190 THE VERNONS OF HADDON HALL. 



granted Conkesbury and Meadow Ploch, both in Yolgrave, to 

 religious foundations. It was probably as tenants to these houses 

 that in the time of their distress the family found a refuge in 

 Yolgrave, or they may have been tenants under the Abbey from the 

 first. In 6 Rich. I. we find Gilbert Avenel with Amicia his 

 wife sueing Mathew de Eston for half the vills of Normanton and 

 Eston ; and in 3 John, a William Avenel fined to recover his 

 rights in Haddon and Basselow, but we know no more about 

 these suits. About the same date Gilbert Avenel attested a 

 charter of Maurice de Audele and Isabella his wife to Rich, de 

 Vernon of Rich de Pec's land in Chesterfield, proof that they 

 were on friendly terms. 



A little later, probably after Gilbert's death, there is a charter 

 still at Haddon Hall, of Robt. fil Alan de Longisdon .settling 

 certain property to " Magister " Robert Avenel and Dionisia his 

 mother, and if William Avenel survived them, then to him for 

 life ; and if Nicolas Avenel survived them, then to him for life ; 

 and after his decease, if Dionisius his brother should survive them, 

 then to him for life ; remainder to Henry brother of Robert, 

 remainder to Richard fil Robert de Redware. Witnesses : Sir 

 Rich, de Herthill, Kt., Rich. Vicar of Yolgrave, Wm. de Gratton, 

 William de Wingfield, Simon Sele of Alport. This deed un- 

 fortunately omits to give the relationship of William Avenel to 

 Robert ; but another Haddon charter is a grant from William 

 Avenel, son of Robert Avenel, to Robt. de Yolgrave, of his 

 rights in land held of Wm. de Hotot in Yolgrave, with the 

 services of Elias fil Wm. de Longisden ; and by a charter at 

 Belvoir, the same Wm. fil Robert Avenel confirms to AVm. fil. 

 Elias Cleric of Parva Longeden, one bovate in Yolgrave, and five 

 acres and three roods in Shonkdale, and land in Wiidleye. There 

 are several charters of a Margaret Avenel, probably widow of 

 William, who remarried Adam fil Peter de Rowsley, and whose 

 daughter and heiress, Havice, married John de Rowsley, son 

 of Peter, who seems to be the last of the race in Haddon, as 

 these are the first known of the family of de Rowsley. 



We now come to a series of charters of the Vernons, from 



