Page:Notes and Queries - Series 10 - Volume 2.djvu/90

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NOTES AND QUERIES. [io s. n. JULY 23,

graph y,' I find it stated that at the north-east extremity of this village, and now forming a part of a farmhouse, are the remains of an hospital founded by Manasser Biset, about the close of the reign of Stephen or at the beginning of that of Henry II., and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, for leprous women, placed under the care of some secular brethren (who were afterwards changed by Herbert, Bishop of Sarum, into a Prior and Canons of the Augustine Order). At its dissolution the revenue was 1971. 18s. 8d.

It may be of interest to note the other contemporary Bisets mentioned by Matthew Paris and others.

In 'Chronica Majora,' iv. 200, in the para- graph which follows the account of Margaret Biset's death, Matthew Paris speaks of one Walter Biset, who in 1242 being defeated by Patrick, Earl of Atholl, in a tournament, revenged himself by murdering the earl, setting fire to the barn (horreum) where he was sleeping and burning him to death. Walter then fled for protection from the pursuing nobles to Alexander II., King of Scots, who allowed him to go into exile. He, however, came to Henry III. and complained that he had been unjustly banished, and offered to prove his innocence by combat. During the Welsh campaign in 1245 he dis- tinguished himself by martial exploits on board a vessel conveying provisions to the English beleaguered garrison.

John Biset, d. 1241 (? 5 January), was Chief Forester of England (protkoforestarius). He and Gilbert Basset (died same year) are described as "Anglise Magnates," and as men so distinguished in arms that they had not their equals in the country. The arms of John Biset as given by Matthew Paris are "Azure, ten bezants, 4, 3, 2,1." At a proposed tournament at Northampton, which was to have taken place between the English and foreigners (alienigence), but which was for- bidden by Henry III, he was to have fought on the side of the latter ('Chron. Mai ' iv 88, 89).

Another John Biset ( Johannes Bysetjuvenis) was one of those who sent the charter of Jiing Alexander II. to Pope Innocent IV ('Chron. Maj.,' iv. 383).

In 'Rotuli Litterarum Clausarum,' vol. ii TT7? e T^ efcs x r ? name d under date 1226*: Walter Biset, John Biset, and Henry Biset to whom various sums of money are to be paid.

In the Chronicles ' of the reigns of Stephen, Henry II, and Richard I. (ed. Richard How- lett) m vol m. p 414 (A.D. 1191), a Henry Biset is called a friend of the Chancellor Longchamp (vir Jidehs sibi), and warns him

of a plot that Prince John had on foot to seize him ; in consequence of which Long- champ takes refuge in the Tower of London and is saved.

There is in the British Museum a seal (equestrian) of one Henry Biset of Fording- bridge, co. Hants (No. 5713, early thirteenth century).

Another Biset, whose name constantly recurs in the records, was Manasser Biset. He lived in the reign of Henry II., and was his chamberlain or sewer (dapifer). His signature is appended to many deeds. The following are some that I have noted :

1. * Chronicon Monasterii de Abingdon ' (ed. Rev. J. Stevenson, vol. ii. p. 221). A writ respecting pannage in the forest of Kingsfrith, addressed by Henry II. to the Abbot of Abingdon, ending thus : " teste Mansero Biset, dapifero ; apud Rothomagum." Date between 1154 and 1189.

2. ' Chronicles of Stephen, Henry II., and Richard I.' (vol. iv. p. 349). Confirmation by Henry II. of an agreement between Abbot Robert of Torigni and Rualend de Genets (after 1166). Witnessed, "Mansero Biset, dapifero."

3. ' Chronicon Abbatise Rameseiensis ' (ed. W. D. Macray), p. 291. (a). A deed "de Molendinis de Iclesford." Henry to the Justices, &c., of Bedfordshire and Hertford- shire, to allow the Abbot of Ramsey to hold the mills (molendina) of Iclesford. Witnesses, Richard, Bp. of London, and Man[asse] Biset, at Woodstock (A.D. 1154-62). (b) Same date (p. 297). A deed ** de tenuris," witnessed at Dunstable by Man[asse] Biseht (some MSS. read Biseth).

4. 'Materials for the History of Thomas Becket' (vol. v. p. 73). Amongst those recorded as present at the Council of Clarendon when the Constitutions were passed (January, 1164) was "Manasser Biseth, dapifer." He is also mentioned frequently in the history and car- tulary of the monastery of Gloucester.

Baldred Bissait or Bisset (fl. 1303) was a native of Stirling and rector of Kingshorn, in the diocese of St. Andrews. To him is attributed the story of the Scottish Corona- tion Stone, which he asserted that Scota, the daughter of Pharaoh, brought to Scotland

D.N.B.').

We find the two names Basset and Biset together in the ' Calendar of Ancient Deeds,' vol. ii. (A. 3221). " Grant by John de Nevile x) Philip Basset of his manor of Wotton, to lold by the service of a sixth part of a c night's fee. Witnesses: Gibert Basset, John Biset, William Maudut, and others (named). Seal." There is no date to this, but in the