KENT ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY  -- RESEARCH   Studying and sharing Kent's past      Homepage

Archaeologia Cantiana -  Vol. 1  1858  page 7

THE INVENTORY OF JULIANA DE LEYBORNE, COUNTESS OF HUNTYNGDON.
FROM THE SURRENDEN COLLECTION.  By L. B. L.

These webpages are designed to be viewed with the screen resolution set at 800 x 600 and text size at normal. HOW TO

entry relating to manors in Norfolk, is wanting. The above manors of Preston, Elmerston, Overland, Elham, Ashford, Gare, Slayhill, Mere, Easling, Wbdlyng, Leyborne, and Wateringbury, were all among those included in Juliana's feoffment, cited in note to page 4, supra. 
 
Such was the opulence of our great Infanta, and such the lavish hospitality with which she supported her state. But "she shall carry nothing away with her when she dieth, neither shall her pomp' follow her."
   Even so, the Lady of Leyborne, owner, it seems, of more numerous domains, and wider far than any ever held by one lord within the bounds of Kent, since the days of Odo,1 is ready for her hour. The settlement of her estates has long been made. "The day is far spent," and, as the shadows of evening gather round, her worldly task is done.
    Many of her manors she has already bestowed on religious houses; the rest of her paternal inheritance she conveyed to the King, five years since, reserving to herself no more than a life-interest therein; the fees of them all (if I have rightly interpreted the transaction) to be, at her death, divided among certain religious houses; and, of her boundless possessions, all that she can call her own, as she passes away, are the personalities in her house and on some of her farms. Just two days before her death, she bequeaths these also to pious and charitable uses.
  
1 It must be remembered that the domains of Averanches, Maminot, Crevecoeur, and the other lordships (eight in all), constituting the great Constabulary of Dover Castle, must always be exceptional cases in estimating the possessions of our ancient magnates. It is true that these were extensive and lordly domains, but they were very heavily burdened with the maintenance of Dover Castle and keeping ward there, for which specific purpose they were originally granted, and though conferring great power and high position upon their owners, it is very questionable whether they added to their wealth so largely as at first sight might be supposed.
   Of the great historic Clares, lords of Tunbridge Castle, many manors in this county were held, as of their honour of Gloucester, but I doubt whether their landed possessions in this county at all approached in extent those of our Infanta.

Previous Page       Back to Page listings       Next Page

For details about the advantages of membership of the Kent Archaeological Society   click here

Back the Contents page   Back to Arch. Cant. List   Back to Publications On-line  Back to Research Page  Back to Homepage

Kent Archaeological Society is a registered charity number 223382
© Kent Archaeological Society 21st September 2010

This website is constructed by enthusiastic amateurs. Any errors noticed by other researchers will be to gratefully received so
 that we can amend our pages to give as accurate a record as possible. Please send details too research@kentarchaeology.org.uk