William de Westbury
Encyclopedia
William Westbury also called William de Westbury and William of Westbury, was a fifteenth century judge of the King's Bench
.
of the Manor
of Castle Combe
, Chippenham
, Wiltshire
. William was noted as being a lawyer by profession whilst the Steward. He was also active in the Assize Court, Common Pleas
circa 1406 when described as an "Apprentice". Later records held within the National Archives indicate that William de Westbury held the office of Bishop's Bailiff of New Sarum
from approximately 1411-1418. Appointed Sergeant-at-law in 1418 after refusal of the position in 1415 since it is noted that at the time the judges' pay had not kept pace with the times and acceptance to become Sergeant-at-law sometimes led to appointment as a judge and reduced earnings. As a consequence of insufficient numbers of Sergeants, a large penalty was imposed by Parliament upon persons refusing the summons. He was appointed Judge of the King's Bench on 6 February 1426.
He died in about 1448-1449. William's Will dated 12 November, 1448, was proved 5 January, 1449.
, and John de Westbury
, a member of parliament
for Wiltshire, was his younger brother.
He married Katharine FitzWarin, a daughter of William FitzWarin, and their children include Agnes de Westbury, who married Robert Leversegge.
Westbury inherited the manor
of Sewell (Sewells, Shewells, Sewelles) from William FitzWarin, probably as a result of his marriage into the family, and continued to hold it until his death.
in Westbury
, in Sarum diocese , William de Westbury and his father John built a chapel
in the north aisle
, and in 1437 they endowed a chantry
there. In the 16th year of King Henry VI
(1438–39) they granted "...messuages, land, and rent in Westbury and Honybrigge to the chaplain
of his new chapel in Westbury church, retaining land in Westbury, Wiltshire". William bequeathed his body to be interred in a tomb in the new chapel on the north side near the inner vail under a glazed window within this church.
King's Bench
The Queen's Bench is the superior court in a number of jurisdictions within some of the Commonwealth realms...
.
Career
William de Westbury was for many years the StewardStewardship
Stewardship is an ethic that embodies responsible planning and management of resources. The concept of stewardship has been applied in diverse realms, including with respect to environment, economics, health, property, information, and religion, and is linked to the concept of sustainability...
of the Manor
Manorialism
Manorialism, an essential element of feudal society, was the organizing principle of rural economy that originated in the villa system of the Late Roman Empire, was widely practiced in medieval western and parts of central Europe, and was slowly replaced by the advent of a money-based market...
of Castle Combe
Castle Combe
Castle Combe is a small village in Wiltshire, England, with a population of about 350. It is renowned for its attractiveness and tranquillity, and for fine buildings including the medieval church. The 14th century market cross, erected when the privilege to hold a weekly market in Castle Combe was...
, Chippenham
Chippenham
Chippenham may be:* Chippenham, Wiltshire* Chippenham * Chippenham, Cambridgeshire-See also:* Virginia State Route 150, also known as Chippenham Parkway, USA* Cippenham, Berkshire, UK...
, Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
. William was noted as being a lawyer by profession whilst the Steward. He was also active in the Assize Court, Common Pleas
Court of Common Pleas (England)
The Court of Common Pleas, or Common Bench, was a common law court in the English legal system that covered "common pleas"; actions between subject and subject, which did not concern the king. Created in the late 12th to early 13th century after splitting from the Exchequer of Pleas, the Common...
circa 1406 when described as an "Apprentice". Later records held within the National Archives indicate that William de Westbury held the office of Bishop's Bailiff of New Sarum
Bailiff of Sarum
The Bailiff of Sarum or Bailiff of New Sarum was an official appointed by the Bishop of Salisbury in the 14th and 15th centuries.- Bishop's Bailiff of New Sarum :...
from approximately 1411-1418. Appointed Sergeant-at-law in 1418 after refusal of the position in 1415 since it is noted that at the time the judges' pay had not kept pace with the times and acceptance to become Sergeant-at-law sometimes led to appointment as a judge and reduced earnings. As a consequence of insufficient numbers of Sergeants, a large penalty was imposed by Parliament upon persons refusing the summons. He was appointed Judge of the King's Bench on 6 February 1426.
He died in about 1448-1449. William's Will dated 12 November, 1448, was proved 5 January, 1449.
Family
Westbury was the son of John de Westbury, of WestburyWestbury, Wiltshire
Westbury is a town and civil parish in the west of the English county of Wiltshire, most famous for the Westbury White Horse.-Name:The most likely origin of the West- in Westbury is simply that the town is near the western edge of the county of Wiltshire, the bounds of which have been much the same...
, and John de Westbury
John De Westbury
John Westbury of Hill Deverill, Wiltshire , also called John de Westbury and John of Westbury, was a fifteenth century Member of Parliament for Wiltshire.-Family:FatherJohn de Westbury of Westbury.Siblings...
, a member of parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for Wiltshire, was his younger brother.
He married Katharine FitzWarin, a daughter of William FitzWarin, and their children include Agnes de Westbury, who married Robert Leversegge.
Westbury inherited the manor
Manorialism
Manorialism, an essential element of feudal society, was the organizing principle of rural economy that originated in the villa system of the Late Roman Empire, was widely practiced in medieval western and parts of central Europe, and was slowly replaced by the advent of a money-based market...
of Sewell (Sewells, Shewells, Sewelles) from William FitzWarin, probably as a result of his marriage into the family, and continued to hold it until his death.
Endowments
At the church of All SaintsAll Saints
All Saints' Day , often shortened to All Saints, is a solemnity celebrated on 1 November by parts of Western Christianity, and on the first Sunday after Pentecost in Eastern Christianity, in honour of all the saints, known and unknown...
in Westbury
Westbury, Wiltshire
Westbury is a town and civil parish in the west of the English county of Wiltshire, most famous for the Westbury White Horse.-Name:The most likely origin of the West- in Westbury is simply that the town is near the western edge of the county of Wiltshire, the bounds of which have been much the same...
, in Sarum diocese , William de Westbury and his father John built a chapel
Chapel
A chapel is a building used by Christians as a place of fellowship and worship. It may be part of a larger structure or complex, such as a church, college, hospital, palace, prison or funeral home, located on board a military or commercial ship, or it may be an entirely free-standing building,...
in the north aisle
Aisle
An aisle is, in general, a space for walking with rows of seats on both sides or with rows of seats on one side and a wall on the other...
, and in 1437 they endowed a chantry
Chantry
Chantry is the English term for a fund established to pay for a priest to celebrate sung Masses for a specified purpose, generally for the soul of the deceased donor. Chantries were endowed with lands given by donors, the income from which maintained the chantry priest...
there. In the 16th year of King Henry VI
Henry VI of England
Henry VI was King of England from 1422 to 1461 and again from 1470 to 1471, and disputed King of France from 1422 to 1453. Until 1437, his realm was governed by regents. Contemporaneous accounts described him as peaceful and pious, not suited for the violent dynastic civil wars, known as the Wars...
(1438–39) they granted "...messuages, land, and rent in Westbury and Honybrigge to the chaplain
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
of his new chapel in Westbury church, retaining land in Westbury, Wiltshire". William bequeathed his body to be interred in a tomb in the new chapel on the north side near the inner vail under a glazed window within this church.