[345] See ‘Feudal England,’ pp. 516–518.
[346] Morant’s Essex, i. 331 note. Morant gives no reference for this early and interesting charter, but I have lately been fortunate enough to find it in Lansd. MS. fo. 170, where it is transcribed among some local records from “Placita corone, 13 Edw. I.” It must, therefore, have been produced in 1284–5.
[347] Son of the earl of Arundel.
[348] MS. Hargrave 313, fo. 44 d (pencil).
[349] Selden Society publications, iv. 17.
[350] See also ‘Feudal England.’ Mr. Oman, of course, questions my theory; but scholars, I understand, accept it (see pp. 56–7 above).
[351] See also my paper on “The Barons of the Naas” in ‘Genealogist.’
[352] 14th March, 1895.
[353] Book of Howth (Carew Papers), p. 23. It would be of great interest to the genealogical student to connect these Fitz Urses of Ulster with the English family of the name, one of whom, Reginald, was among the murderers of Becket (cf. ‘Geoffrey de Mandeville,’ p. 53). Proof may be found, I think, among the charters of Stoke Curcy Priory, Somerset, now at Eton (9th Report Hist. MSS., i. p. 353). The Fitz Urses and De Curcis are found together among the Priory’s benefactors, and William de Curci is the first witness to a charter of Reginald Fitz Urse. We further find (Ibid.) a charter of William de Curci, to which “John de Curci, Jordan de Curci” are witnessed. As the conqueror of Ulster had a brother Jordan who was slain by the Irish, it is probable that he may be found in this John de Curci, and his provenance thus established. It is probable, therefore, that he was followed by Fitz Urse to Ulster from Somerset, and possibly even by Russell (Ibid. pp. 354 a, b).
[354] This was written some years ago.