16. THOMAS DE WOODFORD.]
He was the eldest Son of Sir Robert de Woodford a wealthy Knight, who dying before his Father, left five sons, viz. John, Walter, Humphrey, Ralph and John. Sir Robert their Grandfather, out of design to perpetuate his posterity, (adventured in five bottoms) made all his Grandchildren in effect elder brothers, dividing his vast estate amongst them; an equal unequal partition to be injurious to the Heir (without his demerit) that he might be bountiful to his other brethren: but it thrived according∣ly. For that great Family (which had long continued in great accompt and estate) by reason of this * Division, in short space utterly decayed, not any part of* 1.1 their lands (thus disposed) now in the tenure of the Name, and some of the Male Heirs descended from the five brethren, now living in a low condition; and no won∣der, they soon made a Hand of all, where the Thumb was weakned, to strengthen the Four fingers.