by Helen Burton
John de Montfort became Lord of Coleshill when Johanna’s father died. Johanna outlived him to marry twice more. She had children by all three husbands.
Richard did, finally, marry Rose Brandstone Durvassal. Both John and Richard have living descendents but neither was able to inherit Beaudesert which, after Peter’s death, was split between his sisters’ progeny.
Beaudesert, the ‘beautiful waste’, no longer stands but there is a footpath which crosses the castle mound. It is possible to pause and look out at the panoramic view of the countryside as Peter, pacing his battlements back in the fourteenth century, must have done. Only a short distance away lie the manors of Lapworth, Spernall, Edstone and Umberslade and, although a farmhouse now stands where Lora Astley was housed in her nunnery at Pinley, some of the nuns’ gravestones do exist, stored in a barn. Lora was still living when Peter died. He left her a hundred shillings along with ten pounds for the nuns of Pinley to pray for his soul; perhaps hedging his bets – supporting his ‘old paramour’ whilst simultaneously atoning for the sins of his youth.
Helen Burton
