Robert de Acovere

circa 1190 - 1235

Robert was probably born around 1190 ⁽¹⁾, the son of Hugh de Okeover ^(3)(14). Nothing is known about his childhood, or any siblings he may have had.

He married Sarra, the daughter of John and Margery de Chandos, sometime around 1215 ⁽²⁾, and was granted the rental income from Atlow, which his father had previously paid to John and Margery, thus sort of making Robert his father's "landlord" ⁽³⁾. Their eldest son was called Hugh ⁽⁴⁾, and a younger one William ⁽⁵⁾. They also had a daughter Elena ⁽⁶⁾

He was elected to serve on a jury in 1220 ⁽⁹⁾.

In 1222/23 he was sued over the dower of Edith de Wahull, but he failed to appear in court ⁽¹⁰⁾.

In 1224/25 he was involved in a dispute over land in Stratton with Hasculf Gernet ⁽¹¹⁾. This was resolved a couple of years later when Robert paid Hasculf 12 marks in return for dropping his claim ⁽¹²⁾.

He was a witness to a grant of land in Littlewood from Tutbury Priory to his uncle Geoffrey de Okeover around the late 1220s ⁽¹³⁾.

In the spring of 1235 Robert was listed amongst those knights commissioned to collect a scutage, but was then replaced by Robert de Dun following his death ^(15)(16).

• Hugh has his own page.
• William married a woman called Alice by whom he came into possession of a moiety of the manor of Milwich. They had a son Hugh, and possibly another named William.
• Elena married Robert de Ashbourne. No children of this marriage have been found.

1. Robert's date of birth is roughly estimated based on his marriage being around 1215 ⁽²⁾, and his involvement in legal action in 1212 ⁽⁸⁾.
2. His father was alive at the time of the marriage, putting it before 1220. In his "An account of the family of Okeover of Okeover", published in "Collections for a History of Staffordshire", New Series, Vol 7, 1904, Wrottesley claims it must have been after 1210 as Roger de Chandos, one of the witnesses to the marriage settlement, was styled as lord of the manor, and that was the year he succeeded to the lands.
3. "Collections for a History of Staffordshire", New Series, Vol 7, 1904. "An account of the family of Okeover of Okeover - Okeover Deeds", no 21, on p140-141 reads:
   Carta Johannis de Chandoys et Margerie uxoris eius facta Roberto filio domini Hugonis de Acouere de x solidis annui redditus.
   Sciant presentes et futuri quod ego Johannes de Chandoys et Margeria uxor sua (sic) dedimus concessimus et hac presenti carta nostra confirmavimus Roberto filio domini Hugonis de Acouere in liberum maritagium cum Sarra filia nostra decem solidos annui redditus in villa de Attelowe quos percipere solebamus de predicto Hugone suisque predecessoribus et decem solidos annui redditus de terra Hugonis Besinge in Eginton quicunque earn tenuerit. Tenendum et habendum sibi et heredibus suis de predicta Sarra exeuntibus in feodo et hereditate. Reddendo inde annuatim nobis et heredibus nostris duodecim denarios quod si humanitus ante mortem dicti Hugonis de predicto Roberto contigerit predictus redditus predicto Hugoni omnibus diebus vite sue quiete remanebit qua finita nobis et heredibus nostris absolute reddebit Volumus etiam ut liceat dicto Hugoni pro firma sua predictam terram et heredibus suis distringere cum opus fuerit. Nos enim et heredes nostri predictum redditum predicto Roberto ut predictum est contra omnes homines warantizabimus. Et ut hac donacio concessio et confirmacio rata et stabilis permaneat huic carte sigilla nostra apposuimus. Hiis testibus Domino Rogero de Chandoys Richardo de Draycote Willelmo de Venables, Roberto de Bek, Galfrido de Bek, Magistro Johanna de Weston Willelmo de Bek et aliis.^{*
   *} From the Okeover Chartulary, Bodleian Library, fol 26.
   The first witness, Roger de Chandoys, was the head of the baronial house of Chandos, and was living in 1196. (Liber Rubeus.)
   On page 15 of the same volume, the following commentary is also given:
   "John de Chandoys and Margery his wife granted to Robert the son of Sir Hugh de Acovere in frank marriage with Sarra their daughter, 10s. of annual rent from the manor of Attelowe, which they were accustomed to receive from the said Hugh and his predecessors, and 10s. of annual rent from the land of Hugh Besinge in Eginton. To be held by him and the heirs of the body of the said Sarra, and rendering to them and to their heirs 12d. annually, but the said Hugh was to receive the said rent (of 12d.) for his life, and after his death it was to revert to them and their heirs.
   Margery, who was cograntor in this deed, was the eldest daughter and coheir of Robert fitz Walkeline, who held two knights' fees of the Earls of Ferrers at Radborne, Murcaston, Egginton and Atlow in co. Derby, and it would appear by this deed that the Okeovers had held Atlow of the family of Fitz Walkeline before the date of this marriage. The probability is there had been a previous marriage between the two families, and that Robert de Okeover married a cousin. The first witness to the deed is " Dominus " Roger de Chandoys, the head of the Baronial House of Chandos, who held 13 knights' fees in capite in the cos. of Hereford and Shropshire, and who was probably the brother of John de Chandoys the grantor^{[2]
   [2]} The pedigree of Chandos has not been clearly established, but the head of the house in 1166 was Richard de Chandos, who was succeeded by Robert de Chandos, living 1210, and who was succeeded by Roger, the witness of the above deed. The famous Sir John Chandos descended from the Sir John Chandos of the deed.
4. Robert's son Hugh is named in numerous documents dating from after Robert's death ⁽⁷⁾.
5. Robert's son William is named in a document dating from after Robert's death ⁽¹⁷⁾, and is also named as Hugh's brother ⁽⁷⁾.
6. Robert's daughter Elena is named as Hugh's sister ⁽⁷⁾.
7. See Hugh's page.
8. "Curia Regis Rolls of the reigns of Richard I and John - 11-14 JOHN". Entry on p389 reads:
   [1212]
   Dereby.- Scolastica que fuit uxor Willelmi le Cauceis petit versus Robertum de Acovr' terciam partem medietatis ville de Bradeburn' et versus Robertum de Stanton' terciam partem medietatis ville de Bradeburn' ut dotem suam unde Willelmus vir suus etc; et predicti ij. milites per attornatum eorum veniunt et vocant inde ad warantum Willelmum comitem de Ferariis. Habeant eum in octabis sancti Michaelis.
9. "Collections for a History of Staffordshire", Vol 4, Part 1. "Plea Rolls of the reign of Henry III". Entry on page 11 reads:
   Membrane 15. - Headed, "Pleas at Westminster, at fifteen days from Easter." [12th. April, 1220.]
   Staff. Nicolas Horst, Roger de Muhaut, Robert del Bec, Ralph de Hintes, four knights summoned to elect twelve, between William de Paries, plaintiff, and Richard fitz William, tenant, of ten acres of land in Sandwell, came and elected the following: William Rufus, Robert de Grendon, William de Greseleye, Robert de Acoure, Robert fitz Pagan, Robert de Lega, John de Acton, Hugh Bagod de Bromlee, William de Ipstone, Henry de Verdun, Robert de Mere, Walter Connie, John de Wuttinges, Stephen Meverel, Adam de Bruneton, and John de Sautcheverel. A day is given to them on the Octaves of Holy Trinity, when the twelve are to come. m. 16.
10. "Collections for a History of Staffordshire", Vol 4, Part 1. "Plea Rolls of the reign of Henry III". Entry on p25 reads:
    [HILL, 7 H. III]
    Staff. Walter fitz Ralph, the essoigner of Robert de Thissington appeared on the fourth day against Robert de Accoure, in a plea that he should warrant to the said Robert one-third of four acres of land in Wahull, which Edith, the widow of Ralph de Wahull, claimed in dower; and Robert de Haccoure did not appear. Therefore land of the said Robert to the value of the third part-in question to be taken into the King's hands, and Robert to be summoned for three weeks after Michaelmas; the same day is given to Edith in Banco, m. 15
11. "Collections for a History of Staffordshire", Vol 4, Part 1. "Plea Rolls of the reign of Henry III". Entry on p36 reads:
    [TRIN & MICH, 9 H. III]
    Staff. Haseuillus Gernet sued Robert de Acoure for six bovates of land in Stratton; and Robert prayed a view. A day is given to them at the Quinzaine of the Purification of the Blessed Mary; and in the meantime the view is to be made.^[2] m. 21, dorso
    ^[2] See fine of 12th April, 1227 (Calendar of Fines).
12. "Collections for a History of Staffordshire", Vol 4, Part 1, 1884. "Calendar of Final Concords". Entry on pages 222-3 states:
    Date: Westminster, 25th April 1227
    Complainant: Hasculf Gernet.
    Tenant or Deforciant: Robert de Acoure.
    Nature of Fine, and Result: Six bovates of land in Stratton. Hasculf remits all claim, for which Robert gave him 12 marks of silver.
13. "Okeover of Okeover" archive at Derbyshire Record Office. Item ref D231M/T159, catalogue entry reads:
    Gift by Nicholas, prior of Tutbury, to Geoffrey de Acovere [Okeover] and his heirs for homage and service of a rood of woodland in Littilwode [Littlewood] for adding to his park there, namely that which lies between the spring and the hedge: annual rent of a pound of cumin
    Witnesses: Robert de Ashbourne, seneschal of the Earl Ferrers, Robert de Acovere, Thomas de Edinshouere [Edensor], John son of Herbert, Oliver le Foun, William son of Herbert and others
    "Collections for a History of Staffordshire", New Series, Vol 7, 1904. "An account of the family of Okeover of Okeover - Okeover Deeds", no 20, on p140 gives a full transcript :
    Universis Chrispi fidelibus hoc scriptum visuris vel audituris Nicholaus Prior Tuteburiensis et ejusdem loci conventus ecclesia in domino salutem. Noveritis nos dedisse, etc. Gaufrido de Acovere et heredibus suis pro homagio et servitio suo unam rodam bosci nostri in Littilwode ad parcum suum augmentandum, etc. Reddendo nobis inde annuatim unam libram cumini ad Nathale, etc. Hiis testibus Domino Roberto de Esseburne seneschallo domini Comitis de Ferariis, R. de Acovere, Thoma de Edmshover, Johanne filio Herberti, Olivero le foun, Willelmo filio Herberti et aliis.
    (Large vaginal seal in red wax, about three inches in length, with effigy of Virgin and child on a throne.)
    "The Tutbury Cartulary", entry no 114, appears to be the priory's copy of this deed, although the wording is slightly different.
    Nicholas appears as prior of Tutbury from 1226-1231, although he could have been in office from as early as 1220 to as late as 1234.
14. "Collections for a History of Staffordshire", Vol 5, Part 1, 1884. "The Burton Chartulary", folio 29, on pages 45-46 reads:
    Quieta clamatio Roberti de Acoure de husbote et haybote in nemoribus de Soberhale et de Bromle et de duabus burgagiis in Burtona.
    Omnibus etc. Robertus de Acoure filius Hugonis de Acoure salutem. Noverit etc. me quietas clamasse omnes demandas pro me et heredibus meis Domino Abbati de Burtona etc. quas ab eis exigebam per breve Domini Regis in Comitatu de Stafford scilicet husbote, haibote in nemoribus eorum de Sobenhale et Bromlega et quieta clamavi duo burgagia quas ab eis exigebam in. villa de Burtona. Pro hac autem clamatione et pro xx. s. quos eis dedi in gersumam concesserunt etc. mini et heredibus meis clausturam ad proprias sepes meas de Stretona et virgam ad Wadluram propriarnm domorum mearum in predicts, villa de Stretona de subbosco nemoris sui de Sobenhale sine contaminatione quercus per visum forestarii extra liberas haias suas. Et ut habeam porcos meos de propria nutritura curias mess de Stretona in bosco de Bromlega extra liberas haias suas quietos tempore pannagii, scilicet a festo Santi Michaelis usque ad festum Sancti Martinii. Et dederunt mihi et heredibus meis unum burgagium in novo vico de Burtona, scilicet inter burgagium coquinarii sui et Radulfi Kidenot. Reddendo eis annuatim vi. d. etc.
15. "Close Rolls of the Reign of Henry III, 1234-1237". Entry on p189-90 is a listing showing two knights selected from each county to collect a scutage. The Derbyshire entry reads :
    [1235] Dereb' : Robertus de Dun^*, Robertus de Toke.
    ^* Corrected from 'Robertus de Acoure'. Against 'Robertus de Dun' is the note "substitutus est"; against Robertus de Acoure the note "mortuus est"
16. "The book of fees commonly called Testa de Nevill, Part 1, 1198-1242". Two entries on p529-531 details scutage collected in 1235/36, which includes the name of the collectors in the headings :
    [AD 1235-1236]
    DERBY
    HOC EST RECEPTUM DOMINI ROBERTI DE HOCOVERE ET DOMINI ROBERTI DE TOUK' ET DOMINI ROBERTI DE DUN, ADDITI CUM DOMINO ROBERTI DE TOUKE POST MORTEM DOMINI ROBERTI DE HOCOVERE, DE SCUTAGIO DOMINI REGIS.
    ...and ...
    DEREBY
    Robertus de Tok' et Robertus de Achore, Willelmus de la Lee pro eo, assingnati ad colligendum auxilium regi concessum scilicet de scuto ij.m. tam de novo quam de veteri feofamento ad sororem regis inperatori Romanorum maritandam, reddunt compotum de xlvj.l. xviij.s. ij.d. de feodis comitis de Ferrariis.
    "Collections for a History of Staffordshire", New Series, Vol 7, gives the following commentary on page 16, in which the date is erroneously ascribed to be 1241 (25 HIII) rather than 1235 (19 HIII) :
    "... an entry in the Testa de Nevill shows that he had lately died. He had been one of the collectors of the scutage levied on the marriage of the King's sister to the Emperor of Germany in 25 H. III. (1242), and the entry gives the receipts of the scutage levied by Sir Robert de Hocovre (sic) and Sir Robert de Touk, and of Sir Robert de Dun, who had been added after the death of Sir Robert de Hocovre. He died therefore early in the year 1241
17. "Collections for a History of Staffordshire", Vol 5, Part 1, 1884. "The Burton Chartulary", page 58 reads:
    Memorandum quod Johannes de Stafford Abbas Burtoniæ emit de Willelmo filio Roberti de Acovere totam terrain quam idem Willielmus habuit in villâ de Stretton simul cum mesuagio etc. et cum quodam rustico vocato Reginaldo et tota sequelâ suâ, qui Reginaldus tenuit ad voluntatem Abbatis reddendo inde annuatim dicto Abbati iii. s. et viii. d. cum aliis consuetudinibus, et hæc est terra quam homines dicti Abbatis tenent de predictâ emptione ad terminum quindecim annorum termino incipiente in festo Sancti Michalis anno gratiæ m.cclxx. sexto. (Here follow the names of nine inferior tenants, holding from 2 to 9 acres each, total 52½ acres and a rood, and total rent 14s. 8d.) Summa pecuniæ pacata dicto Willelmo pro predictis xxvi. marcarum preter cirographum levatum coram Justiciariis de Bancho sumptibus Abbatis. In eundo et redeundo et ibidem morando cum uxore suâ.