and had his seat at Wigenhale, (12) where by various purchases, he acquired a considerable estate. It seems he had a brother named Thomas, who was called sometimes Thomas de Wigenhale, and sometimes Thomas Howard of Wigenhale; whose son Andrew also, did the same; for in a deed of exchange, made between him and this William, he is called Andrew (13) son of Thomas Howard; in the deed, which hath on its seal an eagle volant with a bird in its claws, the circumscription being Sigillum Andree de Wigenhale; and by this deed it is clear, that his mother Lucy survived her husband. (14) It seems as if he had also another brother, called Hugh Howard, who was instituted to the vicarage of Wigenhale St. German's, 7 Cal. May, 1304, being in deacon's orders only, when the Prior of Norwich presented him; which was void again in 1307; (15) but whether by Hugh's death, or promotion to other preferment, I do not find. This William was first appointed one of the judges in the Court of Common Pleas by King Edward I. about 1280; and on the 11th of Oct. 1296, (16) 25 E. 1. he was sworn chief justice of the King's Bench; was constantly summoned to parliament till 1 Edw. II. in which year he was sent into Scotland with Rob. de Wateville, on the King's affairs; (17) and on the 12th of Dec. 1307, had letters of protection from his Majesty, to answer no suits, and not to plead to any thing till his return; which patent was produced in the first, second, and third years of Edw. II. so that he did not return to settle till after that time By various deeds I find, that he purchassed estates in Walpole, Tilney, North-Wotton, and many towns in that neighbourhood. He had two
