By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 



333 



of the year 1528 (when he was quite a child, see above p. 277, 

 note), or rather, a regular Bargain and Sale of the children of two 

 great Wiltshire families, Stourton and Hungerford. Such contracts 

 were at that period not uncommon, but a more business-like trans- 

 action than the present one has not been met with. Sir William 

 Stourton the father sells to Sir Walter, afterwards Lord Hungerford 

 of Heytesbury (beheaded 1540), the wardship of his two sons, 

 Charles and Andrew, to the intent that one or other of them may 

 marry any one of the three daughters of Sir W. Hungerford, 

 Eleanor, Mary, or Anne. No such marriage however took place. 

 The original document (of which, being very long, an Abstract 

 only is given) was in the possession of Jacob, Earl of Radnor, and is 

 printed at full length in the Antiquarian Repertory, vol. iv., p. 675. 



(No. 69.) Abstract of Articles of Agreement about a Wardship, in order to a 

 Marriage between the Families of Stourton and Hungerford. A.D. 1528. 



" By Indenture dated April 4, 19 Hen. VIII. (1528), between Sir William 

 Stourton, Kt., son and heir apparent of Edward Lord Stourton of the 1st part, 

 and Walter Hungerford ' Esquyer for the King's Body,' son and heir of Sir 

 Edward Hungerford, Kt., deceased, of the other part. 



Sir William Stourton grants to Sir W. H. the ward, custody and marriage of 

 his son and heir Charles Stourton : to the intent that he shall marry one of the 

 three daughters of Sir W. H., Eleanor, Mary, or Anne ; whichever their Father 

 shall appoint ; such appointment to be made at Easter next ensuing, if the three 

 daughters or any of them assent. 



In case of Charles Stourton' s death before the marriage is complete, then Sir 

 Walter Hungerford to have like ward, &c, of Andrew Stourton the second son, 

 upon the same conditions. 



Sir William Stourton to deliver Charles his eldest son to Sir W. Hungerford 

 at Bonham, co. Somerset, on some day to be named by Sir W. Hungerford 

 before Christmas next ensuing : and in the event of Charles's death before 

 marriage then Andrew to be delivered, within one month after Charles's death 

 shall be known. Andrew to be, at the time, « unmarried, unaffied, and un- 



contracted.' 



For this bargain, Hungerford, or his Exors, to pay £800, as follows : 

 At Bonham, within 12 days after deliverance of Charles, £200, and on St 

 Andrew's day 1529, between 10 and 12 o'clock, 100 marks. The like sum 

 yearly for three following years and on the following St. Andrew's Day £100. 

 Then every year following £100, until the whole is paid. 



In case of the Marriage not taking place through the refusal of the sons of 

 Stourton, Sir W. Hungerford to pay no more money, and Sir William Stourton 

 to refund whatever sums he should have received on account of it: and to 

 refund them in like order and time as he had received them. 



The first repayment to be on that day twelvemonth after the refusal : at Bon- 

 ham, at same times as above specified for payment : and so on from year to year. 



