Alice Metcalfe

• Alice Stapleton in Our Royal, Titled, Noble, and Commoner Ancestors & Cousins

Citation

   [S11772] Unknown author, Foundation for Medieval Genealogy, Vol. III (4), p. 303-324. "Among the Royal Servants: Welby, Browne, Quarles and Related Families". Written by David H. Kelley, Don C. Stone, & David C. Dearborn.

• Alice
• F, #71047, b. circa 1360, d. before 2 May 1467
• Alice was born circa 1360. She married John Metcalfe circa 1384. Alice died before 2 May 1467.
• Family John Metcalfe b. c 1358, d. b 2 May 1467
• Child
  • James Metcalfe+ b. c 1389, d. 1471
• From: http://our-royal-titled-noble-and-commoner-ancestors.com/p2364.htm#... _____________
• Dugdale's Visitation of Yorkshire, with Additions, Parts 5-7 By Sir William Dugdale
• https://books.google.com/books?id=FqJCAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA121#v=onepage&q...
• Pg.121
  • Metcalfe of Nappa.
• I. JOHN METCALFE, of Nappa or the neighbourhood, mar. Alice . . . and his issue —
• II. JAMES METCALFE, of Napa, in com. Ebor., Esq'r., was a Cap't in the Battell of Agincourt, temp. H. 5, bought Nappa of Sir Richard Scrope, b. 1389, d. cir. 1472, probably buried with his wife at Askrigg, mar. . . . daughter of . . . Gibson, of Ireby Hall. (This marriage considered doubtful.) The had issue —
  • 1. Thomas (III).
  • 2. Brian Metcalfe, of Beare Parke, in co. Ebor.
  • 3. Miles Metcalfe, Recorder of York, Justice of Assize at Lancasster, M.P. York 1477, d. 12 Feb. 1485-6, bur. at York Minster. Will 12 Feb. 1485-6, pr at york 21 Nov. 1486 (Test. Eb., iv, 9), mar. Matilda . . . Will 22 Jan., pr. at York 22 mar. 1491-2, to be bur. in York Minster. They had issue —
    • .... etc.
  • Edmund, (?) eldest son, b. circ. 1420, d v.p., mar. Katherine . . .
  • Joan, (?) mar. . . .
• III. THOMAS METCALFE, Chancellour of ye Dutchy of Lancaster, temp. R. 3, of Nappa, J.P., b. cir 1424, d. 1503-4,
• https://books.google.com/books?id=FqJCAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA122#v=onepage&q...
• Pg.122
• mar. Elizabeth, daughter and coheire of William Hartlington. They had issue —
  • 1. Sr James (IV).
  • 2. Francis Metcalfe, became a lunatic 1507, marr. Joane, daugh. and coheire of Everard Seyton, of Maidwell, in co. North'ton. They had issue —
    • .... etc.
  • Ottiwell, of Swinethwaite, in Wensleydale (a quo Metcalfe, of Firby, etc.).
  • Ciceley, mar. William Burgh (Glover, 3).
  • Joan, mar. Christopher Conyers, of Marske (Glover, 71).
• IV. Sr JAMES METCALFE, of Nappa, Knt., High Sheriff of Yorks. 1525, knighted 1528, J.P., b. cir 1460, d. 20 Sept 1539, Inq. p.m. 10 Nov. 1539, mar. Margaret, daughter & coheire of Thomas Pigot, of Clotherham, in com. Ebor., 22 H. 7, on or before May 1512, d. 3 Feb. 1530/1, Inq. p.m. 17 Mar. 1530/1. They had issue —
  • 1. Sr Christopher (V).
  • 2. Humphry.
  • 3. Edmund, of Worton.
  • 4. Oswald, of Hornby, bur. there 4 June 1604, (?) mar. first . . . dau. of Wm. Parkinson, secondly Mary, dau. of Roger Meynell, of North Kilvington.
  • 5. Robert.
  • Ann, mar. Richard Hebborne, of Hardwyke (Glover, 621).
  • Alice, mar. Leonard Frank, of Knighton (Glover, 619).
  • Elizabeth, mar. Thomas Layton, of Sexhow (Glover 540).
  • Margaret, mar. William Hilton, of co. Durham. Will 4 June 1566.
• V. Sr. CHRISTOPHER METCALFE, .... etc. _______________
• Pedigrees of the county families of Yorkshire Vol. II. (or III.) by Foster, Joseph
• https://archive.org/details/pedigreesofcount03fost
• https://archive.org/stream/pedigreesofcount03fost#page/n226/mode/1up
• John Metcalfe, mentioned, with his wife Alice, in the foundation, by his son James, of a chantry in the church of St. Oswald at Askrigg, 8 Edward IV. = ALICE ...... ; ch: James (m. dau. of Gibson) Metcalfe
  • JAMES METCALFE, of Nappa in Wensleydale, co. York, Esquire, described in the Visitations of 1584 and 1665 as having been a captain in France at the Battle of Agincourt, 3 Hen. V., 1415, lord of the manor of Nappa before 9 Hen. V., in which year, Margaret, widow of Richard, Lord Scrope, of Bolton, claims dower in said manor. In 11 Edward IV., Elizabeth, widow of Henry, Lord Scrope, releases to him and his heirs all the lands, &c., in Nappa which lately belonged to Richard, Lord Scrope, father of the said Henry. In 10 Hen. VI. described as "James Metcalfe, of Nappay under the Skar, in the parish of Aysgarth, co. York, Gentleman." In 30 Hen. VI. styled "James Metcalfe, of Nappay in Wensladale, co. York, Esquire." He founded the chantry of St. Anne in the church of St. Oswald, at Askrigg, and afterwards altered the endowment thereof by exchanging lands, which he held of the King in capite, for the lands which he gave to the said chapel at the foundation thereof, which were not held of the King. Inquisition at York Castle, touching the same, 12 October, 8 Edward IV. (1469.) Daily Mass was to be said and prayers offered "for the good estate of our Lord the King and his most dear consort Elizabeth, Queen of England (Edward IV. and Elizabeth); also the the good estate of the souls of John Metkalff, also Thomas Metkalff, and Myles Metkalff, sons of the said James, whilst they live, and for their souls when from this life they pass away; also for the soul of Richard, late Earl of Salisbury, and for the souls of John Metkalff and Alice, his wife, father and mother of the said James, and for all the sons and daughters of the said James, and for the souls of all the benefactor of the aforesaid James, and for the souls of all the faithful departed" (see Inquistion, 8 Edward IV.) In the chapel of St. Anne, which is on the south side of the chancel, there is a black marble slab, from which the brass has been torn, which has probably lain over, and commemorated the founder, James Metcalfe, and his wife. The grooves remaining show half-length figures of a man and woman with hands clasped in prayer. The inscription has been beneath the figures. Over each figure is a scroll, once containing some pious inscriptions, such as "Jesu Mercy." "Lady pray." and above all there appears to have been a figure of Our Blessed Lady and the infant Jesus. The monuments in Askrigg church were defaced, and the brasses torn up, by the Roundheads on the march from Skipton to Bolton Castle. = ......, daughter of ..... Gibson, of Ireby Hall, co. Lancaster. ; ch: Reginald, Bryan (m. Johanna Raughton or Boughton), Myles (m. Elizabeth de la River & Matilda .... ), Thomas (m. Elizabeth Hertlyngton), Joan (m. William Tempest), .... dau. (m. Marmaduke Constable), Cecilia or Cicely (prob. dau.) Metcalfe
    • REGINALD METCALFE, married, and had issue one daughter, Elizabeth, who married Thomas Thornton of Thornton; they had a son, Stephen Thornton, who mar. Cicely daughter of John Medclf, of Holme. (Vide Visitation of 1584. Harl. MSS.)
    • BRYAN METCALFE, of Beare Parke, in Wensleydale. The "Brian of Beare," one of the champions in the story of the Felon Sow. (See the curious old Ballad of "The Felon Sow of Rokeby," In Dr. Whitaker's "History of Richmondshire." and Sir Walter Scott's "Rokeby," &c.) = JOHANNA, daughter and heiress of .... Raughton, or Boughton. ; ch: 4. Roger (m. Elizabeth ..... ), 2. Leonard (m. .... Thursby), 3. Nicholas, 1. Richard Metcalfe
      • 1. RICHARD METCALFE, of Bedale and Beare Park, in Richmondshire, Esq. = ; ch: 2. Anthony (a priest), 3. Symon, 1. Nicholas Metcalfe
        • .... etc.
      • 2. LEONARD METCLAFE, of Burton or Barton, married .... daughter of Thursby, of Thursby. ; ch: 1. Vincent (m. .... Synay or Snynay), 2. Godfrey, 3. Ambrose (m. Dorothy Ferrand) Metcalfe
        • 1. VINCENT METCALFE, married ......, daughter of Synay or Snynay, of co. Kent. ; ch: 1. Michael (m. dau. of Thursby), 2. Valentine Metcalfe
          • 1. MICHAEL METCALFE, of Henege. = ...... dau. of ..... Thursby. ; ch: 1 William (m. .... Trolop), 2. Edward, 3. John, 4. Vincent (m. .... Metcalfe) Metcalfe
            • 1. WILLIAM METCALFE, of Henege, married ..... daughter of John Trolop, of Thornby. ; ch: Christopher (m. .... Dodsworth) Metcalfe
              • CHRISTOPHER METCALFE, of Henege, married .... daughter of .... Dodsworth, vel Goddesworth. ; ch: Vincent Metcalfe
            • 3. JOHN, a merchant at York. = ; ch: Michael (a merchant at York) Metcalfe
            • 4. VINCENT METCALFE, ot Otteringe, mar. .... dau. of .... Metcalfe. ; ch: Michael (son and heir) Metcalfe
        • 3. AMBROSE. (Dorothy, dau. of Robert Ferrand, of Harden Grange, wife of Ambrose Metcalfe, a merchant in Hull.)
      • 3. NICHOLAS METCALFE. = ; ch: Nicholas (m. .... Devinthe), John Metcalfe
        • NICHOLAS METCLAFE, m. .... dau. of .... Devinthe
        • JOHN METCALFE, of St. Nicholas by Richmond, Esq., receiver-general, d. s.p., w. d. 1541. Gave a silk cope to Askrigg church. named in the Visitation of 1530, by Thomas Tonge, Norrey King-at-Arms. "These be the Armes of John Metcalfe, Esquyer, beside Richemont, and auditoure to the Kyng in those partyes. .... etc.
      • 4. ROGER METCALFE, of Beare Park, in Richmondshire, lord of the manors of Kirkby and Hanlith. In 24 Henry VIII. (1532) is a deed of partition between Metcalfe and Metcalfe, in which the manor of Kirkby and Hanlith are allotted to Roger metcalfe and Elizabeth his wife. The first Court Roll extant relates to a court baron held for both manors at Kirkby, 26 Henry VI. (1445). when they belonged to William de Hertlyngton. he left only daughters, and accordingly the next court, which appears 10 Henry VII., was held in the name of Thoms metcalfe, Esq., husband of one co-heiress, Agnes Pudsay and Agnes Tempest. = ELIZABETH, daughter of .... ; ch: 1. Leonard (m. .... Redman), 2. George, 3. Marmaduke (m. wid. of .... Conyers) Metcalfe
        • 2. GEORGE METCALFE, of Alnwick. Probably the George Metcalfe referred to by Thomas Bates when he was examined by the Lieutenant of the Tower, and by Sir Henry Nevill, after the Rebellion of 1569. He had issue William and Anthony.
        • 3. MARMADUKE METCALFE, of Hutton, married .... widow of .... Conyers, of Hutton. Had a silk doublet from John Metcalfe, of St. Nicholas. He had a son George Metcalfe.
        • 1. LEONARD METCALFE, of Beare Park, Esq., eldest son, joined in the Rebellion of the Earls of Northumberland and Westmoreland, called "The Rising of the North," in 1569. he was condemned, and narrowly escaped the scaffold, being "stayed for the second execution." He was attainted. he is described in the State Papers and Bowes MSS. relating to the rebellion in list as Leonard Metcalfe, of Bere park, Esq., and in another as Leonard Metcalfe, of Bere Parke, gentleman. His name is first on the list of gentlemen prisoners at Carlisle, 30 Dec., 1569. Among his 25 fellow prisoners occur the well known names of .... On 1 Jn., his name is in the list of prisoners in Durham Castle, and among the prisoners was Robert Lambert, of Owton, Esq., afterwards father-in-law to his kinsman Anthony Metcalfe. .... etc. = .... dau. of .... Redman of Thwistleton. ; ch: 1. John, 2. Bryan, 2. Roger Metcalfe
          • 1. JOHN METCALFE, was out with his father in "The Rising of the North." Was a prisoner with his father in Durham Castle, and his name occurs in a list of the gentlemen remaining in prison of the 1st of January after the Rebellion. The Metcalfes incurred a forfeiture in consequence of the active part which they took in the Rebellion. In 1584, a court caron helf the the manors of Kirkby and Hanlith, is styled "Curia Leonardi Metcalfe, sen. et firmarii ter et ten quae quondam feurant hereditas d'di Leonardi." In 1592 a court baron was held at Hanlith by John Metcalfe in his own name, and "Mr. Metcalfe wolde not suffer the enclosure of the Mores until ye towne granted all his Tofters and Cotters, olde and newe, one cattle gate in Lowe Close." Rot, Man., A.D. 1592. In 1615 this manor had passed to the Lambarts. ______________
• Herbert Clarence Burleigh fonds - Family files series - Metcalfe (ii)
• https://archive.org/details/hcbmetcalfe_0
• https://archive.org/stream/hcbmetcalfe_0#page/5/mode/1up
• Pg.1
• It is said that this Danish succession can be traced in an unbroken line from Arkefrith to the present time. William Mainrod Metcalf, Esq., of York, Eng., born in 1839, claims to be the thirty ninth in regular descent from Arkefrith, as follows :
• 1. Arkefrith.
• 2. Arkell, Lord of Dent, etc. (Doomsday Book of Edward the Confessor).
• 3. Gospatrick.
• 4. Dolfin.
• 5. William.
• 6. Richard.
• 7. Adam, 1252.
• 8. Adam, 1278, called Medecalfe.
• 9. Adam Medecalfe, of Bainbridge.
• 10. Adam Medecalfe, of Thornton.
• 11. Richard Metcalf, of Baynbridge.
• 12. Thomas Metcalf, of Baynbridge.
• 13. John Metcalf, married Alice of Ireby.
• 14. James Metcalf, of Nappa in Wensleydale, married Gelsone of Ireby, was Captain at the battle of Agincourt, under Henry V, in 1415, and was Lord of the Manor of Nappa when Margaret, widow of Rochard Lord Scrope claimed dower in the said Manor. But in 1472:, the widow of Lord Scrope released to James Metcalf and heirs all claims. In 1439 he is described as of Nappay-under-the-Skar, in Ayegarth. In 1459 as of Wensleydale, York. This James Metcalf founded and endowed the Chantry of St. Anne
• https://archive.org/stream/hcbmetcalfe_0#page/6/mode/1up
• Pg.2
• at Askrigg; requiring daily Mass said and prayers offered for the good estate of the King and Queen, of himself and his sons, and their souls when from this life they pass away, and for the souls of all his benefactors, and all the faithful departed. In this Chapel of St. Anne is still (1880) to be seen a marble slab, which has evidently been defaced, the inscriptions, carvings, sculptures, and ornaments of brass torn off. This, it is said, was done by the "Roundheads" in the time of Cromwell. This James Metcalf's children were:
  • 1. Reginald, married a Thornton of Thornton.
  • 2 . Brian.
  • 3. Myles who was in Parliament from York in 1478.
  • 4. Thomas who was Chancellor of the Kingdom under Edward IV and Richard III.
  • 5. Joan who married Marmaduke, Constable of Cliff.
  • 6. Cicely who died in 1502, Prioress of Marrich Abbey, in Iraledale, Priory of St. Andrew, Marrich.
• .... etc.
• These Yorkshire Metcalfs were always zealous Catholics. Bryan Metcalf of Beare Park, Wensleydale, was the Bryan of Beare, champion in the story of the Felon Sow of Rokeby, according to Whittaker's History, and Sir Walter Scott's Rokeby." Beare Park, Marrich, Wensleydale, was long a residence of the Metcalfs till it was confiscated in 1543 under Henry VIII 's suppression of Monasteries.
• .... etc.
• But our American Metcalfs are descended from Brian, of Beare Park, the third son of James Metcalfe of Nappay, who married Johanna of Boughton. Their sons were:
  • 1. Richard.
  • 2. Leonard, married a Thursby.
  • 3. Nicholas.
  • 4. Roger.
• Leonard's sons were:
• https://archive.org/stream/hcbmetcalfe_0#page/7/mode/1up
• Pg.3
  • 1. Leonard.
  • 2. Vincent.
  • 3. Godfrey.
  • 4. Ambrose.
• Leonard Metcalf of Beare Park, in 1569, joined a Rising in the North, in the interests of Mary, Queen of Scots. He was condemned and attainted and narrowly escaped the scaffold. .... etc.
• Our emigrant ancestor, Michael Metcalf, the Dornix, or Embroidery Weaver, of Norwich, and the Metcalfs of Norwich, Tatterford and vicinity in co. Norfolk, were immediately descended from the Metcalfs of Beare Park and Nappa Hall in North Yorkshire. The Yorkshire Metcalfs, as far as known, were zealous Catholics; the Norfolk family were zealous Protestants, and Michael, at least, a staunch Puritan. When Leonard Metcalf was attainted for high treason, and lost his large estates in Yorkshire (which, it is hinted, may have been one reason for his condemnation, his lands being wanted for some new court favorite) his family left Yorkshire and settled in Norfolk. Religion was then largely a matter of politics. It is supposed that Leonard Metcalf himself, perhaps as a condition of his pardon, gave up his Catholicism, and after the loss of his property, eventually took up holy orders under the state church, and, twenty years after, was the first Leonard Metcalf, Rector of the parish of Tatterford near Norwich. But it is perhaps more probable that this first Rector Metcalf of Tatterford was a son of Leonard Metcalf, the quondam traitor.
• The earliest records extant of the parish of Tatterford are copies in the registry of the archdeaconry of Norfolk, and commence about 1560. In 1580, et sequens, Leonard Metcalf was Rector of the Parish of Tatterford. Leonard Metcalf was succeeded by Richard Metcalf. In these records the name is spelled Metcalf, Metcalfe, Mettcalf and Mettcalfe. In 1585 is the entry of baptism of "Leonard Metcalf, filius Leonardi Metcalf et bapt. fuit 3d die Septembris." Adain "Michael Metcalf filius Leonardi Metcalf et bapt. fuit 17th die June 1587." Which confirms our records that Michael Metcalf, the Dornix Weaver, was born at Tatterford, Norfolk co., June 17, 1587. There is no clue to the name of Leonard Metcalf's wife, the mother of Michael.
• Michael Metcalf's wife, Sarah Ellwyn, was born, our old records in this country say, "June 17, 1593, in the adjoining town of Waynham. The adjoining town is Rayn-
• https://archive.org/stream/hcbmetcalfe_0#page/8/mode/1up
• Pg.4
• ham, with parishes East, West and South Raynham. And there has been quite a controversy over the name. The registers of all have been searched for the record of Sarah Ellwyn' s birth and marriage. But further investigation has shown that Sarah Ellwyn was born at "Heigham," the daughter of Thomas and Elisabeth Ellwyn. Thomas Ellwyn was born in 1564 and died in 1648. Sarah Ellwyn was born in Heigham June 17, 1595 and was married to Michael Metcalf Oct. 15, 1616. Their seven oldest children were born and baptized in St. Benedict's, Norwich, Norfolk co., and the four younger children at St. Edmondsbury.
• Michael Metcalf, son of Rev. Leonard Metcalf, Rector of Tatterford, was born at Tatterford, co. Norfolk, Eng., June 17, 1587.
• Sarah Ellwyn, daughter of Thomas and Elisabeth Ellwyn, was born at Hingham, co. Norfolk, Eng., June 17, 1593.
• They were married at Hingham Oct. 13, 1616. They sailed for New England April 15, 1637.
• Their children .... etc. ________________
• Romantic Richmondshire: Being a complete account of the history, antiquities ... By Harry Speight
• http://books.google.com/books?id=mYwuAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA461&lpg=PA461&dq...
• https://archive.org/details/romanticrichmon00speigoog
• https://archive.org/stream/romanticrichmon00speigoog#page/n525/mode...
• Pg. 461
• .... etc.
• It is not known when the family first appeared in Wensleydale, but they were certainly there in the 13th century, although it is impossible at this distance of time and in the absence of authentic records to establish their relationship with the John Metcalfe, father of James Metcalfe, of Nappa, who lived in the time of Richard II. After protracted research it must be stated that whatever pedigrees have been published containing a connected descent anterior to this period can only be regarded as conjectural. James Metcalfe, son of John and Alice Metcalfe, was born in the year 1889, as is shewn on the evidence of James himself, given on the taking of the inquisition for proof of age of Henry le Scrope,. son and heir of Richard le Scrope, of Bolton, Kt., taken at York Castle 25th January, 1439-40. But who was the father of John has never been properly proved, and after the most careful search it seems doubtful now whether it ever will be. In the Herald's Visitation for the year 1530 appear the "armes of John Metcalfe esquyer, beside Richemont, and auditoure to the kyng in those partyes" : Argent, three calves passant sable, in the fess point a crescent gules for difference. It is not known how he was related to the Nappa family, but in his will, proved at Richmond in 1541, he mentions his cousin Christopher Metcalfe, of Nappa, Esquire, and also his cousin Marmaduke Metcalfe.
• James Metcalfe took part in the French campaign in 1415, and was a Captain at the battle of Agincourt. His home was then at Worton in Wensleydale, and there is no doubt that he went out at the instance of Sir Richard Scrope, of Bolton, who was indented to attend in his own person in France, and bring 15 men-at-arms and 45 archers ; a small retinue when compared with others, but representing at that day probably the whole available fighting force of Wensleydale. Some years after the great battle Sir Richard was again in France, and died in 1420 during the siege of Rouen. He had in the interim between the battle of Agincourt and his return to France, enfeoffed James Metcalfe in a portion of his estate called Nappa, where he afterwards resided, and was the ancestor of the long and illustrious line of Metcalfes who emanated from that house. He was also the founder of the chantry in Askrigg church, previously mentioned.
• Edmund Metcalfe, eldest son of James, was born about 1420, but died in his father's lifetime. His younger brother, Thomas, succeeded to the estate at Nappa, where he permanently resided and married a daughter of William Hertlington, an ancient and arms-bearing family,
• https://archive.org/stream/romanticrichmon00speigoog#page/n526/mode...
• Pg.462
• seated at Hertlington in Craven. Sir William Slingsby, in his additions to the Yorkshire Visitation of 1584 at the College of Arms, states he was a member of the Privy Council and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in the 38th Henry VI. (1459-60). But to have attained to the Chancellorship at so early an age is probably a mistake, though he undoubtedly received the latter appointment in 1483, but whether for the first time is unknown. Many other responsible offices he held besides. In 1485-6 he received a grant of the office of Surveyor of the Castle and lordship of Middleham, and of all manors, lordships, &c., within the liberties of Richmond. This was an appointment of considerable importance, and was probably one of those referred to by Leland when he said that Thomas Metcalfe "waxed rich" ; its value to him being no doubt much greater than the mere amount of salary attached.
• The estate or demesne of Nappa, which probably contained no more than some 400 acres, even with the additions stated by Leland to have been made by Thomas, descended together with whatever share he had in the Hertlington lands in right of his wife, to his eldest son, afterwards
• https://archive.org/stream/romanticrichmon00speigoog#page/n527/mode...
• Pg.463
• Sir James Metcalfe, Kt. His most extensive landed possessions consisted of long beneficial leases of various portions of the lordship of Middleham, the Rolls of which shew that he held not only the Raydale lands and others adjacent, which were afterwards occupied by Sir James and his immediate lineal descendants for many generations, but leases of other lands and vaccaries of considerable rental and extent, which do not appear to have been renewed by Sir James, but which in almost every instance were subsequently occupied by persons of the name. Chancellor Thomas Metcalfe's younger brother, Miles, was also a personage of great note in his time. He resided at York and was a member of the Bar, and ultimately became Recorder of York and Justice of Assize at Lancaster. In 1477, 1478, 1482 and 1484 he represented the City of York in Parliament. He was also King's Deputy at the Council of the Duchy of Lancaster, which assembled at Westminster, and the Duchy Records contain numerous references to him. He died extremely wealthy in 1485.
• But to continue with the Nappa line. Sir James Metcalfe, of Nappa, the eldest of the three sons of the Chancellor, was born about 1460. In early life he served on the Scottish Border under Richard, Duke of Gloucester, whose chief residence during the latter part of the reign of Edward lV. was, as before related, at Middleham Castle. He was a gentleman of high standing, and in point of wealth the possessor of numerous properties and offices which must have raised him to a position of considerable power and influence. He held the post of Coroner of the Marshalsea of the King's Household ; likewise the offices of Master Forester, or Master of the Game, within the Forests of Wensleydale, Raydale, and Bishopdale, and Keeper of the Parks of Woodhall, near Nappa, and Wanless, in West Witton and Swinethwaite. He also served the office of High Sheriff of Yorkshire in 1525, and was knighted by the king at Windsor in 1528.* In 1523 he contributed to the Lay Subsidy levied upon the inhabitants of Staincliffe and Ewecross. The account is given in an extremely well-preserved paper book at the Record Office [Exchequer Q.R. Lay Subsidies, Yorkshire W.R., 14th and 15th Henry VIII.†] and shews that he was chief lord of Hertlington, and gives the names of his twelve tenants there ; .... etc.
  • * In the Chapter House Books relating what horses were taken by the inhabitants off the field of Brauxton, i.e., Flodden Field, in 1513, mention is made of "James Medcalfe of Nappaye," as having received "three grey geldings, a baye gelding, and a black gelding," which makes it highly probable that he took part in that great engagement.
  • † This book is quite the finest specimen of a Lay Subsidy of this or any other period for Yorkshire.
• https://archive.org/stream/romanticrichmon00speigoog#page/n528/mode...
• Pg.464
• .... His eldest son is returned among others for Nappa, as "Christopher Metcalfe, Esq." Sir James married late in life — when he was 52 — a daughter of Thomas Pigot, Esq., of Clotherham, near Ripon, a lady then in her 20th year, and by her acquired a large territorial fortune. He died at an advanced age in 1539, and on November 10th of that year an inquisition p.m. was taken at Topcliffe declaring the extent of his various lands and possessions.
• Sir Christopher Metcalfe, who was born in 1513, succeeded his father, and following shortly the death of the latter, John, Lord Scrope, entered an action contesting the proprietary right of Christopher to the manor of Nappa. .... etc.
• https://archive.org/stream/romanticrichmon00speigoog#page/n529/mode...
• .... Still Sir Christopher remained a man of considerable wealth, and married a daughter of Henry, 11th Baron Clifford, created Earl of Cumberland in 1525, and Knight of the Garter in 1532. The Earl died in 1541, .... etc. ____________________

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