William Bolle, Escheator of Lincolnshire
Back to The Bolles of Lincolnshire or The Bolles of Swineshead Parish
The Bolle of Haugh pedigree has Randulf Bolle as having been an Escheator of
Lincolnshire but I can’t find any reference for Randulf in that position.
It was a William Bolle of Wellingore in parts of Kesteven who was
appointed on Feb. 4, 1388 and served in that position intermittently until
1404. Wellingore is far from
the rest of the Bolle families in the Swineshead area and he seems to have
had very little contact with them even in his capacity as the county
escheator. However, there are
no references for a prominent Bolle family prior to William in parts of
Kesteven that you would expect to find for someone in such a senior
position. There were Bolles in this
area but not on the scale of an Escheator, a very powerful figure who
represented the king directly on all land issues for an entire county.
There are also a couple of orders to a John Bolle, escheator, in that same
period but there are no orders for his appointment so he was possibly a
sub-escheator of William’s in ‘parts of Holand’ (the region which included
Swineshead, Wigtoft etc.)
References for John Bolle, escheator
Close Rolls of Richard II, Vol. 3, 1385-1389, p. 397
1388
The following reference is the only one that I could find that connects
William Bolle with John Bolle and with two men, John Pulvertoft of
Algarkirke and William Bonde of Gosberkirke, who were very well known to the
Bolles of Swineshead.
Close Rolls of Richard II, Vol. 6, 1396--1399, p. 420
References for William Bolle, escheator of
Lincolnshire
Commissioner of the Peace and Justice of the Assize
Ever since Richard I, knights and other powerful leaders had been given
commissions to keep and administer the peace in their home districts.
One of the major local issues in the fenlands was the control of water
levels in the areas where swampy land had been diked off and drained to
produce very valuable meadow lands.
Even the king’s wife and mother held meadow lands which had been
damaged by other parties attempts to control the water levels on
neighbouring lands. In November
1382 the king commissioned an investigation into a water mill which had
raised the water running to a mill of Queen Anne’s at Burgh (Peterborough)
causing it to flood her meadows.
And the next day he appointed a commission of the peace to several men
including John la Warre of Swineshead to cause the dykes in parts of Holand
and Kesteven to be repaired following a complaint by the king’s mother Joan,
princess of Wales that lands, meadows, pastures and marshes in her manors of
Deeping and Brunne had been flooded for want of draining by certain
townships in the parts of Kesteven.
(Calendar of Patent Rolls of Richard II, Vol. II p. 201)
In December 1382 the king issued commissions right across England to look
into and enforce justice on such complaints.
His commissioners in Lincolnshire were:
(Calendar of Patent Rolls of Richard II, Vol. II p. 254)
In February 1384 William was added to the Commissioners of the Peace and
Justices of the Assize (commission of oyer and terminer) for parts of
Kesteven.
(Calendar of Patent Rolls of Richard II, Vol. II p. 350)
The commissions in December 1382 were probably for a two year term as the
commissioners in the parts of Kesteven, co. Lincoln including William were
re-appointed in November 1384. This was apparently for an indefinite term as
no further commissions were issued until July 1389.
(Calendar of Patent Rolls of Richard
II, Volume II, p. 502)
In July 1389 about half of the above commissioners received a new commission
but William was not re-appointed until he was added again in November
(Calendar of Patent Rolls of Richard II, Vol. IV, p. 139)
The terms seem to have been irregular as the commission was reappointed in
June 1390, October 1393 and July 1397 with William included each time:
(Calendar of Patent Rolls of Richard II, Vol. IV, p. 343)
(Calendar of Patent Rolls of Richard II, Vol. V, p. 440)
In July 1397 his appointment was for parts of Kesteven and for parts of
Holand
(Calendar of Patent Rolls of Richard II, Vol. VI, p. 234)
In December of that year he was one of the officials in Lincolnshire who
were commissioned to enquire into the assembly of armed bands in the county
who were in a warlike array and had assaulted the Bishop of Lincoln’s men.
These armed bands were probably supporters of the ‘Lords Appellant’
who had attempted to dethrone Richard II since 1387, the main three leaders
of which (the Duke of Gloucester, the Earl of Arundel and the Earl of
Warwick) Richard had just struck back at in 1397.
(Calendar of Patent Rolls of Richard II, Vol. VI, p. 310)
(Calendar of Patent Rolls of Richard II, Vol. VI, p. 239)
An order in February 1398 just changes two appointments in parts of Holand,
James Roos was replaced by John Rocheford and John Meres was replaced by
John de la Launde but William remained for another one year term.
On May 4, 1404 William was referred to as a justice in parts of Kesteven:
(Fine Rolls of Henry IV, Vol. XII)
To the treasurer and the barons of the exchequer. Writ of supersedeas omnino
in respect of any process against the executors of John Bozoun knight,
appointed with William Thirnynge, Robert Waterton, William Bolle and John
Repynghale a justice to make inquisition in the parts of Kesteven co.
Lincoln by whose default the walls, dikes, gutters, sewers, bridges,
causeways, and weirs were burst and broken etc., or against his heirs or the
tenants of his lands, but order to proceed against others who did meddle
therein; as John Bozoun, son and heir of the said John, has made oath in
chancery that that commission was not delivered to his father in his life
time.
The Patent Rolls of Henry IV, Vol. III (p. 493) lists William Bolle as
Commissioner of the Peace for Kesteven from March 1406 to February 1407 when
he was replaced by John Reppynghale.
Commissioner of Walls, Dikes etc.
In 1383, a William Bolle was appointed a Commissioner of Walls and Dikes
etc. along the River Trent between Gainsborough and Doneheved,
Nottinghamshire (possibly present day Dunham-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire about
10 miles along the Trent from Gainsborough) (Calendar of Patent Rolls of
Richard II, Volume II, p. 201)
This stretch of river is in parts of Lindsey, quite far from Swineshead in
parts of Holand and Wellingore in parts of Kesteven.
In 1372 there was a William Bole and wife Emma living at Gainsborough
so this reference may be for an entirely different William Bolle.
It is possible that William Bolle of Swineshead (b. ca. 1330)
In 1397 a William Bolle was appointed to be always a commissioner of Walls,
dikes etc. for parts of Kesteven. (Calendar of Patent Rolls of Richard II,
Volume VI, p. 307)
And a month later a William Bolle was appointed to the same for parts of
Holand. (Calendar of Patent Rolls of Richard II, Volume VI, p. 309)
It seems unlikely that two different William Bolles would be appointed to
two different parts of Linconshire within one month or that three different
William Bolles would be appointed to all three of the parts of Lincolnshire
within a span of 14 years.
I believe they were all the same William Bolle but there is no absolute
proof.
As a further note, in June 1398 William Bolle was appointed to enforce
certain statutes passed by Parliament which were within the responsibility
of the commissioners for Walls, Dikes etc. but this time with 8 others with
a shared responsibility for all of Lincolnshire. (Calendar of Patent Rolls
of Richard II, Volume VI, p. 370)
In 1402 William was given another commission for Walls, dikes etc. for parts
of Kesteven (Patent Rolls of Henry IV, Vol. I, p. 198)
In 1404 he received a commission for Walls, dikes etc. on the river Wythom
between the towns of Claypole, Nottingham and Bracebrigg in parts of
Kesteven. (Patent Rolls of Henry IV, Vol.II, p. 283)
As Escheator of Lincolnshire
In February 1388 William was appointed the Escheator of County Lincoln.
In that role he was the king’s direct representative on all matters
involving landholdings for the entire county.
Appointment of William Bolle as Escheator of county Lincoln Feb. 4, 1388
(Fine Rolls of Richard II, Vol. X, 1383-1391, p. 210)
And orders started to come to him soon after (Close Rolls of Richard II,
Vol. 3, p. 368)
There are another 30 or so orders to William Bolle, escheator in the Close
Rolls of Richard II and more in the Calendar of Patent Rolls of Richard II
between 1388 and 1391. One of
William’s inquisitions which involved land in the ‘suburb of Lincoln’ and in
nearby North Carleton in 1390 refers to a Thomas Bowell of Lincoln.
(Calendar of Patent Rolls of Richard II, Volume IV)
In February 1391 John Bozoun was appointed in William’s place:
William appears in the Fine Rolls as escheator of Lincolnshire again from
January 1392 until February 1395.
There is also a memorandum in the Lincoln Cathedral’s register in 1394
mentioning him:
Publications of The Lincoln Record Society, Vol. 28 The Registrum
Antiquissium of the Cathedral Church of Lincoln, Vol. 2; 1933; p. 207-8
In February 1395 John Meres was appointed Escheator of Lincolnshire but
William was appointed again from July 1396 until November 1399 when he
appears as ‘late (i.e. former) escheator of Lincolnshire’ having apparently
lost the appointment with the change in monarchy.
In November 1398 he also appears as
‘William Bolle and his fellows, guardians of the peace in the parts of
Kesteven’. (Fine Rolls of Richard II)
King Richard II had died in September 1399 and the Patent Rolls of Henry IV,
Vol. 1, p. 152 dated November 1399 refers to ‘William Bolle late escheator
in the county of Lincoln’.
The close rolls of Henry IV, Vol. 1 (Oct. 24, 1400) refer to ‘William Bolle
the late king's escheator’ with John Meres having the position again.
But William was appointed escheator again in November 1402 (Fine Rolls of
Henry IV, Vol. XII, p. 185)
On Oct. 21, 1403 William appears as escheator in an order concerning some
property once held by Philip de Kyme (William’s grandson William would marry
an Anne Kyme around 1410 but I don’t know their connection):
To William Bolle escheator in Lincolnshire. Like order concerning the manor
of 'Longbenyngton' with the members and appurtenances, two knights' fees in
Bracebrigge and Skeldynghope sometime held by Hugh Wake, one knight's fee in
Little Kyme sometime held by Philip de Kyme, one knight's fee and a half in
Tathewelle held by William Tathewelle, the fourth part of one knight's fee
there formerly held by Geoffrey de Appulby, the fourth part of one knight's
fee in Thurleby held by William Wasteneys, the moiety of one knight's fee in
Bassyngburgh held by the said William, one knight's fee in Carleby held by
the said William, the third part of one knight's fee in Basyngthorp formerly
held by Robert Bassetwyn, the third part of one knight's fee in Denton
formerly held by William son of Alan, the third part of one knight's fee in
the hundred of Brun formerly held by William Wasteneys, the fifth part of
one knight's fee in Hacomby formerly held by Robert Bagot, the moiety of one
knight's fee in North Rouceby held by the prior of the Hospital of St. John
of Jerusalem in England, two knights' fees and a half in the manor of
Holbeches in Hollande sometime held by William son of Hugh Dakre knight
(militis), which manor was sometime of Thomas de Multon, two knights' fees
and a half in Little Paunton, Great Paunton and Garmthorp in Kesteven
formerly held by John de Haryngton knight and sometime of Philip de Paunton,
and one knight's fee and a half in Thoresby by Hellowe in Lyndesey held by
Thomas Chaworth knight and sometime of John de Caltoft knight, the said
manor etc. being held of the honour of Richemonde.
In 1419 an order from Henry IV referred to him again as having been King
Richard II’s escheator: (Close Rolls of Henry IV, Vol. II, Book 2, p. 1)
Other Commissions
In 1386 he was given a commission to ensure that armourers or vendors of
arms, armour or horses in the parts of Kesteven sell their products at a
reasonable value as the dealers were seen to be raising their prices due to
the threat of a French invasion.
(Calendar of Patent Rolls of Richard II, Volume III, p. 261)
In 1390 a William Bolle was appointed for 1 year (with 5 others) to
undertake the necessary repairs to the royal castle at Somerton and at
nearby Carleton Manor. As
Somerton Castle was near Wellingore I believe this would be the same William
Bolle who was escheator of Lincoln.
The earliest record that I can find that actually places William at
Wellingore though was in 1393 but he may have moved there from Gainsborough
at any time since 1383.
(Calendar of Patent Rolls of Richard II, Volume IV)
One year later the commission was extended for another two years.
(Calendar of Patent Rolls of Richard II, Volume V)
In July 1398 he was one of four commissioned to investigate and punish
offenders who illegally caught fish in the River Trent contrary to royal
statutes.
(Calendar of Patent Rolls of Richard II, Volume VI, p. 370)
In December 1401 William Bolle and a John Slory were appointed to collect a
levy on landholders in parts of Kesteven to pay for the King’s daughter’s
marriage. (Fine rolls of Henry IV, Vol. XII, 1399-1405, p. 147, 148)
In July and September 1403 William received a commission of array to
assemble Kesteven’s defenses against the king’s enemies who have lately
invaded the realm
(Patent Rolls of Henry IV, Vol. II, p. 293)
(Patent Rolls of Henry IV, Vol. II, p. 289)
In March 1404 William was one of many people appointed to collect a levy on
landholders throughout England to fund the current war with Scotland. (Fine
Rolls of Henry IV, Vol. XII, p. 256)
References to William being ‘of Wellingore’
William Bolle, the Escheator is only on record as being of Wellingore from
1393. Ref.
CP 25/1/144/149, number 7.
County:
Lincolnshire.
Place:
Westminster.
Date: The day after St Martin, 17
Richard [II] [12 November 1393].
Parties:
Gerard de Sothill', esquire, William Bolle of Welyngou[er]e, Robert
de Kele of Lincoln', William de Peke of Lincoln', Henry de Refham, clerk,
and William Mannyng', clerk, querents, and Henry de Dale of Wotton' of the
county of Bedford, son of Nicholas de Dale of Refham, and Maud, his wife,
deforciants.
Property: 2 messuages and
3 acres of land in Lincoln' and the suburbs of the same city.
Action:
Plea of covenant.
Agreement:
Henry de Dale and Maud have acknowledged the tenements to be the
right of Robert, as those which Robert, Gerard, William, William, Henry de
Refham and William have of their gift, and have remised and quitclaimed them
from themselves and the heirs of Henry to Gerard, William, Robert, William,
Henry de Refham and William and the heirs of Robert forever.
Warranty: Warranty by Henry de
Dale and his heirs.
For this:
Gerard, William, Robert, William, Henry de Refham and William have given
them 20 pounds sterling.
Standardized forms of names. (These are tentative suggestions, intended only
as a finding aid.)
Persons: Gerard de
Soothill, William Boll, Robert de Keel, William de Peake, Henry de Reepham,
William Manning, Henry de Dale, Nicholas de Dale, Maud de Dale
Places:
Wellingore, Lincoln, Wootton (in Bedfordshire), Reepham
And again in 1395
(Calendar of Patent Rolls of Richard II, Vol. V, p. 676)
In December 1399 he was given a commission of array
(Patent Rolls of Henry IV, Vol. 1, p. 210)
In March 9, 1407 he was referred to only as William Bolle of Wellingore:
(Fine rolls of Henry IV, Vol. ?)
And again:
None of his earlier references indicate where he lived but all of his
appointments from 1384 on were either for the entire county or for parts of
Kesteven so he was most likely of
Wellingore at least from 1384.
Known Commissions Held by William Bolle of
Wellingore
(assuming these all refer to the same William Bolle; the records for this
period are too incomplete to consider this a complete list)
1383
Commissioner of Walls and Dikes along the River Trent south from
Gainsorough (parts of Lindsey)
1384-97
Commissioner of the Peace and Justice of the Assize for Kesteven
1388-
1397-99
Commissioner of the Peace and Justice of the Assize for Kesteven and Holand
1397-98 to
always be Commissioner of Walls and Dikes for Kesteven and for Holand
1401
Commissioner of the Peace and Justice of the Assize for Kesteven
1402
1404
Justice of the Assize for Kesteven
1406-07
Commissioner of the Peace and Justice of the Assize for Kesteven
A William Bolle of Wellingore near Kesteven in 1393, 1395 and 1402
William Bolle, a commissioner of walls and dikes in 1397, again in 1402, for
the river Wythom between Claypole and Bracebrigg in county of Nottingham and
in the parts of Kesteven in 1403; commissioned to enforce prices on armor in
parts of Kesteven 1386; commissioned for Gaol Delivery to Lincoln Castle in
1397, 1399; a commissioner of mills, weirs, stanks, stakes and kiddles in
Lincolnshire in 1398; escheator of Lincolnshire ca. 1388-1398, referred to
as late escheator in 1399; commissioner of array in the parts of Kesteven in
1399, for Lincoln in 1403 (for assembling knights, esquires and yeomen to go
against the Earl of Northumberland and divers other rebels);
(this might be two William Bolles, one in Gainsborough and one in Wellingore
but every reference just says simply William Bolle, if there were two of the
same name receiving commissions during the same period they would probably
say which one they meant)
A William Bolle made commissioner of walls and dikes in the parts of Holand
in 1397 (Possibly the Swineshead line)
Indications of a Connection to the Swineshead Bolle
Line
Early Lincoln Wills 1280-1547, Alfred Gibbons, Lincoln, 1888
Bishop Buckingham’s Register
Miscellaneous References
Final Concords of the County of Lancaster, Part III
1377-1509, edited by William Farrer, The Record Society, 1905
