Robert Cruwys (abt. 1230 - abt. 1310)

Ancestors

Descendants

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Joe Cochoit [send private message]

Biography

Quoting Joe Cochoit, Cruwys of Cruwys Morchard, v.1 (2013):

"Sir Robert de Cruwys is the presumed son of Alexander de Cruwys based him being the next holder of the Cruwys Morchard and Anstey Cruwys. He would have been born after 1221 as he was under age in 1242 when the heirs of Alexander de Cruwys were holding Morceth’ (Morchard Cruwys) and Anstey (East Anstey). He is presumably the same man as Robert de Crues of Devon who received a respite from knighthood for three years on 11 July 1256 which would further place his birth as before 1235.[27] There may be a contemporary also named Robert de Cruwys who presented at Bradstone in 1272. As Bradstone followed a completely different path of descent, it is unlikely that the Robert de Cruwys of Cruwys Morchard is the same person who presented at Bradstone.

"Charles Fitch-Northen, Tom Jones and Margaret Cruwys all state that Sir Robert de Cruwys died in 1269 and was succeeded by his son and heir Sir Alexander de Cruwys, and that this Sir Alexander died in 1280.[28] [29] [30] It is likely that Fitch-Northen and Jones were following Margaret Cruwys’ research into the records at Cruwys Morchard, however, the supporting evidence for this is not known. If true, it would create some problem with the estimated birth dates. For this Robert to have been born after 1221 and to have a great-great-grandson born c1299 would require 5 generations to be born in only 78 years – a highly improbable event even in this time period. In 1297, a Robert de Crues, knight, gave evidence at the proof of age Eleanor de Mohun and was said to be aged 60 and more.[31] This age is approximately correct, and suggests that the Robert de Cruwys who died in 1310 could be the same as this Robert. Now for Robert to have had a grandson born c1299 would require an unusually long gap of a minimum of 64 year (1235 to 1299) between the two generations. However, the fact that this Robert giving evidence in 1297 had a daughter only 16 years old would support the necessary supposition that he was having children relatively late for a 13th century knight. Given the unlikelihood of 3 generations between this Robert Cruwys and the one born in c1299, it is presumed that this Robert de Cruwys is the grandfather and not the great-great-grandfather of the Robert Cruwys born c1299.

"Robert Cruwys presented at Cruwys Morchard on 13 February 1262 and at Anstey Cruwys on Christmas 1263. In both cases he is called a knight.[32] By the time of the Feudal Aids in 1285 he had acquired a third manor. He held Cruwys Morchard of the earl of Cornwall who held it of the king[33] and East Anstey of Oliver de Dinham who at that time held a portion of the Cardinan barony.[34] The third manor of Over Woolacombe he held of Galfried de Camville who held it of Thomas de Merton who held it of the king.[35] This acquisition of Over Woolacombe has been used as evidence that Robert’s wife was Matilda (or Maud) Fitz Pain, the daughter of Robert Fitz Payne and Nesta his wife.[36] In 1242, Robert Fitz Payne and Nesta held a fee in Owlacombe, Over Woolacombe and Blymethesham.[37] By 1303 it would appear that Robert de Cruwys had distributed land to his sons. He still held Cruwys Morchard, but Over Woolacombe and Blymethesham were now held by his son and eventual heir Alexander Cruwys, and East Anstey by his younger son John Cruwys.[38] All three of the Fitz Payn manors of Owlacombe, Over Woolacombe and Blymethesham in 1242 were given as a single fee held by Robert de Cruwys in 1326.[39]

"Margaret Cruwys states that Sir Robert de Cruwys died in 1310.[40] The evidence for this is not known. He was certainly dead by 1316 when his son Alexander Cruwys had succeeded to Cruwys Morchard.[41]

"Children of Robert de Cruwys and Matilda Fitz Payn:

"1. Alexander de Cruwys

"2. John de Cruwys was the apparent younger son of Robert de Cruwys and founder of the Anstey Cruwys cadet branch of the Cruwys family. He is said to have been given the manor of Anstey Cruwys (aka East Anstey) during his father’s life time...."

Footnotes

[27] Patent Rolls of the Reign of Henry III preserved in the Public Record Office vol. 4 (1247-1258), by Great Britain. Public Record Office (1908). P. 487 http://tinyurl.com/aaw7kxs http://tinyurl.com/aexqkjz

[28] The Genealogist, vol. 9 no. 1 (Spring 1988). P. 3-39 ‘The Trowbridge Ancestry,’ by Charles Fitch-Northen. P. 20

[29] Crewes of South Cornwall, and their Ancestors in Liskeard, Cornwall, and Cruwys Morchard, Devon, compiled by T.F. Johns (privately published and in possession of Debbie Kennett, 2001). P. 13.

[30] ‘A Cruwys Morchard Notebook, 1066-1874,’ by Margaret C.S. Cruwys. (Exeter and London, 1939).

[31] Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem, Vol. 3 (20-28 Edward I, 1291-1300). P. 329, no. 431. Proof of age of Eleanor de Mohun. http://tinyurl.com/auhzgc4

[32] Registers of Walter Bronescombe (A.D. 1257-1280), and Peter Quivil (A.D 1280-1291), Bishops of Exeter, by Rev. F.C. Hingeston-Randolph (1889). P. 133. http://tinyurl.com/a38f7ez

[33] Inquisitions and Assessments Relating to Feudal Aids, vol. I (Bedford - Devon), By Great Britain. Public Record Office (1899). P. 342. http://tinyurl.com/ahg2te3

[34] Inquisitions and Assessments Relating to Feudal Aids, vol. I (Bedford - Devon), By Great Britain. Public Record Office (1899). P. 325. http://tinyurl.com/behcg4y

[35] Inquisitions and Assessments Relating to Feudal Aids, vol. I (Bedford - Devon), By Great Britain. Public Record Office (1899). P. 336. http://tinyurl.com/asvjlfv

[36] Report and Transactions of the Devonshire Association, vol. 84 (1952). P. 1-19 ‘Address of the President: Records at Cruwys Morchard,’ by Mrs. M.C.S. (Margaret Campbell Speke) Cruwys.

[37] The Book of Fees commonly called Testa de Nevill, pt. 2. A.D. 1242-1293 and appendix, by Public Record Office, (1923, reprint 1971). P. 775. http://tinyurl.com/aaxmbe8

[38] Inquisitions and Assessments Relating to Feudal Aids, vol. I (Bedford - Devon), by Great Britain. Public Record Office (1899). P. 359, 362 http://tinyurl.com/atn8zel http://tinyurl.com/ba4vhhy

[39] Calendar of the Close Rolls, Edward II, 1323-1327 (Great Britain Public Record Office, 1898). P. 595, 601 http://tinyurl.com/b9qpfjz

[40] Report and Transactions of the Devonshire Association, vol. 84 (1952). P. 1-19 ‘Address of the President: Records at Cruwys Morchard,’ by Mrs. M.C.S. (Margaret Campbell Speke) Cruwys. P. 19.

[41] Inquisitions and Assessments Relating to Feudal Aids, vol. I (Bedford - Devon), By Great Britain. Public Record Office (1899). P. 372. http://tinyurl.com/b5hdynl