Geoffrey de Knelle, Isabel Aucher, and the tenants and landowners between Knellesflote and Robertsbridge to embank the river above Knellesflote, Sussex.
Geoffrey is listed as “Galfro milites” in the Sussex subsidies of 1327 and 1332 with 7 s 8 3/4 d and 5 s ½ d each.
On 22 Aug. 1328 he and Reginald de Cobham received protection with clause 'volumus' going beyond seas with Master John de Hildesle in the king's service (C.P.R.) They had order to go to Brabant on a diplomatic mission. - "Expenses of John de Hildesle sent with Reginald de Cobham to Brabant" (TNA E 101/310/1, 2 Edward III).
1329 Geoffrey, going on pilgrimage, had letters nominating JOHN LYNET and Philip Endelewike his attourneys for 2 years (CPR). The favourite place of pilgrimage of the Sussex nobles at that time was St. James in Compostela, Galicia, Spain, and the port of departure Winchelsea. (SAC).
1331 - Licence to construct the seawall at Knellesflote at the border between Sussex and Kent (CPR).
1332 March 7 - Licence after inquisition 'ad quod damnum' for Geoffrey de Knelle, Isabel Aucher and others to build a sea wall at 'Knellesflote' to preserve the lands between this place and Newenden bridge and prevent the destruction of the highway between the land of John de la Gate and Newenden bridge. - March 8 - Commission to Roger Bavent, William de Northo and others to supervise the bulding of a sluice and sea wall at 'Knellesflote'...and to see that the land owners concerned partake in the costs in proportion to their holdings (CPR). - By this sea wall or dam the waters of the Rother were turned down on the north side of the Isle of Oxney and a new river bed cut out across the marsh to Potmanshoath so that the water was compelled to flow on the north side of the Isle of Oxney. Thereby the tidal waters could not reach Newenden any more. (SAC V. 28, pp 167-8).
1332, March 8 - Commission to Roger de Bavent, and others on information of William Trussel, escheator, that by the ebb and flow of tide in the river between the lands of Geoffrey de Knelle and Isabella Aucher, between Knellesflote and Robertsbridge 650 acres of their lands and of others had been swallowed up and more land might be submerged. So the king had granted them a licence to build a sluice and sea wall and all concerned should shoulder the costs in proportion to their holdings. (CPR).
1332 - Commission of oyer and terminer to Thomas Bacon, Roger Bavent, John Cobham and John Inge on complaint by Geoffrey de Knelle that John Waleys, John Notebem and others broke his close at Knelle, carried away his goods and assaulted his servants. On Dec.13 the same to John Shardelowe and others on complaint by John Waleys that Geoffrey de Knelle, kt., John atte Gate and others carried away his goods and assaulted his servants at Knellesflote (CPR).
1333 - Galfridus de Knelle and Isabel Aucher had an inquisition on the state of repair of the wall (Cal. IPM)
1335 - Commission to William de Orlandston and others to supervise and repair the dykes and other works lately constructed persuant a commission of Roger de Bavent and his fellow justices to protect lands of Geoffrey de Knelle and Isabella Aucher (CPR).
1340, Aug. 2 - Thomas Aldon, Stephen de Padiham, William de Sessyngham and Stephen Forsham were to supervise the construction of a sluice and a wall with gutter to keep out the sea and to preserve the lands of the tenants of the towns of Wightresham, Rolvenden, Iden, Peasmarsh and Beckley, where 600a of land had been flooded or swallowed up. (PR)
1341 - In this year the order was repeated to Roger Bavent, Roger de Hegham, Thomas de Lincoln and William de Northo with the power to distrain and punish by amercements those persons who refuse to pay their share as the seewall needed urgent repair. The King appointed William de Orlanston, Thomas de Gyllingham, Stephen de Padyham and John de Bettenham to survey the works.
1342, May 30 - Commission of 'walliis and fossatis' to John Fenes, kt. (Fiennes), John Paulyn and others at 'Knellesflote' etc. By inquisition lately taken by William Trussel, escheator on this side of the Trent, it was found that 650 acres of the land of Geoffrey de Knelle and Isabel Aucher and others had been swallowd up and other land would soon be submerged unless a sea wall were built there. The king by letters patent granted license for the above mentioned. (CPR).
1347 The towns of Wyngenhalle, Walpole, Walsnye, Tylnye in 1347 complained that the floods had swept over the great wall. (From Influence of the Black Death on the English Monasteries).
Calender of Patent Rolls Vol. 9, p. 178
1348 April 8 Westminster. - ....The king by letters patent lately granted licence for Geoffrey de Knelle and Isabel Aucher, both now deceased, and others to make a sluice in the river running between a place called ‘Knellesflote’.... and to build a wall to save their lands from inundation...
Protest by James de Echingham against building the wall with the argument that
his market would be damaged at Salehurst and the ships could not get to his
manor of Echingham any more. Therefore, Henry Hussey and others were commissioned to determine whether the
wall which had been built there, should be dismantled. - This is also reflected
in the TNA document SC 8/342/16077 where Isabel's surname is spelled Auger.
The answer to James de Echingham's request was that John de Strode, John de Ore, Robert Sharnden and Philip de la Wyke were appointed to inquire into the matter in presence of the concerned parties. But then the King was informed that the wall is a public benefit and James wanted the wall thrown down for his personal benefit and to the damage of the King and the public and is thought to use suborned jurors. Therefore the appointed persons are to seek unsuspected jurors to determine whether the wall should be preserved or not. - James Echingham died the next year, probably from the plague which was still raging. Geoffrey and Isabel had been dead for some years at that date.
1350 - Another commission was given to Thomas de Passele, Thomas de Pumpe, Stephen Scappe, William de Holden and William de Wightresham to inspect Knellesflote (CPR)
Index to the Kent Lay Subsidy Roll of 1334/5: Auch(i)er, Isabel (d. between 1336 and 1348), held land worth 10 s in the Hundred of Selbrithendenne (Sellbtrittenden) of which Newenden is a Parish. Hasted in his 'Kent' says that the family held much land in the Hundred of Selbrittenden, Lace of Scray, and that the ancestor of the family was Ealcher or Aucher, the first earl and Duke of Kent, whose descendant Walter Fitz Auger, a noble Briton, is recorded at the time of the Conquest in 1066. He received High Laver in Essex as his huntsman and forester of Waltham forest. - At the time of the flooding by the Rother Isabel was the widow of Henry Aucher of Losenham who had died in October 1330.
The Franklin-Rogers Family Tree (rootsweb) quotes of Henry Aucher, Isabel's son: “Henry held Losenham, temp. Edward III. He was assessed for his various manors at the knighting of the Black Prince on the field of Crecy 26 Aug. 1346 at 15 years of age and at that time held the following manors: one quarter of a knight’s fee in Losenham, formerly held by Nicholas Aucher from Ralph de St. Leger....” He also held land in Mayham which had been of Nicholas, as well as land in Tenderden and Selbrittenden. (Feudal Aids). This parish is divided from Knelle manor by the Rother.
The arms of the St. Aucher family of Newenden are ermine, on a chief azure, 3 lions rampant or - the one of Anger or Augier, Kent, ermine on a chief azure, a lion rampant or, Crest: a martlet flying over a castle ruined in the sinister tower (The British Herald by Sir William Scott). The ermine suggests Breton descent.
VCH says that Edmund held Knelle in 1335 and 1339. He paid for another knights' fee of Morhalle, valued at 5 lbs 10s per annum (Collectanea Topographica et Genealogica). The Nonae Roll of 1342 states that a great part of the land of Morhall in Ninfield had been submerged (SAS V. 17, p. 59). - Sussex Feet of Fines: 1335: Edmund de Kenelle and Joan his wife (by Thomas de Sheldon, guardian of Joan) v. William de Clynton (Earl of Huntingdon), Richard Allesley, rector of the church of Wynchefeld and Thomas Chaumpayne, chaplain - manor of Kenelle to Edmund and Joan and heirs of their bodies, remainder to right heirs of Edmund. - Joan must have been younger than 16 years as women used to be judged adult at that date.
William de Clinton, Earl of Huntingdon, was married to Juliana Leybourne, the last heiress of that family (The Infanta of Kent).Thomas Chaumpayne was related to the Northwoods and those to the Leybournes. With what right William sued for Knelle manor has not become clear yet.
John Oxenbrigg of Beckley made an agreement of 16 parcels of land in Beckley on 24 Dec.1338. Witnesses: Edmund....missing, John de Glesham, John Kitchener, John Passele and John de Oxenbrigg atte Gate. Dated at Beckley. It is highly possible that this Edmund was Edmund de Knelle, an immediate neighbour of Gate Court. (FRE/6962). 1431 William Oxenbregge of Beckley quitclaimed 2 parcels of land with buildings called Knollerystowne in Beckley (FRE/6972).
On July 5, 1338 Edmond de Knelle obtained a licence to go abroad with Reginald Cobham and to appoint William de Wyghtresham and Richard Rethyng's his attorneys until Christmas. On Nov. 5 Edmund de Knelle, Roger and Gervaise Allard, John de Cobham, Robert St. Owen and others received letters of protection from the King. - Gervaise Allard would be the Admiral or his son.
In 1340 Edmund claimed from Robert de Abotteslonde and Alice his wife, 30 acres in Beckele which went to him for a payment of 100s. (Sussex Fines).
In 1339/40 Robert bishop of Chichester, John de Warenne, earl of Surrey, Richard earl of Arundel, Henry Hussey, Thomas de Brewosa and Edward de St. John were obliged to array 50 armed men, 200 men at arms and 200 archers in Sussex. Edmond de Knelle had to put at their disposal one man at arms for his land in Knelle. John at Knell, his son John and Stevin at Knell had to partake as archers. John Knellere of Goldspur hundred was another archer as well as William at Knolle and John Knollere in the Hundred of Staple, where the Knelle family held land. In charge of the archers were John Glesham, John Bechenore and John de Oxenbrige (at Gate). The widow of Gervase Allard was listed for procuring one armed footman. - William at Knolle would be a descendant of the William de Knolle who held Knowl Corner in Ewherst in 1296.
On 3rd August 1342 Edmund presented a plea for debt against Richard de Ratlinge for the sum of 150 lbs 6 s which Richard acknowledged to be levied in Kent. (CCR). The inquisition and return to Chancery on 13 Oct.1349 ordered half of Richard de Rething's possessions to be given to Edmund. (TNA C 131/8/5) - This Richard would be Edmund's attorney of 1338. - There were other persons who owed money: John Gloshame and John de Oxenbrugge atte Gate acknowledge that they owe to Edmund de Knelle, kt., 160 lbs to be levied in default of payment of their lands and chattles in Sussex. - (CCR)
1343-4 Edmund atte Knelle paid Feudal aids (Middle English Dictionary). - Edmund was fined 2d and Hugh de Knelle 4d for having brewed and thus broken the assize and not kept the watch (at Hasting Castle) (GBS). For Hugh see "further Knelle members". It is possible that he was a brother or cousin of Edmund.
1346 - Memorandum - The King appointed Robert de Monceaux, his serjeant at arms, and the sheriff of Kent to take John, son of Richard Wardieu of Bodyham and John de Boxhunt of Sandherst on suspicion of their misdeeds to seize their lands and goods. They were mainperned by Edmund de Knelle, Hamo atte Gate, Henry Wardieu and others. (CCR).
Edmund issued the famous Egerton charter 402 dated 1346, in which he grants the moiety of Waliland (Welland), half a knight’s fee, to Robertsbridge Abbey, which had been bought by his ancestor Matthew from John de Walilond, descendant of Robert de Walilond, who had been granted it by Alured de St. Martin. (Wtn. John de Oxenbigge, John de Kitchenor and others). - This charter he probably issued before he went oversees to take part in the Battle of Crécy and the siege of Calais (History of Staffordshire). He had mustered on 7th or 8th June of that year. The battle of Crécy took place on 26 August and the army went then on to besiege Calais which surrendered on 12 August 1347.
William Scot, William de Notton and Robert de Tye, justices of assize in Kent, for Edward de Knolle, who is about to set out with Bartholomew de Burgersh in the King's service beyond sea (CCR).
1350, 10 Sept. a plea of debt by Edmund was submitted to the Warden of Canterbury, Thomas Everard and his clerk, for 40 lbs of debts which Richard de Hurst of Sussex had incurred. The sheriff of Sussex was informed of the case which dragged on until 15 May 1358. (TNA C 341/138/52)
1351, 12 Kal. Jan. Edmund de Knelle, kt. of the diocese of Canterbury received an indult from the Papal Court at Avignon to choose a confessor, who shall give, he being penitent, plenary remission at the hour of death, with the usual safeguard. (Cal. of Papal Reg. Relating to Great Britain and Ireland, V. 3 or Regesta V. CCIII).
1352, Oct. 28 - Protection with clause 'volumus' until easter next, for Edmund de Knelle, kt., staying on the king's service in the garrison of the town of Calais by testimony of Robert de Herle, captain of the said town (CPR). - He was scheduled to stay there between Nov. 1352 and Easter 1353.
Ref. PRO AMS6139/44 dd 10 July 1356 Exemplification of exchequer proceedings. “On 26 June 1356 Peek returned copies of inquests which he had held at Newenden (for Kent) and at Knell in Beckley (for Sussex) on 9 June 1346”.
1353 July 3, Westminster (CPR, 1350-4, V. 9, p. 474)
Pardon to William More of his outlawry in the county of Sussex for non-appearance before the justices of the Bench to answer touching a plea of trespass of Edmund de Knelle ‘chivaler’, he having now surrendered to the Fleet prison as John de Stonore, chief justice, has certified.
1355, May 24 - Edmond Knolle obtains a letter of protection to go overseas into France (Catal. des Rôles gascons et normands, V. II, p. 60). At that time there were problems in Calais and Picardy.
On 12 August 1356 Edmund granted to Thomas de Gerdeford and Cicely his wife, his house in Calais in Elyardestret, which the King had granted him for his services. To this charter 6 seals were appended. (Cal. of Deeds in PRO). This he probably did because he knew he was going to war again. The battle of Poictiers was fought in September 1356 under the Black Prince, a battle when life and death for all was at stake because the English army was facing the French who had a host several times their number. The English army was positioned on a hillock from where the archers massacred the oncoming French.
1357 Nov. 13 Westminster (Cal. of Pat. Rolls)
Pardon to Stephen Pope of his outlawry in the county of Sussex for non-appearance before the justices of the Bench to answer Edmund de Knelle, ‘chivaler’, touching a plea of trespass; he having now surrendered to the Flete prison, as Robert de Thorpe, chief justice, has certified.
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1358,15 May - Sir Edmund de Knelle, kt, Richard Hurst of Sussex owes him 40 lbs (TNA C 241/138/52). The case was judged in 'coram justic' de banco' and had been pending since 1350 (TNA 241/138/52).
It is possible that Edmund also died in the pest years of 1360-1 as probably did his son Edward. - (Reginald was first Lord Cobham of Sterborough, knight of the Garter in 1348 as award for his services. He had been one of the three knights in charge of Edward Prince of Wales at Crecy where the prince was knighted at the age of 16. Reginald took part in the battle of Poictier in the course of which he conducted the French King as prisoner into the English Camp (The knights of the Garter. He died of the pestilence in 1361). - (SAS): The pestilence hit preferrably the males.
Edward took part in the siege of Calais - on 20th June 1347 he had order together with Roger Loreng, Walter de Boyngton and Nicolas Dammary, knights, to munition the army in order to activate the siege of Calais. (Catal. des Rôles gascons et normands, V. II, p. 58 and 64). Apparently he had a letter of Protection to go to France on 15 July 1353.
Edward could not be son of his father's wife Joan who was under age in 1335 as in 1347 his minimum age would have been 21. Of him we know that he probably died in 1361, when the black death raged. His sister Margaret and her husband William de Welles held Knelle manor in 1362 (VCH Sussex).
FRE/6902 10 Nov. 1362
Feoffment by Richard de Hegton (Hecton) and John Hicke of Beckley to Richard Wille of Northiam
of ½ a of meadow which Richard and John bought of Edward de Knelle, kt., and the heirs of Adam de Clopton in Northiam.
(possibly a family connection). Adam de Clopton appears as bowman in the muster roll of
1339-40. -FRE/6903 14 Feb 1363 Quitclaim of the property.
FRE/6926 24 June 1417
3 parcels of land called Upper Wodelonde and Haldynnge (12 a) in Beckley and Northiam....N: land of Edmund de Knelle
As Agnes was living 1389 she was probly daughter of Edmund and Joan and thus
half sister to Edward and Margaret. VCH - a nun at Davington (a priory depending on Faversham Abbey, Kent). This
priory had been founded in 1153 by Fulk de Newnham (Notes on the churches in
Kent)
“In 1384, it was alleged that Margaret’s sister* Agnes, who had been a nun at Davington for 30 years, was taken out of her priory by
John Oxenbrigge and others, dressed in secular clothes and brought into court to levy a fine of the manor (of Knelle) in favour of John Brook" (Add. MS.393/5, fol. 44).
William Durant, rector of the church of Rotherfield, John Larke, rector of the church of Oldshoreham, Ralph Blake, rector of the church of Ewhurst, John Edward and John Brook v. Agnes daughter of Edward de Knelle, kt. -the manor of Knelle was adjudged to John Brook etc. and his heirs. 1384 - (Sussex Fines). This is an error because in the de Banco Roll Agnes is named daughter of Edmund.
In 1389 Agnes was holding a rent of 5 marks from the manor, granted to her for life by Robert Belknap, who had obtained a grant of the manor from Thomas Lyvet, cousin of Edmund de Knelle. (CCR, 1381-5, p.634 and 1385-9, FF and others). After the attainder and forfeiture of Robert Belknap she had addressed the chancellor for remedy, her rents not being paid out of the manor of Great Knelle and lands in Beckley, Northiam and Wittersham. The same to William Weston, escheator of Sussex. (CCR)
The answer: William Weston, escheator in Sussex has order to be taken out of the manor of Knelle and of all the lands of Robert Bealknap, deceased, in Beckelee, Northiamme and Wightresham and to deliver to Agnes, daughter of Edmund de Knelle, kt., any money thereof taken. (CCR)
Dugdale says about Davington Nunnery:
“The original number of the nuns was 26, but in the reign of Edw. III from the scantiness of their revenues, they were reduced to 14. In
the17th of above reign...they had not a competent means of subsistence, nor could they live upon the revenue of the convent, but had the charity of their friends to supply them”.
Therefore it is not understandable, that Agnes had been placed in that poor nunnery situated at the far east end of Kent.
The rent of 5 marks yearly must have been a godsend.