III.

Robert Staunton was succeeded by his only legitimate son, William, who, being a minor, by tenure of his lands, fell ward to Edward, then Earl of Rutland. Though it had been arranged that he should wed Frances Markham, he married instead Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel Disney, of Norton Disney. Anne Charlton says of this lady: "Notwithstanding ye extraordinary praises that are given her by Cade in his Rhymes, viz :

"And when that she a maiden was
All did commend her fame," etc.

she never gave any reason for commendation after she was marryed proving a very ill wife to an honest; good-natured husband, for so William Staunton was. He mortgaged Flawborough and sold Alverton ye 34 year of Queen Elizabeth to Henry Hewit, citizen of London, for £1,200 (much in those days under ye worth), this crafty citt proving too hard for him, this William then being a young man. This money—designed for ye redeeming of Flawborough—by ye extravagance and ill management of his wife, was spent. Flaw-borough then being on mortgage to Stanhope of Shelford, he proved very pressing for his money, which obliged William to mortgage Kilvington for £600 to ye Honble Wm. Cecil (grandson to Lord Treasurer Cecil, Baron Burleigh) ye 44th year of Queen Elizabeth, designing, as I have informed myself, to have made a second effort to have redeemed ye above said Manor of Flawborough; but Providence, it seems, determined otherwise, for death prevented this poore unfortunate man, he dying Sep. ye 28th, A. Dom. 1602, in the 39th year of his age. He had ye misfortune to lose ye two manors of Alverton and Flawborough, and left Kilvington mortgaged to his heire. I find he left a considerable sum of money (viz, the redemption money for Flawborough) in ye house at his decease, which was imbezled by his widow, who married one Ashton, her menial servant, by whom she had one daughter, Faith. Afterwards she marryed to Wm. Bushey, younger son of Sir Wm. Bushey, of Hathor, in Lincolnshire, Knight, and dyed in ye 79th year of her age, 1634."

Anne Charlton's words give a vivid description of the life and misfortunes of William Staunton. She does not, however, state that he purchased from his cousin Brand the Grange estate in Staunton for £1,200, and added these lands—then, and until the beginning of the 19th century, known as the Manor of Staunton-Haverholme—to his estate.

This unpleasing description of Elizabeth Staunton is fully justified and confirmed by evidence apparently unknown to Annie Charlton, for we find amongst the papers of this date a bond given by this woman, only eight days after the death of her husband, William Staunton, in which she binds herself by a penalty of one thousand marks to marry one Charles Wilson, of Staunton, gentleman, before the 20th September next ensuing. This document bears the impression of the seal used by Sir Geoffrey de Staunton in 1362, and by his descendants. Who this Charles Wilson (gentleman) was, we cannot ascertain, but judging from the facts related above, it may be surmised that he knew too much, and was not altogether unacquainted with the gentle art of the blackmailer. As the marriage never took place, doubtless this gentleman obtained his 1,000 marks, and, as Elizabeth's marriage portion was only £300, there can be little doubt as to where a part of the redemption money for Flawborough went.

Anthony Staunton, the second of that name, succeeded to an inheritance, much diminished since the time of his grandfather, but still considerable, including, as it did, the Manors of Staunton and Staunton-Haverholme, the Manor of Kilvington subject to the above-mentioned mortgage of £600, and the equity of redemption of the Manor of Flawborough. Being a minor at the time of his father's death, it might be supposed that his estate would be nursed until he came of age, and had this been done there is little doubt that Flawborough might have been saved. Such a course of events, though normal in the twentieth century, was not to be expected in the seventeenth. Like his father before him, he became ward to his overlord the Earl of Rutland, who assigned or gave him to one Dallington. This man one day, while engaged at a game of bowls at Belvoir, wagered "the custody of the body, wardship, and marrying" of Anthony Staunton, who thereby fell into the hands of Matthew Palmer, of Southwell. The natural consequences of these transactions resulted: Flawborough was never redeemed, and was assigned by Stanhope, its mortgagee, to William Cavendish, whose descendants in the Dukes of Newcastle still hold it, and thus, "by carelessness," as Anne Charlton says, "this property, though never sold, was lost to the family of Staunton."

Matthew Palmer, it is to be presumed, administered the revenues of Staunton not entirely to his own disadvantage. Moreover, he married Anthony to his sister, Frances Palmer, by whom he had two sons, William and John. Anthony Staunton died at York in 1613, aged 27, but in the six years after he attained his majority he paid off the £600 mortgage upon Kilvington, which he left with his other property apparently unencumbered to his eldest son.

From his will, dated 15th September, 1612, it is evident that his mother, Elizabeth, and her husband, Thomas Ashton, formerly her "menial servant," were living at Staunton Grange, which property Anthony, subject to the life interest of his mother, settled on his second son, John, for life. John, according to Anne Charlton, died in his minority, and the only record we have of him is contained in the following letter, which, so far as his powers of denunciation of the wrongdoer go, shows that he was eminently qualified for the profession he contemplated.

"Sr. Matthew Palmer you sent a letter to me the sixth day of June last past, desireing mee to come to you that night or very early in the morninge sayinge it should be for my good if I came; if I came not it might preindice me. Therefore I did come to you: but (as yett) I have not found it to be for my good, but for your own good and for preindiceinge of me, my answer is, you neither could then nor can now doe me any hurt, except you doe me wronge. And if you doe me wronge, God will revenge it, 'I will repay sayth the Lord' hee hath promised it, he will perform it. My desire is that you will give leave to your sonn to resigne the parsonage to mee (according to your promise), which he is willinge to perform, if you will give leave. Also I desire you to send me by this by this Bearer the advowson, which is mine and not yours. You know I did not give my advowson away to anybody, but did desire it of you again, and your answer was that you might have it to York to shew it there and after I should have it again. If you say it be of no force, my answer is it being mine I doe therefore desire to have it. I desire you to send me a direct answer by this messenger whether you will perform these your two promises to me or no; your very Title Justice of Peace, may putt in remembrance neither to wronge any man, nor to be at enmity with any man; but to seeke after peace and ensue it. For blessed are the peace-makers. Matthew 5.9.—We pray forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us. Thus we pray; thus we should practice. Pardon me therefore (if I have offended you). The same pardon that I desire of you I give unto you (if you have offended me). Only your past promises I desire you to peforme. And then wee shall live in Love and peace. And the God of Love and peace will be with us. Expectinge a perfect Answer from you by this bearer under your hand, in writinge (otherwise I doe take it for granted that I shall have no answer). I rest your lovinge friende and Kingsman.

John Staunton. August the Xth 1631."

William Staunton. Born 1608.
William Staunton. Born 1608.

William Staunton, elder brother of this John Staunton, was born at York in the year 1608, thus being only five years old at his father's death. Like his two predecessors in the estate, he became ward to the Earl of Rutland. The Earl, however, sold the wardship to the above-mentioned Matthew Palmer and to William's mother, Frances Staunton, jointly, in consideration of the sum of 200 marks, and 100 marks additional should Elizabeth Ashton die during the ward's minority. Anne Charlton comments on the hardships entailed by these courts of Wards and Liveries, happily redressed on the restoration of Charles II. From John Staunton'a letter and other evidence it will be gathered that Matthew Palmer, derived considerable profit from his second guardianship of the Staunton estate; presenting his own son to the Rectory, and in general making the most of the opportunities which the sixteen years of his nephew's minority afforded him.

William Staunton was grandfather to Anne Charlton, and many of the following more personal details are taken from her writings. At the time he attained his majority the estate was contained within the same limits as at the date of his grandfather's death, and appears to have been free from debt. In the 22nd year of his age he married Anne, daughter of Edmund Waring of the Lea, near Wolverhampton, some of whose relatives resided at Wilford near Nottingham. By her he had thirteen children, six of whom, however, died in their infancy. In St. Michael's Church at Coventry, affixed to the East wall of Mercers Chapel is, or was, a small monument bearing the Staunton arms and an inscription of which the following is a part:—

"Out of these stones shall God rayse a childe of William Staunton of Staunton, in Coun: Nott: Esq., and Anne his wife; who hear offer up as holy to the Lord ye first fruit of ye wombe, their eldest daughter Fraunces, who performed her vow to forsake ye worlde, Anno aetatis 7 An: salutis 1638.—This is no monument of theyr greife, but a memorial of that blessing, the guift whereof they so loved that they helde even ye losse deare."

Perhaps these words more than any others will give the reader the best insight into the character of William Staunton, and of his brave and devoted wife. It was with this disposition, at once loyal, courageous, and patient, that William parted with his property, farm by farm, in the service of his unhappy King. Animated by the same feelings, Anne submitted to being driven from her beloved home, and saw her husband's possessions sequestrated and laid waste. When in after years they returned to an estate which comprised but a few poor fields and a ruined home, they made no useless lamentations. At the Restoration their children experienced the usual fate of loyalists and obtained no recognition or return for the sacrifices their father had made, except, perhaps, as Anne Charlton hopes, "God's blessing upon so good a cause to his posterity." In this connection Charles Mellish, discussing the loss of the Kilvington property, remarks: "Before I come to the sale of the Manor Advowson and Estate of Kilvington to Mr. Cartwright, it will be necessary to mention that William Staunton had injured his fortune very considerably by raising a Regiment for King Charles, and by the other consequences of his continued loyalty. The Restoration of King Charles II. to his Crown restored not one acre to the Family of Staunton, but the Estate of Kilvington was condemned to sale before the Restoration was even thought of."

At the date of the death of his eldest daughter, however, the world, so far as material prosperity was concerned, went well with William Staunton, and when four years later the storm burst, he was found possessed of far greater influence and popularity than was to be expected of a country squire of no great estate. In the administration of his property he was evidently thoughtful and prudent. In a lease granted to Alice Wright he stipulates that she shall plant four oak, ash, or elm trees yearly and "with her best endeavours keep them from hurt or spoile, and renew those which decay, and sett yearly 8 willow setts on the meadow or common pasture backs above the reach of beasts and with thorns and rails and supply them." Alice Wright also had to lead four loads of coals from the pits at "Wollerton, Sterly (Strelley), or Bramcotmore if coles shall there be gotten or from the nearest Pitts yielding the better sort of Coales for his (William Staunton's) use, he paying for them at the Pitts.'' The tenant was to fetch them on such days as the Bailiff should appoint, together with the greater part of the other farmers, after a week's warning.

In another lease William Staunton lets to Anthony Greene, tailor, Robert Challand, weaver, Robert Greene, labourer, and William Martin, labourer, all of Staunton, the Golden Brigg Close in that parish, being 30 acres for 12 years at a yearly rental of £13 6s. 8d., and also of "one half of all Corn or Graen, Wadd, Rape, Flax, or Hempe or any other seed which shalf be sown." The tenants' covenant to maintain the Quickset and to plant yearly ten young ashes or elms and to maintain them. It is a pity that these conditions as to tree planting are not included in the farm tenancy agreements of the present day throughout the country. The ancient custom of carting coal for the landowners continued down to about 25 years ago, Mr. William Allin, of Staunton, being the last tenant to observe it.

The series of court rolls preserved among the Staunton muniments extends over many years, and will possibly one day be edited separately. An extract relating to the period now under review is here given : —

EXTRACT FROM COURT ROLLS OF STAUNTON-HAVERHOLME AND STAUNTON, 18th OCTOBER, 1634.

Staunton - Haverholme. Extract of ffynes and am'ciants lost and forfeyted at the Court Leet and Court Baron of Willm Staunton Esq these holden the Eighteenth day of October in the Tenth yeare of the Raigne of or Souv'aigne Lord Kinge Charles of England c 1634.

Videlt

 

Of Thomas Rose for that he oweth Suite and service to this Court and at this day made default ............. ............................................................

xiid.

Of Roger Thursby for the like  .......................................................

xiid.

Of they Inhabitants of Thoroton for not using theire Artillery .......

vid.

Of Thomas Upton the younger for breakinge th' assize of bread and ale

iid.

Staunton. Extracte of ffynes and am'ciante lost and forfeyted at the Court Leet and Court Baron of Willm Staunton Esq these holden the Eighteenth day of October in the Tenth yeare of the Raigne of or Souv'aigne Lord Kinge Charles of England &c (1634).

Of Edward Doultherst for breakinge th' assize of bread and ale ...

vid.

Of Willm Richards for the like .........................................................

vid.

Of the Right Honble Willm Earl of Newcastle for that he oweth suite and service to this Court and at this day made defaulte   .............................

xiid.

Of Willm Wright for the like ...........................................................

xiid.

Of Josua Wright for the like ..........................................................

xiid.

Of Francis Wright for the like ........................................................

xiid.

Of  they Inhabitants of Staunton for their Butts unrepayred, the Artillerie not used exercised, the Crowe Nett not used and the Cuckstoole not used and Tumbrell unrepayred ....................... .....................................................

vid.

Suma total huius Extract ...............................................................

viiis. iid.

Ext and concordat cum Rotlo Cur p Jacobum Lane, sen: