, Thomas Edkyns the
younger; _Margaret_, who married first Alexander Webbe of Bearley (by
whom she had a son Robert), and secondly Edward Cornwall; _Joyce_, of
whom there is no record but in her father's settlement and will;[87]
_Alice_, who was one of the co-executors of her father's will, but of
whom there is no further record; and _Mary_, the other executor, who
married John Shakespeare. The exact dates of their birth are not known.
Robert may be supposed to have been married about 1520, and it is
probable that Mary was born about 1535. It is _likely_ that she was of
age when made executor in 1556, but not at all _necessary_.

Robert Arden married again when his family had grown up--probably in
1550--Agnes Webbe, who had been assessed as the widow of Hill of Bearley
on L7, in 37 Henry VIII., 1546. On July 17, 1550, Robert Arden made two
settlements of the Snitterfield estates, probably upon his marriage.[88]
In the first,[89] he devised estates at Snitterfield in trust to Adam
Palmer and Hugh Porter, for the benefit, after the death of himself and
his wife, of his three married daughters--Agnes, Joan and Katharine. In
the second, a similar deed,[90] in favour of three other
daughters--Margaret (then married to Alexander Webbe of Bearley), Joyce
and Alice. Mary is not mentioned, probably because the Asbies estate was
even then devoted to her.

Robert Arden, sick in body, but good and perfect of remembrance, made
his last will and testament[91] November 23, 1556, and he must have died
shortly after. This will of itself answers the question as to his
worldly position, and as to the meaning of the word "husbandman" in his
case. The wage of a working "husbandman" at the time was from 25s. to
33s. a year.[92] His will discloses property on a level with many
"_gentlemen_" of his time and his county. It gives a strong suggestion
that Mrs. Arden was not on the best of terms with her stepchildren.
Robert bequeathed his soul "to God and the blessed Lady Saint Mary, and
all the holye company of heaven," and his body to be buried in the
churchyard of Saint John the Baptist at Aston Cantlowe. "Also I
bequeathe to my youngest daughter Marye all my land at Willincote
caulide Asbyes, and the crop upon the grownde sown and tythde as hitt is
... and vi^li xiii^s iiii^d of money to be paid her or ere my goodes be
devided. Also I gyve and bequeathe to my daughter Ales, the thyrde parte
of all my goodes moveable and unmoveable in fylde a