General Notes

NICHOLAS SON OF MARTIN, son and heir, sometimes called Nicholas son of William son of Martin, was a minor at his father's death, having been born probably about 1210, and was at first in ward to Fulk de BreautÈ. In 1222, during his minority, the King granted to Nicholas nephew of Fulk de BreautÈ licence to have a fair at his manor of Combe Martin in Devonshire every year until he should come of age. In 1225 his wardship was granted to Henry de Turbervill or Trubleville, and in the following year began the dispute as to the Martins' tenure of the barony of Kemeys. Nicholas came of age before September 1231, when the Earl of Pembroke entered on the manor of Tresgrue, still in Trubleville's custody. In 1235 he was assessed at 6 1/2 knights' fees in Somerset and 5 1/2 in Devon. As Nicholas son of William son of Martin he confirmed to his burgesses of Newport all the liberties his father William son of Martin had given them. In 1240 a perambulation was ordered between his lands in Devon and those of Robert de Sydeham. Nicholas son of Martin was ordered to take action against the King's enemies in Gloucestershire in 1245, and was allowed to buy in Somerset provisions for his castle of Newport. In 1246 he obtained a grant of a market and fair in South Molton. In 1253 he had orders to attend diligently to the King's affairs while he was abroad, and in 1256 had respite of suit of counties, being in the service of Edward the King's son. In 1257 he had the custody of the castles of Cardigan and Kilgarran, but in that year he was taken prisoner by the Welsh, and his tenants were exhorted by the King to contribute to his ransorn. In the following year he was constable of Carmarthen, and orders were issued that amends were to be made for the injuries inflicted by him on Llewelyn and his men, contrary to the truce. In 1260 he had licence to hold a yearly fair and weekly market at West Lydford, and in 1265 a similar licence for his manor of Combe Martin. In May 1267 he was granted 10 oaks in Melksham Forest, and the next year, being a justice in Surrey, was allowed 50 marks out of the fines of that county for his expenses. Edmund the King's son in 1271 gave him custody of the castles and counties of Carmarthen and Cardigan. In the following year he was on a commission of oyer and terminer for pleas affecting the Bishop of St. David's and his men. In October 1273 he acknowledged that he owed suit to the Earl of Pembroke for his land of Kemeys. Sir Nicholas son of Martin was in 1275 charged with waste in Kilgarran during his custody of it. He took part in person in the Welsh campaign of Edward I in 1277. In 1278 he was one of the justices appointed to hear and determine complaints concerning the Bishop of St. David's in Wales, and in 1279 to take assizes of mort d'ancestor.

The name of his first wife is unknown. He married, 2ndly, in 1259 or 1260, Isabel, widow of Hugh PEVEREL, and granddaughter and coheiress of Ralph FITZWILLIAM, of Brompton Ralph and Withycombe, which Isabel held the manor of Brown in Treborough, a third of the original manor of Withycombe, and other lands. He died early in 1282, an inquisition after his death being taken 22 March 1281/2.  [Complete Peerage VIII:533-5, (transcribed by Dave Utzinger)]