Page:Tixall Poetry.djvu/31

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Preface.
xvii

was created by letters patent, dated 28th Nov. 1627, Baron Aston, of Forfar, in the kingdom of Scotland, with all the privileges belonging to a peer of that realm. In 1635, he was again sent sole ambassador into Spain, where he continued about three years. He returned to England in 1638, and dying the year following, was buried in St Mary's church, at Stafford.

"Hee was seised at the time of his going into Spaine, of divers manors and lordships, lying in the countyes of Stafford, Warwick, Derby, and Leicestre, to ye no lesse value than of L. 10,000 per an. the greatest part of which he lost and dispended in that service."[1]

Lord Aston married Gertrude Sadler, only daughter of Sir Thomas Sadler of Standon Lordship, near Ware, in Hertfordshire, and granddaughter of Sir Ralph Sadler, Knight Banneret.[2] By this lady, he had five sons, and five daughters. Those who survived him, were, 1. Walter, second Lord Aston, who married, in 1629, Lady Mary Weston, daughter of Richard, Earl of Portland, Lord High Treasurer of England. 2. Herbert, who married Catherine, sister of Sir John Thimelby, of Irnham, Knt. in the county of Lincoln. 3. Frances, married Sir William Persall, Kt. of Canwell, near Lichfield. 4. Gertrude, married Henry Thimelby, Esq. third brother of Sir John Thimelby, above mentioned. 5. Constantia, married Walter Fowler, Esq. of St Thomas Priory, near Stafford.[3]


  1. Ex autogr. præd. If we estimate together the depreciation of money, the increased value of land, and the customs of life, such an income then, would, at the present time, certainly be equal to L. 50,000 a-year.
  2. Sir Thomas Sadler entertained king James I. at Standon, when on his way to London, in 1603, with great splendour and magnificence, for two successive nights. (See Sir R. Sadler's "State Papers," Appendix, vol. ii. p. 603.)
  3. Tixall Evidences. Wood's "Douglas's Peerage," art. Aston of Forfar. Chauncy's "Hist, of Hertfordshire."

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