Caludon.
OF this place there is no mention in the Conq. Survey; nor in any other Record of a long time after, that I could ever yet see; never∣theless the name is much more antient, being made up of a Brittish and Saxon word (as I guess) the first part viz. Callod signifying Moss, and the later Dune or Don, an ascending ground, in res∣pect that the surface of the hill, near which it is seated, is of a mossy condition.
That it was originally a Member of Coventre and involved therewith, as also possest by the E. of Chester, need not to be doubted; forasmuch as 'tis apparent, c 1.1 that Ranulph, the last, gave it to Stephen de Segrave and his Heirs, to hold by the service of a sore-Sparha••k, yearly: And that Rog. de Montalt and Cecily his wife, when they past d 1.2 all their right in Coventre to the Monks, made particular exception of the homage and service of Gilb. de Segrave and his Heirs for what he held of them here. In the family of which Segrave it continued whilst the Male line lasted; and af∣terwards came to Moubray by Marriage of the Heir Female; and by the like means to Berkley. But because these great persons (for the most of them were Barons of this Realm, and the rest of a superior rank) had not here their principall re∣sidence, I shall balk the story of them, further then what immediatly concerns this place.
Of the before specified Gilb. de Segrave I find, that he bore e 1.3 for his Armes three garbs with a label of five points; perhaps in respect of the re∣lation he had to the E. of Chester in the tenure of this Lordship. And that Nich. (his Son) as Lord of this place, in 7 E. 1. was certifiedf 1.4 to hold here 2. car. of land, a Park containing 20. Acres, a Pool called Franchehay and 2. Water mills; having onely one Freeholder called Iohn de la Hay, who held 3. Acres of land for 3. s. Rent. Homage and Suit of Court. After which, viz. in 27 E. 1. he obtain'd a Charter g 1.5 of Free-war∣ren in all his demesn lands here. To whom suc∣ceded. Iohn de Segrave his Son and Heir; who in 33 E. 1. had License h 1.6 to fortify his House, here, with a Moat, and to wall and embattle it with Lime and Stone; and so strengthned to hold it to himself and his Heirs. After which time, 'tis ve∣ry like, that he and his descendants, whilst the Male line lasted, made it sometimes their seat: for it is evident, i 1.7 that in 13 E. 3. Iohn his Grand∣child had summons, amongst the rest of our War∣wicksh. Kts. to be in readiness, sufficiently fur∣nisht with Horse and Armes, on the Feast day of St. Laurence to attend the K. into France. Which last mentioned Iohn leaving issue Eliz. his Daugh∣ter and Heir, wedded to Iohn de Moubray of Ax∣holme in Lincolnsh. (a great Baron) this Lord∣ship, inter alia, divolv'd to that Family.
Hence it was, that Tho. Moubray D. of Norff. (son to the said Iohn and Eliz.) being accused k 1.8 by the D. of Hereford for certain words spoken in dishonour of the K. (R. 2.) having challenged the said D. to a Duell, appointed at Coventre upon Gosford-green, where lists accordingly were set up, went l 1.9 upon the day assigned, on a Horse barded with Crimson Velvet, embroydered with Lions of Silver and Mulbery-trees: the issue of which bu∣siness is sufficiently known to all that are but in∣differently acquainted with our English History. But after three descents more, was this Lordship by Female issue transferred, as it seems, to Iohn How∣ard D. of Norff. Son and Heir to Sir Rob. How∣ard Kt. by Margaret one of the daughters to the before specified Tho. Moubray: For by certain Depositions m 1.10 it appeareth, that K. H. 7. imme∣diatly after Bosworth-field, where the said Iohn, fighting on K. R. 3. part was slain, gave it un∣to Sir Gilb. Talbot Kt. his near servant, who came in person to take possession thereof: But it was not long that Howard had it; for by a Fine levied n 1.11 in 10 H. 7. did Maurice Berkley, Son to Sir Iames Berkley Kt. and Isabel the other Daughter to the before specified Tho. Moubray D. of Norff. en∣tayl it upon his Heirs Male: for corrobration of whose estate therein, it was afterwards, by parti∣tion o 1.12 betwixt Howard and him allotted (inter alia) to his share: whence it descended to George Lord Berkley; who by his deed of Bargain and sale, da∣ted 14. Iunii 7. Car. sold it to Tho. Morgan of Weston-subt. Wetheley Esq.
The Chappell here, now ruinous, was antient∣ly a Presentative, as the Institutions of the fol∣lowing Incumbents do manifest.