The Society's MSS. Chisefdon, 8fc. 



157 



widow by Anne Blake his sister. Presumably, too, the depositions 

 of witnesses were taken as to the " custom of the manor." But in 

 the absence of this further information, the details, both as to the 

 Galley family, and as to the custom of the manor of "Cleeveauncey," 

 contained in the following Bill and Answer are particularly in- 

 teresting. Whether at her then age, and for so small a stake, it 

 was prudent of Mrs. Blake to embark upon the suit is questionable. 

 For fifty long years, however, by her own statement, she had been 

 looking forward to this reversion : — 



10 July 1606 



To the righte honorable Thomas 

 Lord Ellesmere Lord 

 Chauncellor of England 



In all humblenes complayninge sheweth unto your good Lordship your dayly 

 Oratrix Anne Blake late wife of Nicholas Blake late of Bristoll gentleman 

 deceased (one of the daughters of Balph Calley gentleman late of Highway in 

 the County of Wiltes now deceased) That whereas the abovesayd Kalph 

 Calley in his life tyme was lawfully e seised in his demesne as of fee, or fee 

 tayle generall or especiall of and in the manor or lordship of Cleeveauncey 

 with his rightes members and appurtenaunces in the said county e of Wilteshire, 

 within which mannor there are and tyme out of memory of man have ben 

 diverse auncient messuages and copyhold and customarye landes tenementes 

 and hereditamentes which are and were devised and devisable by copy of 

 court roll accordinge to the custom of the sayd mannor unto any person or 

 persons that will take the same for one, twoe, or three lyves in possession, or 

 for two lives in reversion of one life in possession And the sayd Ralph Calley 

 being soe thereof seised, and one Robert Jeffereye now deceased being there 

 tenaunte by copy of courte roll, accordinge to the custome of the sayd 

 mannor of Cleeveauncey of and in one copyhold messuage there, and of and 

 in one yarde lands and an halfe with thappurtenaunces, with all medowes 

 pastures, feedinges, commons and hereditaments customary to the same 

 belonginge He the said Ralph Calley in his life tyme, and in the life tyme 

 of the said Robert Jeffery did at a courte barron holden for the sayd manor 

 of Cleevauncey, at Cleeveeauncey afforesaidin or about the twoe andtwentyeth 

 daye of Apryll in the second and third yeares of the raigne of the late Kinge 

 Phillippe and Queene Mary [1556] for the advauncement and preferment in 

 liveinge of Suzan de Lyle beinge one of his daughters and of your said oratrix 

 Anne Blake another of his daughters by copy of courte roll accordinge to the 

 custome of the sayd mannor sufficiently and lawfully graunte the sayd 

 copyhold messuage and premisses with all and singuler the appurtenances 

 then in the tenure or occupation of the sayd Robert Jeffery or his assignees 

 unto the sayd Suzan de Lyle shee being then unmarried and unto your sayd 

 oratrixe Anne his said daughters your said oratrix not then also beinge 



