Citation
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  • Category: Research
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  • Author: Richardson, Douglas
Content
  • Richard Champernoun (1344-1419), of Modbury, Devon, part 2
  • Text: From: "Douglas Richardson"
    Date: 18 Dec 2002 09:23:58 -0800

    Aline de Gay, wife of Alan Basset (died 1232-3), was daughter and co-heiress of Philip de Gay, of Wootton Basset, Wiltshire and Northbrook, co. Oxford, by his wife, Cecily. Philip de Gay in turn was the son and heir of Stephen de Gay, by his wife, Aline, daughter and heiress of Walter Pipard (Aline Pipard being formerly the wife of John Marshal, hereditary Master Marshal of England).

    VCH Wiltshire 9 (1970): 190-191 includes a history of the manor of Wootton Basset, Wiltshire. For reasons not known to me, the editor commences his account of this manor with Alan Basset in 1210. However, with a bit of research in the records, the history of this manor can be traced back to Alan Basset's father-in-law, Philip de Gay, then to Philip's mother, Aline (Pipard) de Gay, then to Aline Pipard's father, Walter Pipard.

    For evidence of the parentage of Aline de Gay, wife of Alan Basset, I direct your attention to an agreement made in King Henry II's court in 1190, regarding the division of Philip de Gay's estate, which agreement was re-confirmed by King Henry II's son, King Richard, in 1198. A copy of the reconfirmation is provided below:

    383 (2735R). Aline and Cecily de Gay. Resealing of confirmation (Vezelay, 3rd July 1190) of agreement in Henry II's court concerning division of inheritance from their father, Philip de Gay. Cecily is to have all the land in Norbroch' [Northbrook], and quit claims the rest to Aline; if either dies without legitimate issue, the other party shall inherit.

    Huius autem innovationis teste sunt Hii, Baldwin, Count of Aumale, William Marshal, William Fitz Ralph seneschal of Normany, Warin Fitz Gerald, Saher de Quincy. Dat' per manum E. Elien' Episcopi Cancellarii nostri. Roche d'Orival 22nd August 1198. Seal on cords. London, PRO, E42/314 [Reference: J.C. Holt and Richard Mortimer, Acta of Henry II and Richard I, published as List and Index Soc., Special Series, vol. 21, pg. 204].

    It appears that Cecily, sister of Aline de Gay, died without issue soon after 1198. As best I can determine, Aline and her husband, Alan Basset, later held all of the Gay family holdings, including Northbrook which was assigned to Cecily. These lands passed by
    descent from the Basset family onto the Despenser family.

    As for evidence of Philip de Gay's wife, Cecily, whose name has never been identified in print to my knowledge, I direct your attention to the book, Three Rolls of the King's Court in the Reign of King Richard the First A.D. 1194-1195, published as Publications of the Pipe Roll Soc., vol. 14 (1891), pg. 89. There you will find a reference which reads as follows under the heading Blakingaue Hundred:

    "Sedzilia q' fu[it] vxor Philipp de Gay in donocoe d[omi]ni Rex Wotton [terra sua] ...."

    This records basically identifies Cecily as widow of Philip de Gay and states she was then (1194/5) in the king's gift, meaning her former husband was a tenant in chief of the king. Wootton Basset is specifically named, it being then in the hundred as named.
Personal Names
PersonClaimDetailEvidence
Sir Alan Basset, Lord of WycombeNameAlan Basset [S775:IX.75] [S1668] [S2719] [S3168]
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Aline de GaiNameAline de Gai [S775:IX.75] [S925] [S954] [S1668] [S3168]
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Aline PipardNameAline Pipard [S1668]
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Cecily _____NameCecily _____ [S1668]
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John FitzGilbertNameJohn Marshal [S756] [S1668]
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Philip de GaiNamePhilip de Gay of Wooten Basset [S1668]
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Stephen GaiNameStephen de Gay [S1668]
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Walter PipardNameWalter Pipard [S925] [S1668]
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Relationships
PersonClaimDetailEvidence
Aline de GaiFatherPhilip de Gai (e1141-<1190) [S775:IX.75] [S1668]
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Aline de GaiMotherCecily _____ (e1142-) [S1668]
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Philip de GaiFatherStephen Gai (e1120-) [S1668]
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Philip de GaiMotherAline Pipard (e1121-) [S1668]
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Aline PipardFatherWalter Pipard (e1076-) [S925] [S1668]
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Events & Attributes
PersonClaimDateDetailAgeEvidence
Philip de GaiDeathbef 1190 [S1668]
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Sir Alan Basset, Lord of WycombeDeath1232/33 [S1668]
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