The Battle Abbey Roll. Vol. II.
by
The Duchess of Cleveland.

Prepared by Michael A. Linton
-------*--------
Return to Index

Matelay : This, as well as the following name, I first lighted upon in the Hundred Rolls of the time of Edward I., occurring under the various forms of Matelasch, Matelask, Matelaw, Matelay, Matelasc, Mateslask, &c, and chiefly in Norfolk. It is, however, likewise found in Kent; and in 1322 Richard Matelask was a townsman of Cambridge. But there can be no reasonable doubt that it was taken from Matelase (now Matelask) in the parish of North Erpingham, Norfolk. "This was in the Conqueror's time a berewite or hamlet dependant on Saxthorp, three furlongs long and two broad, and Godric kept it for the King. William de Wendevall held it temp. Henry I."—Blomfield's Norfolk. I think we may therefore fairly dismiss Matelay into the disgraced category of interpolations.