Thomas Inge (abt. 1189)

Born about 1189 in Shortgrave Manor, Studham, Bedfordshire, England

Descendants

Biography

Thomas Inge was born in England.

"Thomas was born about 1189 in Shortgrave Manor, Studham, Bedford, England.

Thomas being the eldest acquired control of the family's interests on the death of their father. Thomas was having difficulty in producing a son and heir, despite marrying a younger woman in 1208. Although the INGE's close association with the Church was a major reason for the family's wealth and influence in the area, Thomas had not kept the relationship as strong has it had been in his Grandfather's time. Fearing his inability to have a son may be in some way connected to his more wayward nature, he turned once again to the Church. Thus in 1210, Thomas gave the family's holdings in the manor of Shortgrave to the monastery of Dunstable and as much of the family's wealth was through trade Thomas' brother Richard, using his share of the inheritance, purchased a shop in Dunestaple (Dunstable). Eventually in about 1218, Thomas had a son William. In 1225 he had a second son Henry, named after the then king Henry III. (Henry went on to have a son in about 1248 and named him Thomas after his grandfather - he studied law and became an attorney.) Thomas' son William went on to have two sons, Robert in 1246 and Edward in 1255. By this time the family's holdings had increased both to sides of Watling Street and benefiting from this trade route the family began to establish contacts in London. Robert was born in Redbourn and when old enough took control of the family's holdings in the area. In 1267, Robert had a son, who he named William after his grandfather. Around this time Robert held 15 acres of land from the Abbott of St. Albans. Being a bright lad William (following in his cousin Thomas) was sent to Oxford to study law. By this time the family's connections with London had reached such significance that they were known in Royal circles. As his father Robert realised the importance of England's possessions in France, he encouraged William to study Gascon affairs. Meanwhile Robert's younger brother was managing the family's possessions to the north of Redbourn, in the Caddington area. Brother Edward was not without Royal favour as in 1310-11, and extant grant was made to one Edward Inge, of free warren in all his demese lands in Caddington. Edward's son Richard (born about 1280) inherited the Caddington lands on his father's death in about 1322. Richard was a Chaplain and decided to dispose of the manor, as Richard Inge was given a licence to alienate his manor of Caddington 1322-3. In 1270 Robert Inge had a second son Edmund but when Robert died In 1303, aged 57, most of the family's holdings passed to his son William. (Edmund did however receive land in Kensworth as in 1310-11 Edmund Inge received a grant of free warren there.) In 1288 William increased his holdings in Redbourn by marrying Margaret the daughter of Henry Grapinell, a London merchant. Margaret soon bore him a son Fromund (born 1289) and a daughter Joan (born 1290). After his father's death William had begun to spend more of his time in London and had joined the King's Bench. Eventually William was to rise to the high order of Lord Chief Justice to Edward II and retained this post from 1272 to 1307. While moving in Royal circles William's wealth and influence grew and the family took control of more and more land in the area. In 1274 cousin Thomas was appointed attorney and escheator to Master Richard de Clifford.16 In 1283 cousin Thomas was also involved in the affairs of the de Bouelles family and was joined by Sir William at an inquest postmortem.17 In 1297 cousin Thomas' son Henry Inge paid as his 'ninth' (a lay tax on moveable property) of 23s 6d.17

In 1297 Sir William Inge purchased part of Weston Manor from John de Lenham.

Early in the 14th Century, England's authority in France was being challenged. John Ferrers, seneschal of Gascony was in dispute with a dominant local noble and the King wished to send judicial assistance to help settle the issues in England's favour. Sir William Inge was summoned to London, along with Guy Ferre and Master Thomas of Cambridge. They arrived at Westminster in January 1312. Late August, 1312, they were directed to Gascony and ordered, among other things, to restore concord between John Ferrers, seneschal of Gascony, and a dominant local noble, Amanieu dAlbret, both of whom were ordered by the king-duke to appear before a commission headed by Guy Ferre. (Sir William Inge was chosen in view of his knowledge of Gascon affairs and proved a valuable asset in achieving the King's wishes.) The Parish of Westoning Chronicle 2002. " ^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~flyhing/Sir%20William%20INGE.htm#WI1148T

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