General Notes

Knight, participated in King Edward III's expedition to Flanders in 1374.

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BARONY OF KERDESTON (III)

JOHN DE BURGHERSH, according to modern doctrine LORD KERDESTON (m), grandson and heir, being only son and heir of Maud DE KERDESTON by Sir John DE BURGHERSH. He was born 29 September 1343 at Ewelme, and baptized next day in the church there. During his minority, circa 1356-1361, his grandfather made a settlement from which he was excluded because he had a sufficient estate. In 1361, 1364 and 1366 he is named as the King's ward; his guardian was Joan, daughter of Bartholomew, Lord Burghersh, wife of John de Mohun, Lord Mohun, of Dunster. He proved his age and the King took his homage 4 December 1366, and he had livery of his lands 20 May 1367. In 1369 he is styled "knight," and was made one of the trustees (with Simon of Sudbury, Bishop of London, and,Sir Aubrey de Vere) of John, Lord Mohun, of Dunster, and Joan his wife, both abovenamed. On 8 May of that year he had a protection on going overseas in the King's service with Humphrey (de Bohun), Earl of Hereford. In 1371 he is described as Sir John de Burghersh of Essex, had disputes as to the Kerdeston lands with his mother's illegitimate brother, Sir William Kerdeston, which were settled 30 November 1371 by an agreement under which Sir John received Skendleby, Lincs, and other lands. On 12 April 1373 he was one of a large number of knights going on foreign service in the retinue of the Duke of Lancaster. On 9 July he granted the King the manor of East Worldham, Hants, the park of which he had granted him in 1371. He was Sheriff of Somerset 1379 and 1384, and a Knight of the Shire for Somerset in 1379 and 1383?. On 16 June 1382 he acquired the manor of Rasebury or Biggin in Mitcham. On 4 September 1386 he was appointed a Commissioner of Array in Somerset for the defence of the coast.

He married, in or after 1372, Ismania, widow of Sir John RALEGH, of Nettlecombe, Somerset, who died in 1372, and daughter and coheir of Simon DE HANHAM or HANNING, of co. Gloucester. He died s.p.m., 21 September 1391, when the Barony of Kerdeston fell, according to modern doctrine, into abeyance between his two daughters and coheirs. His widow's dower was assigned 21 November 1391 and 21 March 1391/2. She married, 3rdly, Lawrence BERKEROLLES, son and heir of Sir Roger BERKEROLLES, of Coity, co. Glamorgan. He died December 1411. She died in September 1420.  [Complete Peerage VII:193-5, (transcribed by Dave Utzinger)]

(m) The modern doctrine as to barony by writ being unknown at this date, he did not conceive - nor did his contemporaries - that he had succeeded to this barony.