Wrest

The manor of WREST in Silsoe, which has been in the possession of the De Greys, earls of Kent, and their descendants for over six hundred years, was held at the time of the Great Survey by Hugh, of Walter, brother of Saher, and was then assessed at 4 hides; it had been held in the time of King Edward by Leofnoth, a thegn. Half a hide, which three sokemen formerly held, was in the possession of Hugh, who claimed to hold it of the king at the date of the Survey. It is very probable that Walter, brother of Saher, was related to Walter le Fleming, the ancestor of the barons of Wahull. He was possibly the brother of Walter le Fleming's father, for a Saher is alluded to under Southill, as the predecessor of Walter le Fleming in the reign of William the Conqueror, and both these barons had the same English predecessor, the thegn Leofnoth. This relationship would account for the fact that by 1284 the manor of Wrest was held of the barony of Wahull. It continued to be so held until 1623, after which there is no further record of the overlordship.