Scope and Content
i) pp.1-2. Lease for 50 years; John, prior of Newnham, & the convent, to Richard Bishoppe of Berford [Great Barford], husbandman, and wife Joan. 'Their ferme of Ronhall called Flavells [no details], formerly in occupation of William Lucas. Annual rent £7 6s 8d. Names of the prior, sub-prior & 16 canons as signatories. 1537/8
ii) pp.3-4. Lease for 50 years from 1548; William Gostwicke of Willington, Esq., to John Pyke [Pike] of Ronhall, junior, gentleman. A capital messuage in the 'Church Ende' in Ronhall called Flavells [no details], formerly in occupatioon of William Lucas and then of Richard Bishoppe. Annual rent £7 6s 8d. 1546.
iii) p.5. Lease for 40 years: John Gostwicke, knight to William Clarcke of Ronhall. Lucs Meade, containing 7 acres lying together in West Meade in Ronhall. Annual rent 28s. 1543.
iv) p.6. Lease fro 50 years; John Gostwicke, knight to John Bosgrave of Ronhall, gentleman. A pightle or grove called Flavells Grove adjoining Flavells Ferme, in occupation of said John Bosgrave. Annual rent 'on[e] quarter of sufficyent cleane bones.' 1561
v) pp.7-10. Assignment of lease; Alexander Hewet, husbandman to John Bosgrave, gentleman, both of Ronhall. Ferme of Ronhall called Flavells [as in i)] and capital messuage in the 'Church Ende' in Ronhall called Flavells [as in ii)]. Recited i) and ii) and also an assignment dated 1558 by Pike to Hewet. 1558
vi) p.11. Copy probate of will of John Bosgrave of Reinold, gentleman. Makes Thomas Ardes (his son in law) executor. He is to pay John Bosgrave (son of testator) £10 per year for so long as Thomas Ardes occupies the farm 'which I nowe dwell in'. No further detils, except witnesses. 1576, proved 1576.
vii) pp.12-13. Lease for 99 years. John, prior of Newnham, & the convent, to Thomas Raunys of Felmersham. The parsonage in the 'church end of Ronhall', in occupation of Richard Cote, with 3 closes (one adjoining, New Close and Lymmers); the glebe and meadow belonging; the tithe of Est Mead in Goldington & tithes of corn and wood and other profits belonging to the parsonage (except tithe corn from the 'ferme called Salphoburye.' Annual rent £10 13 4d. Names of prior, sub prior and 14 canons. 1536/7.
viii) pp.14-16. Lease for 41 years. John Gostwicke, Esq., treasurer of the first fruits & tenths, to William Clarcke of Ronhall. The parsonage or rectory, tithes etc [as in vii)]; also the lands [no details] called 'the Chauntry Londe 'late in occupation of Robert Haselden; a close of pasture called Addingraves & Yerly Grove; all in Ronhall. 6s 8d or 12 bushels of 'bones', payable yearly for common of pasture in Stockings in Ronhall, in occupation if Richard Bishoppe; and 16d for common in a close in Saplphoend in occupation of Henry Roulte. Annual rents [separately stated for each close, etc.] 1541.
ix) pp.17-18. Conveyance or confirmation: John Raunys of Felmersham (executor of Thomas Raunys) to William Clarcke, gentleman, in pursuance of an award made by Nicholas Luke Esq., one of the barons of the Exchequer, Edmund Conquest and Nicholas Harding, Esquires, and John Colbecke, gentleman, arbitrators. Property as in vii). 1547.
x) pp.19-21. Conveyance; Thomas Raunys of Felmersham to Richard Bishoppe of Ronhall; for £8 and a horse 'price xv s.' Property as in vii); also all such copyhold lands etc [no details] as Thomas Raunys holds of the priory as of their Manor of Salphobury in Ronhall. 1539.
xi) p.22. Quit claim: Richard Bishoppe to William Clerke, gentleman, both of Ronhall. - In the rectory of Ronhall, glebe, tithes, etc. [no details] lately purchased of Thomas Raunds, yeoman, deceased, for £5 by Richard Bishoppe. 1545/6.
xii-xix) pp.23-38. Eight documents in a auit in the Court of Wards & Liveries between Joan Scroggs, widow, and William Clarke, gentlemen, and in the court of Chancery between John Raunds and William Clerke, regarding title to the parsonage of Ronhall, Chantry Closes and Addingraves, claimed by Thomas Snagge, Esq and William Clerke, [A few further details]. 1579.
pp.39-40 [blank]
pp.41-45. 'A particular of the farmes and tenements belonging to the Manor of Howbery.' Detailed terrier, stating the closes [named], arable and meadow belonging to each farm or tenement, with acreage and annual value. 1634.
p.46. 'Edward Lewes his farme was thus altered and laide to other farmes by Sir William Becher'. [Field names etc.] 1668.
p.47. 'A particuler and valuation of the Manor of Howbery of the free rents, demaynes, farmes and tenements thereto belonging.' [Field names, acreages, etc.]. 1634
p.48. 'The land belonging to Henloes house' [Field names, etc.]. No date, but same writing as on page 46.
p.49. Brief notes of rental [grand totals only] of Howbury Estate in 1680, 1711 and 1732.
p.50-51. [blank]
p.52. 'The value of the whole towne as wee rate it to the taxes as it hath bine allways rated this twenty years.' Names and amounts. 1665/6.
p.52. 'A months tax charged by the Lord Live tennantes.' Names and amounts. 1664.
p.53. 'A three months tax...being ye third three months taxe off ye three yeares assessment for His Majesty.' Names and amounts. 1665
p.53. Parish constable's account tax or assessment Names and amounts. 1665
pp.54-55. [blank]
pp.56-65. Genealogical notes etc. concerning the Becher family.[ Many valuable facts]. 1627-1778
p.58. Brief note as to Becher's royalty for free fishing in the River Ouse. 1658
pp.59, 60-67 [blank]
pp.68-69. 'An accurate review of all the families in Renholdt parish or otherwise dependant on the estate of John Becher Esq.,....containing a comprehensive account of their several characters.' States number of children and servants in each family, number of cows kept, and gives a brief semi-humorous description of each householder's character. 1773
pp.70-72. [blank]