• General Notes

  Archeology Cantiana XXII pg 231 - SAC pg 117 - Sissinghurst Manor near Cranbrook, the ancient seat of the Berhams was demolished by Sir John Baker the attorney when he "raised that Magnificient pile with the Park which now charmes with so much delight the eyes of the spectators" The brick towers of the main entrance which are still standing were built of materials taken from the original Berham mansion. There is a fine engraving of sissinghurst castle in Hasted's Kent. 1414 SAC pg 117 - John Berham's ARMS (Gold 3 bears were carved upon the west face of the tower of Cranbrook (Kent) church together with Bettenham and Wilsford surmounted by a shield bearing the arms of Archbishop Chichele impaled with those of the see of cauterbury. Henry Chichele was archbishop from 1414 to 1443 which enables us to fix the approximate date at which the tower was built or repaired. The details of the arms have since been obliterated by weather but can be seen on the tower today in Sep 1996 (G Julian).
  
      1434 SAC pg 116 - John Bereham is mentioned in a commission dated 1 May 1434 directed to the Archbishop of Canterbury and other county magnates who eree to take the oath of certain knights esquires and men of influence and substance (ceterosregni potentes et valantes) that they would not "wetyngly receyve cherishe hold lin houshold ne maynteyne Pilours Robours Opressours of the people Mansleers Felons outlawes Ravyshers of women syenst the lawe.. or eny other open mysdoers - Patent roll. 1434 (12 Henry VI) no.437).
  

Details of John's family with Constance Courcy