General Notes

BARONY OF LOVEL (I)

JOHN LOVEL, son and heir, was aged 32 at his father's death. In 1277, being then a knight, he served for his father in the campaign in Wales, and in 1287 was going into Wales on the King's service with the Earl of Gloucester, when he was accompanied by his illegitimate elder brother, John Lovel of Snorscombe. Both had letters of protection going abroad in July 1287 and June 1288. In 1294 he served in the short campaign in Gascony; in 1295 was again under the Earl of Gloucester, with his brother Thomas; and in 1296 was marshal of the army in Scotland. In 1297 he was active in public service. He was summoned to Parliament from 6 February 1290 to 26 August 1307, by writs directed Johanni Lovel and later Johanni Lovel de Tichmershe, whereby he is held to have become LORD LOVEL. He was summoned to the campaign in Scotland in 1298, in which Edward defeated Wallace at Falkirk, but did not serve; summonses to serve in person were continued till his death. In 1301, as lord of Docking, he joined in the Barons' letter to the Pope. From March 1302/3 he was again in Scotland on the King's service, and his wife with him. In July 1304 it was "the nobleman, Sir John Lovel, knight," to whom Sir William Oliphant surrendered the keys of Stirling Castle after the fierce three months' siege. In November following he had licence to crenellate his mansion of Titchmarsh. In 1306 he was lieutenant of the Earl Marshal of England. He was summoned to attend the Coronation of Edward II in February 1307/8, and in 1309 to a Council at Westminster, in which year he joined in the letter to the Pope. In March 1309/10 he was one of the magnates who declared that the permission to appoint Lords Ordainers should not be taken as a precedent, nor prejudice the King or his heirs.

He married 1stly, about 1270, Isabel, sister and in her issue heir of William, and daughter of Arnold du Bois, of Thorpe Arnold, co. Leicester. She died s.p.m., probably before 1280. He married, 2ndly, Joan, said to be daughter of Robert DE Ros of Helmsley, by Isabel, daughter and heir of William D'AUBENFY. He died before 1 October 1310. His widow died 13 October 1348, holding Elcombe and Bluntesdon in dower.  [Complete Peerage VIII:216-7, XIV:454, (transcribed by Dave Utzinger)]