  Page 2.—Mary, Countess of Southampton, was the mother of Shakespeare's patron, the Earl of Southampton, to whom he dedicated "Venus and Adonis" in 1593, and "The Rape of Lucrece" in 1594. In both of these poems, probably corrected by himself, his name is spelt Shakespeare. In 1594 the Countess married Sir Thomas Henneage, the Vice-Chamberlain of the Household, and that same year Shakespeare was invited to act at Court. Sir Thomas died the following year, after a lingering illness, and his widow had to superintend the making up of his official books, and check the bills. And thus it happened that it was she who introduced the first official record of Shakespeare's name, and probably spelt it correctly, according to the contemporary usage. Page 5.—Mr. Nanson, the town clerk of Carlisle, has in his possession the deed which concerns the Shakesperes of Penrith, 21 Richard II. Page 22.—Shakespeare's shield bore an ordinary canting pattern, or one that was based upon the supposed meaning of the name. But the use of the falcon in the crest requires explanation. French says: "The falcon was one of the badges of Edward IV., father of Henry VII.'s Queen Elizabeth. No person would venture to adopt this without special favour" ("Shakespeareana Genealogica," p. 523). There is something keenly suggestive of expected objections in the motto, "Non sanz droict." Some day, perhaps, it may be discovered why this crest and motto were assumed. Page 27.—Aston Cantlow, with the castle of Abergavenny, was settled on Sir William de Beauchamp, second son of Thomas, Earl of Warwick, 12 Henry IV. It descended to his son, Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Worcester, whose daughter Elizabeth married Sir Edmund Neville, and brought it to him (Dugdale's "Warwickshire"). Page 27.—Another opinion of the derivation of Thomas Arden has been discussed. It has been supposed possible that he might have been descended from Thomas Arden of Leicestershire, son of Ralph Arden of Alvanley, by his wife Catharine, daughter of Sir William Stanley, of Hooton. This would account for the grant of the Cheshire arms, and would not thrust him out of the Arden pedigree; but the theory is not satisfactory on other grounds. One main objection is that there was no known Thomas of suitable date in that family. But in the Park Hall family there was a Thomas known to be alive during the period between 1502 and 1526, who has never been traced, if he did not go to Aston Cantlow. Page 27.—The pedigrees of those associated with the Ardens are worth noting, and their wills might suggest connections. Page 32.—It would be interesting to find and group the Warwickshire Ardens who bore the three cross-crosslets and the chief or, for it has never been done. Page 35.—Thomas Arden was presented for owing suit of Court in 1526, 1529, 1531. (See Portfolio 207, Court Rolls, No. 88.) Page 36.—Thomas and Robert Arden's purchase at Snitterfield had been witnessed by John Wagstaff, Page 45.—A Thomas Mayo had a seat in the Church of St. Nicholas, Warwick, 1595; an Elizabeth Mayo was buried there in 1596; and Henry Maio in 1601. (See Churchwarden's Accounts of St. Nicholas, Warwick, edited by Mr. Richard Savage.) The Webbes of Snitterfield appear among the gentry of the country in 1580 (State Papers, Domestic Series, Eliz., c. xxxvii. 68). Page 51.—It is difficult to imagine John Shakespeare making up the bills for the other Chamberlains, or conducting so many financial responsibilities, if he was unable to read and write, as well as reckon well—as Halliwell-Phillipps says he was. Page 52.—The goods of Richard Shakespeare were prised at £35 17s., and the bond for their just administration entered into by John Shakespeare and Thomas Nicols, of £100, seems disproportionably large, unless there were some unusually heavy responsibilities attached. John Shakespeare may very well have been termed a farmer if he had been brought up as one, and if he had been superintending his father's farm at the time of his death. In the description of a neighbouring farm, Ingon is mentioned as "now or late in the occupation of John Shaxspere or his assignes." It is quite possible that he was the responsible farmer, and that Page 56.—Henry Shakespeare probably quarrelled with Mr. Cornwall, the second husband of Margaret Arden, about the resettlement of Snitterfield farm, and went to reside at Ingon, though taken in his brother's name. The Court Rolls show that he was "contumaceous" in not paying tithes, May 22, 1582, and was "excommunicated." "Of Henry Shaxper, for not labouring with teems for the amending of the Queen's Highway, 2/6." "Of Henry Shaxper for having a dich between Redd Hill and Burmans in decay for want of repair, Oct. 22nd, 1596." Probably the man was ill and dying then. He was buried two months later. Page 58.—The petition of the burgesses of Stratford-on-Avon for relief of burdens shows that the borough had fallen into decay through the decline in the wool trade. From this general depression John Shakespeare probably suffered. Page 61.—"The Book of John Fisher of Warwick" shows that the master of the Grammar School there had a salary of £10 a year. Seeing that the master of Stratford-on-Avon Grammar School had £20 a year, it is probable that the burgesses had a better selection of scholars as candidates. Page 62.—It is too often forgotten that Anne Hathaway lost her father in the summer of 1582. It is probable that the betrothal would therefore be a quiet one. It is also more than likely that she went to reside with a friend or relative after her father's death, and that this caused the confusion in the address in the marriage bond. The bridegroom in general only required one guarantee for a bond of the kind; but Shakespeare being under age, the one became his representative, and the other guarantor for that representative. Page 67.—"The Comedy of Errors" was doubtless one of the plays performed before the Queen at Christmas, 1594, seeing that it was ready to be put upon the boards at the Gray's Inn Revels on the spur of the moment. I have discussed this at full in my paper, "The Earliest Official Record of Shakespeare's Name," Berlin (a copy at the British Museum); also in a long letter to the Times, January, 1895. Page 70.—James Burbage bought the part of a house in Blackfriars from Sir William More, February 4, 1596, which he afterwards converted into a theatre. Regarding the quarrel with Allen and "the Theatre" lease, see the depositions in the case of Burbage v. Allen taken at Kelvedon, in Essex, August, 1600, reproduced in Halliwell-Phillips's "Outlines," i. 350. Further illustration of the earning proportions of players and proprietors may be learned from the article by Mr. James Greenstreet, "The Whitefriars Theatre at the Time of Shakespeare" (The New Shakespearean Society's Transactions, 1888). Page 77.—In John Combe's will there is mentioned a field in Ingon Lane, called Parson's Close, or Shakespeare's Close. This may have been one of the poet's minor purchases, or merely a name come down from Henry's time. Page 78.—A petition was sent up to the Lord Chief Justice from the Corporation of Stratford-on-Avon, to restrain William Combe, Esq., son and heir of John Combe, March 27, 1616. He overthrew the Aldermen who came peaceably to hinder his digging, whereof great tumult arose. In spite of orders to the contrary, he continued his enclosures, and another petition was addressed to the Privy Council, describing "Mr. Combe of so unbridled a disposition," etc. On February 14, 1618, a reply came signed, "Francis Verulam," "Pembroke," "Naunton," "Fulke Greville" (Wheler Collection, Stratford-on-Avon). Page 82.—From the town clerk's account of what took place at the Halls during Shakespeare's lifetime, we are sure that his position must have been anomalous. "The Halle, 17 Dec., 45 Eliz. Plays. At this Halle yt ys ordered that there shalbe no plays or enterludes played in the Chamber, the Guild Halle, nor in any parte of the House or Courte, from hensforward, upon payne that whosoever of the Baylif, Aldermen, and burgisses of this boroughe shall give leave or licence thereunto shall forfeit for everie offence 10s. "7 Feb., 1611-12, 45 Eliz." "... The inconvenience of plaies being verie seriouslie considered of, with their unlawfulness, and how contrarie the sufferance of them is against the orders heretofore made, and against the examples of other well-governed cities and burrowes the Compaine here are contented, and they conclude that the penaltie of 10s. imposed in Mr. Baker's year, for breaking of the order shall from henceforth be £10 upon breakers of that order, and this to holde until the next common council, and from henceforth for ever, excepted that be then finally revoked and made void." This was the period of Shakespeare's retirement to Stratford-on-Avon. Page 84.—It may be noted as a coincidence that the plays were published in folio the year of Mrs. Shakespeare's death. Some change among the leases, or the termination of the connection with his family through the death of his widow, may have suggested this. Page 93.—A Robert Hall rented the old School House in Stratford-on-Avon, and paved the Guild Hall, 1568. A Richard Hall was churchwarden of St. Nicholas, Warwick, in 1552, who died in 1558, and among the churchwarden's accounts are notices of Richard Hall the younger, Nicholas Hall, John, Alice, Simon and "Eme Hall." "Received of Ric. Hawle the younger for the benevolence that Richard Hawle gave unto the poor out of his lands in Church Street, World without end," 1566-67. Richard Hall was churchwarden in 1600 and in 1606 (Churchwarden's Accounts, St. Nicholas, Warwick, Mr. Richard Savage). Page 99.—Michael Drayton frequently visited Sir Henry Rainsford at the Manor House, Clifford Chambers. This gentleman had married Anne Goodyere of Polesworth, whose parents were Page 103.—Susanna Hall's signature appears on the settlements of 1639, and on that of 1647, in which her daughter joined. Page 104.—"15th Dec., 1648. Tithes: Mrs. Elizabeth Nashe for Shottery Corne Tithes, being of the yearly value of one hundred pounds, £5." "28th June, 1650. Mrs. Elizabeth Barnard for Shotterie Corn tythes of the yearly value of one hundred and twentie pounds, £6." (Wheler's Notes, Stratford-on-Avon.) Page 107.—There are many Bagleys in the parish registers of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, and also Hathaways. It may be they were connections. Page 110.—Halliwell-Phillipps states that in the "Coram Rege Roll of 1597, Gilbert Shakespeare is named as one of those standing bail for a clockmaker of Stratford"; and adds that he is described as "Haberdasher of St. Bridget's Parish, London." Through the kind permission of the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers, I have been allowed to go through their books at leisure, and find that there is no trace of a Shakespeare anywhere, and in the sixteenth century, no trace even of a Gilbert, except "Gilbert Shepherd," who took up his freedom in 1579. Neither is there any trace of him in the registers of St. Bridget's or St. Bride's, nor in the Subsidy Rolls, but in both places appear Gilbert Shepherd. I am, therefore, forced to the conclusion that Halliwell-Phillipps misread "Shepherd" as "Shakespeare." See my article in the AthenÆum, Dec. 22, 1900, "John Shakespeare, of Ingon, and Gilbert of St. Bride's." Page 112.—William Hart, the hatter, died a week before his brother-in-law, probably of the same epidemic. Joan Hart, his widow, survived till November 4, 1646. Their eldest son William was an actor. (See Royal Warrant, May 17, 1636; Halliwell-Phillipps, i. 129.) In William Hewitt's "Visits to Remarkable Places," 1839, he mentions Stratford and a boy whom he had noticed from his likeness to the poet. He turned out to be a descendant of his sister Joan Hart, and was called William Shakespeare Smith (Notes and Queries, 5th Series, VIII. 475). Probably the same referred to on page 109. Page 116.—Thomas Shakespeare seemed to have been somewhat like Henry in character. He was entered on the Court Roll at a rental of £4 in 1563. "At the Court 31st March, 23 Eliz., he incurred a penalty of 4d. for not having and exercising bows; for not wearing cappes 4d.; for leaving his swine unringed in the fields 12d." He appears also as a juror several times in court. Page 121.—Mr. Rylands' "Records of Rowington" supply many details, as, for instance: "In 1576, a lease by feoffees, among whom was Thomas Shakespeare, was granted Richard Shakespeare of Rowington, weaver of the 'Tyinges.'" In the same year a lease of "the Harveys" was granted to "Elenor Shakespeare, widow, of Rowington," 20 Feb., 18 Eliz. The customary rent of Rowington, 1605, mentions "Thomas Shakespeare, one close, 2/; one tofte and 16 acres, 13/4; one messuage, etc., 10/4." "George Shakespeare, one cottage and 2 acres, 2/." "Richard Shakespere, one messuage, half a yd land (14 acres), 14/." "John Shakespeare, one cottage and one quarter yd land (9 acres), 6/8." The Court Rolls, 1633, give: "Imprimis of Jane Shaxper for default of sute of court fined, 4d." "Thomas Shaxper, vitler, for breaking assize of ale and beer, 4d." "1634, Richard Shaxper, for encroaching on common, 2d." "1647, fine of admittance to land, Thomas Shaxper, 6/8." "Exchequer lay subsidies," Thomas in 1595, 1598, 1599, "assessed on goods valued £4,8/." "Lay subsidies 1668," Thomas, "assessed on land, 30/ and 4/." In 1674 John Shakespeare, in the name of the other tenants of Rowington, was empowered to bring an action against enclosures. A grant of a fee of 20/ a year by will of Humphrey Shakespeare, 1794, was payable out of premises in Kingswood. This cottage was the subject of a lawsuit in which Jane Lord and John Slye v. Humphrey Shakespeare and one Culcup were at variance. Humphrey had a 200 years' lease, and left it to the poor of the parish. Shakespeares from the Register of Rowington. "1616, Mar. 16. Baptisms: Thomas Shaxspere, son of William Shaxspire." "1619, Ap. 28. William Shakespeare, son of John Shakespeare." "Aug. 13. William Shakespeare, son of Thomas Shakespeare." "1621, Aug. 18. Thomas Shaxper, son of Thomas Shaxper." "Nov. 4. Elizabeth, dau. of John Shaxper." "1622, William Shaxpere was Churchwarden." "1624, April 26. Clement Shaxpire, son of John Shaxpire, bapt." "July 23. John Sheldon and Jone Shaxspear married." "1630, Ap. 4. Baptisms: Elizabeth Shaxspeare, d. of Thomas Shaxspire." "1633, Ap. 20. Thomas Shaxspeare, son of Thomas Shaxspeare." "1634, Dec. 30. Thomas Shakspeare, son of John Shaxspeare." "1635, May 5. Burial: John Shakespear buried." "1637. Baptisms: July 18, Mary, dau. of Thomas and Elizabeth Shakesper." "1638, Aug. 17. Burial: Christopher Shakspeare buried." "1639, Mar. 8. Baptism: John, son of John Shakespeare and Mary bapt. "William Shaxspere Churchwarden." "1640, Aug. 3. Burials: Anne, d. of Thomas Shakespeare, buried." "1641, April 10. Thomas Shakespear, son of Thomas Shakespear and Margaret, bur." "Oct. 30. Mary, daughter of Thomas Shakespear, buried." "1642, Feb. 14. Thomas, son of John Shakespeare, buried." "1643, June 14. Clement, son of John Shakespeare, buried." "1645, Sept. 18. Anne Shakespeare, widowe, buried." "1646, July 12. William Shakespeare buried." "July 24. The wife of William Shakespeare buried." "Feb. 20. William Shakespeare, senior, buried." "Mar. 8. Thomas Shakespeare buried." "1647, Sep. 20. Mary, dau. of William Shakespeare, junior, and Elizabeth his wife, buried." "Oct. 1. Elizabeth, d. of John Shakespear, buried." "Nov. 4. Elizabeth, dau. of William Shakespeare, jun., and Margaret his wife." "1649, Oct. 5. William Shakspeare, junior, buried." "1650, Dec. 25. John Shakespeare, junior, buried." "1651, Mar. 3. Widow Shakspeare buried." [A gap in the registers.] "1662, Feb. 17. John, sonne of John Shakspeare of Kingswood, bapt." "1663, Mar. 29. Thomas, son of John Shakspeare of ye hill, bapt." "1664, Feb. 8. Josiah, sonne of John Shakespeare of ye hill, bap. Feb. 8, buried Feb. 17." "1665, Ap. 3. Richard, son of John Shakespeare of Kingswood, bapt." "1665, Dec. 3. Mary, dau. of John Shakespeare, bapt." "1666, Mar. 18. John Shakspeare of Kingswood brook buried." "1667, Aug. 6. Old William Shakespeare of Brookfurlong buried." "Nov. 23. Margaret Shakespeare of Whitehall, widdow, buried. John Shakesper Churchwarden." "1668, June 1. Samuel, son of John Shakespeare and Rebecca, his wife, bapt., buried June 6." "June 28. Rebecca, wife of John Shakespeare of the Hill, buried." "1669, Nov. 20. Old Thomas Shakespeare of Whitley Elme, buried." "1670, Sep. 29. Widdow Shakespeare of ye Hill buried." "Oct. 20. Thomas Shakespear the weaver was buried." "1672, Ap. 9. Ann, dau. of Mr. Shakespeare of ye Hill, bapt." "1676, Mar. 18. (Mary) the wife of Thomas Shakespeare, of Lowston End, buried." "1677, April 21. Widdow Shakespeare of Whitley Elme, buried." "1679, July 31. William Shakespeare and Alice Jennings married." "1679-80, Jan. 27. Thomas Shakespeare of Lapworth buried." "1680, Nov. 9. Alice, wife of William Shakespeare, buried." "1682, Oct. 19. William, son of William Shakespeare, of Lowston ford, bapt., and buried Dec. 27." "1683, Ap. 24. Thomas Shakespeare and Anne Biddle married." "1686, June 21. William Shakespeare of Brookfurlong buried." "Dec. 12. John, son of Thomas Shakespeare, bapt." "Feb. 19. Thomas Shakespeare of Rowington buried." "1687, Sep. 15. William, son of John Shakespeare, jun., bapt." "1688, Dec. 10. Thomas Shakespeare buried." "1693, Nov. 14. John, son of Thomas Shakespeare of Lapworth, buried." "1695, Aug. 10. William Shakespeare, senior, buried." "1696, Nov. 11. Thomas, son of William Shakespere, bapt." "1697, May 12. Henry Shakespeare of London buried." "1707, July 1. Thomas Shakespear buried." "1710, July 13. John Shakespeare, senior, buried." "1721-2, Jan. 30. (By licence) Francis Chernocke, of Killingworth, co. Warr., gent., about 24, and Mary Shakespeare, of Rowington, about 24, maiden, his father consenting, her parents dead. He sealed ... within ... on a bend ... three crosses crosslet From overseers' books: "Buried in Woolen": "1695, Aug. 10. William Shakespere, senior." "1697, May 12. Henry Shakespere of London." "1707, March 24. Edward Shakespeare." "1710, July 13. John Shakespeare, senior." "1716, Dec. 4. William Shakespere, Blacksmith." Page 131.—In "The Book of John Fisher, Bailiff of Warwick in 1580," edited by Mr. Thomas Kemp, deputy-Mayor of Warwick, are several notices of Shakespeare. In the first page he is mentioned, and later on we find that he lived in the Market-Place Ward, and was assessed 1d. weekly for relief of the poor. A "Thomas Shakesper" lived at the same time in West Street Ward, and was assessed the same amount. These may be the Thomas and John, sons of Thomas Shakespeare, shoemaker, of Warwick, who made his will in 1557. There is also a casual allusion to Shakespeare the turner, of Rowington; and in 1580-81 John Fisher notes: "I paid to —— Shakesper, servant to Mr. Humphrey Catheryns, for fees for the discharge of 39/7-1/2 charged upon the Church of St. Maryes, in Mr. Boughton's account for subsidy supposed to be due in the 5th yere of Queen Elizabeth, 9/-." "Thomas Shakespeare of Warwick's son John was apprenticed to William Jaggard the Stationer of London 1609" (Rylands's "Records of Rowington"). "John, son of Thomas Shakespeare of Coventry, co. Warwick, pleb. p.p. St. John's Coll., matric. 18th Oct., 1662, aged 18; B.A. from St. Mary Hall 1666 (subscribes serv.)"—(Oxford Alumni and graduates). "Vicar of Anstrey, co. Warwick, 1670" (Foster's "Index Eccles."). Page 134.—The registers of All Saints', Oxford, date from 1549; St. Michael's, 1559; St. Peter's-in-the-East, 1563; St. Martin's Page 134.—"Thomas Shakespeare and Jane Toupe married ye 2nd Maie, 1625." (Register of Mere. Notes and Queries, 9th Series, iii. 109.) The county not named. It may be either Cheshire, Wiltshire or Lincolnshire. Page 141.—One, at least, of the Irish Shakespeares was a suspicious character. "William Shakespeyre, formerly of Kilmaynham Hibernia, laborer, arrested for suspected felony 6 Ed. VI." ("Chester in the Plantagenet and Tudor Reigns," Canon Rupert Morris; also Notes and Queries, 8th Series, x. 192). Page 147.—I find that "Gutheridge" was a Stratford-on-Avon name. Mr. Gutheridge was a dealer in leather there (see will of Joyce Hobday, 1602); and John Milburn was a Rowington man (see the Records of Rowington)—which two facts much increase the likelihood of John, of St. Clement's Danes, being at least a Warwickshire man, if not the Snitterfield one. Page 151.—"Edward Shakespear, Clare, A.B. 1728; A.M. 1736" ("Cantabrigensis Graduati"). "Joh. Jos. Art. Shakespear, Trin., A.B. 1844; A.M. 1848" ("Cantabrigensis Graduati"). Page 162.—The first Earl of Warwick, Arthgal, was said to have slain a bear with a blow from a young tree which he had pulled up, and afterwards he used as a badge "the bear and the ragged staff"—a device borne by succeeding earls. Page 166.—Osbert de Ardern granted an estate near Tamworth to Walter de Somerville, 2 Henry II. (Shaw's "Staffordshire," i. 118). Page 168.—Among the Rowington charters is (No. 11) a grant by Robert de Arderne, son and heir of Thomas le Hayward, of Shrewley, 2 Edward III. No. 12 is a "Grant from Nicholas Wylemyn de Shrewely to his son John of his Shrewley tenements and lands, which Thomas de Arderne formerly held of John, Lord of Shrewley, 2 Edward III." Mr. Rylands thinks these refer to the same people and property. The Nottingham Visitation (under Blondeston) refers to the pedigree. Sir Thomas Arden, 9 Edward II., married Elizabeth, daughter of Roger Swinford; their son was Roger Arden, whose wife was unknown, but his daughter and heir Beatrix married William Chamber. Page 171.—William may have been the member of the Guild of Knowle for whose sake masses were said in 1512. "Alicia" may have been his wife, or his sister Alice before she married "Buklond." But I confess I am puzzled with this William. Page 171.—The tombs of Walter and Eleanor are well preserved in Erdington's Chantry of the Church of St. Peter and Paul, at Aston, near Birmingham. He died August 5, 1502. Page 173.—The Shropshire Visitation gives: "William de Chettleton m. Katharine, d. of Sir John Ardern; Elizabeth, d. of Reginald Corbet of Stoke, Justice of the Royal Pleas, m. Robert Page 173.—Sir John Arden's will is long and interesting. It directs that the furniture of the King's chamber should be kept as heirlooms, also "the silver cup." "It is said that it was Henry VII. who honoured him by staying in his house, and that he then granted Sir John a Cap of Maintenance, purpure turned up crimson, upon which the wild boar is represented instead of on a wreath as before" (Arden MSS.). Page 175.—The indenture of a lease by Thomas Arderne, Esq., and Mary his wife, to William Wilmer, of Longly, co. Warwick, husbandman, of a messuage, lands, etc., in Wilmer, late in the tenure of Robert Wilmer, deceased, was drawn up July 15, 23 Henry VIII., 1541. The lease was for thirty years, the yearly rent 10s. 3d., with a heriot of the best beast, the lessee to "furnish a sufficient horse for a harnesseman to ryde upon, when the King shall call upon the said Thomas Arderne for harnessyng of men." This is Thomas of Park Hall (Wheler Collection, Stratford-on-Avon). Page 178.—The tomb of Sir Edward Devereux (died 1622), and of his wife, Katharine Arden (died 1627), are preserved in the church of Aston, near Birmingham, beside those of her ancestors, Walter and Eleanor. Page 181.—In the "Visitation of Warwickshire," published by the Harleian Society, there are many evident slips in proper names, which must be checked from other sources. It makes one extraordinary statement: "The younger house of the Ardens were Lords of Upton in Warwickshire, and grew to be surnamed Uptons. The heire generall of them was married to one Fenne of Banburie, who, removing his dwelling to Hungerford in Wiltshire, was there called by the name of Moeles, of whom the Moeles, ancestors to the Lord Hungerford, seem to be descended." It gives the coat of arms as, Chequy or and azure, a chevron ermine. Stow MS. 692 contains the arms of the gentry and the grants by Sir Christopher Barker, 1536-49. Among these are: "Ardern goules, a cheff engrayled and three cross crosslets fitchÉe in gold. Ardern silver, a fesse chequy, gold and azur between three cressards gules. Arderne, Sir Robert, Ermine a fesse or and azur, Warwickshire." Among the grants is one to William Arderne, of Struton, Oskellyswade, Bedford, Clerk of the Market to the King's most honourable household. It omits the shield and only gives, "Crest a boar quarterly, gold and silver and Fleurs de luce, goules." As the Park Hall Ardens had a boar on their crest, he may have claimed connection. In Dugdale's account of Clodshalle's Chantry, near Birmingham, he says it was founded by Walter de Clodshalle of Saltley, 4 Edward III. The patronage remained with the Clodshalles until Robert Arden's marriage to Elizabeth Clodshalle. Robert Arden, arm., was patron in 1441, 1449, 1455; Walter Ardern, arm., in 1468, 1469, 1489; John Ardern de Lee Lodge, presented in According to Dugdale, Upton was possessed by the Ardens in Henry II., one Haraldus filius Gunfridi having made sale to Godfrey de Arden, a monk of Coventry, and son to Siward de Arden, of certain lands for the Monastery. In Richard I., Thomas de Ardern granted certain lands there to the canons of St. Sepulchre's, Warwick. A family who assumed their name from their residence there held it of the Ardens, but Thomas de Ardern sold it to Guy de Gyllebrok, who passed it to Will. de Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick. Page 181.—Pedimore, Warwickshire, on the Ebroke, at the north of the Tame, was the chief seat of the Ardens at one time, but was allowed to go to ruin when the family settled at Park Hall on the south side of the river. It was all levelled except its double moat by Dugdale's time. Pedmore, Worcestershire, where "Mistress Joyce Arden" died in 1557, was part of the possessions of Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Clodeshalle, which she brought to Robert Arden, of Park Hall, 4 Henry VI., 1425. He died, seized of Pedmore, Yardly and Stockton, Worcestershire, 3 Henry VI., 1453. There are entered as residents William Arden, 1455, John Arden, 1468-83, Thomas Arden, 1530, Edward Arden. But in the State Papers Edward's brother Francis was entered as "Francis Arden of Pedmore," in 1583, at the time of the attainder, so it may have been granted him as a second residence, or it may have been the ruinous old home in Warwickshire he held. The registers here prove that Robert, Edward's heir, was residing here, and already married, before 1578, an important point to be noted in the family history. Page 183.—Simon in Longcroft, according to Shaw, used the Arden arms with a difference, the arms being "Ermine a fesse chequy G. and B. Crest on a Chapeau, Erm. and Gu., a boar passant or." At the north end of the village of Longcroft was an old half-timbered house, which was purchased by John of Wisbeach, who died 1709, and thus became the property of the family of Longcroft. Page 187.—Shaw mentions the tombstones: "Henry Arden died 1674"; "Henry Arden died 1698, aged 24"; "Humphrey Arden died 1705, aged 74; Elizabeth his daughter died 1689, aged 21; Katharine, his eldest daughter, died 1722; John Arden died 1709, aged 84." Henry Arden died 1728, and Anna his wife and Catherine his twin sister. The stone erected by John, his son. "John died 1734, aged 40; Anna Catherina, wife of John Arden, and daughter of John Newton of King's Bromley, died 1727, aged 29." "Also to the memory of Anne, second wife, daughter of Rev. John Spateman, died 1764, without issue, aged 67." "Henry Arden, 1782, aged 59. Alethea, his wife, daughter of Robert Cotton, Esq., died 1783, aged 60." Clement Fisher, of Wincot, married as his second wife Elizabeth, daughter of Humphrey Arden. (MS. notes in British Museum; copy of Shaw's "Staffordshire.") Page 189.—The Rev. Robert Arden, of Lapworth, might have been one of the six unnamed younger children of the Robert executed during the Wars of the Roses. Nicholaa was widow of William de Boutvilein when she married Sir Robert de Arderne de Draiton. After her husband's death she was involved in a contest with Robert de Wyckham about the presentation to the church of Swaldyve. There is no doubt that the name on the seal mentioned in the last line of p. 189 is in the masculine genitive; but I am inclined to believe that the die-cutter made a mistake, and that it was really the seal of Nicholaa. Page 193.—In Blomfield's account of Bawsey, Norfolk, he states that it belonged to the family of Glanville in 6 Richard I. "Thomas de Ardern and Ralph, son of Robert, impleaded Sir William de Auberville and Maude his wife for their portion in Bawsey and Glosthorp." Maud, the eldest daughter of Ralph de Glanville, married Sir William de Auberville; Amabil, the second, married Ralph de Arden; and Helewise married Robert FitzRalph de Middleham, Yorkshire (Blomfield's "Norfolk," viii. 341-342). Page 194.—John Arderne was a priest at Oxburgh in 1386 (Blomfield's "Norfolk," vi. 191). Mortimer's Chapel, Attleborough. A benefactor thereto was John Arderne, buried therein 1479. Other entries may concern his descendants. Sir Edward Warenne, of Boton, in 1365 married Cecily, daughter and coheir of Sir Nicholas de Eton, widow of John, son and heir of Sir John Ardern (ix. 370). John Arderne, Rector of Brinton 1452 (ix. 370). Isolda de Arderne presented to Plasset and Attleborough in King John's time (i. 503, 523). She was a benefactress to the Abbey of Windham (ii. 516, 525). She was a daughter of Alured de Plesseto, and left her body to be buried at Windham, and benefactions to the Abbey, with the consent of William de Arderne, her son. Thurston Holland, of Denton, married Jane, daughter of John Ardern, of Hawarden (i. 342). Elizabeth, Duchess of Norfolk, presented Robert Arderne to the Rectory of Aldeburgh (149), and at his death, 1504, gave it to Will Taylor (v. 353). Peter Arderne trustee for John Copputdike, of Witlingham, in 1432 (v. 456). Page 196.—In relation to the Cheshire Ardens, Burke says that "the elder branch of Ardens became extinct by the death of Walkelin Ardern, temp. Richard II. Sir John Arden, younger brother, became head of the family. A younger branch of Arderns settled at Alderley (Edward III.), and ended in a few descents in a female heir, who married into the Weever family, whose heiress married the ancestor of Sir J. Stanley. The Ardernes of Leicestershire descended from Thomas, the younger son of Sir Ralph Arderne of Harden, 1420, and brother of John of Harden." This is confusing and unsatisfactory. Page 199.—Does the following notice refer to this Thomas Arden of Elford, etc.? "Thomas de Arderne, Chivaler, who was in Gascony in the retinue of Ed. Prince of Acquitaine and Wales, had letters of protection granted him for a year, Feb. 13, 1367.—Vascess. Roll, 41 Edward III." (sent me by a member of the family). Page 201.—In reading through the books of the Haberdashers' Company, I find that "William Arden of Timporley, co. Cestr., Armiger, apprenticed John Wigge 1583." Page 202.—Debrett states that Baron Alvanley descended from Ailwin de Arden. Vincent's "Cheshire Collections" state that he descended from Ralph de Hampton. Ormerod disagrees with both. "Mrs. Anne Goldsmith, of Nantwich, Chester, left a legacy to her grandson, John Arden, 1709" (Marshall's "Genealogist," ii.). Page 204.—The letters of the Rev. Thomas Arden, 1472, are among the MSS. of the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury. Page 205.—John Arderne is mentioned in the Inquisition Post-Mortem of Edward Green, 18 Henry VII., as owning property in London. Page 207.—The Visitation of Surrey gives "the Ardens' Arms as Azure, the sun in splendour, argent," but it does not mention the family. Page 210.—In the Haberdashers' books I found: "Ralphe Arderne, son of Robert Ardern de Berwick-sup-Twede, in co. Northumberland, gen., apprenticed to Edmund Walden, Citizen and Haberdasher, for 8 years from Christmas, 1589" (October 30, 1589). Page 211.—Edmond Yate, of Bockland, Berks, Arm., appears as a surety in 1583, in the Haberdashers' books. Page 213.—Gerard says: "John of Arderne hath set down a composition for wounds, etc., from Alkanet" (Gerard's "Herbal," 1597, p. 657). Page 214.—"Yorkshire. Thomas Crake m. Jane, d. and coheir of Thomas Arden of Marton" ("Visitation of Yorkshire," 1564). An Agnes Arden married John Middleton, son of Sir John Middleton, of Stockeld Park, co. Yorkshire ("Visitation of Essex," 1588). She afterwards became the second wife of Sir Thomas More, and her arms may be seen on the Chelsea tomb—Ermine a fesse chequy (Notes and Queries, 4th Series, iv. 61; Gent. Mag., 1833, ii. 481-486). Sir Edmund Talbot married Agnes, third daughter and coheiress of John Arderne, of Nether Derwind, co. Lancaster, and quartered the arms of the Cheshire Ardens. (See Dugdale's "Visitation of Yorkshire," 1665; Surtees Society's Publications, 1859, vol. xxvi., p. 239.) Several notices of the name occur in the Yorkshire ArchÆological Journal, vol. xi., p. 392; vol. xii., p. 212, etc. Page 215.—Among "the Recusants, 1717," is mentioned Anne Arden, widow of John Arden, late of Grafton, co. Worcester, gentleman. Page 216.—"Visitation of Shropshire": William de Chettleton, Arm., m. Katharine, d. of Sir John Ardern. Elizabeth, d. of Reginald Corbet, of Stoke, Justice of the King's Pleas, mar. Robert Arden, of Park Hall. Katharine Arden, daughter of John Arden, The "Visitation of Suffolk," notes: "In the shield of Lady Elizabeth Morrison, daughter of Nicholas Clerk, of Weston, in Oxfordshire, the Ardern arms are quartered, a Fesse chequy or and azure, at Great Saxham, Suffolk." The will of Robert Arden of Maggotifilde, Gloucester, was proved in 1560 (11 Loftes), and that of Robert Arden of Westtray, Charlton, co. Gloucester, 1583 (24 Rowe, Somerset House). "Visitation of Derbyshire," 1569-1611: Robert Ratcliffe of Mellon's 2nd wife was Jane, daughter of Perkin Ardren: From Musgrave's "Obituary" (Harleian Publications): Rev. R. Crewe Arden, of Tarporley, Lancashire, brother of the Master of the Rolls, August 25, 1787 (G.M., 838). Rev. James Arden, Dean of Chester, F.R.S. 1668, September 18, 1691 (Carter's "Cambridge," 1235; Neve's "Fasti," 344). James Arden, Captain in the Army, February 24, 1771 (L.M., 175; G.M., 142). Mary Arden, aunt of Sir Richard P. Arden, the Master of the Rolls, August 17, 1788 (G.M., 758; E.M., 152). Robert Arden, proctor at Oxford (Clar., 1486; Pointer's "Oxford," 223). Rev. Robert, Preb. Worcester, October 25, 1768 (G.M., 542). John Ardern, Harden, Cheshire, May 27, 1703, Æt. 40, (Neve's "Mon.," 64). Richard Arderne, proctor, Oxford (Clar., 1538; Pointer's "Oxford," 226). William Arderon, F.R.S. 1745, at Norwich, November 25, 1767 (L. M., 687; G. M., 610). Sir John Ardon, K.B., 1399. Arden wills preserved at Lichfield: 1541. Margery Arden. 1552. Thomas Arden, of Long Itchington (39). 1561. William Ardren (22). 1562. Henry Arden (29). 1563. Christian Arden, admin. (45). 1575. William Arden (64). 1608. George Ardron, of Barlborough, admin. 1616. Sir Henry Arden, Knight, admin. (80). 1616. Richard Arden (182). 1625. Dame Dorothy Arderne, admin. (306). 1625. Ambrose Arden, Esq. (7). 1634. Humphrey Arden (inv.). 1635. Robert Arden, Esq. 1647. Joan Arden, of Enville. Berkshire wills: 1578. Edith Arden, Hampton Turvil, Wilts, admin. 1641. Richard Arden, of Chilton. It may interest some to have the following unrecorded entries: From the register of St. Bridget's or St. Bride's, Fleet Street, London: "Marriages: John Hoare and Agnes Arden, 27 June, 1596." "John Arderne and Dennis Harsted by lycence, 8 Nov., 1609." From the register of St. Martin-in-the-Fields: "Johannes Arden duxit Juditham Battersby per. lic. 24 Nov., 1638." From the register of St. Clement's Danes, London, in the Strand: "Marriages: Edward Arden and Mary Waulkner, 11th Nov., 1587." "Hamond Rightwood and Elizabeth Arden, 3 Dec., 1618." "John Foxwell and Mary Arden, 12th July, 1629." "Baptisms: Thomas Arden, son of Thomas and Anne, 20th July, 1627." "Guy Arden, son of Thomas Arden and Anne, uxor, 9th Oct., 1632." "Burials: Elizabeth Arden, daughter of Thomas, 25th March, 1629." "Alethia Arden, daughter of John, 21 Feb., 1617." Also from the Diocese of Bath and Wells (Harleian Publications): "Marriage Licenses: Thomas Arden of Lopen, bachelor, and Elizabeth Plumer of same, spinster, 10th March, 1755." Bishop of London's Marriage Licenses: "Rich. Bromfield and Jone Aorden of St. Margaret's, Westminster, Feb. 4, 1564." "Jan. 15th, 1569-70. John Ardren and Elizabeth Lee 'Puella' of St. Andrew's, Holborn, to marry there." "Nov. 9, 1641. Hugh Phillips gent of Westminster, and Elizabeth Arden, to marry at St. Faith's." "December 22, 1623. Luke Yates of St. Sepulchre's, and Frances Arden, d. of —— Arden of Whethamstead, Herts." "June 15, 1639. John Arden and Dorothy Hazard of Westminster." "Feb. 22, 1664. Henry Arden of Chelmsford and Mary Boosie." "Oct. 16. 1664. Thomas Arden of Westminster and Theodosia Long of Parmenter, co. Kent." "William Ardrene Junior of St. Martin's, Ludgate, gent., and Mrs. Alice Smith of Great Wigborough, Essex, widow. March 21, 1665-6." Mar. Allegations, Reg. Vic. Gen. Cant.: "William Elwes of St. Clement's Danes and Mrs. Dionysia Arden of same at St. Saviour's, Southwark, Surrey. Ap. 14, 1688." "John Arden of St. James, Westminster, and Mrs. Elizabeth "John Arden of St. Giles-in-the-Fields, gent., and Mrs. Anne Ratcliffe, Sept. 28, 1691." "Francis Marlow of Westham, co. Essex, and Bridget Arden of St. Sepulchre's, London, September 16, 1674." Register of St. James, Clerkenwell, Burials: "Feb. 14, 1688. Ellinor Arden." "Marriages: Jan. 11, 1561-2. John Arden and Anne Phillips." "Sept. 15, 1596. Thomas Jerome, and Helen Arden." "Christenings: March 6, 1712. Ann, d. of Richard Ardin and Elizabeth his wife." "Jan. 29, 1685-6. James, son of Christopher, and Elizabeth Ardon." "June 25, 1676. Mary, d. of Robert and Jane Arden." Registers of St. George's, Hanover Square: "Marriages: May 14, 1757. John Hutchins and Miriam Arden, Lic." "October 30, 1786. Thomas Ardren, and Elizabeth Head." "August 5, 1786. Samuel Ardron, and Mary Bellamy Higdon." "March 19, 1787. Thomas Oliver, and Susannah Ardrenn." "Hon. Thomas Walpole and the Right Hon. Margaret Perceval. Spec. Lic. Witnesses Lord Arden, H. Walpole, and M. E. Arden." "Sep. 3, 1788. William Carter and Mary Ardren." "Sep. 29, 1811. John Exley Adams and Anna Maria Arden, Lic., Oct. 24, 1811." [At the marriage of H. F. Compton Cavendish and Sarah Fawkenor, a witness is Catharine Emma Arden. Also Lord Walpole to Mary Fawkenor, July 23, 1812, witnesses Catharine Emma Arden and Henrietta Arden.] "Dec. 28, 1815. John Ardin and Sarah West." "Feb. 12, 1832. James Ardren and Harriet Pugh." [B. R. Arden witness to marriage of Rich. Pennefather and the Rt. Hon. Lady Emily Georgiana Butler, July 26, 1836. Lord Arden witness to Charles Scrase Dickins and the Rt. Hon. Frances Elizabeth Compton, Feb. 18, 1829.] Registers of St. Dionis, Backchurch: "Marriages: October 16, 1653. Edmund Webberley and Elizabeth Ardourne." "Dec. 13, 1694. John Arden of St. Faith's, London, and Grace Lansdale of the same Parish." "Oct. 27, 1696. Humphrey Arden of Rotherhithe co. Surrey, and Elizabeth Page of St. John's, Wapping." Registers of St. George, Hyde Park Corner: "May 7, 1750. John Pearce of Westminster and Mary Arden of St. Margaret's, Westminster." "Jan. 12, 1752. William Houghton and Susannah Arden of St. James, Westminster." "June 14, 1753. James Ardern and Elizabeth Bath." Registers of St. Paul's: "Nott Fettiplace, Esq., of the Middle Temple, London, and Anna Catherina Arden of Longcroft Hall in the County of Stafford, were married by Licence by me in this Cathedral. Thomas Spateman, 15th Nov., 1753." Registers of St. Thomas Apostle, London: "Burial: Thomas Arden, December 11, 1750." Registers of Kensington Parish: "Christenings: July 8th, 1649. Elizabeth daughter of John and Mary Ardin." "July 24, 1642. Thomas, s. of John and Mary Ardin." "Dec. 29, 1644. Thomas, s. of John and Mary Ardin." "March 14, 1646. Mary, daughter of John and Mary Arden." "Feb. 15, 1651. Christening: Edward son of John and Mary Arden." "March 27, 1653. James, son of John and Mary Arden." "March 27, 1640. Richard, son of John and Mary Arden." "April 16, 1656. Daniell, son of John and Mary Arden, at Brompton (buried Nov. 9th, 1656)." Registers of St. Antholin: "Marriage: June 22, 1578. Roger Cumber and Joyce Arden." Christ Church, Newgate Street: "Burial: Anne Arden, a prisoner, Jan. 31, 1733." Registers of St. Michael's, Cornhill: "Marriage: June 8, 1675. John Arden and Elizabeth Briscoe, by Lic." "Robert Ardone and Agnes Holder, Aug. 29, 1565." "Christenings: Dec. 6th, 1670. Thomas, son of John Arden and Mary his wife, Dec. 6, 1670." "Richard, son of John Arden and Mary his wife, Dec. 20, 1672." "Aug. 20, 1683. Alice, daughter of John Arderne and Elizabeth his wife." "May 25, 1686. Ralph, s. of John Ardern and Elizabeth his wife." "Burials: Sept. 9, 1674. Mary, d. of John Arden and Mary his wife." "Thomas, son of John Arden the Parish Clerk in the Churchyard, Ap. 24, 1679." "Thomas Arden, a Stranger, in the Cloister, May 20, 1705." Chancery Proceedings in reign of James I.: B.A., 2, 8. Arderne v. Arderne. B.A., 5, 70. Arden v. Askrigg. B.A., 7, 49. Arden v. Biddulph and others. B.A., 8, 16. Ardern et al. v. Rysbrook et al. B.A., 9, 28. Arden v. Hodges et al. B.A., 10, 26. Arden v. Hodges. B.A., 4, 13. Ardern v. Greenfield, etc. B.B., 20, 28. Browne Mil. v. Arden et al. Will in the Public Record Office, 5 G.T., p. 20: "No. 8. John Arden, 16 May, 1718." FOOTNOTES: |
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