[186a] Mr. T. W. Shore, in an interesting article on “The Roads and Fords of Hampshire.” (“Archæolog. Review,” vol. iii., pp. 89–98), says that all the “Stokes” (a common local name), are connected with “wades,” or fords on streams, probably because they were stockaded. Stockholm, means a staked, or stockaded island. In South America there is a plain called Llano Estacedo, because the tracks across it are marked by stakes. (“Greater Britain,” Sir C. Dilke, p. 75.)
[186b] This was the case with a manorial wood, formerly on the property of the Bishops of Winchester, at Havant, in Hants. (“Archæol. Review,” iii., p. 94), one of the conditions of tenure being, that it should furnish stakes for a “wade-way,” from the main land to Hayling Island, fordable by carts at low water, and stockaded on both sides.
[186c] In connection with this, it is not a little interesting to note that, according to the Hundred Rolls (pp. 317 and 397), quoted Oliver’s “Religious Houses,” (p. 72, note 25), the prioress of Stixwould was accused in the reign of Ed. I., of obstructing the passage of ships on the Witham, “by turfs and faggots” (“turbis et fagotis”); this would probably be by making the ford shallower by sods, and narrower by bundles of stakes or sticks.
[186d] Streatfeild (“Lincolnshire and the Danes,” pp. 147–8,) says “the swampy locality would favour the idea of the stakes,” as originating the name.
[186e] Called by Ingulphus “Patria Girviorum.” (“Hist. Rerum. Anglic.” Vol. i., p. 5, A.D. 716).
[187] The name Siward may not have been confined to one person; but the old chronicler, Ordericus Vitalis (A.D. 1142), tells the following, of the great Earl Waltheof, son of Siward, that he was beheaded (probably being too powerful a Saxon subject to suit the Conqueror), on May 31, 1076, at Winchester, and buried on the spot of his execution. The monks of Croyland, however, begged that his body might be removed to their Abbey; and this was granted and carried out a fortnight after his death. He was then buried in the Chapter House. Sixteen years afterwards, the abbot, Ingulphus, decided to remove the treasured remains from the Chapter House to the Church, and ordered the bones to be first washed with warm water. When the coffin lid was removed, the body was not only found to be as fresh as at the first burial, but the head had become re-united to the body, only a red streak showing the place of severance. The body was re-interred near the high altar with great ceremony, and it is added (and no wonder, after this one miracle) that “miracles were often performed” at the tomb. (“Fenland N. & Q.” 1892, pp. 37–8).
[188] Although nothing is said, so far as we know, of Ivo leaving any progeny, the name of Taillebois survived for some centuries, being represented by men of wealth, large property, and good connections in the county. Their chief seat was South Kyme, where the head of this house succeeded Gilbert de Umfravill, Earl of Angus, and where his descendants were, in turn, succeeded by the Dymokes. In the 15th century their fortunes declined, and by a Close Roll of Henry VII. (9 May, 1494), it is shewn that William Taillebois, then of Baumber, had got into the hands of a London money-lender, and that his estates were handed over to Sir Robert Dymoke, and other creditors, who made him an allowance of £20 a year.
[189a] Judging by the dates, they could hardly have been one and the same lady. This question is fully examined by J. G. Nichols, F.S.A., in “Proceedings of the Archæological Institute,” 1848, who decides in favour of two distinct persons, the latter being mother of William de Romara (temp. Stephen), afterwards Earl of Lincoln.
[189b] From the title, d’ Alencon, it is probable that the name, once not uncommon in this neighbourhood, of Dalyson arose.
[194] Dugdale (“Monasticon,” v., p. 725), says Sir Geoffrey de Ezmondeys gave to Stixwold Priory certain lands at Honington, then called Huntingdon. These lands still belonged to the Priory, temp. Henry VIII. The name is spelt Ermondeys in a second Deed in Dugdale; it is Ermondys in the Hundred Rolls (i. 393). In “Testa de Nevill,” (p. 323) it is abbreviated as “Armets”; while in p. 342 of the same Henry de Armenters is given as owner of the same lands.