Langdon.
THis place takes its name from the rising ground, on the South side whereof it is situate; which lying in length like a ridge, was called Langdone, or Langdune, id est the long Hill. In the Con∣queror's time one Almar held k it of Turchill de Warwick, it being then certified to contain two hides and a half, valued at xx s. having Woods of one mile in length, and half a mile in breadth. But in H. 1. time, one Chetilbernus possest it, by the grant of Siward de Arden, son to Turchill be∣fore mentioned: which Chetilbern is written l Che∣telbernus homo Siwardi, and sometimes m Ketel∣bernus de Langdona, being not onely a Tenant to the same Siward, but his servant in the Office n of Sewer. This Chetilbern had a son called Robert, who died, as it seems, without issue; for the po∣steritie of his daughter inherited his lands, and assumed the sirname of Launde, or de la Laund, though from what place I am not sure: the Chri∣sten name of which daughter appears not; but she was the wife of one Thomas fil. Thurstani, called also Thomas de Tamewrda: 'Tis like that he lived at Tamworth, and was a Retainer to the Mar∣mions there; for his posteritie were owners of a place called Stretford, lying near Faseley-bridg, upon Watling-street (near Tamworth) as al∣so this of Lea juxta Merston in this Hundred, both Marmion's fee.
Of these I find that in 37 H. 3. Iames de Lande had (inter alia) a Charter o of Free warren in all his demesn lands here; and past away his estate in this place, to one Gilbert de Kirkeby, with the advouson of the Nunnery of Henwood (of his An∣cestors Foundation). For the said Gilb. p granted the Capitall Messuage, or Mannour place here, with all the lands thereto belonging, and services of Freeholders & others, together with the Patronage of that Religious House, unto William de Ardene and his heirs, for which he had Cxl. marks of sil∣ver; reserving to the said Iames, whom he calls Capitalis Dominus feodi, and his heirs, all such services that were of right due for the same. Of which William de Arden and his Family, I pur∣pose to speak in Hampton in Arden, where I shall more fully shew, how much of their inheritance was disposed of to Queen Elianore, by Iohn le Lou and Amice his wife, one of the heirs to Ri∣chard his grandson.
- Ketelbernus de Langdona temp. H 1. - aJuliana.
And though this Mannour of Langdon be not particularly mentioned therein, yet do I believe that it then past to her, as lying within Solihull, which is there exprest; for the Plea q Roll of 46 E. 3. directly affirms as much. And in 20 E. 1. upon that grant r made by the King to the Monks of Westminster, of divers Mannours situate in this and other Counties, to the intent that they should solemnize the Anniversarie of the said Queen A∣lianore, then deceased (as in Knoll shall be farther manifested) this of Langdon is one of the num∣ber, which in 22 E. 1. was certified s to be held by the Abbot of Westminster of Iohn the son and heir of Iames de la Lande, rendring to him yearly five marks of silver; and that the said Iohn held it of Walter de Winterton in Capite, by the thirtieth part of a Knights fee. Upon the dissolution of which Abby, in 30 H. 8. there was first t a Dean and Prebendaries setled, but soon after u a Bishop; who being shortly removed, the whole City of Westminster and Countie of Middlesex were added w to the Dioces of London, Nicholas Ridley, then Bishop, possessing this Mannour; which (it seems) with some other lands, that had belong'd to the Abby of Westminster, were granted x to him.
But ere long after, it came to Iohn Greswould, and by Alice y his eldest daughter, and one of the coheirs to her brother Richard, to Thomas Da∣bridgcourt (descended by a younger branch, as their Pedegree sheweth) from the famous Sanchio Dabridgcourt, one of the Founders of the most no∣ble Order of the Garter: which Thomas, having been a Justice z of Peace in this Countie, from 16 Eliz. for many years, and high a Shiriff of the Shire in 29 Eliz. died b 12. Maii 43 Eliz. leaving is∣sue c by the said Alice, four daughters, his heirs;