Source Text:
THE FAMILY OF CORBET
Ant. Shrop.
Evton,
Vol. X.,
pp. 188-9.
" Homsoken '*
Penalties for
entering house
to steal, qu.irrel
" Forestal "
offences to
obstruct pas-
sage of cattle,
deer, and cause
Calais was, as we know, surrendered unconditionally after a long and gallant defence. According
to the law and practice of war at that period, the lives of the garrison were forfeit ; " and this,"
says Sir G. Wrottesley in his able account of the campaign, " is only logical ; for if a beleaguered
garrison can resist to the last, causing enormous loss to the besiegers, and then escape with their
lives, they play the game Heads I win, tails you lose. Thus really they would risk nothing at all
by their resistance." " John de Vienne probably urged in his favour that he could not surrender
with honour so long as there was a chance of the place being relieved, and that he had surrendered
immediately the French King decamped." " Edward III, in whose honour be it said that he
was never guilty of a harsh and cruel action knowingly, therefore admitted all the garrison and
townspeople to mercy ; save the six burgesses." Sir G. Wrottesley considers that the well-
known sequel was probably prearranged and was a foregone conclusion.
The date of the surrender was the 4th August. A dispute of Arms took place during this siege
of Calais between Nicholas de Burnel and Robert de Morley. This latter, a newly made knight
and Esquire, pretended to the same arms as those borne by Nicholas lord Burnel ; Sir Nicholas
was the lord of Acton-Burnell — we have often heard of the family in former pages. Robert de
Morley was an exceeding able and active soldier and had rendered good service in the campaign.
Sir Peter Corbet of Hope, etc., offered to fight Sir Robert de Morley and decide the dispute by
combat. The King, however, was too sensible of the merits of the disputants to care to risk the
loss of either one of them. He therefore prevailed upon Sir Nicholas to permit Sir Robert de
Morley to bear the arms during his lifetime. Thus the dispute, though so burning a one, was
happily terminated.
The King returned to England in the following October with his Army, and a truce was
concluded.
A worse and even more implacable enemy than war made its appearance in Europe about this
time ; it reached England very quickly and spread desolation and misery on all sides. This, the
terrible " Black Death," is said to have destroyed at least one-third of the population in every
State that it passed through. In London alone 50,000 people are said to have perished. It
stayed the arm of war for a time, and the truce was prolonged.
During this interval Sir Robert had leisure to think of his own affairs, and at his urgent request
he was granted "View of Frank-pledge " in Moreton-Corbet, and an inquiry was granted to
discover what loss would be " sustained by the King in granting this." The King's loss has been
recorded as averaging about 3s. a year, that sum being averaged by the amount of amercements
" incurred by Corbet's men at the Sheriff's two Tourns for breaches of the assize of bread and beer,
and for blood shed, homsoken and forestall."
Shortly after we find Sir Robert purchased Shawbury from the Erdington family. He unluckily
omitted the usual formalities of licence ; it was therefore not till 1350 that the purchase was
complete, after petitioning the Crown to overlook the omission. He then obtained leave to
enfeoff Hugh, Vicar of Shawbury and William, Parson of Upton, in the same, who being seized
were to settle the Manor on Robert Corbet, Elizabeth his wife and their heirs.
In 1359 the war was again renewed and with fresh vigour. Sir Robert was again on active
service. This time the King commanded a far more powerful army, and they advanced even to
the gates of Paris. Sir Robert served, I believe, in this campaign under the Banner of Richard
Earl of Stafford. The Black Prince had again made the English name glorious and earned
unfading laurels at the battle of Poictiers, fought and won three years previously. I think Sir
Thomas, Sir Robert's eldest son, must have died ere now, or very shortly after, for it was about
this time that his one little child, a daughter named Elizabeth, was born. The second son, Fulk,
was with the Prince in this campaign, and the following one also probably. He served as Esquire,
and a grant made to him some years later seems to point to his having served the Prince himself.
I must now draw largely on Eyton's information for sundry settlements of Manors which were
arranged in these and following years ; they are somewhat dry statistics, but necessary to notice.
They evidently were the outcome of family events, such as the death of the eldest son, leaving only
a daughter ; and had for aim the desire to keep the lands in the male line if possible. The effect
of these settlements may be noted during many years. One result, however, was unexpected —
the alienation of Wattlesborough — when the little Elizabeth (Fulk's daughter) came of age.
Thomas must have died very shortly after his return home. The little Elizabeth, his only child,
must have lost her mother " Amice " or Elizabeth about the same time. We know nothing
of her beyond the name " Amice " or Elizabeth. The little maiden was left to the care of her
grandparents. She married Sir John de Ipstones when barely of age. On the death of Thomas,
Fulk became the eldest son, and the estates which would also have passed with Elizabeth, daughter
ROBERT II. OF WATTLESBORO'
of the deceased Thomas, to her husband Sir John de Ipstone were by the precautions above alluded
to secured to the male line of the Corbet Family.
Another attempt to settle the lands on the male heirs was made in 1363. A Fine was levied
at that date by which Hugh le Yonge (clerk), Thomas de Lee, and Hugh Parrok Vicar of Shawbury
(Trustees) settled the Manor of Moreton-Corbet on Sir Robert Corbet and his wife Elizabeth for
their lives with remainder to their son Fulk and the male heirs of his body, with ultimate remainder
to the right heirs of Robert. The inevitable enquiry took place, by which it was found that
Shawbury was held in Capite for one-sixth of a knight's Fee and was worth iocs, a year, and that
it would be no damage to the Crown to allow Sir Robert and his wife to make the settlement.
In 1369 Morton-Corbet was made over to Thomas Gery, Vicar of Moreton, and Thomas de Lee
of Soubatch, for the entailment. The enquiry therefore found and recorded that Moreton-Toret Ant. Shrop.
and Boeleye would remain to Robert Corbet ; that Morion was held of John de Chetwynd's heir Eyto">
by service of one knight and was worth £10 a year ; Boeleye was held in soccage of the Abbot ^occage Free
of Salop and was worth 40s. a year. R^nt relieved
Another fine was levied in 1371 giving Thomas Gery, the Vicar of Morton-Corbet, and Thomas from obliga-
de Lee of Soubatch power to settle Shawbury on Sir Robert Corbet and Elizabeth his wife for the "°"5-
longest of their two lives, with remainder to Roger Corbet, Sir Robert's youngest son, with
remainder to the right heirs of Robert Corbet. This Fine was levied " By Precept of the King."
These various settlements seem to me to mark the events of the births, deaths, marriages,
etc., as they took place in Robert's and Elizabeth's family. For instance, this is the first time
that the youngest son Roger has been mentioned ; and it suggests that the settlement was made
on his marriage ; which explains too the purchase of Shawbury. The death of the eldest son
Thomas leaving no male heir would give Roger a more important position in the Family.
I will quote a record from the Calendar of Papal Registers, as it concerns the marriage of one
of Robert's daughters, though it is dated some years back and concerns a daughter whose name
does not appear in the Pedigree. Sir Robert petitioned the Pope to allow the marriage, and the Cal. Papal Reg.
petition was preferred by the Earl of Lancaster. Pedtions.
" Henry Earl of Lancaster " " Signification that his knight Robert Corbet, who was rich and
powerful, by reason of his great liberality when marrying his sons and daughters, is now come to
want, has still left unmarried an elegant and fair daughter Amice, whom he now, labouring
under perpetual infirmity, purposes to marry to the noble and powerful Edward Le Straunge of
Myrdel, donsel, who is related to her in the fourth degree of kindred." "The Earl therefore ^^.j
prays for a dispensation that Edward and Amice may intermarry." "To be granted by the July 21, '1348,
Diocesan, if the facts are as stated " " Avignon 21 July 1348." f. 53.
" To the Bishop of Lichfield. Mandate to dispense Edward Le Strange of Muddle donsel, and
Amice daughter of Robert Corbet, knight, so as to intermarry, they being related in the fourth
degree of kindred." " Avignon 21 July 1348." f- 53-
We have mentioned that Thomas, the eldest son, who had lately died, left no male heir. His
only child, born, Eyton thinks, about 1357, was a daughter called Elizabeth. She married Sir
John de Ipstone in 1375, when she was scarcely of age. Her mother's name is simply recorded
as " Amice." The second son, Fulk, married ; his wife's name also is only recorded as Elizabeth ;
and he too had one only child, a daughter, who bore her mother's and grandmother's name,
Elizabeth. Roger was evidently the youngest son. He married Margaret de Erdington of Shaw-
bury, and eventually carried on the succession. We have note of three of Robert's daughters :
Joan and Eleanor married two brothers — the former married Robert de Harley, and Eleanor
Brian de Harley, ancestor of the Earls of Oxford. Amice, as explained in the Papal Registers,
married Edward Le Strange of Muddle.
I find one more incident to record in Robert 11 's life. The Abbot of Haughmond, who had so
often been at variance with him in past years, assumed a more peaceful attitude as years crept
on, and leased " to Robert Corbet of Wattlesboro' knight, for his life, all his demesnes of Meddlicott
in lands, meadows, services, rents, with two messuages which the Abbot had of the demesne of
Llewellyn de Meddlicott and a meadow which Roger the said Llewellyn's Brother now had to
farm at a rent of 4s a year." Rents of 14s. were reserved to the Abbey, and a rent of 4s. to Sir
Hugh de Mortimer of Chelmarsh. The Corbets of Wattlesborough held Kin'etu, another member
of Wentnor under Caus, and we remember that Richard Corbet II of Wattlesborough had granted
it to Buildwas Abbey under conditions,
Robert Corbet died in 1375. The Inquest held on his death is a very lengthy one, and many
lands having been either acquired by marriage or purchase, we will consider the details of this
Inquest in the following Chapter.
CHAPTER XIII
LET us begin our new chapter with the details of the deceased Robert Corbet's lands as
furnished by the Inquest.
^ SHAWBURY Manor stands first in the hst, held as in the Inquest or Inquiry of 1369
and entailed in 1371.
BRAGYNGTON, Hamlet, held of the Earl of Stafford of Caus, settled in like manner.
HEMME, Manor, held of Adam de Peshale as lord of Idshall, settled in like manner.
WATTLESBORO', HEYE, and BREDESHULL, Manors, held of the Earl, settled in like
manner.
KYNWARTON 20s Rent, held of the lord of Wattlesborough, i.e., himself, settled in like
manner.
STIRCHLEY, 20s Rent and sdwts of gold, held of the Earl of Arundel, settled in like manner.
MORETON-CORBET, Manor, held of Richard de Peshale as lord of Chetwynde, no entail
stated.
HARPCOTE, held of Robert de Ferrers as lord of Wem by service of 8s Rent, no entail stated.
HABBERLEY, held by knight's service of the Earl of Stafford of Caus, no entail stated.
ROWTON and AMASTON held of Nicholas Burnel by service of £9 rent, no entail stated.
BLETCHLY, Manor, held of the lord of Stoke upon Tern by service of 12s Rent, settled on Robert
Corbet deceased and Elizabeth his wife conjointly, with remainder after death of the survivor to
Roger son of Robert and the heirs of his body, with remainder to Fulk brother of Roger and his
heirs, and ultimate remainder to the right heirs of Robert Corbet.
LAWLEY, Manor, held of Peter de Eyton by service of 5s Rent, settled in similar manner.
SHREWSBURY, 8 messuages, 20 acres of plough land and 6 acres meadow land held in burgage,
settled to the same uses.
BESFORD, Manor, held in Capite by knight's service, settled by Fine with Master Richard de
Longenlre Parson of Nesse, and Thomas Morton, Parson of Cardiston, on Robert Corbet deceased
and Elizabeth his wife conjointly and on survivor, remainder to their joint heirs and ultimate
remainder to the heirs of Robert Corbet.
SHAWBURY, 3 messuages and 8 bovates of land held also in Capite, settled in like manner.
BAUSLEY, Manor, held of Fulke Fitz-Warin of Whittington by knight's service, settled in like
The number of Elizabeths in these two generations is quite bewildering ; we have first Elizabeth,
wife to the deceased Robert ; then Elizabeth wife to her son Fulk ; then Elizabeth the daughter
of the deceased's eldest son, Thomas ; again we have Elizabeth, Fulk's daughter !
Fulk himself died some few years after his father ; but there are one or two records of him. His
1 Rich II ^'^^ survived him ; he was made a commissioner of array for Salop in 1377 ; we infer that he
Pat. Rot. ^^'^ \i%^\\ serving in the French wars, so judging from the following Patent Roll, and that, with the
Mcmb. 35. Black Prince during his campaign in the South of France.
Prt. VI., " Inspeximus and confirmation in favour of Fulk Corbet esquire of the King, and of his father
Mar. 22, 137S. jj^g Black Prince, of letters Patent of the King when Prince, dated Kennington Manor, 18 Feb.
(French) S' Edward III " inspecting and confirming " letters patent of Edward Prince of Wales, dated
Kennington Manor, Trinity 1374, being a grant to him for life of ^£20 yearly from the Prince's
2 Rich. II. revenues of Cornwall." " By the great Council."
Memb"'n "^^^ following year Fulk is a complainant, and Commission of Oyer and Terminer is granted to
dorso, " Roger le Strange of Knocking and David Hamenere, on complaint by the King's Esquire Fulk
Prt. II., Corbet, that John de la More and others, have entered his free chace at Gateden and Gravenore in
May, 1379- the Forest of Caus Co Salop, hunted therein and carried away deer for 20s paid in the hanaper."
jy^l^jj In 1 38 1 we find a " Grant for life to Fulk Corbet the King's knight, late his Esquire, of view of
Pat. Rot. Frank-pledge, wayf, stray, infangenethe, outfangenethe, amercements of tenants, and fines for the
Memb. 32, breach of the assize of bread and ale, in his Manors of Yoculton, and Haburleye, Co Salop as it
Prt. I., appears by requisition of William de Walshale, escheator that it will not be to the King's damage
July, 13S1. above i2d yearly." " By privy Council."
In the division of the lands of the Barony of Caus, the Manor of Wentnor was one of those appor-
tioned to the de Harleys. — Robert de Harley became the husband of Joanna Corbet, one of Sir
Fulk's sisters ; and Fulk and his sister and brother-in-law made several deeds of agreement con-
cerning their lands. Sir Fulk, it is evident, hoped in this way to regain as much of the old lands
SIR FULK'S DAUGHTER HEIRESS OF WATTLESBORO' 239
as he could prevail on his sister and her husband to accord him ; and some curious Deeds on the
subject are preserved. In 1363-4 Robert and Joanna levied two Fines settling Yockleton, Shelve,
and Wentnor, and a fourth part of the Forest of Caus on themselves for their lives, with remainder
to Fulk and his heirs ; and further remainder to the right heirs of Joanna. Afterwards, how-
ever, the said Joanna and Robert ceded their life interest to Fulk for a rent of £60 a year ; with
the provisor that if Fulk should die before them the survivors should claim the premises for life.
Another settlement took place again, by which Roger Corbet, Fulk's younger brother, was to
profit. This was done for a consideration of 300 marks.
Sir Fulk died August 4th 1388, " siezed," says Eyton, " of the estate in Wentnor such as these
and other incongruous Fines may be taken to have indicated. Many lawsuits also resulted ; but
finally Wentnor remained to the little Elizabeth, Fulk's only child and heir." She was but a little
damsel of seven years old at the time of her grandfather's death in 1381. Subsequently Wentnor
descended through her to her grandson John de Burgh. When this, the youngest of the Eliza-
beths, came of age, she married John de la Pole, the lord of Mowddy, and was ancestress through
the de Burghs of the families of Newport, Leighton, Lingen, and Mytton.
The little Elizabeth was a ward of the Queen's, Anne of Bohemia : a wise and good Lady and
much beloved. We find her called " The good Queen Anne," and by a Patent Roll that a grant
was made to her " Of the custody of the lands of Fulk Corbet knight, tenant in chief, deceased, 9 Rich. II.
during the minority of his daughter and heir Elizabeth together with her marriage." " By privy Pat. Rot.
Council." Another grant was shortly after recorded which further assured the Queen " of the Memb. 39.
custody and marriage of the heir of the lands of Fulke Corbet knight, tenant in chief, together
with the mesne profits " "By signet letter."
This " good Queen Anne," as we find her called, and her husband Richard II. were both open
and steadfast protectors of Wycliffe and his followers. Chaucer also received the same protection
and encouragement.
Sir John de Ipstone, the husband of the elder grand-daughter Elizabeth, died in 1394, and in
right of his wife (who outlived him) he was siezed of the Manor of Bessford, and of the three
messuages and three bovates of land in Shawbury already mentioned and which were held in
Capite ; as also of Bausley Manor held under Fulk Fitz-Warine, then a minor. These lands all
eventually came back to Roger Corbet, Elizabeth's uncle, who was now become the head of the
Family. Wattlesborough, alas ! never returned. The little Elizabeth was born there in 1375,
and baptised in the Parish Church of Alberbury. It went with her as the young Bride and heiress
when she married John de la Pole, the lord of Mowddy. Her son Fulk was also born at Wattles-
borough in 1390. He died without issue, and his sister, also born at Wattlesborough,
inherited it. She married Hugh de Burgh ; their son Sir John de Burgh was also born at Wattles-
borough in 1414. Sir John's heir was again a daughter ; and she marrying a Leighton, Wattles-
borough has remained in possession of that family ever since. The Leightons lived there till as
late as 1717, but they then removed to Loton Park, and Wattlesborough was turned into a farm-
house.
We must record a Deed executed by Elizabeth of Wattlesborough and her husband Sir John de
la Pole lord of Mowddy : it gives us a clue to the history of the younger son of the past generation
and his descendants, and although the descendants soon merge into a female descent in this case,
is is always interesting to trace the fate of the younger sons and the passage of the lands that fall to
them — till this happens. The younger son in question must have been the younger son of
Robert I. and Matilda de Arundel of Tettenhall, Marbrok and Habberleye ; and we may remember
that Bessford was also left to Matilda in Dower. This younger son John is not mentioned in the
Pedigree, but his possession of her lands helps to identify him as Matilda's son : who was grand-
mother to Robert II. The absence of his name on the Pedigree is easily accounted for, as another
instance of the omission of names of younger sons where they do not either found a distinct branch,
or carry on the succession. The Deed in question is taken from a collection in the Reference
Library in Shrewsbury, and relates that "John Corbet of Stanford, of the Corbets of Wattles-
borough, granted to John Corbet of Bessford (who was evidently his son) " a lease of lands in
Habberleye, for 40 years from the Feast of Epiphy: 41 Edward III at a rent of 2 6 and to build a
new house." In " 44 Edward III Sir Robert of Moreton granted him a rent of 6s issuing from a ,36s.
mill at Habberleye." The referetice goes on to state that this John appears to be the same as the
witness to a Deed of Sir Fulke Corbet's then lord of Moreton dated 1382 : he is there styled John
Corbet of Habberleye, that being the land in question in the Deed. A later Deed states that 5 Rich. II.
Elizabeth " the only child of Sir Fulke Corbet married John lord of Mowddy, ist Cousin to Hawise
Duke,
Hist. Shrop,
p. 295.
Blake
240 THE FAMILY OF CORBET
Gadarn and they by the names of John Mouthe and Elizabeth his wife, appoint John Corbet of
Haburley to receive ' le tenance ' the attornment of their tenants of Yockelton, Shetton, Schelve,
and Wentnor, and also in their behalf full siezin of their purparty of Caus."
The seal to this Deed is a lion rampant within a border engrailed and the inscription round it
bears " SIGILL: Johan Mouthe."
Chap. X. We have mentioned this Sir John Corbet, or indeed possibly his father, in a previous chapter as
witnessing a Deed for Sir Peter Corbet of Hope in 1353. And as at this early date the Manor of
Longnor, which later was to give its name to a distinguished sub-branch of the Family of Corbet,
was even then in the possession of the Family, let me quote what Duke says thereon, since it is he
who gives us the information, and it concerns also the fortunes of this short branch of Habberleye,
etc. He says that in 1375 Margaret, one of the daughters and co-heiresses of Fulk I'Estrange
(probably niece or sister of Elizabeth I'Estrange, the wife of Sir Robert Corbet H.), released the
Manor of Longnor to John Carless and Ed: de Acton. John was the son and heir of Sir William
and Emma Carless. This John married a daughter of Fulk I'Estrange, and in 1375 Ed: de Acton
and his wife Eleanor gave a rent of the Manor to Fulk Corbet, Roger Corbet (who was his brother),
and other feoffees. In 1387 John Carless of Adbright married Joan, who had with her a moiety of
Longnor, which so remained from the end of Ed. HL till Hen. IV., when John Corbet of Habbur-
leye married the daughter and heiress of the Carless family and the property came into Corbet
hands. This John must have been the father of the Thomas who figures in the Indenture I am
about to give, and which also tells us the end of this short sub-branch. Thomas himself married
a Joan, the daughter of Thomas Pygot of Wyllaston.
The Indenture alluded to was drawn up in the reign of Henry VI. " This Indenture made the
Salop, ' Wednesday next after the Feast of St Barnabas Apostle, the yeare of the reigninge of K Henry 6
after the conquest XXVIth, between Thomas Corbet of Standford, squyre " (we remember that
Standford was one of the Manors belonging to this younger branch), " upon the one parte, and John
Blount of Sodington in Wyssetershire, squyre, on the other parte, withenes that the said John
Blount shall wed and taken to his wife Katherine, the younger daughter of the said Thomas
between this and the Feast of Michaelmas next . . . and over that the said Thomas and Joan, his wife,
of all the lands and tenements, rent and services which descended to the said Thomas after the
death of John Corbet, his Fader, in Tetisall, Marbroke, Godewad, with appurtenances in Shrop-
shire, by a Deed sufficient in law, shall enfeff thereof Thomas Conyngsbye, Roger Bury, and John
Bury in fee, upon condicion etc: (viz: yt' they shall re-enfeoff Corbet for life without impeachment
of waste, remainder to Blount and Katherine in tail, remainder to ye right heirs of Corbet."
The tomb of this John Blount is in the Church of Sodington, with the inscription, " Pray for
the souls of John Blount squyre and Katherine his wife and their eldest son Sir Ed. Blount, knight
to the body of our most dread sovreign lord Hen. VII, on whose soul GOD have mercy." In the
East window of the Blount Chapel are the arms of Katherine : Or a Raven proper with a crescent
for difference, denoting Corbet of Standford, Co. Salop.
John de la Pole died about 1404 ; and whilst Corbet memories linger still fresh and green
around Wattlesborough, and Elizabeth Corbet is still the chatelaine of its halls and mother of
its young heir Fulk de la Pole, we will set down some few descriptive details of the ancient strong-
hold before passing further in our History. It is remarkable amongst Shropshire properties
because it has never been bought nor sold, though it has owned masters of different names
and kin.
In the days of its power it was of no mean importance, both as a stronghold against the Welsh,
and from its position as the stronghold whence the knightly and senior branch of the Family of
Corbet took root and flourished for some three hundred years. Let us quote some words of
Eyton, Eyton's concerning it. " As regards scale, and when compared with Caus, Wattlesborough
must be placed in the second class of Feudal residences. In respect, however, of hereditary
associations, the stronghold of the Vassal surpasses the Castle of the Baron ; for Wattlesborough
is one of the few Shropshire estates which have never been bartered for gold since they were first
built and occupied by their Norman masters. Its strategical position was only inferior to Caus
itself : this latter commanded and overlooked the Valley of the Rhea ; Wattlesborough com-
manded the Pass from Wales formed by the ' Long Mountain ' and the ' Breidon.' Its Manor
and township still comprise portions of the Parishes of Alberbury and Cardeston and contains
about 2,500 acres."
" The remains of Wattlesboro' Castle, though confined to a single tower, exhibit several
features of great interest. Tradition tells us of the existence of four such towers, and of large
Vol. VI
pp. 107-8
WATTLESBORO' PASSED TO THE DE LA POLES 241
quantities of stone having been removed from Wattlesboro' and used in the construction of part
of Alberbury Church. That the remaining Tower was originally designed as part of a system,
and not as an isolated feature, is evident from the greater security against external attack which
two of the sides exhibit as compared with the third and fourth sides. In all directions, too, bricks
and fragments of wrought stone are discoverable by a few strokes of the pick." One feature of
the existing Tower which bespeaks its high antiquity is the flat buttress of the Normans. The
Tower in its original condition probably bore one if not two additional stories, as tradition says
it did. A roof which vAlh two or three courses of stone was removed early in the nineteenth
century most likely contained fuller indications of the original plan of the Tower than can be
conjectured from the present roof, though as compared with the rest of the Tower that older roof
would be itself comparatively modern. Traces, perhaps even more than mere traces, of the moat
remain, though they are not sufficient to determine its sweep or the area it enclosed. One or two
of the windows are probably the adaptations for more light made by Sir Fulk Corbet, the last
male owner of Wattlesborough, and date about 1360. Many of the other windows are obviously
of much later date.
Wattlesboro' Castle descended from the little lady Elizabeth Corbet, the ward of the " good
Queen Anne," to the de la Poles of Mawddy, from them to the de Burghs, and from them to the
Leightons, who lived there through successive generations till 1712, when they removed to Loton
Park and Wattlesborough became a farmhouse as it is now.
