West Shefford or Great Shefford

The manor of WEST SHEFFORD was held in alod of King Edward the Confessor by Uleva, and in 1086 by Hugh de Port. From Hugh it passed to his son Henry, and from him to his son John de Port, lord of Basing, who was living in 1166. By his wife Maud John had a son Adam, who succeeded him. By his second wife Mabel granddaughter of Roger de St. John of Halnaker Adam had a son William de Port, who took the name of St. John. He married Godheld Paynel and was living in 1233, but died a few years later. His widow married Richard de Lucy, with whom she held this manor, which formed part of the barony of Basing. The manor afterwards passed to William's son Robert, who received a grant of free warren here in 1253. He married Agnes de Cantlow, and was living in 1256. His son John enfeoffed Sir Richard de Hautot of this manor in 1274, but reserved the advowson and the overlordship. John was succeeded about 1302 by his son John, who married Isabel daughter of Sir Hugh de Courtenay and died in 1329. He appears to have taken a second wife Alice, for in 1330 the king granted to her the advowson in dower, but the overlordship passed to John's son Hugh, who died in 1337, leaving by his wife Mirabel, who survived until 1362, a son Edmund aged four and two daughters Margaret and Isabel. Edmund died a minor and childless in 1347. His heirs were his sisters Margaret, the wife of John St. Philibert, and Isabel wife of Lucas Lord Poynings, and the overlordship of this manor was assigned to Lucas and Isabel in 1349. Isabel outlived her husband and died in 1393, when her son Thomas succeeded. His son Sir Hugh Poynings died without male issue during his father's lifetime in 1426. Sir Thomas died 7 March 1429 seised of this overlordship, which passed to his granddaughters, Constance wife of John Paulet and Alice wife of John Orrell, and to his great-grandson John son of Thomas Bonville and Joan, another granddaughter of Thomas. In 1615 the manor was held of Sir Thomas Parry as of the manor of Hampstead Marshall.