in 46 E. 3. at which time he was retain'd by Indenture to serve the King in those Wars with xl Men at Arms himself being then a Banneret xv Knights xxxiv Esquires and Lx Archers This William in 5 R. 2. had a Resolution to found a Monastery of the Carthusian Order in Honour of St. Anne near to the City of Coventre but was by death prevented whereupon King Richard the Second accomplish'd that Work for on Wednesday the Feast of St. George the same year he departed this Life leaving Sir William la Zousche of Braunfeild Knight his Son and Heir then xl years of age as also a younger Son called Thomas who afterwards had the Mannors of Ightam and Eynesford in Com. Kanc. being then seised of the Castle and Mannor of Torneys with its Members viz. Lodeswalle and Hiwishe as also of the Mannor of Cornewâ—rthie in Com. Devon of the Mannors of Eygâ—reham and Eynesford in Com. Cantii of the Hundred of Calne with the Mannor of Calston and Mannor of Ambresbury called le Coâ—ynger in Com. Wiltes of the Mannor of Kingesw 〈◊〉 in Com. Suthampt. of the Mannor of Kilpesham in Com. Rotel Haryngworth Bulwyke Beâ—ghâ—y and Mannor called Souches-Mannor in Rothwell in Com. Northampt. of the Mannor of Ilkeston in Com. Derb. Zouches-Mannor in Docking in Com. Norff. Bluenlegh in Com. Suff. Mule Bracy in Com. Salop. Eyton with its Members viz. Henlawe Berston and Wymington Totenshe Houghton and Weston Inge in Com-Bedf Hamme in Com. Buck. Wythkall Lavnton and Lynthorpe in Com. Linc. Thorpe Ernauld with its Members viz. Brentyngby Busseby Thurneby and Houghton as also of the Mannor of Claybroke in Com. Leic. and likewise of the Mannor of Weston in Com. Warr. Elizabeth his Wife surviving who by her Testament bearing date upon the Feast-day of St. Ambrose Anno 1408. 9 H. 4. bequeath'd her Body to be buried in the Abby of Tewkesbury where the Corps of her Brothers lay Interred with xx l. to that House and gave to Edmund and Thomas her Sons all her Silver Vessel to be equally divided betwixt them Which William viz. Son and Heir to the last-mention'd William doing his Homage had Livery of his Lands and in 7 R. 2. was in the Wars of France This William was he who being accused by a Frier-Carmelite that he had scandalized Iohn of Gant Duke of Lancaster with evil Machinations against the King was brought before the Parliament though at that time very sick to answer the Charge but stoutly denying all he was at length acquitted And in 8 R. 2. was retain'd by Indenture to serve the King in his Scoâ—â—sh Wars for xl days the King resolving to go in 〈◊〉 thither But in 10 R. 2. being then called William Lord Zousche of Torneys residing there at that time as it seems obtain'd Licence from the King to make a Castle of his Mannor-house at Haringworth in Com. Northampt. Which Licence was afterwards confirm'd to Sir William la Zousche Knight his Cousin and Heir in 10 H. 6. In 12 R. 2. this William was banish'd the Court as one of the King 's Evil Counsellors by those Great Lords who then met in Arms at Haringey Park After which viz. in 15 R. 2. he was by some Inquisitions found to be next Heir to Iohn de Hastings Earl of Pembroke viz. Son of William Son of Eudo Father of William Son of Milisent Daughter and one of the Heirs to William de Cantilupe Brother of Nicholas Father of William Father of Nicholas Father of William Father of William who died without Issue And in 19 R. 2. upon the Saturday next preceding the Feast of St. Dunstan being the thirteenth of May departed this Life leaving William his Son and Heir xxii years of age Which William doing his Homage the year following had Livery of his Lands This William the same year viz. 20 R. 2. being in the Wars of France was of the Retinue of Edward Earl of Rutland and in 22 R. 2. went again to those Wars Moreover in 1 H. 4. in consideration of his good Services to that King he had a Grant of C l. per annum out of the Exchequer And in 3 H. 4. attended Blanch the King's Daughter to Celein where she was married to the Emperor's Son Furthermore in 7 H. 4. upon the death of Thomas la Zouche his Uncle who held the Mannors of Middle Claydon and Elesyngburgh in Com. Buck. for term of Life the Reversion appertaining to him he then came to the Possession of those Lordships And in 8 H. 4. was again in the Wars of France In 1 H. 5. being at that time Lieutenant of Calais he was one of the Embassadors sent to Cbarles King of France for the Observation of the Truce made by King Richard the Second and that King And having married Alice the Daughter and Heir of Sir Richard de St. Maur the younger Knight and of Mary his Wife as also Cousin and Heir of Ela the Wife of Sir Richard St. Maur the elder Knight Father of Richard the younger and made proof of her age had Livery of the Lands of her Inheritance doing his Fealty This William died 3 Nov. 3 H. 5. being then seised of the Mannor of Drey Docking in Com. Norff. Kilpham in Com. Rotel Haryngworth Bulwyke Braunfeild Houghton and Berughby in Com. Northampt. Ilkeston in Com. Derb. of the Castle of Greisele in Com. Nott. of the Castle of Totneys with the Borough and Mannor of Cornworthy in Com. Devon of the Mannors of Lavington Withâ—all and Kinthorpe in Com. Linc. Weston in-Arden and Folkeshull in Com. Warr. Claybroke and Thorpe Ernauld with its Members in Com. Leic. Colston with the Hundred of Calne in Com. Wiltes Meole Bracy in Com. Salop. Hergrobe Odâ—cumbe and the Borough of Briggewater in Com. Somerset Esulburgh Claydo Stoke Mandevile and Hamme in Com. Buck. as also of the Mannors of Thorâ—bury and Eyton in Com. Bedf. leaving William his Son and Heir xiii years of age whose Marriage was granted by the King to Raphe Earl of Westmorland but the Benefit of his Lands to Iohn Holand Earl of Huntendon to hold during his Minority As also Iohn a younger Son who married Elizabeth the Aunt and Heir to Henry Lord Grey of Codnovre from whom the Zouches of Codnobre did descend and two Daughters viz. Margaret the Wife of Sir Thomas Tresham Knight and Elizabeth Which William his Son and Heir upon the death of Elizabeth his Mother in 4 H. 6. doing his Fealty had Livery of all those Lands which she held in Dower and in 2 E. 4. being then above xxx years of age and bearing the Title of Lord Zouche and St. Maur having perform'd many special Services
Hierusalem and there made his abode for some time Thence Travelling into other Countryes he came to Venice and Padua As also to Rome out of great affection he had to see the famous Vatican-Library Where he made such an elegant Oration to Pope Pius the Second that it drew Teares from the Eyes of his Holiness Likewise that he Translated into English the Orations of Publius Cornelius and Caius Flaminius and Wrote divers Learned Tracts whereof Bale maketh mention Moreover that he Founded a Fraternitie in All-Hallows-Church at Berkyng near the Tower of London Likewise that having been a firm adherer to the House of York and the Scene changing through the potency of Nevill Earl of Warwick King Edward being forc't to flee beyond-Sea and King Henry restored he was necessitated to shift for himself so that being found on the top of an high Tree in the Forest of Waybrigg in Com. Hunt he was brought to London and judg'd to suffer death by Iohn Earl of Oxford whereupon he lost his head on Tower-hill and was buried at Black-Friers in that City Furthermore that he had two Wives First Elizabeth the daughter to Robert Greyndour and by her a son called Iohn who died young Secondly Elizabeth daughter of Thomas Hopton Esquire sister of Sir Walter Hopton Knight Widow of Sir Roger Corbet of Morton Corbet in Com. Salop. Knight on whom he begot a son called Edward who was but little more than two yeares of age at his death Which Edward being restored in blood by King Edward the Fourth died without issue 12 Aug. 3 R. 3. Whereupon his three Aunts became his heires viz. Philippa Wife of Thomas Lord Roos of Hamlake Ioane Married to Sir Edmund Inglethorpe Knight and Ioyce to Edmund son and heir to Iohn Lord Dudley Piers de Gaveston Earl of Cornwall 1 Edw. 2. THere is not I think in all our English History a greater instance of an unhappy Favourite than that of this Piers de Gaveston much unhappy to himself but more to his Soveraign Who being corrupted in his youth by the leud conversation of this vain young Man became most miserable at last not only by Deposal from his Government but by the Murther of his Person Being by Birth the son of a private Gentleman in Gascoine who had merited well for his faithful services in the Wars of those parts he was for that cause in his very childhood receiv'd into the Court of King Edward the First there to wait upon Prince Edward his eldest Son Upon whose affections in tract of time he so much gained by humouring him in such sensual delights whereunto youth is naturally inclin'd that he guided and govern'd him according to his own vile humour The dangerous consequence whereof was not foreseen by the King until near the time of his own death as it seems for this Piers was with him in his Wars of Scotland in 32 d of his Reign as is evident from that Pardon which was afterwards granted to him as also to Roger Lord Mortimer Gilbert de Clare and others for departing thence at that time without leave So likewise in that of 34 Edw. 1. which was the last Expedition into those parts by that Victorious King being in order thereto made Knight at the Feast of Pentecost with Prince Edward by Bathing c. But then was it most clearly discern'd by divers of the Nobles at that time there how destructive it might be to themselves and to the whole Realm that such an ill Companion should longer continue with the Prince whereupon the King lying upon his Death-bed at Burgh upon the Sands near Carlisle forc'd him to abjure the Realm and commanded his Son the Prince upon Penalty of his Curse that he should not recall him back Nevertheless notwithstanding this strict charge of the dying King no sooner did he hear that the breath was out of his Father's Body but that he sent for him again and bestow'd on him the King's Jewels and likewise all that Treasure which had been design'd for the succor of the Holy Land viz. Thirty two thousand pounds of Silver which also upon the danger of his Father's Curse ought not to have been otherwise dipsosed of Whereof being thus possess'd he convey'd it into the hands of Forrein-Merchants for his own private benefit Amongst which Jewels there was a Table and Tressels of Gold which he had taken out of the Treasury at Westminster and delivered them to Aymeri de Frisconbaud to be carried into Gascoine And besides all this he caused Walter Langton Bishop of Covenâ—ry and Lichfield who had been Lord Treasurer to King Edw. 1. to be imprisoned Nay so great was his interest that upon the King 's going over to Boloin to Marry with the Lady Isabell daughter to Philip le Beau King of France which Marriage was solemnized 8 Cal. Febr. he obtain'd a special Patent bearing date 26 th December to be Guardian and Lieutenant of this Realm during his absence And Soon after this having Married Margaret the second sister and coheir to Gilbert de Clare Earl of Glocester daughter to Ioane of Acres the King's sister the Wedding being kept at Berkemsted in the presence of the King he procured a Grant to himself and her the said Margaret in tail of that great Mannor of Brustwyke in Holderness with its members Also of the Castle and Mannor of Skypton in Craven Of the Castle and Honor of High-Peke in Com. Derb. Of the Castle Mannor and Honor of Cokermuth in Com. Cumb. with its Members Of the Mannors of â—orpell and Upton in Com. North. Of the Castle of Caresbroke and other the Kings Lands in the Isle of Wight all which formerly belong'd to Isabel de Fortibus sometime Countess of Aâ—â—emaâ—le and were then valued at Three thousand Marks per annum And of the Mannors of Crokham and Berkhamsted in Com. Hertf. with Frâ—e-warren in all his Demesn-lands there as also in Byflete and Pachenesham in Com. Surr. with remainder to the King and his heirs About the same time likewise he had a Grant in Fee of the whole Earldom of Cornwall with the Castle Mannors and Lands thereto belonging as also of the Shrievalty of that County Likewise of the Stannaries and all Mines of Tin and Lead sometime belonging to Edmund Earl of Cornwall Of the Castle and Mannor of Lydeford with its Appurtenances Of the whole Moore and Free-Chase of Dertmore of the Town of Exeter of the Castle Town and Honor of Knaresburgh with Free-Chase there Of the Mannors of Routhclyve and Aldburgh of the Castle Town and Honor of Walingford with the Mannors of Watlington and Bensington of the Four Hundreds and half of Ciltrie of the Honor of St. Walerie of the Mannor of Beckley of the Castles and Mannors of Mereswell
at his Fathers death and having married Anne the daughter to Robert Earl of Essex by her had issue Philip his son and heir and two daughters Mary married to ... Gower of ... in Com. Ebor. and Anne to VVilliam VVolrich of ... in Com. Sussex Esquire and died 14 Eliz the said Philip being at that time seventeen years of age Which Philip took to wife Frances daughter to Henry â—arl of Cumberland and by her had issue two sons viz. Sir George Wharton Knight of the Bath who married Anne daughter to Iohn Earl of Rutland and was slain in a Duel by Sir Iames Steward Knight upon the eighth of November An. 1609. leaving no issue And Sir Thomas VVharton Knight Which Sir Thomas took to wife Philadelphia the daughter to Robert Earl of Monmouth and having issue by her two sons Philip and Thomas died in his fathers life time viz. 17 Apr. 20 Iac. and was buried at Easby near Richmund in Yorkshire This Philip had likewise issue three daughters Margaret married to Edward Lord VVotton Eleanore to VVilliam Thwaytes of Long Marston in Com. Ebor. Esquire and Frances to Sir Richard Musgrave of Edenhale in Com. Cumbr. Knight of the Bath and Baronet And departing this life upon the Twenty sixth day of March An. 1625. was buried at Healey in the County of the City of York Leaving Philip his grandson viz. eldest son to Sir Thomas who died in his life time his successor in his honor Which Philip arrived to his full age in An. 1634. and married three wives Elizabeth daughter of Sir Rouland Wandesford of Pickhay in Com. Ebor. Knight Attorney of the Court of Wards by whom he had issue one only daughter called Elizabeth married to Robert then Lord VVilloughby of Eresby now Earl of Lindsey and Lord Great Chamberlain of England Secondly Iane the daughter and heir of Arthur Goodwyn of Upper Winchendon in Com. Buck. â—squire by whom he hath had issue two sons Thomas and Goodwyn and four daughters Anne married to VVilliam Carr a Scotchman only son to VVilliam Carr Groom of the Bedchamber to King Iames. Margaret to Major Dunch of Pusey in Com. Berk. Esquire Mary to VVilliam Thomas son and heir of Edmund Thomas of Wennoe in Com. Glamorgan Esquire and Philadelphia He thirdly married Anne daughter to the said VVilliam Carr Groom of the Bedchamber to King Iames widdow of Edmund Popham Esquire by whom he hath one son called VVilliam Which Thomas son and heir apparent to this Philip Lord VVharton hath married Anne one of the two daughters and coheirs to Sir Henry Lee of Dichley in Com. Oxon. Baronet Lord Paget 4 E. 6. THe first mention I find of any bearing this name who arriv'd to the dignity of Peerage is VVilliam Paget a person naturally endowed with excellent parts as may seem by his ascent from so low a condition to those high Preferments whereunto by sundry degrees he attained being son a to ... Paget one of the Serjeants at Mace in the City of London who was born near Wednsbury in Staffordshire of mean Parentage where 〈◊〉 were some of that generation till of late years remaining so that he might well say with the Poet Et quae non fecimus ipsi Vix ea nostra voco For in 23 H. 8. by reason of his great abilities he came to be one of the Clerks of the Signet And in 32 H. 8. Clerk of the Council As also Clerk of the Privy-Seale with the Fee of Thirty pounds per annum and soon after that Clerk of the Parliament for life In all which employments he deported himself with such sedulity and prudence as that in 33 H. 8. he was sent Embassador into France and upon his return from that honorable Negotiation made one of the principal Secretaries of State for so I find him in 35 H. 8. Moreover in 36 H. 8. being then a Knight he was constituted one of the Commissioners to Treat with Mathew Earl of Lenox touching the advancement of King Henry the Eighth's Interst in Scotland whereupon l that Earl was to marry the Lady Margaret Douglas King Henry's Neice And the same year attending that King in his Expedition to Boloin was associated with the Earl of Hertford and others to Treat with the Embassadors of France in order to a general accord betwixt both Realms In 37 H. 8. he obtained a grant to himself and Iohn Mason Esquire then Secretary to the King for the French Tongue and the survivor of them of the Office of Master of the Posts with the Fee of Sixty six pounds thirteen shillings four pence per an And in 38 H. 8 was one of the Commissioners which treated of and concluded a Peace with the French Shortly after which the King lying on his Death-bed he was constituted one of his Executors and appointed one of the Council to his successor King Edward the Sixth In the second year of whose Reign he obtained a grant in Fee of that House without Temple-Barr in the City of London then called Exeter-place formerly belonging to the Bishops of that See as also of a certain parcel of ground lying within the Garden of the Middle-Temple adjoyning thereto Which House he transformed into a new Fabrick for his own habitation and called it Paget-House But long it held not that name being from after-owners called next Leicester-House and at length Essex-House The next thing which I find memorable of him is that in 4 E. 6. he was sent Embassador to the Emperor Charles the Fifth to signifie how King Edward being on the one side distressed by the Scots and on the other by the French likewise miserably rent by intestine divisions at home necessity required speedy Succors from him else that he must submit to an inconvenient Peace with France And upon the Third of December the same year being then Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter Comptroller of the Kings Houshold Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancaster and called by Writ to the Parliment then sitting by the name of Lord Paget of Beaudsert in Com. Staff he took his place there amongst the rest of the Peers After which upon the 19 th of Ianuary next ensuing he had his solemn creation to that honor and within three dayes following was sent with the Earl of Bedford and Sir Iohn Mason again to treat of Peace with the French Notwithstanding all which great services such enemies he had that in 5 E. 6. upon the fall of the Duke of Somerset whose ruine was effected by the contrivance of Dudley Duke of Northumberland against whom the principal charge was that he had designed the Murther of some Noblemen at Pager-House this Lord was sent to the Tower and bereav'd of his Ensignes of the Garter But Money being not a little wanting at that time whereupon several persons
his stead Unto which Instrument her Seal of Arms is affixed viz. Stafford and Basset quartered and that he dying in 2 Ed. 2. was buried in the Fryers Minors at Stafford leaving issue two Sons viz. Ralph his Son and Heir then nine years of age and Sir Richard Stafford Knight his younger Son who in 30 33 Ed. 3. was in the Wars of France So likewise in 34 Edw. 3. and in 35 Edw. 3. being made Seneschal of Gascoigne continued there the next ensuing year being then called Sir Richard Stafford of Clifton Knight which Lordship he then possessed by reason of his marriage with Maud the Daughter and Heir to Richard de Camvile of that place Which Sir Richard Stafford had issue Richard who in 36 Edw. 3. was in that expedition with his Father then made into Gascoigne and in 40 Edw. 3. went again to those Wars Moreover this Richard had Summons to Parliament amongst the Barons from 44 Edw. 3. until 4 Rich. 2. inclusive and then viz. upon the Thirteenth of August departed this life being seised of the Mannors of Childecote in Com. Derb. Norton in Hales in Com. Salop. Clifton Camvile Pipe and Bruggeford in Com. Staff The moity of the Mannor of Campeden and the Mannors of Aston under Egge Charingworth and Winton in Com. Gloc. As also of the Mannor of Sibbertoft in Com. North. leaving Edmund his Son and Heir then a Priest Thirty six years of age Which Edmund being afterwards Bishop of Exeter and Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England Sir Thomas Stafford Knight his Brother came to possess the Estate who having issue Thomas that died without issue the Inheritance thereof descended to Catherine his Sister married to Sir Iohn Ardern Knight But I return to Ralph Son and Heir of Edmund This Ralph coming of full age in 17 Ed. 2. and then doing his homage had Livery of his Fathers Lands and the next ensuing year being made a Knight by Bathing and other Sacred Ceremonies had Robes with all other accoutrements as a Banneret allowed him out of the Kings Wardrobe for that solemnity After which he soon grew an active person in the Wars of that heroick Prince King Edward the Third For it appears that in 1 Edw. 3. he was in that expedition then made into Scotland and in 4 Edw. 3. one of those Lords who stoutly pursued that then potent Man Roger de Mortimer Earl of March and took him in the Castle of Nottingham Moreover in 8 9 Edw. 3. he was again in the Scotish Wars as also in 10 Edw. 3. Margaret his Wife being then with him So likewise in 11 Edw. 3. and in 13 Edw. 3. in that expedition then made into Flanders Furthermore in 14 Edw. 3. King Edward having entred the North parts of France with a powerful Army in order to the recovery of that Realm as his Hereditary Right and discerning how he was illuded by Iohn Stratford then Archbishop of Canterbury whom he trusted in his absence in not helping him to that supply of Money from England whereon he depended for support of these Wars so that he was then necessitated to return from that hopeful adventure without success he sent this Ralph Lord Stafford then Steward of his Houshold unto that Archbishop to offer him safe conduct in coming to him to the end he might understand what defence he could make for that his neglect In 15 Edw. 3. he was again in the Wars of Scotland and the same year obtained the Kings Charter for a Market every week upon the Tuesday at his Mannor of Madley under Lyme in Com. Staff as also two Fairs yearly the one on the Eve and Day of S. George the Martyr and two days following and the other on the Eve and Day of S. Leonard and two days after And likewise a weekly Market at his Mannor of Tisho in Com. War on the Wednesday with a Fair every year upon the Eve and Day of S. Peter ad Vincula commonly called Lammas as also view of Frank-Pledge and divers other Priviledges viz. For Tryal and Execution of Malefactors c. In 16 Edw. 3. being sent into Britanny with divers other eminent persons he had of his Retinue fifty Men at Arms and fifty Archers all on Horsback whereof himself and two other were then Bannerets sixteen Knights and thirty one Esquires having for his and their support in that service fifty seven Sacks of the Kings Wools. Moreover being then in the City of Uannes at that time besieged by the French he escaped by a Postern but afterwards was taken prisoner before Nants then besieged by the English and exchanged for the Lord Clysson In 17 Edw. 3. he was joyned with the Earls of Lancaster Glocester Warwick Northampton and others in another expedition for Scotland to raise that Siege which the Scots had laid to the Castle of Lough Mabar whereof the Earl of Northampton viz. William de Bohun had then the custody And shortly after this was imployed again with Henry de Lancaster Earl of Deâ—by and some other grave persons to the Court of Rome there to treat with the Pope not as a Judge but as a private Person and Friend touching the right of King Edward to the Crown of France He was likewise the principal person then sent in Commission with Sir William Trussel Knight and some others to the Governors and Burger-Masters of divers good Towns in Flanders to treat touching the well regulating of that Countrey as to the Staple of Wools and Sheep Skins as also to treat and conclude touching the Coynage of good Money Gold and Silver to be current as well in England as in Flanders and by another Commission impowred to treat with the Princes and others of Almaine touching a League of Friendship betwixt King Edward and them and to obtain their assistance to him upon occasion Moreover in 18 Edw. 3. being sent into Gascoigne with Henry of Lancaster Earl of Derby upon the assault of Bergerath by that Earl on the Land part this Ralph commanded the Fleet to attack it by Sea and was with him likewise at the siege of Auberoche In 19 Edw. 3. he had that great office of Seneschal of Aquitane conferred upon him and continuing thereupon in those parts command was given to the Sheriff of Glocestershire to send thither to him One hundred Bows and six hundred Arrows for the Kings service there In 20 Edw. 3. he went again into Gascoigne and being then in Aguillon when Iohn Son and Heir to Philip King of France came to besiege it he placed empty Wine Hogsheads upon that part of the Town which was not Walled putting Stones into them and though he was besieged
with a numerous Army he stoutly defended it against their whole power It is said by some of our Historians that upon King Edwards coming into France at that time with a puissant Army which occasioned the before specified Iohn to raise his siege and to march away in order to the conjunction of his Forces with the Army of Philip his Father this Ralph Lord Stafford â—allied out of Aguillon fell upon his Rear and cut off a great part thereof Moreover that being thus cleared from that siege he joyned his Forces with King Edwards and had an eminent command in the Van of the Army under the Black Prince in that famous Battle of Cressy which soon after ensued where the English obtained a glorious victory Likewise that after that victory being sent with Sir Reginald Cobham and three Heralds to view the slain they reported the number to be Eleven great Princes eighty Bannerets twelve hundred Knights and more than thirty thousand Common Soldiers And also that upon the render of Calais which hapned shortly after he was one of those who were then appointed to take possession of it for the King The next year following there being an accord made betwixt this Ralph and Margaret his Wife on the one part Sir Robert de Harley and Elizabeth his Wife on the second part and Sir Edward Cornwall on the third part as Cosins and Heirs to Peter the Son of Peter Corbet This Ralph claiming the Castle of Caus and other Lands as being descended from the eldest Aunt of the same Peter it being thereby concluded That he should thenceforth enjoy that Castle to him and his heirs he obtained Livery thereof doing his Fealty for the same And before the end of that year in farther consideration of his laudable services did also obtain another special Livery of all those Lands which Hugh de Audley Earl of Glocester then deceased held of the Inheritance of Margaret his Wife one of the Daughters and Heirs to Gilbert de Clare sometime Earl of Glocester which by the death of her the said Margaret did by descent belong to Margaret Wife to this Ralph as Daughter and Heir to them the said Hugh and Margaret his homage being respited in respect of his Military imployment For he was then sent again into France and had purveyance for himself his men and horses in the Counties of Sussex Surrey and Kent till he took shipping Sir Hugh Fitz-Simond Knight being at that time one of his Retinue as appears by an Indenture dated 16 Martii the same year whereby he covenanted to serve him in the Wars wheresoever he should have occasion with four Knights himself accounted and eight Esquires for the space of one whole year next ensuing Being thus again in France he was one of the Ambassadors sent to the Cardinals of Naples and Cleremont to treat of Peace betwixt King Edward and Philip de Valoys then assuming the title of King of France In 22 Edw. 3. which was the next ensuing year he obtained License to make Castles of his Mannor Houses at Stafford and Madeley as also a Grant from the King of 573 l. for his expences in his service beyond Sea And being then by Indenture retained to serve the King during his whole life with sixty Men at Arms had by reason thereof Six hundred marks per annum assigned unto him to be received out of the Ports of London and Boston Moreover having merited so well for his many and great services he was about this time elected to be one of the number of that honorable Society of the most Noble Order of the Garter then instituted by that martial and victorious Prince King Edward the Third Furthermore in 24. Edw. 3. he was joyned in Commission with the Bishop of Durham the Lord Percy and Lord Nevill to treat with the Nobles of Scotland at York for a firm and final Peace betwixt both Realms In which and all other his employments his deportment was such That the King in consideration thereof upon the fifth of March then next ensuing advanced him to the title of Earl of Stafford and for his better support of that dignity granted to him a thousand marks per annum in Fee until he should provide Lands of that value to settle on him and his heirs And being thus raised to these Honors and inriched with such large benefits he was shortly after viz. in 26 Edw. 3. constituted the Kings Lieutenant and Captain-General in his Dutchy of Aquitane with special Commission to treat with any persons of what Nation soever upon terms of Aid to the King and mutual assistance from him In which service viz. The Lieutenancy of Aquitaine he was then likewise retained by Indenture bearing date 3 Martii to continue with an hundred Men at Arms and an hundred Archers on Horsback of his own proper Retinue until Michaelmass next following And from that time forwards to have an additional number of One hundred Men at Arms more with good Captains and Two hundred Archers on Horsback provided at the Kings charge for the time of his stay there The King likewise indenting farther with him to send by way of more supply under the conduct of the Duke of Lancaster the Earls of Northampton Arundel Warwick or Huntingdon Three hundred Men at Arms and seven hundred Archers During the time of which stay there he constituted Sir Iames Pipe Knight then Seneschal of that Dutchy Governor of the Town and Castle of Blavy situate in the Enemies quarters And in regard of this his necessitated absence from England obtained a special Precept to the Judges of the Kings Bench that they should not in any of their Sessions within the County of Essex intermeddle with his Liberties For which expedition whilest he was preparing he had an Assignation of the Town of 〈◊〉 in Com. Middl. for the quartering of his Men and Horses Sixty Men with Lances being for that service then impressed out of his Lordships of Newport and Netherwent in the Marches of Wales In 27 Edw. 3. he attended Prince Edward in the company of the Earl of Warwick unto the City of Chester with a Military Power for the protecting of Sir Richard de Willoughby and Sir William de Shareshul Knights then sitting there as Justices Itinerant against the violence of the people whose Insurrection they feared And the same year had a special Dispensation from Pope Innocent the Sixth bearing date 15 Kal. Febr. That such Religious Persons as should be at his Table or in his House might eat Flesh. In 29 Edw. 3. he attended the King again into France whose purpose was to have given Battle to the King of France then at S. Omers had he not privily got away And in 33 Edw. 3. marching towards Reyns in Campaigne and quartered in
Margery his Mother being then alive went on Pilgrimage to Rome whence she retâ—â—ned safe and dyed in England in 37 Edw. 3. This William was summoned to Parliament in 24 and 25 Edw. 3. and married Margaret Daughter of Raphe Lord Nevill but in 26 Edw. 3. taking a journey into the Holy Land he there died without any Issue leaving Thomas his Brother Heir to that great Inheritance then but fourteen years of age Unto this Margaret the Mannor of Thurmanbowe in Yorkshire was assigned for her maintenance who afterwards became Wife to Henry Lord Percy and died in 46 Edward 3. In 31 Edw. 3. this Thomas staying in Gascoigne in the King's service had Letters of Protection this being the year that the Black Prince returned from France after his victory at Poytiers where King Iohn of France was taken prisoner which makes it probable that this Thomas de Ros was personally in that service but he had not Livery of his Lauds till the year next following In that year he had also License to marry Beatrice the Widow of Maurice Fitz-Moris Earl of Desmond daughter to Raphe Earl of Staâ—ford who surviving him became the Wife of Sir Richard Burley Knight Which Lady Beatrice in 10 Hen. 4. founded a Chantry within the Cathedral Church of S. Paul in the City of London in the Chapel of S. Iohn Baptist near the North door of one Priest to celebrate Divine service there for the Souls of Sir Richard de Burley Knight her late Husband as also for the Souls of the Father and Mother of the same Sir Richard and of Richard de Pembruge And moreover for the Soul of Thomas de Ros his Parents and all the Faithful deceased and finally for the good estate of her self during this life and for the health of her Soul afterwards For the maintenance of which Priest she setled twelve Marks per Annum issuing out of certain Messuages and Shops in London and died not till 3 Hen. 5. But I return to William In 33 Edw. 3. he was again in Gascoigne in the King's service where he continued both that and the next year following And in 44 Edw. 3. went again to the Wars of France being then of the retinue to Iohn Duke of Lancaster and with him at the taking of Mountpaon So also in 44 45 and 46 Edw. 3. In which forty sixth year he was in that Fleet with the King designed for the Relief of Thovars which after nine weeks being at Sea and crossed with contrary winds returned back In 47 Edw. 3. he likewise attended the Duke of Lancaster into France who then sailed thither with a very great Army for the relieving of Thovares still besieged So also in 1 Ric. 2. This Thomas had summons to all the Parliaments from 36 Edw. 3. until 7 Ric. 2. inclusive and in that seventh year of Ric. 2. having an extraordinary devotion to go on Pilgrimage to Ierusalem for performance of his vow which he had long made for that purpose obtained License of the King so to do which License bears date the fourth of May. But being on his journey at his Mannor of Uffyngton he there departed this life upon the eighth of Iune next ensuing leaving Iohn his Son and Heir eighteen years of age and William Thomas and Robert his younger Sons as also two Daughters Elizabeth Wife of Thomas Son and Heir of Roger Lord Clifford and Margaret and was buried in the midst of the Quire of Rievault-Abbey in Yorkshire the Lands whereof he was then possessed being these viz. the Castle and Mannor of Belvoir the Mannors of Wollesthorpe Ussyngton with its members in Talyngton Deping and Casewyke as also the Mannors of Wragby Freston and Gousâ—â—l in Com. Linc. The Mannor of Helmestey extending it self into Pokelay Carleton Harum Boselam and Oswaldkirke Likewise the Mannors of Lynton Garton Howesham Turnham-hall Hosse in Holderness Seton Storthwayt Melburne Thornton in Craven and Bayldon in the County of York The Mannor of Adderley in Com. Salop. Stoke-Daubeney in Com. Northt Preston in Com. Buck. The Castle and Mannor of Chilâ—am with the Mannors of Hothâ—eld and Wulrington and the fourth part of the Mannor of Kingsdowne in Kent The Mannors of Wysette and Brende-Bradefeld in Suffolk The moity of the Mannors of Holt and Cleye juxta mare the moity of the Mannor of Cleye juxta Walsyngham with the Mannors of Hakeford Watton and Whitewell in Norfolk the moity of the Mannor of Blanch-Apleton in the City of London the Mannor of Tarent-Uilers in Com. Dorst the Mannor of Botelefford and moity of the Mannor of Plungarth in Com. Leic. the Mannor of Bokeland in Com. Hertf. Shigleford in Com. Essex Sutton upon Trent Screveton Warâ—op and Orston in Com. Nott. and Bourne in Com. Sussex This Iohn though then not twenty years of age was the year following retained to serve the King in his Wars and in 10 Ric. 2. making proof of his age and doing his Homage had Livery of his Lands In 11 Ric. 2. he went to Sea with Richard Earl of Arundell then Lord Admiral in that Naval-expedition wherein great spoil and mischief was done to the French especially in the Islands belonging to that Kingdom In 12 Ric. 2. he was joyned with Henry Earl of Northumberland and Raphe Lord Nevill in the Government of Carlisle and Wardenship of the West-marches of Scotland In 14 Ric. 2. he was one of the Commissioners amongst others as well in treating for Peace betwixt the King and his Adversaries of France and Scotland as for observing the Truce already made And was summoned to Parliament from the tenth to the seventeenth of King Richard the Second's Reign inclusive And as he was thus eminent for his Military Actions so was he no less for his Piety as is manifest by that his Pilgrimage which he made to Ierusalem in which he departed this life at Paphoâ— in the Isle of Cyprus by means of the ill air of that Country without any Issue 6 Aug. 17 Ric. 2. though he had to Wife Mary de Orebie Daughter of Henry de Perci and was buried in the Abbey of Rievaulx on the South-side of the Quire near the high Altar leaving Sir William de Ros Knight his Brother and Heir then twenty four years of age who doing his Homage had Livery of his Lands in February next following Which Mary his Wife daughter of ... by Ioane Daughter and Heir of Iohn de Oreby deceased the year next ensuing leaving Constantine de Clifton and Maude the Wife of Sir Raphe Cromwell Knight her Cousins and Heirs This William thus succeeding his Brother in that fair Inheritance was imployed by the King soon after
Realm and obtain'd a Grant of the Castle and Lordship of Folkyngham in Com. Linc. Likewise of the Mannors of Lavyngton Sapirton Awethorp Asâ—akby Birhorp Repingbale the moity of the Mannor of Bykere and Mannor of Welbourne in the same County Of the Mannors of Loughborough and Shepeshed in Com. Leic. Of the Forestership of Rutland and Mannor of Leyseld in that County Of the House called Beaumond's-Inne situate in the Parish of St. Benedict in the Ward of Baynard's-Castle within the City of London late part of the Possessions of Sir William Beaumont Knight Viscount Beaumont as also of all that Purparty late belonging to the same William Viscount Beaumont of the Honour called Winchester-Fee with the Appurtenances in the said County of Leicester And of all the Lands and Lordships which were the said William Viscount Beaumont's in Folkingham and elsewhere in the County of Linc. and in Edmynton in Com. Midd. which by his Attainder in the Parliament held at Westminster the fourth day of Novemâ—er in the first year of that King's Reign came to the Crown At the same time he likewise obtain'd a Grant of the Mannors of Ashby la Zouch with its Appurtenances in the before-specified County of Leic. lately belonging to Iames Earl of Wiltshire then also Attainted As also of the Mannors and Lordships of Beaumaner Whytewyk Stochaston Neuton Hokelescote Donington Markefeild and Erneshy with their Appurtenances in that County and Mannor of Hekynton in Com. Linc. which Katherine Dutchess of Norfolke held for term of her life with Remainder to the said William Viscount Beaumont Furthermore in regard of the near Alliance in Bloud of Katherine his Wife Daughter to Richard Nevill late Earl of Salisbury Widow of William Lord Bonvile he obtain'd a further Grant to himself and her of the Mannor of Bolton Perci in Com. Ebor. as also of the Mannors and Lordships of Plompton Bercombe and Birlynâ— in Com. Suss. part of the Possessions of the same William Viscount Beaumont Likewise of the Honour Castle and Lordship of Belvoir with the Park and all its Members viz. Wollesthorp in Com. Linc. Barkeston Plumgarthe Redmyld and Hardeby in Com. Leic. with the Advowson of the Priory of Belvoir and Advowson of the Churches of Hardeby Wollesthorpe and Redmyld And of the Rent called Castle-Guard wheresoever throughout England appertaining to that Castle Also of the Mannor of Botesford with the Hamlets of Normanton and Esthorpe Advowson of the Church of Botesâ—ord in Com. Leic. And of the Mannor of Stoke D'aubeny with the Hamlets of Wilbaston Sutton and Asheley in Com. Northampt. All which were part of the Possessions of Thomas Lord Roos and by reason of his Attainder came to the Crown to hold to him the said William and Katherine and the Heirs Males of their two Bodies lawfully begotten and for want of such Issue to his Right Heirs The like Grant he also obtain'd of the Castle and Rape of Hastings in Com. Suss. The next year following viz. 2 E. 4. being Install'd Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter he had a Grant from Anne Dutchâ—ss of Suffolk of xx l. per Annum out of the Mannor of Langbar in Com. Essex And the same year the Lancastrians endeavouring to make Head again having possess'd themselves of the Castles of Bamborough Dunstanburgh and Alnwich in Com. Northumbr he assisted at the Siege of â—unstanburgh And in 3 E. 4. was joyn'd in Commission with Richard Nevill Earl of Warwick Iohn Earl of Northumb. and others to Treat with certain Commissioners and others from Iames the Third King of Scotland for a Truce betwixt both Realms In 4 E. 4. he obtain'd a Grant for Life of the Honours of Peverel Boloin and Hâ—genet with their Appurtenances lying in the Counties of Buck-Northampt and Leic. as also of the Honour of Huntendon with its Members in the Counties of Hunt Cambr. Bedf. Buck. and Northampt. part of the Possessions of Iohn Hastings late Earl of Pembroke And the same year had the Gift of x l. per Annum from the Lord Berkley to be paid out of his Mannor of Hamme juxta Berkley In 5 E. 4. he was again joyn'd in another Commission with Richard Earl of Warwick so treat and conclude with Iames Luxemburgh Lord of Richburgh upon a firm League of Amity betwixt King Edward and Charles of Burgundy Earl of Charoloys And the same year being still Master of the Mint undertook the Coyning of Gold viz. a Piece of viii s. 4 d. Sterling call'd a Noble of which there should be fifty such Pieces in the Pound-weight of the Tower Another Piece of iv s. ii d. Sterling and a third of the fourth part of the first for ii s. i d. Sterling In 6 E. 4. he was again joyn'd with Richard Earl of Warwick to Treat of Peace with the Embassador of Lewes the Eleventh then King of France as also to Confer with Charles of Burgundy Earl of Charoloys or his Embassadors for a Marriage betwixt him the said Charles and Margaret Sister to the King of England And soon after that was Commissioned with Richard Earl Rivers and others to Treat with the Commissioners of Philip Duke of Burgundy upon a League of Amity betwixt that Duke and King Edward In the same year he was again constituted Steward of the Honour of Leycester and Constable of the Castle there as also Warden of all the Parks Chaces and Mannors belonging to that Honour And in consideration of his good Services and of the good Services of Raphe Hastings Esq had a Grant from Queen Elizabeth Wife of King Edward the Fourth for the Custody of the Forest of Rokyngham in Com. Northampt. Moreover the next ensuing year after King Edward's Surprisal by the Earl of Warwick and Escape from Middleham-Castle in Lancashire he met him there and assisted him in raising new Forces whereby he got safe to London Soon after which viz. within the compass of that year he was sent Embassador with Anthony Widvile Lord Scales and others to Treat again with Charles Duke of Burgundy for a Marriage betwixt that Duke and Margaret Sister to King Edward the Fourth And in 8 E. 4. by Richard Earl of Warwick who calls him his dear Brother had a Grant of the Stewardship of all his Lordships and Revenues lying within the Counties of Leic. Rutl. and Northampt. during Life with the Fees accustomed So likewise from the Abbot and Covent of St. Werburge in the City of Chester to be general Steward of all the Revenues belonging to that Monastery lying in the County of Pembroke for Life with a Pension of six Marks yearly payable to him out of the Mannor of Weston upon Trent in Com. Leic. In 9 E. 4. he was again constituted Chamberlain of all North-Wales and Counties of Carnarvon Anglesey and Mereoneth as also Constable
of the Hospital of St. Leonard situate near the Abby of Leicester by reason that this Lord Hastings had obtain'd that Hospital from the King and given it unto that College for ever And lastly That according to the appointment of his Testament he was buried in the North-Isle of the Royal Chappel of St. George within the Castle of Windsore near to the Tomb of King Edward the Fourth where his Monument is still to be seen I come now to Edward his Son and Heir In 15 E. 4. this Edward was made a Knight of the Bathe with Edward then Prince of Wales And when King Henry the Seventh obtain'd the Crown had such respect from him considering the Sufferings of his Noble Father that he forthwith restored unto him all his Lands as by his Letters Patents bearing date 22 Nov. 1 H. 7. appeareth as also all the Lands of Sir Thomas Hungerford Knight his Wifes Father reversing his Attainder which was at Salisbury on Munday next after the Feast of St. Hillary 8 E. 4. This Edward Lord Hastings therefore to manifest his Gratitude for so high a Favour upon that Insurrection of Iohn Earl of Lincoln in 2 H. 7. fought stoutly against him and his Fellow-Rebels in the Battel of Stoke near Newarke upon Trent and worthily shared in the Honour of that Victory there obtained Shortly after which he was sent into Flanders by King Henry in Aid of Maximilian the Emperor against the French In 3 H. 7. being then of full Age he had Livery of all the Lands whereof William his Father died seised bearing then the Title of Lord Hastings and Hungerford In 7 H. 7. he was by Indenture retain'd to serve the King in his Wars beyond the Seas for one whole year with five Men at Arms each of them having his Custrel and Page fifteen Demilances sixteen Archers on Horseback forty Arches on Foot and two hundred Bills In 11 H. 7. I find him stiled Edward Lord Hastings Hungerford Botreaux Molins Moels and de Homet His first Summons to Parliament was in 22 E. 4. the Writ being thus directed viz. Edwardo Hastings de Hungerford Chivalier So likewise in the time of King Richard the Third and King Henry the Seventh By his Testament bearing date 4 Nov. 22 H. 7. he bequeath his Body to be buried in the College of Windosore near to his Father's Tomb appointing That an honest Priest should be provided to pray for his Soul and for the Souls of his Father and Mother in the Chappel or Church where his Body should be Interred by the space of seven years next after his Decease and that his Feoffees should make sale of his Mannors of Welford in Com. Northampt. Lubbesthorpe Wistow and Braunston in Com. Leic. Bewyk Alacborough and Slingsy in Com. Ebor. to pay his Debts and to perform his Will And departing this Life upon the eighth day of the same Month of November was buried in the Church of the Friers-Preachers commonly called the Black-Friers in the City of London leaving Issue by Mary his Wife Daughter and sole Heir to Sir Thomas Hungerford Knight Son of Robert Son of Walter Lord Hungerford George his Son and Heir and Anne a Daughter married to Thomas Earl of Derby Which Mary surviving him afterwards became the Wife of Sir Richard Sacheverell Knight This George the next ensuing year viz. 23 H. 7. had a special Livery of all the Lands of his Inheritance and in 5 H. 8. was in that Expedition made by King Henry into France at which time Therouene and Tâ—urnay were won In 19 H. 8. by the Favour of that King he obtain'd a Grant to himself and the Heirs male of his Body of the Mannor of Evington in Com. Leic. which came to the Crown by the Forfeiture of Sir William Stanley Knight And upon the eighth of December in 21 H. 8. at York Place now White-Hall was advanced to the Title of Earl of Huntington Moreover in 22 H. 8. he was one of the Peers who subscribed that Letter to Pope Clement the Seventh intimating to him That in case he did not comply with King Henry in that Business of the Divorce betwixt him and Katherine of Spain then his Queen he must expect that they would shake off his Supremacy And in 28 H. 8. upon that Insurrection in the North call'd the Pilgrimage of Grace occasion'd by the Dissolution of the Monasteries he offered his Service to the King against those Rebels By his Testament bearing date 13 Iunii 26 H. 8. which was many years before his death wherein he stiles himself Earl of Huntington Lord Hastings Hungerford Botreaux and Molines he bequeath'd his Body to be buried in the Parish Church of St. Elyne in Ashby de la Zouche in Com. Leic. and gave to that Church his best Pair of Altar-Clothes of Crimson-Velvet which were Embroydered with the Blessed Name of IESVS as also the Copes and whole Sute of Vestments belonging thereto Likewise one Pair of Candlesticks of Silver gilt a Pair of Basins Silver gilt a Pair of Censers of Silver a Cross of Silver and gilt with a Flower-de-Luce on the top and a Flower-de-Luce on either side Also one flat Ship of Silver and gilt and his best Chalice of Silver gilt Likewise his Water-stock of Silver gilt with the Sprinkle belonging thereto His best Pax of Silver and gilt with a Crucifix whereon were Mary and Iohn a Pair of Cruets of Silver gilt and a Sepulchre-Cloth of Crimson-Velvet Embroyder'd with Drops of Gold Likewise another Sute of Vestments of White Tinsell with two Copes of the same as also a Sute of Vestments of Crimson-Velvet which had the Cross thereof Embroyder'd with Acorns To the Abbot and Covent of Repyndon in Com. Derb. he bequeath'd the Vestment with the Tunicles and Stuff thereto belonging of Black Tinsell And to the Chappel of St. Bartholomew at Kirby in Com. Leic. he gave another Vestment To every Gentlewoman unmarried that had done Service in the Houshold to his Wife within the space of six years before his Decease he bequeath'd six Pounds Sterling and ordain'd That his Executors should cause a thousand Masses to be said or sung in as short a time as might be after his Decease by Secular Priests and others in Com. Leic. and other Places adjoyning To Francis his eldest Son he bequeathed all his Furrs of Sables And appointed That all the outsides of his Gowns and Apparel fit for that purpose should be made in Vestments and deliver'd to poor Churches within his Lordships To his Daughter Dorothy he bequeath'd a thousand Pounds to her Marriage To his Daughter Catherine the like Sum. And ordained That his Executors out of the Revenues of his Lands in Wodcote and Burton Hastings in Com. Warr. should provide two Priests to sing in the Parish-Church of Ashby for the space of xx years
Lviii s. v d. Rent of Assize issuing out of divers Burgages in Keneford all in the County of Devon as also the Mannor of Hillesdon in Com. Buck. Which Anne in 11 H. 6. obtain'd Licence from the King to marry Iohn Botreaux Esq and died 16 Ian. 19 H. 6. Of Thomas the next succeeding Earl I find That in 8 H. 6. being then within age he covenanted to serve the King for one whole year with six Men at Arms and xxi Archers in a Voyage-Royal then made into France for the accustomed Wages of War And in 14 H. 6. that he did again covenant by Indenture to serve the King for the Relief of Calais with one Knight xxiv Men at Arms and CCCClxx Archers Moreover That in 19 H. 6. he had Livery of his Lands and his Homage respited Likewise That in 30 H. 6. favouring the Title of Richard Duke of Yorke who aimed at the Crown he entred into Counsel with him for attaining thereof and that he departed this Life upon the Feast-day of St. Blase the Bishop scil 3 Febr. 36 H. 6. as also That Thomas his Son and Heir being then xxvi years of age had shortly after Livery of his Lands doing his Homage Which last-mention'd Thomas stoutly adhering to King Henry the Sixth in those Wars with the House of Yorke had in consideration thereof an Annuity of an hundred Marks per Annum for his Life given him in 38 H. 6. to be yearly receiv'd out of the Profits of the Mannor and Borough of Milberton and Mershwâ—â—e then forfeited to the Crown by the Rebellion as it was then called of Richard Duke of Yorke But long he enjoy'd it not for the House of Yorke prevailing Edward Son to that Duke got the Crown within little more than one year aâ—ter and within one Month more after that viz. 3 Abr. 1 E. 4. he himself viz. this Earl died leaving Thomas his Son and Heir who being at Lowâ—on-Field with his Father upon Palm-Sunday Martii 29 the same year was for that Offence attainted in the Parliament begun at Westminster 4 Nov. following But did not suffer death as it seems for it appears that in 11 E. 4. being again in Arms on the behalf of King Henry the Sixth at the Battel of Tewkesbury he there was slain and buried in that place Notwithstanding all which Henry Courtney Esq for so he is called his Brother and Heir in Blood found so much favour from King Edward that upon the twenty seventh of July in the first year of his Reign without any proof of his Age he gave him Livery of the Mannor of Topesham and of all other the Lands Tenements Boroughs and Lordships which his said Brother was seised of at the time of his death or Thomas Earl of Devon Father of them both But of this special Livery he had small Benefit for in February following King Edward gave the Borough of Tiverton with a great part of the Possessions of the same Thomas late Earl of Devon so attainted as hath been observed unto Sir Humphrey Stafford of Suthwyke Knight and to the Heirs-male of his Body whom he afterwards advanced to the Title of Earl of Devon as I shall shew in due place Howbeit long it was not ere the Scene became chang'd For no sooner had King Henry the Seventh obtain'd the Crown of this Realm but highly favouring those Families who stood firm to the Lancastrian Interest he did not onely advance Sir Edward Courtney of Haccombe Knight Son to Sir Hugh Courtney of Boconnok Knight Son of Hugh younger Brother to Edward late Earl of Devon unto the Title of Earl of Devon as by his Letters Patents bearing date 26 Oct. the same year appeareth but upon the same day by other Letters Patents gave him the Honours Borough and Mannours of Plimpton and Okehampton the Castle and Mannor of Tyverten the Mannors of Sampford Courtney Chalvelegh Cornwood Morton Dawney Topesham Exiland Ken Ecrmynster Colyton Whycaford Whimbel Aylesbere Raylesford Musbury and Chulmelegh as also the Hundreds of Plympton Tyverton Colyton West-Burleghe Est-Burleghe Exrminster Harige and Wâ—nforde with the Advowsons of the Churches of Alfrington Ken Throughen Miltonâ— Damorell and All-Saints in the City of Exeter with the Advowsons of the Prebends of Hayes Coticors and Ken in the Chappel of our Lady within the Castle of Exeter Also of the Chantry of Stiklepath with Free-fishing in the River of Exe and three Mills in Exiland all in the County of Devon Likewise the Mannor of Webington in Bedfordsh the Mannors of Shebrok West-Tanton Landulp Northil Porthloe Porth-pigham Legh-Durant Landzean Trelowyn Trevervyn Courtney Tregamare and Tregulan as also the Boroughs of Crofthole and Port-Pigham with the Advowson of the Churches of Cheviok Landulâ— and Northill and Free-Chappel of Lamana in Cornwale all which were part of the Possessions of Thomas Courtney late Earl of Devon Son of Thomas sometime Earl of Devon And in March following constituted him Governour of the Castle of Restormell in Cornwall This Edward was in that Expedition made into France in 7 H. 7. for assisting of Maximilian the Emperour against the French which succeeded not And in 13 H. 7. with the help of William his eldest Son a Person of great Valour stoutly defended the City of Exeter then besieged by Perkyn Warbeck and that Power which he had newly Landed in Cornwall until the Men of Note in those Western Parts came to the Relief thereof Having married Elizabeth Daughter to Sir Philip Courtney of Maland Knight he had Issue by her Sir William Courtney Knight his Son and Heir and by his Testament bearing date 27 Martii â— H. 8. bequeathing his Body to be buried in the Chappel at Tibertone near the Grave of his Wife gave Lands of iv l. per Annum value for the founding of a Chantry therein He had also four Sisters whose Issue at length became Heirs to the Inheritance viz. Elizabeth Maude Isabell and Florence the first of which was Wife of Iohn Tretherfe the second of Iohn Arundel of Telverne the third of William Mohun and the fourth of Iohn Trelauny To this last Edward succeeded William his Son and Heir who towards the later end of King Henry the Seventh's Reign more for Suspicion than any just Cause was cast into Prison together with William his Uncle Howbeit when King Henry the Eighth came to the Crown he was receiv'd into Favour and in high esteem but when he should have return'd to his Military Exercises he died of a Pleuriâ—ie on the ninth of June 3 H. 8. at Grenewiche before he had either Letters Patents of Creation or was formally Created with Ceremony Nevertheless through the special Favour of the King he was Interred as an Earl on the South-side of the High-Altar in the Black Friers Church
the Soul of Elizabeth his Wife Daughter of Guy de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick as also for the Soul of his Father viz. Sir Giles de Astley and for the Soul of his Mother viz. Alice the Daughter and Heir to Sir Thomas de Wolvey Knight and all the Faithful deceased Whereunto he obtain'd Licence for the amortizing of eight Messuages two Carucates of Land Pasturage for two Horses and four Oxen with Cvi s. viii d. Rent lying in Astley Wolvey Milverton and Willâ—ghby juxta Dunchurch in Com. Warr. And in 12 E. 3. was associated with Richard Earl of Arundell and Thomas Lord Berkley for Arraying of all Persons in the County of Warwick according to their respective Estates and Faculties Moreover the same year he obtain'd farther Licence from the King to grant the perpetual Advowson of the Parochial Church at Astley to the Warden and Priests belonging to the Chappel of our Blessed Lady there to celebrate Divine Service for the Health of his Soul with the Souls of his Ancestors and all the Faithful deceased Whereupon it was appropriated thereto accordingly Which Chantry consisting of four Secular Priests one called the Warden and another the Sub-Warden was founded to celebrate Divine Service daily for the good Estate of this Thomas de Astley the Lady Elizabeth his Wife Dame Alice and Alice Mothers to them both their Heirs and Successors Likewise for the good estate of Roger de Northburgh then Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield and after their deceases for the health of their Souls as also for the Souls of Sir Walter de Astley and Isabell his Wife Sir Thomas de Astley and Ioane his Wife Sir Andrew de Astley and Sibyle his Wife Nicholas de Astley and Alice his Wife Sir Giles de Astley Father of this Thomas the Founder Sir Thomas de Wolvey and Alice his Wife and of Sir Thomas de Clinton Knight For augmentation of which number to seven Priests and one Clerk in 14 E. 3. he obtain'd another Licence to amortize two Messuages three Yard Land and an half two Acres of Wood and ii s. viii d. Rent in Withibroke Hapsford and Bedworth In the same year the Ninth of Sheaves Wooll and Lamb being granted to the King in the Parliament then held as an Aid for the Support of his Wars he was associated with the Bishop of Worcester Abbot of Stoneley and Prior of Erdbury for supervising the Payment thereof in the County of Warwick And in 17 E. 3. obtaining further Licence from the King for changing these Chantry-Priests into a Dean and Secular Canons and to grant to them and their Successors the perpetual Patronage of the Church of Hill-Morton which was accordingly appropriated thereto the same year he began the Structure of a most fair and beautiful Collegiate-Church in the form of a Cross and dedicated it to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin with a tall Spire covered with Lead Which Foundation consisted of a Dean and two Canonâ— who were to be Secular Priests each having â—â—eir Lodgings appointed to them with particular Lands out of the before-mentioned Possessions so given as hath been observed the Dean being to provide a Priest as perpetual Vicar there and by him presented to the Bishop by the Bishop to be Instituted and by his Mandate to the Chapter of his Church to be admitted having five Marks by the year for his Salary quarterly paid And likewise another Priest with a fit Clerk to serve the Parishioners in that Church In 33 E. 3. this Thomas was constituted the Chief of those Commissioners then authorized for the Arraying of Men in the County of Warwick according to the Statute of Winchester He was also summon'd to Parliament amongst the Barons of this Realm in 16 22 and 23 E. 3. And by the before-specified Elizabeth his Wife left Issue Sir William de Astley and Sir Thomas both Knights as also Giles his third Son from whom the Astleys of Wolvey in Com. Warr. are descended Which Sir Thomas was one of the Knights for Warwickshire in the Parliament of 8 R. 2. And the same year retain'd by Indenture for one whole year to serve the King in his Wars of France the King himself being then personally there with three Archers well Armed and fitted for the War receiving for himself xii d. per diem besides the accustomed Reward and for every of his Archers vi d. per diem From him it is by Elizabeth his Wife Daughter of Richard Harecourt Son of Sir William Harecourt Knight whose Couâ—in and next Heir she was that the Astleys of Paâ—shull in Com. Staff are Lineally descended One of which Family viz. Iohn de Astley is worthily famed for maintaining a Dueâ— on Horseback upon the 29 of August Anno 1438. 17 H. 6. within the Street called St. Antoine in Paris against one Peter de Massei a Frenchman in the Presence of Charles the Seventh then King of France Who having pierc'd Massei through the Head had as by the Articles betwixt theâ— was conditioned the Helmet of the said Massei so vanquished to present unto his Lady After which viz. on the 30 of January 20 H. 6. he undertook another Fight in Smithfield within the City of London in the Presence of King Henry with Sir Philip Boyle an Arragonian Knight who having been in France by the King his Master's command to look out some such hardy Person against whom he might try his Skill in Feats of Arms and missing there of his desires repaired hither After which Combate ended being gallantly perform'd on Foot with Battel-Axes Spears Swords and Daggers he was Knighted by the King and had an Annuity of C Marks given him during his Life Yea so famous did he grow for his Valour that he was elected Knight of the Garter and bore for his Arms the Coats of Astley and Harecourt Quarterly with a Label of three Points Ermine But I return to Sir William de Astley Knight eldest Son to Thâ—mas Founder of the Collegiate-Church at Astley This Sir William in 3 H. 4. was in Commission for Inquiry touching such as were Disturbers of the Laws and Framers of Lies within the County of Warwick And the next year after for Arraying of Men in that County Likewise in 6 H. 6. in another Commission for treating with the People touching a Loan of Money to the King And left Issue one sole Daughter and Heir called Ioane first married to Thomas Raleigh of Farnborough in Com. Warr. Esq and afterwards to Reginald Lord Grey of Ruthin whose Issue by her enjoy'd her whole Inheritance Waleran UPon the Assessment of the Aid levied in 12 H. 2. for Marrying the King's Daughter Walter Waleran certified That he then had twenty five Knights Fees de veteri Feoffamento for which in 14 H. 2. upon the Collection of that Aid he paid
3. departed this life on Friday next after the Assumption of our Lady in 35 Edw. 3. being seised of the Mannors of North Moltoâ— in Com. Devon Eton-Meysy and Wittenham in Com. Wiltes and of the Mannors of Winâ—rid Egle in Com. Dorset Casteâ— Cary Nershe North-Barwe South-Barwe Rode Corscombe â—restelege Blakeford Broghton and the Borough of Wincaulton in Com. Somerset leaving issue by Nuriel his Wife daughter and heir to Iames son and heir to Richard Lord Lovel Nicholas his son and heir nine years of age who died in his Minority whereupon Richard his brother succeeded him Which Richard in 10 R. 2. was in the Wars of France and of the retinue with Richard Earl of Ardundel Admiral of England This Richard de St. Maur Married Ela the daughter and coheiâ— of Sir Iohn St. Lo Knight and having been summon'd to Parliament from 4 R. 2. till 2 H. 4. inclusive died 15 Maii the same year being seised of the Mannors of Winefride Egle in Com. Dorset Whittenham Langenham Hulpringham the fourth part of the Mannor of Immere the third part of the Mannor of Lokynton as also of the Mannor of Westbury with the Moietie of the Hundred in Com. Wilts Likewise of the Mannor of North Molton in Com. Devon Hampton-Meyâ—y 〈◊〉 Bradeston and Styntescombe in Com. Gloâ— Castel Cary Mershe Brokton Rode Stoke Hallowe Presteley 〈◊〉 and Borough of Wincaulton in Com. Somerset leaving Richard his son and heir Twenty three yeares of age with two other sons Iohn and Nicholas Which Richard in 22 R. 2. went into Ireland with Thomas Duke of Surrey then Lieutenant of that Realm and in 3 Hen. 4. was in the Wars of France And having been summon'd to Parliament from 3 to 8 Hen. 4 departed this life in 10 Hen. 4. leaving Alice his daughter and heir then in Minority and Mary his Wife surviving Which Mary and thereupon for her Dowrie an assignation of the Mannors of Rode and Winfrid Egle as also of the Mannor of Shepton Montagu in Com. Somerset and License to Marry Hugh Mortimer Esquire Shortly after this Elâ— the Widow of Sir Richard de St. Maur the elder by her Testament bearing date 28 Nov. An. 1409. 11 H. 4. bequeath'd her Body to be buried in the New Chappel of 〈◊〉 Priorie next to the Grave of the said Sir Richard St. Maur her husband and gave to her son Nicholas Twenty pounds Likewise to her son Iohn a set of Bedes of Coral garnished with Gold and departed this life the same year leaving Iohn her son her heir-male and the before specified Alice her Grand-daughter her heir-female viz. daughter and heir to Richard her eldest son who deceased in her life-time Upon proof of the age of which Alice in 2 Hen. 6. it did appear that she was born in the House of Thomas Cressy Citizen and Mercer of London in the Parish of St. Laurence in Cripplegate-Ward in that City upon the Twenty-fourth day of Iuly 10 H. 4. and Baptized in the Church of St. Laurence As also that she became the Wife of Sir William le Zouche Knight who performing his â—calty at that time had Livery of the Lands of her Inheritance Norwich 8 Edw. 2. THe first of this Name of whom I have seen mention is Geffrey de Norwich who in 14 Ioh. did partake with Robert Fitzwalter in his rebellious actings against that King whereupon he was committed to prison From whom descended I presume Walter de 〈◊〉 who in 5 E. 2. was made one of the Barons of the King's Exchequer and at that time obtain'd a Charter for Free-warren in all his Demesn-lands at Crouchestoke 〈…〉 Gunton Magna Crelsingham and East 〈◊〉 in Com. Norff. Branâ—eld 〈◊〉 UUalpoler Shepemedwe UUeston and Horingwell in Com. Suff. as also in Skâ—â—dington and Burton 〈…〉 and Hoddesdon in Com. 〈◊〉 This Walter had Summons to Parliament in 8 E. 2. but no more And in 9 E. 2. in consideration of his good services done and to be done as also for Fifty Marks in Money paid to the Exchequer obtain'd a Grant of the Marriage of Roger the son and heir of Iohn Huse Cosin and heir to Iohn de Berewick Moreover in 13 Edw. 2. he was made Treasurer of the Exchequer and in 14 E. 2. obtain'd the King's License for a Fair at his Mannor of Lings in Com. Norff. upon the Eve and Day of St. Margaret and two dayes following besides that Fair which he had there before upon the Festival of St. Edmund the Martyr Also a Grant of the Mannors of Dalham and Bradefeld with the Advouson of the Church of Dalham in Com. Suff. to hold in Fee-ferme for the Rent of Forty pounds per annum to the Exchequer In 15 E. 2. at the instance of Walter Bishop of Exeter he was again made Treasurer of the Exchequer And in 16 E. 2. Lieutenant to the same Walter at that time Treasurer during his recess upon his own affaires And departed this life in 2 E. 3. To whom succeeded Sir Iohn de Norwich Knight Which Sir Iohn in 8 E. 3. obtain'd License for a Market every week upon the Friday at Great Nassingham in Com. Norff. And for a Fair yearly upon the Eve and Day of the Apostles Simon and Iude. In 9 E. 3. this Sir Iohn was in the Wars of Scotland and in 11 E. 3. in those of Gascoine by reason whereof he had respite for payment of his Debts until the Festival of St. Peter ad vincula next ensuing And in 12 E. 3. in farther consideration of his services had an allowance of Sixty pounds fourteen shillings of the surplusage of what was due to him from the time he had been Admiral of the whole Fleet to the Northwards In which year he was again in the Wars of Gascoinâ— And by reason of his great services there in 13 E. 3. had a grant of Fifty Marks per annum to be paid out of the Exchequer until provision of Lands equivalent should be made in some fit place for him In 17 E. 3. he had License to make Castles of his Houses at Metyngham in Com. Suff. Also of those at Blackworth and Lyng in Com. Norff. And in 18 E. 3. was again in the wars of France So likewise in E. 3. being then of the retinue with Henry de Lancaster Earl of Derby In 21 E. 3. he was also in those wars And in 24 E. 3. obtained License to Found a Chantry in the Church of Raveningham in the Diocess of Norwich consisting of one Master and eight Priests to the honor of the blessed Virgin St. Andrew the Apostle and All-Saints to Celebrate Divine Service for the health of his Soul and the Soul of Margaret his Wife c. In 31 E. 3. he
of Hungerford and Esgarston in Com. Berks. the Mannors of Colingborne Everle and Lavinton in Com. Wilts the Mannor of Kings Somborne in Com. South the Mannors of Langstoke Weston juxta Odyham and Hertele in Com. Somerset the Mannor of Newcastle under-Lyme in Com. Staff with the Mannors of Penkhâ—l Clayton Sheprâ—g Wolstanton and Shelton Members thereof the Mannor of Minsterworth and Castle of Monmouth with the Berton and Little Monmouth the Castles of Grossemont and Oken with the Berton as also Blan Castle in the Marches of Wales the Castle Town and Lordship of Kidwelly the Lordship of Carnewathâ—an with the Castle of Kaer-Kennyn the Commot of Iskennyng the Castle of Ogemore and Mannor of Ebbothe also in the Marches of Wales and the Mannor of Kingston Laci the Burrough of Wimburne-Minster the Chase of Winburne-Holt the Hundreds of Gadbury and Mayden Newâ—on with the Mannor of Shapwike in Com. Dorset Whereupon he was advanc'd to the title of Duke of Lancaster in Parliament upon the thirteenth day of November next ensuing by girding with a Sword a Cap of Furr on his head with a Circlet of Gold and Perles In 40 E. 3. he came to his Brother Prince Edward at Burdeaur on the behalf of Don Pedro King of Castile who by reason of an Insurrection of his Subjects fled into Gascoine for aid and thence passed with him into Spain under the Mountaines between St. Iohn de Pie du Port and the City of Pampylone which was strait and perillous And leading the Vantguard of his Army made Twelve Knights viz. Sir Raphe Camoys Sir Thomas Damory c. And upon the Third of Aprill leading the Van in that Battel against Henry the Bastard-brother of Don Pedro rais'd to the Kingdom by the power of the Pope he said to Sir William de Beauchamp Sir William behold your Enemies This day you shall seeme a good Knight or die in the Quarrel In 42 E. 3. the League betwixt the French and King Edward being broke he was sent with a powerful Army into France and at that time bearing the Title of Duke of Britanny he pawn'd the Castle of Becherell in those parts to King Edward his Father for a sum of Money In 43 E. 3. upon breach of the Truce he was sent with considerable Forces to give Battel to the French being retein'd to serve the King for half a year with Three hundred Men at Armes Five hundred Archers three Bannerets fourscore Knights and Two hundred sixteen Esquires but by reason of great sickness amongst his Soldiers durst not adventure to attack them In which â—ear Blanch his Wife died of the Great Pestilence and was buried in the Cathedral of St. Paul at London on the North-side the Quire In 44 E. 3. he was in that Expedition then made into Gascoine and in 46 E. 3. upon his return thence brought with him Constance the daughter and heir of Don Pedro King of Castile whom he thereupon took to his second Wife in whose right he thenceforth bore the Title of King of Castile and surrendred his Earldome of Richmond with all the Castles Mannors Lands c. to the same belonging in lieu whereof he had a Grant in general tail bearing date 25 Iunii of the Castle Mannor and Honor of â—ykhull of the Mannor of High â—eke with the Knights-Fees thereto belonging of the Advousons of the Churches of Steyndrope and Brauncepath in the Bishoprick of Durham of the Free-Chappels of â—ykhull and High â—eke of the Church of Marsfeld and Free-Chappel there of the Free-Chappel within the Castle of Pevensâ— Likewise of the Advousons of the Priorie of UUilmingdon which was a Cell to the Abby of St. Mary of Grestene in Normandy of the Priorie of UUithiham being a Cell to St. Martins at Marmonstire and of the House of St. Robert at Knaresburgh Also of the Castle Mannor and Honor of Knaresburgh of the Wapentak of Steyncâ—iff in Com. Ebor. Of the Mannors of Grynglay and UUhetelay in Com. Nott. Of the Mannors of UUighton Aâ—lesham Fakenhamdam and Snetesham with the Hundreds of North Grenhowe North Erpyngham South Erpyngham and Smetheton in the Counties of Norffolk and Suffolk Of the Mannors of Clatton and Holme in Com. Hunt Of the Mannor of Saham in Com. Cantabr Of the Castle and Leucate of Pevenese with the Mannors of UUylindon and Marsfeild and Bayliwick of Endelenewyk in Com. Suff. Of the Free-Chase of High Peke and Free-Chase of Asshedon and of the yearly Ferme of Two hundred Marks which the Abbot and Covent of St. Maries at York ought to pay for the Mannor of Whitgist Shortly after which he took Shipping at Southampton and sailed towards Rochell for the Relief of Thouars with Three thousand Men at Armes and Ten thousand Archers but after nine Moneths being at Sea crossed with contrary windes he returned In 47 E. 3. he was made the King's Lieutenant in France Aquitane and all other parts beyond Sea and passed through France without opposition but in the Dasarts and Mountains of Alverne many of his Men died for lack of Victual Froisard sayes that his greatest losses were near Douchy and Rabymont And about Christmass in 48 E. 3. coming to Burdeaux lay there with the Duke of Britanny all that Winter But upon his return for England shortly after the people of those parts almost totally revolted In this 48 th year of E. 3. he was one of the Embassadors sent to Brâ—ges to Treat of Peace with the French Which Treaty continued little less than two yeares and ended with a Truce which hardly lasted one year In 50 E. 3. thâ— King being grown aged took in this Duke as an Assistant in the Government and bestow'd on him in spâ—cial tail the Town and Castle of Bragerâ—â—â— in the Diocess of Perigort to hold in as ample manner as Henry Duke of Lancaster did ever enjoy the same In 51 E. 3. he obtained License to give his Lordships of Gryngeleye and Wheâ—eleye to Catherine Swinford his Concubine for life and procured from the King the Grant of a Chancerie in his Dukedome of Lancaster with all other Royalties pertaining to a Countie-Palatime to hold in as ample a manner as the Earl of Chester ever enjoy'd that Earldome As also License to Coyne Money for the space of two yeares from the 12 th of Iune in the City of Bayone or the Castle of Guyssen or any other place within the Seneschalsy of Lâ—ndeâ—e of Gold Silver or any other Mettal whatsoever In this year it was that Iohn Wycliff the most eminent of all the Lollards of that time being convented before the Archbishop of Canterbury the Bishop of London this Iohn Duke of Lancaster and the Lord Percie at the Black-Friers in London in Favour of Wycliff he spoke some reproachful words against the Bishop
descended to him and it so clog'd with Debts that for the disengaging thereof he Married the said Frances his Grand-Daughter and Heir to Humble Ward the only Son of William Ward a Wealthy Goldsmith in London Jeweller to the late Queen of which Humble I shall speak farther in due place And departing this Life 23 Iunii an 1643. was buried in St. Edmund's Church at Dudley since pull'd down in the time of the late troubles by reason of its nearness to the Castle ¶ Having now done with this Line of the Barons of Dudley I come to Iohn the second Son to Iohn Lord Dudley This Iohn by Elizabeth his Wife one of the two Daughters and Coheirs of Iohn Bramshot Esq Lord of the Mannors of Eatton Calbourne and Whitwell in the Isle of Wiht as also of the Mannor of Brâ—mshot in Com. Suth had Issue Edmund his Son and Heir which Edmund upon her Death 12 Oct. 14 H. 7. was found to be thirty six years of Age. And having been trained up to the Study of the Laws in Grays-Inne as it seems by his Arms then set up and still remaining in a Window of the Chappel there became so great a proficient therein as that though then but young in 1 Henr. 7. he was made choice of to be one of the Privy Council to that prudent Prince proper prudentiam singularem fidem gravitatem saith Polyd. Virg. In 19 H. 7. being then Speaker of the House of Commons in Parliament he should have been made Sergeant at Law upon the 13th of November But for what reason appears not he did Petition that he might be discharg'd from assuming that Dâ—gree Whereupon the King directed his Precept to William Bishop of London then Lord Keeper of the Great Seal Commanding his forbearance to make out any Writ for his Call and in 22 H. 7. he obtain'd the Stewardship of the Rape of Hastitings in Com. Suss. This Edmund wrote a Book called Arbor Reipublicae Whether he with Richard Empson another Lawyer Son to a Sive-maker in Touceter as our Historians affirm discerning King Henry to be of a frugal disposition did first project the taking advantage against such as had transgressed the penal Laws by exacting from them the forfeitures according to those Statutes Or whether the King perceiving so fair a gap open to rake vast sums of money from his subjects finding those persons to be fit Instruments for his purpose did put them upon such courses for filling his Coffers 't is hard to say But certain it is that these were they whom he constituted his Iudices fiscales Dudley being an eminent man and one that could put hateful business into good Language as the Lord Verulam saith And merited so well in that imployment as that he obtain'd a grant of the Wardship and Marriage of Elizabeth one of the Daughters and Coheirs to Edward Grey Viscount L'isle whom he made his Wife and by her had issue divers Children But after King Henry had long made use of the services of him and Empson to that end he exposed them to such advantages as the discontented people had any colour to take against them for their manifold Extortions For their course was to proceed secretly to the Outlary against men and then seize their Estates Besides this having also packt-Jurors upon all occasions who were sure to them in any Verdict which serv'd for their purpose they at length had their just reward for those oppressions For King Henry the Eighth in the first year of his Reign being desirous of popularity did by his Proclamation divulge that whosoever had received Injury by the Injustice of any should upon complaint to him have redress Which liberty did so incourage the vulgar who were sufficiently imbittered against them that nothing would then satisfie but their lives so that the King to appease the multitude gave way that they might be legally proceeded against which accordingly was done Whereupon this Edmund being arraign'd at Guild-Hall in London upon Munday next after the xv m e of St. Iohn Bapt. 1 H. 8. before Edward Duke of Buck. Henry Earl of Northumb. Thomas Earl of Surrey George Earl of Shrewsbury Thomas Earl of Derby Thomas Prior of St. Iohns of Hierusalem in England Sir Charles Somerset Knight Lord Herbert Stephen Iennings then Mayor of the City of London Sir Iohn Fineaux Knight Sir Robert Rede Knight Sir William Hodie Knight Robert Brudnell Humphrey Coningesby Sir Iohn Fisher Knight Iohn Boteler William Grevil Sir Thomas Lovel Knight Sir Edward Poynings Kt. Sir Henry Marney Knight Sir Thomas Englefeild Knight and Sir Thomas Drury Knight Justices to inquire c. upon an Indictment of divers high Treasons and thereupon convicted he was on Wednesday next preceeding the Feast of St. Margaret the Virgin attainted in Parliament and had his Head smitten off on Tower Hill with Empson who had been-tryed at Northampton for the Peoples satisfaction upon the 28th of Aug. 2 H. 8. by virtue of the Kings Special Precept to that purpose leaving Issue three Sons Iohn Andrew and Ierome and a Daughter Married to William Lord Stourton Which Andrew being afterwards a Knight and in that Conspiracy upon the Death of King Edward the Sixth for raising the Lady Iane Gray to the Royal Throne had with others sentence of Death in 1 Mariae for the same Of these Iohn the Elder scarce of eight years of Age at his Fathers Death had to his Guardian Edward Guilford Esq of the Body to the King Who by his Petition exhibited in Parliament 3 H. 8. obtained a special Act for the Repeal of the said Edmunds Attainder and restitution of this Iohn in name blood and degree so that he might enjoy all his Fathers Lands Being therefore thus young many years passed before he appeared in any publick Employment so that till 15 H. 8. I have not seen any farther mention of him but then it appears that he was Knighted by Charles Brandon Duke of Suff. General of those forces sent into France against the Duke of Bourbon Also that in 19 H. 8. he accompanied Cardinal Woolsey into France who then went Ambassador thither and that in 26 H. 8 being the Kings Servant he was made Master of the Armory in the Tower of London for life with the Wages of xiid. per diem for his Groom in that Office Moreover that in 31 H. 8. he was Master of the Horse to the Lady Anne of Cleve then landed in this Realm in order to her Marriage with King Henry And in 32 H. 8. in those triumphal Justs held at Westm. upon the first of May and several days after was the first and principal of the Challenges against all Comers his Horse being trapt with white Velvet After which about two years by reason of his Descent on
and Heir to Anthony Earl of Shaftsbury Elizabeth to Iames Lord Annesley Son and Heir to Arthur Earl of Anglesey Margaret to Iames Earl of Salisbury Anne to Sir Scroope How Knight Son and Heir to Iohn How of Langar in Com. Nott. Esq and Mary who died young Brandon Duke of Suffolk 5 H. 8. THE first mention of this Family that I have seen is in 1 R. 3. at which time William Brandon with Thomas his Brother Sons of Sir William Brandon Knight by Elizabeth his Wife Daughter of Sir Kobert Wingfeild Knight adhering to Henry Duke of Buckingham in his design against that King and for advancing Henry Earl of Richmund to the Royal Throne upon the miscarriage of Buckingham fled into Britanny unto that Earl Being thus with him in those parts upon delivery of the Castle of Hammes in Picardy to his use this Thomas with thirty stout men entring by a Marish strengthen'd it against those Forces which King Richard caused to be sent from Calais for the recovery thereof Shortly after which both of them arriving with him in England William became his Standard-Bearer at Besworth-field where he had the hard fate upon a desperate assault by King Richard himself to be slain 11 Cal. Sept. an 1486. But Thomas living to see that Earl Victorious and Crowned King by the name of Henry the Seventh was made one of the Squires of his Body and in the second year of his Reign carried his Buckler at the Battel of Stoke being the same year also retain'd by Indenture to serve him in his Fleet at Sea for the space of eight months with eight hundred men In remuneration of which and other his Services in 6 H. 7. he obtain'd the Wardship of Richard Fenys Son and Heir to William Fenys Lord Say with the benefit of his Marriage And before the end of that Kings Reign was Install'd Knight of the most noble Order of the Garter Moreover in 1 H. 8. being one of the Knights for the King's Body he was made Marshal in the Court of Common-Pleas and departing this life the same year without Issue had Burial in the Black-Friers near Ludgate in the City of London leaving Issue by Elizabeth his Wife Daughter and Coheir of Sir Henry Bruyn Knight Charles his Son and Heir Which Charles being a person comely of Stature high of â—ourage and conformity of disposition to King Henry the Eight became so acceptable to him especially in all his youthful exercises and pastimes as that he soon attained great advancement both in Titles of Honour and otherwise For in 1 H. 8. he was made one of the Squires of his Body and Chamberlain of the Principality of North-Wales and having been in that sharp Fight at Sea with the French near Brest in Britanny in 4 H. 8. the next ensuing year upon that Expedition of Therâ—uene and Tournay applying himself to Cardinal Wolsey attended the King in that notable adventure in order whereunto for his greater Honour he was advanced to the Title of Vicount L'isle 15 Maii 5 H. 8. and had the Command of the Vantguard of the whole Army in that honourable Service In which he merited so highly as that upon the first of February following he was raised to the dignity of Duke of Suffolk And shortly after viz. in 6 H. 8. being at St. Dennis in France at the Coronation of the Lady Mary Sister to King Henry then Married to Lewes the XII King of France he atchieved much honour by his prowess manifested in a Princely Tournament where he overthrew the person with whom he tilted Horse and Arms and gained so much upon the affections of that Queen as that upon the Death of King Lewes hapning soon after she engaged her self to marry him and intreated King Francis Successor to Lewes to mediate with King Henry her Brother for his approbâ—tion thereof which being obtain'd he procur'd a grant in general Tail of all the Lordships Mannors Lands and Tenements formerly belonging to Edmund de la Pole late Earl of Suffolk Furthermore at that magnificent Enterview of King Henry and Francis the First in 12 H. 8. betwixt Guisnes and Ardres in Picardy where those two Kings exercised themselves in a Royal Tournament there held he was one of the Aiders on the English side And in 15 H. 8. landing at Caâ—ais with six hundred Demilances two hundred Archers on Horse-back three thousand Archers on Foot five thousand Bill-men besides two thousand six hundred Pioners adding seventeen hundred more stout Souldiers taken out of the Garrisons thereabouts he marcht into the Enemies Country and joining with Florence de Egmond Count de Bure the Emperours General took Roye Mondidier Bray and Chasteaubeau Whereupon approaching within twenty Leagues of Paris he put that City into a terrible fright but towards the end of December was recalled In 21 H. 8. he was one of the Peers who subscribed to the Articles exhibited to the King in Parliament against Cardinal Wolsey So likewise in 22 H. 8. to that declaration by the Peers in the same Parliament sent to Pope Clement the seventh whereby they represented to his Holiness that except he did comply with King Henry in that business of his Divorce from Queen Katherine his Supremacy here would be in danger to be cast off Shortly after this being made Knight of the order of St. Michael he was constituted Chief Justice in Eyre of all the Kings Forests And in 28 H. 8. upon that Insurrection in Lincolnshire occasioned by the dissolution of the lesser Monasteries and the setting forth of certain Ecclesiastical Injunctions derogatory to the Doctrine of the Church of Rome he had Commission to raise Forces against them Also upon the like Insurrection in Yorkshire called the Pilgrimage of Grace he was sent with the Duke of Norfolk and others for the suppressing thereof In 30 H. 8. upon the dissolution of the greater Monasteries he obtain'd a vast proportion of those Abby-Lands together with the scites and circuits of their demolish't Houses and Churches And in 32 H. 8. having lastly married Katherine the sole Daughter and Heir to William Lord Willoughby of Eresby had livery of all the Castles Lordships Mannours and Lands of her Inheritance In 36 H. 8. he was constituted General of the Army then sent over into France Whereupon he laid siege to Boloine Which being in a short time taken he was the first that entred it Upon this his going to Boloine being then great Master id est Steward of the King's Houshold he declared his Testament 20 Iunii An. 1544. 36 H. 8. whereby he bequeath'd his Body to be buried in the Collegiate Church of Tatshall in Com. Linc. if it might conveniently be but without any pomp
of the Isle of Iersey but in 28 H. 8. surrendred that trust And having Married Elizabeth Daughter and Heir to Sir Thomas Cheney of Irâ—lingburgh in Com. Northt Knight had Issue by her two Sons William and Nicholas and two Daughters Anne Married to Reginald Bray of Eâ—on in Com. Northt second Son to Reginald Bray Brother to Edmund Lord Bray of 〈◊〉 in Com. Bedf. and Maud who died unmarried Which William being Summon'd to Parliament in 4 5 Ph. M. took his place there upon the xx th of Ianuary and by his Testament bearing date 20 Aug. an 1593. 35 Eliz. bequeath'd his Body to be buried in the Chappel on the Southside the Parish-Church of St. Peter in Irtlingburgh by his Grandfather Sir Thomas Cheney Knight appointing that a Tomb should be made in the same Chappel over his Mother's Grave Also that after his Funeral-Expences Debts and Legacies discharged the remainder of the mony due to him from Sir Thomas Cecill Knight should be imploy'd in the erecting of an Almeshouse at Irtlyngburgh and died in anno 1595. 38 Eliz. This William Lord Vaux had two Wives First Elizabeth Daughter to Iohn Beaumont of Graeedieu in Com. Leic. Esq Master of the Rolls in Chancery by whom he had Issue Henry who died in his life time and three Daughters Alianore Married to Edward Brokesby of Sholdby in Com. Leic. Esq Elizabeth a Nun at Roan in Normandy and Anne Secondly Mary Daughter to Iohn Tresham of Rushton in Com. Northt Esq on whom he begot three Sons viz. George Edward and Sir Ambrose Vaux Knight and two Daughters Muriel the Wife of George Foulshurst and Catherine Which George his eldest Son Wedded Elizabeth the Daughter of Sir Iohn Roper of Welle-Place in Com. Cantii Knight afterwards Created Lord Tenham but died in his Father's life time leaving Issue three Sons Edward William and Henry and three Daughters Catherine Married to Sir Henry Nevill Knight Son and Heir to Henry Lord Bergaveny Mary to Sir George Simeon Knight and Ioice Which Edward succeeding his Grandfather took to Wife Elizabeth the Daughter of Thomas Howard Earl of Suffolk Widdow of William Earl of Banbury and dying in an 1661. without any lawful Issue Nicholas Son of the same Elizabeth his Wife born in the life time of the said Earl of Banbury enjoys all his Estate Henry Fitz-Roy Duke of Richmund and Somerset 17 H. 8. THis Henry being natural Son to King Henry the Eighth begotten on the Lady Elizabeth Tailboys Widdow of Sir Gilbert Tailboys and Daughter of Sir Iohn Blount Knight was upon the 18th of Iune 17 H. 8. first made Knight of the Garter then advanced to the dignity of Earl of Notingham as also the same day Created Duke of Richmund and Somerset the Ceremony thereof being performed at the Royal Palace call'd Bridewell in the City of London at which time he had arrived to little more than six years of age Upon the same day also he was Constituted Lieutenant-General of all the Kings Forces North of Trent and Warden of the Marches of Scotland Likewise upon the 26th of Iuly next ensuing Admiral of England And in 19 H. 8. had a new Patent for his Wardenship of the Marches of Scotland In 22 H. 8. being made Lieutenant of Ireland Sir William Skeffyngton Knight by reason of his tender years was constituted his Deputy there Having for a time his Education with Henry Earl of Surrey in the Castle of Windsore in November an 1532. 24 H. 8. they went both of them of Paris there to study In which year King Henry passing the Seas with a Royal Train to Calais for an Enterview with King Francis of France this young Duke being bravely attended met them there Making the Earl of Surrey his Companion during his abode in France there grew so great a Friendship betwixt them that he Married Mary the Sister to that Earl Daughter to Thomas Duke of Norff. but never had carnal knowledge with her It is observed by our Historians that being very personable and of great expectation he was thought to be not only for ability of Body but of mind one of the rarest youths of his time For which reason and because the King had then no Male Issue he was much cherished by him But he departed this life upon the 24 th of Iuly an 1536. 28 H. 8. being then about seventeen years of age and was buried at Thetford in Com. Norff. the King mourning for him a long time after Thomas Bullen Earl of Wiltshire 17 H. 8. AS to the Parentage of this Thomas he was Grandson to Sir Geffrey Bullen Knight a wealthy Mercer in London as also Lord Mayor of that City in an 1458. 37 H. 6. by Anne his Wife eldest Daughter and Coheir of Thomas Lord Hoo and Hastings and Son to Sir William Bullen of Blickling in Com. Norf. Knight by Margaret his Wife Daughter and Coheir to Thomas Boteler Earl of Ormund In 12 H. 7. this Thomas Bullen was in Arms with his Father and divers other persons of Note for suppressing that Insurrection of the Cornish Men then endangering the Realm And in 3 H. 8. being one of the Knights for the Kings Body was constituted Governour of the Castle at Norwich jointly with Sir Henry Wyat Knight Master of the Kings Jewel-house In 4 H. 8. he was one of the Embassadors then imploied to Maximilian the Emperour touching a War with France and in 7 H. 8. made Constable alone of that Castle at Norwich In 11 H. 8. being Embassador in France he transacted the business for that famous enterview of King Henry and Francis the first betwixt Guisnes and Ardres and in 13 H. 8. was again sent Embassador to the Emperour In 14 H. 8. being then Treasurer of the Kings Houshold he was sent Embassadour into Spain to advise with King Charles what was farther to be done in order to the War with France Where he continued in 15 H. 8. In 17 H. 8. by reason of the great affection which the King bore to the Lady Anne Bullen his Daughter upon the 18 th of Iune he was advanced to the title of Vicount Rochford at the Kings Palace of Bridewell And in 19 H. 8. accompanied the Bishop of Bath and Wells and Sir Anthony Browne Knight to the King of France with the ensigns of the most noble order of the Garter as also to take his Oath not to violate the late league formerly made In 21 H. 8. with divers other Lords he subscribed the Articles then exhibited in Parliament against Cardinal Wolsey And upon the eighth of December the same year being then Knight of the Garter was created
who succeeded his Grandfather in his honor but died unmarried Whereupon William his Uncle being a Colonel for the late King Charles the First of blessed memory and slain in the Battel of Marsâ—on-moore in Com. Ebor. An. 1645. leaving issue by ... his wife daughter to Sir Thomas Denton of Hilsden in Com. Buck Knight only two daughters viz. Margaret married to Thomas Danby of Chorpe in Mashamshire in Com. Ebor. Esquire and Mary to William Palmes of 〈◊〉 in the same County Esquire the Title of Lord Eâ—â—e resorted to George Evre son of Horatio Evre by Debora his wife one of the daughters and coheirs to ... Bret of ... in Com. Cantii Which Horatio was son of Francis Evre second son to William Lord Evre by Margaret the daughter of Sir Robert Dimock before-mentioned But this George Lord Evre died a Baâ—tchelor in the moneth of October An 1672. leaving Raphe his brother and heir who now sciliâ—et An. 1674. enjoyeth the honor Sheffeild Earl of Mulgreve 1 E. 6. OF this Family whose antient Seat was at a Mannor-place in the Isle of Axholme in Com. Linc. called Hemmeswell near the Spittle Street whence they came to Butterwike in that County was Robert Sheffeild who in 2 H. 7. being one of the Commanders in King Henry the Seventhâ—s Army against Iohn Earl of Lincolne and his adherents in the Battel of Stoke near Newarke shared in the honor of that Victory then obtained This Robert having been Speaker of the House of Commons in Parliament was also Recorder of the City of London being then a Knight And by Helen his wife daughter and heir of Sir Iohn Delves Knight had issue â— Sir Robert Sheffeild of Butterwic Knight who married Margaret the daughter of Sir Iohn Zouch of Codnor Knight and by her had issue Edmund which Edmund upon the 16 th of February 1. E. 6. two dayes preceding that Kings Coronation was advanced to the dignity of a Baron of this Realm by the Title of Lord Sheffeild of Butterwike but upon that Insurrection by the Commons of Norfolk the next ensuing year being one of the Nobles which accompanyed the Marquess of Northampton for the suppressing thereof had the hard fate to lose his life in that good Service for his Horse falling into a Ditch at Norwich and he thereupon pulling off his Helmet to shew those Rebels who he was a Butcher slew him with a Club. By Anne his wife daughter to Iohn the Fifth of that name Earl of Oxford he left issue Iohn his son and heir and three daughters Frances married to ... Metham of ... in Com ... Eleanore to Denzil Holles second son to Sir William Holles of Houghton in Com. Nott. Knight and Elizabeth Which Iohn died in Ian. An. 1568. 11 Eliz. as may seem by the Probate of his Testament leaving issue by Douglass his wife daughter to William Lord Howard of Effyngham Edmund his son and heir and Elizabeth a daughter married to Thomas Earl of Ormund Which Edmund in 25 Eliz. was one of the English Lords that by the command of Q. Elizabeth attended the Duke of Anjoy who had stay'd three moneths in England as a Sutor to her unto Antwerp And in An. 1588. 31 Eliz. being in that notable Fight at Sea against the Spaniard then threatning an Invasion here which by the admirable conduct and courage of the English was utterly broke and dissipated in consideration of his valiant deportment in that memorable service was then Knighted by the Lord Admiral After this he was made Governor of Brill a chief Port of Zealand delivered unto Queen Elizabeth by the States of the Vnited Provinces as one of the Cautionary Towns in consideration of the Moneys lent to them in aid against the Spaniard and in 39 Eliz. surrendring his Trust there Sir Francis Vere succeeded him therein In that Queens time he was also made choice of for one of the Knights Companions of the most noble Order of the Garter and in 14 Iac. constituted President of the Council for the Northern parts of this Realm Furthermore upon the 7 th of February 1 Car. 1. he was created Earl of Mulgreve He married two wives Vrsula the daughter of Sir Robert Tirwhit of Ketilâ—y in Com. Linc. Knight by whom he had issue six sons viz. 1. Charles who died unmarried 2. Sir Iohn Sheffeild Kt. 3. Edmund 4. William drown'd in France 5. Philip. Which Sir Iohn Edmund and Philip were unhappily drown'd z in the pasâ—age at Whitgisâ—-Ferry over the River Humber in the moneth of December An. 1614. 14 Iac. in their father's life time And Sixthly George who broke his neck in a new Riding-house which his Father had made of an old Consecrated Chapel as I have heard He had likewise issue by her nine daughters First Magdalen married to Walter Walsh an Irishman Secondly Elizabeth first wedded to Sir Edward Swifft Knight and afterwards to Sir Iohn Bourchier Knight Thirdly Mary to Sir Ferdinando Fairfax Knight son and heir to Thomas Lord Fairfax of â—ameron in Scotland Fourthly Frances to Sir Philip Fairfax Knight brother to Ferdinando 5. Douglas 6. Triphena to George a younger son to Sir Richard Verney of Cumpton Murdak in Com. Warr. Knight As also Dorothy Vrsula and Anne His second wife was Mariana daughter to Sir William Erwin Knight by whom he had issue three sons Iames Thomas and Robert and two daughters Margaret and Sarah This Edmund Earl of Mulgreve died in October An. 1646. being then Fourscore years of age To whom succeeded Edmund his Grandson and heir viz. son of Sir Iohn Sheffeild Knight his second son before-mentioned by Grifild his wife daughter to Sir Edmund Anderson Knight sometime Chief Justice of the Court of Common-Pleas Which Edmund married Elizabeth daughter to Leonel Earl of Middlesex and died coming up towards London 21. Aug. An. 1658. leaving issue Iohn his son and heir now Earl of Mulgrave who was installed Knight of the most noble Order of the Garter upon the 29 th of May An. 1674. and is now one of the Gentlemen of the Royal Bedchamber to His Majesty King Charles the Second Rich Earl of Warwick 1 E. 6. OF this Family the first touching whom I have seen any considerable mention is Richard Rich an opulent Mercer in London who underwent the Office of Sheriff in that City in An. 1441. 20. H. 6. and Founded a certain Almeshouse at â—odsdoâ— in 〈◊〉 Which Richard departing this life in An. 1469. 9 E. 4 was buried in the Church of St. Laurence in the Iury with this Inscription on his Tomb-stone Respice quod opus est praesentis temporis aevum Omne quod est nihil est praeter amare Deum leaving issue Iohn who lieth interred in St. Thomas of Acres commonly called Mercer's Chapel and he Thomas
by another Patent bearing date 4 Nov. the dignity of Earl Rivers after the death of the said Vicount Colchester without issue male of his body he being then advanced to that degree of honor By which Elizabeth he had issue seven sons first Iohn his next successor in those Titles secondly Thomas who married Bridget daughter and coheir to William Witmore of Leighton in com Cestr. Esquire by Margaret his wife daughter of Sir Hugh and sister and heir to Sir George Beeston of Beeston in com Cestr. Knight widow of Sir Edward Somerset Knight fifth son to Edward late Earl of UUorcester thirdly Francis fourthly William fifthly Iames sixthly Richard and seventhly Charles As also six daughters Iane married to Iohn Marquis of UUinchester Dorothy to Charles Vicount Aâ—dover son and heir to Thomas Earl of Berkshire Elizabeth to Sir Iohn Thimelsby of Iâ—nham in com Linc. Knight Anne to Robert son and heir to Thomas Lord Bâ—ndnell afterwards Earl of Cardigan Catherinâ— a Nun at Dunkirke and Henrietta Maria to Raphe Sheldon of Beoley in com Wigora Esquire and departing this life at his house on Tower Hill in the City of London 20 Nov. An. 1635. 11 Car. 1. was honourably buryed with his Ancestors at Marfeild in Cheshire upon the sixteenth day of December next ensuing To whom succeeded Iohn his son and heir who by the death of the before specified Thomas Earl Rivers in An. 1639. enjoyed that title and by Catherine his first wife daughter of William Lord Morley and Mont Eagle had issue three sons Thomas Iohn and Richard as also five daughters Elizabeth wife of William Lord Petre Iane first married to George Lord Chandois next to Sir William Sidley of Aylesford in com Cantii Barronet and lastly to George Pitts of Stratfeild-Sey in com South Esquire Catheâ—ine to Charles Sidley brother to the same Sir William Mary to Henry Killegrew Groom of the Bed Chamber to his Royal Highness Iames Duke of Yorke and Frances who died young To his second wife he married Mary daughter of Thomas Ogle of South Diâ—â—ington in com Northumbr Esquire and by her had issue one only son called Peter This Earl died 10 Oct. An. 1654. and was buried at Maxfeild Whereupon Thomas his eldest son succeeded him in his Honours and married Elizabeth one of the natural daughters of Emanuel late Earl of Sunderland by whom he hath issue two sons viz. Thomas called Lord Colchester and Richard as also two daughters Elizabeth and Arabella Which Thomas Lord Colchester having married Charlot daughter of Charles late Earl of Derby hath issue by her one daughter called Charlot Cranfeild Earl of Middlesex 19 Iac. OF this County until the time of King Iames none were ever dignified with the Title of Earl but then Lionel Cranfeild a Merchant of London son to Thomas Cranfeild of the City of London Esquire who received the honor of Knighthood at Otelands 4 Iulii An. 1613 11 Iac. having for his great abilities been first made Master of the Requests 20 Nov. 14 Iac. Next Master of the Kings Great Wardrobe Then scil 15 Ian. 16 Iac. Master of the Wards Afterwards 15 Ian. 18 Iac. a Privy Councellor and upon the ninth of Iuly 19 Iac. advanced to the degree of a Baron this Realm by the title of Lord Cranfeild of Cranfeild in com Bedf. Also upon the thirteenth oâ— October following Lord Treasurer of England was by Letters Patents bearing date 16 Sept. An. 1622 20 Iac. created Earl of Middlesex but in the Parliament of 22 Iac. deprived of his office of Lord Treasurer fined at fifty thousand pounds and committed Prisoner to the Tower of London This Earl first married Elizabeth daughter of Richard Shepard a Merchant in London by whom he had issue three daughters Martha wedded to Sir Henry Carey Knight of the Bath afterwards Earl of Monmouth Elizabeth to Edmund Lord Sheffeild grandson and heir to Edmund Earl of Mulgrave and Mary who died unmarried And to his second wife Anne daughter to Iames Brett of Howby in com Leic. Esquire by Anne his wife sister to Mary Countess of Buckingham by whom he had issue four sons Iames Edward and Leonel who succeeded him in his honors Edward who departed this life unmarried and William who died young as also two daughters Frances wife of Richard now Earl of Dorset and Susan who died young And departing o this life upon the sixth of August An. 1645. being at that time 70 years of age 1 was buried in St. Michaels Chapel in the Abby Church at Westminster where there is a fair Monument erected to his memory with this Epitaph M. S. Leonelli domini Cranfeild Middlesexiae Comitis à Iacobo sagacissimo principe in Aulam acciti pro nativo ingenii vigors amplis tuâ—â— honoribus tùm muneribus munificentissimè decorati à supplicum libellis Rei Vestiariae Orphanorum tutelae praefectus à sanctioribus consiliis subiit novissimè totius Angliae Thesaurarii splendidissimam atque lubricam provinciam in quibus quà m sedulò navarit operam indicant tituli Equitis aurati Baronis de Cranfeild Middlefexiae demùm Comitis atque alii variè collati Hinc gliscente invidiâ urgentur adversae rerum procellae dum animosè movet lucentes quae innocentiae conscientiá fortè jactatus tantum non naufragiis enatavit sedatâ bieme figit anchoram in re lautâ sereno senectutis ocio respiravit expiravit Hîc depositus dum lassum prius jam luxatum corpus Nauclerus ille resuscitatum in fusiore navigio coelesti aeternitatis portu collocarit Obiit Augusti 6 Anno MDCXLV aetatis plus minus 70. Duas successivè conjuges accepit ex utrisque suscepit prolem Elizabetha prior peperit faeminas Elizabetham hodie Comitissam de Moulgrave Martham Comitissam de Monmouth Mariam quae ante nuptias diem obiit Ex Annâ relicta hodie Comitissâ de Middlesex communi tumulo modò Deus velit inhumandâ cujus apponitur effigies nati sunt Iacobus Honorum haeres Middlesexiae Comes Lionellus Edoardus superstites Alterius sexus Francisca domina Buckhurst Susanna ante octennium denata Infans Haec Iunii 25. 1647. To whom succeeded Iames his son and heir who married Anne the third daughter and coheir to Edward Earl of Bath which Iames having issue by her one sole daughter called Elizabeth wedded to Iohn Lord Brackley eldest son to Iohn now Earl of Bridgwater departed this life without any issue So that Lionel his Brother became his successor in his Honors and having married Rachel daughter to Francis Earl of Westmorland widow of Henry Earl of Bath died in October An. 1674. without issue whereupon he had Burial in the same Chapel of St. Michael at Westminster where his Father lyeth interred being the last Earl of Middlesex of this Family Finch Earl of Winchelsey 21 Iac. OF this Family which do
derive themselves from Herbert Fitz Herbert called Finch who was in ward to the King in 28 E. 1. and lineally descended from Henry Fitz Herbert Chamberlain to King Henry the first was Sir Moyle Finch of Eastwell in com Cantii Knight which Sir Moyle being a person of an ample Fortune was the twenty fifth in number as to precedence of those whom King Iames raised to the degree and title of Baronet in the ninth year of his Reign his Patent bearing date 23 Iunii And not long afterwards by reason of his great prudence in the management of publick affairs should have been more highly dignified in case his death had not prevented it For that consideration therefore and by reason that Elizabeth his widdow was not only the sole daughter and heir to Sir Thomas Heneage Knight Treasurer of the Chamber Vice Chamberlain of the Houshold and Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancaster to Queen Elizabeth as also one of her Privy Council but a Lady of excellent endowments the same King by his Letters Patent bearing date 8 Iulii in the twenty first year of his Reign advanced her to the dignity of a Vicountess by the title of Vicountess of Maydâ—â—on in Kent with limitation of that honor to the heirs male of her body lawfully begotten After which sâ—il in 4 Car. 1. having obtained from that King the favor of an higher title upon the twelfth of Iuly the same year she was created Countess of Winchelsey in com Suss. with the like limitation and departing this life 13 Martii An. 1633. had burial at Eastwell under a noble Monument there erected for them both The issue which she had by her said Husband was seven sons and four daughters first Sir Theophilus Finch Knight who married Elizabeth daughter to Sir Christopher Hayden of Baconsthorpe in Com. Norff. Knight but died without issue in his life time secondly Sir Thomas Finche Knight thirdly Iohn a Student of the Law of whom there is not now any issue remaining fourthly Sir Heneage Finche Knight Sergeant at Law and Recorder of the City of London fifthly Francis Finche of the Inner Temple who died without any issue surviving sixthly William and seventhly Robert who died both unmarried The daughters were these Anne married to Sir William Twisden of East-Peckham in com Cantii Barronet Catherine to Sir Iohn Wentworth of Gosfeild in com Essex Knight and Barronet and two others bearing the name of Elizabeth who died young Which Sir Thomas succeeding her in those honors married Cecilie daughter to Iohn and sister to the before-specified Sir Iohn Wentworth and departing this life at his house in Charter House-yard in the Suburbs of London 4 November An. 1639. was buried at Eastwell leaving issue surviving three sons Heneage Iohn and William and five daughters Frances married to Sir William Strickland of Boynton in com Ebor. Knight Anne to Sir William Waller Knight Catherine died young Cecilie to Sir Erasmus Philips Knight Diana 〈◊〉 Nicholas Tooke of Gadington in com Cantii Eâ—quire and another Catherine to Ambrose Moore Esquire To whom succeeded Heneage the eldest of those three sons now Earl of Winchelsey who married thrice first Diana daughter to Francis Lord Willoughby of Parham by whom he hath no issue surviving secondly the Lady Mary second daughter to William then Marquess of Hertford afterwards Duke of Somerset and being descended from the antient Family of Herbert long since of Eastwell before mentioned by reason of his faithful services to our present Soveraign King Charles the second manifested in the time of his unparrall'd distresses not only with great hazard supplying his necessities in forreign parts but by preparing Auxiliaries Horse and Foot upon occasion for his best service in acknowledgment of this his signal Fidelity was by Letters Patents bearing date 26 Iunii in the twelfth year of his Keign advanced to the dignity of a Baron of this Realm by the title of Lord Fitz Herbert of Eastwell before specified Shortly after which he was sent Embassador into Turkey where he continued about eight years By which Lady he had issue six sons first William commonly called Lord Maidston secondly Heneage thirdly Thomas fourthly Charles fifthly Leopald and sixthly Lashley the three last being born in Turkey he had also issue by her two daughters now surviving the rest dying young viz. the Lady Frances married to Thomas Thynne Esquire son to Sir Henry-Frederick Thynne of Caurse-Castle in com Salop. Knight and the Lady Iane. His third wife is Catherine daughter to Sir Thomas Northelyffe of Langton in com Ebor. Knight widdow of Sir Iohn Wentworth of of â—msald in the same County Knight by whom he hath issue Catherine a daughter Which William called Lord Maydstone married Elizabeth the daughter of Thomas Windâ—am of Felbragg-Hall in com Norf. Esquire but being in that great Fight at Sea against the Dutch in May An. 1672. 24 Car. 2. had the ill hap to be there slain by a Cannon Bullet leaving issue one daughter called Mariamna and his Lady then great with Child of a son whereof she was delivered upon the twenty sixth of September next following whose name is Charles and now called Lord 〈◊〉 Iohn Lord Finche of Fordwiche 16 Car. 1. A Branch of this Family viz. Son of Sir Henry Finch of Mote in com Cantii Knight second Brother to Sir Moyle Finch was Iohn Finch who having his education in Grays-Inne became so great a proficient in his Study of the Laws that in 16 Iac. he was made choice of for the Autumn Reader there as also shortly afterwards viz. in An. 1627. 3 Car. 1. Speaker of the House of Commons in Parliament And in 2 Car. 1. 3 Nov. constituted Treasurer for that honorable Society of Grays Inne Likewise upon the 13 of December following made the Queens Atturney General After this 8 Sept. 10 Car. 1. he was called to the state and degree of Serjeant at Law and upon the fourteenth of October constituted one of the Justices of the Court of Common-Pleas also upon the twenty first of Ianuary 11 Car. 1. Chief Justice in the same Court Moreover upon the death of Thomas Lord Coventry he had the office of Lord Keeper of the great Seal conferred upon him scil 23 Ian. 15 Car. 1. and lastly upon the seventh of April 16 Car. 1. was advanced to the dignity of a Baron of this Kealm by the title of Lord Finche of Fordwiche But long he continued not in that high place of Lord Keeper the predominant party in the late Long Parliament being so fierce upon him as that in Ianuary the next ensuing year to preserve himself from their severity he fled into the Netherlands and there continued till the happy Restauration of our present Sovereign King Charles the second He married twice first Eleanore daughter to Sir George Wyat of Boxley in com Cantii Knight secondly Mabella daughter of Charles
Privy Council as also Lord Lieutenant of Ireland for some time He married twice First Lucie Daughter of Robert Earl of Warwick by whom he had Issue two Sons Robert who Married Sarab the Daughter of Iohn Bodvile of Bodvile-Castle in Com. Carnarbon Esq and Hinder His second Wife is Isabella Daughter of Sir Iohn Smith Knight Son of Customer Smith by whom he hath Issue three Sons Francis Henry and Warwick and four Daughters Isabella married to the Lord Moore eldest Son to the Earl of Drogheda in Ireland Aramintha Olympia and Essex Lord Conway 22 Iac. THis Family now of Ragley in Com. War a Lordship obtain'd by purchase towards the later end of Queen Elizabeth's reign do derive their descent from Sir Henry Conway Knight Which Sir Henry having been Knighted by Edward Mortimer Earl of March and Uivesâ—er about the beginning of King Richard the Seconds reign was by Indenture bearing date 1 Aug. 5 R. 2 retained to do him service as a Knight during all his life and in times of Peace to have diet for himself one Esq one Chamberlain and four Grooms as also Hay Oates Horshooes and Nails for six Horses or reasonable allowance for the same And whensoever he should be required to make his attendance on him for service of War the like Diet or Wages in lieu thereof for himself his Esquire Chamberlain and five Grooms with Hay Oates c. for eight Horses And likewise allowance of the like wages and reward as he gave to others of their quality for so many men at Arms and Archers as he should bring to him for the service of War From this Sir Henry descended Iohn Conway of Potrithan in Com. Flint Esq who had Issue two Sons Hugh and Edward Which Hugh in 1 H. 7. was imploied by Margaret Countess of Richmund to Henry Earl of Richmund her Son then in Britanny with money as also with direction to assure him of the good affections which most of the Nobility of this Realm did bear to him and to incite his speedy coming into England And being Master of his Wardrobe shortly after he had obtained the Crown of this Realm received the Honour of Knighthood at the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth Wife to that King and became one of his Privy Council as also Knight for his Body and Treasurer of his Houshold In 7 H. 7. he was likewise retained to serve him in his Wars beyond Sea with xx Men at Arms besides himself But of him I have no more to say the Line continuing from Edward Which Edward taking to Wife Anne the Daughter and sole Heir to Richard Burdet of Arrow in Com. Warr. Esq enjoy'd that Lordship as her right and being a Gentleman Huisher of the Chamber to King Henry â—he Eighth obtain'd a special Licence under the Privy Signet dated 12 Febr. 3 H. 8. to retain certain able men Voluntiers for the King's Service in his Wars and departed this life on Thursday next ensuing the Feast of St. Bartholomew the Apostle 38 H. 8. leaving Iohn his Son and Heir 35. years of Age and upwards Which Iohn being soon after Knighted was in that great Expedition made into Scotland in 1 E. 6. where he merited so well for his valour manifested in those services then perform'd as that upon the 28 th of Sept. the same year he was made a Banneret He Wedded Catherine Daughter to Sir Raphe Verney Knight And by his Testament bearing date 22 Iulii 6 E. 6. bequeath'd his Body to be buried in the Church at Arrow and dyed ... leaving Issue another Sir Iohn Conway Knight his Son and Heir who Married Elene the Daughter of Sir Fulke Grevill of Beauchamp'sâ—Court in Com. Warr. Knight And being a person of great knowledge in military affairs was made Governour of Ostend by Robert Earl of Leicester 29 Dec. an 1586. 29 Eliz that Earl being then General of the English Auxiliaries in behalf of the States of the United Provinces and departed this life 4 Oct. 1 Iac. leaving Edward his Son and Heir Knighted by Robert Earl of Essex at the sacking of Cadez in Spain in an 1596. 38 Eliz. where he Commanded a Regiment of Foot After which he served in the Netherlands as Governour of the Brill And upon the 30 th of Ian. 20 Iac. was made one of the Principal Secretaries of State Also upon the 22 th of March 22 Iac. advanced to the dignity of a Baron of this Realm by the Title of Lord Conway of Ragley And upon the 8 th of December following Captain of the Isle of Wiâ—t Moreover in 1 Car. 1. he was constituted one of the principal Secretaries of State to that King 23 Maii And in 2 Car. 1. Created Vicount Killultagh of Killultagh in the County of Antrim in Ireland Also upon the 6 th of Iune 3 Car. 1. Vicount Conway of Conway-Castle in Com. Caernarvon He was afterwards also made Lord President of his Majesties Privy Council and imploy'd into Germany as Embassador Extraordinary And departing this life at his House in St. Martins â—lane within the Liberties of Westminster 3 Ian. an 1630. 6 Car. 1. was buried at Ragley leaving Issue by Dorothy his Wife Daughter to Sir Iohn Tracy of Todington in Com. Glouc. Knight Widdow of Edmund Bray Son and Heir to Edmund Bray of Barrington in Com. Glouc. Esq three Sons 1. Edward his Son and Heir 2. Sir Thomas Conway Knight Lieutenant Colonel to Colonel Morgâ—n in the Wars of Germany And 3. Raphe And four Daughters Frances Married to Sir William Pelâ—am of Brocklesby in Com. Line Knight Brilliana to Sir Robert Harley of Brampton Brian in Com. Heref. Knight of the Bath Heligawrth to Sir William Smith of Theyden monte in Com. Essex Knight and Mary Which Edward succeeding him in his Honours First Married Frances Daughter to Sir Francis Popham of Littlecot in Com. Somers Knight and departed this life at Paris in France in an 1655. leaving Issue by her four Sons First Iohn who died young 2. Edward 3. Francis and Fourthly Thomas who died in his Childhood Also two Daughters Dorothy Married to Sir George Rawdon of ... in Ireland Bâ—ronet and Anne And to his second Wife Katherine Daughter to Giles Hueriblock of Gant in Flanders Widdow of ... Fusse a Merchant in London but had no Issue by her To whom succeeded Edward his Son and Heir Which Edward Married Anne Daughter to Sir Heneage Finche of 〈◊〉 in Com. Midd. Knight sometime Recorder of the City of London by whom he had Issue one Son called Heneage who died young St. Iohn Lord Tregoz 2 Car. 1. A Branch of the antient Family of St. Iohn of Bleâ—sho in Com. Bedf. was Sir Oliver St. Iohn of Lyddiard Tregoz Knight and Baronet who by Letters Patents bearing date
Duke of Richmund sister and heir to Esme Duke of Richmund Which Richard having couragiously given battel to the Rebels in Ireland at Carickfergus and subdued them and behaved himself with exemplary valour in the late perillous Sea-fight with the Dutch His Royal Highness the Duke of York being then Admiral was by reason of these his faithful Services created a Baron of this Realm by the Title of Lord Butler of Weston in the County of Huntingdon by Letters-patent bearing date at Westminster upon the Twenty sevenâ—h day of August in the Twenty fifth year of his Majesties Reign And surviving that wife mâ—â—â—ried ... daughter of Iohn Ferrers 〈◊〉 Tamworth-Castle in the County of â—arwick Esquire And thirdly Iohn He had also â—â—o daughters viz. the Lady Elizabeth maâ—â—ied to Philip Earl of Chesterfeild and Mâ—ry to William Lord Cavendish son and heâ— to William Earl of Devonshire But I â—eturn to Thomas Earl of Ossory the eldest sâ—â— This Thomas having been by His Majesties Writ of Summons bearing date 14 Sept. â— 18 Car. 2 â— called to the Parliament then sittâ—ng at Westminster by the Title of Lord Buâ—â—r of Moore-Parke took his place there aâ—ordingly upon the 18 th day of September â—ext ensuing In September An. 1672. he was elected Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter and upon the 17 th day of May An. 1673. was made Rere-Admiral of the Blew-Squadron of His Majesties Fleet in order to that great Sea-fight against the Dutch which hapned shortly after He married the Lady Amelia of Nassau daughter to Lewes de Nassaw Lord Beverwaert son to the Illustrious Maurice late Prince of Orange and Count of Nassau and by her hath had issue three Sons Iames and Charles another Iames dying young and four daughters now living Elizabeth married to William Earl of Derby Amelia Henrietta and Catherine two others viz. Mary and Henrietta deceasing in their Childhood Hyde Earl of Clarendon 12 Car. â— SHortly afterwards Sir Edward Hyde Knight descended from an antient Family of that name in Cheshire was in like sort advanced to sundry Titles of Honor. Having been trayn'd up to the Study of the Laws in that Honourable Society of the Middle-Temple London and manifesting his fidelity to the late King Charles of blessed memory in an eminent measure he was first made Chancellor of his Exchequer and one of His Privy-Council After the expulsion of our present Soveraign attending him in Forrein parts he was sent Embassador into Spain made his Secretary of State and lastly Lord Chancellor In all which imployments he deported himself with such prudence judgment and integrity as that soon after His Majesties Happy Restauration he was by Letters-patent bearing date upon the Third day of November in the Twelfth year of His Reign raised to the degree of a Baron of this Realm by the Title of Lord Hyde of Hindon in com Wilts and to the heâ—â—s male of his body also upon the Twentieth of April next ensuing to the dignity of Vicount Cornbury in com Oxon. and Earl of Clarendon Which office of Lord Chancellor he held until towards the end of August An. 1667. that the Great Seal was taken from him and committed to the Custody of Sir Orlando Bridgman Knight and Baronet Whereupon he retired into France and departing this life in the City of Râ—an in Normandy 19 Dec. An. 1674. was buried on the North side of the Capella Regum in the Collegiate-Church of St. Peter at Westminster He married Frances daughter and at length sole heir to Sir Thomas Aylesbury Knight and Baronet sometime one of the Masters of the Requests and by her had issue four sons Henry commonly called Lord Cornberie Laurence now Master of the Robes to His Majesty Edward who died unmarried and Iames As also two daughters the Lady Anne married to his Royal Highness Iames Duke of York and the Lady Frances to ... Which Henry now Earl of Clarendon first took to wife Theodosia one of the daughters of Arthur late Lord Capell by whom he had issue one only son called Edward Secondly Flower daughter and sole heir to William Backhouse of Swallowfeild in com Berks. Esq widow of Sir William Backhouse Baronet Grandson to Rowland Backhouse sometime Alderman of London by whom as yet he hath no issue Annesley Earl of Anglesey 13 Car. 2. AMongst the rest of those eminent persons whom our present Soveraign for the greater splendor of His Royal Coronation advanced unto sundry degrees and Titles of Honor was Sir Arthur Annesley Baronet Lord Mount-Norris and Vicount Valencia in Ireland son of Sir Francis Annesley Baronet Lord Mount-Norris and Vicount Valencia Vice-Treasurer and Secretary in that Realm to King Charles the First of blessed Memory Paternally descended from the antient and worshipful family of Annesley in the County of Notingham and by the Mother from that of Philips of Picton-Castle in Pembrokshire Which Sir Arthur in the late most perillous times having served His Majesty that now is to the no little hazard of life and Fortune with great integrity was by Letters-patent bearing date upon the twentieth day of April in the Thirteenth year of His reign created a Baron of this Kingdom by the Title of Lord Annesley of Newport Paynell in com Buck. as also raised to the dignity of an English Earl by the Title of Earl of Anglesey and to the heirs male of his body Since which time by reason of his singular prudence and fidelity he hath had that great Office of Lord Privy-Seale conferred upon him which he still enjoyeth He married Elizabeth one of the two daughters and coheirs of Sir Iames Altham Knight son and heir to Sir Iames Altham Knight sometime Baron of the King's Exchequer by whom he hath had issue seven sons viz. Iames commonly called Lord Annesley Altham Richard Arthur and Charles two other both named Arthur dying in their childhood And six daughters 1. Dorothy married to Richard Earl of â—iroen in Ireland 2. Elizabeth to Alexander Mac-Donald second son to the Earl of Antrim 3. Frances first to Iohn Wyndham of Felbrigge in com Norf. Esquire and afterwards to Sir Iohn Tompson of Haversham in com Buck. Baronet 4. Philips to Charles Lord Mohun 5. Anne and 6. Bridget who died young Which Iames Lord Annesley having wedded Elizabeth daughter to Iohn Earl of â—utland hath issue by her two sons Iames and Iohn and two daughters Frances who died in her Infancy and Elizabeth Grenevil Earl of Bathe 13 Car. 2. THat this Family is not only of very great Antiquity but famous for divers Martial exploits is evident from sundry Authorities Harmo dentatus the common Ancestor thereof who was Earl of Corboil as also Lord of Thorigny and Graneville in Normandy being lineally descended from the Warlike Rollo sometime Duke of that large Territory Which Hamon had issue two sons Robert surnamed Fitz-Hamon Earl of Corboil Lord of Thorigny and Graneville who left no issue male as
he died without Issue of his Body the Town and Castle of Pembroke should come to the King his Heirs and Successors and the Castle and Lordship of Bergavenny and other his Lands in England and Wales to his Cousin William de Beauchamp viz. his Mothers Sisters Son in Fee provided he should bear his Arms and endeavour to obtain the Title of Earl of Pembroke And in case he should decline so to do then his Kinsman William de Clinton to have them upon the same Conditions Upon the death of this last Earl Anne his Wife surviving had thereupon for her Dowrie an Assignation of the Mannors of Sutton Wynferthing and Asshele in Com. Norff. Lydgate Badmondesfeild Otteleye and Wridlyngton with three Burgages within the Town of St. Edmundsbury in Suffolk the Mannors of Thoryton Est-Hannyngfeld South-Hannyngfeld with certain Lands in West-Hannyngfeld and Fanges in Com. Essex the Mannor of Totenham in Com. Midd. Podyngton and Westâ—â—te with certain Lands in Southwarke in Com. Surr. the Mannor of Benham in Com. Berâ—s with certain Lands in Fitelton in Com. Wiltes the Mannors of Brampton and Lyming in Com. Hunt Shelford in Com. Cantabr Blounham and Kempston in Com. Bedf. certain Lands in Repyngdon in Com. Derb. the Mannors of Allefley Filoâ—gley Aston Cantlow and Pillâ—rdyngton in Com. Warr. and Mannor of Naâ—lesten in Com. Leic. Which Anne departed this Life upon Palm-sunday in 7 R. 2. Iohn her Son and Heir being then eleven years of age Of which Iohn I find that at the Coronation of King Richard the Second being then not five years of age he claimed to carry the great Golden Spurs and shewing sufficient Evidence of his Right to do that Service it was adjudged That by reason of his Minority another should be appointed to perform the same on his behalf viz. Edmund Mortimer Earl of March whose Daughter Philippa he married though very young but had no Issue by her for so it hapned that in 13 R. 2. the King keeping his Christmass at Wodstoke and there holding a Tournament being then but seventeen years of age he adventured to Tilt with Sir Iohn St Iohn and that by an unluckie slip of St. Iohn's Lance he was run into the bottom of his Belly so that his Bowels breaking out he suddenly died to the great grief of many in regard he was a Person of so Noble a Disposition that in Bounty and Courtesie he exceeded most of his Degree Which untimely death of his was then thought by many to be a Judgment upon the Family in regard that Aymer de Valence Earl of Pembroke his Ancestor was one of those who gave Sentence of Death upon Thomas Earl of Lancaster at Pontfract for it was observ'd that after that Judgment so given none of the succeeding Earls of Pembroke ever saw his Father nor any Father of them took delight in seeing his Child His Death thus hapning upon the thirtieth of December 13 R. 2. he was buried in the Church of the Grey-Fryers without New-gate in the Suburbs of London where he had a Noble Monument which at the general Dissolution of the Religious Houses by King Henry the Eighth was with the rest utterly defaced Dying thus without Issue Reginald Lordâ— Grey of Ruthyn was by some Inquisitions found to be his Cousin and next Heir of the whole Bloud as descended Lineally from Elizabeth Sister to Iohn de Hastings Father of Iohn Great-grandfather of this Earl And by other Inquisitions Hugh de Hastings Son of Hugh Son of Hugh Son of the same Iohn de Hastings by Isabell the Daughter of Hugh le Despenser his second Wife also found to be his Heir-male but of the half Blood This Hugh in 14 E. 3. was in that Expedition then made into Flanders and in 16 E. 3. summon'd to Parliament amongst the Barons of this Realm In 20 E. 3. being call'd Consanguineus Regis The King's Cousin he was constituted his Lieutenant in Flanders and Commander of all his Military Forces there against the French where they took above CCC Prisoners and brought them into England And in 20 E. 3. was in that Expedition then made into Britanny being of the Retinue to Henry Duke of Lancaster Moreover in 33 E. 3. he was in the Wars of Gascoine and in 40 E. 3. attended Iohn Duke of Laneaster into Spain After which viz. in 43 E. 3. he was in that Expedition then made into France and of the Retinue with the same Duke of Lancaster This is all of moment that I have seen of him I should now proceed to his Descendents But forasmuch as they never had Summons to Parliament I am not concern'd to speak of them Nevertheless forasmuch as Edward Hastings Great-grand-son to this Hugh had a long Contest with Reginald Lord Grey of Rutbyn for bearing the Arms of this Family it will not I hope be deemed impertinent to take notice that so little did Iohn Earl of Pembroke Father to the last Iohn regard his next Heir-male and so much dislike Reginald Grey Father to the last Reginald as that he Entailed the greatest part of his Lands upon William de Beauchamp before-mentioned Notwithstanding which Settlement the Right of Bearing the Arms was in those days of such esteem that the Contest for them sc. Or a Manch Gules betwixt Reginald Lord Grey Son to the before-mention'd Reginald and Edward Hastings Brother and Heir to the last-mention'd Hugh lasted little less than xx years in the Court-Military before the Constable and Marshal of England Wherein after much Money spent Edward Hastings who so challenged them as Heir-male of the Family was not onely condemned in 970 l. 17 s. 10 d. ob q. Costs Grey swearing that he had spent a thousand Marks more and the Arms adjudged to Grey but imprisoned sixteen years for disobeying that Sentence The particular Proceedings in which Business with the hard measure which Edward Hastings had for brevity I pass by But one thing farther I shall observe viz. That Edward Hastings questioning William de Beauchamp for those Lordships and Lands whereof Iohn the last Earl of Pembroke died seised and which had been so setled upon Beauchamp by that Entail before mention'd Beuchamp invited his Learned Counsel to his House in Pater-noster-row in the City of London amongst whom were Robert Châ—â—lton then a Judge William Pincâ—ebek William Brenchâ—sley and Iohn Catesby all Learâ—ed Lawyers and after Dinner coming out of his Chappel in an angry mood threw to each of them a Piece of Gold and said Sirs I desire you forthwith to tell me whether I have any Right and Title to Hastings Lordships and Lands Whereupon Pinchbek stood up the rest being silent fearing that he suspected them and said No man here nor in England dare say that you have any Right in them except Hastings do quit his Claim therein and should
besiege his Castle of Pontfract and take it commanding the assistance to them therein of all his Subjects to their utmost power It is said that in this his flight consulting with those Barons then with him at the Black-Fryers in Pontfract they advised him to march to Dunstanburgh a Castle of his own in Northumberland and that refuâ—ing so to do lest it should be thought he held intelligence with the Scots he expressed that he did resolve to stay still at Pontfract And that thereupon Sir Roger de Clifford drawing out his Dagger swore that he would kill him unless he would go with them whereupon he went having seven hundred Men of his company And before the Kings Forces could overtake him got to Burroughbrigge in Yorkshire where finding the Countrey people in Arms and William Lord Latimer then Governor of the City of York and Sir Andrew de Harcla of Carlisle ready to give him Battle after a short skirmish Humphrey de Boâ—un Earl of Hereford attempting to pass the Bridge was â—lain by one who lay under an Arch and he himself over-powâ—red with numbers taken by the same Sir Andrew So likewise were Roger de Clifford Iohn de Moâ—brâ—y Warreâ—de â—Isle and many others and thence carried to Pontfract where the King and both the Speâ—sers at that time were Where being brought into the Town he was scorned and by the people in derision called King Arthur Which being observed many did deem it a just judgment upon him in regard he had in such sort abused the King when coming out of thâ— North not long before he lay at Pontfrâ—â—t For at that time issuing out of the Castle with his Men they used him very contemptibly exclaiming vilely against him in a most tumâ—ltuous manner And being thus fetcht thither he was on the third day afterwards brought before the King the Earl of Kent the Earl of Winchester Iohn Earl â—arren and Surrey David Earl of Athol and Robert Earl of Angos being all present who gave sentence upon him to be drawn hangâ—d and beheaded But in regard of his great Birth somewhat qualified it and appointed That he should only lose his Head In pursuance whereof he was upon the morrow after the Fâ—ast of S. Benedict brought to a Plain without the Town and there beheaded On which a beautiful Church was afterwards erected to the honor of his memory The rest being sentenced to be drawn and hanged at York and several other places Others relate the story thus viz. That being come to Burroughbrigge he there found Sir Andrew de Harcla Warâ—len of Carlisle and the Marches and Sir Simon Ward Sheriff of Yorkshire ready to encounter him Where relating to Harcla his just quarrel to the Spensers he promised him if he would favor his Cause to give him one of those five Earldoms which he had in possession and that Harcla refusing he told him That he would soon repent it and that he should die â— shameful death as it aftewards hapned Also that Harcla then causing his Archers to shoot the fight bâ—gan in which many of this Earls party being slain he betook himself to a Chappel refusing to yield to Harcla and looking on the Crucifix said Good Lord I render my self to thee and put my self into thy mercy Also that they then took off his Coat-Armor and putâ—ing upon him one of his Mens Liveries carried him by Water to York where they threw Balls of Dirt at him Moreover that from thence they brought him back to the King at Ponfract Castle and there put him in a Tower towards the Abby which he had newly made Likewise that soon after being brought into the Hall he had Sentence of Death by these Justices viz. Aymer Earl of Pembroke Edmund Earl of Kent Iohn de Bretaigne and Sir Robert Malmethorpe who pronounced the Judgment Whereupon saying Shall I die without Answer A certain Gascoignâ— took him away and put a pill'd broken Hood on his Head and set him on a lean white Jade without a Bridle and that then he added King of Heaven have mercy on me for the King of Earth â—ous ad gâ—erthi And that thus he was carried some throwing Pellots of Dirt at him having a Fryer-Preacher for his Confessor to an Hill without the Town where he kneeled down towards the East until one Hugin de Muston caused him to turn his Face toward Scotland and then a Villain of London cut off his Head After which the Prior and Monks obtaining his Body from the King buried it on the right hand of the High Altar The day of his death was certainly upon the Munday next preceding the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin But of this his death the King soon after repented as it is said Touching his Merits there hapned afterwards very great disputes Some thinking it fit that he should be accounted a Saint because he was so charitable and so much an honorer of the Religious as also that he died in a just Cause But cheifly for that his persecutors came to untimely ends in a short time On the other side many there were who taxed him for Adultery in keeping of sundry Women notwithstanding he had a Wife Aspersing him likewise for cruelty in putting to death some persons for small offences and protecting some from punishment who were transgressors of the Laws alleaging also that he was cheifly swayed by one of his Secretaries and that he did not fight stoutly for Justice but fled and was taken unarmed Nevertheless many Miracles were reported to have been afterwards wrought in the place where his Corps was buried much confluence of people coming thereto in honor thereof till the King through the incitation of the Spensers set Guards to restrain them Whereupon they flocked to the place where he suffered death and so much the more eagerly by how much endeavors were used to restrain them until a Church was erected on the place where he suffered Most certain it is that the vulgar sort of people had so great a veneration to him that they worshipped his Picture which with other was drawn on a Tablet in Saint Pauls Cathedral at London till the King by his special Letters to the Bishop of London bearing date at York 28 Iunii 16 Edw. 2. inhibited them so to do Nor was it long after the stream turning another way by the unhappy deposal and lamentable murther of King Edward the Second but that all proceedings concerning the Attainder of him and his adherents being annulled and vacated in the Parliament begun at Westminster on the morrow after the Feast of the Epiphany 1 Edw. 3. there still continued the like veneration for his memory so that in 33 Edw. 3. it was generally believed that Miracles were done at his Tomb and that
next ensuing whereupon he had burial accordingly To whom succeeded Edward his Brother and Heir who married Frances Daughter to Sir Thomas Treshan of Liveden in Com. Northt Knight and by her had issue four Sons and two Daughters viz. William Stourton made Knight of the Bath at the Creation of Charles Prince of Wales in An. 1616. Thomas Francis and Edward His two Daughters were these Margaret married to Sir Thomas Sulyar of Wetherden in Com. Suff. Knight and Mary to Walter Norton of ... in the same County Esq And departing this life at Clerkenwell in the Suburbs of London 7 Maii 1632. 8 Car. 1. was buried at Stourton with his Ancestors Which Sir William so succeeding him married Frances Daughter to Sir Edward More of Odypham in Com. Sutht Knight and had issue r by her three Sons Edward William and Thomas a Monk as also two Daughters Mary married to Iohn Weld of Lulworth-Castle in Com. Dors. and Frances a Nun at Cambray Which Edward faithfully adhering to the late King Charles the first of Blessed Memory in those woful times of his late unhappy troubles departed this life in the Garrison of Bristol in Ianuary An. 1644. his Father then living leaving issue by Mary his Wife Daughter to Robert Lord Petre William his Son and Heir now living whom by Mary his Wife Daughter of Iohn Preston of Furnesse-Abby in Com. Lanc. Esq hath issue Widvile 26 H. 6. THE First mention I find of this Family is in 37 E. 3 Richard de Wydvill being then constituted Sheriff of Northampton-shire and Governour of the Castle there After which in 39 E. 3. he had the like trust and in 43 E. 3. was made Eschaetor for that County and Rutland Again in 44 E. 3. Sheriff of Northampton-shire as also Governour of the Castle at Northampton To this Richard succeeded Iohn de Wydevill Sheriff of the same Shire and Governour of the Castle in 4 R. 2. Likewise in 6 R. 2. Eschaetor for those Counties of Northampton and Rutland and in 9 R. 2. again Sheriff of Northampton-shire To whom succeeded another Richard which Richard in 7 H. 4. had the Shrivalty of the same County and Governourship of the Castle conferred upon him and in 8 H. 5. being then one of the Esquires for the Body to that Heroick King was constituted Seneschall of the Dutchy of Normandy and other the parts of France within that Kings obedience to superintend all the Captains and Lieutenants of the Cities fortifyed Towns and Castles within those Precincts In 3 H. 6. he was made Constable of the Tower of London and in 4 H. 6. Knighted by the King at Leicester upon Whitsunday the King himself having then received that Honour at the hands of his Uncle the Duke of Bedford In 5 H. 6. being Lieutenant of Calais to the Duke of Bedford governour of that Garrison he continued there for the better defence thereof In 7 H. 6. he was reteined by Indenture to serve the King in his Wars of France and Normandy for half a year with C Men at Arms and CCC Archers and in 14 H. 6. having then his residence for the most part in Northampton-shire and sometimes at Maydston in Kent was again in the Wars of France being of the Retinue with William Earl of Suffolk In 15 H. 6. having without licence married Iaquet de Luxembourgh Daughter to Peter Earl of St. Paul widow of Iohn Duke of Bedford he gave a thousand pounds fine for that transgression and for livery of those Castles Mannours and Lands which were of her Dowry and in 17 H. 6. was sent into Normandy with a thousand stout men for the better defence of those parts In 19 H. 6. being challenged by a Knight of Spain to perform certain feats of Arms in Smithfield they there met accordingly upon the xxvi of November but after the third stroke the King prohibited them to go on Before the end of which year he accompanied Richard Duke of York then Lieutenant-General and Governour of the Realm of France and Dutchy of Normandy into those parts and in 26 H. 6. in respect of his valour in Arms great integrity and acceptable services was advanced to the degree of a Baron of this Realm by the title of Lord Rivers as by the Kings Letters Patents bearing date at Westminster 29 Maii appeareth it being no name of any place but of an antient Family ☜ sometimes Earls of Devon And for his better support of that Honour had thereby granted to him and to the Heirs male of his Body in reversion after the death of William Burton one of the Grooms of the Kings Chamber the annual rent of xiv s. iv d. due to the Keeper of the Castle of Northampton As also all the Knightsâ—ees and services whatsoever belonging to the Honour of Chokes and likewise those of Bryans-fee Iohn de Bayeux fee Maundevill fee Lexington-fee or of the Baronies of Rivers and Ledet's fee with all Advowsons Eschaets Forfeitures and Liberties by reason of the Tenure of those Honours Baronies and Fees In 27 H. 6. in further consideration of his services in the wars of France and Dutchy of Normandy he obtained a grant in special tail of the Mannour of West â—â—urrek called West-Hall in Com. Essex in reversion after the death of Iaquet Dutchess of Bedford his Wife And about that time had a Charter for Free-Warren in all his demesn-lands within his Lordships of Grafton Patshull and Wyken in Com. Northt though they were within the precincts of the Forest In 28 H. 6. he was installed Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter and in 29 H. 6. constituted Seneschal of Aquitaine with power to receive into the Kings obedience all Cities Towns and Forts therein which were then willing to yield thereto In 38 H. 6. being sent to Sandwich for the defence of that Port and those great Ships which lay at Anchor there against the power of Nevil Earl of Warwick who had raised new forces on the behalf of the Duke of York he was in the night time surprized in his Bed with Anthony his Son by certain persons sent from that Earl who carried him with those Ships to Calais But though he stood firm to King Henry the sixth against the house of York yet after King Edward the fourth had obtained the Crown and been captivated with the beauty of Elizabeth his Daughter Widow of Sir Iohn Grey so that he made her his Queen all his precedent Actings for the Lâ—ncastrian interest were forgot great Honours and Trusts being then conferred upon him by that King First viz. 4 Martii 6 E. 4. the office of Treasurer of his Exchequer and upon the 24 of May next ensuing the title of Earl Rivers Also the
in case he should die without any Issue of his own body lawfully begotten that then Edward Grey his Illegitimate Son by the same Iane Orwell should have and enjoy his said Barony and Mannor of Powys his Castle and Mannor of Poole and all other his Lordships in the County of Montgomery and the reversion and inheritance of the Castle and Mannors of Charleton and Pontysbury to him and the Heirs of his Body lawfully begotten and for lack of such Issue to remain to that Child in case it should be a Son wherewith the same Iane Orwell was then great by him and to the Heirs of his body lawfully begotten but if it should not be a Son or if a Son die without Issue then that the whole Barony of Powys and all the premisses before-mention'd should come to Iane Grey his Daughter and to the Heirs of her body lawfully begotten and for lack of such Issue to Anne Grey his other Daughter and the Heirs of her body lawfully begotten and for default of such Issue to such Woman Child as should be born of the Body of the said Iane Orwell This Edward Married Anne one of the Daughters and Coheirs of Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk for so by her Testament she calls her self but by her had no Issue Which Anne surviving him became the Wife of Randle Hauworth Esq and by her said Testament bearing date 29 Oct. an 1557. 5 4 Ph. M. bequeath'd her body to be buried in the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in the City of London upon the right hand above the steps going up to the Altar or else in the Abby of Westminster Ratcliffe Lord Fitzwalter 1 H. 7. OF this Family that which I have first observ'd to be most memorable is that in 7 H. 5. Sir Iohn Ratcliffe Knight being Constable of the Castle of Frounsak in Aquitane had a thousand marks per annum allow'd to him for the guard thereof and in 1 H. 6. being retain'd to serve the King as Seneschal of that Dutchy had an assignation of four shillings by the day for his own Salary and xx Marks a piece per annum for CC. Archers Also that in 4 H. 6. in consideration of two thousand Marks then due to him by the King for his Wages in that Service he had a grant of the Wardship of Raphe Earl of Westmorland then in Minority Moreover that in 7 H. 6. he was by Indenture retain'd to serve in the Wars of France with C. Men at Arms of which number himself to be one four other Knights the rest Esquires and CC. Archers And that in 11 H. 6. upon his humble Remonstrance that there was by computation then in arrear and due unto him for those his services upon the last of Iune 9 H. 6. no less than the sum of seven thousand twenty nine pounds thirteen shillings and a penny he obtain'd an assignation of all the Kings Revenues issuing out of the Counties of Caernervon and Merionyth in North-Wales as also out of the Lordships of Chirk and Chirk-land to hold until the arrear of what was then so due unto him should be fully satisfied In 13 H. 6. being sent to Arras there to treat with the Dolphin of France he had Licence to carry with him Gold and Silver in Coin with Plate to the value of five hundred Marks for his necessary uses in that imployment And in 14 H. 6. being Lieutenant of Calais the Duke of Burgundy laid Siege to that Garrison for three Weeks But he lived not long after For in 19 H. 6. upon a farther computation of the Debts due for his Services as Seneschal of Aquitane and Constable of the Castle of Frounsak until the sixth of November 15 H. 6. which amounted to seven thousand and fifteen pounds two Shillings half penny farthing besides Lxviii due to him for his charges in that Embassy to Arras being then a Banneret Thomas Ratcliff and Robert Lâ—thum his Executors obtain'd a grant from the King for the reception of all the Revenues arising by the Subsidies and Customs in the Ports of Poole Welcombe Exmouth Dertmouth Plymmouth Fowey and Bridgwater until those sums should be clearly discharged This deceased Sir Iohn Ratcliff being Knight of the most noble Order of the Garter Married Elizabeth the Daughter and Coheir of Walter Lord Fitz-walter and by her had Issue Iohn his Son and Heir who in 39 H. 6. obtain'd a Pardon of Intrusion for entring upon the Lands of his Inheritance without Livery And in 1 H. 7. being summon'd to Parliament by the Title of Lord Fitzwalter was joyn'd in Commission with Sir Reginald Bray Knight for exercising the Office of Chief Justice of all the Forests beyond Trent being at that time Steward of the King's Houshold In 3 H. 7. he was associated with Iasper Duke of Bedford and others for exercising the Office of High Steward of England upon the Coronation-day of Queen Elizabeth Wife of that King But in 11 H. 7. being attainted in Parliament for divers Rebellions and Treason as the Record in general telleth us whereof the chief was his attempt to set up Perkâ—n Warbek who personated Richard Duke of York the younger Son to King Edward the Fourth and being carried Prisoner to Calais whence he endeavoured to make his escape by corrupting his Keepers he there lost his Head Nevertheless Robert his Son and Heir found much favour being in 21 H. 7. by Letters Patent bearing date 3 Nov. fully restored to his Honour And in 1 H. 8. obtain'd an Act of Parliament for Revocation of that attainder After which in 4 H. 8. he attended the King in that great Expedition then by him made to Therovene and Tournay And in 14 H. 8. lâ—d the Van of that Army then sent into France under the Command of the Earl of Surrey In which and other his imployments he merited â—o well as that he was by Letters Patent bearing date 18 Iulii 17 H 8. advanced to the dignity of a Vicount by the Title of Vicount Fitzwalter And in 21 H. 8. was one of the Peers who subscribed those Articles which were then presented to the King against Cardinal Wolsey Moreover upon the 28th of December the same year being then Knight of the most noble Order of the Garter he was Created Earl of Sussex And in 22 H. 8. join'd with the rest of the Peers in Parliament in subscribing that Declaration then sent to Pope Clement the Seventh whereby they represented to his Holiness that unless he did comply with King Henry in that business of his so much desired Divorce from Queen Catherine his Supremacy here would not long be acknowledged Also in 24 H. 8. he was one of the Nobles which then attended the King into France In 25 H. 8. this Earl
buried in the Parish Church of Turvey in the Wall next above his Father's Tomb Appointing that the Body of the Lady Elizabeth his Wife should be removed and â—aid on his right side Likewise that a Tomb of Marble with the Images of himself and the same Lady his Wife in Alablaster should be there placed in memory of them And upon the day of his Burial C. Marks distributed in Alms unto the poor of Turvey Stageden Carleton Chelington Harrolde Steventon Felmersham Radwell Lavenden Brafelde Newton Bloâ—mefelde Hardemeade Ashwode Watton and Cranfelde as also C. Marks towards the repair of the Church and Steeple of Turvey and rough-casting the Walls of the Church and for the repair of Turvey-bridg xâ— l. The Probate of which Testament bears date 1 Sept. an 1562. By Elizabeth his Wife Daughter and Coheir to Henry de Vere Lord of Drayton and Adington in Com. Northt he had Issue Iohn his Son and Heir and Dorothy a Daughter Married to Thomas Moore Esq Which Iohn in 25 H. 8. his Father then living was made Knight of the Bath at the Coronation of Queen Anne Bolein and upon the Death of King Edward the Sixth though the Lady Iane Grey was Proclaimed Queen by direction of the whole Privy Council appeared in Arms with the first on the behalf of Queen Mary This Iohn Lord Mordam Married Ellen Courin and Heir to Sir Richard Fitz-Lewes of West Tbornton in Com. Essex Knight And by his Testament bearing date 16 Apr. 13 Eliz. bequeath'd his Body to be buried in the Church of Turbey appointing that his Mannors and Lands called Tiptofts Pinkneys and Warleys should be assured â—o the Kings-Hall and Brasen-nose-Colledge in Oxford for the maintenance of certain Scholars to those Houses and other Deeds of Charity and that those Scholars should be successively named from time to time by his Executors and afterwards by his Heirs for â—ver The Probate of which Testament bears date 19 Oct. 14 Eliz. To him succeeded Lewes Lord Mordant his Son and Heir who is an 1572. 15 Eliz. was one of the Peers who sate in judgment upon Thomas Duke of Norfolk So likewise in 29 Eliz. upon the Queen of Scots at Fotberinghay and departing this life at his Mannor-House of Drayton 16 Iunii an 1601. 43 Eliz. was honourably buried at Turbey upon the 29 th of Iuly next following leaving Issue by Elizabeth his Wife Daughter of Sir Artbur Darciâ— Knight Henry his Son and Heir Which Henry Married Margaret Daughter of Henry Lord Compton and by her had issue Iohn who by Letters Paâ—ents bearing date 9 Martii 3 Car. 1. was advanc'd to the dignity of an Earl by the Title of Earl of Peterborough Which Iohn Married Elizahetb sole Daughter and Heiâ— to William Howard commonly called Lord Effyngham Son and Heir to Charles Earl of Notigham by Anne Wife of the said William Daughter and sole Heir to Iohn Lord St. Iohn of Bâ—etso and by her had Issue two Sons Henry now Earl of Peterborough and Iohn and Elizabeth a Daughter Married to Thomas Son and Heir to Edward Lord Howard of Esâ—rick And departing this life I8 Iunii an 1642. was Buried at Turbey in com Bedf. Which Henry shortly after the Marriage of King Charles the Second our prefent Sovereign with the Royal Princes Catherine a Daughter of Portugal took possession of Tangier in Africa for his Majesty He Married Penelope Daughter to Bâ—rnâ—bâ—â— Earl of Thomond in Ireland and by her hath Issue the Lady Mary a Daughter I now come to Iohn second Son to Iohn Earl of Peterboroâ—gh This Iohn beaâ—ing most loyal afâ—â—ctions to the late King Charles the First in the time of his greatest distresses aâ— scil 1618. adventured his life in raising what Forces he could under the Conduct of Hâ—nry then Earl of Holand for redeeming him out of the cruel hands of those Usurpers who then kept him Prisoner in the Isle of 〈◊〉 and soon after most barbarously took away his life And since that time not ceasing to bazard himself again in order to the Restauration of our present Soverign King Charles the Second in an 1658. In consideration thereof as a mark to future Ages of his abundant Loyalty he was by Letters Patent bearing date 10 Iulii 11 Car. 2. advanced to the dignity of a Baron of this Realm by the Title of Lord Mordant of â—ygate in Com. Surr. as also to the Honour of Vicount of Avalon in Com. Somerset He Married Elizabeth Daughter to Thomas Carey second Son to Robert late Earl of Monmouth by whom he had Issue four Sons Charles Henry Lewes and Osmund as also four Daughters Charlote Carey Sophia and Anne and departing this life upon the fifth day of Iune an 1675. was buried ... Arthur Plantaginet Vicount L'isle 25 H. 8. OF this Arthur natural Son to King Edward the Fourth by Elizabeth Lucie a Concubine as 't is supposed I have not seen any thing memorable till 5 H. 8. At which time being in that bold adventure with the Lord Edward Howard a younger Son to Thomas Duke of Norfolk Admiral of the English Fleet before Brest in Britanny and his Ship cast away on a blind Rock he was sent with a dispatch to the King signifying their want of Victuals The next is that in 15 H. 8. having Married Elizabeth Daughter to Edward Grey Vicount L'isle Sister and Heir to Iohn her Brother upon the surrender of that Title of Vicount L'isle which Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk then had he was advanced to the same dignity the Kings Palace of Bridewell in the City of London 26 Apr. 25 H. 8. with limitation thereof to the Heirs Male of his Body by the same Elizabeth Moreover in November an 1527. 19 H. 8. he was one of those whom King Henry then sent with Sir Thomas Wriothesley Garter principal King of Arms to 〈◊〉 at which time the Ensigns of the Garter were presented to King Francis the First And in 24 H. 8. 24 Martii constituted Lieutenant of Calais During which Trust being suspected for being privy to the design of some of his Servants for the delivery of that Garrison to the French whereupon two of them suffered Death he was sent for and Committed to the Tower But upon farther Examination his Innocency being fully manifested the King did not only give Order to release him but for his more satisfaction sent him a Diamond Ring and a gracious Message Which so over-joy'd him and dilated his Spirits that he died the night following viz. 3 Martii 33 H. 8. leaving Issue three Daughters his Heirs Bridget Married to Sir William Carden Knight Francis first to Iohn Basset of ... in Com. Devon Esq and afterwards to Thomas Monke of Potheridge in the same County Esq and Elizabeth to
Sir Raphe Vane had two thousand Men in a readiness that Sir Thomas Arundel had assured the Tower that Seymour and Hamond would wait upon him and that all the Horse of the Gens d' armes should be slain Hereunto Mr. Secretary Cecill added that this Duke had sent for him and said That he suspected some ill meaning against him and that thereunto he replied If he were not in fault he might trust to his Innocency if he were he had nothing to say but to lament him Being advertised therefore of these Informations he forthwith defyed the Secretary by his Letter then sent to Sir Thomas Palmer to understand what he had reported of him who denied all that he had said Hereupon after few days coming to the Court somewhat later than usual which was enforced as a suspition against him he was after Dinner apprehended and Sir Raphe Vane being twice sent for fled The day following likewise his Dutchess was sent to the Tower no Man grieveing thereat by reason that her pride and baseness of life overballanced all pity Sir Thomas Palmer being again examined added to his former detection that Gens d'arms upon the Muster day should be assaulted by two thousand Foot under Sir Raphe Vane and by an hundred Horse of this Duke of Somersets besides his Friends which should stand by and besides the idle people which were thought inclinable to take his part that this done he would run through the City and proclaim Liberty and in case his attempt did not succeed he would go to the Isle of Wight or to Poole Crane confessed for the most part as Sir Tho. Palmer had done and farther added that the Lord Paget's House was the place where the Nobility being invited to a Banquet should have lost their Heads and that the Earl of Arundel was made acquainted with the practice by Sir Michael Stanhope also that it had been done but that the greatness of the Enterprise caused delays and sometimes diversity of advice And farther said that this Duke once fayning himself to be sick went to London to assay what friends he could procure But here my Author addeth that Crane who gave this testimony was a Man who having consumed his own estate had armed himself to any mischief Hamond also confessed that the Dukes Chamber at Grenewich had been strongly watched by night Hereupon after a short abode in the Tower he was brought to his Trial at Westminster the Marquiss of Winchester then Lord Treasurer of England sitting as high Steward under a cloth of State on a Bench mounted three degrees the Peers in number twenty seven siting on a bench one step lower which were these The Dukes of Suff. and Northumb. the Marquess of Northampt. the Earls of Derby Bedford Huntington Rutland Bathe Sussex Worcester Pembroke and Vicount Hereford the Barons Bergavenny Audley Wharton Evers Latimer Borough Zouch Stafford Wentworth Darcie Sturton Windsore Cromwell Cobham and Bray The charge against him consisting of five parts 1. Of raising Men in the North parts of the Realm 2. Of assembling Men to kill the Duke of Northumberland 3. Of resisting his Attachment 4. Of killing the Gens d'arms and raising London And fifthly of assaulting the Lords and devising their deaths To which he pleaded not guilty and put himself upon Tryal of his Peers denying that he had ever any intent to raise Men in the North but that upon some bruites apprehending a fear he sent to Sir William Herbert to remain his Friend Saying that he never determined to kill the Duke of Northumberland or any other Lord but spake of it only and determined the contrary And farther said that it had been a mad entreprise with his hundred Men to assail the Gens d'arms consisting of nine hundred when in case he had prevailed it would nothing have availed the pretended purpose and therefore that this being fenceless and absurd must needs discredit other matters which might otherwise have been believed Next that at London he never projected any stir but ever held it a good place for his security And that for having Men in his Chamber at Grenewich 't was manifest he meant no harm because when he might have done it he did it not Moreover against the persons of them whose Examinations were read against him he objected many things desiring they might be brought to his face which in regard he was a person of dignity and estate he deemed to be reasonable speaking much evil against Sir Thomas Palmer and yet in opinion of many far short of the Truth Much it was urged by the Kings learned Council that some of the Crimes charged against him were Treason and the other Felony Nevertheless after many varieties in opinion he was acquit of Treason but by most voices found guilty of Felony whereupon he had judgment to be hanged Which he might have avoided as most of our Historians do say had he required the benefit of his Clergy but upon better enquiry it will be found that he was thus condemned by vertue of a Statute then in force which made the conspiring the death of a Privy Councellor Felony without the benefit of Clergy Judgment therefore thus passing upon him he craved pardon of the Duke of Northumberland Marquess of Northampton and Earl of Pembroke for his ill meaning against them making sute for his Life in pity to his Wife Children and Servants and payment of his Debts Hereupon all means were made use of to divert the Kings thoughts from him as well by Masques Tiltings as other delights and sometimes calling him to serious affairs wherein he took special pleasure Sometimes also instancing to him how dangerous a person he was who having made away his only Brother contrived the death of the chief Nobility And where said they should this mischief have rested would it have raged against all and left the King only untouched verily having been alwayes both cruel and false there would have been no end of his mischief therefore all his submissions must now be taken for counterfeit and dissembled but his Avarice and Ambition once removed the way will be laid open to Vertue and Merit Thus far my Author Sir Iohn Hayward whereunto I shall add what Godwin farther saith That having since his Sentence of death continued two Months in Prison at length the violence of his Enemies notwithstanding the Kings desire to save him drew him to the Scaffold on Tower Hill 24 Ian. An. 1552. 6 E. 6. where having thus spoke to the Beholders he suffered death Being by the Law condemned I here willingly submit my self by exemplary punishment to satisfie its Rigour That God hath been pleased to grant me so long a preparative to my end I humbly thank his eternal goodness but in that he hath been farther pleased to inspire me with the knowledge of his Truth and to make me an instrument for the propagation of the same I can never sufficiently magnify his Mercies In this do I rejoyce in this only do
Title of Lord Willoughby of Eresby whilst his Father lived and firmly adhering to the King from the first appearance of that Grand Insurrection commanded the Royal Regiment of His Majesties Guards And being near to his valiant father when he had that mortal wound for perservation of his person from the violence of the Soldiers in the heat of Battel voluntarily yielded himself to a Commander of Horse on the other side And not long after having his liberty by exchange faithfully served the same King in divers other Battels throughout the whole course of that Unhappy War and otherwise being one of the Gentlemen of His Royal Bedchamber and of His Privy-Council whereby he had his share in those sufferings which all the True-hearted Royallists cheerfully underwent during the long continuance of the late Woful Usurpation Moreover living to see the joyful Restauration of our present Sovereign King Charles the Second whose Royal Coronation was shortly afterwards solemnized he exhibited his Claime for the exercise of that great hereditary Office of Lord High Chamberlain of England and for the reception of such Fees and Benefits as his noble Ancestors had heretofore thereupon enjoy'd Which was allowed Being also elected into the Society of the most Noble Order of the Garter he was Install'd with others 16 Apr. An. 1661. 13 Car. 2. And on the day of His Majesties most happy and solemn Coronation at Westminster which was the 23 d of the same moneth of April then exercising the said Office of Lord High Chamberlain did receive those Fees and Benefits which were of right thereupon due This Earl married twice first Martha daughter of Sir William Cokain Knight Alderman of the City of London widow of Iohn Earl of Holderness and by her had issue five sons Robert Peregrine Richard Vere now one of the Barons of the Exchequer and Charles and three daughters Elizabeth married to Baptist Vicount Compden Bridget to Sir Thomas Oâ—burne Baronet now Earl of Danby and Lord High Treasurer of England and Catherine to Robert Dormer of Dorton in Com. Oxon. Esquire Secondly Bridget daughter and sole heir of Edward Wray Esquire Groome of the Bedchamber to King Iames third son to Sir William Wray of Gâ—entworth in Com. Linc. Knight and Baronet by Elizabeth his wife daughter and heir to Francis Lord Norris Earl of Berkshire By which Bridget he had issue three sons Iames now Lord Norris by descent from his Grandmother Edward and Henry and the Lady Mary a daughter And departing this life at the Lord Camdens House in Kensington 25 Iulii An. 1666. was buried at Edenham in the Vault with his Noble Father To whom succeeded Robert his son and heir who married thrice first Mary daughter and coheir to Iohn Massingberd a Merchant in London of the East-India Company descended of an antient and worshipful Family of that name in Com. Linc. by whom he had issue only one daughter named Arabâ—lla Secondly Elizabeth daughter of Thomas Lord Wharton by whom he hath issue five sons Robert Peregrine Phillip Norris and Albemarle Thirdly Elizabeth daughter and sole heir to Thomas late Earl of Downe in Ireland by whom he hath issue Elizabeth a daughter Sidney Earl of Leicester â— Iao. THis Family antiently seated at Cxaâ—leigh in Com. Surr. and Kyngesham in Com. Suss. do derive themselves linâ— ally from Sir William Sidney Knight who came out of Anjou with Henry the son of Maud the Empress afterwards King by the name of Henry the Second whose Chamberlain he then was made From which Sir William descended another William who in 3 H. 8. being then one of the Esquires of the King's House accompanyed Thomas Lord Darcie into Spain for the assistance of the Spaniard against the Moores and when other persons of quality received the dignity of Knighthood at the hands of King Ferdinand excused himself from partaking thereof In 4 H. 8. he was Captain of one of those ships which being then imployed against the French encountred them upon the Coast of Britany So likewise in 5 H. 8. at which time the English intended to have fallen upon them in the Haven of Brest but by a mischance hapning to one of their ships which fell on a Rock were prevented Before the end of which year being a Knight upon an Invasion of the North by the Scots he was one of the Chief Commanders of the English Army then victorious at Floddon-Field And in 6 H. 8. accompanied the Duke of Suffolk the Marquess Dorâ—et and sundry other honourable persons unto Paris there to make proof of their skill in Armes against the Dolphin of France and nine other select persons whom he had taken for his assistants at those solemn Justs there held in the moneth of November for all comers being Gentlemen of Name and Armes Whereupon they landed at Calais all in Green Coats and Hoods because they would not be known Which Justs were kept two dayes after the Coronation of Q. Mary wife to Lewes the Twelfth King of France and sister to King Henry the Eighth And in 12 H. 8 upon the going over of the King and Queen with great State into France at which time he met King Francis betwixt Guisnes and Ardes Justs being thereupon held for fourteen dayes he was one in the second Band of the English at those Martial Exercises He was also Chamberlain and Steward to K Henry the 8 th In 15 H. 8. he accompanyed the Duke of Suffolk then General of the English Forces into France at which time divers Castles and places of strength in those parts were won by the English And departs this life 11 Feb. 7 E. 6. being at that time 70 years of age left issue Henry his son and heir and four daughters Frances married to Thomas Earl of Sussex ... to Sir William Fitz-Williams Knight Mary to Sir William Dormer Kt and Lucie to Sir Iames Harington Kt. Which Henry in 3 E. 6. was Knighted by that King and sent Embassador into France being at that time but Two and twenty years of age and in 4 E. 6. constituted Chief Cup-bearer to the King for life In 2 3 Ph. M. he was made Vice-Treasurer and general Governor of all the King and Queens Revenues within the Realm of Ireland And in 4 5 Ph. M. Justice of Ireland in the absence of the Earl of Sussex then Lord Deputy In 2 Eliz. he was appointed Lord President of Wales and in 5 Eliz. sent into France to discover the certainty of that design which the Duke of Guise and his party were driving on against Q. Elizabeth as also to promote the peace of both Realmes But when he found them averse thereto return'd Then he was sent into Scotland to the Queen there for deferring the Conference which she desired with Queen Elizabeth until another year or
same consideration the like Grant of the Forestership of Thornwoods on the Southern part of Shirewoâ—â— in that County with the Fee of four pence a day for executing that Office Nevertheless no sooner did the Earl of Richmund land in this Realm though but with a very slender strength that that he with his six valiant Brothers viz. another Sir Everard then also of Tilton Iohn Digby of â—etilby Rouland Digby of Welby both in Leicestershire Lybeus Digby of Luffâ—am in com Rotel Thomas and Benjamin not forgetting the old Lancastrian Interest came in freely unto him and fought stoutly on his part at Bosworth-Field against King Richard where the Victory falling to that Earl being thenceforth King by the name of Henry the Seventh he advanced Iohn and Thomas to the dignity of Knighthood making the former also Knight-Marshal of His Houshold and the other one of the Gentlemen Huishers of His Chamber conferring on him the Bailywick of â—â—ney in com Buck. and Keepership of the Park there where he thenceforth made his residence But none of them had better advantages for their faithful services to that King than Simon for in the first year of his Râ—ign he obtained the Stewardship of certain Lordships in com Rutl. viz. Uppingham Preston Barouâ—hdon Esenden and Greteham and of all the Lands formerly belonging to George Duke of Clarence to hold for life as also the like Office and Receivership for the Mannor of Bâ—dale in com Ebor. And having in the second year of his Reign been a Commander in His Army at the Battel of Stoke had in consideration of his acceptable services a Grant of the Mannor of â—avysbâ—ry in the parish of Micham in com Surr. and to the heirs male of his body and the next ensuing year a Grant of the Office of Comptroller of the Petty-Customes in the Port of London as also of the Forestership of Thornwoods in Shirewood formerly conferred upon him by King Edward the 4 th and in 11 H. 7. of the Lordship of Coâ—eshill before-specified in special Tail being at that time Deputy to Iohn Earl of Oxford Constable of the Tower of London Which Lordship came to the Crown by the attainder of Sir Simon Montfort Knight for his adherence to Perkâ—n Warbeck After this in 12 H. 7. he had a Commission to exercise Marshal-Law in the Counties of Devon and Cornwall against divers Malefactors and having been Sheriff of the Counties of Warwick and Leicester in the first and ninth years of King Henry the Eighth by his Testament bearing date 22 Aug. 9 H 8. bequeathed his body to be buried in the Chancel of the parish Church of Coleshill under a fair Toâ—b there erected in his life time and departed this life 24 Febr. 12 H. 8. leaving issue by Alice his wife daughter and heir to Iohn Waleys of Est Raddon in com Devon Esquire Reginald Digby his son and heir as also a younger son called Thomas from whom the Digby's of Mansfeild Woodhouse in com Nott. are descended Which Reginald by Ann his wife daughter and coheir to Iohn Danvers of Cothorpe in com Oxon. Esquire had issue Iohn who took to wife Ann the daughter of Sir George Throkmorton of Coughton in com Warr. K t And he George who being at the siege of â—utphen in 28 Eliz. had there the honor of Knighthood conferred on him and by Abigail his wife daughter to Sir Arthur Heveningham of ... in com Norff. Knight left issue l three sons Robert Philip and this Iohn Which Robert being afterwards a Knight and taking to wife Lettice the Grandchild and heir female to Gerald Earl of Kildare in Ireland left issue Robert his son and heir created Lord Digby of Geashill in that Realm by K. Iames whose descendents do still enjoy that honor As to the advancement of this Iohâ— it was his own meer merits which brought it to pass For having first been a Fellow-Commoner in Magdalen-Colledge Oxon. and afterwards travelled into France and Italy whereby he became singularly qualified upon that designed Insurrection on Dunsmore Health in Warwickshire by those Unparallel'd Gunpowder-Conspirators about the beginning of November 3 Iac. in order to the surprisal of the Princess Elizabeth the King's daughter then residing at Combe in that County whereof the Lord Harington her Guardian had private intimation he was by that Lord dispatcht to the Court to acquaint His Majesty therewith Where his abilities and fidelity being amply discern'd by that prudent King he was admitted Gentlâ—man of the privy-chamber and one of His Majesties Carvers Also upon the sixteenth of March 4 Iac. Knighted at Whitehall And in the moneth of April An. 1611. 9 Iac. imployed Embassador into Spaine so likewise in October An. 1614. 12 Iac. Moreover 3 April An. 1616. 14 Iac. made Vice-Chamberlain of his Majesties Houshold and one of his Privy Council And the next ensuing year 15 Iac. being sent again into Spaine upon his return was advanced to the dignity of a Baron of this Realm 25 Nov. 16. Iac. by the title of Lord Digby of Shireburne in com Dors. After which scil An. 1620. 18 Iac. he was sent Embassador to the Arch Duke Albert and the next year following to Ferdinand the Emperor as also to the Duke of Bavaria Whence returning in October An. 1621. he was again scil in An. 1622. 20 Iac. employed Embassador extraordinary to the Spaniard touching a Marriage betwixt Prince Charles and the Lady Maria daughter to Philip the Third then King of that Realm and created Earl of Bristol 15 Sept. the same year He married Beatrice daughter to Charles Walcot of Walcot in com Salop. Esq widdow of Sir Iohn Dive of Bromham in com Bedf. Knight by whom he had issue two sons George born at Madrid in Spaine in the month of October An. 1612. and Iohn born in England in March An. 1617. who dyed in France unmarried As also two daughters Mary married to Sir Arthur Chichester now Lord Dunegal in Ireland and Abigal to George Freake â—ldest son of Iohn Freake of Shroughton in â—om Dors. Esquire And departing this life at Paris in France 16 Ian. An. 1653. was there buried in the common burial place of the Hugâ—enots in that City To whom succeed George his son and heir installed Knight of the Garter An. Apr. 1661 which George married Anne daughter to Francis late Earl of Bedford and by her had issue two sons viz. Iohn his son and heir who first married Alice the only child of Robert Bourne of Blake-Hall in the Parish of Bovenger in com Essex Esquire by whom he had no issue secondly Rachel daughter of Sir Hugh Windham Knight one of the Justices of the Court of Common-Pleas the name of his second son was Francis slain in that sharp Fight at Sea