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Reveal, Revell, Revill Study

Shirland and Higham

Thomas Shakerley (son of Robert and Anna (Nee Balguy) of Longstone, Derbyshire married Jane, the daughter of Hugh REVEL of Higham. They are said to have had 7 children.

The founder of Shirland Chantry married with Alice Dowham, of Higham, whose son John married Margaret North; whose son John married Margaret Eyre, of North Lees; whose son Robert was the husband of Eleanor Frecheville, of Staveley. The family had twice intermarried with the Willmots, either of Chaddeston or Osmaston, and so the last Revel of Carnfield left his moiety of South Normanton to his relative, Sir John Eardley Wilmot, of Berkswell, the Lord Chief justice, who allowed Colonel Tristram Revell to enjoy the estate for his life, and the property not to revert till the grandson of the Chief justice had become entitled.

map showing Shirland, Derbyshire

Shirland is situated on the A61 Derby to Chesterfield road. The parish was in existence by the time of the Norman Conquest and by 1220 the foundations of Shirland church, St Leonard's, had been laid. By 1200 the manor of Shirland passed to Sir Henry de Grey of Essex, whose sons later came to live in Derbyshire, with John coming to Shirland. The tomb of John's descendent, Henry, 5th Lord Grey of Wilson who died in 1396, can be seen in the north wall of the chancel in the church.

Part of the hamlets of Stretton (Streitun) and Higham were in the Manor of Shirland.

St.Leonards Church, Shirland
Monuments

There are monuments to the Revell family, at St Leonard's Church, including a large alabaster table-tomb of John Revell died 1537, and wife Margaret died 1500. The tomb contained the arms of Eyre, Willoughby and Revell, and was a fine specimen of 16th century work. It is under the east window of the north aisle. On the top slab two full-length figures are incised. Round the margin of this stone runs a much worn black letter inscription. The further side of this monument is built into the wall. Johes Revell de Shirlande mil' qui obiit die Novembris Anno Dui, MCCCCC tricesimo septimo et Margareta uxor ejus obiit die Mensis Ano Dni MCCCCC quorum animarum propitietur Deus. Amen. This inscription shows, from the omission of the date, that the monument was erected before the death of his wife.

Tomb of John Revell

The knight is represented without helmet or gauntlets, and in plate armour, but a skirt of mail shows below the cuirass. On his feet, which rest upon a dog, are the wide-toed sabbatons, with small rowel spurs attached. His sword is suspended from the left side. The lady wears a long flowing mantle, but the arms are in close-fitting sleeves, gathered into small knots on the lower edge, and terminating in wide cuffs. The head is adorned with the pedimented head-dress, with the front lappets turned in towards the face. Beneath the knight, are the small incised figures of three boys, beneath the lady, five girls. The west side of this monument had consisted of three panels worked into quatrefoils with a shield in the centre of each, but one has gone, and its place is a plain square of stone. The escutcheons, like the rest of the monument, are battered and much the worse for wear, but one bears on a chevron three quatrefoils pierced (Eyre), and the other the same charge repeated, impaling what appears to be chequy, on two bars, two water bougets. On the south end there are also two shields, one has the arms usually assigned the Derbyshire Revels: Arg. on a chevron, gu., three trefoils, erm., within a border engrailed, sa. There are two more escutcheons on the slab at the north end

Revell Effigies in Shirland Church
The Revells of Shirland
Extract:

Being the present representative of the Revells of Ogstone, and owner of the Chantry Chapel at Shirland alluded to in the last number of the 'Reliquary', I wish to make a few observations respecting *' that ancient and loyal family, now extinct." My object in doing so is, partly, to do away with any erroneous impression respecting them, which might otherwise be left on the mind of a casual reader ...The family continued to reside at Ogston, till by the death of William Revell at an early age, A.D. 1706, this branch became extinct in the male line, and their estates passed, by marriage of his sister and co-heiress, into the possession of the present owner. According to Lysons, the Revells were originally of Newbold Revel, County Warwick, and settled at Ogston in the 14th century ; while a younger branch (now also extinct) settled at Carnfield, in the parish of South Normanton. I append copies of the inscription, etc on monuments now existing in the north aisle of Shirland Church, which formed the Chantry Chapel, and which, till the recent alterations, was enclosed by a parclose screen:

An altar tomb of alabaster, the front and ends panelled and ornamented with shields charged with the Revel Arms — "Argent, on a chevron, gules, three trefoils, ermine, all within abordure engrailed, sable. On the upper slab are incised two full length figures of a Gentleman in a suit of armour, and a Lady by his side, and eight smaller figures at their feet.

Round the outer edge is the following inscription, in old English characters:

"JOHES REVELL DE SHYRLOND ARM. QUI OBIIT UNDECIMO DIE NOVEMBRIS ANNO DNIM° CCCCC10 VICESIMO SEPT. ET MERGERI UXOR . OBIIT DIE MARTIS OCTAVO ANNO DNI M° CCCCC10 QUORUM AIABUS PROPICIETUR DEUS AMEN."

A mural tablet, highly ornamented with fruit and flowers, and the family arms, as above, with this inscription:

" Neare this place lyes interred the Body of John Revell of Ogston, in the County of Derby, Esq"-, who departed this life the 14th day of August, in the 33rd year of his age, A.D. 1699. And of William his Son by Elizabeth ye Daughter of Robert Copley of Doncaster, Co. York, Esq - He died April 3rd. 1706, in the 18th of his age, and by his death his Estate descended to Mary and Katherine, his Sisters and Coheirs. Who in testimony of their duty and affection to these dear remains, and in memory of their ancient and loyal family now extinct, have caused this monument to be erected March 1708."

Ogston Hall Jan 30 Gladwin TURBUTT. Source: The Reliquary and illustrated archaeologist, 1860, edited by Llewellyn Frederick William Jewitt

Ogston Hall, Alfreton, Jan. 30.

William Revel, the last heir male of this branch, died in 1706. His sisters and co-heirs married into the Turbutt and Jenkinson families. Catherine married Sir Paul Jenkinson, of Walton, Derbyshire and after William Woodyeare, Esq. of Crookhill, Conisbrough. Mary Ann (d.1724), married Richard Turbutt, Esq. of Doncaster

Hugh Revel, a younger brother of the above-mentioned John, settled at Carlingthwaite, Carnthwaite, or Carufield, as it was called, in South Normanton. The legitimate line of this branch, also, became extinct in the seventeenth century.

Edward Revell Endowed School

Situated on Hallfield Gate Lane, and built in 1637 - rebuilt in 1830, improved in 1853 and enlarged in 1876. Derbyshire County Council bought the school after the second world war and built new premises at a site quarter of a mile away in 1964. The original building was demolished in 1968 for road widening. Yew Tree Cottage now stands in the same grounds, set back from the road.

Chantry Roll

From the Chantry Roll we find that a chantry was founded in this church by the Revel family in the fifteenth century: (Thomas Revell (b.abt 1423), sergeant of law, of Higham (will dated 1474) m. Alice Dowham.)

'SHYRLANDE. Thos. Revell of Hygham by wyll ij Aprill A.D. MCCCC Ixx iiij bequethed C marks for the byenge of lands for a prests wags to synge and saye masse perpetuallye for his soule, etc.

Roberte Revell by Wyll xij Maye, Miiii c iiijxxxv. willed the issues of his londs in Thathwayte, and in the will to fynde a prest to syng in the chappell of Shyrland. Viii li. iii j s. clere iiii li. Christ. Haslam Chaplyn. He hath a chambre by thappoynment of Rob. Revell. He occupieth j chalys and ij vestments whe be Mr. Revells.

The further provision made for the repose of the souls of the Revel family, were specified in the wills of the sons of the founders among the Woolley MSS. Robert, eldest son of the founder of the chantry, by will dated 12th of May, 1490 (and not 1495, as in the Chantry Roll), gave "issues and profits of his lands in Thathwayte and the Hill ( North Wingfield), to fynd a priest to say and singe masse in the churche of Sherlande by the space of foure score and nineteen yeares, and if a mortmayne mought be gotten in the meantime then to continue for ever or else be sold. MSS.6667

And again, a few years later, his brother and heir, Hugh, the second son of the founder, made an elaborate will, dated 15th May 1504, containing several curious provisoes relative to the church of Shirland.

' I Hugh Revell hole of mynde and seke in body make my testament in manner and forme foloyng, first I beqweth my soule to Almighty God, our lady, hys blessed modir, and all the company of heven, and my body to be bered in the parishe churche of Saint Leonard of Shyrlaund besyde my wyff, and for my principale (A principal was the old legal term for an heirloom. According to the custom of certain manors, some special object was never inventorised after the decease of the owner amongst his other chattels, but accrued to the heir. At Shirland it appears that the best beast held this position), my best gwyk (quick) beest accordyng to the custom of the countre, also I beqweth to the parson of the sayde chyrche for tithes negligently forgotten xs. Item, I beqweth to the wardens of the said chirch xs. to be a banner cloth of Saint George with a shaft to beyr hit on. Item, I beqweth to the saide wardens xls. to ii. vestments and xs. to be a masse boke. Item, I will and beqweth to my executors xxli. to be ii. marble stones to cover the bodies of my father and my modir and my wife and those to be made as gudley as that money will suffyce be the advise of my executours. Also I will that my feoffes of all my lands and tenements doo dayly and yearly find and cause to be fonde two prestes to say and syng divine servyce in the saide Church of Shyrland for the soules of my fadir and my modir, my soule, and wyffs soule, my brother Robt. soule, the soule of Roger Freke, my brdir and my systers soules, my kynnesfolks soules, the soules of all our benefactors, and all Crysten soules, and those ii. prests to be fonde of and with the issues revenues and proffets of my lauds and rents in Egstowe Goselands lying in Shyrlaund, Thathwayt with all my houses lands and tenements in the same, and ii. houses leying in the Hyll within the pishe of North Wynfeld with the appertenances, whereof one is in the holding of William Ludlam and an odir is in the holdyng of Rob. Alkoe with a rode off lands leying in the est end of Shyrland Chyrch within the park to byld a Chantre howse upon. MSS. 6667, f, 64. Sir John Dawson, parson of Shirland, was one of the executors of this will.

The will continues at great length to give the appointment of these priests, first to his son Tristram ; in default of Tristram making the appointment, to his second son Rowland ; thirdly to the Abbot of Darley ; and fourthly, as the last eventuality, to the Mayor of Nottingham

According to the Revel pedigree in the Visitation of 1611:

Thomas Revel, who founded the chantry, married Alice, daughter and coheiress of Dowman of Higham. Of the issue of this marriage was:

From the last marriage came John Revel, who married Margaret, daughter of Robert Eyre of Northwells (North Lees).

Of their three sons and five daughters portrayed on the church monument, it is probable that the greater part died in their infancy; at all events they are not in in any Visitation.

The only one named is Robert Revel, who married Eleanor, daughter and heiress of Anker Frecheville of Staveley MSS. 1093, f. 88. Robert Eyre, of North Lees, was the son of William Eyre of the same place, who was the second son of Nicholas Eyre of Hope. Robert married Margaret, daughter of Inkersell of Brimington (Mitchell's Collections, MSS. 28,113, f. 70).

It is thought that the impaled coat of Eyre and ..., at the north end of the Revel tomb, was incorrectly rendered by the sculptor. One branch of the family of Roos bore a fess chequy, between two water bougets, but this does not appear any help in the identification.

Shirland Chantry (Roll 13, No. 68)

  1. The Chauntrye of Shyrland so named in the Kynges Recordes of his tenthes nevertheles Xpofer Haslam Chaplyn there vpon his othe saythe that itt is neyther Chaunfye hospytall colledge ffree Chappell brotherhed nor Stypendarie to his knowledge Also son Robte Revell sheweth vnto us the Comyssyon's an olde wrytynge or Wyll of Thoms Revell of Hyghm Dated the ij do of Apriell Anno Dni mlmo cccclxxiiij in the whyche he bequethed C. marks for the byenge of certeyn lands to be imployed for a prists wage to synge and save masse ppetuallye for his sowle his frendes sowlles and all Crystyan sowlls and further shewed an other will in papyr of son Robrte Revell dated the xij th of Maye Anno Dni millimo iiij. iiij xx xv. in the whyche the sayde Robrte Revell willed the issues and pfytts of all his londs in Thawtwayte and in the hill to fynde a preste to synge in the Churche of Shyrland by the space of iiij xlxix yeres And if a mortesmayne mought be gotten within the tyme then to contynewe for euer or ells to be solde.
  2. viij li iiij.
  3. iiij li clere p4 in Redye moneye to the sayd incumbente by Robrt Revell And as he saythe he payethe viij for his tenthes And that son Willm Rowhbothom somtyme pryste there vppon a wrongge s'uice cawsed the same to be charged wth tenthes wh sayd iii lj is imployed to the lyvinge of the sayd Chaplyn.
  4. The same is no pisshe Churche butt is served wth in the pisshe Churche of Shyrland.
  5. The same is nott voyde neyther hathe the incumbente anye mancyon butt a chambre wch he hathe by thappoyntment of Robrte Revell.
  6. There hathe ben no more londs nor yerelye pfytts belongyiige to the same sythens the tyme above lymytted more then is byfore specyfyed.
  7. There is neyther chalis Jewells Plate ornaments goods or cattails apperteynynge to the same butt he occupieth oou chalys and ij vestments to saye Masse Wch the Incumbent deposythe vppon his othe to be Mr. Revells.
  8. There hathe ben no Chantryes nor other lyke pmocyons there dyssolued purchased or by anye other means opteyned wth owght the Kyngs lycence sythens the tyme above sayd.

The following is the entry relative to this Chantry or Donative, in the Valor Ecclesiasticus, 27 Henry VIII.

William Revell of Kent had:

John of Ogston & Shirland (Will dated 1537/1538) m1. Margery dau of Robert Eyre of Norton Lees. m2. Isabell dau of Thomas Willoughby of Notts.

Children of John and Margery:

Will of John Revell of Higham

Will of John Revell of Higham esq to cousin Mary Torr?, messuage and lands at Stretton for life, to poor of Shirland, North Wingfield and Morton annual sum of £5 payable out of his property in Shirland and Higham, to nephew William Revell (late brother Robert's son) for his life, all property in Ogston, Brackenfield, Griffe, Woolley, Stretton, Higham and Shirland, then successively to his sons, John's nephew Francis (deceased brother George's son), Francis's sons, and the right heirs of William Revell None of the issue of nephew Edward (William's brother) and his wife Margaret to inherit John's property on failure of other heirs Unpaid debts and bequests of deceased brother Edward to be paid. Monetary bequests to children of Jane wife of Godfrey Swifte (John's niece) and children of John's deceased brother Robert's daughters Dorothy Curtise and Alice Strelley, to Robert's daughters Anne and Elizabeth Revell, to nephew Francis Revell (as above) and to nephew Edward annuity of £5
Executor William Revell
11 Nov 1656, with note of probate at London
Reference: D37 M/F14/1

After the death of John Revell of Higham, there were various Claims, Quitclaims:

Reference: D37 M/F14/2 1657
Release by Francis Revell of Lenton, Nottinghamshire, gent of all right, claim etc to properties of John Revell late of Higham esq, his uncle who had bequeathed £100 to Francis on condition that Francis should give security to William Revell, another of John's nephews, that William should enjoy the properties without claim from him, 4 Aug

Reference: D37 M/F14/3 1657
Receipt from Francis Revell as in D37 M/F14/2 to William Revell for £100 bequest from John Revell his uncle, 14 Aug

Reference: D37 M/F14/4 1658
Quitclaim by Edward Revell of Woolley esq to brother William, for £70 paid him by William, of right to properties now in William's possession and bequeathed to him by their uncle John Revell late of Higham esq, reserving annuity of £40 left to Edward by his uncle Edward Revell esq deceased and annuity of £5 left to him by uncle John Revell (as above) 4 Feb 1657/8

Reference: D37 M/F14/5 1658
Receipt by Francis Revell of Lenton (Nottinghamshire) gent to William Revell of Ogston - for £150, the full price accepted by Francis for his claim and right in remainder expectant to property of his uncle John Revell esq deceased, 19 Nov

Reference: D37 M/F14/6 1659
Receipt from Edward Revell of Woolley gent to William Revell of Ogston gent for 50s in satisfaction of all claims, 25 Jun

Reference: D37 M/F14/7 1660
Receipt from Edward Revell of Woolley gent to his brother William Revell of Ogston gent for £20 in payment of legacies, claims etc, 25 Jun

 

References:
A History of Shirland & Higham by Gladwyn Turbutt, published 1978
Notes on Churches of Old Derbyshire
National Archives