The History of Sir John

Introduction

As the last hours of the 8th of September 1464 faded away, so too did Sir John Clay.

His story is set against the backdrop of the Lancastrian phase of the Hundred Years War, 1415-1453 and the turmoil of the rule of HenryVI and the Wars of the Roses 1455-1487.

We think it would be fair to say that John's time in Normandy established him,  both financially and politically.

The final defeat of the English army in Normandy was a rout, an undignified scramble to secure safety and property by soldiers and their families, high and low born.

Many left behind properties granted to them by the English administration or in the cases of some, married to well born Norman wives, they changed allegiance.

Sir John had been granted land and he had a mansion in Rouen but he was either lucky or astute for his star had been linked to the Duke of York and he had probably returned to England as part of York's retinue in c1448,  no doubt having sold off his land.

Due to mismanagement, political, financial and militarily, the English prescence in France was doomed.

After  Joan of Arc lifted the siege of Orleans and although her time was only brief, nothing went well afterwards for the English and although it took another 23 years for Charles VII to reclaim his kingdom, when the end came it was swift.

Early Years

We have no knowledge of the early life of Sir John Clay, he has been written of as " a man at arms with very little status".  (1) He is also referred to as "rising from the ranks to his own independent command". (2) He could not have come from the meanest of backgrounds however because he would have had to have the means to furnish himself with the equipment of a man at arms.

For example, a suit of Armour would cost somewhere between 6 and 8 pounds in 1420 and that equates to 5,144 pounds in 2017, source National Archives.

In the History of Parliament,  1439-1509 Sir John's year of birth is given as 1415, given as most scholars believe Sir John was in France by 1421  (3,3a,3b) then  this date of birth can only be wrong. Indeed the new History of Parliament, 1422-1461, tells us that Sir John was in France in 1417, under the Captaincy of Henry Percy. (2a)

There  is speculation in the new History of Parliament that Sir John could have come from the northern counties as he was with Henry Percy.(2b)

Our own reseach into the Clays of Hertfordshire, shows that there was a prominent Clay family already in Hertfordshire, that of Sir John Clay who had been the receiver of Edward the Black Prince, at his castle in Berkhamstead and there are many other references to Clays in Hertfordshire and a Sir Walter atte Clay had an inscription in the church of Furneux Pelham in Hertfordshire. In his will dated July 1st 1364, Sir John is recorded as the brother of Peter  Clay of Fadmoor, North yorkshire. (3c)

The Clays had been Lords of the Manor at Fadmoor since at least 1310.(3d)

We can only speculate on his birth year but  given that he is recorded as a man at arms in 1417, we can perhaps look at 1400 or minus 5 years,  giving him an age at death of 64-69.

There is information on genealogical sites that give a birth year to a John Clay of 1395 and a spouse by the name of Emma Wood, could this have been a first wife? There  is however no corroborating evidence and so we will have to leave this here until we can find any records.

John married Joan Astley, we dont know when and as far as we know they only had three children, Joan who died in 1453, John who was born  c1445 (4) and Cecily, who appears to have outlived them all.

Both Johns'  father and son were knighted, Sir John the elder,  just after the coronation of Edward IV presumably July 1461 (5) and the younger John, after the battle of Tewkesbury in 1471. (6)

There have been various spelling of his surname Clay, Claye, Cley, Claie and also his forename John, Jehan and Jean, sometimes with a de and sometimes not.

A large amount of information regarding him, not unsuprisingly, given his time there, is in French.

The Hundred Years War 1337-1453

Service in France

The period of time that John  Clay was in France is known to history as the Lancastrian war, 1415-1453.

In 1417, when we first  hear of John, the hundred years war had been fought for 80 years, the stunning victory of Agincourt in 1415 had set the changes to the prospects of victory for the English. Henry V had married the daughter of Charle VI, the king of France, and he was due to inherit the kingdom of France from this alliance whenever Charles the VI died. There was a big set back to the English cause in 1421 when the English were defeated at the battle of Bauge, many high ranking nobles were killed and or captured. Among the dead was John of Lancaster, the Duke of Clarence, the Kings brother. Hearing the news Henry V returned to France, to besiege Meaux  just outside Paris but he died, possibly of dysentry in late August 1422. Charles VI died in October 1422 and this left the infant Henry VI King  of both England and France. Paris was by now in the hands of the English and English France was ruled by the Duke of Bedford as regent, Bedford was another brother of Henry V.

The Garrison at Rouen

From the medieval soldier database, we can see that John has spent seven years in France by 1424 and from 1422 as part of the garrison of Rouen.

Possibly from 1417 to 1422 he was part of the field army, being part of a garrison did not render you unable to serve in the field, garrison troops were always being called upon to serve in the field, usually in defence of another garrison,  as a relief force or as part of the many campaigns that were launched. But certainly by 1424 he was a feature of the garrison at Rouen.

In 1417 we have  reference to John Clay, man at arms on the expedition to France under Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland, overall commander Henry V. 

In 1421 in another reference to an expedition to France we have John Clay, man at arms, no Captain and no overall commander recorded. 

In 1422, at the Garrison of Rouen we again have John Clay. 

In 1422 we have two references to John Clay including this one, John Clay  Man at Arms, Rouen Garrison under Sir John Harpelay,  Captain. Overall commander Thomas Beaufort, Earl of Dorset and Duke of exeter.

In 1423, still at the Garrison of Rouen, November 10th under the Captaincy of John Salvayn. 

In 1424,  John Claye, Man at Arms, official retinue  Rouen Garrison, John Salvayn, October 1st.

source below

 AHRC - Funded. 'The Soldier in Later Medieval Database' www.medievalsoldier.org

The town  of louviers was taken by the English in 1418, however in 1424 the garrison commander, Godfrey Halton and all his men were taken prisoner, the garrison troops were on a looting raid and they were ambushed by the French.

John Clay amongst others volunteered to come to their aid from Rouen, taking with him 6 men at arms and 18 archers, all horsed. (9)

"The herds of the people of Louviers, Godefroy Halton, who commanded the garrison of this town, went out to take back their loot and fell into an ambush where he was taken prisoner with all the men of his company. For a moment, the town of Louviers remained devoid of soldiers and exposed to the greatest danger. At the news of this failure, the lords of the Council sitting in Rouen hastened to send to Louviers Pierre Poolin, lieutenant-general of the bailiff of Rouen, and Jean de Clay, elected, with 6 men-at-arms and 18 archers to horse. A few days later, the siege of Gaillon was decided. It began around May 10, 1424 and continued for two months or more. The garrison capitulated on July 8; she returned the place to the Regent and placed herself “in his grace and mercy.” The English army consisted of 200 men-at-arms and 600 archers. Thomas de Scales, knight banneret, commanded it."  Memoires de la Societe des Antiquiteis de Normandie, page 213        

We can perhaps presume he was succesful as Louviers stayed in English hands until it changed hands again briefly in 1429.

John and a certain Pierre Poolin received 100 Pounds with which to pay their retinue for  this adventure. (10)

"To Pierre Poolin , lieutenant general of Monsignor the Bailiff of Rouen, bailiff of Louviers and Jehan de Clay eflieu of the said town of Roum to whom were paid by the said receiver general of the funds of the dictate received, the sum of one hundred pounds tournaments by the order of my lords the people of the great council of the king our fire in Normandy to turn and convert into payment of them, vi men-at-arms and xvnt archers on horseback and by my lords send the last day of April One thousand four counts twenty-three from the said city of Rouen to the said city of Louviers for the safe guard and defense of the said city of Louviers against the king's enemies." Bulletin de la Societe d'Etudes Diverses, page 193, 1424

Later in the same year, 17th of August 1424, the battle of Verneuil was fought. The commander of the English was the Duke of Bedford, whom John Clay would later serve under at Rouen. The French army was augmented by a large force of Scots and  a force of Milanese cavalry. At 4pm on the day of the battle, the English advanced, the Milanese cavalry intervened and rode down the English archers, however the French were not able to take advantage of this as the Milanese cavalry left the battlefield to attack the English baggage train. The day was saved by the Duke of Bedford rallying the men at arms and carrying all before them, they defeated the remaining French and Scots. The battle has been described as a second Agincourt.

We know that John Clay was there because we have a quote, " By virture of fortuitous presence at Verneuil, he received a small land grant". (11)

In a letter from Henry VI concerning a truce in July 1428, John Clay and William de Wormington are mentioned as attorneys of Richard de Wideville (Woodville) the father of Edward IVs future wife. (12)

Guillaume de Clinchamp presented to one of the chapelnies founded at the altar of the Trinity, by Jean de Clay and Guillaume de Wyrmyngthonne, squires, attorneys of noble man Richard de Wideville, lord of Préaux and Dangu, and, because from his wife, from the land of Charlemesnil, last July 1428. - Letters from King Henry VI relating to provisions for cures during the truces, Westminster, Archives Saine-Maritime Inventaire V2 page 255

As part of his probable household retinue we know that John had a Valet and a page and we know that because in 1429, the valet Jacquet le Saige killed the page, he was given remission which no doubt meant, he was free to go back and serve as Sir John's valet. (12a)

2577. - 1429, September. Paris.

Remission to Jacquet Le Saige, born in Pontgoing and valet of Jean de Claye, elected as aid in Rouen, prisoner in Mantes for having killed a page of his master in Chanteloup (174, nº 75, fol. 31).  Le Payes de Loire Moyen  dans le Tresor de Chartes page 267

Garrison Captain

We dont know when John was promoted to Captain but as we can see by 1429 he was the Captain of St Catherines Garrison, he was now also recorded as John de Clay, Esq. The garrison of St Catherines was sited at the bottom of Mount St Catherines under the abbey of St Catherines, to the left of the bridge, facing out of Rouen, there is now nothing left of either building.

In 1429, John de Clay,  St Catherines Garrison, Rouen,  John Clay, Captain, December 18th.                                        

In 1430,  John de Claye Esq, St Catherines, Rouen  Garrison , Captain John Clay, April 26th. 

     source 

AHRC - Funded. 'The Soldier in Later Medieval Database' www.medievalsoldier.org

On April 16, the effort was concentrated on Château-Gaillard, then Captain Jean de Cley and his troops were distracted from Fort Sainte Catherine in Rouen (12b)

On the 26th of April 1430, John and his retinue of archers and men at arms were deployed at the siege of Gaillard castle. (13) Gaillard had been captured by the English in 1419 but the French had recaptured it in 1430, besieged again by the English it fell into their hands after one month.

The payment for the wages of John's retinue amounted to eight wines, eighteen pounds and fifteen Solz, he issued a receipt on the same day. It was for a months wages, which fits the narrative as above. (14)

 "Know that I Jehan de Clay, captain of the abbey and fortress of Saint Katherine near Rouen  having had and received from Pierres Surrean receiver general of Normandy the sum of eight wines, eighteen pounds, fifteen solz payment of wages and salaries of 6 men at arms and 18 archers on horseback for the protection of the said fortress who are ordered to be at the siege. 

Rouen, April 26, 1430.

Receipt of Jean de Cley, captain of Fort Sainte-Catherine, for one month of his wages and those of six men-at-arms and eighteen archers of his retainer, deployed at the siege of Château-Gaillard (1 ). (Arch. de la Scine-Inféricure, Danquin Fund. Original.)

Receipt of Jean de Cley, captain of Fort Sainte-Catherine, for one month of his wages and those of six men-at-arms and eighteen archers of his reserve, employed at the siege of Château-Gaillard (1). (Arch. of the Seine-Inférieure, Danquin Fund. Original.)

We also have 

Know that I, Jehan de Clay, squire, captain of the abbey and fortress of Sainte Catherine near Rouen, confess to having had and received from Pierre Surreau, receiver general of Normandy, the sum of eight thousand eighteen pounds fifteen sols tournois in loan and payment of wages and rewards of six men-at-arms and seventeen horse archers, my person not included, of the number of my retainers for the safeguarding of the said fortress, who are ordered to be at the siege and are presently before Gaillard by the advice of the King our lord for the service at the said siege and host of one month beginning on the v jo of this present month of April and ending on the iiij day of May next coming, of which I have made monsters at the said siege by before Sir Thomas Beaumont, knight, constable and Thomas Bourg, squire, marshal of the said host at this convocation; this payment to me made by the said receiver general by virtue of the letters of guarantor of my lord the Regent kingdom of France due from Bedford given on the 7th day of this present month of April, of which sum of 7th xviij l. xv s. t. I am content and well paid and have left by these presents the King our lord, the said receiver general and all others. In witness of this I have signed this present receipt with my holy hand and sealed with my signet Rouen the 26th day of April one thousand and thirty. -J. de Clay (14a)

April 26, 1430. The siege and host are now in front of Gaillart. April 26, 1430. Jehan de Clay, squire, captain of the abbey and fortress of Sainte Catherine near Rouen. - May 28, 1432. Receipt for having carried in the victims of Pont Audemer, Auge and Orbec, the order that all French and English who are accustomed to pursue the arms went in the company of the bailiff of Rouen towards Aluve, to give aid to those residents who were besieged there by the adversaries. Bulletin Monuental Vol 20, page 453

Of the soldiers under the command of John at St Catherines garrison in 1429,  five were indigenous Normans. (15)

Men-at-arms for the guard of the city of Rouen; Review made by the undersigned Commissioners Jehan de CLAY, Richard CLERC and Jehan SURREAU.(16)

John had by 1430 purchased a modest house in Rouen. (17)

Under the certificate of John de Salvayn, Bailli of Rouen, the king,  Henry VI appointed John Clay as an elected aid. 4th of October 1432 (17a)

In the register of obligations 1430-1431 of the Viscounty of Rouen, beginning the 16th of April 1430, John Clay is listed as a Lieutenant under, the noble man John Salvain.(17b)

In 1428, the Earl of Salisbury, whilst on a successful campaign had diverted his attention from his original target of Angers and instead besieged Orleans.

This mistaken endeavour which cost salisbury his life, a room in which he was in, was hit by a French projectile and part of the stone window frame hit him in the face. But most significantly, this siege which was likely doomed to fail because of a lack of supplies, men and money was the turning point of the English successes in the Lancastrian war.

Enter,  the Maid of Orleans

Joan of Arc, had after much trial and tribulation persuaded Charles VII of France to send a relief force to lift the siege of Orleans, the relief force was successful and the English for the first time since 1421 were put onto the back foot. Retreating from the siege in some disarray, the English army was successfully attacked and routed by the French army at the battle of Patay.

Once again English commanders were captured and killed and one of those captured was John Talbot, who later as Lord Shrewsbury was John Clay's overall commander, c1437.

More success  followed for Joan of Arc and the French and after taking the city of Reims,  Charles VII was crowned King of France in the cathedral on the 16th of July 1429.

Time  however was running out for Joan and after an unsuccessful siege of Paris, she was captured by the Burgundian army, who were allied to the English cause in France. Joan was captured at the siege of Compiegne.

The Burgundians handed the maid over to the English and she was sent  to Rouen, where she was tried and found guilty of heresy, a capital offence.

On the 30th of May 1431, the Maid of Orleans was burnt at the stake in the market place of Rouen.

John Clay was Captain of St Catherines garrison, Rouen, if he was at Rouens on that day it would be unlikely that he was not witness to this sad and dramatic event.

In 1435 the French regained Paris.

Captain of the Bridge

From the  Histoire de la Ville du Soissons, M. Leroux, 1839, Vol 2, page 49, we have the following

in the texts, because the Regent was then holding a hotel in the castle and had at his service eight men-at-arms and more. The gates that Cursun was charged with guarding were the Saint-Hilaire, Beauvoisine, Cauchoise and Martainville gates. Henry VI, or more exactly the Regent, wanting to give the people of Rouen a token of his confidence, had given them the keys by a famous charter of 28 January 1425 (1). But the disadvantages of this measure were doubtless soon recognised; for, from the time of Joan of Arc, it was no longer the bourgeois who guarded the four gates; each of them was defended by a post of twenty English archers, commanded by a mounted lance or quartenier, except for the Beauvoisine gate, where there were only fourteen archers (2). On 6 July 1434, Richard Clerc took control of this garrison: he noted that, from 16 to 23 June, twenty-seven archers had left it to go to the siege of Creil, nine from the Porte Cauchoise, six from each of the other gates. Cursun's lieutenancy lasted until 27 January 1435, when he was replaced by Jean Haunford (3). At the castle, Nicolas Burdett commanded two mounted lances, thirteen foot lances and forty-five archers (4). The defence of the Seine bridge was ensured by a mounted lance, four foot Jances and twenty archers, under the orders of Jean Haunford, who would soon be succeeded by Jean de Clay. (17c)

We have several other references for  John Clay  in 1435, the 31st of July and the  4th of August, the overall commander is  the Duke of Bedford and John would now appear to be the Lieutenant,  Captain of the garrison of the bridge at Rouen, he has also as of 1429 had the title, Esquire.

When the above musters were taken, the Duke of Bedford had just a few months left to live, he died on the 14th of September 1435.

Cursun's licutenancy lasted until January 27, 1435, the date of his replacement by Jean Haunford. At the castle, Nicolas Burdett commanded two mounted lances, thirteen foot lances and forty-five archers. The defense of the Seine bridge was ensured by a mounted lance, four foot lances and twenty archers, under the orders of Jean Haunford, who would soon be succeeded by Jean de Clay. (17d)

In 1435, John de Clay Esq, Man at  arms, Garrison Rouen bridge, Duke of Bedford, Liet/Captain, John Clay,31st July. 

In 1435, John  de Clay esq. Man at Arms, Garrison Rouen, bridge,  Duke Bedford, Liet/Captain,  John Clay, Aug.4th. (18)

July 10, 1435.-Control of the men of arms and draft in garrison on the Pont de Seine in Rouen, under Jehan Clay, squire, lieutenant and guard for the Regent, drawn up by the controller for the district beginning on 1 day of April, 1434, (before Easter), and ending on the last day of June, following, 1435. Signed  Jehan Geney, controller (18b)

The widow of Guillame Botton, Jeanne appointed on the 16th of November 1435, John Clay, Jean Clifton, and Jean Harforte as her representatives. (18b)

Returning from the Loire campaign, towards the end of February 1429, he was replaced, on the following June 1, by the knight Louis Despois, in his triple government of Montjoie, Saint-Germain and Poissy. Captain of Essaye in Normandy (1431), master of the waters and forests of the bailiwick of Alençon (1432), he must have died shortly after; because his wife, Jeanne, said she was a widow, on November 16, 1435, in an act in which she constituted for her representatives, nobles Jean Clifton, Jean Hanforte and Jean Clay. Capitaines et Gouverneurs, page 39

Richard Plantaganet, 3rd Duke of York

York arrived in France on the 7th of June 1436, his appointed Captain was the now ransomed, Sir John Talbot. Talbot was primarily the field commander and he had some success but overall the tide had turned and a lack of men, money and equipment was still the main problem for York. After his yearly term was up York wished to return to England but was persuaded to stay until his successor arrived in November. It may have been in this first appointment that the paths of York and Sir John crossed.

From 1436, we find

Contrerolle of Jehan de Clay. Men-at-arms charged with the guard of the Seine Bridge of Rouen, under the orders of Talbot.  JEHAN BEAUMONT (18c)

In 1437, John de Clay, Man at Arms, Garrison  Rouen Castle, Earl John Talbot is overall commander, John Clay is Captain, July 27th. 

In 1437, John de Clay esq, Man at Arm, Rouen Castle, the  Duke of  York is Captain and the overall commander is Earl John Talbot, august 27th.  

In 1437, John Clay, Man at arms,   Rouen Castle, Richard Duke of York is OC, John Talbot, Captain, October 26th.  

In 1437, as above, November 16th.   

AHRC - Funded. 'The Soldier in Later Medieval Database' www.medievalsoldier.org

John was appointed as Lieutenant to Sir John Talbot of Rouen castle in1437, he had been in France for 16 years and had already served as Captain of St Catherines garrison, Rouen.(19)

Clay, who seems not to have served under Talbot at all before being appointed as his lieutenant at Rouen castle in 1437. However, he had been serving in Normandy for 16 years and had already held a captaincy at Rouen St Katherine, which ...The Soldier in Later Medieval England, page 39

By Adrian R. Bell, Anne Curry, Andy King, David Simpkin

John Clay accompanied, his Captain William Mountford from Harfleur to Rouen for a meeting with Lord Willoughby and thence to England, Feb, March 1438.(19a)

The above information ties in with information on the Medieval Soldier Database.

The end is nigh

At the start of the 1440s we have John Clay in familiar territory, the garrison at Rouen, where in 1441, he is recorded as a Lieutenant of the garrison.(20) 

York was reappointed to the Lieutenancy of France again in 1440 but he did not arrive in France until early 1441. The campaign season started in 1441 with Charles VII trying to shore up his recent gains and to protect the city of Paris. He started with the siege of Criel at the beginning of May and by the 25th of May, the siege was over. He then turned to Pontoise and on the 6th day of June the siege of Pontoise began, York sent Sir John Talbot to Pontoise five times between the 6th of June and the 5th  of September with men and provisions. York finally appeared at Pontoise with a relief army of 900 men at arms and 2700 archers in mid July and we can see that one of those men at arms was Sir John Clay. In mid August  with his supplies running out, York withdrew his relief force. The fate of Pontoise and its 1200 troops and its inhabitants was sealed, on the 16th of September, the walls were breached, at least 500 of the garrison were killed in the final acts of defence but Pontoise fell.

1441

Watches of men-at-arms in the service of the King of England in Normandy commanded by Richard de Wydeville, captain of Fresnay-le-Vicomte; Jean Penyngton, captain of Pont-Audemer: Roger Ingreland, lieutenant of Essay; Richard Haryngton, bailiff of Caen; the lord of Faucomberge, captain of Domfront: Jones Standish, captain of Orbec: Hue Stanlaw; Thomas Moude, captain of Sainte-Catherine-lès-Rouen; Adam Hilton, lieutenant of Pont-de-l’Arche; Jean de Clay, lieutenant of Rouen; Henri Gray, Count of Tancarville; John Haneford; Simon Morhier, treasurer of Normandy; François de Surrenne known as the Aragonese: the Count of Eu: the Duke of York; the Lord of Talbot: Henri Griffith: Jean Bourgchier: Thomas Gargrane; Jean Norbery, governor of Arques; Ilenri Nesbury, captain of Pont-de-Rouen; by Scales. (20)

June 25, 1441.-Review made by Raul Parker, secretary of the King, Girart Gossuin, grenetier of Rouen, and Richart Clerc, controller of the garrison illec, of the men-at-arms and of the draft being in garrison at the castle of Rouen under noble man Jehan de Clay, squire, lieutenant illec for very high and powerful prince my lord the Duke of York, lieutenant and general governor of France and Normandy and captain of said castle. (20b)

July 14, 1441.-Review made by Jehan de Clay, squire, and Jehan de Bailleux, of 16 lances on horseback and 22 archers of the company of Messire Francoys de Surrenne, known as L'Arragonnais, knight, ordered to serve, under the Duke of York, with the army brought by him from England, to repel the enemies besieging Pontoise. Signed CLAY of Bailleux (20a)

John Clay purchased the Manor of Darcies, Hertfordshire from the heirs of Lord Darcy c1441(21) and  Sir John may well have returned to England later in 1441 or early 1442 in the company of John Talbot, as he then returned to France in the company of Sir John, 9 other men at arms and 100 archers on March  25th 1442.(22)

In November 1442, Talbot led a force to besiege Dieppe and it may be that the troops he returned from England with were to be used in the siege, the siege however failed with a great loss of English life in August 1443. We can only speculate as to whether Sir John Clay  was with Talbots original besieging force. 

We know that by 1443, John Clay was well established in York's household.

John Clay served in France from 1421 and was Treasurer of York's household in France by 1443. (22a)

HOTEL OF THE DUKE OF YORK

Tonnière (Pierre de la), stable squire........

Mulso (Edmond), knight, servant of the Duke of York. Clay (Jean de), treasurer of the hotel.

1444, APRIL 22, CAEN

Mandate from Henry VI attaching Master Michiel Piot, one of his secretaries, to the three commissioners, Master Philippe de la Rose, Jean de Clay and Griffith Donn, responsible for carrying out an investigation into the abuses committed by the captains, people of war and justice of the bailiwick of Caen and allocating as such to the said Michel a daily allowance of 40 sous tournaments.

Henry, by the grace of God king of France and England, to our friends and fathers, the treasurers and general governors of our finances in France and Normandy, greetings and love. As with our other letters given to Caen on the third day of April this past month, we would have committed and ordered our beloved master Philippe de la Rose, master of requests at our hostel, Jehan de Clay and Griffith Donn, esquires, to inform them of several crimes, murders, mutilations, abuses, robberies, pillages, exactions and other delitz and hexes committed and committed in the bailiwick of Caen and committed by no captains, men of war, officers, people of justice and other persons on several of our names remain under the ends and duties of the said bailiwick, and of all that done and found would have reported in writing reliably closed and sealed by our very dear and very beloved cousin Richard, Duke of York, our lieutenant general and governor from us of our kingdom of France and duchy of Normandy, to be provided for; and it is thus that, by the order of our said cousin and lieutenant, our beloved and faithful notary clerk and secretary Maître Michiel Piot has with great diligence gone and heard daily with those above named or some of them for, (23)

John Clay married Joan Astley, daughter of Sir Thomas Astley and brother of Sir Thomas Astley, (24) Joan's other brother Sir John KG  was regarded as one of the finest warriors around at this time, his skill at jousting was legendary. (24a) We understand that Joan's mother had  been a nurse to henry VI. We have reference to this because in 1424, she asked for an increase in her wages. (24b)

John Clay's son was born c1444/5 and we know this because he was to use a euphemism "regarded as a good catch" in  letters written by the the Paston family, where his age is given as 18 in 1463.(25)

We dont as yet know where John, the younger, was born, had Joan joined Sir John in Rouen? Or was he spending more time in England?

Joan and John had a daughter, also named Joan, again she could have been born in France as on her inscription in Cheshunt church, it mentions Sainte Melun, Evesque. The other mystery to this daughter is that the inscription appears to show a fully grown woman but she died in 1453 could she have been born c1435? that would place John and Joans wedding before that date.

They also had another daughter, Cecily, no doubt named after the wife of the Duke of York, Cecily. Cecily married firstly Robert Grene, he died of the flux, whilst serving in France in 1472, married John Acton. (26)

In 1444, the English were pressing the French for a truce and York's five year appointment was coming to an end.  York seeking a diplomatic way out of the war or possibly for his own intentions, proposed that his eldest son Edward marry a daughter of Charles VII.

10th of June 1445, York to CharlesVII

 I presently send on embassy reverend father in God the bishop of Bayeux, advisor to my lord the King, the said Lord Richard Merbury, Master Thomas Basin, doctor in canon and civil law, Jehan de Clay, escuier, treasurer of the expenses of my hostel, the said Jehan Harnoiz and maître Jehan du Drosay, secretary of my said lord the King and mine, to speak and conclude on the said matter, of which I have given them sufficient power of my part. Which ones and the five or four of them please you with your benignity pleasantly to receive, and to what by (27)

In 1444 a five year truce was signed with France, this allowed the French time to reconstruct their army, upgrade their artillery and their tactics.

In 1445, Henry VI marries Margaret of Anjou and the county of Maine is ceded back  to the French in a secret deal.

On the 20th of October  1445 York returned to England and to no specific role under Henry VI. 

Coming from accounts recorded in 1446.

1446. The lieutenant, Jehan de Clay, squire, bailiff of Evreux, is responsible for receiving the income from the benefices belonging to church people absent and disobedient to the king our lord in the vicy of Orbec. (28)

1446. Le lieutenant de Jehan de Clay, escuier, bailli d'Evreux, est chargé de percevoir les revenus des bénéfices appartenant aux gens d'église absents et désobéissants au roi notre seigneur dans le vicy d'Orbec.

In the registers of the Hotel-de-ville of Liseieux, John is listed as Bailli of Evreux. (28a)

John is listed as Lieutenants of both the Orbec and Lisieux garrisons on the 16th of November 1446. (29) and (29x) and February 26th 1447 he is also recorded as Bailli of Evreux.

Orbec, September 4, 1447.-"The assizes of Orbec, held by us Jehan Le Muet, lieutenant general of noble man Jehan de Clay, squire, bailiff of Evreux, and of the said place of Orbec, the third day of September, first day of the said assizes, year one thousand cccc. forty seven, presented himself honorable man and sage Richart Ruaust, victim of Argenten and Exmes Who exhibited to us and showed certain letters granted to him at the court of very- high and powerful prince and our most redoubtable lord the Duke of York, lord of the ten places, given at Rouen on the seventeenth day of May past; (30) 

John Clay must have been in England at this time as we have a document dated the 26th of August 1447, where he was a witness to a deed signed at,  concerning manors settled on John Say, other witnesses were Andrew Ogard, Phillip Botelier and the Cheyne brothers. (30a)

In 1447 York  was appointed lieutenant of Ireland, where he held large estates, however he didn’t reach Ireland until 1449. John Clay remained in France, two of his colleagues, Sir William Oldhall and Sir Andrew Ogard went to England  with the Duke, we dont know exactly when John Clay joined York as he is listed on the muster roll of Orbec until the 29th of December 1447. (30b) 

John is also recorded on the 26th of February 1448 as Esquire and Bailli of Evreux. (29x)

In several bundles of badly damaged charters we have a wrongly recorded date of 1400.

As it mentions John CLay of Evereux, we can only suppose the date to be around 1448.

Thomas Reddout, comm. at Lisieux; Th. Charles, at Vire; Rob. Bridde, at Falaise; Thomas de Scales, at Domfront; Guill. Lang and Guill. Stuart, Scottish men-at-arms, of the King's guard; Guill. Fitz-Henry, at Honfleur; Guill. Bucton, at Chartres; Thom. de Ranogh; Jehan Hardy, at St-Germain-en-Laie; Duke of Bedford, at Falaise; Jehan de Montfort, at Verneuil; Nic. Burdet, at Rouen; Georges Rygmayden, at Alençon; Rich. Gethem, at Mantes; Jehan de Hanford, at Rouen; Jehan Morgan, at Rouen; Adrien Ogard, at Vire; Th. Lyriel, at Gournay; Hue Stanlowe, at Pontaude-mer;Richard ard Wydeville at Alençon; Th. Mulsa, at Con-; Jehan de Clay, at Evreux,

We have a description of the seal of Jean de Mulet, Clay's second in commmand,from 1448. 

Dark green, a shield of arms, couche, 7/8 inches. (31)

We also have a description of the seal of John Clay around the time he was treasurer to the Duke of York.

A round seal, 30 mill,   a quartered shield: at 1 and 4, two ravishing wolves confronted in chief and a wolf passing in point; at a and 3, a fess accompanied by three birds, two in chief and one in point; leaning, stamped with a helm crowned with a wolfs head in flight, supported by two damsels. (32)

The Duke of Somerset replaced York in 1448, the two men would become deadly rivals in the politics of England.

The breaking of the Anglo-French Treaty.

The Anglo-French truce was broken by Duke of Somerset allowing an English mercenary force led by Frangois de Surienne, to attack the Breton town of Fougieres,  in a surprise attack  on the 26th March 1449.

Following the breaking of the truce, the French quickly started rolling up the remaining English held castles in Normandy.

 The garrison at Lisieux surrendered to the French in August 1449. (29x)

The Duke of Somerset, surrendered Rouen without putting up a token resistance, he would later be accused of treachery and of selling Normandy to the French.

On Sunday 19 October 1449, the citizens of Rouen, supported by Charles VII, rose up against the English government. The duke of Somerset, his family and retinue were forced to take refuge in the castle and palace of the Norman capital. The army of Charles VII, coming to the relief of the citizens, entered the city before the end of the same day. The castle and palace, the last two English bastions, were quickly subjected to siege. The English saw no solution other than to negotiate their surrender. 

Il ne voudroit faire chose qui fust a deshonneur , Charles VII à la conquête de Rouen (1449)

Rémy Ambühl

p. 283-295

The Duke of Somerset and his family retinue made their way to Caen, John Talbot now Earl of Shrewsbury was held as a hostage.

Normandy Falls

The fall of Rouen, the capital of English France, was a decisive victory for Charles VII and in the December, he turned his attention to Harfleur. The French use of artillery was now at a very high point and the castle and port fell, largely due to their use of artillery in the siege.

In January of 1450 Honfleur and Fresnoy fell.

The English public were highly outraged at what they saw as the incompetent handling of the war, Normandy had been regarded as a defence from the  French crossing the channel and invading.

A large force was assembled to defend the remains of English Normandy, however three months later it was still sat in port whilst the usual wranglings over money and pay continued. The army finally arrived in Cherbourg in March 1450.

On the 15th of April 1450 the battle of Formingy was fought, it was a terrible defeat for the English, the army under the command of Sir Thomas Kyriell was wiped out.

The  French then took the towns of Vire, Bayeaux and Avranches and then turned their attention to the Duke of Somerset in Caen. After three weeks Caen, fell. Falaise and Cherbourg followed, English Normandy no longer existed.

As yet we have no knowledge where John Clay was at this time, having seen the writing on the wall, he may have left Normandy around 1448/9 to attend on the Duke of York. He may even have been in Ireland with York.

The battles of Normandy were over, the battles for England would soon be starting.

Aftermath of the war

After the fall of Normandy the increasingly unpopular HenryVI, had a series of mental breakdowns. Large numbers of unemployed former soldiers filled London and political unrest boiled over with the rebellion of Jack Cade, which may have been fostered by supporters of York.

The by now, popular Duke of York returned from Ireland in September 1450, it may be that John Clay returned with him. The Duke of Somerset was placed in the tower of London for his own safety.

In 1450, William Oldhall, a retainer of York  and a colleague of John Clay was elected MP for Hertfordshire and was later elected as speaker of the house, in 1452 he was attainted for his part in the rebellion of Jack Cade.

In April of 1451 Somerset was released from the tower of London and appointed as the Captain of Calais. In the following year York made another attempt for power asking to be recognised as the heir of Henry VI, Henry was at this point childless after seven years of marriage.

 English Gascony, no more

Charles VII now turned his attention to the area where the English still held  control, Gascony. In 1451 French attempts to recapture Gascony had gone well, most fortresses and towns had surrendered under negotiation rather than siege. The aristocracy of Gascony had pledged their alleigance to Charles VII, after 300 years Gascony was once again French but the price of alleigance to France was high taxation, in 1452 the City of Bordeaux sent a delegation to England to ask Henry VI to send an army to expel the French garrisons.

An army was assembled in 1452 under the old warrior, John talbot. The army met with success as garrison after garrison of French troops was expelled. Charles VII recruited a much larger army than Talbots 3,000 men and started an offensive to regain his foothold in Gascony.

Talbot made a grave error in going to the defence of the city of Castillon and advancing on the French before a larger body of English troops could arrive to support him. The very successful use of artillery by the French cut down large swathes of Talbots force, Talbots horse was hit by  artillery fire, Talbot was trapped under his horse, from where he was hacked to death  by French men at arms.

Gascony was once again under French control.

Following the defeat of Talbot and the army at Castillon1453, Henry VI suffered a complete mental breakdown. The country was leaderless.

We have an inscription of Joan de Clay from Cheshunt church dated 1453.

Damoselle Johanne Clay who passed away in the year of Grace MCCCC, the XXII day of October. Saint Melun, Evesque

The date MCCCC is an invalid Latin numeral and I believe we have the date of 1453 from John Clays will. (TBC) (33)

Joan Clay from Cheshunt Church

York as Protector

Henry VI was now a King  in name only, unable to communicate and being led gently everywhere as if he were a child, he was in no state to lead the country, after the  death of his leading councillor, John Kemp the country had no one in control. York was appointed Protector of the Realm on the 27th of March 1454 and he appointed Richard Neville, Earl of Salisbury as his chancellor. Neville was his brother in law but more importantly, the Neville family now backed him and so would a larger number of nobles than previously. Somerset was once again deprived of office and sent to the tower. In the January of 1455, Henry came out of the catatonic state he had been in for 17 months. York was no longer regent or councillor or Captain of Calais. Somerset was released from the tower and appointed Captain of Calais. Instability returned to the realm.

York and the Nevilles, set about recruiting troops from their estates and Henry VI was moving north from London to confront them.

The two armies met at St Albans on the 22nd of May 1455.

The First Battle of St Albans

The battle has been described, by some, as more of a skirmish and resulted in something close to  50 of the common soldiery being killed, however the King lost a number of his leading councillors, the Duke of Somerset, the Earl of Northumberland and Lord Clifford were killed. King Henry VI and the Duke of Buckingham were captured.

We have yet to find a reference to John Clay as a combatant at the battle. But given that Sir John was probably with York and Hertfordshire was his county, then it is likely he was.

York kept the king  in Hertford castle, removing him to London for the opening of Parliament.

John Clay was elected to Parliament  for Hertfordshire in May 1455. (34)

Along side his listing as an MP for Hertfordshire inthe Brevia Parliamentaria Rediviva, we find his motto listed.

 "Melit. Gladiis Acinti" or " Honey. Girded with Swords"(37)

Henry VI was ceremoniously handed his crown by York at the opening of the parliament in the July.  Appointing himself Constable of England, he appointed, the Earl of Warwick as Captain of Calais. By the opening of Parliament in November, Henry VI had once again slipped into a catatonic state and York was once again  protector of the realm.

At the beginning of 1456, the Duke of Alencon started a process of treasonable  negotiations through intermediaries of the Duke of York. Alencon who had been a loyal supporter of Charles VII, had lost almost everything during the anglo-French wars. He proposed that York persuade Henry VI to send an army back to France. York entered into negotiations that also involved his son Edward marrying a daughter of Alencon's. Involved in these discussions were John Clay, Richard Woodville and John Wenlok. 

"de Warwick had taken the seal bearing the duke's arms and put it to his lips, swearing that he would live and die to fulfill the will of the noble prince of Alecon even if he had to sell and pledge all his terres."

"Gillet waited for a month for his dispatch; before responding to him, they wanted the session of Parliament to be closed. He had numerous conversations with Jean Wenlok, later a member of the Privy Council, to whom Richard Wideville had accredited him. Wenlok told him one day: The English will descend into France to the number of forty thousand; the Commune granted the "sizes for the payment of the army. Another day, he learned from the same person and from Jean Cley, treasurer of the Duke of York, that the King of Aragon and the Count of Armagnac (brother-in-law of the Duke of Alencon) had had ambassadors who were then in England, "that whenever the English wanted to go down to France, that they would deliver to them ten thousand" (37a)

Henry VI attempted to broker a reconciliation between the two  warring sides in his kingdom, on the 25th of March 1458, this attempt failed, the time for peace was running out.

The two sides were now concentrating on raising their forces. The war of the roses was now about to begin in earnest.

Dated the 28th of April 1458 at Cheshunt and witnessed by John Clay. 

A charter indented with warranty of all lands, rents, reversions and services in Cheshunt, Waltham Holy Cross and elsewhere in Hertfordshire, which the grantors had jointly by demise of John Leventhorp. (38)

The Civil War starts 1459

In  1459, John Clay was appointed Victualler of Calais, (40)  this was presumably at the beginning of the year and York still held some powers.

A great council was summoned at Leicester, in June 1459. York and the Nevilles refused to attend for fear of being arrested for treason. A further council was summoned for November but York and the Nevilles were not invited.

The battle of Blore Heath

The Battle of Blore heath, Staffordshire was fought on the 23rd of September 1459, the Earl of Salisbury's army defeated the larger Lancastrian force, allowing it to meet up with the Duke of York and his forces at his castle at Ludlow.

Most likely, John Clay was with York at Ludlow.

The Battle of Ludford Bridge

Friday 12th of October 1459

The battle, such as it was, was a disaster for the Yorkist cause, the leaders of the yorkists had claimed that the King was dead, not only was Henry not dead, (see below) he was unusually at the battle and clad in magnificent armour. Troops brought over from Calais, under the leadership of Andrew Trollope defected to Henry VI. York and the Earl of Warwick slipped away from the battlefield and York fled to Ireland. John Clay is likely to have fled to Ireland with York or he may have fled to the Yorkist stronghold of Calais with Warwick.

John Clay suffered attainder alongside the rest of his companions in the proclamation of Coventry 1459. (40a)

Where the Kyng our said Soveraigne Lord understandeth that dyvers his subgetts, blynded with abused wilfulness, openly noises and Afferme upon his Highness. that he is good and gracious Lord to the said late Duke and Erles and other personesabove named, Atteinted assenting to th' act of Attaindre of theym, His Seid Highness will that  it be openly knowne, proclaymed, and understoud, among his Liege people and Subgettes that he taketh, reputeth, and demeth the said late Duke and late Erles of March, Warrewick, Sarum and Rutlond, John Clynton . , Thomas Nevyll, John Nevyll, Thomas Haryngton, John Wenlock, James Pykering, John Conyers, Thomas Parre, John Bourgchier, William Stanley, Thomas Meryng, Thomas Colt, John Clay, Rogger Eyton, Robert Bould, Alice late Countess, William Oldhall, and Thomas Vaughan, enmeys, rebelles and traitours  and each of them his enemy, rebell and traitour ayeinst his said Highness and Mageste Roiall, according to the said act of their atteyndre:  And, ovir this, the Kyng our said Sovereigne Lord straitly chargeth and commaundeth  that every man ( of what  degre or condition he be) upon Peyn of forfeiture of his goodes and his body to prison,  geve  his due and diligent Array, unto in his most defensible Array, to the king's commissioners, assigned in the said shires, and either them, for the resistance to resist  of  the Kyng's Enmyes, Rebelles and Traitours, as oft and when as by the said commisioners or any of theym on the Kyngs behalve he shall be thereto required.

Et hoc sub fide et foederibus, quas nobis tenetis, et unusquisque vestrum vobis obligatus est in nullo pretermisso.

Teste Rege apud Coventre xj die Junii.

And this under the Faith and Covenants, which you hold to us, and every one of you is bound to you, in no way omitted.

Witness the King at Coventre, the eleventh day of June.

THE ROLE OF PARLIAMENT HELD AT COVENTRY, IN THE THIRTY-EIGHTH YEAR OF KING HENRY'S REIGN, THE SIXTH SINCE THE CONQUEST.

                                                      The Encampment at Ludford

And on Friday, the vigil of the feast of the translation of Saint Edward, king and confessor, in the thirty-eighth year of your noblest reign, at Ludford in the county of Hereford, in the fields thereof, the said Richard, duke of York, Edward, Earl of March, Richard, Earl of Warwick, Richard, Earl of Salisbury, Edmund, Earl of Rutland, John Clinton, Lord Clinton, Knight John Wenloc, James Pickering, Knight, the said John Conyers and Thomas Parre, knights, John Bourchier and Edward Bourchier esquires, nephews of the said Duke of York, Thomas Colt, late of London, gent, John Clay, late of Cheshunt in the county of Hertford, esquire, Roger Eyton, late of Shrewsbury in Shropshire, esquire, and Robert Boulde, brother of Henry Boulde, knight, with other knights and people whom they had blinded and brought together by wages, promises and other carefully calculated means, brought certain people before the people to swear that you were dead, making it said the mass and attending, all so that people would be less afraid of fighting.

May it therefore please Your Highness, taking into account the above, by the advice and assent of your spiritual and temporal lords and your commons, assembled in your present parliament, and by the authority of that hereby, to order, decree and promulgate that the said Richard, Earl of Salisbury, Thomas Neville, John Neville, Thomas Harrington, John Conyers, Thomas Parre, William Stanley and Thomas Meryng, for having declared a traitor to have started war against Your Highness in the said town of Blore, in the field of the same town called Blore Heath, in the manner above described; and also that the said Richard, Duke of York, Edward, Earl of March, Richard, Earl of Warwick, Richard, Earl of Salisbury, Edmund, Earl of Rutland, John Clinton, Lord Clinton, John Wenlock, James Pickering, John Conyers , Thomas Parre, John Bourchier, Edward Bourchier, Thomas Colt, John Clay, Roger Eyton and Robert Boulde, for their said traitorous outbreak of war against your said very noble person at the aforesaid Ludford, in the fields of the latter, of the manner described above, to be deemed, taken, declared, judged, considered and affected with high treason, as false traitors and enemies of your very noble person, high majesty, and that they and each of them forfeit of themselves and their heirs, by the same authority, all their estates, honors and dignities, which they or any of them possess in your kingdom of England, as well as in Wales and Ireland. And that the said Duke of York, the Earls of March, Warwick, Salisbury and Rutland, John Clinton, Lord Clinton, Thomas Neville, John Neville, Thomas Harrington, John Wenlock, James Pickering, John Conyers, Thomas Parre, John Bourchier, Edward Bourchier, William Stanley, Thomas Meryng, Thomas Colt, John Clay, Roger Eyton, Robert Boulde, Alice, William Oldhall and Thomas Vaughan, renounce for the benefit of Your Highness, themselves and their heirs forever, of all honors, castles, lordships, manors, lands. , immovables, rents, reversions, annuities, charges, fees, advows, fief-farms, inheritances and other possessions that they or one of them, or anyone else for their use, or for the use of any of them jointly or severally, have or had in fee simple or fee-queue, in your kingdom of England, and in Wales, and in Ireland, or in your town of Calais, and in the markets there -lower, and in the Islands of Jersey and Guernsey, on the said Friday or at any time since, of them, their heirs and assigns for ever: and all property and personal effects which they or any of them they, or any other person for their use, or for the use of any of them, have: and that they and each of them be rendered incapable for ever of having or enjoying an inheritance in any manner hereafter in your said kingdom of England, and in Wales and in Ireland, and in your city of Calais, together with their heirs and the heirs of each of them. , must be rendered incapable forever of having or enjoying an inheritance, by them or by one of them. Provided always that this act of confiscation will not extend to any honor, castle, lordships, manors, lands, buildings, rents, reversions, annuities, charges, fees, confessions, fiefs, inheritances and other possessions including the said Duke of York, the Earls of March, Warwick, Salisbury and Rutland, and John Clinton, Lord Clinton, Thomas Neville, John Neville, Thomas Harrington, John Wenlock, James Pickering, John Conyers, Thomas Parre, John Bourchier, Edward Bourchier, William Stanley, Thomas Meryng, Thomas Colt, uld, John Clay, Roger Eyton, Robert Bould, Alice, William Oldhall, Thomas Vaughan, Richard Grey, Lord Powys, Walter Devereux and Henry Radford, or any of them, were seized or possessed on the said Friday y of individually or jointly, with themselves or any of them, or with any other person or persons, by fine, enfeoffment or concession made to them or to any of them in trust, jointly or individually, for the use of any other person or persons, or to carry out the will of the feoffor(s), of the or donors, and not themselves the heirs; provided that none of these honors, castles, lordships, manors, lands, buildings, annuities, reversions, annuities, offices, fees, confessions, fiefs, inheritances and other possessions have been confiscated by the force of the said act. And also saving to any other person or persons who were not in any of the said dominions against Your Highness in the manner aforesaid, their rights, titles and interests which they or any of them had in or over the said honours, castles , lordships. , manors, lands, buildings, rents, reversions, annuities, offices, fees, confessions, fiefs-farms, inheritances and other possessions, or any part of them, before the said Friday.

Provided further, that this act of forfeiture shall not extend to or be prejudicial to the spouses of any of the persons specified above, who have forfeited or are affected by virtue of said act; but that they may have and enjoy after the death of their said husbands all these honors, castles, lordships, manors, lands and buildings, annuities, reversions, annuities, fees and charges or all other possessions, which they or the one of them owned or held jointly with their said husbands on the said Friday; except the said Alice, wife of the said Earl of Salisbury. Provided always that this act shall not extend to honors, castles, lordships, manors, lands, buildings, rents, reversions, annuities, offices, fees, confessions, fiefs, inheritances or other possessions of which the said Duke of York, the earls of March, Warwick, Salisbury and Rutland and John Clinton, Lord Clinton, Thomas Neville, John Neville, Thomas Harrington, John Wenlock, James Pickering, John Conyers, Thomas Parre, John Bourchier, Edward Bourchier, William Stanley, Thomas Meryng, Thomas Colt , John Clay, Roger Eyton, Robert Boulde, Alice, William Oldhall, Thomas Vaughan, Richard Grey, Lord Powys, Walter Devereux and Henry Radford, or any of them, were seized or possessed on the said Friday, individually or jointly , with themselves or one of them, or with any [col. b] other persons, by fine, enfeoffment or concession granted to them, or to any of them, in trust, jointly or severally, for the use of any other person or persons, or to carry out the will of the fieffor(s),

We therefore, your humble commons assembled in your present parliament by your high command, docilely pray your most abundant grace to communicate your grace more generously to the said people, that it may please you, by the advice of such lords. as you please to invoke, assess and impose fines and ransoms on the said persons individually, as they deserve, as by said notice you deem fit and according to their merits; said fines and ransoms thus assessed will be collected and paid individually upon receipt of your exchequer, on one or more days to be specified and fixed by you on the notice above, the money to be used for the defense of the marches of the Wales. and the guard of the sea, as everyone will need. And if the same sums are not paid to the said receipt on the day(s) decided by you on the said notice, then any person who fails to pay the sums imposed on him will lose to Your Highness for the said offenses, from them and their heirs forever, all honors, castles, lordships, manors, lands, buildings, reversions, annuities, offices, fees, advows, fiefs-farms, inheritances and all other possessions that they or one of them, or any other person at their disposal or one of them, jointly or individually, have or have had in fee simple, in fee-queue or for life, in your kingdom of England, and in Wales and Ireland, and in your city of Calais and its marches, on the 13th day of October last, or at any time since, of them, their heirs and assigns forever ; and all property and personal effects which they or any of them, or any other person for the use of them or any of them, own or have; saving their lives, which was given to them by Your Highness according to Your said grace. And furthermore, that each of the said persons will find for Your Highness a sufficient guarantee, by a commitment in your chancellery, of their good conduct towards your royal person. 

On the 23rd of December 1459, John Clay's property was granted to Elizabeth Say. (41)

Grant to Elizabeth Say for good service to the King of all the lands, rents, services, goods and chattels late of John Cley esquire in the parish of Cheshunt, Hertford in the Kings hands by his rebellion whereof he is attainted by authority of Parliament. 

Westminster February 10th 1460

Appointment, at pleasure, of John Joskyn, Esquire, as receiving minister of the lordships of Hechyn, Staundon and Anstye, co. Hertford, late Richard, Duke of York, and of all the possessions of the late Richard, Earl of Salisbury, in Hertfordshire and Essex, and of all the possessions of the late John Clay in Hertfordshire, forfeited by their rebellion, with power to collect all of their income and account for it, taking the usual fees, wages and rewards. (42)

Westminster, March 16th 1460

 Appointment, for three years, on the advice of the council, of Thomas Westminster. Thorp, Brian Rouclyff, John Broun, John Poutrell, Hugh Fenne and John Lenton as receivers of all the possessions of the late Richard, Duke of York, Edward, Earl of March, Richard, Earl of Warwick, Richard, Earl of Salisbury and Alesia his wife, Edmund, Earl of Rutland, John Clynton, Lord Clynton, Thomas Neville, knight, John Neville, knight, Thomas Haryngton, knight, John Wenlok, knight, James Pykeryng, knight, John Conyers, knight, Thomas Parre, knight, John Bourghchier, Edward Bourghchier, William Stanley, Thomas Meryng, Thomas Colt, John Cley, Roger Eyton, Robert Boulde, William Oldhall, knight, and Thomas Vaghan, in England, in Wales and in the march there, among the hands of the king by their attacker for high treason in parliament last held at Coventre, and of all profits arising from all confiscations, losses, wards, marriages and annulments in England, Wales and their march, for hold themselves or by the deputies, taking the annual sum provided by the king's council; so that the said John Broun and Hugh shall not meddle in the receipt of any sum from any of the premises in England or in the march of Wales; and all persons having rents or transfers of premises will have pre-close before others for the payment of these. (43)

Westminster, March 17th 1460

Whereas on the advice of the council, to resist Richard, Duke of York, . Edward, earl of March, Richard, earl of Warwick, Richard, earl of Salisbury, Edmund, earl of Rutland, and their accomplices, and adversary of the king of France, it was ordered by the king and council that all persons lending the money to the king should be reimbursed from the issues of the possessions of the said duke and the said earls and Alesia, countess of Salisbury, John Clynton, late Lord Clynton, Thomas Neville, knight, John Nevill, knight, Thomas Haryngton, knight, John Wenlok, knight, James Pykeryng, knight, John Conyers, knight, Thomas Parre, knight, John Bourgchier, Edward Bourgchier, William Stanley, Thomas Meryng, Thomas Colt, John Clay, Roger Eyton, Robert Boulde, William Oldhall, knight and Thomas Vaghan, reached in the last parliament at Coventre, in England, Wales and in their march, and of all confiscations and losses, wards, marriages and annulments in England, Wales and in their march, and tenths and fifteenths; and Thomas Gray de Rugemond Grey, knight, lent the king 100 marks: - the king, by advice of the council, granted him 100 marks of the premises; and the Chancellor or Keeper of the Privy Seal shall issue such writs and warrants as may be necessary, and the Chancellor shall correct any defect herein.(44)

To receivers, farmers or other occupants for the moment of lordships, manors, lands, etc. of Richard the late Duke of York, Edward the late Earl of March, Richard the late Earl of Warrewyk, Richard the late Earl of Salisbury.

Westminster May 20th 1460

Edmund late Earl of Roteland, Alice late Countess of Salisbury, John Clynton late Lord Clynton, Thomas Neville, John Nevylle, Thomas Haryngton, John Wenlok, James Pykeryng, John Conyers, Thomas Parre knights, John Bourgchier, Edward Bourgchier, William Stanley, Thomas Meryng, Thomas Colt, John Clay, Roger Eyton, Robert Boulde, William Oldhall Knight and Thomas Vaghan. Order to pay to Thomas Gray of Knight Rugemond Gray the arrears of 100 marks until paid in full; as a result of the information that the said duke and earls and other their accomplices, rebels, traitors and enemies of the king, were entering the kingdom and intended to start insurrections, rebellions and worse, and that his old adversary of France assembled large forces to invade the kingdom, prepared to provide resistance on the advice of the council, which cannot be done without a rapid contribution of notable sums by its true lords, it was agreed by the king and the council that all who should advance money in his pressing need should be reimbursed for the issues, profits and income of whatever nature from lordships, manors, lands, etc. in England, in Wales and in the march of Wales of the Duke and others named above, or of all those who in Parliament, latterly at Coventre, were attainted for high titles treason which for this reason fell into the hands of the king, and of all confiscations, losses, wards, marriages, vacancies of bishoprics, abbeys, priories, hospitals, chapels and benefices in the kingdom, in Wales and in the said march which should accumulate or have to belong to the king, and of all tenths granted to the king by the clergy of the provinces of Canterbury and York, and of all fifteenths and tenths or parts thereof granted to him by the commons, as the contains the act of council; and Thomas Gray lent the king 100 marks, and willing to repay him, as he is bound to do, the king granted him the sum of the issues, etc. mentioned above. (45)

Coventry June 11th 1460

To the Sheriffs of Oxford, Berkshire, Suthampton and Wiltesir. Order their allegiance forthwith to cause it to be proclaimed (in English) that in the statute of the 25th of Edward III at Westmyster it was ordained that if any adhere to the kings he should be enemies in his domain, as wanting eide or comfort there where they where, and have been attested of opyn dede by people of their condition, should be considered as traytour ayenst the king, so far as Richard late Duke of York, Edward fin erle de Mars, Richard fin erle de Warrewyk, Richard late erle of Salisbury, Edmund late erle of Rutlond, John Clynton late lord Clynton, Thomas Nevyll, John Nevyll knights, ring of the erle of Salisbury, Thomas Haryngton, John Wenlok, James Pykeryng, John Conyers, Thomas Parre knights, John Bourghchier Squyer nephew of the seid Duke, Willyam Stanley Squier, son of Thomas the late Lord Stanley, Thomas Meryng the late of Tonge co. York squier, Thomas Colte late of London, gentleman, John Cley late of Chesthunt co. Hertford Squier, Robert Eyton, late of Shrewesbury co. Salop squier, Robert Boulde brother of the knight Henry Boulde, Alice Wyff of the late yerle of Salisbury, William Oldehall knight and Thomas Vaghan late squier of London in the last parliament held at Coventry, bi thasse of the spiritual and temporal lords and commens, dyvers high, horrible and odious betrayals be mitigated and considered as enemies, rebels and traitors against the king, the king of his tender zeal towards his subgettes whose ignorance could offend charcheth that no one, of what state, degree or condition he is, to be an adherent of the said late duke, yerles, etc., or of one of them, in favor, in aid, in assistance or in comfort with goods, men, war clothing, vitailes, dedes or other wise men for payment to be considered rebels and traitors; also when the divergent of his subordinates, blinded by abused obstinacy, openly affirm to his highnesses that he is good and gracious lord of the said duke, erles, etc., and that he was neither aware nor acquiesced in the act of reaching him, his highnesses will know that he eliminates them the enemies, the rebels and the plateaus and each of them in accordance with the aforementioned act, and commands that every man, whatever his degree or condition, in return for the forfeiture of his property and his body in prison, gives his presence in his most defensible panoply to the king's commissioners in the counties of Seid as often as they require it. English. (46)

The Battle of Northampton

Having suffered attainder, the lives of York and his fellow rebels, including John Clay's, were forfeit and their lands reverted to the crown, their heirs would be disinherited. 

York was in Ireland, Warwick was in Calais, an invasion was the only option open to the rebels. York's options were, if an invasion was successful,  was to become Protector again, to disinherit the king's son, so that he would succeed, or simply claim the throne.

With York still in Ireland, on the 26th June 1460, Warwick, landed in Kent, the men of Kent joined the march to London and on the 2nd of July, London opened its gates to the rebels. Marching northwards, they encountered the Lancastrians at Northampton on the 10th of July. The lancastrians were swiftly defeated, largely in part to the defection of Lord Grey of Ruthin to the Yorkist cause.

Henry VI was captured once again.

York returned from Ireland, on the 9th of September and marched on London with the Royal banner flying before him.

On the 19th of September and this may indicate that John Clay had been in Ireland with York, Edward, Earl of March, the future Edward IV, wrote to the servant of John Paston, Christopher Hanson, requesting lodgings for his mother Cecily and his three youngest siblings. Hanson wrote to his master, John Paston.

To the Most Worshipful Sir and Master John Paston at Norwich, may this letter be delivered with all haste.

Very venerable Sir and Maister, I recommend it to you. Please, I beg you, on the Monday after our Lady-Day [September 15, 1460], let my Master Bowser, Sir Harry Ratford, John Clay, and my Lord of the March's Harbyger come and hide at my Lord's house, desiring that my Lady of York could be here until the coming of my Lord of York and his two sons, my Lord George and my Lord Richard, and my Lady Margarete, her grandson, to whom you order them, in your name, to sleep here until Mychelmas. And she hadn't left her here. but he had lived through my lord's stay at Chestre. On the Tuesday after my Lord sent for him, he was to come and sing at Harford [Hereford]; and theder sche left. And they have left the sunys and the dowztyr here, and the lord of March comes every day to see them...

Wreten at London on the 12th October day. 

Your own servant, Christopher Hausson (47)

On the 7th of October, a parliament revoked the proclamation of 1459. On the 10th of October, York entered London and laid his hand upon the throne but this act was not well recieved by his fellow Lords, Henry VI  in the eyes of the peers was still an annointed King. However, he was granted an act of accord which acknowledged him as the heir to Henry VI, he was also appointed as protector of the realm.

The Battle of Wakefield

Meanwhile in the north  of England, the Lancastrian’s were rearming. York moved back north, to his castle at Sandal.

In the ensuing battle at Wakefield on the 30th of December, York was killed and his son Edmund was killed fleeing from the battlefield. York's body was beheaded and it was placed at Micklegate Bar in York, complete with a paper crown.

The Battle of Mortimers Cross

The Battle of Mortimers cross was fought on the 2nd of February 1461, in Herefordshire not far from the Welsh border. It was a major battle, the Lancastrians were led by by the father and son Owen and Jasper Tudor.

The Yorkists were led by Edward, now Duke of York and the claimant to the throne of England after the death of his father at Wakefield.

The Lancastrian army was moving from Wales towards London with the aim of joining a larger Lancastrian army enroute. Edward planned to block their route.

As the day broke on the morning of the battle, itappeared that three suns rose in the morning sky. Edward, now Earl of York, convinced his troops that it represented the Holy Trinity and that God was on their side. The sun was later to feature in the livery collar of Edward.

The Lancastrians commenced the attack, forcing Edward to retreat, Owen Tudor then attempted to encircle the Yorkist left wing, this attempt was defeated and a rout commenced. The Lancastrian centre then also broke and a full scale rout took place, Owen Tudor's men were  chased, some as far as Hereford some 16 miles away. Owen Tudor was one of those men, he was later captured and beheaded.

Edward headed for London.

The second Battle of St Albans

The second battle of St Albans was fought on the 17th of February, 1461.

The Yorkist army led by the Earl of Warwick, wanted to prevent the Lancastrians from reaching London.

However the Lancastrians, outflanked Warwick and took his troops completely by surprise and drove them from the field of battle.

King Henry VI, who was the prisoner of the Yorkists was released from captivity.

It was a major set back for Edward but the Lancastrian forces were unable to capitalise on their victory.

The Battle of Towton

The battle of Towton has the dubious distinction of "being the largest and bloodiest battle on English soil.

It took place near Towton in Yorkshire on March the 29th, 1461. It was Palm Sunday and it took place in a snowstorm, reportedly some 50,000 troops fought for ten hours.

Hand to hand combat was exhausting both sides but the Yorkists had a smaller army and they could have expected to lose through battle weary troops falling exhausted.

However the day was saved when the Duke of Norfolk arrived with an army of fresh reinforcements. At the end of the day the Lancastrian line broke and the men fled across a field now known as bloody meadow. More Lancastrians were killed fleeing from the battle than were killed in the battle. No quarter was given and a large number of nobles and knights were executed after the battle.

Henry VI was in York at the time of the battle, on hearing the news, he fled to Scotland with his wife and son.

The war was temporarily over, the Lancastrians  had suffered a major defeat and although there would be "trouble int North" until at least 1464, Edward was safe until 1470 when the Earl of Warwick changed sides.

The battle of Towton

John Clay was listed amongst the Yorkist knights who fought at the battle of Towton.(48)

Around  the June of 1461, John Clay is appointed, great steward to Cecily, Duchess of York, the Kings mother. (48a)

John Clay  was knighted either at the coronation of Edward IV or shortly after, either June or July.(49)

On the 8th of August Sir John Clay and John Wenlok were sent on a diplomatic mission to the Duke of Burgundy, nominally for trade talks but also to discuss a potential marriage between Edward VI and the Duke of Burgundys neice.

 after the return of Duke Phelippe de Bour guoigne from the coronation of King Louis of France, which he had stayed in his city of Brussels for a space, he came to Lille in Flanders where he was for a few days and from there went at Vallenchiennes, where an embassy arrived for him from King Edward of England, which from the said due was very honorably received and greatly celebrated; if the chief of this embassy was Messire Jehan Venlocq, a great baron of England wearing the order of the Garter, with him a knight named Messire Jehan Claix, and a very notable cleric of law who called himself Dean of Bordeauz, who proposed before Duke Phelippe for King Edward; and if they were accompanied by a very notable squire called Thomas Vagant, a native of Wales, senior squire of the king's squire. Icelluy dean therefore proposed before the duke to his introyte many beautiful and very exquisite words to the exaltation of the said duke Phelippe de Bourguoigne, so much so that among other things various loenges thanked him from the king his lord, saying in this manner:- "Very powerful prince, of your very illustrious virtues we marvel, which our very Christien roy Edward, "before and after the adoption of the reign of his Tayon experienced, when he was in his city of Callaix in constituted adversity; and also in his brothers, whom you have magnificently and very generously not only received, but at all costs raised and very ample gifts given and in your house "nourished, which we must not be surprised by this (50)

The talks were not particularly succesful but the men were entertained in fine style and a banquet was held in their honour on the night before their departure. Sir John Clay was reportedly wearing the Yorkist collar of Splendour and roses.(50a)

There is another reference to Sir John Clay wearing the Yorkist collar

Now, as the country was to pass, the Count of Saint-Pol who had returned to favor, deliberated to feast him in his house of Beaurevoir. And in fact received him and feasted him highly, as he knew how to do, for he was a very powerful lord and rich. So from there passing by Cambray, he came to Valenciennes, there where he had put to the legate of the pope, bishop of Arras, similarly to the embassy of England of King Edward, who arrived there on a Tuesday, the eighth of October, when the duke had arrived there before. And the leaders of this embassy were a knight of the order of Gerretière, named messire Jehan Wenneloc' and another named messire Jehan Clais, wearing the new collar of the king, the white rose and the sun, and a lord of the church of the country of Bourdelois, named the archdeacon of Bordeaux, notable man and good cleric, who all together could be to the number of fifty horses or thereabouts. And they approaching the city of Valenciennes, sent the duke to meet them the bishop of Tournai with those of the council.(50b)

It would appear the men were delayed for three weeks in Calais.

our Lord Jesus, whom I beseech thee to save, and to send thee a good end in all thy affairs, for thy pleasure and everlasting adoration. Amen. Written in London, October 4. As for the news, the king will be in London within the next three days, and all the castles and fortresses of south and north Wales will be given and passed into the hands of the family; and the Duke of Exeter 1 and the Earl of Pembroke fled and were carried into the mountains, and various lords of great power pursued them. And most of the gentlemen and men of worship go to the king and enjoy the grace of all Wales. The Duke of Somerset, Lord Hungerford, Robert Whityngham, and four or five other squires, came from Scotland to Normandy, and are still under arrest; and as the merchants who arrived late say, they are considered as and judged the prisoners. My Lord Wenlock, Sir John Cley and the Dean of Saint-Séverin have remained in Calais these three weeks, and yet they are there, under cover of safe conduct, on their way to an embassy to the King of France. And Sir Walter Blount, treasurer of Calais, with a great comradeship of Calais soldiers, and many other men of the marches, rested, and still do, in a siege before the castle of Hammes, near Calais , and wage great war daily, from one side to the other. Item, I am sending you a copy of a letter which was taken from the sea, made by Lord Hungerford and Whityngham. Item, we will have a great embassy outside Scotland, with all haste, like lords.

At your command, and servant, HENRY WYNDESORE.

London, October 4, 1461. (51)

It may have been the siege of Hammes which they may have participated in, that delayed their return. The Royalist garrison of Calais had besieged the Lancastrian fortress of Hammes. Sir John writes giving details of gun powder used. (47a)

A payment of 82 Pounds was received by Sir John for his time spent in Calais. (47b)

In the December of 1461, we see that Sir John Clay is now being rewarded by Edward IV for his loyal service to the Kings father and to himself.

From the Calendar of the French rolls, we see that on  December the 2nd 1461, Sir John Clay was appointed as the Purveyor of Calais. (52)

From the Calendar of Patent rolls 11th of December 1461

Release to Richard, Earl of Warwick, John Clay, John Whichcote, Robert Cayvell and John Brereley and their heirs and assigns of all the rights that the king has in 4 messages, 10 tofts, 224 acres of land, 40 acres of meadow, 20 acres of pasture and 9s. rent at Welton, Riland by Dunham, Irby, Burton by Lincoln, Rothewell, Worleby, Kirnyngton, Risum and Little Barton, co. Lincoln, of whom Henry Bedford, knight, enfeoffed the above-mentioned and the king, then Earl of March, the king's father Richard, Duke of York, and Richard, Earl of Salisbury, so that they would carry out his last wish. (53)

Westminster 22nd December 1461

Grant for life to John Clay, knight of the king, to Joan his wife, and to John his sons of the reversion of the manor of Chesthunt, co. Hertford, and the avowal of the church there with knights' fees, lands, rents, liberties, remainders, wanderers, courts, wards, marriages, escheats, and other appurtenances to the death of Elizabeth Say, widow, who holds the same for life of the king's grant. (54)

It would seem that in reality that the above never happened, John Say the brother, possibly the husband or even the father of Elizabeth Say was elected to Parliament in Hertfordshire in 1455 alongside  John Clay. He too had been attainted by Henry VI, they were probably friends, Clay had appeared as a witness to a document in 1458, alongside John Say.

For his loyal service, Sir John was rewarded with the lands of the attainted, Thomas Ormond.

Grant in fee simple to the said John Clay, for his good services rendered to the king and the king's father, of all the lands and possessions of which Thomas Ormond, esquire, was seized in the counties of Essex and Cambridge, into the hands of the king due to its confiscation, to the value of 200 marks per year. (54)

Thomas Ormond, was Thomas Butler, son of the 4th Earl of Ormond, he later became 7th Earl of Ormond. He and his brothers were attainted by Edward IV.

The rewards

Sir John Clay would now appear to be in a good position, he was a trusted counsellor and diplomat, he held several Lordships, he was chamberlain to Cecily, the Dowager Duchess of York and he was also a counsellor to her sister Anne, the Dowager Duchess of Buckingham. Anne's husband had died fighting for Henry VI at the battle of Northampton.

FLETHALL MANOR, OR CLAYS.-Flethall is the Hall on the Flete, as the River Mardyke was formerly called; Mr. Thomas Wagstaff's house is a few yards to the south. Like many other matters relating to manors and families, the early history of this estate is shrouded in darkness. Morant cannot see through it; many are blind in these matters, and say they see. Sir Maurice Bruyn and his wife (from S. Ockendon) had it in 1462, and we find it presented to the living. From them it passed, in the process of settlement, to Sir John Clay (whose name it still bears) and John Crowland. (55)

It was proposed in 1462 that Sir John would form part of a diplomatic mission to the pope and the Duke of Milan, it would appear that it never happened.

The king's chaplain was John Flemmyng. -Patent Roll Calendar, 1461-7. page 370; Master Wenlok and Dean must be Sir John Wenlok and Peter Taster, Dean of St. Severin's. Rymer: Faedera, vol. v, part. ii, page 106. According to Chastellain John Wenlok and John Cley went with the archdeacon of Bordeaux. Chastellain: Chronicle, ed. Kervyn de Lettenhove, vol. iv, page 155. Louis Galet went as ambassador to Burgundy the following year. -Fœdera, vol. v, page 716. April 24th 1462  (56)

John Love citizen and brewer of London, to Lord John Wenlok, John Clay knight. John Say Esquire and Richard Wakefeld, the executors and assigns. Gift with security of all his goods and articles in the city and suburbs of London and elsewhere in the kingdom, together with all his debts to him and he put them into possession by delivery of a silver cup. Dated July 19. 1 Edward IV. 1462 (57)

However, Lancastrian rebels were still causing problems for Edward VI in the northern part of his kingdom, in 1463, Sir John Clay was remunerated for his costs in serving the King in the north in 1462-3. (58)

In the Calendar of the Feet of Fines, 1463, we have Sir John and others acquiring property in Northall.

Sir Walter Blount, knight, Sir John Clay, knight, esquire Ottewell Worseley, and Nicholas Jacowe, citizen of London, and John Byrshore, and Elizabeth, his wife, daughter of John, sister of Henry Roundell, Premises in Northall. (59)

Account of William Tansfield, receiver of John Clay, knight, for the lands in Essex which belonged to Thomas Ormond, esquire. The lands mentioned are High Roding (Rothynge Alta), Little Canfield (Canfeld Parva), Woolston (Wulffhamston) and Housham Hall (Overhamhall) and the farms of Margaretting (Margarete Guyng). [These lands were settled to Thomas, the remainder being awarded to his brothers John and James, in tail, in 1457, as one-third of the manors of Woolston (Wolfhampton) by Chigwell, High Roding, Housham Hall (Ovesham Halle), at Matching, Margaretting and Little Canfield: CPR 1452-61, 355.] Easter at Michaelmas 3 Edw. Iv April 10 to September 29, 1463 (59x)

Memorandum of recognition, May 21.

Maurice Bruyn knight and Elizabeth his wife, to John Clay knight, John Crowland, Robert Oldfelde's clerks, William Jenney and John Huntyngdon, their heirs and assigns. Charter with guarantee of the manors of Southwokendon and Stifford co. Essex with the knights' fees and the confessions of the churches and hospitals belonging to them, and all others their lands, rents, reversions and services in the town and hamlets of Southwokendon and Stifford, which they had by feoffment of Philippa, late Duchess of York and Lady of the Isle of Wight; and appointment of John Gibbe and Robert Freman as lawyers to take the matter to court. Witnesses: John Poynes Esquire, William Ardall, William Pert, Richard Malgrave, John Abbot. Dated Southwokendon, May 20, 2 Edward IV. (59a)

In 1463, Sir John Clay was appointed commissioner  of  Hertfordshire.

Commissions in terms similar to the following for assessing the sums undermentioned in the counties, cities, boroughs and places named:-

John Clay, knight, John Leventhorp, Ralph Gray, Thomas Croxton, Edmund Pirien, Henry Berley, Ralph Bawede; 96l. 68, 6d.; in the county of Hertford. (59b)

1463. Sept. 2nd. John Clay knight, Robert Grene and  a number of others. Charter with warranty of the whole tenement called Styles and other lands in the town and parish of Northehalle county Middlesex. (59bc)

The Mayors Feast

Account of the debates which took place at a party given by the sergeants-at-law in their hall on Monday October 7, 3 Edward IV. [ANNOUNCEMENT. 1463], (fn. 9) to which Matthew Philip, the mayor and other citizens had been invited, but whom they abruptly left, because the mayor had not been given the seat of honor which he had claimed and which had been attributed to him. to the Lord Treasurer. The dinner being over, a deputation consisting of John Clay, Knt., John Say, president, John Denham and Hugh Fen, under-treasurer of England, was sent to the mayor to assure him that what had happened was not serious. did not meet with the approval of the lords present, and to ask him to honor them with his presence the next day at dinner, when he would be given a place suitable to his position. To this the mayor indicated that he would give a response the next day after consulting the aldermen. When the time came, and the deputation appeared again in the inner chamber of the Guildhall, the answer was made only to the extent that (59c)

On November the 5th 1463, Clay was appointed Sheriff of Essex and Herfordshire.

MEMBRANE 2.

Commitment from the counties of Nottingham and Derby to

Order to John Stanhop, Esquire, late Sheriff, to deliver the counties to Robert by deed.

Similar commitments to the following named counties:-

William Skipwith, knight; Lincoln.

John Burgh, knight; Bitch. Simon Melburn; Hereford.

 Maurice Berkley of Beverston, esquire; Gloucester.

John Cheyne, Esquire; Cambridge and Huntingdon. 

Peter House, Esquire; Bedford and Buckingham.

William Calthorp; Norfolk and Suffolk.

John Clay, knight; Essex and Hertford

Thomas Echyngham, knight; Surrey and Sussex. Roger Tocotes, knight;

Sir John was also appointed to assess  certain individuals in the County of Hertfordshire in 1463.

Thomas atte Hoo, Robert Louth, William Thurston of Ware, John Fitz John, William Kent of Aston, John Wilkyns of Baldok, Robert Trigge of Aysshewele, John Coke of Huchyn, William atte Felde, Richard Dyer of the town of St. Albans in the County of Hertford; 967. 68. 6d. to be assessed by John Clay, Knight, John Leventhorp, Ralph Gray, Thomas Croxton, Edmund Pirien, Henry Berley and Ralph Bawede. William Yerdburgh of Yerdburgh, Nicholas Hodelstone of Torbeshow (61)

We find the age of Sir John's  son also John by the date of this letter, written by Margaret Paston.

To my faithful hosbond, John Paston, may your letter be delivered with all haste.

1463 November 13

worchepfull hosbond, I recommend it. Please know that I was in Norwic this week providing such things as nedythe me ageyns thys wynter; and I was at my mother's, and if I was there I came across Wrothe, a kynnysman of Elysabet Clers, and he saw your dowry, and gave it back to my mother, and said she was a very young woman; and my mother prayed that she would get a good marriage if he knew of one; and he said he knew we had to be from a CCC. Mind you, the wyche is the son of Sir John Cley, that is to say Chamberleyn with my lady of York, and he is seventeen years old. years. If you think it's worth talking about, mother, I think it should be had cheaper now in your world than it should be afterwards, because of this. [one], or sum of other good marriages.(61a)

The Last Year,1464

The recorded year for Sir John begins on January 28th,  in the Calendar of Fine Rolls.

Commitment (with the same reservation) to John Clay, knight, and Hugh Lyntone, by the responsibility of John Lynton, squire, and Richard Gylmyn, squire, both of London, for the custody of the lands called "Mounhermes" situated in Gosfeld, Bokkyng, Fynchyngfeld and Wedresfeld, co. Essex; hold of Michaelmas last 12 years, making each year 20 years. for which answer was made to the king and an increment of 12d., and bearing all other charges falling upon the lands. (62)

Closely followed by an entry for February the 10th,  in the Calendar of  Patent Rolls.

February 10th Westminster, Revocation of protection with rolumus clause, for one year, granted at Westminster. November 6 by letters patent to William Denton, citizen and mercer of London, as going into the service of the king in company with Walter Blounte, knight of the king, treasurer of the town of Calais, for the guard, defense and provisioning of the town and adjacent marches, for it lingers in the county of Essex as certified by John Clay, Knight, sheriff of the county. (63)

January 24 th Northampton, Granted to John Colt, in consideration of his purchasing provisions in Northampton. the County of Northumberland for household expenses when the King was last expected at the City of York for the sum of 51L. 8d. out of his own money, of the revenues of certain lands lately belonging to Ralph Grey, knight, traitor, into the hands of the king by his rebellion and forfeiture, in the said county, viz. some lands in Sagefeld, of an annual value of 13s. a town near Sagefeld called Elsthope,

Could the John Colt above, be the John Colt, Gentleman of London, who was attained alongside Sir John?

In the spring of 1464, Edward VI tried to prevent further rebellion in the north.

The Battle of Hedgeley Moor

Edward VI called a Parliament to meet at York on the 5th of May to discuss terms with a party from Scotland, but  the Lancastrian party were becoming increasingly active and so to ensure the safety of the Scots, a small Yorkist force under Lord Montagu was despatched north to escort them safely to York. When Montagu reached Hedgeley moor he met a Lancastrian army under Somerset. The ensuing battle was a decisive defeat for the Lancastrians and they fell back to Hexam.

It would seem that Sir John  was in the north at this time.

Beneficiary of the Warrant, Sir John Clay

40 Pounds for his attendance on the king's person, at his great charge and expense, in the northern parts of the country during the king's journey there against the king's traitors and rebels. Authorizing Clerk: Brewester Dated at the Tower of London, April 20, 4 Edw. IV (64)

The Battle of Hexham

The battle of hexham was fought on the 14th of May 1464, the two commanders were once again Montagu and Somerset, the battle turned into a rout for the Lancastrians.

On the evening following the battle, 30 rebel Lancastrian leaders, including Somerset were beheaded, the battle proved a decisive blow to the cause of Henry VI, he himself escaped capture and fled further north.

The History of parliament 1439-1509 claims that Sir John was paid as a knight of the Body in 1464 and may well have been a Knight of the Body since 1461.

Edward the VI had only 10 Knights of the body between 1461 and 1470, this privileged status, had the undertones of bodyguard but the position was meant to reflect service and a higher status, latterly Knights who were also sheriffs were promoted to Knights of the body, so it maybe that Sir John became a Knight of the body in 1463 when he became a sheriff.

According to the lists of  Sheriffs for England and Wales, Essex and Hertfordshire.

Sir John Clay passed away on the 8th of September 1464. (65)

In the Bede Roll entry number 96 we know that his will was written on the 8th of September and was proven on the 18th of September, 1464.

96. Sir John Clay, Kt, of Cheshunt, Herts, where he held the reversion of the manor, He requested burial in the parish church in his will of September 8, proven on September 15th 1464 (PROB 11/5, f. 41r). (66)

Sir John requested that he be buried next to his daughter, Joan, in the parish church at Cheshunt, however for some unknown reason he was buried at the church of St Benet Paul's in London. When his wife, Joan died in 1477, she was buried next to him.

The church has been the home of the College of Arms since 1556.

The original church on this site was burnt to the ground in the Great Fire of London in 1666 and rebuilt to a design by Sir Christopher Wren.

Sadly we know of no surviving inscription to Sir John from this church, however we have an inscription in St Peters church, Westminster, which does mention him in 1518.

Here lies William Bedel Esquire and Cecily his wife, the daughter and heir of Lord Robert Grene the soldier, and also the heir of Lord John Cley the soldier. July 3, 1518. (67)

Had Joan Clay, followed her husbands wishes and his burial had taken place in Cheshunt, we would probably have a likeness of him on his tombstone.