Tropenell Memoranda. 563 



''knigfit," was almost certainly son and heir of Eobert llussell, 

 constable of Marlborough, appointed sheriff of Wilts 11 

 November, 1347, from whom he inherited, among other very con- 

 siderable possessions, the manor of Quidhampton (in Wronghtoii) 

 and lands in North Lydiard. It was the desire to know how (Sir) 

 Oliver came to be presenting to the chapel of Atwoith that was 

 the occasion of the collection of the following facts. 



It appears, then, that in or about August, 1350, the then owner 



of Atworth, George Seliman, was outlawed for felony, viz., for 



murder. Vyy writ, 13 July, 1352, the king directs enquiry 



touching the manor of Atworth, and by inquisition, 24 September 



1352, it was found that the king, by the sheriffs, had had "year, 



day, and waste therein," and that the manor was held of Ealph, 



earl of Stafford, as of the third of the earldom of Gloucester which 



he had by his wife. Particular and precise as this finding is, it 



will be noticed that it does not tally with the record of the tenure 



of Atworth as set down in the book of Exchequer precedents, the 



Testa de Nevill, as cited above ; but it passed ; for a writ dated [27] 



Septendjer, 1352, is entered on the Close Eoll addressed to the 



sheriff of Wilts, reciting the above finding, and directing him to 



put the earl in seisin of the manor (Close Eoll Cal, p. 446). Again 



by writ, 16 January, 1352-3, enquiry is ordered touching a 



messuage, four virgates of land, eight acres of meadow, and two 



acres of wood which George Selyman had held in Broughton Gifford, 



and by inquisition, 13 July, 1353, it was found that a half virgate 



was held of the prior of Farlegh, and the residue of James Audley, 



whereupon, by writ, 16 July, 1353, the sheriff is directed to put 



Audley and the prior in possession, {Close lioll Cul., p. 557). 



George Selyman had lost his lands but saved his life, for 3 



I November, he came into the Chancery and ackiiowledged two 



! deeds, dated 31 October, 1354, wh(M-eby he rcdeased lo Robiu t de 



j Burton his liglil in those lands in Atteward which Kobeil had by 



the mant. of Ralph, (>arl of Stalfoid, and h. the earl his right in 



all his lands in AlLeward, in each casi; for the l.Min of his own life 



I (Close Boll Cal., p. 92.) This Eoberb de lV>urton is descrilied in a 



I writ, 4 ]\ray, 1358, as "of Altoward near i'.ra.ll'onl," (//'/</. p. 



2 .\ 2 



