earlier, namely in 1554, as shown cut in a stone let into one of the chimney stacks. The great and original heavy oak door is still in situ; indented and in places pierced with shots and bullets that were fired at it during the siege of the house by the Parliamentary forces; during which attack the house was bravely defended by the wife of Colonel Staunton, who, just before it was captured, made her escape with her children. On the door over these records of that struggle is cut the date thereof, 1642. The ancient and historic door is preserved by an inner one of oak attached thereto.
Amongst the very interesting family documents is a deed in old Latin, temp. 1323, relating to the bearing of the Cross in the Holy Land on behalf of William de Staunton, to which is attached a translation; this latter we copied, and it runs as follows—
To all people about to see or hear this letter, I, William
de Staunton give greeting. Know ye that in consideration of
high esteem and for the safety of my own soul, and those of my
ancestors and successors have made free Hugo Travers, the son
of Simon of Alurington in which place he assumed the Cross for
me, and have quit claimed for myself and my heirs for ever,
himself and his possessions from all terrene service and exaction,
and have yielded him with all his possessions or property to the
Lord and the Church of St. Mary of Staunton, whereby I desire
and grant that he and his property may remain free for ever
under the protection of the Lord and St. Mary, and the restored
church of Staunton. Witness hereof, Witto, priest of Kidvington,
Radulpho de St. Paul. Walter de Hou.
And many others, the date following. Which document
is food for thought, and seems to show how
easily, according to the Church of those days, the
