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

Prepared by Michael A. Linton
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Wespaile : Roger Waspail is mentioned in the Liber Niger as holding five fees of the Earl of Gloucester. "Smallbrook, in the parish of Warminster (a part of the Duchy of Lancaster) was held, as early at least as the reign of Henry II., by the family of Waspail by military fee. The Waspails came in with the Conqueror, and were at first tenants to the family of Clare, and afterwards became proprietors, for we frequently see their seal used in old deeds. Their residence was for many ages at Smallbrook (their mansion of Olwey), but for the last generation or two at Hertley-Waspail, or Steple Hertley, Hants."—Hoare's Wiltshire. Roger held from Coeur de Lion in 1194; William in 1295, and John in 1359: the latter is also styled Lord of Hertley-Waspail, and built the existing parish church. There is no mention of the name after the time of Henry VI., when Smallbrook "appears to have passed by a female heir to Hugh Pakenham."