First some acts:
I have a Stephen Bullyng sold his land in Tenterden in 1435 to a John Bullyng and Richard Notfeld [see feet of fines].
Stephen had a son called John.
John Bullyng his son died in 1481 and all his 4 children were under the age of majority [so eldest offspring born 1460 earliest]
[If John started having offspring after 1460 he'd probably be born between say 1420 (aged 40 at fatherhood) or 1430 (aged 30 at fatherhood).
The advantage of obtaining title to property through a fine (as opposed to, for example, a simple feoffment or deed of gift) was that it provided the transaction with the additional legal authority of a royal or court judgment and ensured that a record of the conveyance would be preserved among the court archives.
John Bullying (Stephen's son) in his will of 1481 still owned the property in Tenterden which he says belonged to his father, Stephen.
Would John Bullying (& Richard Notfeld) who bought the Tenterden land be permitted to buy land at under the age of majority? Or could Rich Notfeld be a guardian? If John Bollyng "bought" the land in 1435 as an adult he'd be born circa 1414 and having children at 46 years old?
So any guesses at what might be going on? Was John Bullyng a child in 1435 when he and Richard Notfeld bought the land in Tenterden?
Really I want to know if minors could buy land (probably to ensure title)?
