Stoke.
OF Stoke, which in our old English signifieth a village, there is no mention in the Conq. Survey, it being then as a member of Coventre possest by the Earls of Chester, as may seem by that render l of the Chappel in K. Steph. time, made by E. Ranulph to the Monks. Which Chappel, being within the parish of S. Mich. was appropriated m to the Monastery therewith in 44. H. 3. From these E. of Chester it came to Rog. de Montalt by the marriage of C••cily, sister and one of the co-heirs unto Hugh E. of Arundell, where∣of in Coventre I have spoke: of whom several persons held lands here in 34 H. 3. as appears by their reservation n of the services due upon those tenures, at such time as the Mannour of Coventre was by them past in fee-ferm to the Monks; the names of which persons were Walter D'eyvill, Rob. de Stoke, Thom. de Neuvill, and Walt. de Co∣ventre.
In 7 E. 1. the said Rog. de Montalt, being Lord of this Mannour, had o here two Free-holders occupying one carucat of land: but the Prior of Coventre had then 4. who held half a yard land, 2 acres and a half, with a croft and a meadow. At that time also had p Nich. de Segrave 2 yard land here possest by Free-holders; and q Tho. de Arden one, in the tenure of 3 Cottyers. Which Nich. and Thom. held the premisses of the said Rog. de Montalt. But here was an antient family that had their denomination from this village; the first whereof that I meet with, being r Seherus de Stoke, son of Hugh le Harper of Stoke; who gave to the Monks of Combe a wood called Harpers-wood with a mess. garden, &c. in this place, about K. Iohn's time. From which Se••er descended Tho. de Stoke of Stotfold in Staffordsh who bore t for his Arms fretty, with a boars head cooped in a Canton. And from him u Will. de Stoke; of whom in 22 H. 8. ..... Horne purchased w this Mannour. Who, reserving to himself part of the demesns, sold the same soon after to the Mayor, Bayliffs, and Commonalty of the City of Cov. and their successors, unto whom it now belongeth.
In this place the Monks of Coventre had the largest proportion, as appears by that Survey x ta∣ken in 26 H. 8. But the Hospital of S. Iohn in Coventre had a par••y, paying xii d. per ann. chief rent to the Mannour of Stoke. All which having been purchased by sundry Citizens of Co∣ventre, is now adorn'd with many fair Summer-houses.
The Chappel, whereunto the Inhabitants of Bilney antiently resorted, had z heretofore Divine service performed therein thrice every week at the Prior of Coventre's charge; the tithes whereof were appropriat to the Monks, who allowed to the Priest serving the Cure therein Cxii s. per ann. or tithes to that value, as in 26 H. 8. was certi∣fied a: but since the later end of Q. Eliz. time it hath been a Presentative, as the Institution of these several Incumbents doth manifest.
- Patroni.
- Incumbentes.