The priory of Hedley was founded, according to Dr. Burton, during the reign of Henry I, as a cell to Holy Trinity Priory, York. To this latter house Niel Fossard, it appears, had granted 'a certain site in Bramham Wood, which is called Hedley, and all the ground to the hill at Oglethorp,' but whether this gift was made to the Benedictine house of Holy Trinity, or to its predecessor the house of Canons, is not quite clear. At all events the donation was afterwards referred to as the gift of Alexander Paynell and Agnes his wife

Alexander Paynell of Hooton

From Medlands:

ALEXANDER Paynell of Hooton (-before [1147/53]). Bracton records a claim, dated 1220, by "Eustachius de Greinuilla" against "Priorem S. Trinitatis Ebor" for "ecclesiam de Bertona…aduocacionem", reciting that the land was held by "Willelmi Paynel…Radulfus Paynel qui fundavit ecclesiam…Alexandri Painel filii et heredis ipsius Radulfi…Willelmi filii Alexandri Paynel…Frechesante filie ipsius Willelmi"[122]. He inherited the manor of Hooton (Paynell) in Yorkshire from his brother Jordan[123].

m AGNES Fossard, daughter of ROBERT FitzNigel Fossard & his wife Ascelina --- (-after [1147/53]). “Agnes Fossard, filia Roberti Fossard” donated property to the canons of Nostell, with the consent of “Willelmi Fossardi fratris mei”, by charter dated to [1147/53][124]. Alexander & his wife had one child:

i) WILLIAM Paynell (-1202). “Agnes Fossard” donated property to the canons of Nostell by charter dated to [1147/53] which names “Willelmo Painel filio suo”[125]. “Willelmus Painel” donated property to the canons of Nostell by charter dated to [1154/81][126]. The Red Book of the Exchequer refers to "Willelmus Paganellus vii l" in Yorkshire in [1161/62][127]. The Red Book of the Exchequer refers to "Willelmus Paganell xv l, de novo xx s" in Yorkshire in [1171/72][128]. The Red Book of the Exchequer, listing scutage payments in [1190/91], records "Willelmus Paganellus" paying "vii l x s, xv milites" in Yorkshire[129]. The Red Book of the Exchequer, listing scutage payments in [1194/95], records "Willelmus Paganellus" paying "xv l, xv milites" in Yorkshire[130]. Bracton records a claim, dated 1220, by "Eustachius de Greinuilla" against "Priorem S. Trinitatis Ebor" for "ecclesiam de Bertona…aduocacionem", reciting that the land was held by "Willelmi Paynel…Radulfus Paynel qui fundavit ecclesiam…Alexandri Painel filii et heredis ipsius Radulfi…Willelmi filii Alexandri Paynel…Frechesante filie ipsius Willelmi"[131]. m FRETHESANT, daughter of ---. Domesday Descendants names "Frethesant" as the wife of William Paynell, but does not cite the primary source which confirms her marriage[132].

William & his wife had three children:

(a) ALEXANDER Paynell (-before his father). Domesday Descendants records that William Paynell and his wife had a son "Alexander who died in his lifetime", but does not cite the primary source which confirms her marriage[133].

(b) FRETHESANT (-after 1220). "Henry de Neufmarché" paid a fine for "having as his wife Frethesenta who was the wife of Geoffrey Luttrell, if she wishes", dated to [1217/18][134]. The Testa de Nevill includes a list of landholdings in Yorkshire, dated 1219, which includes "Frethesanth que fuit uxor [...Galfridi Luterel, filia] Willelmi Paynel", adding that "Henricus de Novo Mercato eam habet", holding land in "Rydal" as well as "filia Isabelle sororis Frethesanth predicte…Eustachius de Greinvill eam habet"[135]. The Testa de Nevill includes a list of landholdings in Yorkshire, dated 1219, which includes "Frethesaunte Paynel uxoris Henrici de Nov Mercato" holding land at Stratford[136]. Bracton records a claim, dated 1220, by "Eustachius de Greinuilla" against "Priorem S. Trinitatis Ebor" for "ecclesiam de Bertona…aduocacionem", reciting that the land was held by "Willelmi Paynel…Radulfus Paynel qui fundavit ecclesiam…Alexandri Painel filii et heredis ipsius Radulfi…Willelmi filii Alexandri Paynel…Frechesante filie ipsius Willelmi"[137]. m (before 26 Feb 1204) GEOFFREY Luttrell of Gamston and Bridgeford, Nottinghamshire (-[1216/17]). m secondly ([Oct 1217/Oct 1218]) HENRY de Neufmarché, son of HENRY de Neufmarché & his wife Denise de Tilly (-1239 or before).

(c) ISABEL (-after 1219). The Testa de Nevill includes a list of landholdings in Yorkshire, dated 1219, which includes "Frethesanth que fuit uxor [...Galfridi Luterel, filia] Willelmi Paynel", adding that "Henricus de Novo Mercato eam habet", holding land in "Rydal" as well as "filia Isabelle sororis Frethesanth predicte…Eustachius de Greinvill eam habet"[138]. m EUSTACE de Grenville, son of ---.