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During the reign of King Henry III (1216 to 1272), three manors in the parish of Highweek in Devon were transferred to Theobald de Englesheville (Englishville) by formal deed granted in 1247 by the King of England. This grant included the right to hold a weekly public market which was critically important to the economy of the parish.
Fifteen years later, in 1262, Theobald de Englishville, formally deeded the Manors of Teignwick, Bradley and North Newton to his nephew and heir, Robert Bussel. Robert was his sister's son whom he had adopted. This transfer of ownership was made with the King's blessing permanently removing these estates from control by the Crown.
Six years later, Robert Bussell died in 1268 leaving a son and heir, Theobald Bussell. He was just five years old at the time of this inheritance.
After King Edward 1 (1272 - 1307 ) returned from the Holy Land, the legal rights of the minor, Theobald, were formerly challenged in 1274. In particular, his powers of capital punishment as an 11-year-old. It was common for Lords to possess the right to execute felons, usually performed by hanging from a gallows. Nonetheless, Theobald retained his position as lord of the manor.
The spelling of the family surname evolved during the course of their century of influence taking different forms including Bussell, Bussel, Buessel, Busshel and eventually Bushel (the modern name given to the town where these manors are located).
Theobald Bussel died as a young man, leaving a son, William Buessel. In 1309, King Edward 11 (1307 - 1327) granted William the right to hold two special fairs at "Bradelegh" (Bradley Manor) on Ascension Day and on the Feast of All Saints.
William Bussel died on the 10th of June 1346 leaving a daughter Elisote or Elizoute (Elizabeth), and two sons, John, and his heir, William.
This son, William Busshel, died in 1359, leaving his brother John as his heir.
A son of this John Busshel also named John, succeeded him. However, he died in 1391 without an heir during the reign of Richard II (1377 to 1399).
Without a Busshel male heir, the surviving heiress, Elisote, transferred the properties through marriage to the family of Yarde. Thus, the estates passed to Thomas Yarde in c.1391, who was the son of Elisote Busshel, after her marriage to Roger Yarde.
Hence, the patriarchal Busshel line disappeared after 129 years of succession.
The modern name of the historic town/suburb, Newton Bushel, is derived from a combination of New Town plus the family name, Bussell. The twin towns from the thirteenth century onwards are now joined together as a larger town called Newton Abbot.
Thus, the Bussell family left a clear legacy behind with the incorporation of the family name in the naming of this historic town in Devon.