ed before 1359, and
died 1391. He married Katherine, daughter of Sir Richard Stafford,
heiress of Clifton Campvile, Pipe, Haselover, and Statfold, and was
buried in Elford Church, where his beautiful marble monument still
remains. He is represented in full knightly armour, wearing a rich
collar, with the letters "S.S." interwoven, his basinet bearing the
words "The Nazarene." His wife lies by his side, richly robed, and also
wearing a collar with "S. S." His son and heir, John, born at Elford,
March 12, 1369, was over twenty-one at his father's death,[482] 15
Richard II. He married Margaret Pilkington, and died in 1408, leaving no
male heir.[483] A large monument in memory of him in Elford Church is
almost decayed.
In his inquisition, his nearest male relatives are stated to be Robert
de Legh, of Adlington, aged forty, and Hugh de Wrottesley, aged eight.
His only daughter was Matilda, aged twelve, who was granted Alderley and
Etchells only. She married Thomas de Stanley.[484] John's widow,
Margaret, took for her second husband Sir Robert Babthorpe, and died
1423. Her Inquisition Post Mortem is very interesting. She died seized
of Nether Alderley only, which reverted to her daughter, Matilda
Stanley.
"The Prince of Wales as Earl of Chester _versus_ Margaret, formerly wife
of John, son of Thomas de Arderne, to determine the right to the manors
of Aldford, Alderdelegh, and Echells, the advowsons, and 10 marks a year
from the manor of Upton, in Wyrehale. It mentions that Thomas and
Walkelyn were illegitimate; but Walkelyn died _s.p._, and pleaded the
settlement" (Chester Pleas, 10 Henry IV., m. 9, _Genealogist_, New
Series, vol. xv.).
Another Chester Plea Roll records the suit of Richard, son of John de
Radcliff and Matilda his wife, against Isabella, formerly wife of John
de Legh, Chivalier, for land in Modberlegh, which John de Ardene gave to
John de Legh for his life, with remainder to John, son of John de Legh
and Matilda, daughter of John de Ardene, and to the heirs of the bodies
of John de Legh and Matilda (_Genealogist_, New Series, vol. xiii.).
Sir Thomas Arden and Sir John bore as arms the three crosses crosslet,
and the chief or, the same as the legitimate family.
Hugh, the son of Peter Arden, of Alvanley and Hawarden, carried on the
main line, and had full possession of his estates by 1372. He married
twice--first, Agnes Hulme, by whom he had Peter and Ralph;[485] and
second, Cicely de Hyde,[486] by wh
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