The Chantry set up by Lady De Neville
The original chantry was recently found in some papers in the national archives, and has been transcribed as follows.
Note 8
Taken all together, in that I am Mary formerly daughter of Robert, Lord of Middleham, chastley widowed.
I am dedicated to God and Mary and all the Saints and the Church at Houghton, to uphold both named in each devine celebration and office for the dead, made one set day and year, except a plain and indisputable reason excuses it.
For the soul of John, son of John Duke of Brittainy and Beatrice his former wife.
His forbears and successors , joined together and given life.
Robert son of Ralph, formerly Lord of Middleham.
Lord Ralph son of Ralph(Fitzralph) my father
and Lady Anastasia , my mother
And for the life of Lord robert son of Galfrid de Nevile
and for the life of his son, formerly my husband
and for my life
And for Rannulph my first born, son of Robert De Neville and for the
lives of all my children
and in mortal fear of my life at the country house at South Pickenham, because to escape to some extent to Hervej beyond the water.
26 and 13 acres of arable land at each house and 3 acres of pasture near Cressingham in the place which is Dykemeadow, to hold in sole and perpetual ownership for his alms.
Let it also be known that the two aforesaid chaplains shall be elected by me and my heirs and presented to the ordinary (bishop) thus because two titles of mine and my heirs were given up and so regularly presented and allowed.
Also granted my former pastures separate between the afore said grassland and pastures of Stiffkey lying between the Lords pasture and arable land and one free fold. At the the same house with its land and with grazings and my one separate march at the Turbary by Cressingham.
At the same to make a saving of fuel for my inheritance and my men in the same way.
Testified by
John De Brition of Sporle
(witnessed by)
Richard De Bellhouse
John De Wigenhall Military Establishment Holm
Edmund De Iley
Alban Balliff of Swaffham
Walter Franpre
Roger Verley
The Grant by John Duke of Britany 1287