Wexcombe
The land of Wexcombe formed the southern boundaries of Saxon Bedwyn, and in 1086 it was still a remote outlying part of the original estate. The settlement lay in a combe, or deep sided valley, on the edge of the north-facing chalk escarpment of the North Hampshire downs. The meaning of the placename is ambiguous; it could be either the West Combe, or the Wax Combe, the combe of bees. Ironically in the 12th century, this obscure estate formed the administrative centre of the remnants of the Bedwyn estate.
King Stephen granted the manor of Wexcombe to John FitzGilbert the Marshal [1105 – 1166] between 1135 and 1138. The award included the lordship of Bedwyn borough and the Kinwardstone Hundred, and it signified the final dispersal of the Bedwyn estate. The grant of a moiety of the Wilton estate created a continuous belt of land, which extended from Wexcombe's downland to the rich arable land of West Bedwyn and Stock. The new lord of Wexcombe manor held all of this land, as a reward for his loyalty and support upon the succession of the king.
Geography may have been the main influence in creating what might have been intended as an extension to West Bedwyn manor, for this settlement provided valuable access to a rich area of downland grazing. However, royal interest in an estate which lay close to the royal intinerary from Ludgershall castle to Marlborough castle probably ensured that Wexcombe became the administrative centre of the former Bedwyn estate. Royal interest was maintained for over 200 years as lords of the manor were almost always relatives of the king.
Geography may have been the main influence in creating what might have been intended as an extension to West Bedwyn manor, for this settlement provided valuable access to a rich area of downland grazing. However, royal interest in an estate which lay close to the royal intinerary from Ludgershall castle to Marlborough castle probably ensured that Wexcombe became the administrative centre of the former Bedwyn estate. Royal interest was maintained for over 200 years as lords of the manor were almost always relatives of the king.
Battle of Bannockburn
Wexcombe passed to Gilbert de Clare, earl of Gloucester and Hertford, following the extinction of the Marshall family in the male line. After his death in 1295, the estate passed to his widow Joan d'Acre, the daughter of king Edward I. She held Wexcombe as a dower estate until her own death in 1307. Thereafter her son, Gilbert de Clare, held Wexcombe. As nephew of king Edward II, he enjoyed significant royal connections. However, through his marriage to Matilda de Burgh in 1308, the young earl maintained a second royal connection. His wife's sister married Robert the Bruce, the fugitive king of Scotland.
In 1314, Gilbert de Clare jointly commanded the vanguard of the English army at Bannockburn. On the first day of inconclusive fighting, the English made little headway, and evening saw the the withdrawal of the vanguard behind the Bannock burn. The following day the English seemed determined on breaking through the Scottish defences. However, the Scots were always vigilant and ready to meet their foe. Apparently there had been disagreement in the English camp on how best to proceed with the battle. The earl of Gloucester had advised caution, but caustic remarks from his king led him to to make an ill prepared cavalry charge against the Scottish schiltrons. The reckless earl died on the tips of Scottish spears.
Gilbert de Clare may have had little if any direct involvement with the Wexcombe estate. However upon his untimely death, an Inquisition Post Mortem was held for his Wiltshire estates. An important question to be answered was whether or not he had any children. His wife claimed to be pregnant, and the duration of subsequent, almost Chilcott like, investigations into her alleged pregnancy, enabled her to hold onto her husband’s estates until 1217.
By then it was obvious that she was childless, and the estates were divided between the earl’s three sisters. Three young women became remarkably rich, and extremely attractive to marriage suitors. The Wexcombe estate passed to Margaret de Clare, widow of Piers Gaveston; soon afterwards king Edward II arranged her marriage with one of his favourites, Hugh d'Audley, at Windsor castle in 1317.
Although he may have been a favourite, Hugh D'Audley sided with the rebellious earl of Lancaster during the Contrariant rebellion of 1322. His wife's influence probably saved his life, but many of the leading rebels were hanged or beheaded. Their marriage produced one daughter, and and as she approached marriagable age, a crisis loomed over a suitable husband. However an unlooked for and unwelcome solution appeared in the kidnapping of the young Matilda d'Audley by Ralph de Stafford, later earl of Stafford. Despite protests from the father, king Edward III approved the match, and the Stafford family subsequently held West Bedwyn and Wexcombe until the end of the mediaeval period.
A postscript to the battle of Bannockburn appeared with the discovery of heirlooms of the Ailesbury family in the Victorian period. Among the curiosities at Tottenham Park were two ancient swords, apparently made by Andrea Ferraras in the late 16th century. One of the swords was alleged to have belonged to Robert Bruce; the other was allegedly the sword of the Black Douglas, the loyal knight of king Robert. The Douglas blade, appearing to have been well used, displayed the following couplets, one engraved on each side:
"This is the sword that once was worn
By the Black Douglas at Bannookburn"
"At Bannookburn I seryed the Bruce
Whereof the English made little use"
Perhaps the swords were of the self-same quality as Trigger's broom [Only Fools and Horses].
For the local historian, the death of Gilbert de Clare in 1314 provided a third Inquisition Post Mortem, which described the Wexcombe estate in great detail.
In 1314, Gilbert de Clare jointly commanded the vanguard of the English army at Bannockburn. On the first day of inconclusive fighting, the English made little headway, and evening saw the the withdrawal of the vanguard behind the Bannock burn. The following day the English seemed determined on breaking through the Scottish defences. However, the Scots were always vigilant and ready to meet their foe. Apparently there had been disagreement in the English camp on how best to proceed with the battle. The earl of Gloucester had advised caution, but caustic remarks from his king led him to to make an ill prepared cavalry charge against the Scottish schiltrons. The reckless earl died on the tips of Scottish spears.
Gilbert de Clare may have had little if any direct involvement with the Wexcombe estate. However upon his untimely death, an Inquisition Post Mortem was held for his Wiltshire estates. An important question to be answered was whether or not he had any children. His wife claimed to be pregnant, and the duration of subsequent, almost Chilcott like, investigations into her alleged pregnancy, enabled her to hold onto her husband’s estates until 1217.
By then it was obvious that she was childless, and the estates were divided between the earl’s three sisters. Three young women became remarkably rich, and extremely attractive to marriage suitors. The Wexcombe estate passed to Margaret de Clare, widow of Piers Gaveston; soon afterwards king Edward II arranged her marriage with one of his favourites, Hugh d'Audley, at Windsor castle in 1317.
Although he may have been a favourite, Hugh D'Audley sided with the rebellious earl of Lancaster during the Contrariant rebellion of 1322. His wife's influence probably saved his life, but many of the leading rebels were hanged or beheaded. Their marriage produced one daughter, and and as she approached marriagable age, a crisis loomed over a suitable husband. However an unlooked for and unwelcome solution appeared in the kidnapping of the young Matilda d'Audley by Ralph de Stafford, later earl of Stafford. Despite protests from the father, king Edward III approved the match, and the Stafford family subsequently held West Bedwyn and Wexcombe until the end of the mediaeval period.
A postscript to the battle of Bannockburn appeared with the discovery of heirlooms of the Ailesbury family in the Victorian period. Among the curiosities at Tottenham Park were two ancient swords, apparently made by Andrea Ferraras in the late 16th century. One of the swords was alleged to have belonged to Robert Bruce; the other was allegedly the sword of the Black Douglas, the loyal knight of king Robert. The Douglas blade, appearing to have been well used, displayed the following couplets, one engraved on each side:
"This is the sword that once was worn
By the Black Douglas at Bannookburn"
"At Bannookburn I seryed the Bruce
Whereof the English made little use"
Perhaps the swords were of the self-same quality as Trigger's broom [Only Fools and Horses].
For the local historian, the death of Gilbert de Clare in 1314 provided a third Inquisition Post Mortem, which described the Wexcombe estate in great detail.