23. ST AUBYN

Sampson  Tree

MAUGER DE ST AUBYN (23)

 

MAUGER DE ST AUBYN was the son of Mauger de St Aubyn the elder. The name is given in Latin documents as de Sancto Albino.

Family historians give the date of Mauger’s birth as 1201-1205. He is said to have been born in Georgeham just inland from the cliffs above Woolacombe Bay in North Devon. But there is also a family connection with Henstridge, formerly Hengestridge.  Henstridge lies south of Combe Martin, in the parish of Berrynarbor.

He was born in the reign of King John, the most unpopular monarch in English history. There has never been an English monarch named John since.

 

We do not know who Mauger married.

 

He had one known son, Stephen, said to have been born at Henstridge.

 

Linley and Jim Hooper’s well-researched family website says Mauger was living in the time of 33 Hen III, [1248]. The source of that information is not given, but he may have witnessed a document then.

On 13 June 1249 “Mauger St Aubyn grants Pickwell and ½ knight’s fee in Hamme [Georgeham] to Robert de Pidekwill for his lifetime. Receiving yearly rent of 2s or 1 sore sparrow hawk on Aug 1. To revert to Mauger on the death of Robert with quit of heirs of Robert.”[1]

W. Searley says that Mauger was a wealthy man and something of a money-lender.[2] Bishop Bronescombe’s Register shows that on “23 May 1258 Mauger St Aubyn lends to Bishop Bronescombe 50 marks at Salcombe Regis, payable at St Michael [29 Sep].” This was only two months after Walter Bronescombe’s consecration as Bishop of Exeter. The ceremony could be a lavish and costly occasion.

Quivel’s Register tells us that on 1 Nov 1282, he lent 100 marks to Quivel. Peter Quinel, or de Quivel, became Bishop of Exeter in 1280.

A Feet of Fines, no. 616, 25 November 1261, shows that Mauger de Sancto Albino entered into an arrangement with Maurice de Northwood & Isabella his wife concerning Little Braye in the parish of Charles. Mauger paid them 30 marks of silver.[3]

It is thought that in the same year, 1261, Mauger de St Aubyn made Georgeham the centre of his manorial possessions.

Also in 1261 we hear that on 25 Nov Isabella, widow of Philip, son of Robert de Pydykeswell, remarried to Maurice de Northwood. She sold all her property in Devon to Mauger de Sancto Albino for 30 marks silver.

On 23 Nov 1262, Sir Mauger de Sancto Albino was one of the warrantors to a gift of land made in Exeter.[4]

The 1260s was the time of the Barons’ War, when Simon de Montfort led an unsuccessful rebellion against King Henry III.

In 1270 we hear of Mauger de St Aubyn as patron of Martinhoe church and in 1272 of Georgeham.

It may have been this Mauger or another generation who witnessed a grant by Brother Pascasius the prior and the monks of St. Mary Magdalene, Barnstaple, to William Legrant, of all their land of Foheligcote and Nytherecote, paying 10s. yearly. The deed is undated.[5]

 

Mauger’s death date is unknown.

 

[1] Devon Feet of Fines, 474.
[2] A. W. Searley, “Haccombe, Part I, (1086-1330)”,  Transactions of the Devonshire Association, 1918
[3] www.linleyfh.com
[4] Cornwall Record Office: AR/1/552/1,2
[5] National Archives, Chancery, Ancient Deeds, Series C: C 146/3642