CODNOR CASTLE, AND ITS ANCIENT OWNERS. 1 9 



Norman invasion. They were held at the Survey in 1085 by one 

 Warner, under the Peverells, who remained chief lords of Codnor 

 until the first year of Henry II., when William Peverell, the fourth 

 consecutive owner of that name, forfeited his vast estates in 

 Derbyshire and elsewhere, through his connection with the death of 

 Ranulf, Earl of Chester, in 11 53, to whom the Honor of Peverell 

 had bee"n just assigned by the King. 



We'are not quite certain as to the identity of this early sub-tenant, 

 Warner. Mr. Yeatman suggests "de Insula;" unfortunately I 

 cannot solve the mystery. 



Robert Fitz Warner gave lands in Toton to Lenton Abbey 

 (Dugdale). 



Codnor is not mentioned again in our national records for 

 nearly 100 years. 



In the Pipe Roll of 26 Henry II. (a.d. 1180) it is stated that 

 Robert fitz William de Codenour, probably grandson of the last 

 named Robert, held half a knight's fee in Ratcliff. This is a very 

 important entry. 



Soon after this, and before 1208, we find the whole of the 

 estates connected with Codnor in the possession of Henry de Grey 

 (one of the Rotherfield stock, and brother to Walter, the illustrious 

 Archbishop of York), acquired by his marriage with Isolda, the 

 heiress of Codnor. She was obviously the heiress of Robert, son 

 of William, living in 11 80, because she brought the estates in 

 Toton and Radcliff (just mentioned as being the lands of the 

 Warfiers) to Henry de Grey. 



Supposition now takes the place of reliable evidence. Glover 

 states, apparently on the authority of Thoroton, and he, again, on 

 Burton, that she was the daughter of Hugh Bardolf, and coheiress 

 with Maud of her uncle Robert Bardolf. If this Robert Bardolf 

 be identical with the Robert, son of William, the matter is settled ; 

 but I have searched long and diligently for any evidence con- 

 necting Codnor and its subordinate manors with the Bardolfs, 

 without any satisfactory result. Mr. Pym Yeatman mentions the 

 possibility of her having been a Morton, or Morteyn, but there is 

 no proof. 



