Pypes of Bilson – Extracts from “Bilston in the Seventeenth Century – Chapter VIII”

The origins and author are not known.

 

By the side of the railway bridge in Church Street, facing St. Leonard's Church, there is a drive, or entrance, which leads to the present Pype Hall. The ancient mansion that preceded the present one was occupied by the Pype family. a knightly race of Norman extrac­tion and of military celebrity; once the associates of Kings and nobles, whose connection with Bilston dates back in an unbroken line to the twelfth century. The ancient hall, which was still standing .in Mr. Ames' day, was a large half‑timbered structure of unusual strength, having been  erected at a time when the country was in a most unsettled state, from the continued struggles between the Saxon and Norman races, and the quarrels of lawless and tyrannical nobles.  There is reason for believing that it was erected by the first of the family who settled here though there is no record of the actual date.

 

The head of the family is said to have originally settled at Pype, and Pype Ridware, in the north of this county, soon after the Conquest, on lands bestowed upon them by the Conqueror, for military services. Shaw, in his History of Staffordshire, tells us that the Pipes of Bilston were an offshoot of the Redware Pypes and came here when that family divided. Whether that be an actual fact or not little matters; but it is certain that regular succession of Pypes have resided here since the time of Edward 1., as documentary evidence amply proves. But it is almost a matter of certainty that the date of their settlement here was many years earlier. One member of the family fought ruder that King's banner against the Scots. under Sir William Wallace and again in the reign of Edward T1. ; for according to the Normanorum Villorum Roll for Staffordshire, of the 9th year of that King's reign. Thomas de Pype was Lord of the Manor of Bradley in Bilston. and was summoned the year before to repair to Newcastle‑upon‑Tyne, well fitted with horse and arms and accompanied by four bowmen to march with the King against the Scot's They continued to reside in their half‑timbered house for three hundred years and more. It stood in the midst of a great orchard and garden that abutted anon Church Street on the north, and extended to Bilston brook on the south. but when strength was no longer of prime importance and domestic improvements in architecture and furniture became familiar to them through come »f its members becoming merchants. and residing in London  came to the conclusion that comfort war better than strength and so about the middle of the 17th century the

present Pype Hall was erected. The orchard was cut down, though the name is still retained in the narrow thoroughfare at the side, and the old Hall by the existing names of "Hall Fold " and Pype's Meadow."

   

    The new hall is largely built of stone, and is very light, and airy, for architects had just learned the value of such important matters. after having been so long infatuated with sombre massiveness, and irregularity of design‑characteristics which, however much they were essential in lawless times, were out they harmony with more peaceful and refined conditions. The interior was admirably fitted up in accord­ance with the obligations imposed upon the family by their position in society. It has a commanding approach.  a fine entrance hall, and a handsome staircase. Over the front entrance is a semi‑circular niche, originally intended to contain a statue of Sir Richard Pype but for some unex­plained reason the intention does not went to have been carried out. The Hall is now used as an hotel .

 

Thomas Pype. already mentioned according to the Assize Rolls for the 17th of Edward 1T., was summoned on Wednesday December 7th, of that year before John de Stonore and other of the King's Justices and the Jurors of the various hundreds within the County of Stafford, held at Tamworth, when certain presentments were made to the effect that Sir Thomas Pype Knight, and Philip Luttaleye, who had lately acted within the said County as the principal Taxers and Collectors, had within the last tea pears taken great sums of money from various Villes under cover of their office, and Appropriated the name to their own use. They appeared before the Court and pleaded guilty: but prayed that the Justices would mulct them in a fine for their transgress Thomas de Pype got off with the Payment of a fine of £40. which. considerinn the enormity of the offence, Avis but a light punishment. The reasons for the delay in the proceedings were that the defendants had been encored in the Kings wars against the foots. and that theca had only returned to their respective midst of a great orchard and garden that abutted anon Church Street on the north, and extended to Bilston brook on the south. but when strength was no longer of prime importance and domestic improvements in architecture and furniture became familiar to them through come »f its members becoming merchants. and residing in London  came to the conclusion that comfort war better than strength and so about the middle of the 17th century the

present Pype Hall was erected. The orchard was cut down, though the name is still retained in the narrow thoroughfare at the side, and the old Hall by the existing names of "Hall Fold " and Pype's Meadow."

   

    The new hall is largely built of stone, and is very light, and airy, for architects had just learned the value of such important matters.  After having been so long infatuated with sombre massiveness, and irregularity of design‑characteristics which, however much they were essential in lawless times, were out they harmony with more peaceful and refined conditions. The interior was admirably fitted up in accord­ance with the obligations imposed upon the family by their position in society. It has a commanding approach. a fine entrance hall, and a handsome staircase. Over the front entrance is a semi‑circular niche, originally intended to contain a statue of Sir Richard Pype but for some unex­plained reason the intention does not went to have been carried out.  The Hall is now used as an hotel.

 

Thomas Pype, already mentioned according to the Assize Rolls for the 17th of Edward II., was summoned on Wednesday December 7th, of that year before John de Stonore and other of the King's Justices and the Jurors of the various hundreds within the County of Stafford, held at Tamworth, when certain presentments were made to the effect that Sir Thomas Pype, Knight, and Philip Luttaleye, typo had lately acted within the said County as the principal Taxers and Collectors, had within the last ten years taken great sums of money from various Villes under cover of their office, and Appropriated the name to their own use. They appeared before the Court and pleaded guilty: but prayed that the Justices would mulet them in a fine for their transgress Thomas de Pype got off with the Payment of a fine of £40. which. considering the enormity of the offence, Avis but a light punishment. The reasons for the delay in the proceedings were that the defendants had been encored in the Kings wars against the Scots and that they had only returned to their respective domiciles a fee months before, which reasons were urged before the Justices as a plea for leniency.

 

This Thomas had a son named Robert.  He with William de Stafford and William de Wrottesley by letters Patent dated from St. Edmund's on the 10th of March 1300, was appointed a Justice for the County of Stafford for the due observance of the Articles of the Great Charter and the Statute of Winchester.

 

 In 1318, Thomas Pype, who was probably a son of the above said Robert, served under the banner of John de Sorcery, Baron of Dudley. The writ of summons was issued in April of that year.

Thomas de Pype sat as a juror on an Inquisition held m the Michaelmas Term, in the 44th year of Henry Ill., at which Margaret de Bromwyche sued John Wygot for imprisoning her against the King's peace.

 

He appears to have had a brother named Roger, who was chosen by Alexander, Bishop of Lichfield, as his attorney, to appear on his behalf in a charge that he, the Bishop, had without warrant, made a saltatorium, or deer leap, against the Boundary of Cannock Forrest, in the year 1286 whereby the King's deer had frequently escaped, or been driven by his men into the Bishop's land, and could not return, wherein‑ye Chief Forester claimed restitution.  This illegal trick of the Bishop was only one of many high handed proceedings of which the Bishops in those turbulent times were guilty. They were, in fact, as lawless as the great, civic Barons and were continually encroaching upon the lands of others, or claiming rights and privileges for which they had no sufficient justification, as the Plea Rolls give abundant evidence. But then Bishops were also great Barons, and exercised feudal sway, while many of them were military Knights, and fought at the head of their tenants and retainers, so it was no wonder that they often compounded "For sins they were inclined to.  By damning those they had no mind to," as the witty author of Hudibras very quaintly expresses it.

 

Roger pype was succeeded by Randulph Pype in 1294, who died about the year 1392. leaving as his heir, Robert. This Robert had two sons named John and Thomas. ‑'The first named was witness to a deed signed apud Darlaston dies Petrius ad Vincula. 1339, says Mr. Ames.  He married a daughter of Hugh MollesIey, by whom he had several children; among them Walter his heir ; John who became Vicar of Bradley in the North of the County; and Joan, who married John de Hardshull in 1354. The second son John was at one time chantry priest in Lichfield Cathedral, as appears from the Chapter Muniments of the time. He afterwards became Prebendary of Hilton. in Wolverhampton Collegiate Church and after that was Archdeacon of Coventry, dying in the year 1374.

 

In 1415, John Pype and a number of Bilston men at his instigation, were presented in the Hundred Court by Sir‑Hugh Burnell, "for that they had broken into his closes at Willenhall trespassed upon his lands, and committed damage to a grievous extent, in defiance of the law.”  What led to this riotous conduct, and what was the verdict arrived at, the record does not show.

 

From these extracts it appears that come of the Pypes in those early clays were as rapacious and turbulent as the general run of people of their rank: mere encouragers of common robbers by their example, and exciters of discontent by their exactions. But judging from the entries in the Plea Rolls, this part of the County seems to have peen freer from cases of robbery and violence than any other of the Hundreds into which the County was divided and this fact must he put as a set off to the cases just mentioned.

 

In the 36th year of Henry VII. William Pype is described in a deed as son and heir of William Pype. This William, says Mr. Ames "surrendered his land in Wyndmill Street to Sir Thomas do Erdington, as well as lands in Prison Croft, Pagebirch Croft. and Moxall Croft, towards founding a Chantry in Bilston Chapel." This deed was preserved among the Wrottesley manuscripts, but was consumed in the fire at: Wrottesley Hall  a few years ago.

 

To William succeeded Thomas Pype, who had two sons, John and Richard.  John died without issue twelve years after his father, and was buried on September 16th. in .the 33rd year of Henry VIII in Our Lady's Chapel in Wolverhampton Church. He married Alice, daughter of Ralph, Baron Ducie and had two sons, one of whom Richard, was a minor at his father's death.

 

This Richard became Lord Mayor of London, and was .Knighted by Queen Elizabeth. He was born in Bilston in 1523, and after receiving an education suited to his position, married at the age of 25, Margaret, daughter of Nicolas Moseleye of Bilston, by whom he had two sons, Humphrey and Samuel, the latter of whom became Lord of the Manor of Bradley in pursuits, and was accordingly placed with a wealthy London silk mercer, named Wallingford. In this position he soon displayed such excellent business qualities and such superior tastes that he gradually became known to many of the famous men of the time.  Some years after his marriage he set up in business far himself, and prospered exceedingly. His mansion became the resort of persons skilful in conversation, eminent in Judgment, learned in literature, and politics.  He was grave with the serious gay, with the witty, cautious with the prudent, and highly esteemed by all.  He was a patron of the man of letters, a wise counsellor of his fellow traders, and to crown all a great benefactor of the poor.  Queen Elizabeth, who loved to have handsome and able men about her and Sir Richard had a fine presence occasionally sought his advice in City affairs while he was Chief Magistrate for it was always sound, or, as the old writers phrased it "judgmatical," and she in return showed him many marked favours. Stephen Gosson dedicated his “ School of Abuse" to him and his Council, and William Barnfield who was a native of Wolverhampton, and no mean poet among the best, found in him a. liberal patron, and a discriminating friend.

 

    Later in life Sir Richard purchased large estates in Derbyshire to which he subsequently retired, and died full of years arid full of honour. "He was buried," says Shaw, "in Barlborough Church, where a mural tablet was erected in the chancel to his memory."

 

We wrote some years ago to the thin Rector of Barlborough, the Rev. I T Stapyton, for a copy of this inscription, and in his reply he said there was no inscription visible in the church, but had an impression that it was hidden behind modern reredos, which could not be removed. Not satisfied with this doubtful statement we wrote to the Rev. J. D. Griffiths, the present Rector, and his answer was to a similar effect, and there the matter rests, though we are inclined to think that Mr. Stapyton's idea offers the true explanation.

 

In his later years Sir Richard but rarely came to Bilston, but when he did tile villagers assembled in fore to meet the coach and formed two lines, down which the great merchant passed to Pype Hall nodding to those he recognised, saving a few words to those he personally knew, though his general demeanour was grave and magisterial, as became the Chief Magistrate of the greatest City in the world. His reception was warm, and ho might easily have been taken as the counterpart of Addison's Roger de Coverley'.

 

When he died, his estates in Bilston devolved upon his son. Samuel, who, in 1578, married Elizabeth, daughter of John Wrottesley Esq., and Elizabeth, his wife who was daughter of Sir John Talbot of Albrighton: He was succeeded by his son Walter, who in 1631 was fined £12 for refusing to appear to be Knighted, but, according to the Wolverhampton Register, he must have withdrawn his objection, for he is, in the burial entry in 1650 distinctly called Sir Walter Pype. Sir Walter had a son named Samuel, born in 1641, a daughter named Elizabeth, who was baptized on the 30th of May 1640, and an other son named Walter, his heir. Elizabeth died in infancy. The following extracts froth the Wolverhampton Registers relate to various members of the family:

 

1604 ‑Dorothie, ye daughter of Samuell Pipe of Bylston, was baptised ye Vth daye of September.

 

1605‑John, ye sonne of Samuel Pipe, of Bylston, was buried on ye XXX daye of Maye

 

    0‑‑Elizaheth, daughter of Mr. Walter Pipe. <>f Bylston. was baptized ye, XIth daye of Mayo.

 

1641‑Samuell, ye sonne of Mr. Walter Pipe, of Bylston, was baptized ye IInd daye of Auguste.

 

1642 ‑ Mrs. Elizabeth Pipe, of Bylston, was buried ye IInd daye of Auguste.

 

Besides the two children of 11‑alter Pipe, already mentioned, he had another son named Humphrey, as tee shall presently find from Mr. Ames' notes-­

 

"1706 ‑ Nov 2. On this day, about 7 o'clock in ye morning, Samuel Pype, Esq., died of a cho1ic, or such like acute illness having been reasonably hearty ye evening before aged, as I take it, about sixty‑five

 

He left £10 to ye poor.”  He had issue two sons, James and Humphrey, and two daughters, named Sarah and Mary.  Humphrey was educated at Oxford and took his M.A. degree in 1684.  The Wolverhampton Church Register thus records his death: "Humphrey Pype, M.A., undermaster of Wolverhampton Grammar School, and younger son of Samuel Pype. Esq., of Bylston, was buried August ye 23rd, 1705 (this should be possibly be 1725) , aged 43 years." to which Mr. Ames adds this note: " Tis said that Mr. Humphrey Pype has, by his last will and testament, left a considerable sum of money to he laid out in charitable uses in Bilston, and that his sister has left £40 after her decease to be used for similar purposes. She died September 20th, 1732” Mr. Ames says: " 20th September, 1732.  On this day died at Birmingham Mrs. Sarah Pype, 2nd daughter of Samuel Pype Esq., formerly of Bilston.  In her lifetime she bestowed several benefactions for the use of ye poor of Bilston, and at her death ordered by her will that fifty shillings should be liven to 2 poor women, and £40, the interest of which was to be applied to charitable purposes in Bilston."