Fergant, Earl of Brittany and Richmond, as a reward for his courage and conduct at the Battle of Hastings. It remained in this family some time, and regularly descended to John, Earl of Brittany and Richmond the last male of that family, who granted to Sir John Devereux, Captain of Calais 100 marks per annum for life to be received out of the rents of this and some other manors in this Rape. He dying with out issue, his estates devolved to his sister Joan, then widow of Ralph, Lord Basset of Drayton, who obtained the livery of the castle, county, and honour of Richmond.
Mr. Pelham has a seat in this Park, about half a mile from which stands Crowhurst Church, and near it, the ruins of a Chapel or Oratory, probably built by one of the ancient Lords of this manor but there is no tradition by whom it was erected, at what time, or for what designed. In this Church yard is a remarkable large yew-tree, nearly twenty feet in circumference. It is hollow, and has a very majestic appearance.
