274 



IV. — On some pleas recorded in the Be Banco Rolls. — Commuktcated 

 BY Sir John Maclean. 



Abstract Bead May 23, 1876. 



SOME time ago I called tlie attention of the Eoyal Institution 

 of Cornwall to the great value of the pleas recorded in the 

 de Banco Rolls, in tracing, as well the descent of families as the 

 devolution of lands and advowsons of churches ; and illustrated 

 the fact by shewing the history of the advowson of the church 

 of St. Pinnock. These important records are also most interest- 

 ing as exhibiting the manners and customs of various ranks of 

 society in the times to which they relate ; so different from the 

 state of society in our own day. A-S an example of the latter 

 we will bring under notice the case of an heiress of the family 

 of Trelawny.*' 



In 1468 John Trelawny of Wollyston, in the parish of St. Ive, 

 gent. ; James Meuw3^nnek, of Trewasper, gent. ; John Craft and 

 others were attached by the Sheriff to reply to Thomas Burgh, 

 Knt., why, at Liskeard, they had, by force and arms, abducted 

 Isabella Trelawny, being within age, whose marriage pertained 

 to the said Thomas Burgh. The plaintiff alleged that Richard 

 Trelawny had died seized of the manor of Wollyston, which 

 manor he held of Thomas Bodulgate by military service and suit 

 at the court of Thomas Bodulgate at his manor of Hamet, and 

 that Richard Trelawny died at Wollyston in the homage of the 

 said Thomas Bodulgate, by which the wardship and marriage of 

 Isabella, daughter and only heir of Richard, being within the 

 age of 14 years, to Thomas pertained. That Thomas Bodulgate 



* De Banco EoU 8 Edw, IV, Michs., m, 420, 



