Anno tricesimo primo Henrici octavi Henry the VIII. by the grace of God kynge of England and of France, defender of the fayth, Lorde of Irelande, and in earth supreme hed immediatly vnder Christ of the churche of Englande, to the honour of almyghty God, conseruation of the true doctrine of Christes religion, and for the concorde quiet and vvelth of this his realme and subiectes of the same helde his moste hyghe court of Parliament begonne at VVestm[inster] the. xxviii. daye of Aprill, and there continued tyll the. xxviii. daye of Iune, the. xxxi. yere of his most noble and victorious reigne, vvherin in vvere establysshed these actes folovvinge.

¶An acte wherby the kynges maner of Hampton court is made an honour, and a newe chase therto belongyng. Cap. v. (Book 5)

FOrasmoch as it hath pleased the kyng our most excellent & most drad souerayne lorde of late to erecte buylde and make a goodly sumptuous beautiful and princely manour, decent & conuenient for a kyng, and the same hath ornated with parkes gardeins or∣chardes & other thinges of great cōmoditie & pleasure thervnto adioynynge, mete and partinent to his royall maiestie, mooste requisite for the prosperous continuance of his most royal person, which the subiectes of this his realme most entierly aboue all worldly thinges chiefly desyre of al∣myghty god: his grace ensuing the aduancement & amplication of his rea∣sonable and princely cōmodities to be nye vnto his said manour, heretofore of late hath assigned & limitted a certayne territorye or grounde for a chace therof to be made, for nouryshynge generation and feedynge of beastes of venery and of foules of warren: and for furnyture and perfection thereof, the kynges maiestie by indenture made betwene his grace on the one parte, and syr Richard Page knight, Thomas Hennage esquier, Iohn Carleton, Iohn Agmondesham, Thomas a downe gentylmen, Robert Alcetour, Ro∣bert Hamond, & diuers other honest and substanciall men, named in the said indenture, for & in the name of all fre tenantes, hauing any estate of inheri∣tance, and in the name of all customary tenantes, hauyng any astate of in∣heritance by custome, of or in any landes or tenementes, within the procin∣ctes of the sayde Territorie or grounde, limitted and assygned for the sayde Chace & waren, hath certainly & plainly declared the procinctes, limites am¦bites & boūdis of the same Territory or ground, & his gratis liberties priui∣leges & cōmodities to be had in & vpon the same: the tenor of which sayd in∣denture hereafter plainly & fully insueth, y^t is to say, THIS INDENTVRE made the fyrst day of October, in the .XXIX. yere of the reigne of our most excellent & most drad souerain lord HENRY the eight, by the grace of god kyng of Englande and of Fraunce, defendor of the faith, lord of Irelande, & in erth supreme hed of the church of England, betwene the same our soue∣rayn lord the kyng of thone partie, and syr Richard Page knight, Thomas Hēnage esquier, Iohn Carleton, Iohn Agmondesham, Thomas a Downe gentylmen, Robert Alcetour, Robert Hamonde, Thomas Stakforde, Ri∣charde Wykar, Iohn a Gate thelder, Iohn a Gate the yōger, Williā Stak forde, Iohn Boughton, Richarde Biers, Germyn Bandall, Iohn Wolfe, William Floiter, Richard Hunt, Iohn Cony, Robert Parker, Williā Tyce, Richarde Wheteley, Robert Nortrige, Iohn Machin, Iohn Barō, Richard Wodclerk the yōger, Iohn Clere, Iohn Grenetre, Richard Heyward, Chri∣stofer Poūtfret, Richard Wolf, Iohn Bulworth, Thomas Driuer, Thomas Horringham, Iohn Nortrige, Williā west, Iohn Hardwyn, Richard New∣mā, Iohn Hamōd the yōger, Iohn Blake, Iohn Daly, George Thew, Cle∣ment Garred, Iohn Hamōd thelder, Ambrose Grenetre, Walter Caluerley,

Richard Nele, Lionell Browne, Robert Hall, Thomas Marshe, Thomas Skete, Iohn Beryman, Iohn London, Iohn Wodhous, Iohn Grene, and Iohn Wolfe, for and in the name of all the free tenauntes, hauynge any estate of inheritance, and in the name of all customary tenantes, hauynge any estate of inheritaunce by custome of and in any landes or tenementes within the lordships maners townes and villages of Estmulsey, Westmul∣sey, Walton, Esher, Weybridge, and part of Cobham, and other parishes, villages, and hamlettis, what so euer they be within the limittis of the chace that is named to be callyd Hampton courte chace, of the other parte, witnes∣seth, that where our sayd souerayne lorde the kyng hath of late erected buil∣ded and made within the countie of Middelsex, a goodly sumptuous hous, beautifull and princely manour, mete and conuenient for a kynge, and the same endewed with parkes orchardes gardeynes, and other great commo∣dities and pleasures thervnto adioyning and belongyng, and his grace in∣tendyng the prosperous continuance and preseruation as well of his moste royall persone, as for the fournyshynge of the manour with manyfold thin∣ges of pleasure, for the disporte, pastyme, comforte, and consolation of his hyghnesse, his heyres and successours, his gracis pleasure is to erecte and make a Chace about the said manour, for thencreace of venery and fowle of warreyn, whiche Chace shall be callyd Hampton courte chace: and that the sayd lordshyps, maners, townes, and vyllages of Estmulsey, Westmulsey, Walton, Esher, Weybrige, and part of the towne or village of Cobham, in the countie of Surr̄, and al landes tenementes medowes lesues woddes, & pastures lienge and beinge within the limites metes and boundes hereaf∣ter declared, shall be had reputed and taken within the sayde Chace, and to be parcell therof to all intentes and purposes, whiche metes & boundes are limited appoynted and do extend as foloweth, That is to wyt, at & from the Themmis syde, on the south syde of the manor of Hampton court directely as the pale shall be newely erected made and sette to Cobham, and so forthe as the pale shall leade and be sette aboute Cobham parke pale, of Byslette parke, and from thens folowynge the same pale to the water of Wey, and so forthe by the south syde of the ryuer of Wey, and the ryuer of Themmis, vnto the fyrst commensment and begynnynge of the sayd pale. Wherfore it is condescended granted concluded and fully agreed betwene the sayd par∣ties to these indentures by these presentes. And our sayde soueraygne lorde the kynge in accomplyshment of his graces plesure, by these presentes doth ordeyne make erecte publyshe and declare the sayd Chace. And that the sayd lordshyps manors townes and vyllages of Estmulsey, Westmulsey, Wal∣ton, Esher, Weybridge, and parte of Cobham, and all landes, tenementes, medowes, woddes, lesues, and pastures lyeng and beinge within the limit∣tes metes and boundes afore named, shalbe from hensforth free chace and warren for all maner beastes of venery and foule of warren, and shall haue all suche and lyke lyberties iurisdictions and preeminences as any ancient Chace or forest within this realme hath or of right ought to haue: and euery

person and persons, that shall fortune hereafter to trespas or offende with∣in the sayde newe chace, shall incurre and runne into lyke daunger penal∣ties, losse, and forfayture, as if the same offence had ben done or commyt∣ted in any other chace or foreste within this realme of Englande: And that the sayde newe chace be from hensforth named and called Hampton courte chace. And it is further condiscended, graunted, and agreed betwene the sayde partyes by these presentes, and oure sayde souerayne lorde the kynge for hym, his heyres, and successours, promyseth, graunteth, and agreethe to and with the sayde syr Rycharde Page, Thomas Hennage, Iohn Car∣leton, Iohn Agmondesham, Thomas a Downe, and all other the sayd te∣nantes and freeholders, theyr heyres and assignes, that it shall be laufulle to the same syr Rycharde Page, Thomas Hennage, Iohn Agmondesham, Iohn Carleton, Thomas a Downe, and other the tenauntes aboue na∣med, and to all other persones, beinge freeholders within the sayde Chace, and to euery of them, their heires and assignes, to felle cutte downe and ca∣rye away at all tyme and tymes hereafter, at his or theyr pleasure, all and parcell of his or theyr woddes, groues, copies, and sprynges, growynge and beinge within the sayde chace, without lycence of the kynges highnes, his heires or successours, or of any offycer within the sayde chace, and with∣out lette and interruption of the same officers, or any of them. And also that it shalbe laufull to the sayde syr Rycharde Page, Thomas Hennage, Iohn Carleton, Iohn Agmondesham, Thomas a Downe, and other the tenan∣tes aboue named, and all other persons, as well freeholders as copye hol∣ders as customarye tenauntes within the lymittes of the sayde chace, and to euery of them, their heyres and assygnes, at all tyme and tymes hereaf∣ter, to make the hedges and fences aboute their corne, growynge vppon their owne grounde within the sayde chace, at theyr owne wylle and plea∣sure, to kepe out the dere therof, durynge all suche tyme onely, as the corne shall growe vpon the same grounde. And that the officers of the said chace, durynge the same tyme, shall suffre the same hedges and fences to stande and to remayne, to thentent abouesayde. And after euery suche time as the corne shall be serued and caried awaye, it shall be laufulle to the offycers of the sayde chace to make dere leapes and breakes in the sayde hedges and fences, for and to the entente that the dere maye haue course and recourse into the grounde, where the corne was sowen, for their feedynge, durynge all suche tyme as the same landes shall be and remayne vnsowen.

And in consyderation thereof, our sayde soueraygne lorde the kynge, for hym, his heyres and successours is pleased and contented, that his and theyr offycers of the reuenues within the limittes of the same chace, shall yerely for euer at euery payement, defalke, allowe, and deducte the thyrde parte of the free rente, that euerye freeholder oughte to paye for theyr se∣ueralle freeholdes within the lymyttes of the same Chace. And alsoo the kynges hyghenesse is pleased and contented, that where any customarye tenaunt, or tenauntes hauynge any estates of inherytaunce in any custo∣marye

landes or tenementes within the said chace, after the custome of any maner there, wherof the same customary landes or tenementes beinge hol∣den, for the whyche customarye landes or tenementes, the next heire of eue∣ry suche customarye tenaunt, after the deathe of his auncestour, by and ac∣cordynge to the same custome ought to paye fyne, in euerye suche case the kynges officers of the reuenues within the sayde Chace, shall defalke, de∣ducte, and allowe to the nexte heire of euery such tenant, dieng seised of any customary landes or tenementes within the lymittes of the sayde chace, the moytie or halfe of euery suche fyne, that he by the sayde custome ought to paye for his landes there: the same fyne to be rated and assessed after the rate of the fyne that the same tenaunt soo dienge seysed, laste payde to the lorde therof, for the same landes or tenementes, and not otherwise. And that the moytie of euerye suche fyne be conteyned in euery copye, that hereafter shall be made to any suche tenaunte, by the offycers of the courtes of eue∣rye suche manour within the lymittes of the sayde Chace. And the sayde syr Rycharde Page, Thomas Hennage, Iohn̄ Carleton, Iohn Agmon∣desham, Thomas a Downe, and other the tenauntes and freeholders of the sayde lordeshyppes, manours, townes, and vyllages of Estmulsey, Westmulsey, Walton, Esher, Weybridge, and parte of Cobham, doo co∣uenant and graunte, and euery of theym for hym and his heyres couenan∣teth and graunteth to and with our sayde soueraygne lorde the kynge, his heires and successours, that they and all other the tenantes and freholders, within the lymittes of the sayde chace, and euery of theym, shall at all ty∣mes hereafter stande to obey perfourme, and kepe, within the sayde chace, all and syngular suche lawes, ordynaunces, penalties, fynes, and amer∣cyamentes, as appertayne to a chace, and all suche as hereafter shall be prouided or made by any lawe or statute, concernynge the preseruation or mayntenaunce of the sayde chace: excepte and onely reserued to the sayde tenauntes, all suche liberties and commodyties before by these presentes vnto theym appoynted and lymitted within the sayde chace. In wytnesse whereof our sayde soueraigne lorde the kynge to the one parte of these pre∣sente Indentures, remaynynge with the sayde freholders and customa∣rye tenauntes hath caused his greate seale of Englande to be putte: and to the other parte of the same Indentures, remaynynge with our sayde soueraygne lorde the kynge, the sayde freeholders and customarie tenaun∣tes, as well for them selfe as in the name of all other tenauntes and inha∣bytantes within the lymites of the sayde chace, haue putte to their seales, the daye and yere aboue wrytten. Be it therfore enacted by auctoritie of this present parlyamente, that the sayde indenture shall persiste continue & abide good effectual and in full strength and vertue, according to the word tenour and effect therof. And that the kynge our soueraine lord, his heyres and successours for euer, shall haue & enioye their liberties & priuileges, cō∣modities & plesures of fre chace and warren for all maner of beastes of ve¦nery, & foules of warē, within & vpō the said townes villages & parishes of

Estmulsey, Westmulsey, Walton, Esher, Weybridge, and part of Cobhā, and in all other places and groundes, lyenge or beynge within the procin∣ctis lymites and boundes of the sayde Territorie or grounde lymitted and assigned by the sayd Indenture for the sayd chace and warren. And that the same Territory or grounde shalbe called named and knowē by the name of Hampton court chace. And that all and singular transgressours and offen¦dours, taken knowen or proued to haue committed or doone any maner of offence, within or vpon the sayd chace or warren, contrary to the fourme or effect of any part of the sayd indenture, shall incurre and fall into lyke daun¦gers, penalties, and forfaytures, as any other lyke offendours, commit∣tinge or doynge any wronge trespas or offence in anye other forest or chace within this realme, may do or shall do.

¶ And furthermore be it enacted, that our sayd soueraygne lord the kyng, his heyres and successours, at his and their libertie and pleasur, may make constitute and assigne suche and as many officers, ministers, and kepers, in for and vpon the sayde chace and warren, as to him or them frome tyme to tyme shall be thoughte behouefull conueniente and necessarye. And that all and syngular lawes, actes, and statutes heretofore made, concernynge the kepynge nourysshynge encreace and supportation of anye of the fore∣stes, chaces, and warrens of this realme, or anye of theym, or towchynge or concernynge directions, corrections, penalties, refourmations or pu∣nysshementes for anye maner of offences doone or committed within anye suche forestes, chaces, or warens, shall be frome henseforthe extended and executed in to and vppon all transgressours and offendours in the sayde chace, called Hampton courte chace, and into or vppon the sayde warren of the same.

¶And bicause that the sayd manor of Hampton court is thus, as is afore∣sayd, decorated and enuironned with thinges of hygh and princely commo¦dities, Be it further enacted by auctoritie of this present parliament, that the manor of Walton vpon the Temmes, in the sayd countie of Surr̄, be∣yng parcel of the Duchye of Lancaster, and the manour of Walton Leghe, in the sayd countie of Surr̄, late purchased by the kynges hyghnes of Gy∣les Leghe esquier deceassed, and the house of Oteland, and all landes tene∣mentes rentes seruices and hereditamentes in Weybridge Walton & Char¦tesey, in the sayd countie of Surr̄, late purchased by the kynges hyghenes of Iohn Rede, son and heyre of William Rede, and the manours of Byflete and Weybridge in the sayd countie of Surr̄, beynge parcell of the Duchye of Cornewal, and all the landes and tenementes in Walton and Weybridge aforesayd, late purchased by the kynges hyghenes of Iohn Goldwel & his wyfe, & all those landes & tn̄tes in Walton aforesayd, late purchased by the kynges hyghnes of Iohn Carleton, & the manour of Estmulsey in the sayd countie of Surr̄, late purchased by the kynges hyghnes of y^e presidēt & sco∣lers of Corpus Christi college in Oxford, & the manor of Mulsey in y^e sayde countie of Surr̄, which late belonged to y^e late monastery of Marten in the

sayde countye of Surr̄: And the manour of Sandon in the sayde countie of Surr̄, late purchased by the kynges hyghnes of the mayster & bretherne of the hospitall of saynt Thomas spittell in Suthwarke, in the sayd coun∣tie of Surrey: And the manour of Weston in the sayd countie of Surrey: late purchased by the kynges hyghnes of the abbesse and couent of the mo∣nastery of Barkyng in the countie of Essex: And the manour of Imworth in the sayde countie of Surr̄, late pourchased by the kynges hyghenes of Thomas Duke of Norf. And the manour of Esher in the sayde countie of Surr̄, late pourchased by the kynges hyghenesse of the reuerente father in God Stephyn byshop af Wynchester: and the landes and hereditamentes with thappurtenances, called Heywod, lyenge within the sayd chace, whi∣che late belonged to the late priory of Newerke in the sayd countye of Sur∣rey: And all those manours landes tenementes and hereditamentes, ly∣enge within the sayde chace, whiche syr Rychard Page knyght hathe lately bargayned and solde vnto our sayde soueraigne lorde the kynge: and al lā∣des tenementes and hereditamentes, which be the sayd syr Rychard Pages lyenge and beynge within the sayde chace: And all other manors landes te¦nementes rentes reuercions seruices and hereditamentes, within the limy∣tes and Territory of the same chace, which the kynges hyghnes before this tyme hath opteyned bought or purchased of any person or persones bodyes politike or corporate: And all the fee ferme or yerely rent or annuitie of the borough or towne of Kyngston vpon Temmes, in the sayd countie of Sur¦rey: And the manours of Hanneworth and Kynton, otherwyse called Cold Kennyngton, and the parke of Hanneworth and Cold Kennyngton, in the countie of Middelsex: And the manoure of Feltham in the sayde countye of Middelsex, whiche manoure of Feltham was late pourchased by the kynges kyghnes of the mayster and bretherne of the hospitall of Burton la¦zer, in the countie of Leycester: And the manour of Todyngton in the sayd countie of Middelsex, late purchased by the kynges hyghenes of the abbot and couent of the monastery of Westmynster, in the countie of Middelsex: and all landes tenementes and hereditamentes, lyenge in the parysshe of Hampton in the sayde countie of Middelsex, late purchased by the kynges hyghnes of Thomas Arthure, Thomas Gone, Iohn Vnydale, Iohn Vp¦ton, Thomas Elys, and Iohn Lewes, or of any of them: And all lādes te∣nementes, and hereditamentes, in the parysshe of Hanneworth, in the sayd countie of Middelsex, late purchased by the kynges hyghnes of Iohn Wil¦lyams, Iohn Combes, Rycharde Harris, William Couper, Robert Wat∣tes, Thomas Fitzwater, Richarde Laurence, Thomas Carpenter, Iohn Byckes, Paule Coke, and the persone of the paryshe of Hanneworth afore sayde, or of any of them: And all the landes & tenementes in Kenten, in the sayde countie of Middelsex, lately purchased by the sayde oure soueraigne lorde the kynge, of the maister & brethren of the hospitall of Sauey, in the countie of Midd: And all other maners lādes tenementes & hereditamētes in Kingston, Hāworth, Kentō, Coldkeningtō, Felthā, Todingtō, & Hāpton,

whiche our sayd souerayne lorde the kynge, before this tyme hath bought purchased or obteyned of any person or persons, bodyes polityke or corpo∣rate, shall from hensforth be perpetually vnited annexed deined reputed & taken to be parte parcell and membres of the sayde manour of Hampton courte. And that the same manour of Hampton court, together with all o∣ther the sayde manours landes tenementes and other the premisses aboue rehersed and specified, so vnited & annexed to the same manour of Hamp∣ton court, shall from hensforth be named callid accepted and taken the ho∣nour of Hampton courte. And that the sayde manour of Hampton courte shall from hensforthe be the chiefe and capitall place and parte of the sayd honour of Hampton courte.

¶Be it also further enacted by auctoritie afore sayd, that the sayd honour and chace of Hampton courte, and all the manours landes tenementes he∣reditamentes, and other the premisses aboue rehersed, shall from hensforth be in the order suruey rule and gouernance of the court of Augmētations of the reuenues of our souerayne lorde the kynges crowne, and to be gran∣ted let and set to ferme by the offycers and mynisters of the same court, in such maner and fourme as other the manours landes and tenementes, ap¦poynted to the same court, ben or ought to be letten or graunted. And that all the fermes issues reuenues and profittes, commynge and growynge of the premysses, and of euery parte therof, shalbe taken and receyued to the kynges vse, by the mynisters and officers of the same court, in such maner and fourme as is vsed and had of other manours landes & tenementes cō∣mytted to thorder suruey & gouernāce of the said courte of augmentatiōs: any acte statute ordinance custome or vse heretofore had made or vsed to the contrary therof notwithstandynge.

¶AND furthermore be it enacted by auctoritie aforesayd, that all and syngular the tenantes, as wel freeholders & copy holders, as other, and all and syngular personnes, whiche owe suite to any of the sayde manours, or to any leete or lawdaye, to be holden within the procincte of any of them, and the heyres successours & assygnes of euery of the sayde tenantes, shall do theyr suites seruices and customes, and paye theyr rentes to the sayde sondry manours, and in suche tymes, as they dydde and ought to do be∣fore the makynge of this presente acte. And that the sayde tenantes and sutours or any of them, or the heires successours, or assignes of them or any of them, at any tyme hereafter, shall not be charged nor chargeable to or with any other seruices suites customes rentes or other charges, nor be cō∣pelled to doo or paye the same in any other place or places, nor anye of the seuerall tenures chaunged alterated or charged, otherwyse than they were or ought to doo or be before the makynge of this acte, any thynge therin conteyned to the contrary notwithstandynge. Sauynge alway and reser∣uyng to al and singular free tenātes and customary tenantes of any lādes tenementes and hereditamentes, lieng or being within the procinctes lymi¦tes and bondes of the sayd Chace, callyd Hampton court chace, specified &

declared by the sayd indenture, and to the heyres successours & assignes of euery of them, all and singular liberties profytes commodities and aduan¦tages to them appertaynynge, accordyng to the true intent and pleasure of our sayde soueraygne lord the kynge, signified and declared by the same indenture: any thinge in this acte aboue written not withstandynge.

¶Prouyded alwaye, that this acte, or any thinge therin conteyned, shall not be preiudiciall or hurtfull to any person or persons, theyr heyres execu∣tours successours or assignes, for any leases demises grauntes or couenaū¦tes heretofore had made or graunted to them or any of theym, of the sayde manours and other the premisses, or any part or parcell therof, by any per∣son or persons, beynge owners of the sayd manours landes and tenemen∣tes, and other the premisses, or any part or parcell therof, or by any of their auncestours or predecessours, or by any person or persons lawfully auctori¦sed by them or any of them, for any demise lease or graunt therof made.

¶ Sauynge alwaye to al and euery person and persons, their heyres suc∣cessours executours and assignes, other then suche persons, as were parti∣es or priuy to the bargaynes sales gyftes or grauntes of the sayd manours and other the premisses, or any parte therof, and theyr wyues theyr heyres and successours, and the wyues heyres and successours of euery of them, al suche right title vse interest possessyon lease leases ferme fermes for terme of lyfe lyfes yeres or otherwise: & all grauntes liberties rentes charges pro¦fyttes couenaūtes and all other commoditie and commodities, which they or any of them haue, might or ought to haue, or here after shall or shoulde haue, in of or to the premisses, or any part or parcell of them, in suche ma∣ner and fourme, as thoughe this acte, or any thinge therein conteyned to the contrary therof had neuer bene had nor made: any thynge in this pre∣sent acte to the contrary therof not withstandynge.

¶AND for as moch as the sayde maners of Byflete and Weybridge, be∣fore the makyng of this acte were parcell of the Duchie of Cornewall, and now separated and taken from the same by reason of this acte. Be it ther∣fore enacted by auctoritie afore sayde, that the manour of Shippon, with thappurtenaunces, in the countie of Berk. whiche latelye belonged to the late monasterye of Abendon, in the same countie of Berk. nowe dissolued, shall frome henseforth be vnited & annexed to the sayde Duchie of Corne∣wall, and shalbe accepted and taken for and as part and parcel of the same Duchie of Cornewall, in such lyke maner and fourme, to all intentes and purposes, as the sayde manours of Byflete and Weybridge were before the makynge of this acte, and that the same manour of Shippon, and the yssues reuenues and profyttes therof, shall from hensforth be surueyed re¦ceyued and answered by and before suche persons, officers and ministers, and in suche lyke maner and fourme, as other the manours landes tene∣mentes and hereditamentes, parcell of the sayde Duchie of Cornewall, be and shalbe surueyed receyued and answered.

¶Prouyded alway that this acte, or any thynge therin conteyned, shal not

be preiudiciall or hurtfull to any person or persons, their heyres executours successours or assignes, or any demyses leases offices grauntes or couenaū¦tes heretofore had made or graunted to them or any of them, of the sayd ma¦nour of Shippon, or any part or parcell therof, by our soueraigne lord the kynge, or by any other person or persones, beynge owner or owners of the same manour of Shippon: this act, or any thinge therein conteyned to the contrary therof not withstandinge.