Dudston.
OF this Hamlet there is now no more left than the Mannour-house; but by the name, I should judge it to be a Village of great antiquitie, and so called from Dode or Dud, whence Dudley (doubtlesse) had the appellation. But till E. 1. time, I have not found any mention of it in Re∣cord, in regard it was involved with Aston, and so came to Sir Thomas de Erdington, as a mem∣ber thereof, though it be not particularly named: for it is evident e that Henry de Erdington (great grandchild to the said Sir Thomas) did his fealtie to Ioane Botetourt Lady of Weoley, as coheir to Someri Baron of Dudley, on S. Mark's day 17 E. 2. for this place, together with Aston; mention being made of their tenure by a pair of gilt Spurs, or six pence, as in the originall grant of Aston may be seen, which Sir Henry (for he was afterwards a Knight) granted f it by the name of Manerium de Dudeston to Thomas de Maidenhache and his heirs, about the beginning of E. 1. time, who had Free warren g in all his demesn lands here, toge∣ther with Aston, as by the King's grant thereof in 14 E. 1. appeareth: but having severall daughters and heirs (as in Aston is shewed) this, inter alia, was allotted h, as a member of Aston, unto Sibill the wife of Adam de Grymesarwe; by means whereof it came i to Iohn de Grymesarwe their son and heir, who k sold it unto Iohn atte Holt in 38 E. 3. for xl. marks: From which Iohn it is descended, as the Pedegree in Aston manifesteth, unto Sir Thomas Holt now of Aston, Knight and Baronet, the present Lord thereof; and was his principall seat, till he had built Aston house.
But notwithstanding the Mannour thus fixed in the Familie of Holt, there was a considerable part of this Village antiently possest by the Ayles∣buryes (of whom I have spoke in Edston) for I finde l that Roger de Aylesbury stiled himself Do∣minus de Dodestone in 5 E. 2. so also did m Philip de Aylesbury in 10 R. 2. yet when or how it past from Aylesbury, I have not seen: but in 2 H. 5. Sir William de Bishopsden Knight, granted to Ri∣chard de Clodshale all the lands and tenements ly∣ing here, which had formerly belong'd to the be∣fore specified Philip de Aylesbury; after which I have not met with farther mention of them.