 
ir Peter Thorneton...was married twice, the second time to Philippa Swynnerton,
and had an extensive estate, consisting of the two manors of Thornton-le-Moors
and Helsby, together with property in the area round Kingsley, and also
in Wirral (B.P.R., iii. 229; SC6 784/7, m.6). Despite his two marriages,
he did not manage to father a male heir, and at his death on 9 May 1356
had had eight daughters. As he was a tenant of the earldom by military service,
the financial consequences of this situation greatly interested the prince's
administrators. Of the eight daughters one, Mary, died without issue, and
may have predeceased her father. Another, Katherine, forfeited her share
of the property for an unknown offence, not long after her father's death.
Three, Ellen (the mother of Peter de Dutton 45.3), Margaret, and
Emma (the mother of Matthew de Weverham 45.3) were already of age, and married,
by 1356. That left the prospects of the three others, Elizabeth, Maud and
Beatrice, which were profitably marketable."
 "Nineteen days after Thorneton's death, Spridlyngton (chief auditor)
and Burnham were ordered to report on the current value of the inheritance
and its value before the Black Death and the price that could be
got for it, since people were already sounding out the prince's council
with offers. In particular, the value of the wardships and marriages of
the three younger daughters was to be stated. They were both told to be
present at the inquisition post mortem, since it was suspected that plans
were being made to falsify the ages of the two eldest heirs... In fact,
the complications of dealing with this inheritance were very great, and
it was not for over five years that the details were sorted out."
"First, on 4 June 1356, the manors of Thornton-le-Moors and Helsby
were delivered to the widow since she had held them jointly with her husband.
Later in the year she paid £40 for a license to marry--she subsequently
married Sir Thomas de Dutton (B.P.R., iii. 229, 231). By 28 Nov.
1356, the wardships of the three younger girls had been sold: Maud (to Henry
de Beeston, for 85 marks: Henry married her himself); Elizabeth (to Thomas
de Dutton for £86 13s. 4d.: she was married to Hamo Fitton); Beatrice
(to Ranulf Roter for 90 marks: she was married to Thomas de Sainsbury).
Dutton also bought the land forfeited by Katherine for £100 (except
for the Chester property, which was bought by John Delves) (ibid., 231-32,
306). The prince's officials also made profit from the underwood growing
on the lands of the wards."
The importance of such investments in heritable land for prominent
members of the county community is illustrated by the tussle for the possession
of Maud de Thorneton. In February, 1358, Henry Beeston claimed that while
he was negotiating the purchase of her wardship and marriage, associates
of Thomas de Dutton (who had her in his temporary guardianship, presumably
as county sheriff) caused her to be affianced and contracted to Hugh, son
of Geoffrey de Dutton; Henry managed to conclude the deal, and get possession
of his new ward, whom he then married himself (B.P.R., iii. 297). On 1 December
1361, the business was concluded when the county officials were ordered
to partition the lands of Sir Peter de Thorneton between the heirs (ibid.,
426). " (RSLC:179-180)
Thus, the status of women during the Middle Ages--bought and sold for
profit like mere cattle. |
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