Page:Notes and Queries - Series 12 - Volume 6.djvu/227

 12 8. VI. MAY 8, 1920.] NOTES AND QUERIES.

183

A lengthened period elapses before any further allusion to Ralph is found in the public records, but that he might have been actively engaged during the interval may be inferred from the following :

" 1253. Protection to Ralph de Gorges, Ralph

de Gorges, knt going with the King to

Gascony, for so long as they are in his service in those parts." Cal. Pat. R., 1247-58, p. 231.

Sir Ralph was one of those attendant on the king when he was "blocked up," in the year 1263, by the disaffected citizens of Bristol. Collinson adds that :

" He was a knight and great warrior, and was shortly afterwards made governor of Shirebourne and Exeter castles. A grant of 40 marks a year at the Exchequer was made to Ralph de Gorges in July, 1262, until the King provide for him more bountifully in wards and escheats." Cal. Pat.R., 1258-66, p. 229.

Grave anxiety as to an invasion of the Isle of Wight by the French caused the king in the year 1267

" to appoint our beloved and faithful servants Ralph de Gorges, with others, to well and truly guard the aforesaid island." Pat. R., 51 Henry III., m. 9d.

"In the year 1270," Sir Ralph " was signed with the Cross, in order for his journey to the Holy Land, where he attended and shared with Prince Edward the glories of the expedition." Hoare, ' Hist, of Wilts.,' vols. ii.-iii. p. 29.

During, or shortly after his return from, the Crusade he died, leaving his widow with three others Ralph de Gorges de Almere being one executors of his will (e Rotulo Finium, 56 Henry III.). He left issue two sons, Ralph the eldest, and John, to whom a reference is made at the time of his mother's demise :

" Feb. 5, 1291. Grant to John, son of Elena de Gorges, for the services of the said Elena to the King and late Queen in the guardianship of their children, the princesses Eleanor and Johanna, of a suitable marriage when one falls in." Cal. Pat. R., 1281-92, p. 422.

Lady Elena survived her husband many years. Dying in 1291, the royal mandate to take possession of her lands bears the date Feb. 18, 20 Edward I. (Rot. Fin., m. 12). The inquisition was held the same year and the jurors say :

" Radulphus de Gorges est filius et proximui hseres dictae Elenae, defuncti, et est setatis trigenta sexannorumetamplius." Calend. Inq. p.m. (Rec Com., 1806), i. 109.

Ralph (2) de Gorges, Lord of Braunton, co. Devon, Bradpole, co. Dorset, Wraxall, co. Somerset, and Knighton, Isle of Wight, son and heir, succeeded his father, circa 1271 and his mother in 1291.

He is first mentioned in connexion with' [sle of Wight records in a plaint relating to Edward I. This dispute with the Crown appears to have inherited from his father, upon whom an unjust distraint for a contri- bution to an aid for marrying the king's sldest daughter had been levied, 38-39 Henry III. (Worsley's 'Hist.,' p. 77).
 * he levying of scutage in the eighth year of

He was a knight in 1285 ( ' Inq. and Ass. re Feudal Aids, Dorset,' ii. 34), and equalled lis father in military distinction, taking an active and prominent part in the wars of Edward I. An entry on the Close Rolls, 12 Edward I., gives the following notification bo the Exchequer :

" That the King in return for his good service has pardoned Ralph de Gorges 24Z. in which he - is indebted for the debts of Ralph de Gorges.his father, for the time when he was sheriff of Dorset."' Cal. Cl. R., 1279-88, p. 260.

The nature of the service rendered is not specified. Other smaller amounts are re- mitted, from time to time, and would thus seem to suggest that Sir Ralph was a persona grata to the king.

From an entry on the Patent Rolls, June 24, 1287, it is evident Sir Ralph was actively engaged in the French wars, a protection order being granted him " going abroad with the King."

The death of his mother, Lady Elena, occurred early in the twentieth year of Edward I.'s reign, and Sir Ralph doing homage in March of that year had seisin of her estates (Rot. Fin., 20 Edw. I., m. 11). A protection order with clause volumus was granted, June 24, 1291, to him "staying in Scotland on the King's service until Christmas " (Cal. Pat. R.,m. 1). " He was," says Dugdale ' Baronage of England,' ii.-iii., 55, " Marshal of the King's army in Gascoigne, 21 Edward I.," and the following year he returned again to those parts, where he attained such favour from the king that the following grant was made him, in July 15, 1294, that

" going to Gascony on the King's service that if anything should happen to him, before his return, the exors. of his will shall have free administration of his lands and goods for 3 years after his death and also free administration of his mother's will, whereof he is said to be executor." Cal. Pat. R., 1292-1301, m. 14.

Dugdale referring to the aforesaid grant writes :

" But in that year, Charles, brother of the French King, invading Gascoigne with a great power laid siege to Risune, where John de Bretania was governor, who forsaking his charge, exposed those in the garrison to the mercy of the enemy,