8o THK RHYMED CHRONICLE OF JOHN HARERTAFFE. 



Both Hilton, Swinnerton and much besyde* 

 Tn Sharshill, Saredon, and in Essington, 

 In Hampton, Penkridge, and in Huntington 

 Aspley and Sugnell, and in others moe. 

 Which I have heard of, but did never knowe. 

 Hilton an auncient house fell to her share 

 A Park and faire Demaines belonginge are 

 Unto the same of which and all the rest 

 She John depryved, yonge Henry to invest, 

 Who after her decease the same possest. 



But Henry did not long enjoy the same : 

 For being wedded to a gallant dame, 

 He leaving her with chyld did end his lyffe, 

 Comitting goods and lands all to his wyffe. 

 Who shortly after had a daughter faire, 

 Unto her father's landes the onelie heire. 



Yong Henryes match did verie much displease 

 His elder brother John, who for to raise 

 Their house and name did formerlie intend, 

 That all his lands should after him discend 

 On Henry. But that marriage chang'd his mynd 

 Soe much that afterwards he was unkynd 

 Both to his brother's Infant, and his wyffe, 

 Soe that amongst theim soone befell great stryffe 

 And suites in lawe : All w ch I could declare 

 For by theim I sustain'd much toyle and care 

 And therfore nowe y' labour meane to spare. 



By these he was exasperated more, 

 And (w ch did also discontent him sore) 



* Of the " much besyde " of the great Swynnerton inheritances in Stafford- 

 shire here named, lands at Hampton had pertained to the family since the time 

 of John, and at Aspley and Sugnall since the time of Henry III.; whilst the 

 manor of Essington, and lands at Shareshull, Sardon, Penkridge, and Hun- 

 tington came to John de Swynnerton (mentioned in the last note as the first 

 owner of Hilton) in the year 1306, through marriage with Anne, daughter and 

 heiress of Philip de Montgomery, Seneschal of the Forest of Cannock. 



