STRAY NOTES, PREHISTORIC, SAXON, AND NORMAN. 237
A second son of Theodoric was Robert, concerning whom we
learn that he held a small portion of land in Wattele for 1d. That
he paid 5d. to the Firmarius, but for what purpose the Firmarius
John de Barnes reported he did not know. It is further recorded
of him that he left a widow, Ediva or Edith by name, who held half
an acre for various services. She also held two curtilages, as well as
the lands of Saverich and Ailward, for both of which latter she paid
havedsot—a payment which gave her the right to wood and water in
the demesne, and leave to quit the Manor whenever she desired for
business or other purposes without obtaining the special licence
otherwise required from the Lord.
The third son of Theodoric was Gilbert the Palmer. He is
mentioned as the holder of various small portions of land, but is
only once spoken of as the palmer, but this one entry is sufficient to
prove a connection between Navestock and the Holy Land. In
connection with Ralph le Bunde he held half an acre of land by
the rent of two ploughshares and an auk or goose. This is the
only instance in the Manor of such a payment as the auca. The
tracing of its origin might prove interesting.
Probably Richard Ruffus was the next and first sole Firmarius.
At any rate, certain lands in Navestock are referred to as being let
by him. He was a Canon of S. Paul's and Prebendary of Twyford,
and afterwards Archdeacon of Essex, and it may be noted that one
of the S. Paul's tenants at Belchamp in 1222 was Matilda, relict of
Richard Ruffus. This should be remembered when we speak a
little later concerning a married clergy.
Archdeacon Hale, curiously enough, in one place says : "New-
court was in error in assigning the name of Ruffus to the Archdeacon,
and that Richard Ruffus is to be distinguished from Richard the
Archdeacon, but in another place he deliberately refers to Richard
Rufus as Archdeacon.
Richard Ruffus (later on Archdeacon) may therefore be assumed
to be the very person who let the land at Navestock as before
asserted, and the first Sole Firmarius under whom the two Manors
of N. Edwini and N. Aldwini were merged into the Manor of Nave-
stock, but whether or not he was the husband of Matilda I am not
prepared to say.
John de Marigni was Firmarius in 1181. His name appears as
such in the Inquisition of Ralph de Deceto. According to Bracton's
Notes he was the nephew of Hugh the Dean, being the son of