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“The Fishacre Tribe”: the Family Origins of Richard Fishacre OP
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 January 2024
Extract
The starting point of the enquiry described here was a direct result of discussions at the Fishacre Colloquium. The existence of a Martin de Fishacre who was a witness in the early 1240’s to the Inquisition, now called Testa Nevill was identified. The place-name enquiry to find the Fishacre where Martin lived began with scrutiny of current Ordnance Survey maps and identified three places all with the element, Fishacre, in the name within a few miles of each other in the hundred of Haytor in South Devon. They are Fishacre Barton, a farm, in the parish of Broadhempston; Combefishacre, a string village settlement in a small deep valley about four and a half miles to the east; and Coleton Fishacre, a very small settlement above the cliff top between Kingswear and Brixham. Examination of the publications of the English Place-Name Society showed that there are no other settlements in England and Wales with this unusual element of “fishacre” in the name. This part of South Devon with the streams flowing towards the river Dart on its east bank and the coastal peninsula between Dartmouth and Torbay contains the origin of the name, Fishacre. So far, it is uncertain which place was the first to have the name Fishacre. In the Exon. Domesday Book Combefishacre is recorded as Comba while Coleton Fishacre is recorded as Coletona. Broadhempston is referred to in the Exon Domesday but not Fishacre Barton, which is about two miles southwest of the village.
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- Copyright © 1999 Provincial Council of the English Province of the Order of Preachers
References
1 Tristram Risdon. The Chorographicol Description or Survey of the County of Devon. begun 1605, probably finished about 1630. Published London and Plymouth 1811: reprinted by Porcupines, Barnstaple; 157.
2 Professor Luscombe's enquiry on my behalf. I wish to record deep gratitude to him for his help, and to many of my family and friends who helped in finding so many of the places linked with the Fishacre families.
3 Liber Feodorurn. The Book of Fees Commonly called Testa de Nevill, hereafter BF.
4 Ordnance Survey maps of Dartmoor and South Devon: English Place-Name Society. ed. J.E.B. Glover. Mawer, A. and Stenton, F.M., The Place-Names of Devon 2 vols. (Cambridge: CUP 1931–2) vol. IXGoogle Scholar, Fishacre Barton. 510–511: Combefishacre. 513: Coleton Fishacre, 507. (The 20C National Trust property of Coleton Fishacre is not the barton at the head of the cliff valley linked with the Fishacre family).
5 The equivalence of place-names with surnames occurs in the late 12th and first half of the 13th centuries.
6 These researches were aided substantially by the fact that South Devon and southwest Dartmoor are my own area and local knowledge has helped significantly in the interpretation of the written evidence. It is noted that sounding out the medieval name is a good clue to its modern equivalent.
7 Exon Domesday, ed. William Page FSA. The Victoria County History of the County of Devon, hereafter V.C.H Devon. Vol I. 375–547, 469–470, Juhel has a manor called Comba.Worth 15 shillings, and was worth the same when J received it.” The V.C.H Devon gives two places in this area called Comba, the present Combefishacre in the parish of Ipplepen and another village called Longcombe in Berry Pomeroy.
8 op. cit. 470 “Juhel has a manor called Coletona.worth 15 shillings: when Juhel received it 5 shillings.”
9 op.cit. 442 “The count [of Mortaln] has a manor called Hamiston.worth 60 shillings and was worth 40 shillings when the count received it.”
10 British Library: Egerton Charters 2894 (Waddeton in Stoke Gabriel co Devon).
11 The Red Book of the Exchequer, RS 99. hereafter RBE, part II, 556–557.
12 This printed record probably transcribes “s” by an “1”. There is no Martin de Filacre in any other record.
13 Reports and Transactions of the Devonshire Association, hereafter RTDA. 40 (1908), 117.
14 The “flea” principle is contained in the doggerel “Big fleas have little fleas upon their backs to bite em, little fleas have littler fleas and so ad infinitum”.
15 Davies, Godfrey, Medieval Cartularies of Great Britain, A Short Catalogue (London: Longmans, 1958) 12Google Scholar.
16 Partial Buckfast Cartulary, preserved in Reg. Exon Grandisson III. 1561–1610. hereafter B fastC Charters to which a Fishacre is a witness: Charter IX. 1571–2. originated by Rogerus de Nunant. Other witnesses: Ricardo Flammage, Thoma de Vautort, Roberto filio Herebert, Martino de ffishachre, Benedicto clerico, Wydone Crocca, Willelmo de Cumba, Ricardo filio ejus, Roberto clerico et scriba. Roberto mazun, Willelmo Carpenter. Charter XIIII. 1574, (first part missing)–1248–1249. Other witnesses: Domino Radulpho de Walk Torta, Martino de ffissacre, Galfrido de la Bruyre, Hamelino de Dyaudone, Warino de More, Ricardo de Cumbe Charter XXIIII. 1581, January 1281–1282. originated by Ricardo Le Prouz. Other witnesses: Dominus Warino de sicca villa, Petro de ffyshacre, Militibus, Galfrido dicto le frere, Stephano Stoyl, Waltero de ffentone. Charter LIIII. 1601, originated by Radulphus de Valle Torta at Trematon Castle. Other witnesses: Gilberto de Dunframuile, Hugone de Cardinam. Martino de ffissacre, Gilberto filio Stephano, Philippo de Bodrigan, Waltero Gervasio, Nicholao de fferariis. Charters LVII1 + LIX 1603–4. originated by Robertus de Wallewore and Alix his wife, Roger his heir. Witnesses: Ricardo fflandrino, Willelmo de Bosorahardi, Ricardo Peverel de Hermingtoune, Martino de ffishacre, Rogero de Groci, Roberto Bouzun, Ranulfo de Aubemare, Herberto de la Spineie, Ricardo de Doudewore, Gaufrido de Corendoune, Gilleberto Clerico, Ricardo Capelem, Roberto de Greigne, Willelmo et Ricardo Carpentariis
17 B'fastC, Dated Charters: XI, 1572–3: between 1137 and 1161 by Rogenis de nunant: XIII 573: 1214–1225, by Reginaldus de Valle Torta: XX 1578–9: 1223, by Urglal de Holna: XLIX 1598, 3 May 1223, by Hurgelas de Holna; L 1599: 1224–5. by Urgelasius de Holna: XXXIII 1588–9: 1233–1238, by Reginaldus de Valle Torta, filius Rogeri de Valle Torta: XXII1579–80: between 1237 and 1251, by Robertus de Hylion; XXXII, 1586–8: between 1237 and 1251, by Radulphus de Valle Torta: IIII, 1567–8, September 1242. Abbot of Buckfast and Henricum de Bodetone; XXXVII 1590: 1233–1238, by Reginaldus de Valle Torta: XIIII 1574: 1248–49, start missing; XV, 1574–5: 1248–9 by Robert de Coletune, assensu Oresie sponse mee filie Willelmi Crocke de Crocketune; XVI 1575; 1248–9, by Alicia de Luneworthy, filia Willelmi Crocca; XVII 1575–6: 1248–9, by Turkesia filia Willelino Crocke de Croketune: XVIII 1576–7: 1248–9, by Adam de Lunewrthe; V, 1568–9: 1249? by Warinus de Bodetune; III, 1567, Christmas 1249, by Abbot William of Buckfast to Warino de Bodatone; XXXI 1585–86: 1256. disagreement between Abbot and Stephanum Bauceyn; XXXVIII 1591: 1257, by Lady Joanna de Valle Torta–Data apud Hinneswork, ie Insworke near Millbrook. (This property was later held by a Fishacre.) XXXIX 1592: 1257 by Johanna uxor Radulphi de Valle Torta: XXIX 1584: October 1258, royal inspeximus; XL 1592: June 1264, by; XLI 1593: February 1269–70. lawsuit with Johannem Esleghe; XIX 1577–8: 1273, with Aluredum de Alnythcote; XLII 1593–4: November 1280. Stephani le Mugge filii et heredis Osberti Mugge: XLIIII1594–5: c. 1280 by Rogerus de Nunont: XXIIII 1581: January 1281–2. by Ricardus Le Prouz et Margareta uxor sua.
18 RTDA 43 (1911). 204, note 4: see also V.C.H Devon vol. 1, O. J. Reichel. “Feudal Baronage”. 559–560.
19 RBE. II 630. Roger de Nunant has one knight's fee and seisin of II military fees in Normandy; II 632, Guy de Nonant, son of Roger III, has the same holding as his father. Does this indicate Roger III's death'?
20 Chibnall, Marjorie, The Empress Matilda Queen Consort, Queen Mother and Lady of the English, (Oxford: Blackwell's 1991), 112–3Google Scholar.
21 ibid. 99.
22 B'fast C: charter VI, 1569–1570: Rogerus de Nunant et uxoris mee Alicie.
23 B'fast C: charter VII. 1570–1: Ego, Henricus de Nunant.et sponse mee Elisabeth.terram de Sideham, cum bosco, de qua pater meus Rogerus antea donacionem eisdem fecit, et, domino Gwydone, fratre meo et me presente. carta sua confirmavit.also charter VIII 1571. which is similar in content for gift to VII.
24 B'fast C: charter IX 1571–2, see note 16.
25 B'fast C: charter X 1572. Ego Rogerus de Nunant, pro salute anime mee et uxoris mee Alicie, et filiorum omniumque antecessorum meorum, et pro remedio animanim Rogerii avi mei, et Widonis, patris mei, et Mabilie, mains mee
26 B'fast C: XI. 1572–3: between 1138 and 1160 originated by Rogerus de nunant: witnesses Roberto episcopo, Hugone archidiacono, Gaufrido priore de Plimtone etc.
27 Abbotskerswell+, Battlefbrd unidentified (Battleford Wood?), Bishop's Nympton, Boohay, Broadhempston, Charles+, Coleton Fishacre, Combefishacre, Cornworthy+, Croftland farm, Cullompton+, Dinnington, la Wodeland (unidentified), Edginswell (unidentified - near St Marychurch now Torquay), Fishacre Barton, Galmpton, Grimstonleigh (unidentified), Honiton+, Hoodown farm, Ilsington, Ingsdon, Insworke, Kenton, Kingswear (also ferry between it and Dartmouth), Langston, Launceston+, Lupton also its church, Manaton+, Marwell, Morleigh also church, Morval, Natsworthy, North Tamerton, Okenbury, Rawstone, Ringmore+, Shirwell+, Stoke Rivers+, Thorich (unidentified near Plympton?), Waddeton, Widecombe in the Moor+, Woodhuish farm, Woodleigh, Woolfardisworthy, Yalberton.
28 Risdon, 207, a description of Insworth which is on the Cornish side of the Tamar.
29 RTDA 40 (1908), 117: Robert de Punchardon granted 16 acres in Galmpton to Martin de Filacre (Fishacre).
30 Excerpta e Rotulis Finium in Turri Londinensi hereafter ERF vol. 1, 29: Martin de Fishacre holds 6 ferlings of land in Wodehewish (Woodhuish farm).
31 edd. F.C. Hingeston-Randolph (rector of Ringmore) Episcopal Registers: Diocese of Exeter, 10 vols. London (George Bell) and Exeter (Henry S Eland; William Pollard and Co.) 1889–1915, hereafter Reg. Exon. Reg. Exon. Bronescomb. I, 356. By 11 July 1282 when another priest is appointed Sir Warm de Fishacre has resigned his benefice which was in the patronage of Sir Peter de Fisher. It could indicate his death.
32 Rotuli Litterarum Clausarum in Turri Londinensis, hereafter RLCinTL, II 1220– 1227, 16.
33 Calendar of Patent Rolls hereafter CPR Hen III 1232–1247, 67.
34 Calendar of Close Rolls hereafter CCR Hen III 1237–1242,215–216.
35 CPR Hen HI 1247–1258,490.
36 RTDA, 64 (1932). Proceedings at the annual meeting, 53–54. This refers to the oldest manorial record of Waddeton. Its current whereabouts is unknown.
37 CPR Edw II 1307–1313, 189, ibid. 193. ibid. 502.
38 CPR Edw II 1307–1313.268.
39 CPR Edw II 1307–1313, 138, 353. and CPR Edw II 1313–1317, 81, where the record states that Walter de Fisshacre is nominated Agatha's attorney “in England” for two years.
40 CPR Edw II 1313–1317, 370.
41 CPR Edw III 1350–1353. 398, CPR Edw III 1354–1358, 523, 637, CPR Edw III 1364–1367,118,164,165.
42 CCR Edw III 1349–1354, 337.
43 see note 4.
44 Rev H.R. Evans MC. MA. “Broadhempston”, RTDA 90 (1958), 62–126, especially 69–70.
45 Reichel, “Feudal Baronage” in V. CM Devon. 553. RTDA, 40 (1908), 116.
46 ed. O.J. Reichel, Devon Feet of Fines (Exeter. 1912) vol. 194. no. 189.
47 Feudal Aids; Issues, Issues of the Exchequer from King Henry III to King Henry VI inclusive; hereafter FA, 326, 349, BF II, 769, see also RTDA, 40 (1908), 126.
48 RTDA 31 (1899), 389.
49 RTDA 43 (1911), 226.
50 BL Egerton Charter 2894, according to the catalogue the early reign of Henry III, between 1216 and 1241.
51 BL Catalogue of Egerton Charters, Catalogue of Additions, 1946–1950,396.
52 The original grant was made 1275–1279 see note 46, but was confirmed 20 May 1316, CPR Edw II 1313–1317, 467: Confirmation to the abbot and canons (Tor Abbey, Prem.) of the church of the Holy Trinity Torre, of grants of land in Wadetone made by Isabella de Wadetone, sometime wife of Martin de Fissacre.
53 Testa de Nevill no. 1268, 192b. also BF II, 767. In 1166 Osbert of Waddeton had held these five separate holdings of the Bishop of Exeter, see RTDA 40 (1908), 113.
54 RBE II, 556.
55 BF II 767.
56 RTDA 31 (1899), 389; FA 324, 332: RTDA 40 (1908), 115.
57 ERF II, 506 In 1270 Peter de Fisacre and Beatrix his wife give half a mark for something in Cornwall.
58 Matthew Paris: Chronica Majora vol V for year 1248, ed. Luard, 16.
59 ed. Thomas Hog, Nicholas Trivet OP: Annates sex Regum (London. 1845) for the year MCCXL, 229–230.
60 ed. P.L. Hull. The Cartulary of Launceston Priory (Lambeth Pal. MA 719) A Calendar, Devon and Cornwall Record Society NS 30 (Exeter, 1987), xi-xxxvii. D. Knowles and R.N. Hadcock. Medieval Religious Houses England and Wales (London, 1953, 1971) 162–163. A house of secular canons of St. Stephen had been established in the first Launceston castle. Their comportment led to their replacement by Augustinian canons. In 1127 the priory was rebuilt down by the river in Newport.
61 Reg. Exon. I Bronescombe, 200–202.
62 ibid. 201.
63 Calendar of Inquisitions III, index page 431, (but record could not be found whatever variation of the page numbers was tried).
64 CPR Hen III 1247–1258,658–659: 29 December 1257. William de Fissacre is one of nine people “of those staying in Wales in the service of the king and Edward his sone, and have protection with clause (possibly volumus) to last as long as they are there on the said service”, and CPR Hen III 1247–1258, 611, some time in 1258 “Exemption at the instance of Edward, the king's son, of William de Fissacre of the county of Devon from being put on assizes, juries or recognitions and from being made sheriff etc. against his will”.
65 Calendar of Iniquisition's, Post Mortem, hereafter CIPM1 134. no. 474.
66 CIPM I Misc. 133 no. 399, and RTDA 43 (1911), 224. William de Fysshacre and the Abbot of Torre were seised of Kingswear. Part of this is probably control of the ferry between Kingswear and Dartmouth.
67 CCR Edw I 1272–1279, 295. 5 June 1276: to the sheriff of Devon. to cause Eudo and Millicent to have seisin of two fees that John de Cantilupo and William de Fissacre hold in Hemmeston and Fissacre and under them to have advowson of Totten which the king assigned to them in Millicent's purporting from the advowsons that belonged to. See also Evans op. cit. RTDA 90 (1958), 69.
68 see note 44
69 RTDA 31(1899), 384; 1303, RTDA, 40 (1908) 114.
70 FA 1284–6, 317–318; FA 1303,348; RTOA 31(1899), 386;/mM 40 (1908), 116.
71 Reg. Exon. I Quivil, 1280–1291. 328. FA 352; He is still holding the four places of Ringmore, Okenbury, Marwell and Langston in 1303.
72 FA 317: RTDA 40 (1908), 126. Also he still holds Coleton Fishacre in 1303, FA, 348.
73 Calendar of Chancery Rolls Various, including supplementary Close Rolls, Welsh Rolls, Scutage Rolls, hereafter CChan. RV. 1277–1326. Supplementary Close Rolls, 88: Calendar of Chancery Warrants, hereafter CChan. W 187.
74 FA, 343. CIPM VII, 326. no. 462, RTDA 38 (1906), 322.
75 Reg. Exon. Stapledon, 300.
76 ed. O.J. Reichel, Devon Feet of Fines Vol. 2 (Exeter 1912). 159–60. no. 1045.
77 Reg. Exon., Grandisson. 1264. In 1346 Dame Isabella is “quondam” in IIsington and Ingsdon FA, 390.
78 FA, 392.
79 Knowles and Hadcock, 278–279.
80 Reg. Exon., Grandisson, 737: the death of Prioress Johanna is found in the election record of her successor.
81 Reg. Exon., Stapledon, 262.
82 Reg. Exon., Stapledon, 199.262.
83 Reg. Exon., Stapledon 424: 20th September 1309, Peter de Fyzsacre, rector of Charles, is ordained subdeacon at Exeter Cathedral; ibid. 471: 4th April 1310, Peter de Fyshacre is ordained deacon: ibid. 472, no date, Dominus Peter de Fysacre is ordained priest.
84 Reg. Exon., Stapledon, 184.
85 Reg. Exon., Stapledon, 538.
86 Reg. Exon., Grandisson, 1361.
87 RTDA 81, (1949), 227–269.
88 RTDA 81, (1949), 238–239.
89 CIPM III, 477, no. 604.
90 FA, 351.
91 Reg. Exon., Stapledon, 236.
92 CPR Edw 11292–1301, 581.
93 Reg. Exon. Stapledon, 299–300.
94 FA 396.
95 Reg. Exon. Grandisson, 1535–1536. See also RTDA, 140 (1908), 114.
96 CPR Edw III 1327–1330, 211.
97 CIPM III, 66 no. 141; see also CPR Edw III 1317–1321,561.
98 Calendar of Fine Rolls, hereafter CFR 1307–1319, 22; CPR Edw II 1307–1313, 84: Rotuli Originalium in Curia Scaccarii Abbreviatio hereafter RO in CS Abbr., 158b.
99 CPR Edw II, 1307–1313, 582.
100 CChancW 11244–1326,430.
101 CFR 1307–1319, 339; CPR EdwII 1317–1321,25.
102 CPR Edw II 1317–1321,426: CPREdwII 1321–1324,96.
103 CPR Edw II 1321–1324,96.
104 CPREdw II 1321–1324, 123.
105 CPREdw II 1321–1324, 187–8.
106 CPREdw II 1323–1327, 193, 194, 626.
107 CPR Edw II 1323–1327, 475.
108 CFR Edw III 1327–1337, 453–454.
109 FA 391.
110 CIPM VIII. 204, no. 280.
111 see note 109; see also RTDA 40 (1908), 126.
112 FA, 392.
113 CFR 1337–1347. 482–483: CCR Edw III 1346–1349. 128: 245: CPR Edw HI 1345–1348,454.
114 RTDA 64 (1932), 54.
115 CFR 1356–1368, 237.
116 CFR 1356–1368,268–9.
117 CCR Edw III 1364–1368,64,65.
118 CCREdwIII 1364–1368,162–163.
119 Reg. Exon. Brantyngham, 209.
120 Reg. Exon. Stafford, 1395–1419, 109.
121 Risdon. 154 “.and Martin Fishacre in Henry the fourth's days was the last who left these lands unto Jane and Agnes who was wedded to John Ufflet and had this for her portion, who left it unto Alice their daughter married unto John Walrond in whose name Combefishacre does remain”: Risdon. 157 about the Waddeton estate, “The last of this tribe left it to his heirs general Joan, wife of John Maynard and Agnes. wife of Uflet”. Given Risdon's interest in the pedigrees of Devonshire gentry, it is likely that these statements about the marriages of the last Martin de Fishacre's daughters are accurate.
122 CPR Edw III 1348–1350, 586.
123 CPR Edw III 1354–1358,133.
124 CCREdwIII 1360–1363,120.
125 CPR Edw III 1367–1370, 350.
126 CCR Edw III 1369–1374,120.
127 VCH, Cornwall, M. Oppenheim “Maritime History”, 475–511, has a graphic description of naval problems.
128 CCR Edw III, 1369–1373, 370–371.
129 It should be noted that Inswork is a barton on a neck of land near Millbrook in Cornwall. Millbrook has had a tradition of boat-building down the centuries.
130 The spelling with a “V” reflects the older Devonian way of sounding” F It can be heard sometimes today.
131 Rex. Exon. Brantyngham, 362.
132 Rex. Exon. Brantyngham, 450.
133 CPR Ric II 1381–1385, 295.
134 CFR 1377–1383, 141–152, especially 146.
135 CFR 1377–1383, 335–340, especially 338.
136 CCR Ric II1381–1385,587–8.
137 Reg. Exon., Brantyngham, 816.
138 Reg. Exon., Brantyngham, 102.
139 Reg. Exon., Stafford. I, 307 and II 45.
140 Reg. Exon., Stafford II, 103.
141 Reg. Exon., Stafford. II, 175.
142 Reg. Exon., De Lacy, 160.
143 RTDA 9(1877), 110.