Sir Mauger# le Vavasour

  Notes:

In 1890;
The manor of Hazlewood, Hesslewood, or Haslewood, as it has been variously written, and which is situated between Bramham and Towton, has belonged to the ancestors of the present proprietors since the time of the Conqueror. Burke says that the family of Vavasor or Valvasor derived their name from their office, being formerly King's Valvasor, a degree then little inferior to the baronial. Sir Mauger le Vavasor is mentioned in Domesday Book, as holding in chief of the. Percys considerable manors and estates in Stutton, Eselwood, &c. His son, Sir Mauger le Vavasor, was father of Sir Wm. le Vavasor, judge in the reign of Henry II., and one of the witnesses to the charter of the abbey of Sawley. To this abbey he himself made a considerable donation of land. He was succeeded by his son, Sir Robert le Vavasor, who was high sheriff of Nottingham and Derby in the reign of Henry III. In this reign the manor of Hazlewood was mortgaged to an opulent Jew of York for the sum of £350. This Jew made a conveyance of his security to the queen, in discharge of a debt which he owed her; and John de Vavasour, the son of Sir Robert, redeemed it by paying the money. This Sir. John gave to the abbot and convent of Thornton, and to the church and canons of St. Peter, in Howden, stone from his quarry in Theves-dale, near Tadcaster, to. rebuild their churches and repair other edifices. Sir William, his son, in the reign of Edward I., was summoned to the high court of parliament; and in the same reign he obtained a license of the king to make a castle of his manor house in Hazlewood. Sir Thomas Vavasor, the lineal descendant of this baron, so distinguished himself by raising forces and equipping vessels to defend Queen Elizabeth against the Spanish Armada, that the queen, in reward of this zeal, and out of particular regard for one of her maids of honour who was a Vavasour, and acknowledged by her Majesty as her kinswoman, would never suffer the chapel at Haslewood to be molested, where the Roman Catholic rites still continue to be celebrated.
In 1826, this estate passed to Edward Marmaduke, second son of the 16th Lord Stourton, who assumed the name and arms of Vavasour, and was created a baronet in 1828. The second baronet, Sir Edward Vavasour, died 23rd August, 1885, and his nephew, the present Sir William Edward Joseph Vavasour, Bart., J.P., succeeded to the titles and estates. Fuller remarks of the Vavasours, - "It is observed of this family, that they never married an heir, or buried their wives." The view from Haslewood is very extensive. The cathedrals of York and Lincoln, which are 60 miles apart, are both within sight from the same point. It may be mentioned here that Aberford, a straggling village about a mile to the south of Haslewood Hall, has the ruins of an ancient castle. Gent writes, "Hesselwood was once a wood indeed, incircling its present edifice with the most delightful groves; but now, being almost cut down, and miserably destroyed, scarce retains its name." Not far from hence, near the spring head of the river Cock, stands Barwick-in-Elmult, which, by report, and as the ruins of its walls seem to testify, was the royal seat of the "Kings of Northumberland." Fuller tells us that when King Henry VIII. made his progress to York, in 1548, Dr. Tunstall, Bishop of Durham, then attending him, affirmed to the King, that within 10 miles of Hasslewood, the seat of the Vavasors, there were 165 manor houses of lords, knights, and gentlemen, of the best quality; 275 several woods, some of which contained 500 acres; 32 parks, and two chases for deer; 120 rivers and brooks, whereof, five were navigable; 76 water mills; 25 coal mines; and three forges for making of iron. And within the limits, as much sport and pleasure for hunting, hawking, fishing, and fowling, as any part of England.


From http://www.aberford.net/2006/07/vavasours-of-hazlewood-castle.html
Our first Vavasour is recorded in the Domesday Book – Malger or Mauger – who, around 1083, held considerable estates in Stutton, Eselwood etc on behalf of the Percys. From this time the Vavasour family was a thread which ran through the nobility in this area and beyond for the next 900 years. A manor house was built – certainly it is known that Maud de Percy offered to pay for a chapel to be erected next to the Manor house in 1184.
One hundred years passed – Mauger’s grandson Sir William was a judge in the reign of Henry II and he advised Matilda Countess of Warwick (a member of the Percy family) about the refounding of a Cistercian Abbey of Sawley in Ribblesdale. Matilda granted to Sawley Abbey a Church at Tadcaster together with the Chapel at Hazlewood – the earliest reference to a place of worship at Hazlewood.
By 1217 William’s son – Robert – was Sheriff of York and began the following tradition which the Vavasours were to maintain right into the 19th century. Namely, about 1225 Robert granted a charter to York Minster which gave free passage to his quarry at Thievesdale nr Tadcaster to have stone to repair, rebuild or enlarge the Minster. This act of generosity was commemorated by a statue of Robert being placed on the left side over the West Door of the Minster. To the right side is a statue of Robert’s “Overlord” – William de Percy. Stone from this same quarry was used in many other important buildings – as far as Cambridge where it was used for the first phase of the building of Kings College Chapel. This tradition extended as late as 1879 when Sir Edward Vavasour gave stone to the Minster after a fire.
Vavasours divided ! The Barons’ Wars during the reign of Henry III saw one Vavasour (Malger of Denton) set against another (John of Hazlewood). Malger supported Simon de Montfort whilst John supported the King. Malger attacked John and his manor house and chapel were sacked and burnt ! However, under the reign of Edward I there came greater stability and Sir William – who succeeded around 1283 – was able to rebuild the house and chapel. A licence was granted to Sir William in 1290 to fortify and “crenellate” the manor – effectively turning the Hall of a “thane” into a Castle fit for a Baron. A good thing coming out of a bad thing for our Vavasours !
Sir William died in 1313 and is buried in the chapel he built. His son – Sir Walter – spent most of his time away from Hazlewood on the Scottish borders and was killed in a skirmish in 1316.
Now we go forward in time – through the time of the Black Death (which touched Aberford and would merit an article one day) – the French wars – the Wars of the Roses - which they did not take part in but which, nevertheless, came very close to our Vavasours. The Battle of Towton took place only 2/3 miles away from Hazlewood which resulted in the deaths of many thousands of men. It is said that the noise of the battle was so great that it was heard by the family and their servants during Mass in their chapel on that Palm Sunday, 29th March 1461!
The Vavasours held to their Catholic faith through the centuries. In the 16th century it was a time of radical religious and social change. Sir William – born 1514 – was twice High Sheriff of Yorkshire, first under Edward V1 and then in 1563/4 in the early years of Queen Elizabeth’s reign. He was an MP in 1554, a JP and member of the Council of the North. Somehow he managed to ensure that the chapel at Hazlewood was not suppressed by the King’s Commissioners and maintained a priest from his own pocket. He died in 1566.
Sir William’s son – John – was brought before the Commissioners in 1581 for being a “recusant”. – refusing to attend Anglican services. However Queen Elizabeth exempted the whole Vavasour “clan” from the penal laws against Catholics – it is said this was because she was extremely fond of Ann Vavasour of Copmanthorpe one of her Ladies in Waiting and because of the service of Sir Thomas Vavasour in the fleet which fought the Armada.
After the “Gunpowder Plot” the exemptions ceased and times became very tough. Poor John Vavasour – an old man of around 70 by now – was convicted of recusancy in 1609 together with his nephew William – convicted in 1610 and fined £150. William spent 5 years in Newgate prison in London before regaining his estates – and his son Thomas had to pay the King £130 per annum for his estates although having been created a Baronet in 1628.
The Vavasours always proved loyal to the monarch of the day. When the Civil War broke out, the second Baronet Sir Walter formed a regiment of horsemen which he commanded and served the King – but the King’s cause did not prosper and Walter’s brother was killed at Tewkesbury – Sir Walter fled abroad ! Better times were to come with the Restoration – Sir Walter regained his estates.
Moving forward in time to the early 18th century – there was a period of some 20 years when, curiously, the head of the family and 4th Baronet was a Jesuit ! Fr Walter succeeded his cousin in 1713 but he died in 1740 and was succeeded by his nephew Walter, whose father had been a Doctor in York. By now things had become much easier for Catholic families such as the Vavasours.
Money was not going out in fines or being used to raise regiments etc. The stable block was built about 1750 and many alterations took place The 6th Baronet – another Sir Walter – decided to modernise the house in the style of Robert Adam. The Great Hall was transformed – probably by Carr and a new entrance added.
Sir Walter died in 1802 and Hazlewood almost passed out of the family at this time for he had agreed to sell the Castle and 60 acres to the Church to become a seminary for the North of England. However, papers had not actually been signed and the new Baronet – Sir Thomas – managed to “get out of the deal”. Sir Thomas never married and the estate passed to Edward Stourton who was a Vavasour on his mother’s side. He came from an old Catholic family and took the name Vavasour being created a Baronet in 1828. He was a very pious man and, although his wife Marcia Lane-Fox of Bramham Park came from an Anglican family, she converted to Catholicism. After she died, Sir Edward went on a pilgrimage to Rome but did not reach Rome as he died on route in 1847.
The last Vavasour to live at Hazlewood was Sir Edward’s grandson – another Sir William Edward Joseph 3rd Brt. – who inherited in 1885. Unfortunately there were financial problems by the end of the century for the income from tenants was not great. This was probably the problem at this time for many such large estates. Borrowings were made and soon large mortgages had been built up - the estate was put up for sale. What a very ordinary event to bring to a close the 900 years almost continuous occupancy of our extraordinary Vavasours. We can only guess what Sir William’s feelings were at this parting.
The Vavasour story is briefly interrupted here to give a short account of what has happened up to the present time to Hazlewood Castle and Chapel. Firstly a Mr Simpson, a solicitor, bought the Castle from Sir William and he and his family lived there for over 40 years. He had the Jacobean West Wing pulled down and other changes made. In 1910, during alterations, a medieval window was discovered in the Great Hall. A terrace and balustrade were added. The property was cared for and the chapel continued to have services.
During WW11 and for a few years after, the Castle was used as a maternity hospital for Leeds and some older Aberford residents were actually born there. They must be quite proud to say that they were born in a Castle !
In 1953 the Fawcett family bought the property – they were local Catholic farmers and Richard Fawcett came to live at the Castle with his wife who was a granddaughter of Sir William Vavasour. So there was again a brief occupation by a Vavasour but – by 1960 – the Castle was sold again to Mr Donald Hart.
Mr Hart took good care of the property over the next 12 years until the Bishop of Leeds discussed with him if the Castle – particularly the Chapel – could strengthen its Catholic links. Through the Bishop and with Mr Hart’s consent, the Carmelite Friars were encouraged to purchase the property as a retreat and pilgrimage centre. Hazlewood was purchased by the Carmelites in 1967 but Mr Hart was allowed to live there until he died in 1972. The Carmelites decided to put the Castle up for sale again in 1996 and it was then bought and turned into a very “upmarket” Hotel and Conference centre which continues to the present time.
To return to the Vavasours and especially the branch that went to New Zealand – this is what I believe brings us up to date in 2006.
Here in England, information gleaned from wikipedia website seems to show that the Baronetcy line has continued from Sir Wm. the 3rd Baronet to his son Sir Leonard Pius (1881 – 1961), Sir Geoffrey William (1914 – 1997) and currently to Sir Eric Michel Joseph Marmaduke 6th Bt (born 1953). According to Burkes Peerage, this gentleman lives in Leicestershire. It’s great to know the major branch of “our” Vavasour family are still going strong here in England.
An enquiry was made to the Vavasour Winery in New Zealand to see if contact could be made with a branch of the family there but, as yet, nothing has been forthcoming from that source. Perhaps this story will be updated if contact can be made in the future. In the meantime the New Zealand information has been gleaned from various websites and the accuracy cannot be vouched for but it goes something like this.
It appears to the writer that it was Henry Dunstan Vavasour, the Grandson of 1st Baronet who was probably first of the New Zealand line. He was born in 1850, married in 1887 – a lady called Bertha Eleanor Mary Redwood of Blenheim, New Zealand. From the Vavasour Wine website comes the information that the Vavasours arrived in New Zealand and established themselves in the Awatere Valley in 1890 so this would fit.
The Awatere Valley is in the Marlborough Region which is to the north east of South Island. It sounds a wonderful part of the world and I hope you read about it yourselves through either books or via the internet. It has a temperate climate, extensive vineyards, a wonderful coastline where you can watch whales and swim with dolphins, it is the wine-growing centre of New Zealand and has several interesting towns. So, the Vavasours picked a great place to settle!
Henry and his wife had eleven children – amongst the male children it appears there were 4 or 5 who married New Zealand ladies and had families of their own, again there were sons to carry on the Vavasour name so far across the world from where they started.
From the Vavasour Winery website it can be seen that it was a Peter Vavasour, around 1985 and together with family and friends who made the investment in viticulture and the Vavasour Winery was founded in the Awatere Valley.The business seems to have been very successful and Hazlewood Castle Hotel is where you can taste some Vavasour wine for they stock it!!
How “the wheel has come full circle” for “our” Vavasour family !If Sir Mauger could have looked into the future, how wonderfully strange he would have found all that has happened to his old home and to those who bear the Vavasour name today. You cannot go to Hazlewood Castle and fail to feel some vestige of all that has happened there so close to Aberford – if you get the chance to sit in the little Chapel you will feel very close to that long history surrounding you.


From http://www.1066.co.nz/library/battle_abbey_roll3/subchap137.htm
Ducange spells it Valvasour (door-keeper), and Sir Henry Spelman and others believe this to be the correct interpretation; but the generally received reading is Vasvasour, the vassal of a vassal, or the holder under a mesne-lord. Thus Wace, in describing the second charge of the Conqueror at Hastings, tells us it was led by the Duke himself, at the head of "a great company, vavassors of Normandy, who to save their lord would have put their own bodies between him and the enemie's blows."
In the case of the baronial Vavasours we must, however, adopt the former signification, as they claimed to derive their name from Sir Mauger le Valvasour, door-keeper to William the Conqueror. He is not to be found in Domesday; but his grandson Sir William, who witnessed Matilda de Percy's charter of Salley Abbey, appears in the Liber Niger as a considerable land-owner in Yorkshire, and was seated at Hazelwood, near Tadcaster, still the home of his representatives. "Haselwood hath beene the chief Seat, and antient Inheritance of the Family, which Towne has a pleasant Prospect, wherein may be discovered the two Cathedrals of York and Lincoln, tho' sixty Miles asunder; and where is a remarkable Quarry of Stone; Of the Stones taken out here was the stately Church at York, built by the Bounty of Vavassours. Their being Benefactors to that Church is also evident from their Arms therein, and the Portraictures of them and the Percies in the Gate, the latter with a Peice of Timber; and of the Vavassors with a Stone in their Hands, showing the Materials each Family contributed to that stately structure."—Leland. Sir William's son Robert was for eight successive years Sheriff of Notts and Derby: and in 1208 paid a fine of 1200 marks and two palfreys to marry his daughter Maud to Fulke Fitz Warine, "an eminent baron in those days." His son John, by his wife Alice, daughter of Sir Robert Cockfield,[93] was the father of Sir William le Vavasour, who had summons to parliament as a baron 28 Ed. I. He was a good soldier; "in arms neither deaf nor dumb;" who followed the King to the wars of Scotland and Gascony, and is spoken of in the first division at Carlaverock:—
"E de cele meis part
Fu Guillames li Vavasours,
Ky de amies ne est muet ne sours;
Baner avoit ben conoissable,
De or fyn o la dance de sable."
"He was evidently," adds Wright, "a man of esteem, as he was appointed one of the judges of the Trailbaston": and in 1290 obtained license to castellate his manor house at Hazelwood. His eldest son Walter was also summoned to parliament in 1313, but died s. p., and his barony ended with him. Henry, the younger brother, carried on the male line, and one of his descendants, Thomas Vavasour, was made a baronet by Charles I. in 1628. The great-grandson of this latter, Sir Peter, who died in 1740, was "the twenty-first Generation in a direct Line from Sir Mauger le Vavasour; Of which Family is this Observation, That they never married an Heir or buried their Wives." It continued for three more generations, ending with Sir Thomas Vavasour in 1826: but during these last descents the ancient tradition concerning the wedded life of the Vavasours was twice broken through. Sir Walter, the fifth baronet, had two wives; and his son, another Sir Walter, married an heiress. The last baronet died a bachelor, and devised his estates to his cousin Edward Marmaduke Stourton, son of Charles Philip, sixteenth Lord Stourton, who took the name of Vavasour, and was created a baronet two years afterwards.
Wotton enumerates many offsets from the parent stock of Hazelwood, seated at Weston, Acaster, Coppinthorp (Copmanthorp), Spaldington, Newton, and Danby, in Yorkshire, and Killingworth in Lincolnshire; three of whom received baronetcies. These were Sir Charles Vavasour of Killingworth, created 1611; Sir William Vavasour of Copmanthorpe, Major-General to the King of Sweden, created 1643; and Sir Henry Vavasour of Spaldington, created 1801; but the two former died s. p., and the latter alone is represented.
The Vavasour with whom the house of Weston ended in 1833, by a most unusual provision, forbade his elected heir to take his name, declaring that the place had been held by his ancestors from the time of Henry II., and that he would be the last Vavasour of Weston. One of them, in the beginning of James I.'s reign, was the unhappy cause of the famous Yorkshire Tragedy. Walter Calveley, of Calveley, madly jealous of the then Vavasour of Weston, stabbed his two eldest children and attempted to stab his wife; but the dagger glanced aside from her steel stomacher; and the youngest child, caught up by its terrified nurse, was carried to a place of safety. The murderer mounted his horse and rode away, but was overtaken and lodged in York Castle; where, having by some means ascertained his wife's innocence and the legitimacy of his children, he refused to plead, hoping to save his estate for them. He was accordingly condemned by the old cruel law to be pressed till he yielded or died; and while undergoing the agonies of this torture, implored an old servant, who had come to see him, to sit on his breast and put him out of pain. The man complied; and for this act of mercy was tried for murder, sentenced to death, and executed! The ghost of Walter Calveley is popularly believed to haunt the woods of Calveley at dead of night, galloping with his men on headless horses, and trying their speed, with the cry, "A pund of more weight—lig on, lig on!"

Mauger# married.