MANORIAL HERITAGE REGISTRY CONVEYANCE & DESCENT HISTORY ============================================================================ ALDINGTON SEPTVANS OTHERWISE WESTCOURT MANOR Public record: https://manorialregistry.com/?mhr_manor=aldington-septvans-otherwise-westcourt-manor Exported: 17 October 2026, 22:52 GMT+0000 Recorded historical holders: 11 Location: Thurnham, Kent SUCCESSION REGISTER | EARLIEST RECORDED TO PRESENT ============================================================================ Relationships below reproduce saved published paths; unrecorded routes are not inferred. 1. Robert de Septvans, Robert de Septvans of Aldington | before circa 1180 - circa 1180 Transfer: Inheritance through his wife Emma, co-heir of William Fitz Helte Holding arrangement: The later Septvans moiety or predecessor estate of Aldington; the precise extent of the original Fitz Helte holding is discussed as uncertain in the antiquarian evidence / Septvans family / Co-holders: Robert de Septvans, son of Robert de Septvans, William Septvans Profile: https://manorialregistry.com/?mhr_person=robert-de-septvans-27696 Relationship to present holder: Not recorded 2. Robert de Septvans, son of Robert de Septvans, Sir Robert de Septvans | 1185 - 1253 Transfer: Inheritance from his father; the estate was held in royal wardship during his minority Holding arrangement: Aldington Septvans estate or moiety / Septvans family / Co-holders: Robert de Septvans, William Septvans Profile: https://manorialregistry.com/?mhr_person=robert-de-septvans-27697 Relationship to present holder: Not recorded 3. William Septvans, associated with the Kentish Septvans family | 25 Edward III, approximately 1351-1352 - 25 Edward III, approximately 1351-1352 Transfer: Descent within the Septvans family Holding arrangement: The moiety of the manor of Aldington later called Aldington Septvans or Westcourt / Septvans family / Co-holders: Robert de Septvans, Robert de Septvans, son of Robert de Septvans Profile: https://manorialregistry.com/?mhr_person=william-septvans-27698 Relationship to present holder: Not recorded 4. William Septvans, son of William Septvans | before 28 August 1366 - Christmas 1364 or 1365, with the transfer later annulled Transfer: Enfeoffment to John Gower while William was a minor; the arrangement was subsequently challenged and the estate was restored or re-granted Holding arrangement: The moiety of the manor of Aldington, worth approximately £10 per annum / Septvans family; disputed alienation to Gower Profile: https://manorialregistry.com/?mhr_person=william-septvans-27699 Relationship to present holder: Not recorded 5. John Gower, English poet and landholder | Christmas 1365 - 1366 Transfer: Enfeoffment by William Septvans; the conveyance was annulled or treated as ineffective because William was under age Holding arrangement: The moiety of the manor of Aldington, Aldington-Septvans in Thurnham / Gower, disputed temporary holding Profile: https://manorialregistry.com/?mhr_person=john-gower-27700 Relationship to present holder: Not recorded 6. John Gower, English poet and landholder | February 1368 - 1373 Transfer: Re-grant or confirmation following William Septvans's attainment of full age and a royal licence Holding arrangement: The moiety of the manor of Aldington, Aldington-Septvans in Thurnham / Gower family interest Profile: https://manorialregistry.com/?mhr_person=john-gower-27700 Relationship to present holder: Not recorded 7. Trustees of John Gower, including John de Cobham, Lord Cobham | 1373 - After 1373, date not established Transfer: Settlement by John Gower to trustees to hold for his benefit Holding arrangement: Trust / The manor or moiety of Aldington known as Aldington-Septvans or Westcourt / Gower trust settlement Profile: https://manorialregistry.com/?mhr_person=john-de-cobham-27701 Relationship to present holder: Not recorded 8. Sir John Brockhull | After 1373 - Before the fifteenth-century Brockhull succession, exact date unknown Transfer: Later alienation from John Gower's trust or Gower's estate; the precise deed and date are not established in the public sources consulted Holding arrangement: Aldington-Septvans or Westcourt moiety / Brockhull family Profile: https://manorialregistry.com/?mhr_person=sir-john-brockhull-27702 Relationship to present holder: Not recorded 9. Nicholas Brockhill, esquire, lord of Aldington Westcourt | By 2 Edward IV, approximately 1462-1463 - After 2 Edward IV, exact date unknown Transfer: Descent within the Brockhull or Brockhill family Holding arrangement: Aldington Westcourt or Aldington Septvans moiety / Brockhill family Profile: https://manorialregistry.com/?mhr_person=nicholas-brockhill-27703 Relationship to present holder: Not recorded 10. Henry Brockhill, esquire, of Aldington, lord of Aldington Westcourt | By 1590 - 1596 Transfer: Descent within the Brockhill family; in 1590 he also purchased the separate Aldington Eastcourt moiety from William, Lord Borough Holding arrangement: Aldington Westcourt or Aldington Septvans moiety; from 1590 he also held the separate Eastcourt moiety / Brockhill family; united Aldington moieties after 1590 Profile: https://manorialregistry.com/?mhr_person=henry-brockhill-27704 Relationship to present holder: Not recorded 11. Richard Sheldon, esquire | By 1719 - 1736 Transfer: Descent or acquisition within the Sheldon family; the precise conveyance is not established in the public sources consulted Holding arrangement: Aldington West Court, with the associated Aldington estate / Sheldon family Profile: https://manorialregistry.com/?mhr_person=richard-sheldon-27705 Relationship to present holder: Not recorded DETAILED CONVEYANCE HISTORIES AND LINKED PEDIGREES ============================================================================ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- HOLDER 1 | before circa 1180 - circa 1180 Robert de Septvans, Robert de Septvans of Aldington Person: https://manorialregistry.com/?mhr_person=robert-de-septvans-27696 Transfer: Inheritance through his wife Emma, co-heir of William Fitz Helte Previous holder: William Fitz Helte Holding arrangement: sole Share / interest: The later Septvans moiety or predecessor estate of Aldington; the precise extent of the original Fitz Helte holding is discussed as uncertain in the antiquarian evidence Shared holding: Septvans family Narrative / explanation: The first Kentish record of Robert de Septvans identifies him as of Aldington in Thurnham and as the husband of Emma, co-heir of William Fitz Helte. Fitz Helte died shortly before 26 Henry II, and the descent of the later Aldington-Septvans estate from Fitz Helte is supported by the published Septvans study. Robert de Septvans was dead by about 1180. The sources do not prove whether Fitz Helte held the whole of Aldington or only the moiety later known as Aldington Septvans. Source citation: Reginald Tower, The Family of Septvans, Archaeologia Cantiana, volume 40, section Aldington-Septvans; the article cites the Pipe Roll of 26 Henry II and related royal records. Source URL: https://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/journal/40/family-septvans Other parties: Robert de Septvans, Emma, co-heir of William Fitz Helte, William Fitz Helte Co-holders: Robert de Septvans, son of Robert de Septvans, William Septvans Historical person profile: https://manorialregistry.com/?mhr_person=robert-de-septvans-27696 Person dates: Active in the twelfth century; dead by about 1180 Relationship paths: No published path recorded. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- HOLDER 2 | 1185 - 1253 Robert de Septvans, son of Robert de Septvans, Sir Robert de Septvans Person: https://manorialregistry.com/?mhr_person=robert-de-septvans-27697 Transfer: Inheritance from his father; the estate was held in royal wardship during his minority Previous holder: Robert de Septvans Holding arrangement: sole Share / interest: Aldington Septvans estate or moiety Shared holding: Septvans family Narrative / explanation: The younger Robert de Septvans was twelve years old and in the King's wardship in 1185. The Inquisitiones Post Mortem index records manorial rights in Aldington as held by Robert de Septvans in capite in 1248-1249. The published Septvans account states that Sir Robert de Septvans died possessed of Aldington Septvans in 1253. The exact date and legal form of the transfer from his father are not stated in the sources. Source citation: Kent History and Archaeology, Index to Inquisitiones Post Mortem, entry for Aldington; Reginald Tower, The Family of Septvans, Archaeologia Cantiana, volume 40. Source URL: https://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/journal/2/index-inquisitiones-post-mortem Other parties: Robert de Septvans, son of Robert de Septvans Co-holders: Robert de Septvans, William Septvans Previous holder profile: https://manorialregistry.com/?mhr_person=robert-de-septvans-27696 Historical person profile: https://manorialregistry.com/?mhr_person=robert-de-septvans-27697 Person dates: Born circa 1173; active 1185-1253; died in 1253 Relationship paths: No published path recorded. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- HOLDER 3 | 25 Edward III, approximately 1351-1352 - 25 Edward III, approximately 1351-1352 William Septvans, associated with the Kentish Septvans family Person: https://manorialregistry.com/?mhr_person=william-septvans-27698 Transfer: Descent within the Septvans family Previous holder: Unspecified intervening Septvans holder Holding arrangement: sole Share / interest: The moiety of the manor of Aldington later called Aldington Septvans or Westcourt Shared holding: Septvans family Narrative / explanation: The published account of the Septvans family states that the Aldington property descended to William Septvans in the twenty-fifth year of Edward III and that he held the estate then called Westcourt or Septvans as the moiety of the manor of Aldington. The public evidence does not identify all intervening holders between Robert de Septvans in the thirteenth century and this William. Source citation: Reginald Tower, The Family of Septvans, Archaeologia Cantiana, volume 40, section Aldington-Septvans, citing Hasted and the relevant medieval descent evidence. Source URL: https://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/journal/40/family-septvans Other parties: William Septvans Co-holders: Robert de Septvans, Robert de Septvans, son of Robert de Septvans Historical person profile: https://manorialregistry.com/?mhr_person=william-septvans-27698 Person dates: Holder in 25 Edward III, approximately 1351-1352 Relationship paths: No published path recorded. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- HOLDER 4 | before 28 August 1366 - Christmas 1364 or 1365, with the transfer later annulled William Septvans, son of William Septvans Person: https://manorialregistry.com/?mhr_person=william-septvans-27699 Transfer: Enfeoffment to John Gower while William was a minor; the arrangement was subsequently challenged and the estate was restored or re-granted Previous holder: William Septvans, father of William Septvans Holding arrangement: sole Share / interest: The moiety of the manor of Aldington, worth approximately £10 per annum Shared holding: Septvans family; disputed alienation to Gower Narrative / explanation: A royal commission concerning the proof of William Septvans's age recorded that he held the moiety of Aldington worth £10 per year. The evidence states that, after the King removed his hand from the estate, William occupied it until Christmas 1364 or 1365, when he enfeoffed John Gower and his heirs. The transaction was made while William was a minor and was later treated as fraudulent or legally ineffective. This entry records the documented attempted conveyance rather than treating it as an uncontested permanent transfer. Source citation: Probatio Aetatis of William de Septvans, Archaeologia Cantiana, volume 1, pp. 124-129; the text cites the royal inquisition and records the moiety of Aldington in Thurnham. Source URL: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/65df7835178a9d2b20f8d501/t/6752c47a9e99b334be69b629/1733477499664/archaeologia_cantiana_001-09_probatio_aetatis_of_william_de_septvans.pdf Other parties: William Septvans, son of William Septvans, John Gower Historical person profile: https://manorialregistry.com/?mhr_person=william-septvans-27699 Person dates: Minor in 1366; would have reached twenty years of age on 28 August 1366 according to the inquisition Relationship paths: No published path recorded. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- HOLDER 5 | Christmas 1365 - 1366 John Gower, English poet and landholder Person: https://manorialregistry.com/?mhr_person=john-gower-27700 Transfer: Enfeoffment by William Septvans; the conveyance was annulled or treated as ineffective because William was under age Previous holder: William Septvans, son of William Septvans Holding arrangement: sole Share / interest: The moiety of the manor of Aldington, Aldington-Septvans in Thurnham Shared holding: Gower, disputed temporary holding Narrative / explanation: John Gower acquired the Aldington-Septvans moiety from the minor William Septvans at or about Christmas 1365. The transaction was subsequently invalidated or removed from legal effect because William had not reached full age. Gower's temporary possession is nevertheless directly documented in the royal inquiry into the Septvans estate. Source citation: Michael Bennett, Gower, Richard II and Henry IV, in Historians on John Gower, summarizing the royal proceedings and the 1365-1368 conveyances; corroborated by the Probatio Aetatis of William de Septvans. Source URL: https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/FC77686406548B76454A5B26A831E196/9781787445994c13_p425-488_CBO.pdf/gower-richard-ii-and-henry-iv.pdf Other parties: John Gower, William Septvans, son of William Septvans Previous holder profile: https://manorialregistry.com/?mhr_person=william-septvans-27699 Historical person profile: https://manorialregistry.com/?mhr_person=john-gower-27700 Person dates: Circa 1330s-1408 Relationship paths: No published path recorded. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- HOLDER 6 | February 1368 - 1373 John Gower, English poet and landholder Person: https://manorialregistry.com/?mhr_person=john-gower-27700 Transfer: Re-grant or confirmation following William Septvans's attainment of full age and a royal licence Previous holder: William Septvans, son of William Septvans Holding arrangement: sole Share / interest: The moiety of the manor of Aldington, Aldington-Septvans in Thurnham Shared holding: Gower family interest Narrative / explanation: After William Septvans reached full age, royal licences in February 1368 enabled the Aldington property to be re-granted to John Gower. This superseded the disputed 1365 transaction and provides the strongest evidence for Gower's legally recognized possession of the Aldington-Septvans moiety before his later settlement on trustees. Source citation: Michael Bennett, Gower, Richard II and Henry IV, in Historians on John Gower; the chapter states that royal licences enabled Septvans to enfeoff Gower again in 1368. Source URL: https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/FC77686406548B76454A5B26A831E196/9781787445994c13_p425-488_CBO.pdf/gower-richard-ii-and-henry-iv.pdf Other parties: John Gower, William Septvans, son of William Septvans Previous holder profile: https://manorialregistry.com/?mhr_person=william-septvans-27699 Historical person profile: https://manorialregistry.com/?mhr_person=john-gower-27700 Person dates: Circa 1330s-1408 Relationship paths: No published path recorded. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- HOLDER 7 | 1373 - After 1373, date not established Trustees of John Gower, including John de Cobham, Lord Cobham Person: https://manorialregistry.com/?mhr_person=john-de-cobham-27701 Transfer: Settlement by John Gower to trustees to hold for his benefit Previous holder: John Gower Holding arrangement: trust Share / interest: The manor or moiety of Aldington known as Aldington-Septvans or Westcourt Shared holding: Gower trust settlement Narrative / explanation: In 1373 John Gower granted Aldington to Lord Cobham and other trustees to hold for Gower's use. This was a trust settlement and should not be interpreted as an outright beneficial alienation from Gower. The identity of all trustees is not supplied in the public source consulted. Source citation: Michael Bennett, Gower, Richard II and Henry IV, in Historians on John Gower. Source URL: https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/FC77686406548B76454A5B26A831E196/9781787445994c13_p425-488_CBO.pdf/gower-richard-ii-and-henry-iv.pdf Other parties: John de Cobham, Other unnamed trustees, John Gower Previous holder profile: https://manorialregistry.com/?mhr_person=john-gower-27700 Historical person profile: https://manorialregistry.com/?mhr_person=john-de-cobham-27701 Person dates: Active in the fourteenth century Relationship paths: No published path recorded. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- HOLDER 8 | After 1373 - Before the fifteenth-century Brockhull succession, exact date unknown Sir John Brockhull Person: https://manorialregistry.com/?mhr_person=sir-john-brockhull-27702 Transfer: Later alienation from John Gower's trust or Gower's estate; the precise deed and date are not established in the public sources consulted Previous holder: John Gower or his trustees Holding arrangement: sole Share / interest: Aldington-Septvans or Westcourt moiety Shared holding: Brockhull family Narrative / explanation: Hasted's account, reproduced in later historical material, states that after John Gower's possession the Aldington-Septvans moiety was alienated to Sir John Brockhull and thereafter continued in his descendants. The exact date, instrument and legal route of this transfer are not stated, so the entry preserves a broad date and records the documentary gap. Source citation: Edward Hasted, The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent, account of Thurnham and Aldington; later reproduction of the historical text identifying the transfer from Gower to Sir John Brockhull. Source URL: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jelltecks/25742315297/ Other parties: Sir John Brockhull, John Gower or his trustees Historical person profile: https://manorialregistry.com/?mhr_person=sir-john-brockhull-27702 Person dates: Active in the late fourteenth or early fifteenth century Relationship paths: No published path recorded. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- HOLDER 9 | By 2 Edward IV, approximately 1462-1463 - After 2 Edward IV, exact date unknown Nicholas Brockhill, esquire, lord of Aldington Westcourt Person: https://manorialregistry.com/?mhr_person=nicholas-brockhill-27703 Transfer: Descent within the Brockhull or Brockhill family Previous holder: Unspecified Brockhull descendant Holding arrangement: sole Share / interest: Aldington Westcourt or Aldington Septvans moiety Shared holding: Brockhill family Narrative / explanation: A historical account of Thurnham states that Nicholas Brockhull or Brockhill, esquire, lord of Aldington Westcourt, was buried in the second year of Edward IV. This directly links him to the manor, but the source does not identify the precise predecessor or the date of his succession. Source citation: Historical account of St Mary the Virgin, Thurnham, reproducing the manorial and ecclesiastical history of Aldington Westcourt and identifying Nicholas Brockhill as lord of the manor in 2 Edward IV. Source URL: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jelltecks/54816137023 Other parties: Nicholas Brockhill Historical person profile: https://manorialregistry.com/?mhr_person=nicholas-brockhill-27703 Person dates: Active by 2 Edward IV, approximately 1462-1463 Relationship paths: No published path recorded. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- HOLDER 10 | By 1590 - 1596 Henry Brockhill, esquire, of Aldington, lord of Aldington Westcourt Person: https://manorialregistry.com/?mhr_person=henry-brockhill-27704 Transfer: Descent within the Brockhill family; in 1590 he also purchased the separate Aldington Eastcourt moiety from William, Lord Borough Previous holder: Brockhill family predecessor Holding arrangement: sole Share / interest: Aldington Westcourt or Aldington Septvans moiety; from 1590 he also held the separate Eastcourt moiety Shared holding: Brockhill family; united Aldington moieties after 1590 Narrative / explanation: Hasted's account states that Henry Brockhill was already possessed of Aldington Westcourt, the former Septvans moiety, and that in the twelfth year of Elizabeth I, approximately 1590, he purchased the other moiety, Aldington Eastcourt, from William, Lord Borough. This purchase concerned Eastcourt and should not be mistaken for the original transfer of Westcourt. Henry Brockhill died in 1596. Source citation: Edward Hasted, The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent, account of Thurnham and Aldington, as reproduced in the historical account of St Mary the Virgin, Thurnham. Source URL: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jelltecks/25742315297/ Other parties: Henry Brockhill, William, Lord Borough Historical person profile: https://manorialregistry.com/?mhr_person=henry-brockhill-27704 Person dates: Died 1596 Relationship paths: No published path recorded. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- HOLDER 11 | By 1719 - 1736 Richard Sheldon, esquire Person: https://manorialregistry.com/?mhr_person=richard-sheldon-27705 Transfer: Descent or acquisition within the Sheldon family; the precise conveyance is not established in the public sources consulted Previous holder: Unspecified Brockhill or intervening owner Holding arrangement: sole Share / interest: Aldington West Court, with the associated Aldington estate Shared holding: Sheldon family Narrative / explanation: John Harris's History of Kent, illustrated in 1719, identifies Aldington West Court as the seat of Richard Sheldon. A later historical account states that Richard Sheldon resided at Aldington, served as sheriff in 1717, and died in 1736, leaving the manors by his will to his widow. The sources consulted do not establish the exact conveyance by which the estate passed from the Brockhill line to Sheldon. Source citation: John Harris, The History of Kent, 1719, illustration of Aldington West Court as the seat of Richard Sheldon; corroborated by the historical account of Thurnham. Source URL: https://media.www.kent.ac.uk/se/17843/LocalHistory-PlatesinJohnHarris.pdf Other parties: Richard Sheldon Historical person profile: https://manorialregistry.com/?mhr_person=richard-sheldon-27705 Person dates: Active by 1717; died 1736 Relationship paths: No published path recorded. END OF EXPORTED APPROVED CONVEYANCE HISTORY