The medieval muniments at Berkeley Castle form one of the largest and most remarkable accumulations in the country of records relating to the ownership and administration of land. By grants from the Crown, by purchase and by marriage the Berkeleys acquired estates not only in Gloucestershire and the adjoining counties but right across England.
The founder of the Berkeley family's landed estate was Robert FitzHarding, a merchant of Bristol, who used his wealth to support the Empress Maud in her struggle against King Stephen. From the empress's half-brother Robert earl of Gloucester FitzHarding bought estates south of Bristol and by her son, King Henry II,he was granted the great estate centred on Berkeley, from which his descendants took their surname. From the late 13th century onwards the Berkeleys added to the patrimony inherited from FitzHarding by an active policy of purchase and by a succession of prudent or fortunate marriages: some of their wives brought with them marriage portions, while others, more significantly, were heiresses or, through the failure of the male heirs in their families, passed inheritances to their descendants.
As a result of such matrimonial alliances, within the archive at Berkeley Castle are muniments of the estates of the Lisles (including inheritances of the FitzGerold, Armenters, Foliot, Tyeys and Pipard families), of the Bluets (including the inheritance of the ap Rees family), of the Mowbrays (including inheritances of the Beauchamp of Bedford, Breouse, Arundel, Segrave, Chaucombe and Brotherton families), the Blounts, the Shirleys (including inheritances of the Drayton, Prayers, Cranford and Lovet families), the Careys (including inheritances of the Butler and Boleyn families) and of the Stanhopes (including the inheritance of the Wachesham family). More than half of the catalogue concerns places in Gloucestershire, but the muniments also relate to estates in all but four of the other old shire counties of England and there are documents about places in Wales, Scotland, Ireland and France.
Though modest in size compared with those of other great houses, the Berkeley archives are rich both in age and quality. The earliest documents date from 1154 and are older than the castle itself. Not all these documents have been transcribed, the work will take many years
Berkeley Castle is one of the March Castles, built to keep out the Welsh, and has all the trappings to match: trip steps designed to make the enemy stumble during an assault, arrow slits, murder holes, enormous barred doors, slots where the portcullis once fell, and worn stones where sentries stood guard. It is also a fairy tale Castle with its warm pink stone that glows in soft sunset light. Outside, the battlements drop some 60' to the Great Lawn below; but inside the Inner Courtyard, the building is on a human scale, with uneven battlements, small towers, doors and windows of every shape and size. The surrounding land would have been flooded for defence.
The Hore family are listed numerous times in these archives, mainly from Wotton-Under-Edge, a parish to the south of the City of Gloucester and they are also mentioned in the surrounding villages of Hillesley, Kingswood, North Nibley and Ozleworth.
Listed below are extracts from these entries:
1220 The Coterel holding and two asserts, reeve held, called the ridding of Abbeleye and the ridding of Hore, grant by Thomas de Berkeley.1216 - 1272 Adam le Hore of East Challow, Peter de Batelkyng and Adam le Hore of East Challow. n.d. temp. Hen. III Peter has granted to Adam a meadow in le Eldefelde of Kyngstune called Longeham at a rent of 6d. a year, for which Adam has given Peter 20 marks.
1216 - 1272 Adam de Hore, Kingswood Abbey, Ozleworth (Gloucester), Grant to the Abbey: Frith Wood. Rocheford his lord gave to the abbey, witness Adam de Hore.
13th century Adam le Hore of East Challow and Sir Warin de Insula, knight. n. d. Adam has quitclaimed to Warin the meadow called le Longeham in le Oldefeld, which Adam le Hore, his father, had by demise of Peter de Batelkyng.
13th century Adam le Hore of Estchaulauhe (East Challow), lands held by Nicholas de Fortecumba and that of Adam le Hore, at a rent of 9d. a year, for which William Rufus has given him 33s. 4d.
1272 - 1307 John Mael and William son of Thomas de Grangia. n.d. temp. Edw. I John has granted to William a messuage and croft and a half-acre of land in the long assart, and two other half-acres; for his life, rent 2s. a year and the support of one man working at John's harvest for 3 days, and William has given him 13s. 4d. Witnesses: Adam Spilemon, John de Seyncleye, John de Chalkford, Richard Elivant, Thomas de la Hore Stane.(Thomas of the Hore Stone), In St. Chole, Minchinhampton (Gloucester).
13th century Richard le Nevou and Kingswood Abbey. n.d. Richard has granted to the abbey a half acre of land lying above Agheleghegrave, on the east of the road between Osleworthe and Simundeshale. Witnesses: Peter de Yweleghe, Nigel de Kyngescote, Roger de Nywentone, Elias de Cumba, William de la Hore.
1272 - 1307 John le Hore witness to a deed of Richard le Duynisse of Nibley, concerning a burbage holding in Wotton.
1272 - 1307 John le Hore witness to a deed of Lucy Rolves and William Wyther the younger of Wotton.
1272 - 1307 Alexander le Hore witness to a deed of Edith Adames, daughter of Margery widow of Peter Stiwardesman of Wotton.
1272 - 1307 John le Hore, Richard le Duynisse of Nibley; and Henry le Legat and Maud his wife. n.d. temp. Edw. II Richard has granted to Henry and Maud the holding which he had by grant of Adam le Dressur in the town of Wottone containing one third of a burgage in the street to Bradeley. Witnesses: Maurice de Chepstowe, John le Hore, William Pycard, William de Oldebury, Adam le Glovare.
1272 - 1307 The Longe holding purchased from Thomas de Blakeneye and John le Hore in the manor of Blakeneye; to hold of the lord of the fee by the services laid down in the charters.
1272 - 1307 Alexander le Hore witness to exchange of land, Thomas lord of Berkel and William de Cumbe.
1283 Alexander le Hore witness to a deed of Sir Thomas de Berkley; and Henry the baker (pistor) of Wotton and his wife.
1287 Adam le Hore, Richard de Badelkyng, son and heir of Peter de Badelkyng, and Sir Gerard de Insula. n. d. Richard has granted to Gerard an annual rent of 6d. from Adam son of Adam le Hore for 6 a. in le Oldefeld.
1298 August 1, Alexander le Hore witness to a deed for 12d a year Richard de Wike and Denise his wife; and Lady Joan de Berkeley, wife of Thomas de Berkeley.
1305 Adam de Hore, 24 Jan, Wotton-under-Edge. At Wotton. Sunday before the conversion of St. Paul. 33 Edward I. Grant, for forty-six shillings of silver: (i) Edward Cademan and (ii) Eva Cademan, his sister. To (iii) Thomas Brownyng. - Half of the burgage tenement of (i) and (ii) which was Thomas's by the legacy of Thomas Cademan, father of (i) and (ii), in the borough of Wotton, next to the highway between the tenements formerly of Adam Cademan brother of (i) and (ii) on the west, and the tenement which Philip Baldwyne formerly held on the east. To (iii) to hold of the chief lord for the annual services owed. Warranty against all mortals. Witnesses: Alexander de Hore; Maurice de Chepstow, Chepustowe; John ? Faber; John Molend'; Walter Schayl Walter de Cheppman; Hugh le Wodeward. Seals (2) oval, brown, on separate tags, stylised marks, each different. (i) AEDWIRD CADEMON. (ii) EVE CADEMON. Endorsed 17th Century "Cademan & Browninge re Wotton".
1306 Alexander le Hore witness to a deed of Nicola de Hertusworth, burgess of Wotton.
Dates unknown Alexander le Hore witness to a deed of Edith widow of William le Sone of Wotton.
Dates unknown Alexander le Hore witness to a deed of Richard le Sone, son of John le Sone, burgess of Wotton.
1307 Alexander le Hore witness to a deed of Edith widow of Ralph le Mareschal of Wotton.
1308 John le Hore witness to to a deed of Henry le Weose of Wotton.
1310 June 14, John le Hore witness to a deed of Walter le Lemenur, burgess of Wotton.
1310 June 28 John le Hore and Gregory le Hore witnesses to a deed of Adam le Dressur, burgess of Wotton.
1310 John le Hore witness to a deed of Richard Caumvyle, burgess of Wotton.
Early 1300's John le Hore, Nicholas Pouke of Essetemore and John Loviesone of Little Dean. n.d. Nicholas has granted to John one part of his land and garden in Essetemore, next to the road from Lydeneye to Gloucestria, to hold of the chief lord of the fee. Endorsed: Blakeneye. Witnesses: Walter Aleyn, William Balle, Gilbert Godewyne, John le Hore, Henry Waleys.
Dates unknown John le Hore witness to a deed of Adam le Dressor of Wotton.
1312 October 20, John le Hore witness to a deed of Richard Canvyle, burgess of Wotton.
1313 John le Hore witness to a deed of Edith called le Sone of Wotton.
1313 October 3, John le Hore witness to a deed of John son of William le Sone of Wotton.
1313 John le Hore witness to a deed of William son of William le Sone of Wotton.
Dates unknown John le Hore witness to a deed of Henry de Kynemersforde, chaplain.
1315 John le Hore witness to a deed of Richard de Wyke and Sir Thomas de Berkeleye, lord of Berkeley.
1317 February 15, John le Hore witness to a deed of William de Suthmore, son of Robert de Suthmore, and Sir William de Wautone, knight
1320 July 4, John le Hore witness to a deed of Richard le Muleward, son of the late Henry le Muleward of Wotton.
1322 June 6, John le Hore witness to a deed of Matthew Latyn and Philip le Hunte of Wotton.
1322 November 14, John le Hore witness to a deed of Philip le Hunte at Wotton.
1322 June 20, John le Hore witness to a deed of Walter son of Walter Batyn of Hareforde.
1322 May 23, John le Hore witness to a deed of Henry Legat and Walter ate Halle of Cromhall.
1324 August 26, John le Hore witness to a deed of Walter ate Halle of Cromhall.
1325 October 29, John Hore witness to a deed of Juliana daughter of Walter Chepman of Wotton and her sister Maud.
1326 April 11, John le Hore of Wotton witness to a deed of John Bradeford of Dursley, chaplain.
1328 John le Hore witness to a deed of Ralph le Webbe of Wotton.
1328 April 11, John le Hore witness to a deed of Maurice de Cheppestowe and Ralph le Webbe of Wotton.
1330 John le Hore witness to a deed of William le Botyler of Wotton.
1331 March 9, John le Hore witness to a deed of William Wythur of Wotton.
1331 January 5, John le Hore witness to a deed of William Picard of Wotton.
1333 John le Hore witness to a deed of Agnes widow of John le Schay of Bradley taken at Wotton.
1334 November 13, John le Hore witness to a deed of Richard son of Ralph the smith of Wotton and Agnes and Margaret, Ralph's daughters.
1335 John le Hore witness to a deed of Alice widow of Walter le Scepehurde of Wotton.
1367 April 7, Alexander le Hore witness to a deed of Walter Brutt of Wotton.
1376 April 24 Alexander le Hore. Acquisitions by John Daunt, Alexander le Hore and others named at Wotton.
Dates unknown Alexander le Hore witness to a deed of Richard Wokoc and Sir Thomas de Berkel', his lord.
1386 Alexander Hoore. Inquisition taken at Wotton Undiregge on Monday before the Feast of st. Ambrose, 9 Richard II. by the oath of Alexander Hoore and others concerning death of Katherine, who was the wife of Thomas de Berkeley, chivaler.
1390 Alexander le Hore witness to a deed of Walter Plasch of Wotton.
1391 October 12, Alexander Hore witness to a deed of Thomas de Berkeley, lord of Berkeley.
1404 Robert Hore witness to a deed of William Coryour of Wotton.
1408 April 12 Robert le Hore and John le Hore witnesses to a deed of Simon Daunt of Wotton.
1408 Robert Hore witness to a deed of Thomas Berkeley, lord of Berkeley.
1408 August 20, Robert Hore witness to a deed of John Pent of Wotton.
1408 April 12, Robert Hore witness to a deed of Thomas lord of Berkeley, and Simon Daunt and Juliana his wife of Wotton.
1409 Robert Hore witness to a deed of John Webbe of Wotton.
1409 Robert Hore witness to a deed of Thomas Berkeley, lord of Berkeley, and John Webbe of Wotton.
1409 Robert Hore witness to a deed of Thomas berkeley, lord of Berkeley.
1410 January 3, Robert Hore witness to a deed of Thomas Berkeley, lord of Berkeley.
1410 February 2, Robert Hore witness to a deed of Thomas Berkeley, lord of Berkeley.
1410 December 28, John Hore witness to a deed of William Westerley, burgess of Bristol at Wotton.
1414 April 21 Robert Hore witness to a deed of Thomas Berkeleye, lord of Berkeley, Knight
1415 Robert Hore witness to a lease of land from Thomas lord of Berkeley and Philip Chamberleyn, his servant, at Wotton.
1429 Richard Hore, John Merbury and Agnes his wife, John Devereux, Edward Hulle, esquires, Richard Hore, clerk, Thomas Barton of Weobley, Hereford, and Thomas le Smythe of Weobley; and James de Berkeley, knight, lord of Berkeley. 21 Aug. 7 Hen. VI
1471 Edward Hore, Leases by the Chaplains: Robert Schypper, chaplain of the Hillsley chantry; and Edward Hore, Alice his wife and Robert his son. 2 March 49 Hen. VI and 1 of the re-adeption Robert has leased to Edward, Alice and Robert a meadow called Wastmede in Sedylwode; for their lives, rent 20s. a year. Witnesses: Thomas Forster, John Stane, William Slyke.At: Hillsley.
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