162 THE MEYNELL HOUNDS. 



It is interesting to note here that Hervey Bagot, in 

 the third generation from the Bagod mentioned in Domes- 

 day Book, married Millicent de Stafford, daughter and 

 sole heir of Robert, the last Baron Stafford. The present 

 heir to this title is Mr. Francis Fitzherbert of Swynnerton, 

 through his mother. 



The answer to the above letter runs as follows : — 



Richard Bagot, Esq., in answer to Lord Stafford. 



Right Honorable, 



I perceave by your letters delivered to me by your Chaplen, Mr, 

 Cope, on Monday last, your lordship is greatly discontented with some, my 

 speeches used to Mr. Stanford, in pretending your honour's surname to be Bagot, 

 I do confesse, I spake them ; and not offending your lordship (as I hope you will 

 not), with troth, I do avowe it. Not upon any " Dronken Herehaught's report 

 by me corrupted to soothe my lieing," but by good records and evidence, under 

 ancient seals, the four hundred years past. And if it may please you to send 

 any sufficient man as Mr. Sheriff, or Mr. Samson Eardswack, Gentillmen, of good 

 knowledge and experience in these ac'cons ; I will shew them sufficient matter 

 to confirme that I have spoken ; being very sorry to heare your Lordship to 

 contemne and deface the name of Bagot, with so bad tirmes, and hastie speeches, 

 as you do : more dishonourable to yourself tlian any blemishe or reproche to me. 

 And therefore if your Lordshipe take it in such disdaine, that I touche you ether 

 in credit or honor, you may (if you please) by ordinary proces, bring me before 

 the Right Honorable the Erie Marshall of England, Chief Judge in these causes ; 

 when I will prove it — or take the dis-credyt, with such further punishment, as 

 his honour shall inflict upon me. 



Thus humbly desiring acceptance of this my answer, in good part, till a 

 further triall be had herein, I do comyt your Lordship to the protection of 

 Almighty, this first of March, 1589. 



Your Lordship's at commandment. 

 If you please, 



Richard Bagot. 



Here, apparently, the matter rested, for there seems to 

 be no more mention of it in the memorials. But, whatever 

 Lord Stafford may have thought of it, the name of Bagot 

 has always been held in estimation in Staffordshire, and 

 has been prominent in its annals for centuries. Whether 

 as soldiers, statesmen, or churchmen, they have always 

 kept their good name unsullied, and, to judge by old 

 letters, etc., have done themselves credit in whatever 

 position they found themselves. 



There is no more charming place than Blithfield itself .. 



