Scope and Content
made between
i) Sir Thomas Leigh, of Stonlie, Warwickshire, kt. and bt., farmer
to the D. and C. of Windsor of the Manor of Grovebury als.
Leighton Buzzard, and acting also for Mary his wife, and the
Earl of Bridgwater.
ii) Sir Henry Wallop kt., John Moore, John Wingate and Thomas
Hillersdon, esquires, Christopher Slater, clerk, Francis Wells
senior, John Wells, Oliver Withers, Henry Duncombe, Edmund
Bolsworth, Francis Winton, Ric. Bury, Benj. Poole, Thos. Danvers
als. Davers, Edw. Wilks, Jn. Theed, Bernard Turney, Francis
Theed, Jn. Gore and Thos. Taylor gentlemen, Thos. Leach senior,
Toby Ouldnole, Roger Winton, Ric. Theed, Thos. Stevens, Jn.
Grissell, Geo. Keyso, Jn. Osmond, Wm. Hogg, Thos. How senior,
Bernaby Backwell, Francis Seare, Thos. Poynton, Edw. Ouldnole,
Lawrence Hogg, Ralph Jeffs, Jn. Man, Edw. Ashwell, Robt. Plumer,
Fran. Wells jun. Edmund Hannell sen., Bennett Sharpe, Edmund
Walter, Geo. Laughton, Jn. Thredway, Jas. Toppin, Wm. Sheppard,
Edmund Toms, Gules Jenkins, Wm. Clobber, Robt. Sims, Benj. Poole
jun., Nic. Haunte, Nich. Taylor, Edmund Hannell jun., Francis
Clobber, Ric. Leach, Jn. Ashwell, Ann New widow, Rebecca Cowley,
widow, Robt. Keysar, Thos. Edmunds, Jn. Wells sen., Ric. Honnor,
Henry Honnor, Wm. Johnson, Jeremy Lyons, Rebecca Herbert widow,
Jane Deacon, Robt. Trunly, Thos. Johns, Robt. King, Thos. Botley,
Wm. Botley, Ric. Reyment, John Capon sen., Ric. Carrington, Jn.
Barnes, Wm Lawley, Thos. Harrowell, Geo. Foster, Jn. Toms,
Dive Grissell, all tenants or inhabitants of Leighton Buzzard or
the hamlets of Heath & Reach, acting for themselves and other
tenants and inhabitants.
Reciting that there have been disputes between the parties
concerning the Warren of conies on Leighton Heath,
AGREEMENT that
i) all suits concerning the Warren shall cease, and Sir Thomas
Leigh may enjoy
a) a house and orchard on Rushmore Pond
b) parcel of the Heath Ground called the Parke enclosed
by Sir Christopher Hoddesdon kt., deced. containing by
estimation 100 a. to be fenced off from the rest of
Leighton Heath by Sir Thos. Leigh from the SE end of
Gledlie Wood next Rushmore Pond to the end of Coker way,
the ditch and mound to be 7ft. wider or southeasterly than
the former bounds, and the second parties are to give 8d
for each pole of newly enclosed ground for the cost of the
fence. They are also to repair the rest of the mounds and
fences of the Park leading from Coker-way-side down to
the brook or riddy along to the NE corner of Gledly wood.
ii) Sir Thomas Leigh is to enjoy the wood called the Outwood als.
Bakers Wood with the Slipes adjoining
iii) Edmund Bolsworth is to enjoy not more than 8 acres of the ground
called Benthams Piece
iv) the tenants are to pay Sir Thomas Leight £50 for the rest of
the conies still on the Heath
v) Tenants now seized of land (excluding Lammas ground) amounting
to 100 acres ''as lands lye for Acres'' to enclose 10 acres each,
or proportionately more or less, extinguishing all rights of
common on it
vi) Tithe to be paid on newly enclosed ground is to be 2/- for
every acre of meadow or pasture
vii) the Heath to be used by the commoners as it was before the
planting of conies there by Sir Christopher Hoddesdon
viii) the parties are to procure a decree of the court of Chancery
confirming these Articles, the cost to be met by the tenants
and inhabitants
ix) the tenants and inhabitants can destroy all the conies, and no
more are to be planted
x) Sir Thomas Leigh is to pay half the costs of the bill not
exceeding £13. 6s. 8d.
sgd. Thos. Leigh
29 Sept 7 Chas I 1631