Person Page - 209

     Arms: Gules, a fess lozengy ermine.² Lord Dinham was born circa 1135?.

     Unravelling the ancestry depicted in the principal coat displayed on the other important memorial, the huge mural tablet to John Prouz, d 19.5.1664, is not so easy! Indeed, parts of the maternal ancestry which the arms record are a veritable nightmare for the amateur heralidist. Haning on the south wall of the nave, below the tablet is a small shield which presents a glorious visual feast of colours...a shield which is quarterly of 22 pieces!

First of all, the long Latin inscription should be translated —

In memory of that most illustrious man John Prouz Esquire, descended from the very ancient Family of Prouz. Trusting in the Lord, he was loyal to the King, a dear husband and a faithful friend. With him the race of Prouz (in the male line) became extinct, heiresses were born in the name. His ethereal spirit has been uplifted to the regions whither first ascended Christ, to the Star of Day. Judith his mourning widow, daughter of George Southcott, Knight, erects this
tablet. He died the 19th Day of May 1664.

There is no room here to get involved in explanations of heraldic terminology &c, but the full blazon should also be provided, even though it might be rather baffling to the unitiated, within which the families to which the arms belong are also recorded (for ease of cross-referencing in the blazon and the notes which follow the surnames are in BLOCK CAPITALS) -

Party per pale the dexter quartered tripartite 4 4 & 4 the sinister per fess quartered 4 & 6: d1 Sable three lions rampant argent (PROUZ) d2 Or a lion rampant azure (de REDVERS) d3 Gules a fess lozengy ermine (DINHAM) d4 Sable bezantry (de GIDLEGH) d5 Or on a bend
sable three horseshoes argent (de FERRERS) d6 Sable a maunch [?] argent a bordure of the second (de PONT) d7 Sable a bend gules on a chief vert a cinquefoil argent (WADECOTT) d8 Azure a bend party indented gules and argent between six escallops or (CRUWYS) d9 Argent a fess indented gules in chief two [ducks?] sable (NORTON) d10 Azure a chevron argent between three pears or (ORCHARD) d11 Argent in pale an ass gules between two mullets of the second a bordure sable platey (COLE) d12 Party per chevron gules and sable in the chief two ducks [?] addorsed argent in the base a fish naiant of the third (COBB) s1 Party per chevron azure and ermine in the chief two stag faces caboshed or (ARSCOTT) s2 Argent a cross paty gules between four crescents of the second (TILLEY) s3 Argent a chevron sable between three roses of the second barbed and seeded of the first (RENSTON) s4 Party per chevron azure and ermine in the chief two stag faces caboshed or (ARSCOTT) s5 Party per fess embattled gules and sable in the base a beast [??] statant argent (LIPPINCOTT) s6 Sable a chevron argent between three mermaids of the second with hair and mirror or (WIBBERY) s7 Argent a chevron gules between three goats heads couped of the second armed or (LAPLODE) s8 Argent a cross lozengy sable between four eaglets [?] of the second (GOGHE) s9 Gules three stirrups or on straps sable (SCUDAMORE) s10 Party per fess embattled gules and sable (LIPPINCOTT)

Trying to disentangle what is represented by this splendid ‘coat of many colours’, most of the events (marriages) relating to which are lost in the mists of time, would seriously tax the abilities of most amatuer heraldists and genealogists - bearing in mind that the person commemorated died in 1664, and there are potentially no less than fifteen preceding generations recorded in the dexter quarterings! There is room here to only briefly outline the pedigree as displayed in this shield...⁴ William Prouz of Gidley Castle was born circa 1125?. He was the son of Sir Pierre de Preaux of Chagford and Lady Mary de Redvers.³ Arms: Sable, three lions rampant argent.^5,6

     Thomasine Raleigh was daughter and sole heir of John Raleigh, lord of Raleigh.^1,2,3 She was born in 1366?. She was the daughter of Lord of Raleigh John Raleigh Knt..¹ Thomasine Raleigh married Sir John Chichester Knt., son of Sir Roger de Cichester Knt., in 1384 at Sussex, England.^1,2,4

     Arms: Gules a bend vair between six crosses crosslet or.⁴ Lord of Raleigh John Raleigh Knt. was born in 1336?. He was the son of Sir Robert de Raleigh and Laura Peverel.³ Lord of Raleigh at parish of Pilton, Devonshire, England.¹

     William Wotton of Widworthy was born circa 1350. He was the son of Richard Wotton of Widworthy and Julian le Prouz.² William Wotton of Widworthy married Gundred Wyger, daughter of Thomas Wyger and Christian (?), before 1374.¹

     Gundred Wyger was the daughter of Thomas Wyger and Christian (?).¹ Gundred Wyger was one of three daughters and coheir of Thomas Wyger and Christian his wife.¹ She married William Wotton of Widworthy, son of Richard Wotton of Widworthy and Julian le Prouz, before 1374.¹

     Thomas Wyger was of Devonshire at England.¹ He married Christian (?).¹

     Christian (?) married Thomas Wyger.¹

     Richard Wotton of Widworthy was born circa 1330. He was the son of John de Wotton of Widworthy and Lady Joan de Moels.² Richard Wotton of Widworthy married Julian le Prouz, daughter of William le Prouz; Her 1st. Cousins.¹

     Julian le Prouz was born circa 1330. She was the daughter of William le Prouz.¹ Julian le Prouz married Richard Wotton of Widworthy, son of John de Wotton of Widworthy and Lady Joan de Moels; Her 1st. Cousins.¹

     William le Prouz was of Chagford.¹ He was born circa 1300. He was the son of N. N. le Prouz.

     Sheriff of Devonshire John de Northcote was born circa 1306?. He married Lady Joan de Moels, daughter of Sir Roger de Moels Knt. and Lady Alice Prouz, before 21 September 1336.¹ Sheriff of Devonshire at England in 1353.¹ Sheriff of Devonshire John de Northcote was living in 1356/57.¹

     Also called Unknown.^1,2 Alice de Preux was born circa 1249. She married Sir Roger de Moels Knt., son of Nicholas de Moels, Seneschal of Gascony and Hawise de Newmarch.¹

     William de Moels married Lady Alice Prouz, daughter of Sir William le Prouz Knt., of Orton and Alice de Reigny, circa 1329; Her 2nd (widow). s.p.¹

     Alice de Reigny was daughter and eventual coheir of John de Reigny.¹ She was born before 1246. She was the daughter of John de Reigny.¹ Alice de Reigny married Sir William le Prouz Knt., of Orton, son of William le Prouz Knt., Sheriff of Devon and Alice de Widworthy, before 1275.¹ Alice de Reigny was coheir, with her three sisters, to her nephew Sir William de Reigny in 1275.¹ She was living in 1318.¹

     Unknown (?) married Sir William de Widworthy Knt..¹

     Alice de Helion was born circa 1195. She was the daughter of Hervey de Helion of Ashton.¹ Alice de Helion married Sir Fulk de Ferrers Knt., son of Gilbert de Ferrers.¹

     Hervey de Helion of Ashton was born circa 1165. He was the son of N. N. de Helion.

     Gilbert de Ferrers was born circa 1160.

     This person allows Julian Prouz to be the cousin of Richard Wotton. N. N. le Prouz was born circa 1270. He was the son of Sir William le Prouz Knt., of Orton.

     Sir Robert de la Mere Knt. was born circa 1307?. He married Maud (?).

     Maud (?) was born say 1317. She married Sir Robert de la Mere Knt..

     Joan de Berwick was born say 1360. She was the daughter of Gilbert de Berwick of Berwick Basset, Keeper of the Royal Forests.^1,2 Joan de Berwick married Nicholas de Baynton, Lord of Falston, son of Thomas de Baynton and Margaret de Grimsted, Heiress of Falston.^1,2

     Richard de Grimsted was born circa 1275?. He married Edith de Tablier, Heiress of Falston, daughter of Guido de Tablier, Lord of Falston.¹

     Edith de Tablier, Heiress of Falston was born circa 1285?. She was the daughter of Guido de Tablier, Lord of Falston.^1,2 Edith de Tablier, Heiress of Falston married Richard de Grimsted.¹ Edith de Tablier, Heiress of Falston was in possession of Faulston in 1309.²

     Sir Robert de Raleigh was born circa 1306?. He was the son of Sir Walter de Raleigh and Lady Sabilla.¹ Sir Robert de Raleigh married Laura Peverel, daughter of Sir Hugh Peverel Knt..¹

     Laura Peverel was born in 1316?. She was the daughter of Sir Hugh Peverel Knt..¹ Laura Peverel married Sir Robert de Raleigh, son of Sir Walter de Raleigh and Lady Sabilla.¹

     Sir Hugh Peverel Knt. was born in 1286?.

     Sir Walter de Raleigh was born circa 1276?. He was the son of Lord of Raleigh Peter de Raleigh Knt. and Matilda de Braybroc.¹ Sir Walter de Raleigh married Lady Sabilla, daughter of Gilbert, Lord of Prudhoe, Earl of Angus and Elizabeth Comyn.¹

     Lady Sabilla was born circa 1286. She was the daughter of Gilbert, Lord of Prudhoe, Earl of Angus and Elizabeth Comyn. Lady Sabilla married Sir Walter de Raleigh, son of Lord of Raleigh Peter de Raleigh Knt. and Matilda de Braybroc.¹

     Lord of Raleigh Peter de Raleigh Knt. was born circa 1246?. He married Matilda de Braybroc, daughter of Lord of Braybroc Galfridus de Braybroc.¹

     Matilda de Braybroc was born circa 1255?. She was the daughter of Lord of Braybroc Galfridus de Braybroc.¹ Matilda de Braybroc married Lord of Raleigh Peter de Raleigh Knt..¹

     Lord of Braybroc Galfridus de Braybroc was born circa 1235?.

     Arthur Thresher married Sarah Talbee.¹ Arthur Thresher was born before 1669.¹

     Susanna Thrasher was born circa 1717. She was the daughter of Arthur Thresher.¹ Susanna Thrasher married Benjamin Allen Jr. in June 1737 at Rehoboth, Bristol County, Massachusetts; Intentions.¹ Susanna Thrasher married Benjamin Allen Jr. on 1 December 1737 at Rehoboth, Bristol County, Massachusetts; Married by Rev. Nathaniel Millerd.¹

     Benjamin Allen Jr. was born circa 1712. He married Susanna Thrasher, daughter of Arthur Thresher, in June 1737 at Rehoboth, Bristol County, Massachusetts; Intentions.¹ Benjamin Allen Jr. married Susanna Thrasher, daughter of Arthur Thresher, on 1 December 1737 at Rehoboth, Bristol County, Massachusetts; Married by Rev. Nathaniel Millerd.¹

     Sarah Thrasher was born circa 1720. She was the daughter of Arthur Thresher.¹ Sarah Thrasher married Jonathan Bliss on 17 March 1739/40 at Rehoboth, Bristol County, Massachusetts; Married by Rev. David Turner.¹

     Jonathan Bliss was born circa 1715. He married Sarah Thrasher, daughter of Arthur Thresher, on 17 March 1739/40 at Rehoboth, Bristol County, Massachusetts; Married by Rev. David Turner.¹

     Maud de Grey was of the noble family of Gray.³ She was born say 1288.¹ She was the daughter of John, 2nd Baron Grey of Wilton and Maud de Verdun.² Maud de Grey married John, 1st Lord Moels, son of Sir Roger de Moels Knt. and Alice de Preux.³

     Joane Lovel was born say 1300. She was the daughter of Richard, Lord Lovel and Muriel Soulis.^1,3 Joane Lovel married John, 4th Lord Moels, son of John, 1st Lord Moels and Maud de Grey.^1,2,3

     Margaret de Courtenay was born circa 1291. She was the daughter of Sir Hugh Courtenay of Oakhampton and Eleanor le Despencer.¹ Margaret de Courtenay married Nicholas, 2nd Baron Moels, son of John, 1st Lord Moels and Maud de Grey.¹

     Nicholas de Moels, Seneschal of Gascony was a witness where Thibaud I "le Chansonnier", rey de Navarra defeated by an English force under Nicholas de Moels.¹ Nicholas de Moels, Seneschal of Gascony was born in 1190?. He appears to have been from an early age in the court of King John.³ He was granted the manor of Watlington "for his sustenance in the king's service" in 1217.³ He was made Sheriff of Hampshire, and governor of the castle of Winchester, and continued in this office for four years after 1220 at in the reign of Henry III.¹ He possessed in right of Hawise, his wife, the lordships of Cadebury, and Saperton after 1220 at in the reign of Henry III, Somerset, England.¹ He had the islands of Guernsey, Jersey, Serke, and Aureny (Alderney) committed to his care after 1220 at in the reign of Henry III.¹ He was appointed a second time as Sheriff of Hampshire after 1220 at in the reign of Henry III.¹ He was sent to Poitou on an embassy from the King in April 1223.⁴ He served in the King's expedition into Wales circa July 1223.⁴ He served at the siege of Bedford in 1224.⁴ He was again sent to Poitou on an embassy from the King in January 1223/24.⁴ He was sent to Cologne as an ambassador to treat of a proposed marriage between Henry III and a daughter of Leopold VI, Duke of Austria, in January 1224/25.⁴ He was granted the land of Little Berkhampstead in July 1226.⁴ He was on the King's service in 1227 at Gascony, France.⁴ He was charged with negotiations as to the truce with France in March 1228.⁴ He was sheriff of Hants and custos of Winchester Castle between July 1228 and March 1232.⁴ He was a plenipotentiary, as miles noster familias, to treat of peace with Louis IX of France in April 1229.⁴ He married Hawise de Newmarch, daughter of James de Novomercato, circa 1230; Her 2nd.^5,6 Nicholas de Moels, Seneschal of Gascony acquired, from his marriage with a wealthy heiress, Hawise, daughter of James de Newmarch, Cadbury and other manors in Somerset and the neighboring counties, thus becoming one of the greater landowners before September 1231.⁴ He was pardoned the 8 marks yearly due from him for debts of his father-in-law, James de Newmarch in September 1231.⁴ He was granted custody of the Channel Islands in 1234.⁴ He at the Coronation of Queen Eleanor, and along with Richard Siward, carried the two royal sceptres in 1236.⁴ He held the office of Sheriff of Yorkshire before 1240 at till 25 Henry III.¹ He was deputed with Ralph FitzNicholas, ambassador to France, for the purpose of denouncing war against the king of that realm in 1241.¹ He was appointed seneschal of Gascony circa 1242 at France.¹ He obtained a signal victory over the Theobald I, the Troubadour, King of Navarre in 1243/44 at 28 Henry III.¹ He was employed, following the action in Navarre, in the Welsh wars in 1245.¹ He was constituted governor of the castles of Caermarthen and Cardigan circa 1246 at Wales.¹ He was appointed constable of Dover Castle and warden of the Cinque Ports after 1246 at Kent, England.¹ He was made Sheriff of Kent, and governor of the castles of Rochester and Canterbury in March 1247?.¹

     Hawise de Newmarch was one of the daughters and heirs of James de Newmarch.² She was born circa 1200. She was the daughter of James de Novomercato.^2,3,4 Hawise de Newmarch married John de Botreaux in 1218; Her 1st.^5,6 Hawise de Newmarch married Nicholas de Moels, Seneschal of Gascony circa 1230; Her 2nd.^3,6

     John de Botreaux married Hawise de Newmarch, daughter of James de Novomercato, in 1218; Her 1st.^1,2 John de Botreaux had livery of his wife, Hawises, share of her father's property in 1217/18 at 2 Henry III.¹

     Nicholas Spencer Esq. was the son of Edmund Spencer and Joan (?).¹ Nicholas Spencer Esq. was a witness where Edmund Spencer had three sons in school: Robert, Nicholas, and Richard, and three daughters: Joan, Isabel, and Elizabeth in 1497.¹ Nicholas Spencer Esq. was said to be in school at this time in 1497.¹ His estate was probated on 1 November 1508 at Devonshire, England; Inq.p.m.¹

     Roger Prowse of Prowse in Dodderidge was born circa 1429. He was the son of John Prowse of Chagford and Agnes Bamfield.¹ Roger Prowse of Prowse in Dodderidge married Joan Radford, daughter of N. N. Radford.¹ Roger Prowse of Prowse in Dodderidge was of Prowse in Dodderidge in 1455 at Sandford, Devonshire, England.¹

     Nicholas Prowse was born circa 1454. He was the son of Roger Prowse of Prowse in Dodderidge and Joan Radford.¹ Nicholas Prowse was living between 1494 and 1498.¹ He was coronor of Devon in 1498 at England.²

     Also called John Prouz.² John Prowse was a descendant of Sir William Prouse, knight, of Gidleigh Castle, a Norman ruin eleven miles southwest of Sandford, who was a thirteenth century magnate well known to students of medieval Devonshire.¹ He was born circa 1369. He was the son of William Prowse and Eustacia de Wadecot.² John Prowse married Maud Cruwys, daughter of John Cruwys of Cruwys Morchard.^1,3,2 John Prowse purchased Lower Dodderidge in 1385.⁴

     Also called Matilda Crews.² Maud Cruwys was a daughter and heiress, all authorities agree, of the cadet Prowse family of East Anstey at Devon, England.³ She married John Prowse, son of William Prowse and Eustacia de Wadecot.^1,4,2 Maud Cruwys was born circa 1379. She was the daughter of John Cruwys of Cruwys Morchard.¹

     John Cruwys of Cruwys Morchard was second son of Alexander Cruwys of Cruwys Morchard.¹ He was born circa 1349. He was the son of Alexander Cruwys of Cruwys Morchard.¹