Maners Earl of Rutland.

[5 H. 8.]

THough none of this Family arrived to the dignity of Peerage, until the Reign of King Henry the Eighth, yet were they persons of great note in Northumberland for many Ages before: for in 25 H. 2. Henry*de Maners paida Lxxx. Marks for Livery of his Fa∣ther's Lands in that County.

From which Henry descended Robert*de Maners of Ethale (in that Shire) who, in 15 E. 3. ob∣tained Licenceb of the King, to fortify his Man∣nor-House there, with an embatailled Wall of Lime and Stone. And from him, Iohn de Ma∣ners, who in 1 H. 5. was Constitutedc Sheriff of the same County. Which Iohn,* with Iohn his Son, being guiltyd of the Death of William Heron Esq, and Robert Atkynson, at E∣tall, as it seems (though how is not expressed) and prosecutede for the same, by Sir Robert de Vmfravile Knight, and Isabel, then the Widdow of William Heron: at length, upon a Reference f made by the persons on each part concern'd, unto Iohn then Prior of Durham, and Thomas Prior of Tinmouth; there was an Awardg made, bearing date 28 Sept. 9 H. 6. That the same Iohn Maners, and Iohn his Son should cause five hundred Masses to be sung, for the health of the Soul of the said William Heron, within one year then next ensuing: and pay unto Sir Robert de Vmfravile, and Isabel, to the use of her the said Isabel, and the Children of the same William Heron, CC. Marks in money.

This Iohn de Maners diedh seised of that Lord∣ship of Erall in 17 H. 6. leaving Roberti his Son and Heir. Which Robert,* in consideration k of his special services perform'd in the Marches toward Scotland; had, in 27 H. 6. a joint grantl with Sir Henry de Percie Knight, of all the goods and Chatals of Sir Robert de Ogle Knight, who was then Outlaw'd.

In 33 H. 6. this Robert was made Sheriffm of Northumberland: so likewise inn 3 E. 4. being at that time a Knight. In which year, Richard Nevill, Earl of Warwick and Salisbury, in consi∣deration o of his services done, and to be done, grantedp him an Annuity of xx. Marks out of the Revenues of his Lordship of Barnard-Castle, to be enjoy'd during his life: And the next year following, was Constituted Deputyq to Richard D•ke of Gloucester, then Admiral of England, Ireland, and Aquitane, for all the Sea-Coasts in the Bishoprick of Dur•am, from the Mouth of Tese to the Mouth of Twede: And, by Dame Alianore his Wife, Daughterr of Thomas, and Sisters and Coheir to Edmund Lord Roos, had Issue George, who had thereupon the Title of Lord Roos.

Which George* took to WifetAnne the sole Daughter and Heir to Sir Thomas St. Leger Knight, and Anne Dutchess of Exeter, his Wife, Sister to King Edward the Fourth. And, by his Testa∣ment u, bearing date 26 Oct. an. 1513. (5 H. 8.) bequeath'd his Body to be buried in the Church, next unto the place where he should happen to die. To the Abby of Rievaulx, he thereby gave fifty Marks: To the Abby of Kirkham fifty Marks: and to the Abby of Wartre (all in Yorke∣shire) fifty Marks, to the intent that every of those Abbies should find an honest Priest, to say Mass daily for his Soul, by the space of seven years, next after his decease: and once every year perform his Obit in every of their Churches, for his Soul, and his Friends Souls. Before the end of which year, being* with King Henry the Eighth, at the Sieges of Therouene, and Tournay, he there fell sick and died; and was buried near the high Altar in the Priory of Haliwell, within the Suburbs of London; leaving Issue by the said Anne his Wife, xThomas Maners Lord Roos;* who, in 14 H. 8. was Constitutedy Warden of the East-Marches toward Scotland: and in 16 H. 8. hadz a spe∣cial Livery of all the Mannors, Castles, and Lands, descended to him, from the Lady Alianore his Grandmother, Sister and Coheir to Edmund Lord Roos; as also from Isabel the other Sister and Coheir to the said Edmund.

Which Thomas was advanceda to the Title and Dignity of Earl of Rutland, upon the 28th of Iune, 17 H. 8. at the King's Royal Palace of B•idewell, in the City of London: and had thereupon an Augmentationb to his antient Arms, by reason of his Descent from the Sister of King Edward the Fourth; viz. in chief querterly Azure and Gules, on the first two Flower de Luces Or; and on the second a Lyo• passant-gardant of the first: The third as the second; the fourth as the first.

In 22 H. 8. beingc one of the Peers, then sit∣ting in Parliament, he subscribedd that Declara∣tion, then sent to Pope Clement the Seventh. Whereby he had intimation, that unless he did comply with King Henry, in that business of his Divorce from Queen Katherine, the loss of his Supremacy in England, would be much endan∣gered.

Upon the Insurrectione in Lincol•shire, in 28 H. 8. occasion'd by the dissolution of the lesser Monasteries, and certain Injunctions in matters of Religion; he received Commandf (together with the Earls of Shrewsbury and Huntington) to require them by Proclamation, upon peril of their lives, to return to their due obedience. And, soon after that, upon the like in Yorkeshire, called The Pilgrimage of Grace, offeredg his service, in order to the suppre••ing thereof.

In 32 H. 8. he was Constitutedh Chief Justice in Eyre, of all the King's Forests beyond Trent. And in 33 H. 8. obtain'd a granti of the Man∣nor of Muston, in Com. Leic. part of the posses∣sions of the late dissolved Priory of Osulveston, in that County. Likewise of the •annors of Wal∣tham and Croxton, in the sam• County: as also of the Mannors of Upwell, Outwell, Elme, and Emnithe, in the Counties of Norff. and Suff. part Page  297 of the possessions of the late dissolved Monastery of Nun-Earon, in Com. War. Also of the Man∣nour of Braunston, in Com. Northt. part of the possessions of the Abby of Lilshull, in Com. Salop. and of the Mannours of Billesdale, and Hel∣mesley, with the Rectory of the Church at Hel∣mesley, part of the possessions of the late dissol∣ved Monastery of Kirkham, in Com. Ebor. with divers Lands in Brandesdale, in the said County of York, sometime belonging to the Abby of Rie∣vaulx.

In 34 H. 8. being then constitutedk Warden of the Marches, he accompaniedl the Duke of Norfolk (then General of an Army consisting of twenty thousand men) in his Invasion of Scotland; where, in eight days, they burntm xx Towns and Villages.

This Thomas married two Wives; Elizabeth,n the Daughter of Sir Robert Lovel Knight, by whom he had noo Issue: and Alianore the Daugh∣ter p of Sir William Paston of Paston in Com. Norf. Knight, by whom he had Issueq five Sons; viz. Henry his next Successor; Iohn who took to WiferDorothy, one of the Daughters and Co∣heirs to Sir George Vernon of Haddon, in Com. Derb. Knight; Roger Maners ofsUffyngton, in Com. Linc. one of the Esquirest for the Body to Queen Eliz. Sir ThomasuManers Knight, and Oliverx. And six Daughtersy; Gertrude married to George Earl of Shrewsbury; Anne to Henry Earl of Westmerland; Francis to Henry Lord Ber∣gavenny; Catherine to Henry Capell Esq Elizabeth to Sir Iohn Savage Knight; and Isahel, who died young: And departingz this life upon the xxth day of September An. 1543. (35 H. 8.) was bu∣ried in the Chancell of the Church at Botsford (near Belvoir-Castle) in Com. Leic. with this E∣pitaph on his Monument;

Here lyeth the Body of Thomas Manners Earl of Rotlande, Lord of Ham•ake, Trusbur, and Belwyer, and Knyght of the most honourable order of the Gar∣ter; who deceaseth the xxth day of September, at four of the clock at afternoone, Anno Domini MCCCCCxliii. And the body of the Lady Elianor Countiss, his Wyf, Daughter of Sir William Paston of Norfolk Knyght; who deceased the ... day of ... Anno Domini MCCCCC ... whose Soules Ihe∣su pardon, Amen.

I now come to Henry, the next succeeding Earl. This Henry* in Autumn 1 E. 6. camez to Hadington in Scotland, with three thousand Lansquenets, and some Bands drawn out of the Frontier Garrisons; and well consideringa that the Town could not be kept any longer without excessive charges; by reason that the Country thereabouts was miserably foraged, and could not be victualled without much difficulty and danger; rasedb the walls, freed the Houses, brought a∣way the Artillery; and, finding no resistance, re∣turned c with safety to Barwick.

In 2 E. 6. he was made Constabled of the Ca∣stle at Notingham, ande chief Justice of Shire∣wode Forest: and in 3 E. 6. constitutedf War∣den of the East-Marches, and Middle-Marches toward Scotland. In 5 E. 6. he accompanied g the Marquess of Northampton into France; who then went upon a solemn Embassy to that King; as also to present him with the Ensigns of the most noble Order of the Garter. And in 3 & 4 Ph. & M. was madeh Captain General of all the Forces, then design'd to pass the Seas; and like∣wise i of the whole Fleet: but served only as Ge∣neral of the Horse at the Siege of St. Quintins in Picardy.

In 1 Eliz. he was constituted Lieutenantk for the Counties of Nottingham, and Rutland: and in 3 Eliz. Lord Presidentl of the Council, for the Northern parts of the Realm: as also install'dm Knight of the most noble Order of the Garter. By his last Will and Testamentn bearing date 5 Iulii 2 Eliz. he bequeathed his Body to be bu∣ried in the Parish Church of Botsford, in case he should die within the Realm; and appointed that a Tomb meet for his Estate, should be made there. To his Daughter Elizabeth he bequeathed a thou∣sand pounds for her portion, and xxxl. per an∣num for her maintenance, till her marriage, or age of xxi years. To Iohn his second Son, he gave his Mannour, and Rectory of Helmesley, of the value of xxxviil. i s. iii d. per annum, some∣time belonging to the Monastery of Kirkham: as also his Mannour of Ros in Holderness; and Fee-ferm of xll. per annum issuing out of the City of York, during his life. To Edward Lord Ros, his Son and Heir, he gave all his Armour, Mu∣nition and Weapons. And all his Goods, Ca∣talls, Jewels, Plate and Houshold-stuff, which could be left unfold; to be divided betwixt his Wife, and the said Edward his Son, when he should arrive to the age of xxi years.

And by a Schedule annexed thereto, increased the Portion of his Daughter Elizabeth, five hun∣dred Marks, in case she should marry with the consent of his Wife, and Brother George Earl of Shrewsbury, and of his Brother Iohn Maners, or any two of them; whereof his Wife to be one. Also he gave CCl. to be distributed amongst his Houshold Servants, as his Wife should judge con∣venient.

This Earl Henry had two Wives; viz. Marga∣reto Daughter to Raphe Earl of Westmerland, by whom he had Issuep two Sons; Edward and Iohn; and Elizabeth a Daughter, marriedq to Sir William Courtney of Pouderham, in Com. Devon. Knight. His second Wife was Bridgetr, Daughter of Iohn Lord Hussey (of Sleford, in Com. Linc) Widows of Sir Richard Morrison Knight, who survived him; and without any Issue, afterwards marriedt to Francis Earl of Bed∣ford. He diedu upon the xviith of September An. 1563. (5 Eliz.) and lieth buriedx at Botsford.

To this last mentioned Earl Henry, succeeded Edward* his Son and Heir; whose memorable Im∣ployments his Epitaphy, at Botsford, thus speaks; In An. 1569. (11 Eliz.) he was sent into the North parts, the Earls of Northumberland and Westmerland being then in Rebellion; and made Lieutenant to Thomas Earl of Sussex (then Lord General of her Majesties Army:) also Co∣lonel of the Foot; and one of the Council in that service; being then but twenty years of age, and in Ward to her Majesties. In the year 1570. he travelled into France. In the year 1582. he was made Lieutenant of the County of Lincoln. In the year 1584. Knight of the Garter. And on the 5th of Iuly An. 1586. as chief Commis∣sioner for her Majesty, concluded with the Scot∣tish Kings Commissioners at Barwick upon Twede.

By his Testamentz, bearing date 20 Nov. An. 1583. (26 Eliz.) he bequeathed his Body to be buried in the Parish-Church of Botsford, with Page  298 his Ancestors. And, thereby considering, that his Barony of Ros, for want of Heirs Male of his own Body, was to descend to his Heir general; for that one of his Ancestors, whose Heir he was, did marry the Heir of the Lord Ros; and there∣by enjoyed that title and dignity, as descended on the part of the Mother; as also continued the same until their Creation to this Earldom of Rutland. Supposing therefore the stile and dig∣nity of the said Barony not to be utterly extin∣guished, but to remain suspended, because the Earldom of Rutland was enrailed to the Heir Male of Thomas, his Grandfather; and that the said Barony was descendable to the Heirs gene∣ral; he setled his Estate so, as that both Honours might properly be supported.

And departinga this life upon the 14th of A∣pril An. 1587. (29 Eliz.) lieth buriedb at Bots∣ford{que} leaving issuec by Isabel his Wife, Daugh∣ter d of Sir Thomas Holcroft of the Uale-Royal, in Com. Cestr. Knight, one sole Daughter and Heir, called Elizabeth Wifee of Sir William Ce∣cil Knight (commonly called Lord Burghley) Son and Heir apparent to Thomas Earl of Exe∣ter; by whom he had IssuefWilliam called Lord Ros, who diedg in Italyin An. 1618 (18 •ac.) unmarried. Which Elizabeth departed† this life 11 Maii An. 1591. and lieth buried* in West∣minster Abby.

To this last Earl Edward, succeeded Iohn* his Brother, and Heir Male: who, in 29 Eliz. was made Constableh of Notingham-Castle; and in 30 Eliz. Lieutenanti of Notinghamshire. And ha∣ving, by his Testamentk bearing date 23 Febr. An. 1587. (30 Eliz.) bequeathed his Body to be buried at Botsford, diedl 21 Febr. the same year; leaving Issuem by Elizabeth his Wife, Daughtern to Francis Charlton of Apley in Com. Salop. Esq Roger* his Son and Heir, Francis; Sir George, and Sir Oliver Maners, both Knights. Bridget married to Robert Tirwhit of Ketilby, in Com. Linc. Esq Frances to William Lord Wil∣loughby of Parham, Elizabeth to Emanuel Lord Scrope of Bolton; and Mary.

Of which Earl Roger the Epitaph upon his Tomb at Botsford, giveth this Testimony; viz. that in A•. 1595. (37 Eliz.) he began his first travels into divers parts beyond the Seas; as France, Italy, Gr•seland, and the Low-Coun∣tries, where he continued three years. Afterwards, that he went voluntary the Island-Voyage; and that he was Colonel of Foot in the Irish wars in An. 1598. Moreover, that he was made Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire in the first year of King Iames: Also that the same year, he went Em∣bassadour into Denmarke, to the Christening of that Kings first Son; and with the order of the Garter to the King himself.

To which I shall add; that, in 42 Eliz. he was made Constableo of Nottingham-Castle, and Chief Justicep of the Forest of Shirewode. In 1 Iac. Stewardq of the Mannour and Soke of Grantham: and in 6 Iac. Chiefr Justice of Shire∣wode Forest.

This Roger marriedsElizabeth Daughter and Heir to the famous Sir Philip Sidney Knight; but diedt without Issue 26 Iunii An. 1612. (10 Iac.)

Leaving Francis* his Brother and Heir, whose memorable actions are thus set forth upon his Monument at Botsford; viz. At ten years of age he began to travel (An. 1598.) in France, Lorayne, and divers parts of Italy, where he was honourably received by the Princes them∣selves, and nobly entertain'd in their Courts. In his return through Germany, he had like ho∣nour done him by Ferdinand Archduke of Au∣stria, at Gratz. By the Emperour Mathias, in his Court at Uienna. By Count Swartzem∣bourg, Lieutenant of Iavarin, in Hungary. By Count Rossembourg at Prague, in Bohemia. By the Marquess of Brandenbourg, the Dukes of Saxony, and other German-Princes, in the Court of Berlin. In An. 1604. he was made Knight of the Bath at the Coronation of King Iames. In *An. 1612. Lieutenant of Lincolnshire; and after∣wards Justice in Eire of all the Kings Forests and Chases on the North of Trent. In An. 1616. he was made Knight of the most noble order of the Garter: being the same year one of the Lords, who attended King Iames, by his Majesties spe∣cial appointment, in his journey to Scotland. And in An. 1623. had the command of his Ma∣jesties great Ships and Pinnaces, to bring Prince Charles out of Spain; which service he happily performed.

To all these I shall add; thatu discerning the Ti∣tle of Lord Ros, then claimed by William Cecill, and accordingly enjoyed, could not justly be made use of by himself, as Heir Male; by reason that Cecill was Son and Heir of Elizabeth, the sole Daughter and Heir to Edward late Earl of Rut∣land, who had that Title, by right of descent, from Elianore his Grandmother, Sister and Heir to Edmund Lord Ros: he procured a special Pa∣tent x, bearing date 22 Iulii 14 Iac. whereby in consideration that he was then possessed of the Land and Barony of Hamlake; it was decla∣red, that he should therefore be accepted and called Lord Roos of Hamlake; and that his Son and Heir should also enjoy the same Name and Title.

This Earl Francis had two Wives; vizyFran∣ces Daughter and Coheir to Sir Henry Knevet of Charleton, in Com. Wilts. Knight, Widow of Sir William Bevill of Kilkhampton in Com. Cornub. Knight; by whom he had Issuez one only Daugh∣ter and Heir, called Catherine; first married to George Duke of Buckingham, and afterwards to Randulph Mac Donald Earl of Antrim in Ire∣land.

Secondly, Cecilie Daughtera to Sir Iohn Tufton of Hothfield in Com. Cantii Knight and Baronet, Widowb of Sir Edward Hungerford Knight, by whom he had Issue two Sons; Henry and Francis, who both diedc in their childhood, by Sorcery, as 'twas thought.

He diedd at Bishops-Stortford, in Com. Hertf. upon the 17. day of December An. 1632. (8 Car. 1.) and was buried at Botsford. To whom succeeded in this Earldom Sir George*Maners Knight, his Bro∣ther, and Heir Male. Which George marriedeFrances the Daughter of Sir Edward Carey of Aldenham, in Com. Hertf. Knight, Sister to Henry Vicount Falkland; and departingf this life at his House in the Savoy, in the suburbs of London 29 Mar∣tii An. 1641. (17 Car. 1.) without Issue, was buriedg at Botsford, with his Ancestors.

So that the Title of Earl did thereupon resort to Iohn*Maners Esq then Lord of the Mannour of Haddon, in Com. Derb. (his Principal Seat) as next Heir Male; viz. Son and Heir of Sir Page  299George Maners Knight, Son of Iohn Maners Esq second Son to Thomas the first Earl of Rutland of this Family.

Which Iohn took to Wife Frances Daughter to Edward Lord Mountagu of Boughton; and by her had Issue three Sons; George and Edward, who both died young, and Iohn Lord Ros, now living. Which Iohn Lord Ros Married the Lady Anne Pierpont, eldest Daughter to Henry Marquess of Dorchester, but from her being lawfully divorc'd by Sentence of the Court-Christian (and the Chil∣dren which she bore, disabled by Act of Parlia∣ment, for inheriting any Lands or Honours from him the said Iohn, or Iohn Earl of Rutland, his Father) as also enabled by that Act to marry again; and that the Children by such other Nup∣tials, shall inherit; He next Wedded the Lady Diana, Daughter to Robert Earl of Aylesbury, Widdow of Sir Seamour Shirley of Stanton-Ha∣rold, in Com. Leic. Baronet, and surviving her, took to Wife Catherine the Daughter to Baptist Vicount Campden, by whom he hath Issue. ...

This Iohn Earl of Rutland had likewise Issue seven Daughters; viz. Frances Married to Iohn Earl of Exeter; Grace to Patricius Vicount Cha∣worth; Dorothy to Anthony Lord Ashley, Son and Heir to Anthony Earl of Shaftsbury; Elizabeth to Iames Lord Annesley, Son and Heir to Arthur Earl of Anglesey; Margaret to Iames Earl of Salisbury; Anne to Sir Scroope How Knight, Son and Heir to Iohn How of Langar in Com. Nott. Esq; and Mary who died young.