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John de Stansfeld (c1260 - aft.1327)

Parents: Richard de Stansfeld & unknown

Born: c1260
Flourished: c1288-1327      
Died: after 1327

Siblings: 
Oliver born before 1270
Robert

Marriage: unknown

Children
Richard, eldest son
William, 2nd son and eventual heir
possibly Ralph
Sources
- History of the Family of Stansfeld
- Yorkshire Arch. Journal volume 13
- Yorkshire Deeds Volume 4
- Yorkshire Deeds Volume 7
- Wakefield Court Rolls (Cambridge Edition) Volume 1
- Wakefield Court Rolls (Cambridge Edition) Volume 2
- Wakefield Court Rolls (Cambridge Edition) Volume 3
- Wakefield Court Rolls (Cambridge Edition) Volume 5
- West Yorkshire Archive Service


Evidence
There are a great many records for John de Stansfeld, covering a period of 30 years, and they fall into a couple of natural patterns. Probably the most significant grouping is that which records John de Stansfeld as a witness along with Hugh de Eland [later Sir Hugh] and John de Lacy of Cromwellbotham (1 mile NE of Elland and 2 miles SE of Halifax). Some secondary sources claim that Hugh de Eland was the father in law of this John de Lacy (there were several branches of the de Lacy family) and it is possible that John de Stansfeld was also connected by marriage. If not, then he had to have had some other strong connection binding him to either, or both, Hugh de Eland and/or John de Lacy.

Possibly the earliest record in this group can be found in John Stansfeld's History of the Family of Stansfeld on p107 where he cites without source the following:

"Convention, dated 1288, between Thomas de Thorneton and Henry de Risheworthe relating to the fourth part of the town of Barkisland, witnesses: Hugh de Eland, John de Lascye, John de Stansfeld, Richard de Eccisley, William his son, Hugh son of Matthew de Norland, John de Emyrhead."

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(Above) 16 March 1297/8 Yorkshire Archaeological Journal volume 13 p81.

1302. Robert de Wrenthorp leased for 16 years to Thomas de Totehill, Overage and Netherhage, Witnesses; Sir Hugh de Eland, John de Lacy, Thomas Talvas of Fikisby, John del Rode of Hiperum (Hipperholme) John de Percy (?), John de Stansfeld, Henry son of William de Eland, John de Scoles of the same (from papers copied by Rev Watson at Okes in Rishworth).

The above seems to go with the following, dated the following year:

31 Edward I (1303), for as long as the said lease should last; and quitclaim of all rights therein except an annual rent of 4s 1½d; also a grant for the same term and by the said Robert to Thomas de Totehull of the whole of his tenement which he held in his own hand in Louerhaee and in Leuetherhaee together with common of pasture in the ville of Lynley at the annual rent of 16s 1½d at the terms ordained in respect of Earl Warenne's land. Witnesses, Sir Hugh de Eland, John de Lascy, Thomas Talvas of Fekesby, Thomas the elder (seniore) of the same, John del Rode of Hiperum, John de Percy, John de Stanesfeld, Henry son of William de Eland, John del Scoles of the same (Yorkshire Deeds Volume 4 p89).

The following three undated records are detailed by John Stansfeld in his History of the Family of Stansfeld without citing their source:

(no date) Convention between Henry de Hiperum and John de Totehill, Witnesses: Sir Hugh de Eland, Thomas de Coppley, John de Lacy, Richard de Cromwelbothom and John de Stansfeld (source not cited, History of the Family of Stansfeld p107).

(no date) Deed from Richard son of Richard de Hiperum to John de Tothill, Witnesses: Sir Hugh de Eland, Sir John de Heaton, John de Lacy de Cromwelbothom, John de Stansfeld, Henry de Rishworth and Sir William de Clifton, knight (source not cited, History of the Family of Stansfeld p107).

(no date) Deed, Henry son of Richard de Hiperum, lord of Hiperum, to Thomas de Tothill, of certain rents there, from tenants named in another deed dated 1298,  Witnesses: Hugh de Eland, Sir John de Heaton knight, John de Lacy de Cromwelbothom, John de Stansfeld, Henry de Rishworth and John del Rode (source not cited, History of the Family of Stansfeld p107). 

(Below) Yorkshire Deeds Volume 4 p54 no.194 (no date).

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John de Stansfeld also witnessed three further deeds, as follows:

6 May 1301, Grant from Thomas the clerk of Waddesworth to John Culpon of land called le Longerode with house and wood appertaining, with parcels called Engeyer and Byrchinley Ker, and others in Wadsworth (tenants and abuttals given) to hold of Richard de Waddeswsrth at 2s 10d yearly rent.  Witnesses: John de Stansfeld, Richard del Dene, William de Sothill senior, William de Sothill junior, Richard de Rediker, Richard Scissor.  
(West Yorkshire Archive Service SU/B:13)

Note: William de Sothill (senior) was the great grandson of Essolf. Richard del Dene served as a juror alongside John de Stansfeld.

29 Dec 1305, Feoffment by Robert son of Otto de Ryvyle to William de Soothill, junior, tenements at Hegh Hirst in Wadsworth by Midgeley with wood called Swithen Clif.  Also quitclaim of all rents upon property of Broad Bottom in Wadsworth, viz 5s 6d that is all his property in Wadsworth except 6s which William de Soothill [senior] paid to the above Roger and with which Lord Richard de Thornhill enfeoffed the above Otto in exchange for a certain tenement in Hunsworth.  Witnesses: Richard de Wadsworth, Richard his son, John de Stansfeld, Richard de Redikar, Thomas de Langfeld, William de Stodley and Willim de Soothill, senior (West Yorkshire Archive Service SU/B:14).

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(Above) 24 June 1313, John de Stanesfeld witness (Yorks Deeds Volume 7 p125 #367).

John de Stansfeld was also recorded in the Wakefield Court Rolls as a juror:
- at Halifax, 6 Nov 1296 (Wakefield Court Rolls (Cambridge Edition) Volume 1 p246)
- at Wakefield, 20 May 1309 (Wakefield Court Rolls (Cambridge Edition) Volume 2 p207)
- at Halifax, 18 Oct 1313 (Wakefield Court Rolls (Cambridge Edition) Volume 3)

.....and as giving a pledge at Court on behalf of various people:
- at Wakefield, 16 Nov 1296 (Wakefield Court Rolls (Cambridge Edition) Volume 1 p248)
- at Wakefield 7 May 1297 (Wakefield Court Rolls (Cambridge Edition) Volume 1 p278)
- at Wakefield 24 Aug 1298 (Wakefield Court Rolls (Cambridge Edition) Volume 2 p49)

Other appearances in the Wakefield Court Rolls are as follows:
- 1 Nov 1297 (Wakefield Court Rolls (Cambridge Edition) Volume 2 p12)
- 26 May 1316 (Wakefield Court Rolls (Cambridge Edition) Volume 3 p141)
- 22 Nov 1326 (Wakefield Court Rolls (Cambridge Edition) Volume 5 p91)
- 6 Dec 1326 (Wakefield Court Rolls (Cambridge Edition) Volume 5 p93)
- 22 Jan 1327 (Wakefield Court Rolls (Cambridge Edition) Volume 5 p97)
- 24 Feb 1327 (Wakefield Court Rolls (Cambridge Edition) Volume 5 p102)
- 6 May 1327 (Wakefield Court Rolls (Cambridge Edition) Volume 5 p115)
- 1 Aug 1327 (Wakefield Court Rolls (Cambridge Edition) Volume 5 p125)
- 1328 (Wakefield Court Rolls (Cambridge Edition) Volume 5 p129)


My thanks to researcher Joanne Backhouse for her collaboration and guidance regarding the Stansfeld family and Calderdale.