Robert Dingley & Jane Brocas

Robert DINGLEY was clearly a man of substance who lived well into his 70's; he left many marks in the records from the 15th century.

Born. Robert was the heir of his father, Robert, who died on 7 Feb 1394/5. Robert (the son) was aged 18 on St Zedda's day in the same year.

Brothers. Robert definitely had a brother John - see Malshanger and Oakley. Oliver DYNELEY, canon of Salisbury, was also probably his brother - see Fittleton and Hackleston records.

Wife. He married Joan BROCAS. She was the daughter of Sir Bernard BROCAS (1348-1395) of Beaurepaire, Master of the Buckhounds, and Mary, daughter and heir of Sir John DE ROCHES.

Death. Robert died in 1455-6. An inquisition in 1456 declared that he held no property in Hampshire [CIPM] Presumably what he had held during his life had all been already passed to his son and heir, William e.g. William and Margaret were seised of the manor of Wolverton, Kingsclere in 1437 [VCH Hants].

There is a PCC Will for Robert DYVELEY of Wolferton, dated 2nd May(?) 1455 and proved 9th Sep 1456, which I think is Robert DINGLEY's. I've found it difficult to read, but it refers to:

Robert inherited his mother's moiety in both the above manors from his father. His mother's sisters' families owned the other shares:
Ellen and her husband James DINGLEY of Sheen
Milicent and William DE ASHTON
Joan and John FARYNGTON

It looks like James and Ellen conveyed their share of the manors to Rolland DYNELEY in 1407-8, via a Feet of Fine:

Newbold Comyn. 1407-8
Thomas GOWER of co. Warr'., Thomas WAYTE and Rolland DYNELEY, plaintiffs. James DYNGELEY and Elen, his wife, defendants. The fourth part of the manor of Newbold Comyn, co. Warr'.; the fourth part of the manor of Mourton Vnderhill, co. Worcs. ... Quitclaim from defendants and heirs of Elen to plaintiffs, and heirs of Rolland. ... Cons., 100 marks of silver. [Warks. F. of F.]

It is possible that "Rolland" was actually "Robert". In any case, in 1420-1, Robert and his wife Joan (probably Jane) convey the property to Thomas BOWER (should be GOWER) of Wodehall, via another Feet of Fine:

1420-1. Newbold Comyn. Leamington Spa.
John BAYSHAM, clerk, Ralph BOTILLER, esq., Richard WHITYNGTON, citizen of London, Bartholomew BROKESBY, esq., Richard ARCHER, esq., Nicholas RUSSELL and Thomas BOWER [GOWER], of Wodehall, plaintiffs. Robert DYNLEY, esq. and Joan, his wife defendants. Moiety of the manor of Morton Vnderhill, with appurtenances, the moiety of a messuage and of a carucate of land called Pynelles, with appurtenances, in Mourton Vnderhill, co. Worcs. and of 2 messuages, with appurtenances, in Newbold Comyn and Lemyngton Priours, and the moiety of the manor of Newbold Comyn, with appurtenances, co. Warr'. ... Quitclaim from defendants and heirs of Robert to plaintiffs and heirs of Thomas. ... Cons., 100 marks of silver. Worcs. Warw. [Warks. F. of F.]

Thomas GOWER of Wodehall looks like an old acquaintance of Robert DINGLEY because, as well as his involvement in the above Feet of Fines, Robert and he made a joint mainprise in 1402:

12 Dec 1402. Westminster.
To the sheriffs of London. Writ of supersedeas in favour of John VITTER and William VITTER, and order by mainprise of Robert DYNELEY of Wiltesir and Thomas GOWER of Warwickshire to set the defendants free, if taken at suit of Thomas LYGHTFOTE for debt. [CCR]

In 1409, Robert DE DYNELAY, son and heir of Robert DE DYNELAY, demised all his property in Blackburnshire to Robert and Henry DE TOWNLAY. Whilst I cannot be certain that this is Robert (1377-1455) son of Robert DYNELEY of Kingsclere, it looks quite likely:

22 May 1409.
Robert DE DYNELAY son and heir of Robert DE DYNELAY, Esq., demises to Robert DE TOWNLAY and his brother Henry DE TOWNLAY, all his messuages, lands, tenements, &c., which the said Robert DYNELAY had after his father's death in the wapentake of Blackburnshire. To have and to hold the same to the said Robert and Henry and their heirs and assigns for the term of 20 years at eight marks rent per annum. [Dep. Keeper Rep. 33]

Robert DINGLEY held property in the IoW and some transactions appear in the records. I have not yet worked out how he came by these property interests:

Bridge Court (Godshill). This was owned by the KINGSTON family in 14th century. Lewis MEUX and his wife Alice with Robert DINELEY and his wife Alice (sic) and John TAILLOUR sold the manor in 1424. [VCH Hants from Feet of Fines]. I do not know how Robert gained his share in it; I wonder if Robert's wife 'Alice' is correct?

Brighston. In 1431 Robert was seised of a 4th part of a knight's fee in Brighston. [FA]

Wakland. Was also owned by KINGSTON family. In 1424 Lewis MEUX and Robert DINGLEY conveyed it to John TAILLOUR. [VCH Hants]. In 1431 Robert DYNELAY of Wolverton in co. Southampton and John TAILLOR of Wakland in IoW were seised of half a knight's fee in Wakelond and Luceland in the IoW. [FA]

Whippingham. In 1431 Robert was seised of an 8th part of a knight's fee in Whippingham. [FA]

Dec. 1404
Robert DYNELEY, son and heir of Robert DYNELEY, to John DYNELEY, his brother. Gift for seven years of a yearly rent of 100s. to be taken of all the grantor's lands in the parishes of Dene and Chircheocley co. Suthampton called Halle and Mailesongre. Dated London, the Feast of St. Andrew 6 Henry IV. [CCR]

I do not know who the following Richard DYNELEY was - maybe a brother of Robert, or son of John?

12 Jan 1449/50. To the escheator in the county of Southampton.
Like order; as it is found etc. that the said Miles [WYNDESORE esquire] etc. held no lands etc., but that Robert DYNGLEY was seised of the manor of Malesangre, and held the same of him as of his manor of Stanewell by the service of one knight's fee and of rendering and paying 6s. 8d. every four and twenty weeks... [CCR]

Robert DYNELEY, the son of Robert DE DYNELEY and Margaret was holding the manor of Malshanger of Miles WINDSOR in 1451. [VCH Hants] The Malshanger property was still in the family in 1502 when Thomas, Robert's gtgtgrandson, died. [CIPM]

In 1428 Robert DYNGLE held a half knight's fee of Wolverton which had been of Matthew FITZ HERBERT. [FA]

In 1431 Robert DYNELEY of Wolverton in county Southampton, armiger, with Thomas WYKEHAM of Asshe in Oxon, chivaler, and William FACHELL of Clyddesden in county Southampton, armiger, held a fourth part of a knight's fee in Wolverton. [FA]

Robert DINGLEY inherited Combe, Fittleton and Haxton from his father. I am not sure whether Hackleston is Haxton or somewhere else.

Oliver DYNELEY is mentioned in the following records. I assume he was Robert's brother.

Robert and his mother Margaret dispose of this property to William DARRELL, obtaining property in Berkshire in exchange for Haxton. (A marriage connection between DARRELL and DINGLEY is shown in Dingley Coats of Arms, but I suspect this was later than William DARRELL.)

Wilts. Thursday after St Faith [6 Oct], 1423.
Demise by Margaret DYNELEY, lady of the manor of Fytelton, and Robert DYNELEY, to John MONK, of a toft and land which formerly belonged to Ralph BOLE, and a cottage and garden formerly John BURGH's, in Fytelton, for the lives of the said John MONK, Joan his wife, and Alice and Margaret his daughters. [Cat.Anct.D.]

Wilts. Last day of February, 1427.
Release by Margaret DYNELEY, Robert DYNELEY, and Oliver DYNELEY, to William DARRELL, esquire, of all their right in the manors of Fytilton and Combe, with the advowsons of the churches there. Witnesses: Robert SHOTESBROKE, knight, and others (named). [Cat.Anct.D.]

Berks. Wilts. 20 Nov 1429.
Agreement between William DARRELL, esquire, and Elizabeth his wife, and Margaret DYNELEY and Robert DYNELEY, esquire, by which the said William and Elizabeth agree to enfeoff the said Margaret and Robert of the manor of Wokefeld, together with lands in Ufton, Silhamsted-banastre, and Inglefeld, called 'Chelleresse', and the said Margaret and Robert are to enfeoff the said William and Elizabeth with two parts of the manor of Hacston, and two parts of the advowson of a free portion called 'the portion of Hacston', &c. [Cat.Anct.D.]

The first of the following records probably dates from about the 1420s. Sir Percival SOWDAN was the second husband of Margaret DINGLEY (née COMYN).

Wilts.
Agreement between William HANKEFORD, knight, of the one part, and Margaret, late the wife of Perceval SANDAN, knight, and Robert, son and heir of Robert DYNELEY, of the other part, to terminate litigation as to the advowson of part of the tithes of Hakeleston. Sir William HANKEFORD to have the next presentation, and Margaret the two following. [Cat.Anct.D.]

Wilts. Feast of St. Gregory the Martyr, 5 Hen VI [1426-7].
Letters of attorney from Margaret DYNELEY and Robert DYNELEY, her son and heir, to Robert FYNLE and John STOKKELE, to deliver seisin to John KYGHELAGH and Maurice BRUYN, knights, William BROCAS, esquire, Robert DALAMARE, esquire, Oliver DYNELEY, clerk, Thomas WAYTE, esquire, Walter HORNEBY, esquire, and Edmund LANGTO, of the manor of Hakeleston, together with the advowson of the free chapel appurtenant to the said manor. [Cat.Anct.D.]

The manor of Wokefeld, together with lands in Ufton, Silhamsted-banastre, and Inglefeld, called 'Chelleresse' were all obtained in exchange for land in Haxton, Wilts, with William DARRELL, see above. The Wokefeld, Ufton and Silhamsted property at least were still in the family when Thomas DINGLEY died in 1502.

Robert is temporarily granted his uncle James DINGLEY's Warks. and Worcs. property between 1402 and 1406 while James is in prison. See Surrey Dingleys. This property is then transferred from James to Robert - see above.

In 1408 and 1420 Robert is involved in property transactions with James and Peter DEL HALLE. At least part of this seems to result from Peter DEL HALLE's acquisition of the Dingley's property in Wimbledon. See Surrey Dingleys.

Members of the BROCAS family are involved in property grants jointly with Robert DYNELEY and others. I am not exactly clear on the purpose of these grants; it looks like there must have been some advantage in each of them granting their property to each other, maybe to avoid the property falling into the king's hand in the event of any of them dying without an heir?

20 Apr 1439.
Licence, for 40s. paid in the hanaper, for John GOLAFFRE, esquire, William WARBELTON, esquire, Robert DYNELEY and Simon ALMAN, to grant to William BROCAS the elder, esquire, and Joan his wife and the heirs male of his body, the manor of Stevyngton, held in chief, with successive remainders to them in tail and to his right heirs. [CPR]

William BROCAS the elder was probaby Robert DYNELEY's nephew being the son of Sir Bernard BROCAS (brother of Joan, Robert's wife) who died in 1400. John GOLAFFRE was the husband of Joan's sister, Isabel BROCAS who died without issue. [Hants Visitation 1686]

Note that William WARBELTON and Simon ALMAN also crop up below in connection with Aldermaston manor.

15 May 1443.
Licence, for 100s. paid in the hanaper, for the king's esquire, William BROCAS, to grant to Ingelram ATTE MORE and Simon ALMAN the manor of Aldermaston, co. Berks, held in chief, and for the said Ingelram and Simon to grant the same again to the said William and William WARBURTON, William PERKYNS, Robert DYNELEY and Geoffrey ROKKELL, esquires, and their heirs and assigns. [CPR]

15 Mar 1449.
Licence, for 5 marks paid in the hanaper, for William BROCAS, esquire, William WARBILTON, Geoffrey ROKELL, esquire, and Robert DYNELEY to Thomas, bishop of Ely, Humphrey, duke of Buckingham, Thomas FYNDERN, knight, Thomas DELAMARE, esquire, John ROGGERS the younger, esquire, John MELBORN of London, Robert RUFFORD, esquire, and John GOULES, chaplain, and the heirs and assigns of Thomas DELAMARE, the manor of Aldermanston, co. Berks, held in chief. [CPR]

14 May 1449. Order to the escheator in the county of Southampton:-
pursuant to an inquisition taken before him showing that Joyce late the wife of Robert BARNARD esquire...
...and the other moiety of the manor and advowson aforesaid, called Le Nethercourt, of the demise of William BROCAS esquire and Robert DYNELEY to the said Robert Barnard and Joyce ... certain charter indented, dated 12 Mar 1438/9, the said William BROCAS and Robert DYNELEY having lately had the same of the gift and grant of the said Philip (son and heir of the said Robert BARNARD)... [CFR]

Sir Thomas ROMESYE made three charters of his property on 4 Nov 1412 to William and Bernard BROCAS, Gilbert BANBURY and Robert DYNELEY. [CCR] Maybe because he did not have an heir?

Joan BANBURY was the mother of William and Bernard BROCAS; Gilbert BANBURY was probably her brother or nephew.

At Romesye, Hants	Charter with warranty of all his lands, woods, rents and services in Dene, the Hyde, Romesye and Merchewode co. Suthampton.
At Ocle, Somerset	Charter with warranty of the manor of Ocle, a third part of the manor of Modeforde [Mudford?] Terry co. Somerset, and all his lands, woods, rents and services, etc. in Saltforde and Chilterdommer [Chilthorne Domer].
At Damerham, now Hants	Charter with warranty of all his lands, woods, rents and services, etc. in Domerham [Damerham] and 'Estmorton' co. Wiltesir.

At his death in 1420 Sir Thomas was still holding all the above property, although the Vernham Dean, Hyde, Romsey and Marchwood property was by demise of William BROCAS, esquire, Gilbert BANBURY, Bernard BROCAS, knight, and Robert DYNELEY. [CIPM]

Robert and John DYNELEY were enfeoffed in Wimmering manor by William WAYTE of Denmede. I assume that John DYNELEY was Robert DYNELEY's brother, but I do not know the connection with William WAYTE. Presumably the enfeoffment was for inheritance protection purposes?

1 May 1442.
Licence, for 100s., paid in the hanaper, for William WAYTE of Denmede, esquire, to enfeoff William BARNEBY, clerk, Robert DYNELEY, esquire, John DYNELEY, esquire, and Edward BILTON of the manor of Wymeryng co. Southampton, held in chief, and for them to grant the same again to William WAYTE and Elizabeth his wife and the heirs of their bodies, with successive remainders to the right heirs of William WAYTE, and to the right heirs of Robert. Vacated because otherwise in the twenty-first year. [CPR]

c.1448. To the escheator in the county of Suthampton.
Order to take the fealty of Elizabeth late the wife of William WAYTE of Denmede esquire, and to give her livery of the manor of Wymeryng and the issues thereof taken, but to remove the King's hand and meddle no further with other the manors etc. hereinafter mentioned ...; as it is found by inquisition taken before the escheator, that at his death William WAYTE held jointly with her the said manor by gift of William BARNEBY clerk John DYNELEY esquire and Edward BILTON made with licence of the King to them and the heirs of their bodies, with remainder to Robert DYNELEY, his heirs and assigns, also the manors of Denemede, Putte, Botevyleyns and Beere by gif of Richard SKELYNGTON, Roger DYBOLD clerks, John ATTE WARTHE and Robert ATTE KYCHENE made to them and the heirs of their bodies, with remainder to the right heirs of William WAYTE, also two messuages, one carcucate of land, 100 acres of pasture and 4 acres of wood in Nychurch in the Isle of Wight by gift of Richard SKELYNGTON and the others to them etc. (as last above), and that the manor of Wymeryng is held in chief by fealty and rent of 1d. a year ... [CPR]

1421, 1427	Commissions of enquiry	[CPR]
1431	Feudal Aid inquisition in the IoW with John UVEDALE, William BROCAS and John ROKLE.	[FA]
1431	Feudal Aid inquisition in Winchester	[FA]
1433	Order to the sheriff of Suthampton for election of a verderer of the forest of Pambere instead of Robert DYNELEY, who dwells so far from the forest that he may not conveniently exercise that office therein	[CCR]
1433	Commission of oyer and terminer	[CPR]
1434	Gave oath	[CPR]
1434	Sheriff of Hampshire	[CFR]
1434, 1436, 1439	Commission to array all men at arms and other fencible men, hobelers and archers dwelling in the county of Southampton	[CPR]
1439	Commission touching ships laden and unladen on the coasts without payment of customs	[CPR]
1443, 1445	Justice to deliver prisoners from Winchester gaol	[CPR]
1452	Commission de kidellis	[CPR]

Family	DINGLEY:	Arms	Hants	IoW	Kent	Lancs	Lincs	London	Surrey	Sussex
Site		Refs	Wilts	Worcs	Yorks