^^t treaties ^avci^mcnts. 



By W. R. Holland. 



|HE family of Greaves was settled as long ago as the 

 reign of Henry HI. (1216-1272), at a place, within 

 the Manor of Beeley, Derbyshire, called Greaves, 

 whence the surname is derived. Beeley (the Begelie 

 of Domesday) is a Chapelry in Bakewell Parish. Greaves, the 

 former seat of the family bore that name until 1687, when a new 

 owner clianged it to Hill Top, where may yet, or in recent times 

 could, be seen the remains of the old Elizabethan mansion, with 

 a good deal of carving in two of the rooms, and the arms of 

 James I., and the motto of James, " Beati pacifici," over a 

 chimney-piece. In very early records this surname is spelt 

 " Greves," and there is, or was, amongst the Duke of Rutland's 

 muniments, a parchment, said to be of the time of Henry I. (but 

 more probably Henry HI.), with the name of Greves and the 

 spread eagle (the family crest) on the appended seal. 



A few documents relating to the Manor of Beeley came into 

 my possession some years ago. They consist of an Indenture of 

 Feoffment or Grant, dated 9th June, second year of Elizabeth 

 (1560), and an Indenture of a Fine levied in the Common Pleas at 

 Westminster, in Michaelmas Term, 2 Elizabeth. These 

 documents all relate to the same transaction, the fine completing 

 the Conveyance attempted by the Feoffment. The Deed of 

 9th June, 1560, is a good example of an early Conveyance in the 

 English language, as Latin was generally employed down to and 

 after this date. The writing presents an interesting specimen of 



