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to view a picture of the person28. Aymer BURDET
was born about 1497 in Denby, Yorkshire. He was accused of riotous
behaviour on 27 Apr 1535. On 27 April 1535 Aymer and others were
accused of riotous behaviour at Birthwaite Hall when they expelled the tenants
and "put beasts into the premises and destroyed corn and grass". Aymer
pleaded "not guilty" when he was called to answer the charge before
Henry VIII's notorious Star Chamber.
After his long-running feud with his father, Aymer had lost the manors of Birthwaite
and Hoyland and was considerably poorer but was now Lord of the Manor of Denby.
He received lands in 1546. The Yorkshire Feet of Fines records that
"George Ireland and Thomas Ellys sold Amerus Burdett, esq., and Richard
Burdett, his son 5 messuages with lands in Clayton and Skelmanthorpe in the parish
of Higholland and Yngbyrchworthe in the parish of Penyston, a portion of which,
lying in Clayton, remains, after a term of one week, remains to Richard Burdett
and Ann his wife and their lawful male issue, and failing such, after their deaths,
to the right heirs of Amerus."
In the same year “Thomas West sold to James Frankyshe and Elizabeth his
wife, and Amerus Burdhed, the Manor of Byrthwaytt and a capital messuage with
lands there and in Kesberd and Darton, which remain to the lawful heirs of Roger
Rockley after the death of Elizabeth.” and "Amerus Burdhed, esq. sold
to Thomas Burdhed, gent. the Manor of Denby and 8 messuages, 4 cottages, a watermill,
and a fulling mill with lands in Denby, Clayton, Yngburcheworthe, Cawthorne,
Skeumanthorpe, Langesett, and Carlecoyttes." He granted lands to his son
in 1547. "Grant by Amer Burdett of Denby, esq, to Henry his
eldest son of his manor of Denby with lands and appurtenances in Denby, Clayton,
Skelmonthorp, Inglebyrchworth, Langside, Thurleston and Peniston." He had
his sheep counted on 12 Mar 1549. On 12th March 1549 the "Sheep
Tax" was passed by the parliament of the young King Edward V1, who had inherited
the throne from Henry VIII in 1547, aged only 9. This threatened Aymer's finances
further.
Although wool and cloth had brought England great prosperity in the Middle Ages,
there were great concerns for the wellbeing of small arable farmers in the face
of a massive increase in enclosed sheep pastures requiring very little labour
and providing great wealth for only a small, but vociferous, minority. To implement
this tax a census of sheep was taken on 25th June by the priest of the parish
and two honest villagers. They were employed, literally, in counting sheep! He
also granted lands in 1549 "Grant by Amer Burdett of Denby, esq, to Martin
Anne, esq, Ric Pek, Hugh Seybeth and Thos Burdett, gents, of a messuage and
divers lands and rents in Cleyton in the parish of Hughlaunde and in Birchworthe."
He received lands in 1557. The Yorkshire Feet of Fines records that
he received from his younger son, John, "Messuage with lands in Denby"
and from Godfrey Bosvile, esq., he received "Lands in Penyston." He
received lands in 1559. The Yorkshire Feet of Fines records that
Godfrey Bosvile, esq. sold him "Lands in Gumuldthwaite in the parish of
Penyston." He had his claim tested by the Heralds in 1563.
During the 1500s and 1600s the Heralds visited each County and recorded the pedigrees
of families, often back to Norman times, to ensure that coats of arms were correctly
allotted. Only the richest and most powerful families had their details recorded
and due to the oral tradition mistakes were made. During the Visitation of Yorkshire
in 1563 Aymer's claim was tested.
He received lands in 1573. The Yorkshire Feet of Fines records
that "Robert Savile of Pullam, co Lincs, esq, Thomas Watterton of Walton,
esq, Coton Gargrave of Nostell, esq, and John Lacye of Brereley, esq. sold Almerus
Burdett, esq., Henry Burdett, Richard Burdett, Nicholas Burdett, and John Burdett,
gents. lands comprising the Manor of Denbie, and 20 messuages, 10 cottages, and
3 watermills with lands in Denbye, Clayton, Ingburchworth, Skelmanthorppe, Langsett,
Penyston, Thurlston, and Barmebye."
Aymer sought several arbitration awards from the court as he tried to organise
his affairs. In one he was paid £50 by his son Henry on 3 October 1573.
There was another dispute on 23 January 1574 between him and all his sons concerning
lands in Denby, Clayton, Ingbirchworth, Langsett and Skelmanthorpe, Thomas Gargrave,
Knight of Nostell, Yorkshire as the arbitrator. In another "to John Burdett,
younger son of the aforesaid Almer and his heirs male, with remainder to the
heirs of Hen, of an annuity of 46s 8d a year charged on the manor of Denby."
He died about 1574 in Denby, Yorkshire. Before his death at the
age of 77 Aymer tried to make provision for his younger sons.
From Aymer's will: the third son, Nicholas, received a third of the messuage
(house and outbuildings) called Chopperdes and three parts of all lands and tenements
of Chopperdes. He also received the rent to the amount of 46s from the lands
at Bagden.
Aymer BURDET and Maud SAVILLE were married before 1530. She was
the daughter of Thomas Saville of Exley. Aymer and Maud may have had a son, Thomas.
Aymer BURDET and Maud SAVILLE had the following children:
+37 | i. | Henry BURDET. |
+38 | ii. | Richard BURDET. |
+39 | iii. | Nicholas BURDET. |
+40 | iv. | John BURDET. |
