Corbet of Caus.2C Shropshire Manor of Siston

arms of corbet of siston & hope: argent, raven proper within bordure sable bezantee

how siston manor came corbets not clear, sir peter corbet, grandfather of margaret, seized of when died in 1362. known tenancies-in-chief of alveston (9 miles (14 km) north west of siston) , earthcott, gloucestershire holdings determine devolution of siston, had arisen on marriage of sir peter corbet (d. 1362) elizabeth fitzwarin, daughter of walter fitzwarin (d. 1363) of alveston. marriage have arisen due 2 families anciently being neighbouring marcher lords in shropshire , marches. siston seems have been residence of peter corbet in gloucestershire alveston , earthcott occupied de gloucester family, holding fitzwarin, when granted peter corbet. unlike alveston , earthcott, siston not held in-chief king, abbey of bath , wells.

the corbets descended norman marcher lords of caus castle, shropshire, name taken pays de caux, normandy. liberty in marches estimated have covered between 50 square miles (130 km) , 150 square miles (390 km), , exempt royal writs, corbets assuming rights of high justice, imprisoning , executing men impunity. corbet branch @ siston, whilst had lost of ancient lands collateral corbet branches, nevertheless senior line of barons of caus

when peter corbet died, left 10-year-old fatherless triplet grandchildren, descendants: john, deemed eldest, william , margaret. father william, had married elizabeth oddingseles, had predeceased own father, having had short life. not known whom wardship of john heir granted, second son william granted john gamage king s order . gamages norman family descended godfrey de gamage married joan de clare, 1 of co-heiresses of strongbow , 1st. earl of pembroke (d. 1176) , based @ rogiet, directly across severn estuary bristol.

john died aged under 21 in 1374. lack of records suggests had not attained majority. younger brother william, out of wardship @ 21, thereupon inherited corbet estates. sister margaret, pivotal future descent of siston, married william wyriott orielton in pembrokeshire, 6 m. south west of corbet manor of lawrenny. appears had been granted manor, possibly brother out of new inheritance, marriage settlement. margaret , wyriott set home in pembroke, intending spend rest of lives there. however, 3 years after death of john, william corbet died too, without progeny, age 24, , margaret sole heiress of corbet estates, husband wyriott holding in right. these estates comprised alveston , earthcott (green), both in gloucestershire, both held in-chief, siston, lawrenny, , hope-juxta-caus in shropshire.

the future devolution of siston depends entirely on possession margaret of 2 tenancies-in-chief of alveston , earthcott. these held directly crown, unlike others, held mesne lords. tenancy-in-chief without male tenant escheat, revert crown. king relied on tenants-in-chief agents in shires, raise troops him , perform knight service. not afford leave ladies, educated gentler things in life, in such positions manor not fulfill feudal role. 2 years after had inherited corbet estates brother, william wyriott husband died, without issue, in 1379. margaret found herself such widow tenant-in-chief.

effectively margaret became pawn of king. female tenant-in-chief not marry unless royal licence; naturally king wanted select own tenants based on own pragmatic criteria - loyal , effective soldiers , local diplomats crown? choice of husband might make refused, because king had long waiting list of useful men whom wished find vacant royal manors, revenues expected use in crown service. here essence of mediaeval feudalism. margaret had simple choice: either relinquish family estates, possibly retiring nunnery, or life of social obscurity married man beneath station, have no land bring marriage, or accept man selected king new tenant-in-chief husband, , remain. new husband on such marriage automatically become life tenant (in right) of lands , revenues therefrom, including siston, not royal manors of alveston , earthcott. future devolution of siston became tied of alveston, disposable @ king s choosing.

edward iii had died 3 years before in 1377, leaving 10-year-old grandson richard ii, son of black prince had predeceased father, nominal king. in year of 1380 king richard ii, 3 years reign, age 13, young appoint own tenants-in-chief. question arises wielding significant power of patronage on king s behalf. although kingdom during richard s minority in hands of series of continual councils seems not implausible john of gaunt (1340–1399), richard s uncle age 37, duke of lancaster , son of edward iii, have had influence in matter, although never having been formal member of these councils. not until richard 15 2 years later in 1382 wrested kingdom councillors. had been proposed gaunt speculation, powerful hand rather mere force of romance caused margaret corbet accept young esquire glamorgan, gilbert denys new husband.

margaret , denys married in 1380, , long connection of denys family siston , gloucestershire whole had begun, sir robert atkyns, 18th century historian of gloucestershire, stated denys family there have been more high sheriffs them other family in county .

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