Robert Masson and Elizabeth Arden were married December 22, 1644.

Ambrose Arden, gent., buried July 15, 1656.

[438] His father had been married twice; but this second Humphrey is the
son of Jane Rowbotham. See Registers of Marchington.

CHAPTER III

OTHER WARWICKSHIRE ARDENS

It would be interesting to know more of some of the other Warwickshire
Ardens, particularly those mentioned in the Register of the Guild of
Knowle, as some have suggested that Shakespeare's mother may have
descended from them:

"1460. John Arden and Agnes, his wife, of Longehychyngton.

"1504. Richard Arden and Margaret, his wife, and for the souls of John
and Johanna, their parentes, of Longeychyngton.

"1506. For the souls of John Arderne and his wife, of the same.

"... Richard Salway, and Estell his wife, and for the soul of John
Arderne.

"1512. Alicia Arderne, and for the soul of William."

On turning to the Subsidy Rolls to find any further notice of the Ardens
of Long Itchington, I found only the following: "14 and 15 Hen. VIII.
Co. Warr., Knighton Hundred, Bilton [the next parish to Long
Itchington].[439] Thomas Arderne, land, 4 marks, 2/6. Solks. Henry
Arderne in goods 40/- 4d." The latter is twice repeated.

In the same Guild Register appears as member:

"1496. Robert Arderne, Master of Arts, Rector of Lapworth."

He does not appear in the preserved pedigree, as Robert, the son of
Walter, who died 1502, was in the King's service. The Warden and
scholars of Merton College appointed Robert Ardern, Master of Arts, to
the Rectory of Lapworth, January 10, 1488. On the rood loft of the
church are the arms of Sir Henry Arden:[440] Ermine, a fesse chequy, or
and az., with a crescent for difference, arms, by some thought to be the
parson's.

Henry de Arden,[441] in the time of Henry II., had two sons: Thomas of
Curdworth[3] and William de Rodbourn.[442] The descent of Thomas we have
already noticed, as well as the descent of Thomas Arden, of Drayton,
elder son of William Arden de Rodbourn. The second son of William was
another William of Rodbourn, killed in 17 Henry III. He married Avisia,
daughter of Robert de Kyngeston, and had also a son, William of
Rodbourn, whose heir was William, who sold the manor in 1369.

Dugdale says that Little Grafton was called Arden's Grafton because it
was bought by William de Arden in 10 John. In 52 Henry III. William de
Arden was certified to hold it of the Earl of Warwick; b