that Queen he was in the voyage with Robert Earl of Sussex to Cadiz; and in 1621, was installed Knight of the Garter, and often resided here; he had two sons and two daughters, which all died in his lifetime, without issue; Henry Ratcliff Lord Fitz-Walter, his eldest son, married Jane, daughter of Sir Michael Stanhope, Knt. but died a young man. In the register of this parish I find these odd verses (composed by John Forbie, then rector) upon his death, and upon the resemblance of the star which he gave for his conusance, viz.
Where is the Starr, the hope of Sussex name? Henry Fitz-Walter's, that bright shining beame? What men't you Fates, so sone his life t'assault? Was there in him, such noted heinous fault? Death is the debt, that every one must pay, To blame you are, that tooke him now away, He was the hope to raise up noble blood, Which long had been, and might yet long have stood, In him is cut off all that noble fame, Which hundred years hath houlden in that name, This is our joy, that joys he doth possesse, And is a Starr now fix'd in heav'nly blesse.
And these following, by Edward Barthlett, Gent.
In heaven new fixt, I lately saw a Starr That shin'd in earth, but now excelleth farr, All heavenly Starres, save them without compare That in the heavens, amongst them, placed are. This Starr in earth, did with such beauty shine, Which was the cause that it so soon did clime Up to the heavens to God, who for it sent, To increase and beautify the firmament. Death brought the news, with him, who can prevaile? And vaine are tears, for whose great loss we waile; His death our losse it is, our losse his gaine, In winning heaven, through loosing mortal paine, But by his death, dyes noble Sussex race, Which none can helpe, but God by his good grace.
And in the said register it is thus entered; Robert Ratcliff our Lord, the Honourable Earl of Sussex, Knight of the Garter, died at London in Sept. and his lady, the Countess, died not long before, in the year 1629; he left
Sir Alexander Ratcliff, Knight of the noble Order of the Bath, his adopted heir unto this manor, who was descended from Sir Alexander Ratcliff of Ordsall, Knt. grandson to Robert Ratcliff, the first Earl of Sussex of that name, which Alexander died in 1548, leaving by Alice, daughter of Sir John Booth, one son, viz. Sir William Ratcliff of Ordsall, Knt. who married Margaret, daughter of Sir Edmund Trafford, by whom he had Sir John Ratcliff of Ordsall, Knt. who was killed in the engagement against the French at the isle of Rhee, Oct. 29, 1627, leaving by Anne, daughter of Thomas Ashow, our Sir Alexander Ratcliff, who was made Knight of the Bath at the
