104 the rhymed chronicle of john harestaffe. 



John Harestaffe. 



John Harestaffe had taen paines in his affaires, 



Sollicitinge his causes manie yeares : 



He did assist in this last businesse 



And writt all downe his Maister did expresse 



Amongst y e rest a Ferme to him befell 



In Rodsley where one Sherwin then did dwell 



Whose Lease above eight yeares was unexpyr'd : 



This Tenement his Maister then requyr'd 



To Harestaffe and his heires should be convey'd 



For ever. W ch although it was gain-said 



At first, yet after was it soe assur'd 



To recompence his travayles longe endured. 



Mr. Atkinson. 

 Lastlye to Atkinson his faithfull frend 

 (Besydes y e Sume agreed on for their end) 

 He gave sixe hundred pounds, If soe y l he 

 Did execute these things accordinglye. 

 Which he accepted of with good content 

 And to performe y e same gave full consent. 



After that he had all things thus disposed : 

 One doubt possest him (w ch he then disclos'd) 

 Touching e his brother's daughter then in ward, 

 To doe for whom he never tooke regard. 

 He did suspect when he was dead & gone, 

 Her tytles would breed troubles, wherupon 

 Unto y e Court of Wards he did direct 

 A faire Certificat to this effect : 



was sealed and delivered and seisin given in the presence of Master Thomas 

 Vernon Master Walter Vernon, Robert Warner and John Harestaffe who 

 of his own Coste and Charges procured the same to be inrolled in the 

 Chancery the 21 day of May in the 7 tD yeare of the raigne of the late 

 King Charles as appeares in the last will and Testament of the sayd John 

 Harestaffe proved in the diocese of Coventry and Lichfield the 26 th day of 

 December 1646." 



