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From: "Rosie Bevan" <>
Subject: Montgomery of Cubley. Part 1
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 2002 12:47:27 +1300


The Montgomerys of Cubley were a prominent Derbyshire family which prospered
under the Ferrers family, and later the House of Lancaster, by reason of
their land tenure. They had considerable landed interests in Staffordshire,
as well as Derbyshire and Northamptonshire. Established in Cubley at
Domesday, the male line of the Montgomery family failed in 1517.

A study of the family last year between Mardi Carter, MichaelAnne Guido and
myself, in connection with the identity of Matilda Montgomery wife of Thomas
Clarell, revealed much in the way of conflicting and confusing information,
mainly from secondary sources. As there has never been a comprehensive study
made of the family, I decided to spend some time with primary sources to
see whether it was possible to reach a more reliable framework. While the
following study has its gaps, hopefully it will provide a reliable basis for
further work.

My thanks to Mardi and MichaelAnne for all their input.

Rosie


MONTGOMERY OF CUBLEY. Arms of Montgomery, 13th century - Erm.,on a bordure,
gu., twelve horseshoes, arg. ; 14th century and later Or, an eagle
displayed, Azure.

1.Traditional pedigrees state that RALPH, the ancestor of the Montgomery
family, was holding Cubley, Snelston, Derbyshire and four hides in Ecton,
Northamptonshire of Henry de Ferrers in 1086 [VCH Northants v.4 p.123].
Keats-Rohan specifically identifies him as a Montgomery but there is no
indication whether descent followed male or female succession
[K.Keats-Rohan, Domesday Descendants, p.598]

"In Cobelei, Siward had two carucates of land taxable. Land for two ploughs.
Now in lordship two ploughs. Four villagers, and four smallholders, and one
slave, have one plough. There is a priest and a church, and one mill, 12d
and eight acres of meadow. Woodland pasture one mile long and one mile
broad. Value in king Edward's time 100s. now 40 s. Ralph holds it." [Phillip
Morgan (ed.), Domesday Book : Derbyshire, (Phillimore 1978), p.275a]

2.WILLIAM DE MONTGOMERY. Holding 4 hides in Ecton at the time of the
Northamptonshire Survey made in the early 1100s. [VCH Northants v.4 p.123]

3.WALTER DE MONTGOMERY. In 1166 he held 4 knights' fees in Derbyshire and
Ecton, Northants. [VCH Northants v.4 p.123]. Had a sister called Lettice
married to Ralph de Okeover who had the manor of Snelston as her
maritagium - the Montgomeries retaining the right of wardship of heirs.
[Pedigrees from the Plea Rolls. The Genealogist, v.20 .161].
Issue of Walter

-William. See below.

4.WILLIAM DE MONTGOMERY, son of the above succeeded by 1177 [VCH Northants
v.4 p.123].
Issue of William:

-William. See below.

5.WILLIAM DE MONTGOMERY, son of the above. In 1205 a plea was made by Hugh
de Okeover that William de Montgomery should accept his homage for a
freehold in Snelston. The pedigree given revealed that William in 1205 was
the son of William and the grandson of Walter Montgomery [Pedigrees from the
Plea Rolls. The Genealogist, v.20 p.161].
Issue of William

-William. See below.


6.SIR WILLIAM DE MONTGOMERY was holding two fees in Ecton in 1242 according
to Book of Fees, 934 [VCH Northants v.4 p.123].
In 1249 an inquiry revealed that he had free warren in Cubley, Marchington
and Sudbury [Calendarium Inquisitionem Post Mortem v.1 p. 8]. He was
Commissioner of the Peace in Derbyshire and in 1252 William and William his
son were chosen as knights to participate in a great assize. On 29 Nov 1254
he was granted a weekly market and fair in Cubley on Wednesday. [Calendarium
Rotulorum Chartarum p.84]. From a charter of a grant of alms to Tutbury
priory dated 19 March 1252, it appears that his wife was called Matilda. [A
Saltman, The Cartulary of Tutbury Priory, (HMSO, 1962) no.331] A licence for
a market was regranted for a Thursday to William de Montgomery on 7 Apr
1255. In 1256 named as William fil William he paid 10 L for having a charter
the grant being renewed by the seal of England [CPR, 1247-58, p. 385].
Mentioned in 1264 letter of protection granted for William de Montgomery
"the elder" [CPR,1247-58 p.355].
Issue of William:

- William. See below

7.WILLIAM DE MONTGOMERY in 1284 was holding one fee and his son Ralph 2/3
fee in Ecton [VCH Northants, v. 4 p.123 citing Feudal Aids, iv, 14] of
Avelina de Forz, Countess of Devon. The inquisition post mortem for Edmund
the King's brother] 26 Edw I 1297, stated that in Derbyshire, William was
holding 7 knights' fees in Sudbury, Cubley, Marston, Aston, Snelston,
Somersal, Eyton, Seggeshale, Orleston and the manor of Ecton, co
Northampton, with the advowsons of the churches of Sudbury, Cubley and
Ecton. [CIPM v.3 ; no.423]. Montgomery tenure subsequently transferred to
Lancastrian overlordship. Summoned to serve against the Scots 7 July 1297,
from Staffordshire 25 May 1298 and again from Northants. Notts. and Derbys.
24 June 1300. In August 1300 he was involved in a suit against Urien St.
Pierre. [C.Moor, Knights of Edward I, v.III p. 190]. This may have been over
the manor of Eaton Dovedale, Derbyshire which descended to the Cokeseys and
which was held of Nicholas Montgomery 1407 [CIPM v.XIX, no.175]. In 1301
William de Montgomery was named amongst those tenants holding lands in
Staffordshire worth 40 pounds p.a. or more. [VCH Staffordshire v.1 p.230].
In 1303 he was given a letter of protection for going to Scotland on the
king's service and a writ to select 500 footmen from Derbyshire and conduct
them to Scotland. Died in 1303. Married to Alice, probably the same Alice
de Monte Gomeri widow of Gawain le Botiler of Wem (d.s.p.1289 aged 19-20),
who in 1334 was holding a third part of Hynstoke manor, Shropshire in dower.
[CIPM v.VII ; no. 593]. Alice presented to Cubley church in 1332. [Cox.
Churches of Derbyshire v.3 p.92-4]. In 1334, as "Alice formerly wife of
William de Montgomery of Cubley" she sued Edmund Cheigny, husband of Joan de
Grendon, for an illegal distress. [Pedigrees from the Plea Rolls, The
Genealogist, v. 9 p.9]. She was not mother of William's son and heir,
Walter.
Issue of William

- Walter. See below
- Ralph holding 2/3 of a knight's fee in Ecton, Northants in 1284.


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