This page presents transcriptions mentioning a number of people with the name DE CREYE. It continues the page concerning the knightly de Creye family who were based on the villages of Paul's Cray, Foots Cray, etc. in Kent during the late 13th and early 14th Centuries. There is no evidence of a relationship between these de Creyes and each other or between them and the knightly family. It seems likely however that there are some connections

John, son of John de Creye, 1283 and 1319

1.
Wills: 11 Edward I (1282-3)
ANNO 11 EDWARD I.
Monday the Vigil of Feast of Purification of V. Mary [2 Feb.].

Derteford (Eustace de).—To Eva his wife his house for life; remainder to Geoffrey, the son of his daughter, for life; except a solar and cellars near the Thames, which are to go to Claricia, sister of the said Geoffrey. Also to the said Eva a garden at [Sme]thefeld near the Tower for life; remainder to John, son of John de Creye. No date.

2. Warda Pontis, Bridge ward. From John de Crey (De Johanne de Creye) [was due/paid] 40 pence (xl d.)

Sources:
1. R. R. Sharpe (editor), Calendar of wills proved and enrolled in the Court of Husting, London: Part 1: 1258-1358 Centre for Metropolitan History, 1889, Roll 14 (14).
2. Subsidy Roll 1319: Bridge ward in Eilert Ekwall, Two Early London Subsidy Rolls Centre for Metropolitan History, 1951.

Walter de Creye

Folio lxxxii b.
Manucapcio Rogeri de Lincolnia.
Monday the octave of St. Martin [11 Nov.], 31 Edward I. [A.D. 1303], came John de Rokesle, corder, Gregory le Bokeler, draper (draparius), Walter de Walepol, goldsmith, Henry de Faveresham, "cordwaner," Thomas Beauflour, vintner; and Walter de Creye, "toundour," (fn. 13) before Walter de Finchingfeld, the locum tenens of Sir John le Blund, the Mayor,

Source: Reginald R. Sharpe (editor) Calendar of letter-books of the city of London: C: 1291-1309 Centre for Metropolitan History, 1901

A toundour is a shearman, one who shears the nap of cloth.

William de Creye, butcher, 1310

1. William de Craye, seller of goat-fells 1278-9 LBA 27, W. de Creye 1299-1300 Mayors 56. - Cray K.

1a. In 1291 the prior of Southwark had £5. 11s. 8d. rent in the parish of All Hallows Honey Lane, which may represent a £6 rent with 8s. 4d. deducted for the quit-rent due to Holy Trinity Priory. John Moton was in arrears for the 8s. 4d. quit-rent in 1299, when the priory distrained, but he acknowledged the rent and was acquitted for the arrears. William de Creye, his wife Isabel, and Richard Hutgoh were tenants of St. Mary Southwark in Westcheap in 1300, and £3. 12s. in arrears with rent, but this could have been for a tenement in some other parish

1b. 13. William de Creye, butcher, adm. 1310-11 LBD 65, W. de Creie, butcher 1321 Lib Cust 412, W. de Craye 1323 Will (butcher, of St. Leonard). - Cray K.

1c. Willelmus de Creye.
7 March, William de Creye, butcher, admitted, &, before John de Wengrave, Henry de Durham, and Simon de Paris, Aldermen-1 mark.

2. Deed of sale by William de Creye, butcher, and Elias le Barber, of Briggestrete, citizens of London, executors of the will of Richard Scharp, formerly citizen and butcher of Estchep (which was proved and enrolled in the Husting of London, Monday after the translation of St. Edward the King, 7 Edward II.), to John Long, citizen and butcher of London, of the tenement that Scharp had be feoffment of William le Melkere in the parish of St. Leonard Eastcheap, and which by the terms of the will was to be sold, charged with a yearly rent of 13s. 4d., to support a chantry in St. Leonard's church; power being reserved to the executors, and after their death to the rector of St. Leonard's, with six parishioners, to enter the tenement and distrain therein in case of non-payment of the said rent. Witnesses:- John de Gisors, Mayor of London, John Lambin, alderman of the ward, and others (named). Endorsed: Memorandum of enrolment in the Husting of London, Monday before St. Edmund the King, 7 Edward II. (Middx.)

Sources:
1. Eilert Ekwall, Two Early London Subsidy Rolls Centre for Metropolitan History, 1951, pp152-158.
1a. Keene, D.J.; Harding, Vanessa, Historical gazetteer of London before the Great Fire: Cheapside; parishes of All Hallows Honey Lane, St Martin Pomary, St Mary le Bow, St Mary Colechurch and St Pancras Soper Lane Centre for Metropolitan History, 1897. pp 85-96
1b. Eilert Ekwall Two Early London Subsidy Rolls, Centre for Metropolitan History, 1951.
1c. Reginald R. Sharpe (editor) Calendar of letter-books of the city of London: D: 1309-1314 Centre for Metropolitan History, 1902
2. The National Archves, Kew, Ref E 40/1742

It is not clear whether all of these Williams are the same person or several people. The two identified as butchers are almost certainly the same person and the occupations of seller of goat-fells and butcher may not be mutually exclusive. The naming of William's wife as Isabel may prove to be a useful identifier. Notice the possible evidence of spelling transitions from DE CREYE to DE CREIE and DE CRAYE.

In the following reference the date "Monday after the translation of St. Edward the King, 7 Edward II" corresponds to 14th October 1313.
"Monday before St. Edmund the King, 7 Edward II" was 19th November 1313

It seems unlikely that there is any close connection to Sir William de Crey even though he is a contemporary. (See c1210-1315: The family of de Creye, Kent.)

Stephen de Creye, stockfishmonger

1. Stephen de Creye 1309 LBC 181 (executor of John Gubbe, stockfishmonger), S. de Crey 1318 Pat (merchant going to buy stockfish, etc.), 1321 Cl (fishmonger), S. de Craye 1343-4 LBF 103 (deceased; Stephen his son owner of a house in St. Michael). Perhaps really a stockfishmonger. - Cray K.

2. Tuesday after the Feast of SS. Peter and Paul [29 June], 2 Edward II. [A.D. 1309], came Robert de Mordone, "stokfishmongere," William le Spicer, carpenter, Thomas de Dunlee, spicer, and John le Wyte, "stokfishmongere," before Nicholas de Farndone, the Mayor, the Aldermen, and the Chamberlain, and mainprised John Elys, "stokfishmongere," and Stephen Creye, executor of John Gubbe, to answer for the sum of £56 9s. 1d., quo et quando, &c.

3. Folio cxvi b.
Manuc[apcio]' Johannis Elye et Stephani de Creye.
   Tuesday after the Feast of SS. Peter and Paul [29 June], 2 Edward II. [A.D. 1309], came Gilbert de Mordone, "stokfismongere," William le Spicer, carpenter, Thomas de Dunlee, spicer, and John le Wyte, "stokfishmongere," before the Mayor and Aldermen, and became sureties for John Elys and Stephen de "Creye," executors of John Gubbe, to answer for the property of the orphan children of Walter Gubbe, of the annual value of 53s. 4d.
   (Afterwards, viz., on Friday before the Nativity of St. John Bapt. [24 June], 17 Edward II. [A.D. 1324], Richard Gubbe and Matthew Gubbe, orphan children of Walter Gubbe, being of full age, came before Nicholas de Farndone, Henry de Secch[ford], and Roger le Palmere, Aldermen, Andrew Horn, the Chamber- lain, Hugh de Waltham, and Gregory de Norton, and acknowledged they had received the property due to them with interest by the hands of Stephen de "Creie" and John Elys. They therefore granted a quitclaim to all concerned, and asked that the above recognizance might be cancelled. It was therefore cancelled, &c.)

Sources:
1. Eilert Ekwall Two Early London Subsidy Rolls, Centre for Metropolitan History, 1951.
2. Reginald R. Sharpe (ed.) Calendar of letter-books of the city of London B: 1275-1312, Folio 109 [facieinversa.] (xxix b)
3. Reginald R. Sharpe (editor) Calendar of letter-books of the city of London: C: 1291-1309, pp 173-189

Stephen son of Stephen de Creye,

1.
[p 537]
1318
Feb. 14..
Windsor

To the same [R. count of Flanders]. Whereas lately, at the complaint of Gilbert de Mordon, Henry Gubbe, and Stephen de Crey, citizens and merchants of London, that they caused a ship of theirs to he laden with fish, lead, oil, and other goods and wares bought at Lenne to the value of 300l., in order to bring the same to London, and that certain malefactors of Flanders assaulted with force and arms the men in the said ship on the sea-coast near Crowcmere, [Cromer] co. Norfolk, and took the goods aforesaid, and divided the same amongst them, and carried them to Flanders, as appears by the letters testimonial of the mayor and community of the city of London under their common seal, the king requested the count to cause satisfaction or restitution therefor to he made to the aforesaid merchants; to which the count replied that he was ignorant of the premises as he was not informed of the deed aforesaid nor of the names of those who committed it, adding that he would punish the culprits if found within places subject to his jurisdiction; and now, in addition to the testimony of the mayor and community aforesaid, it is testified before the king that the trespass was committed at the aforesaid place by malefactors of the count’s land, and that the malefactors, shortly before the perpetration of this trespass, lay near the king's land (ad terram nostram se ponentes), and committed homicides there, and afterwards perpetrated the above trespass, the men of those parts standing and seeing them, and having full knowledge that they were from the count's power, and the goods aforesaid were seen and recognised by merchants of this realm in the hands of the said malefactors at Le Sluce within the count’s power; wherefore the king requests the count to cause restitution or satisfaction to he made without delay to the said merchants, together with compensation for their damages, lest it behove the king to provide them with another remedy. He is requested to write back, etc., as above [by the bearer what he shall have caused to be done in response to this request].

[p 605]
1318
April 16.
Windsor

John son of Thomas le Woder, 'burlere' of Candelwykstret, London, acknowledges that he owes to Stephen Craye of London 20l.; to be levied, in default of payment, of his lands and chattels in the city of London.

[p 609]
1318
May 13.
Windsor

William Stace of Newenden, acknowledges that he owes to Stephen Creye citizen of London 20l.; to be levied, in default of payment, of his lands and chattels in the co. Kent.

[p 610]
1318
May 17.
Westminster

Laurence son of Laurence de Preston acknowledges that he owes to Stephen Craye, citizen of London, 50 l.; to be levied, in default of payment, of his lands and chattels in co .Northampton.

1a. William the Chandler ['Candellator'], dwelling beside the church of St. Michael atte Corne, was attached to answer Stephen Creye in a plea of account. He complains that whereas the said William, on Monday before the feast of the Annunciation, 12 Edward II [19th March, 1319], in the house of the said Stephen beside Candelwickstrete, received from him 51s. to trade with on his behalf between the same Monday and Pentecost next following [27th May], rendering therefore an account, as set forth in the bond sealed with the seal of the said William, he now refuses to account to the damage of the pl. William comes and acknowledges the said writing to be his deed, and asks that his account be heard. Richard Dask, Richard of Reynham and Hamo le Barber are appointed as auditors, and a day is given the def. to account on the Saturday following.

1b. Sheriffs' Court Roll, 1320: Imparlance between Stephen of Creye, pl[aintiff], and Thomas of Rocheford, of Waltham Holy Cross, in a plea of account, respited etc. until the next court by consent of the parties. The same Thomas is mainprised by the said Stephen.

2. Petitioners Adam le Clerk of King's Lynn and William de Pyckeworth... request an oyer and terminer concerning the assaults made on them by Walpol and for it to be enquired as to those who abetted and assented to his actions... People mentioned: [a long list which includes] Thurstan, servant of Steven de Creye.

The petition dates to 1320 as a commission of oyer and terminer in accordance with the response to the petition was issued on 18 August 1320.

3. 5 Nov 1339 – 15 Dec 1346 (nos 349–399)

[m. 52d.] Fri. 5 Nov. 1339. Andrew Aubrey, mayor, John de Grantham, Roger de Depham, John Hamond, John de Oxford, Richard Lacer, Richard de Berkyng, William de Causton and Roger de Forsham, aldermen.

349. Austin le Waleys of Woxebregg complains that Stephen son of Stephen de Creye, late citizen, has seven windows and a door (hostium) on the west side of his tenement overlooking the land of the pl. in the par. of St. Martin Orgar, less than 16 ft. from the ground; and that for lack of a gutter (stillicidium) 38 ft. long the water draining from his house falls upon the pl.'s land. The def. after essoin makes default. Judgment after view that he remove the impediments and repair the gutter within 40 days etc.

353. Precept of Andrew Aubrey, mayor, to the sheriffs, 20 Jan. 1340, reciting the failure of Stephen son of Stephen de Creye to execute the judgment given against him on 5 Nov. 1339 in the assize brought by Austin le Waleys [349], and ordering them to put it into effect at his expense and fine him 40s. for contempt.

4. Chancery: Inquisitions Post Mortem, Series I, Edward III. Thomas de Berdene: London (mm. 1, 2); William de Evesham: London (mm. 1, 3); Stephen de Creye of London: London (mm. 1, 4)... Date range: 25 January 1363 - 24 January 1364

Sources:

Sources:
1. Calendar of the Close Rolls preserved in the Public Record Office:Edward I AD 1272-1279, HMSO, London, 1900, pp605, 609, 610.
1a. Matthew Stevens (editor), London Sheriffs Court Roll 1320 Centre for Metropolitan History, Membrane 6 (transcript pp.22-26).
1b. Ibid., Membrane 11 (transcript pp.40-46).
2. The National Archives, Kew, Ref SC 8/39/1940
3. Helena M. Chew & William Kellaway (editors) London assize of nuisance 1301-1431: A calendar, London Record Society, 1973.
4. The National Archves, Kew, Ref C 135/180/12

These documents may or may not refer to the same person, spelling notwithstanding, but the date gap of over 43 years makes it unlikely that that are the same. They could be a father and son but we have no evidence, except for one description of "Stephen son of Stephen de Creye." In the same document "Stephen de Creye, late citizen" implies that the father died before November 1339. He would appear to be the Stephen de Creye of the previous section.

The content of these extracts suggests that Stephen is a merchant of some kind, supplying goods on credit and applying to the court for redress when his customers default or his ships waylaid by Flemish pirates.

Thomas de Creye, of Cumpton, Staffordshire, 1285-6 (14 E. I.)

It was presented, etc., by the same that William de Wrottesleye came into the forest on the day of St. Alphege, 56 H. III., and with greyhounds chased game (ferias) out of the forest, and took the venison and carried it to his house at Wrottesleye without warrant. And William appeared and prayed that a verdict might be given by the reguardors of the forest, as well as by the foresters and verderers, and he gave 20s. for the above inquisition, for which Thomas de Creye, of Cumpton, and Robert Boffary of Penne, were sureties. The foresters, verderers, and reguardors say that the said William is guilty. He is therefore committed to prison, and was fined 20s...

Source: Pleas of the Forests of Canok and Kenefare in Co. Stafford, On the Octaves of Hillary, 14 E. I. in G. Wrottesley (editor) Staffordshire Historical Collections, vol. 5 part 1 Institute of Historical Research, 1884, p 157.

There are two places called Compton in Staffordshire. Because of the association with Wrottesley, this Cumpton is Compton Liberty in the parish of Tettenhall, and now simply Compton. It now lies in Wolverhampton near the bridge where the A454 crosses the Worcestershire Canal

Alice and Henry Crey

1304
Jan. 21.
Dunfermline.

Alice Crey, imprisoned at Worcester, for the death of Henry Crey, her late husband, wherewith she is charged, has letters to the sheriff of Worcester to bail her until the first assize.

Source: Calendar of the Close Rolls preserved in the Public Record Office: Edward I Vol. V. AD 1302-1305, HMSO, London, 1900, p118.

Note that the surname is CREY here, having dropped both the 'de' and the final 'e.' We need more examples to see whether this is an early transition or whether it is of different origin to DE CREYE.

Richard Creye

Folio lxxvii b.
Br'e ad inquirendum que terras et ten' Rob'us de Holewelle habet in civitate London'.

Letters patent appointing John Lovekyn, the Mayor, Adam de Bury, Hugh de Sadelyngstanes, and Walter de Aldebury, clerk, commissioners to hold an inquisition post mortem touching the property held in the City by Robert de Holewelle, who had died in debt to the Treasury. Witness G[ervase] de Wilford at Westminster, 23 Feb., 33 Edward III. [A.D. 1358-9].

Inquisition taken accordingly on Friday before the Feast of St. Gregory [12 March], 33 Edward III. [A.D. 1358-9], by oath of John de Burstalle, John de Thame, "barbier," Richard atte Dyk, Thomas de Same, Richard Creye, John Rical, Richard le Mirorer, William Wastel, Robert de Manhale, Peter de Berdefeld, John Roudolf, "coteler," and Thomas de Bisseye, who find that the said Robert de Holewelle held property in Lumbardestret, at the corner of Bercheverlane, (fn. 11) of the yearly value of 40s., tenanted by William Morewode and Dionisia his wife.

Source: Reginald R. Sharpe (editor) Calendar of letter-books of the city of London: G: 1352-1374 Centre for Metropolitan History, 1905.

Note that the DE has here been dropped from DE CREYE. We need more examples to see whether this is a general transition.

Joseph Creye, Somerset, 1636

Will of Joseph Creye, Yeoman of Beckington, Somerset, dated 25 February 1636

In the name of God Amen, I Joseph Creye of Beckington [near Frome] in the county of Somerset yeoman being sick in bodie but thanks be to God perfect of mind and memorie... this fourth day of December. Anno dni. One Thousand Six Hundred Thirty Five do make my last will and Testament as so followeth.

First and above all things I committ my soule into the hands of God my [...] in and through the merritts of Jesus be with my redeemer to be saved and my bodie to be...

In primo I give to poore people of the parrish of Berkington aforesaid five shillings in money to be distributed amongst them by the discretion of my Overseers.

Item I give and bequeath Elizabeth now my wife and to her heires and assignes for ever the fee simple of my land and mylles neere the parrish of Fromeselwood [=Frome] now in the possession of Thomas [...] or his assignes.

Source: The National Archives Ref: PROB 11/170/254.