Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 29.djvu/407

ODJIIAM CASTLE, HANTS. 341 tiler for the I'cpair oi' the liouses outside and inside the Castle, except the covering of the great tower and the work- ing stone for tlic Castle walls. He was also to feed the beasts in the park. In 46 Ed. III. Elizabeth, wife of James de Wyndesor, held the manor. It apjiears from a record (2 Ric. II.) that Odiliam contained places called Shepcote, Smethes, llomeles, and Dunton. We read also of the "campus de Odiham " — probably the common field. In 5 Ric. II. Ileniy Esturmy held the manor — probably the son of a man of that name who had it 33 Ed. I. In 15 Ric. II, Alianore, wife of William Fremeles- worth, has Le Potto and other lands in the parish. The Castle does not seem to have attracted the notice of royalty during the reigns of Henry IV. or V. In the former reign Lord Beaumont had it for life, probably after the death of Joan de Mohun. The domain was still held by the Crown. In 19-23 Hen. VI. a jury affirms that within the King's manor of Odiham was a house called " le Shippe," which Joan, Queen of England, held in dower. Also, in 1450 (28 Hen. VI.), the lordship, manor, and hundred of Odiham, for which £21 7*'. Sd. is paid by John Basket, Esq., forms an item in the royal civil list, and in 1454 (32 Hen. VI.) the " Castrum, dominium, manerium et hundredum de Ody- ham " form a part of the jointure settled on Queen Mar- garet, who, indeed, seems to have had a previous settlement (22 Hen. VI.). Later in the reign (35 Hen. VI.) William AVarbleton has a grant in fee of the oflBce of Constable of Odiham Castle and park. In 1467-8 (7 & 8 Ed. IV.) Odiham again was included in a royal jointure in favour of the Queen of that Prince. In 1 R. III. the King took advantage of his brief power to appoint Richard Hansard Constable and porter of the Castle, parkcr and Avarrener of the lordship, and stcwai'd for life. AVhatever might be the arrangements as to its mesne lords, the principal officers seem to have been always appointed by the Crown, and in the Act of Resumption of 1485 (1 H. VII.) is a saving clause in favour of the right of Nicholas and John Gaynesford to the offices of steward of the manor. Constable and porter of the Castle, and keeper of the park and warren — all held for their lives. The interest of the Crown was not finally extinguished until the reign of James I., who alienated the Nvhule.