Folio: 93v. County of Lancaster. Indenture concerning the first evidence about [the...

Folio: 93v. County of Lancaster. Indenture concerning the first evidence about [the legitimacy of Maud de Bracebridge, wife of Robert de Wetenhale, daughter of William de Walton of Lich' [Lichfield] and Margery de Clayton].

First party: The duke of Lancaster [John of Gaunt].

Second party: William Bracebrugg' [Bracebridge].

Place or subject: This indenture witnesses that that the said William has delivered to William de Bokebrugg', clerk, the evidences and copies touching the birth of Maud, wife of the said William Bracebrugg', who was the daughter and heir of William de Walton, namely the letter from the abbess and convent of Pollesworth [Polesworth] sealed with the seal of the abbess and convent.

Dated at London.

12 May 42 Edw III.

Folios: 93v-94: Second evidence concerning the legitimacy of Maud de Bracebridge.

Place or subject: The evidence states that the said Maud was married to Robert Wetenhale, and the same Robert and Maud were seised of £10 of land and rent in the manor of Walton [Ulnes Walton], and that William Radeclyve diseised them. Upon which disseisin the said Robert and Maud brought an assize at Chester, and an inquisition found that the said Maud was born within wedlock. The said Robert de Wetenhale died at Wryeneford, Ches.

Folio: 94: Third evidence concerning the legitimacy of Maud de Bracebridge.

Place or subject: The evidence says that the said Maud since the death of the said Robert married William Bracebrugg [Bracebridge], who leased the said lands and rent to Henry [Henry of Grosmont], duke of Lancaster, etc.

Folios: 94: Fourth evicence concerning the legitimacy of Maud de Bracebridge.

Place or subject: The evidence says that William Bracebrugg' [Bracebridge] gave to Henry [Henry of Grosmont], duke of Lancaster, a summons by which Margery de Northle, William de Radeclyve, Robert de Lye and their wives were summoned, and this was certified by John de Crane, official of Chester. These people were defaming the said Maud.

Folio: 94: Fifth evidence concerning the legitimacy of Maud de Bracebridge.

Place or subject: The evidence says that the said Margery and her two daughters brought testimony of Mabel de Bradeshawe and William de Bradeshawe that the said Maud was born before marriage, a certification of which is demanded by the said Maud.

Folio: 94: Sixth evidence concerning the legitimacy of Maud de Bracebridge.

Place or subject: The evidence says that Henry [Henry of Grosmont], duke of Lancaster caused to come before his council Margery de Northle and her two daughters to show their evidences and their right touching the lands and rent of William de Walton, and for the said William de Bracebrugg' [Bracebridge] and Maud, his wife, to show their evidences and their right to the said lands and rent. It was found by the said council that the said Maud had right to them, and that she was born within marriage after the solemnisation thereof.