The Meryng Family

Alexander de Meryng

Father: Thomas de Meryng

Mother: Elizabeth (Foun) de Meryng

Married: Agnes (_____) Burdet
Alexander and Agnes were married before 27 January 1374 when a fine refers to "Alexander Meryng' of Radclif' and Agnes, his wife".

Agnes was previously married to John Burdet, with who she appears to have had at least one child, also John, since a fine (Feet of Fines: CP 25/1/291/63) refers to "heirs of the body of Agnes begotten by John Burdet, formerly her husband" and another fine (Feet of Fines: CP 25/1/186/37) lists a John Burdet in a succession of remainders to property bought by Alexander and Agnes.

Children: Occupation: Tax collector.
Alexander was commissioned as one of the tax collectors for Leicestershire on 13 March 1393 (Calendar of the Fine Rolls vol 11 1391-1399 p72), again on 28 May 1398 (Calendar of the Fine Rolls vol 11 1391-1399 p96), on 5 December 1402 (Calendar of the Fine Rolls vol 12 1399-1405 p190) and on 2 March 1404 (Calendar of the Fine Rolls vol 12 1399-1405 p254). On 23 December 1406 he was commissioned as a tax collector for Nottinghamshire (Calendar of the Fine Rolls vol 13 1405-1413 p64).

An example of the commission:
Calendar of the Fine Rolls vol 11 1391-1399 pp71-2 (1929)
1393. March 13.
Westminster.
  Commission to John Kirkeby of Horton, John Sibille, Thomas William, Robert Draper of Ereth, Simon Chyvenyng, John Mowe, Richard de Home, Guy Valence and John Beaufytz, to collect from all cities, boroughs and towns in the county of Kent, and from all secular lords of towns and other lay persons, both great and small, and from all ecclesiastical persons in respect of goods forthcoming from lands acquired by them since 20 Edward I, the moiety of a fifteenth and tenth, payable in full at Midsummer next, which was granted to the king in the Parliament convoked at Winchester in the octave of Hilary last; and order to them to go from town to town and from place to place, and cause to come before them two men and the reeve from every town and the mayor, bailiffs and four men from every city and borough, enjoining on them that they cause the money to be levied and delivered without delay to them (the commissioners) by one or two of the most sufficient men of every such city, town and borough, or else to have the money levied from the men themselves, and answer therefor made to the king in form aforesaid.
  Mittitur in extractis.         By K. and C.
The like to the following in the counties named :
...
Richard de Leycestre, Robert Ulf, Thomas Wyse, William Lathom, John Overton, Hugh de Blaby, and Alexander Meryng; Leicester.

Notes:
Alexander and his wife, Agnes, sold land in Newton to John Samon on 27 January 1374, for 100 marks.
Feet of Fines: CP 25/1/185/34
CP 25/1/185/34, number 454.
LinkImage of document at AALT
County:  Nottinghamshire.
Place:  Westminster.
Date:  Two weeks from St Hilary, 48 Edward III [27 January 1374].
PartiesJohn Samon' of Notyngham, querent, and Alexander Meryng' of Radclif' and Agnes, his wife, deforciants.
Property:  2 messuages, 2 bovates and 4 acres of land and 8 acres of meadow in Neweton'.
Action:  Plea of covenant.
Agreement:  Alexander and Agnes have acknowledged the tenements to be the right of John, as those which he has of their gift, and have remised and quitclaimed them from themselves and the heirs of Agnes to him and his heirs for ever.
Warranty:  Warranty.
For this:  John has given them 100 marks of silver.


A proof of age hearing for Walter Carleton contains interesting information about Alexander, at a wedding on 13 April 1393, at which he was "hit by a spur in his left eye, and lost his sight".
Mapping the Medieval Countryside 21-272
WALTER SON OF THOMAS CARLETON
272 Writ for proof of age. ‡ 26 May 1419. [Wymbyssh]. Teste John, duke of Bedford.
... Thomas Reve, aged 44 years, says that on 13 April 1393 he married his wife Margaret in the church of St. Mary `Crakepole', and on that day Walter was baptized by John Berne, the vicar, who is still alive. ... Thomas Sese, aged 50 years, says that Alexander Meryng at the wedding on 13 April ascending a step below Thomas was hit by a spur in his left eye, and lost his sight.
... C 138/40/54 mm. 6-7

On 28 April 1409, Alexander and Agnes, bought land in Radclyf. The fine gives us the names of their two sons and a daughter.
Feet of Fines: CP 25/1/186/37
CP 25/1/186/37, number 30.
LinkImage of document at AALT
County:  Nottinghamshire.
Place:  Westminster.
Date:  Three weeks from Easter, 10 Henry [IV] [28 April 1409].
PartiesAlexander Meryng' and Agnes, his wife, querents, and Adam Galewey, chaplain, and Thomas Shelford', chaplain, deforciants.
Property:  4 messuages and 6 bovates of land in Radclyf' and Lamcote sup[er] Trentam.
Action:  Plea of covenant.
Agreement:  Alexander and Agnes have acknowledged the tenements to be the right of Thomas, as those which Thomas and Adam have of their gift.
For this:  Adam and Thomas have granted to Alexander and Agnes the tenements and have rendered them to them in the court, to hold to Alexander and Agnes, of the chief lords for the lives of Alexander and Agnes. And after the decease of Alexander and Agnes the tenements shall remain to Thomas, son of the same Alexander and Agnes, and the heirs of his body, to hold of the chief lords for ever. In default of such heirs, successive remainders (1) to William, son of the aforesaid Alexander and Agnes, and the heirs of his body, (2) to John Burdet and the heirs of his body, (3) to Elizabeth, daughter of the aforesaid Alexander and Agnes, and the heirs of her body and (4) to the right heirs of Agnes.


This fine documents that Agnes was previously married to John Burdet.
Feet of Fines: CP 25/1/291/63
CP 25/1/291/63, number 2.
LinkImage of document at AALT
County:  Leicestershire. Nottinghamshire.
Place:  Westminster.
Date:  One week from the Purification of the Blessed Mary, 14 Henry [IV] [9 February 1413]. And afterwards two weeks from Easter, 1 Henry [V] [7 May 1413].
PartiesRobert White, querent, and Alexander Meryng [and] Agnes, his wife, deforciants.
Property:  The manor of Thurshyngton' in the county of Leicester and 1 messuage, 3 tofts, 50 acres of land and 12 acres of meadow in Korthyngstoke in the county of Nottingham.
Action:  Plea of covenant.
Agreement:  Alexander and Agnes have acknowledged the tenements to be the right of Thomas, as those which Thomas and Adam have of their gift.
For this:  Robert has granted to Alexander and Agnes the manor and has rendered it to them in the court, to hold to Alexander and Agnes and the heirs of the body of Agnes begotten by John Burdet, formerly her husband, of the chief lords for ever. In default of such heirs, successive remainders (1) to William Meryng, son of the aforesaid Alexander and Agnes, and the heirs of his body, (2) to [Thomas ..., brother?] of the aforesaid William, [and the heirs] of his body, (3) to Elizabeth, daughter of the aforesaid Agnes, and the heirs of her body and (4) to the right heirs of the aforesaid Agnes. Robert has also [granted] to Alexander and Agnes the tenements and has rendered them to them in the court, [to hold to Alexander and Agnes, of the chief lords] for the life of Agnes. And after the decease of Agnes the tenements [shall remain to the aforesaid? William? Meryng? and Millicent, ...,] and the aforesaid heirs of the same William, to hold of the chief lords [for ever]. In default of such heirs, successive remainders (1) [to John ... ... ... ... ...], (2) to the aforesaid Thomas and his aforesaid heirs, (3) to the aforesaid Elizabeth and her aforesaid heirs and (4) [to the right heirs of the aforesaid] Agnes.


In 1369, Alexander's brother, Francis sold a third of the manor of Little Markham, with some land excepted, to John de Sutton with a series of remainders. When both John and his brother Gilbert died without issue, the manor reverted their sister Katharine, who married John de Tuxford. Alexander claimed, more than 40 years later, that Francis's sale of the manor to John de Sutton was invalid because the manor was entailed, and that he was the rightful owner, leading to a long and complicated lawsuit, which was finally resolved by arbitration. The resolution was that the manor was split between Alexander and his heirs, and John de Tuxford and Katherine and her heirs.
Calendar of the Patent Rolls Edward III 1367-1370 p257 (1913)
1369. June 4.
Westminster.
  Licence, for 2 marks paid to the king by John de Sutton of Houton, for Francis de Meryng to grant to him, Gilbert, his brother, and the heirs of the body of Gilbert, a third part of the manor of Little Markham, held in chief (10 acres of land and 10 acres of pasture therein excepted); with remainders to Katharine Sutton, the younger, and the heirs of her body, and to the right heirs of the said John.

Calendar of Inquisitions Miscellaneous vol 7 1399-1422 pp240-1 (1968)
443.  Fragment of a writ [? de causa capcionis to the escheator in cos. Nottingham and Derby concerning one-third of the manor] of Markham Clinton, [taken] by him into the king’s hand. ...
  Inquisition (indented) taken virtute officii before William Ulkerthorpp, escheator. Nottingham. Saturday, the morrow of the Annunciation 13 Henry IV [1412].
  John de Tuxford and Katherine his wife held one-third of the said manor of the king in chief by service of one-twentieth of a knight’s fee, to them and the heirs of the body of Katherine, with reversion to John de Sutton in fee simple, of the feoffment of Francis de Meryng, and alienated it for her life without licence to Thomas and John the king’s sons, Henry Perepount and Robert de Strelley on Tuesday after the Invention of the Holy Cross 12 Henry IV, to the king’s prejudice and disherison. John de Sutton died without heir, and the said third part falls to the king as an escheat if Katherine should die without heir of her body. It is worth 50s. net yearly. Cf. Calendar of Patent Rolls, 1408-1413, pp. 431-2; Calendar of Close Rolls, 1409-1413, p. 397.
          C. Inq. Misc. File 290 (15).

Calendar of the Patent Rolls Henry IV 1408-1413 pp431-2 (1909)
1412. July 12.
Westminster.
  Commission to the sheriff and escheator in the county of Nottingham to enquire whether John de Sutton of Houton died without heir or has any heir still surviving, and if so who is his heir, and to send their inquisition into Chancery before the quinzaine of Michaelmas. Alexander Meryng before Robert Tirwhit and his fellows, justices, arramed an assize of novel disseisin against John de Tuxford and Katharine his wife touching a tenement in Little Markham, Tuxford, Mylton and Bevercote, complaining that they disseised him of a third part of the manor of Little Markham; and John appearing in person and Katharine by him as her attorney pleaded that one Francis de Meryng was lately seised of the said third part in his demesne as of fee and held it of Edward III by the service of the twentieth part of one knight’s fee and suit at the court of the wapentake of Bassetlowe twice yearly, and by charter granted it, with the exception of 10 acres of land and 10 acres of pasture, to the said John de Sutton and Gilbert his brother and the heirs of the body of Gilbert by licence of Edward III, with successive remainders of the whole third part to Katharine Sutton the younger, now the wife of the said John de Tuxford, and the heirs of her body and the right heirs of John de Sutton, and John de Sutton afterwards died and Gilbert died without heir of his body and Katharine entered on the said third part and is still in possession, and John de Sutton died without heir, by which the king is now seised of the reversion by escheat.

Calendar of the Close Rolls Henry IV 1409-1413 p397 (1932)
1412. Oct. 22.
Westminster.
  Bartholomew Brokesby, of Leycestershire, Thomas Gower of Yorkshire and William Merynge of Notynghamshire to Richard Stanhope knight and John Tuxforde. Recognisance for 500 marks, to be levied etc. in the said counties.
  Condition, that Alexander de Merynge shall abide and perform the award of William lord Roos, William Gascoigne chief justice and Robert Tirwhit one of the king’s justices touching the title and possession of a third part of the manor of Little Markham, whereof a plea is pending before the said Robert and his fellows, justices appointed to take an assize of novel disseisin between the said Alexander and the said John and Katherine his wife, so that the same be made before the octaves of St. Hilary next.
  The said Richard Stanhope and John Tuxforde to the said Alexander. Like recognisance, mutatis mutandis, to be levied etc. in Notynghamshire.
  Like condition, mutatis mutandis

Calendar of the Close Rolls Henry V 1413-1419 pp50-4 (1929)
1414. Feb. 12.
Westminster.
  To Robert Tirwhit and his fellows, justices appointed to take an assize of novel disseisin concerning a third part of the manor of Little Markham with appurtenances in Little Markham, Tuxforde, Mylton, and Bevercote, by Alexander Merynge arraigned against John de Tuxforde and Katharine his wife. Order, upon petition of the plaintiff, to proceed to take that assize, the allegations hereinafter mentioned notwithstanding, so that they proceed not to rendering of judgment without advising the king; as the plaintiff has shewn the king that he arraigned the same by writ of the late king, and that before the said Robert and William Nevylle knight, two justices of assize, William Ludyngton for that king said that the said third part was held of the late king in chief by the service of the twentieth part of one knight’s fee, doing suit at his court of the wapentake of Bassetlowe twice a year, that it was seized into that king’s hand by William Ulcarthorp then escheator in Notynghamshire for that before the date of the original writ of assize, to wit 1 January 13 Henry IV, without that king’s licence the said John made a feoffment thereof to Thomas de Lancastre knight son of that king, John brother of the said Thomas, Henry Pirpount and Robert Strelley and to their heirs, and that the feoffees were thereof seised by virtue of the said feoffment, wherefore he took it that the justices would not proceed without advising the king, craving that the escheator then present in court should be examined, and has shewn that the escheator was examined upon oath, and said that long before Tuesday in the fifth week of Lent 13 Henry IV information was given him that the said third part was held in chief by knight service, and that without licence John de Tuxforde made the feoffment aforesaid, wherefore by virtue of his office, without command or warrant to the sheriff or any bailiff he took an inquisition, that thereby it is found that the same was so held by the service aforesaid, that the said feoffment was made without licence, and that the feoffees were seised by virtue thereof, and said that by virtue of that inquisition on Monday in the said fifth week he seized the same into that king’s hands, and it was then in his hands, and has shewn that John de Tuxforde in person, and the said Katherine by him as her attorney, appeared and said that Francis de Merynge was lately seised of the said third part, and held it of King Edward III by the service aforesaid, doing suit at the said court, and by charter produced, dated Newerke 5 June 43 Edward III, with licence of that king (likewise produced) gave that part, with the exception of 10 acres of land and 10 acres of pasture, to John de Sutton of Houton and Gilbert his brother and to the heirs of Gilbert's body, the licence being dated Westminster 4 June 43 Edward III, with remainder of Katharine Sutton the younger, then wife of the grantor, and to the heirs of her body, remainder to the right heirs of John de Sutton, that by virtue of his gift John de Sutton was thereof seised as of freehold, and Gilbert as of fee tail, that John de Sutton died, and Gilbert died without issue, that the said Katherine entered as in her remainder, and was then in possession jointly with her husband, and that John de Sutton, on whom was settled the remainder in fee simple died without issue, wherefore the late king was then seised of the reversion by escheat, and that the defendant and his wife are tenants in fee tail in her right with reversion to that king, wherefore they took it that the justices would not proceed without advising the king, and has shewn that as to the land and pasture excepted they shewed no cause wherefore the assize ought not to be taken, wherefore it was determined that it should be taken, and as to the allegations of William Ludyngton for the late king, protesting that he did not acknowledge that the said third part was held of the king, or was seized as alleged, the plaintiff said that long before the supposed feoffment he was thereof seised in demesne as of fee tail, until unlawfully and without a judgment disseised by the defendants, that after their disseisin they took the issues and profits until the Tuesday aforesaid, that if any such feoffment was ever made, it was in order to delay him in his suit, that he might have no knowledge of the tenants of the premises, in which case it was of no force in law by the statute, but the defendants ought to be adjudged tenants thereof, all which he was ready to prove, craving judgment, and that the assize should be taken, and as to the defendants’ plea in respect of the third part with the exception aforesaid, he said that long before the said Francis had aught therein John Fawne of Little Markham was thereof seised, and by charter produced, dated Little Markham Monday after Michaelmas 29 Edward III, by name of his manor of Little Markham in Tuxforde, Mylton and Bevercote, gave the same to Adam de Clay then vicar of Whalesby and to his heirs, that by charter produced, dated Little Markham the day of St. Thomas the Apostle 30 Edward III, by name of his manor of Little Markham, that grantee gave the same to Thomas Merynge, by name of Thomas son of John de Merynge, and to Elizabeth his wife and the now plaintiff and to the heirs of the plaintiff’s body, that the said Thomas and Elizabeth were thereof seised as of freehold, and the plaintiff as of fee tail, that Thomas and Elizabeth died so seised, and the plaintiff was seised by virtue of the entail, and continued his estate until the said Francis unlawfully and without a judgment disseised him, that the said Francis after made a feoffment to John de Sutton and Gilbert, that the plaintiff entered upon their possession in the life time of the said Francis, and was thereof seised until the defendants likewise disseised him, and further that John de Sutton died not without issue as the defendants alleged, but had an heir then living, all which he offered to prove, wherefore he craved judgment forasmuch as the matters alleged by the defendants and William Ludyngton were insufficient in law to delay the assize, and has shewn that, process being continued, a day was given before the said justices of assize, and the plaintiff was told to sue with the late king for licence to proceed, if he should think fit, that being further continued to another day, the cause remained without a day because of that king’s death before the day set, that after by virtue of a command of the king the said justices, before whom the plaintiff appeared in person, commanded the sheriff again to summon the recognitors of that assize, and again to attach the defendants, that process being further continued before the said Robert and Thomas Bret knight, two justices of assize, Nicholas Conyngston appeared for the king, and said even as did William Ludyngton, and that the late king died seised of the said third part, and after his death it came to the king’s hands, wherefore he took it that the justices would not proceed without advising the king, and the defendants said (as above recited), that John de Sutton and Gilbert his brother were thereof seised etc. (as above) that the defendants had continued their possession forty years and more without any entry or claim being thereupon made, and said that John de Sutton died without issue, wherefore King Richard II was seised of the reversion by escheat, that the reversion came to the late king for that King Richard demised the ruling of England, that he died thereof seised, and after his death it came to the king’s hands, and so that they were tenants in fee tail with reversion to the king, wherefore they took it that the justices would proceed no further without advising the king, craving aid of the king, and has shewn that as to the land and pasture excepted it was determined that an assize should be taken, and as to the allegation of Nicholas Conyngston, protesting that he did not acknowledge that the said third part was held of the late king, or was seized as alleged, the plaintiff said that the alleged feoffment of Thomas de Lancastre and others, if ever made, was made after the original writ of the assize was obtained, namely 1 January 13 Henry IV, and while that writ was pending, in which case it was of no force in law, and further said that by examination of the escheator it appeared that he took an inquisition without any command or warrant to the then sheriff or any bailiff, and by virtue thereof seized the premises, and that an inquisition so taken was in law insufficient for such seizure for that it was taken without warrant or authority of the law, and was not indented, all which he was ready to prove, craving judgment whether the matter so alleged was sufficient to delay the assize, and that as to the plea of the defendants he said that on Tuesday in the fifth week of Lent aforesaid they pleaded before the late justices, alleging that John de Sutton died without an heir, wherefore the reversion pertained to the late king as an escheat, that he replied that the said John had an heir then living, offering to prove it as the court should determine, and that he was told nevertheless to sue with the late king for licence to proceed, that the parties appeared in chancery, and alleged the matters aforesaid, that at their instance the late king commanded the then sheriff and the escheator to make inquisition and certify in chancery whether John de Sutton died without an heir or had an heir then living, and if so who was his next heir and how, and of what age the heir was, and that it was found by inquisition, taken before Ralph Makerell then sheriff and William Ulcarthorp then escheator, that the deceased had cousins and heirs, namely John de Carleton of Holme then of the age of forty years, son of John de Carleton son of Maud Snell sister of Alice Snell mother of John de Sutton, and Robert Sterke of the age of 22 years and upwards, son of William son of Agnes Snell sister of Alice Snell, which inquisition is now in chancery, and that the plaintiff said further that John de Carleton and Robert Sterke were cousins and heirs of John de Sutton, and were then living, all which he was ready to prove, and has shewn that inasmuch as it was so found that John de Sutton had two heirs living, in which case neither King Richard nor the late king had, nor has the king any right or interest in the said reversion, nor was or is any of them thereof seised, the plaintiff craved judgment whether the defendants ought to be admitted a second time to make allegation that he died without an heir contrary to the allegation of the plaintiff and the content of that inquisition, and that the court should proceed to take the assize those allegations notwithstanding, and that it seemed to the said Robert and Thomas Bret that they ought not to proceed without advising the king, wherefore they have deferred so to do.

Calendar of the Close Rolls Henry V 1413-1419 pp373-4 (1929)
1416. Nov. 21.
Westminster.
  John de Tuxforde to William Meryng of Notynghamshire esquire. Recognisance for 200 marks, to be levied etc. in Notynghamshire.
  Condition, that the said John and Katherine his wife shall keep and perform the award of John de Assheton knight and Nicholas Conyngeston arbitrators chosen on their behalf and Thomas Rempston knight and John Flete on behalf of the said Alexander (sic) touching the title and possession of a third part of the manor of Little Markham with appurtenances in Little Markham, Tuxforde, Milton and Bevercote, concerning which the said Alexander did arraign against them an assize of novel disseisin before Robert Tirwhit and his fellows justices of assize, now determined by his non-suit.
Nov. 20.
Westminster.
  William Meryng (as above) to John de Tuxforde. (Like) recognisance.
  Condition that Alexander Meryng and William Meryng shall keep etc. (as above). 

Calendar of the Patent Rolls Henry V 1416-1422 pp54-5 (1911)
1416. Nov. 21.
Westminster.
  Licence, for 2 marks paid in the hanaper, for John de Tuxford and Katharine his wife to enfeoff William Smyth, vicar of the church of Great Markham, John Reyner, chaplain, William Tuxford, chaplain, and John Kelhome, chaplain, of a third part of the manor of Little Markham with appurtenances in Little Markham, Tuxford, Milton and Bevercote, held of the king in chief, except 10 acres of land and 10 acres of pasture in the same third part, and for them to grant one moiety thereof to Alexander Meryng and William his son and the heirs and assigns of William, and the other moiety to John de Tuxford and Katharine his wife, in tail, with remainder to the said Alexander and William and the heirs of William.

Feet of Fines: CP 25/1/186/38
CP 25/1/186/38, number 6.
LinkImage of document at AALT
County:  Nottinghamshire.
Place:  Westminster.
Date:  One week from St John the Baptist, 5 Henry [V] [1 July 1417]. And afterwards one week from St Hilary in the same year [20 January 1418].
PartiesWilliam Smyth', the vicar of the church of Magna Markham, John Reyner, chaplain, William Tuxford', chaplain, John Kelhome, chaplain, and Alexander Meryng' and William, his son, querents, and John de Tuxford' and Katherine, his wife, deforciants.
Property:  A third part of the manor of Parua Markham in Parua Markham, Tuxford', Mylton' and Beuercote, excepting 10 acres of land and 10 acres of pasture in the third part.
Action:  Plea of covenant.
Agreement:  John de Tuxford' and Katherine have acknowledged the third part to be the right of William, John Reyner, William and John Kelhome, as that which William, John Reyner, William and John Kelhome have of their gift.
For this:  William, John Reyner, William and John Kelhome have granted to Alexander and William, his son, a moiety of the third part, and have rendered it to them in the court, to hold to Alexander and William, his son, and the heirs of William, of the lord king and his heirs for ever. And they have also granted to John de Tuxford' and Katherine the other moiety, and have rendered it to them in the court, to hold to John de Tuxford' and Katherine and the heirs lawfully begotten between them, of the lord king and his heirs for ever. In default of such heirs, the same moiety of the third part shall remain to Alexander and William, his son, and the heirs of William the son, to hold of the lord king and his heirs for ever.
Note:  This agreement was made by the command of the lord king.

The Antiquities of Nottinghamshire pp188-9 (Robert Thoroton, 1677)
  Thomas de Mering, who was Tenant by the Courtesie of England, after the death of Elizabeth his wife, of the third part of the third part of the Mannor of Tuxford, &c. which her Father Peter Foun had by Margery her mother, one of the three daughters of Agnes, one of the three daughters of Robert de Marcham, son of Cecilia, one of the sisters and heirs of Lord Lexington, left a son about 42 E. 3. called Francis de Mering, who was his heir; but it seems he died without issue, because Alexander Mering, another of his sons, had a son called William Lord of this Mannor

The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1386-1421, ed. J.S. Roskell, L. Clark, C. Rawcliffe, 1983, entry for MERYNG, Sir William (d.1449), of Meering, Notts.
This MP’s ancestors are known to have lived at Meering from the reign of Henry II if not before; and both his uncle, Francis, who was escheator of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire in 1397, and his father, Alexander, were actively involved in the business of local government. William himself is first mentioned in January 1408, when he obtained a grant for life from the Crown of dead wood in the forest of Galtres in Yorkshire with which to make charcoal. In the following year his parents conveyed to him a reversionary interest in the land at Radcliffe-on-Trent (Nottinghamshire) which constituted the inheritance of his younger brother, Thomas. His father’s legal affairs were at this time in a somewhat confused state as a result of a protracted dispute with John Tuxford and his wife over property in the Nottinghamshire manor of Little Markham. The Tuxfords had enlisted the support of Sir Richard Stanhope*, one of the most powerful landowners in the area, so in retaliation Alexander and William called upon Sir John Zouche* and Sir John Leek* to help them. Violence was narrowly averted after an abortive ‘love-day’, held in August 1411; and it was only through the timely intervention of William, Lord Roos, that both parties were forced to seek a more peaceful solution. Most of the chief protagonists, including William, were subsequently indicted for various crimes arising from the general mobilization of forces, although the majority secured royal pardons. Meanwhile, in October 1412 the Meryngs offered joint securities of 500 marks to abide the award of Lord Roos and two eminent judges, but all attempts at mediation proved useless, and two years later a special assize had to be arraigned to determine the ownership of the estate, again without much hope of success. However, a grant of royal letters patent in November 1416 permitted an equal division between the rival claimants, clearly in accordance with the terms of another arbitration award by Sir John Assheton II* and Sir Thomas Rempston II* (this time under mutual guarantees of 200 marks and upon the urging of Parliament). Eventually, at the beginning of 1418, a final agreement was reached whereby the Tuxfords entailed their half of the premises upon William and his heirs in the event of a failure of their own issue.3
  Although his father lived on for some years, in possession of estates worth at least £22 p.a. in Nottinghamshire alone, William had already become a figure of consequence in his own right.

Don’t Bring an Army to an Arbitration (England, 1411) p7 (David J. Seipp, 2021)
In 1411, Alexander Meryng and John Tuxford disputed over part of the manor of Little Markham in Nottinghamshire. Tuxford brought in a powerful neighboring landowner, Sir Richard Stanhope, on his side, and in retaliation Meryng enlisted Sir John Zouche and Sir John Leek to help him. The confrontation ended just short of bloodshed. Early in 1412, Meryng then brought an assize of novel disseisin against Tuxford, and this they brought before the assize justices for the Midland circuit, who were still headed by Justice Tyrwhit. In October 1412, while the action was still pending, both sides submitted their dispute to the arbitration of three men. The three arbitrators, just one year after the Wrawby ambush, were Justice Robert Tyrwhit, Chief Justice Gascoigne and William, Lord Ros of Helmsley – that is to say, the two opponents in the October 1411 loveday ambush and their arbitrator. It took four years for these three to complete their arbitration for Meryng and Tuxford, and Meryng had to get a royal order to proceed with the assize. In the end, however, Tyrwhit, Gascoigne and Lord Ros were sufficiently reconciled to agree that the disputed lands should be divided equally between the two parties.

Sources:

Bertram de Meryng

Father: Thomas de Meryng

Notes:
This purchase of the manor of Meryng by Thomas de Meryng and Elizabeth his wife documents the fact that the manor is held to the male heirs of the body of Thomas and Elizabeth with provision made for remainders in the default of such heirs, indicates that Thomas and Elizabeth did not have children at this point, and the three named sons of Thomas (Bertram, Thomas and John), must therefore have been from a previous wife of Thomas's.
Feet of Fines: CP 25/1/185/29
CP 25/1/185/29, number 164.
LinkImage of document at AALT
County:  Nottinghamshire.
Place:  York.
Date:  Three weeks from Easter, 11 Edward III [11 May 1337].
PartiesThomas, son of John de Meryng', the elder* and Elizabeth, his wife, querents, by Nicholas Martel, put in the place of Elizabeth, and Richard de Kelm of Sutton', chaplain, deforciant.
Property:  The manor of Meryng'.
Action:  Plea of covenant.
Agreement:  Thomas has acknowledged the manor to be the right of Richard, as that which Richard has of his gift.
For this:  Richard has granted to Thomas and Elizabeth the manor and has rendered it to them in the court, to hold to Thomas and Elizabeth and the male heirs of their bodies, of the chief lords for ever. In default of such heirs, successive remainders (1) to Bertram, son of the same Thomas, and the male heirs of his body, (2) to Thomas, brother of the same Bertram, and the male heirs of his body, (3) to John, brother of the same Thomas, brother of Bertram, and the male heirs of his body and (4) to the right heirs of Thomas, son of John.
Note:  [* Refers to the son.]

The Antiquities of Nottinghamshire p188 (Robert Thoroton, 1677)
  A Fine was levied at York, 11 E. 3. of the Mannor of Mering, between Thomas the elder son of John de Mering, and Elizabeth his wife, Quer. and Richard de Kelum of Sutton Chaplain, Deforc. whereby it was settled on the said Thomas and Elizabeth, and the heirs Males of their bodies; remainder to Bertram, Thomas and John, sons of the said Thomas, and the heirs Males of theirs successively; remainder to the right heirs of the said Thomas, son of John.

Sources:

Frances de Meryng

Father: Thomas de Meryng

Mother: possibly Elizabeth (Foun) de Meryng, but more likely Thomas's first wife, whose name has not yet been discovered.
Thomas de Meryng had children by two wives, one of whom is unknown, and the second was Elizabeth Foun. It is not documented which was the mother of Frances, but the timing leads me to believe it was the first wife: Frances's daughter, Elizabeth Maulovel, was married to John Stanhope by 1365 (when the manor of Rampton was settled on "John de Stannop, and Elizabeth his wife" (The Antiquities of Nottinghamshire p393)) so it seems to me that Frances must have been born at the very latest by 1335 or so, placing her birth before the document Feet of Fines: CP 25/1/185/2/9 #164, dated 13 May 1337, which indicates that Thomas had, at that date, no male heirs by Elizabeth, although not making any statement about possible female issue. Against this, Robert Thoroton, assigns Frances's mother to be Elizabeth Foun in The Antiquities of Nottinghamshire p381 (Robert Thoroton, 1677)

Married: Stephen Maulovel

Children: Notes:
The History of the Manor of Rampton, in Nottinghamshire printed in Transactions of the Thoroton Society vol 24 (Rev. H. Chadwick, 1920) states that Stephen "married Frances, daughter of Thomas de Mering"

Sources:

Francis de Meryng

Birth: 1343/4
Francis is stated to be 24 years old in Thomas's IPM held in July 1368.

Father: Thomas de Meryng

Mother: Elizabeth (Foun) de Meryng

Occupation: Escheator and tax collector
Francis was appointed escheator of the counties of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire on 21 February 1396 (Calendar of the Fine Rolls vol 11 1391-1399 p198), and we find references to him holding this office in 1397, 1398, 1399, 1400 and 1403.
On 2 March 1404, Francis was commissioned as one of the tax collectors for Nottinghamshire (Calendar of the Fine Rolls vol 12 1399-1405 p257).

Notes:
In 1362, Thomas and Francis sold most of their share of the manor of Tuxford to Robert de Dalderby, retaining the manor of Meering.
List of Inquisitions ad quod damnum part 2 19 Edward III-2 Richard III p524 (1906; reprint 1963)
    36 EDWARD III
15  Thomas de Meryng and Francis his son to grant one-third of one-third of the manor of Tuxford, with appurtenances in Tuxford, Little Markham, Ollerton, Bevercotes, and Carlton by Sutton-on-Trent, to Robert de Dalderby of Lincoln, Roger his son, and William brother of the said Roger, retaining the manor of Meering.

John is stated to be the heir of John Foun, his uncle.
Calendar of the Patent Rolls Edward III 1364-1367 p337 (1912)
1366. Nov. 23.
Westminster.
  Pardon in like terms to Francis Meryng, kinsman and heir of John Foune of Litelmarkham, of his outlawry in the county of York for non-appearance to answer John de Neusom touching a plea that he render 20l.

Francis is stated to be 24 years old , and was the son and heir of Thomas de Meryng in Thomas's IPM held in July 1368.
Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem vol 12 Edward III [1365-1370] p217 (1938)
238. THOMAS DE MERYNG.
   Writ, 7 May, 42 Edward III
NOTTINGHAM. Inq. taken at Retford, Saturday after St. James, 42 Edward III.
  Little Markham.  The site of a messuage, with 40a. land in Little Markham and Tuxford, held by the courtesy of England, of the right and inheritance of Elizabeth his wife, lately deceased, of the king in chief by service of a twentieth part of a knight’s fee. The messuage is worth nothing because it is entirely waste and no profit can be levied therefrom.
  Meryng.  The manor, held to himself and his heirs in his own right, with 10a. land and 5a. meadow, of the duke of Lancaster, as of the honor of Richmond, by knight’s service. The manor within the walls is worth nothing beyond expenses and the maintenance of the houses. He held no other lands &c. in the escheator’s balliwick.
  He died on Monday, 14 February, 42 Edward III. Francis de Meryng, son of Thomas and Elizabeth, aged 24 years and more, is their heir.
          C. Edw. III. File 201. (10.)
            E. Inq. P.M. File 28. (1.)

Calendar of the Close Rolls Edward III 1364-1368 p444 (1910)
1368. Oct. 30.
Westminster.
  To Edmund Savage escheator in Notyngham-shire. Order to take of Francis de Meryng, son of Thomas de Meryng and Elizabeth his wife, security for payment of his relief at the exchequer, and to cause him to have seisin of the site of a messuage in Little Markham and 40 acres of land in the said town and in Tuxford taken into the king’s hand by the death of the said Thomas, but not to meddle further with the manor of Meryng, 10 acres of land and 5 acres of meadow in Meryng likewise taken into the king’s hand; as the king has learned by inquisition, taken by the escheator, that the said Thomas at his death held the premises in Little Markham and Tuxford in chief by knight service by the courtesy of England after the death of the said Elizabeth, and the said manor and premises in Meryng of others than the king, and that the said Francis is next heir as well of the said Thomas as of the said Elizabeth and of full age; and the king has taken his homage and fealty.     By p.s. [27655.]
  Vacated because upon the Fine Roll.

Calendar of the Fine Rolls vol 7 Edward III 1356-1368 p395 (1913)
1368. Oct. 30.
Westminster.
  Order to Edmund Savage, escheator in the county of Nottingham,—pursuant to an inquisition made by him shewing that Thomas de Meryng held in chief by the courtesy of England after the death of Elizabeth, late his wife, the site of a messuage in Little Markham and 40 acres of land in that town and Tuxford, by knight service, and also held the manor of Meryng and 10 acres of land and 5 acres of meadow in Meryng to him and his heirs of others than the king, and that Francis de Meryng, son of the said Thomas and Elizabeth, is their next heir and of full age,—to deliver the premises in Little Markham and Tuxford to the said Francis, as the king has taken his homage and fealty, and to meddle no further with the premises in Meryng.     By p.s. [27655.]

In 1369, Francis sold a third of the manor of Little Markham, with some land excepted, to his brother-in-law, John de Sutton. When both John and his brother Gilbert died without issue, the manor reverted to Francis's wife Katharine and the heirs of her body, but was claimed by Francis's brother, Alexander on Francis's death, leading to a long and complicated lawsuit which is described further in the entry for Alexander.
Calendar of the Patent Rolls Edward III 1367-1370 p257 (1913)
1369. June 4.
Westminster.
  Licence, for 2 marks paid to the king by John de Sutton of Houton, for Francis de Meryng to grant to him, Gilbert, his brother, and the heirs of the body of Gilbert, a third part of the manor of Little Markham, held in chief (10 acres of land and 10 acres of pasture therein excepted); with remainders to Katharine Sutton, the younger, and the heirs of her body, and to the right heirs of the said John.

On 25 February 1394, Francis gave land in Sheepy Magna to the nunnery of Fosse.
Calendar of the Patent Rolls Richard II 1391-1396 p377 (1905)
1394. Feb. 25.
Westminster.
  Licence for the alienation in frank almoin by Francis Meryng of a toft in Great Shepeye and the advowson of a mediety of the church there, not held in chief, to the prioress and convent of Fosse; provided that the vicar is endowed with a sufficient portion and a sum [of money] by the advice of the ordinary is ordained for distribution yearly among the poor parishioners in accordance with the statute of the fifteenth year.    By p.s.
List of Inquisitions ad quod damnum part 2 19 Edward III-2 Richard III p691 (1906; reprint 1963)
    17 RICHARD II
14  Francis de Meryng to grant a toft in Sheepy Magna, and the advowson of half the church there, to the prioress and convent of Fosse, who may appropriate the mediety, the grantors retaining the manor of Meering (Notts.).

The Antiquities of Nottinghamshire pp188-9 (Robert Thoroton, 1677)
  Thomas de Mering, who was Tenant by the Courtesie of England, after the death of Elizabeth his wife, of the third part of the third part of the Mannor of Tuxford, &c. which her Father Peter Foun had by Margery her mother, one of the three daughters of Agnes, one of the three daughters of Robert de Marcham, son of Cecilia, one of the sisters and heirs of Lord Lexington, left a son about 42 E. 3. called Francis de Mering, who was his heir; but it seems he died without issue, because Alexander Mering, another of his sons, had a son called William Lord of this Mannor

Sources:

Idonia (_____) de Meryng

Married: John de Meryng

Children: Notes:
Idonia, was indicted and jailed on 25 July 1316 for the death of her husband, as well as that of Walter de Pettesore and Richard de Eykeryng.
Calendar of the Patent Rolls Edward II 1313-1317 p584 (1898)
1316. July 25.
Westminster.
  Commission to W. de Goushille, R. de Wyleghby and R. de Whatton to deliver the gaol of Nottingham of Idonia, late the wife of John de Mering, detained there for the death of her said husband and of Walter de Pettesore and Richard de Eykeryng killed at Mering, whereof she has been indicted.

In 1327, Idonia, and her sons, Thomas and Robert, were investigated for assaulting John Bozun of Orston.
Calendar of the Patent Rolls Edward III 1327-1330 p220 (1891)
1327. Dec. 6.
Leycestr’.
  Commission of oyer and terminer to Robert de Perepount, Robert Jorz and Richard de Wilughby, on the complaint of John Bozun of Orston that Thomas son of John de Meryng, the elder, Robert, his brother, Idonia de Meryng, and others, assaulted him at Morton, co. Nottingham. By K.

Thomas de Meryng sold his right of reversion in the manor of Polangre, which manor Idonia held in dower, on 30 April 1335. The document identifies Idonie as John's widow.
Feet of Fines: CP 25/1/4/55 #1
CP 25/1/4/55, number 1.
LinkImage of document at AALT
County
Bedfordshire.
Place:  York.
Date:  Two weeks from Easter, 9 Edward III [30 April 1335]. And afterwards one week from St Hilary in the same year [20 January 1336].
PartiesRichard de Wylughby, querent, and Thomas, son of John de Meryng', deforciant.
Property:  The manor of Polangre, which Idonie, who was the wife of John de Meryng', holds in dower.
Action:  Plea of covenant.
Agreement:  Thomas has acknowledged the manor to be the right of Richard, and has granted for himself and his heirs that the manor - which Idonie held in dower of the inheritance of Thomas on the day the agreement was made, and which after the decease of Idonie ought to revert to Thomas and his heirs - after the decease of Idonie shall remain to Richard and his heirs, to hold of the chief lords for ever.
Warranty:  Warranty.
For this:  Richard has given him 100 marks of silver.

Note:  This agreement was made in the presence of Idonie, and she did fealty to Richard in the court.

Sources:

John de Meryng

Father: Robert de Meryng

Married: Idonia _____

Children: Notes:
Calendar of the Close Rolls Edward II 1313-1318 p199 (1893)
1314. Oct. 29.
Ely.
  John de Merynge acknowledges that he owes to the prior of Chikesand 600 marks; to be levied, in default of payment, of his lands and chattels in the counties of Bedford and Nottingham.

Thomas de Meryng sold his right of reversion in the manor of Polangre on 30 April 1335. The document identifies Idonie as John's widow.
Feet of Fines: CP 25/1/4/55 #1
CP 25/1/4/55, number 1.
LinkImage of document at AALT
County
Bedfordshire.
Place:  York.
Date:  Two weeks from Easter, 9 Edward III [30 April 1335]. And afterwards one week from St Hilary in the same year [20 January 1336].
PartiesRichard de Wylughby, querent, and Thomas, son of John de Meryng', deforciant.
Property:  The manor of Polangre, which Idonie, who was the wife of John de Meryng', holds in dower.
Action:  Plea of covenant.
Agreement:  Thomas has acknowledged the manor to be the right of Richard, and has granted for himself and his heirs that the manor - which Idonie held in dower of the inheritance of Thomas on the day the agreement was made, and which after the decease of Idonie ought to revert to Thomas and his heirs - after the decease of Idonie shall remain to Richard and his heirs, to hold of the chief lords for ever.
Warranty:  Warranty.
For this:  Richard has given him 100 marks of silver.

Note:  This agreement was made in the presence of Idonie, and she did fealty to Richard in the court.

The Antiquities of Nottinghamshire p188 (Robert Thoroton, 1677)
  After the said Robert, succeeded John de Mering his son, whose son and heir Thomas married the daughter of Peter Foun of Marcham, who had the custody of the said Thomas under age. Peter Foun had a son and heir called John, who died without issue, and Thomas Mering became his heir in right of his wife.
  Alice, who had been the wife of Nicolas de Widmerpole, and Robert, son of Nicolas de Widmerpole, had a Suit against Sir Thomas, son and heir of John, son of Robert de Mering, 3 E. 3.

Death: before 25 July 1316, in Meering, Nottinghamshire, England.
John's wife, Idonia, was indicted and jailed on 25 July 1316 for the death of her husband, as well as that of Walter de Pettesore and Richard de Eykeryng.
Calendar of the Patent Rolls Edward II 1313-1317 p584 (1898)
1316. July 25.
Westminster.
  Commission to W. de Goushille, R. de Wyleghby and R. de Whatton to deliver the gaol of Nottingham of Idonia, late the wife of John de Mering, detained there for the death of her said husband and of Walter de Pettesore and Richard de Eykeryng killed at Mering, whereof she has been indicted.

A chaplain, Thomas de Bulcote, was also accused of John's death.
Calendar of the Close Rolls Edward III 1330-1333 pp435-6 (1898)
1332. Feb. 6.
Waltham.
  To the sheriff of Nottingham. Order to restore to Thomas de Bulcote, chaplain, all his lands, goods and chattels, which the sheriff took into the king’s hands on his being accused at Notingham before William de Herle and his fellows, justices in eyre in co. Nottingham, of the death of John Meryng’, who was slain at Meryng’, as he has purged his innocence before W. archbishop of York, the ordinary of the place, to whom he was delivered in accordance with the privilege of the clergy.

Other documents relating to Thomas de Bulcote's purgation can be found at York's Archbishops Registers Revealed, Register 9B f.453 (recto) entry 8 and CCR 1330-3, p.435.

In the Feudal Aids of 1316 (Inquisitions and Assessments Relating to Feudal Aids 1284-1431 p104), the lord of the villages of Gretton and Mering is listed as the Bishop of Lincoln and the heirs of John Meryng, confirming John's death by this date.

Sources:

John de Meryng

Father: Thomas de Meryng

Notes:
This purchase of the manor of Meryng by Thomas de Meryng and Elizabeth his wife documents the fact that the manor is held to the male heirs of the body of Thomas and Elizabeth with provision made for remainders in the default of such heirs, indicates that Thomas and Elizabeth did not have children at this point, and the three named sons of Thomas (Bertram, Thomas and John), must therefore have been from a previous wife of Thomas's.
Feet of Fines: CP 25/1/185/29
CP 25/1/185/29, number 164.
LinkImage of document at AALT
County:  Nottinghamshire.
Place:  York.
Date:  Three weeks from Easter, 11 Edward III [11 May 1337].
PartiesThomas, son of John de Meryng', the elder* and Elizabeth, his wife, querents, by Nicholas Martel, put in the place of Elizabeth, and Richard de Kelm of Sutton', chaplain, deforciant.
Property:  The manor of Meryng'.
Action:  Plea of covenant.
Agreement:  Thomas has acknowledged the manor to be the right of Richard, as that which Richard has of his gift.
For this:  Richard has granted to Thomas and Elizabeth the manor and has rendered it to them in the court, to hold to Thomas and Elizabeth and the male heirs of their bodies, of the chief lords for ever. In default of such heirs, successive remainders (1) to Bertram, son of the same Thomas, and the male heirs of his body, (2) to Thomas, brother of the same Bertram, and the male heirs of his body, (3) to John, brother of the same Thomas, brother of Bertram, and the male heirs of his body and (4) to the right heirs of Thomas, son of John.

Note:  [* Refers to the son.]

The Antiquities of Nottinghamshire p188 (Robert Thoroton, 1677)
  A Fine was levied at York, 11 E. 3. of the Mannor of Mering, between Thomas the elder son of John de Mering, and Elizabeth his wife, Quer. and Richard de Kelum of Sutton Chaplain, Deforc. whereby it was settled on the said Thomas and Elizabeth, and the heirs Males of their bodies; remainder to Bertram, Thomas and John, sons of the said Thomas, and the heirs Males of theirs successively; remainder to the right heirs of the said Thomas, son of John.

John is possibly the John de Meryng who is recorded as married to an Emma, in the sale of property in Derbyshire in 1322.
“Pedes Finium” for the County of Derby published in Journal of the Derbyshire Archaeological and Natural History vol 18 p15 (1896)
1322.  York.   Within 3 weeks from S. Michael, 16 Edward II.
  Between Roger de Weston, of Derby Plaintiff (by Peter de Querndon his attorney), and John de Meryng and Emma his wife, Impeding.
  Grant by deforciants on the plea of warranty of charter of 2 messuages and 6s. rent in Derby for which Roger gave to the said John and Emma £20 sterling.  (No. 143.)

Sources:

Robert de Meryng

Children:
Notes:
Forty-Second Annual Report of the Deputy Keeper of the Public Records p612 (1881)
Calendar of Patent Rolls: 1 Edward 1. ...
m. 10d.  Mering (Notts); appointment of John de Oketon’ and Elias de Bekingham to take the jury arraigned by Robert de Mering’ against Robert Fiz-Leue, &c., touching common of pasture in.
m. 6.  Mering’ (Notts); appointment of J. de Oketon and E. de Bekingham to take the jury arraigned by Robert de Mering’ against Radulph Fitz-Leva, &c., touching common of pasture in.

Forty-Fourth Annual Report of the Deputy Keeper of the Public Records p184 (1883)
Calendar of Patent Rolls: 3 Edward 1. ...
m. 7 (48).  Mering (Notts); appointment of Guichard de Charrun and William de Northburgh to take the assise of novel disseisin arraigned by Robert de Mering against Richard bishop of Lincoln and others, touching a tenement in.

m. 4d. (5).3  Mering (Notts); appointment of Guichard de Charrun and William de Northburgh to take the assise of novel disseisin arraigned by Oliver de Louetoft against Robert de Mering’, touching a tenement in.

Robert purchased land in Meering in 1278.
Feet of Fines: CP 25/1/183/14 #18
CP 25/1/183/14, number 18.
LinkImage of document at AALT
County:  Nottinghamshire
.
Place:  Westminster.
Date:  The day after All Souls, 6 Edward I [3 November 1278].
PartiesRobert de Meringe, querent, and Robert de Haringtone and Elizabeth, his wife, impedients.
Property:  1 messuage and a third part of 1 bovate of land in Meringe.
Action:  Plea.
Agreement:  Robert de Harington' and Elizabeth have acknowledged the tenement to be the right of Robert de Meringe, as that which he has of their gift, to hold to Robert de Meringe and his heirs, of the chief lords for ever.
For this:  Robert de Meringe has given them 60 shillings sterling.


Robert de Meringg, knight, was a juror at the IPM of Jordan Folyot on 27 June 1299 (Abstracts of the Inquisitiones Post Mortem Relating to Nottinghamshire vol 2 pp177-8 (ed. John Standish, 1914).

The Antiquities of Nottinghamshire p188 (Robert Thoroton, 1677)
  Robert de Mering, 32 E. 1. claimed the hearing of a Writ, which Guychard de Charun (Lord of Sutton by Mary his wife, one of the co-heirs) procured against him, for services at Mering, due to the said Guichard: but it appeared by the date of the Writ, that it was obtained eight daies before the fault was said to be made, therefore he had nothing by it. But this Guichard, I take upon further consideration to be son of him who married the co-heir, but not by her, as in Sutton may be observed; for I find Sir Robert de Mering, Knight, held of John de Muscam (son of Gilbert and Agnes de Sutton another co-heir) all his Tenements in Mering, by Foreign service; and that the said Robert redeemed the said Service, and Ward of his heirs, of the said John. After the said Robert, succeeded John de Mering his son, whose son and heir Thomas married the daughter of Peter Foun of Marcham, who had the custody of the said Thomas under age. Peter Foun had a son and heir called John, who died without issue, and Thomas Mering became his heir in right of his wife.
  Alice, who had been the wife of Nicolas de Widmerpole, and Robert, son of Nicolas de Widmerpole, had a Suit against Sir Thomas, son and heir of John, son of Robert de Mering, 3 E. 3.

Sources:

Robert de Meryng

Father: John de Meryng

Mother: Idonia (_____) de Meryng

Notes:
In 1327, Robert, his brother Thomas and Idonia, presumably his mother, were investigated for assaulting John Bozun of Orston.
Calendar of the Patent Rolls Edward III 1327-1330 p220 (1891)
1327. Dec. 6.
Leycestr’.
  Commission of oyer and terminer to Robert de Perepount, Robert Jorz and Richard de Wilughby, on the complaint of John Bozun of Orston that Thomas son of John de Meryng, the elder, Robert, his brother, Idonia de Meryng, and others, assaulted him at Morton, co. Nottingham. By K.

Calendar of the Close Rolls Edward III 1339-1341 p103 (1901)
1339. March 23.
Berkhampstead.
  Robert de Meryng of co. Nottingham acknowledges that he owes to Peter de Campo Veteri, prebendary of Southscarle in the church of St. Mary, Lincoln, 125l. 6s. 8d., to be levied, in default of payment, of his lands and chattels in co. Nottingham.
  Robert de Meryng of co. Nottingham acknowledges that he owes to Master Bernard Vinentis, 35l. 6s. 8d.; to be levied as aforesaid.

Robert bought a messuage in Dunham from Rob ert and Alice Clopp on 25 June 1340.
Feet of Fines: CP 25/1/185/30 #216
CP 25/1/185/30, number 216.
LinkImage of document at AALT
County:  Nottinghamshire
.
Place:  Westminster.
Date:  Two weeks from Holy Trinity, 14 Edward III [25 June 1340].
PartiesRobert de Meryng', querent, and Robert Cloppe and Alice, his wife, deforciants..
Property:  1 messuage in Dunham.
Action:  Plea of covenant.
Agreement:  Robert Cloppe and Alice have acknowledged the messuage to be the right of Robert de Meryng', as that which he has of their gift, to hold to Robert de Meryng' and his heirs, of the chief lords for ever.
Warranty:  Warranty by Robert Cloppe and Alice for themselves and the heirs of Alice.
For this:  Robert de Meryng' has given them 10 marks of silver.


Calendar of the Close Rolls Edward III 1341-1343 p246 (1902)
1341. May 26.
Westminster.
  Master Bernard Viventis, puts in his place Richard de Skegnesse to prosecute the execution of a recognisance for 35l. 6s. 8d. made to him in chancery by Robert de Meryng of co. Nottingham.

Calendar of the Close Rolls Edward III 1343-1346 p490 (1904)
1345. Jan. 20.
Westminster.
  Bernard Viventis puts in his place William de Appelton and John de Codyngton the younger, clerks, to prosecute the execution of a recognisance for 35l., made to him in chancery by Robert de Meryng of co. Nottingham.
p544
1345. Feb. 4.
Mortlake.
  Robert de Meryng of co. Nottingham puts in his place John de Weston, clerk, John de Staunton and Robert de Bekyngham to defend the execution of a recognisance for 125l. 6s. 8d. made by him in chancery to Peter de Campo Veteri, prebendary of Suthscarle in the church of St. Mary, Lincoln.

In 1346, Robert in Brittany fought under Thomas Dagworth in the War of the Breton Succession. For his service there, he received a pardon "for all homicides, felonies, robberies and trespasses in England, as well as for bringing in false money called money of Lucenburgh"

French Roll, 20 Edward III printed in Crécy And Calais p111 (George Wrottesley, 1898)
 
m. 1 Hugh de Thoresby, who was going abroad in the King’s service, had letters of protection till the Nativity of St. John the Baptist.
... m. 13. Robert de Merynge, of the County of Nottingham, who was with Thomas de Daggeworth in Brittany, had the same, 20th Oct. [1346]

Calendar of the Patent Rolls Edward III 1345-1348 p481 (1903)
1346. Nov. 20.
By Calais.
  Pardon, at the request of Thomas de Dagworth and for good service in Brittany, to Robert de Merynges of the king’s suit for all homicides, felonies, robberies and trespasses in England, as well as for bringing in false money called money of Lucenburgh and any other false money, whereof he is appealed, and of any consequent outlawries.     By K.

Calendar of the Patent Rolls Edward III 1348-1350 p24 (1905)
1348. Feb. 19.
Westminster.
  Pardon, for good service in Brittany, to Robert de Meryng of the king’s suit for any homicides, felonies, robberies and trespasses in England before 20 November, in his twentieth year, and of any consequent outlawries.     By p.s.

Sources:

Thomas de Meryng

Father: John de Meryng

Mother: Idonia (_____) de Meryng

Married (1st): _____ _____

Children: Married (2nd): Elizabeth Foun
This marriage had occurred by 11 May 1337, when a fine (Feet of Fines: CP 25/1/185/2/9 #164) documents Elizabeth of Thomas's wife, and names Bertram, Thomas and John as existing sons of Thomas. The IPM of Elizabeth's brother, John, in 1358, states that Thomas and Elizabeth married "30 years ago", putting the marriage in 1327/8, but since the same document lists Elizabeth as "aged 40 years and more", Elizabeth may have been very young at this marriage date.

Elizabeth was born about 1318 - the IPM of her brother in 1358 states that she is aged 40 years and more. She was the daughter of Peter Foun and Margery.
Elizabeth inherited land from her brother, John Foun, on John's death in 1358.
Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem vol 10 Edward III [1352-1361] p336 (1921)
421. JOHN FOUN.
   Writ, 7 May, 32 Edward III
NOTTINGHAM. Inq. taken at Tuxford, 13 May, 32 Edward III.
  Tuxford and Markham.  A messuage &c., 60a. arable, 8a. meadow and 13s. rent of free tenants held of the king in chief by knight’s service.
  Tuxford.  6a. land and 6a. wood all thrown down and wasted held of Thomas de Bekeryngge by service of 3s.
  He died on Thursday the feast of the Invention of the Holy Cross last. Elizabeth his sister, aged 40 years and more, is his heir, married 30 years ago to Thomas de Meryng.
          C. Edw. III. File 139. (14.)

Calendar of the Fine Rolls Edward III 1356-1368 p65 (1913)
1358. May 18.
Westminster.
  Order to Philip de Lutteleye, escheator in the county of Nottingham, to deliver to Thomas de Meryng and Elizabeth, his wife, sister and heir of John Foun, the lands late of the said John; as the king has taken his homage.     By p.s. [23833.] 

The Antiquities of Nottinghamshire p382 (Robert Thoroton, 1677)
  This Mannor of Tuxford was divided into three parts, by the forenamed three daughters and heirs of Robert de Marcham,
... The third share which Agnes de Sancta Cruce had, was likewise divided into three more parcels, she having three daughters married, and two twins Cecily and Margaret born sixteen or seventeen years after the last of the former three, which twins I suppose died unmarried. Joan the eldest was first married to John de Bayeux, and after to Robert de Hakthorne; Margery the second to Peter Foun, who had issue John his son and heir, but he had no Child, so that Elizabeth his sister, wife of Thomas de Mering, 32 E. 3. was found heir of her brother the said John Foun. And Elizabeth, the third daughter of the said Agnes, was married to John Barkworth, Knight, who, 28 E. 3. left that share to John Barkeworth his son and heir.

Elizabeth died shortly before Thomas, who died on on 14 February 1368(9), as Thomas's IPM refers to the "inheritance of Elizabeth his wife, lately deceased".

Children: Notes:
After the death of his father, Thomas, still a minor, was in the custody of Peter de Foun, whose daughter he would eventually marry.
The Antiquities of Nottinghamshire pp188-9 (Robert Thoroton, 1677)
  After the said Robert, succeeded John de Mering his son, whose son and heir Thomas married the daughter of Peter Foun of Marcham, who had the custody of the said Thomas under age. Peter Foun had a son and heir called John, who died without issue, and Thomas Mering became his heir in right of his wife.
  Alice, who had been the wife of Nicolas de Widmerpole, and Robert, son of Nicolas de Widmerpole, had a Suit against Sir Thomas, son and heir of John, son of Robert de Mering, 3 E. 3.
  A Fine was levied at York, 11 E. 3. of the Mannor of Mering, between Thomas the elder son of John de Mering, and Elizabeth his wife, Quer. and Richard de Kelum of Sutton Chaplain, Deforc. whereby it was settled on the said Thomas and Elizabeth, and the heirs Males of their bodies; remainder to Bertram, Thomas and John, sons of the said Thomas, and the heirs Males of theirs successively; remainder to the right heirs of the said Thomas, son of John.
  Thomas de Mering, who was Tenant by the Courtesie of England, after the death of Elizabeth his wife, of the third part of the third part of the Mannor of Tuxford, &c. which her Father Peter Foun had by Margery her mother, one of the three daughters of Agnes, one of the three daughters of Robert de Marcham, son of Cecilia, one of the sisters and heirs of Lord Lexington, left a son about 42 E. 3. called Francis de Mering, who was his heir; but it seems he died without issue, because Alexander Mering, another of his sons, had a son called William Lord of this Mannor

In 1327, Thomas, his brother Robert and Idonia, presumably his mother, were investigated for assaulting John Bozun of Orston.
Calendar of the Patent Rolls Edward III 1327-1330 p220 (1891)
1327. Dec. 6.
Leycestr’.
  Commission of oyer and terminer to Robert de Perepount, Robert Jorz and Richard de Wilughby, on the complaint of John Bozun of Orston that Thomas son of John de Meryng, the elder, Robert, his brother, Idonia de Meryng, and others, assaulted him at Morton, co. Nottingham. By K.

Thomas sold his right of reversion in the manor of Polangre on 30 April 1335. The document names the widow of his father, presumably Thomas's mother, as Idonie.
Feet of Fines: CP 25/1/4/55 #1
CP 25/1/4/55, number 1.
LinkImage of document at AALT
County
Bedfordshire.
Place:  York.
Date:  Two weeks from Easter, 9 Edward III [30 April 1335]. And afterwards one week from St Hilary in the same year [20 January 1336].
PartiesRichard de Wylughby, querent, and Thomas, son of John de Meryng', deforciant.
Property:  The manor of Polangre, which Idonie, who was the wife of John de Meryng', holds in dower.
Action:  Plea of covenant.
Agreement:  Thomas has acknowledged the manor to be the right of Richard, and has granted for himself and his heirs that the manor - which Idonie held in dower of the inheritance of Thomas on the day the agreement was made, and which after the decease of Idonie ought to revert to Thomas and his heirs - after the decease of Idonie shall remain to Richard and his heirs, to hold of the chief lords for ever.
Warranty:  Warranty.
For this:  Richard has given him 100 marks of silver.

Note:  This agreement was made in the presence of Idonie, and she did fealty to Richard in the court.

This purchase of the manor of Meryng by Thomas de Meryng and Elizabeth his wife documents Thomas's father, and the fact that the manor is held to the male heirs of the body of Thomas and Elizabeth with provision made for remainders in the default of such heirs, indicates that Thomas and Elizabeth did not have children at this point, and the three named sons of Thomas (Bertram, Thomas and John), must therefore have been from a previous wife of Thomas's.
Feet of Fines: CP 25/1/185/29 #164
CP 25/1/185/29, number 164.
LinkImage of document at AALT
County:  Nottinghamshire.
Place:  York.
Date:  Three weeks from Easter, 11 Edward III [11 May 1337].
PartiesThomas, son of John de Meryng', the elder* and Elizabeth, his wife, querents, by Nicholas Martel, put in the place of Elizabeth, and Richard de Kelm of Sutton', chaplain, deforciant.
Property:  The manor of Meryng'.
Action:  Plea of covenant.
Agreement:  Thomas has acknowledged the manor to be the right of Richard, as that which Richard has of his gift.
For this:  Richard has granted to Thomas and Elizabeth the manor and has rendered it to them in the court, to hold to Thomas and Elizabeth and the male heirs of their bodies, of the chief lords for ever. In default of such heirs, successive remainders (1) to Bertram, son of the same Thomas, and the male heirs of his body, (2) to Thomas, brother of the same Bertram, and the male heirs of his body, (3) to John, brother of the same Thomas, brother of Bertram, and the male heirs of his body and (4) to the right heirs of Thomas, son of John.

Note:  [* Refers to the son.]

The extent taken for the IPM of John Lungvillers in 1361 documents that Thomas was one of the parceners (co-inheritors) of the manor of Tuxford.
Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem vol 11 Edward III 1361-1365 pp89-92 (1935)
117. JOHN DE LUNGEVILLERS, knight
   Writ,16 March, 35 Edward III
NOTTINGHAM. Inq. taken at Hoghton, 20 April, 35 Edward III.
  Tuxford.  A messuage, a ruined dovecot, a carucate of land, 5a. meadow, 17s. 3½d. rent of free tenants and a third part of 1lb. pepper, 20s. rent of bondmen, 8l. rent of tenants at will, and pleas &c. of court worth 5s. yearly, held of the king in chief by service of a third part of half a knight’s fee, and charged with yearly rents of 5 marks to a chaplain celebrating in the church of Tuxford and 3s. 11½d. to John de Bekeryng.
...
NOTTINGHAMExtent made before Robert de Morton, Richard de Pensax and John de Whetley at Retford, Saturday after Ascension day, 35 Edward HI (much defaced and stained with gall).
  Tuxford.  A third part of the manor (extent given), held of the king in chief, by service of a third part of half a knight’s fee, in conjunction with John de Bekeryng, Richard de . . ., knight, Thomas de Meryng and Edward Louftoft, parceners of the other two parts of the manor. There is a weekly market on Monday and a yearly fair on the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. Charges as in the preceding Nottingham inquisition; the rent of 3s. 11½d. to John de Bekeryng is from certain tofts &c. in the extent.

In 1362, Thomas sold most of his share of the manor of Tuxford to Robert de Dalderby, retaining the manor of Meering.
List of Inquisitions ad quod damnum part 2 19 Edward III-2 Richard III p524 (1906; reprint 1963)
    36 EDWARD III
15  Thomas de Meryng and Francis his son to grant one-third of one-third of the manor of Tuxford, with appurtenances in Tuxford, Little Markham, Ollerton, Bevercotes, and Carlton by Sutton-on-Trent, to Robert de Dalderby of Lincoln, Roger his son, and William brother of the said Roger, retaining the manor of Meering.

Death: 14 February 1367(8)

Probate:
Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem vol 12 Edward III [1365-1370] p217 (1938)
238. THOMAS DE MERYNG.
   Writ, 7 May, 42 Edward III
NOTTINGHAM. Inq. taken at Retford, Saturday after St. James, 42 Edward III.
  Little Markham.  The site of a messuage, with 40a. land in Little Markham and Tuxford, held by the courtesy of England, of the right and inheritance of Elizabeth his wife, lately deceased, of the king in chief by service of a twentieth part of a knight’s fee. The messuage is worth nothing because it is entirely waste and no profit can be levied therefrom.
  Meryng.  The manor, held to himself and his heirs in his own right, with 10a. land and 5a. meadow, of the duke of Lancaster, as of the honor of Richmond, by knight’s service. The manor within the walls is worth nothing beyond expenses and the maintenance of the houses. He held no other lands &c. in the escheator’s balliwick.
  He died on Monday, 14 February, 42 Edward III. Francis de Meryng, son of Thomas and Elizabeth, aged 24 years and more, is their heir.
          C. Edw. III. File 201. (10.)
            E. Inq. P.M. File 28. (1.)

Calendar of the Close Rolls Edward III 1364-1368 p444 (1910)
1368. Oct. 30.
Westminster.
  To Edmund Savage escheator in Notyngham-shire. Order to take of Francis de Meryng, son of Thomas de Meryng and Elizabeth his wife, security for payment of his relief at the exchequer, and to cause him to have seisin of the site of a messuage in Little Markham and 40 acres of land in the said town and in Tuxford taken into the king’s hand by the death of the said Thomas, but not to meddle further with the manor of Meryng, 10 acres of land and 5 acres of meadow in Meryng likewise taken into the king’s hand; as the king has learned by inquisition, taken by the escheator, that the said Thomas at his death held the premises in Little Markham and Tuxford in chief by knight service by the courtesy of England after the death of the said Elizabeth, and the said manor and premises in Meryng of others than the king, and that the said Francis is next heir as well of the said Thomas as of the said Elizabeth and of full age; and the king has taken his homage and fealty.     By p.s. [27655.]
  Vacated because upon the Fine Roll.

Calendar of the Fine Rolls vol 7 Edward III 1356-1368 p395 (1913)
1368. Oct. 30.
Westminster.
  Order to Edmund Savage, escheator in the county of Nottingham,—pursuant to an inquisition made by him shewing that Thomas de Meryng held in chief by the courtesy of England after the death of Elizabeth, late his wife, the site of a messuage in Little Markham and 40 acres of land in that town and Tuxford, by knight service, and also held the manor of Meryng and 10 acres of land and 5 acres of meadow in Meryng to him and his heirs of others than the king, and that Francis de Meryng, son of the said Thomas and Elizabeth, is their next heir and of full age,—to deliver the premises in Little Markham and Tuxford to the said Francis, as the king has taken his homage and fealty, and to meddle no further with the premises in Meryng.     By p.s. [27655.]

Sources:

Thomas de Meryng

Father: Thomas de Meryng

Notes:
This purchase of the manor of Meryng by Thomas de Meryng, the elder, and Elizabeth his wife documents the fact that the manor is held to the male heirs of the body of Thomas and Elizabeth with provision made for remainders in the default of such heirs, indicates that Thomas and Elizabeth did not have children at this point, and the three named sons of Thomas (Bertram, Thomas and John), must therefore have been from a previous wife of Thomas's.
Feet of Fines: CP 25/1/185/29
CP 25/1/185/29, number 164.
LinkImage of document at AALT
County:  Nottinghamshire.
Place:  York.
Date:  Three weeks from Easter, 11 Edward III [11 May 1337].
PartiesThomas, son of John de Meryng', the elder* and Elizabeth, his wife, querents, by Nicholas Martel, put in the place of Elizabeth, and Richard de Kelm of Sutton', chaplain, deforciant.
Property:  The manor of Meryng'.
Action:  Plea of covenant.
Agreement:  Thomas has acknowledged the manor to be the right of Richard, as that which Richard has of his gift.
For this:  Richard has granted to Thomas and Elizabeth the manor and has rendered it to them in the court, to hold to Thomas and Elizabeth and the male heirs of their bodies, of the chief lords for ever. In default of such heirs, successive remainders (1) to Bertram, son of the same Thomas, and the male heirs of his body, (2) to Thomas, brother of the same Bertram, and the male heirs of his body, (3) to John, brother of the same Thomas, brother of Bertram, and the male heirs of his body and (4) to the right heirs of Thomas, son of John.

Note:  [* Refers to the son.]

The Antiquities of Nottinghamshire p188 (Robert Thoroton, 1677)
  A Fine was levied at York, 11 E. 3. of the Mannor of Mering, between Thomas the elder son of John de Mering, and Elizabeth his wife, Quer. and Richard de Kelum of Sutton Chaplain, Deforc. whereby it was settled on the said Thomas and Elizabeth, and the heirs Males of their bodies; remainder to Bertram, Thomas and John, sons of the said Thomas, and the heirs Males of theirs successively; remainder to the right heirs of the said Thomas, son of John.

Sources:
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