heraldryofyorkmi01custuoft

THE SCROPES. 85
speak of Sir Robert Grosvenor or his ancestors, or of anyone bearing the
name of Grosvenor.
Two of those summoned, viz., John Leycester and Sir John Pole,
could not or would not remember anything. Sir John Brereton was stoutly
contumacious, refused to give any evidence, and was fined ^20.
It is interesting, too, to notice the early age at which many of them
were " armed," i.e. entered on service in the field ;
some as early as ten years
of age, many at fourteen or sixteen, while the majority were under twenty.
Many, on the other hand, had attained a great age. Many over sixty years ;
indeed, John Thirlewalle deposed that his father, when he died, was of the
age of seven score and five ans and ("vii. v.") i.e. 145, and had been armed
during sixty-nine years. But Sir Harris Nicolas thinks " either that the
"deponent was mistaken about his father's age, or that the person who
" took down his statement, or he who copied
it on the roll in the Tower,
"committed an error on the subject." Sir R. Roos, 76; Sir Thomas Roos
of Kendal, 80; William Heselrigg, 70; Sir John Chydioke, 100 and upwards;
Sir John Sully of Iddesleigh, Devon, 105 years. He had passed
the greater part of his life in the field, and was the hero of a hundred
battles ;
but now, overcome with the infirmities of advanced years, his
evidence, together with that of his old and faithful squire, Richard Baker,
was taken at his own home.
Eventually the Constable gave judgment in favour of "Mr. Scrope,"
and allowed "Mr. Grosvenor" the same arms, with a white border, adjudging
him to pay the costs. But he utterly refused both arms and judgment, and
appealed to the King, who on 27th May, 1390, gave judgment in the
great chamber of Parliament, in his palace at Westminster, to the same
effect. The bill for the expenses, amounting to ^466 135. 4^., was reduced
by the " comyssaryes " appointed for the purpose to fifty marks. But as
the said Robert would not appear, and was obstinate, it was again assessed
by the King, on Monday, 3rd of October, first day of Parliament, at 500
marks. "
Wch seid som' of v c m'ks the seyd Sir Robert Grosvenor
-
" requested the seyd Sir Rychard Scrope to forgive him, who agayne
" awnsweryd that he had so ivell usyd hym and belyed hym in his answers,
" that he des'vyd no courtesye. Who agayne aunswered that hyt
was not
"his doings, but his counsellors, to make his mattre seame the bettre,
" and that he knewe he dyd not well nor seyd trewle therein. Wheruppon
" he agayne aunsweryd that yf he wolde so openlye declare, pr'fesse, and
" confesse, and be content, it shuld be so enteryd of recourde, wch he
" requestyd the Kinge hit myght be, that then he wold forgyve
;
hym wch
" was done accordinglye, and the som forgeven, and they made frynds
" afor the Kinge in the P'lyament howsse." And so the great cause
celebre of Heraldry concluded.
M