Biography of William Plumpton 1404-1480

Before 7th October 1404 [his father] Robert Plumpton (age 64) and [his mother] Isabel Scrope (age 67) were married.

On 7th October 1404 William Plumpton was born to Robert Plumpton (age 64) and Isabel Scrope (age 67).

On 18th December 1405 [his mother] Isabel Scrope (age 68) died.

On 19th April 1407 [his father] Robert Plumpton (age 67) died.

Before 8th March 1430 William Plumpton (age 25) and Elizabeth Stapleton (age 24) were married.

On 8th March 1430 [his son] Robert Plumpton was born to William Plumpton (age 25).

On 28th February 1436 [his son] William Plumpton was born to William Plumpton (age 31).

After 28th February 1436 [his son] William Plumpton and [his daughter-in-law] Elizabeth Clifford were married.

On 20th July 1450 [his son] Robert Plumpton (age 20) died.

Around 1461 [his wife] Elizabeth Stapleton (age 55) died.

On 15th October 1480 William Plumpton (age 76) died.

Plumpton Correspondence. Being now reputed loyal, Sir William Plumpton was restored to his offices of Constable of the Castle, and Master Forester of the Forest of Knaresborough, and to the Stewardship of the Lordship of Spofford, of which he had had grants for life in the previous reign. He also about this time directed his attention to a lucrative disposal of the infant daughters of his deceased son, his own heirs apparent, in marriage; for I find that by virtue of an indenture dated 26th Nov. 3 Edw. IV. 1463, the governance and marriage of Margaret, then about four years old, " cousin and one of the heirs apparent of the said Sir William Plompton, that is to say, one of the daughters of William Plompton, esq. son of the said Sir William," was granted to Brian Roucliffe of Colthorp, com. Ebor. gent, third baron of the King's Exchequer, to the intent ee that John, son and heire apparant of the said Brian, shall by the grace of God take into wife the said Margret, the marriage of them to be done att convenient and most spedy time att the costs of the said Brian/' On the part of Sir William Plump ton, it was covenanted to make to them, and the lawful heirs of their two bodies, an estate out of the manor of Nesfield before the ensuing feast of Pasche; nevertheless, so as he might retain the whole profits for the first five years, and a rent of x marks by year for the five years next following. For this marriage Brian Roucliffe agreed to give, over what was already paid, cccc marks; under a proviso, however, for the repayment of I^li, in case the said John deceased within the next ten years^a.

Note a. Cartul. No. 558.

Plumpton Correspondence. Upon these charges Sir William Plumpton was tried before the Earl of Worcester, Lord Tiptoft and of Powis, Great Constable of England, and a jury of twenty-four, at Hounslow, shortly before Christmas. Having been acquitted, he obtained a warrant from the Constable to be rid of all further molestation on that behalf, dated 20 Jan. 3 Edw. IV. 1463-4^y, as also the following brief from the King.

" Edward, by the grace of God, King of England and of France and lord of Ireland, To all maiors, sherifs, eschetors, baliffs, constables, and other our ministers whatsoever they be, and to all other our true liege people, greeting. We lett you witt,that our welbeloved William Plompton Kt. hath truly, sufficiently, and clearly declared himself of all manner matters that have been said and surmised against him, and so we hold him thereof for fully excused and declared by these our present letters. And we take him, hold, and repute him as our true and faithfull leigman. Wherefore we will and charge you, all and every one of you as much as to him belongeth, that from henceforth ye, nor any of you, neither vex, moleste, greive, trouble, nor him nor any of his, in body nor in goods, otherwise then our lawes will; nor that ye give or shew unto him, or any of his, any ungodly language or countenance, but that ye take him and suffer him to abide and go att his pleasure and ease, there as him shall best like, as other our true leiges do; not breaking this our comaundement, as ye will eschew our great displeasure, and upon payne of punishment by our laws. Yeven under our signett att, &c.^z"

Note y. Cartul. No. 560

Note z. Cartul. No. 561.