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The '''Manor of Monkleigh''' was a mediaeval ] centred on the village of ] in North Devon, England, situated 2 1/2 miles north-west of ] and 3 1/2 miles south-east of ]. ]
The '''Manor of Monkleigh''' was a mediaeval ] centred on the village of ] in North Devon, England, situated 2 1/2 miles north-west of ] and 3 1/2 miles south-east of ].


==Descent of the manor== ==Descent of the manor==
The ] of 1086 records Monkleigh as ''Lege'', the ninth of the 79 holdings in Devon as ], of ] ({{circa|1031}}&ndash;1090) the half-brother of ]. His tenant at Monkleigh was a certain ''Alured'', modernised to Alfred.<ref>Not with adequate certainty identified as ''Alueredus Pincerna'' of Exon Domesday Book ("Alfred the Butler"), the Count's butler and his tenant of the nearby manor of ]</ref> Before the ] of 1066 it was held by the Saxon ''Ordulf'', modernised as "Ordwulf".<ref>Thorn, Caroline & Frank, (eds.) Domesday Book, (Morris, John, gen.ed.) Vol. 9, Devon, Parts 1 & 2, Phillimore Press, Chichester, 1985, part 1, chap.15,9</ref> The ] of 1086 records Monkleigh as ''Lege'', the ninth of the 79 holdings in Devon as ], of ] ({{circa|1031}}&ndash;1090) the half-brother of ]. His tenant at Monkleigh was a certain ''Alured'', modernised to Alfred. Before the ] of 1066 it was held by the Saxon ''Ordulf'', thought to represent the Anglo-Saxon name "Ordwulf".<ref>Thorn, part 1, chap. 15, 9</ref>


During the reign of King ] (1135-1154) the manor of Monkleigh was held by ''Alueredus Pincerna'' ("Alfred the Butler"), formerly the ] of the Count of Mortain, his ].<ref>Thorn, part 2, 15,9; 15,16</ref> It is not certain whether the two Alfreds of 1086 were the same person, but in 1086 Alfred the Butler held the nearby manor of ] from the Count, as listed in the Exon Domesday Book.<ref>Thorn, part 2, 15,16</ref> During the reign of King Stephen (1135-1154) Alfred the Butler granted Monkleigh, together with his other estates of Frizenham (in the parish of ]<ref>Thorn, part 2, chap. 15,32</ref>) and Densham (in the parish of ]<ref>Thorn, part 2, chap. 15,31</ref>), to ]<ref>Thorn, part 2, chap.15,9; ], Survey of Devon, 1811 edition, p.276</ref> in Somerset. ], Devon, was also originally known as "Leigh", which acquired the prefix "Canons" after it was donated as a religious foundation to the ] ].<ref>See ]</ref> During the reign of King ] (1135–1154) the manor of Monkleigh was granted by its then holder "Alfred the Butler", together with his other estates of Frizenham (in the parish of ].<ref>Thorn, part 2, chap. 15,32</ref>) and Densham (in the parish of ]<ref>Thorn, part 2, chap. 15,31</ref>), to ].<ref>Thorn, part 2, chap. 15,9</ref><ref name="Risdon p. 276">Risdon, p. 276</ref>


===Coffin=== ===Coffin===
{{multiple image
⚫ {{double image|right|CoffinOfMonkleighArms.PNG|150|CoffinArmsMonkleighChurchDevon.JPG|135|Arms of Coffin family, lords of the manor of Monkleigh: ''Azure, three ]s between eight ] or'', and '''right''' as seen on 16th century Coffin mural monument in Monkleigh Church, with a crest of a bird of some variety}}
| align = right
⚫ ] (d.1570) in ] Church) surrounded by heraldic escutcheons depicting the arms of Coffin: ''Azure, three bezants between eight crosses crosslet or'']]
| image1 = CoffinOfMonkleighArms.PNG
⚫ ]
| width1 = 150
Following the ], a ] of the manor of Monkleigh was granted by the crown ''gratis'' on 26 August 1540 for the term of their lives to James Coffyn of ] and Anne his wife<ref>Youings, Joyce, Devon Monastic Lands: Calendar of Particulars for Grants 1536-1558, Devon & Cornwall Record Society, New Series, Vol.1,pp.39-41 </ref> It was valued at £21 11s 6d per annum, but unusually no charge was made for the grant. As is recorded in the text of the royal grant Anne was the widow of Sir George St Leger of ],<ref>As stated in m.2of Grant no.45 listed in Youings, p.39</ref> the chief estate within the manor of Monkleigh. The ]s of Devon suggest she was the daughter of Sir William Chudleigh (d.1515) of the branch of that family seated at ]<ref>Vivian, Lt.Col. J.L., (Ed.) The Visitation of the County of Devon: Comprising the Heralds' Visitations of 1531, 1564 & 1620, Exeter, 1895; p.209, pedigree of Coffin of ], Alwington; p.189, pedigree of Chudleigh, where "Anna" is described as ''uxor 1 Jacobi Coffyn de Portlege'' ("wife 1 of James Coffin of Portledge" (Alwington)); Risdon, p.131, Ashton</ref> in the valley of the ] near ].<ref>"Hard by the Teign saluteth Ashton...came to that great lineage of the Chudleighs...", Risdon, p.131</ref>
| alt1 =
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| image2 = CoffinArmsMonkleighChurchDevon.JPG
| width2 = 135
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⚫ | footer = Arms of Coffin family, lords of the manor of Monkleigh: ''Azure, three ]s between eight ] or'', and '''right''' as seen on 16th century Coffin mural monument in Monkleigh Church, with a crest of a bird of some variety
}}
⚫ ]
⚫ ]
Following the ], a ] of the manor of Monkleigh was granted by the crown ''gratis'' on 26 August 1540 to James Coffyn of ] and Anne his wife for the term of her life.<ref>Youings, pp. 39–41</ref> It was valued at £21 11s 6d per annum, but unusually no charge was made for the grant. As is recorded in the text of the royal grant Anne was the widow of Sir George St Leger of ],<ref>Youings, p.39</ref> the chief estate within the manor of Monkleigh.


James Coffin was the second son of John Coffin of ], in the parish of ]. He was still living in 1551 when he was mentioned in the will of his eldest brother Richard V Coffin (d.1555) of Portledge. The Coffin family is one of the most ancient of Devon families. ] (d.1640) stated: "Alwington...the manor whereof hath been in the name of Coffin even from ]".<ref>Risdon, p.243</ref> The ] of Devon commences the family's pedigree in the reign of King ] (1154-1189).<ref>Vivian, p.208</ref> James Coffin was the second son of John Coffin of ], in the parish of ]. He was still living in 1551 when he was mentioned in the will of his eldest brother Richard Coffin (died 1555) of Portledge. The Coffin family is one of the most ancient of Devon families. ] (died 1640) stated: "Alwington...the manor whereof hath been in the name of Coffin even from ]".<ref>Risdon, p. 243</ref>


On 11 June 1544 the crown granted the manor of Monkleigh, subject to the life interest of James Coffin and his wife, to Sir John Fulford of Dunsford and Humphrey Colles of Barton, Somerset, along with other grants of property. For Monkleigh manor they were charged £194 3s 4d, representing 10 ] of its annual value. They were also granted Monkleigh Woods for £29 13s 6d, representing 20 ]<ref>Youings, p.39, Grant no 45, membrane 3</ref> Fulford and Coles paid the purchase price in full on 2 June 1544 and just one week later obtained royal ] to James Coffin of Alwington, the life tenant.<ref>Youings, p.41, Grant 45, quoting Letters & Papers of Henry VIII, xix, part 1, 506</ref> On 11 June 1544 the crown granted the manor of Monkleigh, subject to the life interest of James Coffin and his wife, to Sir John Fulford of Dunsford and Humphrey Colles of Barton, Somerset, along with other grants of property. For Monkleigh manor they were charged £194 3s 4d, representing 10 ] of its annual value. They were also granted Monkleigh Woods for £29 13s 6d, representing 20 ]<ref>Youings, p. 39<!--- Grant no 45, membrane 3---></ref> Fulford and Coles paid the purchase price in full on 2 June 1544 and just one week later obtained royal ] to James Coffin of Alwington, the life tenant.<ref>Youings, p.41, Grant 45<!---- quoting Letters & Papers of Henry VIII, xix, part 1, 506---></ref>


A small ] of a kneeling knight exists in Monkleigh Church high up on the north wall of the chancel, affixed to a stone tablet on which are sculpted several heraldic escutcheons of the arms of Coffin (''Azure, three bezants between eight crosses crosslet or''<ref>Vivian, p.208</ref>) impaling arms of their heiresses. Pevsner suggests a date for the brass of 16th. century and that the stone tablet on which it is now affixed was originally part of a now lost 16th. century monument.<ref>] & Cherry, Bridget, The Buildings of England: Devon, London, 2004, p.573</ref> A small ] of a kneeling knight exists in Monkleigh Church high up on the north wall of the chancel, affixed to a stone tablet on which are sculpted several heraldic escutcheons of the arms of Coffin (''Azure, three bezants between eight crosses crosslet or'')<ref name="Vivian p. 208">Vivian, p. 208</ref> impaling arms of their heiresses. Pevsner suggests a date for the brass of 16th. century and that the stone tablet on which it is now affixed was originally part of a now lost 16th. century monument.<ref name="Pevsner p. 573">Pevsner, Cherry, p. 573</ref>


⚫ [[File:JaneCoffyn1646 MonkleighChurchDevon.JPG|thumb|Inscribed slate mural monument to Jane Coffyn (died 1646), Monkleigh Church, west wall of north transept. Inscription: "Resurgimus" (we will rise again) "Jane the eldest childe of John Coffyn Esqr wife of Hugh Prust, gent, 13 Mons" "who w(i)th her chrisome son(n)e was buried nere this place the first of July 1646".<br>
James Coffin left no male progeny by his wife Anne, only a daughter Jacquet, who married George Basset of ], Cornwall.<ref>Vivian, p.208-9</ref> Although the descendants of his elder brother, Richard V Coffin (d.1555) of Portledge, continued to be baptised and married in Alwington Church, his third son James Coffin (d.1566) "of Marsh", (whose wife's name was Elizabeth, whom he married in 1560,<ref>Details of wife given to avoid confusion with James I Coffin</ref>) was buried in Monkleigh Church.<ref>Vivian, p.209</ref>
⚫ "A mayde a wife in wife and right accord,<br>
⚫ She liv'd she di'd true servant of the Lord.<br>
⚫ Aetatis suae 27" (of her age 27). At the top is a heraldic ] showing the arms of Prust ] the arms of Coffyn.{{#tag:ref|These are not the arms of Coffyn given in the ] of Devon,<ref name="Vivian p. 208" /> but are shown again on the monument opposite to Jane's sister Elizabeth Gay. When a family or branch of a family changes to new arms, they are referred to as "ancient" and "modern" (see e.g. ] for the 14th century change in those arms)|group="nb"}}]]
⚫ The next member of the Coffin family recorded by the ] of Devon to have a connection with Monkleigh Church is John Coffin (1593–1622) of Portledge. John was Richard Coffin's great-grandson.<ref>Vivian, pp. 209–210</ref> Three of John's daughters were married in Monkleigh Church, between 1645 and 1657.<ref name="Vivian p. 210">Vivian, p. 210</ref> A mural monument exists in Monkleigh Church, in the north transept, to his eldest daughter Jane Coffin (1593–1646),<ref>Pevsner, p.573.<!---: "Monuments: ... Jane Coffin +1646, a reclining figure with baby, very delicately drawn"--></ref> who in 1645, aged 26, married in Monkleigh Church to Hugh Prust<ref>Vivian, p.210.<!--- pedigree of Coffin: "bap 30 Sep 1618...mar. 19 May 1645 at Monkleigh to Hugh Prust; also text on her monument---></ref> (1614–1650)<ref>Vivian, p.630<!---- pedigree of Prust: "bapt. 27 Feb 1613-14 at Bideford...buried Sept 1650 at Monkleigh---></ref> of Annery,{{citation needed|reason="buried Sept 1650 at Monkleigh", parish church of Annery; his will dated 27 Aug 1650 is available at the National Archives which should clarify he was "of Annery" isn't citation info - have will or source of info about the burial?|date=July 2013}} within the parish of Monkleigh. She died the next year, as her mural monument records,{{citation needed|reason=See transcript & photo of her mural monument; Vivian also confirms - have the page number for Vivian?|date=July 2013}} and her husband died five years later without children,<ref>Vivian, p. 630<!---: ob.s.p. (obiit sine prole, died without issue)---></ref> when his heir to Annery became his younger brother Lt-Col.Joseph Prust (1620–1677) of Annery."<ref><!----Ledger stone in Annery Chapel of Joseph Prust: "Here lieth interred Joseph Prust of Annerie gent sometime Lt Col of Horse to...obiit (died) Oct 1677 aetat 57 (aged 57); Also per--->Vivian, p. 630</ref>


⚫ John Coffin's son and heir was Richard Coffin (died 1700) of Portledge, ] in 1683, who in 1648 married his third wife Dorothy Rowe in Monkleigh Church.<ref name="Vivian p. 210" /> His son and heir by this third wife was John Coffin (1649–1704) of Portledge, who was baptised at Monkleigh. He left no children and eventually his heir became his heir became his great-nephew Rev. John Pine-Coffin (1735–1824), the grandson of his eldest sister Dorothy Coffin (b.1651) and her husband Edward Pyne of Eastdowne.<ref>Vivian, p. 210-11</ref>{{#tag:ref|In 1810 the manor of Monkleigh was still owned by a descendant of the Coffins, namely by Rev. John Pine-Coffin of Portledge, Alwington.<ref>Risdon, p. 422.</ref>|group="nb"}} Later in about 1823 his son and heir Richard Pine-Coffin (1770–1833)<ref>Vivian, p. 211</ref> sold some land in his manor of Monkleigh to ] (died 1842) for part of the course of the ] between about the Ridd limekilns to the ] Aqueduct, following the left-bank of the River Torridge.<ref>Scrutton, p. 30</ref>
⚫ [[File:JaneCoffyn1646 MonkleighChurchDevon.JPG|thumb|200px|Inscribed slate mural monument to Jane Coffyn (d.1646), Monkleigh Church, west wall of north transept. Inscription: "Resurgimus" (we will rise again) "Jane the eldest childe of John Coffyn Esqr wife of Hugh Prust, gent, 13 Mons" (a regiment?) "who w(i)th her chrisome son(n)e was buried nere this place the first of July 1646".</br>
⚫ ] ] (1908–1974) ] & ], ], born at Portledge, was a parachute officer of the ] during ]. The Pine-Coffin family until recently still possessed the ] of Alwington Church, making it one of the most ancient lineages in Devon, albeit more recently via a female line, although the mansion of Portledge was converted into a hotel some time before 1959<ref>Hoskins, p.297</ref> and the estate of Portledge was sold in 1998, due to a dispute with the Inland Revenue.<ref>Pine Coffin</ref>
⚫ "A mayde a wife in wife and right accord,</br>
⚫ She liv'd she di'd true servant of the Lord.</br>
⚫ Aetatis suae 27" (of her age 27). At the top is a heraldic ] showing the arms of Prust ] the arms of Coffyn (modern?)<ref>These are not the arms of Coffyn given in the ] of Devon (Vivian, p.208), but are shown again on the monument opposite to Jane's sister Elizabeth Gay. When a family or branch of a family changes to new arms, they are referred to as "ancient" and "modern" (see e.g. ] for the 14th century change in those arms)</ref>]]
⚫ The next member of the Coffin family recorded by the ] of Devon to have a connection with Monkleigh Church is John Coffin (1593-1622) of Portledge. John was Richard V Coffin's great-grandson.<ref>Vivian, pp.209-210</ref> Three of John's daughters were married in Monkleigh Church, between 1645 and 1657.<ref>Vivian, p.210</ref> A mural monument exists in Monkleigh Church, in the north transept, to his eldest daughter Jane Coffin (1593-1646), who in 1645, aged 26, married in Monkleigh Church to Hugh Prust (1614-1650) of Annery, within the parish of Monkleigh. She died the next year, as her mural monument records, and her husband died five years later without progeny, when his heir to Annery became his younger brother Lt-Col.Joseph Prust (1620-1677)of Annery.<ref>His inscribed ledger stone in the Annery Chapel contains a brief biography of Joseph Prust</ref>

⚫ John Coffin's son and heir was Richard VII Coffin (d.1700) of Portledge, ] in 1683, who in 1648 married his third wife Dorothy Rowe in Monkleigh Church.<ref>Vivian, p.210</ref> His son and heir by this third wife was John Coffin (1649-1704) of Portledge, who was baptised at Monkleigh. He left no progeny and eventually his heir became his heir became his great-nephew Rev. John Pine-Coffin (1735-1824), the grandson of his eldest sister Dorothy Coffin (b.1651) and her husband Edward Pyne of Eastdowne.<ref>Vivian, p.210-11</ref> <ref>In 1810 the manor of Monkleigh was still owned by a descendant of James Coffin, namely by Rev. John Pine-Coffin of Portledge, Alwington. (Risdon, Survey of Devon, 1811 ed, " Additions 1810", p.422)</ref> Later in about 1823 his son and heir Richard Pine-Coffin (1770-1833)<ref>Vivian, p.211</ref> sold some land in his manor of Monkleigh to ] (d.1842) for part of the course of the ] between about the Ridd limekilns to the ] Aqueduct, following the left-bank of the River Torridge. <ref>Scrutton, Susan, Lord Rolle's Canal, Great Torrington, 2006, p.30</ref>
⚫ ] ] (1908-1974) ] & ], ], born at Portledge, was a parachute officer of the ] during ]. The Pine-Coffin family until recently still possessed the ] of Alwington Church, making it one of the most ancient lineages in Devon, albeit more recently via a female line, although the mansion of Portledge was converted into a hotel some time before 1959<ref>], A New Survey of England: Devon, London, 1959 (first published 1954) , p.297</ref> and the estate of Portledge was sold in 1998, due to a dispute with the Inland Revenue.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/The+Pine-Coffin+Saga%3B+How+the+taxman+forced+a+family+to+sell+its...-a0110835751/ |title=The Pine-Coffin Saga; How the taxman forced a family to sell its stake in history|publisher=Thefreelibrary.com |date=1996-08-16 |accessdate=2010-08-28}}</ref>


==Historic estates== ==Historic estates==

===Annery=== ===Annery===
{{main|Annery, Monkleigh}} {{main|Annery, Monkleigh}}
Within the manor and parish of Monkleigh is located the former historic estate of ]. The post-] lords of the manor of Monkleigh had their main residence elsewhere outside the parish at Portledge, ],<ref>Pevsner, p.690: "Portledge...the seat of the Coffins from the (11th century) and of the Pine-Coffins from 1796"</ref> and thus Annery was the most important seat within the manor and the successive holders of it had their own chapel within the parish church, at the east end of the south aisle, known as the "Annery Chapel"<ref>Pevsner, p.573</ref> within which they were accustomed to be buried and where several of their monuments are situated. Within the manor and parish of Monkleigh is located the former historic estate of ]. The post-] lords of the manor of Monkleigh had their main residence elsewhere outside the parish at Portledge, ],<ref>Pevsner, p. 690<!--- "Portledge...the seat of the Coffins from the (11th century) and of the Pine-Coffins from 1796"---></ref> and thus Annery was the most important seat within the manor and the successive holders of it had their own chapel within the parish church, at the east end of the south aisle, known as the "Annery Chapel".<ref name="Pevsner p. 573" />

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group="nb"}}


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist|3}}
<references/>

==Sources==
* {{cite book | author=] | title=A New Survey of England: Devon | location=London | year=1959 | orig-year=1954 }}
* {{ cite book | author=], Bridget Cherry | title=The Buildings of England: Devon | location=London | year=2004 }}
* {{Cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/The+Pine-Coffin+Saga%3B+How+the+taxman+forced+a+family+to+sell+its...-a0110835751/ |title=The Pine-Coffin Saga; How the taxman forced a family to sell its stake in history|publisher=Thefreelibrary.com |date=1996-08-16 |access-date=2010-08-28}}
* {{cite book | author=] | title=Survey of Devon | year=1811 }}
* {{cite book | author=Susan Scrutton | title=Lord Rolle's Canal | location=Great Torrington | year=2006 }}
* {{cite book | editor=Caroline Thorn, Frank Thorn and general editor John Morris | title=Domesday Book: Devon, Part 2 | volume=9 Devon, Parts 1 & 2 | publisher=Phillimore Press | location=Chichester | year=1985 }}
* {{cite book | editor=Lt.Col. J.L. Vivian | title= The Visitations of the County of Devon: Comprising the Heralds' Visitations of 1531, 1564 & 1620 | location=Exeter | year=1895 }}
* {{cite book | author=Joyce Youings | title=Devon Monastic Lands: Calendar of Particulars for Grants 1536-1558 | publisher=Devon & Cornwall Record Society, New Series | volume=1 }} Torquay, 1955


{{DEFAULTSORT:Monkleigh}}
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Latest revision as of 08:29, 20 April 2022

Monkleigh, North Devon

The Manor of Monkleigh was a mediaeval manor centred on the village of Monkleigh in North Devon, England, situated 2 1/2 miles north-west of Great Torrington and 3 1/2 miles south-east of Bideford.

Descent of the manor

The Domesday Book of 1086 records Monkleigh as Lege, the ninth of the 79 holdings in Devon as tenant-in-chief, of Robert, Count of Mortain (c. 1031–1090) the half-brother of William the Conqueror. His tenant at Monkleigh was a certain Alured, modernised to Alfred. Before the Norman Conquest of 1066 it was held by the Saxon Ordulf, thought to represent the Anglo-Saxon name "Ordwulf".

During the reign of King Stephen (1135–1154) the manor of Monkleigh was granted by its then holder "Alfred the Butler", together with his other estates of Frizenham (in the parish of Little Torrington.) and Densham (in the parish of Woolfardisworthy), to Montacute Priory.

Coffin

Arms of Coffin family, lords of the manor of Monkleigh: Azure, three bezants between eight crosses crosslet or, and right as seen on 16th century Coffin mural monument in Monkleigh Church, with a crest of a bird of some variety
16th century mural monument to a kneeling knight, featuring heraldry of the Coffin family. Monkleigh Church, high up on north wall of chancel. Monumental brass depicting a bearded knight, said to represent James Coffin (died 1566) kneeling in prayer, surrounded by heraldic escutcheons depicting the arms of Coffin: Azure, three bezants between eight crosses crosslet or
Detail of James Coffin monumental brass, Monkleigh Church.

Following the Dissolution of the Monasteries, a lease of the manor of Monkleigh was granted by the crown gratis on 26 August 1540 to James Coffyn of Alwington and Anne his wife for the term of her life. It was valued at £21 11s 6d per annum, but unusually no charge was made for the grant. As is recorded in the text of the royal grant Anne was the widow of Sir George St Leger of Annery, the chief estate within the manor of Monkleigh.

James Coffin was the second son of John Coffin of Portledge, in the parish of Alwington. He was still living in 1551 when he was mentioned in the will of his eldest brother Richard Coffin (died 1555) of Portledge. The Coffin family is one of the most ancient of Devon families. Tristram Risdon (died 1640) stated: "Alwington...the manor whereof hath been in the name of Coffin even from The Conquest".

On 11 June 1544 the crown granted the manor of Monkleigh, subject to the life interest of James Coffin and his wife, to Sir John Fulford of Dunsford and Humphrey Colles of Barton, Somerset, along with other grants of property. For Monkleigh manor they were charged £194 3s 4d, representing 10 years' purchase of its annual value. They were also granted Monkleigh Woods for £29 13s 6d, representing 20 years' purchase Fulford and Coles paid the purchase price in full on 2 June 1544 and just one week later obtained royal licence to alienate to James Coffin of Alwington, the life tenant.

A small monumental brass of a kneeling knight exists in Monkleigh Church high up on the north wall of the chancel, affixed to a stone tablet on which are sculpted several heraldic escutcheons of the arms of Coffin (Azure, three bezants between eight crosses crosslet or) impaling arms of their heiresses. Pevsner suggests a date for the brass of 16th. century and that the stone tablet on which it is now affixed was originally part of a now lost 16th. century monument.

Inscribed slate mural monument to Jane Coffyn (died 1646), Monkleigh Church, west wall of north transept. Inscription: "Resurgimus" (we will rise again) "Jane the eldest childe of John Coffyn Esqr wife of Hugh Prust, gent, 13 Mons" "who w(i)th her chrisome son(n)e was buried nere this place the first of July 1646".
"A mayde a wife in wife and right accord,
She liv'd she di'd true servant of the Lord.
Aetatis suae 27" (of her age 27). At the top is a heraldic escutcheon showing the arms of Prust impaling the arms of Coffyn.

The next member of the Coffin family recorded by the heraldic visitations of Devon to have a connection with Monkleigh Church is John Coffin (1593–1622) of Portledge. John was Richard Coffin's great-grandson. Three of John's daughters were married in Monkleigh Church, between 1645 and 1657. A mural monument exists in Monkleigh Church, in the north transept, to his eldest daughter Jane Coffin (1593–1646), who in 1645, aged 26, married in Monkleigh Church to Hugh Prust (1614–1650) of Annery, within the parish of Monkleigh. She died the next year, as her mural monument records, and her husband died five years later without children, when his heir to Annery became his younger brother Lt-Col.Joseph Prust (1620–1677) of Annery."

John Coffin's son and heir was Richard Coffin (died 1700) of Portledge, Sheriff of Devon in 1683, who in 1648 married his third wife Dorothy Rowe in Monkleigh Church. His son and heir by this third wife was John Coffin (1649–1704) of Portledge, who was baptised at Monkleigh. He left no children and eventually his heir became his heir became his great-nephew Rev. John Pine-Coffin (1735–1824), the grandson of his eldest sister Dorothy Coffin (b.1651) and her husband Edward Pyne of Eastdowne. Later in about 1823 his son and heir Richard Pine-Coffin (1770–1833) sold some land in his manor of Monkleigh to John Rolle, 1st Baron Rolle (died 1842) for part of the course of the Rolle Canal between about the Ridd limekilns to the Beam Aqueduct, following the left-bank of the River Torridge. Colonel Richard Geoffrey Pine-Coffin (1908–1974) DSO & Bar, MC, born at Portledge, was a parachute officer of the British Army during World War II. The Pine-Coffin family until recently still possessed the advowson of Alwington Church, making it one of the most ancient lineages in Devon, albeit more recently via a female line, although the mansion of Portledge was converted into a hotel some time before 1959 and the estate of Portledge was sold in 1998, due to a dispute with the Inland Revenue.

Historic estates

Annery

Main article: Annery, Monkleigh

Within the manor and parish of Monkleigh is located the former historic estate of Annery. The post-Dissolution lords of the manor of Monkleigh had their main residence elsewhere outside the parish at Portledge, Alwington, and thus Annery was the most important seat within the manor and the successive holders of it had their own chapel within the parish church, at the east end of the south aisle, known as the "Annery Chapel".

Notes

  1. These are not the arms of Coffyn given in the heraldic visitations of Devon, but are shown again on the monument opposite to Jane's sister Elizabeth Gay. When a family or branch of a family changes to new arms, they are referred to as "ancient" and "modern" (see e.g. Royal Arms of France for the 14th century change in those arms)
  2. In 1810 the manor of Monkleigh was still owned by a descendant of the Coffins, namely by Rev. John Pine-Coffin of Portledge, Alwington.

References

  1. Thorn, part 1, chap. 15, 9
  2. Thorn, part 2, chap. 15,32
  3. Thorn, part 2, chap. 15,31
  4. Thorn, part 2, chap. 15,9
  5. Risdon, p. 276
  6. ^ Hoskins, p.439
  7. Youings, pp. 39–41
  8. Youings, p.39
  9. Risdon, p. 243
  10. Youings, p. 39
  11. Youings, p.41, Grant 45
  12. ^ Vivian, p. 208
  13. ^ Pevsner, Cherry, p. 573
  14. Vivian, pp. 209–210
  15. ^ Vivian, p. 210
  16. Pevsner, p.573.
  17. Vivian, p.210.
  18. Vivian, p.630
  19. Vivian, p. 630
  20. Vivian, p. 630
  21. Vivian, p. 210-11
  22. Risdon, p. 422.
  23. Vivian, p. 211
  24. Scrutton, p. 30
  25. Hoskins, p.297
  26. Pine Coffin
  27. Pevsner, p. 690

Sources

  • William George Hoskins (1959) . A New Survey of England: Devon. London.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  • Nikolaus Pevsner, Bridget Cherry (2004). The Buildings of England: Devon. London.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  • "The Pine-Coffin Saga; How the taxman forced a family to sell its stake in history". Thefreelibrary.com. 16 August 1996. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
  • Tristram Risdon (1811). Survey of Devon.
  • Susan Scrutton (2006). Lord Rolle's Canal. Great Torrington.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  • Caroline Thorn, Frank Thorn and general editor John Morris, ed. (1985). Domesday Book: Devon, Part 2. Vol. 9 Devon, Parts 1 & 2. Chichester: Phillimore Press. {{cite book}}: |editor= has generic name (help)
  • Lt.Col. J.L. Vivian, ed. (1895). The Visitations of the County of Devon: Comprising the Heralds' Visitations of 1531, 1564 & 1620. Exeter.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  • Joyce Youings. Devon Monastic Lands: Calendar of Particulars for Grants 1536-1558. Vol. 1. Devon & Cornwall Record Society, New Series. Torquay, 1955
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