwards at several 
 times 20s. making together £6, which "by their earnest promises, othes, and 
 vows should have been paid to complainant on the 30th June 1587 ; and after- 
 wards he lent them several sums amounting to the sum of £30 10s, which 
 they promised to pay long since but have failed to do so." Complainant 
 represents that he has made several journeys into Gloucestershire to obtain 
 payment and have employed divers to deale with the said Mr. Poyntz and 
 Anne, and have written many letters, and the said Mr. Poyntz will not be 
 spoken withall except when he pleases, and refuses to pay the said sums as in 
 equity he ought to do. But the said Mr. Poyntz being a man of 100 marks 
 land a-year or thereabouts with his said wife, regarding neither the payment 
 of the said debt, the good intention of the complainant, nor such favour 
 and credit as he should bear in his country, liveth with his wife in very 
 base and mean manner, and yet to the undoing of them both and spending of 
 their living, and by these means will be disabled to pay such debts, being also 
 altogether unwilling, of an ill mind, to pay the same, and prays redress. 1 Francis 
 Poyntz married a certain Anne Stawker (? Cooke) Smyth says " dau. and heir 
 of ... and had issue Jone married to John "Wykes of Dodington, by 
 whom is much issue, dispersed into divers counties." 2 
 
 Anthony Poyntz, third son of Sir Nicholas Poyntz, was admitted to the 
 Inner Temple November 1567. He would seem to have turned out a dis- 
 reputable character. In 1581 he is described as of Frampton, co. Gloucester, 
 Gent., and received a pardon for divers felonies. He was convicted with others 
 for the crime of having on 1st Nov. 1574 ill-treated and placed in much fear, 
 so that his life was despaired of, on the highway at Frampton Leas, co. Glouc, 
 one John Gurden, and having stolen from him feloniously £100 then on his 
 person of money belonging to a certain John Parsons ; also of a similar felony 
 of having stolen from Conan Parsons a like sum of £100 (Pat. Tested at 
 Westminster, 3rd May 1582.) 3 
 
 Perhaps through the introduction of his brother-in-law, Sir Thomas Heneage, 
 as a suitable person for the employment, he was with Eobert Dudley Earl of 
 Leicester on his expedition into the Low Countries as Lieutenant - General of 
 the Forces sent by Queen Elizabeth in 1585 to assist the United Provinces in their 
 
 1 Chancery Proceedings, Queen Elizabeth, 16th 'Nov., 1590. 
 
 2 Berkeley MSS., Smyth's Lives of flu; Berkeley*, vol. ii, p. 237. 
 
 3 Rot. Pat. 23rd Eliz., Part 3. 
 
POYNTZ OF IRON ACTON. 
 
 77 
 
 great contest with Spain. On 17th March 1585-6 we find the Earl writing 
 to Secretary Walsingham complaining that Antony Point es, whom he had 
 employed to go into the enemy's camp, had been sent hj Walsingham into 
 Spain: "touching Pointes " he says, "of whom you write I am sory he is sent 
 any other waye. I delivered him an hundred poundes, and he promised me 
 to have gone into the enemyes camp." He was, however, at the Earl's elbow 
 for this portion of the letter is in his handwriting, and the Earl adds a post- 
 script in his own hand. He says, " I am forst to use a Secretary, but yet, 
 perhapps, you wyll not very plainly understand whome I meane ; hit ys Anto. 
 Poyntz, whom I sent over to gyve 3^011 knoledge how I had imployed him to 
 the enymyes camp, a matter of most nede for me, and I mervelled that I 'hav 
 never herd from [him] and within these iiij days my nephew Phillip 1 told me he 
 received a letter from him that you had sent him into Spayne, whereof I am 
 hartyly sorry, having greatly dysapointyd me, having not one to suply that 
 place nowe, and a great tyme lost, also, that you dyd not at the first gyve me 
 knowledge of yt." 2 Walsingham writing to Leycester 011 the 1st April excuses 
 himself by saying, " Towchyng the party that is gon to Spayne whome your 
 lordship wysshed rather to have been employed emongest the malcontentes, yt 
 grewe of himselfe, upon a conceypt that, being recommended by the Kyng of 
 Spayn unto the Prince of Parma he shall be the better able to serve your lord- 
 ships torne." 3 
 
 Leicester's ambition and general conduct in the Netherlands gave very great 
 offence to the Queen, insomuch that she was on the point of recalling him in 
 disgrace. It required all the influence of Burleigh, Walsingham, and others of 
 her best trusted ministers and members of her council, to withdraw her from 
 her purpose, to the extent even of Burleigh threatening to resign his own office. 
 At this critical juncture arrived Poyntz, from Sir Thomas Heneage, bearing 
 letters to the Queen from the earl which appeased Her Majesty's wrath. 
 Burleigh writing to Leicester on 31st March 1586, says: — "She read your 
 letter, and, in very truth, I found her princly hart touched with favourable 
 interpretation of your actions." 4 From this it would appear that Anthony 
 Po}mtz had not as yet departed upon his Spanish mission. 
 
 The special commission upon which Anthony Poyntz was employed would 
 seem to have been not only to Spain but also to Paris, indeed we possess no 
 distinct evidence that he was ever in Spain at all. In December 1586 we find 
 him in Paris as a spy upon Thomas Lord Paget and his son William, Francis 
 
 1 Sir Philip Sidney. 3 Ibid, p. 208. 
 
 2 Leycester Correspondence, Camden Society, p. 177. * Ibid, 198. 
 
78 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 Throckmorton, one Morgan, and other gentlemen of the Eoman Catholic religion, 
 who in this year, being accused of conspiring to introduce foreign troops to 
 dethrone the Queen, privately withdrew to France. Their extradition having 
 been demanded from Francis I. and refused, the most unworthy means were 
 taken to entrap them, besides a close espyal of their actions, upon which Poyntz 
 was employed. Mendoza, the Spanish Ambassador, was also implicated in this 
 conspiracy and ordered to quit the realm, and he also was a fugitive in Paris 
 and under the surveillance of Poyntz. 1 
 
 On the 15th December 1586, Poyntz thus reports his proceedings to Sir 
 Francis Walsingham. 
 
 " Eight Hon ble - I have written one letter unto you since my arrivall in this 
 town & lest the same should not come to your hands I do send this, the which 
 the berer hath promised to deliver. My sickness hath hindered me that I 
 cannot have so often access to such parsons as I would dele with notwith- 
 standing I have been twice in the Castillon with Morgon, & oftener would be, 
 yf I had my helth. I do find him a busie fellow although he be inclosed. I 
 have desired him, that yf he have any matters of importance in Ingland that 
 he w a trust me withall or els where I am. The like offar I have made to my 
 Lord Pagett, who tould me he had good affiance in me & said he thought I 
 would not be the mine of him and my cousin his son. 2 I will not over much 
 prease him lest he suspect me, with Mendoza I will dele in like manner y* 1 
 maye to know their frinds in ingland, for doubtless they have good intelligens 
 from some persons of much account, and furcler herin will I be directed by 
 your Honour, & so with humble dutie I leve your Honour to the tuition of the 
 Almighty." 3 Paris, 15 .December, 1586. 
 
 Again he writes to Sir Francis Walsingham four clays later desiring Sir 
 Francis to pay twenty-five crowns, which he had been obliged to borrow in his 
 sickness— "if I escape this sickness," he says, "I trust to deserve it, & so with 
 my humble dutie I bave }~ r Honour to the tuition of Almighty God." 19 
 December, 1586. 4 
 
 We do not know if Anthony Poyntz married or left issue, nor we do 
 know the date of his death. 
 
 1 Camden's Life and Eeign of Queen Elizabeth. Kenneth "White's Collection, vol. ii., p. 497. 
 
 2 Margaret Poyntz, aunt of Francis, married Sir John Newton, whose daughter Lazaret became the 
 wife of Thomas Lord Paget and the mother of his son, so thai Anthony Poyntz and Lord Paget's 
 son were first cousins once removed. 
 
 * Harl MSS. 286. 56-57. 
 4 Ibid. 
 
POYNTZ OF IRON ACTON. 
 
 79 
 
 William Poyntz, sixth son of Sir Nicholas Poyntz, Of this gentleman we 
 know nothing beyond what appears from the following letters, which will speak 
 for themselves. 
 
 "From William Poyntz to my Hon ble Friend Mr. Francis Bacon, Esq., 
 Twickenham Park. 1 
 
 " S r Altho I never desired this favour at your hands but only that I have 
 ever loved you and all y r Brothers, yet in respect of the good will I am assured 
 you do bear unto Mr. Vice Chamberlain and my sister his wife I am bold in 
 this matter of small importance to earn your friendship. If my little suit may 
 effect I do assure you, Mr. Bacon, by all the due conditions of a gentleman 
 you shall find- your courtesy well bestowed and my noblest and meanest friends 
 shall thanke you for my sake. I came from London this afternoon more happily 
 than I thought I should have done & Sir Thomas Heneage & sister were both 
 in their glory at Copt Hall. For my great good in a matter I must speedily 
 ride as far as my Lord Chandos' house and my horse follers me. I am in this 
 place a stranger. For my friends sake whom you love, & for my names sake, 
 good Mr. Francis Bacon, send your footman, or some other presently unto me 
 with 40s. and lend it to me for 6 or 7 days till I return. I will God willing, 
 myself bring it unto you, to Twickenham Park, and you shall see it is done 
 for a gentleman that loves your name faithfully. I will let your courtesy done 
 me in this strange place and at this pinch be known in the best place of England 
 and to such as you do most honour and respect. Good Mr. Bacon, because 
 yourself & Mr. Nicholas Bacon your Brother, did ever love me, when I was with 
 my Lord of Leicester, send one presently unto me, for I must needs ride 15 
 miles on my way to night and try my deserts to you, and if I live when . . . 
 I take my leave in hast. 
 
 "At Hounslow wheare I stay: the 8th of July 1593. 
 
 " Your loving friend to command, 
 
 "William Poyntz." 2 
 
 Sir Nicholas Poyntz of Iron Acton, son and heir of Sir Nicholas Poyntz 
 by his wife Joan Berkeley, was born about 1535, as appears from his will dated 
 22nd June 1585, in which he describes himself as about fifty years of age, and 
 this agrees pretty closely with the inquisition taken on 8th January 3rd and 4th 
 Philip and Mary (1556-7) in which he is found to be of the age of twenty-one 
 years and more. He makes, so far as we are aware, no figure in the history 
 
 1 Francis Bacon at Twickenham Park. Memorials of Twickenham by K. S. Cobbett, 226-227. 
 a Sloane MSS., 4111, vol. iii, 7. 
 
80 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 of the country, as most of his ancestors had done, but apparently lived a quiet 
 life in his own county. 
 
 In the Star Chamber Proceedings of 27th Elizabeth (1584) we find certain 
 Interrogatories addressed to a certain A. Neale in respect to a suit brought 
 against him by Sir Nicholas Poyntz for trespass in his park at Iron Acton about 
 Christmas tide 25th Elizabeth, and at other times subsequently, and there hunting, 
 killing, and flaying the deer in the said park. The result of the suit does not 
 appear. 
 
 Sir Nicholas Poyntz died at Iron Acton 1st September 1585, and in the 
 Inquisition taken at Wotton under Edge on the 11th April following, it was 
 found by the jury that long before his death he was seized in his demesne as 
 of fee of the manors of Iron Acton, Acton Ilger, Tockington and Hill in the- 
 county of Gloucester, and being so seized he obtained a Royal licence to alienate 
 the said manors to Thomas Throckmorton, Matthew Poyntz and others to hold 
 to the uses following, to wit : — to the use of himself the said Nicholas for the 
 term of his life and after his death to such uses as he might appoint under his 
 sign and seal during his life, and that the said Thomas Throckmorton and the 
 others should stand seized of the manors of Hill and Tockington to the use of 
 John Poyntz, Esq., son and heir of the said Nicholas, and the heirs male of the 
 said John. In default to the heirs male of the body of the said Nicholas, in 
 default to the use of the right heirs of the said Nicholas for ever ; and further 
 that the said manor of Iron Acton and Acton Ilger, &c, by his writing under 
 his seal he appointed to the use of the Lady Margaret then his wife for the 
 term of her life, and after her decease to the use of his said son John Poyntz r 
 with the same remainders as before stated ; and the jurors further say that 
 the said Lady Margaret is still living at Iron Acton, and that the aforesaid 
 John Poyntz is son and next heir of the said Nicholas, and is aged 25 years, 
 and more. 
 
 This Inquisition is of considerable interest as regards the Manor of Tockington,. 
 the most ancient inheritance of the family of Poyntz. We have seen (ante p. 
 26) that Sir Nicholas Poyntz of Cory Malet sold in 29 Edw. III. whatever 
 interest he had in it to Thomas III. Lord Berkeley, and the said Thomas, who 
 died 27th Oct. 1361, left this manor, inter alia, to his son and heir Maurice, but 
 it does not appear among the manors and lands of which this Maurice, known 
 as the fourth Lord of his name, died seized, so that he must have alienated it,, 
 but we have not at present any record of the fact. By whom this Manor 
 was held subsequently we have no information but it was towards the end of the 
 sixteenth century the residence of one Maurice Hill, Esq., who married Margaret 
 
POYNTZ OF IRON ACTON. 
 
 81 
 
 youngest daughter of Ki chard Dennis, Esq., son and heir of Sir Walter 
 Dennis, Knt., son and heir of Sir William Dennis of Dinham, Knt., by Anne only 
 daughter of Maurice Lord Berkeley, the fifth of that name, who died in 1506.' 
 And it appears from the Inquisition taken after the death of Edward Poyntz, 
 eldest son of Sir Nicholas of whom we are writing, that Sir Nicholas Poyntz 
 his grandfather was seized in his demesne as of fee of all that Park called 
 Tockington Park, in the parish of Olveston, in co. Gloucester, which he had 
 lately acquired of Eichard Loughton and Mary his wife, and, being so seized, 
 by Indentures dated 21st July 23rd Elizab. (1581), conveyed the said messuage 
 to trustees to the use of Nicholas Poyntz his son for the term of his life, with 
 remainder to Margaret his wife during her widowhood, and then to the use of 
 the said Edward Poyntz, second son of the said Nicholas, and the heirs male of 
 his body, in default of such issue remainder to Hugh Poyntz and the heirs 
 male of his body and divers remainders over. 2 As is shewn above Sir 
 Nicholas Poyntz died seized of the whole manor it is concluded that Sir Nicholas 
 his father acquired it from Eichard Loughton though the Park only was 
 settled under the Indenture of 23rd Elizabeth. 
 
 There is an Indenture dated 28th October 21st James (1623), between Nicholas 
 Poyntz of Tockington Park in Olveston, Esq., of the one part, and T. Middlemore 
 of Eotherfeld, co. Sussex, and Eichard Staunton of Cirencester, co. Glouc, of 
 the other part. Nicholas Poyntz for £100 grants all that one capital messuage 
 in Tockington Park called The Lodge, and late in the tenure of Edward 
 Poyntz, Esq., and all Tockington Park and all lands etc. which Nicholas Poyntz, 
 grandfather of the said Nicholas Poyntz, did in his life time purchase of one 
 Eichard Loughton and Mary his wife, to hold &c. during the life time of the 
 said Nicholas Poyntz — if the said Nicholas Poyntz, his heirs &c. shall tender and 
 pay &c. to T. Middlemore and E. Staunton, or one of them, on the Pont stone 
 in the Temple Church, London, between two and five of the clock in the after- 
 noon at or before the 2nd February next, the sum of one shilling this Indenture 
 shall be void. 
 
 We have already alluded (p. 75), in referring to the Inquisition post mortem 
 of his father, to the contract for the marriage of this Nicholas with Ann the 
 daughter of Sir Ealph Yerney. By this lady he had three children : — 
 
 1. John Poyntz his son and heir, of whom presently. 
 
 2. Ursula who appears to have died unmarried. 
 
 3. Mary, who was twice married. Her first husband was Francis Cod- 
 
 1 Berkeley MSS. Lives of the Berkeleys, -vol. ii, p. 180. 
 
 2 Inq. 16th June, 11th James, Chan. Miscel., Part 15, STo. 61. 
 
 M 
 
MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 rington, son of Giles Coclrington of Didmarton, co. Glouc, by Isabel Porter, by 
 whom she had one child named Mary who married first Edward Bromwich, and 
 secondly John Sydenham of Nympsfield, younger brother of Sir John Sydenham 
 of Brimpton, co. Somerset, whom she survived, and whose will she proved 5th 
 January 1590-1. She was herself buried at Iron Acton on 7th October 
 following, and her will was proved on 4th February 1591-2. From this will 
 it appears that she held a lease for a term of years of the Eectory and Par- 
 sonage of Iron Acton which she bequeathed to Mary and Elizabeth, daughters 
 of her cousin John Berkeley. By her second marriage Mary Poyntz had four 
 daughters, Ann, Ursula, Elizabeth and Margaret. 
 
 Sir Nicholas Poyntz married secondly Margaret Stanley, daughter by his 
 second wife of Edward third Earl of Derby, whose splendour and eminent 
 services are eulogised by Camden and other his contemporaries. She was the 
 relict of John Jermyn of Eushbrook, co. Somerset, by whom she had no issue. 
 By this lady Sir Nicholas Poyntz had issue : — 1, Edward, born in 1575 ; 2, Hugh, 
 born 1578; 3, Eobert, born 1580. 
 
 Edward Poyntz, the eldest son of the second marriage, matriculated at 
 Magdalen College, Oxford, 25th October 1588, then aged thirteen years, as the 
 son of a knight of Gloucestershire. We have seen that he inherited Tockington 
 Park, 1 where he resided for some time, and afterwards settled at Caerleon, co. 
 Monmouth. He was twice married, first to Florence, daughter of John Jones 
 of Treowen, co. Monmouth. His second wife was named Mary, but we know 
 not her parentage. He had four children — 1, Nicholas; 2, John; 3, Ann; 
 4, Mary. 
 
 A suit in Chancery arose between him and his brother Sir John Poyntz. 
 Chancery suits generally throw great light on family affairs, and in this case 
 does not fail to do so. In his petition to the court Edward Poyntz recites that 
 Sir Nicholas Poyntz his father was seized to him and his heirs male of the manors 
 of Iron Acton, Acton Ilger, Lateridge, Frampton Cotterell, Hill, Tockington, &c, 
 and had issue Sir John Poyntz his eldest son by a former wife, and having then 
 to wife Dame Margaret, daughter of Edward Earl of Derby, by whom he had 
 three younger sons, viz., Edward, Hugh and Eobert, and taking into consideration 
 the security and quiet of Dame Margaret, with whom he had great substance, 
 and the preferment of his said three sons, desired to entail his lands upon them 
 and their heirs male, after his own death, if the said John should die s.p., and 
 to this end bound himself in a statute bond of great value to some of the friends 
 
 1 In 1599 Edward Poyntz, Esq., suffered a fine of lands in Tockington to John Jones, Esq. 
 probably in connection with this marriage. Ped. Fin., 41st Elizab. Trinity. 
 
POYNTZ OF IRON ACTON. 
 
 83 
 
 of Dame Margaret, and caused his son Sir John Poyntz to enter into a statute 
 bond of £10,000, which was defeased, that if Dame Margaret should survive him 
 she should enjoy for the term of her life the manor of Iron Acton, &c, 
 according to certain indentures cited, previously made ; and also that she 
 should enjoy all the tithes of the parsonage of Iron Acton for a term of 
 years as had been before assigned to her use, without any hindrance of 
 John Poyntz. Also that John Poyntz, within two years after the death of 
 his father, should pay £500 as Sir Nicholas Poyntz should appoint by his will, 
 and also that Hugh and Eobert Poyntz, his sons, should enjoy all messuages 
 limited and expressed in an indenture made before the acknowledgment of the 
 said statute. After that Sir Nicholas Poyntz made his will, dated 22nd June 
 1585, and gave the education of his three sons to Lady Margaret, and appointed 
 them his executors, providing that if Lady Margaret should die before they 
 reached the age of twenty-four years, then William Veale, Eobert Chambers, 
 Maurice Torre, and Gyles Dymerie should be executors until they attained that 
 age ; and that if these executors should extend the statute they should have 
 £400 and the residue to remain to his three sons. The will was proved by 
 Lady Margaret, who not long after made her own will and appointed Edward 
 Poyntz executor, and died. He thereupon proved the will and became entitled 
 to all the interest his mother had under her husband's will, and ought to enjoy 
 the tithes, &c. of Iron Acton, but Sir John Poyntz has interrupted therein,, 
 and hath failed to pay the £500 bequeathed under his father's will. 
 
 He alleged also that Sir John Poyntz became further indebted to him for 
 divers goods which he had of him and divers sums of money lent unto him to 
 the amount of £500 which Edward Poyntz gently required of him, but could 
 never get, though he paid the use of the same to others. 
 
 He further alleged that Sir John had done grievous wrongs unto him and 
 has forfeited the statute of £10,000, the extension of which he, Edward Poyntz, 
 had procured at a cost of £200. 
 
 Sir John Poyntz being greatly indebted to divers persons amounting to 
 £10,000 for which many of his friends and neighbours entered into bonds,, 
 whereby he greatly endangered himself and encumbered his estate, and so was 
 enforced to convey the manor of Hill to one Henry Fleetwood, Esq. 1 The friends 
 did entreat Edward Poyntz to assign his interest therein. Sir John having only 
 one son, Eobert, yet living, Edward consented to do so. Sir John however, 
 
 'In 1604 Sir John Poyntz, Knt., and others suffered a fine in the manor of Hull or Hill, to 
 George Huntley, Esq., and others. This was perhaps by way of mortgage. Ped. Fin. 2nd James, 
 Easter. 
 
 M 2 
 
84 
 
 .MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 without Edward's knowledge, leased the manor of Tockington to George Smythes, 
 ■of London, Gent., for twenty-one years at a small rent. 1 This he opposed and 
 was threatened with a suit in Chancery, &c. Sir John being further indebted 
 to Her Majesty and other persons had no means to redeem the said lease or 
 pay his debts, and he Edward did not resist the sale of Tockington to Nicholas 
 Dymerie, who gave the sum of £2700 for it, and Sir John has lately mortgaged 
 the manor of Iron Acton to Nicholas Dymerie which he is not able to redeem. 
 
 Eobert Poyntz combines with Sir John Poyntz and Lady Grissel now his 
 wife, the said Eobert having married the daughter of the said Lady Grissel, 
 and is dwelling with Sir John Poyntz and claims £1000 as due to him. 
 
 Sir John Poyntz in his answer, swcrn at Iron Acton 25th January 9th James, 
 states that he hath two male heirs now living, who only, and none other, are 
 dampnified by his sale of lands. He averreth that he hath never interfered 
 with the joincture of Dame Margaret, nor impeached the estate left by Sir 
 Nicholas Poyntz to his younger sons; that he hath paid Edward Poyntz £700 
 for the household stuff, &c, by him bought of the executors of Sir Nicholas 
 Poyntz, and denies that he owes him any sum of money whatever. 2 
 
 The Earl of Salisbury wrote to John Osborne, Lord Treasurer's Eemembrancer, 
 on 'JOth July 1609, directing him to make out commissions to enquire as to the 
 goods of, inter alia, Edward Poyntz of Thockington, co. Glouc, a recusant, the 
 benefit of whom was granted to Sir John Cowper. 3 Perhaps this was the 
 same gentleman who is mentioned by Foley as the Mr. Poyntz dwelling in the 
 Forest of Dean and brother of Sir John Poyntz, who was reported by the 
 Sheriff of Herefordshire as keeping in his house two Jesuit priests, and as 
 being himself altogether Jesuited. 4 
 
 We have already given some account of the marriage of Edward Poyntz 
 of Caerleon, and the names of his issue. He made his will (nuncupative) on 
 3rd October 1613, in which he mentions all his children. Some few of the 
 bequests may be just noticed. To his eldest son Nicholas Poyntz, his best suit 
 of apparel, his guilded sword and dagger, with his guilded spurs, and the tester 
 of a bed, redd, yellow and green colours, embroidered with the eagle and child 
 (the Stanley crest), nine table pictures of kings, queens, and such like ; to Mary 
 his wife a greate table picture, being his own portraiture. These articles, we 
 
 i In 1605 Sir John Poyntz and others suffered a fine in the manor of Tockington to William 
 Berblock and others, and in the same term he suffered a fine in the manor of Iron Acton to 
 Thomas Staunton and others. Ped. Pin. 3rd James, Trinity. 
 
 1 Chancery Proceedings James I., Bundle 9, No. 54, Edward Poyntz versus Sir John Poyntz. 
 
 3 State Papers, Domestic, vol. xlvii, No. 43. 
 
 4 Foley's Jesuits, vol. iv, p. 371. 
 
POYNTZ OF IRON ACTON. 
 
 85 
 
 conceive, were a portion of the household stufFe, &c. which he purchased of 
 the executors of the will of his father Sir Nicholas Poyntz, mentioned by his 
 brother Sir John, as stated above. Will proved 10th September 1615 (81 Eudd). 
 
 Nicholas Poyntz, eldest son of Edward Poyntz of Caerleon, settled at Penrose 
 in Monmouthshire. He was twice married. His first wife was .... daughter -7^^ 
 of Talbot Badger. He married secondly Jeonett, relict of John Ei chard Edmunds. ^>^^J 
 He left three sons, Eowland, John, and Nicholas, of whom the two elder, at ^^7-, 
 least, were by his first wife. . 
 
 Eowland Poyntz the eldest son was of Llanarth, co. Mod mouth, but he (J-e^. > 
 appears from certain proceedings in Chancery in 1696 1 to have been then jftt^ 
 resident in the town of Monmouth, and there is a Chancery decree relating to 
 him dated 20th December 1699. He was a party to other Chancery proceedings ^tc^ 
 in 1701 but they are not of much interest beyond the identification of his / ffus*+. 
 children, for which purpose we propose to use them in the tabular pedigree ^ '.Ji** 
 hereafter. He was thrice married, but we have no knowledge of his first wife <^^t , 
 beyond the fact of her existence, and she died without issue. Bridget Eobnett, (surz*-*- 
 whom he married in 1642, is described in the Chancery proceedings referred Afa. t 
 to above as his second wife. She died about 1649, and a certain Margaret 
 is described as his third wife. He left two sons, Nicholas by his second wife 
 and Eowland by his third. 
 
 We do not know the exact date of the death of Eowland Poyntz, the elder, 
 but it must have been soon after 1650. On the 18th January 1653-4, Sir 
 Eobert Poyntz, Knt., petitioned the Committee for Compositions, at Haberdasher 
 Hall, stating that he had a kinsman, one Eowland Poyntz, of Llanarth, co. 
 Mon., Gent., lately deceased who left one son Nicholas Poyntz, an infant, who is 
 about eight years of age, to enjoy his estate, which estate is under sequestration 
 by reason that the infant's father was a popish recusant but never in arms, and 
 the said Eowland within two years last past took the oath of abjuration before 
 the Committee of sequestration. 2 Sir Eobert prays that the said infant may be 
 discharged from the burden of sequestration, who had nothing of his father's 
 estate but what fell unto him by the death of his mother, who was an heir, and 
 after the death of his said mother the infant was admitted tenant to the estate, 
 being customary land within the lordship of Goldcliffe, Monmouthshire. Margaret 
 Poyntz, mother and guardian of Eowland, also petitioned on his behalf, 
 representing that the estate being copyhold is held in right of Bridget, then 
 wife of Eowland Poyntz of Llanarth, who died about four years since, and 
 
 1 Collins 550. 
 
 2 The date of the oath of abjuration of Eowland Poyntz, of Llanarth, was 17th April, 1651. 
 
86 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 fell by his death to Nicholas Poyntz her son. Afterwards Eowland Poyntz 
 married Margaret his second wife, and conveyed the residue of his estate to 
 the petitioner Eowland Poyntz. We do not know the result. 
 
 John Poyntz, the second son of Nicholas Poyntz of Penrose, was a man 
 of a base and despicable character. In the Civil War he attached himself to 
 the Parliamentary party, from whom he claimed certain arrears of pay which 
 he was unable to obtain. On 16th June 1652 he brought a suit in the 
 exchequer against James Coxe and John Thomas. He pleaded that Jeannette 
 Poyntz (his own stepmother) whom he affirmed to be a Papist, and who died 
 eight years previously, made her will and appointed John Thomas her executor, 
 he being her nephew and next of kin. He renounced in favour of John 
 Coxe. It appears that John Poyntz was indebted in £40 to the estate of Mr. 
 Poyntz, and that these proceedings were taken to avoid the payment, he 
 averring that in consequence of his stepmother's recusancy the estate lapsed 
 to the Commonwealth. It is satisfactory to know that he did not succeed. 
 It was decided that the estate was due to the Commissioners of sequestration, 
 and he being unable to pay the amount due from him was imprisoned. 
 
 We find a petition from him dated the 21st August 1655 addressed to the 
 Protector He represents that he held the degree of captain, and that his three 
 sons had served faithfully for ten years in England, Scotland, and Ireland, that 
 he had due to him £240 of arrears, that he had spoilt his estates in long looking 
 after it till he was forced for want of it to trail a pike under Colonel Ingleby 
 ever since June 15th last twelvemonths, and begged that the Haberdashers' Hall 
 Committee might be ordered to examine in his presence some persons who held 
 concealed moneys and give him an allowance to pay what he claimed. The persons 
 he denounced were Mary Morgan, Caerleon, Papist, John George of Llanerhangal, 
 John Thomas and James Coxe, who have seized the estate of Jeanette Poyntz, 
 widow and a Papist, who died without children. 
 
 We shall not follow this worthless character further, suffice it to say that 
 after the Eestoration he got himself appointed the Deputy of the Clerk Controller 
 of the Bevels of England. 1 
 
 We must now revert to Hugh Poyntz, the second son of Sir Nicholas 
 Poyntz, who was born in 1578-9. He matriculated at Magdalen Hall, Oxford, 
 22nd October 1591 as the son of a knight in Gloucestershire, then aged twelve 
 years. He died on the 11th and was buried at Icon Acton on the 13th March 
 1604-5, aged twenty-six, s.p. He made his will on the 9th March 1604-5, in 
 which he describes himself as Hugh Poyntz of Tockington Park. In it he names, 
 
 i Brit. Mus. Addl. MSS. 19, 256. 
 
POYNTZ OF IRON ACTON. 
 
 87 
 
 his brother Eobert Poyntz, to whom he gives his sword hatched with silver ; 
 his neice, Mrs. Dorothy Peny ; his sister in law, Mrs. Mary Poyntz ; Elizabeth 
 Pointz, his neice, daughter of his brother Sir John Pointz, and his brother 
 Edward, whom he appoints residuary legatee and executor. 1 
 
 Eobert Poyntz, third son of Sir Nicholas Poyntz and Lady Mary Stanley, 
 was born in 1580. Matriculated at Magdalen Hall, Oxford, 22nd October 
 1591 with his brother, ap-ed ten. He was twice married, but whether or not 
 he left any issue does not appear. His first wife's name was Ann, and he married 
 secondly, at Iron Acton on 17th December 1627, Elizabeth daughter of William 
 Walsh. She was a native of that parish, having been baptized there on 
 3rd December 1609, and she was there buried 12th January 1631-2. 
 
 Sir John Poyntz, son and heir of Sir Nicholas Poyntz in 1586, presented to 
 the Eectory of Iron Acton, as he did again in 1593. On 1st February 
 30th Elizabeth (1588) the Queen granted the whole Forest and Chase of Exmore 
 and the custody of the same, with all fees, rents, pensions, and other its 
 appurtenances to John Poyntz of Iron Acton, Esq., Elizabeth his wife, and 
 Elizabeth their daughter, for their several lives, at the animal rent of £46 13s. 4d. 
 per annum. This grant was confirmed on 1st November 1588 in the Letters 
 Patent for which he is described as " Knight." Sir John Poyntz was Sheriff 
 of Gloucestershire in 1591, and in the same year he was appointed Surveyor 
 General of the Duchy of Lancaster, and in the following year was returned to 
 Parliament as one of the knights for the shire of Gloucester. In 1597 he 
 purchased the castle and manor of Beverston of John Berkeley, Esq., but he 
 soon afterwards sold it again to Henry Fleetwood, Master of the Court of Wards. 
 On the 18th June 1612-3 he was appointed by Privy Seal to be Chamberlain 
 of the Exchequer. Madox says the Chamberlain seems anciently to have had 
 the custody of keys belonging to the coffers of the Tallies. 2 In 1617 he petitioned 
 the king for the farm of the Fines and Eecognizances, &c, to be levied by 
 Green Wax summons of the Pixe and other processes, and stated that he is 
 willing to give the average profit and 500 marks per annum additional. 
 
 Sir John Poyntz was married four times. First, in 1578, to Ursula, 
 daughter of Sir John Sydenham of Brimpton co. Somerset, by Grace daughter 
 of Sir William Godolphin, by whom he had no issue. He married secondly, 
 in 1582, Elizabeth, daughter of Alexander Sydenham of Luxborough co. Somerset, 
 cousin of the aforesaid Sir John Sydenham, by Ann Sydenham sister of the 
 said Sir John, by whom he had issue: 1, Dorothy; 2, Elizabeth; 3, Frances; 
 4, Eobert (afterwards Sir Eobert Poyntz son and heir) ; 5, Hugh ; 6, Nicholas ; 
 ' Prob. 18th June 1605 (38 Hayes). 2 Hist, of the Exchequer, Chap, xxiv, Sec. 10. 
 
88 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 and 7, John. Dame Elizabeth died in childbed, and was buried in St. Margaret's, 
 Westminster, 7th December 1595. 
 
 Sir John Poyntz married thirdly, Prances, daughter of John Newton, Esq., 
 second son of Sir John Newton of Barr's Court, co. Gloucester, by whom he 
 had no issue. 
 
 He married fourthly, at St. Olave's, Hart Street, London, on 2nd June 1600, 
 Grissell Eoberts, daughter of Walter Koberts of Glassenbury co. Kent, Esq., 
 (relict, successively of Gervase Gibbons, and Gregory Price of Dormington, 
 Herefordshire, Esq.), by whom he had issue : 1, Frances ; 2, Ann ; 3, Mary ; 
 4, Nicholas ; (5, Charles ? ). 
 
 There is nothing special to be stated in regard to the numerous issue of Sir 
 John Poyntz, except as regards Eobert who succeeded him, of whom presently, 
 and Charles of whom hereafter, beyond what will appear in the tabular pedigree. 
 Sir John Poyntz was buried at Iron Acton, on 29th November, 1633. We are 
 unable to find any Inquisition post mortem, Will, or Letters of Administration to 
 his effects. We have already seen from the suit of his brother Edward that he 
 was in pecuniary embarrassment in 1612. Previously to this in January 1609-10 
 one Edmund Mollineux and Ursula his wife exhibited a bill in Chancery against 
 him concerning a legacy bequeathed to Ursula by her father John Sydenham 
 of Nympsfield, Gent., and her mother Mary Sydenham. Sir John admitted his 
 indebtedness as executor, and was ordered to pay the amount, but being unable 
 to pay the full sum, he agreed under a bond of £700 to pay £10 per annum to 
 Ursula for every £100 due to her, and to pay interest on £360 to Edmund 
 Mollineux. On some hard occasion he failed to fulfil this obligation, and incurred 
 the forfeiture of the bond. Edmund Mollineux served Sir John with a writ of 
 execution and he was imprisoned. 1 In another Chancery suit in 1619 he was 
 arrested on a bond for £100. In these circumstances it is probable that he died 
 intestate and insolvent, and that his heirs entered upon his settled estates, and 
 as these were not held in capite no Inquisition post mortem was necessary. 
 Sir John Poyntz was buried at Iron Acton on 29th November 1633, and was 
 succeeded by his son and heir. 
 
 Sir Eobert Poyntz was the son of Sir John Poyntz by his second wife 
 Elizabeth Sydenham, was baptized at Iron Acton on 26th October 1588, 
 and matriculated from Brazenose College, Oxford, on 15th March 1604-5 as son 
 of a knight of Gloucestershire. He is stated to have been then aged fifteen 
 years, but he would appear to have been over sixteen years of age. Anthony 
 Wood states that he studied at one of the Temples and wrote The Vindication 
 1 Chancery Proceedings, Bund. 14, Xo. 5, Poyntz v. Mollineux. 
 
POYNTZ OF IKON ACTON. 
 
 89 
 
 of the Monarchy in 1651. He was made a Knight of the Bath in February 
 1625, on the coronation of King Charles I. In this year he was elected one of 
 the Knights for the shire of Gloucester, and in 1629 was appointed one of the 
 Commissioners for assessing the subsidy, his colleague being John Smyth of 
 Mbley. 1 He served the office of Sheriff of Gloucestershire in 1637. 
 
 Sir Eobert Poyntz was twice married. His first wife, whom he married at 
 Iron Acton, on 13th June 1604, was Frances, the eldest daughter and coheir 
 of Gervase Gibbons of " The Pump " in Benenden, co. Kent, by Grissell Eoberts 
 (who married secondly, Gregory Price, and thirdly, Sir John Poyntz father of 
 Sir Eobert), and at the time of her marriage was under sixteen years of age. 
 Her two sisters and coheirs Elinor and Grissell who married respectively, 
 Elinor, and Grissell, Sir John Lawrence of Iver, co. Bucks, 
 
 created a Baronet in 1628. Several Chancery suits arose between the parties 
 concerning the coheirs' estates, in one of which, in Easter term, 1636 Sir Eobert 
 Poyntz was guilty of some rudeness to the judge, Sir Eichard Hutton, and the 
 Lords of the Council directed the Warden of the Fleet to take into his custody 
 the person of Sir Eobert, and to keep him in prison until further order. 
 Upon his expression of sorrow for his indiscreet carriage towards Justice 
 Hutton, and Sir Eichard having received an apology from him, the Lords 
 directed that he should be restored to liberty. 2 
 
 On 14th January 1638 Sir Eobert Poyntz, K.B., and Edward Eidge, 
 Alderman of London, were appointed for the management of the Lottery 
 authorized by the King for the use of the acpieduct undertaken by Sir Edward 
 Stradling, Sir Walter Eoberts and others. 
 
 Sir Eobert Poyntz married to his second wife, Cicely Smith, by whom he 
 had an only son named John, who succeeded him. Sir Eobert Poyntz made 
 his will, "written with my own hand," on 12th June 1653, in which after 
 declaring his allegiance to his sovereign, and thanking God for his preservation 
 in the " orthodoxall " faith and religion formerly established in the Church of 
 England, he bequeaths liberal sums of money to the poor of several parishes, 
 and gives legacies to several persons, and all his books, manuscripts, and papers 
 to his son John, to be carefully kept and preserved until he shall accomplish 
 the age of twenty years ; he constitutes his wife the Lady Cicely his executrix 
 and residuary legatee, who proved his will on 12th July 1660. 3 
 
 1 Berkeley MSS. Vol. Ill, fo. 9. 
 
 "'State Papers, Domestic, Cli. I., May 1637, vol. ccelv. 79, 90, 105, 125. 
 ;J P.C.C (151 Mico). 
 N 
 
90 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 Though Sir Eobert Poyntz states in his will that he had maintained his 
 loyalty to his sovereign he does not appear to have taken any active steps in 
 the King's defence. His lands, however, were sequestrated on a charge of 
 delinquency in that he had deserted his house and dwelt in Bristol whilst it 
 was a garrison for the King. It was also charged against him that he had 
 neither taken the covenant nor the negative oath. The proceedings in this 
 case reveal to us the value at this time of his estate. It is stated that he 
 was seized of an estate for life as tenant by courtesy after the death of Dame 
 Frances his wife, deceased, of certain lands in Benenden, Tenterden, and 
 Eolvenden in Kent, of the annual value of £74. That by virtue of several 
 conveyances by him made upon the marriages of Margaret and Grissell his two 
 daughters and heirs, whereof Margaret married Thomas Gorges, Esq., in 1623, and 
 Grissell married Thomas Porter, Esq., in 1640, he is seized of a free tenement 
 for life, remainder of the two several moieties to his said two daughters, their 
 husbands and their issue in tail, remainder in fee to his own right heirs. It is 
 also stated that he was seized of the manor of Iron Acton with appurtenances 
 of the yearly value, before the wars, the demesne and the park £80, and in 
 old rents £50. It is further stated that he hath also a park of coarse 
 wet grounds of 100 acres, never let for any rent but kept still for deer, value 
 about £25. He was never in arms, and hath the articles of the surrender 
 of Bristol, and his Excellency's the Lord General's pass thereupon. 1 
 
 Sir John Poyntz, only son of Sir Eobert Pojmtz, by his second wife Cecily 
 Smith, was born in 1645. He matriculated at Oxford as from Oriel College, 
 on 22nd July 1658, aged thirteen, described as the eldest son of a Knight. 
 He himself received the honour of Knighthood on 24th February 1665-6. On 
 7th July following a warrant was issued for creating him a Baronet, but it 
 does not appear to have proceeded any further, why we know not. Possibly 
 Sir John in his pecuniary circumstances declined the honour through prudence, 
 though prudence was not one of his virtues, for he seems to have been as 
 reckless in his affairs as his father and his grandfather had been, and got himself 
 entangled in several Chancery suits. Sir Eobert Poyntz his father by an 
 assurance in law, in November 17th Charles II., conveyed to trustees the 
 mansion house, gardens, &c, of Iron Acton, and a moiety of the manor to the 
 use of himself for life, and after his death to the use of Cecily Lady Poyntz 
 for her life, with remainder to his son John Poyntz and his heirs, and the 
 other moiety to his said son. In this year (1666) this moiety was claimed in 
 
 1 Royal. Comp. Papers, 2nd Series, vol. xxxvii, fo. 197. 
 
POYNTZ OF IRON ACTON. 
 
 91 
 
 Chancery by one Ei chard Hastings, Esq., who it is alleged sometimes styled 
 himself Knight and at other times Baronet, who had married Margaret one of 
 the sisters of the half blood of Sir John Poyntz in virtue of, as alledged, a deed of 
 settlement as security for the payment to the said Margaret of £1000 which 
 Sir John had failed to pay. What the result of the suit was does not appear, 
 but a private Act of Parliament was passed in this year for settling the moiety 
 of the manor of Iron Acton upon Sir John Poyntz, and Sir Eichard Hastings, 
 whose title of Baronet is admitted by Courthope, died circa 1668, s.p. In 1673 
 a patent was granted to one Eustace Brown of Westminster, Gent., for using and 
 exercising a new invention and art of making of French or Pearl Barley, which 
 on 13th August, 14th Charles II., was assigned to Sir John Poyntz and others. 
 Afterwards a part of this patent was assigned to one Edward Nelthorpe of 
 London, Merchant, of whom Sir John Poyntz complained in Chancery in 1673 
 that the said Nelthorpe had not rendered him any account. 
 
 In 1666 Sir John Poyntz married Ann, daughter of Eobert Csesar of 
 Williams, co. Kent, he being then of the age of twenty-four, and she of 
 eighteen years. 
 
 By this lady he had no issue, and by his will dated 23rd April 1680 
 demised to her his capital messuage with appurtenances of Iron Acton and all his 
 lands and manors whatsoever in the several parishes of Iron Acton, Acton Ilger, 
 Frampton Cotterell, and Lattesedge to her sole use for ever, provided, 
 nevertheless, that if his nephew John Poyntz Porter, Esq., should within two 
 years after testator's death pay and clear off all mortgages &c, and should by 
 conveyance or deed assure unto the said Dame Ann Poyntz the annual sum 
 of £300 for her natural life, the said devise should be to the sole use of the said 
 John Poyntz Porter and his heirs, and in default of such heirs to the joint 
 use of " His Grace James Duke of Ormond, my most noble and honorable 
 kinsman, and of my kinsman George Penny of Penny Toller, co. Dorset, Esq." 
 
 Sir John Poyntz died in October following, on the 17th of which month 
 he was buried at Iron Acton, and his will was proved by his relict, on the' 
 20th December 1680. 1 Thus the senior branch of this ancient house, after an 
 honourable existence in England for upwards of six centuries, and of the 
 possession of the manor of Iron Acton for more than 350 years, to say 
 nothing of its previous possession by their ancestors the Actons, became 
 impoverished, and the second time extinct in the direct male line. 
 
 By deeds dated respectively on 23rd May 1682 and 15th September 1682, 
 James Duke of Ormond and George Penne of Toller, Esq., in consideration of 
 
 P.C.C. (170 Bath.) 
 
92 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 a nominal sum paid to them by Lady Ann Poyntz, released and confirmed to 
 the said Lady Ann by indenture of bargain and sale the manor of Iron Acton 
 with all its appurtenances, to hold to her and her heirs for ever (inrolled in 
 Chancery Eot. Claus. 35th Charles II. Pari. 15.) 
 
 John Poyntz Porter did not pay off the incumbrances and acquire the 
 manor, and within a short time it was sold by Dame Ann Poyntz to one William 
 Player, Esq.; 1 nevertheless she retained in fee some tenements therein, and by 
 deed dated 17th June 1726 inrolled in Chancery, in which she is described 
 as of Watford, co. Herts., in conjunction with certain her trustees, in con- 
 sideration of the love and affection which she had for her niece Juliana Gage, 
 and for her nephew Julian Eampayne, demised to the trustees before alluded 
 to such tenements for the lives of the said Dame Ann Poyntz and Juliana 
 Gage, in trust to pay the interest of £200 to the mortgagee of the said 
 premises, and to apply the residue to the use of such persons as the said 
 Dame Ann Poyntz by any writing should appoint, and then to the sole use 
 of Julian Eampayne. Dame Ann Poyntz, then described of Watford, widow, 
 made her will on 10th February 1728-9, and after bequeathing some trifling 
 legacies devised the whole residue of her estate to the aforesaid Julian 
 Eampayne, who proved her will on 5th June 1730. 2 She died on 23rd June 
 1729, and was buried at St. Katherine's Church, Eegent's Park, London, where 
 monuments to her and her sister, bearing the following touching inscriptions, 
 yet remain. 
 
 Here lyetli the Lady Ann, Widow of Sir John Poyntz of Iron Acton in the County of 
 Gloucester, who died June 23 nl 1729. Her Great Grandfather was Sir Charles Caesar 
 of Bennington Place in the County of Herts, Kir*. Master of the Rolls to King Charles 
 I, whose Father was Sir Julius Caesar Master of Requests, and Judge of the Admiralty 
 to Q. Elizabeth, Chancellor and Under Treasurer of the Exchequer, and Master likewise 
 
 i William Player almost immediately resold the manor to Sir Simon Astry, who devised it to 
 his widow, afterwards second wife to Simon Harcourt, Esq., who held it 1712, and was Lord 
 High Chancellor of England 1712, created Viscount Harcourt 1721. Sir Philip Parker, a family 
 which took the name of Long through a marriage with Rebecca, sister and at length heir of Sir 
 Walter Long of Whaddon, co. Wilts, next bought it, and it was sold in 1846 by Mr. Walter 
 Long of Rood Ashton, M.P., to Mr. Joseph Blackwell af Nailsworth, and it is now vested in 
 Mr. George Blackwell in right of his wife, a Miss Sims, grand-daughter and heir of Mr Joseph 
 Blackwell. We may mention that the court farm has been tenanted by the ancestors of Mr. John 
 Nichols, the present occupier, born in 1808, to whom we are indebted for some of the above 
 information, during five generations in lineal descent. 
 
 a P.C.C. 170 Auber. 
 
POYNTZ OF IRON ACTON. 
 
 93 
 
 of the Eolls and one of the Privy Council to King James I and King Charles I. of 
 which ancestors she was truly worthy. 
 
 The Table next adjoining shows 
 
 How much her sisters death she mourned, 
 
 And this how faithfully her love 
 
 Is, by that sister's son returned. 
 
 Adjoining is a monument to Johanna, the wife of John Eampayne, Gent., 
 and daughter to Eobert Cassar, Esq. She died in childbed 15th December 1G94. 
 The Epitaph was written by Lady Ann Poyntz. 
 
 Passenger, stay ! this richest Grave 
 A small small delay may justly crave — 
 Virtue adorn'd with wit and Beauty, 
 Keligious Love, Conjugal Duty, 
 In this small cabinet lyes enshrined 
 While Glory gilds her purer mind. 
 Both her Parents near her lye, 
 And bear her relicts company, 
 Kind Death which used Friends to part 
 Joined these, who living, had one heart. 
 Eenoun'd Sir Julius Cresar lent 
 
 Unto them all noble Descent — ' 
 
 Dying she did a son bequeath 
 
 In whom she lives in spite of Death — 
 
 Thus when th' old Phenix sweetly dyes, 
 
 The new does from her ashes rise. 
 
 Her Husbands love this Monument rears 
 
 Her sister writes these lines with Tears. 
 
 Domina Anna Poyntz scripsit. 
 
94 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 PEDIGKEE OP POYNTZ OP IKON" ACTON. 
 Table III, 
 
 (Continued from page 29). 
 
 Margery,=Sir John Poyntz of Ii'on=j=Elizabeth, 
 Acton, son of Sir Nicho- da. of Philip 
 
 da. of . 
 Dead 
 24 Feb. 
 1375-6, 
 2 wife. 
 
 las Poyntz, 2nd Baron, 
 of Cory Malet by his 
 2nd wife Matilda, co- 
 heir of Sir John Acton, 
 and heir of his mother. 
 Was granted in 1343 
 inter alia the Manor of 
 Iron Acton to him and 
 Elizabeth his wife and 
 their heirs. Sheriff of 
 Gloucestershire 1363. 
 Presented to theChurch 
 of Iron Acton 1369. 
 Died 21 Sep. 1376. 
 (Inq. p.m. 1 Rich. II, 
 No. 29). 
 
 de Clan- 
 vowe (see 
 ante, p. 52), 
 1 wife. 
 
 Katherine, : 
 da. and coh. 
 of Sir Tho- 
 mas Fitz 
 Nichol of 
 Hull and 
 Nympes- 
 field, co. 
 Glouc. 
 Bur* M.I. 
 (See ante, 
 p. 54). 
 
 Maurice 
 Poyntz, a 
 matricide. 
 
 "Robert Poyntz, Esq., of=Anne, da. 
 
 IronActon,bornatDefr- of 
 
 church in Irchenfield, Bur.* 
 co. Hereford, and bap- M.I. 
 tized there on Saturday ob. s.p. 
 in the Vigil of the 1 wife. 
 Trinity 33 Edward III (see ante, 
 (1359). Of full age p. 56 n.) 
 23 May 1380, and had 
 livery of his lands. 
 Sheriff of Gloucester- 
 shire 1397. Presented 
 to the Church of Iron 
 Acton 1400, 1420. Died 
 15 June 1439. Bur.* 
 M.I. 
 
 i — r- 
 
 Blanch. 
 
 Isabel, 
 mar. Robt. 
 Stanshaw. 
 
 Joan, mar. William 
 Dodington, Esq., 
 as his first wife. 
 
 1. Poyntz. 
 
 2. Clanvowe. 
 
 3. Acton. 
 
 4. Fitz Nichol 
 
 I 
 
 Margaret Poyntz. 
 mar. Ralph Grevill, 
 only son of William 
 Grevill of Milcote. 
 Bur. at Wroxton, 
 Oxon. 
 
 5. Wydville. 
 
 6. Scales. 
 
 7. St. Paul. 
 
 De Bea-lx. 
 9. Unknown. 
 10. Beauchamp. 
 
 Elizabeth, da.=j=SirNicholasPoyntz ; 
 of Sir Edw. ; of Iron Acton, Kt.. 
 Mill of Hares- son and heir, Knt. 
 combe, 1 wife. | for the Shire of 
 
 | Glouc. 1431. Died 
 
 j 1449. 
 
 A 
 
 =Elizabeth, da. of 
 Sir Henry Hus- 
 sey of Harty, co. 
 Sussex, 2 wife. 
 
 B 
 
 Ellen Poyntz, 
 a nun at Glas- 
 tonbury. 
 
 Thomas Poyntz of Frampton Cotterell, died^Jane, relict of 
 1458. Admo. 12 Feb. 1458-9. | ... Harewell. 
 
 Isabel, mar. Alice, Robert Poyntz of Wyke, died 1470.= 
 
 Rich.Foster mar. Will dated 26 Nov. 1470, to be 
 
 of Sudbury. John buried in the Church of Friars 
 
 Crossley. Preachers, London, s.p. 
 
 At Iron Acton, 
 
 =Sy bil.exc 1 ' to her husband's 
 will, which she proved 7 
 Feb. 1470 (Wattis), rem. 
 Humphry Forster, whose 
 wife she was in 1472-3. 
 (Rot. Clans. 12 and 15 
 Edw. IV.) 
 
POYNTZ OF IRON ACTON. 
 
 95 
 
 B 
 
 John Poyntz, son and : 
 heir, aged 16 years 
 on his father's death. 
 Had livery of seizin 
 28 Oct. 146ii. Dead 
 before 1467-8. (Rot. 
 Claus. 7th Edw. IV.) 
 
 Anne Poyntz, mar. 
 
 1 Edward Yardley, 
 
 2 Eob. Berkeley 
 of co. Hants. 
 
 Alice, da. of John Cock 
 of Bristol or of John Cox 
 of Skinfrith,co. Mon , who 
 had an assignment of 
 dower 1467-8. Sherempr. 
 Sir Edward Berkeley of 
 Beverston, Kt., as his 
 second wife. Died 29 
 Oct. 1507. Inq. p.m. 
 1 Hen. VIII. 
 
 Humphry Poyntz,=j=... da. of. 
 2 son, of Elkston, I Pollard, 
 of which he had a I 
 grant in tail male | 
 4 May 1473, died ! 
 10 Oct. 1487. 
 
 r " J 
 
 Nicholas Poyntz, son and heir, aged 
 21 years on his father's death. 
 
 Alice Poyntz, 
 mar. Maurice 
 Denys of 01- 
 veston. Bur. 
 there. M.I. 
 
 4- 
 
 Elizabeth Poyntz, nurse ... Poyntz, 
 1510-11 to the son of mar. John 
 Henry VIII by his Queen Codrington. 
 Katherine. The child 
 died in infancy. 
 
 Maurice Poyntz of St.= 
 Thomas, Bristol. Will 
 dated 9 Oct., prob. 4 
 Nov. 1501. Names his 
 wife Elena (3 Blamyr). 
 
 : EIena. 
 
 — T — r~i 
 Elizabeth, a nun 
 at Shaftesbury. 
 
 Margaret, mar. 
 John Lisle, or 
 Lisley, of Sussex. 
 
 Johanna, wife of 
 Wm. Dodington 
 of Woodland. 
 
 Thomas Poyntz, 
 had grant from 
 his brother of the 
 Manor of Nym- 
 pesfield 1451. 
 
 James. Maurice. 
 
 Thomas Poyntz, Esquire for=Johanna, relict of 
 
 the King's Body at the chris- Walter Devereux, 
 
 tening of Prince Arthur, Lord Ferrers of 
 
 Steward of the Hun d. of Bis- Chartley. Inq.p.m. 
 
 ley, Keeper of the parks of of Tho. Baynham, 
 
 Barneslev, Brymfield, & Mis- Rich. Ill and Hen. 
 
 erden,co."Glouc.,ob.s.p.l501. VII, No. 178. 
 
 Nicholas. Henry Poyntz,=? Alice, relict of 
 mar. cir. 1478. William Carpen- 
 Deeds in the ter of Bristol. 
 ParishChurch His will dated 
 of St. Thomas, 3 Mar. 1459-60. 
 Bristol. Proved atBristol. 
 
 Sir Robert Poyntz, son and heir, aged 17 on his father's death, made Knight Banneret=j=Margaret, illegitimate da. 
 
 at the battle of Redmore, 1 Hen. VII, immediately after King Rich, was slain (Cott. 
 MS., Claud, iii). Sheriff of Gloucestershire 1469, 1480, jointly with Sir William 
 Berkeley 1483, solely 1484, 1494, 1500. Chancellor tc Queen Kath. of Arragon. 
 Inq. p.m. 12 and 13 Henry VIII, Excheq. Died 4 Nov. 1520. Will dated 19 October 
 previously. Adm. to Anthony his son 1523 (28 Ayloffe). 
 
 Ann Poyntz, 2 wife of Sir John Walsh, 
 Kt., of Little ^odbury, Champion of 
 Hen. VIII, mar. settl. 25 Jan. 1496. His 
 will dated 25 Jan. 1498-9. Proved by his 
 relict Ann, June 1547. She mar. 2ndly 
 Robert Bulkeley of Burgate, co. Hants. 
 
 Elizabeth Poyntz, 1 wife 
 of Nicholas Wykes of 
 Doddingtou. 
 
 Katherine Poyntz, 
 mar. Sir (J wen 
 Perrot. He died 
 1513. 
 
 Y 
 
 John Poyntz of Alderley,--j=Elizabeth, da. of 
 
 named in father's will. 
 Inq. p.m. 36, 37 Hen. 
 VIII, No. 12, Excheq. 
 
 Sir MathewBrown e 
 of Beechworth, co. 
 Surrey. 
 
 See Table V. 
 
 Sir Francis Poyntz, Esquire=Joan, da. of 
 of the King's Body, named Sir Mathew 
 in his father's will. Died 26 Browne of 
 June 1528. Bur. at Hunsdon Beechworth 
 s.p.m. Inq. p.m. 20, 21 Hen. Castle, co. 
 VIII, Exch., No. 2. Surrey. 
 
 of Anthony Wydvill, Earl 
 Rivers, pre-deceased her 
 husband. 
 
 Margaret Poyntz, mar. Sir 
 John St. Lac, Kt., of Tor- 
 mart' m, co. Glouc. He was 
 bur. at St. Helens, London, 
 23 Mar. 1558-9. Will pro. 
 by his relict Margaret 10 Ap. 
 following (4 Cheyney). 
 
 Nicholas Poyntz, died 
 27 Sep. 1512. Bur. Grey 
 Friars, Lond. 
 
 Joan Guildford, relict of Sir=-Sir Anthony Poyntz, Kt., son and heir,=j=Elizabeth, da. and coh. of Sir William Huddesfield, 
 Richard Guildford, Kt. Rot. of Iron Acton, born 1480, aged 35 years I Kt , of Shillingford, co. Devon, by Katherine, da. of 
 III. on his father's death. Kntd. Sheriff Sir Philip Courtenay, Kt., 1 wife, named in her 
 
 of Glouc. 1507, 1522. 1527. Died | mother's will 1510 as " my daughter Elizabeth 
 1535. No will or adm. traced. j Poyntz." Sir Anthony Poyntz sold Shillingford to 
 
 John Southcote. 
 
 Pat. 10 Hen. V 
 
 7. Margaret Poyntz, mar. Sir John 
 Newton of Barrs Court, co. Glouc, 
 Kt , and East Harptree, co. Som. 
 His will proved 17 Nov. 1568 by 
 Dame Margaret his relict. M.l. 
 East Harptree. » 
 
 8. Mary Poyntz, mar. Sir Edward 
 Gorges of Wraxall, co. Som., Kt., 
 pre-deceased her husband. His 
 will at Wells. He died 11 Feb. 
 1565. Bur. at Wraxall. 
 
 1 — i 
 
 5. Robert. 
 
 0. Thomas. 
 Named m their grand- 
 father's will as dead 
 in 1520. 
 
 1 — i 
 
 2. Gyles Poyntz, ob. s.p. 
 
 3. Ferdinando Poyntz. 
 Not named in grand- 
 father's will. 
 
 Sir Nicholas Poyntz, Kt., of Iron Acton, Groom=j=Joan, da. of Thomas, Lord Berkeley, 
 
 of the Bedchamber, Sheriff of Glouc. 1538, 1544. 
 Knt. of the shire 1547. Will proved 8 July 1557 
 (22 Wrastley). Inq. p.m. 3 and i Philip Mary, 
 Part 2, No. 51. C 
 
 who in his will names " Johan I'oyntz 
 my daughter." She mar. 2ndly Sir 
 Edw. Dyer Died 31 March 1563. 
 
96 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 7. Jane or J oan Poyntz, 
 mar. 1568 as 1st wife of 
 John Seymour, after- 
 wards knighted, bastard 
 bro. of Lady Jane Sey- 
 mour, consort of King 
 Hen. VIII. His will prov. 
 4 Aug. 1599(69Kidd). 
 
 8. Frances Poyntz, 
 mar. Sir John Ber- 
 keley of Beverston. 
 She was bur. at 
 Beverston 27 Aug. 
 1576. 
 
 T 
 
 4- 
 
 Anne Poyntz, mar. Sir 
 Thomas Heneage, Kt., 
 P.C. and Chancellor of 
 the Duchy of Lancaster, 
 etc. She died 30 Nov. 
 1594. His will prov. 13 
 Nov. 1595 (70 Scott). 
 
 T 
 
 Francis Poyntz,=Jane 
 named in father's Stawker 
 and bro. Nicholas' 
 wills, living 1587, 
 of Thornbury. 
 
 Anthony, living 
 1585. 
 
 4. Edmund, ob. 
 Paris 1568. 
 
 5. John. 
 
 6. William, bur. at 
 
 St. Margaret's 
 Westm. 20Feb. 
 1607-8. 
 
 All named in their father's will. 
 
 Sir Nicholas Poyntz of Iron Acton, Kt., aged 21 on his father's death 
 1558. Sheriff of Glouc. 1569. Kt. of the Shire 1571. His will, dated 
 22 June 1585. made " when he was about 50 years old." Prov. 15 Feb, 
 1586-7 (42 Brudenell). Died at Iron Acton 1 Sep. 1585. Inq. p.m. 
 28 Eliz., Part 2, No. 81. 
 
 =Anne, da. of Sir ? Ralph 
 Verney of Penley, co. 
 Bucks, Kt., mar. con- 
 tract 12 May 1555. 
 
 D 
 
 Vide page 97. 
 
 Margaret, da. of Edward 
 Stanley, 3 Earl of Derby. 
 Will dated 5 April, prov. 
 3 June 1586 [31 Windsor). 
 
 I 1 
 
 Ursula, Sir John Poyntz of Iron Acton," 
 died Kt., aged 25 years on his father's 
 
 unmar. death, Sheriff of Glone. 1591, 
 Kt. of the Shire 1592. Bur. at 
 Iron Acton 29 Nov. 1633. Mar. 
 four times : 1 wife, Ursula, da. of 
 Sir John Sydenham of Brimpton, 
 co. Som., Kt., mar. settl. dat. 16 
 July 1578 ; 3 wife, Frances, da. of 
 John Newton, 2 son of Sir John 
 Newton of Barrs Court. She was 
 bur. at Iron Acton 1 Nov. 1599. 
 Will (nuncupative) prov. 14 June 
 1600 (49 Wallop). No will or 
 adm. for Sir John Poyntz found 
 either in P. CO or at Gloucester. 
 
 =2. Elizabeth, da. of Alex. : 
 Sydenham of Luxbo- 
 rough, Som., cousin of 
 Sir John, mar. settl. 10 
 Feb. 1581-2. In his will 
 Alex 1 ' names his son-in- 
 law Mr. John Poines, 
 adm. of Hen. Sydenham 
 to Lady Eliz. Poyntz, as 
 next of kin and to Sir 
 John Poyntz her husb. 
 She was bur. at St. Mar- 
 garet's, Westminster, 7 
 Dec. 1595. Died in 
 childbed. 
 
 Charles ? See post. 
 Table IV, 
 
 : Grissell, da. ofWalter 
 Roberts of Glassen- 
 bury, Kent, relict of 
 Qervase Gibbons (ob. 
 1595) and Gregory 
 Pi-ice, mar. at St. 
 Olaves, Hart Street, 
 London, 2 June 1600. 
 Living 1640. Adm 0 
 28 Jan. 1647-8. 
 
 Mary Poyntz, mar. 1 Francis 
 Codrington of Frampton on 
 Severn, co. Glouc. His will 
 proved 28 Oct. 1581 (36 
 Darcy), mar. 2ndly John 
 Sydenham of Nimpsfield. co. 
 Glouc. His will prov. by 
 Mary his relict 5 Jan. 1590-1 
 (ISt.Barbe). Bur. at Iron 
 Acton 7 Oct. 1591. Will 
 prov. 27 Nov. following 
 (87 St. Barbe). 
 
 Frances Poyntz, 
 bap. St. Duns- 
 tan'sin the West, 
 Lond. 3 April 
 1601, ? mar. ... 
 Gifford, Chanc. 
 Proc.Ch.I,Bund. 
 8, No. 36. ' 
 
 Ann Poyntz, bap.* 
 29 Aug. 1802, mar. 
 3 Feb. 1628-9 Isaac 
 Bromwich of Glou- 
 cester, Esq. 
 
 Mary Poyntz, bap.* 
 27 Sep. 1604, mar.* 
 1st 12 May 1636 
 John Walter ; 2ndly, 
 Walter Bethell. He 
 died 1 Nov. 1686, 
 bur. St. Laurence, 
 York. M.I. 
 
 Nicholas Poyntz, born ... 1607,=j=Eleanor, only child and 
 matric. from Magd. Hall. Oxon, heir of Rice Davis of 
 
 as son of Sir John Poyntz, Kt. 
 31 Jan. 1622-3, ict. 16. Living 
 at Tickenham 1640. Died 11 
 Feb. 1650-1, bur. in the Savoy, 
 Lond. Will lost. 
 
 r J 
 
 Eleanor, only child and heir, mar. 1st Edmund Ashfield ; 
 2ndly, Richard Glanville. Her will proved 21 April 1709. 
 
 Tickenham, Som. by Mary 
 Pitt, relict of Robert Owen 
 of Bristol, and 3rd wife of 
 Rice Davis, mar. 1638. 
 
 Dorothy Povntz, mar.* 14 April 
 1600 John Peny of East Coker, 
 Som. who was born 1563 and 
 died 1613, named in the will of 
 her uncle Hugh Poyntz as " my 
 niece Dorothy Peny." 
 
 Frances 
 Poyntz, 
 bap.* 
 1 Feb. 
 1586-7. 
 
 Hugh Poyntz, 
 bap. St. James, 
 Clerkenwell, 
 14 July 1590. 
 
 Frances, da. of GervaseGibbons of : 
 Benenden, Kent, mar.* 13 June 
 1604, died 13 Mar. 1637-8 (Inq. 
 p.m. 15 Ch. I, Part 4, No.16). 
 
 Nicholas Poyntz, 
 bap. 15 July 1591, 
 alive in Mar. 1604- 
 5, but died young. 
 
 Elizabeth Poyntz, 
 mar.l Thomas, Vis- 
 count Thurles, who 
 died 15 Dec. 1619, 
 2ndly George Mat- 
 thew of Thurles. 
 
 John Poyntz, 
 bur. at St. Mar- 
 garets, Westmin- 
 ster,10Dec,1595, 
 three days after 
 his mother. 
 
 -Sir Robert Poyntz, Kt., bap.* 26 Oct. 1588, created^p Cecilia, da. of 
 Knight of the Bath at coronation of Charles I, bur.* 14 Sep, 
 matric. from Brasen-nose Coll. Oxon. 15 Mar. 1604-5, 13 Aug. 1678 
 Kt. for the Shire of Gloucester 1625 and 1628. 
 Sheriff 1637. Will dated 10 June 1653, prov. 
 12 July 1666 (121 Mico). 
 
 . Smith of Acton, 
 1678. Will dated 
 prov. by Frances 
 Bynner her sister 5 Oct. following 
 (115 Reeve). 
 
 Grissell Poyntz, Margaret Poyntz, mar. 1st 10 Dec. 1632 
 
 bap. at Reigate, Thomas, son of Sir Robert Gorges of 
 
 Surrey, 7 Nov. Eedlynch, mar. settl. dated 8 Dec. 1 632, 
 
 1608, mkr. 1640 2ndly, at St. Bartholomew the Less, 
 
 Richard Porter, Lond. 1 6 Feb. 1646-7 Sir Richard Hast- 
 
 son of Sir Tho- ings, Bart., 3rdly at Wells 24 Sep. 1669 
 
 mas Porter, Kt. Sam. Gorges of the Inner Temple. 
 
 I 
 
 Sir John Poyntz of Iron Acton 7 
 
 Kt., matric. from Oriel Coll. 
 
 Oxon 22 July 1658, eldest son 
 
 of a knight, set. 1 2, knighted 
 
 24 Feb. 1665-6, died 1680,s.p. 
 
 bur,* 17 Oct. 1680. Will dated 
 
 23 A p. 1680, prov. 20 Dec. 
 
 following (170 Bath). 
 
 * At Iron Acton. 
 
 =Ann, da. of Robert Crcsar of Wil- 
 liams, co. Herts, mar. lie. Faculty 
 Office, 27 May 1667. He aged 24, 
 she 18, mar. at St. Peters or St. 
 Margarets, Westminster, died 23 
 June 1729,bur.at St. Katherines, 
 Regent's Park, Lond. M.I. 
 
POYNTZ OF IRON ACTON. 
 
 97 
 
 Vide page 96. 
 
 D 
 
 A nn, da. of . . .=Robert Poyntz, niatric. at Brazen-= 
 
 nose Coll. Oxon. 22 Oct. 1591, as 
 
 1 wife. son of a Knight, aged 10. 
 
 ^Elizabeth, da. of William Walsh 
 of Iron Acton, bap.*. 3 Dec. 1609, 
 mar.* 17 Dec. 1627, bur.* 
 12 Jan. 1631-2. 
 
 Hugh Poyntz of Tocking- 
 ton, co. Glouc, matric. 
 fromMagd. Hall, Oxon. 22 
 Oct. 1591, set. 12. Died 
 Marchll,1604-5,andbur.* 
 1 3th, unmar. Will prov. 
 8 June 1605 (38 Hayes). 
 
 Florence, da. of John Jones=j=Ed\vard Poyntz of Tockington, afterwards of Caerleon, co. Monm.,= 
 
 of Treowen, co. Monm., died 
 15 Mar. 1598, bur.* M.I. 
 1 wife. ' 
 
 matiic. Magd. Coll., Oxon. 25 Oct. 1588, aged 13. Will nuncu- 
 pative dated 3 Oct. 1613, prov. 13 Sep. 1615 by Mary his relict. 
 Died at Caerleon, 5 Oct. 1613. Inq. p.m. 12 James, Part 15, 
 No. 61. Bur*. M.I. See ante, p. 57 n. 
 
 =Mary, 
 da. of 
 
 Bridget, da. of=j=Nicholas Poyntz, son and heir, aged 16= 
 
 Talbot Badger. 
 
 BridgetRobnett/ 
 2 wife, died cir. 
 1660. 
 
 on his father's death, of Penrose, co. 
 Monmouth and of Tockington, named 
 in his father's and uncle Hugh's wills. 
 His will (nuncupative) dated 24 Ap. 
 1630, prov. 7 Mar. 1631-2(35 Audeley). 
 
 ;Jeanette, relict of John 
 RichardEdmunds. Mar. 
 1650. Prov. will of her 
 husbandNicholas. Made 
 her own will 1644, and 
 died in that year. 
 
 T- 
 
 Johu Poyntz, 1 
 born 1602, died 
 at Ghent 6 Mar. 
 1671, aged 69. 
 
 1 — i 
 
 Mary, living in 
 Paris, unmar. 
 1651. 
 
 Ann. 
 
 ^Rowland Poyntz of=pMargaret, da. of , Nicholas, 
 
 Llanarth, co. Mon.= 3 wife, mar. 1650, remar. bur.* 14 
 
 a first .wife, name I David Lloyd, living in Nov. 1624. 
 unknown 1 , •rfrafre*- - 1 1701. 
 
 fb*3 ■ 1 
 
 i , 
 
 John Poyntz, youngest son, named 
 in father's wall, a Captain in the 
 Parliamentary Army. 
 
 16* 
 
 Nicholas Poyntz, Chancery Depositions Rowland Poyntz of Monmouth, 
 
 17 Dec. 1701, No. 115, then dead. living 1701. Chanc. Depos. 17 
 
 Poyntz v. Powell, tZT ' d&i*- £> . . . Dec. 1701. Poyntz v. Powell. 
 
 Three sons. 
 
 * At Iron Acton. 
 
 1 This John Poyntz, alias Stephens and Campion, after his humanities at St. Omer's College, entered the English 
 College at Rome for his higher studies on 29 Sep. 1621 as a con victor under the name of John Campion, and after affording 
 a bright example of every virtue, left the College for England 17 Sep. 1624. He entered the Society of Jesus at Watten the 
 same year, and was professed of the four vows 4 May 1640. In 1639 he was Professor of Sacred Scripture at Liege, and was 
 sent to the English Mission in the same year, serving in the College of St. Xavier (Hereford and North and South Wales ^/IcAAcl 
 District) for several years, and, when Missioner at Hereford, was connected with the relics of St. Thomas of Hereford, 
 receiving them in charge from Father Alexander Cuffand (alias Day), also a Missioner at Hereford, and depositing them in 
 St. Omer's College Church in 1668. In 1649 he was in the London District, and in 1655 was declared Rector of Ghent. On 
 13 May 1659, Rector of the English College, Rome, and in 1663 Rector of the College of Liege. He died at Ghent 6 Mar. 
 1671. (Foley's Collectanea Soc. Jesus, vol. vii, p. 628). 
 
 The following extracts from the Bollandists' Acta Sanctorum, vol. xlix, torn, i, p. 540, October, relate to the St. Omer 
 relic. It is a letter from John Poyntz : — 
 
 '' This sacred pledge, which, wrapped up in green ribbon, I left at Paris in the year of our Lord Christ 1651 Nov. 12 in 
 charge of my sister Miss Mary Poyntz, I John Poyntz priest S. J. attest to be one of the bones of that great Prelate, most 
 renowned for miracles, St. Thomas of Hereford, whose feast in the Roman Martyrology is celebrated on the 3 October This c^s^leu*.: 
 precious jewell (together with the head and other relicsof this Holy Prelate, which was preserved by the Catholics until these qrSz^tb-'a^ 
 times with pious veneration, although secretly) was at length torn from them in the year 1642, when the Parliamentary 
 forces under the command of the Earl of Stamford took Hereford. However by the pious exertions of a Catholic lady, Mrs. 
 Ravenhill, at that time residing in Hereford, it was recovered. From whence I, the said John Poyntz, received this remark- 
 able portion of so great a treasure from Father Alexander Cuffand, also a priest S. J., and I deposited it in the charge of my 
 sister, Miss Mary Poyntz, at Paris, in order that, should any thing happen to me, it might be delivered to the Very Reverend 
 Father Provincial of England for the time being. 
 
 "John Poyntz S. J. 
 
 In other documents he is described as John Stephen Poyntz, S. J. " priest." 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 Abstract of the Will of Sir Robert Poyntz, Knt. 
 
 In the name of Almighty God. Amen. Dated October 19, 1520. 
 
 Robert Poyntz Knt. Manors lands goods &c. in the City of Gloucester and in the 
 Towne of Bristol and suburbs of the same &c. To be buried in the Church of the 
 Gaunts beside Bristol in the Chapel of Jesus which latelie I have caused to be new 
 edified and made of my costs and charges on the south side of the Chauncell of the 
 sayde Church and the over part thereof behynde the Presbitery there, that is to witte, 
 in a vawte in the same thereunto redy prepared and ordeyned. Mine Executors 
 to provide a fyne small marble stone to be laid over the mydds of the Vawte with a 
 scripture making mention of all the bodies that lye buried in the same vawte, and of 
 the days and yeares of their decease. 1 To the High Altar of the Parish of Iron Acton 
 for my tithes forgotten and to be paid for them 40 s . To the mother Church of 
 Worcester Gs. 8d. The said New Chapel which I latelie edified is not in all things 
 perfected and furnished yet according to myne intent, that is to wytte in glasyng of 
 the windows thereof and making of two pews within the said Chapel, in the lower end 
 of the same, myne Executors shall fynish and perform all the same things being yet 
 undone, and also shall garnish the same Chapel with certain images, and the aulter of the 
 same with aulter clothes, vestments, book and chalys, and with all other things thereunto 
 necessary. A gowne of blake velvett of myne and a goune of blake velvett of my 
 late wife, which goune she by her will ordeyned to be made into vestments, shall both 
 by myn executors be made into a sute of vestments of the best and most convenient 
 manner with myne armes and with fystys also imbroydered, holding tufts of flowers of 
 rosys, margarets, and pouncies, to garnish and powder the same, and with scripture also 
 upon them to be set, making mention of the givers of the same Vestments, which 
 Vestments shall be delyvered by myne said Executors as of my Gift and of my wyffe 
 to the said Church of the Gaunts for a remembrance there to be prayed for. 
 
 To my son John Poyntz, all my plate, hangings, bedding, chambering, naprye and 
 other stuff of household which be and remayne in my lodging in London within the 
 Grey Friars. To my son Francis Poyntz all ditto in my Manor of Hill, Glouc., the 
 
 1 Barrett, in his "History of Bristol," treating of the Jesus Chapel in the Church of St. Marks's Hospital, says, "Under 
 the floor is a large vault, the entrance of which in 1730 fell in, and upon examining the corpses there deposited, supposed to 
 be those of the founders of the Church, there was found a gold bodkin entangled in some hair " (345). One of the bodies, 
 we learn from a note in Mr. H. Smith's illustrated copy of Barrett, was that of a female clothed in white satin, having her 
 robes fastened on the breast by a very handsome gold clasp, which was taken by, and, as I am informed is now (1825) -in the 
 possession of Mrs Becher, in College Green. These must have been the remains of Dame Margaret, wife of Sir Robert 
 
 Poyntz for whose obsequies, with his own he richly endowed the chapel and the church of the Gaunts," by his will 
 
 dated 19 Oct. 1520. (Evans' "Chronological Outline of the History of Bristol," p. 311. See also Pryce's "History of 
 Bristol," 144 ; and " Bristol Past and Present," vol. ii, 187). 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 99 
 
 standarclys of household being in the same only except ; also to Francis all such plate 
 that I had of the said Francis, which he had of the gifte of the French king. To 
 Margaret Poyntz my daughter, for her advancement and preferment in marriage 300 
 marks sterling, and also 50 marks sterling for her apparel, to be paid to her at marriage, 
 by the advice of my brother Thomas Poyntz, of my son Anthony Poyntz, and of my 
 Executors. If she refuse to be so ordered she shall have only 100 marks. All my plate 
 jewells & c . not bequeathed shall be sold by my Executors of which plate & c . my aon 
 Sir Anthony Poyntz Kn*. shall take as moche thereof at reasonable prices by indifferent 
 appraisement as shall lyke him to, for redy money by him to be paid. 
 
 My Feoffees and Kecorders of and in my manors of Iron Acton, Ilger, Frampton, 
 called Gastelyn, Stanshawe, Glouc, and messuages in the same, and Winterbourne, 
 Hambrook, which I lately purchased of John Grevyll and John Walsh Esq ru ., Yate, 
 Dodyngton, Wapley, Old Sodbury, Westerley, Tydrington and Stedycote, Glouc, for the 
 use of Anthony Poyntz, Knt., my son and heir, provided they shall find a priest to sing 
 for the souls of Thomas and Robert Poyntz late of Frampton Esq 1 ' 6 , and for my soule. 
 I discharge all other manors recorded against me by Lord Cardinall and others, for the 
 contentation and payment of the debts I owe to our Sovereign Lord the King, Feoffees 
 and Recorders of and in my manor of Alderley and advowson of the same, and in a 
 messuage in Tresham, called Westcote, and all messuages, lands &c. in Alderley for the 
 use of my brother Thomas Pointz during his natural life, without any thing paying 
 therefrom. If my lady Ferrers wife of my said Brother should die then, &c. 
 
 Manors of Lytell Marshfield, 4 th part of the manor of Brokynborowe, Elkeston, Hinton, 
 Stounden, Winterbourn, Hambroke, &c. I am seized of lands, &c., in Wodeland, Almonsbury. 
 Stanshawe, Charfield, Huntingford, Hawkesbury, Leighterton, Glouc. The Master of the 
 House of Gaunts to take the issues of the same to provide an honest and considerable 
 Priest to synge Masse at the altar in the said Chapel of Jesus, and to pray for the souls 
 of me and dame Margaret my late wife, and Robert and Thomas Poyntz, sons of Sir 
 Anthony Poyntz my son, for the souls of our ancestors and all christian soules, the said 
 priest to have for his salary six pounds. A solemn obit for my soule to be kept in 
 the said church of the Gau.nts on the day of my departing, in the evening Placebo and 
 Dirige by note and on the day following Mass of Requiem by note, and four tapers of 
 waxe, every of them a pound weight, be brenninge upon my herse about the crucifix at 
 all times during the said Dirige and Masse, and 6s. 8d. to be distributed in alms to the 
 poor. The said priest shall always be tabled and lodged within the same house of 
 the Gaunts, &c. 
 
 My brother Thomas Poyntz, John Fitz- James, Esq., attorney to the King's Grace, 
 Robert Bekensalle, D.D., almoner to the Queen's Grace, Thomas Matson, and Charles Bulkeley 
 to be executors. To my daughter Margaret 50 marks besides what I have bequeathed to 
 her. A pair of vestments to the churches of Iron Acton, Alderley, Elberton, and Hill. 
 Money bequeathed for the highway between Acton and Bristol. (No date of proof). 
 
 State Papers, 1523. Sir Anthony Poyntz, administrator of Sir Robert Poyntz of 
 Acton, Glouc. Return of £40 which the said Sir Robert along with Bradston had bound 
 themselves for Sir Alexander Baynham, sheriff. 
 O 2 
 
ioo 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF FOYNTZ. 
 
 IKON ACTON MANOP HOUSE. 
 
 The ancient Manor House of Iron Acton probably consisted of a central 
 building, facing east and west, with north and south wings, forming a portion 
 of three sides of a quadrangle. The eastern elevation of the present central 
 building was figured by Lysons eighty years ago, and his view we reproduce on 
 Plate I. Scarcely any change, externally, seems to have taken place in it since. 
 The three-light Perpendicular window at the north side is traditionally said to 
 have lighted the domestic chapel, or oratory. We are, however, very doubtful 
 upon this point. The whole area at the south end of the building originally 
 formed one very spacious apartment, though it is now divided b}^ a modern wall, 
 forming a portion of it into a stable, leaving a passage at the back leading to 
 the part supposed to have been the chapel. That part is now used as a cellar, 
 and we do not find any remains therein, such as a piscina, in support of the 
 tradition. Nevertheless, if it were used merely as an oratory, probably it never 
 had a true altar, and a piscina would not be required. 
 
 The eastern front, which contained the principal entrance, is approached 
 through a large rectangular courtyard, measuring from east to west about 
 165 feet, and from north to south about 120 feet, having a handsome arched 
 entrance of late date, the spandrils of the gate-way being filled with carved 
 ornamentation in low relief of the Poyntz crest and sprigs of oak-leaves and 
 acorns. The elevation of the western facade is very similar to that of the 
 eastern, except that it is connected at the north end with a wing extending north 
 and south, and is rendered more picturesque by having, in the angle thus formed, 
 a semi-octagonal tower which contains a good newel stair-case, the stairs of 
 which are composed of solid blocks of oak. 
 
 Entering the building from the eastern front, we find a wide passage straight 
 through the house, having on each side solid walls. On the left is the large 
 apartment above mentioned, to which there were probably two doorways of 
 good workmanship, one on each side of the room, but that against what is now 
 the stable is built up. In the wall on the right remains the old buttery hatch, 
 shewing that the kitchen and other domestic offices were on that side. 
 
IRON ACTON MANOR HOUSE. 
 
 101 
 
 From the western courtyard there is another special entrance to the north 
 wing, having over the doOr a shield of the Poyntz arms. This wing would 
 appear to have been shortened at west end, or at least the wall has been rebuilt, 
 for in the walling are inserted stones, irregularly, bearing the date a.d. 1642. 
 This wing must have been an important portion of the building, and perhaps 
 contained the state apartments. The rooms are handsome, large, and well lighted, 
 especially on the upper floor. 
 
 On the upper floor of the south end of the main building, over what we 
 conclude was the hall, there was also a spacious room. The roof of the whole 
 building is of solid oak. It is constructed on the queen-post principle, but of 
 a rough character, without any ornamentation. The rooms were all ceiled. 
 About three feet below the original ceiling of the room we have last mentioned, 
 a modern ceiling has been constructed, between which and the upper ceiling 
 there are remains on the walls of decorations painted in tempera. The walls 
 below have been repeatedly whitewashed. 
 
 There must have been an important family seat here as early as the thirteenth 
 century, though doubtless it had been, from time to time, altered, and perhaps 
 partially rebuilt. Sir Eobert Poyntz, we have seen, entertained King Henry VII 
 here in 1486, as did Sir Nicholas Poyntz Queen Elizabeth in 1574, but we 
 are unable to trace in the existing structure any work of early date. The 
 whole of the old mansion would appear to have been taken down and rebuilt in 
 the early part of the seventeenth century, most likely by the last Sir Eobert 
 Poyntz, who was created a Knight of the Bath at the coronation of King 
 Charles I, and died in 1666. He probably impoverished the estate by these 
 extensive works, and thereby commenced that ruin of his family which his 
 reckless and prodigal son completed. 
 
 The mansion for the last 200 years has been converted into a farm-house, 
 for which purpose it was, and indeed still is, vastly too large, notwithstanding 
 that a great portion of it has been taken down and removed. Even, almost 
 within living memory, at least within 100 years, the process has been continued, 
 and it is thought that the ashlar work of which the Pives-Court in the village 
 green is constructed consists of some of the materials of the old mansion. The 
 interior of what remains has also undergone extensive alterations and is so filled 
 with modern partitions that, in the time at our disposal for its inspection, we 
 were unable to form any very clear idea of its original arrangements. 
 
102 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 Chapter IV. 
 
 POYNTZ OF BEENOCK AND ACTON IN THE COUNTY OF 
 
 AEMAGH, IKELAND. 
 
 We must now advert to the family of Poyntz of Brenock and Acton in 
 the County of Armagh, who claim descent from Sir John Poyntz of Iron Acton, 
 who died in 1633. The ancestor of this family was a certain Charles Poyntz, 
 Gentleman. In the year 1610, under that designation, he received a grant of 
 one balliboe of land in Brenock, and the third part of Listray balliboe, in all 
 200 acres. These lands were erected into a manor called Brennoge, with 100 
 acres in demesne, and a Court Baron, to be held to him and his heirs for ever 
 of the Castle of Dublin in common socage at a rent of £1 12s. per annum. He 
 held a commission in the Royal army in Ireland. 
 
 It is stated by the Eev. Charles Hill 1 that " this Undertaker, only then for 
 a short time in the servitor class, was a son of Sir John Poyntz of Acton in 
 Gloucestershire. Although he had very small beginnings in the Barony of Orier, 
 he proved a very active and influential settler, naming his little estate, which 
 soon became larger, after the old family residence of Acton in England. The 
 two balliboes mentioned in the small grant lay in Orriereightra, bounded on 
 one side by the river Bann." Sir George Carew reports in 1611, as cited by 
 Hill, that " Lieutenant Charles Pojmtz has 200 acres as servitor, and has provided 
 timber and materials for building." 
 
 In 1616 he was associated with Sir Arthur Chichester, at which date there 
 is a King's letter authorising Sir Arthur to accept the surrender of the lands 
 of Lieut. Charles Poyntz, held by patent or purchased, and to regrant them 
 to him again in one patent. In 1618 he had a much larger grant of lands, 
 and all were erected into the manor of Acton. Captain Nicholas Pynnar reports 
 in 1618-19 that " upon Lieut. Poyn's lands there is a Bawne of 80 feet square, 
 the lower part thereof to be of stone and clay, with a house in it, but he, not 
 liking of the seat, hath begun a Bawne of 100 feet square with three Flankers 
 and a large house, all which shall be of brick and lyme, which there is now 
 in the place with workmen labouring very hard and is undertaken to be finished 
 by August." 2 
 
 1 " Historical Account of the Plantation of Ulster 1608-1620." 
 
 2 Pynnar's " Survey of Ulster." 
 
POYNTZ OF BEENOCK AND ACTON. 
 
 103 
 
 Mr. Poyntz would seem to have been an active and energetic man. He 
 was one of the Commissioners, jointly with Sir F. Annesley and Sir Edward 
 Trevor, appointed by the King's Commission dated 27th January 1623, concerning 
 the County of Armagh, to make a return of the names and number of the Irish 
 that on the 12th December previously, or at any time afterwards, were inhabiting 
 upon the several proportions of the British undertakers, their agents, tenants, 
 and farmers, within the County of Armagh, and what rents and other duties they 
 performed, and what quantities of land each of them held. 1 
 
 Near Scarva there is a spot called Poyntz's Pass, formerly an important 
 military position, which derived its name from its having been forced, after a 
 desperate action, by Lieut. Poyntz of the English army with a few troops, against 
 a numerous body of Tyrone's soldiers. 
 
 His services were so far recognised that on 13th June 1630 he received 
 the honour of knighthood from Adam, Viscount Loftus, Lord Chancellor, and 
 Sir Archibald Boyle, Earl of Cork, then Lords Justices of Ireland. 2 
 
 Sir Charles Poyntz was actively concerned in many of the stirring scenes 
 of the turbulent period of the Irish Eebellion of 1641. He, with Sir Edward 
 Trevor and others, was seized by Sir Con McGennis and imprisoned for twenty- 
 seven weeks in the Castle at Newrjr, an interesting account of which is given 
 in a small quarto, entitled " A True Eelation of the Chief Passages in Ireland, 
 from the 25th April to this present;" London, 14th of May 1642. It is stated 
 that on the 5th May 1642 news came to the Lords Justices by Captain Cadogan 
 that the Newry was not only taken from the Eebels by Lord Conway with 
 the assistance of Eobert Munroe, the Scottish General sent to Ulster, but also 
 the Castle and Town of Carlingford. Narrow-Water Castle was recovered soon 
 afterwards, in which they " found the old Viscountess of Evagh, daughter of 
 the old arch-rebel Hugh Earl of T}^rone, Sir Edward Trevor, Sir Charles Poyntz, 
 Captain Henry Smith, and seven others that were taken prisoners and close 
 kept in the Castle of Newry, who were all relieved and are now going at their 
 liberty." 
 
 Sir Charles Poyntz married Christine, sister of Sir Marmaduke Whitchurch, 
 Knt., who was Sheriff of the County of Armagh in 1607, and on the flight of 
 the Earls of Tyrone and Tyrconnell, in the same year, was appointed one of 
 the Commissioners for the government of their Counties. By his will, dated 
 18th June 1634, Sir Marmaduke made his "good brother" Sir Charles Poyntz 
 trustee, and bequeathed to his "dear sister Dame Christine Poyntz, £10, also 
 
 1 "State Papers, Ireland, Jas. I," p. 483. 
 
 2 Additional MSS. No. 4784, p. 202, Brit. Mus. 
 
104 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 five marks for a ring * and to his " nepliew Edward youngest son of Sir Charles 
 Poyntz £5 to buy him a nagg to ride upon." 1 
 
 Sir Charles Poyntz died in 1661, intestate, and on the 28th May in that 
 year letters of administration were granted to Toby Poyntz, the lawful son 
 of the deceased, as also letters of acquittance by the Archbishop of Armagh on 
 15th December 1680. 
 
 Sir Charles had three sons, Chichester, Toby, and Edward, abovementioned. 
 Chichester, who would appear to have been the eldest born, matriculated at 
 Oxford as from Trinity College, described as son of Sir Charles Poyntz of 
 Armagh, Knt., on 27th November 1635, aged 17. He would appear to have 
 died soon afterwards. He is not named in the will of his grandfather, Sir 
 Marmaduke Whitchurch, and we have no further knowledge of him ; nor does 
 Edward appear again. 
 
 Toby Poyntz on his father's death succeeded to his estates. He was M.P. 
 for Newry from 1639 to 1641, and was Sheriff of Armagh in 1644. He seems 
 to have served on the Eoj^alist's side until after the King's death, as we find 
 several entries of lands granted to Lieutenant and Captain Tobias Poyntz. In 
 1662 he received the honour of Knighthood from the Duke of Ormonde. And 
 on 10th August 1655, Captain Tobie Poyntz, in consideration of the sum of 
 £400 and a horse worth £20 to be paid to him by Captain Hans Hamilton, 
 and of £156 14s. 4d. to be paid to him in pure coin, sterling English money, 
 enfeoffed the said Hans Hamilton in certain lands at Tullymore, 2 &c. He 
 married Eose, eldest daughter, and coheir with her sister, of Theophilus 
 Buckworth, 3 Bishop of Dromore, by Sarah, daughter of Arnold Usher, one of 
 the Six Clerks in Chancery at Dublin, and sister of the famous James Usher, 
 Archbishop of Armagh. By his will, dated in 1652, the Bishop of Dromore 
 demised to his eldest daughter, Eose, all his lands in Leeah, co. Down. 4 
 
 In the Dublin Eecord Office there are references, too numerous for detail 
 here, to be found on the Patent Eolls and Inquisitions for the County of 
 
 1 Sir Marmaduke left two daughters, Elinor and Frances. Elinor married 1st John Symonds of 
 the co. of Armagh, and 2ndly Sir Faithful Fortescue. (See Inq. of Ulster 8th September 1637. 
 Eecord Commissioners' Publications.) Frances married in 1635 Marcus, eldest son of Sir Edward 
 Trevor, Viscount Dungannon. 
 
 2 This Tullymore Park is now the seat of the Earl of Roden. 
 
 3 The Rev. Anthony Buckworth, Vicar of Louth and Rector of Killincoole, in his will, dated 
 the 20th August and proved 22nd October, 1664, names "his cousin Dame Rose Buckworth, wife 
 of Sir Tobias Poyntz." The arms of Buckworth, Sa. a lion rampant guardant per fess Or and Erm., 
 are impaled with those of Poyntz in Ulster's office, Dublin, 
 
 4 Register of Wills, Dublin, 
 
POYNTZ OF BRENOCK AND ACTON. 
 
 105 
 
 Armagh, relative to the lands of Sir Charles, Sir Toby and Eose Lady Poyntz. 
 In the Carte Papers we find a letter from Sir Toby Poyntz to Sir William 
 Mower, Master of the Horse to the Duke of Ormonde, which does not shew 
 much affection for, or confidence in, his Presbyterian neighbours. 1 He writes 
 from — 
 
 Acton y e 26 of June 1680 
 
 Deare Sir 
 
 I sh d not have troubled you att this time but I see a sort of People 
 in this country hold up their heads very high, the cause I know not unlesse 
 they expect some Novelties when there Ministers come back out of Scotland 
 (for most or all of the Presbyterian Ministers are now gone to Scotland to 
 what end I know not) ; Butt I c' 1 wish that the Council w d serve them as we 
 are wont to serve madd doggs — that is when they are out of doors to shut 
 them out. I have writ to Charles Poyntz to see to get you a great haucke. 
 I hope to furnish you with marlins. I have one marlin and a Cast of Halks 
 which were in an Aerie under my house. But I have sent to enquire after 
 more. 
 
 I am Sir 
 
 Your most fay. & most humble servant 
 
 To. Poyntz 
 
 The Presbyterians in our Country are very high & sturdie I hope they 
 intend no mischief. 
 For Sir William Flower 
 
 One of H.M. Most Hon"* Privy Council 
 
 at his lodgings, Dublin. 
 There are also various letters, &c, relative to the family calendared in 
 the Salisbury and Ormonde Collections, vol. vii of the Historical Commissioners' 
 Eeports. 
 
 Sir Toby Poyntz died in 1685, leaving by his wife Eose three children : 
 Charles, his son and heir, Sarah and Christian. By his will, which is 
 preserved at Narrow-Water Castle, 2 dated 1st January 1684-5, he provides 
 that in case of the failure of heirs male his lands, &c, should go " to the 
 heir general of the Poyntz's in England, whose name is now I believe Eobert 
 Poyntz in Somerset, being issued of my father Sir Charles Poyntz's eldest brother." 
 
 The alleged Popish Plot, invented by that infamous scoundrel Titus Oates, 
 
 1 Carte Papers, vol. 45, p. 358 : Bodleian Library, Oxford. 
 
 2 We are informed that this will is not to be found in the Dublin Eecord Office, as Irish 
 wills,, dealing with real estate, need not be there proved or registered. 
 
 P 
 
104 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 though discredited by the King and Council, was warmly espoused by 
 the Earl of Shaftesbury and his associates as favourable to the carrying out of 
 their own designs. Though Oates was convicted of perjury and imprisoned, and 
 so remained for a dozen years until he was pardoned and granted a comfortable 
 pension in 1689 by William III., the pretended plot created great excitement 
 in England, which extended with more force into Ireland, it being stated that 
 the Duke of Ormonde, who for the second time had just been appointed Lord 
 Lieutenant, was to be murdered and that a general massacre of Irish Protestants 
 was concerted. Ormonde himself had no belief in Oates, yet he saw that the 
 most disastrous consequences might arise among an inflammable people from the 
 mere rumour of so formidable a conspiracy. His measures for the public 
 safety were taken with much wisdom and moderation, but representations were 
 made to England of his leniency to the Catholics, and Lord Shaftesbury, who 
 would hesitate at nothing to effect the ruin of Ormonde, brought the state of 
 Ireland before the House of Lords, and though he failed in this measure he 
 succeeded in obtaining orders from the English Council which would, he hoped, 
 embarrass the Irish Government and possibly excite a rebellion, which was 
 what the English Government appeared to desire. The Irish protestants were 
 stirred up. Letters were dropped in Dublin intimating a design to assassinate 
 the Lord Lieutenant, and various threatening reports were set afloat designed 
 to reach his ears. His anxieties were increased. by the insurrection in Scotland. 
 He was, at all times, more apprehensive of the Presbyterians than of the Papists, 
 and he suspected that the Scottish insurgents had correspondence with their 
 brethren in Ulster, which, from Sir Tob} T Pojnitz's letter above, we know he 
 had much reason to fear. The result of the battle of Bothwell brig, however, 
 relieved his mind upon this point. 
 
 We learn from Sir Eobert Cecil's letters to Sir George Carew, when the 
 latter was Lord President of Munster, 1 that the most unscrupulous and diabolical 
 measures were taken, with the sanction of an English Secretary of State, we 
 refrain from saying the English Government, against the unfortunate Irish ; but 
 we were not prepared to believe that even so late as 1681, nearly 100 years 
 afterwards, the same enormities were committed if not with the sanction at least 
 with the connivance of high English officials in Ireland. The Duke of Ormonde 
 was, we believe, an upright, chivalrous, and honourable man, and we cannot 
 for a moment conceive he would personally sanction such criminal atrocities. 
 Charles Poyntz's letter 2 shall speak for itself. 
 
 1 Letters of Sir Eobert Cecil to Sir George Carew, printed from Lambeth MSS., 604 : Camden 
 Society, 1864. 
 
 2 Printed vol vii, " Keport of Commissioners on Historical MSS.," p. 709. 
 
POYNTZ OF BRENOCK AND ACTON. 
 
 107 
 
 Acton, the 3 d of May 1681. 
 
 Hon ble Sir, 
 
 I hold myself obliged to give you thanks for all your favours, but 
 
 particularly for your friendly representation of my concerne, in the destruction 
 
 of that grand rogue, Eedmond 0 Hanlon, and that you may doe it with 
 
 the better assurance, I think it will not be improper to give you a particular 
 
 account of it. About the beginning of December last Art M c 0oll alias Hanlon, 
 
 who was onc't a servant to my father, and at that time had noe staine opon 
 
 him, but what his surname brought him came to me and desired to be 
 
 admitted into my companie. I represented to him the unreasonableness of 
 
 his rscpiest, and how that it would give occasion of discourse to those 
 
 malicious rascals that had scandalised my father and me as having two much 
 
 kindness for the Hanlons, but withal I told him that he might doe that 
 
 service, which would serve the king and cuntry, oblidge me, and for ever 
 
 make him rich, and then proposed this service, which he has now performed 
 
 as the way to bring all that to pass ; att first he boggled att it, but when 
 
 I had laid doune several wayes to him how it might be performed (and all 
 
 of them depending upon his associating himself with Eedmond), he concluded 
 
 to undertake it, and swore to accomplish it or die in the attempt, opon 
 
 which I imediately went to Sir Hans Hamilton, gave him an account of 
 
 what I had done and desired that he would give him a pass and protection 
 
 to prevent his being kill'd, should he meet with any soldiers, which Sir Hans 
 
 readily consented to, and having made me write it he signed it, and I 
 
 delivered it to Artt's oune hand, who then (with many curses on himself if 
 
 he fail'd) renew'd his promise to me to perform it, and since often by one 
 
 in whom we both confided sent me word that he continued firm in that 
 
 resolution, and that not above six days before he did the service how he 
 
 came after to be concerned with Mr. Lucas I know not, but am extremely 
 
 glad that on my account the service was done. I am very far from 
 
 derogateing anything from the meritt of Mr. Lucasses service, in which I am 
 
 persuaded he took much pains, for to most of his designes he made me 
 
 privie, having first shew'd me my L d L ts - order to him, neither, I hope, will 
 
 you think that (had the service been done onely by my meanes) I expected 
 
 any other reward for the performance of it then that my L d L* and you and 
 
 all good men should see that my endeavours were not wanting for the 
 
 serving of my cuntry in the ruine of that rogue, and all such which I hope, 
 
 by your means, either is or may yett be brought to pass, onely thus much 
 
 give me leave to say for myself that had not I in that designe first sent 
 p 
 
108 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 him to associate with Eedmund lie had not been in a capacitie to have 
 serv'd Mr. Lucas or anybody else. The bearer hereof was by at my agree- 
 ment with Art, and heard all that I said to him, as alsoe a late agreement 
 that I made with one Fergus Ma Geneiss, who has engaged that William 0 
 Sheale, who cutt Eedmund's head, shall kill Laughlin, and bring his head to 
 me, he may perhaps serve me, as t'other fellow did ; but soe the service be 
 done I care not. I hope you will pardon the trouble of this tedious letter, 
 which I thought it my duty you should have from, 
 
 Honorable Sir, 
 Your most obliged and obedient Servant, 
 
 Chak. Poyntz. 
 
 My father is your Servant. 
 
 Addressed : " To the Honble. Sir William Flower, Knight, one of his Majesties 
 most honorable Privy Councell at Dublin. These. 
 
 Charles Poyntz was shot at Pontaferry, but in what circumstances we 
 have not been able to ascertain, nor do we know the exact date of his death, 
 but it must have been before 1707, for his relict was then the wife of Mr. Savage, 
 as shewn by her son's will. Possibly his connection with the death of "that 
 grand rogue, Eedmond O'Hanlon," may have become known, and he became a 
 victim to the revenge of the sept, He died intestate, and on 12th July, 1712, 
 administration of his effects was granted to Edward Lucas, of Shane Castle, 
 probably her brother, to the use of the relict of the deceased. 
 
 Charles Poyntz married Lucy, daughter of Francis Lucas, of Shane Castle, 
 co. Monaghan, by a certain Mary Poyntz, but of the parentage of this Mary 
 we have failed to obtain any information. She might have been an unnamed 
 sister of Sir Toby. The Articles agreed upon on the marriage were dated 
 15th December 1684, and the marriage licence the 20th of the same month, the 
 former being recited in the Indentures of Settlement after marriage, dated 
 14th and 15th March 1687-8. He had issue an only child named Lucas, who 
 was born in 1688. Lucas matriculated at Trinity College, Dublin, in 1704, as 
 the son of Charles Poyntz, aged sixteen years. He made his will on 2nd April 
 1707 in which he names his mother, Lucy Savage, and makes bequests to 
 Lieutenant Eobert Lucas and Francis Lucas, the latter of whom he appoints 
 his executor. 
 
 Bv the death of Lucas Poyntz, the issue of Sir Charles Poyntz in the male 
 line became extinct, and by the will of Sir Toby Poyntz it would appear that 
 the estates should have devolved upon the heir general of Sir John Poyntz of 
 Iron Acton, the only remaining representatives of Sir Charles Poyntz being Sarah 
 and Christian, daughters of Sir Toby, nevertheless these ladies inherited. 
 
POYNTZ OF BRENOCK AND ACTON. 
 
 109 
 
 Sarah, the elder, married Col. Charles Stewart of Ballintoy Castle, co. Antrim, 
 He took part under the Earl of Peterborough in the English force employed in 
 the War of Succession in Spain, and remaining there after the earl's departure 
 in 1706 was slain in 1711, and his will was proved on the 10th July in the 
 following year. Their son, the Eev. Archibald Stewart, was Chancellor of the 
 Diocese of Connor. He married Leonora, daughter of John Vesey, successively 
 Bishop of Limerick and Archbishop of Tuam. His marriage licence and his will, 
 the latter dated in 1751, are in the Dublin Eecord Office. 
 
 Christian, the younger, daughter and coheir, married in 1686 Eoger Hall 
 of Mount Hall, co. Down, Esq., and in 1709 sold her moiety of the estate to 
 her nephew, Archibald Stewart, of Ballintoy. Their only daughter Eose, born 
 1687 married first, in 1708, Eichard Close, now represented by Col. Close of 
 Drumbanagher Castle, Waringstown, co. Down. He died 10th April 1716, 
 and she married secondly Captain Charles Stewart of the 5th (Lord Molesworth's) 
 Dragoons, and of Wester Cluny, co. Perth. Mrs. Eose Stewart died 11th February 
 1779, at the age of ninety-two years, and was buried at Lisburne, her husband, 
 Captain Stewart, having predeceased her on 4th June 1774. 
 
 For the ancestry and descendants of these members of the Stewart family 
 we must refer the reader to Mr. C. P. Stewart's carefully prepared " Memorials 
 of the Stewarts of Forthergill," privately printed by Johnston in Edinburgh 1881, 
 "and also to Burke's Landed Gentry, under Stewart-Eobertson of Edradynate. 
 
 We have mentioned in the opening of the Memoir of this branch of the 
 Poyntz Family that they claim descent from Sir John Poyntz of Iron Acton, 
 who died in 1633. Considering the embarrassed circumstances of this gentleman 
 (as disclosed ante, p. 83) and his numerous issue, it would not have been 
 improbable that one of his sons should seek his fortune in Ireland, which, at 
 the end of the sixteenth century and the beginning of the seventeenth, was, 
 what our colonies now are, the field of enterprise for the younger sons of the 
 English gentry, where many of them founded opulent families which are still 
 nourishing upon the spoils of the unfortunate Irish. Besides, the splendid 
 marriage of Elizabeth Poyntz, 1 one of the daughters of Sir John, with the Viscount 
 Thurles, the eldest son and heir of Walter Butler, Earl of Ormonde, would have 
 been a great inducement to one of her brothers to try his fortune in that 
 kingdom. If, however, such were the case with Charles Poyntz, it is surprising 
 that his name should nowhere appear in any family document known in England. 
 Unfortunately Sir John Poyntz died intestate, and we have therefore no assistance 
 
 1 There is a portrait of this lady, by Vandyke, in the possession of Lady Nugent, of Ballinlough. 
 
110 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY OF POYNTZ. 
 
 from his will. Sir John Poyntz, as we have seen, was married fonr times. He 
 first, in 1578. espoused Ursula Sydenham, who died without issue. He married 
 secondly, in February 1581, her kinswoman, Elizabeth Sydenham, by whom he 
 had seven children of whom we know, she died in giving birth to the last on 
 17th December 1595, and her infant son survived her only three days. He (Sir 
 John) married thirdly, Frances Newton, who died without issue 1st November 
 1599. His fourth marriage was with Grissell Eoberts, by whom he had four 
 children, and it has been alleged that Charles Poyntz was born of this marriage, 
 but that would seem to be impossible, for in that case he could not have been 
 more than nine years old when he was receiving grants of land in Ireland. 
 If Charles Poyntz were a son of Sir John, he must have been born of Sir 
 John's second marriage. 
 
 Sir John's eldest born child was Dorothy, the exact date of whose birth 
 does not appear ; the next was Frances, baptized 1st February 158G-7 ; then 
 followed Eobert, his son and heir, baptized 26th October 1588 ; to him 
 followed Hugh, baptized 14th July 1590; Nicholas, baptized 15th July, 1591; 
 Elizabeth, Viscountess Thurles, the date of whose birth is uncertain ; and John, 
 born and died 2nd December 1595. Charles could not have been born 
 before Eobert, or he would have been the heir, nor much later, or he would 
 not have attained an age to have acquired grants of lands in 1610. There 
 was just room for the birth of a child between the birth of Eobert, baptized 
 October 1588, and Hugh baptized July 1590 ; and if Charles Poyntz were the son 
 of Sir John he must, of necessity, have been born between these dates ; and, 
 say he was born in July or August 1589, he would have been of a sufficient 
 age to have received a small grant of land in 1610, and nearly thirty 
 years of age when his son Chichester was born. This may be possible, and 
 the points in favour of it are, first : the circumstance of his giving the 
 name of Acton to the manor into which he was allowed to form his grant 
 of lands in Ireland soon after he acquired it ; and the demise by Sir Toby 
 his son in his last will of the final remainder of his estates to the heir 
 general of Sir John Poyntz, in default of heirs male of himself, thus showing, 
 at least, his own belief in his descent from that house. The descent as 
 claimed may be probable, but we cannot say we think it proven. 
 
POYNTZ OF BRENOCK AND ACTON. Ill 
 
 PEDIGEEE OF POYNTZ OF BRENOCK AND ACTON, CO. ABMAGH. 
 
 Table IY. 
 
 Thomas Butler, Vis-= 
 count Thurles only- 
 son of Walter 11th. 
 Earl of Ormonde, Go- 
 vernor of theCounties 
 of Kilkenny, Tip- 
 perary, and Water- 
 ford, 1st husband. 
 Drowned in passing 
 over into England 1 5 
 Dec. 1619. 
 
 Elizabeth, dan. of Alexr. Siden- : 
 ham of Luxborough, co. Som. mar. 
 1582. Died Dec. 1595, bur. St. 
 Margaret's, Westminster. See ante, 
 p. 87. 
 
 : Elizabeth~George Ma- 
 Poyntz, 2 thew of 
 
 Sir John Poyntz 
 of Iron Acton, 
 co. Gloucester, 
 died 1633. See 
 ante p. 88. 
 + 1 
 
 James Stani-= 
 hurst, Speaker 
 of the House 
 of Commons, 
 Ireland. 
 
 Anne, dau. 
 of ... Fitz 
 Simons 
 
 dau. See 
 ante p. 87. 
 
 Thurles, el- 
 dest son of 
 Sir William 
 Mathew of 
 Radyr, co. 
 Glamorgan, 
 Knt., 2 
 hush 
 
 Sir Robert 
 Poyntz of 
 Iron Ac- 
 ton, K.B. 
 
 Richard Buck -=f=Rose, Arnold Us-=j=Margaret 
 
 worth of Wis' 
 beach. Arms 
 as impaled 
 with Poyntz 
 in Ulster Of- 
 fice, Dublin, 
 Sa.a lion ramp, 
 guardant per 
 fess Or and 
 Erm. 
 
 dau. of her, one of 
 
 the six 
 
 Cheyne Clerks in 
 of co. Chancery of 
 Camb. Dublin,died 
 1598. 
 
 Stani- 
 hurst. 
 
 1 
 
 Richard 
 
 Stani- 
 
 huvst. 
 
 1 
 
 Ambrose 
 Usher. 
 
 James Butler, 
 12th Earl of 
 Ormonde, cre- 
 ated Duke of 
 Ormonde 1661. 
 Died 1684. 
 
 Francis Lucas= 
 of Shane Cas- 
 tle, co. Moua- 
 ghan. Will pro- 
 ved . . . Dec. 
 1657 (Prerog. 
 Ct. Dublin). 
 Inq. p.m. 8 
 March 1661, 
 Rolls Office, 
 Dablin. 
 
 Sir Charles Poyntz= 
 of Brenock and Ac- 
 ton, co. Armagh, 
 claiming to be a 
 son of Sir John 
 Poyntz of Iron Ac- 
 ton. Knighted in 
 Ireland 1630, died 
 1661. 
 
 : Mary Poyntz, 
 
 dau. of 
 
 She married 
 secondly Ro- 
 bert Moore be- 
 fore 8 March 
 1661. 
 
 : Christine, sister of 
 Sir MarmadukeWh.it- 
 church of Lough 
 Brickland, co. Down, 
 in whose will, prov. 3 
 March 1635, she is 
 named (Dublin Reg- 
 ister of Wills). 
 
 Theophilus=pSarah 
 Buckworth, I Usher. 
 Bishop of 
 Dromore 
 1613-1652. 
 Will proved 
 15 August 
 
 1652. 
 
 James Usher, born=T=Phoobe, only 
 
 4 January 1580-1. 
 Bishop of Meath 
 1620, Archbishop 
 of Armagh 1624-5, 
 died at Reigate 21 
 March 1655-6 and 
 bur. in Westm. Ab- 
 bey 17 Ap. follow- 
 ing. 
 
 Elizab. Usher, only child and : 
 sole heir, Adm. to her fa- 
 ther's estate 3 May 1656. 
 
 dau. of Rev. 
 Luke Chal- 
 loner, d.d. 
 She was bur. 
 at St. Paul's 
 Covent Gar- 
 den, 22 Nov. 
 1684. 
 
 =Sir Timothy 
 Tyrrell,Knt. 
 
 Chichester Poyntz, matric. at 
 Oxford from Trinity Coll. as 
 son of Sir Charles Poyntz, Knt., 
 of co. Armagh, 27 Nov. 1635, 
 aged 17 years. 
 
 Edward Poyntz, named in will 
 of uncle Sir Marmaduke Whit- 
 church, Knt., 1635. 
 r~ 
 
 Sir Toby Poyntz, son=pRose, eldest dau. and eo- 
 
 and heir of Brenock 
 and Acton. Sheriff of 
 Armagh 1644. Kntd. 
 7 Sept. 1662. M.P.for 
 Newry 1639-41. Will 
 dated 1 Jan. 1685. 
 Died the same year. 
 
 heir, named in the will of 
 the Rev. Anthony Buck- 
 worth, Rector of Killin- 
 coole, dated 20 Aug. and 
 prov. 22 Oct. as his cousin 
 Dame Rose Buckworth, 
 wife of Sir Tobias Poyntz 
 (Dublin Register of Wills). 
 
 ~~T~1 
 Sarah, 
 dau. and 
 coh. 
 
 Anne, 
 dau. and 
 coheir. 
 
 Lucy, dau. of Francis Lucas,=j=Charles Poyntz, son and 
 mar. articles dated 15 Dec. | heir of Brenock, Acton, 
 and mar. licence 1684, and 
 settl. after mar. 14 and 15 
 Mai'. 1687, inrolled in Chan- 
 cery, Dublin, retnar 
 
 Savage. 
 
 and Shane Castle, died 
 before 1707. Admou. 
 granted to Edw. Lucas 
 to use of relict Lucy 
 12 Dec. 1712. 
 
 Christian 1 
 Poyntz, 
 married 
 1686. 
 
 Roger Hall 
 of Mount 
 Hall. 
 
 Sarah Poyntz." 
 
 Lucas Poyntz,only child 
 and heir, born 1688, 
 matric. Trinity College, 
 Dublin, 1704 as son of 
 Charles Poyntz of iShane 
 Castle, Esq., aged 16 
 years. Will dated 2 Ap. 
 1707, in which he na- 
 mes 11 my mother Lucy 
 Savage," s.p. 
 
 Richard Close= 
 of Warring- 
 ton, co. Down, 
 Clerk in Holy 
 Orders, mar. 
 1705, died 10 
 April 1716. 
 
 :RoseHall,only=j=Charles Stewart, son of Alexr. 
 dau. and heir, Stewart of Wester Cluny^ co. 
 bornl687,died Perth, Cornet 5th Dragoons 
 11 Feb. 1779, 13 Feb. 1728-9, Lieut. 27 Aug. 
 aged 92 years, 1737. Capt. of an independent 
 buried at Lis- | company in Ireland, died in 
 burne. M.I. command at Carrickfergus 4 
 | June 1774 and bur. there. Will 
 I prov. at Belfast 9 Sep. follow- 
 I ing. M.I. 
 
 Charles Stewart of Ballin- 
 toy Castle, cp. Antrim, 
 a Col. in the Army, killed 
 in action in Spain 1711. 
 Will prov. 1712 
 Consist. Ct. Dioc. Connor. 
 
 Archibald Stew-=pLeonora, dau. 
 
 art of Ballintoy, 
 Clerk in Holy 
 Orders, Chancel- 
 lor of the Diocese 
 of Connor, mar. 
 lie. dated 
 Will dated 
 Both Dublin Re- 
 cord Office. 
 
 of JohnVesey, 
 successively 
 Bishop of Li- 
 merick and 
 Archbishop of 
 Tuam, died 
 1716. 
 
\ 
 
■ 
 
I 
 
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