FOREWORD

The Chiche family epitomizes those that rose from the burgess class to the ranks of landed Gentry, something that in their case was achieved within the space of 4-5 generations. They did start from being at the apex of burgess society, in that they were moneyers and merchants in one of the most thriving of city environments, that of Canterbury. Not only was Canterbury the seat of the head of the church in England, but it was sited in an industrious county, not far from the capital of England, London, and on the principal routes to the Continent. The family reached its greatest importance in the late 14th/early 15th centuries and those of whom I write continued in that county until the turn of the 16th century.

Somner, writing in 1640 states in his ‘Antiquities of Canterbury' that the family were extinct but for one poor spark. I am always very suspicious on reading that families have 'died out'. Branches yes, but complete families, rarely. I may be wrong, but I suspect the line continued through quasi names, the scourge of family historians in these early periods. I don’t know what these are at this stage, but they may well be derived from some of their extensive property holdings.

There are two principal problems associated with establishing this pedigree.
Firstly, there are a number of generations of the name of Thomas. Urry was not sure whether there were five or six (correspondence Dr W Urry with Kenneth W Jacob). I have opted for five at this stage, but this may well have to be reviewed once I have had a chance to look at a number of manuscripts in Canterbury Cathdral Library that will throw further light on this.

The second problem is that I cannot reconcile the evidence gained largely from manuscript sources with what is contained in the pedigree in the British Library (BL, Additional Manuscript 16279), compiled by Edward Hasted and based on the 1619 visitation of Kent, as also the pedigree drawn up by or at the behest of Sir Edward Dering Bart, 1598-1644 (CKS-U350/Z34).

There is still a doubt in my mind as to whether there were two main branches of the family. Certainly by the second half of the 14th century the property holdings appear to have been consolidated under one principal line. There are also a number of members of this family I have not been able to place within this pedigree throughout the centuries, but hope to do so in due course as far as a good many of them are concerned.

Without a doubt I have assigned some of the following references incorrectly and corrections will have to be made at a later date, in the light of on-going research, and when I am able to write a proper history of the family. There is a wealth of material that still needs to be consulted. Nevertheless, I publish much of what is known to me.

I should of course be grateful for any corrections and additions to the following that the reader may wish to make.

The Name

Before starting the pedigree, I should like briefly to examine the name of Chiche. It has many variant spellings, but I will use Chiche, as it appears to be the modal one. Variants that occur include Chich, Chych, Chiche, Chyche, Chicche, Chycche, Chichche, Chic, Chig, Chik, Chike, Gich, Schigt.

There is the question of how the name was pronounced in its day, which may
offer clues as to its origin. The second ‘ch’ may well have been a hard sound, not
a soft one as in church or Chicheley. On many occasions the name is spellt Chig
or Chik, suggesting a hard ending.

The name could have originated from Chiche als St Osyth, in Essex. Their name in the earlier periods is occasionally rendered as ‘de Chich’.

It has been suggested that the name is a crassis for Chicheley. On the one hand, there is no good evidence to support this. On the other, the seal of John Chiche, citizen of Canterbury, affixed to a charter of the early 13th century, bears a device ‘ a shield, with three cinquefoils and a branch above'. The arms of Henry Chichele, archbishop of Canterbury, are a chevron between three cinquefoils.

The name occurs in the early 13th century in a number of counties, but I have not tried to establish whether there is a link with the family of Kent. I somehow doubt it.

This pedigree begins with

ANSER fl 1163- 1167

He is the earliest member of this family I have been able to identify. He did not, as far as I can discover, use a cognomen. I doubt very much whether it will be possible to trace the pedigree back further, given the paucity of documents in this early period, even at Canterbury.

We know he was the progenitor of this particular line as his grandson is referred to as Eudo the son of Sigar the son of Anseri.

Ground of his, held of the monks of Christ Church, is mentioned in Cathedral Rental 31 in the period 1163-1167 (CAK).

SIGAR fl 1163-1167 - dead by 1216

He is referred to as Sigar the son of Anser. A rental of 1163-1167 shows him holding of the monks of Christ Church land at Andrewsgate in Canterbury (CAK, Rental B 208).

His son Eudo, referred to alternatively as Ivo, held land at Andresgate in c1180, for which he receives 3d rent from certain land there, which the monks bought of him for 25 marks. The same land is mentioned in rental G 15 (CAK) in c 1206, Eudo the son of Eudo the son of Sygar the son of Anser receiving 3d rent for the land they had bought. Rental D 115 (CAK) mentions this land again as also other land formerly of Anser, land of Arnold Chiche abutting this.

The index to the cartulary of St Gregory's states that Sigar had sons Arnold, Eudo and Hugh, but I cannot find a reference to Arnold fil Sigar in the main body of the printed text. I will at some stage inspect the original manuscript. That these three were sons of Sigar is a hypothesis I had formulated when I first became interested in the family, but have not yet found conclusive evidence to support it. According to the printed version of St Gregory's cartulary, Sigar was known alternatively as Sigar de Coquina (of the kitchen), presumably of the kitchen of St Greogory's. Sigar de Coquina had a wife Dionisia, mentioned in abutments in charter 43 and as the widow of Sigar in charter 44, both undated, but before 1216 (SGC).

EUDO (IVO) CHICHE fl 1180 - died on 29th December 1225

In the earlier references to him he went by the name of Eudo (or Ivo with variants) the son of Sigar, and after about 1210 he was referred to mainly as Eudo Chiche.
.
He was a prominent member of the Canterbury community, being a prepositus on numerous occasions. The prepositi were two in number. In the 13th century elections took place on 21st September on the feast of St Mathew, and they entered office on the feast of the Holy Cross, on the 14th September (CAK, p xv). The title bailiff was used to describe them ever more frequently during the second quarter of the 13th century. They remained two in number, before Canterbury adopted the mayoral system in 1448. There had been an attempt to introduce the mayoral system in c1215, but this failed and the community reverted to the tried and tested system of prepositii. (CCC, pp14-15).

As Eudo the son of Sigar, he was prepositus of Canterbury in 1207 or before together with Goldwin the mercer; in 1208 or before with Terri aurifaber, and again in 1208 or before with Arnold Ferre. Then, as Eudo Chiche, together with Ralph of London, he was in office before late 1216 and finally together with
Osmund Poldre, he was elected in 1226 or before (CCC, pp12-18). Both Goldwin the mercer and Osmund Poldre were Canterbury moneyers.

There had been an Eun (Yon) who had been prepositus , but Urry does not believe he was the same man (CCC, p11). There appears no valid reason as far as I can see that he may not have been. He witnessed a charter in c1200 (CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/856).

He was an alderman of Burgate ward, a position which continued down in his family for several generations. Somner stated these aldermanries were inherited.

I have not found his wife named anywhere, but we know he had sons John, Eudo and Thomas.

A moneyer, he minted short cross pennies, virtually the only English currency of the period. It was not that there was no demand for halfpennies, indeed, in order to obtain one, the only way at that time was to cut a penny in half, but this was not very satisfactory. There had been attempts to create halfpennies and farthings. In 1222 dies for making round halfpence and farthings were delivered to four London moneyers on two occasions. Some time ago a round halfpence was found, so perhaps farthings were also minted. Short Cross Pennies were minted from 1180 – 1247, before being superceded by Long Cross pennies. Long Cross pennies made it easier to ascertain whether pennies had been clipped or not, the cross extending to the rim of the coin, which it did not with short cross pennies. Eudo was not the first of that family to be a minter, there were others before him; more of these later.

Moneyers' names appeared on the reverse of short-cross pennies, ie the side that had the cross on it. Yet the name Eudo does not occur. Instead the variant of his name, Ivo is rendered as HIVN, EUN or IVN. J D Brand in his 'Some Short Cross Questions' (British Journal of Numismatics 33 (1964), pp57-69) believed that from a numismatic perspective Ivo and Eudo are the same man. J J North shared the same view. Christopher Wren in his 'Short Cross Pennies' agrees and states that he minted pennies in the classes 6b2 - 6d, 7a - 7b. He notes that some coins read HIVN, others IVN. To read Iven for IUN given that it was an abbreviation for use on the obverse of a small coin, is a small step. From a historical point of view Urry also believed them to be one and the same, a view with which I whole-heartedly agree.

In 1218 Eudo Chiche is named as custos of the mint of the Archbishop of Canterbury, along with Adam the mercer and Vivien the mercer (Abstract of Memoranda Rolls in the PRO). In the same year he was moneyer of the Archbishop’s mint, along with Walter de Hoo and Roger de Ipswich. His son John took over as moneyer of the Archbishop in 1222. The moneyer of the King at this time was Simon Chiche, undoubtedly a member of this family, although I have not managed to establish a familiar relationship. The Canterbury mint at this time supplied between a third and a half of the coinage of the kingdom, so it was of paramount importance to the Crown.

The earliest reference to him is in a list of outgoing payments of the monks of Christ Church. In c1180 Ivo the son of Sigar the son of Anser and his heirs receive 3d for certain land at Andresgate which they had bought of him for 25 Marks (CAK, Rental C12). According to Urry the property was on the corner of Mercery Lane and used by the monks for their development scheme of shops with dwellings above. The Cathedral monks prayed for Eudo son of Sigar on the anniversary of his death on 29th December (1225). Recalling that he gave them a stone house and rent (CCC, p12).

In c1185 he witnessed a charter (CAK).

He is named in the Pipe Roll of 1198 where he is taxed in a tallage at 2 Marks. He paid half this amount, owing 1 Mark, which he is still shown as owing in 1200.

In c1200 Eudo the son of Sigar witnessed two charters (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/866 & C/1185).

An undated charter, but of the period c1205-1208, was a grant by John son of John Chorbeile of Canterbury to Eudo son of Sigar of the same city of land in St Mildred's parish. (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/922).

In c1206 12d rent is paid for land of William de Maidstone, in the parish of Northgate, next the church there, which Eudo de Chich holds and for which he pays the monks 40d rent (CAK, rental G 21).

As Eudo (Ion) son of Sigar, prepositus of Canterbury, together with Goldwin the mercer, he witnessed a charter by Thomas son of Reginald aurifaber to Christ Church in c1207; Hugh aurifaber and Arnold Chiche were fellow witnesses. (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/695).

Another charter, to which he was a witness with Goldwin mercer, was a grant by Pagan the son of Eilwin, clerk of Harbledown, to the convent of St Sepulchre in Canterbury, of land in the 100 of Westgate. Whilst Eudo and Goldwin are not referred to as bailiffs of the city in this charter, I am confident the charter was enacted in the year the two served as such, and can therefore be dated to 1207 or before (BL, Harleian Charter 78 A 50).

Again in c1207, he witnessed a charter by Arnold Chiche to Christ Church. The priory paid 8 marks for Arnold's property, a significant amount.

As Eudo the son of Sigar, together with Simon Chiche, he witnessed two charters in 1208 or before (Lambeth Palace, V/40, & C/735)

In 1209 or later he witnessed a charter (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/1196).

A charter by John, the son of Hugh Aurifaber, was witnessed by him (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/1175). Although undated, a limiting date of 1217 can be assigned to it.

As Ivo son of Sigar he witnessed a charter by Osbert, son of Godwin Blund, and Wulfrun, with his heirs, to Lambert son of Arnold, and he whom Lambert wishes to make his heir. This charter has an exceptionally large number of witnesses, indeed, probably the whole burghmoot of Worthgate ward in Canterbury. A date of c1210 has been ascribed to it. (Huntington Library, San Marino, California, USA, Battle Abbey MSS, Box 11, documents from volume 40, No 1116). This is from the important Battle Abbey Archives, which Christopher Whittick of East Sussex Archives inspected on site, and for most of which microfilm was made and is available for inspection at Lewes. I understand it is hoped to make this available on-line in due course.

He witnessed a charter to land in St Mildred's parish, undated but in late 1216 or before (BBSA, p581).

In the period 28th October 1217-27th October 1218 he witnessed at least three charters (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/1177, C/1186 & C/1196).

He witnessed two charters in the period 28th October 1219-27th October 1220, both with Simon and Gilbert Chiche as fellow witnesses (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/I/130 & I/158).

He and Simon witnessed three charters in the period 29th September 1220-28th September 1221 (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/709, C/717 & C/723)

He witnessed a number of charters contained in the cartulary of St Martin's priory, Dover, none of which are dated ( LP, MS 241, folios171 and 171d).

There are a number of entries naming him as witness to charters in Christ Church Register A. For many of these entries in the registers the original charters exist, but perhaps not for all of them. I have not had time to collate these.

His son John took over the dies to the mint in 1222. It may be that he was infirm or too old to continue. Eudo had been a witness with Simon to a charter dated 1225 relating to property in St George’s parish (BBSA, p391) and witnessed a deed as prepositus during his last term in office in 1226 or before (BBSA, p391).

We know he had died by 1226 because his son John paid 4d relief to the monks of Christ Church in that year. Given that the monks prayed for his soul every 29th December, because of a stone dwelling he had given them, it is fair to assume that he did in fact die on that date in 1225.
He witnessed and/or is mentioned in the abutments of a number of largely undated charters, the following as Eudo the son of Sigar or Hyone son of Sigar:

British Library:
Red Book of St Augustine's:
Folios 75, 85d, 88d (1208 or before), 94d (before 1207), 90 & 90d, 171d.

Black Book of St Augustine's:
Pages 581, p391 (with Simon) (x2)

Stowe Manuscript 924:
Charters 352,357 (with Simon in 1218), 520, 525 (with Simon) and 242.1.

Centre for Kentish Studies, Canterbury:
Christ Church Charters:
CCA/CC.DCc/C/735 (c1208), C/735 (c1208),

As Eudo Chiche:

British Library:
Red Book of St Augustine's:
Folios 75d & 76, 76, 84 & 84d, 85d (before 1216), 92d (with John Chiche), 94 (1221), 94 and 95d.92 (with John Chiche), 92 (with John Chiche), 94(x2), 94d, 84 (bis) and 85d.

Centre for Kentish Studies, Canterbury: Christ Church Charters:
Christ Church Charters:
CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt C/700, C/715/, C/717, C/718, C/719, C/896, C/867 (as alderman of Burgate ward), C/902 (1213-1220), C/923 (with Simon), C/991, C/1008, C/1169,
C1175, C/1180 (with son John).

Lambeth Palace Archives:
Cartulary of the priory of St Martin in Dover, Lambeth Palace MS 241:
Folios 171, 171d (x2).

Cartulary of the Priory of St Gregory, Canterbury:
Charter No 42 (before 1216) and No 74 (before 1223), Nos 133, 136 and 141 (1213-1214), and No 176 (before 1226).

Contemporaries or near-contemporaries of Eudo

There are a number of individuals I have not been able to place within this pedigree, but I believe they were members of this family. I will list what I know of them here, before continuing the pedigree in the male line with John Chiche.

AILWIN CHIC fl 1199 - c1210

He was not a moneyer. The name Ailwin in this period is unknown in the numismatic world as far as the Canterbury mint is concerned.

He was assessed in the county of Kent in Michaelmas term of 1198 at 3 Marks tax in a Tallage; he paid 30s and owed the exchequer 10s. The roll for 1199 still shows him owing 10s (PR).

He was a witness to the charter in the Huntington Library. That apart, I have
found no other references to him. It could be that he was of the generation before Eudo and source material is scarce for the end of the 12th century. He may also have had a quasi-name. There is an Elfwin de Doddingdale whose name occurs. There is an entry in Literary Manuscript D4 in the Cathedral Archives that states that 'the Doddingdale lands came into the hands of John Chiche', but this may relate to another of that name at a later date. I am however uncertain about this.

ARNOLD CHICH fl 1187 – c1210

He was a goldsmith. There was a moneyer of short cross pennies called Arnold (with the variants------------), whose coins of a period c1203 - c1208, and again of c1215 have been identified. This is almost certainly the same man. If indeed Hugh, Arnold and Eudo were brothers, all three were moneyers.

In c1180 he paid rent for land in Best Lane, Canterbury (CKS-CCA-Rental X2, fo13d). In the same period he held land formerly of Robert Pin (CAK, rental C63).

He owned a messuage in Mercery Lane, in St Andrew's parish, for which he paid 8s rent, as is shown by a charter dated 25th March 1187–24th March 1188 (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/773). Given the amount of rent paid, this may well have been the stone house mentioned hereafter.

In c1200 property of his is mentioned in the abutments of a rental (CAK D 115). Again, in c1200 he is shown as paying 4s 6d rent for property in Canterbury (CAK, rental D 295). In c1206 his stone house is mentioned in a rental (CAK F 160). In the same rental Robert, scribe of the Jews, pays 27d rent for land which had been Arnold's (CAK F 165). He is further mentioned on two occasions in the same period (CAK, rentals F169 and F550).

He witnessed a charter by Thomas son of Reginald aurifaber of a date 1207 or before. Goldwin mercer and Jon son of Sigar were prepositi. Jon is a variant of Ivo/Eudo. A charter virtually identical to the above was witnessed by Eudo (Ion) son of Sigar, as also by Hugh aurifaber (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/695).

He too was a witness to the charter of c1210 in the Huntington Library.

He witnessed a charter in St Gregory's cartulary dated some time before 1223 (SGC, No 212).

He granted all his land in Mercery Lane to Christ Church, confirmed in the Prior's capital court (the burgh moot and the ward moot of Burgate). The priory paid 8 marks for the land, a princely sum. Ion son of Sigar and Hugh the goldsmith were witnesses to the transaction. This can be dated to 1207 or before. (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/696). Again, is this the stone house mentioned earlier?

Urry states that he may have been the same of that name who was a monk and had a brother William, a goldsmith, and was evidently the monk who summoned up the courage to return to the scene of Becket’s murder after the departure of the knights. It was not unusual for seculars to become monks later in their lives (Materials Life of Becket, FitzStephen, iii p148). However, this cannot be correct as the periods don’t tally.

Urry suggested that Arnold Chiche may have been the same man as Arnold of Binnewith. This is a possibility. Arnold of Binnewith had a son Solomon. There was a moneyer called Solomon, but elsewhere he is named as the son of Samuel (RBSA fo78 a and d).

It is not clear when he died, but the reference to him in the Huntington charter of c1210 is the last I have so far found. He would appear to have been of the generation of Hugh the goldsmith and possibly Eudo Chiche.

HUGH aurifaber fl 1167 - dead by 1217

There was a Canterbury moneyer of the name of Hugh. Hugh aurifaber is the only one of any prominence in this period who can be identified with him, and I am confident in stating they are one and the same. He minted coins in the period c1203-c1208, yet his coins are scarce today. I also believe him to have been of this family.

He married Regina, one of two daughters and heiresses of Elias de Crevequer, otherwise known as Elias de Blean. Her sister Emma married Bertram de Criol. (A Vignette of the Ospringe Family by Kenneth Jacob, Family History, Volume 21, October 2003, p210).

He gave notification of the terms of his marriage settlement with Regina, in that he had endowed her with all his houses, messuages, lands and rents within and without the city of Canterbury in return for 1d forgable (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/1192). Urry dates this to before 1189.

They had a son John. Described as John fitz Hugh aurifaber he confirmed his gift to his mother Regina and her heirs of all his interest in his messuage, houses, lands and rents in the city of Canterbury, which came to him from his father. This charter is undated, but prior to 1217, so this gives us a limiting date as to the year by which Hugh had died. Conditions of tenure were, inter alia, against tenure by religious men and Jews. An annual payment of 6d was to be made to him. The charter has added in the left hand margin "Gave me the said Regine 12 Marks sterling to acquit debt of my father and 10 Marks sterling to make the journey to Jerusalem for the salvation of my father’s soul and mine. The charter was witnessed by Eudo Chiche (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/1175). John was probably thinking of going on the 5th crusade.

In an undated charter of the early part of the 13th century Hugh grants to Christ Church a piece of land in Canterbury (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/1113). Another charter of his, again of this period, has his seal attached (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/1136). It bears the device of a stylised plant with the legend SIGILL' HVGONIS AVRIFABER.

His name occurs as a witness to a number of deeds. The one in the Huntington Library of c1210, as also a charter in the period 1167-1175 (Urry CAK, Charter XLIII) and another of 1191-1207 (ibid - Charter LXII).

Together with Arnold Chiche he witnessed an undated charter being a grant of land to St Gregory's priory (SGC No 212).

He further witnessed the following charters:

Centre for Kentish Studies, Canterbury:
1191-1213 (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/883), c1200 (C/866), c1207 (C/872), c1207 (C/722), c1207 (C/695) c1207 (C/696), c1208 (C/735), early 13th century (C/867 and C/C/761).

SALOMON CHEC fl 1265

We have only three references to him, but he must have been of some wealth and standing, for he paid Christ Church 10s rent for the house in which he lived, which was in Northgate ward (CKS-CCA-Register H). This is a significant amount of rent to pay for a house; presumably it was substantial, built of stone, always a sign of wealth in a period where most dwellings were built of wood..

His name appears as a witness to a charter dated 1265 (British Library, Stow MS 924, Charter 329).

There is a reference to a Salekin Chiche. After the death of Edmund Deuccuke he paid 11s relief in 1264 (Canterbury Reliefs, Lit MS D4) Perhaps this is a diminuitive of Salomon. A Salekin of Dover was a moneyer of Canterbury in the period c1226 - 1229.

SIMON CHICH fl 1180 - Dead by 28th April 1230

Simon was a moneyer, minting coins for the Crown. The owner of extensive property in Canterbury he was not, however, ever a prepositus of the city; nor have I found him named an alderman of any ward. I have found no mention of his wife, but he had three daughters who presumably were his heirs.

He had died by 28th April 1230,as the Patent Rolls state that the King granted to William Tailor for the term of his life to have control of the custody of the Canterbury mint, which had been in Simon Chiche's hands, who has since died Dated at Portsmouth 28th April 1230. Without doubt he would not have died long before this date, as the King would not have wanted the minting of coins in Canterbury to have been disrupted for long.

In a legal action in the Eyre Rolls of 1271-1272, which would suggest he had children late in life, an assize came to enquire whether Susanna, the daughter of Simon Chiche, sister of Christina, the wife of William Brewer and aunt of Robert Polre and Reginald son of Margery were seized in their demesne of one messuage in Maidstone (PRO, Just 1, Roll ? m60).

Beatrice, the daughter of Simon Chiche paid 3s relief on the death of her father in 1233 (Lit MS D4). Although this is three years after his death, it is not unusual for such reliefs to be collected some years after the death of a tenant. She would have been of age as well.

An entry in Christ Church Register 'I' states that Simon's heirs owe 34d rent, of which Osmund Poldre owes half, and William Brewer half. Was Osmund Poldre, an imporrtant Canterbury moneyer, the husband of either Susanna or Beatrice? (BBSA, p343). Simon took over a property of Osmund's for which he paid 5d rent (CKS-CCA-Register 'I').

The Canterbury Reliefs show Susanna, the daughter of Simon Chiche, paying a relief in 1245 (Lit MS D4).

Simon's name first occurs in the Pipe Roll of 1198, where he is taxed at 3 Marks in a tallage, paying 30s, owing 10s, which he is still shown as owing in 1199.

He minted coins of the type 4b - 5c, 6bs - 6d, 7a - 7b in the periods 1194-1205, 1208-9 and 1217-1218 (Christopher Wren). It is accepted by numismatists that the moneyer Simon is identical with Simon Chiche (J J North,British Numismatical Journal 58 (1988), 'Re-examination of the classes 7 and 8 of the Shortcross Coinage'). J H Brand came to the same conclusion. There can indeed be no doubt about this as in any case the typed abstract of Memoranda Rolls in the PRO state that in 1218 Simon Chiche was assayer for the King; this together with John Turt and Henry le J(S)ay.

He is named as the King's moneyer on 6th December 1217 (PRO-LTR Memoranda Rolls, m5, 2 Henry III). On 20th January 1218 he is again named as the King's moneyer (ibid, m3). In 1222 he is named as the sole moneyer of the King. The custodians of the mint were Thomas Marshal and Hugh long. On his death he his stated to have been the custodian of the mint.

He owned much property in Canterbury, especially in St Margaret's parish . He paid 6s 8d rent for 4 acres of land in the city of Canterbury, as also 25d rent for tenement which was next Lodederestone to the south. Rent of 34d and 12d were paid in St Margaret's parish (BL, Cotton MS Galba Book E IV).

In c1200 he witnessed a charter, Eudo the son of Sigar also being a witness (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/1185).

He is shown as paying rents to Christ Church on a number of properties. In c1200 2s (CAK - Rental D 128); in c1206 for properties formerly of the widow of Eilricus Oker (CAK- F 178, F 608 and F 642); in the same period for four properties formerly of Hugh aurifaber (CAK- Rental F 189, F 310, F 398 and F 522). The latter suggest a relationship between him and Hugh aurifaber. Where the heirs of Hugh Aurifaber had paid rents, their name and Hugh's had been crossed out and Simon's inserted. Perhaps Simon was his ultimate heir male? Possibly the properties were held in gavelkind?

In c1200 he witnessed a charter (CAK, Charter LX); together with Eudo son of Sigar there is one dated 1208 or before (LP, Charter, V/40) and another of the same limiting date in RBSA, fo 88d.

Christ Church Register H informs us that he owned property formerly of the heirs of Eilrici Hoken for which he paid 5 marks rent in c1206, for land which was of Hugh Chic of Watcha, the land being in Wengate. I have not yet been able to identify 'Watcha', but it is likely that Hugh aurifaber is referred to here. It may also give us a quasi-name.

A charter of 1217 shows him as witness together with Eudo Chiche (CKS- CCA- Christ Church Register 'A').

With Eudo and Gilbert Chiche he witnessed two charters in the period 28th October 1219-27th October 1220 (CCA-DCc-ChAnt/I/130 and I/158).

In the period 29th September 1220–28th September 1221 he witnessed two charters with Eudo Chiche (CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/717 & C/723).

In 1225 he witnessed a charter relating to land in St George’s parish (Black Book of St Augustine's, p391).

Christ Church Reg 'I' shows him paying 5d rent for land formerly of Osmund Polre. Again, we find him paying 2d rent for land that had been of Hugh aurifaber, two of these rents in St George's parish.

He witnessed and is mentioned in a number of largely undated charters:

British Library:
Stowe MS 924:
Charters No 357 (1218), Nos 520-525.

Red Book of St Augustine’s:
Folios 75d& 76, 76, 88d, 89d, 92d, 98, 92d (with John).

Black Book of St Augustine's:
Pages 108, 180 (his heirs mentioned in abutments), 336 and 338.

Centre for Kentish Studies, Canterbury:
Christ Church Charters:
CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/827, C/923, C/930, C/1173, C/1190 and C/1191.

GILBERT CHICH fl 1219 - 1220

I have found two references to this name, but have not been able to place it in this pedigree. The name Gilbert occurs again two generations later, in that Sir Stephen Chiche had a son Gilbert.

Gilbert appears as a witness to two Christ Church charters, both dated 28th October 1219-27th October 1220, the first named witnessed in conjunction with Simon Chiche, the second with both Simon and Eudo Chiche (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/I/30 and ChAnt/I/58).

EUDO SON OF EUDO (CHICHE) fl 1217 - 1249

Eudo was a son of Eudo Chiche who died in 1225. Little is known about him. Perhaps he went by another name.

In c1206, described as Eudo the son of Eudo the son of Sigar, he and his heirs were in receipt of a payment by the monks of Christ Church for certain land which had been Anseri's at Andrewgate, which had been bought for 25 Marks of (Eudo the son of Sigar the son of Anseri)) (CAK, G15).

In the period 28th October 1217 - 27th October 1218 a Eudo son of Eudo quitclaimed in free, pure and perpetual alms to the prior and convent of Canterbury Cathedral Priory an annual payment of 6s 2d, payable to Laurence de Welles, the heirs of Asketin of Thanet and William de Ressburne (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/719).

In the period 1213-1220 2s rent was payable by him to Christ Church for land in St Mildred's parish.

Together with his brother John he witnessed a charter in 1237 (RBSA, m92).

A Eudo Chiche was a witness to a charter with Thomas his brother on 4th June 1248 (RBSA, ??) and again in 1247-1249 (RBSA, fo 100).

We have references to Eudo the son of Eudo as a witness to a number of undated charters (Lambeth Palace MS 241).

THOMAS SON OF EUDO CHICHE fl 1240 - 1250

Another son of Eudo Chiche, he witnessed charters in 1240-1250 (RBSA, fo 100) and 1248 (RBSA, fo 97), both with his brother Eudo.

JOHN CHICHE fl 1231 dead by 1261

The pedigree continues with John, son of Eudo Chiche. He improved his family’s fortunes significantly. Perhaps he married well. His wife was named Amice, and I suspect she was a member of the important and wealthy Doge family. More of this later. They had sons Stephen, Thomas, John, Lawrence and Hugh.

We know he was Eudo’s son because he is described as such in a number of charters. He is also shown as paying 4d relief upon the death of his father Eudo in 1226 (CKS-CCA-DCc-Lit MS D4). The entry actually has the name Simon, which was crossed out and Eudo's inserted above. Reliefs were paid upon the death of a tenant or on alienation of a property, in this case to the monks of Christ Church.

A moneyer of short-cross pennies, he minted them over the period 1222 to 1247; there are probably more of his coins on the market than those of any other mintermember of the family.

The pennies he minted were in the classes 7bA-7cB. There were two moneyers of the name John in Canterbury, but after the death of Ioan F.R. in or before 1240-1241, during which period he had used the name John Chic (with variants) on his coins, he used thereafter only his Christian name (again with many variant spellings), there being no need to distinguish between two of that name (Brand- Short Cross Classes 7 and 8).
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He took over as moneyer of the Archbishop of Canterbury from his father Eudo in 1222 (PRO, Memoranda Rolls 1222, m4d).

Like his father before him, he was a prepositus of Canterbury, as also an alderman of Burgate Ward (ChAnt/C/862-28th October 1241).

His property holdings within and without the city of Canterbury were extensive. He was paying rent in the parishes of St George's, St Gregory’s, St Paul’s, St Mary Bredin, St Mary Magdelen, St Andrew's, and in Littlebourne and Langport, and this solely for property held of the monks of Christ Church. He also owned one dwelling built of stone in the parish of St George 'where Eustachi Flandrensis lived' . He owned another stone house in which he himself lived. It is mentioned twice in Christ Church Register 'A'.

In St Paul's parish a house of his is mentioned as abutting shops in Whetemarket (CCA-DCc-Register 'A'). At a later date, in a charter relating to property in St Mary Bredin Parish, land near Andrewsgate is mentioned. Register 'K' also shows him paying diverse rents. Register 'I' shows him paying rents in St Mary Magdalen and St Andrew's parish. I will comb through these registers again in the near future.

The cartulary of St Lawrence's Hospital also shows him holding extensive properties in and around Canterbury (CKS-Lit. MS C20, fo173-4).

There is a reference to a John Chiche witnessing a deed together with Simon Chiche in 1208 or before (RBSA, fo88d), but if this is the same John, he must have lived to an old age. If not, it relates to a John to whom I have found no other reference; but then it could relate to John the son of Hugh the goldsmith.

A charter enacted by him has survived. It is a grant by him to William Gracien, presumably the same of that name who was Warden of the re-vamped Hospital of St Mary at Ospringe, the Maison Dieu (FBR, 2nd edition, Kenneth W Jacob). Described as a citizen of Canterbury, John grants William an annual payment of 3s 2d free rent which he held of Solomon and Warren of Well (in Ickham), brothers. It was payable as specified by Alexander of Gloucester, William Gratiani and Alfred of Gore for a tenement held of Solomon and Warren in Gore and Well and 11 acres of land in Gore; this for an annual payment of 2d as a quit-rent, payable as specified. This charter carries John’s seal (CCCA-DCc-ChAnt/I/162). The seal is in the shape of a shield, bearing a device of three cinquefolis and a branch above. More on the arms of this family later.

The above charter is undated, but must be of a similar date to another that is dated 28th October 1219-27th October 1220. In that year a grant had been made to him, described as John the son of Eudo Chiche, by Solomon son of John Well of an annual payment of 12d free rent (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/I/158). The Alexander mentioned in this deed, is Alexander of Gloucester, formerly a servant of Terric the goldsmith. He subsequently became a procurator of much land for the Masion Dieu at Ospringe (FBR, 2nd Edition, Kenneth W Jacob).

Christ Church charter I/130 is similar to the above, being a grant to John by Warren, another son of John of Well. It bears the same date, Eudo, Simon and Gilbert Chiche being among the witnesses.
He witnessed a number of charters in 1231. As bailiff of Canterbury there are four (SGC, No 184, CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C.779 and C/906, RBSA, fo96d).

In 1234-1235 he witnessed a charter (RBSA, fo78d) and again in 1235-1236 (RBSA, fo79d).

In the period 28th October 1235-27th October 1236 he witnessed a charter (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/1024). Another of the same date is given in the Red Book of St Augustine's (RBSA, fo77b).

Described as John Chiche of Canterbury, he was witness to a charter of Humphrey de Bohun, Earl of Hereford and Essex, dated 1236-1240 (CKS-CCA/U472/1).

As the son of Eudo Chiche, he witnessed two charters in 1237 (RBSA, fo92 and fo76). The former also showed Eudo Chiche as a witness, presumably his brother.

A charter dated before 1237 was witnessed by him (SGC, No 197). In 1238 there exist another two (BL, Stowe MS 924, Charters 1466 and 1467).

On 31st May 1239 John de Chich and others were excommunicated for attending the funeral of John de Shotinden (Historical works of Gervase of Cant - Wm Stubbs DD Hon LLD, 1880, London)

He witnessed a charter dated 1240 (RBSA, fo82) and another in St Gregories Cartulary (No I/7).

He prospered, a fine dated 25th June 1241 showing him acquiring ½ knight's fee in the suburbs of Canterbury from Hamo de Valoigns, paying yearly £10 at Michaelmas and Easter, as also doing service. John gave Hamo a sore Sparrow Hawk as consideration. (Kent Feet of Fines). I am confident that this property was the manor of Balverle, Shyrte and Hall Court, which continued in this family until the second half of the 15th century. Beverley Farm is now used by Kent University and I wonder whether this is a house built on the site of the old manor house. The manor was in Harbledown in the 100 of Westgate. It was held in gavelkind, as is stated in a charter of 1485, when Ralph Chiche sold his third share of it (BL, Harleian Charter 78 C 17).

A letter from Alan IV, penitentiary of Canterbury Cathedral Priory, to Aaron the Jew (1241-1245) was witnessed by John (CKS-CCA-ChCh/Let/II/4).

He witnessed a charter on 29th September 1241-28th September 1242 (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/935).

He witnessed a number of charters in which he is described as an alderman of Burgate Ward; on 28th October 1241-27th October 1242 (CKS-CCA-DCc/C/862); in November 1242 (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/1162) and in an undated charter (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/868).

Further charters witnessed are: in the period 29th sept 1242 – 28th sept 1245 (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/853) and in 1245 (BL, Stowe MS 924 Charters 1989 and 1993). In 1246-1247 (RBSA, fo88 and fo88d), and in June 1247 (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/974 and BBSA, p455). The latter was dated 15th September.

Minting of short cross pennies ceased in 1247. There is a gap in references to him until 1260. Perhaps he withdrew from the daily business activity of Canterbury to enjoy the fruits of his success.

He was a witness to two deeds in 1260, one in January of that year (BL, Add Ms 29437 and RBSA, fo82). I am confident these relate to him and not another of that name.

An Inspeximus (dated in November 1268) of a charter of Hamo Doge, a wealthy Canterbury magnate, the son of Roger Doge, and dated originally 10th October 1266 (BBSA, p563), established a chantry to pray for the souls of his predecessors and of John Chich and Amice his wife. John had died by then, although we know Amice was alive. It is possible, given that as she and her husband are included in this, that she was a member of the Doge family.

On morrow of birth of our Lady 49 Henry III ( ), she appears in a court case, jurors stating that she had custody of John Godard (Placitorum Abbreviato, 1811, p15). We know she died between 1271-2 and 1275. In 1271-2 she was sued by Goddeva, the widow of John son of Robert le Feron, for land which she (Goddeva) regarded as her dower. She was also sued by another for one messuage in the suburbs of Canterbury. Amice called her sons Thomas, Stephen, Laurence and John and John the son of Hugh her son to warranty (Just 1 364, m5 and m84). The charter she produces in court to prove title to the land in dispute was dated 20th November 1260, when John her husband was still alive. She appears again in the same year as custodian of the lands of the heirs of Hugh Chiche, as also on a number of other occasions.

We know she had died by 1275 as her son Thomas granted Robert, Archbishop of Canterbury, all his curtilage with a house on it in the parish of St Dunstan without Westgate, the heirs of Amice Chiche being mentioned in the abutments… (LP MS 1212, fo117, No LXXVIII).

I am working from a photocopy of the Canterbury reliefs, made many years ago, and find it diffifcult to read some of the entries, but it would appear that 8s relief was paid upon the death of 'Brand and John Chiche' in 1264, ie some three years or so after his death. I have not yet worked out the significance of 'Brand'.

His name appears in a number of charters and some rentals, all undated:

British Library:
Stowe Manuscript 924, charters 931 and 978

Black Book of St Augustine's:
Pages 99 (x3), 100, 101d, 165, 166, 169, 171, 191, 390, 580.

Red Book of St Augustine's (British Library, MS Claudius DX)
Folios 79, 84d, 85, 88, 88d (2), 89, 89d (3), 90, 91 (2), 92 (4), 92d, 100 &100d, 122d &123,142d, 283d & 284.

Lambeth Palace:
Cart of Dover Priory MS :
Folios 172d (4)

Bodleian Library:
Rawlinson MS B 336, St Radegund, fo21

Centre For Kentish Studies, Canterbury:
Christ Church reg A
Folios 463 and 465.

Christ Church Charters:
C/278B, C/310, C/709, C/712, C/774, C/828, C/837, C/852, C/900, C/1039, C/1045, C/1046, C/1162, C/1164, C/1174, C/1176, C/1180, C/1183, W/202, I/65,

JOHN CHICHE CLERK fl 1279

We have one solitary reference to a John Chiche, a clerk, in a writ dated 10th February 1279, from King Edward I to the custodian of the spirituality of Sede Vacante of the archbishopric of Canterbury, requiring him to cite John Chiche his clerk, who has no lay fee, before justices itinerant in Canterbury in a case against Richard de Cliff' over a debt of 40 marks. (CKS-CVSB/II/53/I).

Perhaps this John was a son of John's or the son of Hugh Chiche, John's son.

THOMAS (I) fl 1254 - dead by 1294

Thomas was a son of the above John Chiche. He had a son Thomas and a daughter Amabilia.

There exist two manuscript pedigrees, one in the British Library and another in the Centre for Kentish Studies in Maidstone, that give descents of the family of Chiche.

The pedigree in British Library Additional Manuscript 16279 (fo 210d) begins with this Thomas, who it is stated had married Agnes the daughter and coheir of Sir Bertram de Criol. He had a son Bertram who married Elianor, daughter of Sir John Nor(th)wood knight. They had a son Thomas who married Margaret, daughter of Roger Brockhall. They had a son Thomas, who married Alice, daughter of Thomas Ellis of Sandwich. This manuscript was based on the visitation of Kent either of 1584, or as stated in a manuscript note within it, probably that of 1619.

It is with the last named Thomas that the pedigree in Harleian Manuscript 6081 begins. What follows thereafter can largely be confirmed by what I have discovered at source.

There is no evidence to substantiate the descent of the three preceeding generations however. We don't know the name of Thomas's wife; it may have been Agnes. We know Sir Stephen Chiche had a wife named Agnes. The name Bertram occurs nowhere; one would have thought it would. It is possible he went by a quasi-name. Either much remains to be discovered or the pedigree is a little fanciful, embroidered to suit the tastes of the late 17th/early 17th centuries.

The pedigree drawn up at the behest of Sir Edward Dering (1598-1644) states that Agnes was the sister and coheir of Sir Bertram de Criol of Sutton in Kent.
Notwithstanding these inconsistencies, I will put these pedigrees to one side and look at what I have found at source.

Thomas was an important member of the Canterbury community, acting as bailiff on many occasions. He was elected for the first time in 1254-5 together with John Dodekere. Both were bailiffs in the following year 1255-1256 and again in 1259-1260, the latter being a contested election. He was elected again with Daniel the son of Robert in 1260-1, with Simon Payable in 1261-2, with John Diggs in 1263-4, with Robert Polre in 1264-5 and in 1268-69, with Simon Payable in 1269-70 and in 1271-2 and finally with John de Standon in 1280-1 (CCC, Urry). It is just possible that on the last occasion it was his son Thomas who was elected.

As far as the contested election of 1259-1260 is concerned, a case was held in that year in the Curia Regis, in which Thomas was a member of a jury which included all the worthies of Canterbury. The issue was that John Dodekere had been elected as bailiff of the city of Canterbury by the commonality and had performed these duties for some time, when John Digges and other ejected him from this office in contempt of the King and did not let him perform his duties. The jury state that John Dodekere was not properly elected as bailiff on 21st September, when it is the custom to hold elections, and that the greater and wiser part of the citizens had elected Thomas Chiche and Daniel the Draper as bailiffs, and the smaller part John Dodeker. And after the citizens had gone away, Hamo Doge, acting alone in their absence made John Dodeker swear the bailiffs oath. The citizens then held an election and unanimously elected Thomas and Daniel. John Dodeker was subsequently fined. (Selden Society, Curia Regis Roll No 158, 1259, Select cases of procedure without writ under Henry III 12th and 18th November)
He witnessed the following charters: In 1240-1250, together with Eudo his brother (RBSA, fo100), in 1248 again with Eudo (RBSA, fo97), in 1250 (RBSA, fo76), in 1254 (RBSA, fo80d), and in 1258-1259 (DRc-TR91.01)

He was not a moneyer, in fact no members of the family were after John Chiche his father. He would appear to have traded as a merchant, perhaps even a money lender.

John Dodekere and Tho Chiche are named as bailiffs of Canterbury in the Eyre Roll of 1255 (PRO-Just 1/361). In the same year the King orders that they be paid #12 for 6 tons of wine bought against the King's arrival in England and delivered to John de Somerset (Liberate Rolls). A similar order was given in 1256 (ibid).

In 1257 he appeared as a witness to a charter (RBSA, folios 87d & 88)

On 6th January 1258 he was ordered to reply to the Abbot of St Augustine concerning a trespass committed by him and others in the Archbishop's manor of Langport (BL, Additional Manuscript 32311, fo8)

He witnessed the following charters: 1258-1259 (RBSA, folios 82d & 83) & (CKS-DCR-T391/01), in 28th October 1261- 27th October 1262 (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/G/25).

Land of his is mentioned in 1261 in abutments of a charter granting land to the Hospital of Poor Priests in Canterbury and he witnessed the same (BL, Additional Manuscript 29437). He witnessed a charter in 1262 (BL, Stowe 924 Charter 196).

In September 1262 Hamo Doge, alderman of Westgate, Thomas Chiche, bailiff of Canterbury and alderman of Burgate and others wrote a letter addressed to the citizens of Canterbury concerning the remission of taxes on baskets and windows from which bread was sold to alleviate extreme poverty (CKS-CCA-CC-A/A/6).

He was a juror on the Inquisition Post Mortem taken in 1263 after the death of Richard de Clare, formerly Earl of Gloucester and Hertford.

Further charters witnessed by him include the following: in March of 1264 (RBSA, fo88), in 1264), in 1266 (BL- Stowe 924, Charter 199) and in 1267 (RBSA, fo102).

He witnessed an Inspeximus of a charter of William de Sandwich, rector of the church of St Paul's, Canterbury, the Inspeximus dated November 1268, the original charter September 1252 (BBSA, fo563)

Further deeds witnessed include in 1269 (BL, Stowe 924 Charter 441.1), in 1269-1270 (RBSA, folios 77 & 77d), in 1270 (BL-Stowe 924 Charter 369) and in 1271 (RBSA, fo87), 1271-1272 (RBSA, fo87) 1272 (RBSA, folios 80d & 81) and in (29th December 1272 (RBSA, fo80d), 1272 (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/789), 1273 with Stephen his brother (BL, Stowe Ms 924, charter 267.1).

During his term as bailiff in 1271-1272 he witnessed a grant by William Brewere of Canterbury to John Digge, son of Roger, of all his share in the foundry in the workshop of the same, that the grantor held of William the son of Wiliiam the tailor of Colstede, and of John, Robert, Baldwyn and Radulf his brothers and sons of William (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/ 762A). This may be the son of the William Tailor who took over the dies from Simon Chiche. The foundry may be the one used in minting coins and William Brewer the son in law of Simon Chiche.

In 1271-1272 he was taken to court in a plea relating to land in Canterbury (PRO-JUST 1 Roll ??? m 47d).

The Patent rolls of 1272 describe him and Simon Payable as the King's late bailiffs (of Canterbury).

The same rolls show that on 23rd October 1272 the two of them were paid £42/15/0 to expedite the business of English merchants whose goods had been arrested in Flanders.

In 1 Edward I, whilst John Digge and Daniel the son of Huibert were bailiffs of Canterbury, so in 1272, he witnessed a charter by Osbert the fuller endowing the altar of the blessed virgin Mary in the crypt of Canterbury Cathedral (Archaeologica Cantiana, Volume 38, p167).

His name occurs in the typescript index to the Memoranda Rolls; No 48 (1273-4) No 49 (1274-5), No 54, in which he is described as a representative of Canterbury and No 55 (1281-2). He and Stephen are mentioned in No 58 (1284-5).

Described as the son of John Chiche he granted to brother Robert, Archbishop of Canterbury, all his curtilage with a certain house upon it in the parish of St Dunstan without Westgate. The heirs of Amice Chiche are mentioned in the abutments. We know by this charter that she had died (LP MS 1212, fo117, No78).

In 1274-1275 he was the first named juror for the 100 and City of Canterbury in the 100 Rolls.

He witnessed the following charters: In 1274 together with Stephen (Bodleian, MS Gough, Kent 18, St Radegund's Priory), 1274 with Stephen (BL, Stowe MS 924, charter 195), 1274-5 (RBSA, fo84), in 1275 (Muniments of the See of Canterbury, Lambeth Palace MS 1212, m117, No. LXXVIII), 1277 with Stephen (BL, Stowe MS 924, charters 477 & 478), 1279 (RBSA, fo81), 1279 (BL, Add Charter 44704), 1283 with Stephen (BL, Stowe MS 924, charter 295.1), 1284 with Stephen (BL, Stowe MS 924, charter 197).

His name appears in a number of plea rolls. For example, The Abbot of St Augustine’s sued the bailiffs and citizens of Canterbury in 1278-1288, his brother Stephen being a manucaptor of one of them (PRO, KB27, roll 33). In 1279 he and Simon Payable are named as bailiffs of Canterbury (PRO, Just 1/Roll 369).

He witnessed charters: 1279 (BL, Stowe Ms 924, charter 272.1); in the period 20th November 1280-19th November 1281, a charter in which he is also named as a coroner of Canterbury, John de Standon being the other (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/1160).

Whether this Thomas (I), or Thomas (II), one was cyrographer of Canterbury, together with John Hubbard. They are mentioned on a number of occasions in the period 1280-1281 in the Exchequer Plea Rolls of the Jews (Nos. 949, 951, 952, 953 984, 1023). He owed a debt to Aaron son of Vivian, a Jew, in a recognisance (Nos 741 and 742).. He acted for another (No 743).

In Trinity Term 1281 he was in contempt of the King (Exchequer Plea Rolls of the Jews, No 1105)

In 1284 William Isely sued him and others for an assault that took place in Canterbury (PRO-KB27, roll 93, m4).

In 1285 Hugh Scot of Canterbury complained in court that William Isely of Canterbury assaulted him in his house, after battering down the door and poking a finger in his eye, almost blinding him. In reply to the origin of the dispute, he said that an argument arose between Hugh Scot and one Thomas Chiche, whose daughter he had married, so that one day, when Hugh Scot went past Thomas Chiche's house, swearing and cursing him, Willaim Isely, whose friend he then was, followed him to soothe him etc. (Selden Society, Curia Regis Rolls, No 158, Select Cases… 1285).

In 1286 he witnessed two charters with Stephen his brother (BL, Stowe MS 924, charters 405 & 409.1).

An inquisition was held by the sheriff of Kent in 1290 to enquire into properties held by Jews in Canterbury; Thomas and Stephen were members of the jury (CKS-CCA, Register K). It is stated that Leo the son of the great Jew Elye held a messuage of Thomas Chiche for which he paid 5s annual rent. (ibid)

In 1292-1293 Thomas and others gave the convent of Davington one capital messuage, 150 acres, pasture for 3 cows and 8 sheep in Harty, Newenham, Luddenham and Preston next Faversham (Arch Cant).

One of the last deeds he may have witnessed was on 11th November 1293, although it is not clear whether it was indeed him or his son Thomas (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/753).

We know he had died in or at the latest by 1294, as there exists an indenture dated in that year between Christ Church and Thomas his son, stating that he had died (BL, Stowe MS 924, charter 470.1).

He had in his time sponsored a number of freemen of Canterbury.

Somner writing in 1640 states that Thomas Chiche, alderman of Burgate's name, is in old character, together with his effegies set up in the west window, as his coat is in the chancel, in stone work, in the church of St Mary Bredin. We know it was this Thomas as he goes on to say that he was bailiff of the city in 1259 and 1271. He writes that John Chiche was bailiff in 23 and 26 Edward III. According to Urry he patently was not in 26 Edward III (Urry, CCC). However, Urry has only one bailiff listed in 1350-1351, Robert of Lincoln, so possibly John Chiche was the other (CCC).

Further charters he witnessed::

British Library:
Stowe Manuscript 924:
Charters 285, 286.1, 392 and 581-2.1.

Red Book of St Augustine’s:
Folios 77, 77d, 78, 81 (with Stephen), 82d, 83d, 83d (with Stephen), 87, 87d, 95d, 95d (with Stephen and Lawrence), 97.

Bodleian Library:
St Radegund's cartulary, MS B336, fo107 (with Hugh his brother).

Centre for Kentish Studies, Canterbury:
Christ Church Charters:
C/1044 (28th October 1254 – 27th October 1255), C/889 16th -22nd May 1255 , C/1063 (14th November 1255), C/734 (1260-1261), C/874 28th October 1260-27th October 1261), C/999 (28th October 1260-27th October 1261), G/25 (28th October 1261-27th Oct 1262), C/1061 (c1st November 1262) with Hugh his brother, C/838 (28th October 1267-27th October 1268), M/250 (28th October 1271-27th October 1272),
C/762A (28th October 1271 – 27th October 1272), C/1065 (28th October 1270-27th October 1271), C/891 (20th November 1272-19th November 1273), C/790 (25th March 1274- 24th March 1275) with Stephen, C/361A (20th November 1276 – 19th November 1277), C/754 (20th November 1278- 19th November 1279), C/716 (25th March 1281 – 29th September 1281), C/1089 (20th November 1281-19th November 1282), C/1158 (20th Nov 1281 – 19th November 1282), C/848 (25th March.1286-19.11.1286) with Stephen , C/992 (December 1291) with Stephen, C/753 (11th November 1293) with Stephen, C/1070 (mid 13th century), C/765( mid 13th century), C/907 (late 13th century) with Stephen, C/1142 .

HUGH CHICHE fl 1262 - 1266

A son of John Chiche, with Thomas his brother he witnessed a charter of Walter the son of Alard de Froskepale. (BODL, MS B336, fo107). He witnessed a charter with Lawrence and Stephen his brothers in 1263 (RBSA, fo 91d).
With Thomas he witnessed another charter on 1st November 1262 (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/1062 & 1061).

We know he had a son John. John's name appears on a number of occasions in the Eyre Rolls in the period 1271-1272, both as a plaintiff and a defendant. In the Eyre of Kent in 1313-1314 (Selden Society p181- 185) Hugh's son John brought a writ of entry against Christina, the daughter of Roger of Leicester, stating that his uncle Stephen Chiche had wrongfully disseised the property to Roger. When Hugh died, John entered into the property as his son and heir and held in common with Stephen. This implies Hugh only had one son, John. John was under age and Stephen managed the land. He was under the age of eight, according to one source, under the age of 14, according to another, and Stephen procured John to enfeof Roger by lease of their land. The justices found that the deed was Stephen's not John's as he could not be legally liable, being under age. Apparently Stephen and Hugh had held the land in common. John recovered his share of the property.

We know Hugh was alive in 1262, as he witnessed a charter with Stephen and Lawrence his brothers (RBSA p91d), and in 1266, when he witnessed a charter with Stephen, the original deed establishing a chantry for Hamo Doge (BBSA).

SIR STEPHEN CHICHE fl 1265 - dead by 1296

A son of John Chiche, Stephen was the first of this family to be knighted, or perhaps one should say have the onerous honour of a knighthood thrust upon him.

He had a wife named Agnes. She and William Doge were executors of his will
(Sheriff's account PRO-E199/19/4). Three inquisitions in 1296 were taken subsequent to his death. These give details of his land holdings as also a full inventory of his chattels in his house at Sherthe. Presumably he died in that or the previous year.

They had at least one son named Gilbert, who is shown as paying rent in Canterbury for property held of Christ Church (LP, MS No 1105, Rental of Canterbury being a copy made in 1320 of a rental of c 1285). Stephen is shown as paying rent for various properties. A Martin Chicche is also shown as paying rents. The only Martin that appears is in the Chartham area, and that with variant spellings and at a slightly later date (PRO, Just 1 / 375 / m45 and other sources).

The manor of Goodnestone next Faversham was in the hands of the Chiche family for many generations, but the heirs of Stephen are shown as holding but ¾ of it of the Nicholas de Turberville. The manor would appear subsequently to have descended to the heirs of his brother Thomas. Perhaps it was held, like the manor of Baverle in gavelkind.
He is described as hereditary alderman of Northgate ward, this being valued at 2s per annum. After his death we find others as aldermen of Northgate, so this may confirm that he had no surviving male heirs. Edward Jacob, who had been mayor of Canterbury in 1727, was keenly interested in the history of Canterbury made many annotations to Additional MS 32311 in the British Library, where the aforegoing is mentioned. He would appear to have been interested in the Chiche family himself.

A John Chiche gave 1 mark for a license to concord with Stephen Chiche in 1293-1294. This could relate to John the son of Hugh, Stephen's brother, or to John his brother.

He was bailiff of Canterbury on at least two occasions. The first is in 1274-1275 together with Daniel son of Hubert (CCC, Urry). The second is not recorded by Urry. In 1293-1294 two men were arrested for homicide and kept in the custody of Stephen Chiche and Adam of Bishopsgate, bailiffs of the city of Canterbury (PRO, Just 1/376/m64). Urry has a pair of bailiffs listed for 1293-1294, so it has to be in the year 1294-1295 for which he is lacking two.

The earliest reference to him as a knight is in a charter dated 20th November 1292- 19th November 1293 (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/1006) and he is recorded as a knight of the shire of Kent with Sir John Poldre in 1293 (Inquisition Quod Damnum). In 23 Edward I (1294-1295) he was named knight of the shire with Sir Walter de Ripple. His father is stated as having been a liberal benefactor of the church of St Mary Bredin in Canterbury (Archaeologica Cantiana Volume 21, p201).

He witnessed a charter with Hugh and Lawrence his brothers in 1262 (RBSA, fo91d).

An inquisition taken on St Faith's day (6th October) 1265 relating to the troubles between King Henry III and Simon de Montford states that there were no rebels I in the city of Canterbury. It goes on to say that Stephen Chiche was in Winchester with Sir John de la Haye (Miscellaneous Inquisitions, No 766). Perhaps Stephen was a man-at-arms.

With Hugh his brother he witnessed the original charter establishing Hamo Doge’s chantry on 10th October 1266 (BBSA, p563)

He was a witness to John de Ospringe's deed granting Hamo Doge the manor of Nackington (RBSA, fo84).

He witnessed a number of charters in the following years. In 1268 (RBSA fo104 &104d), in 1269-1270 (RBSA fo77d & 77) and in 1271 (RBSA, fo77), the last named with Thomas his brother.

Further charters witnessed by him include:
As bailiff of Canterbury with Thomas a charter dated 25th March 1274- 24th March 1275 (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/ C/798), in 1274-1275 (RBSA, fo84), in 1275 as bailiff with Daniel the son of Hubert (RBSA, fo84), in 1279 (RBSA, fo81).

In 1278-12 he was manucaptor, ie stood bail for his brother Thomas, who was being sued by the Abbot of St Augustine's (PRO-KB27/33).

In 1279 Richard le Dagh (Doge) and Eleanor his wife sold him land in the manor of Goodnestone, together with the advowson of the church and part of Blean wood, part of if not all of the manor of Danejohn.The manor was subsequently owned by the Chiches into the 16th century.

In Trinity term 1280 he, in his place Laurence son of John (Chiche), vs Walter…. Acquittance of debt (Exchequer Plea Rolls of the Jews, No 556)
Again, in the same term, described as a burgess of Kent, he is described as holding land which was of Guido de Brussele (No 578). In Trinity 1281 the same action, which also mentions Mosseus, the little Jew, of Canterbury (No 1174)

In 1293-4 Hamo Doge, son of Hamo Doge, sued Stephen in a plea of 32 acres of land and 20s rent in Goodnestone which he claimed his father Richard, the son of Nicholas Doge had held. He lost the action (PRO-JUST 1, roll 373, m9)

In 8 Edward I (1279-1280) John son of Anselm de Rypple, knight, quitclaimed to Stephen son of John Chiche of Canterbury 2 marks annual rent arising out of 16 acres of land and marsh in the parish of All Saints and St Nicholas in Thanet. His brother Thomas was a witness (BL, Additional Charter 44704).

Further charters witnessed by him include:
In the periods 25th March 1281 - 29th September 1281,with Thomas (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/716); in 25th March 1286 - 19th November 1286, with Thomas (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/848), on 25th June 1287 (BBSA, p572), in December 1291 with Thomas (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/992); on 11th November 1293 with Thomas (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/753)., as Sir Stephen, knight in period 20th November 1292 - 19th November 1293 (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/1006) and in April 1293 (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/361B).

With Thomas his brother he was a member of the jury enquiring into lands held by Jews in the city of Canterbury in 1290 (CCA, Register K).

He appears as knight of the shire in Kent. King Edward action against William de Leybourne?? re manor of Elham and Manor of Ashford (Placita de Quo Warranto, 1818, p357 &359). He was a juroron inquisition King versus Domus Dei Ospringe relating to their manor of Trieveston (ditto, p359).

In 1293-1294 John Chiche gave 1 mark for a license to concord with Stephen Chiche (PRO-Just 1 / 375 / m45.)

In the same year he and Robert Robeland were sued for debt in the assizes. In his case the debt was 40s 9d alleged to be owed to Alice, the widow of Walter Hanleyn, Adam le Chandler and Richard Doge, executors of the will of Walter (PRO- JUST 1 373, m6).

Again in that year he was sued by Hamo Doge for 32 acres land and 20s rent in Goodneston. Stephen defended it by producing a charter that proved he was entitled to the land and won the day. The whole of this manor was not owned by his brother's son Thomas in 1331, so possibly he had daughters who were due a share of the inheritance (PRO-Just 1 373, m9).

On December 4th 1295 he and Master William de Halebergh, parson of the church of Charring, were collectors of the 11th and 7th for the county of Kent. (Patent Rolls)

We know of one charter to which he was the grantor. It is undated but of the late 13th century. Described as the son of John Chiche of Canterbury he granted in free, pure and perpetual alms to the prior and convent of Canterbury Cathedral Priory all his meadow in Hackington parish, lying under the priory's Barton, with the priory's meadow to the east and south, the river Stour to the west and the meadow of the heirs of Eustace of Hackington to the north. It is endorsed with a description showing that it relates to the manor of Barton (CKS-CCA-DCC-ChAnt/H/106). It is sealed, the seal depicting a shield, with three cinquefoils and a branch above (See the chapter on coats of arms).

He is alive om December 4th 1295, but he died either in the last few days of December of that year or some time in 1296, when the Inquisition Post Mortem on his death was held. The first reference to his wife's name occurs here. We know she was alive in 1301 when she was sued for debt as her late husband's executor(CKS-CCA-DCc- J/B 100 No3) and in 1305-1306 when she is listed in the attornies' roll and decribed as his widow (PRO-JUST 1 379). I have found no other references as yet. It is possible that she is the Agnes, daughter or sister of Bertram de Criol, named in the Harleian pedigree.

Further charters witnessed by him, both dated and undated, include:

British Library:
Stowe Manuscript 924:
Charters 200, 267.1 (1273 with Thomas), 195 (1274 with Thomas), 295.1 (1283 with Thomas), 197 (1284 with Thomas), 321 & 360 (1286), 285 & 286.1 (both 1293 with Thomas), 405 & 409 (both 1286 with Thomas), 959 Bailiff of Cant date?huberti

Red Book of St Augustine's:
Folios 81 (with Thomas), 83d (with Thomas), 91d, 95d (with Thomas and Lawrence).

Centre for Kentish Studies, Canterbury:
Christ Church Charters:
C/907 late 13th century (with Thomas).

JOHN CHICHE fl 1293 - 1318

As stated a John Chiche gave 1 mark to concord with Stephen Chiche in 1293-1294 (Just 1 / 375 / m45). A similar licence, or perhaps the same, is enrolled in 1293-1294 (PRO-Just 1/377/m14d).

A John Chiche called John de Somerfeld to account in court to him for the time that he had been his bailiff in Goodnestone, Canterbury and Chart. He was said to have been appointed his bailiff for Goodnestone from the feast of St Michael the Archangel (29th September) 6 Edward II (1312) to 10 Edward II (1316), as also of his manor of Chart and had been collector of 10 Marks rent in the city of Canterbury. John claimed that £200 had been taken from his manor of Goodnestone and 40 marks out of Chart. John de Somerfeld said he had not been John's bailiff as stated. Nevertheless, he was committed to Fleet prison. He was set free at a later date and the case was to be heard further in York. These proceedings took place in 12 Edward II (1318-1319) (PRO-CP40, Roll 230, m188).

A John Chiche sued a number of people in a plea of trespass in 1318 (PRO-KB27/230/m39).

He may be the same man whose wife Joan was granted protection with clause nolumus for 1 year on 22nd May 1322, being then his widow (Patent Rolls). It is possible that this John was the son of Hugh Chiche, the son of John, the son of Thomas or that he was a son of Stephen Chiche. We are spoilt for choice. The fact that he owned the manor of Goodnestone speaks for the latter, although it may have been owned in gavelkind. More work needs to be done here.

LAURENCE CHICHE fl 1262 - 1272

Little is known of Lawrence, another son of John. He was both plaintiff and defendant with his brothers in a number of cases enrolled in the Eyre Rolls in 1271-1272.

He is known to have been appointed chirographer of Canterbury in 1272.

In Trinity Term 1280 we find a Lawrence son of John acting for Stephen Chiche in an action (Exchequer Plea Rolls of the Jews, No 556)

He may have been the man who had a daughter who lived in the 100 of Lonybergh. The Eyre Roll of 1293-1294 shows the King taking a deodand of her chattels after her death to the value of 20d (PRO-Just 1/377)

He witnessed the following charters:

British Library:
Red Book of St Augustine's
Folios 91d (1263 with Hugh and Stephen his brothers) and 95d (with Stephen his brother).

THOMAS CHICHE (2) fl 1265 - died c1330

He was the son of Thomas Chiche (1). We do not know his wife's name, but he had a son John (PRO-JUST 1, Roll 403/12).
He was MP for Canterbury, bailiff of the city and alderman of Burgate ward.

His sister's will was enrolled in the Canterbury plea rolls of 1301 (CKS-J/S 100/3). She had married Hugh Scot, who had pre-deceased her. She left Thomas her house and chattels.

He held property in and without Canterbury as is shown hereafter, including all or most of the manor of Dungeon in Canterbury, which had previously belonged to his uncle Stephen. Yet his father held lands there, if not the manor. Perhaps the manor was acquired by his grandfather John, and Stephen and his brother Thomas had held in gavelkind. This remains to be clarified.

He was the executor of his father's will. As such he was party to a legal suit against Margaret de Hellws. His father had leased her lands in his manor of Dungeon for 6 years, from 14 E1 (1286-5) onwards, for 23 marks 3s 4d annual rent and he claimed that this was in arrears and she owed Thomas £100. Thomas lost this action.

Described as the son of Thomas Chiche he is shown to be in arrears of rent owing to Christ Church since 1293. Part of these arrears were remitted to him at the request of Sir Stephen Chiche (CKS-CCA-Register 'A').

In 1295 we find an agreement dated 2nd February of that year between the prior and convent of Canterbury Cathedral Priory and Thomas son of Thomas Chicche of Canterbury. The prior sought an annual payment of 40d from Thomas for a tenement which Bartholomew the smith held of it in St George's parish, Canterbury, situated with Thomas's messuage to the east… and Thomas sought an annual payment of 12d and suit to his court for a tenement which Hugh le Lomere holds of the priory in mereteghe in St Mildred's parish outside Worthgate. The parties agreed that the priory will quitclaim to Thomas for 12d of the 40d, so that Thomas will pay the priory an annual payment of 28d, as specified in its treasury. Thomas binds himself to make this payment and grants the priory a right of distraint in his tenement in St George's parish for arrears. In return, Thomas quitclaims to the priory for the 12d and arrears. The priory also quitclaims to Thomas for arrears of the 40d for a payment to him of 20s (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/CC/832).

In May 1297 he witnessed a charter as Thomas the son of Thomas Chiche, in which he is described as alderman of Burgate, a position his great grand-father Eudo had held (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/1047)..

On Tuesday 27th September 1300 his name appears in plea rolls of the Dean and Chapter (J/B 100/1 & 2); he was defendant in a case. The case was deferred, but Thomas did not attend to defend himself. He was distressed of chattels. At a court held subsequently, he was distressed of a horse. The case continued into 1301.

In the period 1307-1312 he was party to a number of suits enrolled in the Canterbury plea rolls, as also a witness to several wills read out in court (CKS- J/B 100/6-9).

He was a citizen returned to Parliament for Canterbury in 1311. The same of that name was returned in1324 and his name entered on the pawn or roll of attendance of parliament. He was returned again in 1325 (Parliamentary Writs and Military Summons). Whether the last two entries relate to Thomas (2) or his son is not clear, but given that being the city's represntative in Parliament was of some significance, I suggest it was Thomas (2), as his son would have been a young man at the time.

On 20th June 1312 an order is addressed to the sheriff of kent to summon four knights of the shire to be before the justices of assize to hear a grand assize between Thomas Chiche demandant and William atte Ford and Alice his wife defendants in respect of a messuage in Canterbury, and to ascertain who has the greater right to the property (Chancery Warrants in the PRO).

He witnessed a charter on 21st September 1312 (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/1014).

In the following year in pleas held before Henry de Standon and his fellow justices itinerant in the octaves of St John the Baptist 6 Edward II (1st - 7th July 1313), he was indicted for building a wall which encroached on the high way leading to Morton (towards Doddingdale); he was found guilty and ordered to remove the wall (CCA-CC/Woodruffs/21/1 & CACV Supplementary No 6 Alderman Greys, fo238).

He witnessed a charter dated 23rd September of the following year (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C773A).

He was an alderman of Burgate ward, as a charter dated 29th April 1315 informs us (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/1080).

In 9 Edward II (1315-1316) he and others were sued in a plea of trespass by William de Chirton. The action was deferred to the following legal term (PRO-KB27, Roll 222, m85).

He witnessed two charters, the one dated 26th November 1318 (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/709A) and the other 23rd March 1320 (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/1072). In the latter year his name occurs in the Canterbury Freemen Roll, sitting on the committee deciding on applications.

His name occurs as a witness to a number of charters in the cartulary of the priory of St Martin, Dover in the period 1320 - 1332 (LP, MS 241, folios 165, 165d,166 & 166d).

He witnessed a charter in the Red Book of St Augustine's in 1321 (fo 165d).

He is shown as owing arrears of rent to Christ Church in 1322 (CKS-Christ Church Arrears)

He was bailiff of Canterbury in 1322-1323, in which capacity he witnessed two charters, one in each year (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/740 & C/877)

In the court of Common Pleas in 15 Edward II (1321-1322) he sought against Thomas Pising that he return a certificate of attorney which he was withholding from him (PRO-CP40/240/m357)

He and three others were put on a commission on 24th January 1326 to make an inquisition in the city of Canterbury touching confederacies amd conventicles in the city and woundings, killings and mutilations of limbs, and to arrest those indicted by such inquisition (Patent Rolls).

In 1327 he is named again as alderman of Burgate ward, acting as a witness to a charter (PRO-Enrolled Deeds).

He was assessed in an auxilium (Aid) fof the city of Canterbury in 1329 (CKS B/C/A2).

It is likely he died about this time. Feudal Aids in 1330 state that a Thomas Chiche, together with Thomas de Faversham and Richard de Graveney hold one knight's fee in Goodnestone of the honour of Leicester, although this had not been apportioned. This may well relate to his son and the interest of the other two named may be in right of their wives, if they had married daughters of this Thomas. At a later date one of that name is stated as holding ¾ of this fee of Nicholas de Turberville.

He witnessed three undated charters:
British Library:
Stowe Manuscript 924: Charter 425.1

Red Book of St Augustine's:
Folios 99 and 165d.

SIR THOMAS CHICHE, knight (3) c1290 - c1355

He had a wife Mary, named in a fine of 1339. In a fine dated 1343 his wife's name is given as Wilmyne. If the same man, he married at least twice.He had sons Thomas, Stephen and John.

It is quite likely that some of the references ascribed to Thomas (2) do in fact relate to Thomas (3).

He was knighted, we don't know when, but is first mentioned as a knight in 1333 (RBSA, fo200).

In 13 Edward III (1339-1340) he and George Fox of Fremlingham were sued by Sir Thomas de Verdoun knight and Robert Fleming, parson of the church of Berngiby, executors of the will of Egidius de Badlesmere for a debt of £300 30s 4d (PRO-CP40, Roll 320).

On 15th October 1333 he wrote to the prior and convent of Christ Church presenting John Keyser as priest to the rectory of Goodnestone, of which he was the patron (CKS-CCA-DCc-SVSB/II/15/3).

In the same year he witnessed a charter in Dover Priory Cartulary (LP-MS 241, fo166d).

Rolls of Statute merchant in the D&C Library at Canterbury state that Thomas Chiche senior and John his son came to court and acknowledged themselves bound Sir William Marant in the sum of £10.

He witnessed a charter by Juliana de Leybourne, Countess of Huntingdon, to Thomas abbot of St Augustine's, relating to land in the Isle of Thanet (RBSA, fo200).

There are a number of entries in the Lay Subsidy of 1334-1335 which relate to him. He is assessed at 1s tax in the 100 of Ringslow, 10s in the 100 of Faversham (for his manor of Goodnestone) and 16s for his property in the 100 of Canterbury (probably including the manor of Balverle, Shyrte and Hall Court).

On 21st January 1331, together with his brother John, he was grantee in a charter. He and others were obliged to build a bridge over part of the land granted therein (RBSA, fo172).

He witnessed a charter in 1333 (RBSA, fo200).

In special comissions of Oyer and Terminer dated 7th August 1335 and again in 12th August of that year, William de Swanton complained against him and his brother John for breaking his close and carrying away his goods and chattels at Eastchurch in Sheppey (PRO-JUST 1, Roll 403/12).

Additional Manuscript 38006 in the British Library contains the wardrobe accounts of Robert de Tong, treasurer of the household of Eleanor, sister of Edward III, on her journey to Nymegen to be married to Reginald, Count, later Duke of Guelders for the period 18th April - 26th June 1332. Added at the end of the bound volume is an assessment made by Lord William Clinton, Earl of Huntingdon, John de Cobham and Thomas de Aldon, of military service due upon the sea coast of Kent, dated tercio undecim, presumably 13 Edward III (1337-1338). This date ties in with the names of those assessed (FBR, 2nd edition, Kenneth W Jacob). For the ward between Sandwich and St Mary at Dale Thomas Chiche owes the service of one man at arms. There can be little doubt that this Thomas is referred to. John, the son of John Chiche owes service of one hobeler at Walmer. If indeed John the son of John is intended and this should not read John the som of Thomas, I cannot place him as yet in this pedigree.

In 1338 Geoffrey de Holm of Bykeleswade, vicar of church of St Mary Bredin in Canterbury was querant and Thomas Chiche senior and Mary his wife defendants to 3 messuages, 2 tofts, 300 acres of land, 100s rent and rent of 10 cocks and 60 hens in Canterbury and the suburbs of the city; the property was to be held by Thomas and Mary for life, with remainder to John son of Thomas and Joan (sic) and heirs of their body (CKS- Kent Feet of Fines-Griffin No 384).

On 8th October 1343, described as of Balverle, he is bound to Sir Thomas de St Nicholas in the sum of £20 (CKS- Statute Merchant Rolls, RS, No11).

In 1342 he and his wife Wilmyne were querants to a fine, Roger Nel and Joan his wife defenmdants, relating to 3 acres of land in Goodnestone; consideration paid was 100s. (CKS-Feet of Fines-Griffin, No 516)

In the same year and legal term he and Wilmyne were querants, John Cayser, parson of the church of Goodnestone, and Geoffrey, vicar of the church of Graveney, defendants to a messuage, 53 acres land, pasture for 150 sheep, 19s rent and rent of 6 cocks, 21 hens and 150 eggs in Goodnestone next Gravene and 1/2 the advowson of Goodnestone church; remainder to Thomas the son of Thomas and the heirs of his body, then to Stephen brother of Thomas, then to John brother of Stephen (CKS-Feet of Fines-Griffin No 518).

He witnessed a charter from Henry de Selgrave to Robert de Northoo on 2nd August 1346 (CKS CCA-DCc-ChAnt/F/76).

In 1346 he is shown as holding ¾ of a knight's fee in Goodnestone, in the 100 of Faversham, to the value of 30s, which the heirs of Stephen Chiche held (Feudal Aids).

On 1st October 23 Edward III (1349) he was witness to a charter by Sir Arnold Savage and Sir Stephen de Valoigns to William de Apuldrefeld, relating to land in the 100 of Tenham (BL, Harleian Charter 80 C 32).

The Inquisition Post Mortem held on 14th September 1354 on William de Clinton, Earl of Huntingdon, shows him (William de Clinton) holding land In St Nicholas, in the Isle of Thanet, viz a messuage, a dovecote and 80 acres of arable land of the Archbishop of Canterbury by service of 6s 6d, and of Thomas Chiche by service of 10 bushels of barley and 2 hens yearly.

On 5th March 36 Edward III (1362) 5th March 36 Edw III a Sir Thomas Chiche witnessed a charter of Juliana de Laybourne, Countess of Huntingdon. This could relate to his son Thomas (BL, Additional Charter 16179).

SIR STEPHEN CHICHE fl 1354-1355

He was a son of the above Thomas. Only two references to him exist, the one mentioned above in the fine, and that Sir Stephen Chiche was a sponsor of John de Hakington, who was elected freeman of the city of Canterbury in 1354-1355 (Canterbury Freeman Rolls).

JOHN CHICHE fl 1300 - dead by 29th May 1363

He was a son of Thomas (3) and brother to Thomas and Stephen.

Dr Teddy Church of Bethersden made me aware of a manuscript in CKS in Maidstone, being a volume of manuscript pedigrees of a number of Kentish families drawn up by or at the behest of Sir Edward Dering. This states that a John Chiche, the son of Thomas, who had died before 7 Edward III (1333-1334), had married Katherine, the daughter of William, the son of Sir Eudo de Shillingheld in 3 Edward III (1329-1330). Unfortunately the source is not given. Apparently Katherine married a John Dering secondly in 18 Edward III (1344-1345). Certainly there is circumstantial evidence pointing to this being correct.

Hasted states that the manor of Evering acre, lying in the parish of Berthersden, was conveyed in 7 Edw 3 (1333-1334) by William son of Eudo de shillingheld to John son of Thomas Chiche of Canterbury. Indeed, William entered into a bond with John in 1333 in the sum of £100, Thomas Chiche being a witness. Dated Monday 8th February 1333 (BL, Additional Charter 16359). As a matter of interest, the site of this manor was lost in the late 17th century, but was recently discovered by friends of the author's. A brick (dating from the early 16th century) was discovered in what may have been the moat of the manor, and could be from a building rebuilt on this site after the original wooden building had been dismantled.

However, there is another reference on 16th February 1329 to a John Chiche who had married a Katherine, the third daughter and co-heir of John Abeel, the escheator on this side of the Trent being ordered to deliver them seizin of her pourparty of lands late her father's, he (John) having done fealty (Fine Roll). This is corroberated by a fine of 1331between William de Monte Acuto and Katherine his wife plaintiffs and William Vagham and Johanna his wife, Walter Hering and Margaret his wife and John Chiche and Katherine his wife defendants to 1 messuage, 1 mill, 300 acres land, 20 acres meadow, 60 acres pasture, 40 acres wood, 26s 8d rent in Lewisham and West Grenwich, for which 100 marks consideration was paid. These must be the three sisters and coheirs of John Abeel selling some or all of their inheritance (Archaelogica Cantiana Volume 20, p172). In an action for fraudand trespass in the Court of King's Bench, however, William Vagham's name is given as Higham. It is also stated that the three sisters were co-heris of Richard, the son of John Abel (KB27, Roll 276, m81).

Debtor: John Chicche, the son of Thomas Chicche, of Canterbury. Creditor: John atte Dyche, citizen and plumber of London. Amount: £7. Before whom: John de Pulteney, Mayor of London; William de Carleton, Clerk. When taken: 30/04/1337 First term: 24/08/1337 Last term: 24/08/1337 Writ to: Sheriff of Kent Sent by: John de Pulteney, Mayor of London; William de Carleton, Clerk. 1337 (NA, C 241/109/131).

Whether the above relates to two of this name or whether John married twice remains to be seen.

I have found no reference to his being an alderman of Burgate; this position went to his brother Thomas, presumably his older brother. He was however a bailiff of Canterbury on at least four occasions. Jointly with William French in 1351-1352 and 1352-1353 and with William Wavere in 1360-1361. In 1348-1349 he replaced Thomas Polre, who almost certainly died of the Black Death in the period 11th May - 2nd June (CCC, pp40-41).

The earliest reference I have found to him is in a charter where he and his brother Thomas were grantees, dated 21st January 1331 (RBSA, fo172).

He is named in the Lay Subsidy of 1334-1335, where he was assessed at 3s tax in the 100 of Downhamford, 13s in the 100 of Westgate, 1s in the 100 of Twyford and 10s in the Bailiwck of Key in Milton.

As stated, he and his brother Thomas were sued in 1335 by William de Swanton.

In 1345-1346 he sponsored Henry Brewer, who was admitted a freeman of Canterbury.

In an Inquisition Post Mortem held on 20th August 1347 on John de Hadlowe, the manor of Tremworth, including diverse tenements, are shown to be held by John Chiche of Canterbury for life, to the value of £10 yearly.

On 2nd June 1349 the testament and probate of Richard de Morton citizen of Canterbury was proved before John de Sheldwich and John Chiche (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/W/245).

He appeared as a witness to a number of deeds. On 30th April 1349 (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/S/360C), on 16th August 1349 (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/H/110), on 22nd September 1349 (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/W/239), on 19th May 1351 (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/1015), on 18th November 1352 (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/814), on 20th May 1353 (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/B/238), on 1st July 1353 (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/B/240), 26th September 1353 (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/1036), on 5th July 1361 (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/1199).

He was a member of the committee deciding on who should be granted the privilege of the freedom of the city of Canterbury. This in 1356-1357, again in the following year and in 1361-1362 (CKS-CC/R/F/11I)

He had died by 29th May 1363, as the heirs of John Chiche are mentioned in two charters relating to the sale of land in St Mary Bredin's parish; the second is dated 4th June 1363 (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/1117A & C/1118B).

SIR THOMAS CHICHE (4) dead by 19th September 1392

He married Joan, the widow of Simon de Bradstrete, and daughter and heir of John Pycard (Close Roll, 15th June 1395). It may well be that this was his second marriage. She brought him property in Surrey, principally in the Guildford area. A Thomas Chiche and Joan his wife were in 1375 defendants to a fine to land in Withyham, in Sussex on the Kent border (Sussex Fines, No 2440).

I am confident that he is the same man who is described as both of Balverle and of the Dungeon.

The Inquisition Post Mortem taken on 7th May 1361 on Henry, Duke of Lancaster, shows him and his parceners holding 1 knight's fee in Goodnestone. This almost certainly relates to this Thomas. The term parceners usually referring to females. It is not clear whether the Manor of Goodnestone was held in gavelkind, as was that of Balverle. If it was not, then parceners may refer to sisters of his. This is unclear.

An Inquisition Post Mortem in 1367 on William, son and heir of William de Septvans knight, taken at Canterbury, gives his name as one of the jurors. He had been knighted by then. This ties in with the suggested time for the death of his father Thomas, c1362. He would have inherited enough property to compel him accept a knighthood. (IPM, Volume XII, No 96, page 76)

In 1367, in the Octaves of the Purification of the Virgin Mary (9th - 15th February), there is a fine between Thomas son of Thomas Chiche knight querant and Robert Clerk of Chartham and Rose his wife defendant to 8½ acres of land in Faversham, for which 100s consideration was paid (PRO-25(1) 113/270).

C 143/389/27 William de Haldenne, William de Walleworth, John Philipot, Robert Launde, Thomas de Saunton, Alexander de Whiteby, William de Horne, William Makenade, William Stowe, Thomas Chicche of Godneston, Thomas Garwenton of Well, Thomas Holt, Richard Saundre, andThomas Holbem to grant the manor of Islingham [in Frindsbury], and the reversions of land in Frindsbury, Higham, Stoke, Shorne, Cliffe by Rochester, and Hoo St. 50 EDWARD III.

Described as of Goodnestone, he was granted a license on 6th March 1377 for the alienation in mortmain to the prior and convent of the Cartusian house of St Mary by London of the manor of Eslyng als Huntingfeld, 2 messuages, 3 carucates of land, 20 acres meadow, 40 acres pasture, 20 acres wood, 40s rent in Faversham, Hernhill, Boughton under Blean (Patent Rolls).

Decsribed as of Baverle, a commission was given him to survey the conditions of the Isle of Thanet, the inhabitants whereof have through fear of invasion withdrawn and to array all capable men within 60 and 16 years and to equip them with arms; with power to arrest and imprison recalcitrants and to compel them to return and to remain. Dated 16th March 1378 (Patent Rolls).

In a Christ Church rental of 2 Richard II (1378-1379) a Thomas Chiche pays 19d rent on 9 acres land in Whitstaple (CCA, rental MA 22, m22d). Numerous other entries exist in the many rentals at Canterbury, which I will start to examine in detail when I find the time.

On 16th February 1380 a commission similar to the one of 1378 was given him, but with wider powers.

Described as of Balverle, he was granted an exemption for life from being put on assizes, juries, inquisitions or recognisances, and from being made mayor, sheriff, escheator, coroner, justice of the peace, collector, assessor or controller of tenths or other subsidy, leader, arrayer or tyer of men at arms, hobolers or archers, or other bailiff or minister of the King or knight against his will. Dated 4th August 1380. This is a fairly comprehensive list and one would have thought covered all contigencies, but we find another commission granted him on 8th May 1384 de Walliis fossatis being given him between Faversham and Muston in the county of Kent. Either he had a change of heart or was pursuaded to take on this assignment or it could just relate to his son Thomas, although the dates make this difficult to accept.

A quitclaim is enrolled in the Close Roll of 1380: to Thomas Chiche of Goodnestone and others of the manor of Harbledown and lands in St Dunstan, St Conisman, St Damion, Herbeld, Hackington, Nackington, Tanynton, Lower Hardres and Westgate. He held various manors and much land, but largely with others. No doubt on occasion they were feofees to uses. On other occasions it may simply have been a business investment, he not living at any of these properties.

There exists a fine dated 1384 whereby Thomas Chiche of Brenchesle and Joan his wife were defendants to a fine, John Cobham of Devonshire being the querant, relating to a messuage, 200 acres of land, 50 acres of meadow, 200 acres pasture, 50 acres wood, 30s rent, the rent of 2 cocks and 8 hens and 100 eggs and a pair of gilt spurs in Hever and Chiddingstone, paying yearly to Thomas and Joan for the life of Joan 6 marks. (CKS-Griffin-Fine No 326).

He is described as of Brenchley and may not be the same man, although the land in question may have come to him in right of his wife. Alternatively it may refer to Thomas le Gegge and his wife Joan, who are known to have held land here in this period. The name Le Gegge went by a number of variants and Chiche may have been one of them. A vignette on the Le Gegge family is in the process of being written.

Another fine of 1384 to which Thomas Parker and Henry atte Court, parson of Goodnestone next Gravene were querants and Thomas Chiche of Goodnestone, Willaim Makenade, John Dreylonde, Stephen atte Felde and John Peke defendants to a messuage in Faversham, held for life by Joan, late the wife of Richard Bartelot and of the inheritance of Thomas Chiche… with reversion to Thomas Chiche, William and others and the heirs of Thomas Chiche with remainder to Thomas Parker and Henry and the heirs of Thomas after the death of Joan; consideration was 10 Marks. It is possible Joan was Thomas's daughter. (CKS-Feet of Fines-Griffin No 375).

Enrolled in the Close Roll of 1384 is a charter whereby Thomas Chiche of Balverle and others grants John Gatyn citizen and fishmonger of London grants 20 marks of the grantors manor of Balverle and Litttlestreet in Kent. Perhaps this was to satusfy a debt.

On 26th April 1385 he was appointed a commissioner in view of iminent invasion by the French in Kent (Patent Rolls).

He is possibly the same of that name who appears in the Court Rolls for the Hundred of Tenham. He was fined 4d at a court held on Thursday 13th December 1386. His name occurs again in 1398-1399. (CKS, Roper of Linsted MSS, U498 M1)

On 23rd August 1390 a licence is granted to Nicholas Luke, a Lombard, to make a letter of exchange for 100s payable to Thomas Chiche (Close Roll).

On 20th September 15 Richard II (1391) he grants a yearly rent of 20s from a messuage in the Woolmarket in Faversham to William Makenade. The charter has his seal attached. On Wednesday 19th February 1404, he released his right to the above to John Dreylonde, the elder and others (HMC, 6th Report, Corporation of Faversham MSS, p 510).
In 1391 he witnessed a release by John Brokman to John Ropere of Westgate of all right etc in a messuage called 'le coronne' (the crown) in the parish of St Andrews (CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/710B). This was no doubt a 'pub'.

The Close Rolls tell us that Thomas Chiche of the Dungeon owned lands in the parish of Horsmonden sometime of John Grobbe. Given that Hormonden is in the general area of the lands mentioned in the fine of 1384 referred to earlier, it may well be that he is the same man.

On 21st October 1391 he was appointed sheriff of the county of Kent and keeper of the castle of Canterbury (Fine Rolls). He died during his shrievalty, as on 19th September 1392 the commitment of the county of Kent and the castle of Canterbury were granted to Richard atte Lese during pleasure. An order was made to the executors of the will of Thomas Chiche, late sheriff of Kent and keeper of the castle of Canterbury to deliver the county to Richard by indenture. (Fine Rolls).

C 143/421/26 Thomas Chicche of Balverle, Nicholas Potyn, Nicholas atte Cherche, Richard atte Helle, clerk, and John Bronstone to grant a messuage, land, and pasture in Harty, Linsted, Newnham, Luddenham, and Preston by Faversham, with rent there now held by them for the life of Lora daughter of John de Suryndenne, with remainder to themselves, to the prioress and convent of Davington. 16 RICHARD II.

An Inspeximus of Letters Patent made on 25th May 1393 at Canterbury by King Richard II states that 20 Marks rent arising out of the manor of Sharsted, which had been in the possession of Sir Robert de Belknap, had been granted to Thomas Chiche and others. The deeds goes onto say that at the time of writing Thomas Chiche had died.

There is a writ addressed by Thomas Mewe, yeoman to the chamber of the King against William Chivaler, under sheriff of Kent, John May, William Cheyne and Richard Whitloc relating to the office of the bailiff of the 100 of Eythorne. Writ to be addressed to Thomas Chiche the sheriff of Kent. This document is undated, so we do not know whether it refers to this Thomas or his son, who was also sheriff of the county (PRO, C 1/68/226).

There is a grant of land dated 16 Richard II (1392-1393), where together with Nicholas Potyn, Nicholas atte Cherche, Richard atte Helle, clerk, and John Bronstone he granted a messuage, land and pasture in Harty, Linsted, Newnham, Luddenham and Preston by Faversham, with the rent there now held by them for the life of Lora, daughter of John de Surrenden, with remainder to themselves, to the prioress and convent of Davington (PRO C143/421/26). This could relate to either this Thomas or his son Thomas.

THOMAS CHICHE (5) fl 1384 - died c1429

It is with this Thomas that the pedigree in Harleian Manuscript 6081 begins. It tallies largely with what evidence I have found in public records. He married Alice, one of the two daughters of Thomas Ellis of Sandwich. The other daughter Constancia married William Notebeam (Just 1, Roll 1512, m41, 1-7 Henry VI). We know for certain that he had one son, John, although there may have been another, Thomas.

It is uncertain when he died but he was alive in 1432-1433.

In 8 Richard II (1384-1385) Thomas Chiche of Balverle was late the Esquire of Sir Roger de Northwood, son of Sir Geoffrey de Say (sic). In the same year Sir Roger Northwood granted the reversion of the manor of Norton to amongst others Thomas Chiche of Balverle (Archaeologica Cantiana)

On 8th January 1385, on 26th April 1385 and again on 24th April 1386 he was appointed a commissioner of array in view of the imminent invasion (of the French) (Patent Rolls).

On 13th March 1388 he was appointed to another commission (Patent Roll).

On 18th July 1392 the prioress of Davington on payment of £10 obtained a license for land to be alienated to her in mortmain by Thomas Chiche and others (Patent Roll).

His name occurs in the Canterbury corporation accounts. He was a jurat of the city in 1396-8; he was paid money owing to him in 1399-1400 and was described as a senior, ie common councillor of the city in 1400-1401.

On 13th June 1396 he witnessed a charter (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt/H/111).

He lived at his manor of Balverle, his father at that of Goodnestone. After his father's death he is described as of both.

He and his wife Alice were issued with a precept by King Richard II to make a covenant between them and Richard Blakebroke and Alice his wife, relating to the moiety of 2 messuages and 3 acres of land in Newington-next-Sittingbourne; this is dated 20th May 19 Richard II (1396) (British Library, Additional Charter 36871).

On 3rd September 1397 he and his wife granted to John atte Halle of Sandwich a tenement in the parish of St Mary, in Sandwich, near Pillerigate. The 2nd seal attached to the charter is that of Chiche, bearing an armorial device and legend, neither of which are unfortunately described (Harvard Law School Library, English Deeds No 301). It may well be that this property came to him through his wife, whose father had owned property in Sandwich.
As Thomas, the son of Thomas Chiche, knight, defendant, he entered into a fine with Henry Garnet and Sara his wife as querants. (British Library, Additional Charter 36538).

On 15th June 1395 he is described as Thomas Chiche, son and heir of Thomas Chiche of Balverle and of Joan his wife, late the wife of Simon de Bradstrete and daughter and heir of John Pycard. (Close Rolls)

In 1402 he witnessed a charter to land in Dargate, near Canterbury (Jacob MSS).

On 29th November 1402 he was appointed sheriff of Kent and keeper of the castle of Canterbury. An order was given to John Digge, late sheriff and keeper, to deliver the county to Thomas by indenture (Fine Rolls). He held this appointment until 5th October 1403, when Richard Cliderowe was appointed in his stead (Fine Rolls).

On 20th February 1404 he witnessed a charter being a demise of the manor of Ospringe, known as Queen's Court. (Close Rolls).

He was a member of Parliament for Canterbury, as on 20th March 1404 a writ de expensis was issued in his favour for the parliament summoned at Westminster on the morrow of St Hillary then last past, namely for 2s a day for a maximum of 75 days. Thomas Chiche of the Dungeon and John Sextayn, citizens of Canterbury, were paid £14 4s for 71 days.

In 1405 unspecified lands were transferred by Thomas Chiche, Thomas Waller, John Broke and Thomas Broke. Draper, to Richard Brenchley and Ann his wife
(CKS-U1384/2/12/1).

On 17th July of that year there is an order to John Maystam, escheator of Kent, to take fealty of Thomas the son of John Chiche of Canterbury and Stephen Pertefyn and give them livery of the manor of Stanpets in the Isle of Sheppey. (Close Rolls). This is either a clerical error in that Thomas the son of Thomas is meant, or there is another branch of the family of which I am unaware.

On 15th July 1407 Richard Wellesbourne was pardoned for his outlawry in the county of Kent for not appearing before the justices of the bench to satisfy a debt of #5 to Thomas Chiche of the Dungeon (Patent Roll).

In 1412 he is shown as holding land in Ringslow, Witstable, Westgate, Downhamford, Eastry, Faversham and Tenham to the value in total of £77 10s (Feudal Aids).

A Court Roll of Westgate for a court held 25th January 14 Henry IV (1413) shows him owing suit of court and fined 6d, although he came to court (LP, ED 1786?)

On 18th April 1417 he was granted an exemption for life from being put on assizes, juries etc against his will (Patent Roll).

The register of Henry Chicheley states that on 5th February 1418 a chaplain was instituted to the rectory of Goodnestone, of which Thomas was patron. In 1422 another chaplain was instituted.

On 15th March 1418 he is described as a legatee of Henry Chicheley, Archbishop of Canterbury (BL, Additional Charter 16489).

In 6 Henry V (1418-1419) he acted as a pledge in an action brought by John Sheldwich and Isabella his wife against Marcellus Lechour in a plea of debt (CKS-CCA-Plea Rolls of Corporation of Canterbury, Roll J/B/217 m1).

He is mentioned in the abutments to a charter of his son John in 1421 (British Library, Harleian Charter 79 B 52).

In 1431 in the 100 of Westgate Thomas is stated to be seized of a free tenement and certain lands and tenements at Hallecourt and Balverle to the value of £5 yearly. It is stated he held other lands whose value was unknown (Feudal Aids). He is also shown to be seized of certain lands in the parish of All Saints in the Isle of Thanet to the value of £5 (Feudal Aids).

On 21st February 1432-3 he granted Thomas Poteman of Ospringe 1 acre and 4 dayworks land in Goldfeld in Ospringe which once belonged to Godin Terry. One of the witnesses to this deed is given as John Chycce, his son (DRc-T460-06).

On 28th May 1433 a chaplain was instituted to the rectory of Goodnestone, of which Thomas was patron.

It may well be that he had a son Thomas, who died without heirs male, for a rental of the manor of Balverle, Shyrte and Hallcourt states that Thomas Chiche is lord of that manor; yet a Thomas Chiche of the Dungeon pays 4s rent and 5 hens for land. The rental is undated, but stated to be tempus Henry VI (1422-1471) (BL, Harley Roll T15). This further corroberates the suggestion that he had a son of that name, although at a later date John is named as his son and heir.

JOHN CHICH fl 1421 - 1447

He was the son of Thomas and Alice Chiche. I have not discovered a will, if any, but there is every possibility that it is yet to be found amongst the Canterbury archives, so very many of which have yet to be viewed. Harleian MS 6081 gives his wife's name as Alianor, the daughter of Ralph Bellers of Gloucester. I see no reason to doubt this, especially as they named one of their sons Ralph. Their other sons were John and Valentine.

John was grantee to a deed in 1421, property of his father Thomas being mentioned in the abutments (British Library, Harl Ch 79 B 52).

Described as of Goodnestone he purchased in 1407-1408 of William Martin of Hackington a wood lying in the parish of Hackington, in the 100 of Downhamford, in a place called Honywode… between a wood of Thomas Chyche Esquire to the north and east and a common road to the south and land of Richard Haghe to the west. (British Library, Harleian Charter 79 B 52).

An enquiry was held at Maidstone Assizes in 1-7 Henry VI (1422-1429) (Just 1, Roll 1512, m41) as to whether Sir John Dabrichecourt Knight and others disseised William Notebeam and Constance his wife and John Chiche of Goodnestone of tenements in Warehorne, Rockinge, Shaddoxherst, Tynton, Neucherch, Snave, St Mary Church, Orlaston, Kingsnoth, Saltwood, Ashford, Hothfield, Repton, Posstling, Fairfield and Great Chart and 5 Marks rent, this rent going by the name of 66s 8d issuing out of 17 acres of land they gave to Thomas Ellis out of the above land and their manor of Fairfield. Thomas Chiche and Alice his wife, parents of John, are mentioned, Alice being the sister of Constancia, who married William Notebeam (PRO-JUST 1/Roll 1512, m41).

He witnessed a charter of his father's on 21st February 1432-33 (DRc-T460-06).

He witnessed a charter on 1st June 19 Henry VI (1440) (RBSA, fo127d). He is also referred to in a deed of 1441 (RBSA, fo128d).

On 10th October 1445 Thomas Packer of the parish of St Trinity, Westgate, grants him two pieces of land, lying at Sherte in the parish of Hackington, which he had previously had by the gift and feofment of said John (BL, Harleian Charter 79 E 35); a power of attorney relating to livery of seisin of the above (BL, Harleian Charter 79 E 34).

In 1446-1447 he sold Robert Gorman and others wood land in Northwood (LP, MS 1131, Notes of Hospital of St Nicholas Harbledown, made by Mr Henry Hall in 1763, fo30d).

It is uncertain when he died but I have found no references to him after this date.

JOHN CHICHE will dated 1480-1481

He was one of three sons of John Chiche mentioned above. His wife is named Eleanor.

His will is dated in 1480-1481 (Consistory Court of Canterbury, C/2/488). He is described as of the parish of Monkton in the Isle of Thanet. The three principal manors inherited from his father, were held jointly; Goodnestone, Balverle and the manor of Thornton als Bartlotts, in the Isle of Thanet. John resided at Monkton, Ralph at Milton and Valentine at Canterbury. The will mentions his wife Eleanor, his son Ralph, his daughters Margaret and Joan, and his brother Ralph. Lands in Romney Marsh, and land called Bertlotte in pish of St Nicholas, in the Isle of Thanet were bequeathed.

He is assessed at 6s 4d tax in the Lay Subsidy of 1469 (8 Edward IV) in the 100 of Ringslow, which will relate to the land in the parish of St Nicholas (PRO, Lay Subsidy E179/230/2). His mother, described as the widow of John Chiche, is also assessed.

VALENTINE CHICHE dead by 22nd July 1461

He was a son of John Chiche. There have been a number of different versions as to how he fits into the pedigree. Some versions say he had a son Valentine (or Alan), who had a daughter Emelyn who married Sir Thomas Kempe. As far as I can see the following is correct and ties in with the pedigree drawn up by the College of Arms in 1840 or thereabouts of my family, descended from Amos Jacob MD of Ashford (died 1688). It took the descent through female lines back to Sir Robert Chicheley.

An entry in the Patent Roll of 22nd July 1461 is a grant to Phillipa, late the wife of Valentine Chiche, Esquire, tenant in chief of Henry VI. She is granted the custody of all his Lordships, manors, lands and other possessions during the minority of Margaret, his daughter and heir, with the custody and marriage of the latter and of the like during the minority of the next heir should she die a minor as if the child with which she herself is pregnant should be male, and so from heir to heir. In the event, he did not have a male heir, but another daughter named Emelyn. Margaret and Emelyn are named as his heirs in Chancery Proceedings (PRO, Early Chancery Proceedings, C4 34/128).

It is through Phillipa that I and many others can trace their descent back to Sir Robert Chicheley, knight, Lord Mayor of London, and brother of Henry Chicheley, Archbishop of Canterbury, the founder of All Souls College, Oxford. This made my ancestors founders kin and entitled, as per the founder's charter, eligible to become Fellows of All Souls. This benefit has long since been revoked, as it would have proved impratical, there being far too many descendants who could have claimed founder's kin. Nevertheless, a member of my family did succeed in making use of it. A book was published in two volumes, the first in 1765, titled 'Stemata Chicheleana' , published at Oxford by the Clarendon Press. It gives pedigrees of many descended from Sir Robert Chicheley and William his brother. However, even at this time murmerings against this privilege were rife.

Margaret, the elder daughter, married in 1475 John Judd, the father of Sir Andrew Judd, Lord Mayor of London. Emelyn married Sir Thomas Kempe, knight, of Ollantigh in Kent.

As stated, there exists an undated Chancery Petition by them , as 'cousins' and heirs of John Chiche, daughters and heirs of Valentine Chiche, son and heir of John Chiche, who held the manor of Goodnestone as of fee against John Chirche and Thomas Barham, now living, with others who are now dead, and who held the manor as feoffees to the use of John Chyche and his heirs. Perhaps they renaged on their obligation to John. I have not viewed this petition as yet (PRO, Early Chancery Proceedings, C4 34/128).

We know Valentine died between 28th January 1460, when an entry in the Patent Roll informs us he appointed a commissioner of array to resist the rebels, adherents of Richard Earl of Warwick, who of late entered the port of Sandwich, and the 22nd July 1461.

I have so far found no other references to him, but then he died young.

RALPH CHICHE

He was another son of John Chiche.

His will (Consistory Court of Canterbury A/13/378) describes him as of Milton, Gentleman. The will is dated 8th September 1500 and was proven by his widow Katherine on 27th February 1504-1505. On 7th July an administration was granted her.

He married twice. His first wife was Joan, daughter of John Bull and Maud Godfrey. John's will was proven on 17th December 1488. They had children Katherine, Margaret and Elizabeth. His second wife was Katherine, he being her third husband. She was the daughter of John Dawson of Horsmonden. Her first husband had been Thomas de St Nicholas, who died in 1493. Her second had been John A Bere (Will A/7/133) proven on 17th December 1488 (information supplied by Dr Teddy Church).

He bequeathed in his will property at Iwade, Tenham and Milton, as also in Ivychurch and Brookland, lands called Bardynhill and Lokefeld in the 100 of Milton, and the manor of Thornton als Bartlotts in the Isle of Thanet, and lands in Romney Marsh in Ivychurch and Brookland to the value of 26s.

On 31st December 1485 he conveyed his third share of the manor of Balverle Shyrte and Hall Court and other lands and tenements in the city of Canterbury and in the parishes of Whitstable, Cosmus Blean, Sturry, Westbere, Hackington, St Dunstan's, Thannington and Harbledown, to John Fineux gentleman. John Chiche is named in the text as the father of Valentine, John and Ralph, who had held the manor in gavelkind. The charter is sealed by Ralph (a lion rampant in allusion to the arms of Chiche) (BL-Harleian Charter 78 C 17). Both his brothers Valentine and John had died by then.

There is another grant by Ralph Chiche to John Fyneux, Thomas Oxenbridge, William and Richard Fyneux of all his share in the manor of Balverle, which had belonged to John his father. This could possibly relate to Ralph the nephew of this Ralph. The charter is dated 12th December 1488 (BL, 80 A 26). I have found no other references to him as yet, although it was stated, and I cannot remember where, that he died without heirs.

Ralph is named as the overseer of the will of Thomas Clenche of Chalkwell (Archaeologica Cantiana, Volume 44, p97). On 17th March 1500 he is named as overseer of the will of Henry Bull, possibly a relation of his frist wife's (Archaeologica Cantiana, Volume 44, p90). On 2nd October 1501 he is named as the feoffee of William Bugg (Archaeologica Cantiana, Volume 40, p88).

His name appeared in a list of gentry in Kent (tempus Henry VIII), his arms being given as argent, three lions rampant azure, a border engrailed argent (Kent Roll (Edward III) and Herald's visitation (Archaeologica Cantiana Volume 40, p96). These are not the tinctures of the arms given for Chiche elsewhere.

MARGARET CHICHE

She was a daughter of Ralph Chiche. The manor of Lolsall als Chiches was in the possession of the Chiche family and Margaret, described as the daughter and sole heir of Ralph Chiche (sic), married Thomas Alese, who rebuilt the house and died in 1528-1529. The arms of Chiche are in Milton church (Archaeologica Cantiana).

In the period 1500-1515 Thomas Alese and Margaret his wife, described here as one of the three daughters of Ralph Chiche, pleaded in Chancery against Katherine Chiche, in that she detained deeds relating to lands called 'Little Court' and 'Usbarns' in Berdenhell, Hesperdowne and Lokefeld by Fawnesworth the hundreds of Tenham and Milton and lands in Ivychuirch and Brookland, late of Rauf Chiche, father of the complainants Katherine, Margaret and Elizabeth (NA, C1/308/62). Perhaps there was some friction between her and her sisters, and their step-mother.

KATHERINE CHICHE

Katherine Chiche appears to have been the last in this line of the Chiche family in Canterbury.

In the Lay Subsidy of 1524-5 she was assessed on £100 worth of goods and taxed 100s thereon. A John Chiche was assessed on 20s wages and paid 3d tax A John Gyche in Redingate ward was assessed at 20s in wages and taxed 4d (NA, E179 124/188).

An indenture dated 17th April 2 Henry VIII (1511) between Christopher Hales of the first part and Edward Bere of Sturry of the other relates to a messuage and 18 acres of land called Battys sette in Netherhardres … abutting the land of Katherine Chiche, widow, late the wife of John a Bere father of Edward. It was to be held by her for the time of her life and after her decease to descend to Edward (BL, Harleian Charter 78E 32).

She was involved in a number of court cases relating to the various properties her husband had owned.

In Michaelmas 2 Henry VIII (1510) she sued Richard Davy, Robert Lukas and William Saket all yeomen late of the parish of St John the Baptist, for a debt of £10. The case was adjourned (PRO, CP40. Roll 993. m8d). The same case came to court again in Easter 3 Henry VIII (1511), although more details of her claim are given (PRO-CP40, Roll 995).

She was sued in 1501-1515 as the executrix of Ralph Chiche of Milton by Henry ----- in respect of the price of two thirds of a messuage and land bought of John Cole and Thomas Relyng, clerks, by the said Ralph, whose surety Henry had been (PRO C1/377/58).

Richard Tuttesham and Thomas Austen, both of Milton, clerks, took her to court in an action in respect of a bond, but slightly infringed by Thomas Tuttesham, gentleman, whose executors the claimants were (PRO C1/1514/29 1514-1529).

She was sued by Thomas Gate, she having been recently the reeve of the King's manor of Bishopsbourne. A bond had been given by the complainant as defendant's deputy (NA C1/136/12). This is dated before 1529.

Chancery proceedings also show that a manor called 'Chiche Court' had been in the ownership of Richard Nevill of Canterbury. Perhaps the manor of Balverle, Shirte and Hallcourt is intended here (1551-1553) (NA, C1 1291/69-70).

Other references to the name occur after her death. In 1543 a John Chiche was assessed in Westgate ward on a wage of 20s and paid 4d tax. In Northgate ward a John Chiche was assessed on £8 worth of goods paying 4s tax (The Lay Subsidy of 1543. NA, E179 124/188).

ARMS OF CHICHE

I have been surprised over the years how little attention has been paid to the arms of this Chiche family. Perhaps this has to do with so little original work being done in this field, most relying on earlier publications and Heralds' Visitations.

Yet the arms of Chiche are given in the Parliamentary Roll (c1310) and mentioned extensively thereafter.

The first occurrence of a seal carrying armorial bearings is on the charter of John Chiche, citizen of Canterbury, enacted in the early 13th century. It carries a shield charged with three cinquefoils with the legend SECRETVM JOHANNIS. The fact that it is called a secretum implies he had other seals, and is incidentally an early use of this term.

The arms of Henry Chicheley, Archbishop of Canterbury (1415-1450) were a chevron between three cinquefoils (CKS-CCA-DCc-ChAnt-Seal/22). Does this give credence to the hypothesis that Chiche is a crasis of Chicheley? Chicheley's father was Thomas Chicheley of Higham Ferrers in Northamptonshire, yet the name is not uncommon. There were many of that name in Kent in the 13th century.

A charter of Sir Stephen Chiche of the late 13th century carries a seal, in the shape of a shield, bearing the device of a boar facing the right, with a branch above. The legend reads S' STEPHANI' FIL JOHN'IS CHICCHE.

The arms of Thomas Chiche, together with his effigy, were mentioned by Somner in 1640. Unfortunately he did not state what they were.

Thomas Chiche of the Isle of Thanet bore a shield of arms, 3 lions rampant, 2 and 1 within bordure, suspended by a strap from a forked tree, and within a gothic panel ornamented with Ballflowers along inner edge. The legend reads SIGILL THOMAS CHICHE OF BO------- (BALVERLE) (BL, Additional Charter 16489 & BL Catalogue of Seals No 8567).

The grant of 3rd September 1397 by Thomas and Alice Chiche to John atte Halle of Sandwich bears Thomas's seal, being stated to be armorial (Harvard Law School Library, English Deeds No 301). Unfortunately they have not described it.

In c1500 Ralph Chiche's oval seal carried a lion rampant in allusion to the arms of Chiche (BL, Harleian Charter 86 G 57 and No 8566 in BL Catalogue of Seals).

There are other occurences of the seal on charters that I have not yet had the time to inspect.

Archaeologica Cantiana refers to a monument of Thomas Aylef, who married Margaret daughter of Ralph Chiche. He would appear to have quartered his arms with those of Chiche.

In Crayford's house and Mongeham church are given the arms of Chiche. They are stated to be in St Lawrence church, in Thanet and in Milton church, in Sheppey. (Archaeologica Cantiana).

The monument to Sir Thomas Smythe in the South Aisle of Milton church at Sutton at Hone in Kent gives the Smythe arms quartered with others, including Chiche (Archaeologica Cantiana, Volume 20, p99).