Barony Titles

Of interest…

The Barony of Abington was first granted to Richard Engaine, William the Conqueror's artificer (weapons engineer). When he died the barony passed to his son also Richard. From him it passed to his son Vitalis (or Vital). Vitalis died without issue (childless) and the barony was taken by his widow Alice to her second marriage with Humphrey Bassingburn, who became baron by the right of his wife. Humphrey died and Alice married her third husband Nicholas Bassingburn (the son or her second husband from a previous marriage). He also became baron by the right of his wife. Nicholas died leaving a son and heir Humphrey the sixth baron. Humphrey joins Simon de Montford's rebellion and fought against King Henry at the Battle of Evesham. It was a crushing defeat for the barons. Humphrey loses the seat of the barony but later regains it by an agreement with the recipient from the Crown. In 1273 Humphrey got into financial difficulties but was relieved by the Dowager Queen Eleanor, who paid his debt to Elias a Jew of London, in exchange for some of his manors. He did retain Abington. Humphrey was succeeded by two further Humphreys. When the last Humphrey died, his three sons having pre-deceased him, his heir was his grand-daughter Margaret. She was married to Walter de Colvile who was a baron by writ and the feudal barony of Abington is not recorded again. Nearly 700 years had passed since the barony title was used prior to the current owner who acquired the rights through Manorial Counsel Limited.

Of interest…

The Barony of Cogges is formed from the overlordships of the manors of Waddard who had accompanied William the Conqueror on his invasion of England. The first baron was a Norman, Manasser I de Arsic. He builds Cogges Castle by the river Windrush inside a defensive moat. The third baron is Manasser II who is also Sheriff of Oxfordshire. The forth baron Alexander pays £20 toward Richard the Lionheart's ransom. Alexander satisfies his military service due from the barony by fighting in Normandy. The fifth baron, Robert fights in Pitou, France. Robert sides with the barons against King John and is part of the famous defence force in Rochester Castle. When the castle falls Robert is taken prisoner and his lands confiscated. He is ransomed for funds to maintain Oxford Castle. On the accession of King Henry he recovers his lands and the barony. Robert attends King Henry at the siege of Bytham Castle. In 1230 Robert dies with no male heir and the barony is divided between his two daughters. One daughter sells her half to the other. The barony is sold to Walter de Gray, Archbishop of York who is appointed Guardian of England while King Henry is travelling in France. The nineth baron Sir Robert de Grey fights for Edward I in Wales. The tenth baron is summoned to Parliament as Baron Grey of Rotherfield. John fights at the Battle of Falkirk against William Wallace and the Scots. The eleventh baron falls from grace with King Edward. During an audience with the King he gets into an argument with Lord Zouche and draws a knife. Both lords and imprisoned but are later released. John fights for King David II of Scotland. In 1344 John is a founding member of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. John fights at the Battle of Crecy. The fifteenth baron is regarded as one of the wealthiest barons in England, who is not holding an Earldom or Dukedom. Sir Francis is made Constable of Wallingford Castle and at Richard III's coronation he bears the third sword of state. Sir Francis is appointed to guard the south coast to prevent the landing of Henry Tudor. He fights at the Battle of Bosworth Field and after the battle is lost he flees. His lands pass to the Crown and the barony is not granted again.