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Early Berkshire References
to the A'Bear Family
Calendar of Patent Rolls (1318)
An entry recording trespass, theft and criminal damage undertaken by a number of men of East Berkshire upon the park of the Earl of Lancaster at Ashridge in Wokingham:
"York, December 5th, 1318 - Commission of oyer and terminer to William de Hardene and John Inge, by oath of good men of the county of Wiltshire, on complaint by Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, that Geoffrey atte Beche, John Pippard, Peter de Waltham, John Lammar, Adam de Waltham, Adam the Younge, Robert le Yem, John de Yevendon, Richard de la Chaumber, William Turry, Richard atte Hegge of Waltham, John le Bercher of Hurley, Robert de Lullebrok and John de la Bere of Wargrave, with others, broke his park at Ashridge, cut his corn growing there, and consumed and trampled it down."
Grant of a Land
Tenement (1325)
A land grant from the Vicar of Wargrave to the Vicar of Warfield:
"23rd
June 1325 at Easthampstead - Henry de Langburwe, parson of Warplesgrave to
Master Alexander de Neuport, parson of Warfield.
Grant of a tenement with buildings, land, etc., which Henry de Langburwe,
parson of Warplesgrave, had of the gift of Richard Clark called le
Carpenter of Bray.
Warranty against all people.
Witnesses: Robert de Waltham, William de Newenham, Henry Batayl, Henry de
Penkeneye; Roger de Wodemancote, John atte Bere, Richard Aylward, William
atte Halle, Robert atte Lak, Master Thomas Cook of Easthampstead, William
le Coterel of Easthampstead, Richard Clerk called le Carpenter of
Bray"
A Record of the value of ninths of wool, lambs and corn in each English parish for Church taxation purposes. 'John atte Bere' is listed amongst the jurors for Wargrave where it is further recorded that:
"John Atte Bere, John Atte Wydegate, Rob Wepestrode, John Dyton, John Atte Frythe, Philip Galant, of the Parish of Wargrave, sworn before the Prior of Wallingford and his fellows, say, upon their oath, that the ninth of the fleeces of the lambs, and of the sheaves (garbs) of the aforesaid Vill granted to the Lord the King are worth what they are valued at to the Church of Wargrave, that is to say eighteen marks [twelve pounds], and they do not exceed this because a great part of the lands of the parishioners of the said Vill lies uncultivated in consequence of the pauperisation of the aforesaid parishioners, and because there are great expenses in the autumn In collecting the sheaves, and because the land and wool and meadow and pasture belong to the Vicar, and also the small tithes which have to be offered, and the Mortuary fees. And the tythes of hay of the said vill amount per annum, to £10. which profits indeed run over the extent of the said church. In testimony whereof the aforesaid Prior and. the Aforesaid Jury have severally affixed their seals to the present indenture."
Calandar of the
Close Rolls (1341)
An entry recording a complaint against a Wargrave man in debt:
"Westminster, October 2nd 1341 - It is recorded that John de la Bere of Wargrave acknowledges that he owes to Agnes de la Bere, his daughter, £20; to be levied, in default of payment, of his land and chattels in the county of Berkshire."
These records tell us a considerable amount about the A'Bear family during this period.