History and genealogy of Peter Montague, of Nansemond and ...

12 INTRODUCTION.
Drogo held this manor from the Earl of Moriton and it descended
through a long line of ancestry together with the manor of Chidzoy,
to the unfortunate Edward, son of George Duke of Clarence.
Drogo also held of the said Earl one hide* of land in Montagud in
this county. Rev d John Collinson says, " it is altogether probable
that the Earl of Mortain— if he had any other reason than that of a
Latin definition—imposed on his demesnes at Bishopton(Logoresburg)
the appelation of Montagud in compliment to this Drogo, his favorite
and confidential friend."
But waving this matter, we find the said Drogo-de-Monte-acuto in
possession of these estates until his death, which took place about
the latter end of the reign of King Henry I. (about 1125).
A curious fact may be here recorded, that upon the spot where the
battle of Hastings was fought, William the Conqueror founded an
Abbey which was called Battle Abbey, and in the words of his
charter, "Instituted a market to be kept there on the Lord's day free
from all toll— " and that Anthony Viscount Mountague, a lineal
descendant of Drogo, about the year 1575 or 1600, built a fine house
there and obtained authority of Parliament to have the market
changed to another day.
Drogo was succeeded by his son and heir
II. William Montacute, who erected a Monastery at Montacute
Mountain and endowed it with the borough and Market of Montacute.
An ancient record written about 1538 states, that— " within the ruins
of the Castle at Montacute is now a mean house for a farmer, the
town hath a poor market and is builded of stone as commonly all
towns thereabout be"— (Leland's Itinerary, Vol. 1, Oxford, 17 10.")
But little is known with regard to this William Montacute except
that, one author says— " he was an only son "—and that he took care
of the estate left him by his father, and died leaving it entire to an
only son.
III. Richard de Monteacuto, probably the first Richard
Montague who ever lived.
It is recorded of him, that in the second year of Henry II. (1156)
he paid ^20 into the King's exchequer for the ancient pleas; and
* A hide of land was supposed to consist of 160 acres and was made up of the following'
parts, viz.—ten acres make a ferundel, or fardingdeal, four ferundels make a yard land, and
four yard lands make a hide, so four hides it is said, or 640 acres, make a Knight's fee.