William de Widworthy
Sir William de Widworthy (fl. 1240–1272) was a knight during the reign of Edward I of England, based in Widworthy in the Colyton Hundred, Devon. He was the earliest lord of the manor recorded by the Devon historian Sir William Pole (died 1635).[1]
Activity[edit]
In 1240, William was one of a dozen knights bound by oath to the Sheriff of Devon who set out to settle a land boundary dispute between Richard of Cornwall and four local knights. The party journeyed from Okehampton Castle across Dartmoor, including Cawsand Beacon, Hound Tor and all the way to Dartmeet.[2]
In 1246, de Widworthy was witness to a deed for a transfer of land relating to Buckfast Abbey.[3]
Holdings[edit]
de Widworthy's holdings included the 1272 acquisition of the village of Lustleigh, which stayed in the de Widworthy family until 1413.[4]
He was also noted as the holder of Culm Davy in the 13th century Book of Fees.[5]
Issue and descent[edit]
William's heir was Hugh de Whitworthy, and his daughter and heir was Alice.[6]
The family married with Sir William Prouz of Gidleigh Castle.[7]
References[edit]
- ^ Pole, Sir William (d.1635), Collections Towards a Description of the County of Devon, Sir John-William de la Pole (ed.), London, 1791, pp.144–5
- ^ Hamilton, Adam. History of St. Mary's Abbey of Buckfast : in the county of Devon : A.D. 760-1906. Buckfast Abbey. pp. 111–113.
- ^ Monday, Alfred James (1885). The history of the family of Yea. Oxford University Press. pp. 2–3.
- ^ Worthy, Charles (1887). Devonshire parishes; or, The antiquities, heraldry and family history of twenty-four parishes in the archdeaconry of Totnes. Exeter: William Pollard & Co. pp. 183–194.
- ^ Pole, Sir William (1791). Collections Towards a Description of the County of Devon. p. 202.
- ^ Wastcote, Thomas (1845). A view of Devonshire in MDCXXX, with a pedigree of most of its gentry. W Roberts. pp. 246–247.
- ^ Risdon, Tristram (1714). The chorographical description, or, survey of the county of Devon, with the city and county of Exeter.