THE WYSE FAMILY AND THE PRIORY (later MANOR) OF ST.JOHN, WATERFORD An important Archive of Documents relating to the Wyse Family being sold as a single lot and numbered 1 - 25. Significant...
THE WYSE FAMILY AND THE PRIORY (later MANOR) OF ST.JOHN, WATERFORD An important Archive of Documents relating to the Wyse Family being sold as a single lot and numbered 1 - 25. Significant documents of this early period relating to Irish property and family history are of the utmost rarity; and a coherent collection such as the one presented, dating back to 1315 is probably unique. *This lot was sold prior to auction to The Waterford City Museum The family of Wyse (who later, by the marriage of Thomas Wyse with the Princess :Letitia Bonaparte, niece of the Emperor Napoleon I, became Bonaparte-Wyse), have been associated with Waterford since the early thirteenth century. Their origins were almost certainly as a branch of the family of Wys (in Welsh,Gwys) of Wiston, Pembrokeshire, who descended and took their name from Wyz (in Latin, Wizo), one of the Flemish colony established there by King Henry I of England soon after 1100. Wyz conquered the district of Daugleddau, where he built a castle later known, from his name, as Wiston. His direct line at Wiston ended with his great-grandson Henry fitz Philip, who left only a daughter in 1220, but Henry had at least one younger brother and it is likely that the younger members of the family settled in Ireland. Henry's grandmother was a daughter of David FitzGerald, bishop of St,David's, and her two brothers, Milo and Philip both took part in the invasion of Ireland and established themselves in the Waterford area, where a Wys cousin may have followed them. In addition, the manor of Islandikane, an early posseesston of the Wyses,was feudally held of the le Poer barony of Dunhill, whose founder, Henry le Poer, was also probably of Pembrokeshire origins. Besides Islandikane, they held the manor of Monamintra, whose feudal overlords were the bishops of Waterford until Henry fitz John fitz Philip (the family had not yet adopted the use of a surname) exchanged it with Stephen de Fulbourn, bishop of Waterford 1273-86, for the manor of Ballydermody close to Islandikane. Henry, however, retained the right of appointment (advowson) to the prebend (canonry) in Waterford Cathedral whose endowment consisted of the tithes of Monamintra. The surname Wys or Wyz is first found used by this Henry's numerous sons in around 1310. In 1375 John Grove of Ballygunner, as trustee, established an entail to secure the continuance of Islandikane and Ballydermody, and the patronage of Monamintra prebend in the male line of the Wyses. This document is among those in this collection (DOCUMENT 2). Twenty-six members of the family, beginning with a William Wys, are named in this document, each of whom (or his descendants) would succeed on the failure of male heirs to the preceding one. It is an extreme example of the determination to keep lands in the surname which is found in Ireland at this period. Like others in east Waterford at this period, the Wyse lands came under attack from the proliferating members of the le Poer (Power). Two documents in this collection (DOCUMENTS 5,6) are releases in 1463 to Maurice Wyse by the six sons of Richard Poer, the (natural) son of Milo Poer, the last baron of Dunhill, of their claims over Islandikane (and two other obsolete townland names) in the barony of Dunhill. They convey in two separate groups of three, perhaps the offspring of two marriages. But other members of the Power clan were also troubling the Wyses. An Act of the Irish Parliament in 1493, which commanded that Maurice Wyse should be restored to Islandikane and Ballydermody, of which he was being kept out of possession by the six sons of a Shaune (Poer; there was no need to give the surname !)was of no effect, as among the present collection (DOCUMENT 11) is an award made on 18 June 1528 by two Power chieftains and two Waterford citizens confirming Maurice's grandson William (later Sir William) Wyse in the possession of Islandikane and Ballydermody against Nicholas fiz Thomas Poer, whose father had been one of the delinquents of 1493, and his kinsmen. The earls of Ossory (Piers Butler), Desmond and Kildare, were 'slan and safeguard' to maintain the award. Two other documents also concern the Wyse lands in this period. By an indented deed (DOCUMENT 8) of 1495 John Deverox, Prior of St.John next Waterford, and the brothers and sisters of that house, confirm to Maurice Wise the lands which he holds under them in the city and suburbs;by the other , of 1526 (DOCUMENT 10), the Dean and Chapter of Waterford Cathedral confirm to William Wise all their rights in 'the Island (insula) nykene', Ballydermody, Ballyadam and other names now obsolete, reserving however twelve acres of arable land as a glebe for the chapel of Ballydermody. William Wyse became a prominent person in the Irish administration of Henry VIII, culminating (1548) in membership of the Irish Privy Council., and on 8 December 1523 obtained a grant to himself and his male heirs of the royal manor of Chapelizod, Co. Dublin, which included a large portion of the present Phoenix Park. Among the documents (DOCUMENT 12) is the record of a 'common recovery' ( a fictitious lawsuit designed to facilitate dealings with entailed property) of Chapelizod in 1547. Chapelizod remained with the Wyses until it was disposed of by John Wyse in the 1590s. In 1548 Sir William, as he had become, received a grant from King Henry to him and his male heirs of the dissolved priory of St John the Evangelist by Waterford,with all its possessions in Counties Waterford and Cork.The Priory of St. John the Evangelist beside Waterford had been founded in the time of King John as a dependency of Bath Priory in England and, besides extensive properties near Waterford, obtained several charters granting privileges and protections from that monarch. In this collection (DOCUMENT 1) is a recital and confirmation of one of King John's charters, issued by King Edward II on 12 July 1315. The Cork priory of St. John the Evangelist (often confused with the nearby establishment of St.John the Baptist belonging to the Knights Hospitallers) was also a dependency of Bath Priory,and control over it was delegated by Bath to the Waterford house. The Cork priory, which took over property which had been originally granted to St. Nicholas of Exeter; possessed the manor of Legan (now Monkstown, Co. Cork) and the rectorial tithes of Kinsale, and some of the most important documents in this collection relate to these. A document (DOCUMENT 3) issued in Kinsale in April 1386(?) by Piers (Hacket),archbishop of Cashel, records the evidence of four canons of Cork and eight burgesses of Kinsale that the rectorial tithes of Kinsale belonged to the monastery of Bath. A notarial instrument (DOCUMENT 4) drawn up at Kinsale on the instructions of Archbishop Hacket recites six charters relating to the rectory of Kinsale issued between 1206 and 1388 by bishops of Cork and others; the first of these is the charter of a previously unknown bishop of Cork, Florentius, who must have been the immediate successor of Bishop Murchadh O hAedha (died 1206). A charter of Bishop Gilbert (1225-38) is a general confirmation of Bath's possessions in his diocese, and also grants the tithes of Culmore and Balyfogleth (Coolmore and Ballyfowlow).A charter of Milo de Coursy,1274, releases any claims he had on the church of Kinsale. Another document (DOCUMENT 7) is a decree of a provincial synod of Cashel held at Clonmel in 1471 threatening excommunication against Cormac MacCarthy unless within twelve days he makes reparation for the damages he has done to Bath's property at BalyInlegan (Legan). A final document relating to the priory of St.John before its dissolution (DOCUMENT 8) is in the form of letters patent issued by Sir Edward Poynings, Lord Deputy on 10 April 1495, reciting an otherwise lost statute of the Irish Parliament of that year revoking, on the petition of the prior of Bath, all alienations of property made by the Waterford priory since 1431. The remaining items in the collection refer to the Wyse family and their property, A very long decree of the Irish Court of Chancery (DOCUMENT 14)recites the proceedings in the lawsuit brought by George Wyse. Sir William's fourth son, to bastardise his nephew James, son of his elder brother John, on the pretext of the invalidity of John's marriage. The decree (23 February 1572/3)established James's legitimacy. Letters Patent(DOCUMENT 13) of Elizabeth, 20 November,1571, recite a'common recovery' between James Wyse and Thomas Wadding for the mill called Watkins Mill on St. Katherine's Pill in Waterford A deed of 7 November 1593(DOCUMENT 15)i is a release by Peter Grant, as heir of the last surviving trustee of Sir William Wyse, of Islandikane, Ballydermody and the other Wyse family lands. Another (DOCUMENT 16) is an exemplification of the same release, made on his wife's request by James Wyse himself as mayor of Waterford in 1597. Letters Patent of Charles I,(DOCUMENT 17) under the Commission for Defective Titles issued on 11 January 1636/7, confirmed Robert Wyse in the possession of the priory of St.John the Evangelist and its lands (enumerated) in County Waterford. A bond (7 August 1638: DOCUMENT 18) is by Nicholas and John Wyse to secure the payment of an annuity by Nicholas to Richard Strange. Robert Wyse's son, Major Francis Wyse, lived at Credan (part of the St. John property). He served as an officer in the army of the Irish Confederacy, a fact which was put forward in 1662 to justify the confiscation of the estates. In the event, however, these were eventually restored to his kinsman and heir by entail, Thomas Wyse, who had been living as a merchant in London since before the wars. DOCUMENT 20 is a conveyance 11 July 1677, by Thomas Symnell and Abraham Carter to Thomas Wyse and Paul Lombard both of London, merchants, of lands in Queen's County (now Laois) which had been set out to Symnell under the Act of Settlement.Document 21 is a duplicate of 20, and DOCUMENTS 22,23 and 24 are receipts arising out of the same transaction. DOCUMENT 19 is an original grant by Charles II, under the Act Of Settlement,22 May 1669, granting the lands of Killeshin (Queen' County) to Sir Charles Lloyd and lands in Coolnalingady (Co. Waterford) to Walter Power. Finally, there are the very interesting Letters Patent of George II (DOCUMENT 25) dated 23 March, 1758, pardoning (in consideration of his youth and of the intercession of the Duke of Bedford, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland) John Wyse, third son of Thomas Wyse of Waterford, for having served in the Irish Brigade in the French army. Such a pardon was necessary before John could safely return to Ireland, let alone succeed, as he eventually did, to the Wyse estates. 1. 12 July 1315 (Edwardus) Inspeximus of King Edward II reciting and confirming charter of King John as Lord of Ireland and Count of Mortain extending his protection to the Hospital of St. John of Waterford, its men and possessions, and granting various privileges to the brothers of the hospital. He also grants to them the watercourse between the church of St. Catherine and the old bridge of Waterford. Given at Marlborough (1190 ?). In beautiful formal script of the period. Seal. 2. 6 March 1375. (Sciant) Deed of John fitz John Grove of Ballygunner (a trustee) granting the lands of Illanykhene,Gl[a]negroghe and Balydermodde in Co. Waterford, and the advowson of the prebend of Madhnemuntre, G[ ] cloighe and Balylogh in the diocese of Waterford to William fitz Philip fitz Andrew Wys and the legitimate male heirs of his body, in default of which to Nicholas fitz Robert Wys and his male heirs, and so on in default to twenty-four other named members of the Wys lineage. Damaged in three places (unfortunately with loss of part of a placename) and defaced in two others, but otherwise clearly legible. Seal. 3. April 1386. (Universis) Decree of Peter [Hacket], archbishop of Cashell given in the church of Kinsale, recording the evidence of four canons of Cork Cathedral, two other priests of the diocese, and eight burgesses of Kinsale that the rectory of Kinsale belongs to the monastery of Bath, O.S.B 4. 12 April 1389. Notarial instrument issued in the church of Kinsale on the instructions of Peter, archbishop of Cashel, reciting six charters concerning the rectory of Kinsale and other possessions of the monastery of Bath in Cork Diocese between 1206 and 1388 .The first of these is a charter of Florentius, bishop of Cork, confirming the church of Kinsale to the Benedictines of SS. Peter and Paul of Bath. The second, a charter of Bishop Gilbert confirming to them the church of St.John the Evangelist, near the bridge of Cork, and the tithes of Culmore and Balyfogleth.The third is a confirmation by the two previous charters by Marianus (O Brien), archbishop of Cashel. With notarial sign and attestation. Florentius, bishop of Cork, is not previously known. The fact that his charter is witnessed by David, bishop of Waterford, shows that he must have been the immediate successor of Murchadh O hAedha, who died in 1206. 5. 12 October 1463 (Noverint) deed of William, Maurice and Robert [Poer], sons of Richard son of Milo Poer formerly Baron of Donnhill, release to Maurice Wyce (son of William son of John Wyce) all their right to chief-rent out of Ilanyghene, Balyndeny and Glandecroghe which they have as their portion of the barony of Donnhill. Reserving to themselves a rent of 3s 4d at the terms of Easter and Michaelmas For corroboration the seal of the Dean of Waterford is also attached. 3 seals remain (out of 4). 6, 12 October 1463. Similar deed of Piers, Thomas and Nicholas, sons of Richard (etc). This Piers Poer [of Gilcagh] was still active in 1508. 7. 20 July 1471.(Johannes) Decree of a provincial synod of Cashel held at Clonmel. 1471 On the complaint of John Northon, O.S.B. the proctor of the monastery of Bath at Waterford, against Cormack Maccarthy, who has committed damage to the property of the monastery at BalyInllegan [Legan, now Monkstown, Co.Cork The synod decrees that unless Cormack makes reparation for the damages within twelve days, he should incur excommunication. 8. 11 April 1495.(Henricus) Letters Patent in the name of King Henry VII issued at Balyadam,Castell Dormont by Sir Edward Poynings, Lord Deputy, exemplifying an Act of the Parliament held at Drogheda [''Poynings' Parliament''] in that month, On the petition of John Cauelo, prior of Bath, Parliament annuls all alienations, leases,etc, made of the property of the priory of St.John beside Waterford since 1431. (Seal lost) The text of this statute (10 Henry VII c.48) is otherwise lost. See Conway, Henry VII's Relations with Scotland and Ireland 1485-1498, 9. 22 April 1495, (Hec Indentura) Indented deed by which John Deverox and the brothers and sisters of the house of St.John the Evangelist by Waterford confirm to Maurice Wyse all the lands, etc, which he had hitherto held of them either in fee or otherwise in the city and suburbs of Waterford. Seal. 10 16 January 1527. (Noverint) Deed by which the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity of Waterford release and quitclaim to William Wyse, esquire of the King's body all their rights,etc, in Insula nykene, Glangroghe, Balyadam, Balydenny, Ballywillyn, Ballyedmondmore, Ballydawk and Ballydermod, except for the tithes and oblations and twelve acres of arable land belonging to the chapel of Ballydermod (bounds given) Seal lost. 11. 18 June 1528. (Memorandum) Award by Thomas fiz Pers Poer, Nicholas Poer, lord of Kilmydan, James Sherlocque and John Morgan, arbiters chosen to decide the controversy between William Wise (son of John son of Maurice Wise) on the one hand and Nicholas macThomas mcSheane Poer and his brethren and kinsmen on the other over the lands of Illanykene and Ballidermott.The arbiters award the lands to Wise and his heirs male until such time as Nicholas or his heirs show a better title. The two Poer arbiters, the mayor of Waterford and the earls of Ossory, Desmond and Kildare are to be ''Slane and Saulfguard'' to the award. Nicholas Wise, mayor of Waterford, affixed the city seal along with those of the arbiters. Two seals and a portion (out of five) remain. Thomas fitz Piers Poer, called 'Tanist of the Poers', was the brother of the first Lord Power. 12 . 26 January 1548. (Henricus). Inspeximus of a Common Recovery brought in Hilary Term 1548 by Thomas Plunket of Kyllester and Thomas Fyan of Dublin (by their attorney Edmond Barnewall) against Sir William Wyse of Waterford for lands and a fishery in Chaple Ysold, Co.Dublin. (Seal and tag lost) A Common Recovery was a fictitious lawsuit brought to free lands of an entail. The royal manor of Chapelizod had been granted by the King to William Wyse and his male heirs on 15 December 1523. It included much of the Phoenix Park. 13. 20 November 1570. (Elizabetha) Inspeximus of a Common Recovery brought by Thomas Wadding of Waterford (by his attorney Bartholomew Talbot) against James Wyse for the watercourse called St.Katherine's Pyll and the mill called Watkins Myll, Waterford, with common pasture for the miller's horse. 14. 23 February 1572. (Elizabetha) Inspeximus of a decree (15 November 1571) by the Irish Court of Chancery in a suit brought by George Wyse against his nephew James for the late monastery of St.John the Evangelist,with its lands of Crydon, Ballymabyb, Ballydavye and Lyselte in Co. Waterford, its lands in the city and county of Cork and the manor of Chappell Isolde, Co. Dublin, all of which had been granted by King Henry VIII to Sir William Wyse in tail male and could not be rightly inherited by James, as he was (George alleged) illegitimate, his mother Alison Walsh having been previously engaged to another uncle Henry Wyse before she married James's father John The Court ruled in favour of James, whom it declared legitimate. The decree recites in full all the pleadings on both sides. Three skins, the first two badly damaged, but without serious loss of text. 15. 7 November 1593 (Be it knowen). Deed by which Peter Grant fitz Richard, as heir to Sir Patrick Grant, late treasurer of Waterford Cathedral and trustee to Sir William Wyse, releases to James Wyse, the lands of Illannykeane, Ballydermody and all lands in Sir William's feoffment. Endorsed with names of witnesses. (seal lost) 16. 24 May 1597. (To all Christen people) Exemplification by James White, Mayor, and Richard Maddan and George Quemerford, bailiffs of Waterford, at the request of Alison Finglasse, widow of James Wyse, of the preceding release. Seal lost. 17. 11 January 1636., . (Carolus) Original Letters Patent of Charles I, under the Commission for Defective Titles, confirming Robert Wise in his possession of the priory of St. John the Evangelist, Waterford, with its lands in Credan, Ballymabin, Ballydavibeg. Ballycohill, Ballyturkill and Ballycourty, To hold in tail male. Granted for a fine of ?15, and reserving a Crown rent of ?10 annually. (Seal) 18. 7 August 1638. Bond of Nicholas Wise and John Wise, both of Waterford, to Richard Strange in ?280 sterling. Condition: that Nicholas should pay to Richard an annuity of ?14 out of all his houses, lands.etc. (This is of course a concealed payment of interest.) . 19. 22 May 1669. Original Letters Patent of Charles II granting (under Act of Settlement) lands in Killeshin , Queen's County (now Laois) to Sir Charles Lloyd and in Coolnalingady, Co. Waterford, to Walter Power. (Seal) (See Irish Record Comm.,Reports,1825,207). 20. 11 July, 1677. (This Indenture). Indenture tripartite between (1) Thomas Symnell of St.Ives, Hunts. andAbraham Carter of London(2) Thomas Wyse of London,merchant, and (3) Paul Lombard of London, merchant . Symnell and Carter for two sums of ?462 10s paid by Wyse and Lombard, convey to them the lands of Caddaghmore and many others in the Barony of Upper Ossory, Queen's County, granted to Simnell under the Act of Settlement, 11 December, 1666 [ See Ir.Rec. Comm.,Reports 1825,72]. 4 seal tags (seals lost). 21. Duplicate of no.20. 22. Undated receipt by Tho.Simnell for ?950 13s 8d received on account of the preceding transaction. 23. 24 August 1675. Receipt of John Stowell for sums received from 'Mr.Wyse' for the use of 'my master' Samuel Mollyneux' 24. Note of sums paid for fees in Common Pleas and Chancery, for 'the King's silver' and to Mr Ralph Walls for enrolling and deeds. 25. 23 March1758. Letters Patent of George II granting pardon to John Wyse, third son of Thomas Wyse of Waterford, in consideration both of his youth and of the recommendation of John, Duke of Bedford, lord Lieutenant of Ireland, for having served in the French Army.
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