Highly important manuscript document by which Queen Elizabeth transferred the confiscated lands and property of Sir Francis Englefield to Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex

Item Details

Recently discovered document by which Queen Elizabeth transferred the confiscated lands and property of Sir Francis Englefield to Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex.

Signed by Gelly Meyrick, later executed for commissioning Shakespeare's acting company to perform Richard II on the eve of the Essex Rebellion in 1601.

Document on vellum, 635 x 635 mm. with 4 wax seals. Framed and mounted. Manuscript indenture dated 1 July 1592 signed by Thomas Compton, Robert Wright, and Gelly Meyrick on behalf of Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex.

Sir Francis Englefield (1522-1605), one of the chief officers of the household of Princess Mary, was a devout Catholic. On Mary’s accession to the throne, he was made a privy councilor and master of the Court of Wards and Liveries. Throughout Mary’s Catholic reign, he sat in Parliament as one of the knights of the shire for Berkshire. But when Elizabeth was crowned, and the old religion was outlawed, Sir Francis fled from England. He lived in exile, at Valladolid in Spain, for the remainder of his life.

The new monarch seized Englefield's lands and properties in 1589, granting them to Thomas Crompton, Robert Wright and Gelly Meyrick, acting as trustees for the Queen's favorite, Robert Devereux, the 2nd Earl of Essex, who was angling for Englefield House and for the money to refurbish it as part of his bid to win the hand of Sir Francis Walsingham's beautiful daughter, Frances, the widow of Sir Philip Sidney. Englefield’s remaining property was sold by Crompton, Wright and Meyrick, also on Essex’s behalf, to raise money for the refurbishment of Englefield House. The present document records the sale of Englefield’s Berkshire lands.

Dated 1 July 1592, it relates that the entire village of Brimpton, its arable land, farms, church, and manor, have been sold to Thomas Johnson, merchant tailor, for a yearly sum of 19 pounds, 5 shillings and 3 pence. (That yearly payment is to be made on the Feast of the Annunciation – perhaps as a taunting reference to the Catholicism that lost Englefield his property.)

The transaction recorded in this document has not been previously known to historians of the manor and lands of Brimpton, who record only the later sale of the village, by the same three men, Crompton, Wright and Meyrick (on Essex’s behalf), to William Wollascott in 1595. What happened to Thomas Johnson and why his purchase was resold is unclear; perhaps, given Essex’s immediate needs, Wollascott was persuaded to provide more money for the same property.

In February of 1601, Sir Gelly Meyrick visited the Globe Theatre with a party of conspirators and negotiated with the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, Shakespeare’s own acting company, to perform the suggestive tragedy of Richard II, "the Play of deposing King Richard the second," on that Saturday, when members of Essex’s inner circle attended, hoping to inspire support from the citizenry for their campaign to overthrow Queen Elizabeth the next day.

The authorities claimed that Meyrick was responsible for paying the players 40 shillings for reprising Richard II and he was imprisoned in Newgate. On 5 March he was tried at Westminster Hall and charged with rebellion on the grounds that he had fortified Essex House against the queen's forces, provided munitions for the earl's men, and helped to arrange the performance of the play. He made little effort to defend himself: "I must die and not unwillingly; for the tree being fallen, the branches must not stand." Meyrick was hanged, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn on 13 March 1601.

See Francis Bacon's narrative in A Declaration (1601), the next item in this sale.

Catalogued by Dr. Tiffany Stern, FBA

Transcription by Dr. Tiffany Stern:

[Front of indenture, with line numbers added]

1 This Indenture Made the ffirste daye of Julie in the ffoure and Thirteth yere of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Lady Elizabeth by the grace of God Queene of Englande ffraunce and Irelande defender of the faithe &c Betwene the right honorable

2 Robert Earle of Essex and Ewe, viscount Heref and Bourgchier Lorde fferrers of chartley Lorde Bourghchier and Loveyne knight of the most noble order of the Garter and Master of her Majesties horse Thomas Crompton Robert Wright and Gelley Meyricke of London Esquiers of thone partie

3 and Thomas Johnson Citizen and merchanntailor of London of thother partie witnesseth that the saide Thomas Crompton Robert Wright and Gelley Meyricke with the consent and asent of the saide Earle for and in consideraton of a certen Somme of Lawfull money of Englande

4 to them in hande at and before then sealinge and deliverie of theis pursuivantes by the saide Thomas Johnson well and truelie contented and paide whereof and wherewith they acknowledge them selves fullie satisfied and paide and thereof and of every parte and parcell thereof doo cleerly

5 acquite exordate and discharge the saide Thomas Johnson his heires executors and administrators and every of them forever by theis pursuivantes Have bargined solde enfeoffed and confirmed And by theis pursuivantes doo for them and their heires fullie clerely and absoslutely bargaine sell enfeoffe

6 and confirme unto the saide Thomas Johnson his heires and assignes forever All that their Mannor of Brimpton in the countie of Bark withall and singuler the rightes members and appurtennences thereof whatsoever late parcell of the Landes and possessions of Sr ffrauncis Englefeilde knight

7 of highe treason atteinted sometyme beinge And their advowsion guifte free disposicion and right of patronage of the rectorie and churche of Brimpton with the rights members and appurtennences whatsoever to the same Mannor of Brimpton belonginge or apppendent. And also all that their Scite or

8 farme of Brimpton with thappurtennences in the countie of Bark. And all that their parcell of landes wth thappurtennences lyinge and beinge in the backside of the house of the same Scite or farme conteynynge by estimacion Twoo acres. And all that their feildes with thappurtenennces lyinge and beinge

9 in Brimpton aforesaide called the Westholmesfeilde & conteynynge by estimacion Thirtie acres of arrable lande And all that their feilde wth thappurtenneces lyinge and beinge in Brimpton aforesaide called Eastholmefeilde conteynyge by estimacion Twentie acres And all that their close

10 of lande with theappurtenances called the frythe conteynynge by estimacion ffoure acres. And all that their meadowe with thappurtennaces called Horsey meadoe conteynynge by estimacion Nyne acres And all that their close with theppurtenneces called the Oxlease conteynge by estimacion Seaven acres And all that

11 their close with thappurtennences called twelves acres conteynyge by estimacion twelve acres. And all those their arable Landes with thappurtenneces lyinge and beinge in Brympton feilde aforesaide conteynge by estimacion Seaventene acres. And also all those their arable landes with thappurtenneces in Millfeilde

12 in Brympton aforesaide conteynynge by estimacion Twentie acres And also all those their twentie acres of meadowe by estimacion with thappurtennes lyinge and beinge in Longe meade in Brimton aforesaide. And one close and a certen meaddowe with thappurtenneces to the same belonginge called Bannesters

13 And all that their parcell of meadowe with thappurtennces called Calves lease contynynge by estimacion eighteen acres. And all that their parcell of lande with thappurtenneces there called Chappyne conteyinge by estimacion Nyne Acres And all that their close with thappurtenneces called Howse leafe And all

14 that their close called Burghefeilde conteynynge by estimacion eight acres with their appurtennances whatsoever to the saide Scite or farme belonginge or appteynyge And also all that their mesuage and tenemente one corne mill one fullinge mill barne garden and backside with thappurtennces conteyinge by estimacion

15 halfe an acre And all those two closes of pasture and meadowe with thappurtennances conteynynge by estimacion five acres And all that their acre of arable lande by estimacion lyinge and being in Brimpton aforesaide now or late in the tenure or occupacion of Thomas Brightwell or of his assignes And also all that

16 their grove of woode and underwoode and woodlande called Gamesters grove conteyinge by estimacion five acres growinge lyinge and beinge in Brimpton aforesaide in the saide countie of Bark in a certen close there called Bannesters close And all that their hedgrowe of woode underwoodes and woodlane

17 with thappurtennces conteynynge by estimacion one acre dispersivelie groweinge lyinge and beinge in a close there called happins close And all that their hedgrowe of woode underwoodes and woodlandes with thappurtenneces conteyinge by estimacion halfe an acre lyinge growing and being there in a

18 certen close called houseleafe which saide Scyte or farme of Brimpton aforesaide and other the premises by theis pursuivantes mencioned to be bargained and solde with all and singuler their appurtenneces or late were parcell of the saide Mannor of Brimpton and late were parcell of the landes and possessions

19 of the saide Sir ffrauncis Englefeilde knight of highe treason attaincted And all and singuler mesuages graunges mylles howses edifices barnes Stables dovehouses lodges yards orchards gardyns pales landes tenementes meadows feadinge pastures commons demeane landes wastes heathes furzes moores

20 marishes woodes underwoodes woodlandes waters fyshinges fyshinge places warrens mynes quarreis rentes revercions services rentes charge rentes seeke rentes of Assize rentes and services aswell of free as custemmarie tennementes and rentes and services reserved upon any demise or graunte farmes fee farmes ammicties

21 knightes fees wardesmariages eschetes releifs heriottes fynes [] courteletes viewes of francke pledge perquisytte and profytte of courtes and leetes and all thinges to courte lete and viewe of franke pledge belonging cattalls waifs estraies bondmen bondwomen villaines with their Sequelles estovers

22 and commons of estovers free warrens faires markets tolnes duties customes rightes jurisdicions francheises liberties priviledges profyttes commodyties emoluments and heredytantes whatsoever with theappurtenences aswell spirituall as temporall of what kind nature or qualitie whatsoever they be or whatsoever other

23 name or names the same be called or knowne scytuate lyinge and being comynnge growinge or arrysinge within the towne feildes places parishes or hamlets aforesaide or in any of them in the saide countie of Bark to the aforesaide Mannor Scyte messuages landes tenementes meadows feadinge pastures and other

24 the premysses by theis pursuivantes bargained and solde or to any of them belonginge or appertynyge or as member parte or parcell of the same Mannor messuages landes tenementes and other the premysses by theis pursuivantes mentoned to be bargained and solde or of any of them beinge heretofore had knowne accepted used reputed or

25 enjoyed with all and singular their appurtenence whatsoever and which were graunted to the saide Thomas Crompton Robert Wright and Gelly Mericke or to any of them by or from our Sovereigne Lady the Queenes Majestie that now is And also all and singuler woodes underwoodes and trees whatsowever growinge

26 or beinge in or upon the premises or in or upon any parcell thereof And the landes groundes and Soile of the same woodes underwoodes and trees And the revercion and revercions whatsoever of all and singuler the same premysses by theis pursuivantes mentioned to be bargayned and solde and everie parcell therof And

26 the rentes and yerelie profyttes whatsoever resyved upon any demise or graunte heretofore made of the premises or anie parcell therof And the revercion and revercions remainder and remainders whatsoevever of the saide Mannor messauges landes tenementes hereditamantes and of all and singuler other the premisses before by this

27 pursuivantes bargained and solde and of every parcell thereof dependinge in or upon any demise or grante heretofore made of the premysses for terme of lyyfe lyves or yeres or otherwise In suchlike and in as large and ample mannor and forme to all intents and purposes as our saide Sovereigne Lady the Queene

28 by her highness letters patentes under the greate Seale of Englande bearinge date the one and Thirtieth daie of Marche in the one and Thirtieth yere of her highness reigne did give and graunte the saide Mannors landes tenementes hereditaments and other the premysses (amongets other thinges) unto them the

29 saide Thomas Crompton Robert Wright ad Gelley Myricke their heires and assignes forever As by the same letters patentes amongst other thinges therein conteined more at large apearthe To have and to holde the saide Mannor Scyte Capitall messuage lande tenements hereditamentes and all

30 and singuler other the premysses before by theis pursuivantes bargained and solde an every parcell thereof with thappurtennces unto hym the saide Thomas Johnson his heires and assignes forever. To thonly prop use and behoofe of hyme the saide Thomas Johnson his heires and assignes foever To holde the same

31 [pointy finger in margin!] Mannor of Brimpton amongst other thinges in the same letters patentes conteyned of our Sovereigne Lady the queens Majestie her heires and Successors in chiefe by the Service of the Twentieth parte of one knightes fee And yeldinge and payinge therefore yerelie to our saide Sovereigne Lady the Queene her heirs

32 and Successors of and for the saide Mannor of Brompton and other the premises in Brimpton aforesaide with thappurtenences Nynetene pounds five shillings and three pence of lawfull money of Englande to the handes of the generall receavours of the countie aforessaide for the tyme beinge or to the handes

33 of the Collectors or baylife of the same premises or to the receipt of her hignes exchequor her heires or Successors At the feastes of the Annunciacon of the blessed vergyne Mary and St Michael the Arcaungell by even porcions yerelie to be paide for all services and demaundes whatsoever to our saide sovereigne

34 lady the Queene her heires or Successors therefore to be yelded paide or done And the saide Robert Earle of Essex and his heires the aforesaide mannor Scyte messuages landes tentements and heredytmentes and all and singuler other the premyssese before by theis pursuivantes mencioned to be bargained &

35 solde and every parcell therof with thappurtennces unto the said Thomas Johnson his heirs and assignes to thonlie proper use and behoofe of hyme the saide Thomas Johnson his heires and assignes forever against hyme the saide Earle and his heires shall and will warrant and defend forever And

36 also the saide Thomas Crompton and his heires the aforesaide mannor Scite messuages landes tenementes heredytaments and all and singuler other the premises before by theis pursuivantes mencioned to be bargained and solde and every parcell thereof with thapprutenence unto hym the saide Thomas Johnson his

37 heires and assignes To thonlie proper use and behoofe of him the saide Thomas Johnson and of his heires and assignes forever against hym the saide Thomas Crompton and his heires as shall and will warrant and forever defend by their pursuivantes And lykewyse the said Robert Wright

38 and his heires the aforesaide Mannor Scite mesuages landes tenements hereditaments and all and singuler other the premysses before by theis pursuivantes mencioned to be bargained and solde and every parcell therefore with thappurtences unto hym the said Thomas Johnson and of his heires and assignes forever against hym the saide Thomas Crompton and his heires as shall and will warrant and forever defend by theis pursuivantes And also the saide Gelly Meyricke and his heires the aforesaide Mannor

39 scyte mesuages landes tenementes hereditaments and all and singuler other the premysses before by theis pursuivantes mencioned to be bargained and solde and every parcell therefore with thappurtences unto hym the said Thomas Johnson and of his heires and assignes to thonlie proper use and behoofe of huym the said

40 Thomas Johnson and of his heires and assignes forever against hym the saide Gelley Meyricke and his heires shall and will warrant and forever defende by theis pursuivantes And further the saide Robert Earle of Essex doth covernaunte promyse and graunte for hymselfe his heires executors

41 and administrators by theis pursuivantes to and with the saide Thomas Johnson his heires and assignes and every of them that he the saide Earle his heirs executors or administrators or some of them shall and will at all tymes hereafter and from tyme to tyme clerely acquite exonerate and discharge or otherwise

42 sufficientlie save or kepe harmeles the aforesaide Mannor Landes tenementes hereditaments and all and singuler other the premises before by theis pursuivantes mencioned to be bargained and solde and every parcell thereof wth thappurtenences of and ffrom all and al maner of former beargaines sales giftes grauntes

43 leases Statutes recognizaunces and of and from all other charges titles troubles and incumbrances whatsoever had made caused comytted or done by hym the saide Earle or by anie other person or persons whatsoever by his title meanes consent or procurement. The rent tennement and service in and by the

44 saide recytd letter patentes reserved and conteyned with from henceforth for or in respect of the premysses shall growe due to be paide done or performed except and foreprysed And also excepte one Releafe bearingge date the ffourtenthe day of Julie in the three & thirtieth yere of her Majesties reigne made

45 and graunted by the saide Earle and Gelly Meyricke of the saide Mannor of Brimpton and other the premysses (amongst other thinges) to the saide Thomas Crompton and Robert Wright And also except one Lease heretofore made by the said Thomas Crompton and Robert Wright by &

46 with the consent of the saide Earle to Thomas Brightwell alias Shonke of one Mesuage or tenement water corne greist mill and mill house and other landes and tenement in the tenure of the saide Thomas Brightwell alias Shonke being parcell of the premysses by Indenture bearingge date the

47 fyfte day of ffebruarie in the ffoure and thirtieth yere of the reigne of our said Sovereyne Lady Queen Elizabeth for the terme of one yere commencinge from the feast of the Annuciation of the blessed marie the virgin then next ensuyinge and soe from yere to yere after thende of the saide

48 one yere at all tymes at the will and pleasure of the saide Earle Thomas Crompton and Robert Wright their heirs and assignes upon which Lease the yerelie rent of Thirtene poundes Sixe shillings eight pence is reserved and shall or may be herebie due and payable unto the saide Thomas Johnson

49 his heires of assignes duringe the continuance of the same Lease. And also except one other Lease heretofore made by the saide Thomas Crompton and Robert Wright by and with the consent and agreament of the saide Earle to one Thomas Ashe of all that the mancion and Mannorhouse and Scite of the

50 saide Mannor of Brimpton and of certen closes of arable landes and of other lande meadow and pasture in Brimpton aforesaide now or late in the tenure or occupacion of the saide Thomas Ashe or his assignes beinge lykewyse parcell of the premysses by Indenture bearinge date the saide fyfte daie

51 of februarie in the saide ffowre and Thirtieth yere of the Queenes reigne for the terme of one yere comencinge from the feast of the Annunciation of the blessed virgin Marie next ensuynge the date of the same Indenture and soe from yere to yere after thende of the saide one yere for and duringe and at

52 all tymes the will and pleasure of the saide Thomas Crompton and Robert Wright their hieres and assignes upon which lease the yearlie rent of Thirtie poundes is reserved and shalbe yerelie due and paieable unto the saide Thomas Johnson his heires and assignes duringe the continuance

53 of the same Lease And lykewyse the saide Thomas Crompton doth conveanant promise and graunte for himselfe his heires executors and administrators by theis pursuivantes to and with the saide Thoams Johson his heires and assignes and every of them that he the saide Thomas Compton his heires executors

54 or administrators or some of them shall and will at all tymes hereafter and from tyme to tyme clerelie acquite exonerate and discharge or otherwise suficientlie save or kepe harmeles the aforesaide Mannor landes tenements hereditaments and all and singuler other the premysses before by theis pusuivantes

55 mentioned to be bargained and solde and every parcell thereof with theappurteneces of and from all and all mannor of formes bargaines Sales giftes grauntes leases Statures recognizances and of and from all other charges titles troubles and incumbrances whatsoever had made caused comytted or

56 done by hym the saide Thomas Crompton or by other person or persons whatsoever by his title meanes consent or procurement The rent tenure and service in and by the saide recited letters patents reserved and conteined which from henceforthe for or in respect of the premises shall growe due to be paide don

56 or perfomed except and foreprysed And also except one, x, lease heretofore made by the saide Thomas Crompton and Robert wright by and with the consent of the saide Earle to one Thomas Brightwell alas Shonke of one Mesuage or tenement water corne greiste mill and myll house and other landes and

57 tenements in the tenure of the saide Thomas Brightwell alias Shonke being parcell of the premysses by Indenture bearinge date the fifte day of februarie in the foure and thertieth yere of the reigne of our Sovereigne Lady Queee Elizabeth for the terme of one yere commencinge from the Feaste of the Annunciacion

58 of the blessed marie the virgin then next ensuyinge and soe form yere to yere after thende of the saide one yere at all tymes at the will and pleasure if the saide Earle Thomas Cromptonn and Robert Wright their heires and assignes upon which lease the yerelie rent of Thirtene poudnes Sixe shillings eight pence is

59 reserved and shall or may be herelie due and payable unto the saide Thomas Johnson his heires or assignes duringe the continuance of the same lease And also except one other lease heretofore made by the saide Thomas Crompton and Robert Wright by and with the consent and agreeament of the saide Earle to one

60 Thomas Ashe of all that the mancion mannor house and Scite of the saide mannor of Brimpton and of certain closes of arrable landes and of other landes meadow and pasture in Brimpton aforesaide now or late in the tenure or occupation of the saide Thomas Ashe or his assinges being lykewyse parcell of the premises

61 by Indenture bearinge date the saide fyfte daie of februarie in the saide foure and thirtieth yere of the Queenes reiginge for the term of one yere comencinge from the feaste of the Annunciacion of the blessed virgin marie next ensuyige the date of the same Indenture and soe from yere to yere after thende of the said

62 one yere and durinnge and at all tymes the will and pleasure of the saide Thomas Crompton and Robert Wright their heires and asssinges upon which lease the yere rent of Thirtie poundes is reserved and shalbe yerelie due and payable unto the saide Thomas Johnson his heires and assignes duringe the continuance

63 of the same lease. And also the saide Robert Wright doth convenante promise and graunte for hymselfe his heires executors and administrators by theies pursuivances to and with the saide Thomas Johnnson his heires and assignes and every of them that he the saide Robert Wright his heires exectors or administrators or some

64 of them shall and wyll at all tymes hereafter and from tyme to tyme clerely acquite exonerate and discharge or otherwise sufficientlie save or kepe harmeles the aforesaide mannor landes tenements hereditaments and all and singuler other the premysses before by theis pursuivantes mencioned to be bargained and solde and

65 every parcell therefore with thappurtenances of and from all and all manner of formes bargaines Salesgiftes grauntes leases Statutes recognizances and of and from all other changes titles troubles and incumbrances whatsoever had made caused comytted or don by hym the saide Robert Wright or by any other

66 person or persons whatsoever by his title meanes consent or procurement The rente tenure and service in and by the saide recited letters patents reserved and conteined which from henceforth for or in respect of the premysses shall growe due to be paide done or performed except and foreprysed And also except one lease

67 heretofore made by the saide Thomas Crompton and Robert Wright by and with the consent of the saide Earle to one Thomas Brightwell alias Shonke of one mesuage or tenement water corne greist mill and mill house and other landes and tenements in the tenure of the said Thomas Brightwell alias

68 Shonke being the parcel of the preisses by Indenture bearinge date the fyfte daie of februarie in the foure and thirteth yere of the reigne of our saide Sovereigne Lady Queene Elizabeth for the terme of one yere comencinge from the feaste of the Annuciacion of the blessed marie the virgin then next

69 insuynge and so from yere to yere after thende of the saide one yere at all tymes at the will and pleasure of the saide Thomas Crompton and Robert Wright their heires and assignes upon which lease the yerelie rennt of thirtene poundes Sixe shillings eight pence is reserved and shall or

70 may be yerelie due and paiable unto the saide Thomas Johnson his heires or assignes duringe the contyunance of the same Lease And also except one other lease heretofore made by the saide Thomas Cormpton and Robert Wright by and with the consent and agreament of the saide Earle to one Thomas

71 Ashe of all that the mancion mannor house and Scite of the saide Mannor of Brimpton and of certen closes of arable landes and other lande meadow and pasture in brimpton aforesaide now or late in the tenement occupation of the saide Thomas Ashe or his assignes beinge lykewyse parcel of the premises by Indenture bearinge

72 date the saide fyfe daide of februarie in the saide foure and thirteith yere of the Queenes reigne for the terme of one yere commencinge from the feaste of the Annuciacion of the blassed virgin Marie next ensuying the date of the same Indenture and soe from yere to yere after thende of the saide one yere for and duringe

73 at all tymes the will and pleasure of the saide Thomas Crompton and Robert Wright their heires and assignes upon which lease the yerelie rente of Thirtie poundes is reserved and shalbe yerelie due and payable unto the saide Thomas Johnson his heires and assinges duringe the continuance of the same Lease.

74 And in like manner the saide Gelley Meyricke doth covenaunte promyse and graunte for humselfe his heires executors and administrators by theis pursuivantes to and with the saide Thomas Johnson his heires and assignes and every of them that he the saide Gelley Meyricke his heires executors or administrators or some of

75 them shall and will at all tymes hereafter and from tyme to tyme clerelie acquite exonerate and discharge or otherwise sufficientlie save or kepe harmeles the aforesaide mannor landes tenements heredytaments and all and singuler other the premises before by their pursuivantes mencioned to be bargained and solde and every parcel

76 thereof with thappurtenance of and from all and al manner of formes bargaines Sales giftes grauntes leases Statutes recognizances and of and from all other charges titles troubles and incumbrancees  whatsoever had made caused committed or done by hym the saide Gelley Meyricke or by anie other person or persons

77 whatsoever by his title meanes consent or procurement The rent tenure and Service in and by the saide recited letters Patentes reserved and conteined which from hereceforth for or in respect of the premises shall growe due to be paide done or performed except and foreprysed And also except on release bearinge

78 date the fourtenthe daye of Julie in the three and Thirteth yere of her Majesties Reigne made and grunted by the saide Earle and Geley Meyricke of the saide Mannor of Brimpton and other the premises (amongest other thinges (to the saide Thomas Cormpton and Robert Wright And also except one Lease

79 heretofore made by the saide Thomas Crompton and Robert Wright by and  with the consent of the saide Earle to one Thomas Brightwell alias Shonke of one Mesuage or tenement water corne geist mill and mill house and other landes and tenements in the tenure of the saide Thomas Brightwell alias Shonke

80 beinge parcel of the premysses by Indenture bearinge date the fifte daie of ffebruarie in the foure and thireth yere of the reigne of our Sovereigne Lady Queene Elizabeth for the terme of one yere comencinge from the feaste of the Annunciacion of the blessed marie the virgyn then next ensuying and so from

81 yere to yere after the end of the saide one yere at all tymes at the will and pleasure of the saide Earle Thomas Crompton and Robert Wright their heires and assignes upon which lease the yerelie rent of Thirtene poundes syxe Shillinges eighte pence is reserved and shall or may be yerelie due and paiable

82 unto the saide Thomas Johnson his heires or assignes duringe the contynuance of the same Lease And also except one lease heretofore made by the saide Thomas Crompton and Robert Wright by and with the consent and agreament of the saide Earle to one Thomas Ashe of all that the Mannor and mancion

83 house and Scite of the saide Mannor of Brimpton and of certen closes of arrable landes and of other lande meadow and pasture in Brompton aforesaide now or late in the tenure or occupacion of the saide Thomas Ashe or his assignes beinge lykewse parcel of the premisses by Indenture bearinge date the saide

84 fifte daie of februarie in the saide foure and thirteth yere of the Queenes reigne of  the terme of one yere comencinge form the feaste of the annuciacion of the blessed virgin Marie next ensuyinge the date of the same Indenture and soe from yere to yere after thende of the saide one yere for and duringe and all all tymes

85 the will and pleasure of the saide Thomas Crompton and Robert Wright their heires and assignes upon which lease the yerelie rente of thirtie poundes is reserved and shalbe yerelie due and paiable to the saide Thomas Johnson his heires and assignes duringe the conyunance of the same lease And

86 the saide Thoams johson doth conveaunte promyse and graunte for humselfe his heires execoutors and administrators by theis pursuivantes to and with the saide Thomas Compton Robert Wright and Gelley Mericke and everie of them and theires executors and adminsitotors of every of them that he the saide Thomas

87 Johnson his heires executors and administrators or some of them shall and will at all tymes hereafter and from tyme to tyme clerelie acquite exonerate and discharge or otherwise sufficientlie save or kepe harmeles the saide Thomas Crompton Robert Wright and Gelley Meyricke and every of them and their

88 execotors and administoratrs of every of them aswell againste our saide Sovereigne Lady the Queene her heirs Successors officers and assignes as against all and everie other person and persones whatsoever and concernyne the saide Rent service and tenure before mentioned to be excepted and reserved and of and from

89 all charges which shall or may at any time hereafter come aryse or be for or by reason of the same or any parcel thereof. In witnes whereof the parties aforesaide to theis pursuivante Indentures have Enterchaungeably putt their Seales geoven the daie and yere first above written 1592.

under flap:

recognit cora me [Matthyo careto in canalla Mrd?] per superscript Robertu Comitem, Essex Thos Crompton et Robertu Wright dicet an suprascript

1592

Recogn[ic?]es mihi non sunt]

Back of Indenture:

Top

Sigill et dehibat per infra [] Robertu Comitem Essex Thomam Crompton et Robertu wright in prima

Richerd Broughton et mei Henriri Best Sr

Bottom

Docketed (Left):

The conveyance of Brympton Manner from Robert Earle of Essex & others to Thomas Johnson. Dated primo Julii Anno xxxiiii Eliz:

Endorsed (Middle):

in dors [] & [] infrascript dne Regine

secundo die Novembris anno infrascripto

                                    per William herd et johem Daily deputitt

                                    [] []

                                    Essex comes et Johnson

Docketed (Right: very faint)

The conveyance of Brympton farme and mannor