\m APPENDIX B. 



to her by Robert Earl of Essex, Thomas Cecil, Kt., and Thomas Cromp- 

 ton, Esq., grants to the said Thomas Crompton, Kobert Wright, and 

 Gelly Meyrick,' Esqs., a great number of lands and manors, including 

 the whole of our manor of Elmswell, alias Helmeswell, alias Holmes- 

 well super Wolde, late parcel of the possessions of the Monastery of 

 the lilessed Mary, near the Avails of the City of York, now or late in 

 the tenure of Ralph Buckton and Margaret his wife, and Robert 

 Heneage. 



On Feb. 9, 32 Eliz., Crompton, Meyrick, and "Wright, sell the manor 

 to Roger Rant of London, gent., and Henry Best of London, scrivener; 

 who re-grant it to Crompton alone, on the 23rd of September of the 

 same year. Crompton being thus sole owner, and being styled " of 

 Benynton, co. Hertford, Esq." sells Elmswell, Oct. 4, 39 Eliz., to 

 Henry Best of London, gent., (the scrivener above named) for 2000/. ; 

 and also sells to him on the same day the fixtures at Elmswell, lately 

 purchased of one William Midelton, Esq., "together also with one 

 payre of swannes of hym the said Thomas Crompton now goinge or 

 beinge uppon or neare the ryver there called Helmeswell Becke and 

 Driffeild Becke." 



On 20 April, 40 Eliz., (1598) Henry Best of London, gent., and 

 Anne his wife, dispose of their recently acquired estate to tlieii' brother 

 James Best of Hutton Cranswick,'' for 2050/.,"= a fee farm rent* of 29/. 

 7s. being reserved. James Best'" died in 1617 seized of the estate," 

 which descended to his eldest son Paul, then of the age of 27 years. 

 Paul Best, by deed dated Feb. 13., 15 Jmc, passed away his inheritance 

 to his younger brother, Henry Best of Elmswell, for the sum of 2200/. 

 Soon after this he purchased a life interest in the estate, which he sur- 



» Sir Gclly Meyrick, kniprhted at Cadiz in 1596, -was a friend of Robert Earl of 

 Essex, took part in his ruljcllion, and was executed in 1600. See Burke's Landed 

 Gentry, under Meyrick of Goodrich Court, Herefordshire. In 43 Eliz. a grant was 

 made of abbey lands in Wales to Thoniaa Crompton, Thomas and Gelly Merrick. 



'' The earliest receipt preserved is dated May 12, 159o, the late.st Oct. 28, 1600. 

 His landlord was Thomas Crompton of London, Esq.. in lo95, and of Bening:ton in 

 1597. James Best was living at Hutton Cranswick Feb. 15, 1591-2 ; he rented the 

 Vicarage, Priorj-, and tithe-corn there for 166/. per annum, and a do.'^e called the 

 New Grange for 6/. 13«. 4^., whereof 16/. was allowed for the vicar's stipend. 



"^ Livery and seizin given May 26, 1598. Ten days b -fore this James Best had 

 purchased of his brother all the fixtures and a "payer of swannes" late in the pos- 

 session of Thomas Crompton, Esq. 



•J The first receipt of the fee-farm rent of 29/. 7«. is dated March 30, 1598. That 

 for 1617, April 1, was " of James Bestc gente by the hands of Paull Best liis sonne." 

 The fee-farm rent was part of the down,' given to Queen Henrietta Marin, and waa 

 paid to her Majest)''s Deputy Receiver, Thomas Blande. The receipt dated May 

 7, 1644, runs thus: "for the use of our Sovereign Lord the King and tlie Common- 

 wealth according to an ordinance of Parliament. " The hist receipt is dated 1665, 

 to "John Bestar : for Emswell parcell' Junctura) Dnu^ Henrietta) Maria- Iteginae." 

 The fee-farm rent has been for many years paid to a family of the name of jyiarsh. 



' Inq. p. m. 13 Aug 15 Jac. He was seized of the manor of Elnicswell or 

 Helmeswell super le Wold, held of the king ut de manerio sue dc E«t Greenwich in 

 free and common socage for an annual rent of 29/. 7«. in lieu of all servicea and de- 

 mands. 



