Rumburgh, Suffolk
In Rumburgh we find a reference to a very early Staveley. In 1417 a Thomas Staveley was appointed as a Benedictine Prior of the Monastery at Rumburgh. Unfortunately, as yet, this is the only reference to Thomas that has been found. Based the date of appointment of the next Prior at Rumburgh, it appears that Thomas served as Prior for 9 years. Nothing is known about his place of birth, parentage, or his death. William Dugdale's Monasticon of the period has a chapter entitled "Benedictine Cell of Romburc, now Rumburgh, in Suffolk: A Cell to the Abbey of St. Mary, York." As such, it is possible that Thomas Staveley may actually be from Yorkshire himself.
Not long after Thomas', in 1434, just a few miles away from Rumburgh, there are some historical references to a John Staveley in the area of South Elham. John's identity is also not yet known, but he appears to have had some dealings with a Drolle family in the region. He may well be related to Thomas mentioned above.
Conveyance of messuage with lands in Homersfield, Sancroft and Flixton, John Stavele and Agnes Drolle, daughter of Wm. Drolle, to Wm. Drolle and Alice, his wife: annual rent a root of ginger at Easter. - ref. HA12/B2/12/3 - date: 10 June (1434)
Appt. of John Tolle, Southelmham St. Peter, and Thom. Lathom, Wingfield, as attorneys for John Tasburgh and others to deliver seisin of the same to John Staveley and Agnes Drolle. - ref. HA12/B2/12/46 - date: 4 May (1434) |
There appears to be little recorded Staveley activity in Suffolk for almost one hundred years after these entries, when we find a Leonard Staveley in Pettistree, Suffolk.