Q2 THE RHYMED CHRONICLE OF JOHN HARESTAFFE. 



To that effect did often him advyse : 



Alledginge unto him if Atkinson 



Should dye as things then stood, they were undone : 



She pray'd him to consider their estate, 



And make an end before it were too late. 



To London then they goe for this intent, 



Much tyme they lost, much money there they spent : 



Though he and Atkinson meete day by day, 



Nothinge is done, they use their olde delay : 



For both of theim were verie apt y' way. 



Which she perceavinge brought it soe to passe, 



A day of meetinge twixt them poynted was, 



What tyme by her devyse two frendes* come in, 



Men of great worth & of her husband's kin, 



Who findinge theim about this Businesse, 



Doe willinglie therto theimselves addresse : 



And beinge such as could not be refus'd, 



Such faire perwasions and good meanes they used, 



That Atkinson a finall end to make, 



Consented thirtene hundred poundes to take : 



And of the landes to make a good estate 



To him, or such as he should nominate : 



And Vernon therunto did then agree, 



(Which Sum he termed a Gratuitie.) 



Sir Robert Vernon soone their Audit made, 



Whom practise had made expert in y* trade : 



For longe at Court, in office had he beene, 



To greate Elizabeth then England's Queen e : 



Perusinge their Accompts he quicklie founde 



* Sir Edward Stanley. Sr. Robert Vernon. [Note in the MS.] 

 The way in which Sir Edward Stanley and Sir Robert Vernon were "of 

 her husband's kin," will readily be seen on referring to the skeleton pedigree. 

 Sir Robert Vernon, with his cousin Henry, were coheirs, through the Ludlow 

 heiresses, to the estate of Edward, the last Baron Powys. Henry Vernon, 

 his grandmother being the elder sister, petitioned the Crown for the Barony 

 through female descent. His pleadings are of much interest, and are of no 

 small genealogical value, owing to the large number of pedigrees cited showing 

 titles held through a female line (Harl. MSS., 305). 



