Sir Michael de Harcla of Hartley in Westmorland

[Tim Cartmell]

Dear SGM Listers,

I am trying to find information on the early origins of the de Harcla family of Hartley in Westmorland, and was hoping that someone may be able to provide further insight.

The following information is what I have found regarding Sir Michael de Harcla of Hartley, the father of Sir Andrew de Harcla, earl of Carlisle.

"Michael de Harcla was the Deputy Sheriff of Westmorland in 1276 & 1277; was the Sheriff of Cumberland 1285-1298; was the MP for Westmorland in 1301." Source, CWAAS, 'An Armorial for Westmorland and Lonsdale,' published 1975, pg. 147.

"Was the Governor of Carlise in 1296; was Justice of the Peace in 1300; was appointed a commissioner to perambulate the forests of the counties of Nottingham, Cumberland and Yorkshire, in the reign of Edward I, and in 1307 he petitioned the King for reasonable allowance for the ravages and burnings of the Scots while he was Sheriff; he died in or before 1311, his executors being Henri and Michael de Harcla, his sons, and Patrick de Curwenne, his nephew [Curwen family of Workington]." Source, Transactions, CWAAS, New Series, Vol. 1929, 'Sir Andrew de Harcla', pg. 99. See also, 'History of the Ancient House of Curwen,' by JF Curwen, published 1928, pg. 45.

The aforementioned Patrick de Curwenne, Knt. (of Drigg in Cumberland) is recorded as being nephew to Michael de Harcla, and cousin to his son, Sir Andrew de Harcla; the balance of probabilities suggest that either Michael de Harcla's wife was a Curwen of Workington, or Sir Gilbert (Patrick’s father) de Culwen's wife was a de Harcla of Hartley. In the book, 'Thomas Denton: Perambulation of Cumberland in 1687-1688', pg. 159, Denton stated that, "Threapland [in Torpenhow Plumland] was at first given by Alane, the 2nd lord of this barony [Allerdale], unto the steward Ketellus; from whose discendant it came to Michaell Hercla, father of Andrew, earle of Carlisle in Edward the 1st's time."

My specific queries to anyone who may have knowledge regarding the de Harcla family,

1). Who was the father of Michael de Harcla?

2). Who was the wife of Sir Michael de Harcla?

3). Who was the steward Ketellus, was he Ketel fitzEldred of Kendal & Workington? What was Ketel the steward of......Allerdale, or Kendal, or ???

Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Timothy J. Cartmell

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[Matthew Connolly]

On Mar 22, 8:10 pm, Tim Cartmell wrote:

[snip]

Post by Tim Cartmell
2). Who was the wife of Sir Michael de Harcla?

According to the ODNB entry for Andrew:

"Harclay [Harcla], Andrew, earl of Carlisle (c.1270-1323), soldier,
was probably the eldest son of Sir Michael Harclay (d. before 1309), a
tenant and servant of the Cliffords who later entered the service of
the crown, acting as sheriff of Cumberland (1285-98), and of Joan,
daughter of William Fitzjohn, a Yorkshire landowner, and brother of
the theologian Henry Harclay. The family name derived from Hartley in
Westmorland. "

And for Henry, although less informative:

"Harclay [Herkeley], Henry (c.1270-1317), theologian, was the son of
Sir Michael Harclay, a long-serving sheriff of Cumberland, who died
before 1309, and brother of Andrew Harclay, first earl of Carlisle (d.
1323). The family name was derived from Hartley in Westmorland."

I'd also be interested to know more about the William Fitzjohn of
Yorkshire they mention.

-Matthew

[p***@bellsouth.net]

I have a bit of information on the Harcla (Hartley) family since the name is often found in association with
the Viponts.
“Richard le Franceis, son of Gilbert, son of Philip, who in 1257 had a grant of free warren in
Westmoreland and Cumberland, who was the son of John le Fraunceys to whom Robert de Vipont had
confirmed the whole of Mauld’s Meaburn, married a daughter of Michael de Harcla. In 1278, the king
seised the lands of Michael de Harcla until it shall appear by what right and title Richard le Fraunceis son
and heir of Gilbert le Fraunceis married the daughter of Michael de Harcla, being then the king’s ward.”
The History and Antiquities of the Counties of Westmoreland and Cumberland Joseph Nicholson and
Richard Burns.
“Parish of Kirkby Stephen (Hartley) The manor for a long time continued in the name of Hardclay. In the
fisrt year of the reign of king Edward the first, there was a dispute concerning the manor of Dalston I
Cumberland, between Michael de Harclay knight (father of ..Sir Andrew) plaintiff and the bishop of Carlisle
defendant; wherein the plaintiff derived his descent from Hervicius who was seized of the said manor of
Dalston in the reign of king Henry the first [1100-35] who was succeeded by his brother Robert, who was
succeeded by another brother Walter, who had a son Michael who had a son Walter who had a son
Michael who had a son William who had a son Michael the present plaintiff. In 1212, John de Harclay was
witness to Robert de Veteriponte’s grant to Shap Abbey. which John seems to have been a collateral and
not direct course of primogeniture. In like manner, to a grant of lands and wood in Brampton, by Walter de
Moreville to the said Robert de Veteriponte, one of the witnesses was John de Harclay. In the reign of
Henry the third, the grant of the advowson of the rectory of Kirkby Thore, by Adam de Kirkby Thore to the
said Robert de Vipont was attested by Michael e Hardcaly. In the 14 Ed. I [1286] in the partition of the
inheritance between the two daughters of the last Robert de V. mention is made of Michael de Hardclay
holding the manor of Hardclay (Hartley) and Smerdale. In 1322, Andrew e Harcla was created earl of
Carlisle but attained and executed, his possessions forfeited to Nevill of Raby who sold Hartley to Sir
Thomas Musgrave.” The History and Antiquities of the Counties of Westmoreland and Cumberland. “In
1288 Nicholas de Hastings, was killed by Richard le Fraunceys [husband of a daughter of Michael de
HarclaWilliam de Harcla(Hartley), Robert de Appleby and John le Fraunceys. Found guilty of deed or as a
accomplice, many were fined and Bertin de Joneby acted as surety for Walter de Caudebek; the jury also
finding that William de Harcla (Hartley) was harboured by his father Michael de Harcla, sheriff, and John
le Fraunceys by Adam le Fraunceys, rector of Asby, after the felony but the jury deciding they were not
guilty of complicity. However, the Hasting family continued and Nicholas de Stapelton was ordered to hold
an inquisition and the prosecution continued. William de Querton (Kirketon), Adam le Fraunceys, Michael
de Harcla, Hugh de Lowther sureties for the accused. (CWAAS)
In 1288 Robert de Vipont, son of Lawrence who married an Eda, “acknowledged the manor of
Meaburnwald to be the right of Richard le Fraunceys, a quit claim to which Michael de Harcla was
witness.( Harrison’s History of Yorkshire) In 1291 Michael de Harcla held knights fees in Hartley of
Isabella de Vipont (Clifford) (CWAAS)
Hope this is helpful.
Pat

Date: 2007/03/22 Thu PM 03:10:49 EDT
Subject: Sir Michael de Harcla of Hartley in Westmorland
Dear SGM Listers,
I am trying to find information on the early origins of the de Harcla family of Hartley in Westmorland, and

was hoping that someone may be able to provide further insight.

The following information is what I have found regarding Sir Michael de Harcla of Hartley, the father of

Sir Andrew de Harcla, earl of Carlisle.

"Michael de Harcla was the Deputy Sheriff of Westmorland in 1276 & 1277; was the Sheriff of

Cumberland 1285-1298; was the MP for Westmorland in 1301." Source, CWAAS, 'An Armorial for
Westmorland and Lonsdale,' published 1975, pg. 147.

"Was the Governor of Carlise in 1296; was Justice of the Peace in 1300; was appointed a

commissioner to perambulate the forests of the counties of Nottingham, Cumberland and Yorkshire, in
the reign of Edward I, and in 1307 he petitioned the King for reasonable allowance for the ravages and
burnings of the Scots while he was Sheriff; he died in or before 1311, his executors being Henri and
Michael de Harcla, his sons, and Patrick de Curwenne, his nephew [Curwen family of Workington]."
Source, Transactions, CWAAS, New Series, Vol. 1929, 'Sir Andrew de Harcla', pg. 99. See also, 'History of
the Ancient House of Curwen,' by JF Curwen, published 1928, pg. 45.

The aforementioned Patrick de Curwenne, Knt. (of Drigg in Cumberland) is recorded as being nephew

to Michael de Harcla, and cousin to his son, Sir Andrew de Harcla; the balance of probabilities suggest
that either Michael de Harcla's wife was a Curwen of Workington, or Sir Gilbert (Patrick?s father) de
Culwen's wife was a de Harcla of Hartley. In the book, 'Thomas Denton: Perambulation of Cumberland in
1687-1688', pg. 159, Denton stated that, "Threapland [in Torpenhow Plumland] was at first given by Alane,
the 2nd lord of this barony [Allerdale], unto the steward Ketellus; from whose discendant it came to
Michaell Hercla, father of Andrew, earle of Carlisle in Edward the 1st's time."

My specific queries to anyone who may have knowledge regarding the de Harcla family,
1). Who was the father of Michael de Harcla?
2). Who was the wife of Sir Michael de Harcla?
3). Who was the steward Ketellus, was he Ketel fitzEldred of Kendal & Workington? What was Ketel

the steward of......Allerdale, or Kendal, or ???

Any comments would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Timothy J. Cartmell
__________________________________________________
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Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
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[Matthew Connolly]

Post by p***@bellsouth.net
I have a bit of information on the Harcla (Hartley) family since the name is often found in association with
the Viponts.
"Richard le Franceis, son of Gilbert, son of Philip, who in 1257 had a grant of free warren in
Westmoreland and Cumberland, who was the son of John le Fraunceys to whom Robert de Vipont had
confirmed the whole of Mauld's Meaburn, married a daughter of Michael de Harcla. In 1278, the king
seised the lands of Michael de Harcla until it shall appear by what right and title Richard le Fraunceis son
and heir of Gilbert le Fraunceis married the daughter of Michael de Harcla, being then the king's ward."
The History and Antiquities of the Counties of Westmoreland and Cumberland Joseph Nicholson and
Richard Burns.

The Richard le Franceis who married the Harcla daughter (Isabel) was
the one also known as Vernon, and was progenitor of the subsequent
Vernons of Haddon; I have him down as son of Gilbert (who married
Hawise de Vernon), son of Adam, son of Hugh, who was perhaps son of
another Adam (c.1200), in turn perhaps son of Robert (c.1180). I'll
dig out the exact reference over the weekend, but it's the CWAAS
Transactions again (a long article on the family, and a later
corrigendum).

[Matthew Connolly]

Post by Matthew Connolly

Post by p***@bellsouth.net
I have a bit of information on the Harcla (Hartley) family since the name is often found in association with
the Viponts.
"Richard le Franceis, son of Gilbert, son of Philip, who in 1257 had a grant of free warren in
Westmoreland and Cumberland, who was the son of John le Fraunceys to whom Robert de Vipont had
confirmed the whole of Mauld's Meaburn, married a daughter of Michael de Harcla. In 1278, the king
seised the lands of Michael de Harcla until it shall appear by what right and title Richard le Fraunceis son
and heir of Gilbert le Fraunceis married the daughter of Michael de Harcla, being then the king's ward."
The History and Antiquities of the Counties of Westmoreland and Cumberland Joseph Nicholson and
Richard Burns.

The Richard le Franceis who married the Harcla daughter (Isabel) was
the one also known as Vernon, and was progenitor of the subsequent
Vernons of Haddon; I have him down as son of Gilbert (who married
Hawise de Vernon), son of Adam, son of Hugh, who was perhaps son of
another Adam (c.1200), in turn perhaps son of Robert (c.1180). I'll
dig out the exact reference over the weekend, but it's the CWAAS
Transactions again (a long article on the family, and a later
corrigendum).

Trans. Cumberland & Westmorland A & AS New Series vol XII (1912) for
Rev FW Ragg's long article 'Maud's Meaburn and Newby: de Veteripont,
le Franceys and de Vernon'; chart p.393 summarises as I stated above
but with Gilbert as son of John le Fraunceys, baron of exchequer (d.
1267). Trans CWAAS NS XVI 167-8 corrects this to make Gilbert son of
Adam (and nephew of John) in light of a recently rediscovered deed.