The Astleys of Maidstone

THE ASTLEYS OF MAIDSTONE By ROBERT H. GOODSALL (concluded from Vol. LXXII) During the long drawn out hearing of the Chandos Peerage Case which was referred to in the previous instalment of this paper, evidence was produced to show that a certain Ann Jackson alias Bridges, widow, of London, executed a Will on the 12th October, 1641. Among other bequests were included the sum of Ten pounds " to the Poore of the parishes of Maidstone, Horton, Framingham and the Parish wherein my Corps shaU be buried " and " to my Aunt the Lady Astley, for to buy her Mourninge, the Sume of Tenn Poundes ". Nothing in the WiU seems to indicate any connection with the Best family although according to the Indenture of June, 1629, aheady quoted, a John Best, gent, was the tenant of AUington Castle. Dame Katherine died intestate in January, 1647-8, and her cousin-german John Bridges was, after a hearing before the Court of Prerogative appointed the administrator of her estate. Sir John signed his WiU on the 3rd January, 1639, in the presence of Jo. Vrrick, Jo. fflecher and John Harrison. According to the last paragraph the document, as originaUy written, extended to " twentie sheetes of paper " (the Somerset House record of eight pages is, of course, a contemporary copy) and provides not only much genealogical information concerning the famUy, various members of which he designates " cosens " irrespective of the degree of relationship but also, because of the phraseology, an insight into the fear which obviously beset him that its provisions might engender dissension or strife between those he intended to benefit and those he did not. On account of its length the wiU must be summarized here. Following the customary pious preamble and direction that his body " be buryed in such convenient manner " as his Executor should think fit there foUows a series of bequests to the poor and various relations. To one hundred poor persons of Maidstone Boxley Aylesford and AUington 6/8d. each £33 . 6 . 0 To " ffrances Bourne my servant yf hee shalbe dwelling wth mee att the tyme of my decease " To Anne Dearing on the same terms AU other menservants \ over and above their AU other maid servants j wages To Ahce Cage da. of " my sister Elianor Knachbull " if a widow and " she demand the same " £100 . 0 . 0 £20 £10 . £5 £3 . 0 . .0 , . 0 , . 0 0 . 0 . 0 . 0 125 THE ASTLEYS OF MAIDSTONE To " my lovinge cosen Edward Lenton of Graies Inne, Esquhe" £50 . 0 . 0 To " my godsonne John KnachbuU, eldest son of Norton KnachbuU at twenty one years of age £100 . 0 . 0 To Ruth Rogers da. of Anthony NevUe of Mattersey co. Nottingham Esquhe, deceased, if a widow or unmarried £100 . 0 . 0 To each child of " my cosen Curtis and late neice Bridget, da. of my sister Eleanor " 20 Markes To each child of " my cosen Turke and late neece Margaret da. of my sister Eleanor " £10 . 0 . 0 To each child of " my cosen AUen and late neece Susan da. of my sister Eleanor " £10 . 0 . 0 To " my neece Disney da. of my late sister Margaret NevUe " 40 Markes To " NevUe HaU son of late dame Margaret HaU who was da. of my late sister Margaret on condition that he immediately pay over the same to his sister Debora towards her portion given her by late father Sir WiUiam Hall K*. if he had not already paid aU her portion." Otherwise to him and his heirs To " my cosen Debora " and the other children of dame Margaret to be divided equaUy To " my welbeloved cosin Sir Jacob Astley Kk " if alive, but if dead to Ehzabeth his daughter if liveing and 21 years of age. Otherwise to the eldest chUd of Sir Jacob then hving To " my cosen Anne Bridges or Agnes Bridges by what name soever shee bee caUed whoe is neece to my wife Dame Katherine the fuU some of One Thousand poundes of lawfuU money of England." But if the said Anne should be dead half the sum to Sir Jacob or his hehs and the other half to Thomas Astley " one of the sonnes of my late uncle Thomas Astley " and Iren Astley to be divided equaUy, if dead to the hehs of the latter £1,000 . 0 . 0 To " my cosen Thomas Astley aforesaid " £100 . 0 . 0 To " Irene Astley one of the sons of my late uncle Richard Astley " 40 Markes To " my beloved cosen Norton KnachbuU son of my late sister Eleanor " 300 Markes and to Thomas KnachbuU his brother £100 . 0 , 0 £200 . 0 . 0 40 Markes 40 Markes 500 Markes 126 THE ASTLEYS OF MAIDSTONE To " my godsonne John Clifford the sonne of George Clifford of London, gent." £20 . 0 . 0 " And because I would have dame Katherine my wife to pay to Bridget Cherson als. Wainewright during her life the some of ffower poundes quarterlie," at the usual quarter days, " I have herein inlarged my legacie towards her . . . And I desire as much as in my said wife may bee, that such care may be taken in the payment thereof, as that the said Bridget her selfe may receave the same that she may have the whole benefitt thereof to her selfe without her husbande or any other intermedhng with the same." " I give to John Devorax the sonne of Jone Devorax sometyme my servant the some of Tenn poundes to be disposed of in the most beneficall way it may be for the putting or binding of him to some honest trade or misterie. And if in my life tyme I shaU have disposed of him or placed him with any person whatsoever then this legacie to be void." " And though I conceive it wiU not be much materiaU yett for an estabhshment of a certaine peace and amitie (as much as in me is) amongst those of my kyndred, my wiU and desire is that (the aforesaid) John NevUe shaU " sign seal and dehver to the said Sir Jacob Astley to his use " one General Release . . . of aU my lands tenemt8 or hereditaments whatsoever . . . in due forme of lawe . . . as my said Executor shaU thinke my mind to be, and one other like release to be made muntatis muntandis by my said Cosine John NevUe to my said cosine Norton KnachbuU " (who) " in due form of lawe . . . shall dehver to the said Sh Jacob such general release . . . And if any of my said cosins John NevUe, Norton KnachbuU and Sh Jacob Astley shaU refuse to make and give such releases . . . I doe hereby declare that it be taken as a manifestation of the want of his or theh love and respect to mee and as a neglect of mee and of the performance of my WiU and desire." " Item I give John NevUe One Thousand Markes (or if dead) to his eldest son (or other chUdren) otherwise to Sh Jacob Astley. And further my WiU is That aU my legacies herein before bequeathed shalbe . . . After that my Executor shaU have receaved of my cosin Norton KnachbuU his hehs, etc, the some of Twoe Thousand poundes woh hee owes me uppon the Statute woh hee hath acknowledged to mee. Then within One and Twentie daies to pay . . . such of my legacies as my Executor shaU think fitt . . . so much as the Two Thousand poundes shaU extend unto." The WUl continues to recite in the same terms that the sum of 127 THE ASTLEYS OF MAIDSTONE fifteen hundred pounds owing on another Statute by Sir James Oxinden kt. and One thousand pounds owed by Sir Jacob Astley should simUarly be apphed to meeting the legacies. No legatee was to benefit before reaching the age of twenty one and each had to give a fuU acquittal to the Executor. Also " if any legatee, Maideservant or manservant, to whome I give Wages of ffive pounds or under by the year . . . shaU within ffourtie daies before my death or at any time after my death imbezUl, take away, conceale, convey away . . . any of my goods, houshold stuffe or chatteUs whatsoever, or shall know of any other person " doing the same " and not discover the same to my Executor then . . . he, she or they shaU loose the benefitt of this my last WUl." Item . . . " my Executor out of my personaU estate shaU within Eighteen months the next after my decease cause to be sett upp and finished in the ChanceU of the CoUegiate or usuaU Church in Maidstone . . . near the monument of my late father . . . One faire Monument of my said father my late mother and my selfe with such Coates of Armes Ornaments and Inscriptions as by some herault of Armes shalbe approved, in and about the accomplishment whereof . . . my desire is there bee expended One Hundred pounds or neare the same within Tenn pounds at the most." " Item my WiU is that my Terrier booke and great Mapp of aU my lands and aU my OriginaU Writinges and pattents which . . . concerne any of my said lands tenements or heritaments passed or conveyed in my life tyme to the said Sk Jacob Astley (other then the Counterparts . . .) either in the life tyme of the said dame Katherine or after her death, when and at such tyme as my Executor shaU think fitt shalbe delivered to the said Sh Jacob or his heires. Item I give to my welbeloved wife dame Katherine AU my sUver plate and aU my houshold stuffe or bedstedles, ffeatherbedds, boulsters, blanketts, ruggs, matts, mattresses, Court cupboards, tables, Carpets, Couchchairs and chahs, stooles and hangings whatsoever as are properhe belonging to and ordinarUie used in the severaU roomes of my house called the PaUace woh I intende soe to be without disfurnishing any other roomes in the said house (that is to say) houshold stuffe of the sortes aforesaid properlye belonging to and oridinaUy used in the roome now comonlie used to dyne and supp in, in the Httle redd chamber thereunto adioyneing, in the room where my said wife now usuaUie lyeth, in the httle roome or closett thereto adioyneing, in the great dyning roome, in the great Lodging Chamber thereto next adioyneing towards the North, in the httle Chamber within the same, in the Chamber where my selfe doth now usuaUy lodge, in the Chamber next adioyneing where my maidservants doe usuaUie lye and in the Chamber within the same where my said Cosine Agnes Bridges did heretofore 128 PLATE III Sir John Astley Melton Constable collection of portraits Reproduced from a copyright photograph by and with the permission of " Country Life" London I face p. 128 PLATE IV Jacob 1st Lord Astley Melton Constable collection of portraits Reproduced from a copyright photograph by and with the permission of " Country Life " London ?.- PLATE V The original farm house of Boarley Farm, Boxley fe ' *X, OS\ Jf-r *y The Barn, Boarley Farm, Boxley THE ASTLEYS OF MAIDSTONE usualhe lye. And concerneing aU my houshold stuffe comonhe used in any of the roomes aforesaid and in the kitchen, buttery and bakehouse and wch is of iron, brasse, pewter and lynnen my wUl is that the same be devided into fower equaU partes as weU for the quantitie as the qualitie as neare (as for the tyme being) may bee, three partes whereof I give to my wife and the other fowerth parte . . . to my Executor." Item I doe hereby grant (etc) to my trustie approved and weUbeloved freinde WiUiam Harrison of Upper Each in the parish of Woodnesborough (co. Kent) gent, the severall roomes (in the Palace) The Roome wch I use for my closett where aU, or the moste parte, of my bookes and writings now are, the inner roome wthin the same and the roomes and places within the said Closett and inner roome, the little closet goeing upp the gaUerie and the whole gaUerie and httle chamber at the end thereof with aU the roomes to the said gaUerie belonging, the chamber over the closet aforesaid sometymes caUed the Schoolehowse and the inner roome thereto, the Chamber next the buttery where my sister Elianor KnachbuU usuaUie did lye, wth aU the inner roomes to be gone into out of the same, and the hoveU woh is att the ende of the great Stable for horse and bests to stand with free libertie of ingress, egresse . . . and abidinge . . . by through over and uppon aU the stakes stepps court yards, backsides, wayes roomes and passages . . . from and immediately after my decease (for) the full end and terme of One whole yeare . . . without paying any rent for the same, and such stable room for the horses, mares and geldinges of the said WiUiam . . . as my wife for her tyme or Sir Jacob for his tyme shaU think fitt woh I have done for the benefitt of my Executor that hee may have the more ease in the execucon of my will and though I could have enlarged the same yett I thinke fitt to refer any inlargement both to my wife . . . and to Sir Jacob . . . after her death, as they in their severaU love to my Executor shall please to inlarge themselves. And I doe hereby . . . appointe the said William Harrison to be the sole and onely Executor of this my last WiU and testament and to him . . . I doe hereby give aU my goods, CatteUs and chatteUs not hereby bequeathed. And I doe . . . nominate . . . Sk Humfrey Tufton knight and my fowernamed cosine Edwarde Henton to be the Overseers. And I do give to (sd.) Humfrey Tufton my book of Ortelins his Mapps and my booke of postures for the Warres sent mee out of the Lowe Countries by my cosine Sk Jacob Astley as a token of my love towards him. . . . And as much as the said WiUiam Harrison hath beene of CounceU with mee and of longe tyme privie to my estate and affakes, and in them all I have founde him trustie, for aU wch I have given him his ordinarie fees and mones hee hath disbursed for mee, butt have not as yett given him such fuU recompence for his love, respect and faithfuUnes towards mee as I have meant him my WUl is that what 129 THE ASTLEYS OF MAIDSTONE advantage soever can redunde . . . (to him) . . . hee may have and take the same. . . . And I doe hereby publish and declare that I doe this knowlinglie and freely." A further deske was expressed that Sir Jacob Astley should " favour helpe and assist" the Executor "in what hee can". Then follows a clause " that if any legatee . . . named or meant . . . whome my Executor shaU not weU and certainely knowe . . . demande any legacie . . . such legatee . . . shaU first make verie good and satisfactorie proofe . . . of his or her being the true and undoubted partie to whome such legacie . . . ought to be paide." The WUl was proved at London 10 February 1639.1 The inscription on the Astley monument records Sir John's death as having occurred on the 26th January 1639, but if the evidence of a manuscript " Herald-painter's Work-book " produced in the Chandos Peerage Case is to be rehed upon the funeral did not take place untU a month later. The relative entry in the manuscript is as foUows: " Sr John Astley, K4., Mr of the JeweU-house and of the revels. He de'ted this mortaU life and his funeraU was solemnised on Thursday, the 20th. of February 1639, at the great church of Maydstone by three officers of armes, Mr. Ryly, Mr Crounce, and Mr. DugdaU."2 Jacob Astley to whom Sk John bequeathed his estates was the second son of Isaac who was grandson of Thomas of Melton Constable, Norfolk, where Jacob was born in 1579. Of aU the members of his famUy he, perhaps, is best remembered on account of his distinguished mUitary career, a career destined to earn him a place in National History. At the age of nineteen he was already serving with distinction in the Netherlands and later under the King of Denmark. Returning to England Charles I entrusted him with several important tasks, part military and part diplomatic, and at the outbreak of the Great Rebellion in 1642 he became major-general of foot. How far these duties permitted him to enjoy his Kentish inheritance it is difficult to say, but during the troubled years wliich foUowed he cannot have spent much, if any, time at the Palace which in any case was in part occupied by dame Katherine. The CivU War saw him fighting continuaUy on the side of his monarch. It was at EdgehUl that he initiated, what has since become something of a custom with our national war leaders, of issuing some prayer or inspired battle cry to hearten the fighting forces. ChurchUl's " We wiU fight them on the beaches . . ." and Montgomery's " Knock 'em for six " had their earher counterpart in Wellington's " Up boy and at them " and Nelson's " England Expects . . ." Astley's oft quoted battle prayer, " 0 Lord thou knowest how busy I must be this 1 i.e. 1639/40. 2 Review of the Chandos Peerage Case, Beltz, p. 30 and Appendix X. 130 THE ASTLEYS OF MAIDSTONE day. If I forget thee do not forget me. March on boys " has the same ring of robust faith as the committal of his soul to the Almighty with which his WiU is prefaced. The wording rings more of personal choice than the stereotyped phraseology of the attorney. In the numerous actions of the war, at Gloucester, Newbury, Arundel and Naseby his powers of leadership proved of immense value to the royal cause. In 1644 the King created him a baron and after service in the west country he was present at the last stubborn battle in March, 1646, Stow-on-the-Wold. Taken prisoner during the fight he was forced to give his parole that he would play no further part in the war. His remark to his captors has become almost as famous as his prayer at EdgehiU, " You have now done your work and may go play unless you wiU faU out among yourselves." He was brought back to London, but it was not until 1648 that an ordnance was passed clearing him of the charge of delinquency, and it was not until May, 1651, that he finaUy obtained fuU liberty. On 20th of that month the Warden of the Fleet was ordered to bring Sk Jacob Ashley (the name was often so spelt) before the Committee of Examination " tomorrow at 9 a.m." Then on 31st under the Day's Proceedings of the Council of State it was recorded1 " Sir Jacob Ashley to be bailed, on security in 1,000, 1. with two sureties in 500L each on the usual terms, when he can return to his residence in Kent untU further order ". So at last he was able to return to the Old Palace, an old and no doubt a sick man with but a few more months to hve. By his German wife, Agnes Imple, he had had two sons and two daughters. The eldest, Bernard, feU during the siege of Bristol, and in consequence his estates were destined to pass to his second son Isaac. Of the daughters Anne married Sir Francis Stydolfe of Norbury, Surrey, and Ehzabeth, her kinsman, Sk Edward Astley of Melton Constable. The old cavaher signed his WiU on the 20th February, 1650, at the Palace in the presence of Francis Fowler, Henry Leventhorpe, James Mason and George Blake. The preamble states that the testator " borne at Melton ConstabeU " in the Countie of Norfolke being . . . of sound and perfect memory and understanding, praises be to God therefore knowinge the uncertainty and unstabihtie of the bodUy life which is a Taboenakle of Clay whose foundann is in the dust Doe here make and declare this my last WUl and Testament ..." " First and chiefly I recommend my soule to the pleasure of my God, my ffather and Maker, to Jesus Christ my Saviour and Reemer and to the Holy Ghost my Sanctifier and Comforter hoping wth a fuU assurance by that Glorious worke of the Holy Trinity in mans redemption woh was wrought by my saviore Jesus Christ his bitter death and 1 S.P.D. 131 THE ASTLEYS OF MAIDSTONE passion to obtain a fuU and free redemption of aU my sinns and that at my good Gods blessed and appointed time I shaU be received to raine wth the blessed in the Kingdom of Heaven. I wUl that my body shaU be buried in such convenient manner as my best ffriends then thereby shaU think fitt without any more ceremony than ordinary without the charge of a ffuneraU." After his decease aU his debts were to be settled " within as short a time as may be wth conveniency " and " twelve pence a peice " were to be paid " to fforty poore people in or near the place I shaU be buried ". To his " deare wife Agnies " he left the Manor of Weles Dures in the county of Norfolk which after her death was to pass to his son Isaac together with " the pceeds o r Interest of Two Thousand pounds part of Three Thousand poundes which hes in the Bancke or Cantories in HoUand the use of which Two Thousand poundes I did aUowe my Sonne Sk Isaack duringe my life in part of his then present maintenance which after my decease he was to surrender to my wife Agnies and she to hold it duringe hfe ". From the proceeds of " aU Bonds biUs monies debts or ought else that shaU (be) found due unto me in England at my death " his wife was " to see me Interred and pay what debts I shaU leave behind me". Also his wife was to enjoy his house "caned by the name of the paUis in Maidstone " with aU the house stuff therein " provided that she hath use thereof for time of her life only And at her decease leave them in good Condition to my Sonne Isaack and his hekes. Now if it shall soe faU out Anne the wife of my Sonne Sk Isaack shah survive her husband that then the said Anne . . . shaU have a Convenient proportion in the said house or pallas for her and her famUy to dweU in duringe her naturaU life." The WUl continues " whereas there hath been lately a Match Solempnized betwixt my said Sonne and Anne the daughter of Sk ffrancis Stydolfe, knight I doe bequeath and have settled upon him and his hekes Male forever AU my estate that I purchased of Sk John Asheley, knight, in Maidstone AUington Alsford and Boxley . . . " The " youngest sonne " Edward " after mine and my wife Agnies our deceases " was to have the three thousand pounds " that hes in the Banke or Cantories in HoUand". If he had issue Male the sum was to descend upon him or them, or if daughters to be divided amongst them as the said Edward should think fit. H he was survived by a widow (in fact he never married) she was to have the interest for life. However " if it shaU please God thus to take away my sonne Edward without issue " two thousand five hundred pounds of the total sum was to pass to Isaac. A life interest in the remaining five hundred pounds was bequeathed to " my daughter Ehzabeth Asteley wife unto Sk Edward Asteley knight of HUderstone in the County of Norfolk ". and the capital was to pass to thek issue male. If there was no such 132 THE ASTLEYS OF MAIDSTONE issue it was to descend to Isaac and his issue male and failing any such " upon my nephew Waldgrave Asteley only son of my brother Waldgrave Asteley deceased in the Nether Lands and for want of issue in my said nephew upon my brother Richard Asteley minister of Barrow in the countie of Norfolke, and for want of issue male in my said brother upon the hekes apparent nearest descended from me ". " Item it is further my wiU and intentts that in case my nephew Waldgrove Asteley or his hekes male cannot be made free denison of this nation and thereby unabeUed to inherit this estate and soe my brother Richard Asteley and his hekes coming betwixt that is to say enjoy the estate before him " then the said Richard or his hekes were to pay to the nephew Waldgrove the sum of Five hundred pounds. If Isaac died leaving a daughter or daughters and Edward should die without male issue then those who inherited the estate were to pay to such daughter the sum of fifteen hundred pounds and if there were more than one daughter two thousand pounds. " And as for my deare Daughter Elizabeth Asteley in regard I have aheady given her two thousand pounds to her married porcon and the worth of ffour hundred pounds in plate and JeweUs and the like I doe conceive her to have out of my estate aheady a fuU chUdes part only I have here left her as a token of my ffatherly affecon ffity pounds to buy her a jeweU. And in case she be not matured before my death I have left wth my deare wife Agnies that woh shaU defray the charge thereof." " Item I bequeath as tokens of rememberance of my love Rings of twentie shillings a peice to my deare wife, my sonne Isaac, my sonne Edward, my sonne (son-in-law) Sk Edward Asheley, my good cozin Sk Isaac Asheley and his lady Bridget Asheley, Sk John Traseie, Sk Thomas Alcock, to my honble and approved cozin the Ladie Ehzabeth Digby, my brother Richard Asteley and his wife my sister Berry and last although not least in affection to my dear daughter in law the Lady Anne Asheley. Item I give unto Jacob Asteley my grandchild ffive poundes to buy him a sword to mainteyne the Honour of the Name. Item I give to my cozin ffrancis ffowler Twentie Pounds. Item I give to my faithful servant Henry Leventhorpe ffive pounds." His wife Agnes was to be " fuU and absolute Executrix " in which task his son Isaac was joined as an assistant. A month before Jacob Lord Astley died there arose some pressing necessity, perhaps connected with the £3,000 pounds deposited in " the Cantories ", for Sk Isaac to journey to HoUand. On 30th January, 1651, a pass was issued by the Protector and CouncU.1 " For Sk Isaac Ashley and his lady, Howard Day and Anne Lloyd to HoUand." A 1 S.P.D. 133 13 THE ASTLEYS OF MAIDSTONE simUar journey was necessary in July, 1554, when the pass issued was for Captain Isaac Ashley (his noble title obviously was not recognized) and his wife with 2 men and 2 maids. Probably because of the disturbed conditions of the times no effort was made to prove Jacob Astley's wiU immediately after his death, and in fact this was not done untU after Isaac's death in 1662, but in November, 1653, Isaac, to make the title to his inheritance reasonably secure, underwent the normal legal process, a process beneficial to the attornies, of initiating a ficticious suit in which Doe and Roe played thek allotted parts and thereby was enabled him to suffer a Recovery. The resulting document among the Astley deeds in the writer's possession has two unusual features of interest. Being of the Commonwealth period it is written in Enghsh, instead of in the more customary Latin and because, in the absence of a sovereign on the throne of England, the elaborate initial letter of the script is fiUed in with " doodled " scroU work in place of a monarch's portrait. I t is to be regretted that more is not to be learned about the domestic life of these later Astleys and the part, if any, they played in the affaks of Maidstone. No traveUer such as Celia Fiennes or of a later age Viscount Torrington or WiUiam Cobbett has left any picture of contemporary life at the Old Palace or of its occupants. True, the Records of Maidstone teU us that the Lady Agnes, widow of Jacob Lord Astley, apphed to the Mayor and Jurats for "the lobertie of layinge and placeinge of a stone over the Corps of her said deceased husband lyinge now buried in the ChaunceU of the Parish Church,1 whilst the grandson, the second Jacob, with other gentlemen of the district in August, 1683, " came freely and offered themselves to be made freemen of this Corporacion " of Maidstone,2 but these are meagre material upon which to found a picture of half a century or more of famUy life. Isaac, second Lord Astley, died in 1662 and was buried in the famUy vault in the chancel of Maidstone church. He left no WUl but the inevitable legal matters to be dealt with foUowing his decease would seem to have entaUed the proving of his father's WUl in the Consistory Court of Canterbury on the 6th May, 1663,s when Administration was granted to his widow Ann. An Inventory of bis possessions at the Palace had been prepared the previous January and because of its interest as a record of the furmshings of a house of the period is weU worth quoting in extenso.* 1 Records of Maidstone, p. 130. 2 Ibid., 161. 8 The Original Will and the Registered Copy are preserved among the County Archives, K.A.O. P.R.C. 31/132 and P.R.O. 32/63 ff. 1-4. The Probate Copy is in the Writer's possession. 1 K.A.O. P.R.C. 27/15/1. 134 THE ASTLEYS OF MAIDSTONE An Inventory of the goods and Chattels of the Right Honorable Isaak Lord Astely Barron of Reddinge deceased made and taken the eight and Twentieth of January Anno-Domini 1662 by Peter Harrison, John Tonge and John Downes. Inprimis his Purse Itm. in Plate valued in the perticulers Itm. his Parhament Robes Itm. his other wearing apparreU Linnen and wooUen 01 76 30 43 04 10 00 10 6 00 00 00 Itm. Itm. Itm. Itm. In his Clossett. his Library of bookes 10 00 00 A case of SUver Instruments; Three Swords 1 and Belts; Three fowleing peeces and severaU V 12 10 00 other Armes J ffive Dammaske Table Clothes; Six dozen of j Dammaske Napkins and Six Dammaske I 30 00 00 ToweUs J One httle Table and Carpett; some Trunks and Boxes; Three Chakes 02 00 00 In the Longe GaUery. Itm Two TrammeU Netts1; a coveringe for a Boate with kon bayles for ye Boate2 06 10 00 In the Clossett within ye Queenes Chamber. Itm. One ffield Beddsted; a Canvas Cover; one! ffeather bedd and bolster; one quUt; one Rugg I 03 08 00 and Two blanketts; a Little Table and Carpet j In the Queenes Chamber. Itm. One high Bedstead mat and Corde; one ffeather bedd and bolster; two downe PUlowes; one Rugg; Two blanketts; a redd and white quUt head Cloath and Tester; a pake of VaUence of Branchd Velvett and gatten; } 16 09 00 a paire of Taffety Curtens, Two Tables; Three Chaks; Three stooles a Window Curten; one Lookeinge glass; Two pake of ankons with ffire and Tonges ^ " A fishing or fowling-net with three layers of meshes." Oxford English Dictionary. 2 vessels for bailing out water. 135 THE ASTLEYS OF MAIDSTONE In the Chamber within the Nussery. Item. One smale bedsted; mat and Cord head Cloth, Curtens and VaUence, one ffeather bed and fflock bolster, three ffeather piUowes, one Table and Carpet, one old Chake 04 06 00 In the Nussery Chamber. Item One high bedsted; mat and Cord, greene sarge ' curtens and VaUence, one greene Rugg; Two blanketts, one ffeather bed and bolster, one green baies Screene, Two Window Curtens, > 17 04 00 one Table and Carpet, one Court Cupboord, five Chakes, One pak Ankons, one pake of Tonges and a large lookinge glasse In the great Dining Roome. Item One Large looking glasse, one Drawinge table with a Redd Cloth Carpet, one side Table and Carpet, eighteen gUded chakes, one gUded stoole, one pake of great brasse Ankons, Two large Windon Curtens and rodds and a suite of gUded Leather hanginges 27 00 00 In the best Chamber. Item ffive peeces of Tapestry hanginges, a foote" Carpet of Turky woorke, nyne Chakes of Orresse1 worke, one high bedsted, mat and Corde, Counterpart, Curtens and VaUence, head Block and Tester, one ffeather bed and bolster, two ffeather PUlows, one Rugg and) blankett and one Dimmity blankett. One Large looking glasse, one pake of brass Ankons, one Bayes Windon Curten and Rodd, two gylded standerds, one Kettle, Table and Carpett 54 16 00 In the Closett next ye best Chamber. Item Two peeces of old hanginges, a small bedsted mat and Cord, one Downe bed, and ffeather bolster and pillow, one Rugg and blanket, Curtens vaUence and one old Chake. 09 10 00 1 " Embroidery made of gold lace " O.E.D. 136 THE ASTLEYS OF MAIDSTONE Item. Item Item Item Item Item. Item. In the Little Parlour. One Round Table, one Sideboord Table, Ten I Chaks, Two pake of Ankons, ffirepan and \- 04 10 00 tonges with brasses. In the Closett within the Parlour. Six earthen Bottles, Two httle Tables In the great HaU. One Longe Joynd Table; one httle Table, one Court Cupboord, one forme, five lowe stooles, one pake of Ankons, One pewter Sconce, two Turkey Crrpets. On the Stakes head. One old Stand; one Turky Carpet, one pake of Striped Curtens and VaUence, some old cases for Chakes and Stooles, One Clocke and Weights 01 07 00 07 15 00 04 15 00 In the Inner Chamber next my Lords Lodginges One Old field Bedsted; Head Cloth and Tester) Curtens and VaUence, One ffeather bed, and bolster, three piUowes, one ffloke bed, two matts, a pake of Curten rodds, one presse^ 16 19 06 Cupberd, one Court Cupboard, fforty and nine yardes of wrought and unroght Dimmity,1 one old chake and one peece of old hanginges In my Lords Lodginge Chamber. One high bedsted, matt and Cord, Curtens and VaUence, headcloth Tester and Counterpointe; one ffeather bed and bolster and one pUlow, three blanketts, one Rugg, five Chakes, a > 12 03 00 Close stoole and pan, one Window curten and rodd, a peece of old Tapestry, one Table and Carpet, one pake of Ankons and Tonges. In the Pantry. Three seUers2 of stone Bottles, Two Stooles a \ 0fi presse for linnen and one Trundle be(d)sted.J 17 00 1 Stout white Cotton cloth striped or figured in the loom by weaving with two threads. 2 Cellar " a case j esp. of bottles ". O.E.D. 137 THE ASTLEYS OF MAIDSTONE Item. Item. Item In the lowe roome next the Garden A halfe headed bedsted, one Trundle bedsted, one Chake, seaven Trunkes, fforty seaven pake of sheets fine and coarse, fforty and nyne piUow Coates, eighteene ToweUs, more one Dosen of course toweUs, eight napkins, eight course Table Cloths, two Large feather pUlowes. Item Two diaper Table Cloths, two Dosen of Diaper Napkins, Two pake of fine fflaxen sheets, ffower pake of HoUand sheets, Three pake of lesser HoUand Sheets, more Ten pake of Sheets, ffive Table Cloths, more Two dosen of Napkins and ffower ToweUs. In the Old Ladyes Chamber. One high bedsted, matt and cord, striped staff' hanginges, one ffeather bed and bolster, a httle German clock, two Trunks, a Chest of Drawers one hamper and one Chake, one Stone,/Twelve Table Cloths; one sideboord cloth, five Dosen of plane napkins, more Thkty fflower Diaper Table Cloths, nine' sideboord Cloths, Twenty two Dozen of napkins and twenty three ToweUs aU Diaper, Two pake of ffine HoUand sheetes and fower pakes of piUow Coats. Two ends of WooUen Cloth. 48 10 00 > 36 14 00 11 12 06 06 10 00 In the Lowe Parlour. Item. One Clock; one Suite of striped stuffe hang-' inges, one Couch bed, one Chake, ffower Stooles, six Cusheones, Two Carpetts and one Table 06 06 00 In the Lower HaU Item. One Round Table and Carpett; one Settle,! one Court Cupboord, an Iron grate, one Chake. 02 07 00 In the Chamber next the Lower HaU. Item. One bedsted Matt and Cord, one blankett, one' Rugg, one ffeather bed and bolster, two piUowes; Curtens and VaUences; headcloth and Tester, Two Chakes and a Cuppboord. • 09 07 00 138 THE ASTLEYS OF MAIDSTONE In the Maides Chamber. Item. One bedsted Matt and Cord, Curtens and' VaUences, one ffeather bed and bolster; headcloth and Tester, one httle Table; Chake and Cushions 06 11 00 In ye men Servants Chamber. Item. One bedsted matt and Corde. ffeather bed and bolster and one fflock bolster, Two ffeather piUowes, Curtens and VaUence, one Table and two Chakes. 04 00 00 In ye Chamber next ye mens Chamber Item. One bedsted, matt and Cord Curtens and"\ VaUences, Two ffeather bedds and bolster, one fflock bolster, one fflock bolster, one Rugg and one old trunk. 05 14 00 In the Washhouse and Brewhouse. Item. One great ffurnace, two smaU Coppers; one! Buckin tubb,1 two great renching tubs, seaven >• 14 smale Keelers and one washing Keeler.2 J 18 00 In the Kitchen. Item. Two Jacks to roste meate; one Iron Drippin' Pan, severaU peices of Latten ware; fower Iron potts, five brasse kettles, seaven brasse SkiUetts, three brasse basting ladles, One brasse Scummer, two ffryinge pans; two brasse warmeinge pans, one pake of coale racks, two pake of pott hangers, one Iron forke, one pake of tonges and fire shoveU; one Iron bar for ye fire and a cole sifter. 09 15 00 Item. Item. 14 00 00 Sixty fower pewter dishesses great and smale; "i weigth; Two hundred and one quarter, grosse: I pewter plates, Six dosin and eight plates with [ some sacers, weight, eighty fower pounds. J Six pewter basons, ten pewter Chamber potts, \ ft„ __ .„ Twelve Candlestickes; two bed pans. J 1 For " steeping or boiling yarn clothes, etc." O.E.D. 2 " A vessel for cooling liquids; a shallow tub." ibid. 139 THE ASTLEYS OF MAIDSTONE In the Stable. Item. One horse, fower saddles with other furniture,\ 12 00 00 Item. In the River, one boate and oares. f 03 10 00 Att AUington Castle neere Maidstone Item. Ten peeces of Tapestry hanginges; Two bed-1 steds; one Longe Table, Two side Tables, two V 14 00 00 fformes, ffive stooles J Item. In Lumber and things forgotten 00 03 00 The totaU of this Inventory corns to Six hundred eighty two pounds eighteen shillings Peter Harrison John Tonge John Downes Apprissors. Jacob, Isaac's hek, was a boy in his teens when his father died. Did he spend his youth at Maidstone, where was he educated, was the sword duly purchased whereby he might "maintain the Honour of the Name " in the Country's service, on sea or on land, are a few of the questions which further research might answer. But we do know that when he chose a wife she was a member of his mother's famUy, Frances the daughter of Sk Richard Stydolfe of Norbury, bart. There were no chUdren of this marriage and when Jacob died in 1688 his Kentish estates passed to his cousin Sk Jacob Astley of Melton Constable, although his widow continued to reside at the palace until her death in July, 1692.1 I t is clear from a number of the Astley deeds between 1715 and 1718 that Sk Jacob Astley intended his estate in Kent should descend upon his second son, John, and a settlement to this end was made on 27th July, 1715. But, as a memorial tablet in Maidstone church teUs us, John Astley feU a victim to smaU-pox and died in London on 30th June, 1719, at the age of 42. No doubt as a result of this loss the ageing Sk Jacob retained httle further interest in his possessions in and around Maidstone. A neighbouring Norfolk landowner was Robert, Lord Romney, and a year after John's death an Act of Parhament sanctioned what amounted in effect to an exchange of the Norfolk lands of Lord Romney (which were settled upon his wife Elizabeth and thek issue) for those of Sk Jacob Astley in Kent. DetaUs of this Act are included as a note to Hasted's account of the Town and Parish of Maidstone.2 In this manner the long association of a distinguished 1 Russell, History of Maidstone, p. 348. 2 History of Kent, Vol. H, p. 96. 140 THE ASTLEYS OF MAIDSTONE famUy with the County town and the surrounding district came to an end. In concluding the writer would like to express his grateful thanks to Dr. HuU, Miss Milling and other members of the County Archives Staff and his staff at County HaU and to Mr. L. R. A. Grove for valuable help during the preparation of this paper. 141