THE TRESHAM PAPERS

BELONGING TO

T. B. CLARKE-THORNHILL, ESQ.,

OF RUSHTON HALL, NORTHANTS.

ISABELL TRESHAM.

1451, October 22. Sywell.-"The Awarde of William Vaus squier, and Mayster Thomas Salesbury clerke, Arbitrors indifferently chosen betwene Isabell late the wyfe of William Tresham And Thomas Tresham squier, son and here of the same William Tresham and Isabell, as for playne satisfaccion to the same Isabell of the some of 1,000 mares for all maner goodes, catetelles and divers mevables to hyr be the seyde Willyam in eny wyse longyng, made at Sywell the xxij day of October the yere of the regne of kyng Herry the vjte. aftur the conquest Xxxte.."

The award sets forth that the said Isabel hath received and is content of the value of certain given sums in goods and jewels, in money appointed for the marriage of Ric. Tresham, in the price of certain muttons to her delivered, in sacks of wool, in corn and in plate of silver, some gilt and some white. Also in certain sums of money "to be contente by certein persones aftur specified chosen by the seyde Isabell, that ys to sey of (sic) Thomas Wake shirefe of the shyer of Northampton of suche duete as ys due to the sayde William Tresham for hys knyghtes spences as for the same shier And of Robert Tanfelde for duete owyng to the same Willyam as well of hys owne duete as for the duete of Thomas Taylor of Burton werfore the same Robert bycame borow [i.e. surety] And of Warroks late of Northampton of suche duete as he oweth to the seyde William. And in case the seyde Robert Tanfelde shewe any lawful cawse of discharge . . . then the seyde Isabell to be contente at her eleccion of the dettes of the seyde William due by oure soverain lorde the kyng by Thomas Clypsham, syr William Trussell knyght, Eustace Burneby and Croston receiver to the Lords Lovell" according to a bill formerly made by the same Isabell. "Also the seyde Isabell hathe receyvyd beddyng, costeryng, a masboke and a chalice." One sheet, indented, three seals.

*

*

Hangings, properly the side hangings, of a bed.

[1451] 30 Herry VI., October 26.-Acknowledgment that Isabell, late the wife of William Tressham, squire, has received of Thomas Tressham and Thomas Merton, xxli. vjs. viijd. in part payment of lvj marks for wool and corn. Serap of parchment, indented. Sealed.

THOMAS TRESAME to LADY

1576, December 28. Rushton.-A long letter of thanks for kindness shown to his brother, "who of himself is unable to wade through the thwarts and storms in court," but whose fortune-or rather the direction of hers-will now permit him happily to continue what he has begun, being shrouded under her safe conduct, and having the sound and provident advice of so dear a patroness. To pray her to continue her zeal and kindly care is needless, and "as the poet well warneth that in hasty pursuit, too fast spurring causeth the speed to be the slower," he humbly commits her to God's good keeping, and with duty to his good lord, her husband, takes his leave. 3 pp. Draft.

EDWARD DALLYSON.

[1576-7], 19 Eliz., March 17.-Bond of Edward Dallyson of Orlingberie, co. Northampton, gent., to Thomas Leylam of Brixworth in the same county, in twenty marks, conditioned for the payment of 8l. 8s. on the 1st of May next. Signed and sealed. p.

ROTHWELL CROSS.

66

1578, July 2.-"A note of a bargain for certain works to be done at Rothewell Cross by W. Grombalde." The agreement [which evidently relates to the market or sessions house built by Sir Thomas at Rothwell, ride Gotch's Buildings of Sir T. Tresham] stipulates that Grombald shall erect a house with seven arches, seven windows of various sizes, seven "gablins, with seven beasts of a full yard high or better, holding a scutcheon of arms," and a chimney six feet wide. There are to be three "pair of arms with the crest, helmet and mantling large and very fair done" to be set under the east and west windows, and on the north side under the porch window; also "fifty scutcheons with arms embossed upon them that must stand round about the house of the inside with an architrave under and a cornice over them." The stone is to be found for him, and the lime, sand, scaffold, timber and other things necessary for the work are to be provided at the charge of the inhabitants of Rothwell. The work is to be finished by St. Michael's Day, and the sum of 60l. is to be paid for it, at the rate of 15l. per month. Signed by Sir Thomas Tresame and William Grombald.† 1 p. Also draft of the same.

* Knighted in 1577.

See Introduction, p. xxxiii,