Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 5.djvu/180

136 THE HALL OF OAKHAM. The esclieats of the 38th Hen. VI. (1445) return the castle and manor as liaving been amongst the extensive possessions of Humphrey Stafford, duke of Buckingham, son of Edmund, earl of Stafford, by Anne, daughter and sole heir of Thomas of Woodstock, duke of Gloucester. They were both jointly seised of the castle and manor, with the two parks of Stone and Flyteris, together with the profits of a market and fair. Humphrey, duke of Buckingham, was heir upon the death of Joan, countess of Kent, 21 Hen. VI., (widow of Thomas Holland, earl of Kent'.) By Inquisition made 38 and 39 Hen. VI., (1459,) on the day on which Humphrey duke of Buckingham died, the castle, manor, and demesne of Oakham, with their members and the presentation of the free chapel Avithin the castle, were worth nothing annually beyond their reprises^. After his death at the battle of North- ampton, 38 Hen. VI., the Avidow continued in enjoyment of the estate, and 1 Edw. IV. made William liord Hastings her steward and constable of the castle. She enjoyed it till the 20th Edw. IV., (1480,) when her son Henry, duke of Buck- ingham, succeeded to the honours, by which family they were liekl till he was beheaded, 1 Ric. III. (1483.) Henry de Gray, Lord Codnor, obtained the grant from Richard III. ; dying without issue in the 11th Hen. VII., (1495,) Edward, duke of Buckingham, recovered possession, holding it until he was executed on ToAver HiU, 13 Hen. VIII. (1521.) Thomas CroniAA^ell, created Baron Cromwell of Wimbledon,, some say of Oakham, received the castle and manor 30 Hen. VIII. (1538.) He likewise lost it by his execution 32 Hen. VIII., (1540,) but it Avent to his heir Gregory CromweU, to hold of the king in capite by knight's service. Henry Lord CromAvell succeeded him 5 EdAV. VI., (1551,) but in the 38th of Elizabeth (1596) obtained a licence to alienate it to Sir John Harrington, and after the death of his AvidoAV her son, John Lord Harrington, sold it to George Villiers first duke of Buckingham of that name, who resold it to Daniel, earl of Nottingham, afterwards earl of Winchelsea, from whom it descends to the present estimable possessor, Daniel Fmch, Esq., of Burlcy on the Hill. held 3rcl part of extent of manor of Braun- as Constance Despenser. ston, as from the castle of Oakham. ' I^i'S- Bar. 165. In 18 Hen. VL, 1 i;5f», Isabella, countess k In(iuis. -38 and .39 ITcn. VI. No. 59. of AVaiwiek, held Esingden with mill, &c., " Dng. Bar. 712.