The Middleton Accounts of 1525: #15

The next three entries in the Middleton household accounts of Sir Henry Willoughby in 1525 were dated the 10th July.

Sir Henry Willoughby had left London on the 8th July and, travelling along Watling Street, he reached Tamworth on the 9th July. However, the accounts show that rather than continue the short distance to Middleton Hall, he actually spent the night of the 9th/10th July at Tamworth Castle. On the 10th July he paid 3 shillings, which was the equivalent of about £66.19 today, as a “reward” to the officers of the Lord of Tamworth, who at that time was Sir Humphrey Ferrers.

About 15 years later John Leland, historian and surveyor to King Henry VIII, visited Tamworth. He wrote of Tamworth Castle that the base court and great ward of the castle was clean decayed and that the wall had fallen down. Furthermore, at that time, therein there was nothing but houses of office and no notable buildings. This referred to the buildings below the mound. Leland also added that “the Dungeon Hill yet standeth and a great round tower of stone wherein Mr [Humphrey] Ferrers dwelleth, and now repaireth it".

Tamworth Castle. Photograph taken by Steve Davies.

On 10th July, Sir Henry then travelled 35 miles from Tamworth to Cossall in Nottinghamshire. There he spent 3 pence on ale, which was the equivalent of about £5.52 today. The manor of Cossall was another possession of the Willoughby family at this time and had belonged to the family since the 14th century.

The final entry on this day was a reward to two of Lord Lisle’s minstrels. It is uncertain precisely where Sir Henry was at this time. The amount he paid them was 3 shillings 4 pence, which was the equivalent of about £73.55 today.

On 25th April 1523, Arthur Plantagenet was made Viscount Lisle. Arthur was an illegitimate son of King Edward IV, half-brother-in-law to King Henry VII and an uncle of King Henry VIII. He was married to Elizabeth Grey, who had inherited the title in 1519. She was one of the daughters of Edward Grey, Viscount Lisle, and her sister Ann had married Sir Henry Willoughby’s son John.

The Middleton Manuscripts also contain a letter from Arthur Viscount Lisle, which is addressed to Sir Henry Willoughby, Sheriff of Leicestershire. Sir Henry was Sheriff of Leicestershire and Warwickshire in 1505, 1519 and 1525. Therefore, due to when Arthur became Viscount Lisle, this letter must date to 1525. In this letter, Arthur is requesting a jury to be assembled to enquire about wastes etc.

Further Reading: W. H. Stevenson, Report on the Manuscripts of Lord Middleton, Historical Manuscripts Commission, 1911. p.377, 515.

The Itinerary of John Leland The Antiquary, vol. 4, 1711. p.95.

Author - Debbie Jordan, Middleton Hall Volunteer.

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