“The Coudrays were a branch of the Beaumonts, Viscounts of Maine.—(See Anselme, art. Beaumont.) Benedict de Coudray was witness of a charter of Roger de Menilwarin to Deulacresse Abbey (Mon. ii.); Fulco de Coudray held one fee from Abingdon Abbey (Testa); and Matthew de Coudray one fee from Ralph de St. Amand (lb.).”—The Norman People. Lawer tells us that “the name of Coudray, signifying a grove or ‘hurst’ of beech trees, is still common in Normandy.” We find the family seated at Herriard, in Hampshire, as early as the twelfth century; for in 1280 Peter de Coudray, being challenged to show his title to free chase in Basingstoke hundred, proved that the right had belonged to his ancestors from the time of Cœur de Lion. Some dozen years previously, this same Peter had “leave to enclose Cufald in Schyreburne within Pembere Forest,” and make himself a park. Edward Coudray was Sheriff of Hants 1403 and 1417; and bore Sable, ten billets Or, 4, 3, 2, and 1. From the Coudrays, Herriard passed by marriage to the Paulets.— Woodward's Hampshire. Padworth in Berkshire “was, at an early period, in the family of Coudray, who held it by the service of finding a sailor to manage the ropes of the Queen’s vessel, whenever she should pass over into Normandy. The Coudrays continued to possess this manor in 1465.” —Lysons. In Buckinghamshire, Fulk Coudray held Moulsoe, or Mulshoe, in the time of Henry III. (Testa de Nevill), and transmitted it to five generations of his descendants in the male line. The last heir—another Fulk—was childless; and Margery, daughter and coheir of Sir Thomas Cowdray, married Sir Roger Tyringham, a knight banneret, who was Sheriff of Bucks and Berks in 1317 and 1322.—See Lipscomb's Bucks. Matthew de Coddray was joint-Sheriff of Herefordshire from 1237 to 1240. The name of Robert de Cowdray frequently occurs in Cheshire charters in the time of Randle Blundeville. He married a county heiress, Maud, Lady of Worleston, and left an only daughter, Jane de Cowdray, who married, first, Sir William de Esseby, and secondly, Walter de Worleston. This was in the time of Edward I.—Ormerod's Cheshire. Benedict de Coudrey was Bailiff of Macclesfield 1245-1251. In the Roll of Arms of the knights who fought at Boroughbridge, we find “Sire Thomas Coudray’s,” Gules, billety Or.