Source: Index Library xxx
Title: Abstracts of Inquisitiones post Mortem for Gloucestershire, returned into the Court of Chancery during the Plantagenet Period. Part IV. 20 Henry III. to 29 Edward I. 1236-1300. Edited by Sidney J. Madge, 1903, London, 58
Date: [1216-1272] (date uncertain, but probably towards the end of this period)
Place: Gloucester

 

William de Albaniaco

Inquisition made by command of the King as to the lands and tenements of William de Albaniaco , which he held of the King on the day of his death, by the oath of Philip de Mattesdone, Walkelin de Fabrica, Henry de Marewent, Richard Toky, John de Holecumbe, Ernisius de Brockworth, William de Rynn, Nicholas le Fraunkeleyn, William de la Plocke, William Ingeleys, Gilbert de Side , and William Nel , who say that

William de Albaniaco held of the King in chief in co. Gloucester at Kingeshome 2 carucates of land, and they are worth in demesne by the year in all issues of land 8 marks. He also held a certain mill called Goswitemulle of the King in chief, paying therefor at the Exchequer of the King at Westminster by the year 15s ., which said mill belonged to the land of Henry de Lesseberewe and Dionisia his wife. He also held 1 virgate of land at Upthone of Sir John de Muchegros , and paid by the year to the said John 20s . And to the Abbot of St. Peter's at Gloucester 5s . Of the lord the King he held by the service of keeping the door of the dispensary of the King at the summons of the King.

And they say that his next heir is John de Albaniaco , and that he is aged 20 years.

He also held a certain messuage with the appurtenances of John de Holecumbe , paying therefor to the said John 1lb. of pepper; also ½ acre of meadow, paying therefor 1d .

He also held of Ralph de Willesworthe 10 acres of land, and they are worth per annum 3s .

Chan. Inq. p. m. ( uncertain ), temp. Hen. III, No. 247 .

In feudal England, escheat (pronounced eesheet) referred to the situation where the tenant of a fief died without an heir or committed a felony. The fief reverted to the King's ownership for one year and one day, by right of primer seisin, after which it reverted to the original lord who had granted it. From the time of Henry III, the monarchy took particular interest in escheat as a source of revenue.
From the 12th century onward, the Crown appointed escheators to manage escheats and report to the Exchequer, with one escheator per county established by the middle of the 14th century. Upon learning the death of a tenant, the escheator would hold an "inquisition post mortem" to learn if the king had any rights to the land. These were often preceded by a "writ of diem clausit extremum" issued by the king to seize the lands and hold the I.P.M. If there was any doubt, the escheator would seize the land and refer the case to Westminster where it would be settled, ensuring that not one day's revenue would be lost. This would be a source of concern with land owners when there were delays from Westminster.
Source: Wikipedia