A A cz 3) 1 IRE 2 o 1 3> 7 6 2 \RYI 6 \CIL —\ 9 THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF .VROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY, CO. STAFFORD. Major-Gen. the Honblb. GEORGE WROTTESLEY. Supplement to " The Genealogist." EXETER : WILLI A.M POLLARD & Co. Ltd., PRINTERS, NORTH STREET. X903. An archaeolog^ist who sits down to write a history of the Wrottesley family starts with unusual advantages — a distinctive name borne by no other family, and which has been taken from a manor possessed by them for more than 700 years — complete series of family deeds and other muniments extending over the same period, and last, but not least, a tenure under a religious house, of which the early charters enable him to bridge over that obscure period for local history which intervenes between the Norman Conquest and the middle of the twelfth century. From sucii materials as these any writer who has the necessary archaeological training could compose a very full and complete family history, but there its usefulness would stop. Genealogy by itself is a barren study, if divorced from its moral and historical uses, and it is only by researches amongst the Public Records that an author can lift a family history above a dry genealogical chronicle, or throw any light upon the laws and customs of the past. Even the dry details of ancient lawsuits have their uses, for the judicial records contain the germ of our modern laws, and it is only through the public employments and public services of former days that we can rescue worthy actions from oblivion, or call back to the fancy the pomp and chivalry of days gone by, Wrottesley is an ancient manor and township of the Parish of Tettenhall, in the County of Stafford, and contains about 1600 acres of land. Its etymology is purely Saxon, the name signifying the territory of Wrote, the original Saxon proprietor. The same name occurs in the nomenclature of many other places such as Wrotham and Wroxeter, formerly written Wrotcestre, and is identical with the modern surnames, Wrote, Wrothe, Grote, and the low German or Dutch Groot and Wroot. The termination, ley, lea, or leag, latinized as lega, signifies a territory or domain, and is nearly equivalent to the Norman manor.^ The earliest mention of Wrottesley occurs in the Harleian Charter, 83, A. 2. This is an original Saxon document, the will of Wulfgate, by which he makes bequests to his wife and daughters and to St. Mary of Worcester. The testator, is, perhaps, the Wulfgate, son of Ufa, who gave Wicksford to the monks of Evesham in 973. The Chronicle of Evesham describes Ufa as " potens homo et vicecomes super Warwykescira." From the bequests made to St. Mary of Worcester, it is probable that this * Ex in/or. Sir Frederick Madden, late Keeper of the MSS. at the British Museum. G97i2ii8 4 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF curious docnrncnt came originally from that monastery, for the Harleian Charters contain other deeds which evidently emanated from the same source. In this will, Wrottesley is written Wrotteslea. After the Norman Conquest, Wrottesley formed one of the numerovis lordships bestowed by the Conqueror on Robert de Stafford, the founder of the great house of Stafford, Dukes of Buckingham. The Domesday Survey of A.D. 1085-86 gives the following account of it under the heading of " Terra Roberti de Stadford." In Saisdone Hundred. Ipse R. tenet in Wrotolei ij hidas et Glodoen de eo. Hunta tenuit et liber homo fuit. Terra est ij carucate, in dominico est una, et j villanus et j bordarius. Silva dimidia leuva longa et ij quarentena lata Valet iiijs. This value, 4s., for a manor of two hides is abnormally low, being equal in fact, only to the assessment for the Danegelt which was at the rate of 2s. a hide ; but Staffordshire, at this date, had not recovered from the devastation wrought in it by the Conqueror after the insurrection of 1069. Many of the manors in Staffordshire are returned by the Commissicmers of 1085 as entirely waste. Fourteen years, however, before the Domesday Survey, Wrottesley had passed into the possession of the monks of Evesham by a grant of Robert de Stafford, of which the following is an old translation, which exists in the College of Arms and is supposed to have been made by Cooke, Clarence King of Arms, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. The Latin original has been lost.^ " + In the yeare from the incarnation of our lord MLXXii in the seventh yeare of the raigne of William King of the Englishmen, I Rodbert de Stadfort having a care over my soule and also for the soule of my foresaid lord King William and also for my wife and my parents, have given certen land Wroteslea by name to the holy monastery of Eoveshain by the lycens and consent of the same my lord William into the hand of the lord Agelwius Abbot, my faithful frend, also I have given the foresaid land with woods and medowes and pastures which to it of right belonge so that the church for ever shall it possess and that none my adversary shall presume to detract from it or take awaie anything, and if it so be that anie my enemy shall presume to violate these my almes which I have geven to God for the remission of my sins, and the health of my soule, be he alienated from the inheritance of God, and damned amongst the infernal ghosts. Amen. " This land Worteslea hath 2 hydes bounded with these meeres &c. in Saxon. ' MS. L. 17, College of Arm?. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 5 " These things done as is aforesaid, that is to wit, in MLXXII yeare of the incarnation of our lord These -I- witnesses in word agreing whose names appear underwritten + I Robert delivered this my charter of gift under the seale of the holy Crosse and in geving of it I there layd it upon the holy aultar + I, Urse a Viscount was there a witness -\- I, Osborne the son of Richard likewise + I, Agelwinus Viscount + I, Turkil the sonne of Agelwinus -f T, Ketelbearne his brother + T, Aluricus the Kings Knight + I Walterius + I, Kynewardus de lauro + I, Harle- baldus + I, Robert Knight + I, Grosbertus + I, GilelDcrtus -}- I, Hugh, + I Ludicail presbyter + I, Richard + I, Edwyne Alfrede + I Agelricus -f I, Alfurnius Grithman + I, Osgodus + I, Sweine + I Leofricus + I, Godricus + I, Thureburnus + I, Agelwius + I, Collingus + I, Agelricus + I Edwyne his brother." This deed is printed in vol. ii of Staffordshire Collections, p. 178, with notes added to it by Eyton. He calls it " a priceless document, which in turn fortifies history and helps chronology, for it passed within two years of the fall of Earl Elwin and the final settlement of Mercia." The first witness is Urso d'Abetot, the Sheriff of Worcester- shire. He was still Sheriff at the date of Domesday. The next witness is Osbern, son of Richard Scrupe, a Worcester- shire Baron, and Lord of Richard's Castle. Agelwinus Vicecomes was Alwin, the Sheriff of Warwick- shire, who had been Sheriff of the same county in the time of Edward the Confessor. This deed shews him still holding office under the Conqueror. Turchil filius Agelwini, was the son of the last witness. In Domesday he appears as Turquil de Warwic, and the owner of large estates in Warwickshire. Ketelbearne, his brother, the next witness, was no doubt identical with Chetelbert, who had held the Warwickshire Manor of Redeford in the fief of Turchil de Warwic. He had sold it with the King's license to one Ermenfred before the date of Domesday, and the latter held it in 1 086 in capite of the king. Aluric, the King's Thane, was lord of Bickford and Stramshall and other estates in Staffordshire, some of which he held under Robert de Stafford. Walter was probably Walter de Somerville, who held several manors under Robert de Stafford. Kyneward de Lauro, held half a hide in Laure under the Bishop of Worcester at the date of Domesday, and the Survey names him as an extensive landowner in Worcestershire in the time of Edward the Confessor, during which he had been Sheriff of the County. We shall meet with him again at the date of the process between Wulstan, the Bishop of Worcester, and Walter, the Abbot of Evesham, in 1085. f) HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF Tlio names of the other witnesses can mostly be found amonf;-st the tenants of Worcestershire and Staffordshire in the Domesday Survey — but they call for no remark. Sixteen years subsequent to this date, Robert de Stafford, beinh Hen. Ill (A.D. 1271). Elvas, the Canon of Tetteuhall, was living .32 Hen. HI (Patent Holl, 32 Hen. III).' Bobert, was lord of Pendeford in 39 Hen. Ill (Hundied J{oll of Sei-sdon of that date). William de Waur was one of the Jurors of Offlow Hundred in 39 Hen. Ill (Hundred Uolb. Nicholas de Akeu was tenant at Oaken under the Crown in 39 Hen. Ill (Hundred Boll;. Wrottesley of wrottesley. 37 Sir Hugh de Wrottesley, A.D. 1248 to A.D. 1276. William de Wrotteslej^was succeeded 1)3" his son Hugh, who occurs as a witness in his father's lifetime to several Staffordshire deeds of the reign of Henry III, his name immediately following that of his father in the testing clause, as '' Willelmo de Wrot- tele et Hugone filio suo."^ He is also shewn to be son of William by a suit in Banco of the reign of Edward II, which will be given later on. As already mentioned, he witnesses a convention made at the assizes at Lichfield on the 12 February, 1248, between John de Perton and Ralph Basset of Drayton. This deed has been printed in full by Mr. Jones in his History of Tettenhall. In the following year he formed one of the jurors who returned by Inquisition the value of the King's manor of Tetten- hall. It will help to date charters of this period if I give the names of these jurors in full. They were : — Robert de Pendeford William, the Sergeant (Serviens) of Pencriz Hugh de Molleslega John, son of Stephen de Edmo- deston, and Henry de Hulle of Bissopburi Robert Maunsell [of Patshull] Hugh de Wrotteslega Walter de Overton Gervase of Wolverhampton John le Suur of Evenefeld (Enville) Adam de la Lowe Robert de Bissopburi (Bushbury) To about this date likewise may be set down an entry respecting Hugh de Wrottesley in the Testa de Neville. Under the heading of " De Serjantiis arentatis per Rohertum Fasse- lewe " he is returned as holding a virgate of land in Perton which had been alienated from the Sergeanty of John de Perton.- In the year 1248 the King with a view of replenishing his treasury which had been greatly reduced by improvident grants, had appointed Robert Passelewe, the Archdeacon of Lewes and Treasurer of the Kingdom, to make enquiry into the alienations made without license by the holders of Sergeanties,^ to fix fines ' Huntbach MSS. and Aslimole's CoUectious for Staffordshire. ^ Testa de Nevill, printed, pp. 58 and 59. ^ A Sergeanty was an hereditary tenure under the Crown for some honoi-able consideration other than knight's service. When it involved military duties, such as Castle Guard or service as a lightly armed horseman, it was styled a Gi-aiid Sergeanty. John de Perton's service was that of a lightly armed horseman in Wales for eight days at his own cost, and if retained. longer, at the cost of the King. The King's tenants who held by Castle Guard were styled Vavassors in Normandy. 38 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF for the same, and to exact in addition an annual rent in money as a composition. This was one of the many impohtic acts which subsequently caused the rebellion of the Barons under Simon de Moutfort. One of the victims of it was John de Pertou, the nearest neighbour of Hugh de Wrotteslcy and his brother-in-law. The Treasurer returned a portion of the Perton Sergeanty as alienated by grants made to Roger de Perton, ]\Iichnel de Trescote and Hugh de Wrottesley. The Staffordshire Pipe Roll of 32 Henry III returns John de Perton as owing eight marks "pro transgressione " which is, without doubt, his fine for the above alienation. On the Roll of 34 Henry III the Sheriff accounts for 5s. 9d. received from John de Perton in payment for two virgates of land alienated in Perton. A deed and a suit-at-law of later date shew that Hugh de Wrottesley had held a virgate of land in Perton in frankmarriage with Idonia, the daughter of Ralph de Perton, the father of John. With the exception of Hugh de Wrottesley s appearance as a witness to several Staffordshire deeds, there is nothing to record respecting him for the next seven years. In 1255, the thirty- ninth year of the King's reign, a special commission was issued to enquire into the rights of the Crown, which had been abstracted or diminished, and into the service due to the Hundred and County Courts l^y every manor within each Hundred. The returns to this commission are called the Hundred Rolls, and most of them have been printed by the Record Connnission of the early part of this century. At the date however, when these Rolls were published, the returns for the Hundred of Seisdon- were missing, and the present writer having found them amongst the miscellaneous Rolls of the Old Chapter House, printed tliem in vol. V. of the Staffordshire Collections. The twelve jurors of the Hundred of Seisdon were : — Thomas de Tresel Philip de Lutteleye Henry de Morf Walter de Overton Walter de Bradele Hugh de Wrottesleye Clement of Wolverhampton Richard de Fonte Walter le Daneys WilHam de Whitinton Hamund de Bradwall and William fitz Warine Under Wrottesley, tliey returned that Hugh de Wrottcsle held a hide of land in Wrottesle of the Abbot of Evesham, rendering to the Abbot two marks, and for frankpledge he gave 12d., for the Sheriffs aid 12d., and for the Hundred aid 4d., and did suit to the County and Hundred (Courts), and the land was geldable {i.e., liable to taxation). The 12d. paid for frankpledge was for the view of frank- pledge in the Manorial Court in place of the Hundred Court. The hidage named in the Hundred Rolls corresponds in nearly every instance with that named in Domesday, and wherever it WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY 39 differs, the cause can usually be found in the partial afForestation of a manor, or the elemosination of it to a religious house. It will be noted that the hidage of Wrottesley had been reduced from two hides to one, and this arose probably from the grant of it to Evesham Abbey. Those portions of a manor which were devoted to religious uses were not geldable, and this part would be represented in the case of Wrottesley by the chief rent of two marks payable to the Abbey. ^ Under Perton, the jury returned that John de Perton held three hides of land b}'' the service of Sergeanty, etc., and added that Ralph de Perton had alienated two and a half virgates of land, for which the King received annually 5s. 9d. as a fine imposed by Robert Passelewe. Passing over three more years, I find that at the sittings of the King's Court at Westminster of Michaelmas term 42 Henry III (A.D. 1258) John de Frene and Wylde Scheil appeared against Hugh de Wrottesle and William Shirelok in a plea that they had insulted, beaten, and illtreated them against the King's peace, etc. The defendants did not appear, and Hugh had been attached by Stephen de Wrottesle, the Forester,, and Nicholas, son of Richard de Wrottesle. He was, therefore, to be attached by better sureties, to appear at fifteen days from St. Hillary, and the former sureties were in misericordid. As regarded William Shirelok, the Sherift' returned that he could not be found, and he was ordered to attach him to appear at the same date.^ No further notice of this suit occurs on the Rolls. In the following year Hugh de Wrottesley heads the list of jurors of an Inquisition on the death of his neighbour, Ralph de Perton. John de Perton, the brother-in-law of Hugh, had died in 1258, and had been succeeded by his son Ralph, at that time only twenty-four years of age ; within little more than a twelvemonth from this date, Ralph was likev/ise dead, having fallen, I think, in an ambuscade in Wales, which is described in the Chronicles, and in which many other knights and men-at-arms were killed. My reason for this supposition is the unusual form of the King's writ to the Eschaetor. In place of the usual formula, '' diem clausit extrevium,^^ the words " infata discessit " have been substituted in the preamble of the writ. The Inquisition took place on the Thursday after the Feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, 43 Henry III (11 Sept. 1259), on the oath of Hugh de Wrottesley, Walter de Overton (lord of Wombourne and Orton), Roger Bofluri (lord of Lower Penn), ^ The return was a very favourable one for Hugh de Wrottesley, which is the more remarkable, as the Burton Clirouicle states that the Justiciary, Philip Lovel, who conducted the enquiry in Staffordshire — ^' durius et asperius se habenlc," had imposed new burdens on the tenants of land in the county. " Plea Eoll, No. 16, Old Tower Records, printed iu Vol. iv., Staffortlsliire Collections, p. 137. 40 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF William fitz Warine (of Trescott), and eight otliers. After the usual particulars respecting the tenure of Perton, the jurors stated that Ralph paid 5s. annually to the King for land alienated from the fee, and that William, his brother, was his nearest heir, and twenty-two j'ears of age. Amongst other particulars they mentioned that Ealph had left a widow, Margaret, who was suing for her dower. This Margaret subse(|uently married John le Botiller, the son of Amice, daughter of Hugh de Wrottesley, and will figure in a subsequent page of this history. Two years after this date we find Hugh de Wrottesley engaged in a dispute with his nephew, William de Perton, respecting the bounds of their respective manors. A writ on the Close Roll of 45 Henry III (A.D. 1361), directs the Sheriff of co. Staftbrd to proceed in person to the land of Hugh de Wrottele at Wrottele, and the land of William de Perton at Perton, and to take with him twelve discreet and lawful knights of his county, and upon tlieir oath, to make a perambulation by metes and bounds, between the land of the said Hugh at Wrottele, and the land of the said William de Perton.^ This peraml)ulation appears never to have taken place for the boundaries between Wrottesley and Perton remained in abeyance until 1298, the date of an indented deed which will be given further on. In addition to this dispute William de Perton was attempting at this date to recover the virgate of land in Perton which had been alienated by his grandfather, Ralph de Perton, on the marriage of Idonia, the daughter of Ralph, with Hugh de Wrottesley. On the Patent Roll of 46 Henry III (A.D. 1262), Martin de Littelburi was appointed to take the assize of novel disseisin which William de Pereton (sic) had arraigned against Hugh de Wrokesley (sic) and others respecting a tenement in Pereton. The Assize Roll of this date has been lost, but a deed abstracted by Vincent and Ashmole without doubt gives us the result of the suit. By this deed, William, son of John de Perton, remits to Hugh, son of William de Wrottesley, and his heirs, all his right in the lands and tenements which the said Hugh held in frank marriage by the gift of Ralph de Perton, his grand- father. This deed is witnessed by Robert de Bissobury and Roger Bufi'ary, both of whom were dead before 1269.^ In the same year, viz. 1262, Pleas of the Forest were held at Lichfield before Alan la Zuche, the Justiciary of the Forests citra Trent. Hugh de Wrottesley was one of the Eeguardors of Kinver Forest, who were fined on this occasion for an insufiicient return. It was the duty of the Reguardors to keep a roll on ' Close Roll, 45 Henry III, m. 10, dorso. = A-shiiiole's MSS., No. 833, and Shaw's Staffordshire, Yol. ii, p. 288. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 41 which was entered every matter prejudicial to the Forests, excepting trespasses against the deer, which were dealt with by presentments at the Swanimotes. Of the twelve reguardors fined on this occasion, Robert de Bissebury, Hugh de Wrottesley, Richard de Evenefeld and Adam de Camera were fined one mark each, and the others half a mark. The misericordia or fine of a knight was always doul^le that of other delinquents. For the next three years there is nothing to record respecting himj but on the Patent Roll of 49 Henry III (A.D. 1265) we find notices of cross suits between him and the Abbot of Croxden respecting common of pasture in their respective manors of Wrottesley and Oaken. For two or three centuries after the Conquest, the boundaries of manors appear to have been undefined, and the tenants of contiguous manors had reciprocal rights of common over the waste of both manors. The Statute 'of Merton of 20 Henry III [A.D. 1236] which empowered the lords of manors to enclose waste lands so long as they left sufficient pasturage for their tenants and free ingress and egress to the pasturage, gave a great stimulus to the enclosure of open lauds, but necessarily led to disputes between the lords and tenants of contiguous manors, as every enclosure of waste land in one manor diminished by so much, the pasturage available for the tenants of neighbouring manors. In the first of the above suits Giles de Erdington was appointed to take an assize of novel disseisin, which the Al^bot of Crokesdene had arraigned against Hugh de Wrotesleye and Roger le Suur (the Sewer) respecting a tenement in Ake (Oaken), and to take an assize of novel disseisin, which the same Abbot had arraigned against Hugh de Wrokesley (sic), concerning common of pasture in Wrokesley.^ Another entry on the back of the same Roll states that Giles de Erdington was assigned to take an assize of novel disseisin, which Hugh de Wrottesleye had arraigned against the Abbot of Crokesdene respecting common of pasture in Aken."'^ Before any of these suits could come into Court the Battle of Evesham had been fought, and Hugh de Wrottesley, who had adhered to the side of Simon de Montford, was a fugitive, disinherited of all his possessions. The contemporary Dunstable Chronicle informs us that : — " Dominus Rex, pout heiluni, dedit licencian communam, xit vic'ores, terras et res victorum, eject ibus uxoribus et liberis, invader ent et occuparent, J Rot. Pat. 49 Henry III, m. 16, dorso, Stafford. * Rot. Pat. 49 Henry III, m. 17, dorso, Stafford. An assize of "nova dissaisiua "' was the most common form of trial by which a claim to a freehold was determined, and was emijloyed where anj'one disseised another of his freehold unjustly, and within the leyal limit of time, hence the ejjithet "nova." This was varied at different times by Statute. At the date in question, the limit was the " primam trau.sfretatiunem domiui lletris in Vase uiam or A.D. 1221." 42 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF qiU)d etfactuvi est, quas terras per commune consilnim, ovmes in rnanus clomini Regis resignaverunt, ut ipse singidos secundum -ma merita de eisdem terris feofaret" A Parliament shortly afterwards confirmed all the acts, which disinherited the King's enemies. The " exhereditati,'' as they are termed in the Chronicles, under the leadership of Robert de Ferrers, Earl of Derby, Simon de Montfort, the j'-ounger, Baldwin Wake, and others, retired into the Fens of Lincolnslijre, from whence they sallied out and plundered the neighbouring counties. They likewise held de Montfort's castle of Kenilworth, which contained a numerous garrison, under the command of Henry de Hastings. In June of the following year, viz., 12CG, the King laid siege to Kenilworth. In September it was surrendered by Hastings, under composition, his provisions being exhausted. It had become manifest by this time that the country would never be pacified, while so many were disinherited of their lands, and it was decided that the King should nominate six of his Council, who should elect six others, to deliberate upon the best means for restoring peace. Amongst the twelve chosen for this purpose was John de Somery, the Baron of Dudley, who was the only Staffordshire baron who had remained faithful to the King. The " Dictum of Kenilworth," as it was called, was proclaimed at Coventry on the Vigil of All Saints, 51 Henry III (31 October, 12G6). It provided that all those who had been at Northampton in arms against the King, or at Evesham, or at the battle of Chesterfield, or in the Castle of Kenilworth, should give the value of five years to those who held their estates, and others, according to their delinquency, should give two years value, and others one year, for the redemption of their lands, and that the money should be paid within three years. The deeds by which Hugh de Wrottesley compounded for his estates were preserved at Wrottesley until the late fire, and I give them here in extenso, having been informed by Eyton that he had never met with any others, and that he believed them to be unique. Uuiversis Chrispi fidelibus, prescntas literas visuris vel audituris, Rogerus Sprenghose, doniinus dc Lougeuolro salutem in domino, Noverit universitas vcstra me pro me et hevedibiis et assignatis meis, quietclam- asse in perpetvium Hugoni de Wrotteslega et heredibus suis, totam terram suam et totum jus, quod liabui in ea, ex douo doniini Regis Hcnrici filii Regis Johannis occasione turbationis regni Anglie in ipso regno tunc exorte, et pro hac quieta clamatioiie dedit mihi predictus Hugo sexaginta marcas sterliugoruui pro redemptione terre sue predictc, de quibus mc voco pleuc et legaliter pacatum. In cujus rei testimonium WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. '43 has literas raeas ei feci patontes sigillo meo signatas, Hiis testibus Johanne filio Philippi milite, Kicardo de Heveufeud, Radulfo de Bisso- buri, Johanne de Pendeford, Willelmo de Overton et aliis.^ Seal destroyed. Apparently this deed was not considered sufficiently explicit. It contained no clause of warranty and the lands of Huf^li had been granted to Sir Roger Sprengehose by Hamon Lestraunge, the Sheriff of Salop and Stafford. The first deed was therefore supplemented by a second in these words : — Noverint universi, presentes et futuri, quod ego Rogerus Sprengehose dominns de Longenoh-e, dimisi et quietclamavi pro me et heredibus meis Hugoni de Wrotesle et heredibus suis totum jus et clamium meum quod habui vel quod habere potui in terris et tenementis ipsius Hugonis michi a domino Rege datis. Ita quod ipse Hugo et heredes sui dictas terras et tenementa habeant et teneant in perpetuum, adeo integre, libcre, et pacifice sicut ipse et antecessores sui ea liberius et mehus tenuerunt non obstante aliquo impedimento vel reclamatione mei vel heredum meorum. Et versus quoscumque qui jus vendicant in eisdcm terris occasione alicujus doni inde facti vel a domino Rege vel a domino Hamone Extraneo warantizabo et defendam. I'ro hac autein dimisione et quieta clamantia dedit mihi prenominatus Hugo sexaginta niarcas sterlingorum et ut hec mea dimissio et quieta clamantia perpotuam firmitatera optineant presentem cartam sigilli mei impressione roboravi. Hiis testibus Johanne de Picheford, Magistro Thoma de Chabbcham, Johanne Capellano de Albrithton, Willelmo Chaumpeneis, Willelmo Olif, et Willelmo de Unfreiston et aliis.^ Hugh de Wrottesley must have redeemed his lands before the 9th July, 1268, for on that date he was foreman of a jury on an Inquisition " ad quod damnum," a writ having been issued to enquire on the oath of the Verderers and other free and legal men of the Forest of Kynfar whether it would be to the King's detriment if Leo de Eomesley enclosed his wood of Horewode within the forest. The Inquisition was taken before Eoger de Chfford, the Justiciary of the Forests-citra-Trent, on the oath of ' Original deed at Wrottesley, 1860. Roger Sprenghose, or de Spreugehaux, was lord of Longnor. co. Salop. The first witness, John fitz Philip, was lord of Bobbingtou and Barlaston, co. Stafford, and Hereditary Forester of Kinver. By writ dated from Keuilworth 19 November, 51 Henry III (1266), the King, at the intercession of his Queen, remits all his indignation and rancour against John fitz Philip, and restores his lands to him. Richard de Hevenfeud, or Kvenefeld, as it is usually written, was the contemporary lord of Enville, co. Stafford. Ralph de Bissoburi was lord of Bushbury ; John de Pendeford was lord of Fendeford, and William de Overton was lord of Wombourne and Oi'ton. All these witnesses were near neighbours of Hugh de Wrottesley. 2 Original deed at Wrottesley, 1860. Sir Hamon Lestraunge was Sheiiff for the counties of Stafford and S:dop for the five years between 47 Henry III and 51 Henry III. John de Picheford, the fiist witness, was lord of Picheford and Albrighton, co. Salop. His father, Ralph, died in 1252, leaving his son, a niinor. John came of age in V25S, and died in 1285. Inq. p.m. Magister Thomas de Chabbeham was rector of Codsall, near Wrottesley, ai d must have been over eighty years of age at this date, for he is named on the llisa Roll of 14 John (1212^. 44 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF Huf]jli (le Wrotteslega, Henry de Morf, Eichard de Evenefeld, William do Overton, John de Trcsel, Thomas de Lutteleg, and six others. The landowner of the present day, who lives under well Rot. Pat., 29 Edward I, m. 1-2, dorso. - See ou this subject Lingard, Hume, Hallam and Stubbs. WROTTESLEV OE WROTTESLEY. 59 had not obeyed his summons to pass over into Flanders, and further renounced for himself and his heirs for ever, all claim to take aids and tallages witliout the assent of the whole realm (par commun assent de tut le royeume), saving the ancient aids, and prises due and accustomed. These would be the aids such as Scutage, etc., due by the Feudal Law and the prises for the King's Household and Royal Fortresses. The Statute further ordained that the three Knights chosen in each County, for the obser\"ance of the Charters, should likewise be charged with the maintenance of the additional articles, or, to use the words of the Statute, ^^ et a cet estatut garder e mentenir, soient chargez les trois cJdvalers qui sont asslynez parmi les contez, pur adrester les choses fetes contre les Graimtz Chatres, et de ceo eient gar ant." In pursuance of these Statutes, a close writ was directed to the Sheriff of Staffordshire dated 27 March 1300, commanding him to cause three Knights of the County to be elected, who were to appear before the King and Council at York, on the Morrow of the Ascension (20 May) to perform whatsoever should be enjoined of them for the better performance of the two Charters.^ By Letters Patent dated from St. Edmunds on 10 May following, William de Stafford, Robert de Pype and William de Wrottesley were appointed Justiciaries for the due observance of the articles contained in the Great Charter and the Charter of Winchester within the County of Stafford, and to hear and determine all pleas and plaints arising thereon.- The Statute of Winchester had been enacted in 1285 for the better security of the subject, and for the more prompt pursuit and capture of felons. Under this Statute the Hundred first became answerable for damages sustained by robberies and breaches of the peace. The two fellow Justices of Sir William de Wrottesley were both men of importance in the County. William de Stafford was lord of Sandon and Bramshall, and one of the coparceners of the Cheshire Barony of de Maubanc. Robert de Pype was the lord of Pype Rydeware, Wall, and other places in Staffordshire, and his name appears on most of the writs of military summons of this reign. He was the grandfather of Sir James Pype, a famous warrior mentioned in the pages of Froissart. Shortly after this date, William de Wrottesley formed an alliance of some importance by marrying, for a second wife, Katherine, the daughter of John Lestraunge, the Baron of Knockin. She had previously been married to Sir Alan de Glazeley, a Shropshire Knight, and was left a widow in 1302.^ ^ Rot. Glaus., 28 Edward I, m. 11. 2 Rob. Pat., 28 Edward I, m. 14. * Eyton's Shropshire, Deeds at Wrottesley, and De Banco Roll, Mich., 2 Edward III, ra. 342 dorso. 60 tttSTORY OF THE FAMILY OF At Whitsuntide 1306 (22 May) his eldest son William was knici^hted with (jjreat solemnity before the High Altar of West- minster, with Edward Prince of Wales, and 2G7 otliers. Ashmole in his introduction to tlie History of the Garter, says that " King Edward I to adorn the splendour of his Court and augment the glory of his intended expedition into Scotland, at Whitsuntide, in the thirty-fourth year of his reign, begirt Edward of Carnarvon, liis eldest son, witli the military belt, and this young prince, immediately afterwards at the High Altar in Westminster Abbey, conferred the same honour upon near 800 gentlemen, the sons of Earls, Barons, and Knights. The habits, equipage and ceremonies of which grand solemnity being already transcribed at large out of Matthew of Westminster, both by Mr. Selden and Mr. Cambden, we shall thereunto refer our reader." He then proceeds, " out of memory of these noble persons, with such as are descended from them," to give a catalogue of their names taken from the Wardrobe Accounts of that 3'ear. From this list, it appears that the following members of Staffordshire families were knighted upon this occasion : — William de Birmingham Thomas de Brompton John de Weston Ralph Basset Ralph Bagot John de Somery Peter de Gresley William de Wrottesley Roger de Somerville John de Harcourt, and William Trussell William de Handsacre.^ A writ on the Close Roll of 34 Edw^ard I, dated 6 April, commands the Sheriffs of Counties to proclaim throughout their Bailiwicks that all who wish to be made Knights were to repair to London before Whitsuntide to receive the vestments required in such case, which will be delivered to them of the King's gift in order that they may take the degree of knighthood on that day. 2 It may, perhaps, interest the lady readers who may glance at these pages if I give a description of the dress of William de Wrottesley on this occasion. The wardrobe account says : — " Willelmo de Wrotesle, facto viilite, ad coyntesium suum a pannos de arista, eidern ad calcitram siiain, Hi pannos purpresy^ ' Many others who afterwards played an important part iu the traii«actions of the following reign were knighted on the same occasion, amongst these were Piers de Gavastou, Roger de Mortimer, Hugh le Despencer the younger, William de Montagu, Peter de Mauley, and John de Warenne. - Rot. Claus, 34 Edward I, m. 16, dorso. 3 Exchequer Accounts, Wardrobe 'W- Ralph Bagot and Peter de Gresley are the ancestors of the present Lord Bagot and of Sir Robert Gresley of Drakelowe. As the ceremonial included the Bath, as well as the Vigil, and a distinctive Badge was given to each Knight, many antiquaries, including Camden, Dugdale and others, designate the Kuights made on this occasion as the original Knights of the Bath. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 61 The cointise, according to Ducange, was a robe worn by the upper classes. The culcitra was a short dress, probably a tunic, and is described by Ducange as a courtpoint. All the Knights were supplied with the cointise and the courtpoint, but the colours varied. By the Feudal law, the King was entitled to an "Aid " upon the occasion of the Knighthood of his eldest son, and Parliament granted to him in this year the thirtieth of all moveables in Counties and the twentieth of the same in Cities and Boroughs. On 5 April, 34 Edward I (1306), a close writ addressed to the Sheriffs of Counties states that the King having determined that his eldest son Edward shall be made a Knight at Whitsun- tide, on which occasion an aid was due to the Crown, the Sheriff was ordered to cause two Knights to be elected in his Count}', and tAvo citizens and two burgesses from each City and Borough, who were to come l^efore the King and Council at Westminster on the Morrow of the Hol}^ Trinit}-, to treat concerning the said aid. By Letters Patent dated from Beverley on the following 22 July, William de Stafford and William de Wrottesley were appointed to assess and collect this aid in co. Stafford. The collectors were ordered to pay the money into the Treasury in three equal instalments, the latest instalment to be paid on the Morrow of All Souls (3 Nov. 1307), but the accounts were not finally closed till six years had elapsed. On the Pipe Roll of 7 Edward II (1313), WiUiam de Stafford and William de Wrottesley render account of a sum of £11 Os. l-4-d., the residue of the tax which remained due at that date. In 1309 William de Wrottesle}^ was the first witness called to prove the age of Elizabeth, the davigliter and heir of Sir Richard de Loges of Rodbaston, the hereditary Forester of Cannock. He gave his age at sixty, and stated that Elizabeth was born at Newenton (Newton in Blithfield), on the Sunday the Feast of Pentecost, 21 Edward I (17 May 1293), and was baptized the same daj^ in the church of the Blessed Peter of . . . (name illegible), and he remembered the circumstance, because he was a Coroner of the King in the County of Stafford, and had been summoned to Blithfield in consequence of a certain accident {pro quodam infurtiinio), and he was present at Blithfield performing the office of Coroner at that time. Amongst the other witnesses called were Sir John de Herouville, Kt., who gave his age at seventy ; and Robert Buftry of Penn. Robert stated he remembered tlio date of Elizabeth's birth, because his brother William was kille«l perhaps the infortunium above-mentioned, but the rest of the sentence is illegible, owing to the decay of the parchment.^ A feudal heiress became of age at fifteen, as she was then marriageable. ^ Miscellanea Roll, Tower Records, No. 175. 62 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF In 1313 William do Wrottesley and Henry de Cresswall, acting as Sub-sheriffs for Hugh de Audlej', returned into Chancery the names of the landowners in Staffordshire who possessed a clear £40 a year in lands or rents ; and who were not yet Knights. The original document is still in the Kecord Office, but the seals have unfortunately been destroyed. After the termination of the dispute between the King and his Barons in 1300, the hmit of £40 a year had been fixed at which Knighthood was compulsory, and this remained in force until the abolition of Feudal burdens and customs at the restoration of King Charles II. In the same year his eldest son William was married to Joan, the daughter of Sir Roger Basset, and cousin to Ralph Basset, the Baron of Drayton. By deed dated from Wrottesle}', on Palm Sunday, G Edward II. (8 April 1313), William de Wrottesley conveyed to his son and heir William, and Joan his wife, the daughter of Roger Basset, and to the heirs of their bodies, all his lands and tenements upon the moors at Boterdon, Waterfall, Grindon and Hidlesdale, reserving to himself a rent of eight marks annually. This deed is witnessed by tTohn de Somery, the Baron of Dudley, and by Ralph Basset of Drayton, Sir Henry de Cresswall, Kt., John de Ipstones and William Shirard. The first two witnesses were kinsmen of the bride.^ There is a flavour of romance in the marriage of William to Joan Basset, for the grandfather of the bride, Ralph Basset, the Baron of Drayton, had been killed at Evesham, fighting on the side of Simon de Montfort ; Hugh, the grandfather of William de Wrottesle}^, had fought on the same side, and the lands of both had been confiscated. Ralph Basset, however, liad married Margaret the daughter of Roger de Someri, the Baron of Dudley, who had been a firm supporter of the King, and at his intercession the King had assigned Pattingham to the widow of Ralph for her support. This manor immediately adjoins Wrottesley, and the community of misfortune and interest would be likel}'- to lead to an intimacy between the two families. 1 From copies of Butterdon deeds at Wrottesley. The relationshiii of Joan to these witnesses will be best shown in the form of a pedigree. Roger de Someri, occurs 1229, died 1272, Lord of Dudley. Roger, born 1254, Margaret=j=Ralph Basset, killed died 1291. at Evesham, 1265. John de Someri, the Margaret Joan Ralph Basset, died 1298. Roger Basset witness, died s.p. 1.322, | | Ralph Basset (the witness). Joan. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY 63 As Roger Basset was a distinguished knight of the reign of Edward I, and left no male issue, and his arms were subsequently- assumed by his grandson Sir Hugh de Wrottesley, I propose to make a short digression here in order to note down a few facts respecting him. In 1276 he was residing at Pattingliam, for in that year he sued in Banco Richard Teveray and fourteen others for an attack upon him at that place, and taking by force a sword, ten marks in money, silver spoons, and other articles. Although he is not to be found on any existing Basset pedigree, there can be doubt, from the fact of his being styled Roger Basset of Drayton, that he was a member of that branch of the Bassets, and a younger son of Ralph Basset of Drayton, and of Margaret daughter of Roger de Someri, from whom he derived the name of Roger. He must have been a distinguished man-at-arms, for there are few names which occur more frequently on the Rolls of Protections and lists of Military Summons of the reign of Edward I. In 10 Edward I. and again in 13 Edward I, he had letters of protection whilst serving in Wales. In 22 Edward I he had the same whilst serving in Gascony in the retinue of William Lord Latimer. In 25 Edward I he was summoned to serve the Kino- in Flanders, and took out letters of protection the same year. In the following year, under the name of Roger Basset of Drayton, he renewed his letters of protection, being still in Flanders in the King's service, and a writ respiting his debts to the Crown was issued to the Sheriffs of the Counties of Somerset and Dorset. This identifies him with the Roger Basset who was returned in 28 Edward I as holding lands and rents in these two counties of the yearly value of £40 and upwards. In the same year, he was summoned to serve the King in Scotland with horses and arms, and took out letters of protection while engaged in that service. In the following year he was again summoned for the same service, and took out letters of pro- tection under the name of Roger Basset of Drayton. His name also occurs on the famous Roll of Arms of this reign taken from the Cottonian MS. Caligula, A. 18, which has been printed amongst the Writs of Military Summons by the Record Commissioners. This Roll is headed " Ce sont les noms et les arms a banerez de Engleterre," and there is some reason to believe that the original list contained only the names of Bannerets, and that other names have been subsequently added. The arms of Roger Basset are thus described on the original Roll, " de or, a iii peuz de sable, a un quarter dermjaie." According to Hutchins' History of Dorsetshire, Ralph Basset of Drayton held a Knight's Fee in Upper Melcombe, of the Earl of Warwick, and Richard de Amundeville held a Knight's Fee in Upper Melcombe in 134G, of Ralph Basset, which had been formerly held by Roger Basset. It seems clear from this that 64 HISTORY OF THK FAMILY OF the male line of Roger had faield.^ and between the j^ears 1333 and 1349, Sir Hugh Wrottesley assumed his arms in place of the Verdon fret, which had been previously borne by the family. William do Wrottesley took advantage of the presence of Ralph Basset at the marriage festivities of his son to bring to a close a long-standing dispute concerning the common of pasture between the two manors of Wrottesley and Pattingham. This (juestion which had remained in abeyance since the death of Hugh de Wrottesley in 1276 appears to have produced much ill-feeling and even bloodshed between the tenants of the two manors, for at the Staffordshire assizes of A.D. 1306, the jury of Seisdon presented tliat William Orhhydge of W^rottesley had killed Roger atte More of Patyngham, and had fled from justice. The agreement between Ralph. Lord Basset, and William de Wrottesley is dated from Drayton on the Frida}^ after the Feast of the Invention of the Holy Cross, 6 Edward II (6 April, 1313), and is witnessed by Sir John de Somery, Sir Wilham Bagot, Sir William de Stafford, Sir William de Mere, and John de Perton.^ As this agreement was made only two days before the date of Sir William's settlement on his son, the marriage must have taken place at Drayton Basset. William (le Wrottesley survived the marriage of his son by a few months only, for on the 4 October following, the Ladj'' Katharine, who stjdes herself formerly wife of Sir William de W^rottesley, Knight, covenants with William, his son, respecting her dower. He must have lived to a con- siderable age, for he had been nearly forty years in possession of his inheritance. He left a son William, who succeeded him, and a daughter, Rosea, married to William de Elmedon of Pilatonhale. These are the only two children specifically named in deeds at Wrottesley, but it is probable that a Richard, a John, and an Adam mentioned in some legal proceedings of 1320, which will appear later on, were sons of this William de Wrottesley.^ He seems to have been a man of more than average capacity. At the period of his succession in 1275, the fortunes of his house ' The grants of manors in fee to younger sons were almost invariably limited to their male issue. - Original deed at Wrottesley 1860. " At the Pleas of the Crown held at Chester in 11 Edward 111, a "John de Thiknes filius Willelmi de Wrotteslegh " was outlawed with many other persons for non-appearance in Court to answer for divers misdemeanors. In this Record the word "Johannes" has been apparently omitted, and it .should run "Johannes de Thiknes, Johannes filius Willelmi de Wrotteslegh," Chester Pleas, 11 Edward III. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 65 were at a very low ebb. The waste and destruction caused by the Civil War, added to the heavy redemption paid under the provisions of the Dictum of Kenilworth, had greatly impaired the estate inherited from his father. In the course of his career he not only recovered all the alienations made to younger branches of the family, but further augmented his property by purchases of land in Butterton, Waterfall, and other places. Of the civil offices under the Crown usually filled by Knights of the Shire, there were few which were not held at various times by him. He acted as Sheriff, Coroner, Escheator, assessor and collector of a subsidy voted by Parliament, and was finally elected by the County to the difficult and invidious office of a Justiciary, under an Act of Parliament passed to check the Royal Prerogative. Twice married himself into Baronial houses, he lived to see his eldest son a Knight, and married to a member of a third Baronial house, and his family raised considerably in the scale of local importance and prosperity. Of younger members of the family whose names occur during the lifetime of this William, his brother Hugh has been already mentioned on more than one occasion. His name also occurs in some curious proceedings which took place during the hearing of the Quo Warranto Pleas at Bridgenorth in 1291. Richard Daumas, a Shropshire Knight, was attached for contempt of Court in throwing down the King's writ in the church of St. Leonard at Bridgenorth, and stamping on it in the presence of Magister Andrew of Tettenhale, Hugh de Wrottesley, and William Godwejm. The proceedings will be found detailed at length in the printed Pleas of Quo Warranto, and in Eyton's History of Shropshire. His latest appearance is in 1307, when he occurs as a Commissioner with his brother William and others to enquire into certain trespasses, and injuries done to the lands of John de Herou\"ille at Wednesbury, which was an ancient demesne of the Crown. He left a widow Juliana,^ and a son William, who will figure in future pages of this history. Tiie deeds formerly at Wrottesley, to which reference has been made in the foregoing account of this William de Wrottesley, were as follows : — Hec est conventio facta inter Willelmum de Wrottesleye ex una parte et Henricum filium Alani de Koterdone ex altera, videlicet quod predictus Willelinus de Wrottesleye dimittit, etc., Henrico filio Alani de Boterdone unum toftura et unain dimidiam bovatam terre quam Nicholaus Clericus de Boterdone quondam tenuit in villa de Boterdone etc. Habendum et tenendum de me et heredibus meis sibi et heredibias 1 De Banco Roll, HUl., 9 Edward II, m. 214. F 66 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF sxiis termino incipiente ad festum Purificationis Beate Marie anno domiiii M^CC^LXX septimo usque ad finem viginti unius annorum plenarie conipletoruni, libere, quietc, etc , reddendo inde annuatim niihi et heredibus nieis, ipse et heredes sui, quatuor solidos et sex denarios argenti, etc. Hiis testibus, Hugone de Boterdone, llogero de Baginalt, Willelmo de Hudlesdale, Ricardo filio Ade de Boterdone, Willelmo filio Willelmi de eadem, Willelmo Clerico et aliis.^ Sciant presentes et futuri quod ego Willelmus AVither miles, dedi, concessi, relaxavi, et quietclamavi pro me et heredibus meis Willelmo filio Hugonis domini de Wrottesleye totam terram et redditum cum bosco et wasto in villa de Waterfall quam emi de Ricardo de Wrottes- leye, una cum tota parte mea cujusdam molendini in eadem villa. Tenendum de me et heredibus meis, etc. Pi'O hac autem donatione, etc., dedit mihi predictus Willelmus viginti marcas argenti per manibus. Hiis testibus Benedicto de Boterdone, Willelmo Powtrell, Rogero de Baganholt, Thoma Powtrell, Willelmo de Troweley et aliis.^ Sciant presentes et futuri quod ego Alicia filia quondam Willelmi domini de Wrottesleye in ligia potestate et pura viduitate mea dedi concessi, et hac presenti carta mea confirmavi pro me et heredibus meis AVillelmo domino de Wrottesle et heredibus suis vel suis assignatis totam illam terram quam pater mens mihi dedit in liberum maritagium in villa de Wrotteslee. Tenendum et habendum de me vel assignatis meis sibi vel suis assignatis, totam predictam terram cum omnibus pertinentiis ad dictam terram pertinentibus jui*e hereditario in per- petuum. Reddendo inde annuatim mihi vel meis assignatis ipse et heredes sui vel sui assignati ad terminum vite mee decem bussellos duri bladi et unum bussal (sic) faborum et pisarum et tres quarterias avene, London, ad tres anni terminos, videlicet ad festum Sancti Martini quinque estric : fn;menti et quinque siligini et unam quarteriam avene, ad Pascam quinque estrac : (sic) frumenti et quinque siligini et unum quartum (sic) avene, et ad assencionem domini unum bussal faborum et pisarum et unum quartum avene pro omni exactione vel demanda ad me vel ad assignatos meos pertinente. Et si contingat quod dictus AVillelmus in solutione predicta ad aliquem terminum sessavit (sic) quod absit, dabit ad opus ecclesie de Tetenhal dimidiam marcham, et ad majorem securitatem observandam huic scripto sigilla sua alternatim apposuerunt. Hiis testibus Willelmo domino de Witindon, Willelmo domino de Evenefeld, Roberto Buflfari, Roberto de Haggeleye, Henrico filio Rogeri Clerico et aliis. Seal, a circular seal with a fret on it similar to seal on deed of 1298, inscription illegible.^ ^ From copies of Butterton deeds formerly at Wrottesley, copied 1860. * From copies of Butterdon deed.s at Wrottesley, 1860. The grantor, Sir William Wyther, was a Derbyshire knight of some distinction, who had married Orabella, the widow of Sir Robert de Bee, the Lord of Hoptou, Tean and Checkley, co. Stafford. In 11 Edward I he was one of the Commissioners of Array for the Welsh war in cos. Derby and Notts, and in 26 Edward I he had letters of protection whilst serving with the King in Flanders, on which occasion letters of respite from all debts were issued in his favour for the cos. of Derby, York, Hereford, and Stafford. ' Original deed at Wrottesley, 1860. The deed is an indenture, and the seal is probably that of William de Wrottesley. The nominative in the last clause was omitted in the original deed. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 67 Universis hoc presentem scriptum visuris vel audituris Ricardus de Werdou filins Robert! de Werdon de la Wyke salutem in domino. Noverit universitas vcstra me dedisse concessisse et omnino quietum clamasse pro me et heredibus meis in perpetuum Willelmo domino de Wrottesleye consanguineo meo pro servitio suo, et heredibus suis et assignatis quibuscuuque totum dominium et totum jus et clamium quod habui vel aliquo modo habere potui in omnibus terris et tenementis, wardis, releviis, redditibus, eskaetis, herietis, curie sectis, servitiia et cuntis rebus que de hbero tenemento aliquo casu exire poterunt que michi vel alicui de meis aliqua ratione accidere poterunt per mortem Symonis de Werdon antecessoris mei in aliquo casu accidere poterunt (sic). Ita videlicet quod nee ego nee aliquis nomine meo, aliquod jus vel clamium de cetero in predicto dominio et ceteris supradictis exigere vel vendicare aliqua ratione poterimus, et omnia supradicta plenarie ut supradictum est predicto Willelmo et heredibus suis et assignatis integliter (sic) remaneant. Et ut hec mea donatio, concessio et quieta clamatio perpetue firmitatis robur optineant banc presentem cartam sigilli mei impressione roboravi. Hiis testibus Galfrido de Bylston, Henrico de Prestwode, Johanne de Pembrugge, Willelmo Sacristano de Wolvernehampton, Nicholao de Trescote in Wolvernehampton et aliis.^ A vaginal seal, a deer running, with the inscription, S. Ricardi le Verdon. Pateat universis quod ego Stephanus de Elmedon recepi de Willelmo de Wrottesleye octo marcas et decern solidos et ij solidos et decern denarios in parte solucionis triginti marcarum in quibus mihi tenebatur per quandam conventionem inter ipsum et Walterum de Elmedon et me factam de maritagio inter Willelmum filium meum et heredem et Roseam filiam predicti Willelmi contrahendo, de quibus octo marchis et X solidis et ij solidis et decern denariis concedo me bene esse pacatum et prcdictum Willelmum inde esse quietum. In cujus rei testimonium has literas meas fieri feci patentes Datum apud Pylatenhale die Sabati in crastino Exaltationis Sancte Crucis anno regni regis Edwardi XXIIII.^ A vaginal seal, consisting of a geometrical figure and the legend, S. Stephani de Elmedon. Anno regni Regis Edwardi filii Regis Henrici vicessimo septimo die marcis in festo Sancte Catarine virginis inter Willelmum de Wrottesleye et Johannem de Perton super variis contentionibus ortis inter eosdem propter diversas et ignotas bundas et metas inter terras et tenementa eorundem conquievit lis finaliter in hac forma, videlicet quod predicti AVillelmus et Johannes communi voluntate et unanime assensu con- ^ Copied from the original deed at Wrottesley, 1860. From the terms of the deed, it is clearly anterior to the Statute of " Quia emptores " of 18 Edward I. - Original deed at Wrottesley, 1860. The Elmedons were Hereditary Foresters of the Bailiwick of Teddesley in" Cannock Forest. The liead of the family at this date was Magister Walter de Elmedon, but he was a cleric, and the duties of the office were performed by his brother Stephen; William, the son of Stephen, after- wards assumed the name of Pilatonhale, from the place of their residence. The Fine Roll of 30 Edward I, m. 11, states under date of 8 May, that the King had accepted the homage of William, son of Stephen de Elmedon, deceased. 68 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF cesserunt et statuerunt bundas et metas subscriptas, tenendas et observandas pro se et heredibus suis in perpetuum sine aliqua reclamatione in futurum, videlicet a quadani qiiercu que vocatur le Tyndede Mere Ok que est bunda inter Radulphuni Basset et predictos AVillehnnm et Johannem, descendendo usque le Mere Wey et sic descendendo le Mere Wey usque ad proximam corneram assarti Galfridi le Crouthour versus villatam de Wrottesle et de dicta cornera des- cendendo per quoddam fossatum iisque ad quandam qucrcum, et de dicta quercu descendendo per quoddam novum fossatum sicut perambulatum usque ad cornei'am de Wodewalle Medue, et de dicta cornera per idem fossatum usque ex opposito (sic) cornere assarti Hugonis de Wrottesleye quod vocatur Cronemor, et de dicta cornera ascendendo per fossatum dicti assarti usque ad assartum AVillelmi de Wrottesle, et de dicto assarto ascend endo per fossatum ejusdem usque ad corneram assarti Willelmi en le Hale quod vocatur Grenehul. Et est sciendum, etc. In quorum omnium testimonium et memoriam sempiternam utraque pars alterius scripto ad modum cirograffi confecto et partito suum apposuit sigillum. Hiis testibus, Radulpho de Byssebury, Johanne de Tresel, Philippo de Lutteleye, Willelmo del Horewode, Thoma de Lutteleye, Roberto BufFary, Warino de Penna, Galfrido de Bilston Hugone de Wrottesle, Johanne de Lappele, Clerico et aliis ^ Sciant presentes et futuri quod ego Willelmus de Wrottesleye miles dedi, concessi, et hac presenti carta mea confirmavi Willelmo filio meo et heredi meo et Johanne filie Rogeri Basset uxori sue omnes terras meas et tenementa super moras, videlicet in Boterdone, Waterfall, ^ Original deed at Wrottesley, copied 1860. Of the witnesses, the first three were lords respectively of Bushbury, TrysuU and Lutley. Ralph de Byssebury and John de Tresel occur as Knights of Great Assize on the Quo Warranto Pleas of 21 Edward I (printed). Robert Buffary was lord of Nether Penn, and Warine de Penne was tenant undei- him at the same place. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 69 Grindon, et Hidlesdale cum omnibus suis pertinentiis et in pratis, boscis, moris, curiis, wai'dis, maritagiis, placitis, perquisitis stabilibus, releviis sine aliquo mihi retenento. Habendum et tenendum omnes predictas terras et tenementa cum omnibus suis pertinentiis ut predictum est de capitalibus dominis feodorum illorum predictis Willelmo et Johanne uxore sue ad totam vitani eorum et heredibus de corpore predictorum Willelmi et Johanne legitime procreatis. Reddendo et faciendo capitalibus dominis feodorum illorum servitium inde debitum et consuetum. Et si contingat, quod absit, quod prefati Willelmus et Johanna sine heredibus de corporibus eorum legitime procreatis descedant quod omnes predicte terre et tenementa sine aliquo impedimento mihi et heredibus meis plenarie revertentur, et reddendo inde annuatim mihi predicto Willelmo ad totam vitam meam quinque marcas argenti ad duos anni terminos, videlicet ad festum Sancti Andre Apostolici unam medietatem et ad festum Sancti Jacobi aliam medietatem pro omnibus servitiis secularis exactionibus et demandis. Ego vero. {Clause of ivarranty.) Ut igitur hec mea donatio, concessio et hec presentis carte mee confirmatio rata et stabilis permaneat in perpetuum presentem cartam sigilli mei impressione roboravi. Hiis testibus Domino Johanne de Somery, Domino Radulpho Basset de Draynton, Domino Henrico de Caresswall militibus, Johanne Ipstones, Willelmo Shirard et aliis. Datum apud Wrottesleye dominica Ramis- palamporum (sic) anno regni regis Edwardi filii Edwardi sexto.^ Hec est conventio facta die Veneris proximo post festum Inventionis Sancte Crucis anno regni Regis Edwardi filii Regis Edwardi sexto inter dominum Radulphum Basset de Drayton ex parte una et dominum Willelmum de Wrottesleye ex altera videlicet quod predictus dominus Radulphus concessit, relaxavit et omnino pro se et heredibus suis et nativis suis de Patyngham quietclamavit in perpetuum domino Willelmo de Wrottesleye totum jus et clamium quod habent vel habere potuerunt in communa pasture quam dictus dominus Willelmus tenuit in defenso die confectionis presentum in Wrottesleye, vult etiam et concedit predictus Radulphus pro se et heredibus suis et nativis suis predictis quod dictus dominus Willelmus possit se appi'owiare de quodam bosco quod vocatur Sockesmore jacente inter le leye ruddyng et le Farinshurstesweye in latitudine et extendit se a bosco quod vocatur Kyngeswode usque Nethermulne Weye et boscum ilium includere et in defenso tenere omni tempore anni et voluntatem suam inde facere sine aliqua contradiction e predicti domini Radulphi, heredum vel nativorum suorum predictorum ita quod dictus dominus Radulphus nee heredes vel nativi sui aliquid jus vel clamium neque communam pasture in tenementis predictis de cetero exigere seu vendicare potuerit vel potuerunt quoquemodo. Pro qua quidem con- cessione et relaxatione et quieta clamantia predictus antedictus dominus Willelmus concessit, relaxavit et omnino pro se et heredibus suis quietclamavit in perpetuum dicto domino Radulpho Basset, heredibus ^ From ancient copies of Butterdon deeds at Wrottesley, 1860. The first witness, John de Somery, was the Baron of Dudley. John de Ipstones was the lord of Ipstones, and William Shirard was owner of a part of Cheddleton, co, Stafford. 70 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF ct assignatis suis comunam pasture totius terre quam dictus dominus Radulphus tenuit in defense die confectionis prescntum in Patyngham, et quod predictus Ivadulphus Basset pro se et heredibus suis et assignatis possint se approwiare in vasto suo de Patyngham in bosco vel extra absque contradictione vel impediniento dicti doniini Willelmi vel heredum suorum in tantum longitudine et latitudine quantum extendit se tota terra quam tenuit dictus dominus Willelmus in defenso die confectionis presentum in Wrottesleye. Ita quod decetero neutra partium in comuna pasture in locis predictis nihil vendicare possint ut in forma predicta continetur. In cujus rei testimonium partes predicte presenti scripto indentato sigilla sua alternatim apposuerunt. Hiis testibus Dominis Johanne Somery, AVillchno Bagot, Willelmo de Stafford, Willehno de Mere militibus Johanne de Perton et aliis. Datum apud Drayton die et anno supradictis.^ Seal, three piles in point, and a (|uarter on which the charge is obliterated. Legend, S. Radulphi Basset. Besides the above deeds there was formerly at Wrottesley an original account of the Wrottesley Bailiff for half of the year 22 Edward I (A.D. 1294), contained on a small narrow parch- ment roll, about two feet long and five inches wide. As this account contains the prices actually received or paid for the commodities mentioned in it, it may be advisable to print it. It also throws light on the administration of an estate in the thirteenth century. It is headed : — Mem^ de compoto Thome Propositi domini de Wrottesle apud Wrottesle a festo {blank) anno regni Regis E. xxij usque ad {blank) anno dicto incluso.^ Rents of Mills. 12s. M. from the mill of Wythwj^k, of St. John's term, and 10s. from the mill of Trille for the same term, and 12s. Q>d. from the mill of Wythwyk for Michaelmas* term, and 10s. for the mill of Trille for the same term. Issues from the Manors. 4fZ. rent from Richard le Baxtere, 4s. Sd. from the herbage of the orchard and the cemetery (cymiterii), 9s. from the herbage of meadows and fields sold for " rewenage " by the view of Thomas, and Qd. for firewood, and 2s. Zd. for 108 pigeons ^ Original deed at Wrottesley, 1860. The first witness, John de Somery, was the Baron of Dudley ; William Bagot was Lord of Patshull and of the Hyde, near Stafford ; William de Stafford was Lord of Sandon ; and William de Mere was Lord of Maer, co. Stafford. * The accounts are in Latin, but the Provost is often at a loss for a Latin word, and then takes refuge in his native English. These words are distinguished by inverted commas. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY, 71 (columbellis) sold, viz., Id. for 4 pigeons, and 2d. for the " escaet " of one dead ox, and 19d. for the skin of one dead ox, and 78s. dd. for hay sold by the view of Thomas Cok. Sale of Stock (venditio instauri). 30s. for four oxen sold, viz., for each 7s. 6d. Pleas and Perquisites of the Court. 16s. 2d. for issues of the Court held on the Saturday after the Feast of the Assumption, and 8s. lid. for issues of the Court held on the Tuesday the Feast of St. Martin. Summa £12 15s. 7d. Cost of Carts (carucarum). In iron bought for carts 2s. Sd., and for three carts newly made of the lord's own timber 2s. 6d., and for two ox yokes made Id., and for two "pedalibus " bought 4d., and for the pay of the smith 8d,, and for two carts newly made of the lord's own timber 20d., and for one " thille " for corn newly made 4cZ., and for the mending of one tumbrel Id., and for " stroc nails " bought for old wheels 2d., and for " cart loutes " bought 6ld., and for 100 "clout nails" bought Id., and in grease and " vutto " bought for carts 5d., and for a cord for tying the carts 2|. 8ciant presentes et futuri, quod ego Willelmus filius Stephani de Elmedone dominus de Pylatunhale dedi, concessi et hac presenti ' De Banco, Easter, 13 Edward II, m. 68. G 82 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF carta mea confirmavi Willelmo filio Willelini domini de Wrottesleye totum maneriuni nieum de Pylatunliale cum omnibus pertinentiis suis. Habendum ct tenendum de capitaneis dominis feodi, sibi et heredibus suis vel assif^natis cum lioma^^iis etc. ad predictum manerium con- tingentibus, ita libere et quiete sicut ego vel aliquis antecessorum nieorum predictum manerium liberius prius tenuimus integre et in pace cum omnibus pertinentiis et libortatibus suis, faciendo inde debita servicia et consueta capitaneis dominis feodi pr'o omni servitio seculari milii vel heredibus meis pertinente : ego vero (clause 0/ warranty). Et ut hec mea donatio etc. sigillum meum apposui. Hiis testibus Domino Willelmo de la Pole, domino Willelmo Trumwine militibus, domino Willelmo de Nortone canonico ecclesie de Pencris, Magistro Galfrido de Bilstone, Henrico de Prestewode, Johanne de Say de Dunstone, Hugone de Wrottesleye clerico et multis aliis.^ 7. E. 2. Hec est conventio facta inter Willelmum filium domini Willelmi domini de Wrottesleye ex parte una, et dominara Katerinam relictam predicti domini Willelmi ex parte altera, videlicet concessit tradidit et dimisit predicte Katerine totum illud messuagium cum curtilagiis sicud includitur quod Hugo de Wrottesleye quondam tenuit cum Steffano attetounesend, Thoma Colates, Rogero in Oldefore, Willelmo broun, Johanne robines cum servitiis eoi-um quas facere solebant, cum una dimidia marca annuatim reddita de terra Hugonis fabri exeunte sine altero servitio ab eodem petendo, una cum terris et tenementis, pratis, pasturis in diversis locis jacentibus cum una placea quod vocatur Fetheone et cum merlera de Wodecroft exceptis catallis in eisdem tenementis die confectionis presentum existentibus. Habenda et predicte Katerine tenenda omnia predicta tenementa ad totam vitam suam nomine dotis sicut bundantur et dividantur, et etiam concedit dictus Willelmus predicte domine Katerine rationabile housbote et haybote et fotalin pro habitatione ballivi sui, et si contingat quod predictus Willelmus egistiat pratum suum, quod predicta Katerina habeat tria denaria inde pi-ovenienta cum tertia parte molendini sui de Haukewell cum omnibus eysia- mentis et communis predicte dote pertinentibus et cum liberis introitibus et exitibus. Et ego vero predicta domina Katerina concedo per presenti me bene et plenarie esse dotata de toto manerio de Wrottesleye cum suis pertinentiis. In cujus rei testimonium uterque predictus altero scripto per visum Guydonis de Glaseleye, Henrici Basset, Galfridi Gataker, Johannis de Mollesleye, Ricardi de Picheford sigillum suum apposuit. Datum apud Wrottesleye die Jovis proximo post festum Sancti Michalis anno regni regis Edwardi filii Edwardi septimo. (4 Octo. ISIS.)'^ ^ Origiual deed at Wrottesley, copied 1860. The date is subsequent to 18 Edward I, the date of the Statute of " Quia Emptores," and anterior to 32 Edward I, the date of the suit in Banco at p. 74. - Original deed at Wrottesley, copied 1860. The first witness is Guy, Lord of Glaseley, co. Salop, and son of Katherine, by her first husband, Alan de Glaseley. See Eyton's Shropshire, vol. i, pages 115 and 214. ' Henry Basset was probably a near relative of Joan, the wife of Sir William, for he occurs in 9 Edward II as the executor of the will of Sir William de Wrottesley, the father, who died in 1313. See vol. ix, Staffordshire Collections, p. 56. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 83 A vaginal seal about 1| inch in length, of white wax, the same as shewn in next deed : a woman standing and holding in . each hand a shield, inscription illegible. 7. E. 2. Omnibus Chrispi fidelibus ad quos litere presentes visuris vel audituris pervenerint Katerina quondam uxor domini Willelmi de Wrottesle sakitem in domino Noveritis me in propria viduetate mea et plena potestate relaxasse, et omnino pro me quietclamasse in perpetuum Willelmo domino de Wrotesle totum jus meum seu clamum quod habeo seu aliquo modo habere possum de toto manerio de Wrottesle et de omnibus terris et tenementis super moras cum omnibus eorum pertinentiis occasione dotis. Ita videlicet quod nee ego predicta Katerina nee aliquis ex nomine meo aliquam exigentiara nomine dotis exigere poterimus seu de cetero calupniare in supradictis tenementis videlicet de Wrottesle et de omnibus tenementis super moras videlicet Boterdon, Waterfal, Hyddlesdale et Grendon. In cujus rei testimonium presenti litere sigillum meum apposui. Hiis testibus Johanne " de Mollesle, Roberto de Ovioteshay, Edmundo de Penne, Ricardo de Picheford et multis aliis. Datum apud Wrottesle die dominica proxima post festum Sancte Lucie virginis anno regni regis Edwardi filii Edwardi septimo. (16 Dec. 1313.)^ Interregnum, 1320— 1333. When the Abbot of Evesham claimed the wardship of the heir, and the custody of the manor of Wrottesley, Joan, the widow of Sir William, appears to have resisted by force the entry of the Abbot's Bailiff at Wrottesley, for we find the ^ Original deed at Wrottesley, copied 1860-62, 84 HISTORY OF THK FAMILY OF Abbot suinrj hor for a trespass Coram Ref/e at the following Trinity term. The Roll states that the Abbot of Evesham appeared against Joan formerly wife of William de Wrottesleye, Eichard de Oveyhotshaye,^ and William de Engelton in a plea of trespass, de transgressione, and they did not appear, and a day had been given to them at this term. Afterwards the said Joan had been attached by Richard de Wrotteslej^e and John de Wrottesle3'e, and the said Richard (de Oveyoteshaye) l\y William de Engelton and Roger le Carter, and the said William (de Engelton) by Richard de Wrottesleye and Adam de Wrottesleye. They {i.e. the sureties) were therefore in misericordia, and the Sheriff was ordered to distrain and produce them at three weeks from Michaelmas. Tliere is no further mention of this suit on the Rolls. Joan conceded the point by a deed of which the original is now in the Public Record Office, and of which an ancient copy on parchment was preserved at Wrottesley until the late fire. This deed is of sufficient importance to be given in extenso. Omnibus Chrispi fidelibus ad quos presentes litere pervenerint Jo- lianna que fuit uxor domini Willelmi de Wrottesleie salutem in domino. Noveritis me reddidisse domino AVillehno Abbati de Evesham manerium de W^rottesleie cum suis pertinentiis et Hugonem filium et heredem dicti domini Willelmi de Wrottesleie quod in juste tenui a morte dicti domini Willelmi de Wrottesleie usque ad confectionem presentis, ita quod dictus dominus Abbas et successores sui habeant et teneant dictos manerium cum suis pertinentiis et Hugonem nomine custodie usque ad legitimam etatem heredis dicti domini Willelmi de Wrottesleie absque ali(|ua contradictione mei seu aliorum nomine meo. Salva mihi rationabile dote mea de dicto manerio. In cujus rei testimonium presenti sigillum meum apposui Datum apud Wrottesleie die Merourii proximo ante festum Sancti Bartolomei apostolici anno regni regis Eclwardi filii regis Edwardi quarto decimo. [20 August 1320.]2 Seal destroyed. The question in dispute was whether the manor was held of the Abbots of Evesham by military service or b}'' a socage tenure. Under the first of these tenures, the Abbot would be entitled to the custody of the manor and the wardship and marriage of the heir. In the case of a socage tenure, the custody of the heir and of the manor would devolve on the nearest of kin, who was not in the line of succession, and in * This Richard de Oveyhoteshaye is the same person as the Richard de Piclieford of the deeds of Katherine, widow of Sir WiUiam de Wrottesley, who died in 131;^. Oveyoteshaye is now Ivetsay-in-Albrighton, of which the Pichefords of co. Salop had been formerly lords. (Ey ton's Shropshire.) * Ancient deed, Augmentation Office. At the date of the suppression of the Monasteiies, their deeds were deposited in the newly foimed Augmentation Office. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 85 this case the custodian would have been Joan, the mother of the heir. According to Coke's Institutes, "Tenure by socage is where the tenant holds of his lord the tenancy by certain {i.e. fixed) service, in lieu of all manner of services, so that the service be not Knights service," and he goes on to say, " also if a man holdeth of his lord by escuage certain viz. in this manner : when tlie^ escuage runneth and is assessed by Parliament, to a greater or a lesser sum, so that the tenant shall pay to his lord, but half a mark for escuage and no more nor less, to how great a sum, or how little the escuage runneth, such tenure is tenure in socage, and not Knights service ; but where the sum which the tenant shall pay for escuage is uncertain, viz. where it may be that the sum that the tenant shall pay for escuage to his lord may be at one time more, and at another time less, according as it is assessed, such tenure is tenure by Knights service." The Abbots deed of feoffment to Simon, the ancestor of William, granted Wrottesley and Livington to Simon and his heirs, " the said Simon and his heirs to render two marks annually for all services saving the service of tlce King.^'^ These words " salvo servitio Regis," according to Madox, include scutage, and following the Dictum of Coke above quoted, the sum payable, being left uncertain, would create a tenure by Knights service. On the other hand, it is clear that the Abbots of Evesham were not liable for scutage, nor was it paid by their tenants, for after the date of the Fine levied in 1200 between the Abbot and Hervey Bagot and Milicent de Stafford, the fee of Wrottesley and Livington is no longer included amongst the fees on the Scutage Rolls, for which the Baron of Stafford was liable, and which are given in detail in the Testa de Nevill. It likewise appears that at the date of the Inquest upon the Feudal Tenures, which is known as Kirby's Quest, William de Wrottesley claimed to hold by a socage tenure, and his claim was allowed in these words. " Willelmus de Wrotkesley tenet per socagium de Abbate de Evesham, et idem Abbas de Nicholao Barone Staffordie, et idem Baro de Rege in capite."^' It will be seen from the alcove facts, that the question whether the manor was held by Knights service, or in socage, was involved in some obscurity, but a socage tenure was so advantageous to the tenant, that Joan, the widow of Sir Wilham, who was the guardian in socage, should have fought the question in a Court of Law. Whether she was intimidated ' See ante page 52. ■■^ Kirby's Quest, Public Record Office, 86 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF by tlie simultaneous actions brought against her in the superior Courts, or whether she was bribed or cajoled to sacrifice her own interests as well as those of her son, it is difficult to sa}^ but it is a somewhat suspicious circumstance that we find her married very shortly afterwards to John de Tettebury, who appears to have been a near relative of her adversary the Abbot.i Joan Basset, as widow of Sir William de Wrottesley, would be entitled to a third of the manor of Wrottesley, as dower ; she also held the rents from the Butterton lands, which had been settled on her and her first husband on their marriage in 1313. At the date of the death of her husband, in 1320, Katrine Lestrange, the second wife of the first Sir William, was alive, and as her claim to dower had been commuted at £10 a year, she held a first charge on the Wrottesley estates. In bad years, when the rents were in arrear, or difficult to collect, this must have left little or nothing for Joan, and at Hillary term 2-3 Edward III, viz., in January 1328, John de Tettebury and Joan attempted, by a suit in banco, to obtain a third of the rent of £10 from Katrine, as dower of Joan. Katrine, who is styled Katrine de Glaseley in the record of the suit, had failed to appear at two previous sittings of the Court, and the dower claimed had been taken into the King's hand in the usual way. John and Joan now appeared, and claimed the third part through the default of Katrine. The latter appeared by attorney, and denied that she had received a legal summons at the previous term, and oflfered to wage her law. She was therefore directed to appear in person, with her compurgators, at the following Easter term.^ No further notice of this suit occurs, but it is of interest, as it enables us to identify Katrine, the second wife of Sir W^illiam de Wrottesley, with Katrine, the widow of Sir Alan de Glaseley. She was a daughter of John Lord Lestraunge of Knockin, and holding the manor of Glaseley, co. Salop, in dower, would be probably known as Katrine de Glaseley. Her first husband died in 1302. A guardian in chivalry was bound to maintain his ward, and for the five years following the death of his father, Hugh ^ Tlie Abbot was son of John Herwarde of Tettebury, and I conclude Jolin de Tettebury was his brother or nephew. The marriage of the widow would likewise belong to the Abbot, if the manor was held by military service. ■■' De Banco, Mich., 2 Edward III, m. 342 dorso, and' Hill., 2-3 Edward III, m. 204. The ancient Saxon law of compurgation was still in force in the case of the denial of a debt, or of a summons. The plaintiff would bring forward a witness to prove the summons, the defendant would then produce two witnesses to disprove it. If the plaintiff produced a second witness, the defendant would produce two more in opposition, and so on up to twelve. If the defendant could produce twelve witnesses, the decision was given in his favour. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 87 de Wrottesley would have been brought up by the Abbot of Evesham. On the 15 January 1325, the young hek- bemg then eleven years of age, the Abbot sold the custody of the manor of Wrottesley and the marriage of the heir to John de Hampton, the Hereditary Seneschal or Steward of the Monastery. The deeds which passed upon this occasion were as follows : — Hec est conventio facta inter Willehiium dei gratia Abbatem de Evesham ex parte una et Johannem de Hampton ex parte alia videhcet quod predictus domiuus Abbas tradidit et concessit predicto Johanni custodiam omnium terrarum et teuementorum cum suis pertinentiis in Wrottesleie que quidem dictus dominus habuit ratione minoris etatis Hugonis fiKi et heredis Willelmi de Wrottesleie militis (defuncti) eo quod predictus Willelmus predictas (terras et) tenementa sua de predicto domino Abbate tenuit per servitium militare per quater viginti tribus Kbris sex soHdis et octo denariis in quibus predictus Johannes recognovit se teneii dicto domino Abbati in Scaccario domini Regis solvendis predicto domino Abbati per decern annos proximos sequentes, sicut in dicta recognitione continetur. Habendam et tenendam predictam custodiam predictarum terrarum et tenementorum cum suis pertinentiis predicto Johanni usque ad legitimam etatem predicti Hugonis sine vasto seu destitutione ahqua inde faciendo in domibus, boscis seu gardinis, et si contingat dictum Johannem heredes vel executores suos vel ahquem alium nomine eorum facere vastum seu destitutionem in domibus, boscis seu gardinis supradictis, hceat domino abbati seu successoribus suis in dictas terras et tenementa ingredi et ea retinere sine conti'adictione alicujus. kSi contingat quod absit, predictum Hugonem infra decem annos proximos sequentes post datum presentium infata decedere, quod dictus Johannes vel executores sui habeant et teneant custodiam predictarum terrarum et tenementorum usque ad finem predictorum decem annorum, si heredes predicti Hugonis infra etatem existant. In cujus rei testimonium tarn predictus dominus Abbas quam predictus Johannes huic indenture sigilla sua alternatim apposuerunt Datum apud Evesham die Martis proximo post festum Sancti Hillarii anno regni regis Edwardi decimo octavo. ^ Hec Indentura testatur, quod ita convenitur inter dominum Willelmum dei gratia Abbatem de Evesham ex parte una et Johannem de Hampton ex parte alia videlicet quod dictus dominus Abbas dedit et concessit dicto Johanni pro quadam summa pecunie quam dictus Johannes dicto domino Abbati dedit per maiiibus maritagium Hugonis filii et lieredis Willelmi de Wrottesleie militis, quod quidem mai'itagium predicto domino Abbati accidebat I'atione minoris etatis dicti Hugonis, eo quod predictus Willelmus pater predicti Hugonis, cujus heres ipse est, tenuit manerium suimi de Wrottesleie de dicto domino Abbate per servitium militare. Ita quod predictus Johannes maritabit predictum Hugonem ad Elizabeth ^ Old copy on parchment formerly at Wrottesley in handwriting of fifteenth century. 88 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF filiam suam primogenitam, nee liceat' predicto Johanni prefatum Hugonem alilji niaritare. In cujus rei testimonium tarn predictus dominus Ablias quam predictus Johannes liuic indenture alternatim sigilla sua apposuerunt. Datum apud Evesliam die martis proximo post festum Sancti Hilarii anno regni regis Edwardi decimo octavo.^ On the execution of these deeds John de Hampton appears to have taken up his abode at Wrottesley, for the Subsidy Roll of 1 Edward III (1327) names him as the principal owner of land in the manor, his assessment being nearly double that of any other tenant. As the question has often been mooted whether the villein tenants of a manor were taxed on these occasions, I propose to give here the names of all the tenants who were assessed on this occasion and five years later in 6 Edward III, and compare their names with those of known villein tenants of the manor. In 1 Edward III the tenants assessed were : — John de Hampton, Adam le Bonde, Roger atte touneseude, Henry Benynes, Stephen the Provost, Roger in Oldestrete, John de Tettebury, Roger, son of Stephen, Thomas Cholettes, William Stevenes, Simon Aylewyne, Thomas in le Huyrne. In 6 Edward III the tenants named on the Subsidy Roll were : — John de Tutteburi (sic), Thomas in le Huyrne, Roger Roberds, Simon Aylewyn, Roger Richards, Henry Benyn, Stephen atte tounesend, John othegrene, Roger Aylewyn, Richard Benyn. ^ Old copy of deed at Wrottesley on parchment in handwriting of fifteenth century. The Abbot William, who was the party to this deed, was William of Cliiriton, who governed the Abbey from 1316 to 1344. The Evesham Chartulary Cott. MS. Nero. D. 3, states he was son of John Herwarde, of Tettebury, whose brother was Abbot of Cirencester. John de Hampton, the other party to the deed, is more difficult to identify, for there were more than one of this name living at this period. It may be taken for granted, however, that he was identical with John de Hampton named in the Evesham Chartularies as the Steward or Seneschal of the Abbey, and a later deed, formerly at Wrottesley, shews he was of Elderstoke or Oldstoke, co. Southampton. Tiiis seems to identify him with a Jolm de Hamj)ton who was Commissioner of Array for co. Southampton, and custodian of the Harbours and Coasts of the same County in 20 Edward III. (French Roll of that year.) In 20 Edward II John de Hampton was King's Eschaetor for the Counties of Gloucester. Hereford, Worcester, Salop and Stafford. In the same year he was appointed by Letters Patent to take Assizes in co. Worcester, and in 8 Edward III he was commissioned to take Assizes in co. Stafford. An Inquisition on the death of Joan, late wife of John de Wynecote, mentions the death of a John de Hampton in 23 Edward III. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 89 The deed of 1313 printed'above, and a Wrottesley Manor Roll of 1382 give the following names of villein tenants who were natives of the manor : — Hugh Robardes, Isolda othegrene, Richard othegrene, William Richardes, Thomas Rogerson, Stephen atte Tounesend, William Carte, Thomas Colates, John Hugynes, Roger in Oldefore, John othegrene, William Broun, and Thomas ofthelye, John Robines. The inference seems to be that the villein tenants were assessed equally with the free tenants. The second Subsidy Roll of 6 Edward III shews that at that date John de Hampton had given up his residence at Wrottesley, and as John de Tettebury's assessment had been doubled in the meantime, I conclude that Sir John Hampton had relinquished his share of the manor to John de Tettebury, who already held one-third of it as dower of his wife. It is not unlikely that at the same time Hugh de Wrottesley had been handed over to the care of his mother and John de Tettebury, for judging by what we know of the character and subsequent proceedings of Hugh de Wrottesley, his guardian must have been glad to be relieved of his charge. Whatever the arrangement may have been, the result was unfortunate and produced a violent feud between Hugh and his stepfather. At Michaelmas term 5 Edward III, when the former would be between seventeen and eighteen years of age, he had already two suits pending in Banco against John de Tettebury and his mother. In the first of these, Hugh appeared by his custos Henry de Lench, and sued John de Tettebury and Joan his wife for waste and destruction in the lands, houses, woods and gardens which they held in dower, of his inheritance in Wrottesley.^ Henry de Lench, who occurs in this suit as the custos of Hugh, was one of the Prothonotaries of the Court of Common Pleas, and had been made a party to the action, in order to enable Hugh to sue as a minor. The second suit was an action against the same defendants, to render an account for the time they had held the custody of his lands and tenements in Wrottesley, which he pleaded were held in socage.'- The defendants put in no appearance in either action, and the Sheriflf was ordered to attach them for the ^ De Banco, Mich., 5 Edward III, m. 54. - Ibid, m, 223. 00 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF following Hillary term. A guardian in socage was supposed to hold the tenements for the benefit of the heir, and was bound to account to him for the profits. It appears from this last suit that John de Tettebury and Joan held the status of John de Hampton in the manor. Besides the suits above-mentioned, he was likewise suing his stepfather in the Court of King's Bench, or Coram Rege as it was then called, for a trespass committed at Wrottesley, in taking fish from his fishponds to the value of £20,^ and he had a fourth action against the same defendant and Joan his wife to render an account for lands and tenements in Pateshull, which were held in socage, and of which they had held the custody during his minority. This last action clearly refers to the mill of Hawkwell, and here he stood on better ground, for this mill was held in socage of the lords of Patshull. The record of Michaelmas term, 7 Edward III., states that Hugh de Wrottesleye sued John de Tettebury and Joan his wife in a plea, that wdiereas it had been provided by Statute that the guardians of lands and tenements, which were held in socage, should render a reasonable account of the issues of the said lands, etc., to the heirs of the same, when they came of age, the said John and Joan refused to give any account for lands and. tenements in Pateshull, which were held in socage and of which they had held the custody during his minority. The defendants did not appear, and the Sheriff i-t'turned into Court a sum of 20d, as the proceeds of a distress levied upon their goods. He was therefore ordered to distrain again and produce them on the Octaves of Hillary.^ It will be seen that Hugh could not maintain this action, unless he was of age, and at this date he had not completed his twentieth year. The clue to this enigma is that he had been knighted and his knighthood gave him possession of his estates. By the common law, if a minor was knighted, he was forthwith entitled to the livery of his lands. This was, in fact, " a legitimate consequence of the old Teutonic custom, for being invested with the arms of manhood, he was deemed to be of full atre."3 1 Coram Rege Roll, Hill., 7 Edward III., ni. 134 dorse. Hugh complained that John had taken from his fish ponds "lupos aquaticos (i.e. pyke) perch et roch, et breme (nic) ad valenciam viginti librarum." All these suits brought by Hugh against his stepfather continue on the Rolls until Michaelmas 10 Edward III, when they appear to have been dropt simultaneously. - De Banco, Mich., 7 Edward III, m. 240 dorse. ^ Palgrave's English Commonwealth. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 91 Sir Hugh de Wrottesley, K.G., A.D. 1333 to A.D. 1381. Sir Hugh de Wrot- tesley, who now suc- ceeded to his inheri- tance, is shewn to be son of the last Sir William by the deeds above printed, a suit in Banco of Easter term 13 Ed. II, and another suit on the Staffordshire Assize Roll of 13 Ed. III. He was born in the early part of the year 1314, but is found to be a Knight and in full possession of his estates in January 1334. As he was under age at the date of his knighthood, he must have been made a knight on the field of battle, and he was doubtless one of those created by Edward III on the 19 July 1333, the eve of the battle of Halidown Hill.^ Early in the year 1334, Sir Hugh having previousl}^ enfeoffed John de Fulford in the manor of Wrottesley and the Patshull Mill, the above feoffee reconveyed them to him, under the title of Hugh de Wrottesley, Knight, to be held by liim and Ehzabeth, his wife, and the heirs of the body of Hugh, with remainder to Roger, brother of Hugh, the son of William de Wrottesleye, and heirs male of his body with remainder to Idonia, his sister and heirs male of her body, with remainder to Elianora, the sister of Idonia and heirs male of her body, with final remainder over to the right heirs of Sir Hugh. This deed is dated on the Sunday after the Feast of St. Hillary, 7 Edward III, which would be the 16 January 1334.^ Roger is styled here son of William de Wrottesleye, to distinguish him from the half brothers of Sir Hugh, the sons of John de Tettebury, of whom several were living at this date. John de Tettebury and Joan apparently did not acquiesce in their expulsion from tlie Wrottesley estates, for on the Patent Roll of 8 Edward III William de Shareshulle, Roger Hillary, and John de Peyto, the elder, were appointed to take an assize of ^ Holinshed's Chronicle. 2 Original deed at Wrottesley, copied 1S60. 92 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF novel disseisin, which John de Tettebury and Joan, his wife, had arraigned against Hugh de Wrottesleye and EHzabeth, his wife, and others, touching tenements in Boterdon, Waterfal, Grendon, Stafford and Wrottesley.' The other defendants were John de Fulford and Ricliard de Wohuere.' Whilst all these suits were pending, Sir Hugh was making preparations to join the crusade, under Philip de Valois. The Patent Roll of 8 Edward III states that Hugh de Wrottesleye, who was about to set out on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, had King's letters of attorney in the names of Peter de Hoo and Thomas de Cheyne, available for three years, with power to sue in all Courts of England, dated 23 March." The two attornies named were Prothonotaries of the Court of Common Pleas. Jhe Pope, at the request of Philip de Valois, the King of France, had preached a crusade by bull dated 3 Dec. 1331, and the spring of 1334 had been fixed for the departure of the crusaders. Edward, the King of England, had promised to join the crusade, and Philip had taken an oath in 1333 to stay three years in Syria, at the head of a French army. The crusade was afterwards postponed, and the ships ordered to be ready in 1336, but the hostilities between France and England put a stop to the expedition.'* It would be tedious to give in detail all the law suits brought by Sir Hugh against his step-father. Those in the Westminster Courts continued for two years longer, the latest entry respecting them being one on the Roll of Easter term, 10 Edward III, wdiich states that the Sheriff of co. Stafford had been ordered to proceed in person to the woods of Wrottesleye, which John de Tettebury and Joan, his wife, held as dower of Joan of the inheritance of Hugh de Wrottesleye, Chivaler, and on the oath of twelve men, who had no affinity to the parties, made diligent enquiry into the extent of the waste and destruction caused by the said John and Joan, by cutting down and selhng one hundred oak trees, each worth half a mark, and to return the Inquisition at this term, and the Sheriff now returned that the said John and Jof^n had committed waste and destruction to the extent of £10 in the Wrottesleye woods by cutting down eighty oak trees, and as the Sheriff did not return a certain value for each oak he (viz. Simon de Ruggeleye) was fined 20s., and was ordered to make another Inquisition and return it on the Octaves of St. John de Baptist.^ Besides all ^ Rot. Pat., part ii, m. 7 dorso. - Essoin Roll, Stafford Assizes, 8 Edward III. Richard de Wolmere was Sir Hugh's attorney. 3 Rot. Pat. 8 Edward III, part i, m. 22. * Sismondi's Histoire des Francjais. ' De Banco, Easter, 10 Edward III, m. 283 dorso. No further notice of this suit occurs ou the Rolls. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 93 these law suits, Sir Hugh revived during the course of this year, the claim upon the manor of Loynton, which had been dropt by his father's death in 1320, but the only notice I have found respecting it, is an entry on the De Banco Roll of 10 Edward III which states that Hugh de Wrottesley, Chivaler, not appearing to prosecute his claim against Roger de Levington for the manor of Levynton, the suit was dismissed.^ In the following year, viz., in 1337, we meet with the first notice of the feud between the families of Wrottesley and Perton, on which depended some of the principal events in the life of Sir Hugh. The Coram Rege Roll of Easter term, 11 Edward III (April 1337), states that Hervey le Freman of Okene and Thomas, his son, Ralph le Freman of Okene, Henry de Codeshall, Thomas de Wolmere, Thomas en le Hurne of Wrottesleye, William atte Yate of Wrottesleye, Simon Aylwyne and Roger, his son, Stephen atte Tounesende and William, his son, Henry Benyng, Richard Benyng, Roger Benyng, John, son of William Crej^ of Tettenhale, and many others named, to the number altogether of twenty-nine, were attached at the suit of Leon de Perton for breaking vi et arinis into his close at Wyghtwyk, on the Tuesday before the Feast of the Assumption, 10 Edward III [August 1336], and cutting and carrying away his wheat and barle}^, rye, oats, beans and peas to the value of £20. The defendants appeared by attorney and denied the injury, and appealed to a jury which was to be summoned for the following Trinity term.^ The plaintiff in this suit \vas a younger brother of William, the lord of Perton, and held an appointment in the King's household as " Pannetarius Regis," or Chief Baker of the King. Nine of the defendants were tenants of Sir Hugh de Wrottesley. This suit occurs on the Rolls for the next three j^ears, but no jury w^as ever empanelled to try it, and this is not to be w^ondered at, for Wightwyke was a member of the King's manor of Tettenhall, and on the 18th March 1337 the King had committed the custody of this manor to Sir Hugh de Wrottesley. ■'' Shortly before this date, Roger, son of Roger atte Blakelej^e of Wrottesley (one of Sir Hugh's tenants), had been suing in the lords' Court of Tettenhall, Walter, son of John de Perton, for a messuage, 16 acres of land, and an acre of meadow in Tetenhale Regis. Walter, fearing local influence, transferred the cause to be heard at Westminster, and a writ of right was issued directing the suit to be recorded, and returned into the Court of Common Pleas at Trinity term 12 Edward III. At the latter term the Sheriff returned that he had taken witli him 1 De Banco, Mich., 10 Edward III. m. 446; dorso. 2 Coram Rege, Easter, 11 Edward III, m. 119, 3 Origiualia, 11 Edward III, m. 3, 94 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF four discreet and legal Knights of his Bailiwick, and the suitors (sectatores), i.e., the homage of the Court had refused to make the record, but he had, nevertheless, summoned the parties to appear at Westminster at this term. Walter appeared by attorney, but Roger, the plaintiff, put in no appearance, and the suit was dismissed. The Court, however, made an order that the Bailiff of the manor of Tettenhall Regis, in the event of any attempt being made to injure the said Walter, should, without delay, cause him to be restored to his lands and compensated for the injury.^ The person whose intimidation was feared on this occasion was, without doubt. Sir Hugh de Wrottesley ; the latter had obtained the custody of the King's manor on the 18 March 1337, for which he was to pay 100s. annually into the Exchequer. At Michaelmas term, 12 Edward III, he paid 53s. lOd., and was debited on the Pipe Roll for the balance.^ In the same year the King granted the manor in fee to Sir Henry de Ferrers, the Baron of Groby.^ Another member of the Perton family having been nearly beaten to death during these proceedings, the King issued the following special commission on the 7 October 1337. By letters patent of that date, William de Shareshulle, Roger de Swynnerton, and Roger Hillary were appointed to hear and determine the complaint of John de Perton, that Hugh de Wrottesleye, Chivaler, and Roger, his brother, Richard de Ove3^oteshay, and Thomas, his son, John de Foulford, and Ralph, his brother, Adam de Hocleye, William, son of Geoffrey atte Gatacre, Thomas Crey of Cumpton, John Leg, Richard Kempe, John Russell, Thomas, son of Thomas Crey, William, brother of Thomas, son of Thomas, Roger Stevens of Wrot- tesleye, and Stephen atte Tounesende of Wrottesleye, and certain other malefactors and disturbers of the King's peace, had assaulted tlie said John de Perton at Totenhalehome, and beaten, and wounded him, so that his life was despaired of, and had assaulted his men and servants at the same place, and committed other enormities to the grievous damage of the same John, and against the King's peace.* This John de Perton was brother of Leon, the plaintiff in the suit of Easter term, 11 Edward III, and on his death, which resulted from these injuries shortly afterwards, another special commission was issued, dated the 20th February following, addressed to Roger de Swynnerton, William de Shareshull, WiUiam Trussell, Roger Hillary, Tliomas de Halghton, and Richard de Peshale, appointing five or four, three or two of them, of whom either ^ De Banco Trinity, 12 Edward III, m. .59 dorso. - Pipe Rol), Staffordshire, 12 Edward III. 2 Originalia, 12 Edward III. * liot. Pat., 11 Edward III, part 3, m. 30 dorso. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 95 William de Shareshull or Roger Hillary should be one^ to enquire on the oath of honest and legal men of county Stafford, what malefactors and disturbers of the peace had feloniously killed John de Perton at Tetenhalehome, and by whose procurement the same had been done, and what persons had knowingly received the said malefactors afterwards, and to hear and determine the said felony according to the law and custom of the Kingdom. "- It must have been in connection with these events that Sir Hugh executed two deeds which were formerly at Wrottesley. By the first of them, which was dated on the Thursday after the Feast of St. Ambrose, 11 Edward HI [3 April 1337], he enfeoffed his cousin, William de Wrottesley, and another in the manor of Wrottesley ; and, tv/o days afterwards, by another deed, he mortgaged all his lands at Butterton and elsewhere on the moors for a sum of £20 to his father-in-law. Sir John de Hampton, the said sum to be repaid at Elderstoke [Oldstoke in Hampshire] on the following Octaves of St. John the Baptist (1 July 1337). Being thus furnished with the sinews of war, he set out to join the English forces in Scotland, taking with him all those implicated in the attack upon John de Perton. By a writ dated from Thame on the 12th November 1337, letters of protection were granted to the following, who were about to set out on the King's service to Scotland in the retinue of William de Montagu, Earl of Salisbury, viz., John Russell, Roger Stevens of Wrottesleye, William, son of Geoffrey atte Gatacre, Richard Kemp, John de Foulford, Thomas Grey of Cumpton, Hugh de Wrottesleye, John Leg, Ralph de Foulford, Thomas, son of Thomas Grey, Richard de Ovyhetteshaye, William, son of Thomas Grey the elder, Adam de Hocleye, lliomas, son of Richard de Ovyhetteshaye, and Stephen atte Touneshende of Wrottesleye. The close coincidence of these names with those mentioned in the commission of 7 October 1337, proves that Sir Hugh had obtained private intimation from some person in authority, of the issue of the commission, and of the names of those against whom the plaint of John de Perton had been lodged, and this person, I suspect, could have been no other than Sir William de Shareshulle, the Ghief Justice, who was Sir Hugh's nearest neighbour, and with whom, at this time, he was on excellent terms. ^ ^ These were the professional judges. 2 Rot. Pat., 12 Edward III, part i, m. 33 dorso. 3 By deed dated from Patshull on the Thursday after the Feast of St. Cedde. 10 Edward III, Sir Hugh exchanged tlie Patshull mill for a mill called Trillemulne in Orton with Sir William de Shareshull ; the former mill being much the more valuable of the two. [Original deed at Wrottesley]. 96 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF Holinshed's Scottish Chronicle gives the following account of the operations of the English forces in Scotland during this year; under the date of 1837 it states that "about the same time Sir William IMontacute, Earl of Salisburie, togither with the Earl of Arundell, came into Scotland with a great power of men, and besieged the Castell of Dunbar, lieng at the same for the space of 22 weeks [at which battell also was King Edward, the Earl of Gloucester, the Lords Percie and Nevill] being in the yeare 1387 as saith Scala Chronicle. Within the said Castell was the Countesse hirselfe, surnamed Blacke Agnes of Dunbar, who shewed such manlie defence, that no gain was to be got anie waies forth at hir hand, so that in the end they were constrained to raise their siege and to depart without speed of their purpose. It is said that this Countesse used manie pleasant words in jesting and tawnting at the enimies doings, thereb}' the more to incourage hir souldiers. " One day it chanced that the Englishmen had devised an engine call a sow" under the pentise or covert whereof they might approach safelie to the walls. She beholding this engine merilie said, that unless the Englishmen kept their sow the better, she would make her cast hir pigs, and so she soon after destroied it." The English Chronicle of Holinshed, describing the same events says : — " This siege began even in the beginning of the 12th yeare of King Edward's reigne and continued for the space of nineteene weeks with small gaine and lesse honour to the Englishmen, in so much that the same brake up under a colour of a truce, when there was no hope of winning the place, and the noblemen that laie there at siege, hasted to make an end of it, that they might attend the King in his iournie over into Brabant." ^ J On the 7th June 1338 the two Earls raised the siege, and retired to Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Edward III had now decided to assert his claim to the throne of France by force of arms, and, having made alliances with the German Emperor, the Duke of Brabant, and other Powers, had levied considerable forces for operations in the Low Countries and north-east provinces of France. All the counties of England as far north as Warwickshire were summoned to arms by writs dated 26 February and 1 March 1338, and the rendezvous of the expedition had been fixed at Great Yarmouth, Ipswich, and Orwell in Suffolk. On the 10 July 1338 the following letters of protection were granted to William de Montagu, who was about to proceed abroad in the King's service, and to the following who were of his retinue. Dated by the King from Walton. WROTTKRT.KY OF WROTTKSLRY. 97 Robert de Burton, William Waloys, John Mnrdak, Thomas Pecche, Robert de Barton, John de VVhj^tchurch, William de Molyns, Thomas Crey le fitz, John de Coupeland, Robert de Neville, Hanry Peverel, Robert de Litthibury, Roger de Wrottesle, John Avenel, Hugh de Wrottesle, Thomas Wale, Nicholas de Halughton, Peter Malorri, John de Stapleton Philip de Budif'ort, Thomas West.^ Many of these names became eminent in future years. Thomas West and Robert de Neville served as Bannerets at Crecy,- and John de Copeland was the Es([uire who took David, King of Scots, prisoner at the battle of Neville's Cross, and was afterwards promoted to the rank of Banneret. Most of the others named were at Crecy, and Sir Hugh de Wrottesley and Sir Thomas Wale were numliered amongst the original Knights of the Garter. John de Wlwtchurch and Thomas Crey occur frequently in connection with Sir Hugh, and probably served as his archers in this expedition. Every man-at-arms brought into the field a mounted archer, and Roger de Wrottesley would be serving as an esquire or man-at-arms in Sir Hugh's suite. By the usual indentures of service each knight had to provide six horses, an esquire tlu'ee or four, and an archer one. The archers, who formed part of a knight's retinue, were invariably mounted, and must not be confounded with the archers supplied by the counties or towns, who served on foot. The former are styled on the Rolls, " Sagittarii equites," and were often men of good birth, the younger sons of knightly families.^ Another entry on the Aleman Roll of 12 Edward III, under date of 21 July, states that Roger de W^rottesley and Hugh de Wrottesley, who were in the King's service abroad, had letters of general attorney under the names of Richard de Ovyoteshay and William in the Lane of Hampton. The King set sail on the 16 July and landed at Antwerp a few days afterwards. His allies, however, were not ready to take the field, and the English forces were distributed in the towns of Antwerp, Brussels, Malines and other places. Some desultory operations took place on the frontier, and Sir Walter de Mauny, who had made a vow that he would be the first to enter the French territory, collected about forty lances ("de bons ' Alernan Hull, 12 Edward III, part i, m. 6. - " C'leey and Calais," by the present writer. " Military service )ierf(jrined by Staffordshire tenants in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, vols viii ind xiv, William Salt Series, H 08 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF compafjjnoiis et hardis," as Froissart styles them) and surprised the Castles of Tliun I'Evesque. This took phice in the autumn of 1338. It is not unlikely that Sir Hu privato sigillo irrotulatum in inemoraiida de anno xxv in tennino INIicliaelis. Et (|uietu.s est. On his return to Enoland at the end of HVM) Sir Hugh proceeded to expel his stei)rather and mother from tlie lands at Butterton, which they held under the marriage settlement of 1313. This he effected by a writ of novel disseisin, which was heard at Wolverhampton before William de ShareshuU and his fellow Justices of Assize on the Friday, the Morrow of St. Katherine the Virgin, 13 Edward III [26 Nov. i:]39]. The Record states that an Assize was summoned to return a verdict whether John de Tettebury and Joan, his wife, and William, son of William Barre, of Albryghton, luid unjustly disseised Hugh de Wrottesleye, Chivaler, of a messuage, six acres of meadow, ten acres of wood, forty acres of pasture and 13s. of rent in Boterdon, Grendon and Waterfall. William Barre stated he held nothing in the tenements, and John de Tettebury pleaded that he found his wife, Joan, seised of the tenements, and John and Joan jointly pleaded that the tenements were formerly in the seisin of one William de Wrottesley, the grandfather of the said Hugh, and whose heir he was, and William had given them by his deed to William, his son, the father of Hugh, and to the said Joan, then wife of William, son of William, and which Joan was now wife of John de Tettebury, and to the heirs of their bodies, and failing such, to his own right heirs, and they produced the deed of William de Wrottesley to that effect. Hugh replied that William, his grandfather, had never delivered seisin of the tenements to William, his father, and to Joan, but had retained his status in them all his life, and had died seised of them in demesne as of fee, and after his death the said William, son of William, had entered as son and heir, and had died seised of them, and after the death of William, son of William, he had entered as son and heir. The jury found in favour of Hugh de Wrottesle}'', and assessed his damages at six marks. ^ It is difficult to understand the reason of this verdict : for under the provisions of the deed of 1313, Joan was clearly entitled to hold the tenements for her life. It is possible there may have been some technical informality in not delivering seisin of the tenements to William and Joan in 1313, but from what we know of the character of Sir William de ShareshuU, it is quite as probable that the verdict was due to the partiality of the judge. Between this date and the renewal of the war with France in 1342, there is little of interest to record respecting Sir Hugh. On ' Assize Roll, Stnffnnishire, 8-13 Kdwanl IIT, m. M rlorso. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 101 the 10 October 1341, a special commission was issued by the King, addressed to Sir Jolm de Sutton (the Baron of Dudley), Sir Hugh de Wrotteslej^ and Sir Adam de Chetwynde, commanding them to arrest divers persons named and commit them to prison for an attempt to subvert the King's privileges connected with the collation of Louis de Cherleton to the Prebend of Codsall, of the King's Free Chapel of Tettenhall. The principal persons ordered to be arrested under this writ were the Prior of Sand well, Edmund, the Prior's Priest, William, the Mercer of Birmingham, three of his sons, and Robert, the Parson of the Church of Birmingham.^ Early in the year 1342, Sir Hugh revived again his claim upon the manor of Loynton. His father had proceeded by writ of entry, a hopeless measure, for the tenant at Loynton could easily prove that his ancestors were in seisin of the manor anterior to 5 Henry III, which was the limit of time for this description of action. The writ now issued by Sir Hugh assumed that the tenant at Loynton was liis Bailili', and liable to render an account of the issues of it. On the Roll of Hillary Term, 15-16 Edward III, in Banco, the essoin (i.e. the representative) of Hugh de Wrottesieye appeared against Roger de Levinton in a plea that he should render a reasonable account for the time he was the receiver of the money of the said Hugh. Roger did not appear, and the Sheriff was ordered to attach him for the Quin- dene of Holy Trinity. No further entry respecting this suit has been found on the Rolls, and it was probably suspended by the outbreak of hostilities between the French and English, and the departure of Sir Hugh for Brittany in April of this year. The cause of the renewal of the war between the French and English was the dispute respecting the succession to the Duchy of Brittany. The truce between the two countries would not expire till June 1342, but Charles de Blois, one of the claimants to the Duchy, having obtained possession of Nantes by surprise, and taken prisoner his rival, John de Montford, an English force under the command of Sir Walter de Mauny sailed in April to the relief of Hennebon, to which Joan de Montfort, the wife of John, had retired with her infant son, and which was closely invested by the forces under Charles de Blois. The story of the defence of Hennebon by Joan de Montfort, and its relief by Sir Walter de Mauny will be found in all the histories of the period ; but Froissart's account of the reception by Joan of her English allies is worth transcribing. The terms of the capitulation had been already arranged when the English fleet was descried upon the horizon. All thoughts of ^ surrender were at once abandoned, and the forces under de ' Patent Roll, 15 Edward III, part 2, m. 21, dorso. 102 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF Mauiiy liaviu<,f landed and dispersed the French besiegers, were able to connnunicate with the <^arrison. ' " Adonc," says Froissart, " vit hi Conitesse descendre du chatel a grand chere et baiser niessire Gautier de Manny et ses conipagnons les uns apres les antres deux ou trois i'ois, bien put dire ((ue c'etoit una vailiante dame." One of Sir Walter's companions on this occasion was Kalph, the Baron of Statiord, and he liad in his retiinie the following Statibrdsliire knights : Philip de Chetwynde, Henry de Cress- well, John Hastang, John de Weston, John de Sutton, James de Pyj)e. John de Stafford, Walter de Stafford, Jolni de Mokeleston, and Hugh de Wrottesleye.' By close writ dated 25 January, 16 Edward III, fifty-seven sacks of wool, of the value of £8 each, were granted to Ralph, Lord Stafford, for the maintenance of fifty men-at-arms in the King's service, of which two were Bannerets, sixteen were Knights, and thirty-one Esquires ; a Banneret to receive 4/s per diem, a Knight 2/s and an Escjuier 1 's. The two Bannerets would be John de Sutton, of Dudley, and John Hastang, of Chebbesey. On the 5 October 1842, the King sailed from Sandwicli with an army of about 12,000 men, and having joined his forces with those under de Mauny, besieged the three towns of Rennes, Vannes and Nantes. Walter de Manny's force formed a part of the army which invested Vannes, and it was during this siege that Lord Stafford and a portion of his retinue were taken prisont-rs, under circumstances very characteristic of the style of warfare then in vogue. The Earls of Warwick and Arundel, the Baron of Stafford, and Walter de Mauny, with a view of defj'ing the French garrison, advanced up to the barriers of the town, planted their standards in the ground, and then withdrew out of the range of the enemies' missiles. Li answer to this defiance, the French opened wide the gates of the town, and then advanced to take the standards. Then, says Froissart, " La eut fait tant de belles appertises d'armes que merveille serait a raconter, car les Anglais qui veoient la porte ouverte, le tenoient a grand depit." During the skirmish which ensued, the Baron of Stafford forced his way beyond the outer barriers, and being enclosed between tliem and tlic town gates, was taken prisoner with a portion of his retinue. The French and English armies remained in presence of one another for the greater part of the winter of 1342-43, when Clement VI, who had been recently elected Pope, sent two Cardinals to negotiate a peace between them. On the 19 January 1343 a truce was concluded to last till Michaelmas, during which negotiations for a permanent peace ' Freuch Holl, 16 Edward III, m. ai. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 103 were to be carried on Ijefore the Pope at Avignon. The King returned to England in the following March, leaving William de Bohun, Earl of Northampton, in command of the troops left behind in Brittany. The truce was badly kept by Ijotli sides ; one of the conditions of it stipulated for the release of John de Montfort, but the French King retained him a prisoner against the expostulations both of the Pope and of King Edward. The English retaliated by a raid upon the French, in which the principal actor appears to have been Sir Hugh de Wrottesley. The Pope writes to the King from Avignon in October 1343, stating that it had been notified to him that whereas the Bishops of Penestre and Tusculum, the nuncios of the Holy See, had taken mutual pledges from both parties, and the truce was pending and in force ; a nobleman, named Ralph de Montfort, and others who were with him in the army of the King of France, had been seized in their beds by one named Hugh de Wrotelesse, with other armed men of the retinue of the Earl of Narantune (Northampton) and had been taken captive to the said Earl, who still detained them as prisoners, and had subjected them to various losses and injuries to their persons and effects, even to the extent of depriving them of a considerable sum of money in gold.^ The King answered under date of the 29 November, from Westminster, that he had always observed the truce in good faith, even when the other party had not done so, and he had even complained in the presence of the Royal Legates that the French had violated the truce, and he therefore prayed the Pope to interpose with the other side for the more efficient maintenance of it. The real history of the transaction seems to be that the English, upon hearing of the presence of a de Montfort with the French army, had assumed that it was John de Montfort, the competitor to the Duchy of Brittany, who had been detained a prisoner by the French against the stipulations of the truce, and Sir Hugh Wrottesley had been sent by the Earl of Northampton to effect his release by force or stratagem. On the conclusion of the truce between the two nations on the 19 January 1343, mutual exchanges of prisoners had taken place. Ralph, Lord Stafibrd, was one of those who were liberated on this occasion, and with him were released all those of his retinue who could obtain an exchange or purchase their liberty by a ransom. Sir Hugh de Wrottesley was apparently in England in September of this year, for on the 22nd of that ' Papal Letters (printed), Record Series. The letter also appears in Rymer, who has printed the name Wrocelesse, the " c " and " t " being indistinguishable in ancient handwriting. 104 HI.STOKY OK THK FAMILY OK iiioiitli l^co (le IV-rton roniittcd to liiiii all liis claim to the mill of Wi^litwyke' and otlu'V lands and tL-ncinc'iits lield by Sir Huther witli the King, were clothed in tunics of russet, powdered with Clarters of a green (sic) color, and wearing likewise Carters on the right leg, and mantles of blue with shields of the arms of St. George. In this dress, with their heads bare, they devoutly heard mass sung by the Bishops of Canterbury, Winchester and Exeter, and afterwards sat at table to celebrate a festival in honor of the Holy Martyr and the noble Brotherhood, which had been specially instituted for this purpose and was called the Society of St. George of the Garter " Comitiva Sancti Georgii de la Gartiere (sic).'"^ The Black ])eath of the previous year had left many vacancies in the Royal Household, and Sir Hugh was appointed to till one of them in October of this year. By Letters Patent, (lateelieve that there are many omissions in the early lisl.s of the Knights of the Gai'ter, thus Roger de Cotesfoid, a Knight of the Household of the I'.lack Prince, and who was selected by the Prince to bring hijine the news of the battle of Poictiers, does not occur among them, although his seal in the Hodleian Librarj^ has the Garter and motto round his shield of arms. 2 Patent Roll, 24 Edward III, y)art iii, m. 17. •■' Pell Issues, Easter, 2."i lOdward III. This grant apparently took effect from the previous 25 March, and it is curious to note that this is the rule at the ])resent time in the case of the CMvil List Pensions. s. 5 cl. 6 10 6 9 6 8 WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 113 Letters Patent, which assigned the following ferms in Statibrd- shire to him for the payment of the annuity : — £ From the vills of Mere and Clent - - - 16 From Kings Swinford - - - - 11 From Kynfare and Tettenhale - - - 11 From the Foresters Fee at Teddesley - - 1 Making a total of £40 Is. 8d., and Sir Hugh was to account to the Exchequer for the difference of 20d. annually. Mandates were likewise issued to John de Botetourt, the tenant of the vills of Mere and Clent, and to John de Sutton of Dudley, the tenant of the vill of Swinford, and to the Gustos of Kynfare, and to the men of Tetenhale to ,pay the above sums to Sir Hugh in person. For many years up to this date. Sir Hugh had been charged on the Pipe Rolls with various outstanding debts due to the Exchequer. The earliest of these was a sum of 100s. for a year's ferm of the King's manor of Tettenhall, the custody of which had been granted to him in 11 Edward III, and a further sum of £27 13s. 2d., arrears of the ferm of the same manor, charged against him, apparently owing to an error of the Exchequer authorities. The next in date was a sum of £55 charged against him for the subsidy of wool in 13 Edward III, in which year he had exported from Ipswich several sacks of wool without license. A fourth charge entered against him was one of 10 marks for a man-at-arms assessed upon his lands for the expedition of 1346. The aggregate of these sums would amount to a very heavy debt owing to the Crown, representing certainly not less than £2,000 at the present date, and the Sheriff of the County, if pressed to collect arrears by the Exchequer, would distrain. upon his lands and chattels for it. Sir Hugh took advantage of the favour with which he was regarded at this time by the King, to obtain an exoneration from all these charges. A writ was issued to the Treasurer and Barons of the Exchequer on the 17 February 1350, in these terms : — Edward par la grace de dieu Roi dengleterre et de Fraimce et Seigneur d Irlaunde, as Tresorer et Barouns de notre Eschequier salutz, Come de notre grace especiale eions perdonnez a notre chei" et feial Hugh de Wrottesle cinquant et cink livres qe courent sur lui en demande per sumouns du dit Eschequier pur la custume de vint et sept sacs de leine et demy cariez outre meere, vos mandons q. de la dite summe lui faciez estre quites et deschargez devers nous, et si nuUe (die) destiesse lui seit fait pur la dite cause loi facez outrement I 114 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF rt'lesse, doiine souz notrc privc seal ul Wcstniouastcro le xvii jour de Fevrier Ian de iiotre rcgiie deugleterre viiitisme quart et de Fraunce vicisme.^ A later writ of the same year, dated 20 October 24 Edward III, and addressed to the Treasurer and Barons of the Exchequer, states that whereas the King had granted on the 18 March 11 Edward III, to his faithful and beloved Hugh de Wrottesle, the custody of the manor of Tattenhale, in co. Stafford, to be held at his pleasure, and rendering for it 100s. annually, and afterwards on the 8 July 12 Edward III, the King had granted the same manor to Henry de Ferers, and the heirs male of his body, and it had been shewn by the said Hugh, that although he had .delivered the manor to Henry de Ferers, and had derived no profit from it after the said 8th July, that nevertheless he had been summoned to appear at the Exchequer every year to repder 100s. from the 18 March 11 Edward III, and had been put to great expense and trouble in consequence, for which he prayed a remedy. The King therefore commanded them to make enquiry by Inquisition or other legal methods, so that if Sir Hugh's complaint was well founded, he might be exonerated from the said yearly payment of 100s. The Inquisition was apparently in favour of Sir Hugh, for eighteen months after this date the King sent the following writ to the Barons of the Exchequer : — Edward par la grace de dieu, etc., as Tresorer et Barons de notre Eschequier, salutz. Come de notre grace especiale, eions perdonez a notre cher et feial Hugh de Wrottesle vint et sept livres, douze soulz et deux deniers qui sont demandez de lui per sumouns du dit Eschequier des arrerages de la ferme du manoir de Tatenhale, les quex arrerages sont de partie del an de notre regne d'engleterre douzisme et desans tresisme, quatorsisme, quinsisme, seszismes et partie del an dis et septisme por queux temps Heniy de Ferrers avoit le dit manoir et eut pris les issues de notre don, vos mandons que de meisme la .somme de vynt et sept livres, douze soulz et deux deniers faeez descharger le dit Hugh, et de tut estre quites a notre dit Eschequier issint qil ne seit mes empeschez ne grevez par reson de la somme avantdite. Don souz notre prive seal, a Westmonastere le 27 jour davril Ian de notre regne dengleten-e vint et sisme, et de France tresisme. 2 Another writ, nearly in the same terms, dated 22 June 26 Edward III [1352] exonerated him from the charge of 100s. for a year's ferm of the same manor. ^ A third writ, dated 2 October 26 Edward III, relieved him from the assessment on his lands for Hobelars and Archers in * Memoranda Roll, Queen's Uemeinbraacer, 25 Edward III, Michaelma.s Writs. ^ Memoranda Roll, Queen'.s Remembrancer, 26 Kdward HI, Writs of Michaelmas. » Ibid. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 115 1346. This has already been given in full. Through some error of the Exchequer authorities, it was not enrolled till the following year, when it appears amongst the Michaelmas writs of 27 Edward III.i Sir Hugh was now at the height of his prosperity. All his debts to the Crown had been remitted, his income had been more than doubled by the Royal grants made to him. He had been created a Knight of the Garter, had been placed in the King's household, and would have probably risen to higher and more responsible positions, if he could have restrained a certain vindictiveness of temper and spirit of lawlessness which appears to have been inherent in his nature. Up to this time he had risen steadily in the King's favour, but within little more than a year from the date of the King's last grant to him he was a fugitive from justice and deprived of all his possessions. At this distance of time it is impossible to state in positive terms the causes of this catastrophe, but we have certain facts and indications from which a very fair inference can be drawn. The Sheriffs of Staffordshire at this date were appointed by the Duke of Lancaster, to whom the King had granted the Shrievalty of the Midland Counties for his life, and in 1352 the Duke had appointed to this office Philip de Lutteley, of Lutley, in CO. Stafford, a near neighbour of Sir Hugh, and who had married Katherine, the sister of the same John de Perton who had been killed in the affray with Sir Hugh in 1338. It appears to have been the custom of the Exchequer to saddle a new Sheriff with the Crown debts owing during the tenure of office of his predecessor. Thus a writ on the Memoranda Roll of 26 Edward III (1352) states that whereas John le Blount, late Sheriff of co. Stafford, had been charged with a sum of 100s. said to be owing by Sir Hugh de Wrottesleye for the arrears of the ferm of Tettenhale, he was to be allowed in lieu of it, 100s. from the lands and tenements of Walter de Rydeware, late a Collector of the Aid in co. Stafford, and which were in the King's hands. ^ Philip de Lutteley would thus find himself personally liable for the debts of Sir Hugh to the Crown. It is true these had all, with one exception, been remitted before Michaelmas 1352, when Philip was invested with the Shrievalty, but it is very doubtful whether, owing to the dilatory action of the Exchequer, notifications of these remissions would have reached the Sheriff ' Ibid., 27 Edward III, Writs of Michaelmas term. ^ They had been taken into the King's bands as security for the balance of the Subsidy which liEid not been paid into the Exchequer by the Collectors. There is evidence on the Rolls of great pressure exercised by the Exchequer at this period on the Sheriffs of Counties and Collectors of the Subsidies in order to relieve the Crown of its heavy indebtedness on account of the French war. 116 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF before he assumed office, and in the case of the charge for supplying hobelars and archers in 1346, the notification of its remittance could not possibly hav^e arrived, because it was not granted till the 2nd October 1352, and was not enrolled till the following year. New brooms proverbially sweep clean, and if Philip signalised his accession to office by an energetic attempt to collect outstanding Crown debts, not aware that they had been remitted, whilst Sir Hugh, knowing his relationship to the Fertons, suspected that his action arose from personal motives, we have all the elements of a tragedy in the fourteenth century. Sir Hugh appears to have received some intimation of a descent upon him by the Sheriff, for he had collected a considerable body of men to resist it. Like the Irish distraints of 1880 — 18S1, it was effected by stealth during the night, and the Sheriff attended in person. At daybreak on the 29 November the two parties met on Dunstone Heath, between Stafford and Pillatonhale, and in a conflict which ensued, the Sheriff and his clerk were both killed, whilst a third man of the Sheriffs party, Thomas de Stretton, died of his wounds a short time afterwards. At the present day. Sir Hugh and his accomplices would have been arrested within a few days under the Coroner's warrant, but in the reign of Edward III it was not easy to enforce the ordinary criminal process against a man of property, a knight of repute, and a member of the King's household. No proceedings appear to have been taken against him in the county, but at the Easter sittings of the Court of King's Bench, Agnes, late wife of Philip de Whitemere, appeared in person and appealed Hugh de Wrotteslegh, Chivaler, John de Tettebury, the younger, William, brother of John, and Walter, brother of William, John de Derinton, and Thomas de Gatacre, and Alice, his wife, for the death of her husband. None of the defendants appeared, and the Slieriff returned that they could not be found, and held nothing within his Bailiwick by which they could be attached. He was, therefore, ordered to put them into exigend, and if they did not appear, to outlaw them, and if they appeared, to arrest and produce them on the following Quindene of Michaelmas.^ Katrine, the late wife of Philip de Lutteley, likewise appeared in person and appealed the same defendants for the death of her husband. The process was the same as in the previous case. ^ Coram Rege Roll, Easter, 27 Edward III, m. 10. To be put into exigend was to be summoned at five .successive County Courts, and if they did not surrender, they were proclaimed outlaws. The County Courts were held at intervals of three weeks, and were presided over by the Sheriffs. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 117 These proceedings were probably taken on the advice of the Chief Justice, Sir William de Shareshull. As the owner of Patshull, he was a near neighbour of Philip de Lutteley, and was connected with him by the marriage of his daughter Elizabeth with Sir John de Perton. The latter was the nephew of Katrine, the widow of Philip. The addition of the names of Thomas de Gatacre, and Alice his wife to the indictment, exemplifies the iniquity of the Criminal Courts at this date, for there is no reason to suppose they were implicated in the attack upon the Sheriflf and his suite. About four years before this date Philip de Whitemere had laid claim to a large portion of the Gatacre demesne lands, and had obtained a verdict in his favour before a local jury at Shrewsbury in 1350. It would have been easy for him in his capacity of clerk to the Sheriff to have packed a jury in this case, and Thomas de Gatacre and Alice had appealed against the verdict, and this appeal was pending at this date in the Court of King's Bench. ^ On such slight grounds as these apparently, the names of Thomas and Alice had been added to the indictment as instigators of the attack upon the Sheriff, but the Chief Justices of this era were notoriously corrupt, and made large fortunes at the expense of men of property against whom indictments were laid in their Courts. Both Wrottesley and Gatacre adjoined the lands of the Chief Justice at Patshull, and the temptation of adding two or three thousand additional acres to the large estates he was accumulating in Staffordshire and Shropshire would have been irresistible to a Judge of the fourteenth century.^ Sir Hugh must have received some warning of the issue of these writs, for the subsequent proceedings shew that he had divested himself of all his moveable property, but he delayed too long his departure from the country, and before the date named for the return of the writs into Court, all the defendants were in custody, with the exception of John de Tettebury, Walter de Tettebury^ and John de Derington. The entries on the Roll of the following Michaelmas term are as follows : — ^ For these proceedings, see Staffordshire Collections, vol. xiv, p. 78. '•^ Sir John Thorpe, the predecessor of William de Shareshull, had been deprived of his office and heavily fined for malpractices of this nature, and Sir William de Shareshull was eventually dismissed for malversation of office, and retired into a monastery. The story of the acquisition of Littlecote, by Chief Justice Popham, after a murder committed by the owner, Wild Dayrell, is well known. ^ Walter de Tettebury was in the Household of Queen Philippa, and was pardoned by the King, and his outlawry annulled in 34 Edward III (1360). John de Derington was an outlaw from County Chester, and was probably in Sir Hugh's service, for it was alleged against the latter on a later occasion that he kept a number of outlaws from Lancashire and Chester in his service. None of the defendants named after the word " together," were in custody. 118 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF Staff. Hu,£,^h de Wrotteslegh, Chivaler, William, brother of John de Tettebury, the younger, Thomas de Gataere and Alice, his wife, Avere attached at the suit of Agnes, formerly wife of Philip de Whitemere, together with John de Tettebury, the younger, and Walter, brother of the said William, and John de Derynton, for the death of Philip, her husband, and the sureties for the prosecution were Robert Knote and Richard de Sutton. And Agnes appeared in person and appealed the said William, brother of John de Tettebury, for the death of her husband, and stated that whereas the said Philip was in the peace of God and of the King on the Thursday before the Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle, 26 Edward III, in the first hour of the day in the vill of Dunston, on the high road which runs from the vill of Dunston to the vill of Pencrych, and going towards the vill of Stafford, the said William lying in wait, with malice aforethought, had feloniously struck the said Philip with a sword of Cologne through the middle of the body to the heart, and so that he died forthwith within the arms of the said Agnes.' And as soon as the said William had committed the felonj?^ he fled, and she had followed immediately with hue and cry from vill to vill up to the four nearest vills, and eventually to the Coroners until the said William had been attached at her suit.^ The said Agnes appealed Hugh de Wrotteslegh for the same death, and stated that at sunrise on the said day he had sent the said William and John de Tettebury and Walter, brothers of William, and John de Derynton, who had been named in the original writ and had been outlawed, to commit the said felony, and likewise for aiding and abetting it, inasmuch as the said Hugh was present with a drawn sword in his right hand, and gave aid to the said William and the others named, in committing the felony, and likewise for knowingly receiving the said William and John de Tettebury, and Walter and John de Derynton, at Wrotteslegh after the perpetration of the felony. The same Agnes likewise appealed Thomas Gataere and Alice, his wife, for sending the said William and others to commit the felony, and for knowingly receiving them after- wards in divers places of the said county. And William and the other defendants denied the felony, and put themselves on the country, and the Sheriff was ordered to summon a jury for the Octaves of St. Hillary, * These words, "inter brachia ipsius Agnetis," and the following paragraph are formal only, being the necessary part of an Indictment in an appeal of murder. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 119 and the said Hugh and the others were committed in the meantime to the King's prison of the Marshalsea in the custody of Robert Bolour.^ Similar proceedings were taken against the same defendants on the suit of Katharine, late wife of PhiHp de Lutteley. The record of these is the same verhatlun as the above, but with the addition that PhiHp was in the service of the King as Sub-Sheriff and Coroner of co. Stafford — in servitio domini Regis ad Coniitatum Staffordie tanquam Sub- vieecomes et Coronator ejv^sdem Gomitatus} As the Sheriff's party were on the high road at daybreak, it is probable that a distraint had been levied during the night, and they were driving the cattle in the direction of Stafford. In that case, the conflict must have arisen from an attempt on the part of Sir Hugh to rescue his cattle. Some entries on the same Roll of a few days later date give us the continuation of the proceedings. Staff. The King sent a close writ to the Sheriff of co. Stafford, that whereas he had lately commanded him to make enquiry on the oath of lawful and honest men con- cerning the goods and chattels, and lands and tenements, which Hugh de Wrottesleye, Chivaler, held in his county on the 10 April last, and subsequently, inasmuch as the said Hugh had not appeared, coram Rege, to answer the appeal of Katrine, formerly wife of Philip de Lutteleye, for the death of her husband, and for which he had been put into exigend and outlawed ; and to return the value of the same on the Quindene of the Holy Trinity, and the Sheriff had returned at that date that the said Hugh before the arrival of the King's writ had dispossessed himself of iall lands and tenements which he held within his bailiwick, except a rent of £40 which he held of the King, and which the King had taken into his hands, and the King, believing the said return to be false and fabricated, because it had been testified to him by men worthy of credit that the said Hugh had in no wise demised himself of his lands and tenements, except by deceit and collusion to defraud the King of the issues of the lands which belonged to him owing to the flight of the said Hugh, and that the said Hugh had received the profits of the lands and tenements up to the present time through carelessness (neviencia), he was therefore commanded to take into the King's hands all the goods and chattels, lands and tenements of the said Hugh into whosesoever hand they may have come, and to be answerable for them until further orders, and to appear in person, coram Rege, at this date, to answer for the false ' Coram Rege Roll, Michaelmas, 27 Edward III, m. 8 dorso and m. 20 dorso. 120 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF return. Tested by William de Shareshulle at Westminster 15 Sept., 27 Edward III, by writ of privy seal (per hreve de scf/reto [sic] sigillo domini Regis). The Sheriff answered in these words : — " By virtue of the above writ I have taken into the King's hand, of goods and chattels found in the manor of Wrottesleye, eighteen oxen for the plough, each worth 9s. 6d., two cart horses, each worth 6s. 8d., twenty quarters of wheat in the granges, each quarter estimated to he worth 4s., fourteen quarters of juxtilion, each quarter estimated at 3s., fifteen quarters of barley, each quarter estimated at 3s., seven quarters of beans, each quarter estimated at 3s., eighteen quarters of peas, estimated value of each quarter, 2s., and twenty-four quarters of oats, each quarter estimated at 22f^. I have taken also of the lands and tenements of Hugh de Wrottesleye at Wrottesleye, a messuage with gardens, worth annually beyond reprisals 5s. and no more, because the houses are in ruins, a pigeon-house worth half a mark annually, three carucates of land, each worth 40s. per annum and no more, because the third part of the three carucates lies fallow every year (ad warectmn), eighteen acres of meadow, of which each acre is worth 2s., three enclosed parks, of which the herbage is worth 30s. annually and no more, because they are stocked with wild beasts, a watermill which is worth nothing annually, because it is in a ruinous state, and 40s. rent from the natives, which is received annually at Michaelmas and Lady Day. I have taken also into my hands eight marks of annual rent received by the said Hugh from the tenants of Boturdon (Butterton-on-the-Moors) at the Feasts of St. Michael and the Annunciation of the Blessed Mary every year.''^ Sir Hugh and his half-brother had been committed to the Marshalsea shortly after the Quindene of Michaelmas, which would be the 12th of September. Within little more than six weeks from this date, both prisoners were at large, with the connivance, no doubt, of Sir Walter Mauny, the Marshal of the Court, under whom Sir Hugh had served in Brittany in 1342. Sir Walter, in fact, who held the office of Marshal for his life, under Letters Patent, was in the habit of releasing his prisoners on condition of their serving the King in France, and in 1342 he had allowed as many as ninety-eight prisoners to be at large upon these conditions.^ The story of their escape is given as follows on the Roll : — ' Ibid., m. 41 Rex. - Sir Walter de Mauny had been appointed Sergeant Marshal by Thomas Plantagenet, the Earl Marshal and Earl of Norfolk, in 1331. He afterwards married the widow of Lord Segrave who was daughter and heir of the Earl, WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 121 Staff., Surrey, London. On the Thursday after the Morrow of St. Martin, 27 Edward III, Simon dc Kegworth, the Clerk and Coroner of the King^ by command of the Justices holding Pleas before the King, proceeded to the prison of the King's Marshal at Kyngeston upon Thames, where the said Justices were holding Pleas, and made a scrutiny of the prisoners in the custody of Robert Bolour, the Marshal, when the said Simon found that Hugh de Wrottesleye, Chivaler, and William, brother of John de Tettebury, the younger, who had been severally appealed for the death of Philip de Whitemere, at the suit of Agnes, formerly wife of Philip, and likewise for the death of Philip de Lutteleye at the suit of Katrine, formerly wife of the said Philip, hj divers writs of the King, and had been committed to the custody of the said Marshal, were not in prison there (ibidem in prisond non exstiterunt) and after- wards on the Friday following, the said Marshal being questioned whether the said Hugh and William were in the King's prison in his custody or not, stated that they had broken out of prison on the Sunday, the Morrow of All Souls in this term, in London, viz., in the parish of St. Andrew in Holburne, in the ward of Farindon without, where they were detained in prison with other prisoners. The said Marshal was therefore fined £10. And Simon de Kegworthe, on the part of the King, stated that the Marshal had permitted the said Hugh and William to escape and had consented to the escape, which he was prepared to prove by a jury of the above ward and parish. A jury was therefore to be summoned, coram Rege, on the Octaves of St. Hillary, unless William de Shareshulle should first come to St. Martin the Grand of London on the Tuesday after the Feast of St. Andrew. A postscript states that at Hillary Term the said Robert appeared in person, coram Rege, and William de Shareshulle brought up the verdict of a jury taken before him on the above Tuesday (John Morton having been associated with him according to the Statute), who stated upon oath that the said Hugh and William had feloniously escaped from the King's prison of the Marshalsea without the license of the said Robert and against his will, viz., on the Morrow of All Souls, 27 Edward III, in the suburb of London and in the said parish and ward. The said Robert was therefore quit of the felonj^, and the Sheriffs of London were ordered to arrest the said Hugh and William and cousin to the King. In 1344 an attempt had been made to deprive him of the Marshalship of the King's Bench, and he had procured Letters Patent granting it to him for his life. Coram Rege Roll, Michaelmas 16 Edward III, m. 54, Rex, and Staffordshire Collections, vol. xiv, pp. 27 — 58, and 59. 122 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF and produce them coram Rege on the Quindene of St. John the Baptist. 1 At Hillary term following, the process against Sir Hugh and his half-brother was continued as follows : — Staf. The Sheriff had been ordered to summon a jury for this date to return a verdict whether William de Tette- bury, brother of John de Tettebury, the younger, on the Thursday before the Feast of St. Andrew, 26 Edward III, had feloniously killed Philip, formerly husband of Katrine de Luttelegh, who was on his way to the vill of Stafford in the service of the King as Sub-Sheriff and Coroner of the County, and if Hugh de Wrotteslegh, Chivaler, at sun- rise on the same day had sent the said William, brother of John de Tettebur}^, the younger, Walter, brother of the said William and John de Derynton (who had been named in the original writ and had been outlawed for the said death) to commit the said felony, and if the said Hugh was present with his sword drawn, and aided and abetted the said William and the others named, and if the said Hugh after the felony had knowingly received the said William and the others in divers places, and also to return a verdict whether Thomas Gatacre and Alice, his wife, had sent the said William and the others named to commit the said felony and had knowingly received them . afterwards. And the Sheriff returned that the writ reached him too late, and Katrine appeared in person, and Thomas Gatacre and Alice appeared, brought up by the Marshal. And the said Hugh and William who had been committed to the custody of the Marshal did not appear, and the Marshal being questioned stated that they had feloniously broken out of the prison of the Marsh alsea, as appeared by an Inquisition which had been taken elsewhere. The Sheriff was therefore ordered to put the said Hugh and William into exigend, and if they did not appear to outlaw them, and if they appeared, to produce them. Coram Rege, on the Quindene of St. John the Baptist, and to summon a jury for the same date, and Thomas de Gatacre and Alice were committed to the custody of the Marshal. The same process was followed in the appeal of Agnes, late wife of Philip de Whitmere.- At the same Hillary Sittings, Agnes, late wife of Philip de Whitemere, appeared in person and appealed John de Stevynton, Roger, son of Geoffrey Leveson, Richard Leveson, John Russel, John de Whiston, and John Broke, for the death of her husband, and the Sheriff returned that with 1 Coram Rege Roll, Michaelmas, 27 Edward III, m. 37 dorso, Rex. ^ Coram Rege, Hill., 28 Edward III, m. 9, dorso. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 123 the exception of John de Whiston, they could not be found within his baiHwick. He was therefore ordered to put them into exir/end, and if they did not appear, to outlaw them, and if they appeared, to produce them before the Court on the Quindene of St. John the Baptist, and as the Sheriff (Sir John Musard) had failed to make any return respecting John de Whiston, he was fined half a mark, and was ordered to arrest and produce him on the same date.^ There appears to have been no justification for this prose- cution eighteen months after the date of the alleged felony. Nor was" it followed up. Most of the defendants were men of substance, John de Stevynton was a Shropshire Esquire and Forester of Kinver, John de Whiston was Lord of the Manor of Whiston, and the Levesons, even at this early date, held considerable property in Wolverhampton and Willenhall. The prosecution, in fact, is one of numberless other instances, which mark the abuse of the administration of justice at this period, when the Judges enriched themselves with impunity at the expense of any men of property who were indicted of offences in their Courts. The Record of Trinity term, 28 Edward III, contains the process of outlawry which had been promulgated in co. Stafford against Sir Hugh de Wrottesley and William de Tettebury, upon which Katrine de Lutteley and Agnes de Whitmere both appeared in person. Coram Rege, and prayed for execution of the outlawry against both defendants. The latter were now in great peril, if they could have been caught, for by a recent enactment, they had lost their right to a jury, and could be sentenced to death without further formality. The above proceedings contrast so strongly with the usual dilatory process of the Court, that I suspect there was some animus on the part of the Chief Justice, Sir William de Shareshull, who, as will be seen by the following pedigree, was connected by marriage with Philip de Lutteley and the family of Perton : — John 5 Ed de Perton, died ward III. 1 1 , 1 William, Lor.l of Perton and Tre- sel, died 34 Ed- ward III. 1 John de Perton, stated to have been killed by Sir Hugh Wrottes- ley in 1 2 Kdward III. Leo de Perton, Katherine. Pannetarius Regis. =Philip de Lutte- ley, stated to have been killed by Sir Hugh Wrottesley in 26 Edward III. Sir John de Perton.^=Elizabeth, daughter of Sir William de Shareshull, the Chief Justice. ' Coram ilege, Hillary, 28 Edward III, m, 9. 124 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF Sir Hugh tie Wrottesley, however, had ensured his safety by flio;ht into Brittany, where a desultory warfare was still carried on between the adherents of John de Montfort and those of Charles de Blois. Here, however, his usual good fortune deserted him, and before June 1354 he had been taken prisoner by the French. His situation at this time in the hands of enemies, without means of raising money for his ransom or even for his maintenance, must have been dei^lorable, but, fortunately for him, war had broken out again between France and England; and Sir Thomas de Holland had been sent to Brittany as the King's Lieutenant. Sir Thomas, like himself, was a member of the King's Household and a Knight of the Garter. Through his instru- mentalit}^, without doubt, the King became aware of his situation, for it will be seen that at the date of the King's writ Sir Hugh was still a prisoner. A postscript to the last proceedings against him. Coram Refje, states that on the Quindene of St. Michael, 29' Edward III (18 October 1855) Hugh de Wrotteslegh appeared in Court, and was committed to the Marshalsea, and being brought before the Court, in custody of the Marshal, he was asked why judgment of death should not be pronounced against him on account of the outlawries promulgated against him on the appeals of Agnes, late wife of Philip de Whitemere, and Katrine, late wife of Philip de Luttelegh, and he stated that on the Thursday when he was outlawed, and both before and after that date he was in Brittany in the service of the King, and had been taken prisoner by the French, so that he could not appear on the said Thursday at Stafford, and he produced the King's writ addressed to the Justices, which was in these words. Here follows the King's writ, dated from Westminster, 6 July, 28 Edward III (1854) stating that it had been shown to the King ex parte Hugh de Wrotteslegh, Chivaler, that whereas on account of the process and outlawry against him of Katrine, late wife of Philip de Lutteleye, for the death of her husband, and likewise on account of the process of appeal against him by Agnes, late wife of Philip de Whitemere, he had been put into exigend in the County of Stafford, and had been outlawed, and he had petitioned the King to the effect that at the date of the outlawry he was in the King's service at Brittany, and he had been taken prisoner in the war there. And it had been made fully evident to the King that the said Hugh was in his service and had been taken prisoner by the King's enemies, and was a prisoner on the Thursday after the Feast of St. Barnabas (15 June 1354) on which day it was stated he had been outlawed, and that he was still a prisoner there WROTTESLEY OF VVROTTESLEY. 125 up to this time, " et ihidem adhuc prisonarius existet,'^ the King therefore commanded the Justices to take steps to annul the outlawry according to law and the custom of the kingdom. And the above writ having been inspected and read, and inasmuch as the King had put on record that of his certain knowledge the said Hugh had been in his service in Brittany on the Thursday in question, and both before and after, and had been taken prisoner by the King's enemies in France, so that he could not have been at Stafford on the said Thursday, it was considered that the outlawries promulgated against him should be revoked and entirely annulled as void and erroneous (tan- quam irrite et erronee), and that the said Hugli should be restored to the common law and to the King's peace, and likewise to all actions real and personal, and that he should repossess all the lands and tenements he held before the outlawries had been promulgated.^ These proceedings simply annulled Sir Hugh's outlawry, but left him still subject to the appeals of Agnes and Katrine for the deaths of their husbands. A postscript, however, to the Proceedings, Coram Rege, against him of Michaelmas term 27 Edward III, states that on the Quin- dene of St. Michael, 29 Edward III (13 Octo. 1355) Hugh de Wrottesley -appeared in Court and stated that the King had pardoned him, and he produced Letters Patent, dated from Westminster on the 5 March 29 Edward III fl355), by which the King of his special grace pardoned Sir Hugh de Wrottesley e, Chivaler, for the deaths of Philip de Lutte- leye and Philip de Whitemere, and for breaking out of his prison of the Marshalsea, and likewise for the reception of John de Tettebury, William de Tettebury, and Walter de Tettebury, who had been indicted for the same deaths, and likewise for the death of Thomas de Stretton, and for any transgressions of vert and venison in the King's forests.^ This pardon is entered on the Patent Rolls of this year, with a note in the margin, stating that a previous pardon had been granted under a writ of Privy Seal, dated the 13 February.^ Sir Hugli tlierefore had been set free from his captivity before the 13 February 1355. Walter de Tettebury, his half brother, was pardoned by the King in 34 Edward III, on account of his good service in France. William de Tettebury and the other brother John disappear from the scene altogether after these events. Sir Hugh's 1 Coram Rege, Trinity, 28 Edward III, m. 90. * Coram Rege RoH, Michaelmas, 27 Edward III, m. -37 dorso. ■^ Thi.s pardon is recorded on the Patent Roll of 29 Edward III, part i, m. 20. The first pardon does not mention the death of Thomas de Stretton. 126 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF pension was restored to liim by a writ dated the same day as the above pardon, and a close writ of the same date (5 March 1355) ad(h'essed to Sir John Buttetourt, the tenant of Mere and Clent, dii-ects him to restore to Sir Hugh de Wrottesley the rents of the said ferms. Other writs of the same date, addressed to Sir John Sutton, of Dudley, and to the Bailiff of Kinfare, order them to pay to Sir Hugh the ferms of Mere, Clent, Swynford and Kynfare, to be held by the said Hugh according to the tenor of the Letters Patent of 20 May 25 Edward III. Three days after these writs had been issued, viz., on the 8 March 1355, Sir Hugh appeared in person in the King's Chancery and entered into a recognizance, under a penalty of £2,000, not to molest in future Katrine de Lutteley, Philip de Lutteley, William de Perton, John de Perton, or Leon de Perton.^ All his lands and chattels were restored to him by a writ dated the 24 November 1355, and writs of later date restored to him the rents of his ferms for the period they had been in the King's hands. Sir Hugh was at Wrottesley on the 8 April 1356, for on that date he executed a deed placing all his property into the hands of three Chaplains, who were to pay him each year at Michaelmas an annual rent of 400 " livres cV argent.'''''- As his whole property did not exceed £30 in annual value, this sum must have been payable in the " livre touriiois,^^ which was worth about the twentieth part of the pound sterling, and formed the current coin of the south of France. From the terms of the deed Sir Hugh was evidently contemplating a prolonged absence from England, and there is every reason to believe that he joined the Black Prince in Gascony at this date, for some household accounts of that Prince, printed by Beltz, in his Memorials of the Garter, and which extend over the years 1355 to 1359, shew that during this interval an issue was made from the Prince's wardrobe to '^ Monsieur Hugh de Wrotteslee 1 2')eir 'plates coverts de noir velvet." If this was the case, he was probably at Poictiers, for that battle was fought on the 19 September 1356.^ ' Origiual recognizance in French under the Great Seal at Wrottesley, copied 1860. It was drawn up in the form of an Indenture, and ends : — " En testmoignace de quele chose, notre Seigneur le Roi a la partie de ceste Eudente demoraunt dens le'dit Monsr. Hugh ad mys son seal, e a la partie de ceste Endente demoraunt denz le dit Seigneur le Roi, le dit Hugh ad mys son seal," etc. 2 Original deed at Wrotteslej-, copied 1860—1.862. ' A pair of plates would be the breast plate and back plate, and this entry seems to shew that the Prince's name was derived from his black armour and not from his comi)lexion. Tlie same account contains gifts made to Sir Niel Loryng for his good service at Poictiers, and Sir Niel, like Sir Hugh, was in the King's household. The Prince entered into indentures with his father to serve the King in 1355 with 433 men-at-arms and 700 archers, of which 400 were to be mounted, WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 127 Before his departure from England he obtained from the King a remittance of the Fine imposed upon tlie Deputy Marshal, Robert Bolour, for connivance at his escape from the Marshalsea. A writ was sent by the King to the Treasurer and Barons of the Exchequer, stating that he had pardoned Sir Hugh de Wrottesley all forfeitures of goods and chattels, and issues of his lands and tenements, which were in the King's hands, by reason of the outlawry of Sir Hugh for the deaths of Philip de Lutteleye, and of Philip de Whitmere, and for breaking out of the Marshalsea, in which he had been detained ; and at the request of the same Hugh, the King pardoned Robert Bolour, late Gustos of the said Prison, whatever was owing to him for the escape of the said Hugh and of William, his brother. Dated Westminster, 11 July, 30 Edward III (1356).! A truce was concluded with France on the 23 March 1357, and the Black Prince returned to England with his prisoner, the King of France, and made a triumphal entry into London on tlie twenty-fifth of the same month. There is no sign of the presence of Sir Hugh in England till the 15 November of the same year, on which date a writ from the King to the Barons of the Exchequer, directs them to exonerate him from his bond for £2,000, in which sum he was bound ''pro securit(de hoiti gestus predicti Hw/ovis, et nun pro alia de cauna.^^'^ This writ brings to a close the story of the deaths of Philip de Lutteley and his companions, so far as Hugh de Wrottesley was concerned. Lord Campbell, in his " Lives of the Chancellors," observes that " the appeal of murder was always considered an odious proceed- ing, being a species of priv^ate revenge, as the Crown had no power of pardon. It was abolished in the reign of George IV. "=^ The King, in fact, could only pardon the trespass against the Crown, and such a pardon would leave the appeal of a widow still in force. These appeals, however, were usually withdrawn after a time, the offenders giving compensation to the murdered men's relations and paying for several masses for their souls. At Michaelmas term 29 Edward III and these were to be in addition to the nieu-at-arms and archers of the following Earls and Bannerets, viz. : — The Earls of Warwick, Suffolk, Oxford and Salisbury, John de Lisle and Reginald de Cobham. These indentures are dated the 10 July 29 Edward III. According to Stow's Chronicle the Prince sailed from Plymouth in October 1355. ^ Memoranda Roll, Queen's Remembrancer, 30 Edward III, m. 8 of Michaelmas writs. '^ Memoranda Rolls, Queen's Remembrancer, 32 Edward III, 3 "Lives of the Chancellors," vol. iv, p. 281. If, therefore, my surmise is correct, and there was animus on the part of the Chief Justice, this will ac<;ount for the course of procedure adopted. Sir William ShareshuU must have foreseen that the King would pardon Sir Hugh if he had the power. 128 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF the Sheriff of co. Stafford, was ordered to arrest Alice, formerly wife of Philip de Whitemere, and produce her (Juvini liege to make fine with the King for not prosecuting her appeal against Hugh dc VVrottesleye and others for the death of her husband. ^ And another writ of Easter term, 82 Edward III, directs the Sheriff to do the same with Katrine, formerly wife of Philip de Lutteley.'^ Thomas de Gatacre and his wife Alice, did not escape so easily. The proceedings against them in the Court of King's Bench continued for many years longer, and fresh charges were brought up against them.^ The unfortunate Thomas appears to have died in prison, and there is a piteous appeal from his widow, dated from the fleet Prison fifteen years after this date, in which she complains that through want of money she is unable to obtain a jury, and the King directs John Knyvet, the new Chief Justice, to move her trial to be heard before the Justices of Assize in CO. Stafford. The King's writ states that it was issued on the supplication of Alice, because the " Juratores in hac parte cordin iiobis ad ipsius deiiherationcm faciendwiii, propter inopiavi et miseria'ni suam venire non curant, et ipsa ea occasione in dicta prisotia extunc detinehatur et detineatur hucusque in ijysius Alicie dispendum non r)iodicum et vite sue periciduni manifestuni."^ The Fleet Prison was notoriously unhealthy, being bounded on one side by the Fleet ditch, which received all the refuse and sewage of the city. On the expiration of the truce with France in 1859, Edward sailed from Sandwich to Calais with 1,100 ships, convc3nng what was probably the best equipped army which had hitherto left the English shores, for the King on this occasion was accompanied by a complete transport train of wagons. From Calais he marched to Rheims, but was unable to take that place, and after seven weeks' investment he raised the siege and moved into Burgundy, where he spent the winter. In the following spring he advanced to the walls of Paris, and burnt the suburbs. The J)auphin, however, refused all his proposals for peace, and he broke up his camp and marched towards Britanny. In the neighbourhood of Chartres his army was overtaken by one of the most ^ Coram Rege Roll, Michaelma.s, 29 Edward III, m 4, Rex. 2 Coram Rege Roll, Easter, 32 Edward III, m. 11, Rex. * See vol. xiv, Staffordshire Collections, p. 111. ■• Coram Rege, Easter, 45 Edward HI. Thomas and Alice had been released on bail in 32 Edward III, but when fresh charges were preferred against them they were again arrested. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 129 fearful tempests recorded in history, and, according to Knir^liton, 6,000 horses wore killclan being to give one general churge over the place, and the other the guardianship of the Keep. Sir Geoffrey Gate was probably Custodian of the Castle of Calais, which was considered the Citadel of the place. Some remnant of this custom exists in modern appointments, thus, the Tower of London has both a Constable and Lieutenant, independent of one another, both being appointed by Letters Patent ; and the office of Governor of the Keep at Windsor Castle is still maintained, although the office of Constable of the Castle, formerly hereditary in the family of '■ de Wyndesore," has been long abolislied. In a similar way, the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports is ex officio Constable of Dover Castle, although there was always a resident Governor within the Castle in former days. WROTTESLEY OK VVROTLESLEV. 231 loosede his tonnes into the Citie and brent at Algate and at Londone brygge, for the whiche brynnynge, the comons of Londone where sore wrothe and gretely movyd ayens them, for had thei not brent, the comons of the cyte wulde have leett them in, magre of the Lordes Scales hede, the mayre and alle his brethyr. Wherefor the Bastarde and alle his hoste went overe at Kyngestone Brygge x myle westwarde and had purposed to have distruyt Kynge Edwarde, or to dryve him oute of the londe, and if the Bastarde had holde forthe his wa}^ l^ynge Edwarde be possibilyte could not be powere haf resisted the Bastarde, for the Bastarde had mor then xx mil goode men welle harnessede, and evere as he went, the people felle to him." Stow"s Chronicle gives a somewhat different account of these proceedings. It says : — ''About this time (i.e., Easter B-Ay, 14th April, 1471), Sir Walter Wroitile and Sir Getfery Gate Knights, Governors of Caleis sent Sir George Broke Kt. from Caleis with three hundred souldiers, to Thomas the Bastard Faucon- bridge, Captaine of the Earle of Warwicke's navie, willing him to raise the County of Kent and to goe to London, there to take King Henry out of the Tower, and then to goe against King Edward. The fourteenth day of May, Thomas the Bastard with a riotous company of shipmen and others of Essex and Kent, came to London, where being denied passage through the Citty, he set upon Bishops Gate, Aldgate, London Bridge and along the Thamis side shooting arrowes and guns into the Citt}'', fired the suburbs and brent more than 60 houses, Avan the Bulwarkes at Aldgate, and entered the Citt\^, but the porte'cluse being let downe, such as had entred were slaine, and then the citizens pursued the rest so far as Stratford and Blackwall slaying many and tooke many prisoners. Thomas the Bastard went from London westward as far as Kingstone uppon Thames, to prosecute King Edward, but the Lord Scales with Nicholas Faunt maior of London b}- faire words caused Fauconbridge to return to Black heath in Kent from whence in the night he stole from the hoste with 600 horsemen to Rochester, and so to Sandwich, where he abode the King coming." The King arrived in London on the 21st May, and the following extracts from the Bolls of the Pell shew the negotiations which took place between him and the Bastard, the object of the King being to obtain possession of the Fleet. Richemundo Heraldo et Thome Gi-ey armigero missis per Regem vex'sus Tliomam Bastardum Fauconberge 40/s. 232 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF Thomas Grej' was the Kino's stepson, but at this date he was only nineteen years of age ; later on we find : — Roberto Baxster misso per Comitera Ryrers in certis negotiis Regis versus Bastardum Fauconberge in coraitatu existentem 10/s. The Bastard, however, still held out, and we find lower down on the Roll : — Magistro Henrico Cokke raisso per avisamentum consilii Regis cum quadam litera domini Cardinalis Ai'chiepiscopi Cantuariensis, Thome Bastardo Fauconberge 6^. 8'^. The fact was, the Bastard distrusted the King, who had proved false on previous occasions, and he would accept no assurances from agents who could be subsequently disavowed. On the receipt, however, of the letter from the Cardinal, containing a promise of pardon for himself and his men, Fauconbridge disbanded his army and delivered up the Fleet. His pardon is dated 10th June, 11 Edward IV (1471).! It now only remained to Sir Walter to obtain the best terms he could for himself and the garrison of Calais, but his situation was extremely critical. Hastings was lying outside the harbour with the King's fleet and 1,500 soldiers, with orders to occupy the town ; under such circumstances, there must have been many men under his command who would be ready to throw their leaders over and make the best terms they could for themselves.'^ Fortunately for Sir Walter at this juncture, there was a very general distrust of the King's good faith, for on previous occasions he had beheaded Lord Welles and others after granting them letters of safe conduct. Sir Walter was able therefore to preserve a semblance of unanimity amongst the garrison, but his difficul- ties were increased by the action of Louis XI, who was bidding high for the surrender of the place to the French. Philip de Comines, the minister of Louis, speaking of Calais at this date, says in his memoirs : — '' Cette place est la plus grand tresor d'Angleterre, et la plus belle capitainere du monde, a mon avis, au moins de la Chrestiente, ce que je scay parceque jy fus plusieurs fois durand ces differends et pour certain me fut dit par le temps dont jay parle par le maire de I'Estape de toiles, que de la capitainerie de Calais 1 Rot, Pat., 11 Edward IV, Part 1. ■■^ I suspect there was some double dealing on the part of one member at least of the garrison of Calais, for among.st the Privy Seal Writs there is one dated 19th July, 11 Edward IV (1471), appointing Richard Whctehull, Armiger, Lieutenant of the Castle of Guj-sne, in Picardy, but to take his orders from William, Lord Hastings, Lieutenant of the Marches. At tiiis date Lord Hastings was not in possession of Calais. Richard Whetehill was after- wards in high favour with the King, and on the 14th April, 1§ Edward IV, obtained a license to embattle his manor house of Boughton, co. Northampton. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 233 feroit donner au Roi dAngleterre quinze mille escus de ferme, car ce capitaine prenoit tous le profit de ce qu'ils ont de ca la mer, et des saufs conduits, et met la pluspart de la garnison a sa poste." A hint of the delicate nature of the negotiations is con- veyed by the following entry on the Pell Issues of this year :— Cuidam Fratri nuper venieuti ab villa Calesie cum secretis negotiis, 20/s. After a parley extending over a period of six weeks, the final result was a full pardon for the garrison issued under the Great Seal on the 6th August. The Letters Patent of this date state that the King pardoned and remitted by his special grace, and by the advice of his Council, to Walter Wrattesle}?', Geoffrey Gate, John Benstede, John Bromley, George Bissipate, Knights, to John Lord Clynton, George Neville, Thomas Gray,^ Richard VVhetehyile, John Curtenay, Roland Worsley, Thomas Radclytf, Robert Warmyngton, John Partruit and William Boyville, Esquires, to Richard Ronchede, John Parker, Antony de la Toure, and to all burgesses, merchants, soldiers and mariners within the town and Cp«stle of Calais, the Tower of Ruysbanke, the Castle and demesne of Guynes, and the marches, to each of them, and to their servants, agents, and attorneys, all manner of trans- gressions, offences, and impeachments, treasons, felonies, murders, robberies, insurrections, rebellions, conspiracies, etc., howsoever done or perpetrated by them before the date of the present letters, whether they or any of them had been indicted, impeached, convicted, arraigned, or attainted of. any of the said offences, likewise all fines, debts, forfeitures, or any judgment of penalty of death or other penalty adjudi- cated against them, likewise all wrecks of the sea, forfeitures of lands, rents, tenements, or goods and chattels incurred by any of them before the above date ; and the King further conceded that everyone of the aforesaid persons shall hold and enjoy all lands, tenements, offices, fee farm rents, etc., held by the King's gift, or by Letters Patent, and of which he was seised or in possession in fee, or for term of life, or for term of j^ears, on the 3rd March, in the eighth year of his reign, and shall enter into the same without impeachment by him or b}^ his heirs, ministers or eschaetors, excepting and reserving all offices within the town and castles of Calais and Guysnes, and Tower of Ruysbanke, and the marches, conferred by the ^ This must be tbe Thomas Giiiv of Groby meiuioued iu the {irociatnatiou of 1470. 234 H18T0RV OF THE FAMILY OF King, or by auy of the Governors oi' Calais, before the date of these letters, and excepting all lands, offices, tenements, rents and fees which any ^ of the aforesaid persons may hold by the King's gift, or by Letters Patent, which have been cancelled, etc. ; after which follows a proviso that before the Christmas Day following, the Treasurer of the vill of Calais and the marches should cause to be drawn up and enrolled separate Letters of Pardon, under the Great Seal, for each of the said burgesses, merchants, soldiers and mariners in their own names, and deliver them to each without taking any fee for the same.' In accordance with this proviso, separate pardons for all those abovenamed appear on the second part of the Patent Koll of 11 Edward IV, m. 29. Sir Walter Wrottesley is described in his pardon, which is dated 9th August, as : — Walter Wrattyslay of the vill of Calais, Kt., alias Walter Wrattislay, merchant of the Staple, Kt., alias Walter Wrat- tislay, late of Wrattislay, co. Stafford, Knight, alias Walter Wratislaj'', late of London, Kt., alias Walter Wrottisley, late of London, Kt. Sir Geoffrey Gate is described as : — Geoffre}^ Gate, Kt., of the vill of Calais, alias Geoffrey Gate, Kt., Marshal of the vill of Calais, alias Geoffrey Gate, Kt., merchant of the Staple,- alias Geoffre}'' Gate, Kt., late of Garnettes, co. Essex, and late of Highester, co. Essex, late of Halton, co. Oxon, late Lieutenant of Carisbroke Castle, Isle of Wight, late of Beauchamp Redying, co. Essex, Lord Clynton is described in his pardon as : John Clynton of the vill of Calais, Lord Clynton and Say, alias John Clynton, lord of Clynton, alias John Cl3aiton of Folkestone, co. Kent. Sir John Bromley is described as : — John Bromlay of the vill of Calais, Kt., late of Badyngton, CO. Chester. George Neville is called : — George Neville, late of Calais, souldeour, alias George Neville armiger, alias George Neville of Carlylle, co. Cum- berland. Koland Worsley is described as late of Calais, alias Roland Worsle}', Lieutenant of the Tower of Ruysbanque, gentilman. Sir George Bisipate is described as soldariiis of Calais, alias George Bisipate, late of the City of Constantinople, alias George Bisipate, a Greke. 1 Rot. Pat., n Edward IV, Part L m. 14. - Sir Walter Wrottesley and Sir Geoffrey Gate were probably merchants of the Staple, ex officio, for the cost of the garrison was a first charge on the Customs of Calais. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 235 William Boyvyle is called armiger, late of co. Rutland. William Worsley is described as Alderman and Burgess of Calais, and late Ma3^or of Calais. Richard Whetehull is described as armiger, Lieutenant of the Castle of Guysnes, aZms Mayor of the vill of Calais, alias " Soldarius " of the vill of Calais, alais Controller (contrarotulator) of the vill of Calais and the Marches, alias Richard Whetehull, late of Barton Pyncanye, co. Northampton. Adrian Whetehull is described as of the vill of Calais, armiger, alias Controller of the vill of Calais and the Marches, alias soldarius of the Castle of Guysnes, alias Adrian, son of Richard Whetehull, armiger. John Courtenay is called armiger, alias John Courtenay, Captain of the Ports (Magister Portitorum) of the vill of Calais, alias soldarius, alias merchant of the Staple, alias of Powdram, co. Devon, son of Philip Courtena}^, Kt., late of Powdram. Robert Ottur is described as of Alspath,^ alias Robert Ottur, gentilman, alias Robert Otour of Calais, souldeour, alias Robert Ottur of Ulleskyll, co. York, gentilman. All the others are described in similar precise terms with numerous aliases. On the receipt of these pardons Calais was surrendered into the hands of Lord Hastings, who had been sent with a force of 1,500 men to summon it. The issues of the Pell of Easter, 11 Edward IV, have the following entries respecting this transaction. Willelmo domino Hastyng tideli et predilecto consiliario ac Cam- arario Regis <|uem idem dominus Rex nuper appuuctuavit ad transfretandum ultra mare cum xvc hominibus in comitiva sua versus villam Calesie ad recipiendum dictam villam et castrum ac Turrim de Ruysbaiik ad usum ipsius domini Regis in denariis sibi liberatis xxii'' xvi^ The Tellers' Roll of Michaelmas, 11 Edward IV, has a payment of £6Q 10s. Od. to John Cole for w^ages for 373 mariners for the passage of Lord Hastings from Sandwich to Calais, with 13 defensible ships, and victuals for 1,500 soldiers, by a writ of privy seal of last Easter term.- Lord Hastyngs must have left Sandwich very shorth' after the fleet had been handed over by Fauconbridge in June, but Calais does not appear to have been surrendered before the following September, for one of the Paston letters ^ Alspath in co. Warwick, now called Meriden. The unfortunate Richard Clapham, the Squire of the Earl of Warwick, hanged at Southampton, was Lord of Alspath. - The Easter term on the Pell Rolls would comprise the period between Easter and Michaelmas. 236 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF under date of loth September 1471, states " the lords Hastjmj^es and Howard be in Caleys and have it pesebely and Sir Walter Wrottesle and Sir Geoffrey Gate be comjm thence, and will be in London thys daye, as it is seydc, wretyn at Waltham besyde Winchester the daye nex Holj' Roode daye."' The cause of the delay in surrendering Calais no doubt arose from doubts of the sincerity of the King's promise of pardon, and the consequent necessity of waiting till the pardons had been actually received. It must, however, have been a source of irritation to the King, who required Lord Hastinges in England, and by a writ of Privy Seal, dated from Windsor 19th July 11 Edward IV, he ordered John Lord. Howard to take over the Governorship of Calais on the death of, or surrender of it by William Lord Hastynges, who had been appointed to that office for a term of ten years. ^ I suspect Fauconbridge had some hand in the delay of the surrender, and that his correspondence with the garrison of Calais had been intercepted, for on the 11th September an order was issued to arrest him wherever he might be found.'- He was shortl}^ afterwards taken and beheaded, notwithstanding his charter of pardon of the previous June, his treason being considered of later date. On Sir Walter's arrival in England he found himself a defendant in an action brought against him and other members of the household of the Earl of Warwick for an onslaught made on Edmund Grey, Earl of Kent during the late troubles. The proceedings in Banco of Michaelmas term 11 Edward IV, state that Edmund, Earl of Kent, sued Walter Wrottesley, late of Wrottesley, co. Stafford, Kt., Edward Grej^, late of Asteley, co. Warwick, Kt., Geoffrey Gate, late of Casebrok (Carisbroke), Isle of Wight, Kt., Robert Skerne, late of Kyngstone-upon-Thames, Geutilman, and John Typper, late of Astele}^, yeoman, for taking vi et arinis, armed with swords, daggers, etc., his goods and chattels in London to the value of £1,000. None of the defendants appeared, and the Sheriff was ordered to distrain the said Walter, who had found bail, and to arrest the others, and produce them on the Quindene of St. Martin. At the latter date, the defendants failed again to appear, and the Sheriff returned 2s. into Court as the proceeds of a distraint upon Sir Walter. He was therefore ordered to distrain again upon Sir Walter and to arrest the others and 1 Privy Seal Writs, 19th July, 11 Edward IV - Rot. Pat. 11 Edward IV. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 237 produce them in Court on the Octaves of St. Hillary.^ There is no further notice of this suit. The pardons granted to Sir Walter Wrottesley and to Sir Geoffre}' Gate on their deliverino; up Calais in the previous August would have covered their delinquencies in this case. There is reason to believe that Sir Walter must have been arrested very shortly after he had set foot in England, for on the 3rd October he executed a general povrcr of attorney constituting his wife Jane and two others to act for him in all matters and with power to receive rents, etc., and to sue for debts.- It is unusual to include a wife's name in a power of attorney unless the person who executes it expects to be separated from his wife for a length of time, and I conclude, therefore, that at this date Sir Wlalter was in prison or had fled the country. Nothing more has been found respecting his movements between this period and the date of his death, which occurred on the lOtli April 1473.^ In the Commission of the Peace for Staftbrdshire of the 2nd July, 12 Edward IV, his name no longer appears, nor was he named in a Commission of Array for the county dated 12th March in the same regnal year.* He was buried in the church of the Grey Friars in London, and this church was the usual place of sepulture for the inmates of the Fleet and Newgate Prisons. The Register of the Sepulchral Inscriptions existing temp. Henry VIII in the Church of the Grey Friars, London, has the following : — In capella Sancti Francisci sub magno lapide jacet. ©ominiis SEaltrrus Mrottcslru miles, strcnuus in annis cum Comitc SEarbairi, qui obtit 10 tiic mnisis ^prilis Five months afterwards, viz., on the 24th August, 13 Edward IV, the King being then at Lichfield, issued a writ of "diem clausit extremum'' addressed to Humfrey Blount, Kt., Nicholas Leveson and the Sherifl^" of co. Worcester, commanding them to make a return of the lands and tene- ments, etc., Avhich had been held by Sir Walter Wrottesley, when he died, together with the usual particulars respecting 1 De Banco Roll, Mich. 11 Edward IV, m. 2S9 aud 465 dorso. " Original deed at Wrotte,-;ley. copied 1860-62. ^ Inq. p.m. 13 Edward IV, 'Xo. "JS. ' Rot. Pat., 13 Edward IV, Part 1. 5 Cottonian MS., Vitellius F. xii. These sepulchral inscriptions are printed in the Collectanea Topographica et Genealogica, vol. v, but with some inaccuiacie.s. For the words '" cum Comitc Wamoici " has been substituted " in Comitatu Waricici," which is nonsense. The monuments in the Grey Friars were pulleil down, and the materials sold by Sir ]\Iartin Bowes, Lord Mayor of London, in 1545 (Stow's London). 238 HISTORY OF THE FATvITLY OF the lieir, etc. No return to this writ is extant, and another writ was issued on the 2nd September to John Elr3mgton, arniiger (the Treasurer of the King's Household and Clerk of the Hanaper), and to Thomas Stidolf and the Sheriff of co. Stafford to return the same particulars respecting the lands, etc., of Sir Walter, in co. Stafford. The return to this writ is in existence and states that an Inquisition was taken at Burton-upon-Trent, in co. Stafford, on the 6th September, 13 Edward IV, before John Elryngton, armiger, Thomas Stidolf, and the Sheriff, Commissioners appointed by virtue of a Commission directed to them, and on the oath of Jolm Paunton, Thomas Blounte, John Mjdes, William Walker, Ralph Bold, William Jerves, Henry Cowper, William Stephens, William Leche, Jolm Heage, William Gilbert, and Thomas Toke, who stated that Walter Wrottesley, Kt., named in the said Commission was seized in his demesne as of fee tail on the day he died of the manor or demesne of Hundesworth in the said County, and that the said manor was held of the King in capite by Knights' service, and that it was worth, beyond reprises, £28 per annum. They also said that the same Walter was seized in demesne as of fee tail on the day he died, of the manors or demesnes of Clent and Mere in the same County, which were held of the King in capite, and that the said manors were worth £20 per annum bej'ond reprises, and that the said Walter died on the 10th daj'- of April last, and that Richard the son of the said Walter was his nearest heir and was sixteen years of age. No Inquisition for the manors held by him in co. Dorset is extant. Sir Walter married sometime about 1456, Jane, the daughter of William Baron, Esq., of Reading, one of the Tellers of the Exchequer, whose acquaintance he had probably made when in attendance at the Exchequer, with his " 'proffrum,^^ as Sheriff of co. Worcester. William Baron was the head of an ancient family which had been settled for many years in Berkshire, and as Jane was eventually sole heiress of this family, and their arms have been quartered with those of Wrottesley ever since the fifteenth century, it is proposed to give a short account of them. The first of the family I have met with is a William Baroun, of Maidenhethe (Maidenhead), who occurs as defen- dant in some proceedings of Easter 13 Edward II, on the Coram Rege Roll, in which he was indicted with four others for a trespass committed vi et arinis against the servants of Hugh le Despencer, the younger, in Berkshire. A later William Baron, of Reading, died in 1416, and was WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 239 buried in St. Mary's Church in that town,^ where his tomb existed in Ashmole's time. In 9 Henry VI another WilKam Baron was member of Parhament for the borough of Reading, and is doubtless identical with the William Baron, armiger, Avho is returned amongst the gentry of co. Berks bearing arms from their ancestors, by the Commissioners to ad- minister the oaths of allegiance in 12 Henry VI (1434).- In 2 Edward IV, William Baron, armiger, of London, one of the Receivers of ^ the Exchequer, and late fermor of Whit- church, CO. Oxon, obtained a general pardon, with an exoneration from all claims of the Crown up to the previous 4th November.'^ In the same yeiiv he was paid a reward for receiving and sending off to the north a sum of £2,000 which had been found by the Maj-or and citizens of London for the expenses of the war,-^ and in the following year he received a special gift of £20'^ from the King for the labour and expenses of his office. At Easter, 6 Edward IV, he received another g-ift from the Kino; of £13.'' These gifts were given in augmentation of his salary, which was at the rate of 8d. a day or £32 a year, a sum which would be probably equivalent to about £1,000 a year at the present day. The latest notice of William Baron I have met with is on the Roll of the Issues of the Pell, of Easter, 9 Edward IV, A.D. 1469, at which date the four Tellers of the Exchequer were William Baron, Thomas Pounde, Robert Martyn, and John Rogger. B}^ Jane, the daughter and heiress of William Baron, Sir W^alter left four sons — Richard, William, Walter, and Henry — -and five daughters — Jane, Thomasine, Anne, Margaret, and Parnell or Petronell. Richard succeeded Sir W^alter as his heir. William succeeded to the greater part of his mother's property in Berkshire, and was placed in the Household of Henry VII on the accession of that monarch, as one of the Esquires of the King's Body. His will was proved 4th February 1512. Henry was a Fellow of New College, Oxford, and appears to have died young in 1486. Walter is only known h}^ his will, which is preserved in the Pre- rogative Court. He died in 1502. Jane married Richard Cresset of Upnor Cresset, co. Salop,'' ^ Aishmole's Antiquities of Berhshire, vol. ii, p. 349. - FuUei-'.s Worthies. ^ Pardon Koll, 1 to 6 Edward IV. * Pell Issues, Easter 2 Edward IV. " Ibid., Easter 3 Edward IV. ^ Ibid., Easter 6 Edward IV. ' Deed at Wrotteslev. 240 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF Thomasiue married William, Lord .Stourton, but left no issue.^ Anne married Sir Anthony St. Amand, Avho claimed to be Lord St. Amand, but there are doubts about his legitimacy.^ Marp^aret married Sir John Scrope of Castle Combe,^ who was one of the Knights of the Bath made on the marriage of Prince Ai'thur in 17 Hcnr}^ VIL By INIargaret, Sir John left a numerous family. Parnell or Petronilla, the fifth daughter, became a nun at Dartford.* The Bodleian Library contains the following contemporary notice pf her in a book which formcrljT' belonged to the nunnery : — " Thes booke in whom is contente dyvers devowte tretis and specyally the tretis that is called 'Ars moriendi,' j^s of the gifte of Wylliam Baron Esquyer, to rema3aae for evyr to the place and nonrye of Dertforde, and specjmlly to the use of dame Pernelle Wrattisley sister of the same place by license of her Abbas, the whiche Pernelle is nece to the forseyde gentylman William Baron."'' At the beginning of the MS. are the arms of Knollys quartering Baron, viz. — gules, a chevron embowed azure between three garbs or, — and a pedigree showing that William Baron married Joan the daughter of Thomas Knollys of North Mimms. This Thomas Knollj^s was grandson of another Thomas Knollys, who was twice Lord Mayor of London, and died in 1445. Besides these daughters the old parchment pedigree at Wrottesley mentioned a daughter Alice, married to Lord Scrope of Upsall. There is no other authority for this marriage, but it derives some confirmation from a clause in Walter Wrottesley 's will, in which he left a legacy to " my lord Zowche " (de la Zouche), the latter being a near relation of the Scropes of L^psall. I think it probable that Sir Walter was a Knight of the Garter, for amongst the muniments formerly preserved at Wrottesley was an original vellum cop}' of the Statutes of the Garter of this period, and Anstis shews that the succession to many of the Stalls during the reign of Edward IV has never been ascertained. In fact between the years 7 to 12 Edward IV there is a complete chasm.^ ' History of the Family of Stourton, Heralds' Visitations, and wills of William Wrottesley and Walter Wrottesley. - Deed ;it Wrottesley, and wills of William Wrottesley and Walter Wrottesley. ^ Will of William Wrottesley, jind '• History of Castle Combe," f)rivately printed, ■• Old parchment pedigree at Wi-ottesley, and Douce MS., Bodleian Library. '' Bodleian MS., Douce MS, 322, ex. inf., Falconer Madan, Esq., Sub-librarian. Niece is here used for granddaughter, which was frequently the case in old days. " These Statutes were contained on an ancient Roll of Parchment about one foot wide, and being undated, were always supposed by the familj^ to be the original Statutes supplied to Sir Hugh de Wrottesley, K.G., in 1348. Somewhere about the year 1861, I happened to mention to Sir Charles Young, WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 241 The following deeds formerly at Wrottesley belong to the epoch of Sir Walter Wrottesley. Edwardus dei gratia l\ex Anglie et Fi-ancie et Dominus Hibemie, omnibus ad quos presenter litere pervenerint, saluteni. Sciatis quod nos de gratia nostra speciali ex mero motu et certa sciencia nostris ac consideratione boni et gratuiti servitii quod dilectus et fidelis noster Walterus de Wrottesley miles nobis ante hec tempora impendit, Dedimus et concessimus ac per presentes damus et concedimus eidem Waltero maneria sive dominica de Mere, Clynt alias dictum Clent et Honclesworth cum pertinentiis, necnon advocaciones ecclesiarum de Hondeswortli predicti et Forton in comitatu 8tafiFordie ; ac etiam maneria de Ramisliam alias dictum Rammeshani et Poundeknolle alias dictum Penpole cum pertinentiis ao advocaciomem ecclesie de Rami- sliam alias dictum Rammeshani predicti in Comitatu Dorset, cum feodis militum, parcis, warennis, franchesiis, libertatibus, curiis, visibus franciplegii, piscariis, et omnibus aliis libertatibus, proficuis et emolumentis predictis maneriis ac eorum cuilibet seu eorum alicui quovismodo spectantibus sive pertinentibus que nuper fuerunt Jacobi nuper Comitis Wiltes Rebellis nostri de altis proditionibus attincti virtute cujusdam actus parliamenti in parliamento nostro apud West- monasterium quarto die Novembris anno regni nostri prirao tento, edito, et ad manus nostras ea occasione devenerunt seu devenire dobuerunt. Habenda et tenenda predicta maneria, advocaciones, et cetera premissa, cum pertinentiis eidem Waltero et heredibus suis masculis de corpore suo legitime procreatis imperpetuum de nobis then Garter King of Arms, the existence of these Statutes at Wrottesley. This information caused muoli excitement at the College of Arms, for no cojiy of the Statutes earlier than the reign of Henry V was known to exist, and it was thought possible that we might be in possession of a copy of the original Statutes of Edward III. It was therefore arranged that my father should bring the Statutes to London, and that they should be examined by Sir Thomas Duffus Hardy, who was then Deputy Keeper of the Records, and the most experienced pakcographist of his day. The meeting took place at the Kolls Office in Chancery Lane, and Sir Thomas, after examining the Roll, stated, without hesitation, that the handwriting was not earlier than Henry VI or Edward IV, and he asked whether another member of the family had not been a Knight of the Garter during one of these reigns. Sir Charles Young on examining the Roll agreed with Sir Thomas Hardy and shewed that the Statutes were the same verbatim as those of Henry V, a cojjy of whicli he had brought with him for comparison. The Statutes were in French and the names of the original Knights of the Garter on the Wrottesley Roll were entered as below. Le Prince de Galles. Monsire Johan de Grey. Le Due de Lancastre. ,, Richard Fitz Simon. Le Comte de Warwick. ,, Miles de Stapelton. Le Captal de Buch. „ Thomas Wale. Le Cointe de Stailord. „ Hugh de Wrottesley. Le Comte de Salesburi. „ Neal Loryng. Le Sire de Mortimer. ,, Johan Chandos. Le Sire Jehan Lisle. „ James Daudley. Monsire Barthelemi Burghersh. ,, Otho Holland. Monsire Johan de Beauchamp. „ Henry Eam. Le Sire de Mohun. „ Sanchet Daprichecourt. Monsire Hugh de Courtenay. ,, Walter Pavele- Thomas Holland. R 242 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF et liefodibus nostris j^i'o serviciu, tot fcuda militinn, ac tot et tanta alia retlditus et servicia pro (jue ante primuin diem Martii anno re<:fni nostri prinio de ])rogenitoribus seu predecessorihus nostris aut eoruni aliquo aut alia persona seu aliis personis ([uibuscunque separatim tenebantur : Et ulterius per presentes concediraus eidem WalterO', exitus, proficua, et emolumenta omnium dictoi-um maneriorum et ceterorum premissorum habenda et percipienda eidem Waltero a sexto die Januarii anno regni nostri sccundo per manus firmariorum, receptoi'um, sive aliorum occupatorum eorundem Absque aliquo com- poto sive aliquo inde nobis vol lieredibus nostris solvendo, faciendo sive reddendo-. Et ulterius perdonavimus remisimus et relaxavimus eidem "Waltero omnimoda debita, compota, prestita, arreragia, actiones et demanda que nos vel heredes no'Stri ratioine premissorum aliquo modo versus oundem Walterum ante tertium dccimum diem martii ultimo pi'eteritum habere poterimus seu debuissimus ac omnimodas intrusiones, transgressiones, sive impetitiones per ipsum Walterum factas in premissis seu aliquo premissorum eo quod expressa mentio de vero valore annuo aut de aliquo alio valore premissorum facta in presentibus non existit, aut aliquo statuto, actu, ordinatione seu provisione incontrarium facto, edito seu proviso aut aliqua alia re, causa vel materia quacunque non obstante. In cujus rei testimonium has literas nostras fieri fecimus patentes. Teste me ipso apud Westmonastorium vicesimo octavo die Februarii anno regni nostri quinto (28 Februar}', U66).^ Great Seal of England in dark green wax and in line preservation. Sciant presentes et futuri, quod ego Walterus Wrottesley, miles, dominus de Perton dedi concessi, et hac carta mea confirmavi, Willelmo Cockys de Patyngham tres srostos (sic) terre cum perti- nentiis suis jacentes infra dominium de Perton, etc. Hiis testibus Ricardo Clemson, etc. Data apud Perton predictum die Martis proximo ante festum Sancte Petronille Virginis anno regni regis Edwardi quarti post conquestum Anglie nono (May, 1469).^ Seal destroyed. Universis et singulis presentem documentum visuris lecturis vel audituris Walterus Wrottisley miles, Salutem in domino sempiternam, Noverit universitas vestra me prefatum Walterum fecisse, ordinasse, posuisse et loco meo et pro me constituisse dilectos mihi in Xpo Johannam uxorem meam carissimam, Johannem Yonge et Johannem Hopton generosos, meos veros legitimes et indubitatos attornatos ^ Original Letters Patent at Wrottesley, copied lSGO-62. * Original deed at Wrottesley, copied 1S60-G2. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY 243 (Here folloiv full po?.vers to receive all rents, to sue for debts, to carry on all suits, etc., and a clause ecconeyritin;/ them, from all persoiud liability for the same). Ratiim ot gratuiu lialnturum quidijuid prodieti attoi-nati et eorum quilibot nomine nostro (sic) fecerint vel fecerit in premissis. In quorum omnium singulorum fidem et testimonium sigillum meum armorum presentibus apposui. Datum tertio die mensis Octoljris anno regni Regis Edwardi quarti post conquestum undecimo (3 Octob., U71).i \ Seal of red wax, in very tine preservation. Arms of Sir Walter Wrottesley. Quarterly — Or three piles Sable, a quarter Ermine — for "Wrottesley ; and Gules, a chevron Azure, between three garbs Or — for Baron of Readincc.- ^ Original deed at Wrotteslej', copied 1860-62. * See a note on the Baron Arms by the late Mr. Sidney Grazebrook, amongst his notes upon Glover's Visitation of Staffordshire of 1583, printed in vol. iii of Staffordshire Collections, p. 152. The arms of Baron are emblazoned as above in both the Staffordsliire Visitations of 1583 and 1614, and there is no doubt tliat this was the original blazon. The Heralds of a later era, however, when they attempted to make an exact science of Heraldry, laid down a rule that colour should not be borne on colour, and they changed tlie Baron chevron into one " compone Or and Azure " ; but the seal of Sir Walter W^rottesley shews a plain chevron, and as the garbs must be gold, it is clear that the original coat must liave disjjlayed colour upon colour, as stated in the Douce MS. and the Heralds' Yisitations of 1583 and 1614. 244 HTS^TORY OF THE FAMILY OF Richard Wrotteslev, A.D. 1478—1521. According to the Inquisition taken on the death of Sir Walter Wrottes- ley, his eklest son Richard was aged sixteen in 1473. He would, there- fore, come of age in 1478. As his father was a tenant in capite, the wardship and marriage of the heir would fall to the Crown ; but as regards the latter, it was usual at this period to forestall the rights of the Crown or other superior lord, by marrying the heir during the life- time of the owner of the fee, and Richard appears to have been man-ied whilst under age to Doroth}', the daughter of Sir Edmund Sutton. Sir Edmund was the eldest son of John, Lord Dudley, who had been one of the staunchest supporters of the Yorkist cause, and it is not unlikely that this alliance had some influence in saving the life of Sir Walter Wrottesley in 1471. He was a man of some note in his day, and in 1470 was acting as Lieutenant of Ireland for George, Duke of Clarence. On the Close Roll of 10 Edward IV there is a writ, dated 23 March, addressed to him stating that John, Earl of Worcester, had been substituted for George, Duke of Clarence, as Lieutenant of Ireland, the said Duke having been deprived of the office owing to his " grete and haynous offences lately committed."' Sir Edmund predeceased his father, but was alive as late as 1483, for he was present at the coronation of Richard III, which took place in July of that year.^ Richard is shewn to be the son of Sir Walter Wrottesley, by the deeds formerly at Wrottesley, by the Inquisition on his fathers death, by another Inquisition on the death of his grandmother Thomasine, and the suits of 1 Richard III and 16 Henry VII respecting the Arderne estates.'' He doubtless derived his baptismal name from Richard, Earl of Warwick, the King Maker. He seems to have been brought up in the Priory of St. Mary of Mount Carmel, in Coventry, for there was formerly at Wrottesley a parchment certificate by Thomas, the Prior, granting to Richard Wrattysle "propter devotionem sinceram quaiii ad nostrani Juihetis ordinem,'^ the blessing of the Fraternity, and that the same prayers shall be said after his ' Grazebrook'8 " History of the Dudley Family," vol. ix of Staffordshire Collections, p. 78. - Chester Pleas, 22 Edward IV, in. 36 ; 16 Henry VII, m. 19. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY, 245 death as after the death oi" any of the Brethren of the Convent. This grant was dated in 1477, when Richard was twenty years of age, and was apparently handed to him on leaving the monastery. As his grandmother Thomasine had been jointly enfeoffed with her husband Hugh Wrottesley in the manors of Wrottesley and Butterton, Bichard could not enter into possession of his Staffordshire estates till after the death of Thomasine, which occurred on Christmas Day 1480 ; and on this event taking place his mother Jane, who had in the meantime remarried Sir Richard Darrell, of Littlecote, claimed possession of the manors under the deed of 1463. Richard Wrottesley 's claim would be probably based upon the first settlement of 1441, and the dispute would have led to a long and disastrous law suit, if it had not been terminated by arbitration. At this date Richard had amongst his near neighbours Sir Thomas Littleton, one of the Justices of the King's Bench, and the famous author of the " Tenures,"' who had mari'ied the widow of Sir Philip Chetwynd, of Ingestre, and both parties consented to abide by the decision of Sir Thomas, and one of his colleagues, Sir Richard Chokke.^ The award of the arbitrators is dated the 31st May, 21 Edward IV (1481), and was the earliest English deed amongst those formerly at Wrottesley. By the terms of it Sir Richard Darell and Jane were to release by deed to Richard Wrottesley all their right in the manors of Wrottesley and Butterton, and all other lands and tenements in Wrottesley, Butterton, Tettenhall and Codsall, which were sometime in the possession of Walter Wrottesley or Hugh Wrottesley', father of the said Walter, for which the said Richard Wrottesley should grant to Sir Richard Darell and Dame Jane, his wife, an annual rent of £5 to be paid at two terms of the year, '• that is to say the one half on St. Martyn's day after all halowmesse at the Rode of the North dore in Paules in London bitwene one of the Clok at afternones and four of the clok of the same day than next ensuying, and the other half in the same place the Saturday next after the Assencion day bitwene one of tlie clok at afternone and five of the clok of the same day than next following," such payment to endure pending the life of the said Dame Jane, and with power to levy a distress for the same, if it should be in arrear. For further surety Richard Wrottesley was to enfeofi' in the manor of Wrottesley the said Thomas Lyttelton, Richard Lj^ttelton, John Brown, William Wrottesle\', ^ Richard Cliokke, Kt., one of the Justicea of the Beuch, and Maigaret. his wife, late wife of William Giffard, Armigcr, executrix of the will of William Giffard, obtained a pardon for all offences and claim.-) on the part of the Crowu, LaLcd 20th January, 9 Edward IV (I'ardon lloll). 246 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF and William Wylkj's, " to the intent that they shall be and stonde feoftes of the said manour with the appurtenants duiyng the lyf of the same dame Jane for the contcntacion of the said annuytie.*'^ In pursuance of this award Richard Darell, Kt., and Jane, his wife, late wife of Walter Wrottcsley, Kt., conveyed to Richard Wrottesle}^, Armiger, son and heir of the said Walter, the manors of Wrottesley and Butterton, ajid all the other lands named in the award, by a deed dated 22nd May 21 Edward IV (1481),- and on the following 20th June Richard, by his deed, enfeoffed Thomas Littelton, Kt., Richard Littelton, John Broun, William Wrottesley, and William Wylkes, in the manor of Wrottesley. The five manors which had been granted by Edward IV to Sir Walter Wrottesley were resumed by the Crown after Sir Walters death under the provisions of an Act of Parliament passed on the 6th October 13 Edward IV (1473). By this Statute the King was empowered to resume all grants made later than the 4th March 1 Edward IV, and it likewise vested in the King all the property of persons subset J uently attainted. Under this Act of Parliament the claims of Sir Walter's widow and children were ignored, for on the 10th October in the following year the King granted to Humfrey Stafford, Armiger, of Grafton, and to his heirs, the manors of Clent, Honnesworth and Meerc, which had lately belonged to James Ormond (sic), formerly Earl of Wilts, and Avhich had come into his hands by the attainder of the said James.'^ The two Dorsetshire manors, Rampisham and Penpole, with upwards of one hundred others, had been granted b}^ the King to his brother, the " false fleeting perjured Clarence," as a reward for his treachery in 1471. Having established his claim to the manors of Wrottesley and Butterton, Richard next endeavoured, in conjunction with Robert Legh, of Adlington, to obtain possession of the Arderne estates in Cheshire. Their first writ was issued in 22 Edward IV, but before the case could be argued in Court, the death of the King obliged them to renew their suit by a second writ. The cause came on for hearing at the Pleas of Trinity term 1 Richard III, before Thomas, Lord Stanley, Kt., Justice of Cheshire, and is recorded as follows : — Cestria. — Robert Legh and Richard Wrottesle\' sued John Stanley for the manor of Aldeford, ■with the exception of 110 aci'es of land 1 Original deed at Wrottesley, copied 1S60-62. ^ Ibid. ^ Uot. Pat.. 14 Edward IV, part 2. James, Earl of Wilts, wan James Eutler, Earl of Oniiuiid and Wills. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 247 and pasture and 13 acres of meadow; and tliey sued the same Jolin for the manor of Eclieles, whicli Robert Hampton, Parson of the Church of Alderley, and John, son of llo-"-: ■ ntfiiaii ^ WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 255 marks for his burial within Saint Thomas chancel within the Parish Church of Saint Michael the Archangel, of Tettenhale, and eight marks " to have a pryst to synge a whole rere for my solle, and my wyffys soil, and for our fadurs solh^s and our modur's sollys and for all Clnystun sollys." To his son George, whose name is spelt Jorge in the will, he bequeathed £20, and " my best gylte gobbelett and my gowne that ys lynyd with sawsenett, and my coyt of tawny chamlett and dubbelett of tawny satten, and vi sylvur sponys, ij of the best and iiii of the seconde sword e, and xl sch3"pe and iiii oxsun and iiii kyyn and my bedde thatt I ly j'U with the hangj^ng ovur, and the lyttull coveryng that ys lynyd with canvas and ii pere of schetes and a bolster and a pelo, and my blacke nagge and also my cheyst that stands att my beddys seyd in my chambur." To his daughter Margaret he bequeathed £20 and " hur modurs best fruntelette and hur best cappe, and my grette cuppe of S3dvur with the covur and vi sylvur sponj's and a fetur bed and the seconde covurryng and a bolster and ii pere of small schetes, and ii pere of gretur schetes and a borde cloyth of dyapur and anodur of playne and ii brasun potts a more and a las and ii pan3's a more and a las and vi chargars and vi potyngars and a ryng of golde with a ruby and my black cofer in the newe chambur, and all these goodys for to be presyd by indyfFerent men and for to be sett upon hur mareg money." Similar bequests in the same unique orthography were made to his son Jamys Lewsun (James Leveson), and to his sons Thomas, Harry, Walter and John, and to his " do\'rthtur "' Anne, his daughter Elsabeth, his daughter Jane, his daughter Ysabell, lyttull John Wrottyslej^ (his grandson), to whom he bequeathed " an ambelyng foyll,'' Dorethe his son Walter's "doythtur," his daughter Alys, his daughter Marget, his daughter Elnar, his son Thomas Lewsun ; and to St. Thomas awter he bequeathed *' a cowe and a pere of vestments "' and a sum of 26s. 8d. " for to ley the stone upon me and my wyyffe."! This stone still exists in the Wrottesley Chapel at Tettenhall, and is shewn in the plate annexed. It consists of a slab of alabaster, with the portraitures of a man in armour, and his wife, drawn in black lines. The armour is of the reign of Edward IV. At their feet are shewn effigies of sixteen children, and on either side, near the ^ Contemporarj- copy of will formerly at Wrottesley. The original will iloes not exist. 256 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF upper part of the stone, are shields bearing the arms of Wrottesley and ])udle3^ Round tlie riui of the stone is engraved the foHowing rhyming epitapli in Gothic characters. ^)crc Ire closcli in rUy, the bobij of lUelmrli StUotteslcu, ^nb also J'ovothi), his tuif, kuhich liueb togcblicr all yir lif. IThe year 4H.(!:aH!:(!:CJ"9£E of our ^loili, glorothii bepavtcb out of vt luorl^, ^nb after tuithin short space, *[Iichari) tuas kv^ in this plarc. ^ere uolu our bodies i5o leu, on our soules Jesu hafc incrrjj. 521c iesirc cliery ,ftiau uum, to prey for our soules Ihat bin gon. These verses are doubtless the composition of Richard him- self, for in his will he speaks of the stone as alread}' in existence but not laid down. He left at his death five sons and seven daughters. Of these Walter, the eldest son, succeeded him at \Vrottesle3^ Of the second son, George, nothing is known, and he probably died shortly after his father. Thomas married and had a son, George, who is styled (ieorge Wrottesley, of Chelmarsh, co. Salop, in a deed amongst the Ashmolean MSS. dated 1597. An account of this George, who was subsequently knighted, will be given in a future page. John, the fourth son, is mentioned in the will of Dr. Richard Dudley, Chancellor of Salisbury, his uncle, which Avas proved in 1530, and is printed at length in Mr. Sydnej^ ( Jrazebrook's '• History of the Dudleys " in vol. ix of Stafford- shire Collections. Harry, the next son, occurs also in the same will as Henry Wrottesley, and as one of the executors of it. The will also names the wife of Henry and his son Richard, who was the testators godson. Of the seven daughters of Richard Wrottesley, Elinor, the eldest, married, for a first husband, Edmund Leversedge, of Frome Selwood, co. Somerset, and for a second husband Sir Henry Long, of Wraxall and Draj'^cot, co. Wilts. Sir Henry was a distinguished soldier of the reign of Henry VHI, and one of the Knights of the King's Household ; by him she had a numerous family, two of whom, Richard and Thomasine, are mentioned in the w^ill of Richard Dudley, as his godchildren. Elinor, Lady Long, died in 1543.i Anne married Thomas Leveson, of Wolverhampton and ' "Visitation of Wilts, 1623," and Pedigree of Long, in Howard's "Miscellanea Genealogica," Sir Henry was Sheriff of co. Wilts in the years ir)12, 1526, 1537 and 1542. He died in 1556. m ■:m m ^ ^ h" WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 257 Willenliall, and another dauf^hter, Marjory or Marj^faret, married James Lev^eson, of Perton, a rich merchant oi' the Staple, and ancestor of the Dukes of Sutherland. Accordino; to the pedigree of Onslow in the Visitation of Shropshire of 1628, as printed by the Harleian Society, Margaret, the daughter of Richard Wrottesley, married Humphre}?' Onslow, of Onslow, co. Salop, but whether this is the same Margaret who married James Leveson, or there were two daughters named respectivel}^ Margaret and Marjory, I am unable to say. Richard Wrottesley had two younger brothers who have been mentioned in the account of his father, Sir Walter Wrottesley. The elder of these, William, inherited a large portion of the Baron estates, and was the founder of a younger branch of the family which lasted for some generations. He appears to have been placed into the household of the new King, Henry VU, at the accession of that monarch, for the Wardrobe Accounts of 4 Henry VII, shew that he was one of the Esquires of the Body, receiving gifts of clothing from the King ; and in the first year of the same reign, he obtained by grant from the King the Keepership of the Park of Raskyll, co. York.^ At the latter date he could not have been more than twenty-five years of age. His will, in which he is styled William Wrottesley, of Redynge, in the co. of Berks, is dated 26th December 1512, and was proved in the Prerogative Court of Canter- bury, on the 4th February 1513. In this will he desires to be buried within the Parish Church of Saint Olaf in Silverstrete, London, "before the image of our Blessed Lady stondynge at the High Awter of the said Church." He names his daughter Elizabeth, his daughter Custance (Con- stance), his son Robert, his son-in-law Escue, " my ladj" Sturton (his sister), my lorde her husband, my lorde Sowche (de la Zouche), John Wraxley (probably his nephew John Wrottesley), my lady Scrope (his sister), and Dame Parnell beynge within the nonry of Dertforde, in co. of Kent (another sister), my eldest brother, and his sons Walter and Thomas, and my sonne Edward." To his son Robert he left all his lands and tenements lying within the town of Reading to him and his heirs for ever, ten shillings out of them to be paid yearly to the Churchwardens of the Parish Church of Our Lady of Redynge. Robert, his son, and Constance, his daughter, to be his executors. In the proof of the will both Robert and Constance were stated to be under age. ' " Materials for the History of King Henry VII " (printed in Rolls Series). On the Patent Roll of ] Heniy VII, part ii, there is a pardon for George Neville late of Raskell, co. York. 258 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF His son-in-law Escue, was Sir William Ayscough or Askew, of" South Kelse}^, co. Lincoln, who married his daughter Elizabeth, and by her was father of the unfortunate Anne Askew, who was burnt as a heretic in 1546.^ A Robert Wrastley, who was probably identical with Robert, the son of this William, was Member of Parliament for the town of Chippenham in 1558, the first year of Queen Mary. Walter, the other brother, died in 1502. By his will, which is dated 7th December 1502, and proved on the 17th of the same month, he desired to be buried in the Church of St. Mark, in Bristowe (Bristol), beside Jane, his wife, and he bequeathed to the House of St. Mark two tenements in Wryngton, co. Somerset, given to him and to his wife by John Key, Esq., of co. Somerset. He also bequeathed to the same House a rent of 20s. from Kyngeston, CO. Somerset, and all his property in Cosham, co. Wilts, for a term of fifty years. He also made bequests to my lord St. Amand, my lord Stourton (his brothers-in-law), to Maister Croope (Scrope), and "my lady his wife," " to my lady my moder," and to his eldest brother Richard Wrottesley, and to his brother William Wrotteslej^, to his niece Bess, and his nephew John Wrottesley, and the residue of his goods to Lady Saint Amand, " my good suster."- It would seem by this will that Walter left no issue. It shews also that his mother Jane, Lady Darell, the widow of Sir Walter Wrottesley, was still alive ; at this period she had survived her first husband for nearly thirty j^ears. The following deeds, formerly at Wrottesley, belong to the period of Richard Wrottesle}^ : — To all true Xpen people to whom this present writyng endented shall come. Richard Chokke and Thomas Lyttelton Knights Justices of our soverayn lord the Kyng of his Comen Bench sende gretyng in our lord everlastyng. Whereas dyvers variances and debates have been hadde and moeved bitwene Sir Richard Darell Knyght and Dame Jane his wife sumtyme the wyf of 8ir Walter Wrottesley Knyght on that one partie, and Richard Wrottesley Esquier son and heire of the said Sir Walter on that other partie, of and upon the right, title and possession of the manour of Wrottesley in the Countie of Stafford, and also of other lands and tenements in Wrottesley and Tettenall in the said Countie of Stafford, which sumtyme were Hugh Wrottesleys, and as it is surmy tted by the said Sir Richard Darell and Jane ^ " History of the Reformation," printed by the Camden Society, where tlie father of Elizabeth is written 2'/tomas Wrottesly, by mistake for William. ■'' Will proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury and now at Somerset House. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 259 {some ivords omitfed here in the origincd deed) the said Walter Wrottesley and also of and upon the possession and purporties of such goods as were lefte by the said Jane in the said manour of Wrottesley. Wherefore the said Sir Richard Darell Knyght and Richard Wrottesley Esquier by their escripts obligatorye beryng date the xv*'' day of May the yere of the reigne of our soverayn lord Kyng Edward the Fourth the xx'^'' have com- promytted themselfs to stonde, hold, and obey the arbiterenient, ordinaunce, and juggement of us the said Richard Chokke and Thomas Lyttelton arbitrators bitwene the said parties indifferently chosen of and upon the right, title and possession of all the manours, londs and tenements which suratyme were Hugh Wrottesley s or of the said Walter Wrottesley or any other to their use, or to the use of eny of them, and also of and upon accions as well reall as personall, sutes, quarrells, variaunces, and demands bitwene the said parties or bitwene the forsaid Ricliard Wrottesley and Sir Richai'd Darrell in eny wise hadde, moeved, or hangyng before the date of the said obligations. Whereupon we the forsaid Richard Chokke and Thomas Lyttelton takyng upon us to arbiti'e of and upon the premisses, the titles, claymes, answers and replications of the parties aforsaid, herde, and understonden, by the assent of the said parties and also by the desire and agreement of William Baron Esquier, ffader of the said Dame Jane Darell, arbitre, awarde ordeyn and deme of and upon the same in fourme folowyng, that is to say that the said Sir Richard Darell in the name of hym and the seid Dame Jane on this side the feest of Pentecost next nowe comyng, shall make and delyver unto the said Richard Wrottesley at the cost of the same Richai'd Wrottes- ley a dede of feoffament, with a letter of attorney in the same ded6 unto William ffalls Chapeleyn and Roger Bold, and to everyche of them, to delyver seasyn of the manours of Wrotte.sley and Butterton and of all the londs and tenements in Wrottesley, Tettnale, Butterton, and Codsall in the said Countie of Stafford or elsewhere in the same Countie which were the said Walter Wrottesleys, or Hugh Wrottesleys unto the said Richard Wrottes- ley, to have and holde to hym, his heires, and assignes for ever- more, and also that the said Sir Richard Darell shall delyver unto the said Richard Wrottesley a relesse in the name of the said Sir Richard Darell and dame Jane of all their right in the said manours of Wrottesley and Butterton, and all other londs and tenements in Wrottesley and Butterton, Tettnale and Codsall in the Countie of Stafford or ellswhere in the same Countie which sumtyme were the said Walter Wrottesley or Hugh Wrottesley Squier ffader of the same Walter or of eny other to their use or to the use of either of them and that so soon that than ^ within the space of a moneth next after, the said Richard Wrottes- ley beyng seasyd of the manour of Wrottesley and of all the said other lands and tenements in Tettnale and Wrottesley of a rightful and lawfull estate of enherytaunce by his dede sufficiaunte in lawe shall graunte unto the said Sir Richard Darrell and Dame 2G0 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF Jane at tlie cost of the same Sir Richard Darell and Jane an annuell rent of v li. sterlyng yerely to be paied at ii ternies of the yei-e, tliat is to say, the one half on Saint Martyns day after All Halowmesse at the Rode of the North dore in Paules in London bitwene one of the clok at afternone* and iiii of the clok of the same day than next ensuying, and the other half in the same place the Saturday next after the Assencion day bitwene one of the clok at afternone and v of the clok of the same day than next followyng, which graunte shalbe with a penaltie of XX s. in the said dede conteyned to be forfeite as often as hit shall liappen the said Rent at the day and place lyinyted to be uncontcnt, and also as often as it shall happen the said Sir Richard Darell and dame Jane, their Deputie, servant, or assigne to be interrupte, lette or distoui'bed to distreyn for the said Rent or the arrerage thereof beyng behynde, by the said Richard Wrottes- ley, his fermours, servant or Deputie, by his comaundement, and also as often as hit shall happen, the said Richard Wrottesley his fermour or servant by his comaundement to sue I'eplevin of eny distresse taken for the said Rent or eny parcell thereof due uncon- tent, and for the suretie of the said Rent to be content at the daies lymyted during the lyf of the said dame Jane, we awarde that the said Richard Wrottesley within a moneth after the said graunte of annuytee made, shall enfeoffe of the saide manour of Wrottesley the said Thomas Lyttelton, Richard Lyttelton, John Brown, William Wrottesley and William Wylkys to have and to hold unto them, their heires and assignes for evermore to the intent that they shalbe and stonde feoffes of the said manour with the appurtenaunts duryng the lyf of the said dame Jane, for the contentacion of the said annuytie, and after her deth they shal be and stonde feoffes of the said manour, lends and tenements till tj^me that the said Sir Richard Darell yf it fortune hym to overlyve the said Jane or the executors of the said Jane yf she overlyve the said Sir Richard Darell be satisfied and contented of the arrerage of the said annuytie ronnen in the lyf of the said Jane. Also we awarde that either of the said Sir Richai-d Darell and Richard Wrottesley on this side the feast of Pentecost next comyng by their dede relesse and quyteclayme unto other all actions personell and demaunds which they or eny of them myght have hadde before the first day of May last past. In witnesse whereof to that one part of this our present awarde endented toward the said Richard Wrottesley remaynyng as well we the said arbitraters as the said Sir Richard Darell have sette our sealls, and to that other part thereof toward the said Sir Richard Darell abydyng as well we the said arbitrators as the said Richard Wrottesley have sette our sealls. Wreten and goven the xxi"'' day of May the xxi*^'' yere of the reigne of Kyng Edward the Fourth.^ (A.D. 1481.) Three seals of conventional design, not armorial. ' Original deed at Wrottesley, copied 1860-62. This is the earliest deed in English of those formerly preserved at Wrottesley. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 261 Sciant presentes et futuri quod nos Ricardus Darrell miles et Johanna uxor ejus que fuit uxor Walter! Wrottesley militis defuncti tradidimus, concessiinus et hac present! carta nostra confirmavimus Ricardo Wrottesley armigero filio et heredi predict! Walteri Wrottes- ley maneria de Wrottesley et Butter ton ac omnia alia terras et tenementa cum pertinentiis in Wrottesley, Tettnale, Butterton et Codsall in Comitatu Stafford ac alibi in eodem comitatu. Habendum et tenendum omnia predicta maneria, terras et tenementa, reddi- tus et servicia cum omnibus suis pertinentiis prefato Ricardo Wrottesley, heredibus et assignatis suis in perpetuum de capitalibus dominis feodi illius per servicia inde debita et de jure consueta. Sciatis nos insuper prefatos Ricardum Darell et Johannam attor- nasse et in loco nostro posuisse dilectos nobis in Xpo Willelmum ifales capellanum et Rogerum Bold nostros veros et legitimos attornatos conjunctim et divisim ad intrandum vice et nomine nostris in omnia predicta maneria terras et tenementa cum per- tinentiis, et possessionem inde sic captam, plenariam possessionem et seisinam inde prefato Ricardo Wrottesley deliberandam. Haben- dum sibi heredibus et assignatis suis secundum formam et effectum hujus carte nostre. Ratum habentem et gratum quiccjuid predict! attornati nostri seu eorum alter fecerint seu fecerit in premissis adeo precise prout nosmet ipsi personaliter interessemus. In cujus rei testimonium huic present! carte nostre sigilla nostra apposuimus. Hiis testibus Ricardo Chokke, Thoma Lyttelton militibus, Justiciariis domin! Regis de Banco, Johanne Broun, Thoma Wood, Willelmo Wilkes et multis aliis. Data apud Wrottesley predictum vicesimo secundo die raensis Maii anno I'egni regis Edwardi quarti post conquestum vicesimo primo.^ (A.D. 1481.) Two seals of conventional pattern. Noverint universi per presentes me Ricardum Darell militem, virum Johanne nuper uxoris Walteri Wrottesley militis defuncti, remississe relaxasse et omnino de et pro me et executoribus meis in perpetuum quietclamasse Ricardo Wrottesley filio nuper et heredi dictorum Walteri et Johanne omnimodas actiones personales, sectas, querelas, calumpnias et demandas quas versus Ricardum Wrottesley unquam habui, habeo, seu quovismodo habere potero ratione seu causa quacunque de principio mundi usque primum diem mensis Maii ultimi preterit! ante datum presentium. In cujus rei testi- monium presentibus sigillum meum apposui. Datum vicesimo sexto die mensis Maii anno regni regis Edwardi quarti post contjuestum vicesimo primo.^ (26 May 1481.) Seal, an antique head. Sciant presentes et futuri quod ego Ricardus Wrottesley Armiger dedi concess! et hac present! carta mea confirniavi Thome Littelton militi uno Justiciariorum domin! Regis de Banco, Ricardo Littelton, ^ Original deed at Wrottesley, cojiied 1860-62. 262 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF Johanni Broun, Willelmo Wrottesley et Willelmo Wylkes maneriiira de Wrottesley cum pertinentiis in Comitatu Stafford. Habendum et tenendum manerium predictum cum pertinentiis prefatis Thome, Ricardo Littelton, Johanni, Willelmo et Willelmo heredibus et assignatis suis in perpetuum de capitalibus dominis feodi illius per servicia inde debita et de jure consueta. Et ego vero, etc. (Clause of warranty.) In cujus rei testimonium liuic presenti carte mee sigillum meum apposui. Hiis testibus Ricardo Chokke milite uno Justiciariorum domini Regis de Banco, Thoma Astley, Willelmo Astley Armigeris, et raultis aliis. Data apud Wrottesley predictum vicesimo die mensis Junii anno regni regis Edwardi quarti post conquestum vicesimo primo.^ (20 June 1481.) Seal, a boar's head issuing from a ducal coronet. Omnibus Christi fidelibus ad quos hoc presens scrii^tum per- venerit, Ricardus Lyttelton Willelmus Wrottesley et Willelmus Wylkes salutem in domino sem[)iternam. Sciatis nos prefatos Ricardum Willelmum et Willelmum dimississe, concessisse, liberasse et hoc presenti scripto nostro confirmasse Ricardo Wi"ottysley armigei'o et Dorothee uxori ejus manerium de Wrottysley cum pertinentiis in Comitatu Stafford quod quidem manerium cum pertinentiis nuper habuimus scilicet cum Thoma Lyttelton milite nuper uno Justiciariorum domini Regis de Banco et Johanne Brone jam defunctis ex dono et feofFamento predicti Ricardi Wrottysley. Habendum et tenendum predictum manerium cum pertinentiis prefatis Ricardo Wrottysley et Dorothee et heredibus et assignatis ipsius Ricardi in perpetuum de capitale domino per servicia inde debita et de jure consueta. Sciatis nos insuper prefatos Ricardum Lyttelton, Willelmum et Willelmum attornasse et in loco nostro posuisse dilectos nobis in Christo Willelnnim Wodhows et Thomam Atkys nostros veros et legitimos attornatos conjunctim et divisim ad intrandum vice et nominibus nostris in manerium predictum cum pertinentiis, et post hujusmodi ingressum ad deliberandum vice et nominibus nostris prefato Ricardo Wrottys- ley et Dorothee plenariam et pacificam seisinam de eodem manerio cum pertinentiis. Tenendum sibi secundum formam et effectum presentis scripti nostri. Ratum et gratum habentem et habiturum quicf[uid dicti attornati nostri fecerint seu dictorum alter fecerit in deliberatione seisine predicte adeo precise prout nosmet ipsi ibidem personaliter interessemus. In cujus rei testimonium huic presenti scripto nostro sigilla nostra apposuimus. Hiis testibus Ricardo Asteley armigero, Ricardo Sutwyke, Willelmo Wolaston et multis aliis. Datum apud Wrottysley vicesimo octavo die Junii anno regni regis Henrici VII post conquestum Anglie vicesimo. (28 June 1505.)2 Two seals destroyed, the middle seal a lion rampant, but with no legend. ' Original at Wrottesley, copied 1860-62. - Original deed at Wrottesley, copied 1860-62. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 263 This Indentur made the xii'''* day of Marche yn the xvi*''> yere of the reign of Kyng Harry the vii''^ bitwen Richard Wrotesley Esquier uppon the one partie, and Dame Marget Harcourt and Thomas Harcourt Esquier uppon the odur partie, wittenesith that hit ys covenaunted and agreed bitwen the seid parties yn maner and forme folowyng, that ys to sey that the seid Richard covenauntith and grauntith unto the seid dame Marget and Thomas that Water Wrotesley sonne and heir apparaunt unto the seid Richard, shall be the grace of God wedde and take to wyff Isabel Harcourt doghtur of John Harcourt Esquier on this half the feste of Seynt Michael the Archangell next ensuyng the date of this Indentur, and att the resonable request of the seid dame Marget and Thomas, and if hit so be that the seid Water discesse byfore man'iage had bitwen hym and the seid Isabel as god forbidde, that then the next heir apparaunt to the seid Richard shall take to wyff the seid Isabell withyn a halfe yere after the discesse of the seid Water, att the resonable request of the seid dame Margett and Thomas tippon the same covenaunt of marriage comprised yn this indentur : fforthermore the seid' Richard covenantith and grauntith unto the seid dame Marget and Thomas that he shall make or cause to be made a sure and sufficyent estate yn the lawe to John Beymount, Thomas Harcourt, John Swynnerton and William Wilkes- to them and to their heires, of and yn lands and tenements to the yerly value of X marks over all charges and reprises on this halfe the day of the marriage to this entent that they shall stand and be feffees unto the use and behove of the seid Water and Isabell and the heires of hys bodie by the seid Isabell bigoten ; and after the discesse of dame Jane Wrotesley, the seid Richard shall make or cause to be made unto the seid feffees like astate as ys byfore seid, of and yn lands and tenements of the yerly value of v marks over all charges and reprises withyn vi weks after the discesse of the seid dame Jane, to the same use and entent as is bifore written, the remeynder of all the seid lands to the seid Richard and his heires, also the seid Richard covenauntith and grauntith unto the seid dame Marget and Thomas that all odur maners, lands, tenements and all odur hereditaments of the wiche he is now seysed, or eny odur person or j)ersons to hys use in fee sympull, tayle, reymender, or in revertion, schall immediatly after hys discesse, discend, reymayne and revert to the seid Water and hys heires, dower and jointux'e of Dorathe wyfe to the seid Richard of all suche lands that ys appoynted therunto beying yn feffees hands except, provided allwey that it schall be lawfull to the seid Richard to make his will sufficient yn law for terme of X yers after his discesse of lands and tenements to the yerly value of X marks over all charges, and also that if so be hit happen the seid Dorathe to disesse and the seid Richard to take anodur wyfe, that then it shall be lawfull to the .seid Richard to make or cause to be made to his wyf or wyffes as it shall forten hym to be married unto, astate for terme of lyf of lands and tenements to the yerely value of x marks over all charges 264 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF and reprises, also the seid Richard covenauntith and grauntith to the seid dame Marget and Thomas that the reversion of all syche lands and tenements of the wiche the seid Richard shall herafter declare his wyll as ys before rehersyd, and the revertion of the lands and tenements deli\eryd for the jointure of the said Water and Isabell and the revertion of dower and jointure of all lands and tenements that it shall hapen the seid Dorathe to have, or odur wyfe or wyffes that it shall forten the seid Richard to marie, shall immcdiatly after the x yers expired and after the disesse of the seid Dorathe or odur wyf or wyffs that shall for ten to be maried to the seid Richard, revert and remayn to the seid Water and his heirs, also that the seid Richard covenauntith and grauntith to the seid dame Marget and Thomas that he for hisselfe or feffees schall make noon alienation or sulfur ony wylfull x'ecovcry agaynst them of ony parcell of his seid lands and tenements, nor in any wyse charge his seid lands and tenements, but such as schall exj^ier in his lyf except syche lands and tenements as is bifore excepted ; all the wiche covenaunts well and truly to be pei'formed and kept the seid Richard covenauntith and grauntith to the seid dame Marget and Thomas to bynd hym selfe John Beymound and Water Lewson ther heyrs and executors in an obligation of ccc marks jointly and severally to be peyd to the seid dame Marget and Thomas, if so be all or singuler covenaunts comprised in this indentur upon the partie of the seid Richard in ony wyse be broken, for the wiche mariage and livery to be had, the seid dame Margett and Thomas shall pay to the seid Richard the day of the seylyng of thes indentur c marks and the day of the mariage of the seid Water and Isabell or odur heii> apparaunt of the seid Richard c marks, and if it so be that the seid Isabell disesse before the day of hur mariage that then the seid Richard schall repay unto the seid dame Marget and Thomas withyn a yere after the disesse of the seid Isabell the seid c marks. In witness whereof the forseid parties to this Indentur enterchangeably have sett to (sic) ther seyles. Geven the day and yere above writton.^ (12 March 1501.) Seal, a shield, charge indistinguishable. Sciant presentes et futuri quod ego Antonius de Sancto Amando dedi, concessi, et hac pi'esenti carta mea indentata confirmavi Thome West militi, domino la Warr, Thome West militi et heredi apparent! dicti domini la Warr, Johanni Roo servient! ad legem, Rogero Copley armigero, Roberto Norwich, Thome Polstede et Christofero Metcalff, manerium meum de Iplepen cum pertinentiis, necnon ducenta messuagia, quatuor milia acras terre, ducentas acras parci, tria milia acras pasture, ducentas acras bosci, dua milia acras . . . . et bruere et triginta solidos redditus cum per- tinentiis in Iplepen, Torbryan, Kyngescarswell et Wychcom in Comi- tatu Devonie. Habendum et tenendum dictum manerium et cetera premissa cum suis pertinentiis prefatis Thome West militi domino ^ Original deed at Wrottesley, copied 1860-62. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 265 la Warr, Thome West filio, Johanni Roo, Rogero Copley, Roberto Norwich, Thome , Polstede, et Christofero Metcalff, heredibus et assignatis suis, ad opus et usum Anne de Sancto Amando uxoris mei prefati Antonii durante vita ipsius Anne absque impetitione alicujus vasti secundum intentionem specificatum in (juadam inden- tura .... inter me prefatum Antonium et prefatum dominum la Warr super maritagium inter me prefatum Antonium et pre- fatam Annam habendum et solemnizandum, factum et habitum. Et post mortem prefate Anne ad opus et usum mei prefati Antonii et heredum de corpore meo legitime procreatorum. Et per defectum talis exitus ad usum Ricardi Wrattesley et Willelmi Wrattesley fratris sui et heredibus de corporibus suis legitime procreatis, et per defectum talis exitus, ad usum rectorum heredum eorundem Ricardi Wrattesley et Willelmi Wrattesley in perpetuum. Et insuper noveritis me prefatum Antonium fecisse, attornasse et loco meo posuisse dilectos mihi in Xpo Thomam Heal et Johannem Chaundeler meos veros et legitimos attornatos conjunctim et divisim ad intrandum pro me et nomine meo in predictum manerium et altera premissa cum omnibus suis pertinentiis et possessionem et seisinam sic inde nomine meo captam et habitum, plenam et pacificam possessionem ac seisinam nomine meo deliberandam prefatis Thome, Thome, Johanni, Rogero, Roberto et Christofero MetcalfF, heredibus et assignatis suis in perpetuum, secundum vim, formam, tenorem, et essenciam hujus presentis carte mee inde eis censate, ratum et gratum habentem et habiturum, totum et quicquid dicti attornati mei nomine meo fecerint seu alter eorum fecerit in premissis. In cujus rei testimonium huic present! carte mee tripartite indentate sigillum meum apposui. Data quarto die Augusti anno regni Regis Henrici octavi nono.^ (4 August 1517.) Per me Antony Sayntmond [sic, his signature, with a long flourish at the end). HENRY R.2 By the King. Trusty and well beloved wee greet you well, and forasmuch as we be credibly informed that the Scotts be the instegation of our ancient enemy the French King be determined to invade this our Realme in the beginning of the month of September next comyng. We therefor taking special regard to the defense of our said Reamle against their malignite have appoynted our right trusty and right well beloved cousin and counsaillour the Erie of Shi'ewsbury, Stuard ^ Original deed at Wrottesley, copied 1860-62. According to Dugdale, Antony de St. Amand was illegitimate. He would, therefore, have no right lieirs, and it will be noted that the ultimate remainder, failing his issue, is vested by the deed in the right heirs of Richard Wrottesley and his brother William. As Iplepen was held in capite, tlie license of the Crown was required for its alienation. This fact was apparently overlooked at the time, for the license of alienation appears on the Patent Ivoll of 18 Henry YIII. (State Papers, printed, Rolls' Series). - This is the King's sign manual. Tlie writ has no date, but the Earl of Shrewsbury was commanded to raise a force against the Scots in 1522, and he entered Scotland in the same year. (Tytler's " Histoiy of Scotland," vol, V.) 266 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF of our houstholde, to be our lieutenant general, and have authorised him to have the leding of all and singular our subyetts in those contries for resisting of the said invasion. Willinge therefor and desiring, and nevertheless comaunding you forthwith upon the sight of these our letters not only to prepaur yourself with suche a nombre of liable men horsed and harnessed as many as ye can prepaur making certificat unto our said lieutenant of your said nombre with all diligence possible, but also kepe yourself in further redyness that upon a houres warnyng after requisition to be made unte you by our said lieutenants letters ye may set furthe and joyne with him without delay for resisting of the said invasion. Faile ye not this to do, as ye tendour hourself and the defense of this our Realnie. Goven under our signet at our manour of Newhall the xiii day of August. Endorsed. To our trusty and well beloved servaunte Richarde Wrottesley.^ Arms of Richard Wrottesley. On the dexter side — Or, three piles Sable, a quarter Ermine, for Wrottesley. On the sinister side — Or, t\vo lions passant Azure, for Sutton of Dudley. Walter Wrottesley, 1521—1563. to be relied upon for Walter Wrottesley must have succeeded Richard before the 6th December 1521, for on that day he paid a mark to the Abbot of Eve- sham for half a year's quit rent due at the previous Michaelmas.'^ He is shewn to be son of Richard by the deeds at Wrottesley, the will of his uncle William, which was proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, and by the Heralds' Visitations which are trust- worthy evidence for the Tudor period, although they are not always earlier descents." ' Original wiit of military f^urnmoiis at Wiottesley, copied 1860-62. The abbreviations have been extended, but the ni-iginal orthograjihy has been retained, and it will be seen that it diffeis little from our modern spellinR. - Original Reccijjt at Wrottesley. ^ They are trustworthy for thi.s period, because it may be assumed that every man wouhl know the niunes of his grandfather, father, and of his children, also of grandchildren if any existed. They are, ther-efore, excellent evidence for five generations of a family, and are certified in many cases by the head of the familv. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 267 Apparently the death of Richard Wrottesley had not been notified to the Exchequer, for a writ of military summons, addressed to him by name, directs him to be prepared to join the Earl of Shrewsbury, who had been appointed to lead an arm}^ against the Scots. This took place in July 1522. The writ is under the King's sign manual, and is one of the writs sent by the King himself to the Barons and principal tenants in chief of the Crown. ^ It shews that notwithstanding the loss of the manors granted by Edward IV to Sir Walter Wrottesley, Richard was still considered by the Exchequer authorities as liable to military service as a tenant in capite, for ordinary tenants would be summoned by the Sheriffs of counties. One of the first acts performed by Walter in his capacity as head of his family, was a conveyance in trust for the Reading Almshouses. In this he is described as " cosyn and heire of William Baron late of Redyng, son of Johanna, doughter and heire to the said William Baron." This con- veyance is dated the 3rd June 16 Henry VIII (1524).- On the Saturday before the Feast of St. Valentine, 16 Henry VIII (llt'h February 1525) the Kinver Manor Roll states that he appeared in person in full Court and claimed to hold of the lord all the lands and tenements in Kyngeley which descended to him by hereditary right, after the death of Richard Wrottesley, Armiger, his father." Kingeley was an outlying portion of Kinver manor, lying within the parish of Tettenhall. Walter Wrottesley was appointed King's Eschaetor for the county of Stafford by letters patent of 19 Henry VIII and 24 Henry VIII. His accounts for these two j^ears remain in the Public Record Office. He also served the office of Sheriff of the county in 23 Henry VIII. There is an entry amongst the State papers of 18 Henry VIII (A.D. 1526) which, unless explained, is likely to lead to some misapprehension. This is a licence for Thomas, Lord de la Warr, Sir John Copley and others to alienate lands in Iplepen, Torbryan and other places named in co. Devon to Sir Anthony de St. Amand and Anne, his wife, to the use of Anne for her life and with remainders over (as in the deed of 9 Henry VIII, p. 264), and with remainder in default of any issue of Anthony and Anne to Richard Wrattesley and William, his brother.^ It would be sup- posed from the tenor of these letters patent that Richard Wrottesle}^ and William were still alive, whereas we know ' See p. 26.5 ante. * Original deed at Wrottesley, copied 1860-62. ' State Papers, temp. Henry VIII (domestic), printed in Rolls Series. 268 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF from other sources that they had been dead for some j'^ears. The exphiiiation seems to be, that at the date of the deed of 9 Henry VITI it liail been overlooked that the lands dealt with, bein^j; held of the King in capitc, it was necessary to obtain a license from the Crown for their alienation, and the above letters patent, issued nine years afterwards, were obtained to rectify this omission. Walter Wrottesley's name occurs in the Commission of the Peace issued in 1531 and for many years afterwards, in fact it may be said that no commission affecting Stafford- shire was issued during his epoch which does not contain his name. In 2(j Henry VIII (1535) he was one of the Commissioners for levying the tenth of Spiritualities in Staffordshire. The returns of these Commissioners are known as the " Valor ecclesiasticus,"' and have been printed. The Commissioners for Staffordshire were Roland Lee, the Bishop of Sir John Gifforde, Coventry and Lichfield, John Vernon, Sir John Talbot, George Grey si ey, George Audeley, Edward Lyttelton, Walter Wrottysley, Thomas Holte, William Basset, John Grosvenour, and Thomas Gifforde, Thomas Moreton. Walter Blount, In 1535 the King had assumed the title of Supreme Head of the Church, and in the following year Walter Wrottesley was a party to one of the odious prosecutions set on foot by Cromwell, the King's minister, for words spoken against the King. The unfortunate defendant in this case was one George Robinson, who had been reported for using words against the King's Majesty. It was a very common pro- ceeding in such cases to rake up a charge of felony against the prisoner, and Cromwell ordered a copy of the Indictment to be sent up to the Council : the latter was signed by three magistrates of the Count}^, Sir William Bassett, Sir Philip l^raycot and Walter 'Wrottesley, and stated that Henry Bakster alias Starky, of Chester, had been indicted for stealing a horse, and that George Robinson, late of London, mercer, Fermor of the manor of Drayton-Basset had been indicted for receiving the horse, and allowing the thief to go at large, and for using words against the King's Majesty, the latter, of course, being the gravamen of the charge. On the 11th February, 1536, Sir John Dudley writes to Cromwell: — "This day at Lichfield, George Robinson was indicted for felony, the Justices of the Peace were Sir William Bassett, Sir Philip Draycot and Walter Wrotesley, who have done well in the King's service, most of the jury WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 269 were gentlemen of sulwtance."^ It. is very much to be feared, from the terms of Dudle^^'s letter, that the unfortunate prisoner had been found guilty. Walter Wrottesle}^ signs his name at tlie bottom of this Indictment as " Walter Wrotyssley," and this is the earliest signature of anj'' member of the family I have met with. In 31 Henry VIII (1539-40) he was included in a Special Commission of " 03'er and terminer" for treasons and other offences in cos. Oxon, Berks, Worcester, Hereford, Salop and Stafford. In the same year he was one of the Commissioners for the General Muster in Staffordshire, which is printed in vol. iv. New Series, of the Staffordshire Collections. In 1538 the Pope. Paul IV, had published a Bull excommunicating Henry VIII and deposing him from his throne for his heretical opinions, and had called upon the Emperor and the King of France to put it into execution. The King and his Council were seriously alarmed, and ordered a muster to be ma.de of the entire armed forces of the kingdom ; but the King's diplomacy eventually disconcerted the measures of the Pope, and the levies were never called out. Walter Wrottesley was also one of the Commissioners for taking the surrenders of the monasteries into the King's hands in the same year. In 32 Henry VIII (1540), he purchased from Sir Giles Strangeways and Joan his wife, the manor of Lutley, in CO. Stafford, and 900 acres of land, etc., in Lutley, Morfe and Enville.- The object of this purchase is not very apparent, as Lutley does not adjoin Wrottesley, and it was afterwards resold. The following letter from Sir John Dudley (afterwards Duke of Northumberland), belongs to the 3'ear 1542. At this date, Dudley was a Knight in the royal household, and rapidly rising in the King's favor. In the following year he was created Viscount Lisle. To my Cosen Walter Wrotisley Esquier this be geven. CozEx Wrotisley, I hartilly recomende me unto you, and whereas I do perceyve by my servant Henerye Cresset that you can be content to take some paynes for me in ^ the surveying of my landes, I wyll deserve the same your paynes that ye shall therein take if it lye in me Mr. Willoughby that ys of my consaill ys appoynted to mete with you at Dudeley the fyrst Sondaye of Lente where ' State Papers, printed in Record Series. - Fine levied at Mich. 32 Henry VIII. Vol. xi of Staffordshire Collections, p. 282. 270 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF I praye you not to faile to mete hym, and ye shall nowe receyve a patent of iiii li a yere growyng out of my lordship of Seggisley in reconipence of your olde patent of v marks a yere, and thus I eommytt you to God. Att the Courte this xviii''' daye of Februarye. Y'' loving kinsman assuredly John Duddeley. This letter is written by a Secretary, but the words " Y'" lovinf^ kinsman assuredly," and the signature are in Dudley's OAvn liantl.^ It must have been written in 1542, for in a volume of old MSS. belonging to Brooke Robinson, Esq., is a surs^ey of the manor of Sedgley taken the 13th April, 33 Henry VIII (1542), before Walter Wrottesley and George Willoughby Esquires, and Thomas Rotesey Gent.'-^ At this date Sir John Dudley had contrived to strip his cousin John, Lord Dudley, of the Castle of Dudley, and the greater part of the possessions of the Dudley Baron}'. How this was effected has never been clearly ascertained, but Dugdale gives the following account of it : — • "It is reported by credible tradition of this John Lord Dudley, that being a weak man of understanding, whereby he had exposed himself to some wants, and so became entangled in the usurers bonds, John Dudley, then Viscount Lisle and Earl of Warwick (afterwards Duke of Northumber- land), thirsting after Dudley Castle, the chief seat of the famil}', made those money merchants his instruments to work him out of it, which by some mortgage being at length effected, this poor lord became exposed to the charity of his friends for a subsistence, and spending the remainder of his life in visits amongst them, was commonly called the Lord Quondam."^ The following undated letter from " Lord Quondam," was formerly at Wrottesley, and bears out to some extent the ' Original letter at Wrottesley copied by uie for Orazebrook's " Barons of Dudley," 18^8. Sir John Dudley's relationship to Walter Wrottesley was no nearer than that of a second cousin, as will be seen by the following pedigree : — John, Lord Dudley, ob. 14S7. I 1 Sir Edmund Sutton, John Dudley, ob. v.p. I I 1 Edward, Dorothy. =j=Richard Edmund Dudley, Lord Dudley, died 1533. Wrottesley. beheaded 1510. I I I John, Lord Dudley, Walter Wrottesley. John Dudley, died 1553. Duke of Northumberland - Grazebrook's "Barons of Dudley," p. 151, vol. ix of Staff. Collections. ^ Ibid, (quoting Dugdale). WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 271 account given of him by Dugdale, as a man of weak under- standing. It was endorsed in a contemporary hand, "my lord Duddeley's h'e, to thank you for Mr. Robert Duddeley." My Honorable Cosyn, I thank you for yr great kyndnes to my sunn and daughter. My father was a Rotesley man and I must ever rememher to do you and yors any servis I can and yo"" wyfe I must lionour as much as any Lady in the Kingdom and will rest at Yr commande J. Duddeley. To my Honorable Cosyn Mr. Water Wroteley. His father was the brother of Dorothy, the mother of Walter, but I am unable to explain the allusion to his being " a Rotesley man," unless he was brought up in the household of Sir Walter Wrottesley at the time Sir Edmund Sutton, his father, was employed in Ireland. At the latter date he would have been twelve or thirteen years of age. In 1545, by an indenture dated 28th July 37 Henry VIII, Walter Wrottesley covenanted with Thomas Asteley of Pattis- hull, Armiger, that " John Wrottisley, sonne and heire apparaunt of the said Walter, shall, by the grace of God, on this side the Feast of the Natyvytie of our Lord next ensuing after the date hereof, marrye and take to wyff'e Elizabeth Asteley, daughter to the said Thomas Asteley, if the laws of the Holy Trynytie hit suffer and the said Elizabeth thereto consent and agree, etc." By this indenture the manor of Butterton, two pastures in Wyllnale (Willenhall), the Hawkwell • mill, and another pasture named, or lands of equal value were to be settled by Walter on John Wrot- tesley and Elizabeth, his wife, and the heirs of their bodies, and failing such, to revert to the right heirs of Walter. Butterton was stated to be of the annual value of £8 8s. 4d.^ In the following year, viz. in 38 Henry VIII (1546), Walter Wrottesley served the office of Sheriff for the county for a second time, and the King dying during his Shrievaldom, Letters Patent were issued under the Great Seal, appointing him Sheriff of the county " quamdiu nobis placuerit."- In these Letters Patent, his name is written " Walter Wriothesley." In 2 Edward VI (1548) Parliament, wath a view of augmenting the royal revenues, granted to the King the ancient ecclesiastical Colleges with their lands and revenues. Amongst these was the Collegiate Church of Tettenhall, with its five Prebends of Pendeford, Bobenhill or Barnhurst, ' Original deed formerly at Wrottesley. ' Original Letters Patent, formerly at Wrottesley. 272 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF Pei'ton, Wrottesley and CoJsall. As the Crown proposed to sell the Collefjes to the highest bidder, it became necessary for Walter VVrottesley to purchase the College and its Prebends in order to preclude the interposition of other parties, who would have levied the tj'thes from the whole of. his estates. The Crown exacted the full value of the property, for Walter paid about twenty-two years' purchase for it, and this was much above the value of freehold property at this date. The Letters Patent granting the College to him are dated (Sth May 3 Edward VI, and the property conveyed by them is stated to be the late College of Totnall, or Totenhall, and its site and capital house, with its gardens, houses, barns, stables, dovecotes, orchards, and the Deanery of the said College and the five Prebends of Penford, Bobenhill, Perton, Wrottesley and Codsall, and all houses, barns, stables, etc. (as before), and woods, rents, reversions and services, and the tythes of grain and hay, and all other tythes, oblations, pensions, and all profits late proceeding from the several tenancies or occupations of Richard Cresswall, Thomas Solman, and the said Walter Wrottesley, situated or existing in Totenhalle, Alderley, Penford, Wirgis, Compton, Perton, Trescott, Bil- broke, Wrottysley, Wighwike, Okyn and Codsall, or else- where appurtaining to the said College or Prebends, and all tythes, glebes, services. Court Leets, view of frankpledge, chattels waived, free warrens, and all other rights, juris- dictions, privileges, etc., both spiritual as well as temporal, of whatever kind, existing, situated, or appurtenant to the said College or Prebends as fully and truly as any Dean, Master, Warden or Prebendar}'" had ever held them. To be held by the said Walter, his heirs and assigns of us and our Successoi's by the service of one-fortieth part of a Knight's Fee for ever.^ Tettenhall was one of the King's Free Collegiate Churches, which are supposed to have been founded by King Edgar. They were exempt from all episcopal supervision, and as the spiritual jurisdiction as well as the temporal had passed to Walter Wrottesley and his heirs by the King's grant, the Wrottesleys became secular Deans of Tettenhall, and the wills of the parishioners both of Tettenhall and Codsall were proved in their Manor Courts until the abolition of the Peculiars in the early part of the last century. These wills were preserved at Wrottesley until the fire of December 1897, when they were destroyed with the rest of the Wrottesley muniments. ^ Original Letters Patent under the Great Seal, at Wrottesley, copied 1860-62. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 273 Contemporaneously with the purchase of the College, Walter obtained a license from the Crown to alienate the Penford and Bobenhill Prebends to Henry Suthwike and Kichard Cresswell respectiv^ely, and these two Prebends never formed a part of the Wrottesley property.^ The attempt of John Dudle}^, the Duke of Northumberland, to place his daughter-in-law, Lady Jane Grey, on the throne in 1553 is well known. It was fortunate for Walter Wrot- tesley, who appears to have been entangled to a great extent in the toils of the Duke, that the latter marched with all the troops he could levy into the Eastern Counties, in order to intercept the forces which the Princess Mary was raising in those parts, and that the attempt collapsed before the Duke's adherents from the Midland Counties could be got together.- The Duke left London on the 14th July, but dismissed his forces on the 20th and proclaimed Queen Mary. He was arrested on the 21st and reached the Tower of London on the 25th. On the 18th August he was tried and found guilty of high treason, and was beheaded on the 22nd August. At this date Matthew Wrottesley, who appears to have been a son of Walter, was in the Duke's household, and was arrested with the rest of the Duke's servants. A letter from the Privy Council, dated 31st July 1553, directs the Bailiffs of Lichfield to release Walter Gravenor and Mathew Rottesley, servants of the Duke of Northumberland, now detained by them in prison, taking sufficient security from them to appear before the Council to answer for such matters as they may be charged with.^ Walter Wrottesley died at the close of 1562 or early in the year 1563. His will, in which he is styled " Walter Rottysley of Rottysley Ysquire," is dated the 13th December 1562, and consists of a few lines only. After the usual pious preamble, he goes on to " bequeyth all my goods and cattells movabull and unmovabull to John my sonne and I countytute the seyd John my sone, my true and lawfull ^ This licence is entered on the Memoranda Roll of the Remembrancer, 3 Edward VI, Trinity term, roll 3. - The subsequent rebellion of Sir Thomas Wyatt shews that the Protestant party was very strong, and if the Duke had fallen back upon London, the attempt might have had a different issue. ^ Acts of the Privy Council (printed in the Rolls Series). Anongst the State Papers of 33 Henry VIII (printed) there is a license for Charles, Duke of Suffolk (the father of Lady Jane Grey), to alienate a water mill in Ashoo (Ashow), a grange called Burycote Grange in Ashoo, and land in Stamerton, CO. Warwick, to Matthew Wrottesley, of Wrottesley, co. Stafford. I conclude from his being styled " of Wrottesley," he must have been a son of Walter, and the title deeds of this property were at Wrottesley until the late fire. Matthew must, therefore, have died s.p., and the owner of Wrottesley was his heir at law. 274 HI.STORY OF THE FAMILY OF executor, and my cosyn Edward Levyson Ysquire oversear to see this my wyll parfurmed.''^ This will was not proved till January 1565, but Walter must have died before the 1st July 1563, for on that day a copy of the Court Roll of Tettenhall Regis states that " John Rotsley Armiger son and heir of Walter Rotsley Arraiger appeared in Court in his own person, and received from the lord (cepit de domino) all those messuages, etc., of which the said Walter Wrotsley (sic) had died seised," etc.^ So long as writing had been confined to a professional class, it is remarkable how little the orthography of names and places varies in ancient documents, but with the revival of letters, when all the educated classes could write more or less, the spelling of names and places was fast becoming purely phonetic. This Walter was the first member of his family who signs his name. His usual signature was *' Walter Wrottysley," written in a large bold hand, but he was not at all particular about the spelling of his name. As shewn in the life of his father Richard, he married in 1501 Isabella, the daughter of John Harcourt, of Ronton. Assuming that he was only eighteen years of age at the date of his marriage, he must have been over eighty years of age at the date of his death, in 1563. Besides his son John, who succeeded him, he left a son Richard, who died in 1566, in which year letters of administration of his eflfects were granted to his brother John. Receipts at Wrottesley in connection with this administration shewed that Elinor, a daughter of Walter Wrottesley, was married to Richard Lee, Esq.,^ and that Margaret, another daughter, was married to Nicholas Thornes, Esq.^ Besides these, Walter had three other daughters, Elizabeth, who married Sir John Talbot, of Albrighton, the ancestor of the present Earl of Shrewsbury f Dorothy, married to William Lawrance, Esq., of Hartingfordbury f and a fifth daughter, also named Eliza- beth, who married John Gower, of Woodhall, co. Worcester.'^ The deeds and family settlements were preserved complete at Wrottesley up to the date of the fire in 1897, but as they ^ Copy of will formerly at Wrottesley. ^ Copy of Court Koll formerly at Wrottesley. ^ The Shropshire Visitation of 1623 says that Eleanor, daughter of Walter Wrottesley, of Wrottesley, married Richard Lee, of Langley, Esq. * The same Visitation mentions that Nicholas Thornes, of Shelvoke, co. Salop, married Margaret, daughter of Walter Wrottesley, and had issue Richard Thornes, who was Sheriff of the County of Salop in 1610. * The same Visitation states that Sir John Talbot, of Albrighton, married Elizabeth, the daughter of Walter Wrottesley, of Wrottesley, Kt., and that she died 10th May, 1 Elizabeth (1559). •• See also Visitation of Hertfordshire, 1634, under Pedigree of Lawrance. ' See also Visitation of co. Worcester, of 1569, under Pedigree of Gower. This Elizabeth cannot be identical with Elizabeth Talbot, for the latter in her will, as will be seen from the following extracts taken from a contemporary WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 275 were no longer required as evidences of descent after the reign of Henry VIII, no copies were made of them. in most cases, however, notes were taken of their contents, and these will be used in the narrative as it proceeds. The following are the Letters Patent which appointed Walter Wrottesley Eschaetor of co. Stafford in 1527 : — Henricus Octavus del gratia Anglie et Francie Rex, Fidel defensor, et Dominus Hibernie, omnibus ad suos presentes litere pervenerint salutem. Sciatis quod commisimus dilecto nobis Waltero Wrotesley, Armigero, officium Escaetrie nostre in Comi- tatu Staffordie. Habendum quamdiu nobis placuerit : ita quod de exitibus inde provenientibus nobis respondeat ad Scaccarium nostrum. In cujus rei testimonium has literas nostras fieri fecimus patentes. Teste me ipso apud Westmonasterium xviii die Novembris anno regni nostri decimo nono. (18th November 1527.)^ Great Seal of Henry VIII. Henricus Octavus dei gratia Anglie et Francie Rex, fidei defensor et dominus Hibernie, Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, Abbatibus, Prioribus, Ducibus, Comitibus, Baronibus, militibus, liberis hominibus et omni- bus aliis in Coraitatu Staffordie. Cum comiserimus dilecto nobis Waltero Wrotesley, Armigero, officium Escaetrie nostre in Comitatu predicto ; habendum quamdiu nobis placuerit, prout in Uteris nostris patentibus ei inde confectis plenius continetur ; vobis man- damus quod eidem Waltero tanquam Escaetori in Comitatu predicto in omnibus que ad officium illud pertinent intendentes sitis et respondentes. In cujus rei testimonium has literas nostras fieri fecimus patentes. Teste me ipso apud Westmonasterium xviii die Novembris anno regni nostri decimo nono. (18th November 1527. )2 Great Seal of Henry VIII. Arms of Walter Wrottesley. On the dexter side — Or, three piles Sable, a quarter Ermine, for Wrottesley. On the sinister side — Gules, two bars Or, for Harcourt, of Ronton, CO. Stafford. On the upper bar a crescent Sable, as a mark of cadency. copy formerly at Wrottesley, speaks of her brother " John Goer," and " my syster his wyfe." It was not uncommon in former days to give the same Christian name to two sisters.' The will of " Dame Elizabeth Talbot, wydow, lady of Salwarpe in the County of Worcester," was dated 1559. She makes the following bequests in it : To my father Water Wrottysley my gold rynge with a seal engraved with a boye (boar). Item I bequeth to my brother John Wrottysley iij angells and to my systur his wyfe one angell of gold and my best velvet gown. Item I bequeth to my brother Rychard Wrottysley iij angells of gold. Item I forgive to my brother John Goer x li of the xx li which he owyth to me and I bequeth to my syster his wyfe an angell of gold. Item I bequeth to my systur Elynor Lee and to my systur Margaret Wrottysley to eyther of them iij angells of gold. Item I bequeth to my systur Dorothy Lawrence xl s. ^ Original Letters Patent at Wrottesley, copied 1860-62. * Ibid. 276 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF Before proceeding further with this history, I propose to say a few words respecting the family of Writhe or Wrothe, who assumed the name of Wrottesley or Wriothesley in the early part of the reign of Henry VIII. King Henry VII, in the first year of his reign, confirmed the appointment made by Edward IV, of John Wrythe as Principal Herald and Garter King of Arms, " Principalis Heraldus et offi^cium incliti Ordinis Oarterii Arinorum Regis Anglicanorum " (Patent Roll, 1 Henry VII), and on the 26th January 1503, Thomas Writhe alias Wallingford, was appointed Garter King of Arms in the place of John Wrythe, his father, deceased (Rymer's Fcedera). Anstis, in his " History of the Garter," says of this Thomas, " but though this officer was advanced to this employment by the monosyllabic surname that his father used, yet he disliked the shortness of it, and therefore augmented it with the high sound of three syllables, which added nothing to the smoothness in pronunciation, and after some variations in the spelling of it, he at last settled upon Wriothesley. And what is somewhat particular, in order to countenance this affectation he attributed this new coined appellation to all his paternal ancestors in the draughts he made of his own pedigree." The above account by Anstis is literally true. On the De Banco Roll of Easter 11 Henry VIII, Thomas Wrotesley and Anne, his wife, were suing Henry Clifford, Kt., for Anne's dower in Goldenburgh, co. York. At Trinity term, 13 Henry VIII, Ralph Wicliff" Armiger, sued Thomas Wrotesley, nuper de London, Armiger, alias dictus Thomas Garter, and Anne, his wife, for a debt of £300. In this year, however, Thomas changed his name to Wrothesley, and at Michaelmas term 13 Henry VIII, Thomas Wrothesley, Armiger, Rex Armorum Anglicanorum, sued Ralph Wicliflf for an illegal distress. In another suit of 13 Henry VIII, under the name of Thomas Wriothesley alias Thomas Garter, he sued Ralph Wicliff for a debt of £300. Amongst the Harleian MSS. in the British Museum there is an elaborate pedigree which deduces the descent of this Thomas from a John de Wrotesley, of Grekeland, co. Gloucester, living temp. Edward I. This pedigree, which was concocted for Sir Thomas Wriothesley, is a most ingenious compilation, for there really was a John de Wrottesley living temp. Edward I, a younger son of Sir William de Wrottesley, of Wrottesley, and there was also a John de Wrotessley, Abbot of Ford, living temp. Edward III, the existence of whom, perhaps, suggested to Thomas Writhe his change of name. For the forgery and the falsification of documents this WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY 277 Thomas stands pre-eminent ev'en amongst the Tudor Heralds. His character has been exposed by Eyton in his "Antiquities of Shropshire,'' and more recently by Mr. J Horace Round in his " Studies in Peerage and Family History." He had a brother William, who was York Herald, and this William had a son Thomas, the famous Minister and Chancellor of Henry VIH. The last named Thomas was created Baron Wriothesley on the 1st January 1544 ; Knight of the Garter in 1545 ; Earl of Southampton in 1547 ; and died in 1550.1 Any family might be proud to claim kinship with Henry Wriothesley, the third Earl, the friend and patron of Shakespear, or with Thomas, the fourth and last Earl, of whom Clarendon gives so high a character, but the facts are irresistible, and it is clear that there was no connection between the two families. John Wrottesley, 1563 — 1578. This John is shewn to be son of the last named Walter by the deeds formerly at Wrottesley, by the Heralds' Visitations, and by his petition in Chancery to Sir Nicholas Bacon, ^' which is given below. After his marriage with Elizabeth Astley he appears to have resided principally at Patshull, for he styles himself John Wrottesley, " of Pat- sell," in the above petition. The old Haukwall mill, on the boundary between the two properties, had been settled on him and his wife at the date of his marriage, and in 4 Edward VI (1551), during the lifetime of his father, and in spite of his holding the property in tail only, he levied a Fine in conjunction with his wife Elizabeth, by which this mill was conveyed to his father-in-law, Thomas Astley, for a sum of fifty marks.^ The petition to the Lord Keeper was as follows : — To the right Honorable Ser Nycholas Bacon Knyght and Lord Keeper of the Greate Seale of England. In most humble wyse complaynyng 8hewyth unto your honorable Lordshipp your orator and dayly Beadman'' John Wrottesley of * The " Complete Peerage," by G. E. C, under Southampton. * Chancery Proceedings, Series II, Bundle 192, No. 31. ' Staff. Collections, vol. xii, p. 205. * To bade is to pray, in Old English. 278 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF Patsell in the Countie of Stafford Gentleman, that wheareas one John Romsall late of Lutteley in the sayd Countie was seased in his demeasne as of fee of and in a mease wyth appurtenances and one lesowe or pasture in Lutteley aforesayd and the same held of Walter Worseley (sic) Esquyer feather to your sayd orator, and lord of the manor of Lutteley by ij shyllings yerely, fealtie and sute to his Courte of Lutteley aforesayd, in chyff, and the sayd John Romsall so beying seased about three yeres last past at Gatacre in the Countie of Salop comytted a felonyous acts and thereupon was apprehended, indyted, arreyed, found gyltie, and putt to execucyon, by reason whereof the same mese with the appur- tenaunces, lesowe, and pasture came into the handes and possessyon of the late Kynge Philipp and Quene Mary for one year and a day next after, and after that to the said "Walter Wrottesley (sic) beying lord of the said maner of Lutteley, by the way of Eschete wiche Water Wrottesley by vertue thereof dyd entre into the seyd lesowe or pasture so of hym holden as lawfull was for hym to do, by force whereof he was seased in his demeane as of fee by the way of Eschete, and so beying seased by his dede suffycyent in the law and redye to be shewed, as well for a certeyne somme of money to hym in hand payd, as for other good causes and consyder3tions him specyally movynge, dyd infeffe your orator, Sonne and heyre apparaunt of the sayd Walter of and in the said mese wyth appurtenaunces and other the premysses, to have and to holde the sayd mese, lesowe, and pasture and other the premysses with the appurtenaunces unto your orator and his heyres for ever, by force wherof he was seased accordyngly and so (some words omitted here) good and gracyous lord that one Rychard Sywode of Hylpole in the Countie of Worcester, John Marten, Thomas (sic) and Thomas Marten beynge evylle dysposed persons and indendyng to dysinheryte your orator of the premysses came unto the sayd mese and other the premysses and then and there poled up fyve or syx ... of sawed pales fast sett abowt the sayd mese and xiiii other lyke posts and the same wythe dyvers hordes and . . . from the sayd mese dyd roon and take away, some into the Countie of Worsester, and some into the Countie of Salop, and into other places to your orator unknowen to the greate hurt and losse of your orator, and also then and there toke from the sayd mese dyvers and sundry evydences, muniments and charters concernynge the sayd mese wythe appur- tenaunces, and other the premysses to the intente to dysinheryte your orator of the premysses and for the cause the nombre and pleyntie of the sayd evidences, myniments and charters to your orator are unknowen and whether they be in Bagge or Boxe, sealed your orator knoweth not, wherefore he is thereby wythout remedy by the due order of the commen lawes. In consideration whereof may yt please your good lordshipp to graunt unto your orator the Quenes highness wryt of subpena to be directed unto the sayd Richard, John, Thomas and Thomas comaundyng them thereby personally to appeare before your Lordshipp at a certeyne day and under a certeyne payne by your Lordshippe to be lymytted WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 279 there to aunswere to the premysses accordyng to right and con- scyence and at there apparaunce not onely to injoyne them to make delyverye of the sayd evidens so taken away unto your orator, but also to make to (him) recompense for the sayd pales posts, hordes and gyestes so lykewyse taken away, and your orator shall dayly prey unto Almyghty God for your Lordshipp in honor longe to endure. The above petition is undated, but must have been drawn up between the years 1558 and 1563, for Sir Nicholas Bacon was appointed Lord Keeper in the former year and John had succeeded his father Walter before the latter year. John Wrottesley served the office of High Sheriff for Staffordshire in 1564, the year after he had succeeded his father. In 1568 Walter, his eldest son, was married to Mary, the daughter and sole heir of Hugh Lee, of Woodford, co. Stafford, and by this marriage the family obtained eventually a considerable accession of property. By an indenture made on the 15th May 10 Elizabeth (1568) on the marriage of Walter Kotesley (sic), Gentilman, sonne and heir appaurant of John Wrotesley, of Wrotesley, co. Stafford, Esquire, with Mary Lee, daughter and sole heyre of Hugh Lee, of Woodforde, co. Stafford, Gentilman, the latter settled on Walter and Mary, and the heirs of the body of Mary, lands in the city of Lichfield, Longdon, Fulfen, Cur- burgh, Elmhurst, Wolverhampton and Bilston, together with the reversion after the death of Elizabeth, the wife of Hugh Lee, of the manor of Woodford and the tythes of Womburne and Orton. John Wrottesley, on his side, covenanted to convey an estate to Gilbert Astley, Esq., and John Talbot, Gentilman, in order to make a settlement upon Walter and Mary, with remainder after the death of Mary, upon the heirs of their bodies. It was, doubtless, in pursuance of this covenant that John Wrottesley levied a Fine in 14 Elizabeth (1572), by which, in conjunction with Walter, he enfeoffed Gilbert Astley and John Talbot in the manor of Wrottesley. In this Fine the manor is said to have consisted of eight messuages, a cottage, two tofts, twenty gardens, twenty orchards, five hundred acres of arable land, two hundred acres of meadow, five hundred acres of pasture, four hundred acres of wood, and 5s. of rent. This corresponds very closely with the acreage of the present day, but the small amount of rent named shews that the manor had been already depopulated and was held almost entirely in demesne. Woodford and the tythes of Womburne and Orton had formerly belonged to the Priory of Dudley, a cell of Wenlock Abbey, and on the dissolution of that house had been granted 280 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF in 32 Henry VIII to Sir John Dudley (afterwards Duke of Northumberland). In the following year Sir John Dudley gave a lease of them to Hugh Lee for ninety-nine years. On the attainder of the Duke in 1553, they fell to the Crown, and Queen Mary granted them to Thomas Rees and George Colton. On the 7th July, 2 Mary (1554) the last- named feoffees conveyed to Edward Leveson and Humfrey Dickens, the Grange of Woodford and all tythes belonging to the same, which they held by the grant of Queen Mary, dated 21st June, 1 Mary (1554), and Edward and Humphrey granted them to Hugh Lee by deed dated 10th July, 2 Mary (1554).! In 13 Elizabeth (1571) with a view of providing for one of his numerous daughters, John Wrottesley purchased from Gilbert Astley, of Patshull, his brother-in-law, the wardship and marriage of Richard Whettell, a minor, and the son and heir of Richard Whettell, of Great Sheepy, co. Leicester, deceased. By an Indenture made between the two parties, Gilbert covenanted further : — "That yf yt shall happen the seyd Ry chard Whetell to deceasse att any tyme within the space of one year and a half next after he shall accomplysshe and be of the ifull age of fowretyne yeares, and before he shall be marryed by the consent and appoyntment of the seyd John Wrottesley, his executors and assigns, & hys heyre or heyres then being wythin age, that then he the seyd John Wrottesley, his executors, &c., were to have the custodye wardshypp and marryage of the bodye or bodyes of the same next heyre or heyres for and during the mynorytye of the same, and untyll such tyme as the same heyi"e or heyres shall accomplysshe and come to theyre full age or ages of consent and agreement to maryage, and by the space of one year and a halfe then next after, and so from heyre to heyre until such tyme as the seyd John Wrottesley his executors or assigns shall or maye have the full comodyte, benefyte and advantage of the marryage of the seyd Richard Whetell or any one his heyre or heyres." After which follows a clause giving power to John to sell the custody and marriage of the said Richard. The deed, however, ends as follows : — *' but as well that he the seyd John Wrottesley his executors &c. shall and will by the sufferance of God bestowe the marryage of the seyd Rychard Whetell wyth or upon one of the doughters of the seyd John Wrottesley and nother (no other) wyth nor ' Original deeds at Wrotteslej^, abstracted 1860-62. The tythes are described in the Priory deeds as those of Womborne, Orton, Trysull, Seisdon and Wulmore. They were usually put out to farm by the Priors. WRorrKsr.KY of wrottesley. 281 upon (my otlior as also llial lie tlio scyd .Toliii Wrottesley his cxecutoi's itc. shall att all tynu^ ov (vmcs after the sealyn^ of these presents att hys or theyre owue pioper coste and charge fynde and maynteyne as well the s(\yd Ilychard AVhetell and such wyffe as he the seyd Rychard shall fortune to marrye by the appoyntement and consent of the seyd John Wi'ottesley, meate, drynke, lodgyni;- and appayrell meete and convenyent for them for and untyll such tynie as he the seyd Rychard Whettell shall accomplysshe and be of the full age of xxi years.' This Tmlentnve was witnossoil bv Jnlin Talbot and Hnmffcy ( ;\'fior(l. The price paid hy Jolni Wrottesley for the jiromotion of his daughter was £60 6s. 8d.^ The age of consent for marriage was fourteen years, and it appears by the terms of this Indenture that in the case of tliese infant marriages it was usual to consummate the marriage as soon as the parties readied the age of puberty, the ol)ject being to entitle the bride to her dower, in the event of her husband dying under age, and before he could make a settlement upon her. On the 30th July 1577 Richard Whettell covenanted with .John Wrottesley on his marriage with Doroth^^ the daughter of John,- but he does not appear to have come of age until shortly before the 10th February 24 Eli;^al)eth (1582). At this date John was dead, and the parties to the marriage settlement were Richard Whetell, of Great Shepey, co. Leicester. Gentilman, on the one part, and Elizabeth Wrottesley, wadow of John Wrotteslej', of Wrottesley. Esq.. and Walter, son and heir of the said John, on the other part."- The over lordship of Great Sheep}' had passed to the Astlej's of Patshull, as heirs of the elder line of the Harcourts.^ In 157G the Queen having decided to take the part of the Xetherlanders against the King of Spain, a muster was made of the armed force of the Kingdom. In this muster, which is printed in the Staffordshire Collections, John Wrottes- ley Avas returned as liable for a lance and a light horseman.* A lance at this date signifies a. mounted man-at-arms clothed in armour. In musters of later date the}' are styled cuirassiers. In November 1578 John was on his death-bed, and the following document was produced and proved in Februar\- 1578-9 as his last will :— ' Orij^-innl deod nr Wrottesley. copiod ]Sf)0-()2. - Ibid. ■' Sii- Tlioinas Astley, living; tcm]j. IJicliard JI, liad niarriod lOlizabetli, i ho daiifflitor and heiress uf Sir Kieliard Harcourt, of Stanton Ilareourt, co. U.\on, but most of the lauded property passed by settlement to the male line, a vounper bi-anch of tlie house (see the pedigree in The Genealogist, N.S., vol', xvii, p. 175). * Vol. iii, Staff. Collections, part ii, page 18. U 282 HISTORY OK IMF. I'AMILV OF "Certain wordes spoken hv i1h' ri;rlit worsliijifull .fdlm Wifittoslov Esq. the 28"' day of NovonilToi' a littlr l)cf<.i'o liis dratli (21 Klizahotli) 1578. The said John Wrnttcslcv I'lsiiiiiif Ikmiil;" asked of Mr. Walter Wrottesley his son and heir what \\r woidd liestow niton liis two sisters towards their- profernienl, and lie said ."JOO marks apiece. Then the said Walter Wrottesley demanded where the 6U0 marks was or whether lie would eliarije his e.xeeiitors with the payment thereof. And lie said I eannot tell. Also the said Walter asked what he would j^iAe his brother that was in London. And he said, he hath 100 marks already, and I will i,dve him 20 pounds more. Being asked where that was to he paid, and he said out of my landes at Butterton, tli(!n answer being made that it could not be jiaid out tif those landes for that it was Mistres Wrotteslies her jointure, then the said John Wrottesley said, T will devise some other way. Also being asked what lie woidd give his two voungest l)rethren and he said 10 pounds a piece of annuity. John >Smitli, Koger Onyons (his mark), W. Dunn, Richard Chilleiton (liis mark)." Proved lOtli Feliruaiy 157S, by Elizabeth Wrottesley. the relict. 1 John Wrottesley was buried in the Wrottesle}- Chancel at Tettenhall, where a very fine altar tomb, erected by his widow, still exists to his memory (see plate annexed). The tomb has cffifyies of John, in plate-armonr of the time of Elizabeth, with a coat of mail protrndino- from under the cuisses. A heavy gold chain is wound twice round his neck, and he is shewn with beard and moustache, and with rufis on the neck and wrists. Elizabeth Wrottesley is dressed in the closely- fitted velvet robe, with slashed sleeves and pomander, which is familiar to us from the portraits of Mary, Queen of Scots. She also wears ruffs round the neck and wrists. The bodice is not pointed as shewn in the pictures of Queen Elizabeth. The inscription, which is in Gothic letters (except tlie number of the years) is as follows : — %)m lucth the bobics of John fiOrottln) (Esquire nub (Ebr.ibcthc his tunfe, tuhich ^o\\n bicli the x.vbiii baijc of llobcmbcr nnno b'ui 1578, Inhich (Elysabcthc beiua Uiiibotue, rauscb this toinbc to be nuibc aiuio bomini 1580. On the north side of the tomb are the effigies of eleven children, of which two being dead, are represented in shrouds. In Ashmole's time the names of all these children were printed above their effigies, but they are now illegible. Ashmole has preserved their names as under : — Walter Wrottes- ley, son and heir, Thomas, Edward, John. Isabell. Mar3^ ' Wills proved in the I'l'ci'oj^ative Court of Gauterbury. The orthntrraphy has been niuilernised by the i'opyi.«t. The ]egn] year did not end till the 25th March at this pei-iod. < JS g o WnoTTRSLKY OK Wi;OI TlvSIJ-.V. 2!^o I'^rancfs, ])(ii-()th_y. M;iri;;u'ft ;iii(l l">li/,;ili(lli. He li;is ;)])|);ir(;n1 ly omitte property, is shewn to he son of the last .John by the ilecds formerly at Wrottesley. by the Ib'ralds" Visitations, and by a (■liancory snit temp. Eliza))eth. which names his father John.^ He must have been born before 1551, for in 1572 h(> was a party to a Fine respecting tlie manor of Wrot- tesley, and it has been sliewn in the account of liis fatlier that lie was married to his first wife Mary Lee, as early as 15()8. His father-in-law, Huoh Lee. died about 1576,- lea^'ino■ a widoAv Elizabeth, wlio held most of the Lee property for her life ; and as Elizabeth, the mother of Walter, had been enfeoffed in a large portion of the Wrottesley property, his means for the first part of his career must have been ver\^ limited. At the muster of the County made on the 8th November 1587, on the outbreak of the war wath Spain, he was returned as liable for a single light horseman only, wdiilst the assessment of his father John in 1572 had been a lance, i.e., a heavy horseman, and a light liorse. As these military charges were based on the Subsidy Eolls, the assessment of John Wrottesley must have been quite treble that of his son. The review of the county was made by Sir Walter Aston and Richard Bagot, acting as Deputy-Lieutenants of the Earl of Shrewsbury, and they returned the names of sixty landowners who were to find between them sixteen lances and fifty-four light horse. It is remarkable as shewing how completel}'' the degree of Knighthood had fallen into desuetude, that out of all this number of landowners, two only, Sir Walter Aston and Sir John Bowes, are named as Knights. At the date of the purchase of the Tettenhall College in 1549, Walter Wrottesle}^, the grandfather of Walter, with licence of the Crown, had alienated from it the two Prebends of Pende- ford and Bobenhill or Barnhurst. The lands of these Prebends were situated at some distance from Wrottesley, and this circumstance, no doubt, as well as pecuniar^^ reasons, had been the motive for their alienation, but it was the cause of some inconvenience at a later date, for the owners of these • Calendar of Chancery Proceedings, temp. Elizabeth, printed, vol. ii. Record Commission (Walter Parker versus Walter Wrottesley). - Hugh Lee d will was dated in that year, hnt I have no note of the date when it was proved. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 285 Prebends, being sheltered by the subjection of them to the capital manor of the Dean at Tettenhall, and having in consequence no fear of the Sheriff before their eyes, claimed to hold Courts Leet, and to have the view of frank-pledge.^ The effect of this would have been to deprive the lord of tlie capital manor of waifs and straj'S and various amercements and Fines, and Walter Wrottesley determined to resist the claim. " At the Court Baron of Walter Wrottesley, Armiger, of Tetenhall Clericorum, held on the 27th September, 33 EHzabeth '1591) before George Littelton, Armiger, Steward of the Court, the following Homage. William Alport. Thomas Cooke, Thomas Wylkes. John Perry, Walter Phypton. William Southwj'ke, Francis Fleming, John Grasley, William Phesic. Eichard Sabadye, and Richard Southwykc. Walter W^-lkes, were sworn and charged to deliver their verdict upon three articles laid before them as follows : — 1. Whether there be, or ought to be, or have been or used to be, any more leet in Tettenhall Clericorum than one, and to whom the same belongeth. 2. Whether the lybertye of wayfe and Estra}' be unto the lorde of the maner of Tetnall Clericorum and whether the saj^'d hath wayf and estraye within the whole maner of Tetnall Clericorum 3. Whether certayne groundes called Cranckeall were here- tofore geven to the intente that the profytte thereof or any rent out of j^t shoulde be employed for the fyndynge of a massinge preest to singe for the soles of some deceased, and when the same, or any rent or profit out of yt was last employed to any superstytyous (sic) uses. To the first the jurye saye that no other should or ought to have any leete in this maner or the towneshyppes or in anj^ parte of any waste ground, land or the pedycamente or resydent in the lordshyp and towneshypp of Tettnall Cleri- corum or any of them, but only the lord of the maner of Tettnall Clericorum. and that so yt liatli bene and ought to be used, and that the Deane only had before his leete there, and no |)rebend had an}' leete nor ought to have an}', but all within the Prebends owe suyte to this Leete, as well within the prebend of Bobenhyll. Penford and Perton as those wliieh dwell in ihe Prebends in the loi'ds liande. ' If not puljjoct !() niiotlier Court Leel. the teuauts of tliese smaller uiaiiors inu.*t have atteudeil the Sheriff's view of frank-pledpfe. which took })lace twice a j-ear at the Sheriff's 'tourn." 266 iFIISTORY OF TH1=: FAMILY OF To the second they say that tlic wayf and straj's in this article mentioned, belong oncly to the lord of the maner of Tettnall Clericorum, and that so yt luith been used alewaycs, and that the Deane only before hed wayf and estrer and stra3^cs within any land of any of the ]'re])ends as well those in the lordes handc as also in ]jobenliyll. Prnford and I'erton belon;,'' to the lorde of the maner of Tetnall Clericorum. To the third they say also that foure ])Ound thirteene shjdlynj^c and fourepence was the twentyth yearc of Kynrj Henry the eifj^lit i;(>,ven or lyvyed out of certein j^round or the profFyth thereof called Cranckall toward the fyndynf]^ and mayntenance of a massyn<^ Freest to sjmjjje for soles for over, and that the same contynued untyll the fyrst yeare of Kynjre Edward the syxth, and that after that in tynie of Queene ^Mary a ])reest was mayntayned accordingly." Here follow the signatures of the Homage, William Al))ort, V^-ancis Flenn^ng, Richard Southwick and Walter Wylkys sign their names, the others affix a mark. When one considers the origin of the institution of fi-ank- plemployed hy tlieiii or forniinjr ]>art of their houseliolds. and they were bound to (ii-oiluce him if nc'cusrd f)f any crime. If tiic accused fled from justice the Dcceiiiiai'v \\as lined. In most cases ihc .Manor and the Decennary wen^ identical. - llei- ■will i.s dated I.")')!', and the inventory (jf her ell'eels was taken in the same vear (\^'roOesIc\ M unimeiits). WROTTESLEY OF WEOTTESLEV. 287 In 1598 Hno;]i, the eldest son of Walter, was married to Marr^aret. the daucrhter (jf Edward Devereux. ol" Castle Broni- wich, a younrjer son of Walter Devereux, Viscount Hereford, and the settlements made on this occasion ;^ive consideraljle information respecting his family. The Court Roll of the manor of Wolverhampton of 7th October 40 Elizabeth (1598) states that Walter Wrottesley, Armiger, appeared in Court and sur- rendered to the lord of the manor, certain messuages, lands and tenements to the use of himself for life, with remainder to liis son Hugh Wrottesley, Armiger, son and heir apparent of the said Walter, and to Margaret, the wife of Hugh, during the term of their lives, with remainder to the heirs male of the body of Hugh, and failing such to Walter Wrottesley, second son of the said Walter, for his life, with remainder to William, the third son of the said Walter, for his life, with remainder to the heirs male of the body of Walter, the father, with remainder to Thomas Wrottesley, brother to Walter, the father, and to the heirs male of his body, and failing such to George Wrottesley, Armiger, kinsman of the said Walter, the father, and to the heirs male of his body, and failing such, Avith remainder to the right heirs of Walter, the father, for ever.^ By an indenture dated lUth May 41 Elizabeth (1599) made between Hughe Wrottesley, of Woodford Grange, in co. Stafford. Esquier, and Walter Devereux, sonne and heir apparent of Edward Devereux, of Castle Bromwich, in co. Warwick, Es((uier, the said Hugh for and in consideration of a competent and suthcient jointure to be had for and in the behalfe of Margarett, now wife of the said Hughe and daughter of the said Edward Devereux, and for and in consideration of grest somes of money to him, the said Hughe Wrottesley by the said Edward Devereux before thens ... in marriage with the said Margarett well and truly satisfied and payde, the said Hughe shall and will l)efore the Feast of All Saints next ensuing, acknowledge one or more fyne or iynes in due form of lawe to be levied and recorded unto the said Walter Devereux of all and sinjj^ular the manors, lands, tenements, etc., beinp; nowe the inheritance of the said Hughe Wrottesley and which were sometime the inheritance of Hugh Lea, Esquier, deceased, situated in Woodford Grange, Woodford, Tresle, Womborne Orton alias Overton, Typton, Bylston, Wolverhampton, Cod- sail, the Citie of Lichfeld, the Parish of Stowe near Lichfeld, Longdon and (^n'burgh, and it is further agreed between the said parties, that the sai. AfnT ilic dcMtli oi' .\l:u-y Lee. ^Villr^•r W'l-ottesley li;iil iii!in-ic(l a sf(;oiiil wilV. liy wiioiii lir had issno, iiiul llie olijoct cif thi.'i liidoiluri' w!i.'< apiini'ciiily to |ii-f\riit lliiirli \\'r()ttosloy fi'um alicnaliiitr any p;irt. of llie Lee pi'Opi'rty in his hall'-lirol hcis. lo the del liini'iit dl' liis cliildrt'ii hy Margaret Devercux. - Licences lu Alieiiale. \'2 Llizulicih. \(»i. \ ii ( l'\ililii- IJci'ord Otlit-o). WROTTKSLEY 01* WROTTESLEY. 289 .gardens, thirty orchards, eight luuidred acres of )aiid, one- hundred and fitt.y acres of meadow, onv lumdred acres of pasture, one liunch'ed acres of wood. ti\f linmh'cd aci'es of furze aneth Barker, widow (the tenant), complaining of the trespass and injury. On the loth February. 40 Elizabeth (1598) a writ was issuer! from the Queen's Chancery appointing Gamel P,ype and l^^rancis Wyghtewick, gentlemen, to take the answers on oath of the defendants, the parties to be assembled at Woherhampton within fourtee]i days. The next stage consisted of the drawing up of the inter- rogatories to be adndnistered to the principal defendants. These were fi\ e in numl)i'r. In tlirir answers all the defendants denied an}' participation in the l)urning of the fences and sheepcote. James B)arnesley. howcAer. admitted in his answer ' Fines 111' Mivi'il ('imiilics. 111 l-lli/.M 1 jcI li. Il is iiiL'iiHJL'd ainoiiLrst ibese l''iiu.'s as l.-iciilirlil was a sc|)arali' Cinnily, - ITeralils' \'isiiaii(ni nl' \i\V)'.'>. ami iiisc'ri|ition on tomb sit C'(j(lsall. ■' Utulor liic iiainc of .luyci' \\ rut i cslcy, slie accounts as executrix o( Fraucis Bi'oiiilcv in l.j'.IC). 290 HTSTORV OF PHI': FAMTLV OK tliat the complainants and the lorinor liusbanrl of Elizabeth har and a Recusant. In 1585, when there was a (piestion of remo\ing the Queen of Scots from Tutbury to Chillingtoii. Sir Amias Poulett, in whose charge she had been placed, was ordered to report upon the accommodation of the house and its suitability for the safe custody of the Queen. On the ord Octolx-r he writes to Walsingham : — "Touching tlie state of the eouuti'ey, and the iiei^iibouis adjoyn- inge T have taken cure to iiifounne myself li}' tin: means of some men of credit in these jiarts and do fvnd that tiie gentlemen of calling and covmtenance and best affected in I'eligion such as Sir- Walter Aston, yb: P>ag()t and Mr. Greisley have their dwellings distant from !Mr. (b'Hoi-d's liousc some K) miles, some ll', and tlie nearest !) : onlv Mr. Littleton a \ery honest religinus gentleman, dwelling within '■) ov -[ miles or thereabouts, so the sayd liowsp seemeth to l)e l)ai'ren of good neighbours. '" Walter lived to a great age. bjr he sur\i\ed till the (jth December KiMO. at which date lie nuist have been ' ■■ lli.-lniy .,r Wol-licM." Iiy llic U>-\. Sninilfl 1!, .hiliic-, p, L' I . - Slulr J'M[irj>.. iiriiilcd. ■• Suih' J^a|)ors. Wrolt'^slcy Wdiilil \>r llic iumi'oI Imnsi' nl' :niy iiiiporraiiof to Cliillin(). ' He also makes bequests to the poor of Codsall. Wolver- hampton. Patingiiam. Brewood. Tettenhall, Albrighton and Bridgenorth. some of which survive to the present day and are administered under the directions of the Charity Com- missioners. For his monument at Coliz;ili<'tli. hiti- (^)ii('on. nt West lllill^t(•|•. ■aUcv proclama- tion Diailf nccovdiiii;- tn rlic IVirm df tlir Slatud'. hctwfoii Edward Littleton. I\i.. ami 'rimmas Lci^iliton, Ariin'Lii-r. coni- plainants, and the said Walter Wi'ottesley, AiMnio-cr, and liuj^'h Wrottosle}', (Jentleman, son and heir apparent of the said Walter, now a Knight, det'orciants. of all and singular of the .said manors and otlwr ]iremises (mh-r dim) mcntiontMl in the said i'lne, and wlneh Fine was l(>\it'd fo the followin<^ uses, viz., as ref;"areriod, with his five children in relief — kneelini^ in the panels of the altar front — under an arch and above the monument are two shields to represent his two wives, tirst Wrottesley. impalintr Lee of Langlej', and secondly Wrotteslej'', impaling Leighton. Between the two shields, on a mural tablet, is the following inscription : — " HERE LIETU WALTER WROTTESLEY OF \VROT:'"'> ESQUIER WHO MARRIED MAHIE DAUGHTER AND HEIRE TO HUGH LEE OF WOODFORD ESQR. RV WHOM HE HAD ISSUE SIR HUGH WROTTESLEY KT. SECONDLY HE MARRIED JOYCE DAUGH'" T(» s' EDWARD LEIGHTON OF WATTLESB0R0U(;H KT. BY WHO'" HE HAD ISSUE 2 SONS AND 2 DAUGH'''". WHICH WALTER DYED THE Vl'"' DAY OF DECEMBER 1030." Arms of Walter Wrottesley. Quarterly — Or, three piles Sable, a quarter Ermine, for Wrottesley ; and Gules, a fess chequey, Or and Azure, between ei.yht billets Arifent, for Leiijh, of Lanfflev. Sill Hugh CO. Stafford, matriculated ' •• History of Worksop," 1890 Wrottesley, 1630— 1(533. Walter Wrottesley was succeeded by his eldest son Hugh, who was in possession of his patrimonial estates for so short a period, that the prin- cipal events of his life must be looked for in the lifetime of his father. The Inquisition on his father's death states that he was tifty-fi\e 3^ears of age and upwanls in 1630, but he must have been nearer sixty, for his matriculation papers at Oxford state that " Hugh Wrot- tesley, of St. John's College, son of Walter Wrottesle}-, of Wrottesley, 15th April 1586, aged sixteen." iI'.m; iiisrom- ok rm; iamilv or TTis |i;n"oiits wi'vo iii;in"i(i| in l.'jliS, nnd lie \v;is (limhtlcss liririi. ;is shewn l)y flic iii.il riciil.if ion |)a)i<'rs. in loTO. [\)V he could lijirdly lia\c i-ntrrcil llir rnixfrsit y bcCort- lie was sixteen \'i'ars of ajxe. After the death i)f l-'di/alx'tli Lee, Ids fjrandmother. Hnf;h came into possession of Woodford (Jran^e. in Woinbourne parisli. and this was his jilaec of abode durinij the f^reater part of his life. Hir married his first wife. Margaret Deverciix. about the year loDS. and the first part of his married life seems to liave been spent in tlu; house of his father-in-law at Castle Bronnvich. The Parish Keoisters of Aston, near Birmiuf^ham. record the lia])tism in 1()02 of " Elizabeth, dauehter of Mr. Rochley, sojornini;- at Castell Bromwieb, " and her burial in ](i08. And in the same registers there is this entr\' under IfHX), May (ith, "Walter, the sonne of Mr. Hughe Wrocldey. of Wrochley, and his heire apparant was l)aptized at (^astle Bronnvich." Margaret Devereux, the first wife of Hugh. urchase was not completed for some years afterwards, for Sir Hugh died on the 28th May following, less than three weeks after the date of the above deed. The necessity for finding the money for this purchase forced him to renounce his intention of acquiring a Baronetcy. His brother-in-law. Sir Walter Devereux, writes to him from London near Essex Gate 1632, that he under- stands that "somebody had possessed him that Sir Thomas Blother, of the Privy Chamber, offered him to be a Baronet for £300. and that the King would make many for £200 or £300 : that the King was reserved : one offered £800 and could not get it, and he thought he had performed the office of brother in getting it for him for £500 ; if he had not been his brother-in-law and a descendant of a founder of the Garter, he had not got it so low." The Inquisition on Sir Hugh's death was taken at Wolver- hampton on the 20th August 9 Charles I CI 633 j, before Zachary Babington and John Birch, Gentlemen deputed for the purpose.2 The jury stated that long before the death of the Hugh Wrottesley named in the writ, Walter Wrottesley, armiger, the father of Hugh, was seised of the manors of * Original Deed formerly at Wrottesley. - John Birch was the family lawyer of the Wrottesleys. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY, 209 Wrottesley, Butterton and Tetnall Clericorum, and of the Deanery "and College of Tetnall, together with the Prebends of Wrottesley and Codsall founded in the said College, and of the lands, tithes, oblations, etc., in Wrottesley, Tetnall, Oken, Alderley, Codsall, Wightwick and Bilbroke, and a Fine was levied in 42 Elizabeth. {Here the jury quote the Fine of IfSi Elizabeth and the quadripartite Indenture named in the Inquisition on Walter Wrottesley the father of Sir Hugh.) And the said Hugh Wrottesley, long before his death, was seised in demesne as of fee of a messuage and divers tenements and hereditaments called the manor of Woodford, or Woodford Grange, and the Rectory of Womborne, and the manor of Lychefeld, and nine messuages, nine gardens, four orchards, one hundred acres of land, forty acres of meadow, one hundred acres of pasture and ten acres of wood in Lychefeld, and in the parishes of Stowe, Longdon, and Curburgh (formerly Lees) and the said Hugh by a Fine and indenture had conveyed the said Grange, Rectory and manor of Lychefeld to the use of the said Hugh Wrottesley, and Margaret his wife, daughter of Edward Devereux, Kt. and Baronet, now deceased, and the heirs male of his body, and failing such to the use of the said Walter Wrottesley, the father, and the heirs male of his body, and failing such to the use of the right heirs of the said Walter for ever. And the said Hugh, before his death, was seized in demesne as of fee of a messuage, a chapel, a cemetery, and a pasture called Preistfield in Bilston, and of a messuage, four shops, thirty acres of land and ten acres of meadow in Wolver- hampton and Codsall (formerly Lees), and of two messuages, forty acres of land, ten acres of meadow, and twenty acres of pasture in Frodley (Frodesley), co. Salop (late Scrivens), and of seventy acres of land, ten acres of meadow, and ten acres of pasture in Bridgenorth, co. Salop (formerly Thornes), and the moiety of a lead mine, and salt works in Draytvvich, CO. Worcester, and a house and chapel and six acres of land in Trimpley, co. Worcester (formerly Lees), and that Hugh died on the 28th May last (1633), and Walter Wrottesley, Armiger, his son, is his nearest heir, and is twenty-live years of age and upwards. The manor of Wrottesley was held of the King in socage, as of his Abbey of Evesham for 18s. 4d. annually, and was worth £10. Butterton and its members were held of the King as of the Honor of Tutbury in socage, and not in capite, nor by Knight's service, and was worth £o 6s. 8d. The manor and College of Tettnale Clericorum, and the Prebends of Wrottesley and Codsall, and the tythes of Tetnale, Wrottesley, Oken, Alderley, Codsall, Wightwike, and Bilbrooke, were held of the King by Knight's service and one-eightieth _part of a Knight's Fee, and were worth £8. 300 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF The manor o£ Woodford or Woodford Grange was held of the King, as of his manor of East Grenewich, by fealty in free socage, and was worth £3 12s. The Rectory of Womborne was held in capite by one- tenth of a Knight's Fee, and was worth £3 1 t^s. The manor of Lychefeld and the premises in the county of Lychefeld were worth £12, tenure not known. Preistfeild was held of the lord of the manor of Shen- stone in socage, and all the premises named in Bilston, Wolverhampton, and Codsall were worth £10 lis., and were held of the King as of his manor of East Grenewich. The lands in Bridgenorth were worth 10s., tenure unknown, and the land in Frodley was worth 10s., tenure not known, and the lands, etc., in Worcestershire were worth 40s., and the tenure was not known. ^ How conventional these values were will be understood when it is stated that the Committee for compounding the sequestered estates of Royalists only thirteen years after this date, estimated the value of the Wrottesley property at £703 a year, or more than twelve times the estimate given in the Inquisition. Sir Hugh's will was dated 1633, and was proved in the same year. He makes bequests in it to his son William, his son and heir Walter, and his daughters Mary, Penelope. Elizabeth, Howard, Margaret, and his daughter Bressy. The latter was his youngest daughter Dorothy, who married in 1681 Henry Bressy, or Bracy, of Escott, co. Warwick. ^ Besides these daugliters, he had another named Susanna, who was married in 1623 to Reginald Corbett, of Pon- tesbury,'^ and who appears to have died before her father. William, the second son, was very wild, and a cause of great trouble to his father. In June 1630, he was at school at Coventry, and the schoolmaster, Samuel Foster, writes to Sir Hugh, to complain that a week before breaking-up at Christmas, Sir Hugh's son shut up the schoolroom and kept the place half a day and a night, shot a pistol at him, wounding him in the thigh and legs and damaged his dress, for which he asked £10 for remuneration. His father left him the property at Frodesley, CO. Salop, and he afterwards married one Anne Chamberlain. In 1640 he was living in Herefordshire. Anne, daughter of Mr. Rottesley, Gentleman, and Anne his wife, was baptized at Almeley, co. Hereford, 9th July 1640, and Walter Wrottesley, Gentleman, was buried there 10th April 1664.^ 1 Court of Wards, Bundle 53, No. 211. ^ Marriage settlement, formerly at Wrottesley, and Heralds' Visitation of 1663. 3 Codsall Registers and Harl. MS. 1173, fo. 51. * Grazebrook's Notes to Dugdale's Visitation of Staffordshire of 1663, vol. v of Staffordshire Collections. William Wrottesley's will was dated 31st January 1642-3, and was proved on the 5th March 1645-6. He is described in it as a WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 301 Of the other daughters of Sir Hugh, Mary married, for a first hushand, John Louglier, of Ferton, and for a second hushand, Edward Williams, of Dudley.^ Penelope had also two hushanrls, for she occurs first as Penelope Collett, and in 1636 as Penelope Mill.^ Nothing is kno'vrn of either husband. Elizabeth married Walter Hopton, of Stretton Grantham, CO. Hereford.^ Howard married fi^rst, William Blunden, of Bishops Castle, CO. Salop, and secondly, John Wingfield, of Shrewsbury.- Margaret married Jonathan Langley, of Shrewsbury.^ After the death of Sir Hugh, an Inventory was made of his effects in the house and stables, and it is proposed here to give a few extracts from it, as it illustrates the mode of life and accommodation in a gentleman's country house in the reign of Charles I. It shews also the offensive and defensive arms maintained at the same period in a time of peace. A drawing of the house is appended, taken from an old parchment estate map of the same date, which gives a bird's-eye view of it, shewing the moat and palisading which surrounded it. This palisading, or " palitia," is the hnmble origin of the words Palace and Palatine, all important buildings having been surrounded with one in primitive days. When the palisading was made of whole trunks of trees squared, it proved a very effective defence, as we know from our experience against the New Zealanders' " Pjdi," and if surrounded by a wet moat, it was very difficult to assault. At the time when Sir Walter Wrottesley compounded for his estates in 1645, the house, from a defensive point of view, was stated to be very strong. Old Invextoky at Wrottesley, dated 3rd August 1635. In ye halle. Compleate annur for the Ijodies of twelve men, whereof two are for horsemen. One case of pistolls. liis wife, Anne, who ou tlie Stli March 164^5-6. Ho is described in it as late of the Parish of Emyley was left executrix, and his sons, Walter and Thomas, his dauji-hters Margaret and Anne, his sisters, Howard, Dorothy and Elizabeth, and his mother-in-law, Margaret Chamberlain. His eldest son, Walter, was under age. By his will he devises the property in Frodesley, co. Salop, to Leicester Devereux, Es ;., Thomas Chamberlain, of Broadway, co. Worcester. Gentleman, and others named, as trustees for the benefit of his children. Court of Prol)at^, London (32 Twisse). ' Dugdale's Yisitatioii of Staffordshire, 1663, printed in vol. v of Staffordshire Collections. - Ibid., and marriage settlement at Wrottesley dated 1650. Howard, used as a christian name, was derived from the Dovereux connection. Sir Edward Devereux had a daughter, Howard, who married Thomas Dilke, of Maxstoke, CO. Warwick. Howard Dilke would be thereore aunt to Howard Wrottesley. •^ Visitation of Staffordshire, 1663. 302 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF Fower Gavvnletts. Three coates of raaile.^ one buffe coate. one quilted coate. A case of horsemen's pistoUs. Nyne and twentye head peeces. Forty swordes with belts. Twelve pikes armed, eleven Holbeards. Three battle axes.^ Twelve musketts and their restes. Fower calyvers. Sixteen llandeliers. A knotte of match, one other muskett. Two staves for horsemen. A drum and case. A boxe of bullets Two brazen candlesticks hanging on the walles. Twelve leather buckets. Twenty and seven pikes unarmed. Eighteen staves whereof one hath a pike.'' Fower tables, seaven formes, whereof one a short one, one cup- board, one olde Bible, and a lanthorne. In ye Great Parlour. Three tables and carpetts (some words here are illegible). One cupboord and cupboord cloth. One dozen of chairs with upper covers of red leather, as many stooles coveied in like maner. One couch chair. One other chair of Turkic worke. A child's chair, one dozen plaine joynd stooles and an olde one behind the parlour dore. Fower window curtains Eleven Turkic work cushions. A nedle work cushion. One skryne (screen), two trunckes, a leading stafFe, an anglerodd. Three pair of playing tables, snuffers, fyer pan and tonges suteable, one pair of bellowes, and fower handskrynes. A paire of organs, one comon prayer book, two bibles, a pair of virginals. Seaven twiggen garlands. ' A later Inventory, dated 1642, mentions five coats of mail and one mail cappe. Mail caps had not been worn under the helmet since the reign of Henry III. The coats of mail, too, must have been very ancient. - These must have been verj' old, probablj- dating from the Crusades. ■* In 163-i there is an agreement by John Hodges, Cutler of Wolverhampton, to keep in repair the armour and arms in the Hall at Wrottesley for £3 per annum. The arms are specified to bo '' com])lete munition for forty men." WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 303 Fowerteene pictures. A paire of brasse andirons. A clocke, and one mappe. [ii ]ji' DynyiKje Roome. Two drawinge tables. One cupboard. Three carpetts. One couche chair, one dozen of other chaires, and one dozen of stooles with false covers of red leather to them all. One half dozen needle work cushions, another half dozen of cushions of another sorte, a great pair of brasse andirons, a flfyre pan and tonges suteable, a pair of bellows. In myne oiviie lochjiiuje chamber. One standing bedsteade with curtaines, valense, counterpoint, redde rugge, and one white blankett. A double bed with two boulsters and one pillow, and bed matt thereto. A trundle bed with canopie and curtaines, one yeallowe rugge, one white blankett, a feather bedd, one boulster, a pair of pillowes, and a bed matt. A trundle bed, with feather bed and boulster, two blanketts, and one rugge, and a bed matt. Three chaires, a cupboard and one table with carpett, five window curtaines, a warmeing pan, fire pan and tonges of iron, a pair of bellowes, one arasse cushion, and two brushes. In ye yealloxu Chamber. One Bedsteade with curtains, valanse, feather bed, one boulster, two pillows, one counterpointe, one yellow rugge, three blancketts and one bed matt. One cupbord and cloth, one windowe curtaine, one couche chair, one other chaire and two lowe stooles, covered ut supra i red leather), one brasse paire of andirons, with fyre pan and tonges suteable, a paire of bellows. Then follow the contents of: — My wyves closet. Ye white chamber. Mistress Elizabeth's chamber. Mr. William his chamber. Ye parlour chamber, ye middle chamber, and five other chambers which are furnished in a similar manner, except that most of them have a trundle bed in addition to the standing bedstead. The latter appears to be the old four-poster. Three servants, William Bostocke, John Betinson and John Smythe, have each a chamber to themselves, and there are, in addition, "ye three bed chamber," "ye maide's chamber," "ye children's chamber," " ye cockloft chamber," and " ye nursery," which had no bedsteads. There were no wash-hand stands in any of the rooms, nor any means of ablution whatever, but in the pantry were kept some pewter basins and " fewer bende- 304 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF ware cans whereof the chambermaids keepe one to fetch water." The pantry also contained sixe beere glasses and eight wyne glasses, hut the usual drinking cup was the horn cup and ihe "noggen," of which a laige ([uantity were kept in the kitchen. In the kitchen also were kept seven and fortie great woodden bowles and dishes, threescore dishes of sundry sorts, and a number (illegible) of trenchers. The Jnventoiy also contains the articles kept in the " Wet Larder," the pastrie, the brewhouse, the Dayrie and the Store howse. 'J'he list of linen seems respectable. It consisted of — Holland sheetes, ten pair. Flaxen sheetes, eleven pair. Hempen sheetes, fifteen pair. Hurden sheetes, eleven pair and one odd .sheete. Pillow beeres, eleven paire. Fj-ne pillow beeres, three pair. Fla.xen table clothes, eight. Fine flaxen to wells, three. Hempen and hurden tpwells, seventeeue. Cupboai'd clothes, nyne. Hempen napkins, two dozen and three odd ones. Hurden napkins, tlnee and twentie. New table clothes, five. Cupboard clothes, three. Napkyns, sixe dozen. Old dyaper napkyns, fower dozen. New longe table clothes of dyaper, three. New dyaper napkyns, Two dozen and a half. Of another sort, two dozen. Short table clothes, eleven. Dyaper towells, nyne. Damask napkyns, five. Drinking napkyns, three. One longe table clothe of fiyne dyaper, two short ones, and two dozen of napkyns. The silver plate consisted of — Three basins and Kwers (. . .), toi'n off. Six bowles. Two great (...) torn off. Two candlesticks one (...) with cover. A Communion cup with cover. A chafinge dish. Two great salts. Eight trencher salts. Eight vinegar boates. Twentie and fower slipt spoones. Twelve apostle spoones. Fifteene spoones daylie in use. One dozen of plates. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 305 Five pottingers. A Colledge cup, gilt, with cover. One other pottinger. Fower Cawdle cups, whereof two with covers. A sugar bose and a sugar dish. Fower gilt spoones. Two large preserving spoones. Five other spoones. A carving fork. A little bole for hot water Two dishes. A pair of snuffers. N.B. — The sugar dish was exchanged for another pottinger the last day of December 1G35, and then was bought a silver scummer and an extinguisher. The old house compri.sed, therefore, the hall, the dining room, the great parlour, thirteen best bedrooms, and five servants' rooms, containing altogether twenty-five beds ; a nursery, and usual offices. None of the bedrooms had carpets, but every bedroom had a bed mat. There were no table knives or forks. The latter did not come into general use before the reign of Charles II, and for cutting up meat everyone must have used his own sheath knife or dagger. There was a considerable stock of linen, and tablecloths and napkins were in use, and even the servants appear to have had sheets to their beds. A few glasses are named, but no hardware or crockery, and trenchers of wood and horn cups were apparently used on all ordinary occasions, and silver at other times. Coal does not appear to have been burnt, except perhaps in the kitchen and offices, for the other rooms had each a fire pan and tongs and a pair of bellows, but no pokers. The latter would not be required with wood fires. In the stables there were fifteen eflfective horses and three young ones, and it is probable that there were more out at grass, as the date of the Inventory was the 8rd of August. Four of these horses are called stud horses, and there were four mares, of which three had " sucking " colts or fillies. All the horses were branded. At this date the old Wrottesley Park was stocked with red deer, and there were eighteen hounds kept in the kennels. Their names were written on a slip of paper attached to the Inventor}' and they are given here to shew how ancient and conventional the names of our foxhounds are. Nearly all the names written below are to be found in packs of hounds at the present day. They were — X 306 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF Woodman Courtier Trouncer Thunder Bonny Mankin Ranger Jumper Blewman Dolphin Kilbuck Beauty Ringwood Gipsy Rockwode Bouncer Duchess Maybe. r Hugh was buried at Tettenhall on the Ist June 1( Arms of Sir Hugh Wrottesley. On the dexter side — Or, three piles Sable, a quarter Ermine, for Wrottesley. On the sinister side — Argent, a fess Gules, and in chief three roundels of the last, for Devereux. Sir Walter Wrottesley, Bart., 1633-59. Walter, the eldest son of Sir Hugh Wrottesley, was born in May 1606, at Castle Bromwich, near Birmingham,'- the residence of his maternal grandfather. Sir Edward Devereux. At the date of his accession to the property, his father's livery had not been dis- charged by the Court of Wards and Liveries, nor were all the formalities completed before the following 10th of July, when the Court issued the discharge in the following terms : — Court of Wards and Liveries, 12th July, 9 Charles (1633). Whereas yt appeareth unto this Court by the affidavit of John Birche, gentleman, recorded in Court this xii**^ day of this instant Julie, that Sir Hugh Wrottesley, Knight, sonne and heire of Walter Wrottesley, Esquire, deceased, dyed the xxviii*^^ day of May last past, and for that yt appeares by 0. constat under Mr. Raymond's hande that xxiiij li for primer seisen, and xiiij li for the fine hath been paid unto the receipt of this Courte, and noe rates overdue as by the endorsement upon the Schedule of the said Liverie under Mr. Auditors hande more at large appeares. It is therefore ordered that the said Liverie of the said Hugh, and all charges, seizures, extents, scripts, attachments and process for wante thereof shall be discharged by decree of this Courte. And a decree to be drawne up accordingly. ^ ^ Tettenhall Registers. '' Registers of Aston, near Birmingham, edited by Mr. William F. Carter. * Wrottesley Muniments. John Bii'ch was the family lawyer. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 307 The above sum of £38 represents the succession duty of the period, and it amounted to about a twentieth of the annual value of the property, a very small proportion, as compared with tlie sums levied at the present day under the exigencies of modern democratic finance. Before dealing with Sir Walter's public career, I propose to describe his domestic troubles and difficulties, for they lasted without intermission during the whole of his life, and are best told as a continuous story. He had married his wife, Mary Grey, when only 19, against the consent of his father, and in spite of threats that he would be disinherited if he carried out his intention.^ Walter had now to reap the consequences of his disobedience, for although his father had not carried out his intention of disinheriting him, he had left considerable legacies to all his other children, and these, owing to the loss of Mary's marriage portion, were necessarily charged upon the landed property. Sir Hugh had left seven daughters, of these Penelope, Dorothy, and Susanna had been married in their father's lifetime. Elizabeth appears to have lived at Wrottesley with her brother's family after the death of her father, and took no part in the family squabbles ; the others presented them- selves in a body before their brother in the Midsummer of 1633, and formally demanded their legacies. On the 5th of January 1633-4, his sister Howard writes to Sir Walter, " I doe heare that yoo doe take it ill that I shold say that I would have my money out of your hearts blood, which words I never spoke to my knowledge, but if I did it was in some passion when I was urged to it." Sir Walter, in his answer to Howard, who in 1637 filed ' The j'oungr couple were nearly connected, for Ambrose Grey had married Margaret, the daughter of Richard Prince, and the son of the latter had married Mary, the sister of Sir Hugh Wrottesley, Mary Grej^ was therefore niece by marriage, and probably god-daughter of Mary Prince, nee Wrottesley. On the 6th August 4-4 Elizabeth (1602), Sir Henry Graye, of Pei-goe, co. Essex, had settled upon his son Ambrose Graye, on his marriage with Margaret Prynce, the daughter of Richard Prynce, Esquire, late of Shrews- bury, deceased, the manors of Enville, alias Enfield, Morffe, Trysell, Seisdon, Overton, Womburne, Whittington, and Amblecote, co. Stafford, the manor of Beckbury, co. Salop, and lands in Bobbington and Kinfar, co. Stafford, and in Roddington, co. Salop. The deed provided for a jointure for Margaret, and sums of £500 each for every daughter of the marriage not otherwise pro- vided for, the said manors and lands to be held by Ambrose for his life, with remainder to the heirs male of the body of Ambrose, failing such, to the heirs male of the body of George Graye, brother of Ambrose, and failing such, to the right heirs of Sir Henry for ever. (Wrottesley Muni- ments.) The male issue of Ambrose Grey and of George Grey came to an end, and the manor of Enville and the other lands which had not been sold, came eventually to the right heirs of Sir Henry Grey, now represented by the Earl of Stamford. The Wrottesleys might therefore quarter the arms of the younger branch of this family, but they have never done so. 308% HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF a bill in Chancery against him, says " she hath not any just cause as yet in such bitter, hot, and passionate manner to implead and question me" — that his father's intention was if his personalty were insufficient, his debts in the first place, and afterwards his legacies, should be paid out of the surplus of rents which remained after providing for the proper main- tenance of the owner of the estate ; and, moreover, that the whole rental only amounted to £700 a year. Sir Walter in addition denies that his father had any right to charge these legacies on the land at all. The story of the sisters, as appears by the pleadings, was that Sir Hugh was greatly incensed against his son, and had threatened to cut off the entail and disinherit him, but that Walter deprecated his wrath on his knees, and had prevailed on his father to allow the estates to descend to him, upon his promising faithfully to pay his debts and legacies. Sir Walter states that he only promised to pay so far as the personalty would suffice, but he had offered to pay the legacies at the end of three years, and allow six per cent, interest in the meantime, if his sisters would release their claims. They refused to accept this offer, by the advice of Sir Richard Prince, their uncle-in-law. Mary and Penelope married men beneath them in station, and unable to maintain them in any comfort. The first married John Lougher, a j^ounger brother of a family residing at Perton, and she and her husband were often in great distress. Dorothy, who had married Henry Bressey, had received her sister Mary at Escot, near Meriden, in Warwickshire, shortly before her confinement, and applies to her brother to be repaid the cost of her hospitality. She writes that she would not have had to borrow money "if n^y brother Lougher had never come and layen upon us with his wife, his man, and horse," and adds of Lougher "he has no money to provide for his wife's necessities, and if he had he would spend it. He doth think to fetch gossips out of his country, which will be very chargeable." B}^ " gossips " I conclude is meant godfathers and godmothers. Sir Walter was evidently disinclined to pay Mary's legacy, unless the Loughers would settle an annuity of £40 on his sister and her issue. The legacy was never paid during Lougher's lifetime, and was the occasion of much litigation for many years. On the death of Lougher, Mary married, as Sir Walter states, " contrary to his mind and many advertisements to the contrary, Williams, a man of small or noe means at all ; therefore he saw no reason to pay him the four hundred pounds, unless he should be careful and respective (sic) to his sister." On this ensued another suit, which lasted for the WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 309 remainder of Sir Walter's lifetime, and was not finally settled until 1663, four years after his death, when the WilHams' received £280 from the second Baronet in dis- charge of all claims. This WilKams is described as " the chaplain of Lord Ward, and having formerly preached at Dudley in the cavaleering times, when Colonel Leveson kept garrison for the King there." He married Mary in 1645. Respecting Penelope, Lougher writes to his wife, the 11th of May 1639, "Your sister Pen lyes very ill, and all for the unkindness of her brother, and have done ever sithins Christmas, and noe hope of recovery." She died soon after, but other letters and documents furnish no ground for this charge against Sir Walter. She was at times reduced to great distress, until her brother finally paid her legacy of £250 on the 2nd May 1638 ; but it is probable from evidence that he allowed her eight per cent, for the money till paid. Penelope appears to have married before the 27th October 1631, a person of the name of Collett. She had two children by him — Thomas, who was bound apprentice to William Hey, a clothier of Bradford in Yorkshire, in August 1637; and a daughter Margaret. Collett was dead before January 1634, and Penelope married again. Her second husband was one Mill or Miles, who, she afterwards found out, had another wife living. She took legal proceedings against Miles, and states that she " had hired my Lord's chief poursuivant, but thought Miles was gone beyond sea, for there was a scitation hung on Dr. Chamberlayne's doore, by the same gentlewoman that lays claim to him ; and I am assured by the best councell I can learne from the civilians, that if the contract be proved lawfull, he will fall to her share." She first occurs as Penelope Mill in 1636.1 She appears to have gone on spending money on this business 'until her death in 1639. Her children added much to her troubles. Thomas left his master. In letters to Sir Walter he is called "a troublesome boy, likely to put his uncle to more charge than his body is worth " ; and Birch, the family lawyer, writes, " Your sister. Mistress Pen's Sonne have beene placed in several places. I know not what should be done with him. Mistress Lougher put him into clothes, and procured severall places, but none will fit him. She will dispose of him any way you like ; if you think fit, she will put him to a captayne or seemann." Of Margaret, the daughter of Penelope, the first notice is found in a letter, dated 1st June 1637, showing that Sir Walter was exceeding wrath with a carrier for bringing ^ Wrottesley Muniments and Correspondence. 310 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF her from London, asking him whether he had heard that she came from an infected phice. Penelope had been so ill- advised as to send her daughter uninvited to Wrottesley by the common carrier, and Walter probably invented the idea of an infected house as an excuse not to take her in. Richard Hanson, a tenant of Sir Walter's, gave her house- room for three weeks, and was afterwards paid by him at the rate of 2s. 6d. a week for her board. Merry, the carrier, was paid in 1638, 5s. for bringing her down, and 13s. for taking her back again on the 15th July 1637. Her mother writes to Sir Walter, " I understand you are much discontented with me about my daughter's comynge downe into the country. I am heartily sorry to heare of it, that she should be soe wretched and vile to displease j'ou and to disgrace me in comynge soe basely into the country." She adds she " is disgraced by a graceless baggage, and hopes she • will be sent up in the same manner as she came downe." The last notice of the poor girl is in a letter dated 1G39, wdiich states that she was then in Virginia. Sir Walter had other troubles, arising from trespasses in pursuit of game. In October 1635, a suit in the Star Chamber was instituted by him, for the purpose of punish- ing some neighbours who had broken the head of John Frauster, his gamekeeper. In June 1638, Sir Walter writes to Birch, then residing at Cannock, that he had lost a hind stolen out of his park, " upon receipte of which discurtesy, I could doe noe lesse then take course for the finding of those which were delinquent therein," and then he informs Birch that he is going to proceed against the otienders in the Star Chamber. Though much distressed for money, he tells his lawyer not to hesitate to spend money, and writes, " I value not the expense in soe just a cause," but within a month of that time, he wrote to Thomas, another lawyer, a letter in which he professes his total want of money, and his inabilit}'' to repay the Bressey's what they had spent for his unfortunate sister Mary, whose husband he also accused of being implicated in the abduction of the hind. From these and other causes. Sir Walter was compelled to sell considerable propert}^, including Priestfields, near Wolverhampton, afterwards the site of valuable coal mines, and other lands for which he received £3,248. He also sold the manor of Butterton, in the north of the county, for £3,130. The other lands sold were situated in Lichfield, Bilston, Wolverhampton, Pendeford, Bushbury, Tettenhall, Codsall, Droitwich, Coven, and elsewhere. In a paper in his own handwriting, Walter makes his own and his father's WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 311 debts top:ether to amount to £8,400, and his sales to £7,642. These were large sums in the seventeenth century, but it is probable that the debt of £8,400 included the purchase money of the manors of Trysull, Womborne, Orton, and Seisdon, which had been acquired by his father on very advantageous terms from the creditors and mortgagees of Ambrose Grej^, of Enville, the father of Walter's wife. I now come to the public career of Sir Walter. In 1634, as one of the Deputy Lieutenants of the County, he made a return of the '' trayned horse for the County." This has been printed from a MS. at Wrottesley, in vol. xv of the Staffordshire Collections. The muster consisted of sixty-nine Cuirassiers and thirty-one Light Horse, and as it was based on the assessment of the land, it gives us the names of all the landed gentry of the county. In 1639 he was appointed by the Earl Marshal to terminate a quarrel between Henry Grey, of Enville, and Nicholas Moseley, which had been carried by Henry Grey into "the Court of Honor the Earl Marshall's Court sitting in the Painted Chamber beneath the Palace of Westminster." Henry Grey's complaint was that Nicholas Moseley had given him the lie at least twenty times, had called him a base, scurvey [....], and boasted that he durst not fight, and challenged him to fight if he durst. The Court of Honor issued a decree, dated 9th July 1639, authorizing Walter W^rottesley to end the controversy, he being chosen with the assent of both parties. Walter awarded that Nicholas Moseley should pay the complain- ant's just expenses incurred in prosecuting the suit in the Court of Honor, and make an apology to Henry Grey in the presence of four gentlemen of quality. At this date the Marshal's Court took cognizance of abusive language for which a culprit could not be punished in the regular Courts, and like the Star Chamber it tilled up a gap in the ordinary judicature of the country. Unlike the latter Court, however, it was never formally abolished, but it fell gradually into desuetude. Blackstone speaking of it in his Commentaries, published in 1764, says, ''As it cannot imprison, and as by the resolutions of the Superior Courts it is now confined to so narrow and restricted a jurisdiction it has fallen into contempt and disuse."^ By warrant, dated 28th April 1640, Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, who had succeeded the Earl of Monmouth as Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire, appoints : — " My right well beloved and trustie friend and kinsman'-^ Walter Wriottsley of Wriottsley in the County of Stafford, Esquire, my ' " The Earl Marshal's Court," by George Grazebrook, F.S.A., privately printed, 1895. ^ Essex always speaks of Walter Wrottesley as his kinsman, but the blood 312 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF deputy in the office of Lieutenant in the County of Stafford during his absence in attendance upon his Majesty in his high Court of Parliament at Westminster, to joyne with the other deputies in the execution of the said office of Lieutenantcy, and also solely by himself, if cause require it, to do and perform all other things requisite for His Majesty's service, and for my said Deputy Walter Wriottsley his better performance thereof I have delivered him a true copie of His Majesty's said Letters Patent to me therein made." This warrant is signed " Ro. Essex." In the same year, in conjunction with Sir Hervej' Bagot and Thomas Crompton, two other Deputy Lieutenants, he made the muster for the Scotch war, which is printed in vol. XV of the Staffordshire Collections. The men mustered on this occasion were the trained bands who had been previously employed in 1639, and an additional body of 300 men who were impressed for the occasion ; the service was very unpopular, and in some counties the men mutinied and murdered their officers. The insubordination did not reach this pitch in Staffordshire, but riots and disorders occurred in many parts of the country during the march of the men to the rendezvous. Amongst the State Papers there is a letter to the Lords of the Council, signed by Sir Hervey Bagot, Walter Wrottesley, and Thomas Crompton, dated from Uttoxeter, 1 5th July 1640, giving an account of the riots at tliat place between the 1st and the 3rd July of this year. The Deputy Lieutenants write : — " That receiving notice of the riot from one of the Constables whilst we were at supper between 8 and 9 of the clock at relationships of tliis era are often no nearer than those of Baillie Jar'V'ie and Rob Roy, when the former claimed the famous freebooter, as his " near kinsman, four times removed." It will be seen by the pedigree below that Essex was second cousin once removed of Walter, but by the half blood only. Mary, d. of Thom.=r Walter Devereux, Lord Fer-=rMargaret, d. of Robert Gar- Grey, Marquis of Dorset, 1st wife. rersofChartley, 1st Viscount nish, of Kenton, co. Suffolk, Hereford, ob. 1558. 2nd wife. Sir Robert Devereux, ob. v.p. 1547. Sir Edward Devereux,=rCatharine, d. of Edward Bart., of Castle Brom- wich, ob. 1622. Walter Devereux, created Earl of Essex, ob. 1576. Robert, Earl of Essex, the favourite of Queen Elizabeth, beheaded 1601 . I Robert, Earl of Essex, the Parliamentary General, ob. s.p. 1646. Arden, of Park Hall, co. Warwick. Sir Walter Devereux, Bart., Mai'garet.^pSir Hugh succeeded as Viscount Devereux 1646, ob. 1659. Wrottesley, ob. 1633. Sir Walter Wrottesley, Bart. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 31 3 night, we gave order to the Constable speedily to raise what forces he could in the Towne, and to bringe them downc to the Inne where we lodged which the Constable did performe, as we conceive, very honestly, and when we had gotten to the number of 40 or 50 townsmen well armed with Halberds and other weapons, we did rise from supper and with that number and our owne servants we made after them, and were soe neere them at the first settinge forth, as that we were within hearing of them, but being on foot, and not soe well able to travell as those miscreants who made haste to do mischeife, before we could approach to the said place where they beganne their worke the said unruly multitude had pulled down about some tenne roodes of Rayles and had made two fiers thereof. When we came neere unto them we made a stand and caused proclamation to be made accordinge to the Statute in that case provided. This beinge done we came close up to them, and by all faire perswations sought to pacify them, letting them know the danger they were in if they should now persist and continew in this riotous and unlawful course. They gave little care to our per- swations, imd then we fell to action, and conceiving ourselves able to deale with the number as then assembled, we in our owne persons with the helpe of some High Constables and our owne servants laid houlde of the ryotors and delivered them upp into the hands of the said Townsmen whoe stood by us armed with weapons charginge them to hould the said Riotors fast, but more souldiers comyng in they were rescued and taken from them, whereby vv-e were disinabled to record the said Ryott or to inflict condigne ponishment on the said Riotors beinge menne unknowne to us," etc., etc. Tiie riots continued all the following day, the soldiers being masters of the town, and the High Constable of the Hundred reporting that he " could not stay their hands without effusion of much blood." The report then goes on to state that : — " On the 3rd J uly finding them to grow insolent and fearing some greater mysheife likely to ensue, if they were not mastered, we caused several High Constables to raise strength out of the townes 4 or 5 miles of Uttoxitor and to bring them armed, and sent for the assistance of some of the neighbouringe Justices soe that night we ourselves and the said Justices howsed the said souldiers and sett strong gardes in severall places of the towne whome we comaunded to watch all that night, by which meanes we kept them in reasonable good order untill such time as they were delivered over to the ofiicers authorised by the Lord Generall of his Majestys Army to receave them,'"' etc. On the 28th July an urgent message from Humphrey Wyrley to Walter Wrottesley states that the same soldiers had broken out again into a riofc at Mr. Lane's at Bentley, and asks him to meet him without delay at Walsall, for 314 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF "you and myself are the two nest Justices dwelling to the place where the riots are committed," etc. The sequel was on a par with the above proceedings ; when the train bands and the impressed men came into the presence of the enemy on the Tyne, they all turned their backs and ran away without stopping till they reached Newcastle. The Long Parliament met in the following year. The private letters at Wrottesley shewed clearly that Walter Wrottesley's sympathies at this time were all in favour of the Parliament, and this in fact, owing to the mismanage- ment of the King's affairs, was the general bent of men's minds. On the 9th February 1641, Thomas Pudsey, one of his neighbours, writes to him from Essex House, London' : — "Strafford's tryal will be to-morrow senet. It is thought he will not come off well, for the axe or the rope may sarve his turne. The Bishop of Oxford is dead, and our Bishop is not well, and I think all have quesie stomachs, for they stand upon their good behaviour ; in the house some are for Bishops and some for none, and if there be any, they are to be alowed a partickelar stipand so that their pride will be abated." The correspondence formerly at Wrottesley tends to confirm the opinion of Lord Clarendon, that the opposition to the King's measures proceeded more from dislike to the Bishops and their pretentions, than from any ill will to the monarchy. Laud and the Bishops had, however, persuaded the King that the outcry against them was only a pretence, and that the agitation was really aimed at the monarchy, and Charles therefore made the cause of the Bishops' his own, and lost both his crown and his head. Another letter from Pudsey of later date, states that the writer had been into the City to see the axe sharpened which was to be used at the execution of Lord Strafford. This appears to have been made a public spectacle, and will give an idea of the brutality and violence of the political feeling of the day. All this time, notwithstanding his pecuniary embarrassments and the public troubles, Walter Wrottesley was in treaty for the purchase of a Baronetcy. The King's need for money was great, and the following letter shows the method by which these dignities were acquired at this date. On the 6th March 1641, Sir John Skefiington writes to him, asking for two large trees, and offers a Baronetcy, the King having given him a warrant, '' with liberty to nominate a gentleman whom he and I think fit,'' and he gives him the first offer for £300. ' 'J'he house of the Earl of Essex. Pudsey was in the service of the Earl. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 315 On the 10th of the same month, Thomas Pudsey advises Walter Wrottesley not to think of the Baronetc3^ "It is thought those which have been made shall be called in question, and nothing shall be done but by Parliament." In a later letter the Baronetcy was declined " as the times are dangerous." At the first meeting of the Long Parliament, an order had been issued to seize the arms of the Roman Catholic Recusants, and this order involved Walter Wrottesley in a quarrel with his neighbour Thomas Leveson, of Wolver- hampton, who was a Roman Catholic, and subsequently famous as the Governor of Dudley Castle for the King during the Civil War. On the 20th April 1642 Walter writes to Sir Sampson Evers, enclosing particulars of the conduct of Mr. Thomas Leveson, and stating : — " That on the 9th April last Mr. Thomas Leveson had sent to John Tanner, an armourer, in Wolverhampton, to demand his horse- man's arms, who gave his messenger answer, that he was not to deliver them without command from the Deputy-Lieutenants. Mr. Leveson then came himself to the said John Tanner's shop and spoke these words, ' Sirrah, why did you not send me my arms V John Tanner submissively repHed, with his hat in his hand, that he was not to deliver them without orders from the Deputy-Lieutenants and therefore wished him not to take it ill. Whereupon Mr. Leveson asked who were the Deputy-Lieutenants, to which John Tanner told him Mr. Crompton and Mr. Wrottesley and others. Thereupon Mr. Leveson, in a violent passion, said that Mr. Wrottesley was a fool and a knave and he (meaning John Tanner) was a stinking rogue, and with these words, with a cane which he had in his hand, stroke him two or three blows, one whereof liit him on the head, and made a great knob in the skin thereof."^ Walter Wrottesley also wrote an account of this affair to Essex, in which he states : — " That he and Mr. Crompton had given instructions to Tanner not to restore the arms to Mr. Leveson, as he was an active and dangerous recusant, and that the latter had told Tanner that Mr. Wrottesley was a fool and a knave, and with his cane did beat Tanner in his own house, which is much taken notice of in the county, and that he (the wi-iter) was deeply wounded in his reputation by the matter." And he added that " Leveson is going to France to breed up his son in Popery," and suggests that a writ of " ne exeat regno " should be issued against him. There had been previous bickerings between Walter and Leveson, ' Welbeck MSS., printed by the Historical Commission, and Commons Journals, ii, 554. 316 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF the latter having distrained upon the Wrottesley Constable for not attending his Court Leets in 1640. Walter took the part of" his Constable, declaring that he owed no service to Leveson's Courts, and this turned out to be the case. Parliament now was master of the situation, owing to the King's weakness in parting with the power of dissolution. They took possession of the Fleet, and on the 15th April passed an ordinance that the King's Commissions of Lieutenancy were illegal and void. Essex was re-appointed Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire by tfie Parliament, and on the 29th of June he appointed Walter Wrottesley his Vice- Lieutenant for the County. The preamble of the warrant issued for this purpose ran as follows : — - " Whereas the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled have for the safety of his Majesty's person, the Parliament and Kingdom in this tyme of imminent danger, by an ordinaunce of the said Lox*ds and Commons ordeyned me Robert Earl of Essex to be Lieutenant of the County of Stafford," etc.^ It would appear by this Commission that Essex calculated on the support of Walter, but in this he reckoned without his host. The violent proceedings of the Parliament had caused a re-action in the King's favour ; Falkland and Hyde and all the moderate members of the Parliament withdrew and repaired to the King. Walter Wrottesley appears to have belonged to this party and was appointed one of the Com- missioners of Array by the King. On the 26th of July Essex writes to warn him against having anything to do with the Array, as it was illegal. - On the 9th of August the Parliament voted the King's Commissioners of Array to be traitors. On the 22nd of the same month the King set up his standard at Nottingham ' Origiiial Commission formerly at Wrottesley. It was siprned " Essex." ' Wrottesley Muniments. According to Clarendon, Parliament had obtained an opinion from Selden that the King's Commissions of Array were invalid. If Selden really gave this opinion without any qualification, it only shows how political prejudices tend to distort the judgment, for as an historian and archajologist, he must have known that the English sovereigns had issued these Commissions from time immemorial. It is possible, however, that in some of the Tudor Commissions there had been a departui-e from the original form of words. Thus in the original Commissions the words, " for the defense of the Kingdom " or to accompany the King, " ad profiscenduin cum nobis " always occur. If Selden argued that Commissions of Array could be issued only for defence of the kingdom against external enemies, the answer would be that they had been issued both by Henry VI and Edwai-d IV during the Civil AVars of Lancaster and York. It may be said, however, that in all these cases the writs were for the protection of the King's person, but even admitting this to be true, in the case of the writs of Charles I this technical objection would not apply, for the King took the field in person. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 317 and invited his subjects to supply him with money, horses and arms, for which he pledged the woods and forests and royal demesnes for their repayment. It was at this date that Walter Wrottesley purchased his Baronetcy ; he must have foreseen that he would have to advance money for the King, and probably considered that he had better get some- thing for it in return. The Letters Patent conferring the Baronetcy upon him are dated from Nottingham 30th August 1642. After a preamble describing the institution of the Dignity by his father, James I, the Letters state that : — ^ "we of our special grace, etc., have raised, preferred and created our beloved Walter Wrotesley the elder, of Wrotesley in the County of Stafford Esquire, a man approved in family, property, wealth and probity of manners, who with a generous and liberal mind gave and afforded to us sufficient ample aid and help for maintaining and supplying thirty men of our infantry in our said Kingdom of Ireland for three whole years for the defence of our said Kingdom and chiefly for the secui-ity of the plantation of our said Province of Ulster to and unto the dignity, estate and degree of a Baronett to hold to him and the heirs male of his body, etc. (Here follows the precedency of a Baronet, viz., next immediately after the younger sons of Viscounts and Barons, the frecedency of his rvi/e and the precedency of his sons and daughters). We also grant that the said Walter Wi'otesley may be named, called, pleaded and impleaded by the name of Walter Wrotesley, Bart., and that the style and additions of Bart, may be appended to the end of the name of the said Walter Wrotesley and his heirs male in all Letters Patent, etc., and in all other writings as the true legitimate and necessary addition of the dignity, also that to the name of the said Walter Wrotesley and his heirs male, in English and in all English writings, this addition may be prefixed, viz., " Sir," and in like manner that the wives of the said Walter Wrotesley and of his heirs male may have, use and enjoy this appellation, viz.. Lady, Madame or Dame according to the custom of speaking, and moreover that the said Walter Wrotesley and his heirs male and their descendants may bear in a canton in their coat of arms, or on an escutcheon the arms of Ulster, viz., a hand gules or a bloody hand in a field argent, and that the said Walter Wrotesley and his heirs male may have a place in our armies in the ranks near to the royal standard in defence of the same, which is a mean place between a Baron and a Knight. ^ The original Letters Patent were in Latin. I made a translation of them in 1862, as it was doubtful whether the Letters Patent issued by Charles after his departure from London had ever been enrolled, but on enquiry at the Record Office, I find that the Grants of Baronetcies were enrolled at the Restoration. A list of them will be found in the 48tli Report of the Deputy Record Keeper. 318 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF We will moreover and grant that the said Walter Wrotesley sliall be created a Knight immediately after the making of these presents, and that we our heirs and successors in like manner will knight the first born son or heir male apparent of the body of the said Walter Wrotesley and of the body of the heir male of the said Walter Wrotesley begotten, on their attaining the age of twenty-one in the lifetime of their father or grandfather, on notice thereof being given to our Chamberlain or Yice-Chamberlain of our Household (hospiiii nostri) or in their absence to any other officer or minister of us our heirs, etc., in attendance on our person.^ (Here follows the precedenc;/ of Baronets ajnonr/st theynselvcs, to be settled according to date of their Patents, and afterwards a proviso that no dignity shall be created hereafter under the dignity of a Baron of Parliament tohich shall be sujterior or equal to the dig7iity of a Baronet). Teste me ipso apud Nottingham, 30 August, anno regni nostri decimo octavo. It is doubtful whether Walter ever acted as a Commissioner of Array for the King, for it was not brought up against him at the date of the sequestration of his estates, but when an information was laid against Mark Antony Galliar- dello, a former clerk and factotum of Walter Wrottesle}^ the informer stated the said Mark, who was late clerk to Sir Walter Wrotslej', had frequently exercised his skill in the King's cause, and had published a Commission at Wom- borne, to the effect, that the said Sir Walter was empowered by the King to nominate officers and to raise men, money and arms in the Seisdon Hundred and to exercise them for the King, and that Sir Walter had nominated Henry Gra}-, Esq., for that purpose. - The King left Nottingham in September and marched at the head of an oxiwy to Shrewsburj'. At Nottingham he could muster no more than 6,000 men, but so many joined ' The object of this clause was to save the Fine on not taking the degree of Knighthood, when summoned, see p. 297. For a single payment or a lump sum the Baronets compounded for all future Fines on this account. - Proceeding of Committee for the Advance of Money, vol. A, p. 40. Mark Antonio Caesar Galliardello was the grandson of an Italian musician in the service of Queen Elizabeth. According to Mr. Sydney Grazebrook, he was Town Clerk of Walsall, but he was certainly in the service of Sir Walter Wrottesley for the greater part of his life, for all the public documents, such as the muster of 1640, and many of the copies of private deeds, abstracts of title, etc., formerly at Wrottesley of this period, were in his handwriting. At the date of Dngdale's Visitation of Sti^ordshire in 1663, he had the address to persuade that great Herald and Antiquary to include his pedigree in it, and to allow him a coat of arms which he stated had been put up in memory of his grandfather in the church of the Minories without Aldgate. This pedigree will be found in vol. v of the Staffordshire Collections, p. 143, with notes by Mr. Sydney Grazebrook, giving an account of the Galliardello family. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 319 him from the Midland Counties that before he had been lon^ at Shrewsbury his army amounted to close upon 20,000 men. Sir Walter met him at Uttoxeter on the 15th September,^ and appears to have accompanied him to Shrewsbury, for he was knighted by the King at the latter town on the 22nd September.- At this crisis in the King's fortunes he was doubtless very graciously received ; his sympathies v/ere certainly very strongly enlisted on the side of the King, for very shortly afterwards, viz., on the 5th of January 1643, he sent the greater part of his plate to Shrewsbury to be melted down and coined for the King's use.'^ At the same time he armed his servants and tenants' sons to form a garrison for his house. The com- position papers describe the house as strong and moated, and that he had taken into it several of his tenants' sons and neighbours ; as he expressed it, '"' he stood upon his guard, there was so much plundering, but would never make it a garrison for the King, although often solicited." Notwithstanding his asseverations to the contrary, which were made to save his estates, his house appears to have been considered a Royalist post, for Sir Louis Kirke wrote from Bridgenorth to Prince Rupert on the 9th April 1644, asking " for Sir Walter Wrottesley's convoy for some plate laid up in this garrison, with which I intend to pay a Privy Seal for £50 sent from Oxford."* The meaning of this, is, that the King had sent a writ, under his Privy Seal, to Sir Louis, for the payment of £50 for his troops, and Sir Louis had not money to meet it except by the sale of plate in his possession, and he required an escort from Wrottesley to convey the plate to some place not specified (probably Shrewsbury), where it could be melted and sold. The only other evidence I have been able to collect respecting the attitude of Sir Walter at this period is contained in a statement of Colonel Purefoy respecting the conduct of the Earl of Denbigh during the Civil War. This was made to the Council or Committee of Parlia- ment which was sitting in London in 1649. He stated that when the Earl came down and was staying at Welling- borough, in Shropshire, Sir Edward Littleton Avent into Staffordshire, and there declared he had come to raise forces for the Earl, and that Sir Walter Wriothesley (sic), himself and Mr. Skrimshaw would join in that service. Mr. Swinfen ' Wrottesley Muniments. 2 Book of Knights, by Mr. Walter C. Metcalfe. ■* Wrottesley Muniments. He sent altogether 622 oz. of silver, which was valued at £249 4s. lid. ■* " Memoirs of Prince Rupert," by Elliott Warburton, vol. i, p. 520. 320 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF and others of the Committee (for the Parliament) having notice that Sir Edward Littleton had made his peace with the Kinor, and that tliese gentlemen intended to settle that count}' for the King, gave intelligence to the Committee for Safety, and Sir Edward finding his design was known, fled to Oxford. The Earl of Denbigh, hearing thereof, feared he might be suspected, and got him {i.e., Colonel Purefoy) to go down and raise forces for the Parliament. Colonel Purefoy added " that the most charitable construc- tion to put upon the Earl's proceedings, would be that he had attempted with Sir Edward Littleton, Sir Walter Wriothes- ley and others to form a third party in the County." ' The three Staffordshire men named in the above statement were, apparently, the King's Commissioners of Arra}', and it refers, probably, to the end of 1642 or the early part of 1643. The King reached Oxford with his army on the 29th of November 1642. Anyone reading the printed histories of the next three or four years, which recount nothing but a succession of battles and skirmishes, will be left under the impression that every- body was fighting either for or against the King, but if he carries his investigations further and examines the memoirs and private letters of the period, he will find a very different state of things. The great bulk of the people took no part whatever in the struggle, and the actual fighting was confined for the most part to the professional soldiers and the fanatics on either side, who were the Roman Catholic gentry and the Calvinistic party. The large landed pro- prietors were principally intent upon saving their estates, and maintained for the most part a neutral attitude. In some counties the principal landowners met together and agreed to oppose the entry of any armed force without the joint consent of the King and Parliament. These associations, however, were of very short duration, for Parliament denounced them as derogatory to their authority and absolved their partisans from their engagements,^ nor was it possible to prevent the more active and violent men of each faction from levying forced contributions from the lands of their adversaries. The attempt therefore to form a neutral party in the county, which would have the power of preserving the peace and of coercing the violent partisans of each side, proved a failure, but it will be observed on examining the Proceedings for Compounding that there were not many instances in Staffordshire of the Protestant landowners having taken up arms for the Royal ' state Papers (Domestic Series) A.D. 1649, Letters. Nos. 103 and 104, ■ Lingard, quoting the Commons Journals, WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 321 cause. ^ The Eoman Catholics all fought for the King, but in their case it may be said that they were lighting in self-defence, for not only their interests, but even their very safety, depended on the success of the King's arms. The feeling, in fact, of the landed gentry may be best expressed in the language of Mercutio, " A plague o' both the houses."' Many believed the war to be undertaken for the sake of Episcopacy, an institution for which few men would care to hazard their lives and properties. Even Sir Edmund Verney, the King's standard bearer, told Clarendon that " he only followed the King because honour obliged him, that the object of the war was against his conscience, for he had no reverence for the Bishops, whose quarrel it was."^ In the same tone Lord Spencer \vrites to his wife from the King's quarters, " If there could be an expedient found to salve the punctilio of honour, I would not continue here an hour."^ Again, most people must have read the story of the King's pathetic speech and his allusion to happier days, when passing with his army through Warwickshire, he suddenly encountered the squire of Shuckburgh at the head of his pack of hounds.* Bearing all these facts in mind, the reader will be better able to appreciate the position taken up by the landed proprietors during the war. Their attitude towards the King may be best expressed in the language of diplomacy, as one of "benevolent neutrality," and this was perfectly well understood by the opposite party. After the success of Parliament, the ordinances for the sequestration of the estates of the Loyalists swept into the net every man of property who could not shew that he had been actively engaged on the side of the Parliament. In the spring of 1644, however, Sir Walter appears to have had some intention of taking the field, for the following armorers account was formerly at Wrottesley : — 31 March 1614. Received by me Peter Johnson, Armorer, of Sir Walter Wrottesley, Knight and Daronet, the sum of £5 5s. Od., viz., for one cap 10s., for a head piece 15s., for back and breast plates £3 10s. Od., and for altering and coloring and loyning (lining) the old arms, 10s. 1 The sons of the Protestant landed proprietors in many cases were serving for the King whilst their fathers remained neutral, the most con- spicuous instances being those of Colonel Bagot, Colonel Lane, and Lord Ward. =* Clarendon's History. Sir Edmund was a member of the King's House- hold at the outbreak of the war. After his death at Edgehill, Ralph Verney, his son, lived in retirement at Claydon, and took no part whatever in the war. (Verney Papers). ' Lingard's History, quoting the Sydney Papers. * Dugdale's Warwickshire, and Evelyn Shirley's " Noble and Gentle Men of England." Y 322 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF On the 22ud May of this year Colonel Frazer, who was in command of Lord Denbigh's Regiment of Horse, reports from Penkridge that he had taken Lady Wrottesley prisoner. The cause of this arrest does not transpire, but as Lord Denbigh was in the service of the Parliament, it must have been considered that she had come from the quarters of the enem^'.' In 1G45, after the battle of Naseby, the cause of the King was hopeless, and Sir Walter handed over the custody of Wrottesley to the Parliamentarians. His object, no doubt, in taking this step, was to save his estate from sequestration, but in this he failed, and his old enemy Colonel Leveson, who commanded for the King at Dudley Castle, on hearing of it, sent a detachment of his garrison, which burnt all the stables, barns, and granaries which were outside the defences of the house.- The fact that he had been left undisturbed up to this date by Leveson and the other Eoyalist garrisons which surrounded him, is strong evidence that he was looked upon as a Royalist." A letter in the Welbeck MSS. from Colonel Leigh to Lenthall the Speaker, dated 10th November 1645, mentions a garrison at Wrottesley House "which we have lately erected," and describes a skirmish near Bridgenorth, in which two troops under Captain Stones and Captain Blackburne from Wrottesley had defeated a body of Royalist troops under Sir Thomas Aston, and taken the latter prisoner.^ Walter Wrottesley's estates were now sequestered, and the rents assigned to the Parliamentary Committee at Stafford for the payment of their troops. In the latter part of this year, the Committee write to Walter that for neglect of payment, they had fetched two persons named (two of his tenants) into Stafford and detained them for £41 19s. 9d. of arrears, and asking him to pay that sum for the enlargement of his tenants. Walter, however, had gone to London, and had petitioned to compound for his estates. ^ Denbigh Pajiers, Historical MSS. Commission. It is clear she had no pass from the Parliaiaentai-ians, or she would not have been detained. ' See Galliardello's affidavit at p. 325. ^ In an affidavit made in favour of Sir Walter Wrottesley by Thomas Southall, minister of Shorne, near Gravesend, at the time when the former compounded for his estates, Southall stated that the Royalists had garrisons at Chillington, Brewood Church, Lapley Hall, Lichfield, Rushall Hall, at Wolverhampton, sometimes at the Church and Crosse, and some- times at Leaveson's Hall, Dudley Castle, Patesley (PatshuU) Hall, Linsill ('r') Manor and Tong Castle. * Welbeck MSS., vol. i, p. 306; Historical MSS. Commission. Sir Arthur Aston was killed in this skirmish. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 323 His petition was dated 28th November 1645, and was as follows : — To the Honb''' the Committee for compositions of deHnquents estates sittinge at Goldsmith's Hall. The humble petition of Sir Walter Wrottesley sheweth. That the petitioner's estate lyinge under the power of the enymy yett he freely tendred his house, being of a considerable strength to the Committee of Stafford to be garrisoned for the service of the State, ^ which they accepted of, and promysed to secure your petitioner's goods for his use. That the petitioner hath disbursed for the Parliament service above £800,- all which the enymy taking notice of hath taken away the petitioner's cattle and burned all his stables, barnes, granaries and come to the value of £2,000. That the said Committee of Stafford, conceivinge the petitioner to bee within the letter of the Ordinaunce for delinquency, which he could nott avoide seeing that his estate of land is under the power of the enemy, and his house is since garrisoned for the State, soe that hee makes noe benefitt thereby, nor hath hee any livelyhoode to menteyne himselfe and his Lady and eight small children. Nevertheless the petitioner humbly desires to submitt to the mercy of the Pai'liament, and prayes a favor- able composition, and that in the mean time this Honorable Committee will be pleased to write their letters to the said Committee of Stafford to certifie the value of his estate of which he hath annexed a schedule as perfect as hee is able for the present. And hee etc., Signed, Wal. Wrottesley. Endorsed " Heceived 16 Dec. 1645." The schedule of his estate which accompanies the petition gives a total income of £703, and this is probably a correct estimate, for the penalties for concealment were very heavy.^" Attached to his petition are certificates in his favour from Colonel Graves, a Parliamentary officer, and Mr. Thomas Southall, a minister of religion, and two affidavits ^ Sir "Walter, however, does not mention that this took place after the battle of Naseby, when the royal cause was considered hopeless by everybody. ^ He includes in this the forced contributions levied upon him, which everybody had to undergo. ^ The composition for concealed lands or rents was doubled, and all personal property concealed was forfeited entirely. Informers of concealed property (of which there were several in every county) received one-fifth of all properties discovered by them. In order to represent the value of property of this date in terms of the present day, it is calculated that it should be multipled by 4^. Sir Walter's income would be therefore represented by £3,163 lUs. at the present time. 324 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF from his agent Galliardello. These affidavits were as foHows : — Marke Anthony Galliardello of Codsall in the county of StaflFord gent, maketh oath ; That Sir Walter "Wrottesley did voluntarily advance for the service of the State upon the pro- posicions of both houses of Parliam^ as is hereafter mencioned, and delivered to severall of the Committee of Stafford, and other theire Capteynes and officers, viz*^ — In sommer 1643, Foure- teene horses at Threescore and six poundes. Twenty six beastes ; at Threescore and Five poundes. Forty and Five sheepe at Thirteene poundes, and the Lay money of the parke at Fifteene poundes, for supply of the Garrison of Chillington ; all W^'* horses and Cattle were soe valued by S"" Walter Wrottesleyes servants at the tyme of the delivery of them : And at that tyme to Colonell Leighe one of the said Comittee and now a member of the hono*^'*^ house of Commons, thirty poundes ; And about the Moneth of June, 1644, to the Earle oi Denbiglie one liundred poundes ; And about the Monethes of January and March, 1644, to Capteyne Stone, another of the Committee afforesaid, and now Governo'" of Stafford, Foure score poundes ; and at that tyme to the said Gouerno'" Five horses valued at Twenty poundes. And hee did likewise voluntarily offer and deliver up his house, to bee made a Garrison, and meynteyned at his owne Costes and Charges one troope of Dragoones under Generall Poyntz three weekes, and a troope of horse and a Company of foote belonging to the Comittee of Stafford two weekes, for the service of the State, they haveing noe provicion therein ; to the value of one hundred and Fifty poundes ; all w'^'^ ariseth to the somme of Five hundred Thirty and nine poundes; and all paid, delivered, and done freely w^'^ his Consent; and the somme imposed upon the said Sir Walter upon the proposicions, by the Comittee of Stafford, who well knew his estate, as this deponent conceveth, was Foure hundred poundes. Moreover about Michaelmas last, 1645, Generall Poyntz upon his March to Chester after the King's forces had of Sir Walter Wrottesley in money. Two hundred poundes, and seauen horses valued at one hundred poundes ; The totall of all w^'' fore- mencioned somes amountes to the some of Eight hundred Thirty and nine poundes, besides the paym' of the Contribucion to the said Garrison of Stafford. Mark Anthony Galliardello, Jur. 20 die Januarii 1045. [Indorsed]; "S'' Walter Wrottesley N" 112. Febr. 1045, of Wrottesley Stafford. Int." "Report past 28" Maii, 1040. Fyne 1332' 10^ & to settle 15' per annum for ever."^ ^ State Papers, Domestic, Interregnum, Committee for Compounding, G 176, fol. 199. ^VR()TTESL^:Y OF WROTTESLEY. 325 Mark Anthony Galliardello, of Codsall, in the County of Stafford, gent. Maketh Oath ; that Sir Walter Wrottesley being Justice of the Peace and Quorum, and Deputy Lieutenante for the County of Stafford, in affection to Religion, prosecuted an Indictera* against Colonell Leveson now governo'' of Dudley Castle (and in Armes against the Parliam*) for being a Recusant : and in obedience to the ordinances and Comaundes of the Parliam* hee searched the said Leveson's house for armes. For W^'* and other his apparant expressions for the State, the Enemy have endeavoured to have his house to bee made a Garrison, which hee w*'' much difficulty and Charge for a long tyme did keepe against them. And by his direccions his Lady and likewise this Deponent often went and solicited the Committee at Stafford to take care for the garrisoning of it for the State or to sleight it, for that hee could not be able of himselfe to meyneteyne it against the Enemy, and for that hee lived invironed w'^'^ the Enemye's garrisons hee feared hee should bee compelled (unlesse the Parliam*^ assisted him) to act something against the State. That his said house is now and a long wliile hath bine garrisoned for the State, and hee did meyneteyne : First a troope of Dragoones, and after a troope of horse, and a Company of Foote live weekes (which was untill his barnes, Corne, and all was burned) at his owne Costs and Charges : All which par- ticulares the Enemy takeing notice of, have manifested theire malice towardes him as followeth, to witt : The Lord Capell upon his March to Wolverhampton, by Capteyne Hatton a Commaunder under him, drove his parke and tooke Thirty and seaven horses or thei"eabouts for the King's use worth about Three hundred poundes ; And the Enemy did burne Sir Walter's Stables, outhouses, and barnes being about Fifty seaven bayes of building w*^*" Corne, graine, hay, timber, Coache, waynes. Cartes, and other things for husbandry to the value of about Two Thousand, one hundred and Fourescore poundes. And Sir Walter hath advanced for the service of the Parliam* according to this Deponent's former affida\it of the xxvj'^^ of January 1645 to the some of Eight hundred Thirty and nine poundes : And is indebted to the somme of Two thousand and nine hundred poundes and upwards ; All which his sufferings, debts and advance money (here valued) amountes to Six thousand two hundred & nineteene poundes or thereabouts, beside Con- tribucion paid to the Garrison of Stafford. And his said house being Garrisoned for the State, his demesnes and Tennants' houses there sleyghted, all his pales burned for the Garrison's use, his Timber trees to a greate number lately felled by the Garrison (to avoide Sheltring of the Enemy) is a greate damage to him in his Estate ; and the Residue of his Estate lyes under the power of the Enemy, and the Rents thereof by them sequestred ; All w*=*' barres him of his present livelihood whereby to meyneteyne himself, his Lady and Eighte Children : And w'^'' is more, these Rents following are charged upon and issueing out of his Estate ; viz*. A Fee Farme Rent for Wrottesley per annum 326 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF thirteene shillings and Foure pence ; To the Curate of Codsall per annum Fifteone poundes ; For Respight of hojnage per annum Eigliteene shillings ; For a water coui'se to a Hammer mill per annum Elev*en poundes and Fifteene shillings ; and for a Fee Far-me Rent for Orton and VV^omborne per annum one shilling &. six pence. Which is in all per annum Twenty and Eiglit poundes, seaven shillings, and tenne pence ; besides his continuall sufferings before remembered and not valued. Mark Anthony Galliardello, Juf. 9°. die Februarii 1645.' On the 24th Februaiy 1646, the Committee for compound- ing made the following report on his case : — His delinquency is, that when Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice were in that parte of the kingdom, they sent to him for a horse which he sent to Prince Maurice, and durst do no other, a potent army then being quartered round about him, for which as an assistant to those forces, and contributing to them, he is sequestered. That he hath always lived in his owne house untill it was made a garrison for Pai^iament, which he willingly gave unto. That Sir Walter did disburse for the Parlia- ment £839, and he heth lost by the enemy when they plundered him £2,000, and that he is indebted £3,000. That his cheafe seat is made a garrison for the Parliament, which garrison he maintained for five weeks at his own charge, viz. a troop of horse and a company of foote. All his estate lyes surrounded by the enemy's garrisons, and he was enforced to doe that he did, to preserve himself, his lady and eight children alive, and yet would never yield to make it a garrison for the King, although often solicited. That himself, his lady and children have nothing to live on out of all his estate at present, and that the enemy had taken all his cattle, and burnt his stables, barnes, granaries and corn to the value of £2,000. He petitioned heere the 28'** November last and took the National Covenant before John Sacheverell Minister of Shoreditch the same 28'''' Nov. 1645, and he took the negative oath heere the 16*''' Dec. 1645. He compounds upon a particular delivered in under his hand by which it doth appear : — That he is seised in fee to him and his heirs, in possession, of the manor of Wrottesley and of Wrottesley Parke, and of nine other messuages and farmes, lands and tenements in Wrottesley, and of a manor within Womborne, and divers other lands and tenements in Whitwike, Bilbroke, Tettenhall, Tresle, Sesdon, Wom- borne and Orton of the yearly value before the troubles of £566 for which his fine is £1,132. And seised of old rents, granted out upon estates for lives of certain lands and tenements of the clere annual value before the troubles of £40, for which his fine ' State Papers, Domestic, Interregniim, Committee for Compoundincr, G 176, fol. 197. WROTTESLEY OF WR(JTTESLEY. 327 is £240. And seised in fee in possession to him aiid to his heirs of the Rectory of Woniborne, of the cleere yerely value, before the troubles of £62, for which his fine is £124. That there is a Vicar endowed upon the Rectory, which is worth to the Vicar £30 per annum. And seised of a life estate in fee to him and to his heirs, of certain tithes iu Codshall and Oken, parcel of the Rectory of Tetenhall Clericorum, of the cleere annual value before the troubles of £35 per annum, for which his fine is £70. That the King always finds the Curate of Codshall, only Sir Walter pa3^es £15 per annum encrease of means to the said Curate for ever. The whole fine is £1,566. That he craveth to be allowed this £15 per annum which he payes to the Curate for ever, for which he is to be allowed £30 more; £1 lis. 4d. for the farme rent paid to the Crown and for i-espite of homage, for which he is to be allowed £3 2s 8d. more; £11 15s. Od. which he payes yeerely for a watercourse to his mill, which mill is valued in his estate at £40 per annum, and cannot worke without the watercourse, for which he is to be allowed £23 lOs. Od. more. His deductions are therefore £56 12s. 8d. His composition was finally fixed on the 28th May 1646, at £1,572, to be reduced to £1,332 10s. if lie settled £15 per annum for ever, out of his tithes, on the Vicar of Tettenhall. Simultaneously with the Committee for Compounding at Goldsmiths' Hall, another Committee was sitting in London, which was cal ed the Committee for " the Advance of ]\lone3'."" This Committee had been appointed by Parliament in 1642, under an ordinance wliich appropriated one-hfth and one-twentieth of all estates for the payment of the forces of Parliament.^ An abstract of the Proceedings of this Committee has been printed amongst the State Papers, Domestic Series. It states under the heading of : — Sir Walter Wriothesley, Wrottesley or llochley of Wriothesley Hall, and Warwick Lane, London. 28 JSTov. 1645. His fine was assessed at £500, and on the 10th Dec. 1645 at £1,500. 15 Dec. 1645. Allowed fourteen days to obtain a certificate of what he had paid in the County. - 26 Jan. 1646. His fine was assessed at £600. 29 June 1646. Respited till the sequesti*ation of his estate was taken oS". ^ Iu 1647, Pai-liaiuent ordered that these assessments should be made on delinquents onl3\ - The first certificate of Galliardello may have been made in pursuance of this order ; for the two Committees wex'e amalgamated in IQb-i, and their papers may have become intermixed. 328 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF 12 February 1647. His estate to be secjuestered towards pay- ment of his assessment.^ 1-t July 1647. It was ordered that on payment of £50, his assessment of £500 be discharged, as he was much in debt, and had been a great sufferer in the late wars.- To return to the Committee for Compounding : — On the 3rd Sept. 1646, an order was made that the County Committee were to return the names of fit persons to be trustees of 8ir Walter's estate. On the 27th May 1647, it was ordered that Sir John Wollaston and others named, were to be trustees and to receive all arrears since the composition. On the 3rd February 1649, an order was issued to re-sequestrate Sir Walter's estate as he had not settled i:i5 a year out of the Rectory for the maintenance of a preaching minister. On the 24th February this order was revoked on his compliance with it. Parliament admitted of no neutrality ; all estates were sequestered unless the owner was known to be favourable to the popular cause and had materially assisted it. In a declaration of 30th January 1643-44, Parliament denounced as " adversaries and malic^nants all who on pretext of indifference, refuse to take the Covenant and joyne with all their power in the defence of their cause : all Papists and Popish Recusants who have been in arms under the false pretext of defending the King's person and authority, are to look for no favour but are to be punished as tra3^tors." The rules for compounding laid down in August 1(345 stated that all estates were to be compounded at their estimated value before the war ; the proportion varied according to the date of surrender and extent of delinquency, and was two-thirds, one-third, one-sixth and one-tenth. Concealed lands were to be compounded for at four years' purchase in place of two, and all personal property concealed was to be confiscated. Informers of concealed property wei'e to receive one-fifth of the value of it. Those fined at one-tenth paid on twenty years' purchase or two years' value of their estate. Those fined at one- sixth paid on eighteen years' purchase. Those fined at one- third or one-half paid on fifteen years' purchase, and those at two-thirds on twelve years' purchase. ^ It appears by this that Sir Walter had paid his composition, and his estate had been returned to him. I think it likely that he had com- pounded on his own petition with a view of escaping from the clutches of this Comniittee. - State Papers, Domestic. Proceedings of the Committee for the Advance of Money. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 329 In the case of forfeited estates one-fifth was reserved for the support of the families of the owners. All who had been in the personal service of the King and were bound to attend him, were fined at the lowest rate, viz., one-tenth. An act of pardon was passed on the 24th February 1652, which freed from sequestration all estates not sequestered before the 1st December 1651. An act of 21st October 1653 empowered all Recusants to contract for two-thirds of their estates, which had been forfeited for religious opinions. B3' this act the}^ were to pay four years' value of their estates and one-third of their personalty.^ There appears, however, to have been a considerable amount of favouritism, and those who had friends on the two Com- mittees fared very much better than others. On the 28th July 1644, the Committee for the Advance of Money assessed Sir Hervey Bagot, of Field and Blithfield, at £2,000, but on the 9th 'June 1648, on proof that his estate was only worth £1,745 and his debts were £3,120, his assessment was discharged and he paid nothing.^ An informer gave the following particulars respecting Mr. William Ward, of Himley, co. Stafford, the rich goldsmith, who had purchased the wardship of the Dudley heiress from James I. He stated that William W^ard was the reputed owner of Hindey, Dudley and other manors in co. Stafford, which had cost him £30,000 He had lent the King £400 or £500, had given £500 to have his son made a Baronet and £1,500 to have him made a Peer and Justice of the Peace. This last item was probably correct, for the date of the Barony of Ward is 1643. The son Humble, Lord Ward, was married to the Dudley heiress, and an information was laid against him that he had been taken prisoner in Dudley Castle when it was surrendered, and his estate had been sequestered. No further proceedings were taken in these cases and it is difficult to resist the conviction that there was favouritism or bribery which affected the decisions of both Committees. One of the most remarkable cases w^as that of Walter Astley, of Patshull. An information was laid against him and his son Richard on the 2nd December 1651, which stated that Walter^ was a disaffected Papist who had made his house a garrison for the King in 1644 and 1645, and had sent two of his sons with horses, arms and money to ' State Papers — Committee for Compounding, Record Series, printed. - He had, however, to compound for his estates in 1646 at three years' purchase, having sat in the Assembly at Oxford. In 1649 his fine was fixed at £1,004 17s. Ud. ^ Erroneously called William Astley in the information. Z 330 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF the Kinoj's army, and that Richard Astley was a Captain in tlie Kinoj"s {garrison at Dudley in 1643-44-45. On the 10th April 1655, the County Committee reported that an information had been laid in 1651, but no proceedings had been taken under it, and as the cause was not depending on the 10th February 1654, it was pardoned by the Act of Oblivion. Mr. Astley was therefore to be restored to the full possession of his estates. Henry Grey, the brother-in-law of Sir Walter Wrottesley, likewise escaped sequestration. An information was laid against him in July 1650 that he had maintained a garrison against Parliament at his house at Enville, and in 1643-44 was in arms for the King and was at the fight at Stourton Castle. Henry Grey's cousin. Lord Grey of Groby, the regicide, was one of the Committee for compounding, and apparently had stopped all proceedings against his relative. There were many other cases where the men who actually bore arms against Parliament were treated with more lenienc}'' than those who maintained a neutral attitude, thus : — In 1650 an information was laid against Colonel John Lane, of Wolverhampton, who had served three years as a Colonel for the King and had commanded the King's garrison at Stafford, but no proceedings were taken in his case. On the other hand his father, Thomas Lane, of Bentley, who never bore arms, had to compound for his estates. In the same way Hervey Bagot, of Park Hall, co. Warwick, a son of Sir Hervey Bagot, who had been in arms for the King, escaped sequestration, whilst his father, who never bore arms, had to pay a fine of one-third. It is possible, however, that in these cases, both Lane and Bagot had been serving in garrisons, which had surrendered upon terms. Richard, another son of Sir Hervey Bagot, who commanded the garrison at Lichfield, had been killed at Naseby in 1645. Another remarkable case was that of Sir Richard Prince, Sir Walter's relative, who had married Mary Wrottesley in 1618, see p. 294. In his petition to compound he stated that he had been imprisoned at Shrewsbury when it was a garrison for the King, owing to his affection for Parliament, that his son and heir was a Colonel in the service of the Parliament and had been slain in battle, and that he had paid his one-fifth and one-twentieth. Notwithstanding these circumstances, he was forced to compound. His composi- tion was fixed at one-tenth and amounted to £1,400, but on the 16th September 1647 his Fine was reduced to £750 on his undertaking to discharge his son's debts. On the 18th December 1650, Rochley (Wrottesley) Prince and Susan Prince, two of his children, were allowed one- half of some property in Bettisfield, co. Flint, which they WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 331 had purchased in 1644, and which had been sequestered with the rest of their father's estate. Other interesting eases were those of Dugdale and Ashmole. WilHam Dugdale, who is styled Chester Herald, of Shustoke, CO. Warwick, had his estate sequestered because he went to Oxford and was there at the date of the surrender. He paid £168 in 1646, on a composition of one-tenth. In 1650, an information was laid against Elias Ashmole, Gentleman. It states that he was a Gentleman of the Ordnance for the King in 1647, and was a very dangerous person, speaking against the Parliament. He had married the widow of Sir Thomas Mainwaring, by whom he had £600 a year or more. No proceedings appear to have been taken in this instance. Summarising the contents of the Composition Papers, it appears that the Protestant landowners who actually fought for the King were twelve in number, these were : — Sir Edward Littleton Lord Ward of Dudley Henry Grey of Enville John Lane of Hide^ Thomas Broughton Sir Thomas Wolrich, Bart. Walter Noel of Hilcot Sir Henry Griffiths of Wichnor William Brereton Randolph Egerton, and Thomas Pershouse Richard Cresswell, of Perton.- The Roman Catholic landowners who took up arms for the King were : — Walter Astley of Patshull and Sir William Peshall of Can- two sons well and two sons Francis Biddulph^ Oliver Fitz William of rpstones Thomas Coyney of Weston Thomas Leveson of Wolver- Coyney hampton Philip Drayoote of Painsley Thomas Whitgreave of Moseley Walter Fowler of St. Thomas Lord Aston of Tixall and two Ralph Sneyd of Keele brothers Peter GifFard of Chillington, his Sir Richard Fleetwood of eldest son Walter GifFard of Calwich Marston, and three younger William FitzHerbert of Swjai- sons nerton, and Sir Richard Weston* and his son Francis Harcourt of I anton. The landowners who attempted to maintain a neutral attitude and whose estates were sequestrated upon various pretences, were: — ' This is the Colonel Lane who assisted so materially in the escape of Charles II. The part his sister Jane Lane took in the Kind's escape is well known. Their father, Thomas Lane of Bentley, was still alive. - In addition to these, Mr. Sleigh in his " History of Leek," mentions William Trafford of Swithamley as one of those who took up arms for the Kins'. ^ His father, John Biddulph of Biddulph, died in November 1642, after the commencement of the war. ■• Sir Richard Weston was one of the Barons of the Exchequer, and was sixty-five years of age in 1642, 332 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF Sir Hervey Bagot of Field and Sir Walter Wrottesley Blithfield Lord Paget of Beaudesert Sir Richard Leveson of Trent- Sir Thomas Leigh of Hamstall ham Ridware WilHam Ward of Himley John Whorwood of Stourton Matthew Okeover of Okeover Sir Edward Vernon of Hilton Walter Chetwynd of Ligestre Richard Brereton Tiiom;is Kinnersley of Loxley Sir Edward Moseley of Rolston Thomas Lane of Bentley Henry Vyse of Standon Sir John Skeffington of Fisher- Richard Pershouse of Reynolds wick Hall Sir Robert Wolscley Simon Montfort of Bescot and Sir Richard Dyot of Freeford Walter Grosvenor of Bush- William Comberford bury. There were also some Roman Catholic landowners, who from age and other causes, were not in arms for the King, and whose estates were sequestrated. These were : — Sir Walter Heveninghara, of Walter Brook of Lapley Aston Viscount Stafford John Biddulph of Biddulph Peter Macclesfield of Maer, and Thomas Coyney of Weston John Giftard, of Whiteladies. Coyney The above lists account for fifty-eight out of the ninety-eight landowners, who had to find cuirassiers or liglit horse in 1634,^ and who may be said to be fairly representative of the landed interest in the county. The remaining forty must have been active adherents of Parliament. Deducting, therefore, the Roman Catholics, who were twenty-three in number, we find that of the Protestant landowners, twelve served the King actively, twenty were neutral, and forty served against him, proportions which will probably astonish those readers who derive their impressions of the political feeling of the day from current histories.- There is little else to record respecting Sir Walter Wrottesley. In 1642, at the commencement of the troubles, he placed all his property into trust, with power to the trustees to pay his debts and raise portions for his children. His trustees were : — Sir Richard Lee, of the Lee, co. Salop, Baronet, Edward Littleton, Kt., Humfrey Mackworth, Leicester Devereux, John Dyckins, John Byrch and Alexander Wightwyke. The property conveyed consisted of the manors of Wrottesley, Tettnall Clericorum, Butterton, Woodford, ' Vol. XV, Staffordshire Collections, p. 228. ^ Lingard, for instance, a most accurate historian in general, states that three fourths of the nobility and superior gentry ranged themselves under the royal banner ; whereas it has l)een shewn above that in Staffordshire, considered a very Royalist county, more fought against the King than for him. Wrottesley of wrottesley. 333 Tresley (Tiysull), Womborne and Lichfield, and lands in Wolverhampton, Tipton, Swindon, Waterfall, Codsall, Bilbrook Orton, Wightwike, Longdon and Curlnu'gh, and the tythes of Codsall, Wrottesley, Bilbrook, Tetnall Clericorum, Wight- wike, Womborne and Orton. In 1654 his eldest son Walter was married to Margaret, the eldest daughter of Sir Thomas Wolrich, of Dudmaston, CO. Salop. The marriage settlement was dated 20th September.^ It does not appear to have been a very advantageous marriage from a pecuniary point of view, and was probably a love match. Sir Thomas Wolrich had fought for the King, but had afterwards been allowed to compound, having laid down his arms before the 1st March 1645. His com- position at two years' value of his estate amounted to £730. Sir Walter died in 1659. He made three wills, of which copies were formerly at Wrottesley. His first will, which was made in 1634, the year after he succeeded to his property, names his daughters Elizabeth and Mary, his sons Hugh and Edward, and his brother William. The second will was dated 1647, and mentions : — My oldest sonne Walter, my daughter Elizabeth, my daughter Mary now wife of Edward Littleton, Esq.,'^ my daughter Dorothy Wrottesley, my daughter Anne Wrottesley, my daughter Jane Wrottesley, and my three younger sons Edward, Richard and John, and Dame Mary my wife, who is to dwell after my decease att Woodford Grange if she shall desire it, or to have for her dwellinge the Gate How^se of my howse att Wrottesley, with the longe new buildinge thereunto adjoyninge (excepting) my chamber and study over the Gate howse which extendeth to the garden before the Parlour windowes which my will and mind is that my said sonne Walter and his heires shall have and use at his wyll and pleasure, with free ingresse egresse and regresse to and from the same. And that my said wife shall alsoe have the Gallery and the roomes over the Kitchen entrye, pantrye and Buttrye where shee, her children and maides of late have used to lye, and one other roome within her chamber and the joint use of the bleaching Plott end of the Kitchen and some convenient place for a Buttrye garden, and stable roome, and to have the use of all such goods and furniture as shall bee in the said Gatehowse and new buildinges and other the rooms aforesaid att my decease soe long as shee shall live sole and unmarryed.^ His last will was dated 16th June 1659 and was proved in London on the 14th of January 1660-61, by Mary ' Wrottesley Munimeiits. The bride's name is spelt Woolrid^c in the deed. - In a codicil dated 1650 he is styled Sir Edward Littleton. * Wrottesley Muniments. See the picture of the old house at p. 301. 334 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF Wrottesley, his widow and executrix. He left all his house- hold miods and chattels to his wife for the discharo;e of his lej^acies and the education of his three younfjest dauf^hters Dorotliy, Anne and Joane, so lonn; as she should remain his widow. After her death or remarriaoje, the same were to be held by his youngest son John Wrottesley and his said three daughters, in augmentation of such small portions and meanes which testators eldest son is to pay and allowe to them, and to be equally divided amongst them or the survivors of them. And whereas he had settled his lands upon Walter, his eldest son, and made provision for the future livelihood of Edward Wrottesley his second son and his two eldest daughters Elizabeth and Mary, he bequeathed to them 5s. a piece in mone}^ After some further bequests to his servants and the poor of Wolverhampton and Tetten- hall, he desires '' my noble kinsman Leicester Lorde Viscount Hereforde and my dearly beloved unkle Sir George Devereux, Knight," to be overseers of his will. Sir Walter was buried at Tettenhall on the 8th November 1659.1 Of the children mentioned in the three wills, Walter succeeded him at Wrottesley. Hugh predeceased his father and was buried at Tetten- hall on the 23rd March 1640-41.1 Edward, the third son, was baptised at Tettenhall on the 19th January 1633-84.1 He married Martha, daughter of Sir Thomas Hewett, of Shire Oaks, co. Notts.- Walter, son of Edward Wrottesley, of Shire Oaks, gentleman, matriculated at Wadham College 19th March 1674-5," aged twenty, but appears to have left no issue. Richard, the fourth son, was baptised in the chapel at Wrottesley on the 28th February 1637-38,* and the Tettenhall Registers record his burial at Tettenhall on the 11th September 1655. John, the fifth son, was a merchant in Portugal. An interesting report on the English trade with Portugal in 1673, is to be found in the Dartmouth MSS., printed by the Historical MS. Commission, vol. iii, p. 27. In this report John Wrottesley is named amongst the leading English merchants at Port-o- Porto. The trade is said to have been very lucrative, and many of the merchants had made large fortunes. ' Tettenhall Registers. '■^ Visitation of Staffordshire 1663. ^ Foster's Alumni Oxonienses. ■• Codsall Eefcisters. WrottesLey of wrottesley. 335 Of the dauiyjhters — Elizabeth married Sir Francis Woh'ich of Dudmaston, CO. Salop, the second Baronet,^ and son of Sir Thomas Wolrich, the old Cavalier. Mary married Sir Edward Littleton of Pillaton Hall,* the second Baronet, and ancestor of the present Lord Hatherton. A note b}^ Grejjjory King,'^ at the end of the Visitation Book of 166SA, says that — " The three younger daughters of Sir Walter Wrottesley were thus married — 3. Dorothy^ to Ambrose Grey of Whittington, co. Stafford, her half uncle, viz., son of Ambrose Grey of Enville, by his second wife. 4. Anne to Monsieur Francis de la Rue, a Frenchman. 5. Jane to Mr. John Adams, fifth son of William Adams of Longdon, co. Salop." The pedigree of Wrottesley in this Visitation is dated Wolverhampton, 8th April 1663, and is certified by Sir Walter Wrottesle}'', the second Baronet, but he does not mention the last three marriages ; the first, in fact, would not be a legal marriage, according to the Canonical Laws. A Visitation of Shropshire in the possession of the Earl of Bradford at Weston-under-Lyzard, states that Jane Wrottesley married John, a younger son of William Adams of Longdon, and left a son who was called Wrottesley Adams, and that the arms of Adams were — Ermine, three lions passant. Blue. These arms are of interest as they appear to be a variant of the arms of Giffard of Brimsfield, and it is not unlikely that this family of Adams of Longdon descended from that Adam de Cromba, or Croom, co. Worcester, who was a Giffard (see " The Giffards," vol. v, New Series, Staffordshire Collections, p. 74).^ Arms of Sir Walter Wrottesley, Bart. On the dexter side — Or, three piles. Sable, a quarter Ermine, for Wrottesley. On the sinister side — Barry of six, Ai'gent and Azure, with a crescent, Or, for cadency (Grey of Groby). ^ Visitation of Staffordshire 1663. - Gregory King was the clerk of Sir William Dugdale, who made the Visitation of 1663. ' Dorothy was baptized in the Wrottesley Chapel on the 7th December 1637 (Codsall Register). All the marriages and baptisms celebrated in the Wrottesley Chapel are recorded at Codsall, owing probably to the fact that the Codsall minister officiated at them. * If this surmise is correct it is very probable .that George Adams of Sambrooke, co. Salop, the ancestor of the Earls of Lichfield, was a member of the same family, and a lineal descendant of the Giffards of Brimsfield. The family of Sambrooke bore — Ermine, three cats a mountain passant guardant in pale, Sable. 336 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF Sir Walter Wrotteslev, Second Baronet, 1659-86. From this point, is is proposed to deal with the family liistorj' in a more summary manner. Sir Walter, the first baronet, was succeeded by a son of the same name, who, it has been shewn, married, in 1654, Marp^aret, the eldest daughter of Sir 'I'homas Wolrich, of Dudmaston, co. Salop. His life appears to have been entirclj' uneventful, the most important incident of it, so far as the fortunes of the family were concerned, being the purchase of the manor of Perton and Trescott. This manor intervened between Wrottesley and the other possessions of the family in Womborne, Trysull, and Woodford, but up to this date it had not been possible to obtain an undisputed title to it. After nearly 200 years of legal strife between the families of Stafford of Hoke, Dudley, and Leveson, it had been finally decided by a deed dated 2nd February 1652, that " in order to allay all contentions respecting the manor Sir Kichard Leveson of Lilleshull, Knight of the Bath, should hold Perton and Trescott for his life, and that it should revert, after his death, to Lord Dorset and his heirs.""' Lord Dorset was the heir presumptive of Sir Richard through his grandmother Mary Leveson. In 1664, after the death of Sir Richard Leveson, the manor was sold by Richard Sackville, Earl of Dorset, to Sir Walter Wrottesley. In 1673, he lost his wife, Margaret Wolrich. At this date she must have been under forty years of age. She was buried at Tettenhall on the 9th October. - In 1675, Sir Walter was appointed, by Letters Patent, one of the Crown Trustees for the administration of an annual sum of £451 6s. 7 id. granted by the King for the benefit of the Pendrell family and of the widow and descendants of Francis Yates, who had assisted in the con- cealment of the King at Boscobel in 1651. The other trustees were Richard Congreve of Stretton and John the eldest son of Walter Giflard of Chillington. John Giffard was the last survivor of the three trustees, and the trust is now administered by his heir and legal repre- sentative, Walter Courtenay Giffard of Chillington. Shortly after the issue of the Letters Patent, the trustees ' The hamlet of Trescott was oi-iginally divided between the two fees of Perton and Buffary of Pcnn. William BufEary, lord of Penn, living temp. Henry II, granted his part of Trescott to the monks of Combe. (See vol. iii, Staffordshire Collections, p. 221.) This part was known as Trescott Grange. On the dissolution of the monasteries, Trescott Grange was acquired by William Wollaston of Walshall, and his representatives sold it to Sir "Walter Wi-ottesley, the second Baronet (Wrottesley Muniments). For an account of the lawsuits respecting Perton, see Air. Jones' " History of Tettenhall." ' Tettenhall Register. WROTTESLEY OP WROTTESLEY. 337 executed a power of attorney, authorizing Georcre Lea to receive the rents specified and to pay them to the Pendrells and descendants of Francis Yates. This deed, which was formerly at Wrottesley, was signed by all the Pendrell family mentioned in the Letters Patent. Of these one only, Mary the widow of Richard Pendrell (trust}^ Dick\ was able to write her name. William Pendrell signs with his initials, W.P. ; the three others, John, Humfrey and George Pendrell, all sign with a cross. In view of the various spellings of this name it may be as well to mention that Mary signs her name as Mary Pendrill. Sir Walter died in 1686. When he certified to the Wrottesley Pedigree at the Visitation of 1663 he described himself as thirty-two years of age. He would be therefore fifty-five years of age at the date of his death. In his will, which is dated the 30th October 1685, he described himself as " Sir Walter Wrottesley of Purton in the county of Stafford," and as the house at Wrotteslej' was rebuilt by his son and successor, it was probably in such a state of decay at this time as to be uninhabitable. Most if not all of the ancient manor houses in Staffordshire were timber framed, and if the main timbers decayed there was no resource but to pull them down. He bequeathed to his eldest son Walter, on whom he stated that he had already settled a plentiful estate in lands, his lease of the tithes of Trescott Grange, which he held of the Vicars Choral of Lichfield, and also the farm of Trescott Grange which were lately purchased of John Finch, Esqr., and Sarah his wife, to be held by him and his heirs male in tail in the same way as his manor of Wrottesley and his other lands were settled upon him. To his daughter Anne he left £1,000, to be paid her on the day of her marriage, or on reaching the age of twenty- one, which should first happen. To his son Harry 5s. and no more, because he had received already £1,300. To his son Gray Wrottesley £1,000. To his daughters Ursula and Anne, all the furniture in the house at Purton ; and the rest of his goods, chattels and money to his son Walter. The will was proved in London on the 24th June 1686. Of the sons and daughters of Sir Walter, Henry died unmarried in 1726.' Gray likewise died unmarried in 1692, when letters of administration of his' effects were granted to his brother. Sir Walter Wrottesley, the third baronet.- Ursula, ^ Tettenhall Register. - Wrottesley Muniments. 338 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF the eldest daughter, married Thomas Crompton, Esq., of Stone Park, co. Stafford, by whom she had an only daughter, Elizabeth, who died unmarried.^ Sir Walter Wrottesley, Third Baronet, 1686-1712. Walter, son of Walter Wrottesley of Wrottesley, co. Stafford, Baronet, matriculated at Magdalen College, Oxford, on the 1 8th March 1675-6, aged seventeen. He was there- fore born in 1659. In 1678, when only nineteen years of age, he was married to Eleanora, the daughter of Sir John Archer, Kt., of Coopersale, co. Essex, one of the Justices of the Common Pleas. The marriage allegation was dated 28th June 1678, and was to the irollowing effect : — Walter Wrottesley of Wrottesley, co. Stafford, Esqr., batchelor, about twenty, with consent of father. Sir Walter Wrottesley of the same. Baronet, and IVIrs. Eleanora Archer of Coopersale in the Parish of Theydon Garnon, co. Essex, about eighteen, with consent of father. Sir John Archer, Kt., of St. Clement's Danes, Middlesex.'- In the • marriage settleuient made on this occasion Sir Walter Wrottesley, the father, conveyed to trustees for the benefit of the young couple, saving his own life interest, his manor of Wrottesley, a moiety of the manor of Oaken, the manor of Tettenhall Clericorum, the manor of Tresley and Seisden, the manors of Wombourne and Orton, Wood- ford Grange and Perton and Trescott, all his lands in Wrottesley, Oaken, Oaken Park, Codshall, Billbroke and Wightwike, the tithes of Wrottesley, Oaken, Codshall, Bill- broke, Wightwike, Wombourne, Swindon, Orton and Chaspell, CO. Staftbrd, a forge called the Heath forge in Wombourne and Orton, and the tithes of Perton and Heath forge. Sir John Archer on his part settled a sum of £6,000 upon Walter and Elianora and their issue.^ Elianora died in January 1698-4 when only thirty-three years of age,* and shortly after her death Sir Walter married Anne, the daughter of Mr. Justice Burton of Longnor, co. Salop. ° About the same time he pulled down the old hall at Wrottesley, filled up the moat, and built ' Notes by H. S. Grazebrook to the Staffordshire Visitation of 1663, vol. v, Staffordshire Collections, p. 332. - Harleian Society Publications. ^ Wrottesley Muniments. * Tettenhall Register. She was buried on the 28th of January 1693-4. * Wotton's Baronetage. WROTTESLEY OP WROTTESLEY. 339 a new bouse upon the same site ^ None of the accounts or correspondence respectinc^ the new house were preserved at Wrottesley, but from intrinsic evidence there can be no doubt of its having been designed by Sir Christopher Wren. It was built of red brick with stone dressings, and the details of the stone work correspond in all respects to those of Chelsea Hospital, which had just been completed by the same architect. The double architrave to the windows, the stone quoins, and the block cornice were the same as those of the Hospital. In the case of some of the windows and doors there was a change in the design of the architrave, a torus moulding having been introduced into it, and the same A^ariation is to be found at Chelsea Hospital. As originally designed the house nuist iiave been a handsome building. The great bampietting hall or saloon was 43 feet in length, 28 feet in width, and the same in height, running through two stories, and with two tiers of windows. At the west end there was a minstrel gallery, to which access was obtained from the main staircase. The latter was a ver\'' fine feature in the house, occupjang a space of 26 feet by 20 feet, with a massive oak balustrading and dado. At the back of the house were open cloisters formed by arches springing from columns. These extended the whole length of the house between the wings, and were 88 feet in length and 16 feet 6 inches in width. Above the cloisters there was a gallery of the same dimensions, lighted by seven windows, divided by raullions and transoms, in which were some ancient coats of arms in colored glass, which had been taken out of the old house. Dr. Wilkes, the antiquary, writing about the year 1740, says, "At Wrottesley is a most magnificent house with stables, outhouses, gardens, etc., begun by this young gentleman's grandfather- and tis a great pity they are not finished according to the original design." In a note, added about fifty years later. Dr. Wilkes says, " The house was built about 100 j^ears ago in the style of King William, of brick with white stone cornices in the form of an H, large and commodious but not handsome." Between these two dates the aspect of the house had been completely changed, all the characteristic features of it having been obliterated by the eighth Baronet. The dormer windows had been removed from the roof, the cloisters bricked up, ^ There is an old Tudor -window with stone nmllions and transoms covered by the stone work of the new house, on the east side. ■■' " The young gentleman " was Sir Richard Wrottesley, who was under age at the time Dr. Wilkes wrote. 340 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF and the ^reat trallery wliich was the glory of the house had been destroyed to obtain additional bedrooms. It was at this date also that additional Hues were cut in the walls of the house, one of which, by comniunicatinir with the woodwork of the floors, was the cause of the destruction of the house by fire in 1897. The tradition in the family is that the house was built from money which Sir Walter obtained with Elianora Archer, and this is likely to be true, for the Archer arms were impaled with those of Wrottcsley in the pediment on the front of the house, thoup^h his first wife had been dead several years before the building was completed.' During the rebuilding of the house Sir Walter lived at Somerford, which he had bought from the mortgagees of John Somerford, 2 and he died there in 1712,^ aged fifty-three. His will was dated the 14th November 1707, and was proved at London on the 18th March 1712-13 by Dame Anne Wrottcsley, the relict and cxecutri.K. It states : — " Imprimis, whereas I did some short time after the death of my first wife, grant an annuity or yearly rent charge of seven hundred pounds to be issuing and going out of all and every my mannors, messuages, lands, tenements and hereditaments tliat I was then seised of in the County of .Stafford during the time of my naturall life upon trust for the maintenance and raising of portions for the younger children of my said deceased wife, whereby considerable portions and provisions have been, and will be raised for them for their respective preferments ; and therefore I do give and devise to my eldest son Mr. John Wrottesley and to all and every of my younger children by his motlier, that shall be living at my decease, the summe of twenty .shillings a piece to buy them respectively mourning rings to wear in remem- brance of me. Item, 1 give and devise all and every the messuages, lands, tenements and hereditaments whatsoever I have purchased or am in any way intituled unto either in law or equity in the Parish of Brewood in the County of Stafford unto my loving wife the Lady Anne Wrottesley and her assigns for and during the term of her naturall life, and from and after her decease I give and devise the same unto my son Walter W^rotteslej and his assigns for and during the term of his natural life without impeachment of or for any manner of waste, and from and after his decease to the use and behoof of such person and persons and for such estate and estates as I have caused the mansion house called Somerford Hall wherein I now live, to be settled unto, and my will is that tlie said messuages, lands, etc., by me purchased as aforesaid of William Challoner, Edward Jellicoe* ' The date on one of the leaden hopper heads of the rain water pipes was 1698. - Parke's " History of Brewood," pp. 80 and 103. ' He was buried at Brewood on the 4th of April 1712 (Brewood Register). •• On 22nd January 1704 Edward Jellicoe of Standeford surrendered the WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 341 and John Bill or any other person whatsoever situate in Somerford or elsewhere in the parish of Brewood from and after the death of my said loving wife the Lady Anne Wrottesley and the death of my said son Walter to whom T have devised the same for their lives, as aforesaid, shall go along with the said Somerford Hall to such uses as the same is settled unto and upon the same trusts, etc., in the Indentures or deeds of purchase thereof mentioned. Item, I give, desire and bequeath unto my dear and loving wife the Lady Anne Wrottesley all the rest and residue of my personall estate whatsoever, and I do nominate constitute and appoint her sole executrix of this my last will and testament, and desire her to perform the same in all things." A codicil was afterwards added in these words :— '/ 1 revoke that pai't of my will wherein I leave my daughter Henrietta and my son Hugh each of them a small legacy amongst my first wife's younger children, and leave them but a shilling a piece each, and I desire to be buried in Brewood church or churchyard where my now wife intends to lye bilried, and I desire my Funerall may be as private as possible, only eight gentlemen bearers to be invited." Dated 24th March A.l). 1711. His second marriage had been the cause of many dissensions in the family. Sir Walter's children b}^ his first wife were — Walter, who died young in 1686.^ John, who succeeded him as fourth Baronet. Elianora, who married William Eyre, and who succeeded to Coopersale on the death of her uncle, John Archer. Henrietta, or Harriet, who was born in June 1688, and died unmarried in 1719-20.'- Mary, born 4th March 1691-2. She died umarried in 1711.'^ By her will, which was dated 1710, she bequeathed money which had been left to her "by her grandmother Archer" and her "uncle Archer" amongst the following relatives, viz., " mj' brother greater part of his copyholds, which were late the lands of John Somerford, Esqr., to Walter Wrottesley, son of Walter Wrottesley, Baronet, whose fealty was respited because he was under age. (Court Rolls of Brewood ([uoted by Mr. Parke in his " Historv of Brewood.") ' Tettenhall Register. - She left behind her a devoted admirer, who put up a monument to her memory in Worcester Cathedral. This consists of a mural tablet in marble inscribed as follows : — " To the memory of Henrietta Wrottesley, daughter of Sir Walter Wrot- tesley in the County of Stafford, Bart., who dyed the 10"' day of March 1719 in the 30''' year of her age. A lady whose good nature and good sense justly recommended her to the favour of the world, her exemplaiy piety and charity to that of Heaven. NON TE SECVNDIA, NON TE RESTITVET PIETAS. W. Davis grato animo posuit." A print of this monument is given in Dr. Thomas' " Sur\-ey of the Cathe- dral Church of Worcester, 173G." * Codsall Register. 342 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF John Wrotteslej'," "my nephew John Wrottesley," "my brother Hugh,"' "my sister Harriott," "my uncle Wrottesley,"'' and " my father Sir Walter Wrottesley." Her sister Elizabeth was made residuar}^ legatee. Hugh, a lawyer of Lincoln's Inn, a Fellow of the Antiquarian Society, and a diligent collector of works on Archaeology. These he left by his will, as heir- looms, to pass with the Wrottesley estates.- Elizabeth, who married Anthony Collins of Baddow, CO. Essex. ^ B}' his second wife Sir Walter left a son Walter, and two daughters, Margaret, born in June 1696,^ who appears to have died unmarried, and Anne, who married Thomas Hutchinson of Woodhall, CO. Hereford, and of Owthorpe, co. Notts. She was baptised at Brewood on the 22nd September 1702. To complete the story of the Somerford property. It appears that in 1694 the manor of Somerford, with the capital mansion and lands in Somerford, Horsebrook, Stretton and Brewood, late the estate of John Somerford, Esq., Robert Miles, and Roger Ward, were settled b}- Fine and Recovery on Dame Anne, the wife of Sir Walter ' Her prandmotter Archer was Eleanor, daughter of Sir John Curson of Kedelston, co. Derby. Her uncle Archer was John Archer, who succeeded to Coopersale and died s.p. Her uncle Wrottesley was Henry Wrottesley. John Archer settled the Coopersale property upon his niece Elianora Wrot- tesley, who married William Eyre and died s.p. By her will she left Coopersale to her husband, who remarried, and his son John, by his second wife, succeeded to the pro])erty and assumed the name of Archer (Morant's Esse.x). Sir John Archer, the Judge, died 8th February 1681-2, aged eighty- two. He was buried at Theydou Garnon Church, where a monument is set up to his memory. (Ibid.) ^ After some bequests to his brother, Sir John Wrottesley, and his sister, Elizabeth Wrottesley, the will proceeds : — " Item my books which I liave with much care, trouble and expense collected, and the value of which I judge to be £2,000, I give to my said brother Sir John Wrottesley in trust only, that the same shall go along with the inheritance of the Wrottesley estate, and what may be further necessary to be done in order to settle it in that manner, I do desire my said brother will take care of." The library consisted of over 8,000 volumes, and contained manj' rare editions of the classics and a complete series of the ancient chronicles of Great Britain, many of which were in black letter and original editions. The library also contained many volumes of rare tracts, and news letters of the seventeenth century, a fine copy of De Brie, a folio Shakespeare, the original edition of Sir Walter Kaleigh's travels, and every antiquarian work of note which had been printed up to 1725, the date of Hugh Wrottesley's death. The will was dated 1722 and proved in 1725. A deposition of two witnesses at the end of the will states that he died on the 26th June 1725. ^ Wotton's Baronetage. * Tettenhall Registers. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 343 Wrottesley, Bart.' She, by will dated 27th July 1729, devised the same to her daughter Anne, the wife of Thomas Hutchinson, Esq., of Owthorpe, eo. Notts, her brother Thomas Burton of Longner Hall, eo. Salop, and Peter Meyrick of the Bank of England, Esq., in trust to sell the same, and it was sold in 1734 for £5,400 to Robert Barbor, Esq., of the Inner Temple.^ The son, Walter Wrottesley, appears to have died before his mother. He married a Miss Craig and left a son Thomas, who married in 1738 his cousin Elizabeth, the daughter of Sir John Wrottesley, the fourth Baronet.- Thomas left no issue, and in his will, which was dated 29th September 1733, he devised to Magdalen Craig, spinster, and to her heirs, his manor of Coven in the parish of Brewood, and his lands and tenements in the said manor and townships of Coven, Bishbury, Penford, Aspley and Somerford. This estate was conveyed to Robert Barbor, Esq., of the Inner Temple, for £3,550.1 Dame Anne Wrottesley was buried at Brewood on the 10th of July 1732, having survived her husband for more than twenty years. The courtly Vicar of Brewood describes her in his Register as " The Honorable Lady Anne Wrot- tesley of Somerford, widow." ^ Sir John Wrottesley, Fourth Baronet, 1712-26. Owing to the loss of the " Family Bible " by the fire of 1897, I am unable to state the year in which this Sir John was born, and the only note I have taken respecting him from the Wrottesley muniments is that he was married in 1703 to Frances Gray (sic), younger daughter of the Honble. John Gray. Assuming that he was of age at the date of his marriage he would have been born about 1682. His parents were married in 1678. In 1708, during the lifetime of his father, he was elected member for the county in conjunction with Henrj' Paget, afterwards Earl of Uxbridge. At this period, the Whig interest greatly preponderated owing to the victories of Marlborough, but before the next election, in 1710, the tide had turned, the Whig Ministry -had been dismissed, the Tories had a majority, and John Wrottesley lost his seat. ' Lysons' Collections, Additional MS. 9459, British Museum. - Gentleman's Magazine. ■* Brewood Registers. The Gentleman's Magazine states that she died on the 1st of July 1732. 344 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF Accordinjj to Wotton " Sir John was a jjentleman of strict honor and justice, and highly valued by the county for which he was chosen a representative in 1708."^ The same authority informs us that he married Frances, dauc^hter of the Honble. John Grey, of Enville, Esquire, the third son of Henry, Earl of Stamford, by Catherine, his second wife, the daughter of Edward, Lord Dudle}' and Ward, by whom he had five sons, John, who died in November 1723;- Charles, who died in 1724,^ both in their minority; Sir Hugh, Sir Walter, and Sir Richard, who were successively Baronets, and five daughters. Of these : — Hugh, the third son, succeeded as fifth Baronet, but died in his minority in 1729, when letters of ad- ministration of his eftects were granted to Dame Frances Wrottesley, his mother.'* He was succeeded by his next brother Walter, the sixth Baronet, who died a minor two years afterwards. He was buried at Tettenhall on the 28th of February 1781-2.^ Richard, who succeeded as seventh Baronet. Frances, the eldest daughter, was born on the IGth of October 1711,'' and married, first, Heigham Bendish, Esq., of East Ham. Essex,^ and secondly, in 1756, Dr. Wilkes of Willenhall, the well known antifiuary.*" Elizabeth, the second daugliter, was born on the 5th of November 1713,' and married her cousin Thomas Wrottesley,^ the son of Sir Walter, the third Baronet, by his second wife. After his death she married Francis Stuart of Wolverhampton, by whom she left issue.'' ' Wotton's Baronetage, 1741, ex inf. Sir Eicliard Wrottesley. " John was born 21st September 1708, and baptised 1st October (Codsall Register). ^ There is an error here for Charles Wrottesley was buried at Tettenhall on the 18th of March 1722-3. The Codsall Register states he was born and baptized at Wrottesley on the 14th March 1718. * Wrottesley Muniments. ^ Tettenhall Register. * Harwood's Erdeswick. Dr. Wilkes was the representative of a very old family of gentle blood, which had been seated at Willenhall for many generations. According to the author of " Staffordshire and Warwickshire, Past and Present," he was born 16th March 1690-91, and educated at St. John's College, Cambridge, and married Rebecca Manlove, of Lees Hill, Abbots Bromley. " In 1756, being a widower, he married Mrs. Frances Bendish, sister of Sir Richard W^rottesley, Bart. He died in 1760, aged seventy, and his widow died at a very advanced age in 1798. He was an eminent physician and a diligent and inquisitive lover of antiquities." His collections are now in the William Salt Library at Stafford. ' Codsall Register. ' ^ Wotton's Baronetage, 1741. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEV. 345 Henrietta, the third daughter, was born on the 25th of November 1715, ^ and married Theodore William Inge, Esq., of Thorpe Constantine, co. Stafford. ^ Dorothy or Dora, as she is named in the Codsall Register, was born and baptised at Wrottesley 8th May 1723.=^ The Tettenhall Register records her burial on the 12th of August 1742. She is described in it as "Dorothy, the daughter of Lady Wrottesley, of Purtou." Probate of her will was granted to her mother in 1743. Mary was born and baptised the 12th of October 1725.^ She was living in 1762, at the date of her mother's will, and apparently died unmarried.* Sir John Wrottesley was buried at Tettenhall on the 1st of November 1726.^ His will was dated 1725, and probate was granted of it in February 1726-7. He names in it "my uncle Harry Wrottesley," "my wife Frances," "Anthony Collins, Esqr., and my sister Elizabeth, his wife." After the marriage of Sir Richard Wrottesley, his mother Frances, Lady Wrottesley, took up her abode at the old Manor House at Perton, and must have lived to a very advanced age, for the Parish Register of Tettenhall records her burial on the 1st April 1769, four months only before the ^ Codsall Register. ^ She has raised a monument to herself by the memorial she put up in Lichfield Cathedral to Lady Mary Wortley Montagu. Mrs. Jameson, in her " Romance of Biography," writing of this monument says : — " In Lichfield Cathedral stands the only memorial ever raised to Lady Mary. It is a cenotai^h, with Beauty weeping over the loss of her preserver, and an inscription of which the following words form the conclusion, ' To perpetuate the memory of such benevolence, and to expi-ess her gratitude for the benefit she herself received from this alleviating art, this monument is erected by Henrietta Inge, relict of Tlieodore William Inge, and daughter of Sir John Wrottesley, Bart., in 1789.' One would like to have known !;he woman who raised this monument." Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, who introduced inoculation into England, as a remedy for smallpox, was the aunt and probably the godmother of Lady Mary Wrottesley, the wife of Sir Richard Wrottesley, and was therefore connected with Henrietta Inge. It is not unlikely that the numerous deaths in the Wrottesley family of this date j^roceeded from smallpox, for the ravages of the disease at this period were quite terrific. Mrs. Jameson says, in the work above mentioned, that " when Lord Petre, who is consecrated to fame in the Rape of the Lock, as the ravisher of Arabella Fermour's hair, died of the smallpox ^t the age of three and twenty, just after his marriage with a young and beautiful heiress, his death caused a general sympathy, and added to the dread and horror insjiired by this terrible disease, eighteen persons of his family having died of it within twenty-seven years." This took place in 1711. ^ Codsall Register. * Wrottesley Muniments. ® Tettenhall Register. 2a 346 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF death of her only surviving son Sir Richard. Her will, which was dated 16th April 1762, mentions "my son Sir Richard Wrottesley and his son John," ''my grandaughter Mary Wrottesley," " my daughter Wilkes," " my daughter Stuart," "my daughter Inge," "my daughter Mary," and "my grand- son William Inge."^ Sir Richard Wrottesley, the Seventh Baronet, 1732-69. Sir Richard, who now succeeded to the Baronetcy, was born on the 12th of April 1721,- and was the fifth and only surviving son of the fourth Baronet. The mortality in the family had been so great, that at the date of his marriage in 1739, he was the only male representative of it left alive. He matriculated at St. John's College, Oxford, on the 31st of August 1739, aged eighteen,^ and in the same year he married Lady Mary, the second daughter of John, first Earl Gower, by his first wife. Lady Evelyn Pierrepont, the daughter of the Duke of Kingston.^ This marriage brought him into close connection with all the great Whig houses which had been paramount in England ever since the accession of the Hanoverian line. The eldest daughter of Earl Gower was married to John, the fourth Duke of Bedford, who played a prominent part in the political history of this period, and was first cousin to William, the fourth Duke of Devonshire, whose mother was a Russell. Earl Gower himself was a man of some political eminence. He had been appointed Lord Privy Seal in 1742, and had twice acted as one of the members of the Regency, during the absence of George II on the Continent. He was created an Earl in 1746 and died on 25th December 1754. Dr. Wilkes, the antiquary, describing Wrottesley about 1739, writes:— " Sir Richard, the present owner of the estate is a minor, but a young gentleman of fine parts who 'tis hoped may live to be an ornament to his family and countrey (sic). He is the seventh of the family who has enjoyed the Honour in about 12 years, his father and two elder brothers all dying in a short space of time."^ In 1742, when Sir Richard came of age, a postnuptial ^ Copy of will formerly at Wrottesley. The Annual Register states she died on the 22nd of March 1769. - Codsall Register. •' Foster's Alumni Oxonienses. ■* Wrottesley Muniments and Trentham Register. The marriage took place at Trentham on the 6th of October 1739. ^ Dr. Wilkes' MSS., William Salt Library, Stafford. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 347 settlement was made of the Wrottesley estate, and Lord Gower settled £10,000 upon his daughter. ^ In the reign of George II this sum would have been considered a large fortune for a daughter. In 1747, through the interest of his brother-in-law, the Duke of Bedford, Sir Richard was elected M.P. for Tavistock, and was re-elected in June 1749, after his appointment as one of the Principal Clerks in the Board of Green Cloth. ^ In 1754, for some reason which has never been explained, Sir Richard threw up his seat in Parliament and his post in the Royal Household and entered into Holy Orders. Up to this point this history has been based entirely upon documentary evidence, but we have now reached^ a period when oral traditions may be produced in aid of it ; and I propose to introduce into it some stories of Sir Richard told to me by his grandson, the late Rev. Charles Wrottesley, the Rector of Knoyle. According to my informant. Sir Richard was a hot-headed youth, who from inabilitj' to control his temper, became involved in quarrels which in an age of duelling, led to more than one personal encounter. One of these was a duel a outrance fought with swords in a sawpit, in which, curious to relate, neither party was injured. After Sir Richard had entered the Church and been appointed one of the Royal Chaplains, the story of this duel reached the ears of his royal master, and the fact of one of his Chaplains having been engaged in such an attair so tickled the royal fancy, that it was made a constant subject of badinage on the part of the King, in reply to which Sir Richard could only plead that "After all, sir, nobody was hurt." He became a Royal Chaplain in 1763. Another story told of him is connected with the rising of "45." When the Pretender reached Derby the excitement in the Midland Counties was intense, and Sir Richard as a staunch Whig and Hanoverian, armed his servants and tenantry, and at the head of a body of Yeomanry set out to join his father-in-law. Lord Gower, who was raising forces in the north of the county. They had not gone far, however, before they were recalled, news having been received of the retreat of Prince Charles Edward's army. His Jacobite and Pligh Tory neigh- bours, the GifFards and Astleys, on hearing of this, invented a story that Sir Richard and his " army " had never gone further than the old Bull Inn, which was the first public-house on the road and less than a mile from Wrottesley, where according to their account, all Sir Richard's levies had stopped to ^ Wrottesley Muniments. * Wotton's Baronetage and Gentleman's Magazine. The office is one in the Royal Household in the Lord Steward's Department. Sir Richard was appointed vice Sir Thomas Wynne, deceased. 348 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF " liquor up " and could not be prevailed upon to go any- further.^ Sir Richard appears to have been a favourite at Court, for at the commencement of the new reign his eldest son John was appointed one of the King's Pages, and on the formation of the household of the Queen, at the time of tlie marriage of the King with the Princess Charlotte of Mecklen- burgh Strelitz, his eldest daughter Mary was appointed one of the Maids of Honour. In April 1765 he was promoted to the Deanery of Worcester, at that date a very valuable ecclesiastical benefice. On taking Orders he obtained the degree of M.A. at St. John's, College, Cambridge, and on his promotion to the Deanery he took the degree of LL.D.- The letters of George Selwyn and his contemporaries occasionally mention members of the family at this date. One from George Williams,^ dated from Crome, 19th of October 1764, says : — " I met the Wrottesleys in the middle of the town, and let me tell you a Maid of Honor's face at Worcester is no very common spectacle. I have seen you in spirits at a London face, though it was that of the ordinary at Newgate." This is in allusion to George Selwyn's well known fondness for attending public executions. On the 28th of October 1765, he writes again to George Selwyn : — " The dinner at Sir Richard Wrottesley's was not a bad one ; the jumble between leather and prunella would have entertained you. The Maid of Honor is at Blenheim, and I suppose e secretis in this paper controversy and as she is retained for the house of Trentham she breathes not peace ; you would have pitied Lady Mary, sick, and as like Taaffe as it is possible, though at the same time well bred, and in every action discovering a superiority to the savages she was encompassed with. The Bishop was as usual all sketch and outline in his discourse, said you had lost a great opportunity of not appearing with your sword-bearer before H.R.H.," etc. The controversy mentioned in this letter is doubtless the attempt of the King to get rid of the Grenville adminis- ' Lord Gower raised a regiment of 1,000 men on this occasion, and was made an Earl in the following year. lie had been originally a Jacobite, but Lad changed his political convictions and had accepted the office of Lord Privy Seal in 1742. Dr. Johnson, who was a High Tory, looked upon him as a turncoat, and proposed to define the word " Renegade " in the first edition of his Dictionary as " Lord Gower," but his printer refused his consent, and Dr. Johnson said afterwards, " He was wiser than I." (Lord Ronald Gower's " Reminiscences.") - Romilly's " Cantabrigienses Graduati." ^ He is better known as " Gilly Williams," and as the friend of Horace Walpole. He was Receiver-General of Excise, and one of George Selwyn's most intimate associates. WROTTESLEY OE WROTTESLEV. 349 tration. He had dismissed them, it is supposed on the advice of his mother, but not being able to form another adminis- tration, he had to take them back. Sir Richard held his Deanery for four years only, for he died 20th July 1769.^ At the date of his death he was only forty- eight years of age, and if he had lived longer, with his favour at Court and his political connections, he would probably have risen to higher ecclesiastical preferment. His will was dated in 1764 and probate of it was granted in 1769. It is curious that he makes no mention in it of his wife. His daughter Mary was made sole executrix, and the guardianship of his daughter Harriet, who was under age, was left to the Duke of Bedford and Earl Gower.- Mary Wrottesley died intestate on the 17th of December 1769, before the estate had been administered. Letters of administration were therefore granted " to Dame Mary Wrottesley, widow, the lawful mother of the Hon^'" Mary Wrottesley, spinster, deceased."^ Sir Richard left an only son John, who succeeded him, and five daughters. Of these the eldest, Mary, was born on the 22nd of November 1740,* and was appointed Maid of Honour to Queen Charlotte in 1761. She is mentioned upon more than one occasion in the letters of Lady Sarah Lennox. On the 24th December 1762, Lady Sarah writes to her friend Lady Susan Fox Strangways : — " Miss Wriothesley (sic) is so pert upon the Duke and Duchess of M., Lady Bolingbrokes being favorite to the Queen, and upon Mr. Calcraft intending to marry her (which is my sister's intelligence) that her head is turned, and she is a thorough fine lady as ever 1 saw."^ The allusion here must be to the marriage of Mary Wrottesley's cousin, Lady Caroline Russell, to the Duke of Marlborough, which took place in August of this year. Lady Bolingbroke was the sister of the Duke and one of the Ladies of the Bedchamber. In May 1765 there was a rupture between the King and the Grenville and Bedford party. On the 13th June of that year Lady Sarah writes to Lord Holland : — ' Gentleman's Magazine. He was buried at Tettenhall on the 31st of July 1769 (Tettenhall Register). - The guardianship was released by deed to Dame Mary Wrottesley, her mother, in 1770 (Wrottesley Muniments). There is no evidence of any quarrel between Sir Eichard and Lady Mary. The latter was in bad health and the will was drawn up apparently under the supposition that the testator would survive his wife, but as always happens, when a speculation is made on the future, the unexpected occurred, and Lady Mary survived both her husband and her daughter. ^ Annual Register and Wrottesley Muniments. * Codsall Register. ^ Letters of Lady Sarah Lennox, vol. i (1901). Lady Sarah always uses the word " pert " in the sense of " proud." Thus she speaks of a lady being pert at the birth of a sou and heir. 350 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF " I came to town yesterday, and find all the Bedfords most prodigious glumpy, particularly l-ord Gowcr. The King is still sulky and I find everybody expects a change immediately." Ten days later she wi'ites again to him : — "It is impossible to know any news, for ^liss Wriothesley, who has just been, says that the King's manner to all her friends is exactly the same that it has been for tliis fortnight past, and as nobody can know what passed between the King and Mr. Pitt either Wednesday or to-day, the fidget they are in is not smoke, you may immagine (sic)." As Pitt refused to take office, not wishing to supplant Grenville, who was his brother-in-law, the King was obliged to take his old Ministers back. Some witty verses, written by Lord Delawarr on resigning his office as Vice-Chamberlain to Queen Charlotte on his promotion in the army in 1766, gives us a glimpse of the dull and decorous Court of Queen Charlotte. They were addressed as a farewell to the Maids of Honor : — Ye maids who Britain's Court bedeck. Miss Wrottesley, Beauclerk, Tryon, Keck, Miss Meadows and Boscawen, A dismal tale I have to tell. This is to bid you all farewell — Farewell, for I am going. No longer shall we laugh and chat In the outer room, on this and that Until the Queen shall call. Our gracious King has called me now. Nay, holds a Stick^ up too I vow. And so God bless you all. No longer shall I now be seen Handing along our matchless Queen, So generous, good and kind ; While one by one each smiling lass First di'ops a curtsey as we pass, Then trips along behind. Farewell, my good Lord Harcourt too. What can alas, your Lordsliip do, Alone among the maids. You must soon assistance ask, Youll have a very arduous task Unless you call for aid. Great is the charge you have in care ! But yet my pretty maidens fair. His situation's nice. As Chamberlain we shall expect That he sole guardian will protect Six maids without a Vice. ' The silver stick. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 351 It would appear by this that " the six maids without a vice " had more gracious manners than the maids of Queen Elizabeth, who were described by Cecil, as " virtuous as small beer, and as sour." The Carlisle Correspondence mentions the enn;agement of Mar}' Wrottesley to Admiral Keppel, the famous Naval Com- mander, afterwards Lord Keppel. This was in 1768, but her health gave way, and she died in 1769, aged twenty-nine.^ Lord Keppel died unmarried in 1782. At Wrottesley there is an excellent portrait of her taken after she became Maid of Honor, by Sir Joshua Reynolds.'-^ Without being what is called a beauty, she has a countenance which is decidedly prepossessing. Frances, the second daughter, was born in 1743^ and occurs in the letters of Lady Sarah Lennox as " Fanny Wriotsley."^ She married in 1769, as his second wife. Captain afterwards Admiral Hugh Pigot, brother of the unfortunate Lord Pigot, the Governor of Madras, and died in 1811, leaving two daughters.'* Elizabeth, the third daughter, was born "2 1st October 1745,' and was married on the 24th June 1769 to Augustus Henry, the third Duke of Grafton. The Duke at this date was First Lord of the Treasury and Prime Minister. He had been previously married to a daughter of Lord Liavensworth, but they had been separated in 1765, and the marriage was dissolved by Act of Parliament in March 1769. In his auto- biography the Duke writes : — "On the 24th June 1769 I married Elizabeth, the third daughter of Sir Richard and Lady Mar} Wrottesley whose merit as a wife, tenderness and affection as mother of a numerous family and exemplary conduct thro' life, need not be related to you."^ The Duke resigned the Treasury in January 1770, but took office again as Lord Privy Seal in the following year in Lord North's administration. He is, however, best known to historians through the attacks upon him in the Letters of Junius. One of these addressed to the Duke and dated the 30th May 1769, thus apostrophises his forthcoming marriage : — " Marriage is the point on which every rake is stationary at last, and truly my Lord you may well be weary of the circuit you have taken, for you have now fairly travelled through every ' Tettenhall Register. ^ Sir Joshua's receipt for the money paid for this portrait was formerly at Wrottesley. ^ Lady Sarah plaj^s havoc with the spelling of her proper names. Tollemache, for instance, in her hands becomes Tollmuch. ■* Gentleman's jMagazine and Burke's Peerage and Baronetage, under Pigot. * Autobiography of Augustus Henry, third Duke of Grafton, printed 1898. It is addressed to his eldest son, Lord Euston. 352 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF Sign of the political Zodiac, from the Scorpion in which you stung Lord Cliatham to the hopes of a Virgin in the House of Bloorasbury. In a political point of view, this union is not imprudent, the favor of princes is a perishable commodity. You have now a strength sufficient to command the closet," etc. The allusion in the last two sentences, of course, is to the connection of" Elizabeth with the house of Russell. Gertrude, the popular Duchess of Bedford, was her aunt, and her marriage took place from Woburn Abbey. ^ Five months after the marriage, the Dowager Countess Gower writes to Mrs. Delany : — " The Duchess of Grafton I'm told is not in the least degree intoxicated with her preferment, and I believe it, for the Duchess of Bedford says, ' Slie wants dignity,' which implies she wants insolence."- At the date of the marriage the Duke was thirty-four years of age and Elizabeth was ten }-ears younger. They had several children, most of whom eventually married, and their descendants must now be very numerous. For these, however, I must refer the reader to Burke's Peerage.^ The Duke died in March 181L His wife survived him for eleven years, dying on the 25th May 1822, in her seventy-seventh year. In her latter days she formed an ^ To understand how the Duke's marriage with Elizabeth Wrottesley could be said to improve his political position, the following pedigree of the descendants of John, the first Earl Gower, is given : — John, first Earl Gower.=rEvelyn, d. of the Duke of Kingston. Granville, first^Louisa, d. of Gertrude.=rDuke of Mai-y.=rS)r Richard Marquis of Stafford. the Duke of Bridgewater. Bedford. Wrottesley. I 1 — 1 ' . I — George Caroline.=Earl Anne.=Edward Caroline. = Duke Elizabeth. ^=^Duke Gi-anville, of Car- Vernon of Marl- of first Dukeof lisle. Ilarcourt, borough. Graf- Sutherland. Archbishop ton. of York. Granville, the first Marquis of Stafford, by his second wife, the daughter of the Earl of Gallowaj', had issue :— Granville, the first Earl Granville ; Georgiana, married to the Earl of St. Germans ; Charlotte, married to the Duke of Beaufort ; and Susan, married to the Earl of Harrowby ; all of these, as well as Caroline, the Duchess of Marlborough, would be first cousins of Elizabeth Wrottesley, the Duchess of Grafton. * The Life and Correspondence of Mrs. Delany, 1862. -* The present Duchess of Sutherland, Lord Ilosslyn and Eveljm, the Countess of Warwick, all descend from the marriage of Elizabeth Wrottesley with the Duke of Grafton. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 353 interesting link with the past, for my father frequently visited her in her house in London, and she had opened a Court Ball in 1771, by dancing a minuet with the Duke of Gloucester.^ Dorothy, the fourth daughter of Sir Richard Wrottesley, was born on the 15th of October 1747, and married in 1780 Christian, Baron von Kutzleben, Minister to the Land- grave of Hesse-Cassel.'- Horace Walpole alludes to this marriage more than once in his letters to the Countess of Ossory. On the 14th July 1779 he writes : — " I met Miss Wrottesley this evening at my neice (sic) Chol- mondeley's and she told me Mr. Dunning had found a flaw in the settlements and that they must be drawn again." On the 23rd September 1 780 he writes again : — " Miss Wrottesley's £5,000 will purchase a princely Turnippery, but 1 doubt even that or a Baron will indemnify her for the capital she quits, and yet £5,000 will soon, I believe, buy a principality in England," Horace Walpole was very desponding at this date over the political outlook ; England being at war with America and half of Europe. The Baron of Kutzleben had issue by Dorothy Wrottesley, a son William, who entered the military service of the East India Company, became Lieut.-Colonel of the 44th Regiment of Madras Infantry, and died of fever in India in 1836. He was twice married. By his first wife Susan, he had a son, who died young, and two daughters, the eldest of whom, Gertrude, married a Mr. Collins, by whom she had several children. She died in 1844.^ The second daughter, Emma, married in 1836 Ralph William Leycester, of the 19th Regiment of the Madras Infantry. Captain Leycester was assassinated at Vizaragatam in September 1859. He left no issue and his widow died in England in 1872. By his second wife Elizabeth, the Baron had three daughters, Elizabeth, married to Mr. Wallhouse, of the Indian Civil Service ; Louisa, who died young ; and Matilda Catherine Alicia, who married in 1855, John Robert Lloyd Curtis, of the 8th Regiment Madras Army. Lieut.-Colonel Lloyd Curtis was killed by a fall from his horse at Singapore, on the 4th March 1869. By his wife Matilda Catherine Alicia, he had two daughters ' Annual Register. " Gentleman's Magazine. ^ Gertrude Philipine de Kutzleben had a pension of £130 on the Civil List, granted to her in 1801. Her trustees were Earl Gower and Sir Archibald McDonald. 2b 354 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF and one son. Of these children the only survivor is Elizabeth Harriet Kutzleben Curtis, now living in London.^ Harriet, the fifth daughter of Sir Richard Wrottesley, was born on the 1st January 1754, and, like her sister Mary, became Maid of Honor to Queen Charlotte. She married in 1779, Colonel, afterwards General, William Gardiner, brother of Luke, Viscount Mountjoy- and died on the 8th December 1824.^ Her daughter, Gertrude Florinda, mar- ried in 1803, the Hon. Charles Tollemache, by whom she had, with other issue, Maria, Marchioness of Ailesbury,* one of the best known and most popular of the " grandes dames " of the Court of Queen Victoria. At Wrottesley there is an excellent portrait of Sir Richard, painted by Gainsborough ; in this he is represented in clerical costume and powder. At Enville there is another portrait of him, painted when he was a young man, in the velvet frock coat and peruke of the reign of George II. Sir John Wrottesley, The Eighth Baronet, A.D. 1769 TO 1787. John, the eighth Baronet, was born at Wrottesley on the 22nd of December 1744,* and succeeded his father Richard in 1769. As he was an only son, the representation of the family in the male line was reduced again to a single member. As a 3'outh he had served as Page of Honour to the King, and as usual in such circumstances, on reaching the age of sixteen years, obtained a commission in the Army. Shortly after the formation of the household of Edward Augustus the Duke of York, a younger brother of the King, he was appointed his Equerry, and in the Edgeworth Memoirs there is an amusing description of some private theatricals at Sir Francis Delaval's house, in which the Duke and his Equerry played the leading parts in Rowe's tragedy of " The Fair Penitent," the Duke playing Lothario the Seducer, and John Wrottesley the part of Altamont. This dreary play, which is in blank verse, would have been forgotten long ago, if it had not been for the cant phrase of " the gay Lothario " which is taken from it. The parts of Calista and Lavinia were played by Lady Stanhope and Lad}'' Mexborough, and the Stage Manager was the famous ' Ex inf., Mrs. Matilda Catherine Alicia Curtis, 1902, and a brass in Tettenhall Church. ^ Gentleman's Magazine. ' Annual Register. * Burke's Peerage, under Dysart. * Codsall Register. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 355 Macklin.^ In 1767 he accompanied the Duke in his foreign tour, and was present at his death at the Palace of Monaco on the 17th of September in the same year. The London Gazette of the 29th September states : — " On Sunday last Captain Wrottesley arrived from Monaco with the melancholy account that H.R.H. Edward Augustus Duke of York and Albany died at that place on the 17th instant about 11 a.m. of a malignant fever." A letter in the correspondence of George Selwyn and his contemporaries gives additional particulars of the Duke's illness and death, derived no doubt from his Equerry ; it says : — " H.R.H. ordered that Captain Wrottesley should bring the news to England, and in what method it should be disclosed. The Captain was first to wait on M. Le Grand of Spring Gardens and with him to go to Leicester House, and then to Gloucester House, and having communicated the event to the Duke his brother, to proceed to their Majesties, submitting it to the King and Queen in what manner and by whom it should be imparted to his royal parent."^ In the same correspondence it is stated that : — " The Duke was taken ill immediately on his arrivel at Monaco, having travelled from Toulon. H.R.H. had danced rather too much at the Chateau of a person of fashion, and set oflF for Toulon, three or four leagues distant, in a very strong perspira- tion. The Gentlemen of the train, Colonels Morrison and St. John and Captain Wrottesly, earnestly represented to H.R.H. the necessity of his remaining where he was." This was on the 29th of August. With our present knowledge of zymotic diseases, it is not necessary to look for causes of the Duke's illness. He evidently died of typhoid fever, which, until recent years, was more or less endemic in the South of Europe. Horace Walpole states that " he died with a heroism becoming a great Prince. Before he died he wrote a penitential letter to the King (though in truth he had no faults but what his youth made very pardonable), and tenderly recommended his servants to him."3 On his death bed, after giving instructions to his Equerry as to the best method of imparting the news to his mother ' The Memoirs of R. L. Edgeworth. A review of these memoirs, giving an account of these theatricals, will be found in the Annual Register for 1820. * " George Selwyn and his Contemporaries," by Jesse, 1843. Vol. 2, p. 197. It is not easy to understand these instructions, as Leicester House was the residence of the Princess of Wales, the mother of the Duke. * Horace Walpole's Memoirs, edited by Sir Denis le Marchant, Bart. (1845). 356 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF and the King, the poor Duke added with a faint smile, " And then you will go and marry Fanny Courtenay.'"^ The Duke's remains were brought to England, and the funeral took place in Westminster Abbey on the following 3rd of November. At the General Election of 1768, John Wrottesley was returned as Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme, no doubt by the Gower interest, for Lord Gower at this date was a member of the Government and Lord President of the Council in the administration of the Duke of Grafton. On the fol- lowing 5th of July, he took the Chiltern Hundreds, and was elected member for the county in place of George Harry Grey his cousin, who had succeeded to the Earldom of Stamford. The other member was Sir William Bagot, who had represented the county since the year 1754. This general election was signalised by the return of Wilkes for Middlesex, and the tumults and riots which arose from it. His father died in the following year, and on the 7th of June 1770,'^ Sir John married Frances the second daughter of William Viscount Courtenay, of Powderham Castle, by his wife Frances, daughter of Heneage Earl of Aylesford. His eldest son John was born in the following year, and another son Henry in 1773. At the time of her marriage Frances was one of the Maids of Honour to Queen Charlotte. Owing to his post in the Royal Household and subsequent entry into the Army Sir John had never matriculated at an University, but on the 8th of July 1773, Oxford conferred upon him the Honorary Degree of D.C.L. At the General Election of 1774, he was again returned as a member for the county, the other member being Sir William Bagot. It was in this year that the troubles arose in America, and the tea chests were thrown into the harbour at Boston. The battle of Bunker's Hill was fought on the 17th June 1775, and the Guards were ordered to America in the following year. At this date Sir John Wrottesley was Captain and Lt.-Colonel in the first Battalion of the Guards. They sailed from Spithead on the 12th of May, and arrived off Staten Island on the 12th of August and took part in all the operations under Sir William Howe in 1776, which led up to the capture of New York and Rhode Island. Full descriptions of all these actions were sent home by Sir John to his wife. New York ' Ex. inf., the Rev. Charles Wrottesley. Frances Courtenay was one of the Maids of Honour, and the Duke had become aware of his Equerry's attachment to her. ' Annual Register, 1770, and Burke's Peerage. WROTTESLP]Y OK WROTTESLEY. 357 was captured on the 15th of September and the Battle of Whiteplains was fought on the 28th of October. During the winter of 1776-7 the Guards remained at New York. By the scheme of operations which had been arranged in London for the following year, Sir William Howe was to have co-operated with General Burgoyne by an advance to the North up the Hudson River, but the orders to this effect never reached him,^ and Sir William embarked his army in July 1777 and went southwards to the Delaware River in order to take possession of Philadelphia. The Battle of Brandy wine was fought on the 11th September, and Howe occupied Philadelphia on the 26th. The Guards formed part of the forces engaged in these operations. In the following year (1778) negotiations were opened with the Americans with a view to an accommodation, and the Earl of Carlisle, who had married Lady Caroline Leveson-Gower, Sir John's first cousin, was one of a Commission sent out from England to offer terms to Congress. At this date, however, France had declared war with Great Britain, and the Americans w^ould listen to no terms which did not recognize their independence. Sir William Howe had been successful in all his operations up to this date, but an outcry had been raised against him in England that he had not followed up his advantages against the enemy with sufficient vigour, and the ministry at home wrote to him in a tone which shewed plainly that they had lost all confidence in him. Under these circumstances, he asked to be relieved, and the command of the forces in America fell to Sir Henry Clinton, who was in many respects inferior in ability to Howe. In fact, anyone who has seen the condition of an English army after a disembarkation from a sea voyage, without any means of transport for its ammunition, sick, or provisions, will be surprised at the extent and success of the operations which had been undertaken by Howe. The troops under his command, who were aware of his difficulties, were indignant at the slight placed upon their General, and a triumphal ovation was accorded to him upon his departure. This was naturally distasteful to members and supporters of the Government, and Lord Carlisle gives the following description of it in a letter to his wife, dated from on board the " Trident/' River Delaware, 21st June 1778 : — " I forgot to mention the (I don't know what to call it) that was given to Sir W. Howe. I fear it was a very foolish business, though I believe it owed its birth to our relative Sir John ' " Life of General Burgoyne," by Fonblanqae. 358 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF Wrotsley. He gave me a long description of it, but I understand tliere is one sent to England wliicli is to appear in the papers, which will save me tlie trouble of endeavoring to recollect the particulars. I only know there were triumphal arches, and that General Washington was within 21: miles of them, and that Lord Howe saluted Sir William Howe, and Sir William Howe saluted Lord Howe, and that it cost £-i,000."i An account of this Fete was sent home by Major Andre in a letter from Philadelphia dated 23 May 1778, but it does not appear to have been published before it was printed in the Lady's Magazine of August 1792. Major Andre calls it a " Mischianza " or Variety of Entertainments, and his account of it seems to justify Lord Carlisle's opinion of it. It took place on the 18th of May, and Sir William Howe embarked for England on the 24th. The managers were Sir John Wrottesley, Colonel O'Hara, Major Gardiner, and Major Montresor, the Chief Engineer. Part of the entertainment consisted of a Tournament, in which six Knights of the " Blended Rose " fought six Knights of the " Burning Moun- tain." After which there was a grand procession, the whole concluding with a ball and fireworks. Andre in this letter speaks of the "universal regret and disappointment which the Army felt on the approaching departure of Sir William. "2 Lady Mary Wrottesley, the mother of Sir John died on the 80th of April of this year,^ and the latter obtained leave to return to England. On the 10th of July Lord Carlisle writes from New York : — " Sir John Wrotsley goes home in the packet that sailed yesterday, his situation is enviable, and except he should be taken by the Americans and brought back to Boston, he ought to be the happiest man in the world." Sir John was one of the most popular men in the county, and after the elevation of Sir William Bagot to the Peerage was returned at the head of the poll in every election in which he took a part. This popularity was in a great measure owing to the openness and candour of his disposition, but he had the defects of his qualities, and they were accompanied by a frankness of speech which often made him enemies, and which must have been extremely inconvenient at this juncture to Lord Carlisle. On the 21st of July the latter writes : — ' Carlisle Correspondence, printed by the Historical MSS. Commission. ^ "American Historical and Literary Curiosities," by John Jay Smith and J. F. Watson. Putnam, New York, 1861. ^ Annual Register. She was buried at Tettenhall on the 9th May 1778 (Tettenhall Register). "Lloyd's Evening Post," 1st to 4th May 1778, has " 30th April. The Honble. Mrs. Wrottesley in Charles Street, Berkeley Square, mother to the Duchess of Grafton and also to the present Miss Wrottesley, one of the Maids of Honour to the Queen." WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 359 " Sir J. Wrotsley sailed in the ' Grantham ' Packet about three days ago, and by this time is perhaps in the hands of the enemy. If he was taken by the Turks, instead of the Americans or French, it would do him no harm, for the vulgar notion is, that they cut out the tongue of those they make their prisoners, and the opera- tion in every sense would be lucky for our relation." It was plain from Sir John's letters home at this date, that he considered the further prosecution of the war to be hopeless ; he points out in them that we only held the country within the line of our outposts, that the actual provisioning of our troops depended on the fleet, and that if we lost the command of the sea for even a limited period, the troops would starve or have to surrender. In fact he anticipated exactly what befell Lord Cornwallis in 1781, but it may easily be conceived how inconvenient the utterance of such sentiments would be to the members of the Commission who were negotiating at this time with the Americans. Sir John Wrottesley's commission as Captain and Lieut.- Colonel of the First Regiment of Foot Guards was dated the 10th November 1770. He became Third-Major on the 23rd April 1779, with the rank of full Colonel in the Army, Second-Major in 1781, and First-Major on the 18th March 1782, when he came into the command of the First Battalion. On the 20th November 1782, he was gazetted Major-General in the Army, but according to the custom of the day he still remained in command of the First Regiment of Foot Guards, and so continued till the year 1785 when he was appointed Colonel of the 45th Foot. On his return to England, after having served in command of a battalion of Guards at the seat of war. Sir John was considered an authority on American matters, and spoke frequently in the House. In November 1778, in the debate on the Address, he stated : — " He could not give his approbation to further war with America, all that could be done, had been done. If 50,000 Russians were sent, they could do nothing. He thought that New York, Rode Island and Halifax should be garrisoned, and the rest of the Army brought away." He concluded his speech by reprobating the terms offered to the Americans by the Commissioners. On Dunning's motion in 1780 against the influence of the Crown, which was carried against the Government by a majority of 18, Sir John voted with the ayes. After this Parliament was dissolved, and Sir John was returned for the County, again at the head of the poll. Nevertheless, in 1781, after news had been received of the surrender of Cornwallis, he spoke against Sir James Lowther s 360 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF motion for putting an end to the American war. In his speech he said that he had come to the House with the intention of supporting it, but after what had fallen from Lord North he would vote against it. It was thrown out by a majority of 41. During the recess, however, fresh disasters occurred. England had lost the command of the seas, Minorca had fallen, and all the West Indian Islands had been taken by the French, with the exception of Jamaica, Barbadoes and Antigua. Shortly after the meeting of Parliament in 1782 the Government majority had become so much reduced that Lord North resigned at the end of March. The division which upset the Government took place on the 15th of March, on a motion by Sir John Rous, for a change of Ministry. On the 16th of March Selwyn writes to Lord Carlisle, " Gilbert voted with us. Sir John Wrottesley against us. Lord Trentham went away." During the existence of the Coalition JMinistry he was in opposition, but this administration was dismissed by the King on the 18th of December 1783, and a new Government was formed by William Pitt on the following day, which was joined by Earl Gower. At the General Election of 1784 Sir John was returned for the third time as member for the County at the head of the poll ; his colleague on this occasion was Lord Lewisham. He had been returned as a supporter of the Government, but his allegiance was sorely tried when Pitt proposed a tax upon coal in his first financial statement. In a speech which Sir John made on this occasion he professed himself a friend to ministers, but earnestly exhorted the Chancellor of the Exchequer (William Pitt) to abandon the intended tax on coal, which would go near to ruin the manufacturers of Staffordshire.^ In the following week Pitt announced his intention of renouncing the tax and substituting another for it. Sir John then rose — " And returned his thanks to the Rt. Honble. Gentleman for what he had just said and acknowledged the very handsome manner in which he had conducted the business. He added that he had received several letters from his constituents full of alarm, as soon as they had heard of the proposed tax and he had not the slightest doubt but that the alarm would have spread through- out the Kingdom if the lit. Honble. Gentleman had persisted in his intention."- In the same sitting of Parliament Sir John moved that the fines levied in Staffordshire for non-compliance with the ^ Parliamentary History. « Ibid. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTF^SLEY. 361 Militia Act should be applied towards building a new County Gaol. This was vehemently opposed, on the ground that it would be a reward instead of a punishment to the County, and after a somewhat acrimonious discussion, Pitt interposed and moved that in order to remove any doubt about the proper application of the money, a bill should be brought in to compel the receivers of the fines to pay them into the Treasury. This was approved, and Mr. Pitt and Sir John Wrottesley were ordered to prepare a bill for this purpose and to bring it up.^ From this point I have nothing further to relate respecting him. He died on the 23rd April 1787 at the early age of 43, and was buried at Tettenhall on the 4th of May following.^ There is a picture of him at Wrottesley taken as a young man in the uniform of the Foot Guards. During his service in America he had been on terms of intimacy with the ill-fated Major Andrd, who w^as hanged as a spy by General Washington in 1780. Andre was Deputy Adjutant-General of the English Forces under Sir William Howe, and an accomplished draughtsman and artist. Amongst his sketches which have been published is a blank profile cutting of Sir John Wrottesley, taken at Philadelphia in 1778.^ By his wife Frances Courtenay, who survived him, Sir John had five sons and three daughters. Of these — John, the eldest, succeeded him as ninth Baronet. Henry, the second son, was born at Wrottesley on the 25th October 1772,* and was King's Scholar at West- minster, and elected to Christ Church, Oxford, on the 22nd of June 1791. He obtained the degree of B.A. in 1795 and M.A. in 1798. He was appointed Cursitor in Chancery in 1795, was called to the Bar in 1798, and made a Commissioner of Bankruptcy in 1799. In 1810, probably through the Gower interest, he was elected M.P. for Brackley, and represented that borough continuously until his death on the 17th of February 1825.^ He was an easy and fluent speaker, and as he con- fined himself to speaking onl}' on questions with which he was well acquainted, such as legal matters, ' Parliamentary History. - Wottons's Baronetage and Tettenhall Registers. The Annual Register states he died on the 2nd of April, but this must be a misprint. A new writ for Staffordshire was issued in the same month and the vacant scat was filled by George, Earl Gower, the eldest son of the Marquis of Stafford. ^ " American Historical and Literary Curiosities," by John Jay Smith and John P. Watson. New York, 1861. These profiles were cut by Major Andre for Miss Rebecca Redman at Philadelphia in 1778. * Tettenhall Register. ' Foster's Alumni Oxonienses. 362 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF charitable trusts and such like, he was listened to with attention, and his speeches have been reported in Hansard. At the commencement of his parliamentary career he was a decided Liberal. In 1812 he spoke afjjaiust the bill brought in by the Perceval ministry to inflict the death penalty on persons convicted of destroying stock- ing and lace frames ; the minority which voted with him consisted of 17 onlj?', but it contained the names of Romilly, the two Barings, Whitbread and Bankes. He spoke also strongly in favour of the reform of prisons, and for Sir Robert Peel's motion for a Com- mittee on the employment of children in manufactories. He also spoke in favour of Brougham's motion for a Committee on the education of the lower classes. After the session of 1816 he appears to have deserted his party and supported all the measures of Addington's ministry. In Februar}'- 1817 he spoke in favour of the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act, which was pro- posed by the Gov^ernment for the suppression of the destruction of mills and machinery by an organised conspiracy, and in 1821 he voted against Lord John Russell's motion for a reform of Parliament. He was a very popular member of society, and the friend and associate of the wits and dandies of the day. He is mentioned on more than one occasion in the Letters of George Selwyn. He died unmarried on the 17th of February 1825, aged 53.^ Hugh, the third son, was a Lieut. -Colonel in the Bengal Establishment of the East Indian Company. He was born at Wrottesley on the 23rd July 1782,^ and married, in 1811, Miss Emma Matthews, by whom he had a son Hugh, who died unmarried in India, and a daughter, Maria Catherine Charlotte, who married Robert Faithfull Fanshawe, the fifth son of the Rev. Charles Fanshawe of Dengey, Hall, Essex.^ Robert Fanshawe had issue a son, Hugh Arnold Wrottesley Fanshawe, who entered the East Indian Telegraph Service, and is now living. Charles, the fourth son, was born at Wrottesley on the 8th of July 1783.* He matriculated at Christ Church on the 23rd April 1801, and obtained the degree of B.A. in 1805 and M.A. in 1808. He was elected Fellow of ^ Annual Eegister. ■•' Tettenhall Register. " Burke's Landed Gentry. * Tettenhall Register. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 363 All Souls in 1808 and Proctor of the University in 1816, and obtained the degree of B.D. in 1817. In 1820 he became Kector of East Knoyle, co. Wilts, and remained there till his death on the 17th of February 1848. He was never married, and as he spent most of his holidays at Wrottesley, it is from him that I have derived the anecdotes of his father and grandfather, which have been introduced into this history. Edward, the fifth son, was born at Wrottesley on the 19th of October 1785,^ and entered the Royal Navy. He rose to the rank of Commander, and died at Newfoundland 29 July 1814, whilst in command of H.M.S. " Sabine," to which he had been appointed on the 3rd of October 1812. He married at Gibraltar, Anne, the daughter of the Eev. Thomas Tringham, and had by her an only son, Edward John Wrot- tesley, who was born at Oaken 9 November 1814, and matriculated at University College, Oxford, on the 23rd of May 1833. He passed out with Honours in 1837, and in the following year was ordained, and from 1841 to 1861 was Perpetual Curate of Tettenhall. He was presented to the Vicarage of Brewood by the Dean of Lichfield in 1863, and became Rural Dean in 1885 and Prebendary in 1895.^ He married in 1847 Mariana Eugenia, daughter of John Jeffreys, Esq., of Fynone, and died on the 19th of January 1901, aged 87, leaving a son and a daughter. His mother, Anne, survived her husband for nearly 40 years, dying on the 15th May 1853. His son Francis John Wrot- tesley, now Vicar of Denstone, Staffordshire, was born in 1848, and married in 1876, Agnes Mabel, daughter of Frederic Freeland, Esq., and has three sons now living, Francis Robert, Lieut. R.N., born 1877, Edward Algernon, born 1879, and Frederic John, born 1880. The daughter, Anna Caroline, married the Rev. Edward Salt, Rector of Standon, Staffordshire, and has issue. Of the daughters of Sir John Wrottesley, the eldest Fanny was born at Wrottesley 12 Dec. 1773,^ and died unmarried in 1814.^ Caroline Gertrude was born on the 18th May 1775,-* and died in her childhood. She was buried at Tettenhall on the 14th of July 1777.* ^ Tettenhall Register. ^ Foster's Alumni Oxonienses. ^ Burke's Peerage and Baronetage. * Tettenhall Register. 364 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF Charlotte, the third daughter, was born on the 7th of October 1779.^ She was twice married, her first husband, the Rev. John Hellyer, died in 1823, and three years afterwards she married Hear- Admiral Gordon. She left no issue by either marriage. Louisa, the fourth daughter, was born on the 24th of November 1780,^ and was appointed Maid of Honour to Queen Charlotte, being the third member of the family who liad held the appointment. She died unmarried on the 11th of May 1842, at apartments in St. James Palace, which had been granted to her on her retirement. - Mary, the fifth daughter, died in childhood on the 8th of January 1788.- Franccs, the mother of Sir John, after the marriage of her son, lived at the dower house of the family at Oaken, and died there on the 24th February 1828. The Annual Register of that year says : — " At Oaken near Wolverhampton in her 80th year The Hon'''^ Frances, relict of Major-General Sir John Wrottesley, Bart., M.P. for CO. Stafford, eldest sister to the Dowager Countess Rosslyn, and aunt to Viscount Courtenay, the late Lady Charles Somerset, The Countess of Lisbon (Lisburne), Lady George Thynne, The Countess of Mountnorris, the late Lad}^ Robert Somerset etc. She was the third daughter of William first Viscount Courtenay by Lady Frances Finch, daughter of the second Earl of Aylesford. Her Ladyship was a Maid of Honour to Queen Charlotte and was married to Sir John Wrottesley on the 7th of June 1770, who died in 1787, and by whom she had the present Baronet, four other sons, and four daughters." Sir John Wrottesley, the Ninth Baronet, and First Baron Wrottesley, A.D. 1792—1841. John, the ninth Baronet, was born at Wrottesley on the 25th of October 1771.^ At the date of his father's death he was aged fifteen years and four months. As he wished to follow his fathers profession, an Ensign's Commission was purchased for him in the 35th Foot, in the same year in which his father died. Up to this time he had been brought up at West- minster School, but on obtaining a Commission he was sent to a well known military tutor of the day, M. de Pignerolles of Angers. This was the same military school at which the Duke of Wellington received his early training, and there ' Tettenhall Register. ^ Gentleman's Magazine and Annual Register. WROTTESLF.Y OF WROTTESLEY. 365 was formerly at Wrottesley a letter from M. de Pignerolles to Sir John Wrottesley, dated 1788, in which the writer mentioned that M. Perigaut, the banker, had informed him from Paris that his (Sir John Wrottesley's) son was to pay 200 louis yearly, as Mr. Wesley did, but this was not enough, " Mr. Wesley had no serwant and your son has one."^ Arthur Wesley's first Commission was dated the 7th March 1787. Sir John Wrottesley's Commission was dated the 24th Septem- ber in the same year, but there was a difference of nearly two years in their respective ages, for Arthur Wesley (as the name was then written) was born on the 1st May 1769. On the 25th June 1790, Sir John was transferred as a Lieutenant from the 35th Foot to the 29th — the Worcester- shire Regiment of Foot, and joined the regiment at Dover Castle. War being expected with Spain, and the Admiralty being short of Marines, the regiment was sent to Portsmouth, and on the 23rd July of this year, 194 men were put on board H.M.S. " Egmont,*' 74 guns, for service afloat. On the 21st September Lieut. Sir John Wrottesley embarked on board the same ship to relieve Lieut. Saunders, ordered to head-quarters. On the 15th of November the detachment was transferred to the "Eoyal W^illiam," and soon afterwards discharged. The regiment shortly afterwards returned to Dover Castle. On the 15th February 1791, the regiment took the Windsor duty, Lord Cathcart being in command. In July 1791 they were encamped at Egham Wick, and were inspected by the King. In the summer of 1792 they were encamped on Csesar's Camp at Aldershot.^ On the 26th of February 1793, Sir John was promoted to a Captaincy, and exchanged into the 16th Light Dragoons.-' In January of this year, the French Convention had declared war against England and Holland, and a British force, commanded by the Duke of York, landed at Ostend in April and joined a body of Dutch troops, which were put under the command of the Duke. The 16th Light Dragoons formed a portion of the Duke's army, and Sir John was present with his regiment at the siege of Valenciennes, and the other operations which resulted in the expulsion of the French from Flanders In August the Duke, at the head of the British and Hanoverian troops, formed the siege of Dunkirk, but owing to the action of the Austrian army, ^ The writer was evidently not aware that Sir John had died shortly before this date ; the letter was opened by his widow. - Regimental History of the 29th or Worcestershire Regiment of Infantry. ^ Army List, 1793. 366 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF which failed to cover the operations, was forced to raise the siege, leaving all his heavy guns in the possession of the enemy. On the 28tli of April 1795, Sir John obtained a majority in the 32nd Foot, but by this time he had taken a distaste for the military profession, owing to the countless blunders committed by the Allies in 1793 and 1794, and he threw up his commission' and commenced the life of a country gentleman at home. He had come of age on the 25th of October 1792, and had entered into possession at the same date of considerable property after a minority of six years. On the 23rd June 1795, he married in London by special licence Lady Caroline Bennet, the eldest daughter of Charles, the fourth Earl of Tankervnlle.^ On the 2nd March 1799, he was elected member for the City of Lichfield, vice Lord Granville Leveson-Gower, who had accepted the Chiltern Hundreds. At this date, Lichfield returned two members to Parliament, and the sitting member was Thomas Anson of Shugborough, who was created Viscount Anson in 1806. In the autumn of 1800, serious riots occurred owing to the high price of bread. In many parts of the country, and especially in Birmingham and Wolverhampton, fierce attacks were made on the persons and property of bakers and other tradesmen dealing in corn. Sir John Wrottesley took the part of the latter, and incurred from this cause the enmity of the lower classes in Wolverhampton and the black country, and a large mob of colliers and others marched to Wrottesley with the intention of breaking his windows and perhaps of doing further mischief. Sir John rode out to meet them, and fortunately came across them before they reached the house, and by his speech so far pacified them that they desisted from damaging his property. Adverting to the disturbances which had taken place in Wolverhampton and Birmingham, he pointed out to the leaders of the mob that the only effect had been to force the bakers and dealers in grain to close their establishments and to increase the scarcity and dearness of bread.^ His ^ It is related in the " Life of the Duke of Wellington," by Gleig, that the Duke, then Colonel "Wellesley, proposed to do the same after the luckless campaign of 1794, and applied for a post under the Irish Government. Upon this being refused he accompanied his regiment to India. There is no doubt that if Colonel Wellesley had been the eldest son and in possession of large landed property, he would have acted in the same way as Sir John Wrottesley, for there appeared little chance of any credit or glory to be obtained in the army at this period. - Annual Register. * There had been several wet seasons and the wheat had not ripened, and in one of his speeches at this period Sir John had recommended the farmers to grow potatoes in order to provide sustenance for the people. This ad%'ice was taken ill by the common people, who resented the idea that they were to WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 367 conduct on this occasion appears to have attracted the notice of the Prime Minister, for Mr. Pitt wrote to him on the 28th of October 1800 asking him to move the Address to the King at the next sitting of Parliament. In his letter the Minister dwelt at length on the high price of corn and the importance of taking measures to reduce it.^ Parliament met on the 1st of November. Sir John Wrottesley's speech on moving the Address occupies three or four columns of the Parliamentary History. As might be expected, he lays great stress in it on the importance of non-interference with the course of trade and of protecting the dealers in grain from the attacks of a misguided multitude. On Pitt's resignation in 1801, and the accession of the Addington Ministry, Sir John went into Opposition, and spoke frequently in Parliament. On the 7th of March he moved for a Committee to enquire into the conduct of Ministers, and the inadequate measures taken at the time of the insurrection in Dublin of July 1800, and the murder of the Chief Justice, Lord Kilwardeu. There was a majority of 96 in favour of Ministers, but all the leaders of the Whig party voted for the motion, and the minority list contained the names of Grenville, Leveson-Gower, Whit- bread, Wilberforce, Windham, Grey, Canning, Morpeth, Sir Francis Burdett, and Lord Henry Petty, afterwards Marquis of Lansdowne. In April 1804, Pitt moved a vote of censure on Ministers for their insufficient measures of defence, and Sir John spoke and voted in favour of it. On a division the Ministerial majority fell to 37. His opposition to Ministers, however, never took a factious form, for when Sheridan moved the rejection of the Additional Forces bill, he supported the Government and voted in favour of it. In the same Session he spoke in favour of Wilberforce's bill for the Suppression of the Slave Trade. be fed upon potatoes like the native Irish. Several scurrilous lampoons were printed in Staffordshire, in wliich he was christened " Potatoe Jack," and the mob had filled their pockets with potatoes, intending to break his windows with them. I have been told, however, on credible authority, that it was not so much Sir John's eloquence on this occasion as an invitation to the mob to go to the back of the house for a drink of beer, which saved the situation. ^ Wrottesley Muniments. Like most of the measures of William Pitt at this stage, his proposals were absurdly weak and inadequate, for they consisted only of a bounty on the importation of corn. It is plain that the high price of corn was a bounty in itself ; the harvest in Russia and other parts of the Con- tinent had been abundant, and what was really required was proper protection to ships bringing grain to this country. The convoy of merchant ships was a very unpopular service in the Koyal Navy, for it carried with it no prospect of prize money or distincti(jn, and a master mind was required in the Ministry who would insist on this service being perfomned. 368 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF Pitt resumed office in 1805, but died shortly afterwards, and at the General Election of 1806 Sir John lost his seat for Lichfield, the successful candidate being Mr. Venables Vernon, afterwards Vernon-Harcourt. He remained out of Parliament till the 23rd July 1823, when he was returned for the Count}'' in place of Sir John Fenton Boughey, who had died ; the other member was Edward John Littleton, afterwards created Lord Hatherton. It was during this interval that he established the bank at Wolverhampton in conjunction with Mr. Francis Holyoake, the head of a long established firm of solicitors in that town. The bank drew on Hanbury's in London, and appears to have been a very successful undertaking so long as it was in the hands of the original partners. Its establishment coincided with the great " boom " in the iron trade, produced by the invention of the Hot Blast, and the bank by its advances materially assisted in the development of the industry and made large profits. From 1822 to the end of 1833 the bank was carried on by Sir John Wrottesley and Mr. Francis Holyoake. In 1834 Sir John retired from the partnership and the bank was carried on by Sir Francis Goodricke, Bart., and Mr. George Holyoake down to the time of the sale of it to the Midland Banking Company.' 1 The rise and fall of the Holyoakes would afford material for a romance. A Mr. George Holyoake, a member of an old yeoman family of co. Warwick, was practising as a solicitor in Wolverhampton in the early part of the eighteenth century, and died in 1769. He was succeeded by his nephew Francis Holyoake, who married Elizabeth the sister of Mr. Thomas Pearson (Pershouse) of Tettenhall, and died leaving his business and a considerable fortune to his nephew Francis Holyoake, the son of his brother Thomas. The last-named Francis married Dorothy the daughter of Robert Lyttelton, and the niece and eventually sole heiress of Philip Lyttelton, of Studley Castle, Warwickshire, who represented a younger branch of Lord Lyttleton's family. By her he had several children ; the eldest of these, Francis, was born in 1797, and by his skill as a sportsman so ingi'atiated himself with Sir Harry Goodricke, a well-known sporting Baronet, that the latter left him the whole of his fortune. The author of " Silk and Scarlet " describes Francis Holyoake as the finest rider across country of his day. Quoting Dick Christian, who had been Huntsman of the Quorn, and was describing his former master, Sir Hai'ry Goodricke, he says " Mr. Holyoake and him first met on the moors, then Sir Harry came to Kctton, and after that they two took stables at Melton together. He was a strong, resolute man on a horse, but couldn't ride like Mr. Holyoake. He was first man at one time, was Mr. Holyoake, for a 20 minutes thing, to see him ride Brilliant, my word ! " Sir Harry Goodricke died in the prime of life, and was the last of an ancient family. This took place in 1833, and by his will Francis Holyoake came into possession of Ribstone, in Yorkshire, and assumed the name of Goodricke. His rise was now rapid. In February 1835, during the short- lived administration of Sir Robert Peel, he was made a Baronet, and in the same year entered Parliament as member for Staffordshire in the place of Mr. Littleton, who had been raised to the Peerage. The fortune so lightly won was as lightly lost ; all the landed property was sold before his death. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 369 On his return to Parliament in 1823, at the age of 52, he occupied a somewhat unique position. As an old soldier who had seen service in the tield and commanded a regiment of Militia, he spoke with effect on most military questions ; as a man of large landed property (1,500 acres of which he farmed himself), he was a recognized authority on all agricultural matters ; whilst as head of a successful banking business in the Midlands, he was brought into close connection with the commercial classes. It may be easily conceived, therefore, that he occupied a position of some eminence in the House, and I have been informed by the late Lord Hatherton, who was his colleague for many years, that owing to the independence of his character and the soundness of his judgment, no private member was held in higher esteem in the House, but, he added, that although he spoke frequently in the House and was always listened to with attention and respect, he never became a really fluent or easy speaker. At the date of his re-entry into Parhament, Lord Liverpool's Ministry was still in power. In the Session of 1824 he advocated the introduction of a decimal coinage. His plan was to coin a double shilling and to make it the equivalent of a hundred farthings. He shewed that the effect would be merely to add 4 per cent, to the value of the penny and farthing. The motion was opposed by Mr. Wallace, the Master of the Mint, on the ground that the inconvenience to the general public would far outweigh the benefit of the measure to the commercial classes. The proposal obtained very little support, and Sir John withdrew his motion. ^ In the following Session he voted in favour of Sir Francis Burdett's Bill for the relief of the Roman Catholics ; the majority for it in a very full House, on the third reading, was 21, but it was thrown out by the Lords. and lie eventually died a poor man. He married in 1827 Elizabeth, the sister of Mr. George Payne, of Sulby, a well-known man on the turf, and who occupied for many years a leading position in sporting circles. By her he had a large family, including three sons, but these all died without leaving any issue, and the title is now extinct. The only memento of the family now left is, appropriately enough, the well-known covert in the Melton Hunt called Goodricke's Gorse. The younger brothers of Sir Francis likewise rose to positions of some local importance. Thomas served in the Army, and was for many years Master of the Albrighton Hunt ; he married Charlotte, daughter of the Eev. Charles Whitmore, and left a son, Thomas, now in Australia. George, the partner in the Bank, married a daughter of Sir George Pigot, of PatshuU, and was J. P. and Deputy-Lieutenant of co. Salop, but before his death he had dissipated a considerable fortune, and left his family in impoverished circumstances. ^ Hansard's Debates. 2c 370 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF In 1826, on the motion for the renewal of the Bank Charter, he moved the rejection of the bill, and his speech on this occasion occupies nine columns of Hansard. He was supported by the heads of all the great banking houses, such as Baring, Kobarts, Abel Smith and Farquhar, but Government obtained a majority for the bill.^ In the same year he supported Lord John Russell's motion for the Reform of Parliament, but the majority against it at this time was 124. It would be tedious to name all his votes, and it is only necessary to mention that he supported all the Liberal measures of the day, such as the repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts, Reform of Parliament, the removal of the Disabilities of Roman Catholics and Jews, and spoke in favour of many of them. In 1828 he spoke against the Government proposal to abolish the Militia, and in favour of increasing its efficiency. It is worthy of note that the Duke of Wellington was Prime Minister at this date, and it was during his administration that the Militia was abolished and the Transport train of the Army done away with. It has often been remarked by military men who know these facts that the Duke was the remote cause of all our disasters in the Crimea. He appeared, at this date, to consider that the country would never be at war again. In 1829 Sir John presented a petition from Wolverhampton in favour of the Roman Catholic claims, and spoke in support of it. In the course of his speech he mentioned that the population of Wolverhampton at that date was 22,000, of which 2,760 had signed the petition. In 1830 he brought forward a motion against the Truck System, which consisted in the payment of labourers' wages in goods instead of money. This proposal was eventually carried by other hands, but he was the first member of Parliament to draw attention to the evils of the system.^ In the same year he moved for a Select Committee to enquire into the duties of the Commissioners of Hackney Coaches and the existing state of the public carriages of the Metropolis. The motion was agreed to, . and the eventual result pf it was the extinction of the " Jarvey '" and the old hackney coach, and the introduction of the present cabs.^ On the 15th of November of this year he voted in favour of Sir Henry Parnell's motion for an enquiry into the details of the Civil List, which threw out the Duke of Wellington's Ministry. The majority was 29.^ * Hansard's Debates. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 371 The next three ^'■ears were taken up with the struggle over the Reform Bill, the story of which is too well known to bear repetition. Sir John voted steadily for it throughout all its stages, and spoke frequently upon the various clauses in Committee. The first Reform Parliament met on the 29th of January 1833. The Act had divided Staffordshire into two constituencies, North and South. Sir Oswald Mosley and Edward Manningham Buller were returned for the Northern Division, and Edward John Littleton and Sir John Wrottesley for the Southern Division. The new con- stituencies all elected men of note in their various localities. Stoke-on-Trent returned Josiah Wedgwood and John Davenport, both great names in the Pottery trade ; Walsall returned Charles Smith Foster, an eminent iron- master, and Wolverhampton returned William Wolrych Whitmore and Richard Fryer, a well-known banker. In this year Sir John spoke a second time against the renewal and extension of the Bank Charter, in which it was proposed to make all their notes a legal tender. He was supported by Sir Robert Peel, Sir George Philips, Mark Philips, the member for Manchester, Sir John Hanmer, Herries, Sydney Herbert, and W. E. Gladstone, but the Government carried their bill by a large majority.^ In 1834 he gave up his connection with the Wolver- hampton Bank, owing to the retirement of his original partner, Francis Holyoake, who died in the following year. Mr. Holyoake was succeeded by his two sons, Francis Goodricke and George Holyoake. The latter was a solicitor in the town without any experience in banking business. Francis Goodricke had come into possession of large property, but was only known as a leading man in sporting circles, of extravagant habits, and a gambler on the turf. He was likewise a Tor}'' with political views, and at this date was subscribing largely to party funds. The money he was spending in this way was obtained, in the first instance, by advances from the bank, and would have placed Sir John in a very anomalous position.- It was in this year the King dismissed his Ministers and called in the Duke of Wellington, who took all the Seals, pending the return of Sir Robert Peel, who was travelling abroad. Sir Robert Peel formed a Ministry in December, after his return to England, and immediately dissolved Parliament. ' Hansard's Debates. ^ Up to this time the bank had been very prosperous, their profitg having exceeded £40,000, of which a moiety fell to tho share of Sir John Wrottesley. Ex Inf. George Holyoake, Esq. 372 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF The General Election which followed was a momentous one for the Tories, who spared no pains or money to obtain a majority in Parliament. In this they were unsuccessful, but in February 1835 Sir Francis Goodricke was created a Baronet, and there is no doubt he subscribed very largely to the Tory funds upon this occasion. On a vacancy occurring in South Staffordshire, by the promotion of Mr. Littleton to the Peerage in May 1835, Sir Francis obtained the vacant seat after a severe contest. Up to this time it had been considered a safe seat for the Liberals, and the election of a Tory due in a great measure to a very large expenditure upon the constituency, was the cause of a very serious riot in Wolverhampton, the mob assailing the Old Swan Tavern, where the Committee of Sir Francis sat, and breaking all the windows. The magistrates, fearing further mischief, sent for the assistance of the military, and a troop of the First Dragoon Guards, under the command of Captain Manning, arrived from Birmingham. They were drawn up in the Old Market Place (now Queen Square), and on being ordered to clear the streets, a man in the crowd stabbed one of the troop horses in the ribs. The Dragoons, on perceiving the horse fall dead in a pool of blood, became exasperated, broke loose from their officers and attacked the mob with the flat sides of their sabres, inflicting a very severe beating upon them, during which some of their swords were broken. The troops even followed the retreating crowds into the adjoining streets, and a few shots were fired from their carbines. Fortunately nobody was killed, but there was a large number of wounded, and a loud outcry was raised against the military, which, under the influence of party feeling, was no doubt greatly exaggerated.^ With a view of calming the excitement, Sir John Wrottesley pressed upon Lord John Russell, who was then Home Secretary, the advisability of a public enquiry on the spot, by a Commission sent down for the purpose. This was refused by the Government in the first instance, but after a debate in Parliament, and a strong speech delivered in favour of it by Sir John, they gave way and conceded the enquiry. During the speech which he made on this occasion, he made one of those slips of the tongue which are the delight of the House of Commons. He stated " he had been a magistrate for the County of Stafford for forty years, and had been concerned in the greater part of the ^ Hansard's Debates. The Liberal party for instance declared the horse had been killed by the sword of one of the Dragoons, but this is not at all probable, wrottp:sley of wrottesley. 373 riots which had taken place in that district."^ When the laughter had subsided he corrected himself by saying, " he should have said he was engaged in suppressing those riots ; " but the idea of the respectable and sedate member for South Staffordshire (he was then sixty-four years of age) having been concerned in all the riots of that district, must have been a source of unbounded delight to the House. At the opening of Parliament in February 1836, Sir John was asked by Lord Melbourne to move the Address. His speech will be found in Hansard, but it was a quiet time, and it contains nothing of interest. In his preamble he said, " he could not plead the inexperience usually urged as a claim on the indulgence of the House." It is curious to reflect that he had moved the Address thirty-six years before, on the request of Mr. Pitt, when the latter was in the plenitude of his power, and at the date he was then addressing the House the memory of the great Minister had become but the shadow of a name. It will be seen from the above sketch that his career in Parliament was not an undistinguished one. At the General Election of 1837 he lost his seat for South Staffordshire,^ and shortly before the Coronation of the Queen in the following year, Lord Melbourne wrote and offered him a Peerage. His patent is dated 11th July 1838. He took his seat in the House of Lords, and in the Session of 1839 spoke against Lord Brougham's Bill for the regulation of Beer Houses, and voted amongst the non- Contents with Lord Melbourne and the Lord Chancellor Cottenham, but the Liberal Ministry had not a majority in the House of Lords, and the bill was passed. He likewise spoke on the. Tythe Commutation Act of the same Session. ^ From this point there is nothing further to record respecting him. He died on the 16th of March 1841, and was buried at Tettenhall, on the 23rd March, a great concourse of people following his remains to the grave. After his burial, the ancient family vault was finally closed. At the time it was sealed up it held twenty generations of the family.^ His first wife. Lady Caroline Wrottesley, died in London, ^ Hansard's Debates. ^ Sir Francis Gooclricke also lost his seat. The two new members were Viscouut Ingestre and the Hon. George Anson. Sir John Wrottesley had no intention of standing, and had issued no address, but stood at the last moment to obviate some advantage which the Tories would have obtained by the absence of a second Whig candidate. ^ It may be worth relating, as showing the morbid curiosity of the multitude, that the incumbent of the parish was besieged with applications fi-ora persona in the neighbourhood to inspect the vault before its final closing. 374 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF aged forty-five, on the 7tli March 1818, and was buried at Tettenhall.^ Sir John married secondly, on the 19th May 1819, Julia, the daughter of John Conyers, Esq., of Copt Hall, Essex, a well-known sporting character. She was the widow of Sir John's brother-in-law, Captain the Hon. John Astley Bennet, of the Royal Navy,'^ and one of the most agreeable women of her day. As Julia Conyers she is mentioned in Lord Palmerston's letters. She died 29th September 1860, and was buried at Tettenhall. By his first wife he had six sons and eight daughters : — 1. John, who was born at Wrottesley on the 5th of August 1798,^ and succeeded as second Baron. 2. Charles Alexander, the second son, was born at Wrottesley 20 October 1799,^ and obtained a commission as Cornet in the 16th Lancers (his father's old regiment) on the 21st of December 1815. The regiment moved to Ireland in March 1816, and in the following year took up the Dublin duty. In this year Earl Talbot became Lord Lieutenant, and Charles Wrottesley was appointed one of the Viceregal aides-de-camp, and appears to have held the appointment till Lord Talbot's resignation in 1821. In the following year he embarked with the regiment for India, and after five months' voyage in a troopship arrived at Calcutta in December 1822. In December 1825 the regiment took the field as part of an ex- peditionary force, which had been collected under Lord Combermere for the siege of Bhurtpoor. The fortress was captured 18th January 1826, and the prize money amounted to £250 for each Subaltern. The Lieut. -Colonels, of which there were two, obtained £1,500 each. Out of this prize-money the ofiicers of the Regiment sub- scribed £5,000 for the relief of the widows of officers and soldiers who had been killed in the siege.^ He obtained his Lieutenantcy 5th July 1821, and was promoted to an unattached Captaincy, 10th June 1825, but the notification of this did not arrive before the regiment had taken the field. He was appointed Captain 43rd Regiment on the 19th of September 1826, and was pro- ^ Tettenhall Register. ^ Burke's Peerage and Baronetage, under Tankerville. Captain John Astley Bennet died at Wrottesley and was buried at Tettenhall 20th September 1812. '' Eegimental Historv of the 16th Lancers. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 375 moted to an unattached Majority, 5th April 1831 ; exchanged to the 95th Regiment, 25th July, 1834, and served in it as Major till 7th September 1838, when he exchanged to the 29th Regiment. He obtained a regimental Lieut.-Colonelcy on the 3rd July 1889, and served in command of the 29th Regiment till the 8th of April 1842, when he exchanged to half-pay on the regiment being ordered to India. This was done on medical advice, as it was considered that his health would not stand another turn of service in the tropics, but he lost by it the Sutlej campaign, and the probability of employment as a Brigadier- General in all the actions of the Punjaub under Lord Gough. He retired from the Army, 16th April 1847, and died unmarried at Clifton, 24th February 1861. 3. Robert, the third son, was born at Wrottesley^ 2nd June 1801, and matriculated at Christ Church, Oxford, 22nd October 1818, obtaining the degree of B.A. in 1822 and M.A. in 1825. In the latter year he was appointed Perpetual Curate of Tetten- hall and Principal Official of the Peculiar. ^ He married, in 1828, Georgiana, daughter of Sir George Pigot of Patshull, and was presented by Lord Ward to the Rectory of Himley, co. Stafford in 1830. He died, 20th January 1838, leaving no issue. He was buried at Tettenhall on the 27th of January.^ 4. George Thomas, the fourth son, died 8th April 1818, aged ten.^ 5. Walter, the fifth son, was born 8th April 1810,^ and matriculated at Christ Church, Oxford, 28th June 1827. He obtained the degree of B.A. in 1831, and in the same year was elected a Fellow of All Souls'. He afterwards became a Barrister at Law, Lincoln's Inn, and married, 22nd June 1843, Marianne Lucy, the only daughter of Colonel Archer, formerly of the 16th Lancers. He died, 2nd May 1872, leaving issue, Walter Francis, who entered into holy orders, and a daughter, Lucy Edith, who married, 9th September 1869, Charles Gilbert, the second son of John Moyer Heathcote of Connington Castle, and has issue, two daughters and a son. Mrs. Walter Wrottesley died, 29th ^ Tettenhall Reprister. - See p. 272. His uncle, the Eev. Charles Wrottesley, had held the same office. 376 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF March 1848, and her son died unmarried, 16th February 1873. 6. Edward Bennet, the sixth son, was born 26th July 1811,1 and matriculated at New Inn Hall, Oxford, 7th February 1833. He married, 8th January 1846, Ellen Charlotte, daughter of George Rush, Esq., of Elsenham Hall, Essex, and died 20 Jan. 1892, leaving issue by her (who died 29th October 1878), Alfred Edward, who was born 29th December 1855, and entered the Corps of Royal Engineers in 1874, becoming Major in 1894. In 1899, on the outbreak of the Boer War, he was appointed Director of Telegraphs with the Field Force, and was given the local rank of Lieut.-Colonel, but was unfor- tunately drowned whilst on passage to South Africa on the 26th of October. He was an officer of much promise and of considerable professional ability. He married, 20th April 1881, at Halifax, Nova Scotia, Ellen Mary Isabel, daughter of Major-General Drayson, R.A., and left a son, Hugh Edward, born at Halifax, N.S., 12th February 1882, now a Lieutenant in the Rifle Brigade, and a daughter, Maud Ellen. Edward Bennet Wrottesley had also two daugh- ters, Clara Bennet, who died unmarried, 25th Sept. 1882, aged 32, and Ellen Maria, who married, 10th July 1884, the Rev. Canon Charles Rowland Haydock Hill, Rector of Holy Trinity, Dorchester, and has issue, a son. The daughters of John, first Baron Wrottesley, were : — 1. Caroline, born at Wrottesley 31st December 1797, died an infant, 1798.i 2. Emma died an infant, 8th March 1804.1 3 Henrietta, born in 1805; married, 10th Jan. 1832, Henry van Straubenzee of Spennithorne, co. York, formerly of the 14th Light Dragoons, and after- wards Colonel of the West York Militia, who died 31 May 1892. She died, 13th May 1893, aged eight3^-eight, leaving, with other issue, Major- General Turner van Straubenzee, C.B., born 1838, and Mary, who married in 1866 Sir William Chaytor, Bart., of Crofts Hall, Darlington. 4. Louisa, died 16th February 1821, aged fourteen. ^ 5. Maria, died unmarried, at Bournemouth, 2nd May 1881. 6. Mary, died unmarried, at Bournemouth, 4th May 1883 ' Tettenhall Register. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 377 7. Julia, born 22nd September 1814, and died the same day. 8. Fanny Isabella, buried at Tettenhall 18 April 1829, asred eleven.^ John, the Second Baron Wrottesley, and Tenth Baronet, 1841—1867. John, the second Baron, was born at Wrottesley on the 5th of August 1798^ and like his father and grandfather before him, was educated at Westminster School, where he remained from January 1810 to 29th July 1814. He matriculated at Christ Church, Oxford, in May 1816, and applying himself principally to mathematics and astronomy, he passed out with the distinction of a First Class in 1819. lie obtained the Degree of M.A. in 1823, and was made Honorary Student of Christ Church in I860.- On leaving the University he took up the study of the Law as a profession, was called to the BaT in February 1823, and for the next nine years practised as i conveyancer and Equity draughtsman. In 1820 he joined the Astronomical Society at the time of its first formation, and afterwards acted as its Secretary, and later on, as President. He married at Brewood Church, 28th July 1821, Sophia jUlizabeth, the third daughter of Thomas Giffard, Esq., of C'hillington,^ by his wife, Lady Charlotte Courtenay. After his marriage he took a house at 5, Powis Place, Bloomsbury, and erected a small transit and a transit circle on the sill of hip dressing-room. At this time he appears to have been a very hard worker, for he was reading and practising law during the day-time and observing and computing at night often till three o'clock in the morning, but the fascination which his astronomical pursuits exercised over his mind at this period, produced a weakness of the eyes which never deserted him, and must have been a cause of great trouble to him in after life. He was one of the original founders of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, and was placed on the Committee in 1827. He wrote for it the article on " Navigation," which was published in the " Library of Useful Knowledge," and he also took charge of the astronomical articles in the " British Almanac," which was published by the same Society. ' Tettenhall Registers. ■^ Foster's Alumni Oxonienses. ' Brewood Register. 2d 378 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF In 1829 he removed from London to Blackheath, the con- fined air of Powis Phice beiner considered detrimental to the health of his children. Here he built an observatory m his garden, and set up the instruments which are described in the "Memoirs" of the Royal Astronomical Society. At this time he was still working at the Law, and had to leave Blackheath early every morning in a curious old-fashioned public coach, occupying a place in the " Basket " behind, which held four persons. For his new observatory he required the services of an assistant, and he instructed in astronomy and mathematics a very intelligent legal clerk, Mr. John Hartnup, who had entered his service in 1829. To the ability, zeal, and energy of Mr. Hartnup^ he attributed, in a great measure, the success of his "Catalogue of the Right Ascensions of 1318 Stars," which gained him the Gold Medal of the Astronomical Society in 1839, and established his reputation with foreign astrono- mers. In 1831, after the passing of the Reform Bill, he was appointed one of the Boundary Commission for the delimitation of the new County and Borough Boundaries. The President of the Commission was the Right Honble. J. Abercromby, the Chief Baron of Scotland, and amongst the Commissioners were many who rose into eminence in after life. Of these may be named Mr. E. J. Littleton, afterwards Lord Hatherton, Lieutenant Thomas Drummond, R.E., afterwards Under Secre- tary for Ireland, Lieutenant Dawson, R.E., afterwards Director of the Ordnance Survey, Captain F. Beaufort, R.N., afterwards Ilydrographer of the Admiralty, the Rev. R. Sheepshanks, a well-known astronomer, Mr. Bellenden Kerr, the Conveyancer and Equity Surveyor, and John Wrottesley, afterwards Presi- dent of the Royal Society. Nearly all these names are to be found on the Committee of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, of which Lord Brougham was the Chairman, and these as well as the lawyers on the Commission were doubtless nominated by him ; the Engineer officers had been lent to the Commission by the Ordnance Office, but as soon as the names were announced by Lord Althorp in the House of Commons, the Opposition raised a loud outcry', complaining that many of the Commissioners were political partisans of the Government or closely connected with their supporters, objecting specially on these grounds to Mr. Littleton and Mr. Wrottesley. Lord Althorp and Lord John Russell defended the choice of the Commissioners, and protested against any idea of political partisanship in their selection, their nomination being due in ' Mr. Hartnup, from a lawyer's clerk subsequently rose to the position of Astronomer of the Liverpool Observatory, and had a considerable reputation in the scientific world as a practical astronomer and observer. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 379 nearly every case to their legal or scientific acquirements, and after a somewhat heated wrangle the storm blew over. The Commissioners were unpaid, but they were allowed liberal travelling expenses by the Treasury. The selection of John Wrottesley was, without doubt, due to Lord Brougham, and it was probably owing to the same influence that he was appointed shortly afterwards one of the Poor Law Commissioners. The report of this Commission effected a revolution in our Poor Law system, and is the basis on which the administration of the Law has been carried out ever since, but at the date of its promulgation it was fiercely assailed in many quarters. In 1841 he succeeded to the title and estates, and soon after taking up his residence at Wrottesley he erected the Observa- tory, which forms a conspicuous object from the high road between Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury. The Observatory and its instruments have been fully described in the " Memoirs " of the Iloyal Astronomical Society ; it became well known to astronomers on account of the continuous work carried on within it. The work of observation was committed to the care of well trained assistants, one of whom, Mr. Joseph Hough, still resides in the neighbourhood, and exercises a general supervision over its contents, although no observa- tions have been carried on for many years. Shortly after the completion of the building, one of his neighbours sent him the following lines : — " A stedfast Whig, in Melbourne's Liberal reign. Sir John at length obtained a Baron's glory, His son now reigns o'er Wrottesley 's fair domain, And passers-by cry out ' Observ-a-tory.' " In 1841 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, and was shortly afterwards appointed a member of the Committee, on which he served till his death in 1867. Shortly before the meeting of Parliament in 1850, he was asked by Lord Lansdowne to move the Address in the House of Lords. It was the Session which followed the so-called Papal aggression, and the Durham letter of Lord John Eussell. The popular outcry had been so violent that the Government bent before the storm, and Lord Lansdowne stated in his letter that it would be necessary to legislate upon the subject. Lord Wrottesley objected very strongly to any bill of pains and penalties against the Catholics, and declined under these circumstances to move the Address in the House. His reply apparently was not to the liking of Lord Lansdowne, for he informed the writer that his relations with the Government afterwards were not on so cordial a footing as they had been previous to this episode. In 1855, however, on his writing 380 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF to Lord Lansdowne that the recall of Sir John Burgoyne from the Crimea and the way it had been announced by Lord Panmure in the House would cast a slur upon the reputation of a very gallant oiBcer, and that his relationship to Sir John would justify him in asking a question in the House on the subject, Lord Lansdowne got up in the House and delivered a very eloquent eulogium upon Sir John, declaring that there was no intention whatever of casting any reflection upon him by his recall from the seat of war.^ His rank as a Peer, combined with his scientific attain- ments, led to his employment as President of several Roj'^al Commissions of a quasi-scientific nature. The most important of these was one to investigate and report upon the strains to which iron railway bridges were exposed by the passage over them of heavy trains. Accidents had occurred by the failure of some of these bridges, after they had been passed by the Government Surveyors, and in other cases the Government Engineers had refused to certify bridges as safe on grounds which the Civil Engineers considered to be unsound and vexatious. Up to this date the test of such bridges had been one of a statical nature only, by noting the deflection caused by heavy weights at rest upon them ; but Engineers had begun to suspect that a dynamic force was exercised by the passage over bridges of heavy weights at a very high velocity, and the Commission was called upon to investigate this subject. Lord Wrottesley had always retained his fondness for pure mathematics, and at one of the early meetings of the Commission proposed that an attempt should be made to procure, if possible, a mathe- matical formula for such strains, and the solution of the problem was given to Mr. (now Sir George) Stokes, who was the Senior Wrangler of his day and Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge. It was a very diflScult analytical problem, but by making certain assumptions, Mr. Stokes was able to produce a mathematical expression for these forces, which was found of some practical utility, and established his reputation abroad, as well as in England, as one of the leading mathematicians of his day. In 1853, by a speech in the House of Lords, Lord Wrottesley drew the attention of the Government to the writings of Lieutenant Maury, of the United States Navy, on improve- ments in navigation and on the Law of Storms. His object ' The cause of Sir John Burgoyne's recall was that his views were at variance with those of the French engineers. He objected to an assault upon the place until the defences of the Malakoff Tower had been subdued, as he considered the Malakoff Tower to be the key of the Bussian position, and the result of the siege shewed he was right. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 381 in this was to interest the pubhc as well as the Government in a scheme for systematic observ^ations with a view of determining the course and periods of the destructive hurricanes and cyclones of tropical climates. In this scheme he obtained the co-operation of Colonel James, R.E., the Director of the Ordnance Survey, and of Sir John Burgoyne, the Inspector General of Fortifications. The latter recommended to the Secre- tary of State for War that uniform meteorological observations should be taken at all the Royal Engineer stations which were scattered about in various parts of the globe. On the War Office concurring in this, the Treasur}^ granted money for the requisite instruments, and a syllabus and instructions were drawn up by Colonel James and issued to all Royal Engineer stations. These observations were carried on for some years, but the cost of tabulating and printing them was found to be so heavy that the Treasury objected to the expense, and the scheme not being supported by the learned societies, it was eventually discontinued. The scheme appears to have been started on too ambitious a scale, and it would have been better to have confined the observations to those parts of the globe which were the scene of these great atmospheric disturbances. Lord Wrottesley's speech was afterwards published as a pamphlet, and attracted a good deal of attention abroad as well as in England. On 30th November 1854 he succeeded Lord Rosse as President of the Royal Society, and held the office until 1858, when he resigned, ,and was succeeded by Sir Benjamin Brodie. In 1860 he was President of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, and delivered the usual inaugural address. The meeting took place at Oxford, and was signalised by the famous contest between Wilberforce, the Bishop of Oxford, and Professor Huxley on Darwin's theory of the Origin of Man. On the 2nd July 1860 the University conferred on him the degree of D.C.L. In September 1865, at the opening of the Birmingham and Midland Institute, he delivered an address on " The Recent Applications of the Spectrum Analysis to Astronomical Phenomena," which was afterwards published, and in the following year he spoke in the House of Lords on the " Public School Bills," advocating strongly the cause of science as a branch of education. In addition to these pamphlets and addresses and his contributions to the Royal Astronomical Society, he published in 1859 "Thoughts on Government and Legislation," which was translated into German in 1869. He died at Wrottesley on the 27th October 1867, aged 69, and was buried at Tettenhall. Up to the time of his death in 1867 he was the only person who had held the office of Presi- 382 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF dent in each of the three great scientific societies, viz. — the Royal, the Astronomical, and the British Association. The following characteristic sketch of him occurs in an obituary article in the " Athenaeum " newspaper of November 1867, written by one who must have known him well : — "Lord Wrottesley was a strong man in all good work, but he did not make much show even in science, and hardly ever came forward in political life. He was, we believe, one of the Boundary Commissioners under the first Reform Bill. His characteristics were plain manners, kind feelings, sound judgment and useful intellect. A stranger at the Royal Society would look with some surprise when he saw a quiet gentleman, utterly devoid of all mark of pretension, step into the chair of Newton, and his surprise would be augmented if he chanced to be told that the unassuming President was a man of such splendid descent, that many held his father to have derogated when he accepted a Peerage." With this flourish of trumpets I may fitly close my account of him. He had five sons and two daughters. Of these — Arthur, the eldest son, succeeded his father. Charles, the second son, was born at 5, Powis Place, Blooms- bury, 23rd February 1826, and matriculated at University College, Oxford, 30th May 1844. He obtained the Degree of B.A. in 1847, and M.A. in 1851. He was elected Fellow of All Souls' in 3 847. He was a Student of Lincoln's Inn in 1850, but was never called to the Bar. On the revival of the Militia in 1852, he became Captain of the 1st Regiment of the King's Own Staffordshire Militia, and served with it at the Ionian Islands after its embodiment during the Crimean War. Whilst there he obtained leave to proceed to the Crimea, and was a witness of the unsuccessful assault upon Sebastopol of the 18th June 1855. He served again with the regiment after its embodiment during the Indian Mutiny, and rose to the rank of Major. Upon the establishment of the Volunteer force in 1860 he was appointed to the command of the Tettenhall Company, and was subsequently Major and Commandant of the Walsall Administrative Battalion Upon his retirement from the Mihtia in 1867, the officers of the Regiment presented him with a piece of plate as a testimonial " of their esteem and regard." He is still living. George, the third son, was born at 5, Powis Place, 15th June 1827. He entered the Royal Military Academy in 1842, and obtained a commission in the Royal Engineers in 1845. On the outbreak of the Russian war he was ordered to the East, and was employed on the survey WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 383 and a scheme of defence for the Dardanelles. He accompanied General Sir John Burgoyne on his mission to Omar Pasha at Shumla, and was afterwards appointed A.D.C. to Brigadier-General Tylden, the Commanding Royal Engineer of the Forces in Turkey. After the Russians had crossed the Danube and had invested Silistria, he was ordered to accompany Lord Raglan to Varna, where a meeting was to be held with Omar Pasha, to deliberate upon the movements of the Allied Forces. At this meeting it was decided to move the English forces up to Varna at once, and as no member of the Quartermaster-General's Department was present, Lieut. Wrottesley was ordered by Lord Raglan to reconnoitre the road for thirty miles in advance of Varna, and select positions for the encampment of two Divisions of the Army. Omar Pasha had made urgent representations that one Division should be posted as far in advance as Devna, twenty- five miles from Varna, in order to maintain the com- munication with Shumla, and w^hen Lord Raglan gave verbal instructions to Lieut. Wrottesley, he informed him that the retreat of this Division upon Varna might be cut off by a rapid advance of the Russians, and he was to report upon the practicability of another line of retreat to the south of the Devna Lakes. At this time it was considered that Russia would advance upon Turkey with overwhelming forces, and these instructions are worth recording as shewing how different the out- come of the war was, from the original conception of it. In October 1854 Lieut. Wrottesley was invalided home from Turkey owing to dysentery and fever con- tracted at Varna. In December following he obtained the rank of Captain, and in April 1855 was nominated by Lord Panmure, then Secretary for War, to act as military adviser to the Admiral in command of the Baltic Fleet, but was forced to forego this duty owing to the state of his health.^ In 1855 he became A.D.C. to General Sir John Burgoyne, the Inspector- General of Fortifications. In 1859 he was appointed Secretary to the Defence Committee of the War Ofiice, ^ At the risk of being considered egotistical, I append a letter, written to me on this occasion by Sir Charles Wood, the First Lord of the Admiralty, dated 2nd April, 1855 :— " Dear Sir, — I ought, perhaps, to have addressed myself to your father, who is an old college acquaintance of mine, as was your grandfather in Parliament, but having these hereditary claims to j^our acquaintance, I shall save time by writing to yourself. " I wish to send an Engineer officer to the Baltic with Admiral Dundas, and I am inclined to think that no one would do what is to be done better than 384 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF and in the same year acted as Secretary to the Com- mittee on the Influence of Rifled Artillery on works of Defence. In this year, also, he accompanied Sir John Burgoyne on a special mission to the French Emperor, in order to present to him the Funeral Car which had been used at the interment of the first Emperor at St. Helena.^ In 1863 he was President of a War Office Committee on Army Signalling, which introduced into the service the Morse system of sig- nalling by dots and dtTshes." He became Lieut.-Colonel in 1868 ; was Commanding Royal Engineer at Shorn - cliff"e, 1868-72; at Gravesend, 1872-75; and at Woolwich, 1875-81. He retired on full pay as Colonel, with the honorary rank of Major-General in 1881. He married, in 1854, Margaret Anne, the eldest daughter of the late Field-Marshal Sir John Fox Burgoyne, Bart. She died in 1883, and he married secondly in 1889, Nina Margaret, the daughter of John William Philips, Esq., of Heybridge, Staffordshire. Major-General Wrottesley is still alive and is the author of the present work. Henr}', the fourth son, was born at 5, Powis Place 4th March 1829. After passing through the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, he obtained a commission without purchase, as Ensign of the 43rd Regiment, 9th June 1846, and became Lieutenant, 11th December 1849. In 1851, whilst quartered at Clonmel, the regiment received orders to embark for the Cape of Good Hope in order to reinforce the forces employed under General Sir Harry Smith for the subjugation of the Hottentots and Kaffirs, who yourself. There may not be a great deal to do, but I wish to have au officer on whose judgment, in case of need, Admiral Duudas could rely. " You will be in the flagship permanently, but moveable for temporary purpose to any other vessel, which might be convenient. Your obedient stei-vant, "Charles Wood. " You must be ready to start very soon." The military operations in the Baltic in 1855 consisted of the bombardment of Sweaborg, for which my substitute obtained a Brevet majority and the C.B. ^ The Emperor was at Compiegne, and the Mission was received by Prince Napoleon on his behalf at the Invalides. Sir John Burgoyne and his staff, which consisted of Major Stanton, R.E., and Captain Wrottesley, were after- wards invited to stay at Compiegne, and took part in one of the famous stag-hunts in the forest. - The other members of the Committee were the late Sir Francis (then Captain) Bolton, a verj- able officer of Infantry, and Lieut. Colomb, R.N., aftei'wards Rear-Admiral Colomb. These two officers were employed to bring the sj'stem into operation in their respective services. It was eventually considered so valuable that Captain Bolton was knighted, and Lieut. Colomb received a sum of money (£5,000 it is believed) in lieu of Knighthood. The original suggestion proceeded from myself, but I claim no credit for it, as the inventor was Mr. Morse, an American. At the date in question Professor Wheatstoue's Code was still in use in England. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 385 were in revolt. The regiment embarked at Cork in September in H.M.8. " Vulcan " ; Henry Wrottesley being then the senior Lieutenant of his regiment and in command of a company. The troops were dis- embarked at East London, and arrived at King William's Town on the 21st of December. Towards the close of February' 1852 the regiment was sent to clear Fuller's Hoek, which had been occupied by the Chief Macomo and his followers. On the 9th of March they reached Blinkwater, and whilst scouring Fuller's Hoek, on the 11th of March Henry Wrottesley was shot in the thigh by a musket ball which divided the femoral artery, and was the cause of his death very shortly afterwards. Cameron, the fifth son, was born at Blackheath, 19th December 1834, and was educated at the Eoyal Military Academy, Woolwich, from which he passed out with Honours and at the head of his batch in 1853. He was appointed 2nd Lieutenant of the Royal Engineers 21st December 1853 and Lieutenant on the 17th of February 1854 On the completion of his course of instruction at Chatham he was specially selected, on account of his brilliant career at the Royal Military Academj^ji to accompany the troops to the Baltic during the Russian War, and was present at the siege of Bomarsund, where he was unfortunately killed by a cannon shot on the 15th of August 1854. Julia, the eldest daughter, was born at Wrottesley 22nd October 1822, and died young of measles, at Blackheath, on the 26th of March 1835. She was buried in the Dartmouth vault in Lewisham Church. Caroline was born at Blackheath, 24th February 1832, and married on the 28th December 1859, Edward Wallace Goodlake, of the Inner Temple, second son of Thomas Mills Goodlake, Esq., of Wadley House, Berks. She died at Wrottesley, s.p., on the 1st of September 1860 and was buried at Tettenhall. Aethue, Third Baron Wrottesley, and Eleventh Baronet. Arthur, the present Peer, was born at 5, Powis Place, Bloomsbury, on the 17th of June 1824, and was educated at Rugby under Dr. Arnold. At Rugby he was noted as a ^ His preat forte was inatbematics, iu wliicli he was so far in advance of the other Cadets that a special paper on the Integral Calculus had to bo drawn up for his examination. The Professor of Mathematics at the Koyal Military Academy told my father he would certainly have been a Wrangler at Cambridge. 386 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF Cricketer, and played in the match between the Rugbcians and the M.C.C., which has been rendered famous by the account of it in "Tom Brown's School Days.'' Ilu<;hes, the author of the book, was the Captain of the Eleven, and Arthur Wrottesley was the successful bowler on the Rugb}'- side.^ He matriculated at Christ Church, Oxford, 9th June 1843, and obtained his degree of B.A. in 1846. He soon afterwards joined the Stafiordshire Yeomanry. In 1854, when the Staffordshire Militia was embodied owing to the Russian War, he resigned his commission in the Yeomanry and was appointed Major of the 2nd Regiment. He served with them at Portsmouth till they were disembodied in the following year. In 1857, when the regiment was again embodied owing to the Indian Mutiny, he served with them at Plymouth and in Ireland. On the establishment of the Volunteers in 1860 he was appointed Lieut. -Colonel of the 2nd Staffordshire Battalion, and held this post for a few years. On his appointment as Lord-Lieutenant of the County in 1871 he resigned his Commission in the Militia. In 1869, soon after the formation of the first Administration of Mr. Gladstone, he was appointed one of the Lords-in- Waiting to the Queen, and held this post till 1874. He was re-appointed to the same office in 1880 on the formation of Mr. Gladstone's second Administration, and held it till 1885. He resigned the Lord-Lieutenancy in 1887. On the establishment of the County Councils he was elected as representative of the Tettenhall Division, and on his resignation in 1898, was made an Alderman. He was Master of the Albrighton Foxhounds from 1849 to the end of the season of 1852. He married, on the 18th July 1861, at St. Martin's-in-the- Fields, Charing Cross, Augusta Elizabeth, the fourth daughter of Albert, first Lord Londesborough, and by her (who died 20th January 1887) has had issue : — 1. William, late Captain 4th Dragoon Guards, who was bom 17th May 1863. He was educated at Eton, and in 1880 was appointed Lieutenant of the 2nd Staffordshire Militia. In 1885 he obtained a commission in the 4th Dragoon Guards, and was promoted to Captain in 1891. He accompanied the regiment to India in 1894, and served with it in the North-West Frontier War of 1897, for which he obtained a medal and two clasps. On his passage home on sick leave, in 1899, he died suddenly, on ^ An account of tliis match, with the names of the players, was published in Bayly's Magazine of May 1898. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 387 board the P. and O. steamer, " Peninsular," on the Tth of October, shortly before the arrival of the vessel at Marseilles, llis remains were brought to England and interred in the family vault at Tetteu- hall, on the 16th of October 1899. 2. Bertram Francis, the second son, was born 20th July 1864, and died whilst at school at Cheam, 26th October 1875. 3. Victor Alexander, for whom Queen Victoria stood sponsor, was born 18th September 1873. 4. Walter Bennet, the fourth son, was born 28th Sep- tember 1877. 5. Henrietta Evelyn, the only daughter, was born 10th October 1866. Lord Wrottesley succeeded to the Wrottesley estates at his father's death in 1867, and has recently purchased additional land in Sussex. The great number of local offices which he has held at various times is worthy of note. He has served as an officer of Yeomanry, of Militia, and of Volunteers, as Justice of the Peace and Deputy-Lieutenant, Master of Foxhounds, County Councillor, County Alderman, and Lord- Lieutenant. The present Peer is the twenty-second in direct male descent from Simon, who was enfeoffed in the manor of Wrottesley circa 1164, and it is a remarkable circumstance and probably unique, that from that period the manor has descended in a direct line from father to son in every generation. Shortly before midnight of the 16th of December 1897, Lord Wrottesley on entering his dressing-room, which was on the first floor of the house, found it full of smoke. The house was well provided with all the means recommended by the London Fire Brigade for the extinction of fires. On every floor were hung buckets filled with water, and a small manual engine was kept on the premises. It was found impossible, however, to discover the source of the fire, or even to approach the scene of it, owing to the intense smoke, and like all fires which had been smouldering for some time, as soon as a ladder had been placed against the window and an opening made into the room from the outside, the current of air produced a fierce flame, before which everj?-- body had to retreat, and it was evident that the house was doomed. The dressing-room, where the fire originated, was situated on the west side of the house, a strong westerly wind was blowing at the time, and the spread of the fire was so rapid that none of the inmates were able to save their clothes. The floors and woodwork of the house being two hundred years old, were extremely dry and burnt Like match 388 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF wood. Besides the servants, the only persons staying in the house were Lord Wrotteslej'', his daughter, the Hon. Evelyn Wrotteslej'", and a cousin. Major Alfred Wrottesley, of the Ro3^a] Engineers, all of whom, as well as the servants, escaped without any injury. The family pictures and plate and some of the furniture on the ground floor were saved, but the ancient library of books and all the family muniments, which were on the first floor, were destroyed.^ It was owing to the loss of the latter that it was determined to print this history and to introduce into it such of the ancient deeds which bore on the descent or history of the family, and which had been fortunately copied in former days by the present writer. ' Tlie old Chapel bell, which hung on the outside of the house, was saved. This bell bears the date cast on it of 1601, and the following inscriijtion in ancient Lombai'dic letters on a label welded on it : — -[- EYLHSARW : RETLAW . : MVCALVMIS : lED ; SVNOB : EIV The inscription read backwards, is as follows : — VIR BONUS JDEl SIMULACUM WALTER WRASHLYE. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 389 YOUNGER BRANCHES OF THE FAMILY. Younger branches of the family sprang from William Wrottesley, the brother of Richard Wrottesley, of Wrottesley, living temp. Henry VII and Henry VIII, see p. 257, and from Thomas, one of the younger sons of the same Richard. The will of William Wrottesley was dated 26th December 1512, and was proved on the 4th of February 1512-13 in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. He is styled in the will " William Wrottesley, of Redynge, in the co. of Berks, Gentilman," and he makes in it the following bequests : — To my doughter Elizabeth 5 marks, and my best silver pott, half a dozen of my best silver spones and my best cheyne of golde, and a crosse of golde. To my doughter distance, in redy money £10 and two cheynes of golde of the value of 20 marks & all my stuffe beinge in my chamber within the Citie of London except a cofer which I geve and bequeth to my sonne Robert. Also I geve and bequeth to the said Custance a salt of silver, a pece of silver and half a dozen of silver spones. Item I bequeth to my sonne in lawe Escue (Askew) my best hope (sic) of golde of the price of 4 marks and 3s. 4d. sterling. To my lady Sturton my signet of golde, price 26s. 8d. and to my lorde her husband a bowed ryall and to my lorde Sowche (de la Zouch) a bowed ryall of golde. Item I bequeth to John VVraxley (Wrottesley) a rose of golde. To ray lady Scrope a shelde of golde and a pair of bedes of white amber, and to Dame Parnell beynge within the nonry of Dertforde in the co. of Kent to pray for my soule 13s. 4d. and my best furre and my best coral bedes gawded with silver and gilte. To my eldest brother 10s. and I will and ordeyne by this my testament that my said eldest brother shall well and truly pay 40s. which that he oweth me, that is to say, unto his wife 6s. 8d., to his son Walter 6s. 8d., and to his son Thomas 13s. 4d. Also I bequeth to my son Edwarde all the dettes which is owinge to me of the persones hereunder written. And to my said son Edward a doblet of black satyn and 20s. sterling, to his wife and to his children, etc. (No names given.) To Robert my sonne all my londes and tenements lyinge in the towne of Redynge in the co. of Berks, to him and to his heirs for evermore, 10s. to be paid out of them yearly to the church- wardens of the Parish Church of our Lady of Redynge. Robert my sonne and Custance my doughter to be executors. 390 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF In the proof of the will it is stated that Robert and Constance were both under age, but that the will was proved " de expressu consensu et assensu Roberti Wrottestey et Custancie Wrottesley executorum in hujusTuodo testamento noTYiinatorum in minore etate fixistentibus, videlicet Roberto personaliter et Custancie in persona Magistri Willelmi Falk procuratoris," etc. It would appear by this that Robert Wrottesley, although under age, must have reached the age of consent, and was therefore over fourteen years of age. He would, therefore, have been born about the year 1498, and I conclude he is identical with the Robert Wrastley who was member for Chippenham, co. Wilts, in the first year of Queen Mary, viz., 1553.^ The establishment of a younger branch in Wiltshire seems to be due to their relationship to Dr. Richard Dudley, the Chancellor of Salisbury, who was brother to Dorothy, the wife of Richard Wrottesley, see p. 256. Richard Dudley was buried at Salisbury in 1536. He made his will on the 21st Ma\' 1536, and it was proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury on the 12th of June following. In this will (of which Henry Wrottesley, the son of Richard, was one of the executors), he makes bequests to Henry Wrottesley, to Richard Wrottesley, the son of Henry, and the testator's godson, to John Wrottesley, the elder brother of Henry, and to Anne Wrottesley and her brothers ; the relationship of Anne to the other members of the Wrottesley family is not mentioned in the will.^ Amongst the Chancery Suits of the year 1601, there is one in which Robert Wrottesley, of Chippenham, co. Wilts, who appears to have been the grandson of the above named Robert, sues Richard Sydenham, of Clarendon Park, co. Wilts, for premises in Eastbrent, co. Somerset, called Wingods. The pleadings in this suit give the following pedigree : — ^Joan Wrottesley, grandmother of the plaintiff. John Wrottesley, father of the complainant, who had died about nine years before the date of the suit. I Robert Wrottesley, the complainant. Amongst the papers of Mr. F. M. E. Jervoise, of Herriard, CO. Hants, and of Britford, co. Wilts, there is a deed dated 1st February 3 Elizabeth (1560-1), by which John * Members of Parliament, printed as a Blue Book, by order of the House of Commons. -J[See Staffordshire Collections, vol. ix, p. 81, which gives the will in extenso. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 391 Wingood, of Brumham, co. Wilts, gentleman, in consideration of his marriage with Joan Wrasley alias Wraxley, widow, late the wife of Robert Wrasley alias Wraxley, deceased, settles upon her all his messuage and tenements called Wingoods in the Parish of Eastbrent, co. Somerset, and all his lands, etc., in the said County or elsewhere in England, to the use of the said John Wingood and Joan Wrasley for their lives, and with certain remainders over.^ The will of Joane Wrottesley, widow, of Chippenham, was dated 24th April 35 Elizabeth (1593) and was proved in the Archdeaconry Court of Wilts, 11th June 1593-4. By it she bequeaths £4 to Jane Wrottesley, widow, her daughter-in- law, and to Grace, the daughter of the said Jane, £20, and after bequests to the poor of Eoude and Chippenham, she leaves all the rest of her property to Robert Wrotesley, '' my nephew (sic), the soune and heyre of John Wrotesley, my Sonne." '^ Robert Wrottesley died in 1608, and probate of his will was granted in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury on the 30th of September in the same year. His will describes him as Robert Wrotesley, gentleman, of Chippenham, and contains the following bequests : — To the Parish Church of Chippenham, £10 for a new bell. To my cousin, Nicholas Smyth, son of Philip Smyth, £5. To Thomas Long, son of Henry Long, £o. To Robert Long, son of the said Thomas, £5. To my cousin, Gabriel Gouldney, son of Gabriel Gouldney, £5. To my cousin, Hugh Wrotesley, £5. To the Parish Church of Rowde, £4. To the poor of Chippenham, £5. To Elizabeth W^rottesley, my mother, all my messuage, tenements, etc., called the Bell, in Chippenham, with remainder to John, son of Anne Woodland, of Notton, co. Wilts. He mentions in the will that he had mortgaged divers lands in the parish of Estbrent, CO. Somerset, called Wingods, to Gabriel Gouldney the elder for forty years ; and he had also mortgaged his lands in Chippenham to Gabriel Gouldney and Hugh Barrett^ (my kinsman), and he directs that the above lands should be sold to pay his debts. His mother Elizabeth was appointed executrix and residuary legatee, the overseers of the will to be Henry Long, of Southweeke, gentleman ; Thomas Atkins, of Chippenham, gent" ; Richard Sherfield, of Tidworthe, co. Wilts, gentleman, and Henry Sherfield, brother of the said Richard. ' Ex inf. Mr. F. H. T. Jervoise, of Britforcl and Herriard. An account of this family will be found in vol. iii of the " Ancestor," October 1902. - From Mr. Jervoise's deeds. In the will she styles herself " Joane Wrotesley of the Parish of Chippenham in the countey of Wilts wydowe." ^ The Visitation of co. Wilts of 1623 states that Thomas Barrett, of Titherton Lucas, co. Wilts, married Jane, the daughter of Edward Wrottesley, of Rowde, CO. Wilts. On referring back to the will of William Wrottesley, of Reading, it will be seen that he left a son Edward, and we have, therefore, a link between this William Wrottesley and the Wrottesleys of Chippenham and Rowde. 392 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF It is difficult to reconcile the abov^e evidence, except upon the assumption that Joan Wrottesley who died in 1593 was identical with the Joan Wingod of the deed of 1561, and with Joan Wrottesley of the suit of 1601. In this case she must have dropt her name of Wingod after the death of her second husband, and re-assumed the name of her first husband. Instances of this are to be found on the Rolls, as in the case of Katherine, the widow of Sir William Wrottesle}'', temp. Edward II. It is evident that the Robert Wrottesley, who died in 1608 was identical with the plaintitf in the suit of 1601, as he is found dealing with the estate called Wingods. It would appear by the will of Robert Wrottesley, above quoted, that he left no legitimate issue, but he was succeeded by a John Wrottesley who must be identical with the John, the son of Anne Woodland mentioned in his will, who was his illegitimate son. Amongst the Herriard muniments is a deed of Robert Wrottesley of Ohippenham, dated 25th March 5 James I (1608), by which he was bound in a sum of £30 to Henry Sherfield, of Lincoln's Inn, gentleman, for the payment of 16d. per week to Anne Woodland, daughter of Richard Woodland, of Notton, in the parish of Lacocke, co. Wilts, for the maintenance of John, supposed to be begotten by the said Robert, until he shall attain the age of thirteen years. Amongst the same muniments there is a copy of a will of John Wrottesley, of Chippenham, dated 16th March 22 James I (1624-25), in which he bequeaths "to Anne, my loving mother, now the wife of Richard Osgood, the sum of £60, to my brother Richard £30. To my loving aunt Elizabeth Gale, the wife of John Gale, £20. To my loving and kind uncle Henry Sherfield, Esq., to whom I am much bound for his love and favour, £40. To my loving cousin Matilda, daughter of the said Henry, £20. To my loving uncle Robert Woodland, gentleman, £20," and the residue of his estate "to the said Henry Sherfield." This will must have been made when the testator was under age, for by a deed poll dated 6th April 1625, John Wrottesley covenants that whereas Henry Sherfield, his uncle, has in his hands by a decree of the Court of Chancery, certain money on which he pays no interest, according to the decree, until he (John Wrottesley) attains twenty-one years, and has hitherto given him an allowance for main- tenance, schooling, etc., now he John Wrottesley proposes for his further advancement to go to Oxford, and promises that whatever charges Henry Sherfield^ pays for his main- Henry Sheffield was Recorder of Salisbury. His trial for sacrilege will be foand among the State Trials. Ex inf. Mr. F. H. T. Jervoise, of Britford. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 393 tenance there, shall be deducted from the principal sum of money payable to him on his full age. Signed " John Wrottesle3^" Beyond this point I cannot carry the pedigree. It will be noted that there is a weak point in it, inasmuch as, although the epochs correspond, there is nothing to establish the identity of Robert Wrottesley, of Chippenham, with Eobert Wrottesley, the son of William Wrottesley, of Reading. According to Mr. Jervoise's deeds, one Henry Wrottesley was living at Britford, near Salisbury, in 1546. He occurs as a juror in the Britford Manor Rolls in the years 1546, 1549, and 1553, and amongst the same deeds there is a copy of Court Roll (Britford Manor) which states that on the 30th of March 1570, Richard Love came into Court and received a messuage and lands, "habendum prefato Ricardo, Henrico Wrasley et Thome Wrasley filiis Thome Wrasley senioris pro termino vite eorum et cujuslibet eorum diuturnus viventis." I conclude that this Thomas Wrottesley, the elder, was identical with Thomas, the son of Richard Wrottesley, named on page 255, and the following suits and deeds shew that Thomas, the younger, had two sons, George and John. Decrees of Court of Wards and Liveries, Michaelmas Term, 32-33 Elizabeth (November 1590). Thomas Gervoys, Esq., of Northfield and Weoley, co. Worcester, on his marriage with Cecily, now wife of George Wrottesley, gentleman, had settled on himself and his wife, by Fine and Indenture dated 7th February 15th Elizabeth, the manors of Northfield and Weoley, co. Worcester, and the manor of Walkringham, co. Notts, a virgate of land in Chelmarshe, co. Salop, and other lands and tenements, with remainder to the heirs of the body of Thomas. Thomas died in 30 Elizabeth, leaving a son Thomas, one year old. The Queen, by Letters Patent of 31 Elizabeth, granted the custody of the manor of Walkringham and the wardship of the heir to Rowland Lacon and Francis Neuport, during the minority of the heir. George Wrottesley and Cecily asked to be recompensed for the loss of Walkringham, and a decree was made by which the manor of Badcote, co. Worcester, and lands and rents in Sturbridge and Ould Swinford, co. Worcester, land in Britford, co. Wilts, and a messuage in St. Mary Bowe, in London, and the manor of Quatt, co. Salop, of which Thomas Gervoys, the father, had died sole seised, should be handed over to George and Cecily for that purpose. 2e 394 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF By another decree of the same Court, made at Michaelmas Term 37-38 Elizabeth (November 1595), it appeared that Cecily had died in the previous July, and the custody of the manors of Northfield and Weoley, was granted by the Court to George Wrottesley, for which he was to render £106 2s. Od. annually (at which value they had been assessed) during the minority of the heir, Thomas Gervoys. Another decree of the same Court was delivered at Easter Term 43 Elizabeth (1600), which states that George Wrottesley, gentleman, had the wardship of Thomas Gervis, Esq., son and heir of Thomas Gervis, Esq., under Patent of Great Seal (the wardship had been granted to Eowland Lacon, Esq., and Francis Neuport,^ Esq., and subsequently con- veyed to George Wrottesley, who was now Committee of the said ward) ; Sir Richard Pawlett, Kt., with his wife and others, the defendants, had entered into a combination to eloigne the said ward. The defendants in their reply stated that the said ward of his own free will could petition the Master of the Court of Wards. Afterwards an agree- ment was brought into Court by which George Wrottesley for a sum of £1,100, should assign the wardship and marriage of the said ward to Sir Richard Pawlett, Kt., but the Court considering that small adv^antage to George Wrottesley, decreed that the ward at full age should sue out livery of his lands and become bound to George Wrottesley for the £1,100, with a condition to make estate of the mansion place of Britford, CO. Wilts, late in the occupation of Thomas Wrottesley, gentleman, father of the said George, and Elizabeth Russell, or their assigns, unto the said George Wrottesley, the said George to have a lease of twenty-one years under the same covenants as let to Giles Estcourt, of New Sarum, and Thomas Wrottesley, father of the said George.^ The following information has been supplied by F. H. T. Jervoise, Esq. : — "Thomas Jervoys died in 1588. From his marriage settlement with Cecily Ridley it appeared that he had inherited Northfield, Weoley, Chelmarsh and Walkeringham from his father, and these were settled in 15 Elizabeth on himself and his wife, the trustees being Sir George Blunt and Thomas Ridley, of Bowlde. Many papers relating to Sir George Wrottesley and his correspondence with Henry Sherfield, the Recorder of Salisbury, are now at Herriard. ^ Francis Newport, afterwards Sir Francis, was Sheriff of co. Salop 1586 and 1600. He was knighted on 21st April 1603, and married Beatrice, daughter of Rowland Lacon, of Willey and Kinlet, and by her had issue Eichard, afterwards Lord Newport, and other children. ^ These decrees of the Court were considered test cases, and are given in Moore's Reports, viz., Gervoyse's case, p. 717, and Wrottesley's case, p. 721. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 395 " In a suit in the Court of Wards and Liveries, temp. James I (Sir Thomas Hesketh, Attorney-General, versus Sir George Wrottesley), in the matter of Thomas, Jane and Winifred Gervys, it was stated that Thomas Gervys died in 1588 intestate, and administration of his effects was granted to Cecily, his widow, who afterwards remarried Sir George Wrottesley. By Letters Patent of 31 Eliza- beth (1589), the Queen granted the wai'dship of the heir, Thomas Gervys, to Rowland Lacon and Francis Newport. The latter afterwards assigned his interest to Thomas Lawley, Esq. Rowland Lacon and Thomas Lawley assigned the wardship of the heir and lands without licence to George Wrottesley. "Sir Richard Poulett had paid £1,100 for the marriage of the ward, and the assignment of the wardship and marriage in 43 Eliza- beth to him was said to have been of great benefit to the ward, and the latter was subsequently married to Lucy, the daughter of Sir Richard. In 43 Elizabeth the ward was aged fourteen, and Lucy was somewhat younger. On the death of Cecily in 1595, Sir George Wrottesley applied to Lord Burghley for a lease of the jointure lands during the minority of the heir, for which he paid £100. This was granted to him, it was supposed, for the education of the daughters. John Wrottesley, the brother of Sir George, afterwards married Jane, one of the ward's sisters, and Winifred, the other sister, followed her brother Thomas to Sir Richard Poulett's home."^ George Wrottesley was one of the first Knights made by James I, and in the same year he purchased the manor of Badminton, co. Gloucester. Amongst the Fines of co. Gloucester, of Michaelmas 1 James I (1603), there is one by which the manor of Badminton was settled on Sir George Wrottesley and his heirs, for which Sir George paid £600. The vendors were William Weare and Edith, his wife. In 1607, amongst the State Papers, there is a complaint lodged against him by the Dean and Chapter of Salisbury, for wrongs committed by him in the matter of the presenta- tion to the church of Barford. He appears to have kept a steady look-out for well endowed widows, for he married shortly after the death of Cecily Jervoys, Katherine, the daughter of Sir John White, of Farnham, co. Surrey, a very rich citizen of London. Sir John had been Sheriff of London in 1556 and Mayor in 1563. He died at Aldershot in 1573.2 Katherine had had two husbands before she married Sir George. Her first husband was William Harding, of Wyke, near Worplesdon, co. Surrey, by whom she had a daughter Mary, married to Sir Robert Gorges, of Worplesdon ; her second husband was Sir David Woodroffe, Kt.,^ son of Sir 1 Ex inf. Mr. F. H. T. Jervoise, of Britford. ^ " History of Surrey," by Manning and Bray. ' A contemporary paper on the Offley family, temp. James I, printed in 396 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF Nicholas WoodrofFe, formerly Mayor of London. Sir George Wrottesley must have been married to her before 1625, for in that year he was a Commissioner regarding the validity of a grant of property in Farnham for charitable uses,' and in the same year an information was laid against him and Katherine his wife for the ravishment of Thomas White, the King's ward, who had been married to Elizabeth Woodroffe, daughter of the said Katherine. The hearing took place on the 12th of February 22 James I in the Court of Wards and Liveries on an information laid by Sir John Hall, Kt., and Dame Dorothy his wife, the Committees of Thomas White, His Majesty's late ward, when it was ordered that Sir George Wrottesley should pay the sum of £1,083 6s. 8d., viz., £541 13s. 4d. on the February next ensuing and £541 13s. 4d. on the 2nd November, Sir Thomas Jervoise^ to be his surety for the performance of the decree, and the money to be applied for the benefit of the younger brother of the ward. Apparently there was some difficulty in extracting the money from Sir George, for a final decree was made at Trinity Term, 8 Charles I (1632), i.e., nine years after the date of the first information, that the said Sir George Wrottesley shall, in performance of the said decree, pay unto Henry White, on the first day of Michaelmas term next at the Font Stone in the Temple Church, the sum of £1,083 6s. 8d. of lawful English money in full performance of the decree aforesaid. After his marriage with Katherine Woodroffe Sir George appears to have been a person of considerable local importance and is mentioned frequently in the State Papers of the reign of James I. Administration of his goods was granted to Dame Katherine, his relict, on the 25th of March 1636.^ In these The Ocnealogist for July 1902, gives the following description of the Woodroffes : " Now touching the Daughters of this Alderman (Stephen Kirton) by Margrett, his wife, one of the Daughters of old Wm. Oltley ; the eldest of them was married to S"" Nicholas Woodroffe sometime Maior of London, who after leaving the Citty and giving up his Cloake (as the tearme is) had a goodly house and estate in Hampshire about thirty miles from London, where hee and his Lady the Daughter of Mrs. Kerton dyed and left behind them sons and Daughters. His eldest sone Sir David WoodrofFe, Kt. who married one of the Daughters of Sir John White, Kt. sister to Mrs. Offley who was wife to Henry Offley, esq"" and mother to Sir John Offley ; this David Woodroffe, Kt. dyed, whose widow was married to Sir George Wrotesley, Kt." ^ State Papers, printed, Rolls Series. ^ Sir Thomas Jervoise, the ward of Sir George Wrottesley, was a man of note during the Civil War. He was M.P. for Whitchurch (Hants) during the reign of James I and Charles I, and Colonel of a Regiment of Dragoons on the side of the Parliament. For an account of him see the " Ancestor " for October, 1902, page 3, which contains also his portrait, and the portrait of Lucy Poulett. » Administration Act Book, fol. 65, P.C.C. WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 397 letters he is described as Sir George Wrottesley, Knight, late of Guildford, Surrey. " The History of Surrey,'' by Manning and Bray, states he left a son by Katherine White, who died young, and the deeds at Herriard appear to shew that Elizabeth, wife of Richard Orchard, was the right heir of Sir George Wrottesley.' The pedigree of these younger branches would therefore appear to be as follows : — Sir Walter Wrottesley, of Wrottesley, ob. 1473. Richard Wrottesley, of William Wrottesley, of Wrottesley, died 1521. Reading, died 1513. r' Walter Wrottesley, Thomas. Edward Wrottesley, Robert, under age in=j=Joan. of Wrottesley. of full age in 1513. 1513, M.P. for Chip- I penham 1553. Jane. r- Henry. Thomas. John, dead=pElizabeth. A son.^Jane. 1 in 1593. I Sir George Wrottesley John. i ' occurs 1590, died 1636. Robert, died 1608, buried Grace. at Chippenham. The Visitation of co. Wilts of 1623 states that Thomas Barrett, of Titherton Lucas, co. Wilts, married Jane, the daughter of Edward Wrottesley, of Rowde, co. Wilts, but as usual with Visitations, gives no date. Mistress Elizabeth Wrottesley was buried at Chippenham 29th May 1614 (Chippenham Register). 1 Em inf. F. H. T. Jervoiae, Esq., Herriard Park, Basingstoke, 398 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF o to « ^j »j s? JO ^ C/2 o , w y m 3 C O O »i o1 Ut _- ^ w g 1 -^ -^ d « o<5co <1 ■"^ fli "^ Ph <% -^ c fe =« o 9 o «*-< i2 o c3 -w-a ^ ir^ a eS »« OJ QJ 0^r§ rH ^'^ Q) Cd •" -a ? +2 ^ p O o i tH o =* -^P-S. t^ r^ eS O 5 Srt ^£ :o ' a ^ a § € a WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 399 >-.'n HH ai -t; 0) 1?^ ^2 =« a - ^ _ Xfl r-" 'i' ^ 1— I o r-l CO a 1-1 o ^ _< a> L be o a o HH CO s o -. to fe to . TO a r «! IF- H v-h Oj O o "^ o o ^ rt 5 O CD >. a o 'T3 S O 03 at c3 L^ 400 HISTORY'^ OF THE FAMILY OF W tA CO V , •( r-^ II ' 3 ^ o 'O o O "^ , o • o «2 _§ * o s- o .2Q — „'"» ^ 2 =« fc -H &H f^.iS ^ ^^S •x) i7-( r S aj o CO O) P o « (E o Id T, f-- ... 2 ° in - C cT >> o to O o iH O ^ 0; flj _ s S ^ £ «' d ^ J o JO o M ^ a mp ►-5 P- c3 a, CO ^ fH =S = d 3 C«3 . be (^ O CB ^ p= = F- 'a b: ^H <>« — 0^ 'a ^ 5^ cS 3 0- .2 s C •" ^ PhM '^ll 03 II 1! 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''5 ict-l o t; '0> = lilt i r-; 3 ^1 .5 '-'^ o a . 3 fc K ^ HH i> -^ -< H ^ TO 1-,. w P5^ aj CO X OO-S 5 ts ^h 'o ^ CO Q 2 W^2 O CQ -t3 ^ ;-l ^ Pnfe ^-1 --1 p^ ^2; 1-5 00 M X 5=4 ^ •a O r 9 X fiJ r- ^ 00 P^ > X 404 HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF 1^: o g g W g 1-5 O CO 1*6 'w O ->^ ■-i-i -^ '^ 2^ Ih- d 'O o «t-l ... ^ C^ -U cS c^ CO 53 rt S 00 n TO QJ _ oj 00 +2 .^ P p; O cc . W CO C 05 cS X CO > rH ■IS •rS P 03 ■ o £^ j> rl .O "^ ; O ^ .^ ; «4- pq 'S S 2 « sS F5 ■^ 5 ^ ao aj o X -^ 00 e2 ^ -H -3 ^ h^ O *n ^ o M c o T3 yi o X -2 X X GO oj 51 X X o o r ^ • C5H.O'3 .1 * o ^ S X ^.2 O d O S cu ^ Q) X ^ ^ (M O .« S ii O tr 05 rH M S -IT'S 5 2 a) ce 2^ 2 g ^^^'^ 'C c - . J; o ^ X i, S I §■ J o ® (3 2 •-5 f— . hi C3 III! CO t? So O O c3 Ih- ^ d "=> H *^ iC X <1 S .Q rH S S ^ ^ oj ,.2 OS a 00 a 0.2 1^ ;-i a M 03 ti) • S ti CIS, Orde 1873 ^S> WROTTESLEY OF WROTTESLEY. 405 ^"'^ ^ be .g (3 O J ceo Ih- Si 00 O 05 P C -M rQ O * o 00 :S ao '-' J2 rH f^J i-H .2 C IM ' 1-5 ^ r^ ' 2w s Ph a ^ rrj ■* (S ^ O 00 .S OCi O h^ ^ ^ T; r-l a be g fcc o S •s . :s -s 'S •'s (2; -73 Ph ^ 3 ^ '®^ ■;; ooo ^ .£ "" &^ ■ or. 7: m r1 ^ ^- g ^ m -^ o 5 00 O o ® 1-^ ~ i ta pi 1^ 1:2, -s ^ §^2^ g 4^00 oj w ^ wt^ 1_^ a r d t- Hi! g fe '^ ni P . •rH ^3 -to £2 407 ADDENDA AND CORRIGENDA. p. 32. line 22. An explanation of the circumstance that the Sheriff of the County was collectiug the scutage from the sub-tenants of the Stafford Barony in this year, is afforded by an entry in the Pipe Roll of 3 H. 3, which shows that this was done at the request of Harvey Bagot and Millicent de Stafford, his mother. The entry in the Roll is as follows : — Milisent de Stafford and Hervey, her sou, give £15 to be quit of all arrears of the scutages of King John of the fee of Hervey Baghot, the husband of Milisent, so that the King may receive all the arrears by hands of his bailiffs from those who had not paid or made line for them. p. 53. line 27, for " £20," read " £80." p. 216, line 26, for " Emma," read " Anne." p. 229, Sir Walter Wrottesleij and the King Maker. Richard, Earl of Warwick, derived his wealth from his great English estates, consisting of the Honors of Clare, Gloucester, Despencer, and Warwick ; but his political power arose from his command of the garrison of Calais, and his possession of the great Honor of Glamorgan and the land of Morgan in Wales, and it will be noted that at the most critical period of his fortunes, in 1470 and 1471, when he had determined to dethrone Edward IV, he placed both these great posts successively in charge of Sir Walter Wrottesley. The possession of Glamoi-gan and Morganuok had always enabled its ancient lords, the Earls of Clare and Gloucester, to take up a position independent of the Crown, and the King Maker had succeeded to all the prerogatives of its former Norman lords. Mr. George Clark, in his account of the " Land of Morgan," says there could not be a more complete " imperuun in imperio" than the sway of the lords of Glamorgan. The '' Comitatus " was a Court of Chancery and Record, composed of the lords, principal tenants, or barones Co^nitatiis, presided over by the Vice Comes or Sheriff, from the decision of which there lay no appeal to the Crown. P 246. At Easter term, 22 E. 4, John Stanley, of Elford, sued Richard Wrottesley, of Wrotteslej^, armiger, and Robert Legh, of Adlyngton, CO. Chester, armiger, for fabricating a false deed of feoffment at Lichfield, relating to the plaintiff's manors of Echeles, Aldeford, and Xether Alderley, and 80 acres of land in Echeles, Aldeford and Nether Alderley, in co. Chester, with a view of disturbing and destroying his title and possession of the said manors and land. For an account of this suit see pp. 140 and 142 of Staffordshire Collections, vol. vi. New Series. p. 256, line 19. George Wrottesley was grandson, not son, of the Thomas Wrottesley named here. His father was also named Thomas. See p. 392. pp. 257, 400. The daughter of Richard Wrottesley, who married James Leveson, was named Alice, and not Margery or Margaret. She was his first wife, and mother of his three sons. Sir Richard Leveson, Walter Leveson and Edward Leveson, of Perton. See a note to the Pedigree of Offley, printed in The Genealogist, New Series, vol. xi.x. (April, 1903.) p. 273. Matthew Wrottesley was a deponent in a Chancery suit (Harcourt versus Bekyngham) in 1558, when his age was stated to be forty-two. 408 ADDP^NDA AND CORRIGENDA. p. 332, line 21, omit "Thomas Coyney of Weston Coynoy," for he took up arms for the King, as shewn on p. 331. p. 335. The -will of Dame Mary Wrottesley was proved in 1665 on the oath of Dorothy Wrottesley, dauf^hter and executrix named in the will, as follows : — " The will of Dame Maiy Wrottesley declared to her sonne Walter Wrottesley and Thomas Greene 29 Doc. 1662. First she gives and bequeaths to Dorothy Wrottesley one hundred and fifty pounds. To Ann Wrottesley one hundred and fourty. To James Wrottesley two hundred pounds. To John Wrottesley fiftie pounds, and did then nominate and appoynt Dorothy Wrottesley to be her executrix by this her last will. Signed Walter Wrottesley and Tliomas Greene." Prerogative Court of Canterbury (21 Hj-de). p. 338, for " Magdalen College, Oxford," read " Magdalen Hall, now Hertford College." p. 340, note. The date on the Hopper Head of the rain water pipes was 1689, not 1698, as stated in the note. p. 343- A search amongst the Registers of Theydon Gamon Church shews that Sir John Wrottesley, the fourth Baronet, was bom in 1683. The Register states that John, the son of Walter Wrotchlay (»ic), PjScj., and Elianour his wife, of Theydon Garnon, was born 28th July and baptized 2nd August 1683. P- 353, line 7 from bottom of page, for " the Baron," read " Baron William de Kutzleben." The following additional particulars of the descendants of the Baron von Kutzleben and Dorothy Wrottesley have been furnished by Mrs. Curtis, his granddaughter : — The Baron Christian von Kutzleben and Dorothy had issue — 1. William Baron von Kutzleben born in 1785, Lt. -Colonel of the 44th Regiment of Madras Infantry ; he died in 1836. 2. Gertrude Philipine married Mr. W. King, by whom she had two children, Gertrude and Charles. 3. Charles von Kutzleben, of the 69th Foot, who died young in India and left no issue. William Baron von Kutzleben was twice married. By his first wife, Susanna, whose maiden name is not known, he had issue — 1. Gertrude, born 1815, died 1845. 2. William Fitz Rov, bom 1816, died 1817 an infant. 3. Emma, born 1820, died 1872. By his second wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Knipe, Esq., of St. Helena, and widow of William Lambe, Esq., he had issue— 1. Elizabeth, bom 1830. 2. Louisa, died an infant 1834. 3. Matilda Catherine AUce, born 1835. The eldest daughter Gertrude, by the first wife, married Mr. Edward Collins, and had issue by him — 1. Edward, born 1836. 2. Anne, bom 1838. 8. Susan, born 1839 ; and two sons : Robert and Thomas, both of whom died in India of cholera whilst under age. The second daughter, Emma, was bom in 1820 and died in 1872. Her husband, Captain Ralph Leicester, was killed in India in 1859 and left no issue. ADDENDA AND CORRIGENDA. 409 Elizabeth vou Kutzleben, the eldest daughtei* by the Baron's second wife, was born in 1830, and married Mr. Moreton J. Walhouse, of the Indian Civil Servnce, by whom she had issue — 1. Hervey James, born 1851. 2. Helen Elizabeth, born 1853. 3. Moreton Edward, boi'n 1855. 4. Charles Herbert de Kutzleben, 64th Staffordshire Regiment, born 1857, died 11 Nov. 1895. 5. Alice, born 1860, died 1872. Louisa von Kutzleben, the second daughter, was born in 1832 and died in 1834. The third daughter, Matilda Catherine Alicia von Kutzleben, was born in 1835 and married John Robert Lloyd Curtis, of the 8th Regiment Madras Army, by whom she had issue — Elizabeth Harriet, born 1859, now living in London in charge of one of the Queen's Nursing Homes. Caroline and William Lloyd, both of whom died young. P- 354. Harriet, the youngest daughter of Sir Richard Wrottesley, likewise figures in the Walpole correspondence. In a letter to the Countess of Upper Ossory of 31st April 1773, Horace Walpole describes a festival and fancy dress ball at Lord Stanley's, at which he had been present. He says " the Seasons danced by himself (i.e., Lord Stanley), the younger Storer, the Due de Lauzun and another, the youngest Miss Stanley, Miss Poole, the youngest Wi'ottesley, and another Miss, who is likewise anonymous in my memory, were in errant shepherdly dresses vrithout invention, and Storer and Miss Wrottesley in banians with furs for winter, cock and hen." p. 355- In the quotation from George Selwyn's letters, the words " to the Duke his brother," should read " to the Dukes his brothers." These were the Dukes of Gloucester and Cumberland, the first of whom lived at Gloucester House (now Gi'osvenor House) and the latter at Leicester House. Ex. inf : Colonel W. F. Prideaux, who also informs me in reference to the footnote on this page, that the Princess of Wales had left Leicester House in 1766 for Carlton House (which had also belonged to her late husband), but she resided principally at Kew, where she was probably living when the news of her son's death would have reached England. P- 361) line 21, for " blank," read " black." p. 362. Lt.-Colonel Hugh Wrottesley died 18th October 1830. p. 363. Edward Wrottesley was married to Ann Tringham at Gibraltar, by licence granted by His Excellency Lt. Governor Campbell, at the King's Chapel, Gibraltar, on the 1st of November 1812, in presence of Percy Eraser, Commissioner of H.M. Navj' ; J. J. Pechell, Captain H.M.S. "Cleopatra"; Mai'tha Tringham, and others, the officiating minister being the Rev. Thomas Tringham, H.M. Chaplain, the father of the bride. p. 366. At the period of the emigration of the French nobility owing to the revolution of 1792, Wrottesley, like many of the other large country houses, sheltered one of the emigres. A Vicomte de Mauny, under the guise of a French tutor, lived there for several years. p. 377. The " Rugby School Register " (printed) contains the following entries under the name of Wrottesley : — Entrances in 1699. Wrottesley, John, eldest son of Sir Walter Wrottesley, Bart., Somerford, Staffordshire. Wrottesley, Hugh, second son of the above. 410 ADDENDA AND CORRIGENDA. Entrances in 1702. Wrottesley, Walter, third son of Sir Walter Wrottesley, Bart., Somerford, Staffordshire. Entrances in 1722. Wrottesley, Hugh, second son of Sir John Wrottesley, Bart.,, M.P. for Staffordshire. Wrottesley, Walter, third son of Sir John Wrottesley. Entrances in August, 1S38. Wrottesley, Arthur, son of the Hon. John Wrottesley (now Lord Wrottesley), Blackheath, Kent, and Wi'ottesley, Wolverhampton, aged 14, June 17th. The '' Westminster School Register " shews that Wrottesley, John, was admitted 31st Jan. 1782. Wrottesley, Henry, admitted 1782, left 1791 ; King's Scholar and Captain. \Vrottesley, John," admitted 22nd Jan. 1810, left 1814. Wrottesley, Charles Alexander, admitted 22nd Jan. 1810, left 1810. Wrottesley, Robert, admitted 2oth May 1812, left 15th June 1818. Wrottesley, Walter, admitted 17th Jan". 1821, left Bartholomewtide 1827. Wrottesley, Edward Rennet, admitted 18th Jan. 1822, King's Scholar 1826, elected to Trinity College, Cambridge, but went to New Inn Hall ; matriculated 7th February 1833. Wrottesley, Edward John, a'dmitted 1825, King's Scholar 1829, left 1833. p. 379, line 3'S, for "Committee" rend "Council." p. 382- After the death of John, the second Baron Wrottesley, his widow, Sophia, Lady Wrottesley, took up her abode at the Dower House of the family at Oaken, and died there in 1880. p. 384, line 10 and footnote. The words for visual signals " should be added to the sentence, for Morse's alphabet was in use on many of the railway telegraphs at this d^te, and was employed by the Royal Engineers for their electric field telegraph. The Committee had been formed for the pui-pose of reporting on Rendl's system of telegraphy by means of collapsible cones. By the use of two of these cones and a large circular ball of black canvas, the inventor was able to produce all the permutations required for the Naval Code of Signals, and he claimed that they would be more visible at a distance than the flags in use. I jiointed out that a single cone made to open and shut would suffice if the Morse alphabet was used, and there would be this additional advantage, that the same alphabet could then be used both for visual and electric signals. The Committee I'ecommended that experiments should be made with this object in view, but the Navy would not renounce their signal flags and Naval Code. The result, however, was the introduction of the Morse alphabet for all visual signals on shore, and Lieutenant Colomb afterwards invented the flash light for naval signals at night. The use of the Morse alphabet also led to the intro- duction of the Heliostad into the service for day signals on shore. 411 INDEX. A. Abercromby, Rt. Hon. J.. 378. Abetot, Urso de. 5, 16, 17, 216. Act of Resumption (1468), 221. Adam, brother of Eudo, 15 ; of Water- fall, 25; Rob. fitz, see Robert. Adams, Will., of Longdon (Salop), 335 ; John, s. of, 335. Adams, Jane, w. of John, 335. Adams, Arms of, 335. Adlington, co. Chester, 202, 246. Agard, Ralph, 253. Agelwinus, Vicecomes (Alwin, Sheriff of Warwick), 5; Turchil, s. of, 5. Agelwius, Abbot (d. 1077), 4, 7, 10, 13, 14. Aid on the Knighthood of the King s eldest son (1306), 61. Ailric, 7. Airmyn, Sir Will., of Osgodby, 207; Isab., w. of, 207. Aken, see Oaken. Albrighton. 100, 139, 274; Fair of, 148 ; Foxhounds, 386. Alderlev, 192, 193, 194, 195. 248. 252, 272, 288, 293, 299 ; Nether, 202. 203; Rob. de Hampton, parson of, 203. Aldford, CO. Chester, 142, 143, 192, 193, 194, 202, 203. 204 246, 248, 251, 252. Aldinton. Ric. de, 36. Alditheley (Audley), Adam de, 23, 27, 28; Liulph, brother of, 23; Hen. de, 31. Almeley, co. Hereford, 300. Alspath, 235. Alstonfield, 30. Althorp, Lord, 378. Alured, the Dapifer, 12. Aluric, the King s Thane, 5. Alvandelegh, 150; Thorn, de, 153. Alwin, see Agelwinus. Ambulcote, bailiwick of, 250. Amnesty (1452), 205. 206. Amundeville. Rich, de, 63. Andre, Major, 358, 361. Anecot, see Onecote. Angers Military School. 364. Angle, Sir Guy de, 150. Anketill, Walt., s. of, 23. Apetot, Alex, de, 17. AquiUun, Rog. , 13 ; Luc. , s. of, 13. Archer, Col., 375; Marianne Lucy, d. of, 375. Archer, Sir John, of Coopersale 338, 341; Elean., d. of, 338, 340. Archers, Assessment for ; see Assess- ment. Archers, Mounted (1360). 131. Arderne, Sir John, of Aldford, 142, 143, 150, 192, 193, 194, 201. 203, 204 ; Inquisition on deatli of (1408), 192: Margt., w. of, 193, 194; Elena, w. of, 143, 192. 203, 204; Isab., d. of, 142, 143, 150; Matil., d. of, 143, 150, 203; Kath., d. of, 143. 150 ; Walcheline, or Walkeline, s. of, 143. 192, 203; Pet., s. of, 143; Thom., s. of, 143, 192, 203, 204. Arderne, John, s. of Thos., 204, 205; Margt., w. of. 204, 205; Matil., d. of, 205. Arderne, Sir Thom. de, 143, 172, 173, 177, 194, 203; Kath., w. of, 177. Articuli super Chartas, 58. Arundel. Earl of, 96. 102, 130. 188. Ashmole, Elias, 331. Askew, ser Ayscough. Aspley, 343. Assessment for Hobelars and Archers, Exon. for, 107, 114; for Men-at- arms, Exon. for, 108. Astlev, CO. Warwick, 236; Thom., Arin., 198. 207, 208, 209, 217, 262. 271; WiU., 262; Rich., 262; Gilbt.. Esq., 279, 280, 291; Sir Walt., 284; Walt., of PatshuU, 329 331 Astley, Eliz.. d. of Thom., 271. 277. A,stley, Rich., s. of Walt., 329, 330, 331. Aston, 332; Thom. de, Kt., 194, 322 ; Sir John. 254 ; Sir Walt.. 291. 297 ; Lord of Tixall, 331. Assheton, Will. de. of Crofton, 197. Atkins, Thom., of Chippenham, 391. Audler. Adam de, 23. 27. 28 ; John de, 54. 217 ; Hugh de, 62 ; James, Lord, 80, 108, 188, 217; George, 268. Aven, CO. Glamorgan, 221 ; Lordship of. 229. Avenel, John, 97. Avlesford. Heneage, Earl of, 356 ; 'Fran., d. of, 364. 412 INDEX. Aylewyne, Simon, 88, 93; Rag., 88, 93. Ayscough, Sir Will. , of South Kelsey, 258 ; Eliz , w. of, 258 ; Anne, d. of, 258. B. Babington, Zach., 298. Bacon, Sir Nich., 277. Badcote, co. Wore, 395. Baddow, co. Essex, 342. Badminton, co. Glouc, 395. Baganliolt, Bog. de, 49, 57, 66. Baggele, Ralph. 134. Bagod, Rich., 284. Bagot. Will., of Holedale, 28; Sir Win., 47, 49, 64, 70, 76, 80, 356, 358; Hervev. 31, 32. 85; Sir Hervev, 312, 329, 332 ; Ralph. 60 ; Sir John. 198; Sir Lewis, 255; Mr., 291. Bagot, Mili,s., w. of Hervev. 31, 52, 85. Bagot, Hervey, of Park Hall, s. of Sir Hervey, 330. Bagot, Rich., s. of Sir Hervey, 350. Bailiwick of Teddeslev, 111. Banastre, Sir Thorn..' 150, 152. Bank Charter Act (1826), 370; (1855), 571. Barbor, Rob., Esq., 545. Barford, 595. Barnehurst, John de, 157, 158, 160, 162, 209 ; John, s. of, 162. Barnehurst. Prebend of, 273, 284. Barneslev, James, of TrysuU, 289. Bamet, Battle of, 229. Baron, Will., 225, 238, 239, 240; Jane, d. of, 207, 238, 259; Joan, w. of. 240. Baron, W^l., of Reading, 258, 259, 267. Baronetcy, Treaty for (1641), 314. Barre, Will., of Albrighton, 100; Will, s. of. 100. Barrett, Hugh, 591; Thorn., of Titherton Lucas. 597. Barrett, Jane, w. of Thom., 597. Barton, Rob. de, 97. Basset. Sir Ralph, of Drayton. 57, 46, 49, 55. 60. 62, 65, 68, 69, 79. 80, 150 ; Ralph, Lord of Pattingham, 75 ; Sir Rog., 62. 65, 68, 178 ; Hen., 80, 82 ; Simon, 152 : Lord, 141, 149, 150, 152; Edm., 198; Will., 249, 268. Basset, Joan, d. of Sir Rog., 62, 68, 81. Basset, Sir Rog., Arms of, 63. Bayeux, Odo. Bishop of, 14, 16. Beauchamps, Earls of Warwick, 216 ; Emma, d. and h. of, 216. Beauchamp, John, Lord, 109, 112, 151, 152; Giles de, 152; Thom. de, 152, 162 ; Sir Will, de, 150, 152. Beauchamp, John, s. of Giles de, 152. Beauclerk, Miss, 550. Beaudesert, 332. Beaufort, Capt., F., R.N., 378. Beaumont, Hen. de, 132 ; John, 251. Bee, Rob. de, 29. Beck, Sir Nich. de, 136. Beck, Nich. de, Chev., 167. Beckbury, 155, 172; Phil, de, 49; Adam de, 156. Bedford, Earl of, 149; John, 4th Duke of, 546, 547, 549 ; Gertrude, Duchess of, 352. Befcote, 155. Beleia, Benj. de, 20. Bendish, Heigham, Esq., of East Ham, 344; Fran., w. of, 344. Bennet, Lady Caroline, 566 ; Capt. John Astley, R.N., 574; JuUa, w. of, 574. ^ ' Bensted, Edw. de, Kt., 205; John, 255. Bentley, 551; Riot at (1640), 515. Benyng, Rich., 88. 95; Rog., 95. Benynes, Hen., 88, 95. Bergavenny, Lord, 188. Berks, co., 15. 257. Berkeley, Thom. de, 122, 133 ; Lord. 188. Bernards Lench, 16. Bertram, Rob., s. of, 25. Betinson, John, 505. Bettisfield, co. Flint, 550. Beymount, John, 265. Bickford, 5. Biddulph, John, of Biddulph, 551, 552; Fran., s. of, 551. Bigod, Rog., the Marshal, 58. Billbrook, 179, 186, 190, 206, 272, 288, 289, 295, 299 ; Paul de, 49. Bilston. 279, 283,, 287, 500, 310; Geof. de, 67, 68, 82. Birmingham, Will, de, 60, 80. Bishton, 208, 209. Bissipate, Geo., Kt., 235, 254. Bissopesbury, see Bushbury. Bi.shop's Castle, in co. Salop, 301. Bissopeston, J. de, 17. Black Death, The (1349), 109, 112. Black Prince. 127, 130, 136, 141, 149, 161 ; Joan, w. of, 151. Blackbume, Capt., 522. Blackladies, 286. Blackland, 285. Blakeleye, Rog. atte, of Wrottesley, 95; Rog. s. of, 95. Bhtlifield. 529, 332 Blois, Chas. de, 101, 124. Blore, near Okeover, 54. Blore, Ralph de, 27, 28. Blother, Sir Thom., 298. INDEX. 413 Blount, John le, Sheriff of co. Staf- ford, 115 ; John, of Mountjov, 249; John, 253; Walt., Kt., 217, 268; Humph., Kt., 237; Thorn., 238, 252. Blunden, Will., of Bishop's Castle, 301; Howard, w. of, 301. Blunt, Sir George, 394. Blunte, John, 220. Bobbington. 80, 283. Bobenhill, Prebend, 273, 284. Botfari, Rog. (Lord of Lower Penn), 39 ; and see Buffary. Bohun, Humph, de, the Constable, 58; Will, de. Earl of Northamp., 103, 105, 107, 112, 161. Boidele, John, Kt., 150; Kath., w. of, 150, and see Boydell. Bolingbrokes, Lady, 349. Bolinghole, Hugh de, 49. Bolour, Rob., Deputy Marshal, 121, 127. ' ^ -^ ' ' Bonde, Adam le, 88. Bonvalet, Will., 17. Bordensmulne, 153. Boseawen, Miss, 350. Boscobel, 336. Boseville, Ralph de, 20. Bostock. Hugh de, 194; Will., 303. Bosworth, Battle of, 247. Boterdon, see Butterton. Boterton, Alan de, 51; Hen., s. of, 51. Boteeourt, John de, 113, 126. Bothun, near Crablow, 48. Botiller, John le, 40, 52 ; Ric le, 50 ; Ralph le, 80 ; Sir Will. le. of War- rington, 191, 192. 196. Botiller, Eliz., w. of Sir Will, le, 191. 192, 196. Boughey, Sir John Fenton, 368. Bowes, Sir John, 284. Bowlde, 394. Bowyer, Sir Will., 297. Boydell, John, Kt., 153, 174; Kath. w. of, 153, 174. Boydell, Will., 198; and see Boidele. Boyville, Will., Arm., 233, 235. Bracy, see Bressy. Bradley. Walt, de, 38 ; Reg. de, 45. Bradwall, Hamond de, 38. Braillesford, Sir Hen. de, 155. Braillesford, Hugh de Wrotte.sley, Bailiff of, 155. Bray, Hen. de, 29, 56, 57 ; Will, de, 57. Bread Riots (1800), 366. Breosa, Pet. de, 132. Brereton, Will., 331; Rich., 332. Bressy, Hen., of Escott, 300. 308; Dory, w. of. 500, 308. Bret, Walt., 9. Bretforton, co. Wore, 11, 13, 17. Breux, see Breosa. Brewood, 342 ; Forest of, 20, 49. Bridgenorth, 47, 299, 300, 319. Bridport, Will., 134. Brian, Guy de, 130, 132, 141, 149, 150, 152, 153. Brien (de Standon), 6, 7. Britford, CO. Wilts., 390, 393; Manor RoUs (1546-53), 393. Brittany, Duke of, 149, 152 ; Duchess of, 151. Brocas, John, 132, 133; Sir Oliv., 133. Brodie, Sir Benj., 381. Broke, John, 122 ; Sir George, 230. Brooke, John, of Blackland, 283; Franc, w. of, 283. Broke, Walt., of Lapley, 332. Brokeman, John. 227. Bromley, Sir John, 233, 234 ; Fran- cis, of Hallon, 289, 290. Bromley, Joyce, w. of Francis, 289, 290. ' Brompton, Thorn, de, 60 ; Sir John de, 136. Bronlys, in Wales, 145. Brougham, Lord, 378, 379. Broughton, Thorn., 551. Brown, Will., 89; Geo., 227; John, 245, 246, 260, 261, 262. BiudeneU, Rob., 253. Brumham, co. Wilts.. 391. Buch, Captal de, 138, 149. Buckingham, Humph, de, Stafford, Duke of, 217; Edw., Duke of, 253. BucUfort, Phil, de, 97. Biidworth, co. Chester, 150, 251. Budworth in Le Fryth, 174, 188. Buenvasleth, see Bonvalet. Buffaiy, Rob., of Penn, 61. 66. 68. 76; John, 168. Bulkeley, Ellen de, 145; Rob. de, of, Ridalheth, 174; Pet. de, of Chedle, 194, 203; Edm., 252. Buller, Edw. Manningham, 371. Burceston, Nich. de, 27. Burdele, see Boydell. Burdett's Bill for Relief of R. Catholics. 569. Burdon Mill, 207, 208. Burgeston (Burston), Nich. de, 28. Burghersh, Sir Barth. de, 108, 136, 158. Burgo, Phil. Fitz, Bisliop de, 28. Burgoyne, Gen., in America (1777), 557 ; Sir John, 380-83 ; Field Mar- shal Sir John Fox, Bait., 584. Burgoyne, Margt. Anne, d. of Sir John Fox. 584. Buriey, Sir John de, 152, 155, 152. Burnell, Nich.. 151. 152. Burton, Rob. de, 97 ; Mr. Justice, of Longnor, 558. Burton. Anne, d. of Mr. Justice, 558. 1 Burton. Thorn., s. of Mr. Justice, 343. 414 INDEX. Bushbury, 76, 104, 160, 310, 332, 343; Rob., Lord of, 36, 37, 41; Ralph de, 43, 45, 49, 50, 68 ; Hen. de, 76, 80, 156. 157, 162, 164, 168, 170, 171. Bushbury, Rog., br. of Ralph de, 45. Butler, James, Earl of Wilts, 219, 221. Butterton-on-the-Moors, 26, 29-33, 36, 56, 65, 68, 73, 92, 104 140, 142, 157, 162, 167, 172, 186, 190, 202, 207, 208, 245, 246, 259, 261, 271, 289, 292, 294. 299, 310 ; Will, de, 25, 28, 32, 34, 66; Ingrid de, 28; Bened. de, 49, 54, 56, 66; Alan de, 65 ; Hugh de, 66 ; Adam de, 66. Butterton, Will., s. of Will de, 34, 66; Luke, s. of, 32, 33. Butterton, Hen., s. of Alan de, 65. Butterton, Rich., s. of Adam de, 66. Buttetourt, see Botetourt. BuxhuUe, Sir Alan. 149, 150, 152. Byrch, John, 332. C. Caerlaverock, Siege of, 75. Calais, 128. 228; Surrender of, 108, 235; Roll (1347), 161; Sir Walt. Wrotteslev, Governor of (1472), 230. Calcroft, Mi-., 349. Caldewelle, Will, de, 48. Cambridge, Earl of, 138, 149, 152. Camera, Adam de, 41. Canterbury, Lanfranc, Archbp. of, 10. Capell, Lord, 325. Careswall, Sir Hen. de, 69. Carles, WUl., Kt., 168. Carlisle, Earl of, 357, 358 ; Caroline, w. of, 357. Carnegode, 6. Carte, Will., 89. Casteme, 25 ; Rob. de, 25, 30 ; Will., 30, 36. Castle Bromwich, co. Warwick, 287, ■ 296. Cathcart, Lord, 365. Caverswall, Sir Pet. de, 148 ; see Careswall. Cawardyne, John, 249. Ceraso, Rob. de, 13. Chabbeham, Magister Thom. de, 43. Chaloner, John, of the Wergs, 180 ; Will., 340. a Chamberlain of Cheshire. Sir Will. Stanley, the, 248 ; Will., s. of, 248. Chamberlain, Anne, 300. aiandos, Sir John. 108, 132. Chapter of the Order of the Garter, see Garter. Charnes, Reg. de, 74 ; Julia, w. of, 74. Charta, Magna, 58 ; Articuli super, 58. Charter of the Forests, 58. Chartley, 136. Chaspeli, near Kinver, 289. Chaunipeneis, Will., 43. ChaA-tor, Sir Will., 376; Mary, w. of 376. Chedle (Cheadle), 194, 203. Chelmarsh, co. Salop, 256, 394. Chenevertone, scr. Kinwarton. Cherleton, John de, 131. 132; Owin de, 134. Chester, Pet., Bishop of (1088), 6, 7; Herald. 331. ('hetwynde, John de, Kt., 155; Sir Phii. of Ingestre, 245; Walt., of Ingestre, 332. Chetwynde, Sir Adam de, 101 ; Phil. de, 102; Sir Walt., 297. Chetelton, Will, de, Kt., 27, 48. Cheveley, Hen., Clerk to Walt. Wrottesley, 225. Chillington, 27, 80, 179, 209, 291, 331, 336 ; Garrison of, 324. Chippenham, co. Wilts, 390-3, 397. Chokke, Sir Rich., 245, 258, 261, 262. Cholettes, Thorn., 88. Cholmundelegh, Rob. de, 174; Rich., s. of, 174. Chorley. co. Chester, 290. Chronicle of Thom. de la More, 112. Chynok, Ralph, Arm., of Wrottesley, 195. Cirencester, Abbot of, 88. Clapham, Rich.. 227. Clarell, Eliz., 202. Clarence, Lionel, Duke of, 136, 138 ; George, Duke of, 25, 226. Clarendon Park, co. Wilts, 390. Claverley, Alex, de, 9. Clemens, Thom., 227. Clement, of Wolverhampton, 38. Clent, 113, 219, 220, 241 ; Grant of, 219 ; Farm rents of, 134. Clifford, Sir Louis de, 152. Clinton, Geof. de, 19; Hen. de, 21, 23; Osb. de, 21; WiU. de, 21, 23; John, Lord, 233, 234. Cnutton, see Knotton. Coal, Proposed Tax on, 360. Cobham, Lord Reg. de, 107, 130, 136 ; John de, 131. Cockvs, Will., of Pattingham, 242. Cocton, 10, 12, 17. 18, 24, 77; La Wyke (in {sec Wvke) ; Rich, de Ver- dun 24: Rob.'^de, 19; Will, de (1149), 10, 20; Will, de, 32; Simon de, 34; Ralph de (1121), see Ralph, br. of the Abbot of Evesham ; Ralph de (1166), 11, 12, 21, 23. Cocton, Will., brother of Rob. de, 19, 20. Cocton, Ralph, s. of WiD. de (1149), 10. 20. INDEX. 415 Cocton, Simon, s. of Will de, 32, 34. Cocton, Simon, br. of Simon, 34. Cocton, Const., vv. of Simon de, 34. Cocton, Simon, s. of Ralph de (1166), 11, 20, 23. Coctune, Will, de, 8, 22; Simon, s. of, 8, 22. Codsall,49, 153, 172, 245, 261, 272, 287, 288, 289, 295, 299, 300, 310, 324; Prebend, of, 294; Monument to Walt. Wrottesley (1630) at, 292, 294 ; Hen. de, 49, 93 ; John, 189. Cogan, Sir John, 190. Cointise, the, 61. Colates, Thorn., 89. Colclough, Sir Ant., of Tintern Abbey, 296; Clara, d. of, 296. Coleshidl, Emald de, 23. Colesone, Will., 172. Collins, Ant., of Baddow, 342. Colton, 31; George, 280. Comberford, Will., 332. Comines, Phil, de, 232. Commis.sion of the Peace, co. Stafford (1471), 228; (1 Rich. III.), 249; (1 Hen. VII.), 249; (2 Hen. VII.), 249; (1 Hen. VIII.), 253; (3 Hen. Vin.), 253; (1531), 268. Commission, Special (1539), 269 ; of Array (1641), 316; (1642), 318. Committee for Advance of Money 1642-7), 327. Composition in lieu of Knighthood, (1630), 297. Compounding. Rules for (1645), 528. Compton, CO. Warwick, 7, 272. Congreve, Rich., of Stretton, 336. Constantine, 8, 13. Conyers, John, Kt., 227 ; John, s. of, 227. Conyers John, of Copt Hall, 374 ; JuHa, d. of, 374. Coopersall, co. Essex, 358, 541. Copley, Rog., Arm., 264; Sir John, 267. Copt Hall, CO. Essex, 574. Corbet, Rog., of Hadlev, 47. 80; Edel., w of, 47. Corbet, Reg., of Pontesbury, 500; Sus., \y. of, 500. Corbuson, Will. Fitz, of Stodley, 18-19; Pet., s. of, 18. Coi'buson, Geof. , 20. Cosham, co Wilts, 258. Cottenham, Lord Chancellor, 373. Coughton, see Cocton. Coupeland, John de, 97. Court, the Earl ^Marshall's (1659), 511. Courtenav, Sir Hugh de, 109, 227; Lady, 151; Sir Will., 226; Will., Vise., 356, 364; Ladv Charlotte, 377; Pet., 226; Phil.', 227. 255; Humph., 227. Courtenay, Franc, d. of Will., Vise, 564; Franc, d. of, 356, 561,^564. Courtenay, John, s. of Phil., 253, 235. Courtpoint, the. 61. Coutances, Godf. , BLshop ot, 15. Coven, 310, 545 ; Sir Ralph de, 47. Coyney, Thom., of Weston Coyney, 551, 352. Craig, Magd., 545. Crecy, Battle of, 106. Cresset, Rich., of Upnor Cresset, 259 ; Jane, w. of, 259. Cresset, Hen., 269. CresswaU, Hen. de, 62, 102; Thom., 215; Rich., 272, 273. Creswell, Rich., of Pert on. 551. Creye, Thom., 48, 53, 94, 95 : Thom., s. of, 94, 95, 97; Will., s. of, 95. Creye, Will., of Tettenhale, 93 ; John s. of, 93. Croft, Rich.. 209. Crombe (Croom), Adam de, 555. Crompton, Thom., 312, 315; Thom., flsq., of Stone Park, 358; L^rsula, vv. of, 337: Eliz., d. of, 558. Croukwall. Rich.. 199, 209. Crouthour, Geof. le, 55, 68. Croxden Abbey. 9; Abbot of, 31. 41, 60. ' Crudcot Forest, 33. Crusade (1554), 92. Culcitra, the, 61. Cumpton, in Tettenliall, 94, 95. Curburgh, 279, 287, 289. 299. Curli, Rob. de, 21. Curson, Sir John, of Kedleston, 542 ; Elean., d. of, 542. Curtis, John Rob. Lloyd, 353. D. Daa, Rob., 150; Aline, d. and h. of, 150. Dabrigecourt, Sir Sanchio, 109. D'Achely. Earl, 150. Dalton, "John, de, Kt.. 194. Daneys, Walt, le, 58. Darley, see Derlee. Darrell, Sir Rich., of Littlecote, 245, 246, 259, 261; Jane, w. of, 245, 246, 250, 258, 259, 261. Dartford, Petron. Wrottesley, nun at, 240. Daumas, Rich., 65. Davenport, Arth., de, 174; Will., 290; Hen. of Cliorley, 290; John, 371. Dawson, Lieut., R.E., 578. Delany, Mrs., 552. Delaval, Sir Franc, 354. Delawarr, Lord. Vice-Chamberlain (1766). verses of. 350. Denbigh. Earl of, 319. 322, 324. 416 INDEX. Denstone, 26 ; Sir Hen. de, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 56; Nich. de 30; Francis John Wrottesley, Vicar of, 363. Derby, Will, de Ferrers, Earl of, 33 ; Ro'b. do Ferrere, E;u-1 of, 42 ; Hen., Earl of, 152; Thorn., Earl of, 251, Derington, John de, 116, 117, 118, 122. Derlee, Rob. de, 36 ; Adam, s. of, 36. Despencer, Simon le, 11 ; Hugh le, 30 ; Hugh le, the younger, 238 ; Edw. le, 130, 132; Gilbt., le, 132; Lord, 138. Devereux, Rob., Earl of f]ssex, 311; Leicester, 332 ; Edw. , of Castle Bromwich, 287, 293. 299; Walt., Vise. Hereford, 287, 288, 298. Devereux, Margt., d. of Edw., 287, 296. Deverous, Will., of West Bromwich, 80. Devonshire, Will.. 4th Duke of, 346. Dey, Walt, le, 179. Dickens, Humf., 280. Dictum of Kenilworth, 42. Diva, WiU. de, 21. Domesday Survey, 4. Dorset, Thom., Marquis of, 253; Lord, 336. Douglas, Lord James, 81. Drake, Ralph, of Bobbington, 283, 286; Franc, w. of, 283, 286. Drakelowe, 202. Draycote, John de, 133, 198 ; Rog. , 226; Phil., of Painsley, 331. Drayson, Maj.-Gen., R.A., 376 ; Ellen Mary Isabel, d. of, 376. Drayton, 37, 46, 62, 63, 69, 79, 80, 130, 150 ; Basset, 64, 154. Droitwich, 299, 310. Drummond, Lieut., R.E., 378. Dudley, 301, 331 ; Garrison at, 330 ; Barony, 270: Priory, 279; John de Somery, Baron of {see Somery) ; John, Lord, 270; John de Sutton, Baron of {see Sutton) ; Sir John, Duke of Northumberland, 269, 270, 273, 280, 283; Rich, de Chev., 171 ; Dr. Rich., ChanceUor of Salis- bury, 256, 390; Mr. Rob., 271; Edw., Lord, 344. Dudley, Cath., d. of Edw., Lord, 344. Dudmaston, co. Salop, 333, 335. Dugdale, Will., of Shustoke, Chester. Herald, 331. Dunbar Castle, Siege of (1327), 96; Black Agnes of, 96. Dunham Massoy, Manor of, 193. Dunkan, Rob., 8, 78; Rog., 77. Dunkirk, Siege of, 365. Dunstable Chronicle. 41, 57. Dunston, 82; Heath, 116; Hen. de, 27. Durand, Sheriff of Glouc, 14. Durham, Letter of Lord John Russell, 379. Dyckins, John, 332. Dymmok, Sir Thorn., 226. Dyot, Sir Rich., 332. E. Earn, Sir Hen., of Brabant, 109. East Ham, 344. Eastbrent, co. Somerset, 390, 391. Echeles, 192, 193, 194, 202, 203, 204, 248. 251, 252. Eda, Will., s. of, 56 ; Ingrith, sist. of, 56. Edgworth Memoirs, 354. Edmodeston, Steph. de, 37 ; John, s. of, 37. Edmund, s. of Edw. III., 136. Edric, the Steersman of the Bishop's Ship, 15. Egerton, Will., 198; Hugh, 249; John, 254 ; Ralph, 331. Eland, John, 134. Eld, Rich., of Seighford,283; Margt., w. of, 283, 286. Elder stoke, see Oldstoke. Elford, CO. Staffs., 142. Elkstone, 31, 34. Elmedon, Will, de, of Pilatonhale, 64, 67, 74, 81; Steph. de, 67, 74, 81; Walt, de, 67. Elmedon, Rosea, w. of Will, de, 64, 67, 74. Elmhurst, 279. Elrygton, John, Arm., 238. Elsenham Hall, co. Essex, 376. Embassy of Warwick to the King of France, 222. Engelton, WiU. de, 84, 111. 172; Rich, de. 111, 134. 164; Thomas, 53. Engelton, Will. s. of Rich, de, 134, 164. Englinton, John de, 50. Enville, 311, 330. 344 ; Rich, de, 43, 45. Erdeswick, Hugh, 198, 249. Erdington, Thom. de, 31 ; Heir of, 31 ; Giles de, 41, 44. Escapes from the Marshalsea (1353), 121, 125. Escott, near Meriden, co. Warwick, 300, 308. Essex, CO., 338, 341, 342, 374. 376; Rob., Earl of, 297, 311. Es.sington, Sir Rob. de, 35. Estcoui-t, Giles, of New Sarum, 394. Etchells, see Echeles. Eton, James de, 134. Eudo, 15 ; Adam, br. of, 15. Evenefeld, Rich, de, 41; Will, de, 66 , and see Enville. INDEX. 417 Everdon, Thorn., 207, 209, 217. Evers, Sir Samp., 315. Evesham, 8, 10 ; Battle of, 41 ; Char- tulary, 10, 11 ; Walt., first Norman Abbot of (1077-1104). 5, 7, 10, 11- 16; Agelwine, Abbot of (d. 1077), 4, 7, 10, 13, 14; John, Abot of (1316), 8, 78, 81, 83, 84; Reginald, Abbot of (1130-49), 8, 11 ; Adam, Abbot of (1160), 8, 9 ; Rog., Abbot of (1199), 32; WiU., Abbot of (1325), 87; Rog., Abbot of (1385), 174. Evesham, Ralph, brother of Walt., Abbot of Evesham, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14. 15, 16, 17, 18. 19, 20, 21, 23. Eyre, W^ill., 541; Elian., w. of, 341. F. Fanshawe, Rob. FaithfuU, 362. Farley, Will, de. Keeper of the Ward- robe, 131 ; Will, de, Accounts of. 129. Farnham, co. Surrey, 395. Faterfal, see Waterfall. Fauconbridge, Bastard, 231, 232, 235. Faunt, Nich. . Mayor of London, 231. Ferelowe, Lawr.. 227. Fernvhall. Rob.. 212. Ferrers, Hen. de, 15, 31, 94, 114; Rob. de, of Loxlev, 27, 28 ; Rob. de, 42 ; Will, de, 33, 80 ; Sir Will. de, of Groby, 196, 197. 198 ; John de, 131 ; John, Lord of Chartley, 136 ; John, of Tetenhall Regis, 251 ; Sir John, 253; Sir Ralph, 148. Ferrers, Eliz., w. of Sir Will, de, of Grobv, 196, 197. Field, 329, 332. Finch, John, Esq., 337; Sarah w. of, 337. Finch, Ladv Franc, 364. Fitz Bishop (de Burgo), Phil.. 28. Fitz Corbuson, Will., of Stodley, 18, 19; Pet., s. of, 18. Fitz Herbert, Ant., 254; Will., of Swinnerton, 331. Fitz Simon, Will., 31, 33; Rich., 35, 108; Hen., 35. Fitz Warine, Will., of Trescott, 40. Fitz William, Oliv., of Ipstones, 331. Flanders. Hen. de, 131. Fleetwood, Sir Rich., 331. Fleming, John le, 140; John, of Tetenhall, 207; Hen., 199; Rog., 211; Franc, 285. Folshouk, Ralph, 54. Fonte, Rich, de, 58. Ford, 48. Foster, Cbarles Smith, 371. Fowler, Walt., of St. Thomas, 331. Foxhunte Ledegate, 147. 2g Frazer, Col., 322. Preeland, Fred., Esq., 565; Agnes Mabel, d. of, 565. Freman, Hen. le, of Oken, 95 ; Hen. le, of Wrottesley, 55, 48 ; Will, le, of Wrotteslev, 48; Ralph le, of Oken, 95. Freman, Thorn., s. of Hen. le, of Oken, 93. Freman, Alice, w. of Hen. le, of Wrottesley, 35, 48. Frene, John de, 59. Frere, Simon le, 138 ; Ada, w. of, 158. Frodeslcy, co. Salop, 299, 300. Frome Selwood, co. Somerset, 256. Fryer, Rich., 371. Fu'lfen, 279. Fulwood, John de, 91, 92, 95, 156 ; Rich, de, 94. Fulwood, Ralph, br. of Rich, de, 94, 95. Fynone, 365. ^ G. Galliardello, Mark Antony, 318, 524. Gardiner, Gen. Will., 554, 558; Har- riett, w. of, 554 ; Gertrude Florinda, d. of, 554. Garter, Order of the, 108. Garter. Chapter of the (1550), 111; (1561), 136; (1364), 138; (1371), 141; (1372), 143; (1374), 149; (1376), 149; (1577), 150; (1578), 152; (1379), 152. Garter King of Arms, 225. Garter, Statutes of the, at Wrottes- ley, 240. Gatacre, Will., Esq., 283. Gataker, Geof.. 82, 94, 95, 117; Will., s. of, 94, 95. Gataker, Thom. de, 116, 117, 118, 122, 128; AUce, w. of, 116, 117, 118, 122, 128. Gate, Sir Geof., 226, 230, 235, 234, 236, 237. Gate House at Wrotteslev, 333. Gaunt, John of, 130, 156". Gech, Thom., 149, 169. Geffrey, Walt., of Salop, 104; John, s. of. 104. General Muster (1558), 269; (1640), 512. Gerald, the Sheriff (1121), 12. Gerard, Thom., Kt., 194. Gervase, of Wolverhampton, 57. Gervoys, Thom., Esq., of Northfield, 595, 394, 595, 596; Cecily, w. of, 393, 594, 595. Gervys, Thom., Jane, and Winifred, 595. Giffard, Walt., 15; Walt., of Mar- ston, 551: Walt., of Chillington, 418 INDEX. 336 ; Walt. Coutenay, of Chilling- ton 336; John, of Chillington, 51, 80, 291 ; John, of \Miitela(lies, 332 ; Sir John, 156, 167, 253, 268 ; Hob., of Chillington, 209; Humph., of Blackladies, 286; Pet., of Chil- lington (1201), 27, 331; Thorn., 198, 268. Giffard, John, s. of Walt., of Chilling- ton, 336. Giffard, Thorn., Esq., of Chillington, 377; Eliz., d. of, 377; Charlotte, w. of, 377. Gilberd, Will., of Codsall, 49. Gislebert (Gilbert, Domesday Tenant of Rob. de Stafford), 7. Glad.stone, W. E., 371. Glamorgan co,, 221, 229; Lordship of, 220. Glazeley, Sir Alan de, 59 ; Guy de, 82; Kath. de, 86. Glendower, Ow^en, 187. Glodoen, 4. Gloucester, Durand, Sheriff of, 14 ; Earl of, 96; Humph., Duke of, 203. Gomeny, de, 131. Goodlake, Edw. Wallace, 385; Caro- line, w. of, 385. Goodlake, Thom. Mills, Esq., of Wadley house, 385. Goodricke, Sir Fran., 368, 371, 372. Gordon Rear- Admiral 364 ; Charlotte, w. of, 364. Gorges, Sir Rob., of Worplesdon, 395 ; Mary, w. of, 395. Gouldnev, Gabriel, 391. Govver, 'John, of Woodhall, 274; Eliz., w. of, 274. Gower, John, 1st Earl of, 346, 349 ; Evelyn, w. of, 346 ; Mary, d. of, 346. Gower, Dowager Countess, 352 ; Lord, 356. Grafton, Duke of. Prime Minister (1769), 351; EUz.. w. of, 351, 352. Grailly, Piers de, 109. Graunson, Will., 131. Gravenor, Walt., 273. Graves, Col., 323. Gray, The Hon. John, of Enville, 343, 344; Franc, d. of, 343, 344. GreenhDls, 55, 56. Grendon, see. Grindon. Grasley, John, 285. Greisley, Mr., 291. Greysley, George, 268. Gresley, Will, de, 28; Pet. de, 60; Thom. de, of co. Derby, Kt., 194, 203 ; Sir John, of Drakelowe, 202, 206, 228, 249; Geof., Arm., 207, 208, 211 ; and see Grasley and Greisley. Gresley, Sir John, of Drakelowe, Thomasine, d. of, 202; Eliz., w. of, 202. Greville, Will., 253. Grey, John, Lord of Rothei-field, 108 ; Lord, 188; Lord, of Groby, 298, 330; Thom., of Grobv, 227, 232, 233; Reg. de, 131, 132; Hen. de, 132, 226; Hen., Duke of Suffolk, 298; Hen., of Enville, 311, 330, 331; Hen., Esq., 318; Edw., Kt., 220, 226, 236, 254; Edm., Earl of Kent, 236; Lady Jane, 273, 298; George Harry, 356. Grey, Ambrose, of Enville, s. of Lord, of Groby, 298, 311, 335; Maiy, d. of, 298, 307. Grey, Ambrose, of Whittington, s. of Ambrose, of Enville. 335 ; Dory, \v. of, 335. Grey, see Gray. Griffith, Thom., 198; Sir Walt., 254; Sir Hen., 331. Grindon, 54, 69, 92, 104, 140, 142. 157, 162, 167, 207, 208, 209, 289, 292, 294 ; Ralph de, 80 ; Rich, de, 142. Groby, Sir Hen. de Ferrers, Baron of, 94 ; see Ferrers. Grosvenor, John, 268 ; Salomon, King's Eschaetor, 292; Walt., of Bushbuiy, 332. Groucy, Will, de, 131. Guiminy, see Gomeny. H. Hackney Coaches, Abolition of (1830), 370. Hadington, Simon, of Bishton, 208, 209. Hadk-y, 47. Haggeley, Rob. de, 44, 66. Hale , Franc, van., 131, 138. Hales, Reg. de, 30. Halghton. Thom. de, 94; Nich. de, 97; Humph., Sheriff of Staffs., 198. Hall, Sir John, 396 ; Dorothy, w. of, 396. Hallon, CO. Salop, 289, 290. Hampton, 8, 10, 16, 97, 162, 163, 208, 209 ; Sir John, 87-90, 95, 98, 104, 157, 162, 164, 189 ; John, of Stour- ton, 209; Rog. de, 133; Rich, de, 157, 158, 170; WiU. de, 159; Thom. de, Chiv., 159; Rob. de. Parson of Alderley, 203. Handesacre, Will, de, 28, 60. Handsworth, 220, 241 ; Grant of, 219. Hanmer, Sir John, 371. Hanson, Rich., 198. Harecourt, Rich., 198. INDEX. 419 Harcourt, John de, 60, 220 ; John, of Kanton, 250, 263; Dame Margt., 250, 263; Godfrey de, 106; Sir Thorn, de, 148; Thorn., Esq. 250, 251, 263; Franc, 331; Lord,' 350. Harcourt, Isab., d. of John, of Ranton. 250, 263. Harding, Will., of Wyke, 395 ; Kath., w. of, 395; Mary d. of, 395. Harpur, Hugh. 133; John, 217; Will, 249. Hartingfordbury, 274. Hartnup, Mr. John, 378. Hastang, Rob., 80; John, 80, 102. Hastings, Hen. de. 42 ; Laur. de, Earl of Pembroke. 162 : Lord, 232 235, 236 ; Sir John, 252. Hatherton, Lord, 378. Hatton, Capt. , 325. Haughton, Thom. de, 80 ; Thorn. fitz Rog. of, 27, 28. Haunde. co. Salop, 289, 290. Havilt, Will, de, 13. Hawkeswell, near Patshull, 47 ; in the Forest of Brewood, 49 ; Mill at, 73. 90, 271, 277. Heathcote, John Moyer, of Conning- ton Castle, 375; Charles Gilbt. s. of, 375. Heathcote, Lucy Edith, w. of Charles Gilbt., 375. Hedecote, 13. Hehon, Walt, de, 46. Hellver, Rev. John, 364; Charlotte, w. of, 564. Hengham, R. de, 17 ; Ralph de (1270), 44, 46, 55. Hennebon, Relief of, 101. Henry fitz Simon, 35. Heppeham, Hugh de, 80. Herbert, Sydney, 371. Herburburi, Will, de, 23. Hereford, co., 139, 300 301, 342; Rob., Bishop of (1086), 15, 16; Earl of, 141 ; Walt. Devereux, Vise, 287, 288, 298. Heronville, Sir John de, Kt. , 61, 65; Simon, of Wednesbury, 139. Heronville, John, s. of Simon, 139. Herriard, co. Hants. , 390. 394. 397. Herries, 371. Herthill. John, 227. Herwarde, 86, 88. Hesketh, Sir Thorn., 395. Hevenfeud, see Enville. Heveningham, Sir Walt., of Aston, 332. Hewitt, Hen. 295; Sir Thos., of Shireoaks, s. of, 292. 294. 295. Hewitt, Eliz., w. of Sir Thom., 292, 294; Walt., s. of, 292. Hide, 208, 209. 331; Thom. de la, 80 ; and see Huyde. Hidlesdale, 69, 73. Hill, Rob., 249. Hill, Rev. Canon Chas. Rowl. Hay- dock, 376 ; Ellen Maria, w. of, 376. Hillaiy, Rog.. 91, 94, 136, 171; Sir Rich., 158. Hilton, 134. 332. Himley, 329. Hintes, Ralph de, 28. Hobelars, Assessment for, see Assess- ment. Hocleye, Adam de, 94, 95. Hoggeshawe, Thom. de, 132. 133. Holbai-we, Hen. de, 160; Rich, de, 164. Holedale, 28. Holland, Sir Thom., 108, 124, 150 152; Sir Otho, 108; Lord, 349 Holt, CO. Wore, 220, 252; Pet del the Elder, 194; Thom., 268. Holyoake, Mr Franc, 368, 371; Mr George, 368, 371 ; Family, 368. Homildon Hill, 189. Hopton, Walt., of Stretton Grantham, 301; Eliz., w. of, 301. Horewode, Will, del., 68. Home, Gerv. 227. Horsebrook, 342. Hough, Mr. Joseph, Household of the King, 129. Howard, Lord, 236. Howe, Sir Will., Operations of, in America (1775-6), 356, 357, 361; Departure and ovation (1778), 357, 358. Howel, Res ap., 139 ; Phil., s. of, 139 Howel, Mabel, d. of Phil., 139. Hudlestone, John, Kt., 227; Will., s. of, 227; Thom., s. of, 227 Hudlesdale, Will, de 66. Hugh, Will., s. of, 160. Hugvnes, John, 89. Hulle, Will, del., of Lappeley, 52. Hulton, 134, 135. Humet, Enguerrand de, 9 ; Rich, de. Const, of Normandy, 9. Humet, Jordan, br. of Enguerrand, 9. Hundesacre, Will, de, 27. Hunta, 4. Huntingdon, 134, 135 ; Hay of. 111 : Earl of, 152. Hutchinson, Thom., of Woodhall and Owthorpe, 342. Huton, Will, de, 172. Huxley, Prof., 381. Huvde, Giles del., 189. Huyme, Thom., in le, 88, 93. Hyde, see Hide. Ideshale^ co. Salop, 139. Ham, 25. 420 INDEX. num, Turgist de, 25, 28, 30 ; Domina Maria de, 30. Hum, Mary, w. of Turgist de, 25, 28, 30. Inge, Theod. Will., Esq., of Thorp Constantine, 345 ; Henrietta, w. of, 345. Ingestre, 245, 332. Ingolesby, Ralph, Clerk to Wult. Wrottesley, 225. Ingrith, sister of Eda, 56. Insula, Herb, de, 23. Ipplepen, co. Devon, 264, 267. Ipstones, 331 ; Will, de, 27, 28 ; John de, 62, 69. Isolda o' the Grene, 89. Ivetsay, see Ovevhotshave. James, Col., R.E., 381. Jeffreys, John, Esq., of Tynone, 363 ; ilariana Eugenia, d. of, 363. Jellicoe, Edw., 340. Jervoise, Mr. F. M. E., of Herriard, 390 ; see Gervoys. Joan, Prince.ss of Wales, 151. John fitz Phihp, Kt., 43. John o' the Grene, 89. Johnson, Pet., Armorer, 321. Jolif, Rog., 133. K. Keck, Miss, 350. Keele, 296. Kegworth, Simon de, 121. Kelby, Thorn., 134. Kelsall, 174, 188, 251. Kemp. Rich., 94, 95. Kendale, Edw. de, 132. Kenfort, see Oxford. Kenilworth, Dictum of, 42. Kenilworth, John de. Ill, 134, 164 ; John, s. of. 111, 134, 164; Margt., d. of, 111, 164. Kent, WiU., Neville, Earl of 219; Edm. Grey, Earl of, 236. Keppel, Admiral, 351. Kerr, Mr. Bellenden, 378. Kersewell, Thom. de, 28. Kerton, 396. Key, John, Esq., 258. Kinfare (Kinver), Farm Rents, 134; Fermor of, 166. Kinver, 45, 113; Manor RoU (1525), 267 ; Swanimote of, 53 ; Forest, 45. Kingley, 267. Kingscarswell, 264. King's Svvinford. 113. Kingston, Thom de, 132 ; John de, 134 ; Duke of, 546. Kingston, Evelyn, w. of Duke of, 346. Kinnersley, Thom., 332. Kinwarton, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 17; Ralph de (1166), 12, 18, 19; Rob., _s. of, 18. Kinwarton, Joan, \v. of Rob., 18. Kirbys Quest, 52, 85. Kiriel, John, 131. Kirke, Sir Louis, 319. Kirton, see Kerton. Knightley. Jordan de, 28. Knockin, 59, 86. Knollys, Sir Rob., 142, 178; Thom., of North Mimnis, 240. Knollys, Joan, d. of Thom., 240. Knote, Rob., 118. Knotton, Ralph de, 28. Knoyle, Rev. Chas. Wrottesley, Rector of, 347. Knyvet, Will., 227. Kutzleben, Christian, Baron, 353 ; Dorothy, w. of, 353; Will., s. ot, 353; Eliz., 2nd w. of, 353. Kutzleben, Susan, w. of Will., 35>5 ; Emma, d. of, 353. Kynardesley, Rob., 198. L. Lacon, Ro^yl., 393. 394, 395. La Hogue. 106. Lane. Will, in the, of Hampton, 97 ; Rich., 198; Thom., of Bentley, 313, 330, 331, 332; Col. John, of Wolverhampton and Hide, 530, 551. Lane, Jane, sist. of Col. John, 551 ; and see Lone. Lanfranc, Archbp. of Canterbury, 10. Langley, Jonathan, of Shrewsbury, 501; Margt., w. of, 301. Langeley, Edm. de, s. of Edw. III., 130. Langorse, in Wales, 145. Lansdowne, Marquis of, 379, 580. Lapley, 52, 332. Latymer, Will., 151, 132, Lord, 141, 149, 152; Sir Nich., '227. Launde, Sir Thom. de la, 225, 226. Laure, 5. Lauro, Kyneward de, 5. I-aweles, Rob , 52. Law ley, Thom., Esq., 395. Lawrance, Will. , of Hartingfordbury, 274 ; Dory, w. of. 274. Lee, 208, 209; WiU., 198; Rob., Bisli. of Coventiy and Lich., 268; Rich., Esq., 274; Sir Rich., of the Lee, 332; Hugh, of Woodford, 279, 280, 284, 287; Eliz., 296. Lee, Elinor, w. of Rich.. Esq., 274. Lee, MaiT, d. and h. of Hugh, 279, 284, 294. Leg, John 94. 95. Ijcgge, John, 133. Legh, Rob. de, Kt., 150. 174, 192, INDEX. 42: 193, 195, 203; Rob., of Adlington, 202, 246, 248; John, last villein tenant of Wrotteslev, 215. Legh, Rob., s. of Rob. de, Kt., 150, 193, 203. Legh, Rob., s. of Rob., 203; Rob., s. of, 203. Leigh, Sir Thorn., 297, 332 ; Col., 322, 324. Leicester, Rob., Eaii of, 21. Leighton Thorn., Arm., 288, 289. 293; SirEdw., of Wattlcsborough, 289. Leighton, Joyje, d. of Sir Edw., 289. 294 Leland, the Antiqxiary, 216. Lench, Hen. de, 89. Lennox, Lady Sarah, Letters of, 349. Lenz, Rog. de^ 12. Lestraunge, Hamon. 43; Rog., 53; John Baron of Knockin, 59, 86 ; Lord, 193, 248, 251. Lestraunge, Kath., d. of John, 59, 86. Letters of Junius, 351. Levelancea, Walt. , 13. Lever.sedge, Edm. , of Frome Selwood, 256 ; Elinor vr. of, 256. Leveson, Will., of Hampton, 208, 209; James, of Willenhall, 208, 209; James, of Perton, 255, 257; Geof., 122; Rog., 168; Rich.. 122, 162. 163. 170, 171. 172; Sir Rich., of Trentham, 332; Sir Rich., of Lilleshull 336; Colonel, 309, 322, *325; Edw., 274. 280; Nich., 237; Thorn., of Wolverhampton, 255, 256, 315. 331. Leveson, Margt., w. of James, of Perton, 257. Leveson, Rog., s. of Geof., 122. Leveson, Anne, w. of Thom., 256. Leveson-Gower, Lady Caroline, 357 ; Lord Granville, 366. Levington, Will, de, 8 ; see Loyiiton. Lewes, Rob. Passelewe, Archd. of, 37. Lewis, Sir Hen., 226. Leycester, Ralph Will., 353; Emma, w. of, 353. Leynthorp, John, 227. Leynton, John, 224. Liber Niger of the Exchequer, 12. Lichfield, 279, 2&7, 289, 299, 300. 310 ; Roland Lee. Bish. of, 268. LiUeshall, 336. Limesi, Geof. de, 19. Lincoln, Remig., Bish. of, 15. Lisbon (Lisbume), Countess of, 364. Lisle, John Dudley, Vise, 270; John, Lord de, 109, 112 ; Rob. de. 132. Litley, Thorn., 219, 228. Littlebury, Rob. de, 97. Littlecote. 245. Littleton, co. Wore, 11, 12, 13; Sir Thorn., 245, 246, 258, 260, 261; Rich., 245, 246, 253, 260, 261, 262; Edw., Kt., 268, 288, 293, 293, 319, 320, 331, 332, 333; Sir Edw., of Pillaton Hall, 333 335; George, Arm., 285; John, Arm., 293; Edw. John, 368 371; Mr. E. J., 378. Littleton, INIary, w. of Sir Edw., of Pillaton Hall, 333, 335. Llovd Curtis, Lieut. -Col., 353. Lodelowe, Will. de. 158. Loges, Rich, de, of Rodbaston, 51, 61; Eliz., d. and h. of, 51, 61. Londesborough, Albt., 1st Lord, 386 ; Aug. Eliz., d. of, 386. Lone, Rich, in la, 160 ; Will, de la, of Hampton, 162, 163 ; John, of Hyde, 208, 209. Long, Sir Hen. . of Wraxall, 256 ; Elinor, w. of, 256; Hen., of South- weeke, 291. Longdon, 279, 287, 289, 299, 335. Longford, Hen. de, 155 ; Lettice, 1st w. of, 155. Longnor, co. Salop, 338, 343. Long Parliament, 314. Longvile, Geo., 227. Loryng, Sir Nigel, 109, 136, 138, 138, 141, 149, 150, 152, 153. Lougher, John, of Perton, 301, 308 ; Mary, w. of, 301, 308. Louis XL. 232. Love, Rich. , 393. Loveigne, Nich, de. 132. Lovell, Sir Thom., 253. Lowe, Adam de la, 37, 50 ; Edm. de, 189; Thom. atte, 211. Lowys, see Lewis. Loxley, 27. Loynton, 6, 7, 8, 20, 31, 32, 77, 78, 79, 101; deeds, 79; Rob. de, 49. 77; Rog. de, 101. Ludinton, Ralph de, 13. Liiterell, And., 132 Lutley, 44, 53, 115 269; Phil, de, 38. 68, 115-28. 165 ; Thom. de, 68 ; Edm. de, 159. Lutlev, Kath., w. of Phil, de, 115, 116, 119, 121-5, 128, 165. M Macklin (the Actor), 355. Macclesfield, Pet., of Maer, 332. Mackworth. Humph., 332. Madeley, 54. Maer, see Meer. Magna Charta, 58. Maidenhead, 238. Mainwaring, Sir Thom., widow of. 331. Malecorne, Warin, 6. 422 INDEX. Mallory, Anketil de, 21; Pet., 97. Manley, Rich, de, E.scheator, 194. Manning, Capt.. 372. ■Manor Court of Wrotte.slev, (1377), 173; (1382), 175; (1397), 182; (June, 1398), 182; (Nov., 1598), 183; (1400), 183; (1401), 185; (Nov., 1402), 199; (1403), 200; (1442), 210; (1444), 211; (1446), 212; (1453), 212; (1465), 213; (1471), 214; (1473), 214; (1474), 214; (1477), 215: /1591), 285; Cu.stonis of the (1382). 176. Manumission Deed (1402), 187. March, Earl of. 130. Marchington, Thorn., 190. Margaret of Anjou, Queen, 217. Mareschall, John le, 31. ^larshalsea, Escapes from the (1353), 121, 125. Marisco, Thom. de, 35. Marlborough, Thorn, of, 10 ; Duke of, 349. Marlborough, Caroline, w. of Duke of, 349. ^larmion, John, 132. Marston, 331. Martyn, Rob., 239. ilatthevr. Miss Emma, 362. Maunv, Sir Walt, de, 97, 98 101, 102; 112, 120, 130, 136, 138, 141. Maunsell, Rob., of PatshuU, 27. 37. Maurice, Prince, 326. Mauiy, Lieut.. 380. Mauvesin, Will., 27, 28. Meadows, Miss, 350. Meer (Maer), Nich. de, 27. Meilnel, Ralph de, 9. Mere, 113. 220. 241. 332: Farm Rents, 134; Grant of. 219; Oke, 55, 56, 68 ; Way, 55. 68 ; Sir Will. de, 64, 70, 71." Melbourne, Lord, 373. Melcombe, Upper, 63. Memoranda Roll (1352), 107. Metcalf, Miles, 223: Chris., 264. Meverel, Thom., of Throwlev. 48, 178; John, 198. Meverel, Eliz., d. and h. of Thom., 178. Mexborough, Lady, 354. Meyrick, Pet.. Esq., of the Bank of England, 343. Miles, Rob., 342. Military Summons (vrrit of, 1522), 265. Ministry, The Coalition (1782), 360. Mohun, John, Lord, 108, 112, 136, 138, 141. Moigne, Thom., 132. Mokleston. John de 102. Molleslev, WiU. de, 36, 45 ; Hugh de, 37 ; John de, 50, 82, 157, 158 ; John de, the younger, 158. Molyneux, Will., 227. Molyiis, Will, de, 97. Monmouth, Earl of, 297. ^lontagu. Will, de. Earl of Salisbury, 95. 96, 98, 108, 112; Lady Mary Wortley, 345. Montfort, Simon de, 41 ; Simon de, the vounger, 42 ; Simon, of Bescott, 332- John de, 101, 103, 124; Ralph de, 103. • Montfort, Joan, w. of John de, 101. Montresor, Major, 358. Monument in Grey Friars Church to Sir Walt. Wrottesley (1473), 237. Morbeck, Denis de, 132, 133. More, Chronicle of Thom. de la, 112. Morf, Hen. de, 38, 44. Morgannok, Lordship of, 220, 229 ; and see Addenda. Morley, Rob. de, 131. Morrison, Col., 355. Mortimer, Sir Rog. de, Earl of March, 108, 112; Sir Hen. de, 141; Sir Edm., 187; Sir Hugh, 189. Mortimer, Eliz. w. of Sir Hen. de, 141. Morton, 8, 10, 13, 16; Thom., 268. Moseleye, 331 ; Nich., 311 ; Sir Edw., of Rolston, 332. Mosley, Sir Oswald, 371 ; and see Molleslev. Motlowe, Rog. de, 192, 203 ; John, s. of, 192, 203. Mountgomerv, Nich. , 249. Mountjoy, 249; Luke, Vise, 354. Mountnorris, Coimtess of, 364. Muchun, Will., 23. Muleward, WiU. le, of Perton, 138. Mulne, New, in the Wergs 178 ; Oliv. atte, of Wightwick, 76; Hen. atte, 76. Mulne, Will., s. of Hen. atte, 76. Murdak, John, 97. Murreaux, see Murray. Murrav, Thom. Randall, Earl of, 81 ; Thom. de, 132, 133. ]\Iusard, John, Sheriff of Sta.ff.. 164. Muster, General (1538), 269; (1640), 312. Mutton, see Mytton. Mynors, John de Serjeant at Arms, 99 Mvtton, Nich. de, 27, 28 : Will., 228, "229 ; John, 254. N. Najara, Battle of (1367), 140. Namur, Sir Rob. de. 150. Nasebv, Battle of, 322. 330. Neville, Testa de. 37; Lord, 96, 141. 149, 152; Rob. de, 97; Will., Earl of Kent, 219; Geo., 223, 233, 234; INDEX. 423 Rich., Earl of Warwick, Hered. Chamberlain of the Exchequer, 223, 224. Newport, Fraucis, 393, 394, 595. Xoel, Walt., 331. Nomina Villai-um, 75. Norfolk, Hugh de, 17. Norman Cu.stom, " Paragimn," 19. Normandy, Rich de Humet, Con- stable of, 9. Norrys, James, 227 ; Rich. , 252. Northale, Hen. de, of Chillington, 178, 179 ; Agnes, w. of, 178, 179. Northampton, Will, de Bohun, Eaid of, 103, 105, 107, 112, 130, 161. Northfield, co. Wore, 393, 394. Northumberland, Earl of, 152; John, Dudley, Duke of, see Dudley. North- West Frontier War (1897), 386. Northwode, Rob. de, 50 ; John, of Hill, 213. Norton, 8, 10, 16; Hugh de (1121), 12, 13. Norton. Rob. and Will., sons of, 13. Norwich, Sir Thorn, de, 107; Rob., 264. Notton. 392. 0. Oaken (Oca and Aken), 31, 41; and see Oken ; Nich. de 35, 36, 49 : Adam, s. of, 49. Observatory, The, 379. Odo, Bishop of Bayeux ; see Bayeux Offley, 396. O'Hara, Col., 358 Oken, 31, 41, 93 182, 272, 288, 293, 299. Okeover Sir Hugh de, 25, 27, 29, 30 ; Ralph de, 25, 29; Onn., of, 30; Rob. de, 57; Thorn., 190, 198; Matt., 332. Okeover, Rich., s. of Ralph de. 25. 29, 30. Okeover. Adam, s. of Orm., 30. Okeover, Margt. , w. of Rob. de, 57. Oldefore, Rog. in, 89. Oldesfallyng. 138 ; Hen. de, 144. Oldestrete, Rog. in, 88. 01d.stoke in Hamps. , 95, 157 ; Parson of, 164. Omar Pasha, 383. , Onecote, 28, 31. Onslow, Humph., of Onslow, 257; Margt., w. of, 257. Orchard, Rich., 397 ; Eliz., w. of, 397. Order of the Garter, see Garter. Orm, of Okeover, see Okeover. Ormar, 7. Orton, 39, 45, 279, 287 288. 289, 298, 311 ; Mill in, 251. Osborne, s. of Richard, 5, 16. Osgodby, CO. Line, 207. 0.sgood, Rich., 392; Anne, w. of, 392. Ossaiy, Countess of, Letter of Wal- pole to, 353. Othegrene, John, 88. Otter, Rob., 227, 235; Thorn., 227; John, 227. Overton, Walt, de, 37, 38, 39 ; Alan de, 45 ; Will, de, 43, 46, 48, 132 ; Thorn, de, 76. Overton, Will., s. of Alan de, 45. Oveyhotshaye (Ivetsay), Rich, de, 84, 94, 95, 97, 156, 157, 159; Thorn., s. of, 94, 95. Owen, John, 220. Owthorpe, co. Notts, 542. Oxford, Earl of (1346), 107; WUber- force. Bishop of, 581. Oxley, Rich., Lord of, 36. P. Pagan, s. of Ralph, 8 ; the Clerk of Evesham, 9. Paganel, Fulk, 11; Gerv., 21. Paget, Lord of Beaudesert, 552 ; ^Hen., 343. Painel, Ralph, 56. Painsley, 551. Panmure, Lord, 580, 585. Papal aggression, 579. " Paragimn," a Norman custom, 19. Park Hall, co. Wanvick, 330. Parker, John, 235. Paries, Pagan de. 27. Parliament, The Long, 514. Parnell, Dame, 257, 589. Partricke, Thom., 253. Partruit. John, 235. Passelewe, Rob., Archd. of Lewes, 57. Paston Letters, 255. Patshull, 49, 76, 117, 271, 277, 280, 529, 575; Mill, 140; Mansel de, 27, 57. Pattingham, 46, 62, 65, 75, 76, 242 ; Isab. , Lady of, 51. Paunton, John, 258. Paveley, Sir Walt, de, 108, 112, 156, 158, '141. 149. Pawlett, Sir Rich., 594. Peace of Bretignv (1360), 129. Pecche, Thom., 97; John, 132. Pedro, Don. 159, 140. Peel, Sir Rob., 571; Ministry of (1854), 571. Peke, John, 227. Pembroke, Earl of, 141, 162. Pembrugge, John de, 67 ; Rich, de, 152, 155. 141, 149; Fulk. de, Kt., 168. Pendford, 50, 52. 272, 510, 345; Prebend., 275, 284; Rob., Lord of, 56, 37 ; John de, 43, 50. Pendrell, Trust (1675), 336; Rich. 424 INDEX. (Trusty Dick), 337; Will., 337; John, Humph., and George, 337. Pendrell, Mary, vr. of Rich., 337. Penkridge, 322. Penn, 61 ; Upper, 76 ; Lower, 39 ; WiU. de, of Lutley, 53 ; John, 227 ; Warine de, 68 ; Edmund de, 83. Penpole, co. Dorset. Grant of, 219, 221, 241, 246. Percy, Lord 96, 141, 149; Hen. de, 130, 174, 187; Sir Thorn., 150, 152. Perers, Alice, 148. Perrv, John, 285. PersaU, Humph., 249, 250. Pershore, Abbot of, 75. Pershouse, Thom., 331; Rich., of Reynolds HaU, 332. Perton, 39, 40, 45. 52. 138, 213, 221, 257, 272, 308. 337; Purchase of, 336 ; Manor House at, 345 ; John de, 35. 37, 39, 40, 55, 64. 67, 70, 93, 94, 95. 98, 115, 117, 123, 126, 136. 162, 164 ; Rog. de, 38 ; Ralph de, 39. Perton, John de. Pardon for death of, 165; Will., s. of, 40, 45, 48, 51, 125, 126. 160, 162, 164, 165 : Leon.. s. of, 93 104, 126, 133. 159, 165 ; Walt., s. of, 93, 154; Kath., d. of, 115, 116, 119, 121-6, 128, 165, 170, 171. Perton, Sir John, s. of Will. 123; Eliz.. w. of, 123. Peshall, Adam de, 104. 141. 144, 145, 149, 168 ; Rich, de, 94. 146 ; Hugh, Kt., 249: Sir Will., 331. Peshall. Eliz., w. of Adam de, 141, 145, 146, 148, 168; Hamenet, br. of. 148, 149 ; Thom., br. -in-law of, 149; Rich., br. of, 149. Peverel, Hen., 9/. Peyto, John de, 91. Philip, the Dapifer of Evesham, 9 ; John fitz, Kt., 43. Philips, Sir George, 371 ; Mark, 371 ; John WiU., Esq., 384. Pliilips, Nina Margt., d. of John WiU., Esq., 384. Picheford, Hugh de, 31 ; John de, 43; Rich, de, 82. 84. Pierrepont, Lady Evelyn, 346. PigneroUes, M. de, of Angers, 364, 365. Pigot, Admiral Hugh, 351 ; Lord, Governor of Madras, 351 ; John, 194, 203. Pigot, Franc, w. of Admiral Hugh, 351. Pigot. Sir George, of PatshuU, 375 ; Georgina. d. of, 375. PiUaton Hall. 335. Pilatonhale, 64, 81. 116, 134; WiU. de. 110, 111, 164; John de, 144, 170 171. Pilkington, Rog. de, Kt., 194, 203; John de, Kt., 194, 203. Pincerna, Rob., 9; Ralph, 12; Rich., 20. Pipe, Thom. de, 80 ; James de, Chiv. , 167 ; scz also Pype. Pitt, Mr., 361, 367; Resignation of (1801), 367. Pleas of the Forest (1271), 45, 63. Poictiers, Battle of, 126. Poissv. near Versailles, 106. Pole,' Thom. de la, of Lutley, 44 ; WiU. de la, 82 ; John, 190. Polstede, Thom.. 264. Pontesbuiy, 300. Ponynges, !NIich. de. 131. Poor Law Commissioners, 379. Potenhale. John de, 132. Poulett, Sir Amias, 291 ; Sir Rich. , 395. Pounde, Thom., 239. PoundeknoUe, see Penpole. Poutrel, Will., 30, 48, 54, 56 66; Thom., 66; Sir Rog., 25, 28, 29, 36, 56. Poutrel, Margy. , w. of Sir Rog., 28, 29, 56; Rob., s. of, 29, 34. Povntz, -General, 324. Pres, Phil, de, 49. Preston, Ralph de, 36 ; Rob. s. of, 36. Pre.stwode. Hen. de, of Kinver, 45, 67, 82 ; John de, 156, 158, 159, 171, 172. Priestfield, 299, 300, 310. Prince Arthur, Marriage of, 252. Prince, Rich., Esq.. 292, 294, 308, 330; Sir Francis, Kt., 294. Prince, Mary, w. of Rich., Esq.. 292, 294, 330; Walt., s. of, 292; Wrottesley, s. of, 330 ; Susan, d. of, 330. Provost of Wrottesley. Steph. the, 88. Public School BiUs,'381. Pudsey, Thom., J14, 315. Pultenev, Sir John, 98. Purcel," Ralph, 47. Purefoy, Col., 319. Pury, John, 227. Pynington. Cecilia de, 140, 167; John. s. of, 140, 167. Pvpe, Rob. de, 59; James de, 102; Sam., of Bilston, 283 ; Gamel, 289 ; Walt., 292; see also Pipe. Pype, Eliz., w. of Sam., of Bilston, 283, 286. QualmpoUe, John, 146. Quat, CO. Salop, 393. INDEX. 425 R. Radcliff, Thorn., 233. Raglan, Lord, 383. Ralph, 8 ; Pagan, s. of, 8 ; the Clerk, 12; Will, fitz (1130), 19; Rob. fitz (1130), 19. Ramisham, 221, 246; Grant of, 219, 241. Randall, Thorn., Earl of Murray, 81. Rantou, 250. Reading, 238, 239, 267; Will. Wrot- tesley of (1481—1512), see Wrottes- ley. Reading, co. Berks., 389. Redeford, 5. Rees, Sir Phil, ap of Talgarth, 139. 140, 141, 144, 145; Mabel, d. and h. of, 139, 141 ; Eliz., d. and h. of, 141; Joan, w. of, 141, 144. 145. Rees, Thorn., 280. Reform of Parliament, Lord John Russell's Motion for (1826), 370. Refonned Parliament, The First, 371. Reynold's Hall, 332. Richard, Osborne, s. of, 5, 16 ; fitz Simon, 35,' 108 ; o' the Grene, 89. ■Richards, Rog., 88: Will.. 89. Richmond, Earl of, 130, 136. Ridalheth, 174. Ridley, Cecily, 394; Thorn., of Bowlde, 394. Ridware, Hamstall, 332; Walt, de, 115. Rivers, Earl, 223. 224. Roberdes, Rog., 88; Hugh. 89. Robert fitz Ralph (1130), 19; Ber- tram, 23 ; Adam, of Waterfall, 25, 28. 30, 31. Robert fitz Eda. d. of Adam. 28, 29 : Will., s. of, 29; Ingrith, sist. of, 29. ' ' S ' Robines, John, 89. Rodbaston, 51, 61. Roger atte Tounsende, 88 ; son of Stephen, 88. Rogger, John, 239. Rogerson, Thorn.. 89. Rolston, 332. Roman Catholics, attitude of, during C^vil War, 321 ; Bill for Relief of (1825), 369. Romesley, Leo de, 43. Ronchede, Rich., 233. Roo, John, 264. Roos, Rich., 226. Rous, Thom. le, of Walsall, 80 ; Sir John, 360. Ross, Lord, 381. Rosslyn, Dowager Countess, 364. Rotherfield, 108. Rowde, CO. Wilts., 391, 397. Rowley. Hen. de, 28. Royal" Household (1350), 112. Royal Astronomical Society, 378, Royal Society, 379-81. Royal Conmiission on Iron Railway Bridges, 380. Rue, Francis de la, 335 ; Anne w. of, 335. Rugge, Will, de, 156, 186, 190 ; John, 227. Rugeley, Nich., 198. Rupert, Prince, 326. Ru.sh, George, Esq., of Elsenham Hall, 576; Ellen Charlotte, d. of, 376. Ruske, John, 227. Russell, John, 94, 95, 122; Lady Caroline, 349; Lord John, 378, 379. Ryder, Will., 154. S. Sacheverel, John de, 27, 28. Sackville, Rich., Earl of Dorset, 336. Salewey, John, 198. Salisbury. Will, de Montagu, Earl of, 95. 96. 98, 108, 112, 130, 136, 138, 141, 149, 152, 153; Rich., Earl of, 220 ; Chancellor of, 256. Samburne, 10, 20. Sarum, New, 394. Say, John, Kt., 227; John de, of Dunstone, 82; Will, de, 132. Say, John, s. of John, Kt., 227. Scales, Lord, 231. Scheil, Wvlde, 39. Scheldon, 'Hen.. 183, 199; Hugh. 183; John, 183, 199. Schene, Thorn., 190. Scroope, Ric, 227. Scrope, Sir John, of Castle Combe, 240; Lord, of Upsall, 240, 258; Lady, 389. Scrope, Margt., w. of Sir John, 240. Scrope, Alice, w. of Lord 240, 258. Seacourt, Will, de, 8, 12. Seighford, 283. Seintlowe, Joha 227. Seisdon, 298, 311; Hundred Roll, 38, 45 : Rich. de. 53. Selman, Rich., 253. Selwyn, Geo., Letters of, 348, 355. Sequestration Acts, 329. Sevecurda, Will, de, 8, 12; sec Sea- court. Seymour, John, 133: Sir Thorn., 226. Shareshulle, Sir Will, ae, 91, 94, 95, 117, 120, 123. 136 : Eliz., d. of, 123. Shareshulle, Sir Rob. de, 136. Sheldon, Will., of Perton, 213. 426 INDEX. Shee^jshanks, Rev. R. , 578. Slieepy, Great, co. Leic, 281. Shenstone, 300. Sherfield, Rich., of Tidworth 391; Hen., 391, 392, 394. Shifnal, 147. Shirard. Rob., of Ford, 48; Will., 62, 69. Shireoaks, co. Notts, 294. Shirelok, Will., 39. Shirley. Ralph de. 55. Shrow'sbuiy, 301, 319; John, Earl of, 228; George, Earl of, 249, 253, 265. Shuckburgh, Squire of, 521. Shuffenhale. see Shifnal. Shu.stoke, 331. Silvanus. Will., 11, 18. Simon, brother of Simon, 23 {and see Cocton) ; Hen. fitz, 35. Siward, 16. Skeffington. Walt., Arm., 293; Sir John, 314, 332. Skell, Sir Walt.. Kt., of Holt, 220. Skerne, Rob., 236. Skrimshaw, Mr.. 519. Smvthe. John, 303. SneVd, Will., of Keele, 296; Clara, w. of, 296. Sneyd, Ralph, 297, 331. Socage, Tenure by, 85. Society for Diffusion of U.seful Know- ledge, 377, 378. Solman, Thorn.. 272 Somerford Hall. MO. 545: Manor, Purchase of (1694), 342; .John, 340, 342; Rob. de, 50. Somerset. Ladv Charles. 364 ; Lady Rob., 364. ■ ■ Somerville, Walt, de, 5 ; Rog. de, 51, 60 ; Rog. de, heir of. 51. SomeiT, Sir .John de, Byron of Dudley. 42, 60, 62, 64, 69, 70, 80 ; Rog. "de. Baron of Dudlev. 62. Southall, Thom., jNIinister of Religion, 525. Southwyke, Rich., 262, 285; Will., 285; Hen.. 273. Sowche, sec Zouch. Spennithorne, co. York, 376. Spencer, Lord, 321. Spernall, 17. Sprenghose. Rog., 42, 45. St. Albans, Battle of, 218. St. Amand, Ayhner de, 131. 132; Sir Ant.. 240, 258, 264, 267. Anne, w. of. 240, 258 267. St. Egwin, Body of, 15. St. George Societv of, 110; College of. at Windsor, 110. St. John, l<;d\r., 132. St. Leger. Thorn., 132. St. Marv of Worcester, 3. St. Thomas, of Stafford, 331. Stafford, 92, 116; Rob. de, 4, 6, 7, 21, 31 ; Nich., Baron of, 54, 55 ; Sir Nich. de, 148, 177, 178, 180, 186; Rob. de (the la,st), 31, 32; Sir Will, de, 59, 61, 64, 70; Sir Will., 207; Karl of, 130, 158, 141, 149, 152, 188, Rali'h, Earl of, 156, 167, 177; Ralph, Baron of, 102, 109 ; John de, 102 ; John le Blount, Sheriff of, 115 ; John I^Iusard, Sheriff of. 164; Walt, de, 102; Thom., 153, 227 ; Sir Rich, de, 136, 159, 171, 177; Humph., Duke of, Buckingham, 217; Fulk, 219, 220; Roland, 255 ; Viscount, 332. Stafford, Nich. de (1088), s. of Rob. de, 6. Stafford, Edm., s. and h. of Nich., 54, 55. Stafford, Eliz., w. of Sir Nich. de, 178, 185, 186. Stafford, Mills., d. and h. of Rob. de, 51, 52, 85. Stafford, Eliz., w. of Sir WiU., 2G7 Stafford, Margt., w. of Fulk, 219, 220. Stamford, Hen., Earl of, 544; Cath., w. of, 544 : John, s. of, 344. Standon, 7, 552. Standysshe, Rob. de, Kt., 174, 191; Eliz. d. of, 174. Standysshe, Laur. de, 194. Stanhope, Lady, 354. Stanley. Thom'. de, 195, 198, 202, 203,' 205. 247, 249; John, 228, 247, 248, 251, 252: George, 247, 249. 251; Sir Will., Chamberlain of Cheshire, 248, 252; Humph., Kt., 249. Stanley. Matil., w. of Thom. de, 203, 205. Stanley, Will., s. of Sir WiU.. 248. Stanton, Thom. de, 29 ; John de, 30 ; Rob. de, 34, 35. Stanton, Margt., w. of Rob. de, 34, 35. Stapleton, John de, 97 ; Sir Miles de, 109, 132, 133, 136. Star Chamber, Suit in (1635), 310. Starky, Humph., Kt., 249. Statute of " Quia Emptores," 34 ; Winchester, 59. Stephen atte Townsend, of Wrottes- ley, 73, 88, 89, 93, 94, 95; WiU., s. of, 93. Stephen, the Provost, 88; Rog., s. of, 88. Stevens, Will., 88 ; Rog., of Wrottes- ley, 94, 95. Stevynton. co. Salop. 207; John de, 122. 123. Stidolf, Thom.. 238. Stodley, 18 ; Pet. de, 18, 19 ; Priory of. 18. INDEX. 427 Stoke, CO. Glouc, 11, 13. Stoke on Trent, 371. Stokes, Rog. de, 20 ; Alan de, Keeper of the Wardrobe, 151 ; Sir George, Prof, of Mathematics at Cambridge, 580. Stone Park, o38. Stones, Will, in le, 105 ; Agnes, d. of, 105; Joan, d. of, 105. Stones, Capt., 322, 324. Stomis, Law of, 38. Stourton, 209, 332; Castle, 330; Sir Reg., 226; Will., Lord, 240, 258. Stourton, Thorn., s. of Will., 240; aiicl see Sturton. Stowe, near Lichfield, 287, 299. Strafford, Lord, Trial of (1641), 314. Stramshall, 5. Strangeways, James, Kt. , 227 ; Sir Giles, 269 ; Lady Susan Fox, 349. Strangeways, Rob., s. of James, 227. vStrangeways, Joan, w. of Sir (iiles, 269. Straubenzee. Hen. van, of Spenni- thome, 376 ; Henrietta, w. of, 376 ; Mary, d. of, 376. Straubenzee, Maj.-Gen. Turner van, C.B., 376. Strelley, Sir Rob., 226. Stretton, 336, 342 ; Grantham, co. Hereford, 301; Will, de, 104; Thorn, de, 104, 116. 125. Stuart, Franc, of Wolverhampton, 344; Ehz., w. of, 344. Sturbridge, co. Wore, 393. Sturton, Lady, 389. Suffolk, Earl" of. 112. 130, 138, 149. 152; SuUy, Sir John, 141, 149, 150, 152. Surrey co., 395. Surrey, John de Warrenne, Earl of (13i6), 79. SuthM-ike, Hen., 273; Rich., 262. Sutton, Sir John de, Baron of Dudley, 80 101, 102, 104, 113, 118, 126, i60, 217, 249; Edw. Lord Dudley, 253. Sutton, Sir Edm. s. of Sir John de, 244, 271. Sutton, Dorothy, d. of Sir Edm., 244. Suur, Rog. le, 41. Swanimotes, 41 ; of Kinfar, 53. Swinfen, Mr., 319. Swinford, Farm rents of, 134. Swinford, Old, co. Wore, 393. Swinforton, see Swinnerton. Swinnerton, 351 ; John de, 80, 156, 189, 251. 263 ; John, of Hilton, 154, 135 ; Rog. de. 94 ; Thom. de, 132. 133: Hugh de, 133, 250. Sydenham, Rich., of Clarendon Park, "390. Talbot, Hen., 227; Sir Gilbt., 255; Sir John, 268, 274; John, Gent., 279. Talbot, Eliz., w. of Sir John, 274. Talgarth, co. Hei'eford, 159; in Wales, 140, 144, 145, 148 ; Engleys, 141, 145. 146. Tamhorn, Rob. de, 27. Tankerville Earl of, 106. Tankerville Charles, 4th Earl of, 366 ; Caroline, d. of, 366. Tanner, John, Armourer, 315. Tatton, Will., 252 Tavistock, 547. Tean, 7. Teddesley, 113, 134. 135, 165 ; Baili- wick of. 111; Hay of, 111, 135; Forestership of, 154. Testa de Neville. 57. Tettebury, John de. 50. 86. 88-92. 100. liO. 116, 117, 164; Joan, w. of, 89-92. 100; John, s. of, 110, 116. 118. 121, 122, 125. 164; Will., s. of, 116. 118. 121, 122, 125, 125, 164. 168; Walt., s. of, 116, 117, 118, 122. 125 164; Thom., s. of, 164; Leo., s. of, 164. Tettenhall 5. 55. 95, 99. 104, 115, 140, 155, 160 172. 207, 245, 251, 261, 272, 288. 292, 295. 510. 554; Regis, 94. 178, 180, 196, 251 ; Cus- tody of Manor of, 114; Manor Com-t (1591), 285: Ferm of, 115; Farm rents of, 154; College. 272, 284, 288. 292, 299; Clericorum, 289. 299; Monument to Rich. Wrottesley (1521) at, 256; Monu- ment to John Wrottesley (1578) at, 282. Tettenhalehome, 94, 95. Tewkesbury Battle of. 250. Thomas fitz Roger, of Haughton, 27, 28. Thomeharn, see Tamhorn. Thomkynes, Adam, of OldesfaHyng, 138. Thomes, Nich., Esq., 274; Margt., w. of, 274. Thorp, Constantine. 545. Throckmorton, Thom., 220; John, 229. Throwley, 4S, 178 ; Will, de, 66. Thyknes", James. 198. Thynne, Lady George, 364. Tichebourne. Sir John. 153. Tidworth. co. Wilts, 391. Tintern Abbey, 296. Tiptoft, Earl of Worcester, 227. Titherton Lucas, co. Wilts, 597. Tiwe, Will, de 9. Tixall, 351. 428 INDEX. ToUemache, Hon. Charles, 554 ; Ger- trude Flor. , \v. of. 354. Tomky.s, Thorn.. 283. Torbryan, co. Devon, 264, 267. Toipurley, co. Chester, 251. Touchet, Jame.s, Lord Audley, ^.i?. Tounesend, .see Stephen. Tour, Ant. de hi. 233. Tovvcotes, Sir Rog. . 226. Towton, Battle of, 218. Trafford, 331. Trained Horse for the "Couiitv (1634), 311. Trastiunare. Hen. of, 139. Tremayle, Thorn.. 249. Trescott, 40, 272 ; Purchase of, 336 ; Grange, Tithes of, 337 ; Mich, de, 38; Nich. de, 67. Tresel (TrysuU). 45. 75, 287, 289, 311 : Thorn, de, 38 ; John de, 45, 48, 68. 75. Trill Mill, 110. 162, 163. 207, 208. Trimpley, co. Wore, 299. Tringham, Rev. Thorn., 363; Anne. d. of, 363. Trollope, Sir Andrew, 216. Trowelev, Will, de, 66. Trumwyne, Rog., 80; Will., 82; Adam, 133. Trussell. Will., 60. 94. Tryon, Miss, 350. Turquil de Warwick. 5. Twemlowe, Thorn, de. 174. Tyford, Will, de, 138- John, s. of. '138. Tylden, Brig. -Gen., 383. Tjmdede Mere Oke. 55, 68. Tynmore, Hen. de. Parson of Elford, "144, 171. Tvpiier, John. 236. Tvpton, 287. 289. Tyresford, 174, 188. U. Ufa, 3 ; Wulfgate, s. of, 3. Ughtred, Thorn, de, 131. 132. 158. Ulster, Lion. Earl of. 130, 136. Unfreiston, Will. de. 43. Upnor Cresset, co. Salop, 239. Upsall, 240. Upton in Wyrehale, 192. 193. Urse (Urso d' Abbetot), 5. Ur.so, Sheriff of Worcester, 14. Uttoxeter. 312. 319 ; Riot at (1640), 313. V. Vache. Sir Rich, de la. 132. 136. Valence, Aylmer de, 75. Valenciennes, Siege of, 365. Valle, Walt, de, 13. Valois, Phil, de, King of Prance, 92. Veer, Thorn, de, 132. Venables, Thorn, de, of Alvandelegh, 150; Aline, w. of, 150. Verdon, John de, Chiv., 167, 172. Verdum, Rowl. de, 9. Verdun. Bert, de, 9, 21, 23; Gwiot de, 21 ; Ruelan de, 21 ; Simon de, 21, 22 23, 24, 34 ; Will, de, 22, 23, 77, 78; Rich, de, of Cocton, 24; Rob. de, de la Wyke, 24; Rich. de, do la Wyke, 24. Verdun. Simon and Henry, of the Household of Bert de, 23. Verdun, Hugh s. and h. of Will de, 78. Verdun, Will., s. and h. of Hugh, 78. Verdun, Alice, 1st \v. of Rob. de, 24; John, s. of, 24; Simon, s. of, 24; Rich., s. of, 24, 67. Verdun, John, s. of Rich. de. 24. Verdun, Simon, br. of John, 24. Verney, Sir Edm., 321. Vemon, Rich. de. Kt., 174, 198; Harry-, Esq., 220; Sir Hen., 253; John, 268; Sir Edw., of Hilton, 332. Vyse, Hen., of Standon, 332. w. Wadley House, co. Berks, 385. Wake, Bald., 42. W^akefield, Battle of, 218. Wale, Sir Thorn.. 97, 108, 112. Wales, Edw., Prince of, see Black Prince. Waleys, Will., 97. Walker, John, of Oken, 182. Walkringham, 393, 394. Wallace, Mr., Master of the Mint, 369. Walle, Hammell atte, 167; Will., s. of, 167. Walpole, Horace, 353, 355. WaUhouse. Mr., 353. Walsall, 80, 371. Walshe, Sir Thorn., Kt., of Wanlip, 201; Kath.. w. of, 201. Walter, Sheriff of Warwick, 14, 15 ; s. of Ankletill, 23. Walton, Ivo de, 28 ; Hen. de, for- merly Keeper of the Wardrobe, 131. W^anlip. CO. Leic. , 201. Ward. Lord, .uj, 329, 331 ; John, of Himler, 332; Will., of Himley, 329; Rog., 542. Wardrobe Accounts (1361), 157. Warr, Thom., Lord de la, 264, 267. Waur, Will. de. 56. Wareyn, Rich.. 227. Warine, 7; Will fitz. 38. 112, 156. Warenne, John de. Earl of Surrey 79. Warlo, Ralph de, 13. Warmington, Rob., 233. INDEX. 429 Warwick, Alwin Sheriff of, 5 ; Tur- quil de, 6; Turchil de (1086), 16; Walt., Sheriff of, 14, 15; Earl of, 102, 107, 108, 112, 130, 149, 152, 162, 178, 216, 220, 226, 244, 270; Guy de, 132. Wanvick, Turchill, s. of Alwin, Sheriff of, 5. Warwick, Ketelbearne, br. of Turquil de, 5. Wanvick, Embassy of the Earl of, to the King of France, 222. Waryng, Adam, 170. 171 • Rog., 189 ; Nich., 198, 208, 217; Rich, of Lee, 209. Waterfall, 28. 30, 31, 34, 35, 44, 46, 49, 68, 73, 92, 104, 140, 142, 157, 162, 167, 207, 208, 209, 289, 292, 294; Hawise. de, 25, 26, 27, 29, 35, 56; Rob. de, 28, 29, 36, 56; WiU. de, 48 ; John de, 172. Waterfall, WiU., s. of Rob. de, 28; Hawis, d. of, 36. Wattlesborough, co. Salop, 289. Wednesbury, 65, 139. Weare, WiU., 395; Edith, w. of, 395. Wedgwood, Josiah, 371. Weethlv, 11, 13, 17, 24. WeUes,* Sir Rob., 225, 226; Rich., Lord, 226, 232; Thorn., 250; John, 253. WeUington, Duke of, 364, 371. Wenlock, Lord, z28 Werburton, Pet., Ami.. 252. Wergs, the, 180, 196, 272; New MiU in the, 178; Thorn, da, 48. Werdon. see Verdon. Wesley, co. Wore, 393, 394. Wesley, Mr., 365. West,' Thorn.. 97 ; Sir Thorn., Lord la Warr, 264. Westbromich, 80. Weston, 54; Coyney, 331, 332; Hamon de. 27, 28;' Sir Hugh de, 54; John de, 60, 102; Rich., Esq., 297; Sir Rich., 331. Wetton, 31. WhetehyUe, Rich., 233, 235; Adrian, 235. WhetteU, Rich., of Great Sheepy, 280, 281. 283, 286 ; Rich., s. and h. of. 280 : Dorothy, w. of. 283, 286. Whiston, John de,' 122, 123. Whitchurch, John de, 97. White, Sir John, of Farnham, 395 ; Thorn., 396; Hen., 396. White, Kath., d. of Sir John, 395, 396 397. White, Eliz., w. of Thorn.. 396. Whitehorse, Walt., 133. Whitemere Phil, de, 116, 117, 118, 121, 122, 124, 125, 128 ; Agnes, w. of. 116, 118 121-4, 128. Whitgreave, Thom., of Moseley, 331. Whitmore, Will. Wolrych, 371. Whitinton, Will, de 38, 66. Whorwood, John, of Stouitnn, 332. Wicksford, 3, 12. Wightwick, 76, 93, 159, 162, 163, 207, 272, 288, 289, 293, 299; MiU at, 76, 104, 110, 138, 1^0, 208 ; Oliver de, 76, 159, 162 ; John, 182 ; Franc, 289; Alex., 332. Wilberforce, Bishop of Oxford, 381. Wilkes, Dr., of Willenhall, the Anti- quaiy, 339, 344, 346; Franc, w. of, 344 ; see also Wylkes. WUIenhall, 208, 209, 211, 271, 344. Willev, see Weethly. Wilts' CO., 256, 258, 390, 391 393. 397 ; James, Earl of, 219, 221. Wilega, Rob. de, 24. Willoughby, Mr., 269, 270. Williaai Dapifer. 8. William fitz Ralph (1130), 19. William fitz Guv, of Womburne, 27. WiUiam fitz Wanne, 38, 40. WilUam, s. of Eda, 56 ; s. of Hueh. 160. ^ Williams, Edw., of Dudley, 301; Mary, w. of, 301. Windsor, College of St. George at, Windsor Castle, Feast at (1350), 112. Wingfield, John, of Shrewsbury, 301 ; Howard, w. of. 301. Wingods, 390, 391. Wingood, John, of Brumham, 390, 391. Winster, Nich. de. 25, 26: Hawise, w. of,' 26. Wirley, the Antiquaiy, 283. Witefield, Walt, de, 27. Wither, Will., 55. Wode, John atte, Fermor of Kinfar, 166. WodevvUe, Sir John, 224. Wolast'on, WIU. ,262 ; Sir John, 328. Wolmere, Rich de 92, 104- Thorn de, 93, 159. Wolrich, Sir Thom.. of Dudmaston. 331, 333; ISTargt., d. of, 333, 336. Wolrich, Sir Franc, of Dudmaston, 335; EUz., w. of. 335. Wolseley. Thom., 217; Ralph, 249; Sir Rob., 332. Wolverhampfon, 37, 38, 162, 163. 256, 279, 283, 287, 289. 299, 300, 310, 315. 330. 331, 344, 371 ; Riots at (1834), 372, Wombourae. 39, 45, 279. 287, 288, 289, 298 311; WiU, fitz Guv of, 27. Wood, Thom.. 261; Sir Charles, Fir.st Lord of the Admiralty, 383. Woodford, 279, 283. 287', 289; Grange, 280, 287, 296, 299, 300, 333. 430 INDEX. Woodhall, CO. Wore, 274; co. Hereford, 342. Woodland, Anne, 392; Rich., of Notton, 392; Rob., 392. Woodland, John, s. of Anne, 392. Woodi-offe, Sir David, Kt., 395; Sir Nicholas, Mayor of London, 395, 396; Eliz., 396. Woodroffe, Kath. w. of Sir David, 395, 396. Worcester, St. Mary of, 3; Wulstan, Bish. of, 5, 13, 14; John, Bish. of (1151), 19: Heming, Monk of. 15. 14; Urso. Sheriff of, 14; Kineward, Sheriff of, 16; Tiptoft, Earl of, 227; Sir Rich. Wrotte,sley, Dean of (1765), 348. Worplesden, co. Sun-ey, 395. Worsley, Rol., 233, 234; Will., 235. Wotton, Hen. de, 28. Wratslev (Wrotteslev). Rob. (1553), 258, 390. Wraxall, co. Wilts., 256. Wraxley (Wrottesley), John, 389; Joan,' 391 • Robert, 391. Wren, Sir Christopher, 339. Wriothesley Family, 276, 277. Wrington, co. Somerset, 258. Wrottesley, Etymology of, 3 ; Boundaries (1088), 6; Bailiff, Ac- count of (1294), 70; Old Inventory at (1635), 301 ; Sketch of Old House of (1633), 301; Old Hall at, 338; New House at, 339 ; Gate House of, 333; Arms in Old House of (1633), 301 ; Plate in Old House of (1633), 304; Red Deer in Park of (1633), 305; Names of Hounds at (1633), 306; Chapel, 294; Chancel at Tet- tenhall, 282 ; Deanery of the College of, 294; Prebend, of, 294; Manor Court {see Manor Court) ; Customs of the Manor (1382), 176; Last Villein Tenant of (1489), 215; Observatory, 379 ; Hall destroyed by fire, 387 : SjTnon, ancestor of Family of. 20 ;" Adam de (1166), 21, 22; Adam de (1320), 84; Hugh de (1352), 155; Hugh, of Wood- ford (1610^ ^"^- Will, de (1327), 95, 98 ; Will, de (1332), 154 ; Walt, de, 144. 171; John de (1331), 154; Thom. de (1337), 155; Rev. Charles, Rector of Knoyle, 347; Major Alfred, 388. Wrotteslev, Pet. s. of Thom. de, (1349). 155. Wrottesley, William I. (1199—1242), s. of Simon de Verdun, 24, 25, 26, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35. 36, 40, 47, 48, 49 : Ingryda, w. of. 25, 29, 36. 48 , Will., s. of, 35, 47, 48; Rich., s. of (1259-72), 35, 44, 46, 48, 49; Hen., g. of, 35, 47, 49; Bertram, s. of, 35, 47, 49; Alice, d. of (1270) 35, 44, 50, 66. Wrottesley, Rich., Nich., s. of (1258). 39. Wrottesley, Hen., Hugh, s. of, 47 ; Margy., d. of, 49; Agnes, d. of, 49. Wrottesley, Sir Hugh, s. of Will. I. (1248-76), 29, 35, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 44, 45, 46, 48, 50; Arms of, 51 ; Hugh, s. of (1372-91), 50, 53, 65; Amiscia, d. of, 40, 46, 50; Idonia, widow of (1284), 52. Wrottesley, Hugh, s. of Amiscia, 40. Wrottesley, Sir William II. (1276— 1313), s. of Sir Hugh, 29, 44, 45, 46 51-68, 73, 76, 77, 78, 82, 83, 100; Petron., w. of, 54; Kath., widow of, 64, 73, 82, 83 ; Seal of (1298). 56; (1313), 83; Arms of, 72; Rosea, d. of, 64, 67, 74. Wrottesley, Sir William III. (1313— 20), s. of Will. II., 8, 30, 60, 62, 64, 68, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 80,81-5, 100; Joan, w. of, 30, 62, 81, 83, 84, 85; Rog., s. of. 81, 91, 94, 97; Idonia, d. of, 81, 91, 199; Elinora, d. of, 81, 91. Wrottesley, Sir Hugh, K.G. (1333— 81), s. of WiU. III., 81, 84, 87-112, 116. 118-28, 129, 132 133, 134, 136-43, 147-81, 193, 203; Eliz., w. of, 91, 92, 156; Mabel, w. of, 139, 140. 141, 144; Isab., w. of, 142, 150, 153, 170, 171, 174, 175, 176, 193, 203; Walt., Thom., and Leo., half-brothers of, 110; Walt., cousin of, 142 ; Walt, de, nephew of (1361—1409), 169. 170, 178- 82, 200; Seal of, 170; Rich., de (1337), uncle to, 155; Hugh, s. of (1382), 175, 177; Arms of, 155; Seal of (1349), 110, 163; (1337), 157; (1373), 171; a Prisoner in Brittany (1354), 125; Outlawry annulled (1355), 125; Recognizance in £2,000 (1355), 165 ; Pardon for death of John de Perton, 165 ; Retinue of (1360), 129; Prestitum of (1360), 137; Repayment, 137; Female Villeins of "(1364), 139; Settlement (1366), 140; (1372), 132; (1373), 144; Petition to King and Council (1377), 148 ; License to make a Park (1347), 161 ; Grant of Free Wan-en at Wrottesley (1347), 161 ; Bond to pay 400 livres yearly to, 166. Wrottesley, Inquisition on death of Isab., w. of Sir Hugh (1401), 174. Wrottesley, Joan, d. of Walt, de, 180. Wrottesley, John (1400—1402), s. of, 174, 184, 186-96, 201, 203; Eliz.,- w. of, 174, 184, 186. 189-91, 195, INDEX. 431 196, 197; Arms of, 190; Manu- mission Deed of (1402), 187; In- quisition on death of, 188. Wrottesley, Hugh (1421-64), s. of above John, 188, 192, 193, 197, 198, 201-12, 216, 245, 259; Arms of, 215; Seal of (1441), 208; Military Summons of (1419), 198; Pardon of (1452), 205, 205'; Thomasine, w. of, 201, 207, 208, 209, 210, 212, 214, 216; Hen., Arm. (1460-70), s. of, 207, 209, 217, 219, 227, 228 ; John (1459-63), s. of, 207, 209 ; Hugh, s. of, 207 ; Eliz. d. of, 207 ; Isab. , d. of, 207. Wrottesley, Joan, w. of John, 207. Wrottesley, Sir Walter (1460-73), s. of Hugh, 207, 213, 216, 217, 220-8, 233-47, 259, 261, 271; Arms of, 243; Seal of (1471), 243; De- puty Chamberlain for Earl of War- wick (1468), 223; Joint Chamber- lain (1468), 224; Governor of Calais (1472), 230; Proclaimed a Traitor, 226; Pardoned, 233, 234; Death of (1473), 237; Monument to in Grey Friars' Church, 237 ; Inquisition p.m., 238; Jane, w. of, 207, 238, 239, 245, 246 250, 258- 61; Hen., s. of (died 1486), 239; Will (1481—1512), s. of, 245, 246, 257, 258, 260, 261, 265, 267, 389; Walt. (1481—1502), s. of, 239, 258; Jane, d. of, 239 ; Thomasine, d. of, 259, 240; Anne, d. of, 239, 240; Parnell, d. of, 239, 240; Margt.. d. of, 239, 240; Alice, d. of, 240, 258. Wrottesley, Eliz., d. of Will. (1481— 1512), 257. 258, 389 ; Constance, d. of, 257, 389; Rob., s. of, 257, 258, 389 ; Will of, 257, 389. Wrottesley, Walt. (1481—1502), Will of, 258. Wrottesley, Richard (1478—1521), s. of SiV Walter, 239, 244-67, 389, 390; Esq. to Sir John Hastings (1501), 252 ; License to wear bonnet in King's presence, 254 ; Death of, 254 ; Monument to, in Tettenhall Church, 256; Will of, 254; Arms of, 266; Dorothy, w. of, 244, 262, 390 ; George (1518), s. of, 255, 256 ; Thorn. (1518), s. of, 255, 256; Harry (1518), s. of, 255, 256, 390 ; John (1518). s. of. 255, 258: Margt. (1518), d. of, 255, 257; Anne (1518), d. of. 255. 256; Eliz. (1518), d. of, 255; Jane (1518) d. of, 255 ; Elinor, d. of, 256. Wrottesley, Walter (1521-63), s. cf Richard, 250, 255, 256. 266-75, 284 ; Escheatorship, 275 ; Arms of, 275 : WiU of, 273; Signature of (1536), 269 ; Death of, 273 ; Isab. , w. of, 250; Matt. (1553), s. of, 273; Elinor, d. of, 274; Margt., d. of, 274; Eliz., d. of, 274; Dory, d. of, 274. Wrottesley, John (1563-78), s. of Walter, 271, 273, 274, 277-83; Petition in Chanceiy by, 277, 278 ; Anns of, 283; WiU of, 282; Monument to, at Tettenhall, 282 ; Eliz. (died 1592), w. of, 271, 277, 281, 282, 286. 296 ; Margt. (1614), d. of, 283, 286; Eliz., d. of, 283, 286; Franc. (1614), d. of, 283, 286; Dory (1614), d. of, 283, 286. 308; Eliz". (1614), d. of, 283; Thom. (died 1610), s. of, 283, 286; Edw. (1614), s. of, 283; John (1614), s. of, 283. Wrottesley, Eliz., w. of John Wrot- tesley, Will of, 286. Wrottesley, Walter (1578—1630), s. of John, 279, 281, 284-8, 292-5, 298-9; Arms of, 295; Will of (1631), 292; Inquisition p.m. (1631), 292; Monument to, at Codsall, 292, 294; Mary, w. of, 279 284, 294; Joyce, w. of, 289, 293,' 294; Eliz. (1630), d. of, 292, 294: Mary, d. of. 292; Walt. (1598), s. of, 237, 288, 293, 294; Will, (died 1599), s. of. 287, 294; Thom. (1598), s. of, 287. Wrottesley, Sir Hugh (1598—1633), s. of Walter, 283, 286-8, 292-300, 306 ; Arms of, 306 ; Will of, 300 ; Inquisition p.m., 298; Livery dis- charged, 306; Margt., w. of, 287, 288 293. 296; Clara, w. of, 296; Mary, d. of, 292, 296, 300, 301, 308,'330 ; Penelope, d. of, 292, 296, 300, 301, 307, 309; Eliz., d. of, 292, 300 301, 307: Howard, d. of, 292, 300 301, 507; Margt., d. of, 292, 300, 301; Dory, d. of, 296, 300, 307 ; Susannah, d. of, 296, 300, 307. Wrottesley, Margt., d. of Penelope, 309. Wrottesley, William (1630-43), s. of Sir Hugh, 300 ; Anne, w. of, 300 ; Walter (died 1664), s. of, 300. Wrottesley, Sir Walter (1625-59), 1st Baronet, s. of Sir Hugh, 298. 299, 306-325, 332. 533, 334 ; Deputy Lieutenant (1640), 312; Treaty for Baronetcy (1641), 314; Baronetcy, (1642). 317; Letters Patent (1642'), 317; Knighted (1642), 519: Quarrel with Leveson (1641), 315; Ap- poiixted Vice-Lieut, of the County 1641). 316 ; Plate melted for King's use (1642), 319: Attempts to form a neutral party (1642-3). 320; Sequestration of estates of (1645-6), 432 INDEX, 322, 326; Petition of (1645), 323; Affidavit of, 324 ; Forced contribu- tion (1643-4), 324, 325; Schodule of property of (1645), 326; Com- position of (1646), 327; Arms of, 335 ; Wills of, 333 ; ]\Iarv. w. of, 298, 307, 333; Eliz., d. 'of, 335; Mary. d. of, 333, 335 : Doiy, d. of, 553. 335 ; Anne, d. of. 333, 335 ; Jane, d. of, 333. 335; Edw., s. of, 333, 334; Rich., s. of, 333, 334; John s. of, 333, 334; Hugh, s. of, 334. Wrotteslcv, Marv, ^vife of Sir Walter, a Prisoner (16441. 322. Wrotteslev, Sir Walter, s. of Walter (1659-86), 2nd Baronet 533. 354, 337; Will of. 337; Marriage of (1654). 333; Margt.. w. of, 333, 336 ; Harry, s. of, 337 ; Gray, s. of, 337 : Ursula, d. of. 337 ; Anne, d. of. 337. Wrotteslev, Sir Waiter (1686—1712), 3rd Baronet, s. of Walter, 337-42 ; Will, of, 340 • Marriage settlement, (1678), 338; Elean., 1st w. of. 338, 340; Anne, 2nd w. of, 338-42; Walt, (died 16861 s. of. 341. 343: Elianora, d. of, 341 ; Henrietta, d. of, 541 ; Mary d. of, 541 ; Hugh, s. of, 342; "Eliz., d. of, 342; Margt.. d. of, 342; Anne, d. of, 342; Thorn., s. of, 344. Wrottesley, Anne, 2d w. of Sir Walt.. Will of, 343. Wrottesley. Thorn., s. of Walt., s. of Sir Walt.. 343; Eliz., w. of, 343 W^rottesley, Henrietta, d. of Sir Walt., Monument in Wore. ■Cathedral, 341. Wrotteslev ^laiy, d. of Sir Walt., Will of," 341. Wrotteslev, Hugh, s. of Sir Walt., Library' and Will of. 342. W^rotte,slev EUz., w. of Thorn., s. of Sir Walt., 344. Wrottesley, Sir John (1712-26), 4th Baronet, s. of Walter, 341-6 ; Will of (1725). 345; Franc, w. of (died 1769), 343-6; Eliz., d. of. 343; John, s. of (died 1723), 344; Charles, s. of (died 1724), 344; Hugh (died 1729), 5th Baronet, s. of, 344; Walter (died 1732), 6th Baronet, s. of, 344: Franc., d. of. 344 ; Eliz., d. of, 344 ; Henrietta, d. of. 545 : Dorothy (died 1742), d. of, 345 ; 'Mary. d. of, 345. Wrotte.sley, Franc., w. of Sir John, Will of (1762), 346. Wrottesley, Henrietta, d. of Sir John, Her Monument to Lady Marj' Wortley Montagu, 345. Wrottesley, Sir Richard (1732-69). 7th Baronet, s. of John, 344-56; Will of (1769). 349; Settlement on his marriage, 347; Elected M.P. for Tavistock (1747), 347; Ap- pointed Clerk to Board of Green Cloth (1749), 347; Appointed Dean of Worcester (1765), 548 ; His Dtiel, 347; His Action (in 1745), 347; Marj', w. of, 346, 349, 358 ; Mary, d. of, 348-51; Franc, d. of, 351; Eliz., d. of, 351, 352; Dorothy, d. of, 353; Harriett, d. of, 354. Wrottesley, Mary, d. of Sir Rich., Maid of Honour, 348, 349, 350; Mentioned in Letters of Lady Saran Lennox, 349 • Poi'trait of, 351. Wrottesley, Eliz., d. of Sir Rich., married to Duke of Grafton, Prime Minister (1769), 351. Wrottesley, Sir John (1769-87), 8th Baronet, s. of Richard. 348, 354-64 ; Page of Honour, 348 ; Serves in America (1775-6), 356; Returns to England (1778), 359; Speeches in Pariiament. 359; Death of (1787), 361 ; Prances, w. of, 356, 361, 364 ; Heni-y, s. of, 361 ; Hugh, s. of. 362 ; Charles, s. of, 362 :Ed\v., s. of, 363 ; Fanny, d. of, 363 ; Caroline Gertrude, d. of, 363 : Charlotte, d. of, 364; Louisa, d. of. 364; Mary, d. of, 364. Wrote.«ley, Frances, w. of Sir John, Death "of (1828), 364. Wrottesley, Henry, s. of Sir John. M.P. for Brackley, 361. Wrottesley, Emma. w. of Hugh, s. of Sir John, 362; Hugh, s. of, 362. Wrottesley. Anne, w. of Edw. , s. of Sir John, 363; Edw. John, (1814—1901). s. of, 363. Wrottesley, Mariana Eugenia, w. of FAw. John, s. of Edw., 363; Franc John, s. of (born 1848), 363. Wrottesley, Agnes Mabel, w. of Franc. John, 363. Wrottesley, Louisa, d. of Sir John, ^laid of Honour to Queen Char- lotte, 364. Wrottesley, Sir John (1792—1841), 9th Baronet and 1st Baron, s. of John, 361-73; At Military School, (1788) 364: Capt. 16th Light Dragoons (1793), 365; M.P. for Lichfield (1779), 366; Loses his Seat (1806). 368: Moves the Ad- dress (1800), 367; (1836), 373; Cloves Vote of No Confidence in Ministry (1801). 367; M.P. for CO. Stafford (1823). 368; Bank at Wolverhampton, 368 : Advocates Decimal Coinage (1824), 369 ; Votes INDEX. 433 in favour of R.C. Relief Bill (1825), 369 ; Opposes IJaiik Charter Act, 370, 371 ; Supports Motion for Reform of Parliament (1826), 370 ; Created a Peer (1838), 373; Death of (1841), 373 ; Caroline, 1st w. of, 366, 373; Julia, 2nd w. of, 374; Chas. Alex. (1799—1861), s. of, 374; Rob. (1801-38), s. of, 375; George Thorn. (1808-18). s .of, 375; Walt. (1810-72), s. of, 375; Edw. Bennet (1811-92), s. of, 376; Caro- line (1797), d. of, 376; Emma (1804), d. of, 376 ; Henrietta (1805- 93), d. of 576; Louisa (1821), d. of 376; Maria (died 1881), d. of, 376; Mary (died 1883), d. of, 376. Wrottesley, Lady Caroline, 1st w. of Sir John, Death of (1818), 373. Wrottesley, Georgina, w. of Rob., s. of Sir John, 375. Wrottesley, ^Marianne Lucv, w. of Walt, s. of Sir John (died 1848), 375 ; Walt. Franc, s. of, 375 ; Lucy Edith, d. of, 375. Wrottesley, Ellen Charlotte, w. of Edw. Bennett, s. of Sir John, 376 ; Alf. Edw., s. of, 376; Clara, d. of, 376 ; Ellen Maria, d. of. 376. Wrottesley, Ellen Mary Isabel, w. of Alf. Edw., s. of Edw. Bennet, 376; Hugh Edw., s. of, 376; Maud Ellen, d. of, 376. Wrottesley, John, Lord Wrottesley, (1841-67), 2nd Baron, son of John, 374, 377-82; Elected Fellow of Royal Society (1841), 379; Presi- dent of Royal Commission on Iron Railway Bridges, 380 ; President of Royal Societv (185^1 381; Presi- dent of British Association (1860), 381; Sophia Eliz., w. of, 377; Charles (b. 1826), s. of, 382; George (b. 1827). s. of, 382; Hen. (1829-52), s. of. 384; Cameron (1834-54), s. of, 385; Julia, d. of, 385 ; Caroline, d. of. 385. Wrottesley, Margt. Anne, w. of George, s. of John, Lord, 384 ; Nina Margt.. w. of, 384. Wrottesley, Arthur, Lord Wrottes- ley, (bom 1824), 3rd Baron, s. of John, 382-8 ; Lord Lieut, of Staffs (1871-87), 386; Lord in Waiting (1869-74), (1880-85). 386; Master of Albrighton Foxhounds (1849-52), 386; Augusta Eliz., w. of, 386; Will. (1863-99), s. of. Capt.. 4th Drag. Guards. 386 ; Bert. Franc. (1864-75), s. of, 387; Victor Alex., s. of, 387; Walt. Bennett, s. of, 387 ; Henrietta Evelyn, d. of, 387, 388. Wrottesley, Younger Branches of the Family of, 389 ; Pedigree of, 397. Wrottesley, Will., of Redynge (d. 1513), 257. 389, 393; Eliz., d. of, 257, 389 ; Rob., s. of, 257, 389, 393 ; Askew, s. in law of, 389; Const., d. of, 257, 389. Wrottesley, Rich., s. of Hen., 390. Wrottesley, Rob., of Chippenham, co. Wilts (1601-8), 390-3; Joan, of Chippenham (1561-94), 390, 391, 392; John, of Chippenham (1625), 390-3; Jane (1594), 391; Hugh, 391 : Eliz. (d. 1614), 391, 397 ; Hen. (1546), 393. Wrottesley, Rob., Will of, 391, 392. Wrottesley. Sir George (1590—1656), 393-7; Cecily, w. of, 393, 395; Kath., w. of. 395. 396, 597 ; Thom., father of, 594 ; John, br. of, 395. Wrottesley, Edw., of Rowde, co. Wilts, 397; Jane, d. of, 397. Wulfgate, 3 ; s. of Ufa, 3. Wulstan, Bishop of Wore, 5, 13, 14. Wybaston (Wobaston, in Bushbury), 153. 172 ; Water Mill in, 172. Wychcom, co. Devon, 264. Wyke, La, in Coughton, 24, 34, 67; near Worplesdon. co. Surrey, 395. Wvlkes, Rich., of Willenhall, 211; Will., 246, 249, 251. 260, 261, 262. 263; Thom.. 285; Walt., 285; see also Wilkes. Wyntwike, John de, Keej^er of the Privy Seal, 131. Wyregis, see Wergs. Wyrley, Rog., 198: Humph., 313. Wyse, Will., of Bilderbrok, 179; John le of Bilderbrook. 179, 189 ; Walt., of Bilderbrok. 186. 190, 251. Wvtheleye (Weethly), Ralph de, 77; John de, 77. Wytheleye, Chris., s. of John de, 77. Wythwyk, 159, 162, 163. Y. Yate, Will. atte. of Wrottesley, 93. Yates, Franc. 356. Yerburg-h Will.. 227. York, Will de. Chaplain, 142; Rich., Duke of, 205 ; George Neville, Archbp. of. 225; Edw.. August., Duke of, 554 : Duke of. 565. York, Edw. August., Duke of. Death of (1767), 355. Z. Zatton, Rog., Abbot of Evesham, 177. Zouche, Will, de la, 131, 132; Rich., 132 ; Lord de la, 257. 389. ^ THE LIBRARY DIVERSITY OF CALIFORNU Mdi ^ >^ ^•^ € 40^' '-i fX-'^ ^^» ^^ d^^ i i , 1 ! >^^